The Unfortunate Will Always Remain

Yeah, there was no way this was okay in the parrot’s mind. Masao knew that. It didn’t take an engineer to know how ti read people, and it certainly didn’t take his many years of practice to figure this one out. Watching Kazu... hurt. Far more than he would have thought a person outside of their crew could make him feel. It was disorienting at its least, and heavily guilt tripping at its greatest.

Next time he would learn to keep his mouth shut. Seriously.

That smile was watched and not believed for a second, tanned arms crossing over Masao’s exposed chest as his eyes followed their guest critically. “You don’t have to do this, y’know. If it’s going to hurt you that much it’d be better if you just didn’t. I don’t need the captain getting upset with me for being rude to a guest, and I doubt he needs your captain getting upset at me.”

Kazu’s words weren’t quite accurate. “Plenty of things are done the sexy way. You just don’t see them out in the open.” And yet here was the bird not looking like he intended to stop, despite the words being used to cover up how much this was affecting him. If he didn’t assume differently he’d think the guy felt like he had some kind need to help when really nothing was trying to make him.

“He won’t. I make sure of it, if you’re actually set on doing this. We could always just see what happens.” Couldn’t be long yet. Chelle was busy trying to drink and smoke his way into a coma, while Colm sat worriedly to the side wishing he’d not. Surely one of them would break soon.

Bird Buddies // Quick-on-the-Trigger, RainbowPinions, & PinionedWings

pinionedwings:

Shiny things… Wait, Shiny… Kazu quite quickly figured that he might not even have needed Masao’s help on this one, Colm was essentially the same as him, shiny things, the sky, okay so sweets weren’t a big thing he still had thos-… he still had those! They were unwrapped!

And even if he didnt have those, there was a fully operational kitchen on his ship and Mari was back there fixing it up so all he’d need to do is take a quick trip over there oh sweet lord why hadn’t he thought of this before Masao had told him about Chelle.

“I can do both Sweets and shiny things...” but not at the same time, no that’d be too obvious, it’d probably confuse the poor Harpy straight away no this needed to be gradual, seem totally normal for the zoan, it was Chelle that had to see the ulterior motive. “—But I’ll have to take a trip back to my ship, am I cleared for active duty Doc?” No, he shouldn’t be, but it was only a quick trip between ships so it couldn’t hurt. Besides, even if it did end up hurting… this was for Colm… this was so Colm could be happy.

It was worth it. Colm was worth it.

#birdbuddies #quickonthetrigger #rainbowpinions

So long as it didn’t look like Kazu was going to die inside Masao supposed this was okay. He still didn’t like the idea of having the other help at all now that he knew there were feelings there, but there was little he could do at this point. Kazu had decided to help and he was already working it out in his head. There would be little Masao could say that would sway him.

“Granted. But if you do something stupid to fuck up your recovery, I’m tying you to the nearest bed and you’re not getting up for a week.” Brows furrowed in mock seriousness at the parrot before him. “And not in the sexy way, either, so you’re not going to like it.” Though that was a given, seeing as everyone on this ship was so off-limits it wasn’t even funny. With the exception of Colm and Chelle at the moment, but that was liable to change at any time.

Bird Buddies // Quick-on-the-Trigger, RainbowPinions, & PinionedWings

pinionedwings:

Kazu didnt need an explanation, really they’d been together for years apparently, that’s what Masao had said, Colm and Chelle had known each other for years, Kazu had only known the harpy for a month and he’d found himself hooked.

He knew what level Chelle’s feelings could be after years of being with him, he had an idea of how deep that ran, and it only spurred his resolve on to help. Because it seemed like they needed it, like they needed the push.

“Nah, I’ve been friendly with him for a month and Chelle hasn’t done anything, I didn’t even notice there were feelings and I noticed it between you and Niles in a heartbeat, It’s gonna take more than being friendly” Perhaps take it up a notch, move quicker than he’d intended to go but… he was no longer doing this for himself. He was practically sabotaging himself because Colm was a slow build, he wasn’t someone you could have a one night stand with and have everything work out peachy… moving too quick…

Maybe it’d scare him into going to Chelle.

“Is there anything about Colm that I don’t know? Perhaps something he likes that I could very publicly surprise him with?” seeing Colm receive gifts from the apparent competition may get a rise out of the cook…

“Unfortunately the two of them aren’t very good at expressing themselves. I’m pretty sure the only reason I know is because I’ve been around them for so long.” The two of them were in serious need of a reality check. After what happened, he’d been sure they’d realize the importance of actually saying something. Apparently he’d been horribly wrong.

