02
The next evening. Sera returns to the tattoo studio, though she told herself she wouldn’t. The rain has stopped, but the streets still glisten. Adrian is sketching when she walks in. The bell chimes.
Adrian Blackwood
*without looking up*
You came back.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*defensive*
.... Don't sound so smug about it
Adrian Blackwood
*Glances up, smirk tugging at his mouth*
Smug? No. Relieved, maybe.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*rolling her eyes, setting her notebook on the counter*
Relieved I’m giving you business?
Adrian Blackwood
*Closing his sketchbook calmly*
Relieved you didn’t let fear keep you away.
She freezes. He says it so casually, like it’s not a big deal, but it hits her like a punch. She looks away, fidgeting with her sleeve.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
I still haven't decided.
Adrian Blackwood
*Gesturing to the chair*
Then sit. No pressure. We’ll just… talk.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*snort*
Talk... In a tattoo studio.
Adrian Blackwood
*Smiling slightly*
Stranger things have happened.
She hesitates, then sits. Adrian doesn’t push, just leans back on his stool, watching her without prying. The silence stretches until she breaks it.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
Do people usually… tell you their life stories before you ink them?
Adrian Blackwood
*Shrugs lightly*
Sometimes. Skin holds more than blood. Some people need to let it out before they let me carve into it.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
And what if they don’t want to let it out?
Adrian Blackwood
*steady voice*
Then I don't ask. It's not my story to take.
She studies him, suspicious. She’s used to people pushing, demanding, forcing their way in. He doesn’t. That unsettles her more than questions would.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
You're weird.
Adrian Blackwood
*chuckles lowly*
Occupational hazard
She pulls out her notebook, flips it open, and slides it toward him without explanation. Inside is a rough sketch of a phoenix scribbled, raw, uneven. He looks at it quietly.
Adrian Blackwood
You drew this?
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
...... Yeah... Don't laugh.
Adrian Blackwood
*Gaze steady, serious*
Why would I laugh? It’s honest.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*surprised*
Honest?
Adrian Blackwood
*Tapping the page lightly*
Not polished. Not pretty. But it feels alive. That’s rare.
Her cheeks warm. She quickly looks away, hating the way his words stir something in her chest.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
It's just a doodle. Nothing special.
Adrian Blackwood
Everything you put your pain into is special.
The air thickens. She bites her lip, not sure what to say. Adrian doesn’t push, just closes the notebook gently and sets it aside.
Adrian Blackwood
You ready to see the stencil I drew from yesterday’s sketch?
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*hesitant, then nods*
… Fine.
He pulls a sheet from his folder and places it in front of her. The phoenix is half-risen, wings scorched but powerful. Not triumphant yet but surviving. Her throat tightens.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*quietly*
You changed it.
Adrian Blackwood
Made it yours.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*Staring at it*
It looks.... strong.
Adrian Blackwood
*softly*
So are you.
She flinches, shaking her head quickly.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
No... I'm not.
Adrian Blackwood
*Voice steady, not arguing, just stating*
Yes. You are. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here.
Silence. She grips her knees, fighting the ache in her chest. She hates that his words make her want to cry.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*Forcing sarcasm*
Are you always this… Hallmark-quote poetic with your clients?
Adrian Blackwood
*Smirks faintly*
Only with the ones who pretend they don’t need it.
She huffs, trying not to smile. He watches her carefully, his gaze intense but gentle. Finally, she exhales sharply.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
.....fine. Let's do it.
Adrian Blackwood
*Steady, confirmed*
You're sure?
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*Nods, clutching her sleeves*
Yes I want it.
He doesn’t rush. He sets up the machine slowly, explaining every step: gloves, ink, needle. His voice is calm, grounding. She watches, nerves crawling up her spine.
Adrian Blackwood
*Gently*
First tattoo feels like a sting. You’ll want to flinch. Don’t fight it...just breathe.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*Mutters*
Easier said than done.
Adrian Blackwood
I'll guide you.
She pulls up her sleeve, revealing faint scars along her forearm. Adrian doesn’t stare, doesn’t comment...he just nods and presses the stencil gently onto her skin. His touch is steady, respectful. She shivers.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*Whispers*
… You’re not going to ask about them?
Adrian Blackwood
*Meeting her eyes, voice low*
No. You’ll tell me if you ever want to. Until then, they’re just part of your story.
Her breath catches. For the first time, someone doesn’t demand her pain as currency. Her chest aches with relief she didn’t know she needed.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*Softly*
… Thank you.
Adrian Blackwood
*Quiet smile*
Don’t thank me yet. The needle’s next.
The machine buzzes to life, sharp and electric. She stiffens. Adrian leans close, voice calm in her ear.
Adrian Blackwood
Breathe in… breathe out. That’s it. Stay with me.
The needle touches her skin. She gasps, almost jerks, but his hand steadies her wrist not restraining, just anchoring. She forces herself to breathe, focusing on his voice instead of the sting.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*Hissing through teeth*
… Hurts.
Adrian Blackwood
*Steady, soothing*
Pain means it’s real. You’re stronger than it.
Minutes pass. Slowly, the pain evens into a rhythm. Her heartbeat syncs with the buzzing. Adrian keeps talking softly..not about her scars, not about trauma, but about music, art, mundane things..grounding her.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*After a while, voice low*
…It’s not as bad as I thought.
Adrian Blackwood
*Smiling slightly*
Most things aren’t, once you face them.
She looks at him, really looks. The intensity in his eyes isn’t pity...it’s respect. Her throat tightens again. She quickly looks away, but the heat in her chest lingers.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*Murmuring*
…You’re dangerous.
Adrian Blackwood
*Brows raising*
Dangerous?
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*Whispers, more to herself than him*
Because you make me feel like I’m not broken.
He doesn’t answer right away. Just keeps working, steady, patient. Finally, he murmurs.
Adrian Blackwood
You’re not. You’re just healing.
See you in next Chapter ◉‿◉
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