the shop was bathed in low amber light with shadows curling along the walls like they knew secrets. it was late, just shy of midnight, and you were exactly where you always was at that hour which was hunched over your sketchbook behind the counter with your pencil sliding over the page with slow, precise strokes. the buzz of the neon sign outside was the only noise, a steady hum that kept you grounded but then the bell over the door rang

you didnt look up. of course you knew it was renee. there was confident but hesitant footsteps. it was that specific kind of contradiction only renee could pull off

"you open?" she asked with her voice just loud enough to cut through the quiet

you still kept your eyes on the paper "technically no"

she didnt leave. instead she walked further in, the sound of her shoes against the tile settling in your chest like a skipped heartbeat

"i want a tattoo" she said

you finally glanced up just once. she had her pink knit sweater hanging off one shoulder and her blonde hair was messy and soft with that familiar glint in her eye like she was daring you to react but you didnt give her the satisfaction

"what do you want?"

she stopped in front of the chair, brushing her hair off her shoulder causally "a little moth. right here" she tapped her shoulder blade "nothing big. just.. simple. clean."

"moth?" you repeated with your eyebrow raises

she shrugged "transformation blah blah. you know how it goes"

you smirked and finally set the pencil down, standing up and walking toward the station "alright moth girl. sit."

she obeyed without another word, laying down stomach first on the table with her arms folded beneath her head. she reached down and tugged the hem of her sweater up slowly, revealing her smooth back inch by inch until her shoulder blades were bare. of course she had no bra on

you snapped your gloves on, prepping the needle "still allergic to bras huh?"

she laughed into the table "still obsessed with pointing that out?"

"some things never change" you muttered but it came out softer than you meant it to

she shifted slightly "i figured youd make me earn your attention"

"you walked in and made yourself comfortable. didnt leave me much choice"

"youre the one who didnt look up when i came in" she teased

"i was busy" you positioned the stencil gently on her skin "dont move."

she went still, letting you work. the only sound was the gentle buzz of the machine. you kept your hand steady as you outlined the delicate wings across her shoulder blade, your fingers brushing the familiar dip of her spine as you worked

"you good?" you asked after a beat

"mhmm" her voice was low "you always had soft hands. even when you pretended to be all rough"

you didnt answer. not because she wasnt right but because she was

you finished the lines and leaned back, peeling your gloves off

"you wanna see it?" you asked

she pushed herself up on her elbows, the sweater still bunched up around her ribs "yeah"

you handed her a small mirror, watching her reflection as she twisted to catch the ink. her smile was real, slow, and satisfied. it made something sharp twist behind your ribs

"i love it" she said, looking back at you

"you better. you paid in emotional baggage"

she laughed again "fair trade"

you gave her a look "you gonna come back for the shading?"

she tilted her head "you want me to?"

you didnt say anything and just went back around the counter and picked up your sketchbook again, flipping to a black page "ill see you soon renee"

she pulled her sweater back down, stood, and headed for the door “yeah. you will”