Alex's POV

Well, this is awkward.

Good thing I have a few rings on my fingers to fiddle with.

I think we're all so surprised at seeing the other that we don't know what to do. I know I don't.

"Uh, Wanda. Hi! Um, what's- what's up?" Spencer stutters through, moving around her desk and over to stand as a buffer between Wanda and myself.

"Well, I had come to grab some food then just went for a walk and thought I'd stop by to say hi. Nat had said you were working.. but I didn't know.."

"No, I'm glad you stopped by! Visitors are a little rare. It's usually just Nat. Not that I don't love seeing her, but uh, she is always trying to make sure I'm here and safe and .. yeah. It's good to see you."

I can't help but let out a small chuckle at Spencers rambling. It's cute how much Nat likes to see her. And protect her.

"Right. Don't worry, I wasn't sent here by Nat. She didn't hate me stopping by to check on you, but I wanted to visit," she says, her eyes flitting over to me more than once.

"I wasn't worried. Of course you wanted to visit me, who wouldn't?" Spencer jokes.

Wandas answer is to look over to me. Which Spencer notices, looking back at me.

"Oh, well, uh.."

"As much as I love Spencer, I'm actually here to set up a tattoo appointment," not that she deserves an explanation, but what's it going to hurt?

"Oh? Um.. I don't remember any.."

"I didn't. But now I do." Keeping it simple.

"Yeah, now she's one of my best customers," Spencer jokes, giving me a playful elbow.

"What can I say, I love your work, you don't disappoint," I admit, shrugging along.

Spencer blushes slightly, "okay, I'm already designing your tattoo, you don't need to flatter me."

"I am complimenting you. Because you are extremely talented and deserve the recognization," I correct.

She brushes it off with a wave of the hand, not knowing how to take a compliment.

"So, Wanda, I don't know how long you're staying but.."

"Oh, I can go. I didn't know if you would be busy or not and I can clearly see that you are," her voice is so small, so defeated. She looks so broken. I see the bags under her eyes, the sag in her shoulders.

Not that I'm assuming it's because of me, we've been done for over a year now. I can't help but wonder what is bringing her down like this. And if its a person doing this to her, making her feel like this, I can't help but want to kick their ass to their curb for her.

I can't help but care.

Which is why I say what I'm about to say, "oh, no worries. I can reschedule and come back. Or you can stay, I won't be long. You walked here, I don't want you to just have to leave." I guess I haven't forgotten how to ramble either.

She offers half a smile, "it's okay, I don't want to intrude or anything. I can walk back."

"No! Really, it's okay. You shouldn't have to leave your friends shop just because I'm here," I also give a half smile.

She seems to hesitate for a moment, maybe thinking something through before answering, "Are you sure you don't mind me staying?"

Full smile, "of course not." We aren't together but I care. And that's fine. I've gotten over what she did to me a long time ago. I try not to hold on to the past anymore. Its what was holding me back from so much for so long.

She matches my smile, "okay, thank you. I guess I'll just wait out-"

"Oh, you can stay in here," why did I say that?

"Oh.. okay. If you're sure."

"I am," apparently. My mouth is talking before my brain can stop it.

Spencer, who was just standing there watching us go back and forth like a table tennis match, finally speaks up, "okay. Well then, let's get back to it, Alex?"

"Yup," I take a seat while the others follow suit.

"So, where were we?"

"Well.." why am I so nervous now? Not about the tattoo, obviously. Talking about it in front of Wanda maybe? Just breath. "I think I was mentioning how I wanted to expand what I already have? The idea of it. I'd like to keep the same design and incorporate it into this next piece. I want to have the goddess Pele involved with this one. Somehow intertwine it with my Nāmaka one?"

"Well, I'm sure I can do that. I love the design we have for yours, and how they flow together. Don't tell any of my other costumers, but your tattoos are some of my favorites."

I chuckle, "don't worry, your secret is safe with me. However.." I glance over to Wanda accusingly.

Her eyes widen, "what? I won't say anything. I don't even know what the tattoos look like!"

We both laugh at her then.

"Well, would you like to?" Alright, someone please stop me. Why can't I control myself around her?

"Oh, uh.." clearly I caught her off guard.

"Not that you have to, of course," I backtrack.

"No, um.. I wouldn't mind.."

I stand up so I can lift my hoodie and show her what I've got started on my left rib. I have some others, obviously, but this is the easiest to access.

"Oh, wow.." then I feel her cold fingers brush against the art work as she takes a closer look. The contact sends a rush of heat through me, I couldn't help but flinch slightly as I wasn't expecting it.

