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He'd shot Derek the text and pictures of the tattoo. Derek knew he was going to do this tattoo for Waru, but at the same time, he had been nervous about doing it, and then showing people afterwards. It was like he was a brand new artist all over again and it sent his stomach into butterflies. He couldn't figure out if he wanted to throw up or cry. (Maybe both.)

Still, Kor came back upstairs after Waru had left with happiness buzzing under his skin. Yeah, he'd tattooed again, he'd done that. It filled him with... good feelings. Serotonin is that you?

He came into his apartment, the biggest smile on his face Derek had ever seen on him and just let out an excited shout, starting a bit of a dance. He was even giggling.

Part of him thought he'd ******** it up. Maybe he'd get too anxious about having his tattoos out in public again, but nah. He was just elated.

Kor watched with a look of fond exasperation as Derek jumped over the back of the couch. One of these days the blond was going to run into the damn wall doing that. He looked at the ancient cat to make sure he was alright before catching Derek around the waist, the kiss returned. Green eyes were sparkling when they pulled back enough to at least speak again.

"It was.. Ah.." he nodded, trying to think about how to word it. "I was scared. You know. But... I think the client made it easy? Kind of uh...sort of a hero worship or something. Idolization? But it...Yeah. After a few minutes... It was like it was all those years ago."

How many years had it been? He closed up when Laine and him split.

"Didn't really realize how much I missed it until I did it."

"I uuuh.. Can debate you on the hot artist part."

Kor's confidence in himself had actually tanked with his eating disorder. "Before you say anything, you're biased. So." He stuck his tongue out before his forehead was kissed and then looked to the floor.

He hadn't told Laine. Kor knew he should, she was working with him in the store. He had been planning on putting her name on the title of the store and everything before they ended things, drifted apart. He rubbed his neck sheepishly and then looked up at Derek, shaking his head.

"I didn't know how to tell you, much less her, but I guess I just gotta..."

He did take his phone out and slowly shot her a text, explaining he hesitantly took on someone who he tattooed before and sent her a few of the pictures. Derek wasn't making him do it. Kor had been planning on it, it was just hard.

"It's got me thinking though. I dunno about the shop right away, but maybe... one or two clients here or there?"

"Well 'f I don't do it now..." He didn't want to give a reason for Laine to potentially hate him. That relationship still felt really rocky. Kor honestly needed to just spend an entire day with her to figure out where they stood. Were they still really in love? Did she... Well, Kor knew he loved her, but was she still in love with him?

He pushed his face to Derek's shoulder and let out a little sigh. Ugh. This was a complicated minefield to navigate.

"As for the shop? I got that one room cleaned up. I can do 'em all there. Keep the rest closed up.." Eight and Half would feel wrong without Laine working along side him, honestly. Even if he did open it and run it by himself before her. She'd brought her own touch, clientele, and just made it feel .... more.

"I dunno how many... how frequently but... I like it. I loved it. It was ...really fun."

Kor took a deep breath, heading to the kitchen to grab one of the small juice bottles Kazuo started leaving there. He popped it open and took a big drink as Derek started blubbering and rambling, but in a good and cute way. God, this boy was cute.

...He was in a good mood.

"Wait. You know someone?" Where there really that many people who wanted Kor to tattoo them? White teeth hit metal as Kor bit down on his bottom lip, worrying it between his teeth with clacks.

"Uh... Who? Do I know 'em?"

It took a moment for Kor to realize what Derek was saying. Even then, a look of fondness and worry crossed his face. This was hard for both of them to talk about. They'd both had to be honest about things they'd done in the past. Swallowing, Kor took Derek's hand that was being held out and he slowly brought it to his wrist. He left a soft kiss there, over what was to be covered and Kor's heart tightened.

"Yeah, baby..." He looked up, green eyes oddly watery. "Yeah. I can do that... Like the one on my shoulder?" He moved his hands to lace their fingers together now and squeezed.

"You... You really want that? And me to do it?"

"I mean... If I wasn't there at least. Or you didn't let me help you pick out a good artist." He hummed a little and just very slowly ran a thumb over the other's wrist, a gentle pressure. Kor was trying to be reassuring. He didn't do it long though. Would pull away after a few passes and then push Derek's curly hair around and out of his face a bit.

"I can do that, baby. I'd be so ******** honored. That's..." He smiled and nodded. "Yeah, no problem. But uh... for payment... You gotta give me a hundred kisses."