*tides will bring me back to you * / oliver sykes

Chapter 7.

Avery's POV:

The sting of the tattoo needle was just like it was: a needle injecting small amounts of ink into your skin hundreds of times in the span of an hour or two. And damn id it hurt, a lot.

I did my best to fight the tears welling up in my eyes, but some of them managed to slip through, and I held my breath at the beginning of the process. But now that it was over, I was actually quite proud and happy with the outcome, it was a few lyrics, Bring Me the Horizon lyrics to be exact, tattooed forever on my left shoulder blade in black cursive ink.

Everybody wants to go to heaven,

But no one wants to die,

I can fear death, no longer,

I've died a thousand times...

Hospital for Souls was probably one of my favourite, if not my very favourite BMTH song, it just spoke of bad times, but at the same time, didn't sugarcoat the bad ones. While the skin around it was still very tender and bloody, I couldn't wait to peel the bandage off of it one morning.

I smiled as I practically skipped out of private room, Oli and Matt K behind me. The guys were so sweet and caring; they had insisted on staying with me through the entire painful process, and had even offered to hold my hands. I thought I was going to faint when that happened.

I was luckily starting to feel a lot more comfortable around the guys of BMTH, as they were just ordinary lads that just so happened to be rockstars for a living, but other than that, they were normal. Well, a bit strange at times, but mostly normal. I smiled as Lee offered my a piggy back and I willingly hopped on, laughing as i swung me feet. These guys were truly incredibly kind.

"Where to now, m'lady?" He asked and i giggled, shrugging, "up to you guys."

"A bar?" Jordan asked, making the others perk up instantly.

I began to feel slightly uncomfortable, "um, if you guys want you could go. I'll just go." I preferred to stay away from alcohol, it reminded me too much of my mom.

Matt N swatted Jordan on the back of his head, "idiot, she can't drink legally yet! Wait, can you?" He turned to me.

I slid off of Lee's back and fiddled with my hands nervously, 'yeah i can, i just don't like to. "I shrugged, "but you guys go have fun. It was really nice hanging out with you all," I smiled weakly before quickly turning away and starting for home.

A hand stopped me dead in my tracks, Oliver's hand. He flashed me a grin and spun me around, "don't go. These jokers can go to a bar and get trashed if they want, but I was going to get another tattoo. Care to join?"

I stuttered at his question, "wh-what?"

He chuckled and indicated to the group of retreating boys in the background, and then pointed to the tattoo parlour, "stay with me."

I gulped nervously but complied, and together, we reentered the shop.

Oli picked out his new tattoo in no time and was already in the chair, and he tugged is shirt over his head. i gasped at the amount of ink covering his body already; there was no space left for anything else. He grinned at my reaction and he settled into the chair, taking my hand in his. I bit my lip unconsciously and sat down uncertainly in a small stool beside his chair, gripping his hand tightly.

As the process began, I felt my own tattoo begin to itch and sting slightly, but Oli's expression never wavered. His eyes focussed intently on mine, memorizing my facial features. He didn't wince or lose focus once, he just gazed at me, and I back.

"does it hurt?" I whispered, the silence echoing around me endlessly.

He smirked and shrugged, "not really. You got one just now, you should know."

"I know, it's just... i don't know, different, "I struggled to find the right word.

He put his other hand over mine and traced my knuckes gently, "I know, love