"Does it hurt?" AJ asked, leaning
against the frame of the door.
Nick looked up, and his eyes were wide,
like he'd been caught doing something wrong. "Sort of," he said finally. "Only
as much as the other ones, I guess." The bandage was off, lying in a small white
heap on the side of the bed, and he was drawing his fingers lightly up and down
his arm, barely brushing against the flesh around his tattoo. It was still as
red and raw as a new burn.
AJ sat down next to him on the bed and touched
his finger's to Nick's, right on the edge of the tribal band. He heard Nick draw
in a breath, but he didn't pull back. Instead, he used his other hand to move
Nick's fingers gently away, as his own brushed lightly over the red surrounding
flesh, then slowly, slowly over the new tattoo.
Nick sucked in a gasp,
and AJ pressed slightly harder, spreading his fingers wider. He raised his eyes
to Nick's, so he could see the look in the pale grey eyes, and when he was sure
he leaned down ever so slowly to lick over the fresh ink.
END
Picture gacked from Brodes.