The door swung open and hit the wall behind it with a bang.
“Benny!” Jesper shouted, louder than the door bang. Benny, in in the room the door belongs to on his bed, and Wylan, lingering behind Jesper in the doorway rolling his eyes, both groan.
“I have a new canvas for ya, buddy.” Jesper continued, ushering Wylan into the room. Benny leaned forward and pulled a trunk out from under his bed. He unlocked it and began unpacking its contents. Said contents included a fairly small, but wholly intimidating needle. Wylan plopped down on the chair Jesper dragged out of the corner of the room for him and tried not to look at the needle.
Benny spoke around a toothpick he was chewing on, “same same?”
“Yes. Same thing same spot,” Jesper nodded enthusiastically. He gestured to the skin Wylan had just exposed by rolling up his left sleeve. “And just look at this. Beautiful. Aren’t you excited, Benny?”
“You guys never let me do anything fun,” Benny said, flipping the toothpick a around in his mouth. Wylan wondered how he never accidentally stabbed the roof of his own mouth with it. He shook his head, it didn’t do him much good already thinking about stabbin. “I never get to do anything creative. It’s always the same fucking thing. Tell Kaz to stop adopting orphans, I’m never doing a crow again.”
Benny took a clean cloth, saturated with some solution he had poured on, and rubbed it against Wylan’s forearm. Wylan winced slightly as the cold fabric touched his skin. He gulped.
“Perk up, buddy. Once you’re done this one I’ll let you tattoo this guy’s face on my chest.” Jesper said, poking Wylan in the cheek, “Both faces.”
“Oh my god, shut up or get out.” Wylan groaned.
“He’s shy.” Jesper winked. Benny took the toothpick out from between his lips and handed it to Wylan. Wylan took it and pokes Jesper in the upper arm with the tip. The other boy yelps and jumps back.
Jesper rubbed his hand over the offended arm. Frowning, he settled down on Benny’s mattress on the other side of Wylan. Wylan couldn’t stop looking at the blank patch of pale skin between his wrist and elbow. He fought the urge to cover it up and sprint out the door. He reminded himself that he wanted this. He wanted something on display to match the sense of belonging he felt with the Dregs. The sense of being needed and wanted that had only been growing since the first job Wylan pulled with Kaz and his crew.
He knew he wanted the tattoo, he just definitely didn’t want to watch it happen. But Wylan couldn’t seem to drag his eyes away as Benny dipped the sterilized needle in a small jar of ink. He bit his lip hard and his vision tunneled. Blowing up his old Family’s estate had been less terrifying.
Suddenly, Jesper’s face swung into view, dragging Wylan back into his surroundings. Jesper took hold of his other wrist, the one Benny was currently not leaning over, and began talking.
He talked about nothing at all. Just filled silence until silence forgot itself. It reminded Wylan of the boat back to Ketterdam. When Jesper though Wylan was the son of a Shu scientist with no tongue for Kerch. When Jesper was satisfied to fill up both sides of the conversation, whether he thought Wylan could understand him or not.
He talked about the Ravkan restaurant Nina took him to last week. He talked about his guns. He talked about his favorite memories from his father’s farm. As he spoke Jesper began pressing light touches against Wylan’s hand. He touched the tips of Wylans fingers. He lightly squeezed the spot underneath Wylan’s thumb. Word by word, touch by touch, Wylan felt his jaw unclench. A moment later he found himself able to talk back. Jesper brightened visibly when Wylan fired back at him with a snarky remark. He was aware of the sharp, hot, pain in his forearm, but he let himself focus on something better.
“Done.” Benny said.
“Huh?” Wylan said. He shook his head, focusing.
“He was lost in the dreamy pools of my eyes again.” Jesper leaned away, letting go of Wylan’s hand.
Wylan frowned, “You’re eyes are brown.”
Jesper shrugged, stood, and headed out the door. Wylan got one good look at the design on his arm before Benny wrapped it up. He paid Benny the kruge he was owed and followed Jesper back out into the hallway. Jesper stood a few doors away leaning against the wall. He looked loose and casual. Wylan wanted him to touch him again.
“Damn.” Jesper said, arms crossed over his chest, “You look all dangerous and sexy now inked up. I seriously don’t know what to do.”
Wylan, resisting the itch to rub at his bandage, rolled his eyes and strode over to him. Jesper threw his long arms open, “Ravage me, Wylan.”
Wylan pushed his shoulder and walked past him. Jesper tripped after him, catching up quickly. Wylan wasn’t looking at him but he could practically feel Jesper’s wide smile as they walked side by side down the hallway. Jesper slowed for a moment as they approached his door, but before he had the chance to stop Wylan grabbed his hand. He ignored the heat blooming in his cheeks and continued pulling Jesper along three doors further down to his own room.