DAY TWELVE ★ ink on my skin, you're my sin

[yifantasyfest]

Username: hi_hyung
Prompt #: 221
Title: Ink on my skin, you’re my sin
Ship: D.O./Yifan
Rating: NC-17
Word count: 11,050 words
Summary: Staying true to one's word is easier said than done.
Notes: Thank you for the wonderful prompt! I had a lot of fun weaving a story around it. Actually, you can find the prompt in the fic ~ with its tenses changed lol. Happy reading!

There’s a lot to be said about relationships that start with a one-night stand. Kris never would have thought himself to be desperate enough to try and find comfort in a person he barely even knows, but all his preaching goes to waste when he eventually succumbs to it and gives in. It happens on a Thursday night. Friday can’t come any sooner so Kris resolves to let out the frustrations of the week a little earlier. He heads to a bar right down the block from his apartment. He loses the tie and sits by the bar counter, nursing a scotch and looking like a handsome but bereft young man trying to either get sympathy sex or drown away his troubles. In the end he gets a mix of both when he ends up with a man, probably a little younger than he is, sitting by his side, listening to him complain about how shit went down in the office today, while working a hand up between Kris’ long legs, massaging his thighs. “It isn’t fair, you know?” The man nods like he understands. He probably doesn’t. “I do all the work but it’s the fucking supervisor who gets the credit. I’m sick of it all. I quit.” The man watches Kris down his fourth glass of scotch over the brim of his wine glass tinged with red. “While I do sympathize with you, I think you’re overreacting. You need to think clearly before you do anything rash and the only way to do that is to blow off some steam.” To Kris’ amusement, the stranger offers advice that is both helpful and frank. “I’ll say.” “Why not have the wife take care of that?” The first thought that comes to Kris’ mind is do I look that old? The second is am I stupid? Kris knows what the man is starting and offering. He’s looking to see if Kris is interested and available – which is awfully nice of him to do so but is a little unnecessary because he’s already stroking Kris through the linen of his pants and he has yet to hear a word of complaint from him. Also, if he did have a wife or someone to come home to, he wouldn’t even consider the thought of drinking the night away. This guy obviously wants it bad but manages to come off as measuring and aloof. Kris quickly thinks back to the last time he’s had sex and he has to admit that it’s been quite a while. With all the tension and stress that he’s been feeling lately, he realizes that he needs a good fuck now more than ever, so he decides to speed things up by finishing this verbal foreplay of theirs in the easiest way possible. “I live alone.” The man introduces himself as Kyungsoo but Kris finds that he might as well have called himself the god of sex because Kris can barely remember his own name as he watches Kyungsoo ride him, fucking himself hard on Kris’ cock. Tonight was definitely a good call. Instead of waking up with a raging headache, Kris gets an earful of his alarm and a mouthful of soft yet bruised skin. It’s seven in the morning and he’s got his drool dribbling down a guy who he only knows by name and nothing more. “You’re awake.” Kyungsoo states plainly, turning to his side to face Kris. “I – you’re still here.” “I tried getting up but you’ve got quite a grip on my waist.” Kris is quick to retract his arm that’s wound around the evidently smaller man’s lithe stature. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude. I guess I was just… surprised?” It sounds like he’s asking him. “I don’t mind. You. Being here. Good morning. I’m Kris.” Kyungsoo laughs quietly. “Did you think I’d forget your name overnight?” Kris shrugs. He’s not well-versed in dealing with strangers he just met one moment and then slept with right after. “I should go.” Kyungsoo tells him after a good amount of time spent enduring the morning after silence “Breakfast?” Kris suddenly hears himself asking. Kyungsoo turns to look at him, an unreadable expression in his eyes. Kris clears his throat, a little embarrassed, before he asks again. “Would you like to have breakfast?” “You don’t owe me anything. You weren’t the only one who had fun last night.” The way he says the word fun makes Kris want to pull him back on top of him, but they’re adults who live lives of their own so breakfast as the next step is only logical – aside from wordlessly parting ways, of course. “I’ve kept you longer than necessary so it’s the least I can do.” “Aren’t you going to be late for work?” Kris asks the smaller man once the waitress has served them and left. “Not at all.” Kyungsoo replies, sipping his coffee. Kris waits for Kyungsoo to add to what he just said but gets nothing. He lets a minute pass, munching on a breakfast bagel, before he follows up on their otherwise one-sided conversation. “What time do you have to be in for work then?” “One in the afternoon.” As expected, Kyungsoo seems like the type to never offer more than what he’s asked for. It’s like opening a box of puzzles without being told what it’s supposed to look once it’s completed. Much effort is needed to piece together the unknown whole but the feat is not impossible with enough curiosity and persistence. “Wow. You’re living my dream then. What do you work as exactly?” Kyungsoo gives him a level stare and the corners of his lips turn up a little as he answers. “I’m a tattoo artist.” “Again, wow. That’s impressive.” Kris responds, nodding thoughtfully. He tries to school his face into one that doesn’t show just how shocked he is to find out that the seemingly quiet and timid person before him works on the opposite side of the spectrum that’s characterized by rough edges and dim areas. “It’s okay. You can tell me what you really think about my job. I won’t mind.” Kyungsoo encourages him. It sounds like something he’s had to say multiple times, born out of the need to placate the minds that go haywire after hearing what he had just said. “I really think what you do is impressive.” Kris responds, knowing he’s telling the truth but not completely. The last thing he wants is to make a scene by having someone walk out on him for being rude. “I like tattoos. I have some, as you may already know.” “Yes, I saw. They’re clean and simple. Just like you.” The smaller man smiles appreciatively. “I know I run the risk of sounding stupid when I ask you this but why don’t you have one?” Kyungsoo looks at him squarely, eyebrows quirked playfully. “I think you were too busy last night with other things for you to actually have seen it.” Kris almost chokes on his bagel and that’s the second time he hears Kyungsoo laugh today. “I’m kidding. I’ve been taught not to make a mess of myself, so I ruin other people instead.” It’s Kris who laughs this time. Dark and dry humor is apparently the way to go on this bright morning. He has to admit, he likes the cynicism since he’s a bit of a realist himself. “What do you work as?” Kyungsoo asks politely, probably to make up for ruffling Kris’ feathers, but the taller man doesn’t mind because apart from asking him where he keeps the condoms, that’s probably the first question he’s asked about Kris in the twenty four hours (or less) that they’ve known each other. “I’m a risk management officer at an accounting firm.” “Sounds fulfilling.” “It pays the bills and stops my mom from worrying. I’ll take what I can get.” “A