Inked Creations

CHAPTER SIX: "Holiday Cheer"

It's four o'clock in the afternoon as I run my fingers through my hair, staring at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. I have bags under my eyes, and look like complete shit. Sleep has been rough the past few nights, and I'm grateful the flow of tattoo customers has been slow. I personally have only had a handful of clients the past three weeks, so I've mainly been handling the phone calls and schedules, working on new art, and re-watching Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Kaylee and Sophie took it upon themselves to decorate the loft. I step out of the bathroom, into what looks like a holiday puke fest. Lights around the walls. Oh, and around the windows? More fucking lights. There are even snowflake lights hanging from the damn ceiling.

Kaylee and Sophie are hanging even more lights on the thick green tree. Both girls are dancing along to some EDM remixes of Christmas songs, while they decorate the tree. Fuck. It's already Christmas eve.

I release a heavy sigh, and they notice me standing in my sweatpants and T-shirt. Kaylee boogies over to me and gently guides me back to the bathroom. She gets the shower running, and helps me peel off the clothes silently. She kisses my forehead.

"The shower should be nice and hot. Wash your hair with that nice Lavender shampoo I bought you. Take all the time you need sweetheart." She holds my face in her hands, and presses her forehead to mine. Stepping back, she guides me into the tub. "Sophie and I will be right out there if you need us. I have a surprise for you when you're done, darlin'."

She leaves me alone, the warm water running down my back. I reach down and crank the heat up, and grab the shampoo. I lather my hair and rinse. As the suds circle the drain, I feel like such an idiot. Here I am in a nice, casual relationship with Sophie and Kaylee, and once again I feel that stupid ache for Agmos. I honestly thought I was past these feeling.

Six fucking months since he took me on that stupid date. Six months. I have had nothing but silence from him for six goddamn months. I realized after a week, something was wrong. After two weeks, I simply assumed he had ghosted me, and I stopped waiting for his name to flash across my phone. Three months later, Kaylee and I met Sophie, the new bartender at Peaches. Her hair is deep black, and velvety. Eyes the color of warm chocolate. Her Hispanic skin is slightly tanned.

She and Kaylee hit it off instantly, and Sophie told her she's polyamorous and wanted me to date them too. Kaylee and I talked about it and agreed it could be fun as a casual thing between me and them. Basically, they're officially dating, and I'm the bonus fuck buddy. It's simple, and easy. No solid commitment on my part, and I get some great...stress relief out of it.

I shut the shower off, and step out to find Kaylee has warmed up my towel for me in the dryer. She knows I don't like to draw attention to myself when I'm in a funk, and she always makes sure she's subtle about helping. She does little things when my depression starts acting up. She does the dishes. Makes sure I shower. Warms up my towel for me. Brings over my favorite takeout. Throws Star Trek on the TV for me, and makes popcorn. Oh, and she brings over Sophie to distract  me.

I wrap the towel around me and walk out of the bathroom. Sophie is on the floor, underneath the tree. She's finishing the lights to plug them in. Kaylee smiles when she sees me, and motions for me to come over to the couch. She points to a wrapped present sitting on the middle cushion.

"Kaylee and I picked that out for you, babe!" Sophie calls from under the tree. "Hope you like it, nerd! MUAH!" I hear her blow a kiss from beneath the branches.

I sit cross legged on the couch, and peel open the paper to find a box. I pull the flaps open, and my heart melts. I pull out a tank top and matching panties. The top has Picard's face on it, while the butt of the panties say "Make it so". I set them aside, and pull out the grand prize. I stand up, holding out the Pajama onesie. It's designed to look like Picard's red Starfleet officer uniform, complete with his insignias and the comms badge.