BL ONESHOTS No.5

⁷⁸⁰Tattoo x Aran - Inked Hearts

Tattoo looked out into the bustling streets of the city, the neon lights reflecting off his dark tattoos as he leaned against the brick wall of his favorite bar. He was known for his bad attitude, the fierce demeanor that kept people at a distance. But as he caught sight of Aran across the street, illuminated by the warm glow of a café, he felt that tough exterior crack just a little.

Aran had an air of simplicity about him. His soft smile, the way he tucked a stray lock of hair behind his ear, made Tattoo's heart race in a way he couldn't quite understand. "Hey, Tattoo!" Aran called out, his voice bright and full of warmth. "Come here!"

Tattoo smirked, unable to hide the hint of pleasure in his words. "What do you want, nerd?"

Aran shrugged, eyes sparkling. "Just wanted to see you, that's all."

They were an unlikely pair—Tattoo, with his rough edges, and Aran, who emanated kindness. "Well, you found me," he said, trying to keep his cool. "You should know by now that I'm trouble."

"I like trouble," Aran replied cheekily. "You're not that bad."

Tattoo rolled his eyes, but his heart fluttered at the sincerity in Aran's gaze. As the days turned into weeks, the two formed an unlikely bond. Tattoo found himself sharing stories he'd never told anyone—fears, regrets, and the pain of his past. Aran listened intently, offering comfort like a soothing balm.

But just when things began to feel perfect, trauma struck. On a rainy night, when Tattoo should've been with Aran, the world crumbled. An old enemy had resurfaced, spilling blood in the streets, and Tattoo was caught in the chaos. When he finally made it to Aran's apartment, soaked and bruised, his heart sank.

"Tattoo!" Aran gasped, rushing to his side. "What happened?"

"I'm fine," Tattoo insisted, trying to shake off the pain. But Aran could see the horror behind the bravado. "You need to call someone," he whispered, fear gripping his heart.

Tattoo shook his head. "I can't. I can't put you in danger." But there was no escaping the tears streaming down Aran's face.

As the days passed, Tattoo could feel the darkness creeping in. The nightmares haunted him; he was a monster in them, lost in a void of guilt. And Aran, with his gentle heart, soothed him through it, but Tattoo felt unworthy of such love.

One evening, during a rare moment of quiet, Tattoo stared at Aran's face, illuminated by the dim light of the room. "I don't deserve you, you know," he murmured, vulnerability seeping through his usual bravado.

"Don't say that. You're more than what happened," Aran responded softly, cupping Tattoo's face in his hands. "You are kind when you let yourself be."

Tattoo's mask faltered. "I'm scared, Aran. Scared of losing you."

"Then don't push me away. We'll face it together," Aran said, and for the first time, Tattoo saw not the façade, but the real, raw connection they shared.

As Tattoo looked deeply into Aran's eyes, something shifted. "You really mean that?" he asked, hope flickering within him.

"Always," Aran replied, his voice steady. "I love you."

Tattoo couldn't hold back anymore; he pulled Aran into a fierce embrace, holding him tightly as the fear began to fade. "I love you too," he confessed, tears mixing with the raindrops that had seeped into the cracks of their broken lives.

From that day onward, Tattoo decided to fight—not just the demons from his past, but for the love that he had almost squandered. With Aran by his side, he chose life, light, and love, forging a path that was both tender and tumultuous.

And as time passed, Tattoo's scars, both visible and hidden, became symbols of survival. Together, he and Aran created a life filled with laughter and warmth, each day a reminder that even the most traumatic experiences could lead to the most beautiful endings.

Tattoo looked at Aran one sunny afternoon, his heart full. "You're my happy ending, you know that?"

Aran smiled, his eyes sparkling with affection. "And you're mine, Tattoo. Always."

Tattoo turned his gaze to the floor, a swirl of conflicting emotions raging within him. He was used to standing alone, battling demons that had chased him for years. To let someone in was to expose his soul, to invite Aran into a world painted with shadows. "What if my past catches up with us?" he finally managed to say, his voice a mere whisper.

Aran's grip on Tattoo's face tightened, his thumb brushing against the inked patterns that coiled like serpents over Tattoo's skin. "Then we face it together," he said, unwavering. "You don't have to bear it alone anymore."

Tattoo inhaled sharply, the weight of Aran's words crashing over him like waves. He wanted to believe, to lean into this light that was Aran, but feared the dimming of it when confronted with his reality. "I don't know if I can change," he admitted, the rawness of his truth cutting deep.

"Change takes time," Aran replied, never breaking eye contact. "You're already changing by letting me in."

Tattoo chuckled softly, the sound tinged with bitterness. "What if I break you instead?" The image of Aran's smile fading haunted him.

"Then I'll glue myself back together," Aran said, a hint of humor in his eyes. "I promise you, I'm not as fragile as you think."

Tattoo looked into those warm, brown eyes, pools of compassion and understanding that shattered the icy fortress he had built around his heart. For a fleeting moment, he felt the urge to take a leap of faith, to trust that maybe, just maybe, he was worthy of the love being offered so freely.

The tension in the air thickened, and Tattoo closed his eyes, succumbing to the possibility of what could be. "Alright," he breathed out. "I won't push you away."

A smile broke across Aran's face, a genuine light that brightened the room. "That's all I ask for," he said softly. "Just be with me."

Tattoo's heart raced as he leaned into Aran, allowing the warmth of his presence to seep into his bones. "I'm not saying it'll be easy," he warned, but a flicker of hope ignited within him.

"I wouldn't want it any other way," Aran replied, taking Tattoo's hands in his own, entwining their fingers together like a promise. "We'll figure it out as we go."

In that moment, Tattoo felt the cracks in his hardened exterior begin to mend. With Aran by his side, perhaps he could confront the monsters of his past without losing the light that had begun to shine in his life. Together, they could step into the chaos and carve out a space for healing amidst the storm.

As the darkness of the night pressed against the window, Tattoo leaned closer, resting his forehead against Aran's. "Thank you for staying," he murmured, his voice heavy with emotion. He had always fought alone, but now he stood ready to face what lay ahead—not alone, but with Aran as his anchor.

"Always," Aran replied, his breath warm against Tattoo's skin. "No matter what."

Tattoo closed his eyes, silently making a vow to protect this rare connection that had taken root in his heart. With Aran, maybe he could rewrite his story—one filled with love, acceptance, and the courage to face the shadows together.

[No.87. Bye now.]