Pairing: tattoo artist!Hongjoong x tattooed!reader
Genre: non-idol, fluff
Word count: 1.6k
Warnings: tattoo stuff, a mention of blood
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
Here it is. You thought to yourself as you checked the number of the building with the number you had scribbled onto a piece of paper. ‘Star 1117’ was nicely written on the windows of the old looking building.
It had a bit of a rustic vibe; dark green paint on the window frames, the bricks were an ashen gray color, a small dark brown door with a heavy looking door knocker.
The sign by the door said ‘open’, so you pushed open the door; a high ringing of a bell announcing that you entered the place.
“Hey, welcome!” You were immediately greeted by, you assumed, the owner of the place.
He looked younger than you had expected, as he sounded very mature on the phone when you made your appointment. His dark blue hair was messily put in a ponytail and he was sporting a plain light gray t-shirt, some dark jeans and sneakers. Both his arms were covered in ink, and you were guessing he had some more on other parts of his body.
“Hi!” You replied excitedly. “I have an appointment at one o’clock, with Hongjoong?”
He smiled and got up from his stool, reaching out his hand to you. You noticed he had painted his nails black and blue. “That's me. I’m working on the last bits of your tattoo. I’d like to check everything with you before we start, of course.”
You nodded and followed him to the counter. Since you weren't living close to this studio, you had only spoken with Hongjoong over the phone and email. So far, he had done an excellent job of sketching out the design you wanted for your half sleeve and you were eager to see how it had turned out.
He showed you what he had been working on and you smiled instantly.
“It's exactly how I imagined it!” You exclaimed with enthusiasm. “It looks amazing!”
Hongjoong’s eyes lit up seeing your reaction, he was very happy that you liked it. “Alright, let's get everything set up!”
You waited in the front of the studio while Hongjoong got everything ready to get tattooing. He wrapped everything he needed to with saran wrap, put down all his containers and other stuff, and then beckoned you to come on over.
“The upper arm was it, right?” He asked as he grabbed the stencil to place on your arm.
“Yep.” You said, taking off your sweater so you were in your tank top. You weren't a tattoo virgin at all and Hongjoong complimented the tattoos on your other arm.
“They look really good!” He said, as he carefully and precisely placed the template on your left upper arm. “Did you get them done by the same artist?”
“No, I like collecting art from different artists.” You replied, standing as still as possible as to not be inconvenient for Hongjoong.
He chuckled, “that's cool, I’m flattered I get to be in your collection!”
You had seen his work on social media, through one of your friends. They had gotten a tattoo by Hongjoong themselves and they thought his style would fit your taste very well. They were absolutely right!
He had finished putting on the stencil and had you check the placement in the mirror. As soon as you gave him your approval, he had you sit down on the chair to get started. He unpacked his new needle and got the tattoo machine ready.
“Here we go.” He said, letting you know that the first line was coming.
You watched him as he tattooed the first line on your arm; it always took a little bit to get used to it again. Just a few seconds though.
It's practically impossible to describe the feeling of getting tattooed to someone who has never gotten one. If you know, you know. And if you don't, that's your loss.
But you absolutely loved the feeling of getting a new tattoo. It was like a drug to you, it gave you a pleasant high and a beautiful piece of artwork.
“Wanna take a short break?” Hongjoong asked, looking at the clock and then at you. He had been working on the outline for over two hours now.
You nodded. “I could go for a break, yeah.”
Hongjoong had given you a can of soda some time around the first hour, and you went to finish the drink. The two of you had been chatting along and time had been flying by so quickly. He was almost done with outlining the tattoo, and you’d come back some other time for the shading, details and finishing touches.
A few seconds after finishing your soda, the bell by the door rang again and a tall man walked in. He was dressed in black skinny jeans, a loose white shirt and a leather jacket. His hair was black as well, shaved on the sides with his fringe pushed back, and you could see a glimpse of his chest tattoo.
At first glance, he looked a bit intimidating. But that impression melted as snow in the sun as soon as he saw you and happily greeted you.
“Oh hello!” He spoke, a big smile on his face. He waved his hand at you as he walked by Hongjoong to sit behind a small desk. “I’m Seonghwa, Hongjoong’s coworker and friend.”
You gave him a polite nod, greeting him back and introducing yourself to him. You got a good look at his face as he was chatting with Hongjoong about the tattoo he was doing on you, and he was very handsome. Mesmerizing almost.
After throwing your empty soda can in the bin, you got back on the chair again. “I’m ready~”
Hongjoong smiled, getting ready for the last sprint of this game. “Won’t be longer than half an hour, I’d say. You're holding up well.”
“Well, you’re doing a good job and I’m feeling comfortable. So that always helps a lot.” You replied, ensuring him that you were very happy with his work.
Hongjoong gave you an appreciative look before continuing his work and the two of you started chatting about your lives and interests some more.
Getting to know Hongjoong better wasn’t something you had planned on doing at all. You often had a comfortable time with the artists that tattooed you, but you never talked about yourself much. Nor did you want to get to know the artist on a more personal level.
But Hongjoong was a bit different. He was very friendly and kind. Not that the other artists weren't, but it was as if you sort of knew him already. He was easygoing and an overall warm person. He was inviting. And you wanted to be invited.
You looked at him as he tattooed the last few lines on you and he was chatting away about how he got into tattooing. He was so passionate and you caught him smiling to himself a few times.
You liked listening to him, hearing him talk about his dreams and wishes. About the achievements he had gotten, and the things had done to get them.
He had also asked you questions, and you had answered them more detailed than you used to do. But you secretly preferred it when he was the one talking.
“And we.. are all done.” He stated, wiping away a few drops of blood on your arm. He put down his tattoo gun and grabbed some cream to put over your fresh tattoo. “Take a look in the mirror and tell me what you think!”
You got up from the chair and walked over to the full-length mirror. Turning your arm into all the directions it wanted to go in, you took in the tattoo’s outline.
“It looks so, so good!” You smiled widely. “It's already beautiful and it's only the outline!”
Hongjoong quickly clapped his hands a few times out of happiness. “I’m glad! And I am very excited to work on it some more.”
You walked back to him so he could wrap your upper arm in some cling foil and you then put your sweater back on.
“When would you be able to come back?” Hongjoong asked, flipping through his planner that was on the counter.
“I can come back in three weeks, Wednesday would be easiest for me.” You replied, walking up to him.
You grabbed your phone and wallet, so you could plan the next session and to pay for this session.
“Wednesday works, same time?” He looked at you with his warm, brown eyes and you almost forgot how to speak.
“Uh yeah.” You cleared your throat. “Same time is great.”
Hongjoong wrote down your name by 1pm on Wednesday and wrote it down on a card for you. He handed you the card as you paid for this session and you thanked him at least three times for the amazing work he did today.
You didn't really want to say goodbye to him, but it would be awkward not to leave. So you thanked him one last time and gave him and Seonghwa a quick wave before opening the door to go outside. Hongjoong smiled as he waved back at you and wished you a great day.
You were already looking forward to the next session, both because you wanted to finish the tattoo and you wanted to see Hongjoong again. You couldn't help thinking that he was really cute and that you wanted to get to know him better. But was that unprofessional or weird?
Putting your hand in your sweater pocket, you felt the appointment card. You took it out to put it in your wallet, but noticed more writing on the card than just a date and time.
If you ever feel like chatting some more, here's my personal number :) See you soon!
