Die In California

17

Rook's POV:

We rarely saw Devyn for the next two weeks, and it felt weird. She was busy with her course, now having her own life, and we only got updates at the end of the week when she did her exams. But the night before her final practical exam, she came knocking at my bedroom door with the sweetest smile.

"What?" I playfully groaned, making her roll her eyes but smile nonetheless as she invited herself into my bedroom, taking a seat on the bed beside me with her back against the headboard. I put my phone on my bedside table and shuffled up so that I was sitting beside her rather than laying down, watching her fiddle with the loose threads on the rip of her black skinny jeans. Part of me ached to reach over and take her hand in mine, in hopes to calm her. But there were still boundaries. We weren't at that point yet.

"For my practical tomorrow, I need to tattoo someone. They said a friend, relative or another student. I'd feel more comfortable tattooing you." Devyn quietly explained, avoiding eye contact as she kept her head down and focused on fiddling.

"I mean, I feel like there'd be less pressure tattooing Kells, 'cause like, he's got so many that you wouldn't exactly notice it if I fuck it up. And I feel like it needs to be good for you. But, yeah, I'd feel more comfortable with you. You don't have to say yes, though, I don't mind if you don't want to. I just thought I'd ask. Kells is my back-up, then maybe one of the other students on the course but yeah I don't mind-"

"Devy I'll do it." I cut off her rambling with a light chuckle, making her suddenly look up at me with eyes wide in surprise.
"Really?" She whispered.
"Of course." I laughed and nudged her shoulder with mine, before wrapping my arm around her shoulders and pulling her into my side. She quietly giggled as she fell against me, before accepting her fate and resting her head on my ribs. She seemed to melt right against me, as if this is how we should always be.

"So, what d'you want?" Devyn asked after a few moments, looking up at me with a smile. I couldn't help but to smile back; she was just too fucking adorable.
"Whatever you want to do." I bashfully shrugged. I wanted her to decide; it was her project, and her chance to show off her amazing talent and skill. And maybe there was a slight undertone of me wanting her to mark me. Okay, moving on...

"No, JP, it's your body I'm going to be tattooing. You decide." She argued, but I just shook my head, insisting on her choosing. That resulted in Devyn sitting quietly in thought, her fingers absentmindedly tapping against my stomach or tracing random patterns. She was in her own head, but I'd allow it, as I hoped that she was solely thinking of tattoo designs or preparing herself for her exam.

She'd changed since starting this course; it was something for her to focus on. It seemed therapeutic for her too, since she seemed to be more herself with a clearer head. Most of the time she was sitting with her sketchpad leaned against her thighs, her knees being pulled up in front of her, while her head was tilted to the side and her teeth lightly tugging at her bottom lip in concentration. She was putting her all into it, and I couldn't be more proud.

I'd called Pops while Devyn was out one day, deciding to finally update him - he deserved that much and more, after being there for Dev while I wasn't. I called him midday, sitting in my bedroom out of the way of the others so that I could have a more private conversation without interruptions. He was downstairs originally, so mom had to get herself in on the conversation. She scolded me for not visiting, or giving regular updates on Devyn, but quickly changed her tone when I told her of how well her 'daughter' was doing. That brought a big smile, one that contested with the smile she usually wore while watching me or Pops perform.

Once she was happy with how things are, mom left to continue with her errands while Pops sat down to properly talk with me. "How is she really, my boy?" Pops asked, his voice deep and sincere as he lowered his tone to avoid mom overhearing.
"Seriously she's really good. She's off at the tattoo course today. All she's been doin' recently is sketchin' designs, and she honestly seems so passionate about it. It's good for her." I assured him with a definitive nod.