“But there’s plenty of things about him you don’t. Specifically, things he likes involve sweets and the sky, neither of which is going to be easy to get your hands on.” Chelle ruled the kitchen and wasn’t about to let an outsider in to make a present for Colm, or literally anything else. The kitchen was his. People weren’t allowed to invade unless they happened to be a harpy.

Eyes drifted to the side as he thought. “He likes pretty things; preferably shiny... and he has a secret love for sheep.” Without Kazu’s ability to fly intact, he wasn’t entirely sure how the man planned to give a gift. Though who knew what Kazu had on his ship, sailing not far away. “I guess it depends on the kind of thing you have in mind. He’s an easy man to please when it comes to stuff in general.”

“If you’re going for the most effective reaction... Sweets. Chelle’s the one that indulges his sweet tooth, normally.”

Bird Buddies // Quick-on-the-Trigger, RainbowPinions, & PinionedWings

pinionedwings:

“I cant” the zoan huffed, while yes the idea sucked, it sucked balls because he was guaranteed to get hurt by this but… he liked Colm… he did, everything about him was perfect… but… someone else made Colm happy. Someone else made him happy and as a friend, at least as a friend he could help, he could help get Colm this.

Help make him happy.

“I cant forget about this now you’ve told me about it” And he sure as hell couldn’t steal the harpy now he knew someone “Colm likes someone else, and that goes two ways… I cant get in the way of that” it didnt feel right, it was one of the reasons why he’d yet to make a move on the doctor, or on the adorable little bluenette he was dating, because they were a thing, couples weren’t options, even if… they weren’t yet… a couple.

Not an option. As much as he wanted Colm to be an option, fuck he wanted Colm to be an option, but he wasn’t. “I’ll help, Colm is a friend… and I like my friends happy” and if that happiness put him with Chelle then so be it.

“—I’ll help you” And he didn’t even need Colm to take them to land for an easy lay to do it either.

Masao couldn’t help but respect the man in front of him. To think the way he did despite liking Colm to a degree that made the hurt show on Kazu’s face... most people, Masao included, would have decided an entirely different course of action. It didn’t take much for him to admit the other was by far a better person than him, when he would have gotten angry without a second thought.

“It’s a little hard to explain them, especially since I wasn’t there when they met, but from what I heard Colm was a lot different before Chelle and Sylen came along.” It was a barren explanation at best. Even so, he wanted Kazu to know this went deeper than average feelings, and that it wasn’t simply Masao trying to get them together for kicks. He legitimately believed this was best for the two of them.

With a sigh he leaned against the nearest wall, arms crossing over his chest. “If you want to help, I won’t question you. But I can promise it’s not going to take much to get a rise out of Chelle. Honestly, you could probably just keep acting friendly toward him and it’d end up working.” Their cook liked to be the one beside Colm, but ever since things went to shit the two had looked strained to Masao. They needed a push.

Bird Buddies // Quick-on-the-Trigger, RainbowPinions, & PinionedWings

pinionedwings:

Even his wings seemed to slump at the discovery that the pretty Harpy he’d been spending so much time with wasn’t available, wasn’t even close to available, that he was being asked to help someone else get him… sort of an actual punch to the gut really.

“So… you want me to fake flirt with Colm, to get a rise out of Chelle, on the off chance that Chelle might make a move?” What if Chelle didnt make a move, Kazu would have just fake flirted with someone possibly getting their hopes up only for it to be fake, and if Chelle did make a move… Kazu had just spent time getting close to Colm.

He’d already spent close to a month hanging out with Colm as a friend and admittedly it hurt that he wasn’t even remotely ever going to be an option, fuck if he was going to be getting even closer to him, purposefully flirting with him… it’d hurt like flying face first into a brick wall if Chelle actually made a move and so easily stole him away.

Well… at least Colm would still be a friend he supposed.

He’d have to cut himself off emotionally, just detach himself from what he was saying, what he was doing, lie through his teeth to a new friend “You’ve already done enough for me to help you now…” really he had, Masao wouldn’t owe him a damn thing “—But… what makes you think Chelle will actually do something, if he’s had years too and not? Surely someone else should have had an interest in Colm at some point right? He’s gorgeous” and nice, sweet, friendly… excitably adorable, and he could fly.

