Delgado

Chapter 23

A/N - bet you didn't expect this notification...

TW: this chapter contains scenes surrounding grief (Xav's POV)

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Caleb

"Wanna paint me? I could- could be your model", I removed my brush from the canvas and stared at Theo, "right. Shutting up".

"I didn't mean sit in silence, it was a joke", since I'd snapped at him two months ago I hadn't forgiven myself, "talk away".

"You're still- still treading on egg- eggshells", he rolled his eyes, picking up a picture frame from my desk and smiling slightly, "it's been two months".

"Your point?", I scoffed, continuing to add colour to the rough sketch I'd been doing for the past hour, "it could be two years, I'm still gonna think about it".

"Get over- over it. I have", he placed the frame back down and glanced over at me, I could feel his eyes on me even though mine were fixed on what I was doing.

"If you were in my position you'd be the same", I pointed out and he hummed.

"Maybe. But I'm not", he shrugged. I choked out a laugh, flicking some paint at him which left a blotch of red on his white T-shirt.

"Hand slipped", I muttered and he scowled, pulling off the shirt and throwing it in the bin. I chuckled as he vanished into my wardrobe, muttering something to himself under his breath.

"Such a dick", was all I got out of it, "I- I- I-". I waited, stroking the brush on the canvas in deep conversation as silence filled the air.

Quite a lot of silence.

"You...", I trailed off, peering over my shoulder and meeting Theo's gaze as he emerged from the wardrobe in a black hoodie.

"Need to- to tell you something", he stuffed his hands into his pockets and sighed, "Harper-,".

"Oh fuck no", I snapped, "if you've spoken to that bitch-,".

"Shut up and listen", he cut me off and I closed my mouth, "she- she called the parlour, asking for a- for a session".

"With you? I swear to god if you said yes to that low life piece of-,", he levelled me with a look and I shut up once again; the girl who Theo had had his tattoo 'date' with two months ago had turned out to be nothing but an ableist bitch.

"Not with me", he shook his head, "with you". I paused my painting, glancing back at him with a frown.

"Explain", I narrowed my eyes and he lowered himself onto my bed.

"I persuaded my boss to- to let you come in and- and- and act as a tattoo artist", he said and my eyes widened, "you're doing her- her tattoo". I laughed, placing my brush down and ruffling Theo's hair harshly.

"You fucking genius", I grinned, "when? What do I tattoo on her? I can't tattoo".

"Relax", he chuckled, "I've got a week to show- to show you how it works...and you're- you're not lacking in the artistic side".

"Was that a compliment?", I teased, "please let me tattoo 'ableist' on her forehead".

"I wish", he snorted, "it can't be- can't be too bad, she can sue".

"And she can be paid off with a sum of money from my fucking bank", I scoffed, "I'll tattoo whatever the fuck you want me to, remember she's the one who started this". He bit his lip and nodded, running a hand through his hair.

"I know", he threw himself back onto the bed and huffed, "I don't know- know how people are so stupid".

I recalled the moment when my phone rang and I had frowned at Theo's name, he rarely phoned me unless it was urgent. And then upon hearing Harper had refused to be tattooed by him because she questioned his competence I was nothing but infuriated. He was probably smarter than her and her whole family combined.