Small Doses - Bebe Rexha

"Ow. Ow. OW!"

Taehyung's stops stepping on the stepping pad immediately, glaring down at the man laying down on the chair who's sending him back a smug stare.

"Why are you screaming? It literally doesn't hurt that bad."

Minho grin widens as he looks at Taehyung, "Caught your attention now didn't it?"

Sometimes Taehyung really wants to slap him, if he could.

A fake smile forms Taehyung's lips to mimic Minho's smile, starting up the buzzing gun once again, "Shut up and let me finish!"

For the whole day, the two has been up to their own sense of adventure, just as Minho has said.

Since it's still cold outside, there's not really much to do, so they went out to bowling. Minho's suggestion and he knows damn well why he picked it.

So he can fucking show off obviously.

Not like Tawhyung wasn't up for a bit of competition.

Even then he still lost, but he made a suggestion that he's definitely good at for sure.

Roller skating.

The rink was dim of colors but had the lasers and neon effect to maximum power, along with the 80s music playing to give off this retro feeling to the place. Taehyung has been able to skate as a kid, being the one to always show off whenever he's out on the rink.

Unfortunately for him, Minho doesn't stray so far back.

He couldn't do the same tricks that Taehyung did, but it definitely forced a few laughs when he did attempt it from Taehyung.

It's interesting to think that him, Jimin and Jeongguk never have gone out as a date like this before. Usually their dates just consist of going out to eat or for a walk. Not like it's boring but man, Taehyung felt so alive having fun like this.

They spent most of their day like this, not long before going to a liqour store near by and buying themselves a bottle of fireball.

Then they thought of doing something crazy.

A really bad, and crazy idea.

However with mischevious grins they went to the location without a second doubt.

Which is here, an empty and closed tattoo shop that Yoongi's family owns. Since Taehyung and Ten are close to the family, they also have the keys to the shop in order for them to come and tattoo themselves if they wanted.

The idea here is that they will tattoo something on each other's bodies, and whatever the case may be, they can never remove it no matter what. It was one hell of a risky deal, but they trusted each other enough to know they won't draw a dick on their bodies.

Minho doesn't have tattoos, not a single one, so Taehyung had to think wisely about what he was going to design on him. Something that would look beautiful on his skin alone.

And the idea did strike him.

However before they got down to tattooing each other, Taehyung had to teach Minho the process so he wouldn't have end up stabbing the gun by accident on his chest. So Taehyung grabbed a grapefruit and would instruct Minho on what to do.

Maybe by the fourth try the grapefruit didn't look as though it was being stabbed, more so it looked more reliable to tattoo on a skin.

Taehyung has no clue what Minho has in mind to do on him, but Taehyung is already flooded with tattoos so even if Minho's is a little messed up, he won't really mind it.

Not like he minds anything Minho does at the end of the day.

Anyways fast forwarding to the present, Minho is there, laying on the chair while Taehyung focuses on tracing over the purple outline of his design. Both Minho and Taehyung have decided that they would do the tattoos on their chest, where their heart is located.

Minho recommended that and Taehyung doesn't know if Minho is aware that the heart is there or he just wanted a chest tattoo.

Well too late to go back now.

While Taehyung did this, Minho was practicing over the grapefruit with his own needle just for practice purposes for when it's his turn. They also agreed with each other that they won't reveal the tattoo until they were both done with it.

In that way they can see it together.

It took less than fifteen minutes for Taehyung to finish, the only reason it took so long was because Minho being his charming self became distracting. Maybe Taehyung was distracted too because of his.... Shirtless figure, so that definitely took it's time to... Ease out of it.

Maybe not be tempted to lick his skin.

So once Taehyung finished with his work of art, he made Minho look away as he cleans over it and places the saniderm tape on it to prevent it from having any infections. Meanwhile Taehyung twitches a smirk to the design, imagining already what Minho will say once he sees it.

In a beautiful and delicate cursive writing as though Taehyung wrote it with those feathers from the medieval area, only one word alone printed on Minho's skin.

Karma.

Taehyung wanted to be careful with what he was going to do, so he decided on this because yes it may be his nickname, if they do fall apart than Karma also represents something not always when something bad happens that it'll happen to you. When one does something good, good comes back too, and that's a message Taehyung also wants Minho to carry.

"Is it good?"

Covering the tape with a colored band to shield the design, Taehyung hums and brings the gun apart while removing his latex gloves, "All done. Let me just get the station ready for you."

Minho nods and removes himself from the chair, wincing a little, "I swear it better not have been boobs or something."

Taehyng grins to this as he cleans over the station. He starts to do the whole process of cleaning up the end of he wire where the gun was while Minho inspects the tape covering the small tattoo on his chest over the dim neon blue lights, narrowing his eyes as though he's trying to make out what lies under it.

Good luck with that.

As Taehyung begins to tape up the new gun and get new needles, he began to feel a little nervous to what Minho has in mind for him. His chest is the only place where he doesn't have tattoos, along with his stomach, so this is definitely something a little risky that Taehyung is going for.