Kazu hated this plan. He’d do it, but he hated it.

Sharp eyes watched the emotions play out over that handsome face, the doctor not moving a muscle while they thought everything through. Kazu liked Colm, probably in a more solid way than Masao would have anticipated from such a short time together. That had been a miscalculation on his part. It wasn’t like he wanted the man to get hurt from this.

“Well, no, they haven’t.” Words were said slowly as he tried to figure out how he wanted to put what was on his mind. “Colm doesn’t spend enough time around people outside of the crew to really give time for that sort of thing. He spends most of it hanging around Chelle.” Because of the two of them were obviously in love and needed to mash faces to be done with it.

As for the rest... “To be honest, I don’t know if it would make him do anything. All I know is that if someone had tried to take Niles from me before I’d acted, then I would have been pissed and taken him for myself. Chelle isn’t so different in that I doubt he’d just lay down and let it happen. I’m not sure if he would do anything immediately, but I know one of them would do something eventually. Assuming Colm realized you were flirting with him.”

“But forget I said anything.” This had been a bad idea. “Look, I don’t want to make you feel bad. I didn’t think it through.” The look on Kazu’s face was more than enough to get him to drop the idea entirely. No one deserved to have to give someone they liked to another person, and just because Kazu wasn’t in the crew didn’t mean it meant less. “Just... forget I said anything.”

Bird Buddies // Quick-on-the-Trigger, RainbowPinions, & PinionedWings

pinionedwings:

Being tugged into the infirmary wasn’t something the zoan expected, thus nearly tripped up on the decking as he was pulled, wings flailing to keep himself up right as he was tugged inside, door shut behind them.

Yes because that didnt look suspicious at all. Internally making bets on which of Masao’s crew would quite happily assume them to be being naughty in there since Masao obviously couldn’t wait to get him alone practically tugging him out of view and oh he was talking.

“…Well Colm is nice company I mean… he’s friendly, he’s excitable and he’s more than a little attractive I think we all see that” of course he’d strive to spend more time with the bird, someone who understood the wings, who understood the need to see the sky, to feel the breeze on their fingertips, aaahh Kazu knew he’d one day fall for a flier… and he’d fall hard while wholly unprepared. “You’ll get Colm to—? But I…” his shoulders slumped with a laboured sigh as he realised, Colm was off limits wasn’t he?

“—This entire crew is a tease you know that right?” he grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest in what appeared to be the greatest example of a pout ever. “What’s your little idea?”

The doctor merely watched as the realization hit, his lips curling into a sad smile. “Yeah, sorry about that. It’s clear you like him.” Colm and Kazu could likely understand each other in ways that no one else would be able to. Unfortunately for the parrot, there were feelings in place that wouldn’t be able to be shaken quite so easily, rooted back over a decade.

“Our cook has been in love with Colm for nearly as long as Colm’s been in love with him, and suffice to say it’s been a long ass time. Colm’s been in deep since he was still a kid, and, well, he’s getting close to thirty now.” It’d been waaay too long. Way, way, way too long. These two needed to do something about it or abandon it entirely.

“My idea is simple: flirt with him. Chelle’s not going to like it, but it’s not like he can starve you or anything with me on board.” Though he was certain the cook was going to try, it wouldn’t do any good for Colm or for Kazu. “Maybe if someone threatens to take Colm away from him he’ll get the balls to finally make a damn move. Or maybe it’ll push Colm to try instead if he realizes other people are interested in the two of them.”

Arms crossed over his chest. “And if it doesn’t work, then you’ve got a chance at Colm. I’d consider that a bit of a win. If it does work... then I owe you.”

Bird Buddies // Quick-on-the-Trigger, RainbowPinions, & PinionedWings

pinionedwings:

His wing had been hell, not being able to fly had been hell, so finding solace up here, up where the wind hit his face, could brush through his ever present feathers was almost euphoric, of course the pleasant company helped too, Colm seeming only too cheerful to have someone else on the ship that understood flight capable zoans, that understood how the wind felt through a set of wings, how it was to fly.

He was so open, so friendly that Kazu couldn’t help the smile that had permanently settled on his lips, the smile that always seemed present whenever the harpy had something to say, always present. Him always ready to talk about whatever the bird had to converse about at the time, and if he had nothing to contribute?

Well Colm had a nice voice he’d be happy to just listen to it.