good boy.” Kyungsoo tips his head to him before he continues, “Far from what you were last night.” This time Kris manages to stop himself from sputtering and settles for a nonchalant shrug. He doesn’t quite know what to think about Kyungsoo’s covert advances but it’s throwing him off-guard. In the shadows of the night and in the shine of moonlight, in the darkness of a room and in a whirl of desperation, in the mix of heaving breaths and hips thrusting, Kris barely had time to focus on what his one-night lover looked like, too wrapped up in lust to be concerned, shameful as it is for him to admit it. Seeing Kyungsoo now, bathed in the glow of the morning sun, it surprises him to find audacity in such an unexpected persona. The man is slim and small, skin visibly tanned but is still pale underneath. Kyungsoo eyes are piercing while his body is closed and reserved. A clear contrast from how forthright he can be in bed. Kris knows he’s being prejudiced. People do not have to match every nook and cranny that he has made for them based on impressions and misguided assumptions. He supposes that he’s just a little too caught up with wanting things to be right, given that the idea of being right is relative in nature. Growing up with a single parent was not a stroll in the park. His mom is a wonderful woman, but she bore the weight of disappointment from her family who saw her suffer an unplanned pregnancy with a man nowhere to be found. While things eventually mellowed down once Kris was born, since his mom was bent on proving to herself and to everyone else that she could raise her beloved son well, Kris was subjected to years of fussing and worrying, rules and responsibilities. He was taught which answers will avoid further questions and which actions will get him through life unscathed. Unsurprisingly, his mom’s overprotective nature led to Kris having a rebellious streak when he was younger; underage drinking at the age of twenty and tattoos that could easily be covered up. Kris was never a bad boy per se but he had his own way of saying no. Nonetheless, maturity was quick to take over and by coupling that with his mom’s blatant disapproval and heartbreak, Kris vowed to set things right by being good and doing good. Kris knows he doesn’t have it bad. He hasn’t really messed up his life, but he knows that he can do so in the blink of an eye. With his mom always pointing at her own self, warning him that not everyone gets a second chance like her, that not everyone is as luck as she is, Kris knows it will only take a second to destroy the life that his mom had worked so hard to provide for him. Hence, he graduates from college without a failing grade and proceeds to work at a good company. Kris only drinks occasionally and he calls home twice a month to say hi. Now all he has to do is a find woman to introduce to the family and one day bring home children of his own. If only. They end up exchanging numbers but Kris does not call Kyungsoo because he finds no reason to, really. Besides, Kyungsoo hasn’t made an effort to contact him either. They had a nice night together which was followed by an equally nice time at breakfast. What more could Kris ask for? More sex probably. Maybe a date or two. Who knows, right? What if that one-night stand of theirs could have led to something else entirely? There’s a lot of wishful thinking going on. More than Kris would usually approve of but that doesn’t mean he dislikes it. It’s the first time he’s actually enjoyed sex and one can only guess why that is so. If Kris’ mom can sacrifice practically her whole life for the sake of her son’s well-being and future then Kris has got some balls to sleep with a person who he certainly cannot introduce to the family or have children with. Perhaps the worst part here is that he wants to do it all over again. The concept of body art has always fascinated Kyungsoo – the thought of marking his skin to his own liking had kindled a flame inside his quiet being. He’s seen ears pierced and belly buttons punctured, he’s heard of scarring and branding, but it’s the kind of art that uses dyes and pigments which captivates him the most. His fixation with ink on skin started back when he was in primary school, scribbling away at a piece of paper with a pen. Kyungsoo was intrigued by the permanence of its mark, that unlike the lead of a pencil that can be erased with rubber, a pen’s ink could not be done away with. He would draw circles and swirls, lines and curves. What was once a blank sheet becomes a plane covered with flurries and frenzies. And when he’d run out of space on the sheet he was given, having covered the front and back, rather than asking for another one, Kyungsoo would instead write on the palm of his hand and on the length of his arm. Later on, while in the midst of working on a concept board for class, he’d discover the magic of permanent markers. Kyungsoo was mesmerized by the thick dark streaks and the contrast that the lines set on his pale skin. His arm had distinctly resembled the white art board where he drew black columns on. Then, at his cousin’s birthday party, he was introduced to a new kind of happiness when the colors that painted his face, neck, and arms turned him into a piece of art. On his face, he had asked for whimsical clouds. One arm had a burst of stars, the other had an enormous sun on it, and on the side of his neck was a lone yet content little penguin. Kyungsoo was infinitely amazed at the shapes and colors his skin could sustain. Body paint was a genuine source of the child’s wonder. It was at a family beach trip where Kyungsoo’s eyes first beheld the beauty of tattoos. He was twelve and curious when he saw a tent that was being set up near the area where his family was settled. He was drawn by the large snake that coiled around one man’s back. The snake was in beautiful shades of blue and green, eyes gleaming under the heat of the sun. It was unmoving but alive. Kyungsoo couldn’t resist from asking, “Can I have something like that painted on me too?” By the time it was time to pack up and go, Kyungsoo had gotten a henna tattoo of a goatfish imprinted on the back of his right hand. It was on that day that Kyungsoo realized that his skin wasn’t just a sheet of paper – it was a canvas. It was a blank surface where color could be used to tell stories that can either last forever or a moment. Kyungsoo wanted the perpetual ink of traditional tattoos but had to settle for henna because school will start in less than a month and his parents will not allow their child to attend school with markings on his skin. Kyungsoo relents and quietly promises to himself that sooner or later, the ink on his skin will live to last a lifetime. Years later, Kyungsoo finishes college with the business degree that his parents had always wanted for him. He spends two and a half years aimlessly working in the corporate world before he files for resignation. Kyungsoo is twenty-five and unhappy because the promise he made to himself more than a decade ago remains unfulfilled – and perhaps it always will be. Writing on his hand came with pointed disapproval from his teachers. A permanent marker was handed to him by his mother only when he needed it for school work and was quickly taken away from him once he was done. Body paint was quickly scrubbed off after coming home from parties and the henna was simply a one-time thing. Kyungsoo may be away from home but he knows he can never find it in himself to get a tattoo inked on his skin. He’s been taught just how wrong it is