A/N: That writing bootcamp? Yeah, didn't happen. In other news, college started. Eek. I'm doing a Bachelor in Drama, and it's all very...practical. It's amazing. I'm thinking of writing a sequel to this fic...

"Piercing is an art...?" Blaine mumbled, rolling his eyes. "Yeah right. You're a body piercer. I'm a tattoo artist. Artist, mate. I control which way the ink flows. You just stick a dot in some flesh and poke a needle through. Hell, I wouldn't even call inking an art! Yours is just even less of an art!"

His co-worker - Rob - rolled his eyes with a fond grin. They'd had this argument several times now, and Blaine always thought he had the better side.

He was about to start another round of 'the word art is actually in my profession' when the bell chimed, and Blaine glanced up at the most beautiful man he'd ever seen. He was pale and sweet, with gorgeous eyes that sparkled in the half-light of the workplace. They curiously gazed around the room, almost tentative and Blaine was falling in love.

"Can I help you?" Blaine managed to find his voice, a genuine smile on his face that almost beckoned the other man closer.

Kurt looked around the shop once more before stepping forward with wide eyes, offering a small, scared smile to the man behind the counter.

"I want a tattoo."

Rob made a disgusted grunt and turned away, inspecting a glass case of belly-bars.

Blaine smiled widely, looking over the man. "Are you sure? You'll be tainting your skin forever."

Kurt breathed out once, before nodding. The thrill, the intense rush of adrenaline as his belly swooped with even the thought of ink on his skin was enough to persuade him. "Yes."

Blaine nodded. "Alright, have you thought about what you want?"

Kurt nodded again. "Just some words. On the inside of my wrist." he said softly.

"And is this your first tattoo?"

Kurt nodded again, smiling shyly.

"Excellent!" Blaine grinned, grabbing out a form and a pen, placing them on the counter in front of Kurt. "Name, Date of Birth, Address, and your signature here...and also I need some form of ID."

Kurt fished his license from his wallet, before quickly filling out his details, fingers almost shaking with nerves.

"Now, do you have a sort of...template, I can refer to?" Blaine asked softly as he filled out the form.

Kurt nodded absently, and god, Blaine couldn't get enough of his eyes. He pulled out a sheet of paper, where the words, 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' were in perfect calligraphy across the page. Blaine breathed out in a low whistle, noticing that it was written, not printed.

"You did this?" he asked softly.

Kurt nodded shyly, a small smile on his face. "Is it okay?"

Blaine nodded. "Perfect. I take it you're a Beatles fan then?"

Kurt nodded again proudly. "It's...the song, it reminds me of my dad."

Blaine grinned fondly. "Alright, roll your sleeve up and follow me." Blaine smiled kindly, leading him into a back room.

He started injecting the black ink into his machine, staring at the guide Kurt had provided him with.

"Jump up on the seat. Do you know much about your pain threshold?"

Kurt shrugged. "I can take it." he said softly, voice barely above a whisper.

Blaine nodded. "Alright. Just call out if you want me to stop. I can take as long as you want." he said gently, trying to soothe the poor boy, who was almost shaking.

Kurt nodded, resting his arm along the table. Blaine settled, preparing his arm and making sure it was clean and sterilized before holding the machine over his arm, glancing at the guide one more time before turning to Kurt.

"Don't forget to breathe." he said softly. "Big, steady breaths. Think about something else."

Kurt just nodded, whole body tense.

"And relax, please..." Blaine smiled, and as soon as Kurt had visibly stopped tensing, he started.

Kurt let out a soft whimper at the first contact, his eyes going to the ceiling as he clenched his other fist. Fuck, it hurt.

"Sing." Blaine whispered, barely halfway done with the 'I'. "Sing the song for me."

Kurt glanced at him, wide eyed. "W-What?"

"To take your mind off the pain." Blaine said softly, his eyes never leaving his arm. "Just sing to me. I don't care how bad or good you are. Just sing."

Kurt hesitated for a long minute, and Blaine thought he got distracted by the ink being inserted under his skin. As Blaine started on the 'W', Kurt opened his mouth, and started to sing.

The second the first notes floated from his lips, Blaine actually had to pause to look over at him, to make sure it was actually him singing. It was beautiful. Pure, clean and crisp - sounding like an angel. If Blaine wasn't in love before, he sure was now. Kurt didn't seem to notice his pause, and he continued as his soul was lifted with Kurt's glorious crescendo. He was breathing a little heavily, the song drawing emotions from him he didn't think he was capable of when he was concentrating this hard.

When Kurt finished the song, he continued with another. Blaine didn't mind - he could happily listen to Kurt sing all day, for the rest of his life. He even started to hum along softly with another he recognizable, which Kurt seemed to like.

Almost half an hour later, Blaine was finished, bringing the machine away and inspecting the tattoo, grinning to himself. Even with the red around the outside, it looked amazing against his pale skin - the black contrasting so perfectly. When Blaine glanced up, Kurt had his eyes closed, still quietly singing.

"It's finished." Blaine whispered softly, and Kurt's eyes cracked open, his voice fading out.

His breath caught as his eyes trailed over the writing, eyes watering quickly as his other hand flew to his mouth. "It's beautiful." he whispered, blinking rapidly.

Blaine beamed widely. This was his favourite part of the job - the aftermath of his customers being absolutely ecstatic about his work.

"You have a beautiful voice." Blaine said quietly, smiling over at him.

Kurt coloured a deep red, eyes closing as he grinned a little. "Thanks." he whispered.

Blaine took a small breath, before going into business mode. "So, I'm just going to put this green soap on it, and some anti-bacterial Vaseline kind of stuff." he said softly, already working over his arm again. "It'll take about...seven to ten days for it to heal, and for now it's got to be wrapped in gauze for protection."

Kurt nodded, watching Blaine, and slowly studying his features. The man was very cute with long, frizzy curls erupting from his scalp. He had several tattoo's himself - nothing he could properly make out, but he could see patches of ink on his biceps, and one that dipped below the neckline of his shirt.

"Feel free to remove this after about...six hours. Don't be too rough with the tattoo to start with - no scrubbing in the shower, but give it a good massage." he grinned. "I've got a handy booklet that will tell you everything else you need to know." he smiled, standing back up.

Kurt joined him, unable to keep his eyes off the white gauze that encircled his forearm. Blaine led him back to the counter, where he paid for his tattoo.

He lingered afterwards, not quite wanting to leave just yet. There was something about Blaine - he was soft and gentle and sang with him, and he was nice and cute and Kurt desperately wanted to see him again.

Blaine watched Kurt carefully as he stepped around the store, inspecting the jewelery and piercings. He was about to ask him if he needed anything else when the boy turned to him.

"Would you...like to go on a date with me?" he asked timidly, eyes wide and hopeful.

Blaine's eyes widened happily, his face lighting up in a huge grin. "You serious?"

Kurt nodded, grinning a little at his reaction. "Yeah...I'm serious."

"Well, yeah. I really would." he said softly. "Tonight?"

"When does your shift end?" Kurt asked softly.

Blaine glanced at the time. "Mm, now?" he quirked an eyebrow, and Kurt giggled.

"I wouldn't want to be taking any of your precious work time away." he said softly, a small smirk on his lips.

"I wouldn't call it work..." Blaine smirked. "It's...more of an art."

Rob snorted. "Get out of here, you spaz." he chuckled from the little side room.

Blaine laughed, shaking his head and coming out from around the counter, beaming at Kurt.

"Guess what."

"What?" Kurt asked softly, grinning up at him.

"I think...I want to hold your hand."