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It was around 5 am when Lucas found himself standing in front of a shady, back-alley tattoo parlor, illuminated by soft, yellow lamps inside, and bright, neon purple signs on the outside.

"How do you know this place exists?" Lucas asked when the duo stood in front of the shop. He brought his hands close to his lips, rubbing them together as he blew over them.

Joy seemed to notice and draped her hands around his arm, pulling him close to her side. "I came here a year ago."

"But you don't have any tattoos?" Lucas craned down to get a better look at her face.

"You sure about that?" Joy grinned, the skin around her nose crinkling. She tugged at the lobe of Lucas's ear. He yelped, scowling as he slapped her hands away.

"I've seen you in short sleeves," Lucas said, his fingers hooking over Joy's wrist.

"But you haven't seen my leg." Joy winked at him.

"Makes sense." Lucas shrugged.

"C'mon," She said with a toothy, hearty smile. "Let's get matching ones."

"Matching ones?" Lucas stood his ground despite Joy tugging him forward. He raised an eyebrow at her, "Don't people say any relationship is automatically doomed once they get matching tattoos?"

"We were already doomed from the start, Andrews," Joy said soberly.

At that, a part of his chest crumbled realizing that she was true. A tattoo curse would be the least of their worries.

"Fine," Lucas hesitantly gave in, the tension in his shoulders easing ever so slightly. "But nothing big. I don't wanna freak out my funeral coroner with a massive tattoo on my ass or something."

"Of course," Joy left his side to hold the door open for him. She grinned and gestured at the entrance. "We'll get small ones. Not on our asses. I have a plan."

"Wow. I don't get to choose my own tattoo?" He snickered softly, following her into the small studio.

He surveyed the room, not at all surprised by the black and dark purple theme, and the fact that most of the tattoo tables were in the cramped area behind the reception desk.

"You can get another one if you want," Joy said. "Depends if you can take the pain."

"I get poked with needles every other day," He muttered. "Pain is the least of my worries."

He tried to ignore the way Joy knowing look at his comment. Lucas averted his gaze straight ahead, knowing she didn't want to get into this conversation now. This was the last thing he wanted to think about. Of all things, he just wanted to think like a normal, idiotic human... for once.

"Well, hello there!" Luckily, the silence between them didn't last for long when someone emerged from a back door situated at the far end of the studio.

The man was a lanky individual with short, parted strawberry-blonde hair. He was wearing a tie-dyed blue shirt, black, ripped skinny jeans, and an assortment of jewelry on his fingers, ears, and a thin chain around his neck.

Lucas's brows drew together, watching as he sat on the edge of the reception desk, and right between his thin fingers lit a burning cigarette.

"Joy! And a friend!" He mused, a puff of gray smoke slipping past his lips. "It's been a while. Where have you been? How's Anderson doing?"

Anderson? Was he talking about her boyfriend again? Lucas snuck a glance over at Joy, only to be taken aback at her stiff stance. She was standing straighter; the muscle beneath her cheek twitching as she carefully clenched her jaw. Her arms were crossed, and the silly smile she wore was already faded from existence.

Right. That was his answer.

"Lucas, this is Eugene Mackenzie. He's the tattoo artist I was telling you about." Joy ignored him, and instead gave Lucas a rather bland introduction.

"S'nice to meet you, Lucas," Eugene grinned, holding a hand out. Lucas shook it, noticing all kinds of tattoos over his entire hand. It didn't stop there— it even went up to his arms. Both of them.

"Well, what brings you here?" He turned toward Joy instantly, his attention never really lasting on Lucas for more than a minute.

"We're getting tattoos. Together," Joy said, gesturing between Lucas and himself.

Eugene's eyebrows shot up, "Together? That's odd for you Joy." Joy in response shot a glare at him.

Coughing into his fist awkwardly, Eugene added, "I mean nothing I was just kidding."

Afterward, neither one of them said a thing, an uneven veil of silence settling over the trio. What was there even to say? Lucas shifted awkwardly on his feet, trying his best not to inhale too much second-hand smoke. Somebody had to change the subject; this was ridiculous.

"Can we just get started?" Lucas blurted out. The others in the room turned their heads in his direction, and as much as his brain wanted to dwell on their mixed expressions, time was being wasted.

"You do know that you're wasting my time, right?" He crossed his arms over his chest, squaring his shoulders. Eugene's eyebrows arched, shocked.

"JJ, you really have a thing for straightforward people, huh?" Eugene turned to Joy and whistled. Lucas rolled his eyes, but a part of him eased watching that familiar smile snake onto her lips.

"Shut up," Joy walked toward him and playfully shoved Eugene, earning a laugh from him. The tension was easing somewhat, but at least it wasn't as horrible as it was earlier. "C'mon, you heard him."

