The Inkwell was certainly one of the oddest shops I’d ever been in. It was dark and the walls were lined with fluorescent neon. the brightest spots were spotlights pointed at boards covered in all manner of designs. I was disheartened at the selection they didn’t really fit me. I briefly considered getting the cliche ‘Mom’ banner over a heart. I was doing all this so we could stay in our home… even if she had kicked me out. It seemed like it’d be a good reminder of how I got here.
Blast came up and nudged my shoulder.
“I’m not gonna sugarcoat it. This is going to hurt.” Her tone was quite serious. “Mako gave me some painkillers for you and you might wanna take them now so they have time to kick in.”
I was not too afraid of pain but I also knew this was probably going to hurt way more than I was expecting. I nodded and held out my hand. She dropped an oddly shaped tablet into it.
“She said it should dissolve.” I looked down at it. I looked more like a candy than any sort of medicine I’d ever taken. I took a deep breath and popped in in my mouth. A flavor like cherry cough syrup assaulted my tongue.
“Ickk”
I had to stop when I realized Blast wasn’t laughing at my misfortune. That really should have been my first clue something was very wrong but I chalked it up to her having a brief moment of empathy. The taste was starting to fade as she lead me over to a chair with a strong overhead light. Blast helped me sit down which I thought was a bit overkill.
The woman next to the chair stared at me from the shadows.
“So what do you want?”
I fumbled for my phone and flipped around until I found the picture I was looking forward to it. She nodded.
“I can do it, where do you want it?”
Blast chimed in. “Probably best to start with your arm.”
I shook my head and turned over in the chair.
“I want it on my back.” I was feeling really heavy.
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah.” I yawned lying down on my stomach and right to sleep.
There was an unnatural grogginess in the way I woke up. I tried to push myself up but immediately regretted it. My back was incredibly sore. I rubbed my eyes as the room was uncomfortably bright. I tried to get my bearings. I was in a bed not my own. It also wasn’t the futon I’d been using at Blast’s. My eyes took a minute to adjust to the light. The light was natural coming in through a large window too close to the bed for my tastes. The room was pretty tastefully decorate even if the aesthetic was somewhat dated. It looked like the home of somebody's grandmother. I pulled myself up which was still painful. I tried to shake off the haze. It wasn’t just my imagination this place was dead silent. I managed to get to my feet and make my way to the open door which led out into an empty but darker hallway. I tried to figure out where I might find find the front door in case I needed to make a quick exit. I turned out into the hall when a shadow fell over me. I nearly jumped out of my skin as a voice called to me. I tried to both run away and spin around at the same time which only landed me right on my butt. I groaned trying to get myself back together.
“Are you alright?” Asked the Russian grizzly that had suddenly appeared behind me. I relaxed as I registered the kind, gravely voice of the Boss. She held out and hand and helped me up.
“I’m still hella sore.” I groaned trying not to touch my back.
“I apologize, I would have stopped them but I arrived far too late.”
I shook my head. The last thing I remember doing was insisting on this ridiculous design.
“Too late to assign blame” I said knowing the blame was my own, I should have listened to Blast but I was just too tired in the moment. What the hell had she given me?
“What the hell did she give me?”
The Boss looked sympathetic.
“I don’t know. It was apparently a sedative Makoto acquired through a new American contact. I would not have authorized its use if I’d been made aware.”
I shrugged if the point was to keep me sedated through the pain of having the tattoo applied it had worked pretty damn well.
“I can’t argue with the results. I don’t remember a damn thing after I got in the chair.”
The Boss nodded.
“I have some ordinary pain relievers that should help you cope with the pain. I’m afraid it will likely be several weeks until it's properly healed. You should avoid soaking it in the meantime.”
I had to duck back into the bedroom so she could pass by the hallway was only just large enough for her to move unobstructed. I sat on the bed and thought. The Boss returned with a bottle of pills and a cup of tea. I am not a tea drinker like coffee I just never cared for the taste but I put up with it to help swallow the pills.
“Uh… not to be rude but is this your place?”
The Boss beamed.
“It is indeed.”
