A Mark of the Heart

[riff_razor]

For Writer's Month 2022 Day 5: Heart (CW: references to child abuse)


Rik sat down with his cousin alone for once. It was a rare thing on tour with this many musicians. Mikkel was digging around in his bag to pull out his drawing pad and the inks. Rik pulled off his shirt and then walked over to sit on the chair beside his younger cousin. They had lived through hell together and there was something beautiful in watching the boy flourish now that he was away from the hatred and abuse.

“Here.” Mikkel shoved the open pad toward his cousin.

Rik took it and looked down at the drawing. The black and purple crossed guitars over a heart colored in half Union Jack and half the flag of Denmark. It was perfect and he smiled at his cousin. “The shoulder?”

Mikkel glanced over, both young men were rail thin, and he held the drawing up to Rik's shoulder. “Is that where you want it?”

“Yes. On the same side as my music notes.” Rik confirmed.

Mikkel gave him a smile because he knew why these tattoos belonged on the same side. Both represented men his cousin loved, would probably never stop loving as long as he lived. Rik was that way. He went in all the way, went in for keeps, or not at all.

Mikkel busied himself shaving and cleaning Rik's shoulder. “Does Billy know?”

Rik smiled and let out a little shy laugh. “No.”

Mikkel kissed his cousin's cheek. They were so much a like and yet so different. One shy and one a loudmouth but they shared a lot. They were unbreakable, determined, caring, and had a love for music and art that wouldn't fade.

“Do you think he will like it?” Mikkel asked while positioning the stencil and pressing it in place.

“I hope so.” Rik looked at the purplish black stencil lines on his shoulder. “I hope it will ease things between them.”

Mikkel was putting on gloves and pouring out inks while they continued to talk. “I saw them talking together earlier over drinks.: Mikkel knew the road had been rough. His cousin's current boyfriend and his ex in one place and sort of forced into each other's space. “If Sigurd can stop being a jealous bastard, anyone can.”

“Has he?” Rik started to laugh as Mikkel began the black linework.

Mikkel pausing to laugh. “Fuck no. He's just as ready to punch everyone.”

“That's not reassuring then.” Rik mused while twisting a little to watch the lines go in. “Have you tattooed Fredrik yet?”

Mikkel shook his head. “Not yet. He has great skin for ink though I think. Like yours.” Mikkel kept working though his mind was breifly on his best friend.

“What does that mean?” Rik'd curiosity obvious in the tone.

“Pale, soft, well cared for.” Mikkel shrugged. “Some skin is easier to ink than others. I don't know. I can just tell when touching it. Rekker's skin is a bitch. Red heads are like that. The ink tends to blowout if you aren't careful because their skin is delicate.”

Rik laughed enough that Mikkel had to pause in his work for the way it shuddered his body. “Rekker is the last person I would call delicate.”

Mikkel started to laugh too while cleaning and change out his tattoo needles. “I guess that is the trade off. You get to be a demonic freight train but your skin is delicate as flowers.”

Rik glanced at the nearly finished black lines. “I wouldn't let him hear that.”

“I don't know.: Mikkel responded while starting to work on the color and shading. “I talked to him about that sleeve he's getting to match Bjorn's and he wants flowers and things in it. I think some of that grouchy asshole persona is an act.”

“Oh.” Rik stiffled more laughter. “Like your bratty, loud mouth?'

Mikkel went quiet for nearly all the dark colors. The younger Dane lost in thought for a long time while he milled over his own thoughts. “I don't know. Probably. His parents locked him in an empty room too. We might have some things alike.”

Rik reached over and stroked Mikkel's arm while he switched colors. The worry he felt over how Mikkel was coping wasn't going away, even now that it was several months later. “You both have people to treat you well now.”

Mikkel went in to finish up the white and make sure the tattoo was clean. “Did you just suggest that Sigurd and Bjorn have something in common?”

The tattooing had to stop again as they shared a good long bout of snorting laughter. Mikkel shook his head. “Well, they both bitch when they don't get their way.”

Rk nearly doubled over laughing, partially because this was funny but exaggerated from the slight high of tattoo pain.

“Come on.” Mikkel grouched. “I'm almost done. Then you can laugh all you want.”

