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Jaemin huffs as he sits down on the sidewalk, just outside the 7-eleven where he had bought a cup of instant noodles for himself. It’s pitiful, his state right now. It’s his twenty-first birthday, and Jaemin is having the worst day of his entire life. How much unluckier could he get?
A lot more turns out, because just as he’s about to throw away his now empty cup noodles, a child bumps into him and spills his ice cream all over the brand new knit sweater Jaemin had bought himself today. The child’s mom apologizes, but she seems more concerned about her child that is currently crying because his half eaten ice cream is now gone. Jaemin sighs and takes off his sweater, eyes welling up again.
Fuck, how can this all happen in one day? And on my birthday!
“Goddamnit,” Jaemin whispers to himself as he holds back the urge to scream and break into sobs for the nth time today. He drops his face into his hands, taking deep breaths in and out, trying to calm himself down.
“You okay there?”
Jaemin turns to the unfamiliar voice with red eyes and downturned lips. There’s a stranger not far from him, a handsome man who’s wearing a leather jacket and black denim, with black hair, a beautifully sculpted face, and a cigarette between his fingers. Jaemin doesn’t know who the man is, but what the hell, who gives a fuck.
“No, I’m not okay! It’s my twenty-first birthday and I’m as sad as I can ever be. My prof scolded me at class today, my best friends didn’t greet me ‘til the notification showed up on Facebook, and my parents don’t even remember how old I am. My landlord is asking me to move out because I haven’t paid rent, and my fridge is empty, and I’m sick as fuck because all I’ve been eating is instant ramyeon. And fuck, I’m graduating in a week or some shit, and I don’t know what to do with my damn life. So no, I’m not okay, thanks for asking.”
There’s a short pause, before the man chuckles and pulls his cigarette up to his lips, putting it down with a puff.
“You’re welcome.”
Jaemin scoffs and rolls his eyes, but doesn’t bother to say more. He stares into nothing for a while, just the streets and the few cars that are passing by this area.
“What’s your name?”
Jaemin sighs, this man is probably about to give me some shitty ass life advice that’s posted on just girly things.
“Jaemin.”
“Well, Jaemin,” the man breathes out. The younger looks at him confusedly, what the fuck is he trying to do!?
“If it’s your birthday, you should spend the last few hours well. Do whatever you want and just forget about your friends, your parents, your future, and your rent, just until the day ends, okay? Do something stupid, do something reckless, I don’t know, do whatever the fuck you want. Just be happy.”
In an instant, Jaemin’s eyes widen.
It’s as if the stranger said everything he wants to hear at this very moment. And his first instinct is to step forward, place an arm around the man, and kiss him-
“Woah there, what are you doing?”
Jaemin frowns when the man backs away.
“Oh. Are you married or something?”
The man chuckles and shakes his head. “No, but why were you-”
“You said to do whatever I want.”
Jaemin sighs when the man looks at him confusedly. “And you- want to kiss me?”
“Do you have a boyfriend?” he asks as he steps forward, while the man steps back. “Or a girlfriend?”
The man swallows. “No.”
Jaemin stops when the man’s back hits a pole, giving him no escape.
“Then, will you kiss me? Please?” Jaemin knows he sounds so desperate, but he’s twenty-one today and he’s having the worst day of his life so why the fuck not kiss a handsome stranger. If he says no, then it’s a no. But if he says yes then at least Jaemin’s done one good thing for himself on his goddamn birthday.
When the man gives no response, Jaemin scoffs. “Do you not want to kiss me? Am I that ugly?”
“No,” the man immediately responds. “Look, you’re gorgeous and all but I don’t think it’s right for me to-”
“Why wouldn’t it be? Come on, please?”
“Are you sure?” the man asks, and this time, it’s Jaemin who takes one step back and the man who takes one step forward.
The younger nods, eyes sparkling when the man places a hand on his jaw. Jaemin’s already about to close his eyes, until the man sighs.
“Sorry, sweetheart. I just don’t want to take advantage of you and your emotional state, okay?”
