#mjeno

“no, i understand that, but—“

“i’m really sorry sir, but it’s shop policy. i can’t issue a refund of your deposit less than 24 hours before your appointment.”

turning around from your work desk to see what the commotion is about, you lay your eyes on an exasperated brown-haired boy standing by the front desk.

he’s equally handsome and cute, in a puppy-sort of way, soft locks of hair falling into his face despite his best efforts to pull them back. the longer you study him, the more you notice that despite his kind appearance, there’s an aura of sadness and desperation surrounding him like a glowing light.

“you don’t understand… the appointment is for couple’s tattoos but… but it’s just me now,” the final words leave his mouth so quietly you almost wonder if you misheard him, or imagined them all together.

your coworker sighs and gives him a sympathetic look, clearly trying his best to let the boy down gently.

“look, dude… i get it, i really do. and i’m really sorry for you, heartbreak sucks, alright? but it’s out of my hands, so unless you find someone else to fill in that slot we’re gonna have to cha—“

“i’ll do it!”

the boy at the counter and your coworker turn around in sync, surprised looks splayed across their faces as you mentally curse yourself for your lack of impulse control. “i mean… if you wan’t to.”

the silence fills the air and feels sticky and thick against your skin. before you can take back what you said, realizing you just suggested to a complete stranger to get tattoos together, the boy smiles at you. his eyes turn into half-crescents and you can’t help the somersaults your heart is doing.

“you know what,” the boy runs his hand through his hair once more, giving you a mischievous grin, “fuck it, why not.”

he walks up to you with an outstretched hand that you shyly take in yours.