𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍𝐊 || 𝐁.𝐄

2

RED INK
chapter two

it didn't hurt, at least not in the way she had imagined.

the needle irritating her skin and the buzzing shaking through her bones. but still it had something addictive to it, like she wants to feel it again and again, any second of the day. a feeling she didn't really know how to put into words.

she later came to the conclusion that it was numbing, silencing every thought that crossed her mind. 

it was a dull pain, hard to describe.
something like scratching but not as harsh, something like bruising but not as gentle.

laying there- with billie holding her waist to make smooth outlines and the stinging of the needle pokes- it was almost tranquil.

and she wondered, if it ever gets addictive. wonders if that's why billie was covered in them from head to toe and if she also got any thoughts to numb.

the clock told her that she had been here for over an hour, but it surley hadn't felt like that.

"and, we're done," billie smiled in satisfaction, turning off the tattoo gun, "how are you feeling?"

lana understood now why people usually had multiple tattoos. it was in fact addicting. and she asked herself how fast she could make a new appointment without looking desperate.

she sat up, listening to her body and waiting for dizzyness to kick in. it didn't.

"i'm good." the brunette confirmed with a short nod.

"it suits you," billie said as she cleaned her supplies, "looks like it was made for your skin."

something about those words felt different. sure, compliments in general were great but they usually only touched a surface level.

someone complimenting your clothes just means you put on some pretty fabric.

someone complimenting your makeup just means that your new lipstick has a lovely colour.

but saying that something was like made for her. something so permanent and bold.

it was personal and precious and it felt like lana wanted to keep it like a secret. wished she could grab billies words from the air, put them into a box and lock them up so she'd be the only person with a key to ever hear them.

she inspected the fresh wound on her reddened skin in the mirror.

red, thick lines across her ribs creating a beautiful artwork of flowers and thorns.

"i love it." she murmured, as if she was speaking to her reflection. she didn't dare to trace over her skin, though her fingers itched with the urge.

"i'm glad you do," billie appeared behind her in the mirror, giving the tattoo a once-over, "i'll put some wrapping around it, in case it will bleed a little and so the ink doesn't ruin your clothes. you can remove it tonight and just wash over it with warm water. make sure you'll keep it moisturized throughout the day."

lana wasn't sure she heard a single thing, too distracted by either the red lines or billies blue eyes. or both. 

"if you have any questions or if anything doesn't feel right, call me." she heard the tattoo artist instruct and nodded. then she paused. "call you?" she furrowed her brows, "i don't have your number." 

the smaller turned around to face the taller one a few inches away from her with a note in her hand. "now you do," the blue haired woman smirked, "for ermergencies of course." she added with a wink.

lana smiled and took the little piece of paper. 

after her tattoo was covered in plastic wrap, they made their way up to the front.

"uhm," the brunette started, fiddling with her fingers, shifting her weight from one foot to another, "can i already make a new appointment?"

the blue haired woman laughed quietly.

"you should wait until this one is healed. after that, feel free to come over as much as you like."

lana nodded, understanding. one should be enough for now.

"right. well, thank you again, you really did an amazing job." she was being awkward, she was trying to drag this out.

the artist just waved it off, but it visibly boosted her ego.

"not for that. just doing my job. but i'm happy you like it."

the smaller girl shot her one last shy smile before making her way to the exit.

the door was already halfway open, when she stilled in her movements and turned so she was in profile. her hand still on the doorhandle, she glanced at the tattoo artist in the room.

"billie?" she asked carefully.

"yeah?" the blue haired woman looked up at the girl.

lana was quiet for a second, tasting her next words on her tongue to see if they were bitter.

they were, a little.

"is my birthday an emergency too?"

billie licked her lips before the corners of her mouth turned upwards.

"oh, absolutely."

◇◇◇
short chapter, i'm sorry:')