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tampered2006-12-25 12:23 am
bitingnightmare.livejournal.com) wrote in tampered2006-12-25 12:23 am
Log; Complete
When; Dec. 20 (evening, backlog!)
Rating; MA (language, procedure)
Characters; John Constantine (![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
silkcutremix), the Corinthian (bitingnightmare)
Summary; a quick trip to the shop turns into a daring body mod
Log;
A little spot of deja vu wasn't it? Delilah had taken them to a body mod shop, "Suzaku" to be exact, different from the one they'd visited months earlier. Still couldn't help a minor feeling of apprehension huh? Cori tucked his keys into his jacket pocket then looked to John from under his shades. "You're sure," he asked the man. It was only an earring, but for some men such an object constituted an act of mid-life crisis.
---
"Bleedin' life or death decision," Constantine replied, dusting off the tail of his coat. Wearing a trenchcoat in the bitch seat was a precarious affair after all. Removing the helmet, he ran his hand through his hair a few times, restoring some of the wild spines, then ready to head in.
"We're just here for your ring, aren't we?" The magus cast a glance at this Suzaku; better be an in and out affair, given his past experiences with back alley places snug in the dark somewheres of the City bordering the Underground. He did not want to meet another Castile only to find out Cori's nipple had been possessed by the right angry spirit of vengeance from the third circle of Hell.
---
That would be a big embarrassment wouldn't it? Cori hooked his helmet to the bike, followed suit with John's. The body mod shop looked fairly reputable unlike that other place they visited once. It was clean on the outside with all fluorescent lights and signage intact. The windows offered a glimpse to the inside, showcases and design displays laid out in a most professional manner. Not bad really, maybe the younger Valentine had suggested this place.
"Come on, I think you'd look good," he hid a smirk as he reached out to tap the once stud-adorned lobe then approached the entrance to Suzaku before the old man could retaliate violently.
---
John grunted when the Corinthian gave him a tap, following him inside. Sure this place may have looked a little cleaner, with all the shit that has been going on in the last few months, he could not help but feel a little bit apprehensive. Just a little bit. Desperation had made him fall for what could have been an easy trap to avoid and his senses were on high alert now that he was in decent health.
Subconsciously he rubbed his ear. Bloody hole was still there, wasn't it? He brought his finger to the lobe and felt it. Probably could stick something in it. Maybe, then. Why did he take it out anyway? Must have lost the original down the drain and couldn't be arsed to pick up another stud.
---
That or the man had been injected with a shot of traditional Irish testosterone. Pity that it resulted in the loss of the stud. This shop had no bell or buzzer to herald the entrance of customers; the staff was just that good. The woman at the counter would have been an otherwise 'normal' looking gal in brown ponytail and conservative blouse were it not for her arms being covered entirely in inked scrollwork. She nodded to the gentleman in greeting; the paler one looked like he knew what he was doing. But that older looking gent, she pegged him for a tag along. In other words, a target.
"Hiiii," she smiled to Constantine, "something new for the season?"
Note the mini-tree with Christmas lights on the center counter. Festive city wasn't it. The Corinthian smirked again, hearing the woman trying to strike conversation with the Englishman. He went to peruse the rings.
---
Maybe John caught this. Guess he should talk, if just to be polite. She was a nice looking bird regardless; wouldn't hurt him. Still, he couldn't help but flick his blue eyes to his companion, finding his back, then her. Definitely just her and him now. Not the one to be uncomfortable he was, just that he felt he had no real business here, if just to be the Corinthian's partner-in-crime while he searched for a new toy.
She had to be thinking otherwise. "New," his voice started off smoky. He might as well have been exhaling his most treasured reliable vice, but no cigarette was lit. "Nah, luv, just thinking about an old hole I might fill again."
---
"Old," she asked, a hint of mischief in her dark almond eyes, "where would you get an idea like that?" She hadn't missed the glance between Old Gent and Young Buck, but who's to say she couldn't have a little fun on the job. The woman leaned against the counter, slim fingers tapping at her chin. "I'm all ears, handsome," she nodded once, amused by their wordplay but it did count as business as well.
---
The magus couldn't help but smile. Sure he might have appeared old, demon blood staggering his age or not, but he always had that sort of sparking youth in his eyes if to make up for when his body finally faltered. Not that he wanted to think about his age and physical deterioration anyway. "How about a stud for 'ere?" the magus gesture to the hole in his ear. It still was open, but he had forgotten about its existence until recently.
---
"Let Lily see that..." The woman asked but it was she who leaned forward, close to the magician's ear, so close. Hmm, he was right after all, old piercing though, didn't doubt it was from his wild youth. "Sounds easy enough," she leaned back while licking her teeth in delight, "got anything else?" Her gaze roaming up and down Constantine’s form accompanied her inquiry.
Now this conversation wasn't flying under the Corinthian's radar, but he didn't seem to mind as he perused the 14g rings.
