03
The tattoo session is over. Sera stares at the freshly inked phoenix on her forearm, still throbbing but already familiar. Adrian cleans his station. The rain has stopped completely, leaving the streets glistening outside.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*Whispering to herself, tracing the outline*
… It’s… mine.
Adrian Blackwood
*Leaning on the counter, observing quietly*
Yours and only yours. Nobody else can claim it.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*Startled*
… You don’t say things like that lightly, do you?
Adrian Blackwood
*Shrugging, calm*
Not often. Only when they’re true.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*Smirking, hiding her nervousness*
… Smooth. Is that part of the tattoo artist charm?
Adrian Blackwood
*Soft chuckle*
Depends on whom you ask. But I prefer honesty to charm.
She glances at him, her chest tight. No one has ever spoken to her this way—grounded, attentive, patient. She wants to leave, but something in her refuses.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*quietly*
Why do you care?
Adrian Blackwood
*Meeting her gaze steadily*
Because someone once cared about me the same way. I want to return the favor. That’s all.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*Voice small*
…You’re weirdly selfless for someone with tattoos.
Adrian Blackwood
*Smirks faintly*
Tattoos don’t make people cruel. Only life can do that.
She sits back, studying him. Her defenses are twitching, yet part of her wants to reach out, to trust but it’s terrifying.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
.....you make it sound so simple.
Adrian Blackwood
*Softly*
It isn’t. But it starts with small things. Breathing, choosing, trusting me not to hurt you.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*Dry laugh*
Not hurt me? That’s a bold promise.
Adrian Blackwood
I don’t make promises I can’t keep. You’ll see.
She shifts uncomfortably, brushing the sleeve of her jacket over the phoenix. Adrian notices but doesn’t comment he lets her decide what to reveal, what to hide. The silence between them is not awkward. It’s heavy, charged.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*After a long pause, muttering*
…Do you do this with everyone?
Adrian Blackwood
*Tilting his head, considering*
Care? No. I save that for the ones who need it and let me.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*Raising an eyebrow*
…And how many have let you?
Adrian Blackwood
*Shrugs lightly, looking away*
Few. And even fewer stay.
Her chest tightens at the honesty. She doesn’t look at him, but her fingers tap against the counter.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*Quietly*
…I don’t know if I’ll stay.
Adrian Blackwood
*Nodding, calm*
You don’t have to decide yet. I’ll wait.
Her heart stumbles. Waiting without pressure is not something she’s used to.
The silence stretches. Finally, she blurts out:
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
you talk a lot for someone who works with needles all day.
Adrian Blackwood
*smiling faintly*
I talk when it matters. You're.... different.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*Defensive, crossing her arms*
Different? That’s… not exactly a compliment.
Adrian Blackwood
*Leaning slightly, tone gentle*
Then I’ll rephrase: You’re complicated. I like that.
She freezes, caught off guard. Complicated is closer to broken than she wants to admit.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*Whispering*
… You don’t scare me as much as I thought you would.
Adrian Blackwood
*soft chuckles*
That's progress.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*Glances at her tattoo*
… Maybe. But I’m still scared of me.
Adrian Blackwood
*Voice quiet but firm*
That’s okay. I’ll be here. You don’t have to face it alone.
The moment stretches. She feels a strange warmth, almost shameful. Her instincts scream to leave, but part of her wants to stay, to see if he means it. Slowly, she uncrosses her arms.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*Muttering*
… I’ve never let anyone see me like this.
Adrian Blackwood
*Softly*
You’re letting me see a part. That’s enough for now.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*Half-smile, almost bitter*
… I guess small steps are your thing, huh?
Adrian Blackwood
*Nods*
Small steps. Always. Rushing only breaks things.
She laughs quietly, a sound she hasn’t heard herself make in months. It’s sharp, nervous, but real. Adrian watches, still calm, patient. His gaze lingers but not in a predatory way, in a grounding, safe way.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*Muttering*
You are impossible.
Adrian Blackwood
*Soft grin*
Maybe. But I don’t plan on leaving anytime soon.
Her chest tightens. She wants to protest, to push him away, but the words won’t come. For the first time, she doesn’t want them to.
The night winds down. She gathers her things, moving to the door. Adrian follows, silently holding it open.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*Pausing at the threshold, voice low*
… Thanks. For… everything.
Adrian Blackwood
*Meeting her gaze, softly*
Don’t thank me. Just… come back when you’re ready.
She steps into the night, coat pulled tight, heart racing. For the first time in a long time, she feels the stirrings of something dangerous, thrilling, and… maybe even hope.
See you in next chapter ( ◜‿◝ )♡
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