His name being called however broke him out of that revere, leaning over the railing to glanced down at the doctor who’d so abruptly interrupted his time with this precious bird, it wasn’t time for a check up already was it? No… he’d just had one not too long ago. To talk?

“huh… I have no idea, I’ll be back though one second” he hopped over the railing, wings spread wide to carry him down slower than just dropping would, doing that was easier than flying right now.

Gliding downward he could do, flying? Not just yet. He landed with a soft thud before the medic, a smile on his face indicating no pain, wing was healing just right. “What’s up doc?”

#birdbuddies #quickonthetrigger #rainbowpinions

As the bird dropped down to join him Masao took a good look at the wings in use, making sure they were okay enough to be doing as they were. They looked fine from this angle and any other he chose to take, along with the smile that assured him they were functioning as they were meant to. So long as he felt fine then there was no problems in Masao’s mind.

“I wanted to talk to you about Colm, actually.” He took hold of Kazu’s hand and pulled him into the infirmary, making sure to the shut the door so the others on the crew wouldn’t overhear. “It’s nothing bad, I promise, though I get the feeling it might be slightly disappointing for you.” Especially after the month he was sure was more than a little frustrating, what with the wing therapy he’d been through.

“I’ve been noticing you spending a lot of time with him, and I was wondering if you’d be willing to help me out on a little idea I have.” Hopefully Kazu wouldn’t be too disappointed in what he had to say. “If you do, I’ll get Colm to bring us to shore soon so you can find yourself a man to enjoy.”

Fᴇᴀᴛʜᴇʀᴇᴅ Fʀɪᴇɴᴅ // ʀᴀɪɴʙᴏᴡᴩɪɴɪᴏɴѕ & ᴩɪɴɪᴏɴᴇᴅᴡɪɴɢѕ & Qᴜɪᴄᴋ-ᴏɴ-ᴛʜᴇ-ᴛʀɪɢɢᴇʀ

pinionedwings:

Niles blinked as long feathers wrapped over him, his fingers idly coming up to brush along them. “Mmmm, I can help just about anyone. It… makes me happy.” No matter how worn down he could wind up from giving blood, he wouldn’t stop until someone made him. It was what made him useful to others.

Masao glanced to him and Niles looked back briefly. A small smile was offered, trying to reassure without bringing much attention to it. No, he knew Masao wasn’t flirting. The man just had more pride than pretty much everyone on the ship combined, and he was going to flaunt it whenever the opportunity arose.

“…Why are there knives in your wings?” The fingers stroking through soft feathers absently paused, bright blue dropping down to look at the plumes and try and determine if he was near any of them. That would be bad, slicing himself open on one of them.

He’d have responded, really he would have, but instead his body locked up, words dying on his lips as those gentle fingers wove through sensitive feathers, breath hitching he couldn’t help it, the only saving grace with the wounded one was that it was numb, Masao could touch it, he could press fingers to feathers and have it do nothing to him but the healthy wing…

Fingers slowly curling into the sheets beneath him, ugh those wings would be the death of him. “S-so… I can fight… wh-while I fly” fuck he didn’t want to have to explain to the guy that what he was doing, those soft touches, what they were doing to him, how many nerve endings were on fire right now, he almost hoped the doctor would save him from having to do so…

Fuck even his speech was stuttered, yep, those wings would be the death of him one day.

#featheredfriend #rainbowpinions #quickonthetrigger #[ mush pile ]

“Hm?”

Sudden lack of coherent speech drew his eyes like a magnet, Masao pausing in his work to get a better look at what his boyfriend and their friendly visitor were doing. Oh. That was... no. That was not something Masao liked, not even a little bit. Niles’ hands were taken and pulled away from the feathers they toyed with, moved to sit in his lap instead. “Let’s let him actually focus on things aside from his libido, hm?”

Because right now that was becoming difficult for the bird. Masao needed the guy to be coherent enough to warm him should he get to close to stabbing himself, and that wouldn’t be happening if he was being made jello by pleasure. It didn’t need to be said that the doctor didn’t want his boyfriend causing that, either.

“It’s a smart idea, to do that with your knives.” Fighting whenever he needed to no matter the form he was in would be more useful than any other reason he could have had. “I might want to know how you did it, to help our little harpy out.”

