Work Text:
It was an idea William had for a long time, he didn’t even know if Albert would be okay with it. But it was an idea. It was a day off of Arklay mansion madness for the two researchers, spending it together in one of their rooms. William took the time to draw some flowers near Albert’s window - the only ones which didn’t turn into an experiment - as he thought about the idea once more. He knew Albert was…nervous around the idea of being poked with a needle so it did throw out a huge possible no but William knew he had to ask.
“Are you sure you should’ve gone into virology, dearheart? Your flower drawings are amazing.” Albert complimented, getting William to fluster as he hid the drawing against his chest.
“It’s a hobby…not a career.” The younger man said, looking at Albert with a smile, “and uh…I have an idea.”
“What is it now?” Albert groaned, taking a seat in the desk chair, away from William.
“Well, I already know I’m going to get a no-”
“Yet you want to see…”
“Exactly,” William said before sighing, “how do you feel about tattoos?”
“Temporary?”
“No, like…actual tattoos. Like the needle getting ink into the skin, tattoo.” William clarified, looking at Albert seriously. He knew the answer already but it was worth a try. Albert only shrugged, grabbing his drink.
“I’m fine with those kinds of needles, William, though I appreciate the concern. If what you think is a matching one, then yes, I’m willing to have one with you.”
“Wait really?” William put his sketchbook to the side, surprised that Albert agreed. Albert only rolled his eyes and got up to walk over and flick his nose.
“I pick the place and design, deal?”
“Deal.”
Weeks went by, not a single mention, not that William expected an update immediately from Albert on the idea just that it floated away with work piling up. He knew another required break was coming up and he was planning to work through it once again. Well, that was the plan until Albert tapped his shoulder, gaining his attention.
“Break day, meet in my room. We’re getting the tattoo.” William only nodded, mentally listing off everything he needed to do beforehand.
It had been only a few days and here William was, sitting in Albert’s room on his bed, waiting for Albert to finish getting ready. He didn’t question the design, the place, anything, he wanted to be surprised. Albert seemed to understand, not saying a single word as they went to the car and started to drive back to Raccoon City to get it done.
“Does your little girlfriend know about you getting one?” Albert asked during it, glancing at William. He knew Albert wasn’t…too happy about him dating Annette but at least the two were civil when it meant his happiness.
“No, she doesn’t. It’s not really her business whether I get one or not if we’re honest.” William said with a sigh, there were things Annette thought William should do but obviously doesn’t, one including sticking with his awful parents. Something he very bluntly told her he would never do, even if he dies.
“Ah…still don’t want to know the design?” William shook his head.
“I trust you.” Albert only nodded as they drove up to the place.
“Ready?”
“Ready.”
Maybe it was a good thing William enjoyed a bit of pain in his life, the entire process of getting a tattoo was surprisingly peaceful, he got to space out a bit while the tattoo artist worked on his after Albert’s. The artist seemed to know it was a matching tattoo, picking the same spot and making sure it looked almost identical. Or that could’ve been Albert talking, he wasn’t sure at the moment.
After thanking and paying for the tattoo, and getting into the car, William finally lets himself see the tattoo design. It took a moment before he smiled, looking at Albert with the same smile.
“Not a bad one, is it?” William shook his head.
“Nah, I love it. The guy did a great job.” Albert nodded, starting the car and the drive back to the mansion.
“Just make sure to let it heal properly and we’ll be able to hide it under our pants.” William nodded, leaning over to kiss his cheek.
“No one will ever know..”
“No one will ever know…” Albert echoed and stopped at a red light to pull William into a proper kiss. William embraced it, only pulling away to glance at the light, just as it changed.
“Our secret until we die, huh?” William smiled, getting Albert to roll his eyes under those sunglasses.
“You act like we’ll die when we’re 30.”
“You never know…but at least I spent it with you.”
“Don’t be so somber, William, we’ll live forever.” William only hummed, looking out the window.
“Maybe…”
Albert looked out into Venice’s morning view from his rental home for the month. Deals with Tricell, especially Excella, have been booming and most likely, he’ll have everything set for Africa in the coming months. He brought his leg up, rolling up the pants for a moment to look at the tattoo from years ago. If he were honest, he would blame William for getting him into them. He knew before the younger man’s death he got one more for his dearest daughter: her favorite plushie, name, date and time of her birth. Annette didn’t approve but everything thought it was precious.
Now Albert only sits with three tattoos as well, a full back piece that he got during a brief time spent in Japan, a tattoo on his wrist of William’s signature and birthdate, and the tattoo the two got together years ago. Albert still wondered why William was so willing to let Albert pick everything for it: placement, design, color, or black and white. Whatever it was, Albert never got to repay it.
He traced the lines of the roses, forget-me-nots, and honeysuckles tied together with a simple bow. The color had faded over the years, the bright colors matching each flower chosen for it. Luckily, the text still remained one that brought a faint smile to his face.
In aeternum et semper, mi. Nos esse aeternum pertinent usque ad nos et mori et obviam iterum in altera vita.