Y/N ran a cozy, eclectic tattoo and piercing parlor tucked away in a hidden alley of the bustling city. The walls were adorned with sketches of intricate tattoo designs, and shelves lined with jars of colorful inks. The air was filled with the soft hum of tattoo machines and the faint scent of antiseptic mingled with lavender incense. Y/N took pride in their work, creating a welcoming space for people to express themselves through art and body modification.
One brisk autumn afternoon, the bell above the door chimed, signaling the arrival of new clients. Y/N looked up from their sketchbook to see three young men entering the shop, each exuding a unique energy. The tallest, with unruly dark hair and glasses, was practically bouncing with excitement. Beside him, a handsome man with a devil-may-care attitude and long black hair was surveying the walls with keen interest. The third, a more reserved and gentle-looking man with sandy hair and scars visible on his face and hands, trailed behind them, looking slightly anxious.
"Welcome!" Y/N greeted them with a warm smile. "What can I do for you today?"
The man with glasses stepped forward, grinning broadly. "Hi! I'm James, and these are my friends, Sirius and Remus. We heard about your shop from a friend and thought we'd check it out. We've got a few things in mind."
James looked around, clearly impressed with the atmosphere. "I've heard you do nail art, too. I'd love to get my nails done."
Sirius nodded, pointing to a design on the wall. "And I want a tattoo. That one right there," he said, indicating an intricate design of a phoenix rising from flames.
Remus shuffled his feet, glancing at Y/N shyly. "I... I want to get my ears pierced," he said softly. "But I might need a little... support."
Y/N's heart went out to Remus, recognizing the nervousness in his eyes. They gave him a reassuring smile. "Of course. We'll make sure you're comfortable. Let's start with James's nails, shall we? Then we can move on to Sirius's tattoo, and finally, Remus's piercings. Sound good?"
The three friends nodded in agreement, and Y/N led James to a comfy chair near the window. "So, what kind of design are you thinking for your nails?"
James's eyes lit up with excitement. "Something bold and colorful. Maybe a mix of geometric patterns and some small lightning bolts?"
"Sounds awesome," Y/N said, pulling out their nail art kit. As they worked on James's nails, he chatted animatedly about his life, friends, and various adventures. Y/N listened with genuine interest, enjoying the lively conversation.
Once James's nails were a vibrant masterpiece, Y/N turned to Sirius. "Alright, your turn. Let's get you set up for that tattoo."
Sirius's eyes sparkled with anticipation as he settled into the tattoo chair. "I've been wanting this for a while," he said, rolling up his sleeve to reveal a muscular arm.
Y/N prepped the area and transferred the design onto his skin. "This phoenix will look amazing on you," they said, starting the tattoo machine. "Do you have any other tattoos?"
"A few," Sirius admitted with a grin. "But this one is special. It represents rebirth and freedom."
As Y/N worked on Sirius's tattoo, Remus sat close by, watching with a mix of fascination and apprehension. He held James's hand, who squeezed it reassuringly.
"You're doing great, Sirius," Remus said, trying to distract himself from his own impending procedure.
Once Sirius's tattoo was complete—a stunning phoenix in vibrant hues of red, orange, and gold—Y/N turned to Remus. "Ready for your piercings?"
Remus took a deep breath and nodded, his grip on James's hand tightening. "Yeah. Let's do it."
Y/N guided Remus to the piercing station, their demeanor calm and comforting. "We'll take it one step at a time. I'll explain everything as we go. And remember, you can stop at any moment if you need to."
James and Sirius flanked Remus, offering words of encouragement. "We're right here, Remus," James said softly. "You've got this."
"You'll look great," Sirius added, giving Remus a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
Y/N cleaned and marked the spots on Remus's ears. "Okay, first, I'll do the right ear. Deep breath in... and out."
With practiced precision, Y/N pierced Remus's ear, the sharp sting over in a heartbeat. Remus winced but held steady, his friends' presence bolstering his courage. "How was that?" Y/N asked, ready to adjust their approach if necessary.
Remus let out a shaky breath. "It wasn't as bad as I thought."
"Great. One more to go," Y/N said, repeating the process on his left ear. Once the piercings were done, they gently cleaned the area and gave Remus aftercare instructions.
"You did brilliantly," Y/N praised, smiling at Remus. "How do you feel?"
Remus touched his newly pierced ears, a tentative smile forming on his lips. "I feel good. Thanks, Y/N."
James and Sirius beamed with pride. "They look awesome, Remus," Sirius said, clapping him on the back.
James nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, you look amazing."
With the procedures complete, Y/N helped them with any final adjustments and answered their questions about aftercare. "Remember, if you have any issues or questions, feel free to come back anytime," Y/N said, handing them a card with the shop's contact information.
As they prepared to leave, James turned to Y/N, his eyes sparkling with gratitude. "Thanks for everything, Y/N. You made this a great experience for all of us."
Y/N smiled warmly. "It was my pleasure. I'm glad you all enjoyed it. Come back anytime."
The Marauders waved goodbye and headed out the door, chatting excitedly about their new body modifications. Y/N watched them go, feeling a sense of fulfillment. They loved their job, not just for the artistry involved, but for moments like this—helping people express themselves and creating positive experiences.
As the shop quieted down, Y/N reflected on the day's events. The Marauders had brought a lively energy into the parlor, and their friendship was a beautiful thing to witness. Y/N felt a warm glow of satisfaction, knowing they had played a small part in making their bond even stronger.
With a contented sigh, Y/N returned to their sketchbook, ready to design more art for future clients. They couldn't wait to see what new stories and adventures would walk through their door next
