Sterek One Shots (boyxboy)

Top Inker

Top Inker by orphan_account
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"I want Yoda holding an orchid on my thigh," says the kid, a quick grin flashing across his face.

Derek watches as he bounces on his toes, and hopes to god that there's a worse tattoo idea on the board. He can already tell that the kid's going to be a terrible canvas - he can't stand still, and his eyes keep jumping from artist to artist as Kate interrogates the line of people.

Since Kate won the flash challenge she gets to assign the artist to the canvas, which means that the worst canvas idea is going to Derek. He knows that he can tattoo whatever comes his way, but he doesn't relish the thought of trying to hold the jittery kid still.

"I want a dragon coming out of my crotch," says one of the canvases with a grin, and Kate's eyes widen. The artists around him mutter, and one lets out a wolf whistle, but Derek doesn't let anything show on his face.

The producers keep pulling him aside and telling him to open up a little, to bring more drama to the competition, and Derek listens and nods and then shuts down even more. He's here to win one hundred thousand dollars, not act like Kim Kardashian.

He blames Laura for the fact that he even knows who that is.

"I want a phoenix rising from the ashes on my head," says the last canvas, and Kate turns around and gives Derek a slick smile. He ignores her.

She hands out the black skulls that hold the artists names on the bottom, and one by one the canvases step forward to claim their tattooer. Dragon crotch lady goes to Boyd, a new school artist that Derek considers actual competition, and Erica gets assigned phoenix head guy. Derek tries not to tense as the twitchy kid turns his skull over, then the kid is smiling at the cluster of artists.

"Derek," he says, eyes traveling over the group, and for a moment Derek reverts back to childhood and hopes that if he doesn't move, the kid won't see him. After a second Isaac bumps his side with his elbow, and Derek grunts and reluctantly raises his hand. The kid gives him a little nod, rocking back against his heels.

Fucking Kate.

-

"...not going to throw up," the kid is saying as Derek gets to the doorway of the tattoo station. His back is to the door, and Derek doesn't mean to eavesdrop, but he also doesn't announce his presence. The camera crew is still getting set up, and the kid's obviously not expecting Derek yet.

He's laughing, loud and bright, then says, "I'm telling you, man, I don't think I'll be able to make it through the tattoo." Derek rolls his eyes. "Nah, it's not the time frame, pfft, that's nothing. No, my artist is like, a greek god. Like an underwear model or something. Good thing I'm not masochistic and get off on pain, because hello awkward boner."

Derek doesn't blush, and he's not getting warmer, and he can't feel the blood rising from his chest up. That's ridiculous.

He purposefully kicks the closest metal stand that holds his gear, and the kid yelps and drops his phone.

"Ready to start?" Derek asks brusquely, and the kid blows out a deep breath.

"Yep, yes, alright," he rubs his hands awkwardly on his pants. Terry, one of the camera guys, ducks into the room, and the kid stares at the camera as the red record light blinks on.

"You get used to it," Terry says encouragingly from behind the lens, "just ignore me."

"What's your name?" Derek asks.

"Stiles," he says quickly. "I said that out there. But there was a lot of us, so I get that you wouldn't remember. Derek, right?"

Derek nods once, then sits down and starts pulling up pictures of Yoda on his laptop. "What other tattoos do you have?"