Jaemin sighs and rolls his eyes, annoyance bubbling inside of him. “Y-You won’t be taking advantage of me, I’m asking for it!”
The man merely laughs and shakes his head. “I still can’t. I’m sorry.”
Jaemin huffs and crosses his arms on his chest, turning away from the man. “Fine! Whatever.” He sits back down on the concrete, resting his back against the glass wall of the convenience store, soiled sweater next to him. He hugs his knees, head down as he tries (and fails) to hold in his tears.
Stupid birthday. Can’t even get some random hot guy to hook up with me! Damn it.
He ends up sobbing into his arms, wondering what the fuck he’s supposed to do about his unpaid rent and his very blurry future and his family and friends who don’t care about him. He’s about to hold out a hand and perhaps pretend to be a beggar, I’m close to being one anyway, until he feels a firm palm on his back.
He looks up, tears streaming down his face as he sees the same man in the leather jacket crouched down next to him, the look of sincerity on his face.
“Hey,” the man starts, more tears flow down the younger’s cheeks. “Look, I’m sorry. I can’t. But, we could do- other things? I-I don’t know. What do you want to do? What do you really want to do?”
“I don’t know,” Jaemin mutters, wiping away his tears haphazardly. The next thing he knows, the stranger is sitting down next to him.
“Well … what’s something you’ve always wanted to do? Or maybe a place that you miss?”
Jaemin’s eyes light up quickly. He has his answer immediately. There is one place.
“T-The beach … I haven’t gone in so long,” he tells the man.
The stranger smiles, “Well, there you go! You can go to the beach and spend the last hours of your birthday there.” He begins to stand up, dusting his hands on his jeans. “Alright? Happy birthday-” but then Jaemin immediately pulls him back down in panic.
“W-Wait,” he quickly says. The man complies and stops, looking down at him with a sigh. “Y-You see, mister … I don’t … I don’t have a car,” he bites down on his bottom lip. Then, he pulls out his best attempt at sparkling puppy eyes and looks up at the man.
“Will you take me?”
The man sighs frustratedly. “I can’t, I’d be-”
“B-But you said to do anything I want,” Jaemin’s eyes begin to well up once more, bottom lip quivering as he looks up at the man and holds onto his wrist tightly.
And it works just like magic.
“Fine,” the man sighs as he picks up Jaemin’s sweater and hands it to him, making the younger giggle and stand up too. “Follow me,” he says as he throws his cigarette into the trash can.
Jaemin jumps about as he follows the man. Round the corner, he’s greeted by a small red car, slightly dusty and roughed up. But, it still makes Jaemin’s grin widen and his eyes sparkle in awe. The door opens just fine, the cushions are soft, and the seatbelt still clicks in securely, and that’s all that matters.
“Sorry it’s a bit old,” the man says as he starts the ignition.
“No, no. It’s perfect,” Jaemin reassures, feeling way too giddy to be riding in a complete stranger’s car at age twenty-one.
“Okay then. It’ll be about an hour drive, so you can take a nap if you want, or turn up the radio.”
Jaemin opts for neither, simply looking out the window with a dreamy smile on his face.
The beach.
It’s been ages since he’s gone, maybe the last time was when he was ten or twelve. Before his parents separated. He made many good memories there, but for years, he avoided it, since it reminded him of a time he can’t bring back. A time when his family was still whole, when he didn’t hear his parents fighting every night, when he knew in his heart that they still loved each other.
But when those years ended and Jaemin felt a bit better despite his parents going their separate ways, he’d been too busy with life. Keeping up with academics in university, working part-time jobs to pay for his rent and food, and having romantic relationships here and there, had made him forget about everything in the past.
It didn’t pain him anymore to go to the beach, but he physically had no time or means to go at all. He had no car, and his fare could instead be spent on one dinner that isn’t out of a can or a plastic container.
So, the beach. That’s where he wants to go.
“So, Jaemin.”
He turns his head to the stranger. “Yeah?”
“What do you do?”
“Oh, I’m a student,” Jaemin says boredly, cheek in his palm. “I’ve worked a few part-time jobs though. The last one was a barista.”
