31 Day Writing Challenge #2: Day 22 - Flower Pattern (attempt two)

It was only supposed to be the one time, that was the plan. One visit; one forearm; one pattern of flowers. But the pattern she wanted ended up taking two visits,

This was now session eight.

Tara had been nervous about getting a tattoo, but it turned out that she found the whir of the tattoo gun almost comforting, and it didn't hurt anywhere near as much as expected. She actually barely noticed it. Her mind was always more occupied with fighting the temptation to tell him. Every session, for the entire duration, the truth was right there on the tip of her tongue. But she never said it. Tara never told him why she insisted that he be the one to ink her.

Not that she had lied. Not really. She did really like his work. Aiden Ross' work was stunning. And she really had heard such great things about him and his work. It just wasn't why it had to be him; or why she traveled two hours each way to get to the studio.

Tara had spent every minute of the first session staring at him, not caring what he thought, she wasn't coming back after all. She'd watched as his hazel eyes, with their flecks of amber and gold, narrowed in concentration and the small metal bar piercing his eyebrow wiggled occasionally as his focus caused the muscles in his forehead to contract and relax. She'd watched his smile change from the polite one he used for customers to the more honest one reserved for people who brightened his day, and noticed the slight gap in his two front teeth. That one imperfection made him more attractive than if his teeth had been completely straight. She, mentally, remarked on how white his teeth were, there was no way this guy was a smoker. That was a relief.

The relief continued as she learned more about him: he walked to work; ate salads for lunch and semi-regularly worked out. He was also an avid swimmer, something he had in common with Tara. It was amazing what you could find out if you asked. And Tara asked a lot. She wanted to know if he was worth it; needed to know if he was deserving. Not that it really mattered if he wasn't, it wouldn't change anything. Tara just had to know, for herself. As it stood, her judgement was favourable. He was a good man, it seemed.

Tara looked down at her arms, admiring the intricate vines of flowers and leaves that wound around them. It really looked like they were growing along her skin. Flower Power. Tara beamed as Aiden's nickname for her flowed through her mind. The artwork had turned out so much more beautiful than she had ever imagined. Pink, purple and white petals decorating her ivory skin, all perfectly painted, but it was the orange ones that were her favourate, the ones that really stood out. Dylan's flowers.

Dylan. Tara got lost in her thoughts of him and everything that had led her here, miles from home, to this tattoo studio being inked by this specific artist.



Aiden had come to look forward to Flower Power's visits. He could never explain why she was special, but she was. Rory consistantly, and strongly, believed it was because the girl was hot. And she was, there was no denying how attractive FP was. Kind eyes and a killer smile combined with those curves - she was a total head-turner. But that wasn't it. He supposed it helped that she was so easy to ink: she sat perfectly still, never flinched it or complained, apart from the first session where she had talked non-stop and asked a barrage of questions, she talked enough so it wasn't awkward, but for the most part she stayed quiet and let him work. It was always a comfortable silence. FP's brain always seemed to be whirling though, you could almost hear how hard it was working. That intrigued Aiden. No-one else ever thought that much during a tattoo: worried? Yes. But lost in intense thought? Not so much. FP never seemed nervous about the tattoo, not even the first time. She had always seemed more one edge with him than she did with the actual tattooing. Being inked seemed to calm her more than anything. He'd start to work and they would settle into their comfortable quiet. It was unusual and FP had  become a mystery that Aiden was enjoying trying to solve. For instance, why had she been so insistent that it had to be him that tattooed her. No exceptions. It was flattering, if he was honest, but still, an unanswered question. One of many. Another riddle to be solved, was FP's reaction to his scar. He knew that she had seen it that first day. It wasn't like he tried to hide it and he knew that his vest top had gaped, giving her a view of his chest and the very light, thin vertical line down the middle, while he was working on her arm. Most people looked shocked and asked about it. Not FP. She barely blinked. Just saw it and moved on. It was like she already knew about it, expected it to be there. Even people who knew the story reacted to actually seeing the scar, but not this girl. Although, there was a second when he thought she might be about to reach out to touch it, but he could't be sure.

It seemed like Aiden would have plenty of time to get answers though. Despite the plan initially being that she was only getting one arm inked, FP now had both arms covered and Aiden was now in the process of decorating her back, shoulders and neck in similar flowery patterns. They had also recently been talking about moving onto her feet and legs next. All this had come from Tara, Flower Power, Aiden hadn't suggested anything,

"Think that's us done for the day." Aiden popped the bubble of quiet they'd been in as he wiped down her back. "You'll be back in a few weeks to keep going with the back piece?" Tara hadn't moved. She wanted her time at the studio to last as long as possible.

"Yeah. You said it was going to take two more sessions, right?" Tara double checked, already looking forward to it more than she should.

"At least, it'll likely be more." Tara couldn't help the smile the fought its way across her face, which Aiden noticed. Maybe she liked being here as much as her liked having her sat in his chair. If she wasn't half naked and it wasn't so completely inappropriate, he would have kissed her. "It's looking good though. You wanna take a look?" Aiden offered.

"I wanna wait until it's done before I see it. But could you take a picture? I want to see a record of the progress once it's finished." Tara held out her phone for him to take.

"Of course." Aiden took the phone, his fingers brushed against her palm as he did, and their eyes met, just for a second. Aiden quickly stepped back, walked around the the chair and aimed the phone's camera at her back and took a few successive photos. Handing her the phone, he left the cubicle to give her privacy to re-dress.

