Chapter Text
Kunikuzushi was known to be cold hearted and arrogant, he knew that much from the rude stares he got and the hushed whispers behind his back. Although it was far from the truth no one seemed to be able to look past his well calculated mask and admittedly Kunikuzushi was at fault for that. He made sure to stay emotionally distant to anything and everyone, mortified of the day someone would try to look past his walls. Any kind of relationship he had was Surface level at best, friends and lovers alike, to ensure it would never happen. Everything was like he wanted it but still, he couldn’t shake the suffocating loneliness that came with pretending and maybe it would’ve been easier to never form these pathetic relationships to begin with.
So Kunikuzushi moved away without telling anyone and now he was in a new city starting a new life. However this time around he was sure to stay alone. No more fake friends to waste energy on, just him. No attachments to anyone. He wanted to be free from keeping himself in Check just not to slip up and the easiest way to do that was to stay alone.
With that in mind he entered a tattoo shop, ready to engrave the promise he made to himself into his skin.
„Just one second.“ someone shouted from the back of the shop as the little bell announced Kunikuzushis entry. He stood there waiting until a mop of silky white hair stumbled to the front of the shop and came to stop at the counter.
„Sorry for the wait, I was-.“ the stranger started but stopped whatever he meant to say mid-sentence. Instead he continued with „You’re really pretty.“
„I- uh- huh?“ Kunikuzushi stuttered out.
„Ah, sorry that was impolite of me wasn’t it? Normally one would greet first.“ He apologized. „My Name is Kaedehara Kazuha, welcome to my studio. How can I help you?” Kazuha said as he pulled his hair back into a low ponytail.
Somehow everything about this stranger seemed impossibly gentle, from his beautiful ruby eyes to his soft fluffy hair and his fair skin.
He was pretty. He was really pretty. Kunikuzushi was sure he forgot how to breath for a second, not only because of the unexpected compliment but also because he was too caught up in admiring the man in front of him.
„Are you alright?“ Kazuha asked while tilting his head a little and gods his smile could make anyone fall for him, Kunikuzushi was sure.
But not him. Definitely not him. He was pretty, yes, but Kunikuzushi came here to get rid of any attachments so a crush was a no go. He just had to snap out of it. It wasn’t like him to get this caught up over someone. How embarrassing. „I’m here for my appointment.“ he said hastily, „Scaramouche is the name.“
„I see, I was waiting for you. You said you had your own design?“ Kazuha asked, still wearing that gorgeous smile on his lips. For fucks sake since when was Kunikuzushi so easy?
„Yeah hold on.“ he answered and took out a notebook from his bag, fumbling a lot more than he would’ve liked. He opened the bookmarked page and handed it to Kazuha. „This one.“
„Oh I like it., it suits you.“ Kazuha said while admiring the artwork. Kunikuzushi felt himself smile a little at the compliment. „You said you wanted it as a back piece?“
„Yes that’s right.“ he nodded.
Kazuha then looked back at Kunikuzushi, smiling gently. „I’ll go get the stencil ready then, you can just go and sit over there until I’m finished.“ he said as he pointed to the tattooing space. Then he vanished to where he came from earlier.
As Kunikuzushi sat there, waiting for Kazuha to come back, he let out a deep sigh. His whole no feelings thing was going horribly. Not that he crushed on Kazuha, they talked for what? Like two minutes? At best. But he did make his heart flutter a little and that wasn’t good. It was embarrassing at least. He was no stupid teen anymore, what was he doing getting all flustered over a pretty person just because they’re a little pretty. Fucking hell, really how stupid.
„Alright I got it.“ Kazuha announced as he entered the space startling Kunikuzushi out of his thoughts. „You ready?“ he asked
„Anytime“
„Okay then, take your shirt off so I can place the stencil.“
Kunikuzushi felt his heart speed up. He didn’t exactly have issues with his body being seen however it wasn’t a level of vulnerability he was comfortable with either. It was no use though, he just had to get it over with, no big deal. So he turned around and pulled off his shirt.
As Kazuha stepped closer he felt his body tensing and then instead of the stencil he felt a warm hand brushing over his shoulder and spine.
„You okay? You seem really tense, it’s hard to place the stencil like this.“ he said with his voice softer than before, as if not to startle Kunikuzushi further.
„Sorry, I’m a little nervous.“ Kunikuzushi admitted. Truth to be told he really didn’t mind the tattoo, it wasn’t even his first tattoo since he tattooed himself a few times before. No, it was Kazuha that made him nervous. Kazuha and that weird sense of comfort he was radiating.
His hand brushed over his upper back again trying to soothe Kunikuzushi.„That’s alright, many are nervous to get a tattoo. Take a deep breath for me okay?“ Kazuha said and so he slowly inhaled. „And let you shoulders fall while you breathe out.“ he continued and Kunikuzushi slowly exhaled.
„Good. Well done, there you go.“ he finished. Gods above, Kunikuzushi was really glad to be turned away in that second because he felt his cheeks heating up to a point where it would’ve been impossible to miss if someone was to look him in the face.
After Kazuha had finally placed the stencil and Kunikuzushi laid down they got to the actual tattooing.
„Can I ask you something?“ Kazuha asked while working on the outer corner of the design.
„Sure, what is it?“
„Does the design hold any meaning?“
Kunikuzushi chuckled. „Why? Does it look like it?“
„It looks like wings made of lightning but that may very well just be what I see in it, that’s why I asked.“
„You have a good eye.“ he answered. „It is as you say, an abstract take on wings made of lightning.“
„But there is more to it right?“ Kazuha further pried.
„Yeah but that’s a secret.“ Kunikuzushi said with a slight smile on his lips.
„You said you drew it yourself right? Do you draw a lot?“
„Kinda. I do whenever I have time to, I just moved recently so I’ve been kind of busy with sorting everything out and looking for a new job and all that.“ he sighed.
„Wanna be an tattoo artist then? Kazuha asked him.
„Huh?“
Now it was kazuhas turn to chuckle. „You see, one of my coworkers also recently moved away and I’m currently looking for an apprentice to eventually fill that space. I could teach you everything you need to know.“
„Are you serious?“ Kunikuzushi asked surprised by Kazuhas offer.
„I am. You could start whenever you want.“
Kunikuzushi stilled for a second. This was the opportunity to make Art his job. This would be amazing. It sounded too good to be true the only issue was Kazuha. Working with him would be hell with how easily he flustered Kunikuzushi. On the other hand, this would be stupid to miss out on.
„I’ll do it.“ he said. He would just have to make sure not to let Kazuha get too close. Just coworkers and nothing more, he could do this.