Page 80 of Beck

“Oh, god. That was bad. If you keep going, I’ll find something to occupy your mouth.”

“Is that a promise?” Beck waggled his eyebrows.

Kole shook his head again. “Maybe I should get the tattoo inked on you now. That’ll shut you up.”

Beck lifted to his elbows. “Really? Doesn’t your hand hurt?”

“A little, but I should be good. If you still want it, that is?”

“Of course, I do!”

Beck scrambled off the bed and grabbed his bags. It had been far too long since Kole had drawn the design that pulled emotions from them both. He’d been pushing it back and pushing it back because Kole hadn’t felt like he had the skills to make it look good, and Beck didn’t want to keep asking for it. So, he’d left it until Kole brought it up again. He wasn’t saying no.

“Here.”

They set up the kit, and Beck laid on the bed on his back. He’d insisted he wanted it on his front so he could see it every day. Kole went through the motions of preparing Beck’s skin, his hands visibly shaking, but Beck wasn’t worried. Kole would steady his hands before he started because he’d seen it before.

“Ready?”

“Always,” Beck replied.

The buzz of the machine, the silence in the room, the careful but heavy breathing of his tattooist all made for an experience Beck wanted to remember forever. The bite of the needle didn’t phase him. In fact, it made him emotional because it was Kole doing it. Instead of watching the design evolve, he watched his boyfriend. The slight furrow of his brow. The pursed lips. He was the best thing that had ever happened to Beck.

It took a while, but when it was done, Kole exhaled. “I think that’s it.”

Beck stood, stretching before heading for the bathroom mirror. He could’ve looked down and seen it, but he wanted to see the full effect. While he stood in front of the mirror studying the design, his emotions filled him again. It was a design that encompassed what Kole had always loved drawing, alongside afew quirks that seemed to resonate with Beck. Swirls that turned into letters, that turned into a heart. It was epic, and he couldn’t wait to show everyone.

“Thank you,” he said to Kole when he slid his arms around his chest and kissed his shoulder.

“You’re always welcome. Sorry it took me so long to gather the courage.”

“It doesn’t matter. It’s there now.”

Beck trailed his fingertips around the edges. It would remind him of their love every day.

****

“Officer Bryant, what can I do for you?” Beck said when he opened the door to their home a week later.

It hadn’t taken them long to decide that they wanted to rebuild Beck’s home, so after a long time of dealing with builders, architects and every other person who could possibly be involved in a house, they had an almost replica of the original house with a few small alterations to make it better. He couldn’t have done it without Kole – probably wouldn’t have done it without him. Now, they shared a wonderful home and couldn’t be happier.

The officer was wrapped up warm with rosy cheeks, probably from being in his car with the heater on. That observation didn’t detract from the surprise of his visit.

“Mr Cavanagh. Sorry to show up unannounced, but I thought an in-person visit would be the best option, considering the news.”

Beck’s blood ran cold. He’d only ever experienced that feeling once before, and that was when he’d been in Drake’s clutches. What had happened to warrant the officer turning up?

“Come on in,” he said, instead of what he wanted to. “Would you like a drink?”

“No, I’m good, thank you.”

Kole entered the room. “Who is…? Officer Bryant. This is a surprise.”

“I have news.”

Kole stepped to Beck’s side, threading his arm around his waist and tethering him to the ground.

“What news?”

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