Work Text:
Aleksi had found he enjoyed getting tattooed.
He had decided not to get them for the longest time due in part to his DJ career and the image he was trying to maintain, and in part because he didn't want to go by himself, Robin not being a fan of needles.
The second he joined Blind Channel, his tatted soulmates offering to go if he ever decided to do it, he threw both of those thoughts away without a second of hesitation.
He decided on a rose for his first tattoo, even if it was a cliche, and Niko and Joel had insisted on being there to "hold his hand while he was screaming", although Aleksi was sure they just wanted to laugh at him and record him freaking out.
He was nervous leading up to the appointment, but the others had soothed him, showing off their own tattoos and telling him stories of their first times, making him laugh.
And they did hold his hand and help distract him from the new sensation and pain; and if they took a video of the moment the needle first pierced his skin and his accompanying yelp to share with the boys and crew, well, perhaps they earned that one.
He had loved every moment of it.
So he had started planning his next tattoo, this time on the other arm, deciding on a large one that would wrapped around his arm, a scene he had seen many of times while he studied abroad.
He had loved the town he had stayed in while in the Netherlands, it had been a safe haven for him as a teenager and it helped him discover his true passions in life when he had little else to hope for.
He worked with an artist to make sure the tattoo would be as detailed as possible, even having them add Rilla so she would always be with him, even when they could tour again.
The others had looked over the concept drawing, Olli telling him they would have to visit the town together one day, Tommi warning that it was going to end up being multiple sessions and quite painful.
It was indeed a very long session, but Joonas came with him for support, keeping him laughing throughout and feeding him snacks.
He had only been able to get the tattoo halfway finished that round, and Joonas brought Niko along with them when it came time to get it finished, the two make him laugh so hard that they got reprimanded from the artist, needing him to stay still.
They had barely been able to tour together before the world had shut down, but they agreed to try the mayhem of UMK and they won, sending them into the absolute chaos of Eurovision, doing better than they had ever dared hoped.
Aleksi got the idea for one more tattoo, right underneath his rose and as close to his wrist as he was willing to put one. Something to celebrate his trial by fire since joining the band.
Again Niko and Joonas came with him, but they didn't know what he was getting until the artist had laid down the stencil, huge grins spreading across their faces when they realized, taking photos for the rest of their soulmates as well as the crew, even social media.
"No going back now," Joonas said, looking at the Blind Channel logo now inked into his skin.
Aleksi had smiled at him, "damn right."
He had done his last one on his own, not that he hadn't wanted them there but he had wanted it to be a surprise.
The small umbrella went above his rose, right below his elbow, almost reaching his soulmark.
When he had joined them at the studio the next day, it had taken only about 30 minutes before Joonas had gasped and ran over to him, grabbing his arm, (carefully, so as to not hurt the raw skin) and loudly calling the others over.
"An umbrella?" Niko asked, after he had examined it.
"Bring Me The Horizon right?" Tommi added
"Yeah," Aleksi smiled.
"Loved the album that much?" Olli teased.
"Well yeah but... it was the concert where I met Joonas and Joel." He answered a bit shyly.
He heard Joel's breath catch before long arms folded around his middle and pulled him back, a kiss being pressed to the top of his head.
Joonas smiled widely and kissed him, "thanks, love" he told him
"Love you too Allu," Joel mumbled into his hair.
Aleksi sighed and leaned back into him, content.
Perhaps the next one would be on his thigh. Although he had to admit, smirking, his soulmates hardly needed another reason to pay attention to that part of his legs.