Work Text:
Often, investing blood, sweat, and tears was a figure of speech meant for the so-called starving artist. After all, the canvas was incapable of doing those actions unless they were in a metaphorical context.
And yet, as you continued to lay on your front, propped up by the angle of the chair you were on, you couldn't help but allow a few tears to prick in your eyes while a needle left permanent traces on your skin. Perhaps you should've heeded the advice of taking things slowly with smaller tattoos, but since you joined the yakuza, being surrounded by gorgeous tattoos left you wanting to be part of the masterpieces. Hence why you insisted on getting a full piece done on your back.
Still, it didn't stop your embarrassment over tearing up from the pain. Though, from the hands that held yours, you knew that the two men supporting you through this would never think to judge you.
"Rohan, if you make things any more painful during this session, I will compensate you accordingly."
A man who struck fear into many of the already cold, battered hearts of yakuza members, Jotaro sternly directed his gaze towards the tattoo artist currently fixated with your bare back. And yet, the way his large hand held yours couldn't be anything but tender, the rare glimpse he showed of his utter affection for you. His knuckles, though having been washed of blood and bruises numerous times, still maintained the ink permanently embedded into his skin.
"While I understand that it can't be helped, I have to agree with Jotaro, Rohan."
Though calm and composed as ever, Kakyoin was notorious for being equally merciless as Jotaro amongst the yakuza crime world--and he was the one who referred to reason first before fists. Yet here, his hand held yours, his thumb impeccably soft as it gently stroked your skin. Though he didn't have any knuckle tattoos of the sort, starting from his wrist and up to his shoulder was a gorgeous full sleeve of vines and red blossoms.
In response to the two, Rohan--who took his art very seriously--only snorted, not even bothering to lift his head and pause his work, "Say what you want. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone as good as me, let alone someone who would want to work with the likes of you." With a sigh, he directed his attention to you and remarked, "Obviously, nothing can be done about the pain, so just keep squeezing their hands. I'm sure they're used to them getting broken every now and then."
Jotaro rolled his eyes while Kakyoin shrugged it off with a knowing smile.
On the other hand, you--trying to keep a brave face--held back a pained whimper as you remarked, "R-Right." And yet, the tear you attempted to blink away only escaped. It was about to trail down your cheek, were it not for Jotaro's calloused thumb wiping it away.
You then felt Kakyoin's lips press against the top of your head. As he drew back, a chuckle left him as he assured, "Don't worry about crying. Even Jotaro cried with his first tattoo."
"I did not," Jotaro returned, his voice gruff as he glared harshly at his right-hand man.
The lighthearted moment between the two and their continuous display of affection for you put you at ease. While you knew this pain would linger for some time even after this moment, you knew they would be there to help you through it and more.
Still, with your curiosity, you queried, "Rohan?" only to wince his needle touched over a particularly sensitive area.
"I am not obligated to disclose that," Rohan murmured passively.
A small, amused grin remained fixated on Kakyoin's face while Jotaro huffed slightly and focused his gaze to the artist's progress.
You knew it wouldn't be easy to get the truth out of Jotaro. However, with Kakyoin as your support and the marvelous artwork that would eventually display fully on your back--a testament to your lifelong commitment to the two of them and their group--you knew you would find your answer.