Page 23 of Viking Ink

“So will Mitch have any embarrassing stories to tell about you?” he asked.

“Too many. I’m starting to think letting the two of you meet might not be my smartest idea.” I huffed as I led Rhys out of the flat. Rhys gave a wide smile and skipped down the stairs. “Rhys, take them slow. We don’t need you with any more bruises.”

“Yes, Simon,” Rhys called over his shoulder, not slowing in the slightest. The boy had a cheeky side.

I shook my head ruefully. This boy. He’d been through the wringer, yet still his vibrancy shone through, his joy in life. I wanted to see him smile, and be the carefree man I saw beneath his guarded exterior.

I found Rhys waiting by the door to the shop, bouncing lightly on his feet as I came around the corner.

“Don’t worry, lad. They’re going to be pleased to see you.” Without thinking, I wrapped an arm around his slim waist and guided him into the store.

Thankfully, there was a lull in clients and it was just the boys inside. Mitch had Cal standing in front of one of our full length mirrors as he checked the placement of a stencil across Cal’s pectoral muscle. Mitch was fully trained as a piercer, but now he was adding another feather to his cap. For the last year he’d been doing his apprenticeship under Cal. His line work and colour were top notch, and today Cal was offering up the ultimate canvas—his own skin —for Mitch’s largest piece.

They all turned to look as we stepped into the studio. Mitch was the first one to speak. “Okay, that hat looks better on him than you.” Mitch walked over, hand extended. “We’ve only spoken briefly, but I’ve seen you playing. I’m this grumpy bear’s little brother, Mitch.”

Rhys smiled nervously but shook Mitch’s hand. “Hi. Your piercings look cool.”

Oh, Rhys had said the perfect thing. Mitch was proud of his piercings, most of which he’d done himself. “Thanks. Do you have any?”

Rhys shook his head. “No, but I think they look great.”

“Well, if you ever want to pop your piercing cherry, I’ll be happy to oblige.” Mitch gave a cheeky smile and Rhys blushed. I felt a small jab of jealousy at the thought of Mitch touching Rhys’s skin. Whoa there. I needed to reign that in.

Rez and Cal followed introduced themselves. Rhys smiled shyly at meeting them. He seemed to be dealing with it all well, but I could see it in his face that he was exhausted.

“Okay, guys. Rhys had a long day today, his first day working for Doc Cullen. I’m going to set him up at my desk with some flash to doodle on.”

Rhys shrugged. “He was nice. I think I’m going to like working for him,” he said softly. The guys all smiled before they headed off to their respective jobs.

“You want a warm drink, little man? We got some of that fancy hot chocolate that Simon pretends he never drinks, and tea,” Rez said as he walked past.

“Hot chocolate, please.” Rhys answered quietly.

“Right on it.” Rez wandered off and I led Rhys to the small table I liked to sit and sketch at.

“This is where I like to sketch out designs,” I said, getting Rhys comfortable in the chair.

He looked out the window and smiled. “You can see the square from here.” He pointed up the narrow path, the edge of the square appearing at the top.

I noticed a faint blush appear on his cheeks. “What’s got you blushing, baby bear?” The nickname slipped out, but it felt right to use it somehow.

Rhys bit his bottom lip, the scarlet on his cheeks growing brighter. “Umm, from my busking spot I could see right through these windows. I could see you.” His blush was almost incandescent now, making the bruise around his eye and cheek stand out.

Taking pity on him, I leaned closer and lowered my voice. “I cut through the square every lunchtime even when I didn’t grab something from the café, just to hear you play.” Before we could say more, Rez interrupted us, announcing my next client had arrived.

I pulled out some old tattoo flash I had sitting in my portfolio and dug out my colouring pencils. Rhys gave me a questioning look. “It’s a great way to relax. You can sit here in the sun and colour, and keep me company while I work.”

“Okay, that does sound kind of relaxing.” He started to look through the pages of flash, humming softly under his breath, and I moved off to greet my client.

The tattoo took a little longer than I planned, but Rhys seemed happy to colour, his face and posture relaxed. He sipped from the big mug of hot chocolate that Rez brought over to him. I had to smile at the mug—Rez had chosen the one covered in dancing teddy bears.

Under the steady hum of my tattoo gun, I could hear Rhys. The song he was humming was something catchy and upbeat. Taking a quick glance, I saw him swinging back and forth on my office chair as he coloured.

I focused back on Tate’s tattoo, working on the shading. I was barely aware of Rhys moving to stand next to me.

“Is it okay if I watch? I’ve never seen this done before.”

“Of course. As long as Tate doesn’t mind?”

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