we_meet_again | Overflow

[gratitude, slightly self-conscious]

Thanks.

[He taps at his phone to start the private sharing.]

[Does he have to do it on his side, too?]

[He taps at his phone - gets it up and running]

[relief, gratitude, relaxing a bit since he doesn't have to worry about broadcasting everything to strangers.]

Whew. Thank you.

...Anyway. Are there any tasks that catch your interest?

I think I'd be comfortable doing just about any of these with you, minus the Extraspicy category because what even.

Sounds like we could even do a couple. Rake in the points.

[now that the stress and fear of Others Being Around is removed, his emotions are settling back into comfort, affection, pleasant excitement, and hopefulness, all over a foundation of happiness and the feeling of being whole.]

[He dials down Machai Provocation a notch or two, careful - then, finally, lets it drop. There is something like wariness, and uncertainty, and the intrinsic do-not-want kneejerk response to the game as a whole. There's something startled, about the straightforward positive feelings directed his way - the emotional equivalent of a stutter. Fondness comes in reply, warm and surprisingly soft]

...could give me a real tattoo, instead of a fake one.

[surprise at that suggestion, chased by interest]

—Oh! I mean, I could try?

[VERY REAL DOUBT AND UNCERTAINTY OF HIS OWN ABILITIES]

I wonder if the guns are hard to use...

[Amusement, fondness]

One way to find out.

[Leading the way over to the tattoo guns. He takes a moment to inspect them and the assorted materials.]

...Looks like they come with some pre-programmed designs, thank gods.

[ MASSIVE RELIEF ]

Comes with instructions, too... This shouldn't be too hard....

[offering him a book of tattoo flash]

Want to see if you can find something you like?

...sure. Okay.

[Takes the book, and starts to page through it.]

Stop me if you see any you think might work.

[Standing behind him so he can look over his shoulder]

You're the one who's gonna be wearing it. Any ideas what you might like? Or where?

Some kind of pattern, I guess?

[Still looking through]

Or... something from you.

[Affection, embarrassment, a stifled attempt to tamp down on it, so it's not too over the top]

[djksl]

From me?!

[Astonished, flattered!?!??!, TOUCHED?!?!? Oh No there is affection there, Thorn felt affection while asking for something from him --

DOKI

]

[ Oh No

Everything hits him so fast he is unable to tamp it down, oops, suddenly he feels a little bashful]

You know I'm a terrible artist, right?

[Oh]

[Oh that is a lot]

[He is so charmed. It's warm, and self-conscious that it's so warm, and aware that it's obvious, and self-conscious about that, too - defensive, almost]

If you don't want to, that's fine.

[oh no Cobalt's also self-conscious that the intensity of his affection made Thorn self-conscious, oh no. A very silly feedback loop.

He makes an attempt to calm his tits a little and not be so overwhelming. But he can't stop the warm glow of Fondness in his chest.]

No, I'd be honored. I just— I don't want you to be disappointed if it looks like a child drew it.

[Fondness echoes in reply, so low and solid it's almost an ache]

...if I wanted a professional, I could have looked for an artist.

[Happy, really happy, even though he tries to keep it to a dull roar.]

Just so your expectations are tempered.

...What should I draw?

[There's something warm in response, the first stirrings of joy]

I didn't have anything in mind.

[And he doesn't; it's true. But his emotions press forward with an ever truer answer; the want for it to be something that will remind him]

Hmm...

[picking up the tattoo gun and turning it in his hands, sitting down in one of the provided chairs.]

...What about... uh...How do you feel about something like... a flower...?

[uncertain, like maybe a flower tattoo doesn't align with the kind of image Thorn wants to project...?

But Cobalt's been thinking about flowers a lot lately, and it's also what he wanted to stick all over Thorn when they were talking about temporary tattoos, so it's the first thing that comes to mind. And the thought of Thorn wearing flowers is really appealing for some reason.

Also, whenever Cobalt thinks of flowers, he feels happy. And whenever he thinks of Thorn, he feels happy. So therefore--]

[...oh]

[that's]

...a flower is fine.

[warmth, happiness, validation]

A flower, then.

Where do you want it?

[He considers for a beat - takes off the glove on his left hand, and holds it out toward Cobalt]

[He takes the offered hand, gentle. He's uncertain what Thorn's trying to tell him with this gesture. Palm? Arm? Unsure.

Holding Thorn's hand in his, he runs his thumb over the delicate skin of Thorn's inner wrist.]

...How about here?

[There's a sense of unease - of exposure, at it being in such a vulnerable spot. But Cobalt can actually feel the surge of indignation at himself, the way he shoves it aside, irritated]

There's fine.

[hesitancy, concern, a desire to please]

Would you prefer it somewhere else?

It's your tattoo; just tell me what you'd like and I'll do it.

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