The man hums as he steals a glance at the younger. “The last one?”
Jaemin sighs. “Yeah. Got fired last week. Missed a couple shifts ‘cause of my studies.”
He can see that the man is frowning at him, but he feels that he’s pitied him enough, so he turns the conversation around and asks the stranger, “What about you? What do you do?”
“Me?”
“There’s no one else here, is there?” Jaemin snorts as he turns his body so he’s facing the man fully, catching a glimpse of his stained sweater he threw in the backseat.
“I’m a tattoo artist.”
Jaemin hums and nods to himself. “You do look it. You have that vibe .”
The stranger chuckles, “ Vibe ? Is that what the youngsters say these days?”
Jaemin breaks into giggles, “I haven’t heard anyone say ‘youngsters’ at this day and age, old man.”
“Oh, come on, I’m not that old, you know?”
“You made it sound like it though,” Jaemin smirks as he stares at the man. “I mean, you just asked, ‘is that what the youngsters say these days!’”
The man laughs at that, relaxing a bit as he brings down one hand from the steering wheel to his own lap. Jaemin’s eyes seem to sparkle again as he watches the man run a hand through his jet-black hair.
He laughs so … sexy.
“Well, how old are you, mister?” he asks cheekily.
“I’m twenty-four,” the man replies coolly, returning both hands to the steering wheel. “By the way, it’s Jeno.”
“Huh?”
“My name,” the man gazes towards Jaemin with a soft smile. The younger notices the charming mole under his crescent-like eyes.
“My name is Jeno.”
Jaemin smiles and excitedly holds out a hand.
“Nice to meet you, Jeno.”
Jeno laughs, but takes it anyway, taking his eyes away from the road for a moment to do so.
“Nice to meet you too, Jaemin.”
–––
The trip takes a little less than an hour. Most of the roads are clear since it’s pretty late at night, and not everyone visits the beach at this hour. As expected, the beach is clear of any soul when they park the car and finally plant their feet on the sand.
“Wow,” Jaemin breathes out as he walks towards the shore, steps large but slow. He looks out at the sea, mouth agape as he stares out into the horizon. He just stands there for a while, admiring the soft rumble of the waves as they crash on the sand and the moonlight reflecting on the deep blue water. Then, he smiles, feeling happy for once today.
“It is beautiful,” he turns to Jeno who’s come up next to him, eyes smiling again when they meet his own.
“It is.”
After a while, they walk back a bit farther from the water and sit down on the sand. Jaemin tells him about why he chose to go to the beach, and why he hasn’t gone back in ages.
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“No, it’s okay,” Jaemin smiles as he leans back. “It really doesn’t matter much to me now. I like living on my own, and they still make sure I’m alive and well so, it’s all good.” Besides, he doesn’t want any more of Jeno’s pity. And something else has gotten his attention as well.
Jaemin watches as Jeno takes out a cigarette from his pack and brings it up to his lips. He pulls a lighter out of his pocket and produces a fire, the flame flickering in Jaemin’s round orbs as he lights up the end of his cigarette. Jeno encloses his lips around it, before dragging it away and breathing out a puff of white smoke.
“Hey, Jeno. You got another one of those?”
Jeno points at his cigarette confusedly, mumbling out a “this one?” as he puts it between his teeth.
“Yes, that one,” Jaemin chuckles. He licks his lips when the older takes out his pack again. He hands one out to Jaemin, but stops and retracts it right before it reaches the younger’s fingertips.
“You’ve never done this before, have you?”
Jaemin visibly deflates. “Yeah.” He frowns even more when he sees Jeno put the stick he just got out back into the pack, and then the pack back into his pocket.
The older chuckles when he sees Jaemin’s pout and the wrinkles between his brows. “If it’s your first time, you probably shouldn’t have a whole stick to yourself.”
He comes closer to Jaemin, then brings up his own cigarette between them, delicately held between his two fingers.
