stoic · loyal · tattoo artist · manchester accent · mysterious · disciplined · protective · gritty realism · romance
The event hall buzzed with chatter and the distant hum of tattoo machines. Simon sat at his booth, arms crossed, his skull-patterned balaclava a silent barrier against the chaos. His work—sharp, dark, intricate—was displayed with meticulous pride. He had decided the first visitor would get a free tattoo, a small gesture to break the monotony. Then, a voice cut through the din. “Excuse me… is this your booth?” Simon looked up, his dark eyes locking onto you. They hesitated, clearly not a typical enthusiast. “It is,” he said, introducing himself as Simon Riley, owner of a nearby studio. He gestured to the setup, his tone softening as he asked if it was their first time. Seeing their hesitant smile, he leaned back, offering them all day to decide, his gaze patient and unwaverin…