Work Text:
~Stede's POV~
At the age of 30 I knew I was later then most but I knew it was time. I wasn't getting any younger and definitely needed to get it done before I regret it.
Queen Anne's Revenge
Tattoos
In black and bold print the sign said with underneath not in bold print said tattoos. The logo looked like an old pirate ship. With that I walked inside.
I walked straight up to the counter as the name tag read Lucius Spriggs. I did tap on the bell out of nerves as the guy looked up from his computer.
"You didn't have to ring that I'm right here."
"Oi sorry. I uh sorry."
Great I even sound nervous I smiled as I ran my hands thru my blonde hair as the guy stood up.
"Name?"
"Uh I don't have an appointment."
The Lucius guy rolled his eyes as he opened a book before putting it on the counter between us.
"You'll need to sign in.. wait you don't have an appointment?"
"N-no I saw it said online walk ins allowed."
"Only on Tuesday and Thursday. Today is Wednesday."
"Oh? I swear it's Thursday.."
I pulled out my phone and sure enough it read Wednesday.
"We'll can I make an appointment for tomorrow?"
He shook his head no.
"It's walk in days we don't do appointments."
"Oh."
Ah see it's fate I don't get a tattoo I thought just as I heard footsteps.
"What seems to be the problem?"
I looked to the voice and oh my Jesus a tall, darker skin, dark beard, tattoos all over with his all black outfit and the most beautiful eyes I ever seen on a man asked.
"Uh sir he wants a tattoo but doesn't have an appointment."
The guy approached the counter as Lucius went to show him the book but instead he looked at the computer.
"Looks like I'm free for the next four hours. I can squeeze him in now."
"But sir he's —"
"Lucius it's fine. Besides you can go have lunch and be back later. It'll be fine and you."
He sat up straighter from leaning to read the computer and looked at me.
"Come with me."
Now not only was my heart picking up with nerves I felt my legs wanting to fall down.
~Ed's POV~
After the blonde guy followed me to my room I realized how nervous he looked. I did small smile at him as I sat in my chair and pointed at the chair he would take. Once he sat I wheeled over to him.
"So what are you thinking of getting?"
I asked as I checked him out and didn't see any tattoos on him. Yet he was wearing a light blue jacket it did make his eyes shine.
"Uh well see I don't know?"
I moved my chair to move away from chair but still close as I picked up my iPad from the mini table near us.
"You don't know?"
"Yeah .. I mean I want one but I don't know."
I chuckled as I looked up at him as the app loaded where I could sketch and it could print out the stencils.
"Is this your first tattoo?"
"How'd you know?"
He asked as I did small shrug before looking him up and down.
"Just a guess. Okay umm do you know where you want it?"
With that question he took off his jacket and I saw how much muscles he had. He was an attractive guy that's for sure.
"Uh yeah on my arm and it wraps around."
He moved his arm as he explained as I nodded.
"Hmmh do you want it color or black and white?"
"I heard color hurts more."
I did small shrug and looked down at my own arm seeing I had all black and whites. Expect one tiny red heart near my black octopus.
"Not really but it can because you have to keep applying it more. While black gets two layers versus color can take four layers."
"Ouch."
"Haha a little. Have you ever met a cat?"
"Cat like the animal?"
I laughed again this guy was funny.
"Yes. Well they sorta feel like cat scratches."
"Oh.."
~Stede's POV~
With him laughing at me he must think I'm an idiot. As he used his iPad I watched him with smile. He looked happy drawing whatever he was doing.
He wheeled his chair over to me as he flipped the iPad over showing me a pirate ship with blue flowers by it.
"See. I can make you anything. What's something that brings you joy?"
My eyes looked at the blue flowers and knew right away what they were.
"Forget-me-nots."
I said reaching out to touch the iPad before pulling my hand back."
"You like these?"
I nodded yes.
"Yeah it reminds me of gardening with my mom before she died."
"We'll would you like them as your tattoo? .. Is it okay if I touch?"
I saw his hand reach out and he stop to look for an answer.
"Yeah.."
He smiled as he touched my arm where I showed him the spot I wanted the tattoo.
"It'll wrap around here nicely. And not painful spot if I'm being honest."
That is how we came up with the idea as he set up I felt nervous more hearing the machine turn on.
Guy from earlier poked his head in.
"Edward I'm heading out to lunch. I put the walk the plank sign up."
"Thanks Lucius see you in two hours."
