When rising tattoo artist Londen Richards lands an unexpected booking with Jaden Hossler, the notorious musician with a love for ink, she never imagines it will be anything more than just another session. But as Jaden sits in her chair, studying her...
It had been a while since I last stepped foot in the tattoo shop. A lot had happened in the past few months-the tour, the success of "La Di Die," and the evolution of my relationship with Jaden. Things had settled down a bit, but there was a part of me that still craved the comfort of the tattoo studio, the hum of the machines, the familiar faces, and, of course, the art.
When Jaden told me he was coming in to get another tattoo from me, I felt a rush of excitement. We hadn't had a chance to really slow down, and this felt like one of those moments where we could just be together again in a place that had been so important to us-where it all started, in a sense.
The shop was quieter than usual when I arrived that morning, just a few regulars scattered around getting inked or chatting with the staff. I could hear the sound of the needles buzzing in the background, and I smiled, the familiar rhythm already putting me at ease.
"Londen! Over here!" I heard a voice call from the back. It was my assistant, Mia, waving me over. She had a clipboard in hand, and she looked like she was organizing the day's schedule.
"Hey, Mia!" I greeted her, walking over. "Everything set up for Jaden?"
"Yep," she said with a wink. "He's in the chair, ready for you. He's been talking about this tattoo for weeks now."
I laughed, shaking my head. Of course Jaden had been thinking about it for weeks. He was the kind of guy who couldn't make a decision without overthinking it first. But then again, that's part of what I loved about him. When he did something, he went all in.
---
I walked into the back room, and there he was, sitting in the chair with his sleeve rolled up, looking ready for the needle. Jaden looked up and flashed me a grin as I approached, his dark hair messy but still perfect in that effortless way he had. His blue eyes sparkled under the bright lights of the shop, and I felt a little flutter in my chest, as if we were still in that same honeymoon phase, even after everything we'd been through.
"Hey, Londy," he said, his voice low and playful as he looked at me. "Ready to make me even more perfect?"
I rolled my eyes, trying to hide the smile that tugged at my lips. "You're already perfect. You just need me to make it permanent."
Jaden chuckled, reaching out to take my hand as I sat beside him. "You know, this place is special to me. Every time you tattoo me, it's like you're marking me in ways that go deeper than just the ink. It's like you're leaving your mark on my soul."
His words made me pause, and I couldn't help but feel a warmth spread through me. He always knew how to make me feel like I was doing something meaningful, something important.
---
"Okay," I said after a beat, breaking the moment with a small laugh. "Enough of the sweet talk. Let's get this tattoo started. What are we doing today?"
Jaden smiled, but this time there was a hint of hesitation in his eyes. "I've been thinking about this for a while now," he began, shifting in his seat a bit. "I want something to remind me of... us. Something permanent. A symbol of everything we've been through, and where we're headed."
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Something meaningful?"
"Yeah," he said, a more serious tone in his voice now. "You've always been the one who helped me see things clearly. You've been my support, my muse, my everything. And I want to carry that with me-always."
I wasn't sure where he was going with this, but I knew that Jaden had always been thoughtful when it came to his tattoos. He wasn't the type to get something just because it looked cool. Every tattoo he had was a reflection of his journey, of his growth. And now, he was asking for something that involved me in a way I hadn't expected.
"What do you want me to ink on you?" I asked, my voice soft.
Jaden looked at me, his expression vulnerable yet filled with conviction. "I want the word 'Forever' tattooed on me. Not just a word. I want it in the way we speak to each other, in the way we've built this life. Forever."
I felt my heart skip a beat at the weight of his words. Forever. It wasn't just a word-it was a promise.
---
"You sure about this?" I asked gently, setting up my tools and prepping the area. "This isn't just a tattoo; this is a lifetime commitment."
Jaden nodded, his gaze never leaving mine. "I'm sure. There's no one else I'd want to do this. You're the one who makes my world complete, Londy. I want everyone to see that."
There was no hesitation in his voice. No second-guessing. He was certain, and I could see it in the way he looked at me.
---
I prepped the area, cleaning his skin and marking the spot where the tattoo would go. As I started the needle, Jaden's breath caught for a second, but he quickly relaxed, settling back into the chair.
The buzz of the needle filled the room, and the process began. I worked carefully, every line, every stroke intentional, making sure the tattoo was exactly how he envisioned it. As I worked, I couldn't help but think about how much had changed in the past year. A year ago, Jaden had walked into my shop for the first time, a nervous guy with a vision for a tattoo. Now, here we were, in the same place, with our love cemented in ink-literally.
---
As I finished the final details, Jaden looked at me with a wide smile, his eyes soft. "It's perfect," he whispered, his fingers gently tracing over the fresh ink.
I cleaned up the area and stepped back, admiring the tattoo. The word 'Forever' was inked beautifully on his arm, simple but powerful. It wasn't just a word; it was a testament to everything we had built together.
"You're part of me now, Londy. Forever," Jaden said, his voice full of emotion.
I met his gaze and smiled, my heart full. "And you're part of me, Jaden. Forever."
As we stood together in the tattoo shop, it felt like the universe had aligned perfectly. This was where it all started, and it was here that we had both marked ourselves in ways that went beyond the ink on our skin. It was a reminder of our love, our journey, and the promise we'd made to each other.
And in that moment, with the word 'Forever' etched into his skin, I knew there was no going back. We were in this for the long haul-together. Forever.
_________________________________________ Jxdn
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