---
Well, perhaps Constantine was more comfortable with a female looking over him (maybe undressing him?). For instance, she was something that would be more socially acceptable to tell about if she managed to get her hands down his pants (shit was he that easy?).
"That's all." Maybe, he thought. Only that old sad looking hole, a remainder of that said youth.
---
Being easy was relative, but if Constantine was curious he need only note that to date he'd bedded humans, a succubus, a nightmare, and a wolf, sort of. Lily was a she-wolf herself, her intention being a genuine interest in the magician or she really knew how to sell the goods. Maybe it was both. She gave the blonde a wink. "Come on, you're hiding something," a piercing, a tattoo, she certainly didn't mean his black magic secrets.
---
It was easier, in a different sense, to bed humans and other... things, when he was not currently in a relationship of sorts, especially when the one night stand in question was knocked up and needed monitoring. Hardly a love affair, even if he was growing all too attached to her, perhaps reaching with thin, bony fingers for tiny semblances of love. Shit, it was only attachment. He had yet to look into her yellow wolfy eyes and honestly say with all of his being that he loved her. He couldn't.
Wondered if he could with Cori. There were no "I love yous" between them, but there was something strong. Affection. A bond. Loyalty. Respect, even. Wondering if the nightmare could have respect for someone who had puppies, puppies no different from the neighbor kid's dog down the street.
"I hide much," he finally answered. Too much.
---
Her gaze shifted from the Englishman to the white-haired stranger, then she smiled. "I'll bet you do," call it female intuition. She gestured to a rotating shelf on the left. "We've got some gold and silver here, but we're mainly in the steel and titanium business," Lily nodded once, "something simple, hm? How's a stud. Low maintenance." She tapped the acrylic case, pointing to a pair of small-sized ball studs, surgical steel, average fare.
If only John could vocalize that he had puppies in the first place. He did have a trio of teenies once, and Abby's girl, these things Cori really didn't know in detail nor minded. He was taking his sweet time with the rings too.
---
Silver, wasn't too sure about it for reasons best kept between those who knew. John took a gander at those suggested ball studs instead, studying for a moment. Not quite like his old ones but they would certainly do if he did wanted to fall into feigning his youth.
Feigning his youth...
He almost asked for those, just when the maddest notion crossed his mind. Bugger if he knew how to ask for it but there was a slight tingle of nervousness, even for him, when his lips formed those words: "You know, I think I feel like something else. Wouldn't hurt to get a new one."
---
"Really," her nails clicked on the counter again. She leaned closer to Constantine, to keep their conversation hushed. "What's that," Lily asked, enjoying this almost too much, "do you want to see a book?" This she whispered to him.
Cori glanced over his shoulder briefly when the pair became quiet. Huh, interesting, he was almost tempted to butt in out of curiosity, but he didn't. Let the old man have his fun, he still rode in the bitch seat.
---
This sudden hushed conversation was only driving the man's nerves onward, but the silent pointing of a book sounded like just the thing to help him, well, say it, bringing him to manage a soft "That'd do, luv." He did not dare glance back at the Corinthian, whatever he was doing in his part of the store.
---
"I'll get it for you..." she trailed off, perhaps hoping for his name but it wasn't necessary. In a moment she pulled The Binder out, flipped it to the men’s section and pointed at the illustrations that were paired with actual photos. She made sure to lean in again, hiding the book from that other guy as if this were their secret, or his surprise. "Having known you for two minutes I'd say you're not a facial kind of guy," Lily assumed.
---
Constantine smiled again. Not a cocky grin either, but an authentic although nervous smile. "Nah, does it look like I need any on this han'some ol' muga' mine?" With that, he looked down, taking the Binder to flip through it for himself. Things to consider about what he had in mind but he knew his anatomy well, both of them and in between. He was silent as he skimmed, lingering in the genital piercings.
---
"You? Definitely not," she returned the smile. She didn't know her mages from nightmares but Lily knew a man new to this game when she met one. She sounded a soft playful gasp of shock over the section upon which Constantine lingered.
By then Cori had already made his decision, well almost. There was a nice ring, but a bar as well, or maybe he was stalling because he was all too interested in what John was up to.
---
There was the temptation when she gasped to look back. Jesus, he wanted to surprise the nightmare, but it seems he would be asking what had been going on on their way out from how things are going anyway. Turns out he seems to be letting things happen, he having yet to butt in... Or he wanted to be surprised. All the better, if he did. New to the game indeed, having no idea how long this process would take (short he supposed; he had pierced his ear himself with a needle in an act of machismo) but he had chosen his poison, giving a gesture to the girl to the picture and illustration in the Binder. Wouldn't mind her doing it either, which made it all the better.
---
"Excellent choice, sir," she said to him as if the Binder were a menu, well John did make his choice. She leaned back, pushing the list of selections aside. "If you'll come with me," Lily beckoned with her finger, nails immaculate and painted a deep blood red. The room cordoned off by curtain and chain-rope would be where she'd lead him.