Bird Buddies // Quick-on-the-Trigger, RainbowPinions, & PinionedWings

It’d taken longer than he wanted to get Kazu up and able again, though he wasn’t entirely sure he wanted the man testing his capabilities to the fullest yet. Recovery wasn’t as easy as healed and not, and while he was pretty healed up the doctor knew that their visitor wasn’t fully operational everywhere in his body.

A glance was given up at the mast, teal catching on natural brown wings and abnormally colorful ones. Colm had seemed fairly eager to have a friend who could understand what it was like to have a flying zoan fruit, but that wasn’t the thing their mad doctor was concerned about. It was Kazu’s return in interest that Masao could easily see for what it was, and what it wasn’t when reflected in Colm.

It could be useful, assuming it was being used in such a way rather than in a serious way. This was an opportunity that could make or break his crewmates, and he needed to make sure the right amount of pressure was used to keep this from turning horrible.

Steps brought him further out of his infirmary door, the slim mostly bare body going to lean against the rail. “Kazu! Can I talk to you for a minute?” His voice carried right up through the clear air, catching the attention of the navigator perched so delicately upon the mast.

“Huh?”

Confusion swiveled the harpy’s head down to his friend and back up to his new one. “Is something wrong?” Masao needing him meant there was something wrong with Kazu’s recovery... right? Or was it better news than that?

Masao was shaking his head before Colm could finish his words. It wasn’t the injuries that were the issue anymore, those had long since stopped having his concern. “Don’t worry about it. I just want to talk to him. Kazu?” His gaze slid over to the parrot, a single hand beckoning the man down from the crow’s nest.

#birdbuddies #quickonthetrigger #rainbowpinions

Fᴇᴀᴛʜᴇʀᴇᴅ Fʀɪᴇɴᴅ // ʀᴀɪɴʙᴏᴡᴩɪɴɪᴏɴѕ & ᴩɪɴɪᴏɴᴇᴅᴡɪɴɢѕ & Qᴜɪᴄᴋ-ᴏɴ-ᴛʜᴇ-ᴛʀɪɢɢᴇʀ

pinionedwings:

Niles settled himself down to switch out with Kato, keeping any further comments and worries to himself. There’d be little point in reiterating the things he’d already said or continuing to outwardly feel bad when he was just going to continue to get coddled for it. Instead, he looked over the wounds the other hand sustained, watched the way Masao so expertly treated them.

Bright blue flicked up to his boyfriend’s face as that smirk curled the older man’s lips. They were certainly getting along well. Something he knew he shouldn’t be thinking when Masao was treating the injured man, but the thought still managed to spring up inside of him and make his chest feel a little tighter. Was it jealousy that flared up?

The ending sounded so flirtatious to the untrained ear, but by now, Niles had seen Masao flirt with countless people and the key signs of it. Still, he didn’t feel completely settled and looked back down as he took Kato’s spot and the IV was switched over to his arm. A familiar feeling, having his blood drawn had become.

“Ah, yeah…” Attention went back to the man once again comforting him even though he had the injuries. “I’ve got the universal donor blood type, so this part is normal.” Most people on the crew didn’t have the same blood type, so if they needed blood, he had it to give to all of them. The drawback being no one on the ship had the blood type to give to him should he ever need it. “I like being able to help like this.”

If Kazu were honest, if this were any other situation, he’d feel like a kid in a candy store, really, the crew was practically filled with attractive men, and apparently most of them were legitimately Kinsey six gay. If the vibes he was getting from these two were anything to say about it.

But those vibes he got… made this a situation he couldn’t touch, the twinges of jealousy from his doctor whenever he seemed a little too friendly toward the little bluenette to his side, the uncertainty in the youngers eyes… these two, were untouchable. A couple.

One of the few places he just wouldn’t touch. That pretty bird however…

“Hmm well we have my captain for that” he began, emerald irises regarding the young bluenette with a smile which effortlessly reached those green hues “—but she’s of no use to anyone outside the crew” No, Kali’s blood would kill nations if it were spread to the wrong person, disease would attack the original recipient then it would spread to others, it’d kill thousands.

Ugh his wing wanted to flex, and not the healthy one either, it wanted to move, the position uncomfortable, the numbness unnatural it twitched, pinions attempting to shift while the other shifted freely to try and release a little of the tension building up, curling the healthy one around the bluenette finding a little more comfort in that position “oh hey ehm, w-watch out, there are knives tucked in the feathers” he wouldn’t want the other to cut himself so slowly moved his hand just under where Masao had been so diligently and efficiently working, plucking a sharp blade from within the bloodied feathers, offering it up to either of his young hosts.

