Ink & Intrigue -jaden hossler

Chapter Three: Under the Surface

Londen's POV

Days passed since Jaden’s last visit, but my mind kept circling back to him. It wasn’t just that he was one of the most recognizable faces I’d worked on; it was the way he’d looked at my art, and at me, with such openness. It had been a while since I’d felt that kind of connection, the kind where the lines between client and friend—maybe even something more—started to blur.

As I was getting ready for a quiet Saturday, I checked my schedule, and there it was: a new appointment with Jaden Hossler. I bit back a smile, nervous energy settling in my stomach as I wondered what would come of this session. I’d convinced myself I could handle him as just another client, but I was beginning to doubt my own boundaries.

When the door chimed, I looked up to see him, standing there with that signature mix of confidence and warmth. Today he was wearing a simple black tee, tattoos peeking out under the sleeves, and a look in his eyes that felt almost familiar.

“Hey, Londen,” he greeted, as if we’d known each other far longer than we had.

“Hey, Jaden. Back for more?” I asked, trying to keep my tone light as I motioned him to the chair.

“Can’t stay away,” he replied, the grin softening as he settled in. “Figured I’d give you complete freedom with this one. Make it something different—something that feels like the next step.”

I raised an eyebrow. “That’s a lot of trust.”

“I know,” he said, his tone genuine. “But if there’s anyone I trust to get it right, it’s you.”

I nodded, pulling out my sketchbook and letting my hand work instinctively. As the ideas flowed, Jaden started talking about his music, the feeling he was chasing in his art, and the sense of not quite belonging that he couldn’t shake. His words mirrored feelings I’d kept hidden, buried beneath ink and solitude.

The design took shape—a phoenix rising through abstract shapes, a mix of strength and vulnerability captured in every line. I showed him the sketch, watching his reaction closely.

“This… this is exactly what I wanted, even though I didn’t know I wanted it,” he said softly, awe in his voice. “How do you do that?”

“Sometimes, the art finds its own way,” I replied, my voice quiet. There was a strange intimacy in the moment, as if the space between us was shrinking with each word.

As I began the tattoo, the room fell into a comfortable silence, the hum of the machine and the smell of ink creating a familiar rhythm. Every so often, I’d glance up, catching Jaden’s gaze. His focus was on me, unwavering, like he was trying to figure me out just as much as he was absorbing the tattoo process.

“Can I ask you something?” he said, his voice soft yet steady.

“Sure,” I replied, keeping my eyes on the work.

“Do you ever let anyone in? Like, really in?”

The question struck a nerve, bringing memories and fears to the surface. My hands stilled for a second before I forced myself to keep working.

“Not really,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “I guess I’ve always found it easier to connect through my art, you know? Like I can share something real without getting… too close.”

He nodded, his gaze gentle. “I get that. But… what if someone wants to get close?”

My heart skipped, his words laced with a weight that felt almost like an invitation. I forced myself to stay focused on the tattoo, channeling my emotions into every line. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to answer that question—if I even had an answer.

Once I finished, I leaned back, watching him take in the new piece. His eyes lit up with a mixture of wonder and gratitude, the same expression he’d had with each tattoo, only deeper this time, like he’d finally found something he’d been searching for.

“This… this is incredible, Londen,” he whispered. “It’s like you captured something inside me I didn’t know was there.”

“You’re welcome,” I said softly, feeling the weight of his words settle over me.

As he paid and turned to leave, he lingered at the door, glancing back with a look that made my heart race. “Maybe next time, you’ll let me take you out for coffee?”

I hesitated, my mind racing with all the reasons I should say no, all the boundaries I’d sworn to keep. But then I thought about the way he’d looked at the tattoo, the way he seemed to see right through me.

“Maybe,” I replied, a small smile tugging at my lips. “We’ll see.”

Jaden’s grin widened, and with a quick nod, he disappeared into the night, leaving me alone in the studio, a strange mixture of fear and excitement twisting in my chest.

As I locked up and turned off the lights, I knew I was already on the edge of something I couldn’t ignore. Jaden wasn’t just another client, and with every tattoo, every shared moment, the line between art and life blurred a little more.