Page 12 of Tempered By Flames

But that was where the problem lay. Ethan was about to tattoo Liam for the first time, and for some reason, his body had decided that it was an experience similar to being chased down the road by an axe murderer. Part of him wanted to scream, while the other part wanted to hide in the bathroom until Liam came back later, or even better, never came back at all.

He swallowed as he stared at the table in front of him. He’d readied everything he would need during the tattoo so he wouldn’t have to worry about stopping for too long. The only thing missing was Liam, but he wasn’t late. Ethan was just done getting ready way too early. He’d even had to endure his friends’ teasing when they’d walked past his open door and seen him at it. He’d flipped Jonathan the bird because Jonathan had been the third to say something about it, but Jonathan had just laughed and told Ethan to relax.

As if that was an easy thing to do. Ethan wasn’t one to relax on the best of days, but today? Now? He wasn’t sure it was possible for him to feel anything but wired up.

A soft knock on his open door made him jump. His heart raced, apparently convinced they were running a marathon, and he turned to see Liam standing there with a small smile on his face. “Hey,” Liam said. “Dani told me to just come in.”

“She’s right. You’re fine.” Okay, that was awkward, but it could’ve been worse. “Come in.”

Liam obeyed, but he hesitated, his hand hovering by the door. It took Ethan a second to realize what was happening. “You can close it or keep it open, whatever you’re more comfortable with.”

“I’m not shy about my body, but I’d rather not have everyone walking past see me without my shirt on,” Liam said as he closed the door. Doing so softened the noises coming from the rest of the building. Ethan could still hear the buzzing and soft voices, but most of his focus was on Liam now. His heart was still racing, and his mouth was dry.

He was a disaster.

He’d always known that. It didn’t usually bother him because he didn’t care about many people. He couldn’t give them the benefit of the doubt most of the time.

But Liam was in his life to stay, if only because they shared friends. Ethan almost felt like whatever happened today was going to make it or break it, and he really hoped it would make it. He didn’t want to lose anyone, and he definitely didn’t want their friends to feel awkward or like they had to choose.

Not that that was how things were going. Nothing weird had happened between him and Liam, and he would make sure that nothing would. Liam was here to get a tattoo, and Ethan would do the tattoo. They didn’t even have to talk during the process. In fact, considering how loud the buzzing was, it was probably better if they didn’t.

Liam gestured at the chair next to where Ethan was seated. Ethan realized he hadn’t told him what to do, so he quickly nodded. “And take your shirt off,” he added.

“Already trying to get me naked?” Liam said before snapping his mouth shut. His cheeks flushed, and his eyes widened. “Shit. I didn’t mean to say that.”

For some reason, the fact that he seemed to be as much of a mess as Ethan made Ethan feel better. “Even if you didn’t mean it, it’s fine. Just sit down, and yes, take your shirt off.”

Liam quickly obeyed. He settled in the chair, his scarred shoulder close enough to Ethan that Ethan could feel its warmth. He swallowed and told himself to stop being a weirdo. This was just work. He’d tattooed plenty of his friends before. He was sure he would continue tattooing his friends in the future. There wasn’t one reason for him to be weird about this.

He did his best to focus on his work, and it did make things easier. It also helped that Liam didn’t move or say anything. He allowed Ethan to touch his skin and prep him, speaking only when Ethan asked him if he was still okay with the design and what he thought of the placement. Liam seemed to be fine letting Ethan do his thing, which was good, but it also made Ethan nervous. He hoped Liam wouldn’t regret anything. Sometimes, it happened, and when it did, it was always somehow Ethan’s fault.

“Do you have other tattoos?” Ethan asked before he started working.

“No.”

Well, shit. “All right, I’m going to tell you what to expect, then.”

“I’m not afraid.”

“I didn’t think you were. I just like to warn my new customers about what it’s going to feel like so they don’t jerk away as soon as I start.” He picked up the tattoo gun and turned it on. Liam flinched just a little at the loud buzz.

“See,” Ethan said as he turned it off again. “Of course, it’s a personal experience, so I don’t know what it’s going to feel like exactly for you. I know that for me, mostly, it’s either like a burning line or a cat scratching me, depending on whether the tattoo artist is working on a line or shading.”

“What are you going to do today?”

“Mostly lines. This is a big tattoo, and I don’t want to do too much in one day.”

Liam nodded. “You mentioned that.”

“We can schedule another appointment whenever you’re ready, although you’ll have to wait several weeks.”

“I can do that.”

“Ready, then?”

Liam nodded firmly. This time, when Ethan turned on the tattoo gun, Liam didn’t flinch. He also didn’t react when Ethan touched him. Sometimes, people started crying or screaming at the first touch of the needle, but not Liam. In fact, he seemed to relax into the chair.

He was silent for long moments, allowing Ethan to settle into the work. He always zoned out a little when he focused, but Liam didn’t stay quiet.