⏤FIRST TATTOO
"Can you do it?" you ask as your nerves persuade you into fiddling with the hem of your long sleeved shirt.
"Of course we can, sweetheart," Sirius reassures, pulling you into his side by the shoulders and giving you a comforting squeeze, "but are you sure you want it there?" he asks after pulling away to face you towards him and trace his thumb over your desired placement - just under your breasts and against your ribcage.
From beside Remus, James nods in agreement and holds onto your small sketch of the tattoo you want, "the ribcage is one of the most painful places to get a tattoo," the statement makes you gulp nervously but James's soft smile stops your nerves from going too crazy, "numbing cream will have to be your best friend, then,"
Smiling, you nod happily. You wanted to keep your tattoo hidden and just for yourself because it's so meaningful; you didn't want it in areas that could easily be seen so you were happy that you didn't need to change the location.
"Just make sure that you apply the numbing cream on the area, at least, 45 minutes before your tattoo appointment," Remus adds thoughtfully, "you want to make sure that it penetrates deep enough so that it does its job properly," compliant, you nod and persuade them that you would make sure to do so, "good girl," Remus smiles and a heat flourishes across your cheeks. Getting praised by Remus always felt extra special; your nerves were very sensitive to his compliments.
Sirius then steps beside James, places his arm around his friend's shoulders and leans down to examine your sketch. It was a meaningful tattoo that you wanted and drew a sketch for so you felt quite bashful to have it examined so closely by someone like Sirius, who was quite eccentric and very particular about aesthetics.
"Quite the artist, aren't you, doll?" Sirius commends as the two other men nod along, already having examined your sketch.
"It's very cute," James coos fondly.
"But we can tell it's very important to you so you need to pick the right artist who you think will execute the work best," Remus smirks as a visible spark of competitiveness appears in James and Sirius's eyes.
It took a few days of thinking and chats but you concluded that James would be the best one to give you your first tattoo. Both Sirius and James were incredibly talented artists but James's art style was one that you felt best suited your sketch.
Following your decision, James expressed his clear elation as Sirius pouted like a sulking child. Thankfully, Remus was there to cheer him up with some comforting pats to his shoulder. Seeing Sirius's usually vivacious demeanour fizzle out into something more reserved made you feel some guilt but he didn't let you dwell on the feeling for long.
"It's alright, darling," he whispers into your hair, his embrace warm and comforting and one that you happily reciprocate with an apologetic tightness, "I just wanted it so much to be me,"
"I'm sorry, Siri,"
"No worries," he kisses your temple as he's grown accustomed to doing, in order to comfort you, "I'm just being childish anyway, what matters most is that you're happy with your first tattoo," he pulls away to admire your sweet face and give you a reassuring smile, "it's going to be on your skin forever, after all,"
It took a few sessions with James, where you helped him polish up the design of your tattoo, before you could set an official appointment to get your tattoo done. You didn't know if the nerves you were feeling were of fear or excitement - sometimes the two different emotions felt the same. The confusion only made you freeze up in the doorway for longer. Remus had led you to where James was preparing the private room for your tattoo.
"Did you remember to put on the numbing cream we gave you?" Remus asks, his voice as soft and warm as the hand he had comfortingly placed on the curve of your hip.
"Y-yeah..." you breathe, leaning into the body of the tall brunette as you both stare at James sanitising the tattoo bed, he then proceeds to effortlessly set up some lighting apparatus before organising his tools and inks.
"James is going to take good care of you, dove, don't worry," Remus reassures, unprompted, "James, Sirius and I would never do anything to hurt you, you know that, right?" He looks down when you don't respond and gently lifts your chin up with his fingers to meet his eyes, "it's going to be okay,"
All you can muster for Remus is a timid smile before James calls you over to the tattoo bed. The tall brunette beside you, gives you one last smile before softly urging you forward with a hand on your lower back.
"There's our angel," James grins and pulls you into his arms, "are you ready for your first tattoo?" Your following silence is deafening but prompts James to begin petting the back of your head soothingly. There's a noticeable shift in the way he holds you, where his touch becomes gentler and more careful. Rather than addressing your obvious rising anxiety of the situation, James directs your attention to his equipment. He slowly pulls you over to sit on his thigh as he sits in his tech chair, "Do you want to take a closer look at my equipment?" you don't say anything but you offer your hands for him to place his tattoo needle on.
"It's kinda heavy," you mumble under your breath after subconsciously leaning into James's figure. On his lap, you tuck your head under his chin and continue staring down and examining the tattoo equipment he entrusted to you.
"Yeah, it has to hold the ink and a small motor as well, that's why," he explains, "it's pretty cool right?" he asks softly and smiles when he feels you timidly nod against his neck, "it gives you one hell of an ache in your wrist though," he jokes and feels the mood lighten when you giggle softly with him. He could squeeze you from how adorable you are in his arms but resists to patiently wait for you to calm down.
"...I'm sorry..."
"Don't be," he kisses the crown of your head and keeps his face pressed into your hair, taking in the smell of your delicious shampoo, "take all the time you need, angel,"
For several minutes, James carefully talks you through the equipment and the process he goes through when he does tattoos until you're finally comfortable enough to lay down on the table and lift up your loose shirt.
"I think I'm ready now..." you whisper and give a brave smile as James leans down to press a kiss to your temple.
"I'm proud of you," he whispers against your skin before he pulls away and pulls on a pair of latex gloves. He then proceeds to sanitise your skin before applying the printed stencil he created of the final design you guys worked on together. But then the door opens.
"You haven't started yet?" Sirius asks, suddenly walking into the room as he takes off his black gloves and quickly disposes of them in a nearby bin, "how are you doing, sweetheart?" He pulls up a spare tech chair to sit by your head as James continues to go through the necessary prep before equipping his needle.
"I'm doing well," you answer and Sirius smiles warmly at you, lovingly petting your hair, "James helped me calm down first so everything is a little delayed,"
"Did James take good care of you?" Your following nod and affirming hum is enough to persuade Sirius, who looks over at James, "He better continue doing a good job then," his statement makes you smile and so does James's following chuckle.
"No need to get overprotective pads, you know she's in good hands," James peels off the stencil and softly warns you that he's about to begin. It isn't until you nod before James starts tracing the stencil across your skin with his tattoo needle. A few moments go by where the small, running motor is the only sound that fills the room and you're astounded by how well the numbing cream is working.
"Are you okay, sweets?" Sirius asks gently, his voice and concern is very comforting.
"Yeah, I don't feel anything," you giggle, the sound of which makes the two men smile.
"Good thing that your tattoo is simple and small, it'll be over before you know it," James comments and makes you breathe a sigh of relief.
Time quickly passes and, just like James said, it was soon over, leaving you to wonder why you had been so nervous in the first place. Like clockwork, James and Sirius cleaned and tidied up the equipment together before the latter of the two had to excuse himself to meet with a client about their design. It's not soon after Sirius left with a kiss to your knuckles that Remus stepped into the room with a small complimentary tub of moisturiser for you to take home.
"It's pretty," Remus compliments when you finally lift up your shirt to show him the tattoo, "good job James, as usual," James winks back at you two before Remus turns his full attention to you again, "and well done for overcoming your fear. That was very brave of you, dove," his comment has you beaming and hugging the soft brunette around the waist.
"Thank you,"