SkinSpell

Chapter 1: In The Flesh

Declan Mace, shirtless and bobbing his head to 5FDP, was finishing up an outline with the usual flourish. His client, Baker Codie, the goofy fool, chuckled at his antics. Baker is Declan's cousin by blood and his actual brother by choice.

The two men, both 26, were raised side by side. This was not because of any "good" reason, but because Declan's mom, Aimee, was so unreliable. She would leave Declan with Abby, Baker's mom, to go out and party with her girls, constantly. One time she didn't come back to pick him up for 11 months. He was just 13.

After that, for the next 10 or so odd years, Declan pretty much spent all of his time at the Codie house. His aunt fed and clothed him, took him to his appointments. She even bought him a car when he turned 16. He still drove it on occasion.

He wiped Baker's forearm with a damp rag. That was his favorite part of tattooing, the very first reveal. His cousin held the arm up right next to his eyeballs, giving it a good look. Always a goof. Baker let out a "hell, yeah" before laying back in his seat.

Declan continued to lay ink, shading the big black bear while the other man swiped his phone. They sat like that for the next hour and a half. Finally, Declan killed the motor and watched Baker scramble to a nearby mirror. He was impressed.

"This is rad s**t," he said, excited. I love it. I appreciate cha."

Declan tapped his other hand in a lowkey high five. He leaned back in his oversized leather chair and tugged on his vape. He was trying like hell to quit. At least he was nicotine free now.

"Of course! You're welcome."

Baker, tossing a napkin from his lap, stood up and stretched. He yawned, stretching his long body up to his 6'4" height