“Ok.. ok.” Rik tried to hold it in and then went into more laughter. “You can finish.”

Rik bit on his lip to keep the laughter in and saw the twinkle in Mikkel's eyes that suggested he was doing his bests to stay quiet too. The two struggled through the last fifteen minutes of tattooing then the giggles broke free again.

“Go have a look in the mirror.” Mikkel patted Rik's thigh then went to clean up the mess from his work.

“OH.. Mikkel...” Rik stood at the mirror, hands over his mouth and almost in tears.

“It looks good on you.” And it did. The bold colors on his pale cousin popped out. “It's going to look good with all your red, purple, and black stage gear.

Rik turned and gave the other Dane a lingering hug. “Thank you.”

“I owe you so much. This can start making up for it.” Mikkel mentioned while clinging to Rik.

“You don't owe me anything, never.” Rik kissed his forehead and then smiled. “Except a drink after losing that game this morning.

Mikkel sighed and rolled his eyes, more like a teenager than the young adult he was. “Let me clean up.”

Comments

[oprorsk_sode]

"How long did it take you to fuck Rik after you met him?" Mikkel raised a brow. "Sigurd and I hung out for awhile before anything happened."

Rik leaned into Billy's touch and then listened to Mikkel. He knew too much about what Mikkel was saying but did crack another smile.

"Everyone in the world saw Ronno's ass on the TV." Mikkel mentioned, glad that the subject didn't linger.

[shutyour_frettingmouth]

"Not long. The same evening we met at the bar."

Billy couldn't wait to lay alongside Rik because he figured the boy needed a good lay after having his head shoved inside a load of books. The Brit wondering what all the orchestra stuff was about but now he knew. Rik was a man of many talents and could play many instruments with skill.

"Yeah, I think you're right. It was fucking hilarious though, not to mention brave as hell to do that live on TV. I bet Ziggy loved it too."

Would Billy do such a thing? No fucking way. Not only that but Rik wouldn't dare and he knew that.

[oprorsk_sode]

"You're dirtier than Sigurd." Mikkel started to giggle a little. "Rik was almost a virgin too."

Mikkel shrugged and then started to flush bright red. "I.. I don't know about on TV but I would on a club stage."

[shutyour_frettingmouth]

"What? You reckon I'm dirtier than your dirty daddy?"

Billy just burst out laughing because no one had ever called him dirty before and it amused him. Tarty, brash, jealous, cheeky, possessive perhaps but never dirty. Mikkel was a good bloke though.

"Oh? Right in front of everyone else you'd get your naked ass out and have it pounded by dirty daddy? That's fucking kinky as hell but hot."

[oprorsk_sode]

"Right into bed the night you meet, like a slut." Mikkel tries desperately to say that with a serious face but he can't and starts laughing.

He's still giggling when he tries to respond to Billy. "Could you imagine the tips we'd get thrown at us?"

Sigurd would have to be drunk, really drunk, and teased for a long time before that would even be an option. The younger Dane shrugged. "I like the idea of people seeing that I'm his in such a... I don't know raw.. erotic way?"

Mikkel wasn't really sure what word to use at the end but it was certainly trie.

[shutyour_frettingmouth]

"A slut? You're a fucking cheeky bastard, you know that?"

Billy started laughing too because it was true what the boy said about the Brit. Hunter had set him up with Rik and it hadn't taken Billy long at all to flirt with the Dane and get him into bed. Mikkel though---such an exhibitionist.

"You'd really get fucked live on stage at the club? Just like Ronno fucked Ziggy."

Billy had seen it live on stage and had laughed. Gilly must have gotten a good few of Ronno's naked ass from where he sat at his drums. Mikkel liked being owned by Sigurd and Billy could understand that. Fucking kinky boy!

"Rik isn't into public sex and I respect that."

[oprorsk_sode]

"He told me you were a groupie."

Mikkel just giggling even more about this. Of course he knew all about Billy since Mikkel and Rik were still incredibly close.

"How he likes his lapdances in the club, it's not much more." Mikkel grinned but it was true. Sigurd got dirty as soon as he forgot about the other people in the club.

"Except for the backseats of cars." Mikkel snorted a laugh because he'd seen more of Rik naked in a car than anywhere else and that was with them sharing a room most of their life.

