Red Ink

Part 2 - Rejections

"So you do the coverup tattoos, right? The red ones?"

Kirishima was leaning against the table on folded arms, watching the girl before him intently. He couldn't help it, really; Miss Red was beautiful. Who wouldn't want to sit and look at her? And she was a tattoo artist? There had to be giant hearts in his eyes, he was sure of it.

"I do. Is the scar on your eye troubling you?"

"Oh, no no no!" Kirishima sat up and shook his hands with a light laugh. "No, I like that one. I like 'em all, actually. They're a part of me, y'know?"

Y/N tilted her head, a gesture that the man across from her mirrored. "Then... forgive my bluntness, but why are you here? I don't think my services are what you're looking for."

Kirishima looked up. "I uh... recently got an injury on my back that's kind of... well, I need the mark gone." When he leaned against the table again he rested his chin in his hand. He still couldn't look away from her.

Y/N sighed. "That's not going to work. My quirk only works on scar tissue. If you were injured recently, my tattoo would just be regular old ink, and the wound wouldn't heal." She still didn't quite know what to think of him. As sweet as his demeanor was, it wasn't enough to lower her guard, especially with how dangerous he looked.

"No problemo! It's all scarred over now."

Red frowned. "How recently were you injured?"

"Uhh... two weeks ago?"

She couldn't help the laugh that fell from her lips. Kirishima was positively entranced by the sound. Did she know how pretty she was? He definitely had to tell her soon.

"Scar tissue takes several months to form, sometimes longer," She protested. "May I see it?"

His playful demeanor fell and his smile vanished. "I'd prefer not to. I can show you in private if you need, just... not in public. Sorry." In an instant, his cheerful grin was back. "But I can promise it's all scar tissue. Got it treated professionally. You heard of Recovery Girl?"

Y/N froze and locked eyes with Kirishima.

"What's wrong?" His concern sounded genuine. Worried.

"You know Recovery Girl."

"Uh huh! Known her for like... damn, maybe 8 or 9 years now? She worked at my highschool. She's the best."

UA.

Red's blood ran cold as the realization set in. Shit. "You're a hero," She breathed, mostly to herself. That's how Mei knew him– they must've gone to school together. But other heroes weren't like Mei. Unlike heroes, Mei was welcome in the Underground. Mei worked with both sides.

Thank god she was sober. Had anyone else heard him? She had to get this guy out of here. What if someone recognized him? Or worse, saw her with him?

"Smart girl. Y'know, I think it was fate that we met. My hero name is actually Red R—"

"Hush! Keep quiet," She ordered. All of the nerves she'd felt about him were gone; Instead, her fear of him was replaced with a fear of the people around her. If they knew he was a hero, then they were both going to be in deep shit. "Play it cool, okay? Follow me."

Kirishima was wildly confused, but a beautiful girl was telling him to follow her, so of course he obeyed; but he wasn't done trying to flirt, either. He stayed close behind as they weaved through the dozens of patrons, eventually passing the bar. "Should we grab a drink on the way out? I'm buyin'."

Red whipped around and jabbed a finger in his chest with urgency, which he couldn't help but smile at. "I mean it! You have got to stay quiet." Her eyes darted back and forth to check for anyone listening in.