Amber's Attic: tattoo artist!au

Auction: tattoo artist!au

Snape Appreciation, Babbling Beverage: Write about a talented person.

Word Count: 1017

"Sirius? Sirius, are you even listening to me?"

Sirius is well aware that his brother is talking to him, but he doesn't care. His eyes are fixed upon a handsome man with messy brown hair entering a shop. He glances at the name of the building: Stag Tattoo Studio.

"I think I want to get a tattoo today," he says.

"You don't just get tattoos on a whim!" Regulus protests, but Sirius starts forward, his brother on his heels. "You're impossible."

Sirius smiles. "So I've been told."

…

Sirius has never stepped inside a tattoo studio until now. He's always imagined them to be dimly lit places, filled with smoke and dirt. Instead, the place is quite clean. Framed art hangs on the crimson walls, as well as examples of tattoo designs the artist must have drawn.

Sirius pauses, studying a beautifully drawn wolf. Regulus nudges him. "Are you serious about this?"

"I'm always Sirius. It's literally my name, Reg."

His brother doesn't look amused, but he doesn't argue. Instead, he takes a seat in the lobby area while Sirius slowly makes his way along.

"Do you have an appointment?"

Sirius turns. He can't help but notice how out of place the handsome man looks with his cardigan and pastel button-up shirt.

"An appointment?" he echoes before shaking his head. "Er… No. Sorry. I don't."

The man nods before turning his attention to a planner, his eyes scanning over the scribbled notes. "If you want something small, you're in luck," he says. "James has about an hour before his next client is scheduled."

Regulus appears at his side again, looking through the jewelry beneath the glass case. "How do you think I would look with a septum piercing?" he asks.

Sirius rolls his eyes. "Like you've got a septum piercing," he says. "A small tattoo is actually exactly what I have in mind."

The man with the cardigan nods. "Good. Let me see your ID, please."

Sirius hands his ID over. He keeps his gaze fixed upon the other man, admiring him silently as he copies the card.

"So… Do you have any tattoos?" Sirius asks.

The man shakes his head, grabbing a sheet of paper. "No, but James keeps trying to bully me into it." He places a form on the counter before handing Sirius a pen.

"What's your name?" Sirius asks.

"Remus. Why?"

Sirius offers him a grin. "It asks what tattoo I want. I'd like your name to remember the most handsome man I've ever seen."

Regulus snorts, slapping his palm against his forehead. "Jesus Christ, Sirius."

Remus blushes a soft pink. He opens his mouth, seems to reconsider, and snaps is closed again.

"I'm kidding," Sirius laughs. "About the tattoo, at least. Not the bit about you being incredibly handsome."

The blush darkens. Remus looks away quickly, and Sirius can't help but grin as he fills out the form. Regulus leans in. "Paw prints, Sirius? Really?"

"Shut up. You want a septum piercing," Sirius reminds him.

Remus takes the form and glances over it before nodding. He disappears behind a black curtain before returning and gesturing Sirius forward. Sirius follows, taking a deep breath.

He's plenty of ridiculous things in his youth while trying to impress people he's attracted to, but this is major. None of his other antics had been so permanent.

A tall man with messy hair and glasses waves to him. "Paw prints, huh?" he asks, holding out a few prepared sketches for Sirius. "First time?"

"Yes," Sirius answers, picking out a pair of prints.

"Any questions?"

Sirius glances at Remus who still stands at the curtain. He nods, and points in the receptionist's direction. "Yeah. Can he hold my hand?"

…

Sirius is surprised by how easy the process is. The needles hurt, but it doesn't take long to adjust to the sudden pain. Having Remus hold his hand definitely helps as well.

They chat, and the time goes by quickly. Remus tells him that James lets him work there during the day while pays for night classes. He's going to be a teacher one day.

Sirius tells him about the garage he and Regulus own, about the motorbikes he's so passionate about.

It seems like no time at all passes before the steady buzzing of the tattoo gun fades. James wipes Sirius' skin, leaving a smear of ink and blood on the paper towel.

"All done," James announces.

Sirius examines the paw prints over his ankle and grins. James is truly a talented tattoo artist. Something so simple somehow looks absolutely extraordinary. "Perfect," he decides.

Remus leads him out. As Sirius pays for the tattoo, the other man hands him care instructions. "The studio's phone number is on the back," he says. "Feel free to call if you have any concerns or questions."

"Actually, I need your personal number," Sirius tells him. "You're the only one who can answer my question."

"What question?"

Sirius offers him a crooked grin. "Would you like to go out to dinner with me?"

Remus swallows dryly. Several moments of silence pass between them, and he busies himself by picking up the shop's planner and staring at it like it's the most interesting thing in the world.

"No pressure," Sirius assures him. "I just think you're lovely, and I would love the chance to get to know you better."

Finally, Remus sets the planner down and grabs a pen. He scribbles his number down on the care instructions. "I'm free Wednesday night," he says.

"I'll call you, and we can figure something out then." Sirius folds the paper and tucks it into his shirt pocket. "I can't wait."

When they're outside, Regulus playfully shoves him. "Did you really just permanently alter your body in hopes of getting a date?"

"Yes. Yes, I did."

Regulus shakes his head. "You're impossible."

Sirius shrugs. Maybe it had been an impulsive decision. Maybe most people would consider it a stupid thing to do.

But it doesn't matter. His tattoo looks good, and he has a date. All in all, he would say it's been a successful day.