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There was something so thrilling about being in love. How butterflies fill your stomach when you see them, or how cared for you feel when they're holding you in your arms. The constant need to be with them and show them how much you like them back. How it could make you so vulnerable and open you up, allowing anyone to either soothe or mutilate your heart.
But who needed all of that when Ponyboy was part of a gang that offered the same benefits? Although no romance was involved, he was still being cared for and each member could rely on each other to have their backs. Pony was certain he didn't need some ‘significant other.’
That is until he spotted a magazine at the drugstore. He and Johnny were tagging along with Dallas to see a movie, but since they were a little early for the screening, they decided to walk around town for a bit.
“101 Date Ideas For You and Your Partner,” the cover read, and a photo showcased a couple holding hands as they walked in front of a sunset. He flipped through the pages, skimming the activities and little articles.
Normally, something like this wouldn't have intrigued him, but he was hooked for some reason. He took another one from the rack, detailing how to spice up your relationship. When he saw some ads for what looked like riding crops and gags, his eyes widened and he quickly placed the article back. Unbeknownst to him, it fell onto the floor as he turned around.
“Hey, Ponyboy, whatcha looking' at?” Johnny asked as he came looking back with a few boxes of Kools in his hand. Dally followed him with his hands stuffed in his pockets.
Pony awkwardly cleared his throat. “Oh, nothin’. Just uh, seein' what kinds of magazines they have, y'know?”
Johnny only quicked a brow while Dallas smirked. The oldest leaned down, picked up the dirty magazine, and held it up.
“Ya mean you were lookin' through this?” He asked, his shit-eating grin not leaving his face. “Ain't this a little too… mature for you, kid?”
Pony's face turned crimson. “Now what makes you think I was readin' that?”
Dally laughed. “Relax, man, I’m just messin’ with ya. And come on, the movie at the drive-in’s ‘bout to start.”
As the trio walked out of the drugstore, Pony’s thoughts drifted back to the magazine. He remembered one advertisement about a store in Tulsa called Red Devil Piercings and Tattoos. Maybe there he could get something that would make him a chick magnet.
He made a mental note to check it out the following day.
…
Ponyboy entered the sex shop with wide eyes, glancing at all the dirty things the store offered. The door closed with a soft click and his face turned red when he saw a shelf filled with toys and a section dedicated to sexy outfits. The whole place was dimly lit, save for a few displays that used bright-colored lights. Much like the store’s name, most of the products they sold were red. To the right of the entrance was a counter, where he presumed the only employee was standing.
He approached her with fidgeting hands. She looked like she just barely passed 20, had a few piercings on her ears, and had several tattoos lining her arms. Her dark, brown hair was styled into a bob, and it looked uncombed. A black headband separated her bangs from the rest of her hair.
She looked bored out of her mind; her eyes were glazed over and she was resting her head in her hand. The other mindlessly tapped against the black countertop in time to the song on the radio beside her.
With an awkward cough, Pony was the first to speak up. “Uh, excuse me?”
The lady looked up and smiled softly. “Hey,” she greeted and lowered the volume on the radio. Her voice was gentle and calm, contrasting how she looked.
She gave him a quick once over and raised a brow. “Don’t you think you’re a lil’ young to be in this store?”
“Eh, uh… n-no, not at all…” he lied with a nervous smile.
She chuckled. “Don’t sweat it. Everyone’s actin’ older these days and it gets a little uncanny sometimes.”
“Oh, uh, yeah,” Pony responded with an uncomfortable laugh. “So… I read in a magazine that this place sells things for… couples and the bedroom.”
She nodded. “Yep, came to the right place. Whaddya need, lube, condoms, toys, outfits, piercings? Lay it on me.”
He looked around awkwardly, his heart pounding, wondering what to tell her. It took a few seconds, but he finally told her, “Maybe something that could impress the ladies? Or, like, something that could help with pleasure? To keep broads runnin’ back for more?”
The lady thought for a second, her fingers tapping on the counter again. “Well, for that I’d recommend a piercing. Specifically one on your junk. But I’d hafta warn you, it’s kind of painful.”
Ponyboy watched as the lady pulled out a silver band with a small sphere on top, making it look like a wedding ring. He stared at it in awe, imagining it pierced onto his johnson. The thought was kind of painful, but if it meant scoring a girl then maybe it was worth it.
He finally managed to find his voice after another second or two. “Please, ma’am? It would mean a lot. And glory, that piercing kinda looks… tuff.”
She smirked. “Hmm. Yeah, tuff. Come to think of it, I could’ve used someone like you when I was your age. Alrighty then, a prince albert it is.”
“A prince albert?”
“Yep. The piercing I just showed ya. The one you said looked cool.”
The lady placed it near her eye and made it look like she was wearing a monocle. “I’m gonna pierce this onto your johnson. When you finally come home with your little lady and have some fun, she’ll be squealin’ like she won a year’s supply of makeup and dresses.”
The boy couldn’t help but blush at the thought. If it was gonna make a girl react like that, then oh boy, was it tempting.
“Alright… sounds great. I’ll go for it,” he responded in the most confident tone he could use, but inside, he was bubbling with nervousness.