Oh yeah he wanted to be surprised. From the way the woman talked she knew what she was doing, and the place seemed reputable. If all went horribly wrong there was always his magic and his... well heh, a horrible piercing experience was a nightmare in its own right. He just cocked a brow over the pair, amused, curious.
---
Christ, what was he getting himself into? Funny that he could face down demons and heralders of doom as well as slice open his own wrists with a razor without a blink, but he was bloody apprehensive about getting a piece of metal through his cock. Guess he had reason to. Demons were all talk and fucking stupid. She, well, the lady leading him looked anything but. Certainly knew more about this piercing business than he did, for one.
"How are you going to do this?" he mumbled once they had entered the safety of the curtain.
---
"Well first I'm going to..." she explained the entire ordeal in five concise steps. It took her only months of training to come up with that relatively painless and informative summary, threading the needle included. "Of course that's after we go over the care and healing process," this Lily explained in a similar manner. Most of those details his companion would know, but the most important one was...
"You'd also have to abstain from any sexual activity for six weeks," she smiled, wondering if the Englishman could handle that. "But if you're committed to keeping it," the piercing, "then you just need to sign here and we'll be ready to start." She offered a clipboard with the necessary paperwork to John.
---
Well, Cori was going to see John's latest addition in time, unless he was going to abstain from fucking him altogether and that sure as hell was not going to be happening any time soon. Nothing the nightmare couldn't point out to him about the care of his new piercing anyway. The magus took the clipboard in those weathered fingers of his, skimming over it one more time but hardly reading it. Who did, really? And when did he ever follow anyone else's rules? Shit he hardly followed his own.
Most importantly: Bugger that no sex policy. Still he feigned compliance, even if both really knew, but his signature was scribbled along the line in that hasty, scratch scrawl of his and offered back. Still nervous but bloody ready to get it on and over with.
---
She noted the speed with which he read the paper. Who really ever did read that shit? And Lily was an expert enough to know if she installed it Constantine would have little trouble, aside from maintaining it. Whatever happened to the price of things around here.... or maybe the job was on the house for his English charm. She reclaimed the clipboard and set it aside, gesturing for him to sit back on the work chair.
"So do you dress to the left or to the right? Or am I incorrect in assuming you're an uncut man," asked the woman with a smile.
---
"Left," replied the Englishman, very much uncut and perfectly intact. Wonder how that would have translated to his other shape, unless that shift had regenerated that (but how did he keep his old piercing hole?). Anything to distract him, really, as he complied and sat, the blue eyes briefly studying her for the umpteenth time.
---
"All right," she grinned, praising herself for judging him to be an uncut man. Lily waved her hand at him as she opened a cabinet for gloves, "off with your pants now."
Music to his ears? She wasn't as young as her figure looked, a woman of thirty-two though she certainly could have fooled anyone. The concise summary concluded the man was to receive a curved barbell at the 12g, which could then be stretched to a tenner. Hmm and the color of choice? Black? Chrome? Brushed steel? Whether he had his cock out or not she gestured for him to pick one from the tray.
---
Constantine shuffled a bit as his trousers were inched off, followed by his pants. Wasn't apprehensive about his cock either; she certainly wasn't the first one to lay eyes on it, more or less touch it. Definitely she'd be the first to pierce it. Shit, he was not ready for this, especially for an irrational, random decision such as this, but he couldn't back out now. Damn his pride, if that was what it was.
"Give us the steel, sweetheart." No waiver or tremble in his voice. He was practiced.
---
"Brave," she praised him, getting the rest of the gear ready: tube, needle, barbell, oh and a marker too. Did he think it was that easy? She sat beside the blonde, marveling at his size, but to herself for she was a professional after all. Lily reached out to pull his skin back, a necessary procedure, possibly not a soundless one. She used the marker to dot the left side of his frenulum as if she were doodling, girlish grin on her face.
"Ready?" Marker down, needle out.
---
Brave. Har.
John made a face, maybe a grunt, but not much beyond that. Felt sort of funny making those little sexual noises, no matter how tiny, for someone other than Cori. Maybe it was to humor her, or that the marker tickled too much and she might have drawn a little more than procedure required. Maybe. He didn't want to see her jab his dick with a needle, but then he couldn't take his eyes away. He couldn't see anything other than the dots, but then he couldn't take his eye off the needle. It glimmered in his eye more than it needed to.
Oh mother of Christ. Why the hell was he doing this again?
"Go for it."
---
Brave old man. Lily kind of liked him. With the area prepared, before Constantine could even finish those three little words she inserted the needle through the first dot, tube down the urethra. The bloodshed was minimal, she was that good, but pain, well that differed from person to person didn't it. Soon the jewelry followed the needle, a simple and sleek steel barbell of dark titanium color, ball ends. How long had he had those things in him? Seconds? Minutes?
"Feeling all right," Lily asked him with a smile.
---
"Hnn!"
Yes, it hurt, but not as bad or as long as he thought it would be. Maybe he jolted, but that was the extent of his reaction. Most of it was out of surprise.
