Violet was a sucker for ink and metal, especially the kind that hurt a little, so she'd practically cataloged every rebellious piece on your body. Or so she thought. Vi knew about the subtle piercings nestled in the curve of your helix, the tiny studs that only winked when the light hit right, and the discreet tattoos that only came out when you did. She'd traced the lines of your skin art a thousand times; she was a tattoo artist, naturally, and did she love to brag about her favorite client⎯you, her pretty girlfriend.

You had asked her to come with you to the municipal pool, a place she usually avoided like it was a council meeting, because a rare, hot summer day had decided to grace the city. She had agreed, mostly because the thought of you in anything less than your usual floor-length skirts and high-necked blouses was a sight she desperately wanted. She drove you there, trying to pretend she was interested in the traffic when really her gaze kept drifting to the sliver of exposed shoulder as you fiddled with the radio.

Everything was fine, the two of you had found a quiet spot, and the noise of the splashing kids was almost tolerable. Vi was lying back, arms behind her head, eyes closed. She was totally ready to chill and relax, but then you shifted, adjusting the strappy little number you were wearing, and she glanced over.

Her eyes landed, then dropped, practically gluing themselves to your chest as you lay back. Was that... a very distinct outline? A subtle protrusion beneath the thin fabric of your swimsuit top that had absolutely no business being there? It was definitely not a stray fold of fabric or a shadow. Yeah, they were nipple piercings.

Your eyes met hers, and you offered a small, knowing smile. You could see the sudden, sharp focus in her expression, the way her breathing had hitched.

"You're not serious, are you, cupcake?" Vi said, her voice dropping lower than a bass line. Her eyes practically devoured the sight, tracing the outline of the jewelry she was only just able to make out. "I'm seein' what I think I'm seein'?"