Chapter 51 - Riot

Call in favors when you need to.

I sat up all night, listening to Eleanor try not to be too loud in her crying. She couldn't hide her body shaking or the constant sniffling though. It was torture. I'd never felt like this before. This… guilt.

The sleep I did manage to get wasn't enough to make me feel refreshed. I got up, threw clothes on, and went downstairs, preparing coffee and slicing some bread for when she woke up. I wasn't much of a cook, so I'd have to go into town to pick up some things while Cherry was gone. I was making a mental list of things I'd need when Eleanor made her way down.

She was slow and quiet in her movements.

"I won't run away if you let me sleep alone," she said when she came into the kitchen. I nodded.

"I'll think about it. I have to go to town, so why don't we blow off work today and you come with me to the shop?"

Her eyes moved from the floor, lighting up. I was momentarily dumbstruck by her smile.

I'd do anything to give her that look forever.

"To the tattoo artist?"

I laughed. "Yeah. Maybe we can get you some clothes too. For now, you'll have to put some of my pants on."

She looked absolutely absurd in my bottoms. She was swimming in them, which only made her more adorable when she tugged on her helmet and motioned for me to get going.

I hopped on my bike and she climbed on behind me. Her arms wrapped around me and I relished in the feeling.

Why did I like this so much?

I tried not to dwell on the confusing feelings as I took us into town. I parked at Scissors and we walked to the places we needed to go. I ordered some food to be brought to the house, along with clothes for Eleanor. We weren't picky on style. She just needed clothes that fit.

"Callahan is going to lose his mind seeing me in pants," Eleanor giggled as we left the store and headed toward the tattoo shop.

"Have you thought about what you might want?"

"Like, a tattoo for myself?" She pointed to her chest.

"Yeah? Why not? You can't be a tattooist without having your own ink."

She considered my words and reached for my hand. I took it and thread my fingers through hers. I sighed deeply, wishing I could feel her soft skin without the barrier of my bike gloves.

"Maybe."

We walked into Sketchy Shit and I called for Boogie.

"Boogs, you busy?"

My long-time friend came from the back with a notebook in his hand. He saw us and grinned. "Hey Riot, and… Eleanor, right?"

Eleanor tried to hide behind me but I stepped aside to reveal her.

"Yes," she said softly.

He went behind the counter and dropped his notebook. "What can I do you two for?"

"She wants a tattoo."

"What— no! I mean— I don't know— I…" she stammered.

Boogie laughed. "I see you eyeing the flash art. Sweetie, why don't you take a look around and see if something catches your eye, then we can think about placement."

She went to the walls and stared at the sketches. I joined her, commenting on this one or that. "I have that one on my back." I pointed to the scorpion.

"I saw that last night," she replied, and pointed. "I kind of like that one."

It was a gas mask.

"Reminds you of home?"

"A little bit." She nodded. We went back to Boogie, who'd heard us and had already started drawing it.

"I actually don't get that design often. How would you feel about a little deviation from the design on the wall?"

Eleanor perked up. "Like, a unique tattoo?"

"Well, I wouldn't say I'm reinventing the wheel, but, you'll see." He told us to wait in the front and he left, returning 20 minutes later with a design. He turned the paper and showed Eleanor. "What do you think?"

The gas mask was pretty standard, but in reflection of the eye shields, you could see giant bomb clouds.

Eleanor gasped. "I love it."

"Okay, now: location." Boogie ran her through some options, explaining that certain places hurt more than others, and the best places for her first tattoo. Eventually, she settled on her left thigh.

The entire time we discussed this, she squeezed my hand tight, never letting me go. I led her through the curtains and she kept her hand securely in mine as she took her bottoms off and laid down on the chair.

Boogie put the stencil on and the entire time, he explained the process.

"A lot of the things I do aren't common practice anymore. Resources are scarce, you know, but my great, great, great grandpa Boogie had his own shop and it feels good to try to replicate his process as much as I can."

His rattling on relaxed Eleanor. Her grip loosened on some on my fingers.

"Okay, ready?" he asked. I noticed as the pair spoke, he stopped using names like sweetie, and was addressing her like he would anyone else. Now, if we could get everyone else to see her for the adult she was.

Boogie brought the machine to her skin and pushed his foot down on the pedal. She pulled in a sharp breath as he began the process, dragging the needles across her skin. She blinked rapidly, but didn't ask to stop. Instead, she asked Boogie questions, the entire time.

I sat there, holding her hand, listening to the two of them talk about art and the process of tattooing. She was utterly fascinated in it all, and Boogie was delighted to have someone just as excited to talk about his job with.

She sat still and in three hours time, he set his machine down and sat back. "You can get up to see it."

I helped her to her feet and she let go of my hand for the first time all day to go to the mirror. She lifted up her shirt and my stomach sank.

Oh fuck.

She'd taken her pants off to get the tattoo, leaving her in just her panties and my shirt. When she lifted her shirt, she exposed her underwear. Which, wouldn't be an issue, as Boogie was a professional, but the red stain on her backside was one.

I glanced at Boogie, who was too busy crouched over beside Eleanor, pointing to various points in the fresh tattoo. I cleared my throat and as politely as I could, I went over and pushed her shirt down. They both gave me curious looks but said nothing.

I'd play the jealous boyfriend if it saved her some embarrassment.

"Let's get out of here, I don't want to miss that shipment I ordered," I said lamely. Both artists smirked, but Boogie stood and got her leg wrapped up.

"Back when Grandpa Boogie was working, they had lotion to soothe your skin, but it's the hardest thing to come by so I don't have any. You took your first piece like a champ, Eleanor." He smiled.

We went to the counter where we worked out payment.

"You've still got that generator?" he asked. He'd seen it the last time he'd been at Heathen Heights, and I'd refused to give it to him.

"I do. It feels like it's worth more than a few hours of tattoo work."

He squinted. "Okay, how about I take on an apprentice?" He eyed Eleanor.

She gasped sharply and instantly reached for my arm. "Oh, Riot, please?"

I shook my head. Boogie grinned, knowing he'd won. He had no intention of turning her away from an apprenticeship. I knew he'd take her on the moment she started asking questions in his chair. But now, I couldn't say no either. Now he had a new employee and an extra generator.

I brought my empty hand up and offered it to him. "You come get it, it's yours."

We shook hands and then as we were heading out the door, he shouted. "I'll see you in the morning, Eleanor!"