(Shifting the first time had hurt more.)
Fuck, it was over quickly, and there he was staring at a barbell in his cock. He felt himself relax. Maybe he was a little proud of himself: Old Johnny did something other than piss off Great Lord Blaxor of Eternal Piss Stench or some bloke from below like that. His rough fingers touched it, the wound fresh but nothing he could not handle. He'll find away around things.
"Great," he grinned in approval.
---
She cleaned the area again for good measure, blew gently on the fresh piercing so it could dry, though under that foreskin drying was unlikely. Lily delivered the mantra again; keep it clean, keep away from the sex, and call if anything migrates. She pushed the rolling tray away then removed her gloves to wash her hands at the nearby sink.
"It looks good on you, I prefer ink myself," she gave John a grin, "take as much time as you need." To get over the pain and try to put his pants back on with it, or to just sit around and admire his new decoration.
---
Constantine had been a good little trooper, as they say, through the cleaning moment, letting this woman perform her work and, well, give him what he should be remembering unless he wanted his dick to turn green. Turned bright red already when he took up the fur coat. Didn't want it to complete a bloody Christmas ensemble.
"Cheers, luv. Think I should be hauling me arse out soon anyway." He pulled back the foreskin to give it one more good look before setting to work in getting his pants and trousers back on without looking too suspicious. Cori had to be wondering what the hell he was up to back here. Probably even heard him. Hopefully not. It might have given him away when he didn't want to, not just yet.
---
The Corinthian had heard something but Lily liked to work in teams. Her co-worker, Mathis, had been keeping the nightmare busy while the pair were in the room, and really, Cori wanted to be surprised. He kept his curiosity harnessed and focused on a casual conversation with the raven-haired guy across the counter. Tattoos, nothing particularly special. He wasn't planning to get inked tonight, John's surprise was enough.
Lily couldn't help but cover a giggle with her hand. "You were a good soldier, sir," she said to the magus, admiring his bravery throughout the ordeal, well he wasn't bad looking either. The man was much older than herself too, and still so young, she thought, a bit of an intriguing paradox. "Take this with you, show it to Mathis," she handed over a copy of his paperwork.
---
"Right then," was his reply, taking it. His piercing was a bit tender under his clothes, but thank Christ he preferred them loose. After creaking out of the chair, steadily, easily, he tried a natural gait through the curtains. The magus quickly figured out who this Mathis must be, spying the other speaking with the Corinthian, their hair a contrast of light and dark. The paperwork was held to his side; look natural. "Hullo, you must be Mathis."
---
"And then I did a few along here," Mathis traced a finger down the back of his forearm where dermal implants accompanied the ridges of a stylized dragon. "Oh, you're finished," he said when the blonde emerged.
Interesting. The Corinthian shifted his attention to those curtains and the magician walking out oh so naturally. In fact John was looking a bit... Cori couldn't quite put his finger on it, yet. He stepped aside, allowing the man with his secret some space at the counter. He rapped his knuckles on the surface. "I'm paying," declared the nightmare as he pushed the 14g ring with cuff attached towards Mathis, but his gaze turned away from the paperwork. Good sport.
---
Good indeed. John did not want the Corinthian spoiling himself by a chance glance at what he had set on the counter. With that, he stepped aside to let the nightmare pay. His piercing felt sort of warm in his pants, but then again, already he had been feeling a little more confident, a little more back to who he really was. Funny how life worked. Funny that it took a hole in his dick to make him a little more like John Constantine again.
As an afterthought: "I'll be picking up these here, too, mates." He gestured to the very studs the woman had suggested earlier. Make a new hole, fill an old one.
---
Good boy. She didn't know who John Constantine was, a man who hid too much perhaps, but he seemed like a friendly bloke all around. The slight difference in his demeanor was definitely noticeable to her, and she was quite pleased to see him pick the studs she'd suggested as well. Lily closed the sliver of curtain she'd open to spy on the pair briefly, ducking back to clean up.
He arched a brow at the studs. Huh, Cori glanced to the room again, noting the curtains sway shut. Someone else had been practicing a different kind of magic around here. He kept his mouths shut and tossed out the proper amount; the cost of the jewelry and another amount that seemed too low for a piercing the nightmare couldn't see on John's face.
"Thanks," Mathis said, handing Constantine the paper again as well as the new metal in a bag.
---
No one but the magus knew if he had caught sight of her again, but it didn't matter, he trying to figure out how this whole new piercing business was going to work. It had been decades and his very first piercings had been his only, still there. He remembered why he didn't pierce the other: There used to be two instead of one, but that one on his left lobe got fucking infected into a green puddle of clear pus which he had been forced to leave alone or let it take his ear. Consequence of that was letting it heal over, and that incident, living on his own so young with no real access to adequate health care, had discouraged him from repiercing. He was stuck with his right ear, which he wore a well-pilfered stud with pride, for he did it all himself.
