Tattoo Addict
Title: Tattoo Addict
Author: red_ones_fly
Pairing: Frank/Gerard,
Rating: PG13
Word Count: 1,339
Beta: thefinished
Warning: language
Disclaimer: I don't own them. Story is as truthful as the easter bunny
Summary: Frank had to admit he was a tattoo addict. He couldn’t just have one or two tattoos, he had to have more.
Authors Note: Written for picturethis_mcr challenge 17
Frank had to admit he was a tattoo addict. He couldn’t just have one or two tattoos, he had to have more. Every time something important happened in his life he had to convey it in images or words and have them inked on his skin. There was something about it all that gave him a buzz every time. The way it was painful but the knowledge that something beautiful was being created right there on his own skin, making his body a work of art, a canvas, made him giddy. The feeling of going home and taking off the protective covering to see the newest addition, right there on his skin and watching as it slowly healed, becoming a part of him, it was amazing.
That’s why he was now sat, straddling the back of a chair, as the tattooist worked on his back. He had to admit it hurt, it was fucking painful, it felt like his arms and back were on fire. But he listened to the music on his iPod as a distraction and thought about ways he could show it off. After ten more minutes Frank heard the buzzing of the needle stop and being placed on the work bench next to them before he felt the cold alcohol shit being sprayed on his back, wincing slightly as the guy wiped the area dry for the last time.
“There you go mate.” The guy said, gently patting his right shoulder and passing him a small mirror, “The big mirror's behind you, go see what you think.”
Gently Frank lifted himself from the chair and winced as he felt his muscles twinge after being frozen in the same place for a long period of time. He positioned himself at the mirror and looked, grinning to himself as he saw the giant pumpkin staring back at him.
“Wow, thanks. This is great.” Frank said, looking back at the guy who was disposing of the needle he’d just used.
“It’s alright, glad you like it.” He grunted, looking up and pointing at the chair again, “I’ll just dress that for you.” Frank nodded, sitting back down and waiting patiently as the guy placed a protective covering over it.
“How much was it again?” Frank asked, standing back up and pulling his wallet from the back pocket of his jeans. He watched as the guy screwed up his face before turning to the man across the room who was tattooing someone else. The man being tattooed was really skinny, wore glasses and looked about twice the height of Frank; it looked like he was getting a heart tattooed on his arm.
“Oi Jimmy!” The guy shouted, “How much was the pumpkin tattoo again?” Frank listened as the other guy switched off his needle to look at his co-worker.
“$140.” The other man said before bending down to continue his work. Frank nodded, opening his wallet and pulling out the correct amount which he handed over.
“Thanks.” The guy said grinning. Frank nodded before pulling his t-shirt back on and heading outside, wincing slightly as his t-shirt rubbed over the dressing. Walking outside he breathed in deeply before digging into the front pocket of his jeans, pulling out a cigarette which he quickly lighted. Grinning as he took a long drag. He turned around ready to walk home before he spotted a figure huddled right next to the shop door. It was a man, his knees were pulled up to his chest and he was leaning his forehead against them. He had long black hair which seemed slightly greasy. Frowning, Frank knelt in front of him.
“Are you alright?” Frank asked softly, nearly falling backwards as the guys head shot up in surprise. He stared at him for a few seconds before swallowing and then nodding. Frank studied his face and noticed he was extremely pale, “You sure? Because you don’t look so good.”
“My brother’s getting a tattoo.” He said, smiling softly and shivering as he looked at the tattoo shop behind him, “I said I’d come as moral support.” Frank raised an eyebrow in confusion at the man’s reply.
“I’m afraid of needles.” He said, answering Frank’s unspoken question. Frank made a sound of acknowledgement in the back of his throat before sitting down in front of him.
“Frank.” He said, grinning and holding a hand out. The man looked at him questioningly for a few seconds before smiling wider and shaking Frank’s hand.
“Gerard.”
“So Gerard?” Frank said, licking his lips, “You hate needles yet you come willingly to a tattoo shop?” Frank smiled lightly as he heard Gerard chuckle.
“I usually only hate needles when they are being pointed at me, but that was just too much.” Gerard said, grinning. Frank chuckled, raising his arm to push his bangs out of his eyes. He watched quietly as, almost robotically, Gerard’s hand reached out and the fingers brushed against the tattoos on his arm. A few seconds later Gerard had pulled his hand back.
“Sorry.” Gerard muttered. Frank looked up smiling and was pleased to see a healthy blush now covering the man’s overly pale cheeks.
“I don’t mind.” Frank grinned, reaching his arm forward so Gerard could see the tattoos. Gerard stared at him sceptically before reaching out and tracing the outlines of the tattoos with his finger.
“I love tattoos.” Gerard said, sighing, “It’s just the thought of having your body as a...”
“Work of art?” Frank interrupted, grinning as Gerard looked up at him in surprise, “I know, one of the main reasons I get them.”
“If I wasn’t so afraid of needles I’d have so many you wouldn’t be able to count.” Gerard said smirking as he slowly lifted up the sleeve of Frank’s t-shirt to see the tattoos hidden underneath, “I also love how every tattoo means something special to the person.”
Frank continued to study Gerard quietly as the older male continued to trace and study his tattoos. He smirked as he realised he was attracted to the man.
“Like this one.” Gerard said, pulling Frank out of his thoughts. Frank looked down to see he was pointing towards his fingers where he had Halloween tattooed, “It’s got to be a special day if you’ve got it tattooed.”
“I was born on Halloween.” Frank said, smiling smugly as he watched Gerard’s eyes widened in wonder.
“Wow.” Gerard whispered, running his fingers over the words, “What a great day to be born on.” Frank laughed at Gerard’s words, smiling as Gerard grinned up at him and winked.
“So what’s your brother getting done then?” Frank asked, tilting his head to the side to continue watching Gerard as he looked over his tattoos once again.
“He’s getting a heart with forever in it.” Gerard said, smiling proudly at the thought, “Him and his fiancé are getting matching ones.”
“That’s sweet.” Frank noted, smiling. On a sudden impulse Frank grabbed Gerard’s hand and stood up, dragging Gerard up with him, who give a startled squeak, “Come on we’ll go for coffee while you’re brother finishes and I’ll explain every meaning behind my tattoos.”
Frank smiled, watching as Gerard debated whether or not to go before grinning.
“Sure, I’d love that.” He said, blushing slightly. He looked back towards the shops door, staring for a few seconds before shaking his head, “I’ll just text him where I am. I am not stepping foot in there again.” Frank laughed and gave Gerard’s hand a reassuring squeeze. He smiled as he felt him squeeze back. He began dragging Gerard towards the coffee shop on the other side of the road, grinning as he looked back to see Gerard’s blush deepening.
It would be a few years before Frank went back to that shop and got his next tattoo to mark the day Gerard and he had met, and it certainly wouldn’t be the last. But that day would be the most important day in his life, the day when he met the love of his life.