“Here,” he says, urging the younger to take it between his own fingers. When Jaemin does so, Jeno leans back and nods in acknowledgement. “Go ahead, just relax and take it slow.”
Jaemin nods, before bringing it up to his lips and giving it a shot. He inhales slowly, before immediately ending up coughing violently. Jeno quickly gives him pats on the back, chuckling softly as he takes away the cigarette.
“You okay?” he asks when Jaemin has stopped coughing. The younger nods, before turning to Jeno with a determined look on his face, eyeing the cigarette that’s now between his fingers. He wants to try again.
Jeno sighs and smiles, “Just relax, okay?”
Jaemin nods earnestly.
Jeno comes closer, and instead of placing the cigarette between Jaemin’s fingers, he places it directly in front of his parted lips. He meets the younger’s eyes for a moment, catches a glimpse of the messy swirl of feelings inside them, before bringing his eyes back down to his lips. He carefully slots his cigarette in between them, letting the younger wrap his lips around it. Then, he watches as Jaemin inhales slowly. And, in time with his exhale, Jeno drags away the cigarette.
The puff of white smoke comes between them, clouding their vision for a few seconds. Then it clears up, and the first thing Jaemin sees is the smirk on Jeno’s lips.
“There you go.”
Then, it’s the same cigarette being brought up to the older’s lips as he takes his turn this time, all while staring deeply into Jaemin’s eyes.
“Thanks,” Jaemin mutters as he looks away, feeling uncharacteristically shy under Jeno’s gaze.
The older smiles at him charmingly, “You’re welcome.”
They stay silent for a few minutes more, taking turns between the cigarette every once in a while, though Jeno lets the birthday boy have it for a bit longer each time. The sound of the waves is all that’s heard, and Jaemin realizes that this is the most peace he’s felt in possibly a decade.
At some point, Jaemin rests his head on his knees and turns to the older. “What about you? How’s your family and all that?”
“Oh.” Jeno takes a drag of the cigarette, before pulling it away and passing it to the younger. “My parents died when I was young. Never met them.”
Jaemin immediately feels like absolute shit. “Oh god, I-I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have asked, I-”
“No, no, it’s okay,” Jeno chuckles. “I was raised by good grandparents anyway, so I know my manners and all that. But of course, they aged, so by the time I was in middle school, they couldn’t take care of me anymore. Some time in high school, when they had passed away, I decided I wanted to be able to support myself and make money, so I dropped out and got myself a job. And now here I am,” he turns to Jaemin with a smile, but he can see the look of concern and genuity on the younger’s face, silently asking him to continue. So, after a deep breath, he does.
“It was difficult at first, I admit,” he starts, speaking just loud enough so that Jaemin can hear him through the waves crashing. “I had to live with other people first, share rooms with them until I could find a decent job. Then, one of my cousins introduced me to the world of tattoos. I got just one small tatt at first, but then eventually, they grew in number and I frequented the tattoo parlor so much that all the artists knew my name and even gave me free services since I was pretty young.
One day, the artist I was closest to asked if I wanted to try doing it, and ... that’s how I got here. I still work with those same guys, and I’ve got my own apartment too which is nice. It’s not much but, I’m really happy with my life right now,” he turns to Jaemin again with a smile, and this time, the younger is smiling too.
“That’s so great to hear, Jeno. I-I’m happy for you too.”
Jeno chuckles, shaking his head as he takes the cigarette Jaemin passes to him and brings it up to his lips again.
“You’re an odd kid, aren’t you?” he says as he blows a puff of smoke.
“I’m not a kid,” Jaemin huffs as he snatches the cigarette from Jeno’s fingers and pulls it up to his own lips. He closes his eyes as he inhales, then opens them as he exhales.
“Well, aren’t you a fast learner,” Jeno says as he takes the cigarette back.
Jaemin rolls his eyes and leans back, planting the palms of his hands on the sand beneath him. “What makes you say I’m odd?”
The older man chuckles again. He leans back too, matching Jaemin’s level. “For one, you wanted to kiss me , a complete stranger earlier. Then you rode in my car, trusted me enough to think I would not kidnap you. And now you’re here, smoking with me at the beach. As if everything that I had just said is completely normal.”
