below the ink

one- levi's back and better than never

i laid still on the black chair in the tattoo parlor as the needle on the tattoo gun made its way in and out of my skin leaving black ink in its place.

"what's this one for zade?" duke, the artist asked me. "this ones for the first bullet i ever got in front of." he hums in thought, "the bullet your own brother shot at you?"

i nodded. "that's the one." silence takes over once again and the only sound to fill the room is the buzzing of the machine in dukes hand.

"all done!" duke exclaimed about fifteen minutes later. "how much for this one?" duke shakes his head. "it's on the house." i sigh knowing that if i were to argue he wouldn't change his mind.

"you're gonna go broke if you keep inking me for free, d." he nods. "yeah, i know." we both laugh softly and i exit the shop.

dukes been tattooing me since i turned sixteen, which was three years ago. duke was eighteen at the time and just last year his father passed away and he inherited "donovan's tattoos". since then i've been getting tattoos for cheap or free. duke says as long as i tell him the story behind each one he doesn't want me to pay. he always says "opening up to me is enough zade." and then something like, "you're practically my little sister, i wanna be there for you and if that means a free tattoo then so be it!".

"oh. shit, sorry!" i say as i bump into someone. he just huffs and pushes past me. asshole. sighing i continue the short walk to my apartment complex. it's not much but i tend to move around a lot so i just get whatever's cheapest. i've lived in a few cities and towns since i was sixteen. i remember every few months or so i'd catch a train no matter how long it took me just to get a tattoo from duke or donovan.

"xzayda!". i smile as i reach the doors to the building. crouching down to be at the same level as the little terror we call archer. "hey destroyer, how are you?" i ruffle the blonde boys hair as he crosses his arms.

"don't do that! i'm okay i guess, but, guess what?!" he unfolds his arms and jumps up and down showing just how excited he is. "what little man?"

"daddy's coming to visit!" he yells as he grips my shoulders and shakes me. i chuckle at him. "that's awesome little dude! i gotta go but i'll see you soon, alright?" he nods, "come see daddy when he comes."

"of course." i smile one last time and give archer a fist bump before entering the building.

i wave to the people at the front desk in the lobby and make my way toward the elevator. "not taking the stairs today, z?" i hear a familiar voice say from behind me. "levi if that's you, i'm gonna freak!" he chuckles from behind and i turn and jump straight into his arms.

he laughs as he hugs me tight. "wow, excited?" i roll my eyes at him, "are you kidding me? it's been so long!" he nods and sighs, "yeah i know, i'm sorry i just disappeared on everyone like that."

"i assume it was for a good reason, right?" i say as levi lowers me til my feet touch the floor. "of course! i wouldn't just up and leave like that for nothing." i nod, "then i forgive you." i smile as he pulls me into another hug.

"anymore tatts?" levi asks. "yeah a few since you've been gone." he nods, "show me?"

"when we get to my apartment. let's go."

two hours later levi had seen all my new tattoos and heard the stories even though he had been there for a lot of them, we had both showered and levi was knocked out on the couch.

i groan realising i had forgotten to get my mail on the way up this afternoon and there was a letter i really needed. grabbing my keys i locked my door on the way out.

i took the stairs so i didn't have to wait for the elevator, plus the stairs were quicker and within five minutes i was unlocking my box. "fuck that's a lot of mail. you'd think i was the one who went missing for months." i mumble to myself.

"excuse me?" i turn quickly and come face to face with a young man with dark blue eyes "what's up?" i furrow my eyebrows at the stranger before me.

" i'm looking for someone and i think you might be able to help."

"oh yeah? and who might that be?" i fold my arms, keys in one hand and the pile of letters in the other. "levi james. you seen him?" the almost too attractive man says.

i shake my head "nope, never heard of him." i shrug. "you sure? my sources tell me he's your cousin?" i shake my head again. "sorry bro, but i think your sources are wrong."

"oh do you now?" i nod. "whys that?" he asks. "because he isn't my cousin?" i state coldly, "you sure?" i nod, "uh yeah. pretty sure i know who is and isn't my cousin." he nods. "so i'll ask again have you seen him?"

"nope. sorry, mate. wish i could help." and with that i head back to my apartment.

as soon as i am inside i wake levi up.

"whatever mess you tried to fix, you brought home with you." he looks at me confused. "i just had a little chat with a young man down by the letter boxes. he's looking for you and judging by his vibe, he's not a close friend."

levi's eyes grow wide. "fuck!" he puts his head in his hands. "xzayda, i'm so fucking sorry! i didn't mean for this to happen, i swear. please believe me!"

"levi kayden james, what did you do?" i ask him sternly. "i may or may not have lead your father to you."

"fuck."