Chapter 14

Javier was at his station drawing when he heard the shop door. Looking up, he saw Messiah walking in after his last class.

"Finally decided on that second piece?" Javier asked, clearing some space.

"Yeah, if you got time." Messiah dropped into the chair, letting his bag fall next to him.

"For you? Always." Javier turned, noticing how tired Messiah looked. "These classes still killing you?"

"Man, two exams this week. Plus Coach got us practicing extra for championships."

"You gotta eat though. I'm ordering food."

"Bruh you always trying to feed somebody," Messiah said, but he was fighting a smile.

While they waited for the food, Javier pulled out the design he'd been working on. "Made some changes since last time I showed you."

"Let me see." Messiah leaned forward as Javier spread the paper out. Their shoulders touched but neither moved away.

The food came and they ate while Javier explained his ideas for the placement. This felt different from their first tattoo - more comfortable, like they knew each other's rhythms now.

When Javier started setting up his machine, Messiah took his shirt off and got comfortable in the chair. "How long this one gonna take?"

"Couple hours probably. You good with that?"

"Yeah, ain't got nothing else to do."

Javier started working, his hands steady and gentle like always. The shop was quiet except for the buzz of the machine and the music playing low.

"Big game next week right?" Javier asked while he worked.

"Yeah Thursday at 7."

"Bet, I'll be there."

"You don't gotta come to every game."

"Want to though." Javier wiped away some excess ink. "You going hard this season."

They fell into comfortable silence after that. Javier noticed how Messiah was more relaxed this time, like he trusted him more with the needle, with being in his space.

A few hours later, Javier was wrapping up the finished piece. "Take better care of this one than the first one chiquito."

"I took good care of the first one."

"Sure you did. That's why I had to keep fixing the bandage."

"Whatever Javi." Messiah pulled his shirt back on careful not to mess up the wrapping. "Good looking out though."

"Text when you get home."

Walking to his car, Messiah felt good - not just from the new tattoo, but from spending time with Javier. Boy had a way of making him feel... he wasn't trying to think too deep about it right now.

His phone lit up: "Drive safe"

Simple text but it made him feel something. He hit back: "Bet"

At the shop, Javier was cleaning up thinking about how different this session felt from their first one. How Messiah seemed more comfortable with him now, how natural it felt having him in his space.

His phone buzzed: "Home"

"Get some rest chiquito"