Jaemin sighs and lets himself fall down on his back on the sand. He groans when he hears the older man snicker, shutting his eyes for a moment to collect himself.
“It’s been a long day, okay?” he reasons out, staring at the stars. “You’re like- the first person who was nice to me today. Maybe all week … Maybe all month.”
“Okay, I got it,” Jeno says as he exhales another poof of smoke. “Just- take care of yourself, okay? Not everyone’s like me,” he turns to look down at Jaemin and winks, making the younger roll his eyes.
“Right.”
They stay like that for a while, in comfortable silence again. Jeno staring out to the dark sea, and Jaemin out to the equally dark sky. After some time, Jaemin notices the older lay down too with a groan like an old man, one leather-clad hand behind his head.
“So, you’re a student, right?”
“I am,” Jaemin replies, realizing he can’t nod when his head is in the sand.
“What do you study?”
“I’m a photography major.”
Jeno hums, and Jaemin notices the cigarette he brings to his lips again.
“Very cool,” he says as he passes the cigarette to the younger. “You got your camera with you then?”
Jaemin snorts, before wrapping his lips around the stick, the bitter yet smooth sensation filling his lungs as he inhales, and then exhales.
“Obviously, right now, I haven’t. It’s back in my apartment.”
Jeno chuckles as he takes the cigarette that the younger gives back to him. “I was kidding, but alright.” Just as he slots the stick between his teeth, Jaemin sits up and looks at him closely.
“It’s a shame, I would’ve loved to take some photos of you,” he says as he takes the cigarette between the older’s lips, giggling when Jeno sits up and protests. He smiles brightly as he places it between his own lips, but before he can inhale, Jeno snatches it again and throws it to the sand.
“Hey!”
Jeno chuckles, before leaning closer and patting away some of the sand on Jaemin’s shoulders.
“I better not be the reason for your addiction, sweetheart.”
His eyes move up to meet the younger’s when he brings a hand up to his head, lightly brushing away the sand in his hair. His fingertips touch his scalp lightly, making Jaemin’s breath hitch. He can almost feel Jeno’s breath on his cheek with how close he’s come.
“And what if you are?” Jaemin whispers, eyes meeting the older’s. “Will you take responsibility?”
Jeno smirks, then whispers back, “I guess I’ll have to.”
He finally moves away, giving Jaemin some space to breathe easier.
“Did you have a good day?” Jeno asks after some time, standing up and shoving his hands inside his pockets. Jaemin follows suit.
“No,” he sighs, trying his best to sound down. He giggles when he hears Jeno let out an extremely cute confused sound.
“Can I ask for one more thing before you take me home?”
Jeno snorts, “Oh, I’m taking you home now?”
Jaemin sends him a death glare, making the older laugh a bit more. “I’m kidding, sweetheart. What is it?”
“You’re a tattoo artist,” he breathes out, the summer night’s breeze drowning out his voice a bit. He turns to Jeno, hands on his bare arms, goosebumps forming on his skin without his new sweater.
“Would you, you know … give me a tattoo?”
Jeno chuckles and shakes his head. “Is that really what you want? You might regret it later-”
“Yes,” Jaemin cuts him off firmly. He moves to stand in front of Jeno and look him in the eyes. “I won’t regret it.”
Jeno sighs as he looks at the younger. He’s about to say no, that’s far too much fun and recklessness for one day.
Until Jaemin pulls his puppy eyes out again.
He runs a hand through his hair and begins to walk away, signalling a hand back to the younger to follow him.
“Come on then.”
Jaemin squeals and smiles brightly instantly. He runs up to the older and clings onto his arm, giggling and muttering a million thank you’s. Jeno smiles as he looks down at him, cooing internally as he pats his head.
Cute.
–––
This time, as they drive back to the city and to the tattoo shop Jeno works at, Jaemin turns up the radio. He shamelessly and loudly sings the lyrics to every song that comes on that he knows, leading to Jeno bursting into laughter because of him.