“Hooray for me then. But before we go in the back, you need to pay.”
After paying sufficient funds, he followed his piercer behind the counter with a pounding heartbeat. He was getting a piercing, and a prince albert nonetheless. He swallowed.
“Drop trowel and hop on the table,” she ordered and picked up a piercing gun, a bottle of rubbing alcohol, and some cotton balls.
Obediently, he hopped onto the table with a nervous nod. His throat was dry, and the blood in his body was pounding in his ears as he watched the lady. Ponyboy watched as she grabbed a cotton ball, dabbed it in the alcohol, and prepped the area. It was a little ticklish, causing him to bite his lip when he felt the cotton rub against his tip.
Tossing the cotton into a nearby trash can, she picked up the piercing gun and looked down at him. “It’ll help if you close your eyes or look away, got it?”
Pony closed his eyes tight as he gripped onto the side of the bed. He was completely nervous now but kept his mouth shut and tried to stay still. After a little while he whispered: "Just get it over with.."
With practiced ease, the lady pierced the tip of his dick and smirked when she saw him yelp and sprung back up. She laughed softly.
“That scream? That means it worked.”
Ponyboy opened his eyes and looked down at his dick, particularly at the spot where he was pierced. “Christ, did that hurt like hell, but hey, it looks real tuff, just like I thought it’d look…”
“Woah, woah, woah, don’t touch it,” she told him and handed him his pants and boxers.
He accepted the pants and the bottle, putting his pants on and examining himself again. The pain was subsiding, but he kept his hands away from it, in case he accidentally injured it.
"How long will it take until I can touch it again? Or how long until the soreness is completely gone?"
“Give it a few weeks. But for now, make sure it’s clean and… try not to do any splits on the way home. And here, take this bottle, on the house. It’ll help with the initial soreness.”
He grabbed the bottle and put it into his back pocket. He sat there for a few seconds, waiting for the pain to subside.
“You’re all free to go now, pal. But I understand if you need a moment,” the piercer added when she noticed he was staying still.
“Oh, nah, it’s… it’s fine. The pain’s not as bad as a few seconds ago, I think I’ll be fine,” he responded as he got up. “Thanks, uh…”
“Charlie,” the lady finished for him.
He smiled. “I’m Ponyboy.”
“Nice to meet you Ponyboy,” Charlie responded with a smile of her own, “Take care.”
…
The next few weeks were painful for Pony. Every time he’d take a step he’d feel a sting of pain near his crotch, followed by a loud groan from him.
The good thing was that Darry, Soda, or anyone from the gang hadn’t found out about the piercing yet. Sure they noticed his limps, and they tried their best to help him, but to no avail. He’d wonder if he should tell them what happened but thought against it. Darry would scold the tar out of him if he did.
And there was another thing he’d never tell anyone: he was beginning to like this Charlie girl. Not in a crush type of way, he knew she was way out of his league, but rather like a friend or older sister. The way she acted was refreshing to him.
He stepped inside Red Devil Piercings and Tattoos when he saw Charlie working at the counter again. This time, she perked up once she saw him and smiled at him.
“Hey, Ponyboy,” she greeted, “how’s Ms. Johnson’s new hat?”
He blushed slightly at the mention of his dick piercing and laughed uncomfortably. “Oh, y’know, it’s going swell. The pain’s barely tolerable.”
“Well, that’s nice to hear.”
He looked away and thought for a moment. “H-hey. Is there any chance I could work here at the shop? When it gets busy?”
She quirked a brow and smirked. “Busy? Really? You wanna help out at this store, on this side of town?”
Pony glanced around the store and realized it was nearly empty, save for them and someone at the back getting a tattoo.
“What if I get another piercing? How long would it take? Would I be here all day, or-”
She interrupted him with a sigh. “Look, kid. I know you like me, and I like you too. But face it, you’re still a kid. You have a whole chunk of life ahead of you, why waste it on working here?”
He blinked. So she knew that he was younger than he said he was.
“I mean… I was hopin’ to spend some time with you. You’re kinda different from all the girls I know. You act all kind and warm…” he trailed off, not really wanting to mention the last bit, but felt that he had to. “…and you remind me a bit of my mom. She died a few months ago, along with Dad, and it’s nice to see her in people like you…”
Charlie’s concerned face turned into one of empathy and pity. “I’m real sorry to hear that. But… don’t worry about all that love and work B.S. for now. You’re a good kid. Just stay that way and you'll grow up to be a nice man ladies would love,” she told him. “And I bet that’s what your mama and pop would’ve wanted you to do too.”
Ponyboy considered this. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. They probably would’ve said no to the piercing anyway.” He had a lightbulb moment and beamed at Charlie.
“But you’re still cool with me comin’ in to say hello?”
She smiled in return. “‘Course I am. I could use some company in this empty excuse of a store.”
Pony laughed and began to walk to the exit when he remembered something. “Oh, uh, Charlie?”
“Yeah?”
“Could you, uh…” he began sheepishly, “remove my prince albert? I don’t think I need it anymore.”
The lady chuckled and stepped back to pull the curtain, revealing the table where he got pierced. “Will do. Hop on in.”