However as he got the small cups out with the black ink, filling them up, he spares a glance over at Minho once again as the man prints out a design he made from the tablet and that fear slowly disappeared. He knows Minho won't do something reckless on him. If anything Minho is a man of hidden emotions, so he without a doubt will have something meaningful tatted on Taehyung's body.

This idea is crazy. Tattooing things over their bodies as though they're some lovesick teenagers, without knowing if they won't end up as enemies or just as strangers in the far future.

Well, within the mixture of the alcohol and being driven by the thrill, it makes you do reckless things. Truth is this is something Taehyung knows he won't regret it in a far future because Minho is someone who makes Taehyung be able to look at himself in the mirror and not feel shame to who he is.

He made him into a better person, whenever they're together Taehyung feels like he doesn't have to be scared to even hurt him because Taehyung wouldn't.

He trusts himself around Minho, and that definitely says a lot.

And he wants to continue feeling that way with him too.

So once Taehyung finished the station, he sits on the client chair while Minho sits on the artist chair while putting his gloves on. Taehyung then took off his shirt, bestowing the beauty of the mural of ink on his arms, trailing all the way to his back in such a beautiful connection of angel wings to reach the end of his spine.

Lately Taehyung has been working out on his body too, so he does feel a little confident as he sits there in front of Minho as the other male grabs the transparent sheet with the purple writing to place it over Taehyung's chest. It was obvious that Minho was a little shocked to see how toned Taehyung has gotten since the last time he's seen him with a shirt off, but obviously Minho isn't a man to hold onto such strong emotions on his face.

"I see you're growing muscle," He plays it off with a snicker as he disinfects the area after making sure it's clean of any hair before placing the sheet on his skin, just like Taehyung has taught him.

Hm, quick learner.

This made Taehyung a little cocky, trying not to grow distracted to how attractive Minho looks right now with the blue color lighting of the room over his skin, "I see you're getting a little lanky."

This earned him a thump on his nose, making Taehyung snicker back as Minho removes the sheet to suddenly smile in satisfaction.

Now Taehyung is itching to see it.

Based on how the sheet felt on his chest, it didn't feel like a big tattoo. Maybe the same size as Minho's so that was a little relieving.

And so Taehyung lays down back on the chair, watching as Minho hovers over his body with the gun in hand; his eyes a little hesitant now.

He's nervous, well no shit since he's never done something like this before. He really doesn't want to fuck it up.

If only he had the same confidence in himself that Taehyung has for him.

A small frown twitches Taehyung's lips, reaching over and places a comforting hand on Minho's forearm, "Hey," Minho meets his gaze, relaxing a little, "I trust you."

And he does.

Wouldn't be doing this if he didn't.

Those words, gentle and reassuring was like a gentle siren song because it calmed Minho down, just like a snap of Taehyung's fingers. There's no way that Taehyung knows the impact he has on Minho, but Minho is definitely aware of it.

As much as it should, it didn't scare him.

So Taehyung watches as Minho nods to himself, takes a small dab of the numb cream and paces it over the area, "Alright, don't scream please."

An amused smirk flutters Taehyung's lips but the second he felt the sting of the needle press on his skin, it drops a little.

Okay he's pressing down too hard.

"Not too hard baby."

Ah shit.

Shit.

Shit.

What the fuck did he just say?!

Taehyung's whole face drops in shock, ready to make up whatever excuse that comes to mind, but Minho didn't seem fazed by what he said. There's no doubt that he heard Taehyung because he did go more gentle, so that only left Taehyung to feel flustered in his own misery.

He really needs to watch himself.

Fuck that's so humiliating.

What was he thinking?

"Sorry," He manages to huff, wanting to only suffocate himself in the sting of the needle rather than the way heat is traveling up his neck.

Minho only wipes the excessive ink and blond with a paper towel, "Don't worry about it babe."

Taehyung knows damn well he did not just hear-

He did not just call him babe-

The heat is astronomical on Taehyung's cheeks now, unable to even move by how flustered he feels. Okay, maybe he tried not to geek up a little, but not like he was about to show that to Minho.

So he just remains silent, trying to hide his smile under his monotone face but he couldn't help but let his eyes wander over to Minho as he tattoos him.

He's still shirtless with the tape over his tattoo and boy- was that a sight.

The blue neon circulating the room right now made him look something so close to ethereal, and mixing the small doses of alcohol that added special effects to Taehyung's visions was also heightening this euphoric beauty that's so uniquely Minho's.

It was at this moment; sitting here in this past hours tattoo parlor, letting an inexperienced man tattoo something permanent on his skin in this Sunday night that Taehyung began to suddenly be struck with an epiphany.

A moment of realization.

What has he been thinking.... This whole time?

Blinding himself of his relationship, trying so hard no matter how badly day by day it's transforming him into a monster. Fighting for the people who are the same ones that insult him and throw their fists just like that night at Jeongguk's home. Claim that they're better as an illusion so Taehyung can believe it himself, make them believe it too.

