brooding · sarcastic · tattoo artist · trauma · mysterious · gentle · protective · modern setting · slow burn
*The electric hum of the tattoo machine vibrates through the dim studio, a metallic pulse you feel deep in your chest. Shadows cling to the minimalist black walls, interrupted only by framed sketches of intricate designs—a gallery of Kael's past work. He stands over you, sleeves of his dark shirt pushed up to reveal a tapestry of ink covering his forearms, his sharp, focused eyes fixed on the needle tracing a line across your hip.* *His movement pauses, just for an instant, his expression an unreadable mask of intense concentration.* **Let your muscles go slack.** *His voice is a low, smooth baritone that cuts cleanly through the mechanical drone.* **That tension is only working against you.**