Star Wars Oneshots

Tattoo (JO)

A/N: part 2 coming soon!

TW: referenced past SH

Obi-Wan's Point of View

Obi-Wan adjusted his shirt nervously, the sun beaming down. Looking up and down the street, he pushed open the door to a business proclaiming: "FETT INK: TATTOOS AND PIERCINGS" in large letters. In smaller print, under that, it stated: "Walk-ins welcome".

A bell attached to the top of the door chimed, and a deep voice called, "Just a moment!" Obi-Wan took a few steadying breaths. The whole tattoo thing was Anakin's idea, who had recommended this place because his sister worked there. Newly out of college and with some cash just burning a hole in his pocket, he'd agreed.

Now he was second-guessing his decision. What if his parents saw it? Obi-Wan grimaced at the thought. They would so not approve.

The tattoo artist appeared and stood behind the counter, his muscular arms covered in strange tattoos -- tribal, maybe. He flashed a grin at Obi-Wan that brought a flush to his cheeks. "I'm Jango. What can I do for you today?"

"I want to get a tattoo," Obi-Wan answered, immediately feeling foolish. Duh.

"All right, what are you thinking? We're available all day." Jango looked up expectantly. Obi-Wan cleared his throat.

"I'm hoping for a simple valkyrie tattoo, about 3 inches tall, on my... upper... thigh...." Obi-Wan trailed off, realizing he'd need to expose a lot of skin for this decidedly good-looking man to ink it. (Not to mention what he would think of the marks he'd see.)

"Not a problem," Jango smiled confidently. "Do you have a photo?"

Obi-Wan fumbled for the printout in his pocket, passing it to Jango. Their fingertips brushed and Obi-Wan yanked his hand away and stuffed it back in his pocket, trying to act natural.

Jango looked down at the paper, tracing the creases as he studied the image. "Looks good, not too complicated. Can I see ID?"

Pulling it out of his wallet, Obi-Wan slid it across the counter. Jango glanced at it and pushed it back. "Right then." He rattled off a price, and Obi-Wan paid up front.

The chime at the door rang again, and Obi-Wan turned to see Ahsoka, Anakin's sister, enter. Her blue and white French braids came to rest on each of her shoulders, and her dark skin stood in stark contrast to the white makeup she'd applied.

"Sorry I'm late!" she said to Jango, with a friendly wave to Obi-Wan as she set down her bags. "Hey. Obi-Wan, right?"

Obi-Wan nodded.

"This is my assistant, Ahsoka, though it seems as though you have met already." Jango's dark brown eyes twinkled.

"How old are you?" Obi-Wan blurted.

Jango laughed. "Twenty-six." He got to work pulling out various needles (Obi-Wan tried not to look) and ink, as well as some sort of transfer paper and a tube of what looked like topical anesthesia.

He offered the chair, which Obi-Wan accepted, doing his best to hide his shaking knees. 

"Nervous?" Jango chuckled.

"A little," Obi-Wan admitted.

"Don't worry about it. Can you show me exactly where you want it on your body?"

Obi-Wan rolled up his shorts on the right side, exposing his bare skin. The scars that once marred his thigh had faded, leaving nearly imperceptible traces he could find. The memories, however, were as vivid as if they happened yesterday.

Jango grabbed the transfer paper, the design printed atop it, laying it over Obi-Wan's leg. "Is that where you want it?" he asked, kindly ignoring the faint white lines.

Obi-Wan nodded, swallowing. "Do you want the numbing cream?" Jango continued, picking up the pen.

"No." Jango nodded at that, taping down the transfer paper and filling the needle with ink. The tool began to buzz. He hesitated.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." Obi-Wan's hoarse voice came out almost as a whisper, and with the final permission, Jango got started.

It was a bit too loud for them to make any small talk, and Obi-Wan didn't feel like talking, when they'd most likely end up talking about school or family or past struggles.

It stung more than hurt, and Obi-Wan had plenty of time alone with his thoughts. There was a time when that would have scared him. Not anymore.

A few hours later, Jango stood and stretched, switching off the buzzing needle. "What do you think?" he asked, flashing a smile.

Obi-Wan blushed. "I love it. Thank you."

Jango waved that away, replying, "It was no trouble."

There was a moment of awkward silence. Jango cleared his throat. "So, tattoo care. Leave the covering on for a few hours, and clean your hands when you take it off. Wash it gently with lukewarm water and put on moisturizer. Do that daily until it fully heals, but don't pick at it or scratch it. Any questions?"

Obi-Wan shook his head.

"Great! And..." Jango hesitated before continuing. "It's break time for me. Would you like to grab lunch together?"

Obi-Wan blushed crimson, but he replied shyly, "Sure."

As the two walked away, Ahsoka smirked, already texting Anakin.