"Aye aye cap'," Eugene saluted at her before crushing his cigarette on a nearby dish.

He stood to his feet and gestured for them to follow him to the chairs. Lucas glanced over at Joy who wasn't moving, but before he could question, she reached over and took his wrist.

"I promise you'll like my idea," Joy tugged Lucas down to her height, her mouth dangerously close to his ear. Lucas froze. "If you hate it, you don't have to get it."

"Well, you got to tell me what it is first," He grumbled, leaning away from her just to be met with a cheeky smile, trying his best to ignore the way his heart began to stumble in his chest.

"I'll explain when we get to the chairs." And with that, she joined his side and followed him to where Eugene was setting up his equipment.

"So, tell me. What do you both want?" Eugene fixed his gloves. Lucas's eyes nearly splayed wide at the array of tools the artist needed, from the black ink to the tattoo needle that glimmered beneath the faint yellow lamplight.

"It's a simple thing," Joy said. She suddenly took Lucas's hand, and despite his grumbled protests, his heart sank when she aligned their hands by the side of their index fingers.

"Could you draw a star? Each of us gets a half so when we put it together, it'll be complete," She grinned, unaware of how such a simple touch had Lucas's tongue melting into the putty inside of his mouth.

"That's it?" Eugene genuinely looked surprised when Joy explained it to him. "Well then, that's not too hard." He scratched the gruff on his chin.

"It better not is," Joy shot back. "You up for the challenge?"

"Shut up," He snorted and proceeded to do what Joy asked.

Lucas watched intently as he effortlessly prepared the stencil and began to apply it to Joy's finger.

"This your first tattoo, Lucas?" Lucas whipped his head up to look at Eugene who was already busy working on Joy's finger.

"Yeah, it is," Lucas replied, words nearly being overshadowed by the buzz of the tattoo gun. He didn't know what to expect from this guy, but seeing that he knew nothing about him, Lucas didn't have to be so defensive. He could relax, like how a normal person would.

"Really? Has Joy over here shown you hers? They're dope as fuck" Eugene smirked.

"They're on her legs right?" He could hear Joy scoff lightly beside him, though there was no malice in the gentle sound that escaped past her lips.

"They are," Joy answered for him. "I got a few doodle on my leg and one on my back."

"You should show me sometime," Lucas let out before he could stop himself. His face paled when he realized what he said, but one assuring look from Joy simmered the panic bubbling in his throat.

"Maybe," Joy said, his eyes never once leaving him. "If you'd want."

"Done," Eugene declared and only then did Joy and Lucas realize they were staring at each other for way longer than necessary, Lucas awkwardly shifted his attention back to Joy's hand, blood rushing up to his neck.

"C'mere Lucas," Eugene gestured for Lucas's hand. After replacing his tools and gloves with another sterile set, he applied the stencil, and some cream, and went ahead with tattooing the design.

Lucas hissed a little when the needle dug into his skin. It stung, badly, but he bit down roughly on his bottom lip, trying not to flinch at the fact the needle was digging around his bone. He could feel Joy's intense gaze burning holes at the side of his face, leaving him a sweating mess beneath the artificial lamplight.

"Sorry 'bout that," Eugene murmured, digging the needle back into his finger. "Hurts more around the bone area. Just a heads up."

"I think it's a little too late for a heads-up," Lucas forced out between gritted teeth. He winced again, inhaling sharply when Eugene went over the design again.

"Can you make it hurt less?" Joy muttered under her breath, loud enough for them to hear but soft enough to make Lucas's heart melt.

Both the boys snapped their necks turning to where Joy sat. She propped upright on the chair, slouching a little as her arms were crossed over her frame. She raised an eyebrow at the both of them, the frown she wore prominently.

"What?" Joy asked. "I asked a question."

Eugene scoffed lightly, "What a dumb-ass question."

"And that was a dumb ass answer," She retorted. "I'm just asking you to go easy on him. Don't stress his body out. Do you see how bad he's sweating?"

Lucas didn't realize it either until Joy pointed it out. He was drenched. In sweat. His fringe was grossly plastered all over his forehead with a cool, sticky liquid that trickled down the nape of his neck. His undershirt clung to his ribcage, the material soaked. This wasn't normal.

"God, you look like you're dying."

Lucas flinched in his seat, breath hitching in his throat as his eyes squeezed shut. He swallowed dryly, struggling to get a proper grip on his ability to breathe. He was okay. He was fine. He could count the steady pace of his heart. All that was wrong was that his body was overworking. Overheating.

He was okay. He was fine. He just needed to get through this. There was no way he was going to stop all because he couldn't handle getting a small, ridiculous tattoo. That was stupid. Unfair.