The relationship he grew to think in his head that this was a moment of a second chance to love again in reality was what he needed; An epiphany.

They were never going to work out and he knew it since the beginning, but he fooled himself well that he even began to believe in this toxic cycle all over again.

That they deserved each other...... Just because they know each other the best.

That's a lie....

It's all a lie.

They know each other in their worst.

Not in their best.

Even if they tried, that's something after four years and adding a few months still hasn't changed.

It's not love....

It's an attachment.

They think they need each other because no one else will ever love them like how they loved each other, and that's when things grew toxic.

Their definition of love revolved over fifty messages and multiple cursed when the lover didn't answer a phone in that same second later.

Love for them was fucking to fix their problems, especially since it was never mentioned again.

Love was saying their each other's worst mistake but then kiss it away with their pathetic apology, knowing well they were just going to do it again.

Love was calling your boyfriend a whore in front of other people so no one would ever want him, guaranteeing that he won't go anywhere.

Love was going against family because your partners didn't like them.

Love was poison.

They thought that this was love, the maximum power of love. That there was nothing more greater than being together for so long, getting through so much heartbreak because of each other yet bouncing right back to the same cycle.

But they were wrong.

Being here now, with Minho in this stupid tattoo parlor alone, Taehyung can see it.

The difference.

The toxicity he was suffocated in to the way he's finally breathing now, for once feeling so alive once again.

This relationship has made him forget what it was like for someone to genuinely look after him, have patience, tell the truth, and just.... Be so kind.

Minho does that.

He woke Taehyung up, without even saying anything-

"Done!" Taehyung blinks to Minho's sudden enthusiasm as he pulls away, looking at the tattoo with a broad smile, "Wow not so bad."

Wait already?

That was.... Fast.

Or was Taehyung just dozing off for too long?

Well either way, he can't wait to see what Minho did!

So with eyes closed as instructed, Minho cleaned the area and puts on the saniderm tape before covering it over with his hand. A shiver travels down Taehyung's spine to the feeling of Minho's fingertips brushing his skin as he presses the tape down to secure it.

Taehyung's breath wavers a little, trying to gather his composure to focus on removing the colored tape from over the other tape from Minho's tattoo.

Beautiful.

Just beautiful.

Feeling this sense of pride, Taehyung gives Minho a hand mirror and he grabs one for himself, the two facing one another with nervous yet excited smiles.

"Alright, ready?"

Minho shakes his head, "If it's the middle finger, I'm tattooing my foot in your ass."

"Kinky," Taehyung snickers and wiggles a little in his seat, "Alright ready? One, two, three, flip."

And so Taehyung faces the mirror the opposite way so the reflection is to Minho so he can see his tattoo, while Minho flips his over so Taehyung can see his.

Taehyung lips parted, eyes slightly dilating to the smooth cursive writing but filled with confusion.

Shadow.

Just a simple word, shadow.

Hm, interesting.

Definitely not what he expected but it's really interesting.

"Taehyung you did not," Minho gasps, cracking a smile but still choking in shock the the printed 'Karma' on his chest, "How did I not see this coming?"

Taehyung snickers to his reaction and puts the mirror down, "Feel lucky that it wasn't my name instead," He chuckles while waving a hbd to his tattoo, "Alright help me out here, why shadow?"

Minho marvels his tattoo for a second or two with his mirror but then looks at Taehyung, eyes flickering over to his tattoo and his gaze softening. He puts the mirror aside and scoots closer to Taehyung with his chair.

He didn't say anything instantly, just studies the tattoo carefully but tenderly before raising his hand and covering it over with his palm gently.

"Because I am your shadow," Minho whispers quietly, making Taehyung freeze on the spot, "Wherever you are, I'm there, even during the times you feel the most alone. Even if we get into fights or whatever the case me be, I'm still on your side, like a shadow, forever. Just like how I promised you."

Taehyung stares at Minho with his heart squeezing in his chest, his mind plummeting into a battlefield while his body felt calm to such comforting words.

Lonely, for many years Taehyung has always felt like an outcast to the world. So alone and misunderstood.

For once he finally had someone willing to listen.

Willing to be on his side, even through his own disastrous flaws.

Minho is there, always has been, and will continue to be. Whether it be alone or together.

Fuck it.

Taehyung slides off his chair and gets on Minho's lap to straddle him down, not wasting a single breath to smash their lips together.

Peace.

Just so much peace.

And fire..... Finally to feel something so powerful while being so intimate.

It's clear that Minho did not expect this, but he was not fighting back. Instead he took advantage of it, holding onto Taehyung so tightly as he kisses him back, trying so hard not to smile to how happy his heart is skipping beats.

Even if this is just for a moment, it's a moment Taehyung will always be thankful for in his life.

Because for once he realized what it was like to be and feel loved.

And it's definitely is as beautiful as they said it would be.

________________________
A/N:
This chapter ugh

These chapters be setting such a tone :')

It's too early in the semester to be getting this emotional!

I PURPLE YOU! <333