[shutyour_frettingmouth]

"I am his groupie. Sort of. Watching him on TV perform on stage and admiring how he played. This makes me his boy groupie boyfriend."

Billy just shrugged but laughed softly. The part about back seats of cars caused the Brit's face to fall slightly because Mikkel meant when Rik dated Ollie. The jealousy was still there but this was in the past so there was no need to feel bad about it now was there? Rik loved Billy and the Brit knew this. He was doing better and trying to push past all the negativity around Ollie and Rik because it was childish to get upset over memories.

"I heard. Maybe I'll get a car someday and take Rik out in it."

[oprorsk_sode]

Mikkel started to giggle. "Did you have dirty dreams about meeting him?"

The Dane frowned though when he saw that fall in Billy's expression. Mikkel was hyper aware of other people's emotions. He shifted immediately so he didn't upset Billy any more.

"I can teach you to drive?" He wondered if that was why the Brit didn't have a car.

[shutyour_frettingmouth]

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

Billy shoved Mikkel playfully in the side and knew the boy was just being a tease because Rik was his cousin so it was a natural assumption that the Brit did have dirty dreams. Everyone could have fantasies.

"You would? I can ride a bike I've just never needed to own a car before but now---maybe I think it's time I did learn. Ronno wants to learn too at some point. He told me so he can drive Ziggy around."

If Mikkel was willing to teach Billy to drive then who was he to say no?

[oprorsk_sode]

"No." Mikkel blushed and started to giggle. "But I know you did."

Mikkel was trying, in his own way, to make Billy feel welcome. He was family now.

"We can borrow Torden's if you want to." He would definitely teach Billy, especially if it lowered the strife in the family. The tension made Mikkel nervous even if he wasn't involved in it.

[shutyour_frettingmouth]

"You think he'll let me out in his car? A complete novice? I just don't want to scratch it or ruin it."

Billy was often reckless riding around on his bike at speeds so how would he cope driving a car and with Mikkel inside? He'd have to be careful because this car wasn't his and also he had Rik's cousin inside. It would be fine though, surely.

"I want to take Rik around in a car so we can ride out to places together. Move equipment around or even take surfboards and stuff inside it to go surfing. That sort of thing."

The Brit had thought about it before.

[oprorsk_sode]

"Torden taught me in a parking lot." Mikkel shrugged. "I can drive us to one if you want to try."

Mikkel snorted a laugh and gave Billy a sort of hug. "You can admit you want to drag my cousin into the backseat and see what all the fuss is about."

[shutyour_frettingmouth]

"Yeah, I wouldn't mind. I mean there's no rush so whenever."

Billy wasn't sure when these lessons would actually take place but if Mikkel was willing to teach him he would listen and learn. The Brit did crack a smile and then let out a giggle at that.

"Admit? I am telling the honest truth about the gear in the back and the days out. It's not just about a fuck in the backseat you cheeky bastard."

The Brit poking a finger at Mikkel's chest playfully.

[oprorsk_sode]

"We can go now." Mikkel giggled. "Torden's spending all day with his harem of boys."

The Dane swatted his hand away playfully. "Everyone knows you can't keep your hands off my cousin. He's always screaming." Mikkel knew that was, partially, from the Brit tickling Rik.

[shutyour_frettingmouth]

"He has so many boys. I've never known a man to have so many lovers at one time---are they all his? Actual boys he's fucking all at once?"

Billy just smirked and wondered how it all worked with jealousy and possessiveness. The man obviously had it worked out because there were hardly any fights among his many partners.

"He screams when I tickle him. And for other reasons."

The Brit just winked at Mikkel playfully as he readied himself for his first lesson.

[oprorsk_sode]

"He's always had a lot." Mikkel shrugged adn then giggled. "I don't know if they're all in bed but I think he got my brother, Fredrik's brother and Ulfen all at once."

It caused Mikkel to blush just thinking about it but he was trying to keep on task. "Do you yell when he scratches you up too?"

He didn't mention Ollie but that was what spurred that thought. "Let's go see Torden."

[shutyour_frettingmouth]

"If he's happy then why the fuck not? I'm happy with my smukke and that he's the longest boy that's ever wanted to stay with me. In the past most just stayed for a month or two then left because of social norm shit."