“You’re really so very odd,” he says as he turns to Jaemin (fondly).
“Thanks,” the younger winks. Then he’s back to singing at the top of his lungs. Jeno fails to keep his eyes on the (empty) road, always wanting to catch a glimpse of the younger being so carefree and happy.
When they finally arrive at the parlor, Jaemin immediately feels the nerves rush in. He takes a deep breath in as he unclasps his seatbelt, as he steps out of the car, as he stands in front of the door and watches Jeno unlock it. It’s probably quite obvious, because Jeno turns to him after shoving his keys into his pocket.
“You okay?”
“Yeah,” Jaemin hums, hands on his arms again as he fails to stand still. “I’m just uhm- a little cold.” Well, it’s half true.
“Come on then,” Jeno says as he opens the door. “It’ll be warmer inside.”
Jaemin nods and follows the older. His eyes scan through the place the moment he steps in. It seems like the typical tattoo shop. Framed designs, vinyls, and cartoonish art on the walls. Dim lighting, red glow signs. A few leather chairs, a few lights, a few trays. The smell of cigarettes, and what Jaemin presumes is the smell of ink.
Jeno clicks on a couple more lights, turning back to Jaemin who’s stopped to stare for a while.
“What do you think?” he says as he leans back on the concrete wall. Jaemin meets his eyes, smiling as he takes timid steps forward.
“Cool,” Jaemin replies. “Very cool. It’s … exactly how I pictured it to be, actually.”
Jeno chuckles, pushing himself off the wall and walking closer to him. He guides Jaemin to a leather seat, then leaves him to take everything that he needs.
“Have you decided on what you want and where you want it?” he asks as he comes back and takes a seat on a wheeled stool, a pencil and a large notebook in his hand. Then, he comes closer to Jaemin.
“I was thinking about uhm … a dragon. Just a small one. And I want it somewhere hidden.”
“Hmm. Okay. Any specifications on the dragon?”
“No, none really. I just want it to be small and kind of, free-flowing.”
Jaemin can’t help but take a peek when he hears the scribbling noises Jeno makes on what Jaemin realizes is a sketchbook. Just in time, the older turns his sketchbook around and shows him the design he’s come up with.
Wow. That was quick.
“What do you think?”
Jaemin scans his eyes over the sketch. The dragon does indeed look free-flowing, but it also looks simple yet strong. It’s a bit rough, not perfect, but the fact that Jeno drew the design specifically for him, and didn’t pluck a sample out of their collection makes it all the more meaningful to Jaemin.
“It’s beautiful,” he says honestly, making Jeno smile.
“Thanks, Jaemin.”
Jeno then begins preparing his materials and tattoo ... machine? What is that even called?, and all the younger can do is stare and pretend he isn’t one bit nervous.
“Any specific hidden place?”
“I-I don’t know,” Jaemin admits.
Jeno pauses all his movements and turns to him.
“Sweetheart, are you sure about this?”
He takes a deep breath.
“Yes.“
“You’re one hundred and one percent sure?”
“Yes.”
“You won’t regret it?”
“Yes.”
“Ever?”
Jaemin takes a deep breath again.
“Yes.”
Jeno smiles and leans forward. “Okay then. Where do you want it?”
Jaemin bites down on his bottom lip, “Could you uhm- give me some suggestions?”
The older hums in thinking. “You said you wanted it somewhere hidden so, hmm … somewhere on your back? Or it could be around your collarbones. Some also get theirs on the back of their legs or on the inside of their arms-”
“What about on my hip?” Jaemin suggests, and he bites down on his lip again when Jeno looks at him with wide eyes. “Just uhm- above my hip bone?”
“Y-Yeah, sure. Okay.”
He nods and watches as the artist takes out his sketchbook again, erasing and drawing and repeating the process. Out of curiosity, he asks, “Won’t you … print it?”
Jeno shakes his head. “No. Normally we do, but it’s a simple and personalized design, so I thought I’d just free-hand it.”
Jaemin’s breath hitches. “W-Won’t that be harder?”