to disrespect one’s body with signs and symbols that are unnatural. Try as he might to fight against the current, he can’t suppress the worry and guilt that eats him up when he thinks of how much a disappointment he’ll be. For you see, a tattoo isn’t just a tattoo. It’s a sign of disrespect. A symbol of remonstrance against the rules and reprimands where his young life was built upon. And while it may seem that his upbringing works as a hindrance rather than a foundation in his life, Kyungsoo yields and instead makes a compromise – he becomes a tattoo artist. His parents may not like it but they eventually and begrudgingly concede when they find out that their son creates designs for a high-end tattoo shop started and financed by a prominent advertising and creatives studio. It pleases his parents to know that he does work outside the tattoo shop, that their son also pitches ideas in the advertising company he’s connected with. They like hearing how Kyungsoo earns more than enough to live comfortably. It allows them to twist the truth and tell others that inking is just a hobby of Kyungsoo’s. It’s an unlikely turn of events that assuages his parents’ worry. It’s also their bargaining chip for their son, insisting that they will give Kyungsoo this so-called dream of his if he gives them his word to try dating women. It’s a tough call for him but Kyungsoo would rather have his parents upset with him than live the rest of his life hating his own self. The next time the two of them meet it’s about a month later at a grocery store. Kris walks to the store that’s right across his building. He plans to enjoy the night with reruns, ramen, and store-bought sushi. He’s lining up at the register when someone taps him from behind. “Hi there.” Kris turns around and smiles broadly when looks down to see a stranger he happens to know. Kyungsoo greets him with bright eyes. “Hello. This is a nice surprise.” “Isn’t it? What are you getting?” He’s pushing a medium sized shopping cart that’s halfway full. “A few things. I’m stocking up my pantry. You?” “Treating myself to dinner.” The two of them move forward in the line. Kyungsoo eyes the basket with Kris’ purchase. “I take it you don’t cook much?” “Not at all. Do you?” The smaller man shrugs. “Yes, sort of. Do you want a home-cooked meal tonight?” An obvious proposition that gives more than it lets on. “You don’t owe me anything. You weren’t the only one who had a nice time during breakfast.” Kris winks at him discreetly and Kyungsoo responds coyly with, “I know.” Two grown men trying to flirt can be a handful. They take a five minute bus ride back to Kyungsoo’s apartment. It isn’t too far from the bar where they met, which is within walking distance from Kris’ place, so it only makes sense that they run into each other. Kris tries not to overthink things again and just leaves it at that. He offers his help around the kitchen, opening a can of cream sauce and setting the table. Kris wonders if fucking equates to becoming friendly acquaintances because Kyungsoo trusts him enough to turn his back on him to cook, not bothered by Kris, an unfamiliar person, sitting at the table behind him. The taller man is convinced that Kyungsoo can feel the way he stares at his ass. When the two of them are seated at the table, it’s Kris who starts the small talk. “I like your apartment.” “I would have said the same with yours but I didn’t have time to look around.” Kris laughs. He expected that. “So if you begin working at one, what time do you finish?” Kyungsoo smiles at him “You still remember that?” A shrug. “I usually get off at eight in the evening. But I got to go home early today because I was at a meeting since nine.” Kyungsoo evidently waits for Kris’ eyebrows to rise in amusement at the thought of a tattoo artist having to attend a day-long meeting. He tells him about his work in advertising and how he mostly does designs and consultations with clients, rather than inking them. Kyungsoo mentions the shop he works for and the firm it’s connected to which garners an impressed nod from Kris. He has more than enough going for him to justify his reserved nature and detachment towards others. Kyungsoo carries himself well and Kris finds himself turned on by the quietly confident man before him. It feels nice to be wanted by a good person. Kyungsoo will have to admit that Kris’ restraint and sincerity has earned him extra points for their game tonight. He had honestly thought that the taller man was haughty. Being a good looking guy who works in corporate does things to people; it sometimes gives them a false sense of entitlement, that by being attractive and successful they’ve got leverage over others. Kris may have been initially shocked to find Kyungsoo working in the tattoo business, but so are most people whose lives have been subject to structure. Kyungsoo expected that from Kris but what he didn’t see coming was the man’s genuine interest in his work and how he isn’t the least bit condescending towards the kind of person that Kyungsoo’s job makes him. His career may not be well-respected but that does not make it any less deserving of respect. It’s an unanticipated but very much welcomed reception that differs greatly from how his family took the news about him becoming a tattoo artist. It’s one thing to leave the corporate world with claims of unfulfilled dreams, but it’s another thing to give it up for a job deemed menial by strangers who don’t matter. So really, it’s refreshing to find someone who does not offer him a job or some money to get by on, family or not. Kyungsoo has learned that the best way to stop his family from pestering and offending him is to send a little more money than they expect from him. As for his one-night stands, it helps that he’s figured out a way to get the people he wants to sleep with to do all the talking so they don’t have to pay attention to who Kyungsoo is outside the bedroom. It’s easier to get a guy into bed and talk right after sex. It saves him from hearing empty promises during or after they fuck about how each and every one of them can provide a better life for Kyungsoo. By the time morning comes, there’s not a minute to spare trying to cover up last night’s debauchery and Kyungsoo will have saved himself from people who’ll only talk down to him. Admittedly, Kris is a lucky find. In the day or two that Kyungsoo has known him, Kris has proved to be a nice guy with manners that he has actually grown up with and not picked up on just to score. He’s relatively different from the jerks Kyungsoo usually ends up with but the smaller man is not one to complain because he had willingly let himself be fucked by different men who, in the end, always get the job done. Kyungsoo may have slept with several men but he wouldn’t call it a bad habit or label them all as bad choices. It just so happens that every once in a while he ends up losing to the part of himself that wants to be held. Kris waits for Kyungsoo to calm down, holding him up from behind with a tight arm around his waist. Once he hears the man’s breath even out, Kris pulls out with a quiet groan before he settles down on Kyungsoo’s bed. It’s larger than he had expected a man Kyungsoo’s size would need and it has him thinking if the smaller man used to live with another person who shared this bed with him. “Wow.” Kyungsoo whispers, kissing the corner of Kris’ eye as he squishes himself into his side, arm coming to rest across the taller man’s stomach. Kris hums in agreement as he puts an arm around Kyungsoo’s shoulder, allowing