After he left I looked at the guy who I now knew was named Edward.
"What?"
He asked as I felt my cheeks flush at being caught. He already had the stencils on me and that felt like I was on fire. From his touch felt like fire. It felt like a warm and inviting touch.
"Uh what did he mean walk the plank?"
Edward moved over to me with the tattoo gun as he looked over wear Lucius was just at.
"At this garage sale they were giving away funny open and closed signs. So that one I picked for be back soon going to lunch. Kinda of like f k you let me eat and I'll be back."
"Oh. Funny."
"Pirate humor. Also why I named my place this."
I looked around before my eyes fell to the tattoo gun seeing and hearing it closer.
"This place yours?"
"Yeah in past life I know for sure I was pirate but guess this one works for now."
I squeezed the edge of the chair as I felt him move away.
"Hey don't tense up or you'll bleed. Think of something else. Umm tell me about your mom."
With deep breath I loosened my tension as I started talking about my mom and all the plants she had in her garden.
~Ed's POV~
Listening to him talk about his mom I kept focus on the tattoo. Yet I couldn't help but listen closely to his story too. He had a beautiful laugh and incredible smile when he was talking about her.
When he got to the sad part about her dying I could tell he was crushed. As I applied the last spot for blue in the Forget-me-nots. I moved the tattoo gun away back on the stand.
As I got the water spray, napkin, wrap, tape and mirror. First I handed him the mirror to look at it.
"Wow this is beautiful Ed thank you."
I heard a nickname I never got before I've gotten Eddie and even one Halloween a drunk called me Blackbeard. First off this beard is grey but whatever he was drunk and so was I and he was good in bed.
"You're welcome."
I chuckled as he set the mirror down as I saw his eyes light up with tears.
"Here."
I handed him the napkin as he took it our hands brushed as I felt a spark. I cleared my throat as I watched him wipe his eyes.
"I think she would've loved it too."
"I know so with a son like you she be happy knowing you got it for her."
"Yeah maybe. Oh great now I'm crying in your chair."
I laughed when he did small chuckle.
"Hey it's cool it happens more then you think."
As he got up I told him I had to wrap it since first week it couldn't be in the sun.
"And make sure too every other hour for the first week you apply this lotion to make sure it doesn't dry out."
As he was checking out I looked over I saw Lucius walk back in. He did small wave before walking to the back to put his stuff away.
As the blonde guy was writing his name on the receipt I watched him.
"Oh and here is my card if you have any other questions."
He gave me the copy I needed and kept his copy.
"Thanks will do. I trust you over Google."
After he left I read his receipt and saw his name was Stede Bonnet.
A week turned to a month and a month turned to three months of texting. Finally on the third month we met up again.
This time we went ax throwing it was across from my tattoo shop. Stede was nervous at each throw as I cheered him on. I won't admit or deny that he did eventually get more axes in the center.
Next time we hung out he took me to his garden and showed me all the different flowers he grew. When we got to the Forget-me -nots he had a black pot separate as he handed it to me.
"As a thank you again for getting me over my fear of needles."
I smiled as I took the pot and brought it back to my car. I even buckled them in the passenger seat making Stede chuckle.
"We'll thanks I'll make sure to water it."
"Three to four times a week in the spring and summer is all they need."
"Noted."
"And hey Ed."
I closed the door and turned to Stede.
"Hmm?"
"Umm would you like to .."
He looked at the ground before looking back up at me.
"Go on actual date with me tomorrow?"
I gasped and he frowned when I realized he thought I meant that as bad.
"See never —"
I leaned up from the curve and kissed him as I felt him not kiss back at first. Until I felt him kiss back I smiled deepening the kiss. I chuckled in the kiss when I felt him brush my scruff because with it now being summer my beard got itchy.
We pulled away as I rested my head on his forehead as he did the same. I smiled as I let my eyes stay close. Slowly I opened them as I saw Stede's eyes open too.
"What was that?"
He asked as I did small shrug.
"If I'm being honest the moment you walked in Queen Anne's Revenge I wanted to do that."
"Yeah-h?"
I saw Stede's cheeks turn more pink as I moved my hand up lightly rubbing his cheek.
"Mmhm."
"Oh.. me too.. I mean when you walked over to me."
I chuckled and leaned down kissing his blushing cheeks before slowly letting go.
"So that a yes you do want to go on a date tomorrow?"
"Yeah I'd love to."
THE END !!!