Once she was all paid up, Tara walked out the door, again, wishing the urge to tell him the truth would go away. And, wishing she could have stayed longer. It was always the same, the not wanting to leave him. Aiden watched her go and was slightly bemused at the sudden and strong urge to grab her hand and walk out with her. He pushed it down. Man, he really liked this girl.


Weeks later, Tara walked back through the tattoo studio doors, this time with a companion, Lina had insisted on tagging along. Instinctively, Tara looked around for Aiden. She couldn't see him.

"Hey Tara, back again?" The receptionist brushed a strand of blue hair out of her eyes and smiled at Tara. "Aiden is running a bit behind, you okay to wait?"

"Yeah, sure, Amber." Tara smiled back, and led Lina over to the waiting area.

"Can't believe I'm getting to meet the famous Aiden." Lina teased. Walking passed, Aiden heard his name and paused, unseen by the women.

"Don't make me regret bringing you." Tara rolled her eyes.

"So, you going to ask him out?" Lina prodded and Aiden's interest peaked.

"Lina, No. Don't start." Tara shifted uncomfortably in her seat. This time it was Lina's turn to roll her eyes.

"Tara, you are so obviously into him. Why not go for it?" Aiden smirked at the thought.

"Because I'd have to tell him about Dylan and I don't want to do that." Aiden's smile faltered and his heart dropped.

"Why not? Tara, I mean, tell him, admit you have feelings for him and ask him out." Lina was getting exasperated.

"Oh yeah, I can see it now." Tara's exasperation equaled her friend's, "Hey Aiden, I'm really into you, wanna date? Oh, by the way, you have my dead brother's heart."

The truth hit Aiden like a ton of bricks. That's why FP had insisted he do her tattoo. His mind raced.

"I don't want him to feel weird, you know? It's better that he do my tattoos and that's it." Tara looked deflated.

"About that, weren't you just gonna get the one tat so that you could meet the person who got Dyl's heart and that would be that."

"Yeah, but I really loved the tattoos and wanted more." Despite still struggling with the recent revelation, Aiden couldn't help but feel a little proud that she loved his work.

"And I can't imagine anyone else inking me." Tara smiled a little, thinking of Aiden, and Aiden smiled thinking about Tara.

"Is it possible that you like the guy doing the tattoos as much as the tattoos?" Lina's teasing continued.

"It's possible." A sly smile spread across Tara's face. That's when it clicked, his mind had been so pre-occupied by the intrigue of who Dylan was and then the shock of why she was here, that it taken until now for it to really sink in: she liked him, FP had feelings for him. But what if it was just because they were weirdly connected by a donated organ?

"You are so smitten!" Lina exclaimed, giggling.

"I didn't mean to fall for him, Lina. It just...happened. But I'm not going to do anything about it. It's just so complicated." Tara deflated again.

"Tara, is there any chance you want him because he got the heart? You know, a last-link-to-Dylan kind of thing?" Lina asked, gingerly. Aiden had to hear this answer.

"No," Tara shook her head. "No, it's because of him. It's nothing to do with Dylan. Meeting him was about Dylan and wanting to get to know him was about Dylan. At least at first. But the more I got to know him, the more I...I like Aiden for Aiden. You'll understand when you meet him." Something about Tara's tone made it clear to Lina and Aiden that this was the truth.

"Hey FP, you wanting the tattoo or what?" Aiden interrupted and the two women froze, panicked. Both were wonder if he had heard them. Simultaneously, they turned to look at Aiden, hoping that he hadn't.

"Flower Power." Aiden said like her was trying to slowly wake someone from a trance, "You coming?"

Tara shook herself and stood up.

"Yeah, Lets do this." She followed Aiden to one of the sectioned off tattoo chairs. She was about to sit down when she notice that he was removing his vest t-shirt, revealing a toned abdomen that Tara couldn't take her eyes off of. That is, until he wordlessly took her right hand and placed it, open-palm, slightly left of his scar. From the moment their hands touched, Tara's eyes had followed their journey through the space between them to his body. Then she felt it: the heartbeat. Her baby brother's heart beating in Aiden's chest. Her eyes widened and she looked up, locking eyes with Aiden. Tears began to well in her eyes. Aiden's hands tenderly stroked the back of Tara's hand and up her forearm. They stayed like that for a minute, then Tara, sub-consciously, moved a few centimetres closer. Taking the cue, Aiden stepped forward, carefully pulling her into him until she was pressed against him. Holding her in a hug, he silently let her place her ear to his chest and kept his arms encasing her while she listened to a heart that she thought she'd never hear beat again. He held her while she cried soundless tears,

They stayed like that for a few minutes before Tara began to pull back. Slowly, Aiden took his arms from around her, wishing that he didn't have to.

"Thank you." The words didn't cover it, but they were all that she had. Aiden just smiled at her. He wiped a tear from her cheek. Then he remembered he was at work and was supposed to be finishing up with Joey.

"You get settled and I'll be back in a few minutes. OK?" He said softly. Tara smiled a little and nodded. Aiden stepped back and picked up his top.

Aiden went to leave, pulling his shirt over his head, but turned back, smirking.

"Just so you know, FP, you can ask me out anytime you want." Aiden winked, and Tara blushed, hiding her face in her hands. With that, Aiden went back to work.

A few minutes later, when Aiden returned, both smirked, but neither looked at the other. They settled into their customary silence. Aiden worked on Tara's back piece, trying to figure out if he should just ask her out already, when Tara turned her head slightly to look over her shoulder, out of the corner of her eye.

"Meet me at Magio's on Saturday at seven." Tara turned back around and missed the giant smile that spread across Aiden's face.