the smaller man to rest his head on his bicep. The two of them lay down quietly, letting the heat of the moment pass, the cloud of clarity beginning to descend upon them. A one-night stand with breakfast has now progressed into dinner and a two-night stand. It isn’t normal but it’s not unusual either. It’s sex without commitment, introductions, or explanations. It’s personal comfort wrapped in a blanket of pleasure. “Do you think we can do this again?” Kris asks the ceiling so quietly that it just stares back at him, impassive and deadly silent. “What do you mean? You want us to see each other again or are you asking for round two?” “Am I allowed to have more than one answer?” “No.” Kyungsoo deliberately makes Kris suffer for a moment before he tells him that yes, they can most definitely see each other again. Despite being the one who repeatedly starts things off between them, the smaller man knows how not to come off as too easy. He’s not trying to manipulate anyone but neither is he trying to be fooled. He just wants to be careful because setting his guard up while taking his clothes off is not an easy feat. After a full minute, Kyungsoo relents. “We can see each other again. I’m too tired right now. I want us to just sleep.” Kris lets out a sigh that is hard to read as anything else than a sign of relief. “Okay. Let’s just sleep.” There are many ways in which a friends-with-benefits situation can go about. Two people can end up seeing each other until one of them gets tired of it all or until the other one finds someone who they’re actually willing to commit to. They can also start seeing other people, serious or not, and hook up every once in a while. The two of them can also end up together in the long run or just one day stop bothering to contact each other, seeing that they are still essentially strangers. There are also many reasons why a friends-with-benefits setup even starts. Two friends may enjoy each other’s company so much that their platonic intimacy takes a sharp turn. Two people can be taken by the chemistry they share but only enough to have a good time together and nothing more. They can also be lured by the convenience of it all, instant pleasure without having to earn it over a long period of time; no befores or afters, just nows and maybe laters. For Kyungsoo and Kris’ case, they agree to keep seeing each other because as luck would have it, they’re both available. They tell each other in words how it’s convenient to have someone who shares the same needs and circumstances. What they don’t need to talk about is how great their sex is, allowing their bodies to do the talking, not wanting to make things awkward by voicing out how satisfying it is to be with one another. Kyungsoo understands how chemistry works between two people, how it can be non-existent or developed. He also knows how it can be instantaneous and once again Kris is a lucky find. What was once just casual sex turns into something more serious and Kris isn’t surprised in the very least. The two of them evidently like each other and it isn’t hard to see that they’re compatible. They talk comfortably and openly. They both know which things need more time before they’re let out in the open. No one pushes and they find no need to pull. It’s inevitable to develop feelings for someone who you constantly spend time with, especially if the two of you actually take time to listen and understand each other. For two people who supposedly are only out for sex, he and Kyungsoo talk a lot. Whether it’s when one calls to invite the other over or in the throws of the morning after, their conversations trod down long winding roads, sparing no time and cutting no corners. Technically, there’s nothing to lose in this relationship with no barriers, except for time and a little self-respect. No one in their individual personal lives knows that they’re seeing someone regularly for sex. There is no trouble in pausing, rewinding, or ultimately stopping. There are no footprints that need to be covered in their heist for pleasure. Kris and Kyungsoo are not hurting anyone, not even their own selves, so they simply let nature take its course. In the five months that they’ve spent dancing around each other, carefully threading the thin line that separates denial and fulfillment, Kyungsoo begins to see Kris toeing the non-existent border. Having allowed time to lead the way, the two of them grow into each other. Kyungsoo knew it was bound to happen; he just didn’t want to be the first one to admit it because he might be the only one caught up in wishful thinking. Kyungsoo sleeps in the same bed with Kris more nights than he doesn’t. He’s a little too familiar with Kris’ apartment and even has keys for it. He knows Kris’ schedule at work, they way he likes his coffee, and how he is in the morning. During the nights they spend apart, Kyungsoo always expects a short call or brief message, wishing him a good night. And perhaps the worst part here is that he always receives them, unfailingly so from someone who is neither a friend nor a lover of his. Kris is well aware that asking Kyungsoo out for lunch is not part of their usual routine. However, he has come to realize that their setup is not exactly one that can be categorized under normal relationships, so perhaps what he’s planning to do isn’t that bad of an idea. Perhaps it’ll be a turning point for them. They meet at a deli beside Kris’ office. He only gets to see Kyungsoo for less than an hour because lunch breaks do have a time limit and Kyungsoo has work at one. “This is nice.” Kris tells Kyungsoo, hoping he understands that he’s not just talking about them having lunch together for the first time. “It is.” Kyungsoo quietly agrees before he looks at the taller man with searching eyes. “It’s different.” “Do you like different?” Kris averts his gaze, staring at his sandwich. “I like you. So that’s a yes.” Kris almost falls off his seat. “Do you think you like me enough to do this again tomorrow? I mean you know, if you don’t have any other plans for lunch.” Kyungsoo’s face lights up at Kris’ uncertainty. It’s good to know he’s not the only one who’s wracked with nerves. “We’ll see.” And see they did. He and Kyungsoo date for almost a year before they move in together. They decidedly step out of the getting-to-know-you stage and start learning about each other. Kris talks about how he sucks it up and stays put in the company he works in because despite being around an unpleasant supervisor, his other co-workers are nice enough and his career growth is promising. He also lets Kyungsoo know about how he manages to assuage his mom’s worries about him by working at a white-collar job that provides well for him. And speaking of his mom, he confides in Kyungsoo the weight of her expectations and how hard it was to come out to a parent who wants nothing more than to raise a normal child because Kris is a mirror of what she is capable of doing in life. He speaks of the begrudging acceptance he receives and how his mom still hopes it’s just a long and terrible phase that he’ll eventually grow out of. Kris tells Kyungsoo how his mom wants him to build a family of his own – the family that she never had with Kris’ dad; one that includes a husband, wife, and child that Kris cannot wrap his head around. In turn, Kyungsoo tells him about the difficulty he himself experiences when he’s faced with his family, talking about how despite how love has won, there is still resentment. It’s one thing to proclaim it but it’s an entirely different thing to stay