The older chuckles as he stands up and takes off his leather jacket, revealing the fitted black t-shirt underneath and what Jaemin’s been anticipating to see, the tattoos on his arms. There are indeed many, the most noticeable one being a large flower that goes up to his upper arm. A smaller one that catches Jaemin’s eye is a crescent moon at the back of his wrist.
“It will be, but it’s not so bad,” Jeno replies as he stands up to place his leather jacket on the counter. Jaemin watches as he walks towards a sink not too far away, as he begins washing his hands.
“Don’t worry about it,” Jeno says as he comes back and puts on a pair of black gloves, that charming smile on his lips. “Besides, I ought to put some hard work into your birthday gift, don’t you think?”
Jaemin scoffs and rolls his eyes, but feels betrayed by his own body when he feels his cheeks warm up.
“Thanks.”
The older’s eyes turn into crescents again, and Jaemin wills himself to look away from both his handsome face and his tattoos as he sits back down and comes closer. Instead, he lies straight down and stares at the ceiling.
Jeno turns on the lamp that’s next to the leather seat, letting a bright white light shine on Jaemin. Immediately, he lowers it a bit to his abdomen.
“Which side?”
“I uhm- this side. T-The side you’re on right now,” Jaemin stutters out. “My left.”
“Alright then.”
Jaemin stays still as a rock for a few seconds, holding his breath. He’s about to shut his eyes and pray it won’t hurt, until he hears Jeno’s low voice.
“Do you mind?”
Jaemin peers down and immediately blushes red when he realizes what Jeno’s pertaining to.
“N-No, not at all. I uhm- sorry. H-Hold on, let me do it.”
Jeno smiles sweetly at him again. “It’s okay.”
With shaky fingers, Jaemin reaches for his t-shirt and untucks one side of it. He then pulls it up, just enough so that the skin above his hipbone is exposed and Jeno has enough space to work on.
Blessing in disguise that my high-waisted jeans were in the laundry today.
He hears Jeno’s breath hitch, catches him staring at the patch of smooth skin that’s exposed. It’s just for a second or two (or ten), and then he’s back to normal as he takes some alcohol and a ball of cotton from his materials beside him.
The moment he comes closer, it’s Jaemin’s turn to suck in a breath. He holds it as Jeno cleans his skin with the alcohol, the cool liquid sending shivers to his entire body. After that, the older gets his tattoo pen, what do you fucking call that!?, and comes closer, one hand on Jaemin’s bare skin.
“You nervous?” he asks as he takes a glance up at the younger.
Jaemin smiles shyly, “Very.”
“Don’t worry,” Jeno chuckles, meeting his eyes again. “Just relax, sweetheart. I’d say hold my hand but I’ll be using both, so just hold onto the seat.”
Jaemin gulps, but nods as he grabs onto the leather seat underneath him. He looks up at the ceiling, taking deep breaths nervously.
“I’ll start now, okay?”
“O-Okay.”
“Just relax, Jaemin. I’ll do my best.”
“You better.”
And at that moment, Jaemin sucks in a breath, feeling the first hit of the needle on his skin.
It doesn’t hurt as much as he thought it would, probably because it’s not directly on any bone. But still, it does hurt. He feels like he’s holding his breath the entire time.
Contrast to the pain, Jaemin can feel Jeno’s warm and gentle fingers on his skin. He can also feel how much he’s taking his precious time, working hard on the design. It must be really hard, Jaemin thinks, and his respect for Jeno grows as time passes.
And just as quickly as it starts, it’s over before he knows it.
Jeno exhales out just as he does. He feels a cold cream being smoothed onto his skin afterwards, relieving a bit of the pain. This time, he takes the opportunity to pay more attention to the older as he applies the cream, his soft fingertips, his focused eyes, his breath that Jaemin can feel lightly on his skin. The next thing he puts on is a piece of clear plastic, cling wrap Jaemin supposes, carefully flattening it on the newly tattooed skin.
“All done.”
Jaemin grins as he slowly sits up. Jeno stands up as well, taking off his gloves and packing his materials.