Memories seemed to surface easier now. Hnn. He took the paper and folded it away into a trenchcoat pocket. "Ta."
Rating; MA (language, procedure)
Characters; John Constantine (
silkcutremix), the Corinthian (bitingnightmare)Summary; a quick trip to the shop turns into a daring body mod
Log;
A little spot of deja vu wasn't it? Delilah had taken them to a body mod shop, "Suzaku" to be exact, different from the one they'd visited months earlier. Still couldn't help a minor feeling of apprehension huh? Cori tucked his keys into his jacket pocket then looked to John from under his shades. "You're sure," he asked the man. It was only an earring, but for some men such an object constituted an act of mid-life crisis.
---
"Bleedin' life or death decision," Constantine replied, dusting off the tail of his coat. Wearing a trenchcoat in the bitch seat was a precarious affair after all. Removing the helmet, he ran his hand through his hair a few times, restoring some of the wild spines, then ready to head in.
"We're just here for your ring, aren't we?" The magus cast a glance at this Suzaku; better be an in and out affair, given his past experiences with back alley places snug in the dark somewheres of the City bordering the Underground. He did not want to meet another Castile only to find out Cori's nipple had been possessed by the right angry spirit of vengeance from the third circle of Hell.
---
That would be a big embarrassment wouldn't it? Cori hooked his helmet to the bike, followed suit with John's. The body mod shop looked fairly reputable unlike that other place they visited once. It was clean on the outside with all fluorescent lights and signage intact. The windows offered a glimpse to the inside, showcases and design displays laid out in a most professional manner. Not bad really, maybe the younger Valentine had suggested this place.
"Come on, I think you'd look good," he hid a smirk as he reached out to tap the once stud-adorned lobe then approached the entrance to Suzaku before the old man could retaliate violently.
---
John grunted when the Corinthian gave him a tap, following him inside. Sure this place may have looked a little cleaner, with all the shit that has been going on in the last few months, he could not help but feel a little bit apprehensive. Just a little bit. Desperation had made him fall for what could have been an easy trap to avoid and his senses were on high alert now that he was in decent health.
Subconsciously he rubbed his ear. Bloody hole was still there, wasn't it? He brought his finger to the lobe and felt it. Probably could stick something in it. Maybe, then. Why did he take it out anyway? Must have lost the original down the drain and couldn't be arsed to pick up another stud.
---
That or the man had been injected with a shot of traditional Irish testosterone. Pity that it resulted in the loss of the stud. This shop had no bell or buzzer to herald the entrance of customers; the staff was just that good. The woman at the counter would have been an otherwise 'normal' looking gal in brown ponytail and conservative blouse were it not for her arms being covered entirely in inked scrollwork. She nodded to the gentleman in greeting; the paler one looked like he knew what he was doing. But that older looking gent, she pegged him for a tag along. In other words, a target.
"Hiiii," she smiled to Constantine, "something new for the season?"
Note the mini-tree with Christmas lights on the center counter. Festive city wasn't it. The Corinthian smirked again, hearing the woman trying to strike conversation with the Englishman. He went to peruse the rings.
---
Maybe John caught this. Guess he should talk, if just to be polite. She was a nice looking bird regardless; wouldn't hurt him. Still, he couldn't help but flick his blue eyes to his companion, finding his back, then her. Definitely just her and him now. Not the one to be uncomfortable he was, just that he felt he had no real business here, if just to be the Corinthian's partner-in-crime while he searched for a new toy.
She had to be thinking otherwise. "New," his voice started off smoky. He might as well have been exhaling his most treasured reliable vice, but no cigarette was lit. "Nah, luv, just thinking about an old hole I might fill again."
---
"Old," she asked, a hint of mischief in her dark almond eyes, "where would you get an idea like that?" She hadn't missed the glance between Old Gent and Young Buck, but who's to say she couldn't have a little fun on the job. The woman leaned against the counter, slim fingers tapping at her chin. "I'm all ears, handsome," she nodded once, amused by their wordplay but it did count as business as well.
---
The magus couldn't help but smile. Sure he might have appeared old, demon blood staggering his age or not, but he always had that sort of sparking youth in his eyes if to make up for when his body finally faltered. Not that he wanted to think about his age and physical deterioration anyway. "How about a stud for 'ere?" the magus gesture to the hole in his ear. It still was open, but he had forgotten about its existence until recently.
---
"Let Lily see that..." The woman asked but it was she who leaned forward, close to the magician's ear, so close. Hmm, he was right after all, old piercing though, didn't doubt it was from his wild youth. "Sounds easy enough," she leaned back while licking her teeth in delight, "got anything else?" Her gaze roaming up and down Constantine’s form accompanied her inquiry.
Now this conversation wasn't flying under the Corinthian's radar, but he didn't seem to mind as he perused the 14g rings.
---
Well, perhaps Constantine was more comfortable with a female looking over him (maybe undressing him?). For instance, she was something that would be more socially acceptable to tell about if she managed to get her hands down his pants (shit was he that easy?).