true to it. His parents may say they love him just the same but Kyungsoo knows better. He can see the disappointment in their eyes, how he pales in comparison to the man who they’ve wanted him to be, to the kind of man who they still long for him to return to. The smaller man quietly recounts the pain he felt when he stopped receiving calls from home after he came out; how the invitations to visit home had ceased coming when he quit his job at an office to work as a tattoo artist. Now it’s always him how has to make the first move. He’s the one who always calls first and it’s his parents who get the final word before hanging up on him. Kyungsoo, holding back tears, tells Kris about how he has to ask his family if he can come home, that he needs permission to visit the house he grew up in, just because his parents usually have friends over and the last thing they want is to explain to other people what kind of person their son has turned out to be. Kris cradles Kyungsoo face in his hands, stroking his cheeks with his thumbs. He can’t say it’s going to be okay because it’s not okay and they don’t know if it ever will be. It’s sad living a life with your partner without being able to introduce to your family the person who has brought happiness to their child, brother, nephew, or grandson. Sadly, all Kris can do is to try and make up for the love lost. “I’m here, Kyungsoo.” He kisses the corners of the smaller man’s eyes, tasting bitterness and salt, anger and resignation. “I know it’s not much but I’m – ” “No.” Kyungsoo shakes his head, hands closing on Kris’ wrists. “Don’t say that. What we have is more than enough. It’s much more than I can ever hope to have with someone.” Kyungsoo lets go of Kris’ wrists to wrap his arms around the taller man’s neck, pulling Kris down to press their foreheads together. “Family or not.” Kris pecks his darling on the lips before he reaches for the covers that have somehow ended up at their feet. The two of them always get to talking at night and he’s glad about how much they’ve opened up to one another, but he’s also furious at having to hear about so much hate that Kyungsoo doesn’t deserve. He doesn’t realize how much if affects him until Kyungsoo calls him out for it. “What’s wrong? Why are you making that face?” The smaller man asks as he snuggles into Kris’ side, slinging an arm around his boyfriend’s waist. Kris places a hand above the one resting on his bare stomach. “I just don’t understand how some people can be so difficult.” “Well no one ever said life would be easy. Let alone our lives.” “I know that, baby. I just can’t help but feel cheated. You and I are no different from other people but things are harder for us just because.” It goes without saying that it’s not easy living a life with another man. Nor is it any easier to grow into a person who your family has never dreamed of identifying as part of their own kin. Kyungsoo sighs, tired of having to fight a battle he has already lost to expectations. “My family’s words are promising but I know that they say things they don’t mean just so we can end all the impending awkward conversations.” “I don’t see what’s so wrong about you working at a tattoo shop. You’re paid well and they maximize your skills!” Kris exclaims, lifting the hand he’s holding to his lips. “And did I mention that your designs are great?” “You’re supposed to say that.” Kyungsoo laughs, relieved to find his boyfriend ending all the fussing but also touched and a little turned on at how much Kris cares about him. It’s awfully endearing. “But you do know that by principle, you can’t not like the people giving you tattoos?” The smaller man opts to school Kris, knowing they always get a heck out of teasing one another. “I remember some of my co-workers talking about how we maintain clients by making sure they’re comfortable with us. After all, we’re permanently marking their skin. It means they trust us artists to make them look good with ink, hoping that we won’t end up giving them a random blob.” A few days ago, Kris had a new tattoo added to his array. Being the sap that he is, he gives meaning to each of the body art he has imprinted on his skin. Since it’s also the first one he’s having done by a lover, he found it only natural for his tattoo to be about Kyungsoo. “I saw this symbol that’s supposed to represent the element of earth and I was wondering if you could make it look less complicated than the one I found on Google.” Kris hands to Kyungsoo his phone that’s displaying the photo he downloaded. “Something minimalist would be nice. And no other color but black.” “This is supposed to be about me?” Kyungsoo asks curiously as examines the symbol, mind already working to incorporate in the design Kris’ requests. “You do know that I just described your wardrobe, right? Simple and all black?” “I thought you were trying to say that I was dark and boring.” Kyungsoo deadpans. Kris squawks indignantly. “I also chose the earth symbol because you keep me grounded.” Kyungsoo looks up from where he’s examining the photo to stare at Kris, then begins to shakes his head sadly, like he regrets ever having to hear what his boyfriend had just said. “Why are you made of cheese?” Kris bursts out laughing and murmurs you know you like it before he kisses a blushing Kyungsoo. While he’d also like to tell him that the tattoo is going on his upper right arm because that’s where Kyungsoo snuggles up to him when they’re in bed, Kris supposes he can save that for later. The smaller man has suffered enough of his teasing for today. There are happier days – more than the two of them can ever count. Describing Kris as a supportive partner is an understatement. In the course of their relationship, not once has he asked Kyungsoo to lighten up or to smile more than he’s used to. Kris understands that Kyungsoo isn’t being selectively reserved; he’s simply staying true to his quiet self. He’s proud of Kyungsoo. While he was initially taken aback by Kyungsoo’s craft, Kris was honest about his prejudice and it came as quickly as it left. He loves the artistry and creativity that lives inside the smaller man. Kris even recommends Kyungsoo’s tattoo shop to his friends and co-workers who are looking to get a tattoo, convincing them that the talent is worth the price. And Kyungsoo puts up with this free advertising of his because he knows Kris does this out of sincerity and not for the sake of earning relationship points. As for Kyungsoo, he has become the epitome of love and strength in Kris’ life. His acceptance is unconditional, his words are comforting, and his presence is reassuring. What he lacks in expression he makes up for in action. In the confines of their shared space, his touches are warm and his smiles are warmer. What he cannot show in public, he makes up for in soft pecks on Kris’ lips and possessive fingers that link themselves in the large crevices of the taller man’s hands. Despite not having to work until later in the day, Kyungsoo wakes up the same time as Kris does every morning so he can prepare breakfast, eat with him, and see him off; going back to sleep once Kris has left. Their days together are filled with ease and quirks. The bedroom they share has a long row stuffed with Kris’ wide-brimmed hats and snapbacks, and the adjoining bathroom is filled with the many scented candles that Kyungsoo collects. Kris learns that Kyungsoo has this odd fixation with toothbrushes and their cleanliness; while Kyungsoo discovers that Kris, for some reason, does not like it when balloons are blown up right