Again, heads up that I'm not a professional and I really don't have a clue on these things.

Especially when there's barely a tattoo parlor around where I live and I don't see much people having tattoos because others are gonna call them out for it and saying it's a "sin" or whatever.

So don't mind the stuff that won't make sense.

︎𑁍

Upon entering the tattoo parlor, Jeno scans the place and hums to himself. Walking beside Yangyang as they approached the counter desk.

"Yangyang, hey!" The man behind the counter greets, sending off a friendly smile as the said boy gave him a high five as if they're old pals.

"Wassup, Jaehyun." Yangyang greets back just as friendly as the man was.

Jeno couldn't help but saw a glimpse of what looks like a tattoo on Jaehyun's neck, he couldn't fully see the design due to the shirt the man was currently wearing, but he assumes it's something about a sword.

Another thing he couldn't help but do is observe. He's sort of that type of person to mindlessly observe things as a habit.

Which is why he started observing the tattoo parlor up and down, left and right, from here to there, you get it.

The place wasn't that bad, the walls were filled with countless amount of random pictures Jeno assumes they had been cut out from different magazines.

There were some posters as well in some parts on the wall and windows, the floor was a little dirty and there were a few droplets of ink on it too that was starting to dry up sooner or later.

The place wasn't that bad.

That's all Jeno could say if anyone ever asked him how his first experience on entering a tattoo parlor went for an uptight person like him.

He didn't really listen to Yangyang and this Jaehyun guy's conversation about his friend's appointment since he was observing the place, so he flinched when Yangyang suddenly grabbed his wrist and pulled him along.

"Do I have to go with you? You're getting a tattoo, not getting injected." Jeno grunts as he follows his friend towards one of the available chairs.

"It's kinda the same thing, Jen." Yangyang snickers while getting himself comfortable on the seat. "A sharp pointy thing will be on my skin and leave a pretty pattern forever."

"You better chose a good one, I don't want you going through the 'getting rid of it' process, I heard it hurts." Jeno said, unconsciously pouting.

His friend laughs as if he's being ridiculous and heard something that's not true- but they both know it is, Yangyang just laughs a lot to not make Jeno worry even more.

"Well, you're not wrong." He said in amusement as he earned another pout from Jeno. He smiles and adds, "but don't worry, I chose a good one." He coaxes his friend.

Soon, a boy with dark pink hair walks over to them with a few tattoos on his body as well- from what they can see so far on his exposed skin.

"Hey, Yang, chose to get another one again?" The dark pink haired boy asks as he sat down on the stool and getting all the things ready- not really noticing Jeno's presence.

Yangyang hums in delight, "yup, this one is probably going to be my favorite." He said.

"You say that with each one and later say you think it was lame." The dark pink haired boy remarks with a small snicker.

Yangyang gave a silly smile before he saw a glimpse of Jeno's worried look. He chuckles and pats the tattoo artist's arm to get his attention.

"Hey, man. Don't make too much comments about these things, my friend over here is a worrywart baby so..." He drawls at the end.

The dark pink haired boy finally looks at Jeno and acknowledges his presence, he quickly scans his frame as the raven haired boy felt a little naked from the stranger's gaze.

Finally, after what felt like so long, the guy's eyes stopped scanning his body and looks back up to meet his eyes. He smiles and Jeno thinks he's probably seeing things but... Did the guy just winked at him?

"Your friend is cute." The tattoo artist suddenly comments to Yangyang, but Jeno could still hear it as his face slowly flushed from his words.

"I know," Yangyang said proudly as he obviously winked at his friend jokingly.

The difference between his wink and the tattoo artist's is that Jeno had obviously gotten used to his friend's antics and therefore doesn't mind.

But the dark pink haired boy? He's a stranger. Even though Jeno already feels intimidated enough from the stranger's presence, the tattoos on his body only added it up as a bonus.

"hopefully his cuteness won't distract you though, I don't want you to fuck this up, Jaem." Yangyang rolls his eyes at the tattoo artist.

The said boy snorts at him and shakes his head, "hmm... I'll try not to. I'll just not look at him for a moment then," he grins.

"Anyways, where did you say you want it?" He asks for confirmation while waiting for Yangyang's answer.

"Here," Yangyang points at his bare spot on his right forearm.

Nodding, the dark pink haired boy soon starts the process on Yangyang's forearm as slowly and gently as he could- yet there's nothing to completely avoid the pain.

Jeno watches with furrowed eyebrows, worried as always for his friend who seems very calm through all this.

Turning to the raven haired boy, Yangyang chuckles and beckons him with his free hand to come closer. Eventually, Jeno did and moves his stool on Yangyang's left.

Without further words, Yangyang takes Jeno's hand and squeezes it a little to reassure his friend.

Jeno pursed his lips and squeezes back every now and then when he glances at the sharp needle on his friend's skin.

It makes Yangyang laugh a little, it's funny because it's him getting the tattoo. Not Jeno, yet the latter looks more in pain than he was.

The tattoo artist glances up to meet the worried pair of eyes, it makes him smile a little unconsciously as Yangyang saw him looking up and jokes.

"Dude, I told you to not fuck it up. Don't make me regret bringing my friend here."

Laughing in amusement, the dark pink haired boy looks back down to focus on Yangyang's forearm, the smile still on his face as Jeno had not looked away despite how painful it looks.

"How cute."