"That's all." Maybe, he thought. Only that old sad looking hole, a remainder of that said youth.
---
Being easy was relative, but if Constantine was curious he need only note that to date he'd bedded humans, a succubus, a nightmare, and a wolf, sort of. Lily was a she-wolf herself, her intention being a genuine interest in the magician or she really knew how to sell the goods. Maybe it was both. She gave the blonde a wink. "Come on, you're hiding something," a piercing, a tattoo, she certainly didn't mean his black magic secrets.
---
It was easier, in a different sense, to bed humans and other... things, when he was not currently in a relationship of sorts, especially when the one night stand in question was knocked up and needed monitoring. Hardly a love affair, even if he was growing all too attached to her, perhaps reaching with thin, bony fingers for tiny semblances of love. Shit, it was only attachment. He had yet to look into her yellow wolfy eyes and honestly say with all of his being that he loved her. He couldn't.
Wondered if he could with Cori. There were no "I love yous" between them, but there was something strong. Affection. A bond. Loyalty. Respect, even. Wondering if the nightmare could have respect for someone who had puppies, puppies no different from the neighbor kid's dog down the street.
"I hide much," he finally answered. Too much.
---
Her gaze shifted from the Englishman to the white-haired stranger, then she smiled. "I'll bet you do," call it female intuition. She gestured to a rotating shelf on the left. "We've got some gold and silver here, but we're mainly in the steel and titanium business," Lily nodded once, "something simple, hm? How's a stud. Low maintenance." She tapped the acrylic case, pointing to a pair of small-sized ball studs, surgical steel, average fare.
If only John could vocalize that he had puppies in the first place. He did have a trio of teenies once, and Abby's girl, these things Cori really didn't know in detail nor minded. He was taking his sweet time with the rings too.
---
Silver, wasn't too sure about it for reasons best kept between those who knew. John took a gander at those suggested ball studs instead, studying for a moment. Not quite like his old ones but they would certainly do if he did wanted to fall into feigning his youth.
Feigning his youth...
He almost asked for those, just when the maddest notion crossed his mind. Bugger if he knew how to ask for it but there was a slight tingle of nervousness, even for him, when his lips formed those words: "You know, I think I feel like something else. Wouldn't hurt to get a new one."
---
"Really," her nails clicked on the counter again. She leaned closer to Constantine, to keep their conversation hushed. "What's that," Lily asked, enjoying this almost too much, "do you want to see a book?" This she whispered to him.
Cori glanced over his shoulder briefly when the pair became quiet. Huh, interesting, he was almost tempted to butt in out of curiosity, but he didn't. Let the old man have his fun, he still rode in the bitch seat.
---
This sudden hushed conversation was only driving the man's nerves onward, but the silent pointing of a book sounded like just the thing to help him, well, say it, bringing him to manage a soft "That'd do, luv." He did not dare glance back at the Corinthian, whatever he was doing in his part of the store.
---
"I'll get it for you..." she trailed off, perhaps hoping for his name but it wasn't necessary. In a moment she pulled The Binder out, flipped it to the men’s section and pointed at the illustrations that were paired with actual photos. She made sure to lean in again, hiding the book from that other guy as if this were their secret, or his surprise. "Having known you for two minutes I'd say you're not a facial kind of guy," Lily assumed.
---
Constantine smiled again. Not a cocky grin either, but an authentic although nervous smile. "Nah, does it look like I need any on this han'some ol' muga' mine?" With that, he looked down, taking the Binder to flip through it for himself. Things to consider about what he had in mind but he knew his anatomy well, both of them and in between. He was silent as he skimmed, lingering in the genital piercings.
---
"You? Definitely not," she returned the smile. She didn't know her mages from nightmares but Lily knew a man new to this game when she met one. She sounded a soft playful gasp of shock over the section upon which Constantine lingered.
By then Cori had already made his decision, well almost. There was a nice ring, but a bar as well, or maybe he was stalling because he was all too interested in what John was up to.
---
There was the temptation when she gasped to look back. Jesus, he wanted to surprise the nightmare, but it seems he would be asking what had been going on on their way out from how things are going anyway. Turns out he seems to be letting things happen, he having yet to butt in... Or he wanted to be surprised. All the better, if he did. New to the game indeed, having no idea how long this process would take (short he supposed; he had pierced his ear himself with a needle in an act of machismo) but he had chosen his poison, giving a gesture to the girl to the picture and illustration in the Binder. Wouldn't mind her doing it either, which made it all the better.
---
"Excellent choice, sir," she said to him as if the Binder were a menu, well John did make his choice. She leaned back, pushing the list of selections aside. "If you'll come with me," Lily beckoned with her finger, nails immaculate and painted a deep blood red. The room cordoned off by curtain and chain-rope would be where she'd lead him.