Billy didn't want to dwell on that so focused on going to see Torden with Mikkel for his driving lesson. He was finally going to be behind the wheel of a car. Surely, this meant he could actually take Rik out for rides once he passed? This made the Brit feel good inside.

"I can't tell if I yell or not because I'm too focused on Rik."

Mikkel would have to ask Billy's neighbours across the corridor.

[oprorsk_sode]

"They're all happy. I have two boyfriends too." Mikkel shrugged and then gave Billy a bit of a quick hug. "I haven't seen Rik this happy since we were kids and he was still with Ollie." That was the truth and he hoped that didn't bother the Brit to hear.

"Come on." Mikkel laughed at the comment and could understand the focus. He headed down the hall and knocked on Torden's door while wondering who might be in there with him.

[shutyour_frettingmouth]

"I've heard about Sigurd your---dirty Daddy? Grouchy Daddy? Something along those lines. He's bassist for Blixt, isn't he? Fredrik is your other boyfriend? Do you fuck them both at the same time?"

Billy was just being a playful tease because he didn't really know what went on with all three men at the same time if it did. The Brit felt a pang of warmth rise up inside him at hearing Mikkel's words.

Rik was truly happy with his tarty Brit.

Back when he was with Ollie....those words didn't cause as much jealousy to rise up as usual because Billy knew Rik was happy now. That was all that mattered.

[oprorsk_sode]

"He's a dirty bastard." Mikkel giggled and then went red before whispering to Billy and giggling. "We've slept in the same bed but... Sometimes I think about being with both of them.. you know..."

Mikkel giggled and felt his cheeks getting hotter. That was the moment Torden opening the door in just his underwear. Mikkel's eyes went wide and he stammered while staring at Torden pushing his messy hair back. Maybe he did have a load of naked boys in there or something.

[shutyour_frettingmouth]

"Oh yeah? Aren't we all when we've got a hot boy to take to bed?"

Billy wasn't going to pry further into Mikkel's love life because that would seem intrusive and he was here to learn to drive not see who the boy was sleeping with. Having fantasies was totally natural and the Brit giggled a little, messing Mikkel's hair up slightly.

"Hello, Torden. Mikkel here is willing to teach this Brit bastard how to drive."

Billy laughing slightly at seeing the look on the young Dane's face at seeing Torden in just his underwear. Johan pushed his head out of the door just dressed in his underwear too because he'd been spending time with Ulfen and Torden too.

"Johan? Fredrik said you were practicing guitar in your room."

Well, the "practicing" part might be something else than guitar.

[oprorsk_sode]

It took a moment for Mikkel to get his sense back and then he laughed.

"Torden's having an orgy. Who else you have in there?" Mikkel could hear Ulfen laughing in the room somewhere. Trash.

"Can we... um..." He stared at Johan for a moment and his cheeks heated up again. "..well you're not using the car obviously. Can I borrow it."

Mikkel is trying not to stare but the two mostly naked men in front of him definitely has him staring a lot. He feels like he forgot to blink and breathe at this point.

[shutyour_frettingmouth]

"Are you sure?"

Billy poked his head further in the door and made out Ulfen in the back laughing somewhere with Johan at the door in his underwear. Stripey tiger boxers. Such style! If they were leopard print then Hunter would surely love them. Billy couldn't tell if anyone else was in the room but he couldn't see Johan's guitar anywhere.

"I'll try not to wreck it, mate. This is my first time and Mikkel is helping me."

The Brit hoping Torden would say yes. Just seeing Mikkel stare and fumble his words caused Billy to poke Mikkel gently in the side.

"You're staring like my brother when he sees Hunter naked in the hallway."

[oprorsk_sode]

Ulfen wandered up to peer over Torden's shoulder at the boys. He's in just his robe, barely shut in the front.

Torden nodded and wandered back inside to rummage around in the clothing all over the floor to try and find his keys.

Mikkel snapped up his eyes from staring at Torden's ass while he bent over inside to sass the Brit. "OH! Are you jealous you aren't the hottest hairy man standing here?"

Ulfen started to giggle. "I agree with him." Of course, Ulfen was extremely biased.