There were more in there of course, and he’d remove them should Masao get too close, but right now it was the only one close enough to hurt the doctor.

#featheredfriend #quickonthetrigger #rainbowpinions

As much as it may have sounded like flirting, Masao honestly wasn’t. His flirting was a lot more impressive and difficult to resist. As it stood now, he’d call it... well, bragging would be the most apt term for it. Masao was nothing if not prideful about the things he knew he was skilled at, as he was sure his boyfriend could attest to. Or anyone else on the crew, really.

Teal slipped over to glance at Niles, unsure if he needed to be worried about how it would come off to him. Already the man didn’t trust him. It was entirely possible that he wouldn’t see the difference if he was feeling like Masao was attracted to their visitor. Sure, there was attractiveness in that face, but...

The facts stood that Masao loved Niles, and this man couldn’t even compare.

Fingers stilled when the bird reached for his wing, a critical eye finding itself pinned on the appendage. Knives. It was a clever design that the knife loving doctor had to appreciate, his mind already going to how he might enhance Colm’s abilities when he got the chance. It’d be fun to see what more he could help their navigator do, though he doubted the man would approve of the instruments.

The knife was plucked from his patient’s hold and set aside. “I’ll be careful, then.” Getting cut while trying to heal wouldn't be very useful for anybody. “Let me know if I get near any others.”

Ink and Flesh || Sylen and Kato

pinionedwings:

“I’ve been called that a good deal of times. By just about everyone, family included.” He’d always had an odd way of looking at things, apparently. Well, compared to everyone else’s way of looking at things, anyway. “But I’d like to think I’ve made it through this life so far with my way of thinking and acting… so it’s worked for me so far.”

Sylen chuckled, letting his head tip back a bit to get himself a bit more comfortable. “Mmmm, I dunno. I think it’s a little empty right now.” Not enough for a crew. “I love having Aalis with me, of course. I wouldn’t want anyone in her place. But it’s not a crew yet, having just the two of us.” He’d heard his own fair share of strange and intriguing from the Grand Line. “What about you, then? Wanna spend your whole life here, or do you have bigger plans?”

Kato shrugged, not having anything else to say in response to that. He really was a unique one and she wasn’t quite sure the other’s who called him that quite had the same thoughts as her. Because yes, he was unique. But that uniqueness only drew her in and made her want to know more about him. It was a pull she believed only that Aalis girl could feel.

She pushed out a heavy breath, casting him an amused look before she went back to work. “To have bigger plans a person generally has to have money. Ships aren’t exactly free, as I’m sure you’re aware.” Her hands moved the slightest bit down his chest, inking a new set of pores with the tip of her needle. “Plus, what would someone like me do anywhere else? I’ve got a particular skill set that doesn’t fit most places.”

Ink and Flesh || Sylen and Kato

pinionedwings:

“Well yeah. It’s the perfect reason. The rumors said you were amazing, so I decided to see.” It wasn’t a terrible reason at all. “Sounds like a solid reason to me. I’m here and you’re inking me, after all.” Seemed good enough for him. “And I liked the design you made for me, so the answer is pretty simple, ne?”

He grinned broadly and proudly at her question. “I’m a pirate.” As free as the wind. “That woman from earlier and I are both pirates. We’re headed to the Grand Line. I’ll pick up crew members along the way, but I’m not really in a rush. Gotta be strong to fight off marines and other pirates though.”

“You’re unique, I’ll give you that. Most people decide they want the tattoo rather than wanting to see what the artist does.” It was difficult to decide if he was crazy or special with the thin line that sat between the two. The point of the needle impaling itself into his pores was pointing her more in the direction of the latter, if she wanted to really give it thought.

A pirate. Of the possibilities, that was the one she’d been betting on. “Sounds like you’ve got yourself a nice life.” She’d say it was dangerous, but she couldn’t see herself being worried about his wellbeing. “I’ve heard some interesting things about the Grand Line. You wouldn’t find someone around here so willing to go.”

Ink and Flesh || Sylen and Kato

pinionedwings:

“Thirteen. That’s even more impressive that all the rumors I heard through town.” He’d followed them, trails of breadcrumbs leading all the way to her doorstep. “And your artwork is amazing.” Just looking at it made him want her to simply ink his entire body up with whatever fit her fancy. She’s turn him into a beautiful canvas, that was sure.