Oh yeah he wanted to be surprised. From the way the woman talked she knew what she was doing, and the place seemed reputable. If all went horribly wrong there was always his magic and his... well heh, a horrible piercing experience was a nightmare in its own right. He just cocked a brow over the pair, amused, curious.
---
Christ, what was he getting himself into? Funny that he could face down demons and heralders of doom as well as slice open his own wrists with a razor without a blink, but he was bloody apprehensive about getting a piece of metal through his cock. Guess he had reason to. Demons were all talk and fucking stupid. She, well, the lady leading him looked anything but. Certainly knew more about this piercing business than he did, for one.
"How are you going to do this?" he mumbled once they had entered the safety of the curtain.
---
"Well first I'm going to..." she explained the entire ordeal in five concise steps. It took her only months of training to come up with that relatively painless and informative summary, threading the needle included. "Of course that's after we go over the care and healing process," this Lily explained in a similar manner. Most of those details his companion would know, but the most important one was...
"You'd also have to abstain from any sexual activity for six weeks," she smiled, wondering if the Englishman could handle that. "But if you're committed to keeping it," the piercing, "then you just need to sign here and we'll be ready to start." She offered a clipboard with the necessary paperwork to John.
---
Well, Cori was going to see John's latest addition in time, unless he was going to abstain from fucking him altogether and that sure as hell was not going to be happening any time soon. Nothing the nightmare couldn't point out to him about the care of his new piercing anyway. The magus took the clipboard in those weathered fingers of his, skimming over it one more time but hardly reading it. Who did, really? And when did he ever follow anyone else's rules? Shit he hardly followed his own.
Most importantly: Bugger that no sex policy. Still he feigned compliance, even if both really knew, but his signature was scribbled along the line in that hasty, scratch scrawl of his and offered back. Still nervous but bloody ready to get it on and over with.
---
She noted the speed with which he read the paper. Who really ever did read that shit? And Lily was an expert enough to know if she installed it Constantine would have little trouble, aside from maintaining it. Whatever happened to the price of things around here.... or maybe the job was on the house for his English charm. She reclaimed the clipboard and set it aside, gesturing for him to sit back on the work chair.
"So do you dress to the left or to the right? Or am I incorrect in assuming you're an uncut man," asked the woman with a smile.
---
"Left," replied the Englishman, very much uncut and perfectly intact. Wonder how that would have translated to his other shape, unless that shift had regenerated that (but how did he keep his old piercing hole?). Anything to distract him, really, as he complied and sat, the blue eyes briefly studying her for the umpteenth time.
---
"All right," she grinned, praising herself for judging him to be an uncut man. Lily waved her hand at him as she opened a cabinet for gloves, "off with your pants now."
Music to his ears? She wasn't as young as her figure looked, a woman of thirty-two though she certainly could have fooled anyone. The concise summary concluded the man was to receive a curved barbell at the 12g, which could then be stretched to a tenner. Hmm and the color of choice? Black? Chrome? Brushed steel? Whether he had his cock out or not she gestured for him to pick one from the tray.
---
Constantine shuffled a bit as his trousers were inched off, followed by his pants. Wasn't apprehensive about his cock either; she certainly wasn't the first one to lay eyes on it, more or less touch it. Definitely she'd be the first to pierce it. Shit, he was not ready for this, especially for an irrational, random decision such as this, but he couldn't back out now. Damn his pride, if that was what it was.
"Give us the steel, sweetheart." No waiver or tremble in his voice. He was practiced.
---
"Brave," she praised him, getting the rest of the gear ready: tube, needle, barbell, oh and a marker too. Did he think it was that easy? She sat beside the blonde, marveling at his size, but to herself for she was a professional after all. Lily reached out to pull his skin back, a necessary procedure, possibly not a soundless one. She used the marker to dot the left side of his frenulum as if she were doodling, girlish grin on her face.
"Ready?" Marker down, needle out.
---
Brave. Har.
John made a face, maybe a grunt, but not much beyond that. Felt sort of funny making those little sexual noises, no matter how tiny, for someone other than Cori. Maybe it was to humor her, or that the marker tickled too much and she might have drawn a little more than procedure required. Maybe. He didn't want to see her jab his dick with a needle, but then he couldn't take his eyes away. He couldn't see anything other than the dots, but then he couldn't take his eye off the needle. It glimmered in his eye more than it needed to.
Oh mother of Christ. Why the hell was he doing this again?
"Go for it."
---
Brave old man. Lily kind of liked him. With the area prepared, before Constantine could even finish those three little words she inserted the needle through the first dot, tube down the urethra. The bloodshed was minimal, she was that good, but pain, well that differed from person to person didn't it. Soon the jewelry followed the needle, a simple and sleek steel barbell of dark titanium color, ball ends. How long had he had those things in him? Seconds? Minutes?
"Feeling all right," Lily asked him with a smile.
---
"Hnn!"
Yes, it hurt, but not as bad or as long as he thought it would be. Maybe he jolted, but that was the extent of his reaction. Most of it was out of surprise.
(Shifting the first time had hurt more.)
