BL ONESHOTS NO.5

⁹²⁰Dan x Yok

Dan had always believed in law and order, finding comfort in the structure of his job as a cop in the bustling city. Yet, beneath his tough exterior lurked a yearning for something more. He caught glimpses of it while roaming the vibrant streets, especially as he strolled past Yok's tattoo parlor, a haven of color and creativity. Yok, with his inked sleeves and infectious smile, seemed like a whirlwind of energy that stirred Dan's curiosity and intrigue. Dan would often stop to watch as Yok transformed bare skin into works of art, but every visit left him feeling more unsettled than before.

One rainy evening, under the flickering neon sign of "Ink Haven," Dan finally stepped inside. The strong scent of ink mixed with the faint aroma of incense enveloped him as he entered, his heart racing. Yok looked up, wiping his hands on a cloth stained with the vibrant hues of freshly laid ink. "You finally decided to come in," Yok teased, the smile on his face genuine. They struck up a conversation that felt natural, each word weaving a connection that neither was fully aware of at first. As they spoke, Dan found his walls slowly dissolving, replaced by a growing warmth that surprised him. He discovered that Yok was not just a talented artist but also a fierce advocate for his community, resilient and caring beneath his edgy demeanor.

Over the weeks, their encounters turned from casual chats into lasting companionship. They'd share stories over coffee or walk through art exhibits, the line between friendship and something deeper blurring with each passing day. Dan began to feel a tumult of emotions he had long denied, awakening a latent part of him that craved more than just a platonic connection. Yet, as their relationship evolved, a fear gnawed at him: the fear of judgment from his peers in the police department, the fear of losing control over the life he had carefully built, and the fear of hurting Yok, who wore his heart on his sleeve, much like his tattoos.

One night, as they stood together on a rooftop overlooking the city, the weight of unspoken words hung heavily in the air. Yok, sensing the shift, turned to Dan, his expression earnest. "You know, you don't have to hide from me, Dan. I see you—really see you." That one statement shattered the last remnants of Dan's barriers. The truth poured out of him—the doubts, the fears, and the desperate longing he had felt since the day they met. He never expected to fall for a man, especially one as free-spirited as Yok, but their connection was undeniable.

After an intense conversation that left both of them vulnerable, they took a leap of faith. Underneath the twinkling stars, Dan leaned in and pressed his lips against Yok's, feeling an electric spark igniting between them. In that moment, he realized that embracing who he was would not bring chaos but rather a sense of completeness he had yearned for. They stood together, wrapped in each other's arms, knowing this connection was not only transformative for them but also a stepping stone toward accepting their true selves without fearing the world outside.

As days turned into weeks, their relationship blossomed against the backdrop of a city that pulsed with life. Dan learned to navigate the complexities of being both a police officer and a partner to someone so vibrant and unapologetically himself. He faced challenges, judgement from his colleagues mixed with revelations about his own character. Yet, with Yok by his side, he felt emboldened, ready to confront whatever obstacles life would throw their way. Their love story unfolded bravely, one tattoo at a time, marking their journey with both ink and intent as they shaped a narrative no one else could write for them.

As Dan and Yok navigated the complexities of their newfound relationship, shadows loomed on the horizon. Dan's commitment to his dual life—a devoted police officer and a partner to the wildly imaginative artist—created an internal struggle that was hard to ignore. Each night, he returned home after shifts filled with the weight of duty, only to find solace in Yok's laughter and warmth. Yet, buried deep beneath that comfort was a creeping anxiety, a constant fear of being outed or judged. The more time they spent together, the more Dan grappled with the implications of his feelings. Would his colleagues still see him as a pillar of law and order, or would they cast him aside as a traitor to the badge?

One fateful evening, while Dan sat at the bar in the precinct, the banter of his fellow officers washed over him like distant thunder. They were trading stories about the latest bust, but he felt too much like a stranger among familiar faces. He chuckled at the jokes, but the laughter rang hollow inside him. Just then, Maggie, a trusted partner, leaned over with a mischievous glint in her eye. "You keep looking at your phone, Danny boy. Is it that detective novel again, or is someone more interesting waiting for you?" Between the waves of laughter, Dan felt the familiar flutter in his chest—the worry that his feelings for Yok could become the cruel subject of ridicule if he faltered. But an unexpected voice broke through his apprehension: "Well, I'd save the drama for 'Ink Haven,' myself. Those tattoo artists don't play nice."

The comment sent a chill through Dan. It wasn't just the playful jab; it held an underlying threat. What if they found out about Yok? Igniting the fire to protect their love, he briefly met Maggie's gaze and forced a smile, but inside, a storm was brewing. By the time he reached Yok's, the weight of his fears crashed down around him. When Yok opened the door, his exuberant grin swiftly morphed into concern, sensing the storm in Dan's eyes. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked, pulling Dan into a tight embrace. That moment, the world outside faded as Dan poured out everything—the fear, the judgment, and the aching need to protect what they had. Yok listened, his heart heavy with the knowledge of what lay ahead.

As days turned to weeks, Dan's anxiety took form in the shadows of the city. Rumors began to swirl among the precinct, whispers and knowing glances shared like secrets in the back alleys. One afternoon, a tense standoff erupted involving a suspect linked to a string of recent art thefts—local pieces of immense value, including a mural Yok had painted. The situation escalated quickly, and in the chaos, Dan found himself face-to-face with the suspect, a thin man with wild eyes who clutched an oversized bag like a child with a favorite toy. "You're one of them, aren't you?" the man hissed, his voice a sharp blade. "Just a pretty badge behind a pretty life. You don't belong here!" It hit Dan like a ricochet, shaking all his carefully built walls.

In that perilous moment, Dan felt his heart race—not from the danger but from the sense that his fears were manifesting in front of him. Everything he had suppressed—his identity, love, and connection to Yok—suddenly spilled into the open. The man landed a punch; Dan reciprocated, adrenaline fueling his instincts. But in a frenzy of blows and panic, he glanced down the street where Yok stood, the glow of his vibrancy stark against the gridlocked grays of the city. Dan's resolve solidified; he would no longer hide. Yok had shown him color within himself, a palette he never dared to explore before.

Once the incident calmed, and with the suspect subdued, Dan sought out Yok. The tattoo parlor beat with life, yet an unsettling tension shrouded the air. He found Yok in the back room, ink bottles scattered on the table, lost in thought, eyes glossy and brimming. As they locked gazes, everything became crystal clear. This was no longer just a game of love; it was a battleground of acceptance. Dan approached, the gravity of his actions solidifying with each step. "We can't let their thoughts dictate our lives," Dan murmured, a new fire in his voice. They could either fight together or allow their love to dim under the weight of judgment.

Together, they vowed not to let prejudices and assumptions dictate their narrative. They faced the city not as enemies hiding in shadows but as warriors ready to carve their space unashamedly. Dan learned to embrace the vibrancy of life outside the precinct, letting the colors of his experiences tattoo themselves into his story. More than a simple love story, it evolved into a tale of courage and transformation—the dark ink of mistrust stained with each new experience, layered over with bright hues of acceptance and strength. And through the turbulence, as they stood side by side, they breathed life into their journey, shaping it fiercely against the pulsating heartbeat of a world that longed to categorize them, never understanding that their bond transcended every boundary.

[No.101. Bye now.]