Wanderlust (mxm)

Chapter Thirteen

Soren picked out the same tattoo artist he and Toliver had visited. He was highly recommended as one of the most skilled, as well as one of the cleanest – therefore he could charge a lot. Soren had barely managed to afford getting his arms done, but it wouldn't be a problem for Tanden. Soren strolled into the small building confidently. It was probably the only thing in the world he knew more than Tanden about.

"Morning, Yonah."

The middle-aged man looked up. He had been carefully cleaning his tools at the back of the room. Between them were a few chairs and the table Tanden would have to lie on. The man was covered in tattoos. His arms were dark with swirls more intricate than most people's and his neck was covered up to his jaw. He got to his feet and walked across the room, then held out a hand.

Soren shook it. Instead of letting him go, Yonah held his hand firmly and pulled his arm forward. He pushed up Soren's sleeve and spent a moment looking at his arm. "Ah, this's my work. I remember you, laddie." He released Soren's arm and eyed Tanden. "Don't reckon I've seen you 'fore."

"You haven't," Tanden agreed. "I've been wanting a tattoo and Soren said you were the best in Co. May I—" He walked forward when Yonah nodded, and lay his drawing out on the table. "I want this on my back."

Yonah studied the drawing curiously. "This is big. It'll take some time."

"I know, Soren told me. I've been waiting a long time for this, so I'm willing to wait however long it'll take to finish. And the cost is of no concern."

Yonah nodded thoughtfully and smoothened out the drawing with his hands. "Aye... we'll finish the outlines t'day, start fillin' in the design t'morrow. Lucky I'm not expectin' any customers." He glanced at Soren. "You want somethin'?"

"Um, aye. Maybe some blue?"

"'Course. Easy enough. You first, then?"

Soren shrugged. "Dunno. Captain? D'you want to watch me first, or get started with yours? Reckon I should warn you, it'll hurt."

Tanden cocked an eyebrow. "Do you think I can't handle it? I've been hurt before."

"Aye. But bein' hurt durin' a fight is different than lettin' yourself be hurt over a few hours, aye?"

"Are you doing that on purpose?"

"Doin' what?" Soren asked, but understood the instant he'd spoken. "Oh. Aye. Sort of."

"Why?"

Soren sighed, but wasn't surprised that Tanden would fixate on something about language. "Sound 'too Teltish', speakin' the way I usually do."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"D'you wanna get your tattoo or not?"

"Yes, of course, sorry." Tanden turned to Yonah. "What do you need me to do?"

Yonah gestured at the table in the middle of the room. "Take off your jacket and tunic, lie down. Laddie, grab him one of those pillows." He picked up the drawing and went over to his table of tools.

Tanden started to undo the buttons. "Don't think we're done with this conversation. You'll probably need to distract me during this."

Soren didn't say anything, but took Tanden's jacket when he held it out. When Tanden pulled off his tunic, Soren did his best not to stare. After West Draulin he didn't feel shy about staring when they were alone, but it didn't seem appropriate with Yonah in the room. Tanden settled down on the table, and Soren gave him a pillow to tuck under his head. Then he dragged a chair over to the table so he could sit down.