Bellamy Blake (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
to_survive) wrote2017-02-04 11:36 pm
to_survive) wrote2017-02-04 11:36 pm
[For Clarke]
Knowing he's ready and walking into the tattoo parlor and going through the whole process are two completely different things. After showing the artist Lincoln's sketch and working through fixing it up and figuring out placement, it ends up looking good, something wrapping around the upper part of his arm. Much smaller than the real Grounder tattoo Octavia would be wearing, but Bellamy only wants a link to his sister; he's nowhere near earned the right to have a full Grounder tattoo, and probably never will. Being a part of them had been Octavia's thing, her way of figuring out her place in the world.
This...it's not the same as having her here, but it's something.
Even though it's much smaller than a Grounder tattoo it still takes a few hours, and over time the odd pain from the needle evens out into a constant buzz, pain fading into the background. Clarke spends the entire time with him, sitting nearby and keeping him company, entertainment and distraction and understanding all in one. (The thought flashes through his mind to get another tattoo -- something small, unobtrusive. Two circles linked together to form a chain. But he sets it aside for another day.)
By the time they're done Bellamy's arm is sore, his back hurts from sitting for so long, and he's glad to get out of the small parlor with his arm wrapped in plastic and instructions on how to care for it. Paying so much at the end felt strange, but he doesn't regret it. Not when he has to be careful slipping his jacket back on, not when he takes Clarke's hand in his as they step outside, not when they start heading home.
Octavia isn't here, but he's got a piece of her now, thanks to Lincoln. It'll have to do.
This...it's not the same as having her here, but it's something.
Even though it's much smaller than a Grounder tattoo it still takes a few hours, and over time the odd pain from the needle evens out into a constant buzz, pain fading into the background. Clarke spends the entire time with him, sitting nearby and keeping him company, entertainment and distraction and understanding all in one. (The thought flashes through his mind to get another tattoo -- something small, unobtrusive. Two circles linked together to form a chain. But he sets it aside for another day.)
By the time they're done Bellamy's arm is sore, his back hurts from sitting for so long, and he's glad to get out of the small parlor with his arm wrapped in plastic and instructions on how to care for it. Paying so much at the end felt strange, but he doesn't regret it. Not when he has to be careful slipping his jacket back on, not when he takes Clarke's hand in his as they step outside, not when they start heading home.
Octavia isn't here, but he's got a piece of her now, thanks to Lincoln. It'll have to do.