Running In Circles || Nicholas Ruffilo

seven

Cassidy

I didn't know what to expect, nor did I have time to think about it with me being late. I cursed to myself when I saw that Davis was already here for the day, but I just got in my car and drove to my apartment anyway. Luckily I didn't get pulled over and was able to shower and get dressed before being back up at the shop. I wouldn't worry about it but I promised that I would get there early because Tyler asked me to.

I pulled back in at 10, seeing that Tyler had already gotten here and is inside.

"Cassidyyyy," Davis drew out, causing me to blush. "Someone didn't go home last night," he teased.

"Why were you here at 8 in the morning anyway?" I picked back, dodging the question.

"Wednesdays are my paperwork days," he answered simply, and I noted that for myself. For my... arrangement? Which is hardly an arrangement, but I definitely shouldn't sleep over there anymore. That was a mistake. "And who kept you out until 8 in the morning?" he pressed with a shit eating grin, while crossing his arms. Tyler just looked like he was trying to not be visibly pissed off but was failing.

"Your mom," I shot back, making them both guffaw at the classic joke, clearly not expecting it.

"Touché," Davis responded through howling laughter.

"Anyway," Tyler redirected me through a small chuckle, lightly grabbing my arm to lead me to the station, which made me flinch at the unwanted touch. I don't know if he noticed me move away, but he dropped his hand. "I got fake skin in and wanted time while we were closed to show you what to look for."

"Holy shit, I'm already getting to work on fake skin? Hell yeah!" I rejoiced. He shot me a small smile and pulled out some black ink that was different than the one he usually uses.

"So this is specifically for your machine," he says, wiggling the black ink to emphasize his point. "I would start honestly with practicing straight lines and cursive, just before we get into more intricate things that require transferring designs, okay?" he coaches.

"That makes sense," I concur. I hear the back door open and I don't even begin to look behind me, knowing it's probably Nick.

Tyler spins my machine around to show me some buttons. "This is to eject a needle tip out when you're done with it, this is how you lock it in, and this is how you turn it on," he points as he talks. He takes a tip and sticks it in, showing me how to lock it. My usual cold brew appears in front of me and Nick puts one next to Tyler. "Thanks, man," Tyler says quickly to Nick, but I don't even flinch. Again, I have to be colder to him.

He powers up the machine and it vibrates really, really hard in my hand. Think like the highest setting on a vibrator that is borderline barbaric. "Jesus Christ," I mumble. It's so intense that it feels wrong in my hand.

"I know, but hey, it's way more intense than an actual machine. Come feel," he offers. I turn mine off and feel his gun, feeling a clear difference. "So if you can do straight lines with that machine, then you're absolutely golden on a real one," he points out.

"That's true," I concur. "How do I pick up ink in this thing?"

"As it's going, just gently dip it in. Avoid the sides because ink will absolutely go everywhere," he coaches. I nod and dip it in easily, bracing the fake skin with my other hand to keep it still. And man, my first line was super wobbly. This fucking gun just vibrates so hard it's hard to hold steady, but how I understand why people practice for forever. I feel my phone buzz in my pocket with a text, but I couldn't possibly care right now. I have to get a straight line.