Fortnight

Chapter - 7

Theo suddenly rethinks all his life choices that brought him to this moment, or more precisely, the choices he made in the past two nights. He stares at Kwang, who is busy working on some tools spread out on the bar counter. The tools look anything but safe, and Theo's heart pounds harder with each passing second.

"Listen, let's just sit and talk first, okay? I'm sure there's been some misunderstanding," Theo says, his voice tinged with a mix of panic and desperation.

Kwang chuckles, glancing up at Theo with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "What, scared now? Knew you were only talk," he says, setting up the tattoo machine next to a stretcher.

Theo gulps, his mind racing. Why was he here again? Oh right, because he was feeling bold and told a stranger he wanted to know his secrets, to know him more. The same stranger who now says he's going to tattoo Theo because, apparently, drunk Theo had said he would like that. Never touch alcohol again, Theo, he scolds himself mentally.

Theo's mind races with doubt as he watches Kwang prepare the tattoo equipment. "Does Kwang even have a license?" he mutters to himself. "Has he done this on someone else before?"

He doesn't realize he has voiced the questions out loud until Kwang responds with a smirk, "No to both."

Theo's nervous chuckle fills the room. "Well, I think it was fun and all. Nice seeing you, but I'll be going now," he says, taking a step back.

Kwang laughs, the sound both reassuring and terrifying. "You're really trying hard to back out, aren't you? Thought you wanted to be bold?"

Theo sighs, knowing Kwang has him there. He takes a deep breath and tries to muster some courage. "It's not the idea that scares me, it's the process. Needles, pain, you know..."

Kwang moves swiftly, grabbing Theo's arm gently but firmly, pulling him back. "Come on, didn't you say you trust me?"

Theo glances at the equipment around him and sighs deeply. "My dad's gonna kill me if he finds out."

Kwang's eyes sparkle with mischief. "Okay, what if I draw it somewhere he can't see?"

The thought both excites and terrifies Theo. "You mean like a secret tattoo?"

"Exactly," Kwang says, his grin widening. "It can be our little secret. A mark of your rebellion."

Theo bites his lip, considering it. "Fine," he says after a moment. "But if it turns out badly, I'm blaming you."

Kwang laughs, a sound that oddly puts Theo at ease. "That's the spirit. Now, lie down on the stretcher and relax. I promise it won't be as bad as you think."

As Theo lies down, he can't help but chuckle nervously. "If I survive this, I'm never making spontaneous decisions again."

Kwang laughs as he gets ready with stencil. "We'll see about that. Now, pick a spot."

Theo thinks for a moment, then points to his upper thigh. "Here. It's hidden and... less painful, right?"

Kwang nods, his expression turning serious. "Alright, let's do this."

Kwang tells Theo to take his shirt off and lower his pants slightly. With an awkward cough, Theo complies, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. He lies on his stomach, glancing at Kwang who is preparing the equipment. "What do you want to get tattooed?" Kwang asks, his tone casual but his eyes sharp with focus.

Theo hesitates for a moment, his mind racing. He looks at Kwang's neck tattoo, the intricate phoenix design calling out to him somehow. "That," he says, pointing to it. "I want something like that."