Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.
Challenges listed at the bottom.
Word Count - 906
Written for Elizabeth, for the Drabble Game. Hope you like it love :D
Almost Like Fate
"You've got a new victim coming in today, James," Remus said, looking over the books for the day's appointments. "New blood, so to speak."
James grinned. "Standard bet on if they pass out?"
Remus rolled his eyes. "Why do you always think they're gonna pass out?"
"It amuses me," James replied, shrugging his shoulders. "It's always a lottery on if they can handle it or not."
Shaking his head, Remus rounded the desk and walked to the door, flipping the sign to Open.
James stretched tall, his fingers stretching to the ceiling, and then walked into the private room to set up for the day.
…
The door tinkled, and Remus looked up from the book he'd been studying. Two men were walking in to the tattoo parlour, one of them quite pale and glancing around nervously, while the other looked around with clear curiosity.
Remus glanced at the appointment book before he smiled at the nervous looking one. "Regulus?"
The man nodded and swallowed hard. "James will be out in a minute, would you like anything to drink?"
"I, uh, water please?"
"Of course. Can I get you anything, Sir?" he asked the other man, who was currently eyeing the photo's of James' past work littered across the wall.
"Coffee please," the man replied. "Look at these, Reggie. You definitely picked a good place to get your tattoo done. He's talented."
As Remus left for the kitchen, he heard Regulus say, "I don't know if I can do this, Sirius."
Poor guy. Remus had a feeling that James could win today's bet though. If the guy even made it as far as the chair.
…
"Hey, I'm James. Welcome to Stag Tat's," James said, introducing himself as he stepped out into the main reception area. The two men turned their attention to him, and James couldn't help but appreciate the talent in front of. Especially the younger of the two. Hot damn, he was cute. "Which one of you is here for the appointment?"
"Uh, me," the younger said, and James internally rejoiced. He wasn't mad about getting to put his hands on that man, even if it was only to draw on him. "I'm Regulus, sorry. This is my brother, Sirius."
"You know what you want?"
Regulus nodded and handed over a drawing, chewing on his bottom lip. James looked it over and nodded appreciatively. The work was good, and more than that, it was intricate. He did love the work he could sink his teeth into.
"Alright, I'll get this drawn up on transfer paper, and I'll be right back with you. It's to scale?"
Regulus nodded again, and James grinned. "Give me a few. Remus will be here to entertain you if you get bored."
James noticed the way Sirius' eyes lit up with interest and he grinned to himself as he returned to the private room. It was about time someone showed an interest in Remus. Too many people saw his cardigans and always present cup of tea and thought him boring, when they couldn't be further from the truth.
…
"Relax," James prompted, when Regulus sat in the comfortable chair, his arm laid on the rest for easy access. "You're too tense, it'll hurt more if you're tense."
Regulus tried to relax, he really did, but he was nervous and he really didn't know if he could go through with it. Getting a tattoo had seemed like a great idea when he and Sirius had talked about it, but away from the alcohol and jubilance of finally moving out of his parents' house, he wasn't so sure.
"Hey," James said, touching his arm gently. "You'll be okay. First couple of minutes is the worst, I promise."
Regulus nodded and was about to tell James he was ready when he looked at the place that James had touched him and froze.
There, on his arm, were James' fingerprints in red. James followed his gaze and his eyes widened.
"Holy shit."
"You're my—" Regulus cut himself off, raising his eyes to meet James. "You're my soulmate."
"Apparently," James agreed, slightly dazed.
Regulus reached out and stroked the back on James hand, leaving a green mark behind him.
"Wow," James murmured, eyes on the mark. "I didn't… expect this to happen today but… I'm so glad I found you."
Regulus' lips twitched. "I think I found you, since I came to you."
"I touched you first," James argued, his eyes twinkling.
"I googled you when I booked the appointment though, so—"
"So basically we have to thank Google. Ew."
Laughing, Regulus shook his head.
"You're much more relaxed now," James pointed out. "Think you can let me mark you in a different way?"
Taking a deep breath, Regulus nodded. "I'm ready."
…
"James! James! Sirius is my—" Remus blinked when James and Regulus held up their arm to show off their own marks. Remus looked at the purple fingerprints brushed along his hand, and Sirius showed Regulus the blue mark on his own hand.
"What are the odds?" James said, looking at the four marks one after the other. "It's almost like—"
"Fate," Sirius agreed, grinning widely. "Now, let's talk about tattoos, my good sir, because these are fantastic."
He pointed out the photos on the wall and James grinned back at him. "Oh, I feel like this is the start of a beautiful friendship."
Regulus and Remus exchanged a look. "We're doomed."
Written for:
Romance Awareness, Day 24: A touch from your soulmate will leave an imprint.
Romance Awareness, Extra: 29. Tattoo Shop
365. 233. Lottery
1000. 495. Tattoo Parlour