in front of him. Despite having lived in Korea for several years now, Kris still thinks kimchi can be a little sour but he doesn’t mind when Kyungsoo uses it for cooking, and that’s probably because Kyungsoo knows exactly how Kris likes his food. When Kyungsoo’s too tired from work, getting off at eight in the evening, it’s Kris who busies himself with buying takeout that his boyfriend will actually like. And despite Kyungsoo’s insistence for him to eat ahead, Kris still waits for him to come home so they can have dinner together. As sure as the sun rises every day, no matter the time, there is always happiness between the two of them. A kind of happiness that lights up using small matches and flares continuously against the ever changing sky. A happiness that no matter how bright, dims at certain moments but manages to find its spark once more. When the anniversary of their second year together draws near, Kris decides that he has given enough time for his mom to get used to the idea of him being gay. He has spent so much time waiting for her to accept this phase of his, which was never a phase to begin with, that it has led to him being too caught up in what she thinks rather than focusing on his own future that he now shares with Kyungsoo. Kris’ mom knows about Kyungsoo but that doesn’t mean she acknowledges him. Kris repeatedly tries to talk about his boyfriend, constantly mentioning Kyungsoo in his stories, but his mom steers clear of his attempts, choosing things that she wants to hear, comment on, and reply to. Nonetheless, Kris continuously tries to walk on thin ice, thinking he can get to the other side if he plays his cards right. Right now, the timing could not be any more perfect. His mom and her friends plan to visit Jeju for a few days and they’re spending a day in Seoul just to shop. Before she flies back to Guangzhou, Kris is determined to introduce his mom to Kyungsoo. They’re all going to have dinner together. It’ll be awkward, no doubt about it, but it will end in relief because the three of them will then have gone past another step towards the road of acceptance. Kyungsoo is still at work so Kris has ample time to finish this phone call that’s bound to take a while. “Benben!” Kris’mom exclaims when she picks up the phone. “Hey, mom! I hope I didn’t call at a bad time.” “Not at all.” His mom tuts. “I was just about to phone you myself. I sent you an email about an hour ago. It’s our itinerary for Jeju. Can you look through it?” “Sure, mom. I’ll get back to you on that asap.” “Let me know what else we can do there. You’ve been to Jeju before, right?” “Yeah mom, I have. I went there last summer with Kyungsoo.” “That’s nice, dear. So how have you been?” The way it doesn’t faze her, like she didn’t even hear it, makes Kris flinch. “I’m doing good, mom. I’ve been thinking of getting a dog and surprising Kyungsoo with it on our anniversary. What do you think?” There are two ways to read the situation – he’s either making his own mom uncomfortable by talking about his life or he’s letting her know just how serious things are between Kyungsoo and him. “I think that’s a great idea. I know how much you love animals.” Kris almost laughs but decides to keep it to himself. “Thanks, mom. So do you think you have time for dinner with me when you go to Seoul? I know this is just a quick trip but it’d be nice to see you again.” “Sure, honey. That sounds lovely. But I can’t stay too long. I have to head to the airport with your aunts right after.” “Don’t worry. I won’t keep you.” Kris grins, “And I’ll make sure you’re not late. I know this place like the back of my hand so everything will be fine.” “Then it’s settled. I’ll let you know where we are in the afternoon so you can come by and pick me up.” “Great. I hope you won’t mind but I’m thinking of bringing Kyungsoo along.” Kris makes sure to word his sentences carefully. He doesn’t want to offer conditions. He wants to hear what his mom has to say about this. The short pause comes as no surprise and his mom’s reply is no shock to him either. “Wouldn’t it be better if the three of us had dinner some other time? We’ll only be seeing each other for a short while so a little mother-son bonding time would be nice. Besides, there’s always a next time.” “But when will that be?” Kris sighs. “Mom, I’m sorry. I know I’m whining here but you keep saying next time and we both know that’s an indefinite date in your book.” “Who says I’m not serious now?” His mom gives a strained laugh to ease the tension. “You’re going to have to meet Kyungsoo eventually, mom. Why not sooner than later?” “Kris, honey, you used to introduce me to your girlfriends all the time back then but they never end up staying long.” “Mom, it was you who insisted on meeting my girlfriends.” “I’m just saving you the trouble just in case this one turns out to be the same.” “We’ve been together for almost two years now. You and I both know that’s longer than any of the relationships I’ve ever had. Also, this one has a name and it’s Kyungsoo.” “I know that, Kris.” He hears his mom sigh like she’s tired of tiptoeing around a teenager with pre-pubescent angst that needs to be set right. “Just please give Kyungsoo a shot? I did and look where we are now. He’s a nice guy. You’ll like him. Really.” “Honey, what good will it do for me to meet him? We’d have nothing to talk about because you’ve already told me about him. And don’t think I don’t listen because I do.” Yes, mom. You do listen but not with an open mind. “Maybe you’d think better of him once you hear him talk about himself.” Kris proposes, hopeful. “What’s there to say? He’s a tattoo artist that goes out with my son. Kris, dear, you two don’t need to prove a point.” The way she describes him, so condescending, makes it hard for Kris to temper the anger in him that’s threatening to rise. He’s a good son, a respectful one. However, there are times when his mom proves to be too much to handle. “Mom, come on. Please? Do this for me. I’m pulling out the Benben card this time. This would mean a lot to us.” Another pause. An exasperated one. “Are you sure about him?” His mom asks, reluctant but getting there. “Kris, you know I don’t like the idea of leading you on in this phase of yours.” “Again, mom. This is not a phase. And yes, I am very sure about Kyungsoo.” “Will it make you happy, dear?” “Yes. It will.” You already know that, mom. You just find it unfathomable. “All right, Benben.” The following day, before Kris heads off to work, he tells Kyungsoo about their plans to meet with his mom and to be honest, he had expected a different reaction from the one he gets. “She doesn’t mind meeting us? Having dinner with me?” Kyungsoo asks, confused and a little taken aback. His eyebrows are furrowed as he sits across Kris at the dining table. “Well, she kind of does but I managed to convince her to come see us.” Kris explains, taking a long sip of his coffee so he can gauge the situation at hand. There’s tension in the air and he’s genuinely surprised to find it there. “Wow, I – that’s great, Kris. But are you sure this is okay? I don’t want to cause any trouble.” “Of course it’s okay. Why wouldn’t it be?” Kris answers, feeling perplexed. The smaller man does not respond. He simply nods, face impassive as he takes a bite of bread, eyes trained on the surface of the table. “Don’t you want to meet my mom?” Kyungsoo wouldn’t exactly say that he’s scared to meet Kris’ mom. Worried, yes, but he already expects the worst from the situation, knowing he’ll be much more surprised if his boyfriend’s mother