Without a word, the younger walks forward towards a full-length mirror, lifting his shirt up when he stops right in front of it. He gasps the moment he sees his new tattoo, in awe of every little detail Jeno put into it. It’s amazing how he did this without any stencil, and with just his simple idea of a small dragon.
He hears Jeno’s low, annoyingly sexy laugh behind him, and then he’s coming up to stand next to him, looking at the tattoo through the mirror too.
“Do you like it?”
“I love it,” Jaemin answers easily, grinning from ear to ear. “You’re amazing, Jeno. Really, this is- wow.” He takes a second more to admire it, and then lets his shirt fall down as he turns to the older.
“Thank you.”
“You’re most welcome, Jaemin.”
–––
The ride to Jaemin’s apartment is filled with even more conversations. Some about their friends, some about their favorite things, some about work. The entire time, Jaemin finds himself smiling, and he just knows his cheeks are going to hurt very much later.
But, he doesn’t regret it at all. Not one bit.
“Is this it?”
“Yeah,” Jaemin sighs and turns to Jeno as he turns off the engines. “We’re here.”
He takes off his seatbelt, letting go of it very slowly.
Jaemin doesn’t want to go home. But when he looks at the time on his phone, it’s way past his birthday, and nearly 2 am.
“You okay?” Jeno asks him after unbuckling his own seatbelt, leaning closer concernedly.
“Yeah,” Jaemin replies, running a hand through his hair. “I just … don’t want the day to end yet, I guess.” He looks at Jeno apologetically, making the older smile softly.
“You’ll be fine,” he says, bringing a hand up to tuck a strand of hair behind the younger’s ear. Jaemin tries his best not to squeal. He hopes he isn’t blushing too much.
“Don’t worry so much, okay?”
“Okay,” Jaemin exhales as he nods. “Hey, I uhm- I wanted to thank you for today,” he continues, fingers fidgeting with each other on his lap. “Really, it means so much. Thank you, Jeno.”
Jeno shakes his head, “I think the universe owes it to you. Besides, I enjoyed being with you too. It’s been a while since I had such good and long conversations with someone. So, thank you too.”
Jaemin feels his smile widen even more and his heart become a million times lighter.
“You’re welcome, Jeno.”
They just stay like that for a few seconds, smiling at each other before finally breaking eye contact timidly.
“I uhm- I better go now,” Jaemin says as he rubs the back of his neck.
“Yeah, yeah, you should,” Jeno returns, though it seems like neither of them want the other to go.
“Well,” Jaemin places a hand over the door handle, but doesn’t take his eyes off of the other. “Good night, Jeno.”
“Good night, Jaemin,” the older replies, watching as Jaemin finally opens the door. He steps out, shuts the door behind him, waves through the window, and begins to walk up to his apartment building. His every step is slow, small, and unsure.
Out of ‘curiosity,’ he tells himself, he turns around, only to see that Jeno hasn’t left yet. He’s still watching him, waiting for him to get home safely.
When their eyes meet, Jeno smiles and waves again. Jaemin waves back and manages a smile, before slowly turning back around.
He shuts his eyes, takes one more step forward, and then says, fuck it.
He turns around and walks back towards the car, urgency in his steps as he opens the car door and gets in again. He doesn’t even bother closing the door before taking a fistfull of Jeno’s shirt and pulling him in for a kiss.
Instantly, Jeno kisses him back softly and slowly, one of his hands coming up to cup his face. Jaemin smiles through their kiss, his heart beating out of his chest as his hand relaxes and moves up to the back of the older’s neck.
When they pull away, they’re both breathless, both smiling widely through pants.
“You forgot your sweater,” Jeno whispers, making the both of them giggle.
When their laughter dies down, all that’s left are their dreamy smiles and their breaths mingling and their noses touching and their hearts beating loudly in sync.
“Happy birthday, Jaemin.”
Jaemin smiles and kisses him once again, before whispering back, “Thank you, Jeno.”
“It’s the best one I’ve ever had.”