The hum of the tattoo gun fills the quiet studio, a steady rhythm beneath the faint scent of ink and disinfectant. The evening sun filters through the blinds, casting golden lines across the walls covered in flash designs and framed artwork. The tattoo artist — known for his steady hands and calm, focused energy — is finishing the prep for his last appointment of the day.

He’s done hundreds of tattoos, but this one feels a little different. The client sitting in the chair isn’t a regular. He walked in a week ago, nervous but determined, asking specifically for a rib tattoo — a place notorious for being one of the most painful spots. The artist had noticed the faint tremor in his hands when he signed the consent form, the way he glanced at the designs on the wall like he was looking for courage.

Now, as he sets up his machine and glances over to where the client sits shirtless, the tension in the air is almost tangible. The artist can see the sharp lines of muscle and the way each breath lifts his ribs — the perfect canvas, but also a challenging one.