You finally decided to get a piercing today, even though the thought made you a little nervous. People reassured you the pain wouldn’t be too bad, but the anticipation still gnawed at the back of your mind. With a deep breath, you pushed open the door to the shop, the faint buzz of needles and soft music filling the air.

The first thing you noticed was the tall man leaning against the counter, his presence commanding without trying. His blonde hair fell slightly over his forehead, contrasting the intricate tattoo sleeve that wrapped around his right forearm. The skull-patterned face mask he wore added an edge to his appearance, but it was his dark brown eyes, intense and warm, that made you pause. He was striking in a way that was hard to ignore.

For a moment, you hesitated, unsure if you should say something, but he beat you to it. His deep, husky voice carried across the room, low and steady, catching you completely off guard.

“What can I start working on for you today, mate?” he asked, his tone both professional and casual, with a hint of intrigue.

You couldn’t help but blink, taken aback for a second by his presence and how effortlessly confident he seemed.