Heart Like Yours \\ M. Lucic

Chapter 23

This story makes me so sad I can't actually

god I ship Dakolan so hard

AND MILAN IS MY SPIRIT ANIMAL BC HE DID THE JACKING OFF MOTION AT HABS FANSI FUCKING LOVE HIM

anyway hockey makes me sad

Lolol

Ily enjoy ✌️✌️✌️

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"THERE!" Ed grinned triumphantly. I un-squeezed my eyes. His mischievous blue-green eyes shined. My skin was red and, let me tell you, that tattoo hurt. A lot. He had already finished the tattoo itself, but was finishing up the wrapping, bandaging, and ointment-ing (is that even a word?).

"So. Your tattoo care. Milan, I assume you already know about this, but I still need to go over this. Naturally, most people want to remove the bandage to show off their new Tattoo right away. But you should wait at least a few hours. Principally, this is to allow the traumatized skin to heal and the oozing--lymphatic flid and blood, that is--to stop flowing. These fluids may drain and collect in the bandage for an hour or more on a fresh Tattoo. After 4-6 hours feel free to remove the bandage--and don't leave the bandage on more than 8 hours. Once you've removed the bandage, clean your new Tattoo well with a mild, non-abrasive soap and warm water. DO NOT SCRUB, but your Tattoo is not as delicate as you might think either. Clean it well. Massage and remove the excess ink and dried fluid and be sure to remove the residue of any Neosporin. If you're exposing your Tattoo in the shower, do not let the full force of the shower spray directly onto the newly Tattooed skin. Let the shower spray run indirectly over your body to wash the Tattoo. You'll also find that a lukewarm shower is more comfortable and won't sting your new Tattoo. Hot water and steam opens the skin's pores and can cause greater loss of pigment during the healing process. Hint: This is an Old Yakuza Secret. After you have cleaned your Tattoo and before stepping out of the shower, turn the temperature to ice-cold and let the water run indirectly over your new tattoo for 30 to 45 seconds. This closes the pores and prevents further drainage and in my personal experience feel generally results in better healing, and for a color Tattoo, retention of color pigment. Then gently pat the Tattooed area dry. And don't leave the bandage on too tight. Keeping freshly Tattooed skin wrapped tight for more than 8 hours frequently can lead to skin rashes. The bandage should protect the Tattoo only while the natural body fluids drain, then exposure to air is needed for your skin to heal properly. Remember, the purpose of the bandage is principally to collect the seepage of body fluids in the first couple of hours after the Tattoo has been completed. Unless you are engaged in work where there is a great likelihood that dirt, grease and other contaminants may come in direct contact with your new Tattoo, it's not necessary to re-bandage it. Instead, simply moisturize the Tattoo lightly with a lotion--no more than 2 or 3 times a day. Far and away the best that I've found for that is to use Noxzema face cream. Don't spend money on fancy tattoo creams. Just don't slather your skin too much. It needs to breathe." Ed grinned. "So, that's about it. You're all set."

Just then, the door opened and the four boys clambered in.

"Oi, Ed, Dax, Milan!" Niall grinned. "I see you three are done! How do you like your work?"

"It's amazing," I smiled, shaking my head. "I love this place."

"That's great," Zayn nodded. Louis grinned.

"Kinda makes me wanna get some more ink," Louis said, laughing.

"Go for it, babe," Harry nodded. And Ed laughed.

"You two are all set," Ed said to us.

"What about paying for it?" I asked. Ed looked at Milan and muffled a laugh; meanwhile, Milan had a sheepish grin. I shook my head and crossed my arms.