Roses and Ink|Cricky

5|So Close

Ricky's POV:

"Chris ended up giving me a ride home Friday night." I smiled lightly at the memory of his hand on mine as he drove, running his thumb over my knuckles as I explained what happened to Angelo. "We hung out at the park, and he gave me his jacket, and I kissed his cheek, too!"

"Did he pull away?" Ange asked, looking as if he was eager to hear more, which he was. "It only counts if he didn't pull away,"

"He didn't!" I grinned, hanging up my jacket on the coathanger at the front of the shop. "He even pulled me closer! I paused as I heard the coffee machine in our break room, "Ryan Ashley! I have news!"

She rushed out of the room, then quickly engulfed me in a hug. "Chris told me everything the second he left your apartment!" She gushed, "I can't believe you two hit it off so well!"

I hugged back tightly, "I really like him. He's sweet, funny, caring... I think I might wanna try going out with him." There was no point in hiding it now. I liked Chris, I had a sudden infatuation, I had a...

"Ricky has a crush!" Angelo sang while Ryan let go of me, patting my back. "I think Chris has one too. Nobody just calls their new friends 'stunning' out of the blue." He explained. He grabbed my hand, then pulled me onto the couch in the waiting room. "He's super into you."

"Extremely." Ryan added. "I know Chris better than anyone. When he likes someone, he makes it pretty damn obvious. When he liked me in high school, he looked for any excuse to talk to me, just like he does you, and you've only known each other for less than 24 hours!"

"He doesn't make up excuses to talk to me," I chuckled and shook my head.

The three of us turned our heads when we heard the front door of the shop open. Sure enough, it was Chris, coffee mug in hand. "H-Hey, I ran out of water at the shop. C-Can I borrow some? Hey, Ricky."

I giggled lightly, "Chris, you run a flower shop. I don't think you can successfully run out of water." I teased as he walked closer, wrapping one arm around my waist and bringing me close. I leaned into his touch.

"I-I meant, uhm, coffee. Yeah, cof-"

Ryan Ashley laughed out loud, "you?! Running out of coffee? I find that hard to fuckin' believe, caffeine junkie. What are you really here for?"

He gave her a look of desperation, then looked back to me. "You wanna grab breakfast?"

"I have plans with them already, I-I'm sorry," I murmured, closing my eyes to snuggle closer to his chest. "Maybe for lunch?"

"Loverboy can join us if he wants." Angelo smirked, lightly nudging my shoulder. "I don't have any tattoos until three, and no piercings until noon. We've got some time to waste."

I looked up at Chris and smiled before taking his hand. I pulled away and dragged him to the back of the shop and into my tattoo cubicle, as I called it. I sat him down in the chair, still holding his hand. "I had fun last night." I said quietly.

He chuckled and set down his coffee mug on the chair. "I did too. Couldn't stop thinking about you, either." He took my other hand, then kissed both of them. "Seriously. W-We should do something like that again."

"I wouldn't want you wasting gas on driving me home, though, Chris." I replied, leaning forward to tuck some of his hair behind his ear. "I may live close-by, but it adds up."

"I don't mind. How about after closing time today, I'll come snatch you up? We can go wherever you want."

I blushed, "I'd like that."

"Mhm, thought you would."

I laughed lightly and glanced to the side, looking at my shelf full of ink. I cleared my throat, "s-so how's it looking for you? With your cover-up?" I gave his hands a gentle squeeze.

He smiled. "I'm still thinking of what to cover it with. Maybe just 'Scranton'. This place is my home, y'know?"

I nodded. "I understand. I miss Seattle a lot sometimes, especially when it gets cold here. Reminds me of there." I looked down to the floor as I felt my cheeks heat up. Chris always stared at me and it made me feel weird. Not a bad weird, but a weird where you feel like you wanna look at someone and never look away but at the same time want to hide away completely. Chris squeezed my hands gently.

"You're still up to do my tattoo sometime right?" He asked as I looked up. "I trust you. You do great work, Baby."

I knew damn well my cheeks were red now. I've had a dry spell for years. Not a sex one, just a lack of romantic attraction. I wasn't used to the pet names. "O-Oh, yeah, of course!" I giggled, looking into Chris' eyes. I felt even more relaxed as I got lost in them. They were just so warm and inviting. I let my eyes fall down to his lips, pierced and plump. They looked kissable. Really kissable. Like I could just sit there and stare at them all day.

I jumped slightly when Chris' soft hand touched my cheek, pulling me a bit closer to him. "You're so fucking cute.." He whispered as he rested our foreheads together. "I know you're shy. Don't be afraid to talk."

"Stop reading my mind," I chuckled, leaning into his touch. He made me feel so comfortable. I nearly forgot we were at the tattoo shop. I hummed softly as Chris' thumb rubbed on my cheekbone. "I like that,"

"I know you do." Chris whispered, leaning in closer. Our lips were maybe an inch from touching. "I can tell you wanna kiss me right now too, Sweetheart."

I laughed softly and closed my eyes. "Maybe I do.." I moved my own hand to his cheek and pulled him close, just like he did me. As we leaned closer, we were tragically interrupted by Angelo.

"Breakfast time!" He laughed, throwing a crumpled napkin at us. "And get a room."

Chris and I both groaned, laughing. I looked back at him, tucking some hair behind my ear. "Maybe we'll have to continue this little conversation another time, huh?"

"Sounds good Sweet Pea." Chris smiled, standing up and kissing my forehead. "Wanna ride with me?" He asked, holding out his hand for me to take.

I happily took it. "Duh."

AN: miss me? 💕
-ricky