Incentive | Mathis & Connor
Mathis hadn’t set foot in Connor’s shop in ages. Engrossed in work, a relationship and plans that every day inched closer to fruition, he’d inadvertently set himself on a path that seldom crossed with that of the artist’s. Today, however, he’d made a point to stop by. There was something he’d been meaning to drop off - something he’d given up on, personally, though it may still be of use to the wolf. At the very least, he figured he owed it to his friend after keeping him waiting for so long. He just hoped Connor wouldn’t be too busy to see him as he pushed open the door of Ink Therapy and quietly stepped inside.
Tattoo guns buzzed from the back booths. When nobody immediately greeted him, the witch’s attention drifted from the front counter over to the idea wall in the waiting area, his gaze coming to rest on a monochromatic zodiac series with a dark twist. It was the same series he’d selected his own tattoo from, though he’d had Connor simplify it somewhat from its original design. That had been months ago, yet the set stood now as it did then: incomplete. Only nine signs out of twelve were represented on the shop’s wall. The remaining three, in rough form, were tucked in a cheap manila fold currently resting beneath his arm.
Hearing a door open (and, briefly, the commotion of the street outside), he glanced down the hall and spotted the wolf entering the shop from the back. The paper cup in Connor’s hand (complete with brightly colored straw) suggested he’d just come back from lunch, and Mathis offered a smile along with an offhanded wave as he joked, “Hey. Lydiya said you were saying nice things about me, so I came to set the record straight.” Approaching the checkout counter, he pulled the folder from beneath his arm and laid it gingerly down atop of it. “Actually-” He unconsciously chewed his bottom lip. “-I just wanted to give you something. Have you got a minute?”
@ink-n-earbuds
He’d stepped out after his last appointment to grab a bite to eat. He was happy to be able to do so. Since filling the other four spaces within the parlor, Connor found that he had plenty of ability to delegate projects. Or at least, walk-ins. Most of Connor’s clients were repeaters. They came in with hefty requests and had the design ready. They scheduled consults and appointments. They didn’t drop by. He was in the market for an apprentice, but that hadn’t been something easily found in the small town. It was a shame, but it was common in small towns. Yet another reason he preferred the bigger cities. Still, he had a hell of a client base here.
He slipped in through the back, the straw to his milkshake stuck between his teeth as he chewed absently on the plastic, the creamy mixture of chocolate and ice cream a perfect end to a jalapeno burger he’d grabbed at a little food cart down the street. Food in this town was on point. He glanced down the hall at the inside of his shop and stopped when he spotted Mathis. A smile spread across his lips, the straw still stuck in his teeth. He changed his trajectory, heading toward Mathis and the front of the store rather than to his chair.
“Hey handsome,” Connor said, the straw slipping from his mouth. He laughed at the little joke and set the cup down on the counter. “Gonna have to talk to Lyd about running her mouth. I can’t have you thinking I like you or some crazy shit like that.” Connor did like Mathis. He liked him a lot, but that was where the joke sat.
His eyebrow cocked up at the folder in his hand before his eyes racked over the handsome boy in front of him. “I’ve always got time for you. We can talk in my space.” He nodded toward his space and headed back that way, knowing Mathis would follow.