Fuck, it was over quickly, and there he was staring at a barbell in his cock. He felt himself relax. Maybe he was a little proud of himself: Old Johnny did something other than piss off Great Lord Blaxor of Eternal Piss Stench or some bloke from below like that. His rough fingers touched it, the wound fresh but nothing he could not handle. He'll find away around things.
"Great," he grinned in approval.
---
She cleaned the area again for good measure, blew gently on the fresh piercing so it could dry, though under that foreskin drying was unlikely. Lily delivered the mantra again; keep it clean, keep away from the sex, and call if anything migrates. She pushed the rolling tray away then removed her gloves to wash her hands at the nearby sink.
"It looks good on you, I prefer ink myself," she gave John a grin, "take as much time as you need." To get over the pain and try to put his pants back on with it, or to just sit around and admire his new decoration.
---
Constantine had been a good little trooper, as they say, through the cleaning moment, letting this woman perform her work and, well, give him what he should be remembering unless he wanted his dick to turn green. Turned bright red already when he took up the fur coat. Didn't want it to complete a bloody Christmas ensemble.
"Cheers, luv. Think I should be hauling me arse out soon anyway." He pulled back the foreskin to give it one more good look before setting to work in getting his pants and trousers back on without looking too suspicious. Cori had to be wondering what the hell he was up to back here. Probably even heard him. Hopefully not. It might have given him away when he didn't want to, not just yet.
---
The Corinthian had heard something but Lily liked to work in teams. Her co-worker, Mathis, had been keeping the nightmare busy while the pair were in the room, and really, Cori wanted to be surprised. He kept his curiosity harnessed and focused on a casual conversation with the raven-haired guy across the counter. Tattoos, nothing particularly special. He wasn't planning to get inked tonight, John's surprise was enough.
Lily couldn't help but cover a giggle with her hand. "You were a good soldier, sir," she said to the magus, admiring his bravery throughout the ordeal, well he wasn't bad looking either. The man was much older than herself too, and still so young, she thought, a bit of an intriguing paradox. "Take this with you, show it to Mathis," she handed over a copy of his paperwork.
---
"Right then," was his reply, taking it. His piercing was a bit tender under his clothes, but thank Christ he preferred them loose. After creaking out of the chair, steadily, easily, he tried a natural gait through the curtains. The magus quickly figured out who this Mathis must be, spying the other speaking with the Corinthian, their hair a contrast of light and dark. The paperwork was held to his side; look natural. "Hullo, you must be Mathis."
---
"And then I did a few along here," Mathis traced a finger down the back of his forearm where dermal implants accompanied the ridges of a stylized dragon. "Oh, you're finished," he said when the blonde emerged.
Interesting. The Corinthian shifted his attention to those curtains and the magician walking out oh so naturally. In fact John was looking a bit... Cori couldn't quite put his finger on it, yet. He stepped aside, allowing the man with his secret some space at the counter. He rapped his knuckles on the surface. "I'm paying," declared the nightmare as he pushed the 14g ring with cuff attached towards Mathis, but his gaze turned away from the paperwork. Good sport.
---
Good indeed. John did not want the Corinthian spoiling himself by a chance glance at what he had set on the counter. With that, he stepped aside to let the nightmare pay. His piercing felt sort of warm in his pants, but then again, already he had been feeling a little more confident, a little more back to who he really was. Funny how life worked. Funny that it took a hole in his dick to make him a little more like John Constantine again.
As an afterthought: "I'll be picking up these here, too, mates." He gestured to the very studs the woman had suggested earlier. Make a new hole, fill an old one.
---
Good boy. She didn't know who John Constantine was, a man who hid too much perhaps, but he seemed like a friendly bloke all around. The slight difference in his demeanor was definitely noticeable to her, and she was quite pleased to see him pick the studs she'd suggested as well. Lily closed the sliver of curtain she'd open to spy on the pair briefly, ducking back to clean up.
He arched a brow at the studs. Huh, Cori glanced to the room again, noting the curtains sway shut. Someone else had been practicing a different kind of magic around here. He kept his mouths shut and tossed out the proper amount; the cost of the jewelry and another amount that seemed too low for a piercing the nightmare couldn't see on John's face.
"Thanks," Mathis said, handing Constantine the paper again as well as the new metal in a bag.
---
No one but the magus knew if he had caught sight of her again, but it didn't matter, he trying to figure out how this whole new piercing business was going to work. It had been decades and his very first piercings had been his only, still there. He remembered why he didn't pierce the other: There used to be two instead of one, but that one on his left lobe got fucking infected into a green puddle of clear pus which he had been forced to leave alone or let it take his ear. Consequence of that was letting it heal over, and that incident, living on his own so young with no real access to adequate health care, had discouraged him from repiercing. He was stuck with his right ear, which he wore a well-pilfered stud with pride, for he did it all himself.
Memories seemed to surface easier now. Hnn. He took the paper and folded it away into a trenchcoat pocket. "Ta."