"Sorry," she mumbles, immediately taking her hand back.

"No, no, you were fine. You're fine." Because I kind of missed her touch. Missed that spark we had. Have.

She clears her throat, making me look over at her to see a blush rising to the surface. I can't help but smirk at it.

"They're beautiful. You did a really good job, Spencer."

"Thank you, but it was all Alex, really. She came up with the designs and tweaked it as we went. This was all her idea, I just get to execute it."

Great, now I'm blushing.

"It's incredible. I love how you've turned it all into a story," she's still focused on the tattoo. I know it's captivating, but.. ooh. No, she's checking out my abs. Forgot she hasn't seen the new I-go-to-the-gym-all-the-time me.

I let out a small laugh, which she must notice because she finally looks at me. And we get stuck like that, lost in each other's eyes, captivated.

Spencer claps her hands, breaking us out of whatever we were doing.

"So, the tattoo?"

"Right! So uh, obviously this isn't as good as yours, but this was my idea," I take out the folded piece of paper in my hoodie and hand it to her.

"Damn, Alex. You're getting pretty good at this drawing thing."

"Well, I've been learning from the best," I gesture towards her.

"Eh. What would you like me to do? Work off of this? Use it to create something else?"

"Use this for inspiration? And everything else you've done so far. It's the next part of my life, I want it to represent breaking free of everything and leaving the past behind. Pele is the goddess of volcanoes and fire, known to create and destroy land. I'm growing and changing, I think this helps represent that. I was hoping we could start about here," I indicate to my hip," and work it into the Nāmaka one on my thigh?"

Spencer nods, taking in the picture. She's all business now.

Wanda, however, looks at me with a spark of something in her eye. "You have one on your thigh?" I see her gaze drop.

I clear my throat, "uh, yeah. I do."

"Okay. I absolutely love that, you genius. Give me a couple days, maybe a week? I really want to make sure this is perfect for you. Then I can give you a call to see if you like it and we can set up an appointment."

"That sounds perfect to me. I can't wait."

"I know, you little tattoo addict."

"Hey! You aren't any better!" I retaliate.

"Woah, no need to call me out in my own shop!"

I just laugh. We could go around in circles with this.

"You have more tattoos?" Her question drags my attention to her.

"I do, actually. A couple more," I admit, playing with my rings again. I hope she doesn't ask to see them. No, I'm lying. I want her to. I want to show them to her, tell her the stories behind them, let her trace them with her-

"That's awesome. I'm sure they're amazing as well," she smiles at me. Which I melt under. I hate it. I really thought after all of this time I'd be able to hold my own. But I guess when it comes to her.. she's my weakness. She was my strength, my..

No. Don't go down that road.

"Uh, well, they were all done by Spencer, so they are perfect."

"Okay, get out of my shop before my wife walks in on you flirting with me," Spencer is pointing to the door trying to hold back a smirk.

I put my hands up in surrender, "okay, I don't need black widow after my ass. I'll take the hint." Then I wink at her, causing her to laugh.

I go to walk out the door.

"Yeah, I'll probably head back, too. It was good seeing you, Spencer!"

"You too, Wanda. Maybe we can do that double date sometime!"

And at that, my body freezes in place, heart hammering against my chest. Is Wanda seeing someone? For some crazy reason, I really hope not.

"Maybe. I'm still not sure if I'm ready to.." she drifts off. Noticing I haven't moved? Maybe. I want to know why. Ready for what? Is she single?

"Right. No pressure, of course. We can always hang out, just the three of us. I know Nat would enjoy it either way."

"Yeah, I would like that, just hanging out with you two."

Clearly I'm listening to more than I should. Oops.

"Perfect. Just let Nat know when, I'm pretty free. As you know, I'm kind of confined."

"I will. See you, Spencer."

"Bye, Wanda."

Guess I should actually leave now. I push the door open, holding it for her.

We walk in silence to the exit, again I hold the door open for her.

The warm air wraps me in a hug, one I gratefully accept. Spencer hates the cold, we're similar in that way, but she keeps it cooler in her shop for the customers.

Wanda and I look at each other..

"Well, it was good seeing you-"

"Would you like a ride?" We both speak at the same time. I regret asking. She was ready to leave and here I am wanting to extend our weird reunion or whatever it is.

"Oh."

"Or not. You probably have things to do. You wanted to walk, not ride the bike. Sorry." Okay, let's get out of here as quickly as possible.

What the fuck am I doing? I am way better off staying the hell away from -

"Actually.."

Shit.

"Yeah?"

"I wouldn't mind a ride. If the offer still stands."

Fuck. I can't even stop my smile, "the offer stands."