"Andrews, we can take a small break," Joy leaned toward him, reaching a hand out but he was quick to yank her hand away.

"No," He cleared his throat. "I'm fine."

"You sure?" He tried to block out the concern in Joy's voice. He could do this. Just a little longer.

"I'm sure," Lucas nodded and jutted his chin at Eugene, urging him to continue. Luckily, he didn't say anything and continued to finish touching up the tattoo.

It wasn't too long until it was over, and when it was, Lucas shrugged off his hoodie and handed it to Joy. He swiped at the back of his neck, his forehead, and his face, all of which were soaked with sweat. Disgusting. He made a disgusted face when he glanced down at his palm, covered in a sheen of perspiration.

"You alright?" Eugene asked as Joy went to the back, mentioning something about getting water from the back room.

"I'm fine," Lucas said, ruffling his hair, hoping it didn't look too bad. "I just feel dizzy."

"Maybe it's because it was your first time getting a tattoo." He shrugged, leading Lucas back to the front reception area. He kept a decent distance between them, but Lucas couldn't ignore how Eugene stared at him warily as if he might collapse.

"It better be that," Lucas grumbled.

"Well, if you ever want another, come by. I'll hook you up with some for free since Joy seems to favor you." Eugene winked at him. They stopped by the entrance.

"What do you mean by favor?" He asked.

Eugene let out a hearty chuckle, "This place used to be her secret hideout when she was in high school. She never bought anyone here. JJ doesn't like bringing other people here so her even considering coming here with you means something." Eugene snatched a cigarette and a lighter.

"She never had good company." He held the stick close to his lips, glancing over at Lucas with a smile.

"You know what? You're a nice guy. She finally made a decent friend."

"Thank you?" Lucas made a face, one that made Eugene crack up with throaty laughter.

"No problem. I hope you stay around for a while, Lucas. Joy needs someone for once." He lit up the end of his cigarette, dropped the lighter on the desk, and took a long inhale.

Lucas nodded with a stiff smile and said nothing, or well, more like he couldn't say anything else since Joy returned from the back room with a water bottle in hand.

"Let's get going, alright?" Joy handed him the ice-cold bottle. Lucas thanked her quietly and nearly chugged the entire thing in one go.

"Thanks for the tattoos," She waved at Eugene, her other hand getting a grip on Lucas's forearm.

"No problem. Come by again some other time. Most preferably not at 5 in the morning." Eugene smirked.

"As if you fucking sleep in the first place," Joy rolled her eyes, still not moving her hand.

They couldn't dwell on the thought as they exchanged a few more brief goodbyes. Soon enough, Lucas and Joy were walking in the silent streets.

"We should head back," Joy said after Lucas finished the last of the water bottle's contents.

Lucas snorted, "Uh? No? We still have time. It's only five. It's fine."

"You're sweating and overheating," Her brows drew together, a crease forming on the skin between them. "I think you should take some rest."

"No," Lucas said again, this time with more firmness. "We should go somewhere else."

He knew Joy was right, but this, this was the only chance he had to do this. Both of them didn't have to exchange a single word to know what this meant, what this looked like for the future.

The adrenaline he was feeling right then, the thrum of his heart, and the naïve sting on his cheeks— all of that would be packed away later in the hospital where his future was a machine, a hospital bed, and a morphine drip.

One day, all of these feelings, the electricity when she touched him, the smile on her face that he got to see, the genuine laugh, would be gone. Soon. And soon was not a merciful word. There was nothing merciful about the future.

This was the beginning of an end, and Lucas didn't want to turn the page just yet. How could he when this was slowly becoming his favorite part?

"I want to stay out just a little while longer." He whispered, begging Joy silently once their gazes interlocked. "Please."

Joy pressed her lips together into a tight line. She rubbed a hand over her face, exhaling unevenly. "Lucas." Her voice drifted.

"Please," Lucas croaked out.

Lucas wanted them to stay, just for a few moments longer. To be normal for another hour; how could he move on from this when Joy gave him a reason to hold on?

"Let's go," She breathed out, "I want to spend time... with you."

When the words slipped out past her lips, Lucas instantly turned to look at her, eyes wide and lips slightly parted, unsure whether to smile or frown.

"Let's go," Lucas said, his words uneven, matching the erratic sputter in the heart. "One last place."

His chest eased, the desperation ebbing into a faint appreciation— relief. "It could be anywhere as long as you're coming with me." He added, meaning every syllable.

Joy merely smiled down at her feet, content with the time they had. Even if it wasn't much, it was something. An extension.

Anything, he'd do anything, so he wouldn't have to move on.

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