Just Do It (TannerBraungardtxDylanMitchell)

7: A Tattoo & A Kiss

Dylan clamped a hand to his mouth to stifle the laugh threatening to burst past his lips. The glare Tanner shot him, telling him this wasn't funny, didn't help. He couldn't help but think Tanner's spontaneous idea to get a rib tattoo was ridiculous, especially now that he was painfully going through with it.

Tanner's glare morphed into an expression of absolute pain the second the buzzing needle touched his ribs. Romeo began the outline, muttering at Tanner to calm down. A chuckle escaped Dylan's throat.

"Shut up, Mylan. This hurts like hell."

"Sorry, man, but this is too hilarious."

Tanner pouted and held up a hand to Dylan. The brunette took it in his, and patted his knuckles. He bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing out loud.

"Babe, you don't understand how bad this hurts."

Dylan rolled his eyes, dismissing Tanner's endearing theatrics. Tanner winced when the needle hit a particularly bony part of his ribs. Dylan feigned concern and held Tanner's hand in both of his.

Romeo chuckled to himself. "You guys are cute together."

At the same time that Tanner said, "I know right.", Dylan argued, "Oh, we aren't together."

The outline of the rose started to form into shading as time passed. Romeo was hunched over, concentrating on every detail. Tanner's ribs grew numb as he got used to the pain. He still couldn't believe he convinced his mom to let him get a tattoo. Guns N Roses was his favorite band. They had been since he was a little kid. Listening to them in the car with his family are some of his only memories of life before the divorce. The bloody flower was for his most beloved musicians.

Dylan wandered about the studio as time dragged on. He admired the artwork -photographs, drawings, etcetera -covering nearly every square inch of the otherwise gray walls. The work was impressive, but Dylan was too bored to really appreciate it.

Eventually, the bloody masterpiece was finished. It was bandaged with clear plastic and elastic tape. Blood smeared the plastic, giving it a grotesque vibe, but the tattoo itself was beautiful.

"Dude, that's actually kinda sick."

"It better look more than kinda sick for all that I went through."

After Tanner paid, they headed down the sidewalk to find lunch. Tanner was shirtless as the fabric of his tank top irritated the raw tattoo. Dylan averted his eyes from the naked torso that he'd seen countless times. It felt weird looking at the fare skin. It felt almost...sexualized.

The two of them bought cheeseburgers and Dr. Peppers from a corner diner and sat at a table outside. The day was warm and sunny. Dylan decided he didn't want to go back to the wet heat of Kansas and just stay here with Tanner.

They hadn't talked about the kiss. They were too tired by the time they had gotten back to the hotel the previous night. Once morning came, it was almost like it didn't happen. But now that they were alone, the urge to just make out was almost overwhelming for Tanner. Dylan bit his cheek every time he glanced at Tanner's lips to chase away those thoughts.

Since they had all day, they took to aimlessly exploring the busy streets. They walked not even an inch apart. Their hands brushed with each step, though neither boy could work up the courage to lace their fingers together.

Dylan was right. They had fucked everything up.

Somehow they found themselves standing at the end of the pier, leaning over a wooden railing. It stunk of dead fish, and musty ocean water. Families of tourists, pesky seagulls and local fishermen crowed the pier. Dylan felt paranoid as if he had a big sign above his head telling everyone in big bold font that he made out with his best friend.

The smell of the air reminded Tanner of Kansas and he suddenly felt homesick. He wanted to be back in the comfort and familiarity of his own bed, cuddling his crazy dogs and playing video games by himself. He desired that feeling of being absolutely alone and carefree, yet he never wanted too leave Dylan's side.

He picked at a frayed edge of tape on his side. Nervous habits came often to him when his mind raced and he couldn't piece his thoughts together. At least this was better than biting his nails bloody, he figured.

Dylan was oddly soothed by the gentle rolling back and forth of the blue-green tide. The vast ocean was still so breathtaking. The boys felt worlds away from each, though they stood a meager few centimeters apart. There wasn't a right thing to say.

A crisp, chill breeze blew in from the ocean. Tanner shivered and leaned into the warmth of his best friend. He rested his head on the taller boy's chest, listening to the rhythmic beating of his heart. Dylan's toned arms wound themselves around the skinny body leaning against him. He squeezed his eyes closed.

It was a perfect moment, the only one when Dylan knew exactly how he felt, but as soon as Tanner pulled away to say something, he couldn't describe his emotions. Luckily, Tanner could.

"Dylan, I like you, and I'm pretty sure I have for a long time, but these past few days have changed everything, and I realized I want to be with you."

He was so relieved. "Me, too." Tanner basically took the words right out of Dylan's head.

The blonde's smile was so beautiful. Dylan's breath stuck in his throat and he couldn't believe his own thoughts. The way Tanner's smile was soft, yet giddy and bright. It was so beautiful Dylan couldn't resist kissing him, which in turn wiped that grin right off Tanner's face. This kiss was different. It wasn't awkward this time, or hesitant. It felt full of passion. It was hot. It was desperate.

As they ran out of breath, the kiss slowed down and grew softer until Tanner's lips stopped moving and he stood flat on his feet again. He was only vaguely aware of the irritation in his side by now. It didn't seem to be important in that moment.

"I want to be with you like this. " Tanner laced their fingers together, "Always."

Then it dawned on Dylan. "You have a girlfriend."

Eyes went wide. Tanner's mouth opened, closed, and opened again. He seemed dumbfounded. Paris hadn't crossed his mind since IHOP.

"I'll break up with her."

Dylan stepped away, turned his back to him, and pushed a hand through his hair. "You can't just break up with her. You love her."

He didn't intend to raise his voice. This situation was just so messed up. Dylan was so exasperated he felt on the verge of crying.

"Not like I used to. We don't get along, we always fight, and we just aren't good together. Me and you, Dylan, we'd be great together."

"Figure shit out with her, then maybe we can talk about us, okay?"

"Okay."

Tanner felt defeated. This wasn't how he imagined confessing his feelings would go. Dylan was just tired the whole situation.

"I like you, alright?"

Dylan regretted kissing him in the first place. They couldn't even be around each other without it being entirely awkward now. He wished they could go back in time to when he didn't feel everything he did now. In all honesty, the situation made them both feel like assholes. The difference between them was Tanner was more than willing to risk everything for a chance to be with this beautiful boy.