Heart-Shaped Box

Part I

Taking a deep breath, trying to clear his head of the anger that was creeping through him as his brother told him where he was taking them for the night, Choso smushed his face against the cold window like a petulant child.

"I'm taking you to a strip club, and no. You can't say no."

The raven-haired man groaned, rubbing his strong fingers over his pulsating temples. "Brother, please," he trailed off quietly, knowing he had a client at 10 in the morning for a five hour tattoo session. He really needed the rest.

Choso could care less about going out to well, anywhere really- other than work that he enjoyed; he didn't enjoy being around people other than family, and clients. And even so, being around his clients gave him the jitters sometimes too.

"Quit your whining onii-chan. I come to this place at least three times a week," Yuji paused, giving Choso a side eye, "don't you comment on that." He said pointedly, however already knowing his older brother wasn't going to voice any opinion he had in the first place. "All you have to do is tell the manager if you have an issue and she will get rid of them in a flash."

Choso wasn't born under a rock, not a big one at least. He knew women were strong, mostly independent, however women were scary to him (no because they really are terrifying).

"The people here won't judge if you're quiet and keep to yourself."

Choso huffed out in annoyance, not meaning to sound rude, but it came out as such. "I get it." He sighed. "Just drive."

"We're already here." Yuji motioned out the window with jazz-hands.

"Damn," Choso mumbled; the lines of his lips formed a straight line. His tattooed arch on his nose crinkling as his eyes squinted. He really thought he was gonna get out of this one like he did many other times Yuji tried to bring him to clubs. Apparently luck wasn't on his side this time.

Yuji got out first, going over to the child-locked door that kept Choso 'captive'. Yuji learned he should child lock the doors after a certain incident where Choso decided he'd rather tuck and roll out of a moving vehicle, than to go with Yuji to a party or club.

Choso, not even unbuckling his seatbelt, looked at the building in front of him. It was odd. There were no signs of assuming it was a strip club; No paintings of naked women, or men, on the outside walls. Instead, it was a mossy-grey building that was clean looking with tinted windows that didn't seem out of place, and the door was red. It wasn't a bright red that would make someone think it was a "strip" club, rather a dark maroon with hints of gold plastering the trimmings. He looked around more, his eyes picking up every detail and the surroundings. He saw that there were no mangy-looking people hanging around, nor anyone smoking. He sighed, undoing his seatbelt, and looked at Yuji, who had already opened his door.

"You'll be fine bro. Just telling you now, it isn't like your ordinary strip joint. More relaxed. More areas to explore." Yuji wiggled his fingers like a child saying the word 'explore.'

Choso gave in. "Just remember I have work at 10.." he trailed off.

"I knowwwwwwww, come onnn," Yuji complained, grabbing his brother by the wrist. He shut his car door, locking it behind Choso. The 'beep beep' of the lock lightly echoed in the parking lot.

The larger man stayed quiet, following his younger brother. His pink hair blowing with the slight wind. Yuji was definitely more social than Choso. He had many friends in school, whereas Choso stayed quiet, and always ate lunch in classrooms while he studied or worked on drawings. When Choso graduated, he hurriedly worked on opening his own tattoo shop, loving the feeling of the vibrations of the gun, putting permanent and beautiful work on people. He loved to see their excited expressions when the work was done and how they relished in a new piece or even their first piece. And to have the clients trust his art experience and even draw up stuff on the spot for them, made him even more joyful.