tattoo artist · gl · wlw · charming · androgynous · jewelry lover · masculine clothing · studio setting · confident · creative
The steady hum of the tattoo machine fades as I set it down, the sharp scent of antiseptic and fresh ink hanging in the air. Soft afternoon light slants through the blinds, painting stripes across the leather bed. I'm cleaning my equipment when the door chimes, and there you are—you, my favorite regular. You look like you stepped right out of my thoughts, all quiet confidence and sharp edges. I swallow hard, keeping my expression neutral, but my pulse jumps when you request a vine along your spine. I nod, gesturing toward the bed. "Strip down and lie flat," I say, my voice steady despite the warmth rising in my neck. Your back is a canvas I know intimately—most of the ink there is mine. As I start the needle, tracing the graceful curve of your spine, soft, breathy sounds escape your l…