Chapter Text
One Month Later
October 7th.
Ava’s birthday.
The day she hated the most.
She hated the happy birthday wishes from the people from her old life, who just wanted to see if she was still alive or not. Truthfully, she wasn’t. The girl they knew had died.
But, there was one redeeming thing about this birthday. She had Frank.
He had been excited all week. Somehow, he’d convinced some of their coworkers to come to his house and celebrate, who had no idea they’re dating yet, so that should be fun. But, Heather and Robby did say they’d both come, so she was insanely excited for that.
She was the most excited to spend time with Frank, to get to show off her tattoos to him. They hadn’t had sex yet, and he hasn’t said a word about it, which she appreciated more than anything. She needed time, time to know he wasn’t going anywhere. Time to brave opening up to him, literally.
They were at home, her sitting in front of the bathroom mirror, humming “Let Down” by Radiohead to herself as she did her make up, wearing one of the old t-shirts of his he had given her, and sweatpants.
He had been running around the place all morning, single handedly setting up the place with decorations himself, not letting her dare touch a streamer.
Frank’s head poked into the bathroom and she smiled a bit, drawing blue eyeliner into her waterline. “Hey, are you sure you’re okay with people drinking? Because I-“
“Frank, honestly. It’s okay. I don’t mind. I won’t relapse. Plus, Robby or you won’t let me within 5 feet of the alcohol.”
“Damn right. Okay, I’m gonna quickly run to the liquor store on the corner, I’ll be right back, okay? I’m gonna lock the door behind me. Also, you look stunning.”
“This is your 5th time telling me today.”
“I know, I just can’t damn believe it.”
He smiled at her, quickly kissing her neck through her hair, and he was gone.
——————————————
“Hey, baby, do you want-“
She had no time to cover her torso up before he walked into the bedroom they shared, her tank top halfway over her head, and she swore she could literally feel his eyes on the collection of tattoos on her back and spine.
“Sorry! Shit, ‘m sorry, Ava, I should’ve knocked.”
She pulled her tank top back down, her heart racing as she smoothed it out. She definitely wasn’t wearing much. Shorts, that ride way too high, and a tank top.
“It's fine. You can come in.”
He hesitantly opened the door, eyes running over her arms and the tattoos that litter them.
He stood in front of her, taking her hands, holding her eyes. God, she just wanted to shrink into herself. Being self conscious is a bitch.
“What do all of your tattoos mean?”
She swallowed deep before she dragged her finger up, to the butterflies that spanned over her forearm. “Those have no meaning, they’re just cute.”
Next was the head of snakes and pair of eyes on her upper arm, and she swallowed heavy. “You don’t know what a Medusa tattoo symbolozes?”
He shook his head, holding her arm in his hand.
“It’s for surviving sexual assault. That’s, um, a story for another time, though. I don’t really feel comfortable talking about it yet.”
“You absolutely don’t have to. But I’m proud of you.”
She smiled up at him, extending her other arm to read the lyrics “I know it’s for the better” from the Phoebe Bridger’s song. “That’s one of my favorite songs. Oh, and the little circle and triangle, that’s an Alcoholics Anonymous thing. Ya know, go alcoholism!”
Before lifting up her shirt she took a steadying breath, fingers grasping the edge of the fabric and pulling up, stopping just below her breasts, enough to show the vines that laid underneath them. “Those are just pretty. The semicolon on my ribs, that’s for surviving abuse, ya know.”
She took in Frank’s attentive expression, slight smile, and slight pink on his face.
Keeping her shirt pulled up she turned around, showing the vines and roses that snaked up her spine, following the curve of it. The castle on her shoulder she had told him about, a pair of pink lip marks on the back of her neck by her hair.
Some little stars and shapes littered the rest of her back, along with a pink, blue and green jelly fish on her side. After a moment she pulled her shirt down, turning around to face him, the anxiety that settled in her stomach making her nauseous.
“So.. yeah. I wanna get more, but..”
“You’re beautiful, Ava. You have absolutely nothing to be ashamed about, not in front of me. Breathe, please.” He smiled and laughed a bit, running his hands up and down her arms.
“Sorry, I just.. can kind of get insecure sometimes.”
“You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Okay? Nothing to be insecure about.”
She smiled, squeezing his hands. “Thank you, Frank.”
——————————————
Frank had talked her into wearing this. He hadn’t pressured, no- just told her that she looks absolutely amazing, that he would do anything for her, and made out with her for 10 minutes straight. So, yeah, he made her feel pretty.
Her hair was done, and her make up. She stood in front of the hallway mirror, trying to fix her hair. “I feel dumb.”
“Why, baby?”
“Because, these people don’t even like me. I-“
“They don’t like you because they’re pretentious assholes. Robby loves you, I love you, Heather loves you.”
“But what about Dana, and Santos, and McKay.”
“First of all, McKay has no room to talk. And Santos is an intern. Come on. As for Dana, I honestly think once she sees your good for me, she’ll switch up.”
He stood behind her, placing a kiss on her head, running his hands over her sides. She had decided on a very low waisted skirt and a top that was low cut enough to show off some of the vines between her breasts, and had no sleeves. He hadn’t been able to stop staring at her all night.
“You look fucking amazing, baby. I’m right here, I won’t leave your side. Okay?”
She nodded, letting out a breath. “Okay. Thank you.”
As they finished setting up (Frank did, Ava watched and critiqued him) some people started arriving. Robby and Heather came first, who she was extremely grateful to see, each with multiple gifts in their hands. Next came Samira (Ava had always looked up to her- she’s absolutely beautiful and was one of the smartest people there) and Jack Abbot, hand in hand. They both said hi, Samira handing her a small bag and going to find Heather and Robby.
Next came McKay, who complimented her appearance, to which she smiled, and McKay had also complimented her tattoos.
Everyone else slowly trickled in and Ava sat at the table with Frank and Cassie, who she had surprisingly been talking to for a while now.
“Hey, Ava.” McKay whispered, leaning across the table a bit. “Do you have any tampons on you?”
Ava stood up immediately, making it her mission to get this girl a tampon. “Follow me, I think that I have some in Frank’s bathroom.”
Ava and McKay walked down the hallway and to their bathroom, where Ava had brought out 3 different types of tampons. “Take whatever you need, and I also have one of those portable heating pads, and some Tylenol if you need anything.”
“Thank you so much, the tampons are fine. Actually- can I ask you something?”
Ava’s eyebrows crossed and shut the door behind her, standing in the bathroom with McKay.
“I know i definitely shouldn’t ask this, and I am so sorry, but the tattoo on your arm, the circle and triangle. Is that the Alcoholics Anonymous one?”
Oh, God.
The thing she had been avoiding. Everyone at work finding out about her past. “It’s, um, it’s-“
“Relax, it’s okay. I’m only asking because I have the same one. 9 years sober.”
Oh.
Oh.
She immediately felt stupid for thinking McKay would do that. Ava laughed, covering her face with her hands briefly. “I am so embarrassed. Yes, it is. I’m only 2 years sober. Oh my gosh, I had no idea.”
“I had seen the tattoo when I walked in, but I didn’t wanna bring it up in front of everyone. I always knew I liked you.”
Ava smiled big, her eyes lighting up. Finally, she was making progress. “That’s sweet of you. Thank you. Are you sure you don’t need anything else?”
“Nope, just the tampon. Thank you.”
Ava smiled and walked back out, a huge smile on her face, walking with a bit more confidence.