ends up liking him. Quite frankly, what he’s terrified of is what might inevitably come after – Kris will want to meet his parents in turn. “It’s not that I don’t want to, Kris.” Kyungsoo tells him, voice quiet and steady. “It’s just that… I don’t think she’ll like me, that’s all.” “Baby, what are you talking about? I mean, sure, she’s not the easiest person to please but my mom will learn to get over herself.” “I don’t know, Kris. I don’t think I’m the kind of person you’d want to introduce to your family.” Kris just stares at him, disbelievingly so. “I’m clearly not a woman.” Kyungsoo needlessly explains, “Also, the last thing any parent would want to hear about is that their son is dating a stranger who he just happened to get along with after a random hook-up.” “My mom should be old enough to understand that these things happen.” The taller man tips his head to the side, wondering how and why their conversation is slowly turning into an argument. “Have you actually asked her if she’s okay with all this? Or did you just force the idea on her?” Kyungsoo knows he may as well have been talking about himself. He’s upset at the thought of possibly having to face his family, knowing Kris might very well expect him to return the favor. The smaller man knows that he and Kris stand together in advocating for acceptance, but shouldn’t his partner thought to have asked him first if it’s okay for them to go through with this and if they’re both ready for it? A little courtesy, while deemed inconsequential at the face of familiarity, would have been appreciated. “Kyungsoo, you’re sounding just like my mom.” Kris accuses him, suddenly finding himself riled up. “I’m doing this for us. I’m trying to set things on track. I mean, don’t you think it’s high time we’ve met each other’s families?” Kyungsoo sighs a he lets his feelings be known in the simplest way possible, “No.” “What?” “Kris, you keep assuming that it’ll be okay but neither of us knows for sure how well your mom will actually take to things. You’re acting on impulse – don’t interrupt me, please – I’m sorry but that’s how I see it. You don’t seem to care if your mom ends up hating us, as long as you’ve done your part in reaching out. Now I know I can’t tell you how to deal with your mom because she’s your family, but I’m telling you now, I can’t let you act that way in front of my family.” Kris’ expression is cold and his lips are pressed together in a tight line, his fists are clenched and they’re bearing down hard against the surface of the table. It’s a clear call that Kyungsoo should stop talking or else, but he continues, wanting to finish what they’ve started. “We’ve been together long enough for me to know that you will want to meet my family, Kris, but I’m not sure if you can.” “And why the hell not? They know who I am. It’s just a matter of meeting me in person.” “No.” Kyungsoo silences him, voice wavering. “Kris, when my family meets you, they’re meeting me, too. They’re going to meet the son they’ve raised who has lost all sense of respectability when he decided to be with a man. It’s not enough that I left the corporate world to play around with paint and colors, I also chose to live with a man who I only bothered to get to know after I’ve slept with him – Kris, that’s all they hear whenever I talk about our relationship. I’m telling you now, it’s not worth it. At least not with my family.” Kyungsoo watches as Kris rises from his seat, his aura now frigid as ice as he points accusingly at the smaller man. “You’re not even trying, Kyungsoo. Do you know how unfair this is?” “Kris, you don’t understand, I – ” “Are you saying that I’ve wasted my breathe trying to talk you up to my mom? Damn it, Kyungsoo, whatever happened to us moving forward?” The way the taller man is running a hand through his hair, exasperated, is a warning sign that he is this close to the breaking point. “Again, Kris, you don’t understand – baby please let me explain – you don’t understand that this thing with you meeting my family is more about me than it is about us. You know I can live with my family’s contempt towards our relationship. We don’t need them to be happy, Kris. What I can’t bear though is having them leave me for good. I’m your partner, yes, but I am also a son to my parents. I have a duty to be a supportive partner and a duty to be a good son. Right now, I can’t see a way of fulfilling both of these tall orders because they’re too much for me. So I’m asking you, as my partner, to please understand that I have to sacrifice a part of our life together for the sake of my own life.” Kris takes off without a word; turning his back abruptly and holding up his keys behind him to signal that he’s leaving for work. Later that night, when Kyungsoo returns home from work, he opens the door to find Kris sitting at the couch, waiting for him. He walks hesitantly towards the taller man, the tightening in chest only ceasing when Kris leans out to pull him by the waist once he’s near enough to touch. Kyungsoo falls on top of Kris who maneuvers into lying down at the couch. Their eyes do not stray from one another. Their position is intimate; their chests are touching and their breaths are mingling. The smaller man is the first one to give in, pressing his lips lightly against Kris’ own, whimpering when his boyfriend kisses him back fervently. “I’m sorry for not trying harder to understand you but I can’t be sorry for wanting to be closer to you, Kyungsoo.” Kris admits, one hand sneaking under Kyungsoo’s shirt to palm the small of his back. He knows that this gesture comforts Kyungsoo tremendously. Kyungsoo blinks sadly, fingers tracing the bridge of Kris’ nose and the outline of his thick eyebrows. He buries his face in the crook of the taller man’s neck before he murmurs a reply. “You have it easier, Kris. Your mom still calls you and she still answers your call without any intention of hanging up soon after – I don’t have that kind of relationship with my parents anymore.” Kris doesn’t respond but Kyungsoo can feel the body against him deflate – disappointment ringing clear in the air. He peppers Kris’ neck with kisses, mouthing apologies. Kris sighs before he wraps his arms tight around the smaller man, holding him close and hugging him dearly. “You’re killing me, Kyungsoo.” When Kris walked out on Kyungsoo in the middle of their fight, he wasn’t thinking of anyone but himself. At that moment in time, he didn’t care what Kyungsoo would think or do. All he knew was that he needed to get out of their apartment for his own good. He knew that if he stayed any longer he might end up doing something he’d come to regret right after. All throughout the day, Kyungsoo’s words haunted him. He couldn’t get past how unfair it was that the scale was tipping towards Kyungsoo’s side. Terrible as it was, Kris’ mind was consumed with thoughts of how inconsiderate his partner can be – and with that he failed to see his own misgivings. Only after the ordeal with his mom did Kris realize that he’s the selfish one. Kris is not going to lie and say that it went great because it definitely could have gone better. His mom could have loved Kyungsoo but this is real life and not a scene pulled straight out of Kris' imagination. Change does not happen overnight, let alone in a span of forty minutes, but it was still disappointing to see how unforgiving his mom can be. She squeezes Kris dry with her hug but only smiles faintly at Kyungsoo when the smaller man bows to greet her. True enough, his mom does give Kyungsoo a chance, but that