“Well, we stopped on the island for supplies and knowledge. I heard about you… so I decided to come and get one from you to see if it was all true.” Simple enough, really. About maybe an hour pre-planning total? “So you see, I couldn’t have waited any longer for it, because we’d be off the island and on with our adventures.”

A soft noise of bemusement met with the air. “You decided to get a tattoo because you heard about me. That may not be the worst reason I’ve heard, but it’s up there.” It wasn’t legitimately a reason, not to get something he couldn’t get rid of. No, she didn’t believe that was the full truth behind what he’d been thinking.

“Now what sort of adventure requires you to be stronger than you already are?” She wondered, refusing to look up from her work for a second. There weren’t a whole lot of things in the West Blue that required the kind of muscle he was going for, and she doubted his intended course was going to be very safe.

Ink and Flesh || Sylen and Kato

pinionedwings:

“Oh. Okay.” That made enough sense. If she was doing it a way different from the norm, then she’d want to check first. “Well, however you want to do it is fine with me. I’m not really knowing what to expect.” Would it hurt like a slice across his body from a fight? Or maybe like a simple burn.

Answers to all his curiosities were given mere moments later. She straddled his waist and the buzz of the needle had him looking down to watch. “Oh, so that’s what it feels like.” Hm. The last guy had been squirming like it hurt or something. And he knew enough not to move. He didn’t want it messed up. “So how long have you been doing this? Inking people?”

Seeing as he wasn’t going to move any she let herself get to work at a bit of a faster pace, not held back by trying to keep him in place or making sure she was getting the right place. If he wasn’t going to flinch, Kato had absolutely nothing to worry about. It was like giving herself a new tattoo without the awkward angles. It was impressive.

“Since I was thirteen.” There weren’t many ways to make money in their sad part of the world, and since she was already doing art she figured she could take it up. After the previous owner was offed by one of the gangs, of course. Getting her own shop would have been impossible. “What made you decide to get a tattoo? If you wanted one to sit well on your body after you built it up more, you could have waited.”

Ink and Flesh || Sylen and Kato

pinionedwings:

He trusted her taste in design, especially better than his own. Sylen had promised Aalis he wouldn’t come back with anything ridiculous. So no, nothing actually attributed to a razorback or anything of the sort. Even if it sounded like a good idea at the time. But he was okay with trusting Kato. The design met all that he’d asked for.

Blink. Tilting his head slightly, he shrugged. “Personal space? Fine, I suppose. I’ve never really had much, though.” The question had caught him off-guard. What did personal space have to do with any of it? Well, sure, she’d be all close up in his space inking him, but that was a given. “I’m not ticklish either, if that’s important.” While she didn’t move over to the chair, he did, getting himself comfortable on it. “Though I don’t really understand why you want to know that.”

Eyes watched him, the woman not responding to the majority of his words. “I prefer to do it the way where I won’t have to stop halfway through, which means I’ll be invading your space. We’ll deal with how much it costs when I’m done.” Depending on if he turned into a baby about it, she might have to charge more for having to do the tattoo in pieces with more time spent.

Not giving him any other warning than that, she followed his path to the chair, lower the back to where he was more laying than sitting, while still being caught somewhere in the middle. Satisfied that she would be able to work without having to mess with it again, Kato climbed on the sit on his waist and plant one hand next to where she intended to begin. “Don’t move your torso.” Down the needle went, digging into soft flesh with a small flit sending her eyes up to see how he reacted.

Ink and Flesh || Sylen and Kato

pinionedwings:

He didn’t move or shift under that gaze that seemed to take in every minute detail of his torso. Lesser men would definitely find themselves shrinking under those dark eyes that bore into him so intently. At her dismissive words, he grinned. “No.” He agreed easily. Nothing would be too hard for her. “I hoped you’d say that.” Good, she was all the woman he’d hoped she’d be and more. “It’s nice to meet you, Kato.”

His own eyes got to take a turn of criticizing. It was briefer than hers, and roved over the paper so he could imprint that image on to his own skin. At this rate, his grin was never going to leave his face. Not like it often did. “It’s perfect. Do you have time to take me now, or will I have to come back?” The tattoo was large and would likely be incredibly time-consuming. He would wait however long he had to in order to be tattooed by this woman, though.

