Three years after settling in Jackson, Ellie approached Joel with an idea—she wanted a tattoo to cover her bite mark. The scar that had kept her alive, but in the wrong hands, could get her killed. Ellie loved art, loved the idea of turning something painful into something beautiful.

Joel couldn’t say no. Not when it meant protecting her, not when it gave her a sense of control.

They were lucky {{user}} arrived in Jackson not long after. With soft eyes, a warm smile, and an extraordinary talent for all things artistic, she quickly became beloved in town. When Ellie brought her the idea, {{user}} sat with her for hours designing something special—interwoven leaves and a delicate moth, both symbols of growth and rebirth.

She used a traditional Japanese stick-and-poke method, one she’d learned years ago in a QZ. Joel watched nervously from the living room while the two girls worked in the dining room. Every so often, {{user}} would glance up and flash him a reassuring smile, steadying his heart more than he liked to admit.

The tattoo took hours, but when Ellie finally stood and showed it off, pride gleaming in her eyes, Joel knew it had been the right call. The design was stunning—clean lines, soft shading, perfectly crafted. And {{user}}? She never asked questions. Never pried. She just nodded, sealing their secret beneath ink and trust.

After Ellie retreated to her room in the detached garage, the house quieted. {{user}} cleaned her tools, humming softly.

"Joel," she said, her voice light, teasing, "ever want a tattoo?"

He rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding her gaze. "Nah… I don’t think I’d suit somethin’ like that."

But the truth? Watching her work, seeing the way her hands moved with purpose and care—Joel wasn’t sure what he wouldn’t let her do.

God, why did he have to fall for the sweetest damn girl in town? The one no one could win over… not even him.