doesn’t mean she’s happy about it – not once did she promise that to her son. Never does she direct a question at Kyungsoo, the smaller man thus being forced to start and continue the conversation, lest he’s the one who comes off as rude. Without fail, Kyungsoo takes it all in, nodding politely when Kris’ mom casually brings up her son’s past relationships and future commitments, kindly reading barely concealed jibes as seemingly light banter for Kris’ sake. It was then when Kris realized that this is exactly what Kyungsoo has to go through every single time he visits home. He has to put up with disapproving looks, condescending sneers, and thinly veiled insults. It’s one thing to hear his boyfriend tell him about it but it’s an entirely different thing to see him actually experiencing it – and what’s worse is that it’s not coming from his own parents, it’s from Kris’ mom. While Kris was busy feeling sorry for himself, thinking that he was being cheated of a fair chance, Kyungsoo was the real victim; he was the one being robbed of understanding from the people he loves. It’s not Kris who has an unsupportive partner and an overbearing family – it’s Kyungsoo. Despite the palpable tension and contempt, at least his own mom relented and agreed to meet his partner because no matter what happens, Kris is his son. In spite of his lukewarm response and initial reluctance, Kyungsoo had set his worries aside and allowed his self-respect to take a beating from his boyfriend’s mom because he wants Kris to see how much he means to him – yet all Kris can think of is how insensitive Kyungsoo can be. Kris can’t remember the last time he’s thought so low of himself. It’s been a month since they’ve fought and it’s been weeks since they’ve met with Kris’ mom, but Kyungsoo still feels guilt and remorse for having upset his boyfriend. It’s clear to him that the taller man holds nothing against him, that he bears no ill will towards Kyungsoo. If anything, Kris is apologetic to the point of being pathetic. He’s grown kinder, giving way to Kyungsoo’s whims and wishes more often than he usually does, even when there’s no reason to do so. There’s an imbalance that Kris is trying to set right, when all along it’s his unfounded kindness that is tipping the scale. It’s not that Kyungsoo doesn’t appreciate the gesture, because he genuinely does. What he doesn’t like, though, is that it’s born out of shame and not love. Love should not ask for anything in return but Kyungsoo needs to show Kris that he’s more than willing to sacrifice and make compromises for the sake of their relationship. However, it’s not easy trying to make up for his refusal to let Kris meet his family when the only way to truly make amends is to actually go through with the ordeal. With what he’s done, with what he has asked of Kris, it’s as if his family means more to him than their relationship does – and that is not the case. Kyungsoo, admittedly, simply cannot bear to lose his family any more than he already has. Their presence in his life may be inconsequential and bittersweet, but Kyungsoo would like to hold on to what little gratitude and acknowledgement they expressed, simply because he chose not to “burden” them with his “way of life.” Still, this does not mean that Kyungsoo is going to take it all in stride; he’s not going to sit still all throughout his life for the sake of upholding the family name. He may love his family but that does not mean that there is no resentment towards how much they had given him hell for choosing to live the life that he finds fulfilling. If he has allowed his family to take something away from his relationship with Kris, then Kyungsoo finds it only fair to break a promise he once made to them. When Kyungsoo had sat him down on their bed, Kris knew they were going to talk. They’ve put it off for too long and he’s beginning to worry at how Kyungsoo’s hands tremble whenever he holds them. Kyungsoo is keeping something from him and Kris wants nothing more than to find out what it is; he’s anxious about how it might cost them their relationship if it’s not brought out in the open. However, Kris’ fretting is sidetracked when Kyungsoo comes crawling towards him; kneeling in front of him before taking his shirt off. “Kyungsoo, I –” Kris breathes out, shocked. “Baby, what did you do?” “I can’t even begin to express just how sorry I am, Kris.” Kris places a hand on either sides of Kyungsoo’s waist. He’s speechless; he’s mesmerized by what he sees. “You keep telling me stop apologizing, that it’s okay, even when we both know that it isn’t. I – I don’t know how to make it up to you completely or if that’s even possible, but I did this to show you that I’m willing to do anything for you, Kris.” Kyungsoo moves closer to the taller man so that he’s kneeling between Kris’ legs. He cups Kris’ face in his hands before continuing, “I have countless ways to show you, tell you, and prove to you that I’m yours. This is one of them.” Kris gently traces the ink on the smaller man’s pale skin, he eyes them reverently, gaze transfixed and expression awed. “My tattoos.” Kyungsoo has matched every tattoo that Kris has got with a mark of his own. In the time that they’ve been together, Kris has memorized the planes and curves of the smaller man’s body, every groove and beauty mark. He has mapped out the territory of Kyungsoo’s skin an infinite number of times and now with the tattoos, one would think that there is an entirely new path to commit to memory, but Kris only sees familiarity – Kris sees himself inked on Kyungsoo’s skin. He’s reminded that what he once thought was lost was never gone to begin with. Kyungsoo knows the story of his every tattoo and the meaning behind each one. Seeing them imprinted on his lover’s skin is a testament of the lengths Kyungsoo will go for him, despite the costs and no matter what other people may think, family or not. “What do you think?” Kyungsoo asks him in a small voice, not because he’s scared to hear Kris’ answer but because the smaller man is biting his lips, trying to keep a moan from escaping him as he feels Kris’ large hands rove around his body, pressing against the marks. “What do I think?” Kris mimics as he pulls his boyfriend closer to him so he can mouth at the tattoo on his chest, lick down the one lining the side of his torso, and dig his fingernails at the mark below his nape. “I can’t believe you let someone else see you half-naked.” Kris responds to his question much later, when he’s finally satisfied with how flustered Kyungsoo has become. Kyungsoo feigns a frown and lightly pushes Kris at the chest. Kris takes the blow and goes down on the bed, pulling Kyungsoo with him. The smaller man muffles his laugh in Kris’ chest, embracing him tight. “I’m glad you like it.” “I’m – I don’t know what to say. You have every single one of my tattoos.” “Oh. I don’t.” Kyungsoo tells him, pushing himself back up from Kris’ chest to look down at his lover and to show him his upper right arm with no earth symbol to brandish. “I want you to choose the tattoo. Whatever you want, Kris.” There’s a lot of weight in his words and the two of them know it. It’s a sign of willingness and trust. With that, Kris nods thoughtfully, fingers walking up the length of Kyungsoo’s arm, stopping to caress the bare skin. “My name.” Kris answers and he hears Kyungsoo hum in approval. Kris spends the rest of the night tracing the strokes of his name on his lover’s arm, inking 吴亦凡 on Kyungsoo’s skin. THANK YOU FOR READING! Please leave a comment HERE or on the Livejournal post.