“And price doesn’t matter.” What was money compared to Kato joining them on their travels? Which she hadn’t agreed to yet, of course, but it didn’t matter in his head. In due time, they would be sailing the seas together. That much, he was absolutely sure about.

Odd how he didn’t seem to care much what the pattern was, more interested in simply having something. He didn’t give the drawing a long look and there were no revisions, the likes of which surprised her. Every single tattoo she drew that wasn’t pre-drawn and chosen from a book had to be edited at least twice. People were picky things, especially when it came to something that would be inked into their flesh for the rest of their lives.

Still, no emotions other than the passive one she nearly always adorned crossed her features, the notepad being set aside. The woman in the waiting room was gone but she hardly took notice, instead heading over to the door to flip up her ‘busy’ sign. This was something that would take a nice long time, so there was no point in having anyone else in the shop. They would only get irritated with the wait and her lack of attention.

“I can take you now.” But she didn’t move over to the chair, instead picking up her needle and pinning him with an appraising look. “How are you with personal space? Honestly with no bullshit or bravado.” It didn’t make much of a difference either way, she would just prefer to do this the way that would make it easier for her to see what she was doing. And she didn’t want to have an weird male reactions if she did it.

Fᴇᴀᴛʜᴇʀᴇᴅ Fʀɪᴇɴᴅ // ʀᴀɪɴʙᴏᴡᴩɪɴɪᴏɴѕ & ᴩɪɴɪᴏɴᴇᴅᴡɪɴɢѕ & Qᴜɪᴄᴋ-ᴏɴ-ᴛʜᴇ-ᴛʀɪɢɢᴇʀ

pinionedwings:

"I can’t help it. The marines can do serious damage and you look like you rely on your wings a lot." Niles had to fold his hands in his lap to resist the urge to brush through his disheveled hair or offer some sort of comforting touch. The problems with being a more touchy person than most pirates, most people weren’t fond of it. "It’s… hard for me not to worry over it."

That was how it always seemed to be for him, though. The bleeding heart of the group. Worrying internally while everyone else was so relaxed. Maybe there was something truly wrong with him.

"Medical expertise? Sounds useful for our doctor indeed." Sylen gave a nod of approval, pushing off from the wall. "It looks like you’ve got things handled here, Masao. Shout if you need anything." Then the captain was out, heading back on to deck to keep an eye out for his own feathered crewmate.

"Y-Yes." Pulled from his thoughts by Masao’s voice, he was up in a heartbeat and moving over to take Kato’s place. His arm was lifted up for his love to inspect and insert the IV into. Finally he got to help and be useful.

Kazu, after nodding his goodbye to the Captain, was actually quite torn between giving the little bluenette a hug and not, because for one: he was a stranger, two: the kid was a pirate and Kazu didnt know whether or not he, or his crew would be all too happy about him randomly pulling the kid into a hug.

Whether he seemed like he needed one or not. And he definitely seemed like he could really do with a hug, maybe some hot chocolate too.

”It’s possible, but his wings from what I saw are slightly different… however I can guarantee somewhere on them will have some pretty sensitive bundles of nerves" Kazu knew his were in his down feathers, and right along the seam where the wings grew out of his shoulder-blades, lord touch there and he’d be mush in seconds. “I’d try where wing meets back, if you wanna have some fun with him" Wings… now Kazu knew wings, and yes, he did have fun with the feathery appendages, but he’d had the extra limbs for years now, and had fully explored what he could and couldn’t do with them, and in all his explorations, he’d yet to find anywhere on his wings where he felt nothing.

”Speaking of wings, what on earth did you use on these I cant feel a damn thing" he could clearly see the blood, and the matted feathers where that bone was poking out which he’d most definitely need to clean because ew. The words were also said as another attempt to ease the bluenette’s worry, don’t aim it at him, make it a passive comment, because apparently reassuring him directly didnt seem to be working. “Usually I can feel at least a dull ache but not this time" but then usually it was Strei doing the medical work and quite frankly while he was a talented kid, he was still just a kid, still learning.

Thank God Mari had taken him with her on her little venture though, or else he’d have probably ended up flying on a damaged wing with a passenger, while Kali would have instructed him to leave her behind, leaving Strei was out of the question as while he had no bounty the Marines would be likely to kill him in the crossfire.

”Ah see, now you get to help me feel better" Kazu cast the small bluenette an cheerful smile as the younger sat closer for the IV.