“It’s nice.”
Things were gonna turn awkward fast but before I could think of a follow-up the Boss spoke.
“The others wanted to take you out last night, however...”
“I was out.”
The Boss nodded.
“If you feel up to it tonight, I’ll let them know.”
I didn’t feel up to much of anything at the moment but didn’t see the need to reply at the moment.
“Thanks.” I said trying to figure out what to do now.
“If you are hungry it would be my pleasure to prepare breakfast.” The Boss said casually.
“Uh… sure” I couldn’t think of any good reason to refuse.
The Boss turned and lead me to a small kitchen.
“Eggs and Bacon are acceptable I hope?” The Boss said opening her refrigerator.
“Yeah that’d be great.” I sat carefully as to not press my back up against the dining chair.
Watching the Boss crack an egg was certainly something. It looked tiny between her fingers. She quickly served up some fried eggs and toast which were great. The bacon took a bit longer but it was very crispy.
“I hope it isn’t too dark for you.” The Boss asked as I snapped off a bit and popped it in my mouth.
“Nah this is great, Thanks.”
The Boss smiled warmly.
“Make yourself at home. Call me should you need anything.”
The Boss pulled her shirt off in front of me and folded it neatly over the back of the other chair. My eyes went a bit wider. I know I’d seen her in only a sports bra before but it was no less impressive under the warm lighting of her kitchen. She walked off either not noticing or not acknowledge me staring. I tried to rub out the flush in my cheeks. It was perfectly natural she was incredibly fit and really sweet. Being attracted to someone so charming, kind, and handsome was perfectly natural.
There were some odd noises coming from the room The Boss had gone into. I figured there was no harm in snooping a bit. I walked down the hall as quietly as I could manage and peeked in. The Room looked like a gym. Weights varying sizes lined the walls. A treadmill was set up neat the door. The Boss was in the center lifting weights and it only made her look more impressive.
“Do you need anything?” The Boss stopped mid lift and stared at me.
I shook my head.
“No, no just looking around.”
The Boss nodded and resumed what she was doing. I felt more than a little self conscious the Boss worked really hard to be a strong as she was. Was I even capable of being that powerful? Could I protect my mom with just the training I’d been doing.
“Hey Boss?” I wanted to get this out before I had time to think about it.
She stopped again and looked at me.
“Would you train me?” The expected wave of remorse washed over me as The Boss but her weights aside.
She casually walked over to me and squatted down to bring our eyes level. I tried to harden my gaze into something I hoped looked like resolve. She smiled and kindly rubbed my head. It felt nice.
“Rest today.” She returned to her full impressive height.
“When you’re ready I’ll teach you.”
I smiled. There was something about the Boss that filled me with confidence. She so neatly walked the line between rough and kind. Never before had the term ‘Carebear’ seemed more appropriate. I spent most of the afternoon watching anime and trying very hard not to put pressure on my back or to start scratching. It itched like crazy but I knew better than to mess with it.
“We should put some lotion on.” The Boss said.
She was probably right but I wasn’t exactly wearing anything under my shirt. I’d had a bra on prior to getting the tattoo done. I didn’t know where it was now but I’d woken up with only a bandage wrap that the Boss had told me to remove. I was kinda naked otherwise and given where it was she’d have to rub me down.
I couldn’t hold back a blush. I mean there was a perfectly good medical reason for taking my shirt off and dammit there was nothing gay about it. I unbuttoned my shirt and quickly used it to cover myself and lean down so the Boss could do her thing. Too my relief it didn’t sting too bad and turned soothing pretty fast. The Bosses powerful hands gently caressing my best was actually really nice. I was kinda disappointed when she stopped. I sat up and tossed my shirt back on quickly.
“Thanks.” I said buttoning up.
“You’re very welcome.”
All in all I felt better. Oh I was still a bit sore but things were less itchy and the painkillers were keeping things reasonable. According to the information the Boss gave me it’d be another week or two before I could wear a bra again. Anything constricting like a sports bra would be right out. I really REALLY should have listened to Blast. It was frustrating to admit that smug jerk might know better than me.
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