safety// z.malik

ii. ink me

Louis finally stumbles out around 1AM; four hours after Zayn left. I should've asked him to stay. I was being stupid and shy. He seemed like he wanted to stay with me anyway. Or maybe he was just being considerate of me.

In the morning, I am rudely awoken by the annoyed shouts of Louis. Let me say, I hate him so much sometimes.

"Where's the queen's breakfast?" he calls. I can almost hear him wince at his own loud voice.

"Didn't know I was supposed to make breakfast for Beyoncé," I retort, rolling out of bed and tieing my hair into a ponytail.

I go into the kitchen, popping four pieces of bread into the toaster, and making Lou a cup of his raspberry tea. His raspberry tea is reserved for hangovers, because he claims it "tastes better when his mouth tastes like puke and toothpaste." I butter his two pieces of toast, and bring his food to his room.

"Hey, dick," I exclaim, making sure my voice is louder than normal.

Lou winces. I place the plate and cup on his bedside table.

"Thank you for the food. Not for being fucking loud," he hisses. "Can you try to close my curtains a little more? It's too bright."

"Don't you know that you're fucking lucky that I love you?"

I skip over to Lou's window and open the curtains wider. I see his middle finger stick up at me, as I leave the room laughing. I make my own toast with peanut butter, and strawberry jam, sitting down on the couch to watch some Netflix. I find a random movie to watch.

When Louis is functioning again, he comes skipping into the living room. He is smiling brightly.

"What's gotten into you?" I ask, cocking my right brow.

He smiles wickedly. "Don't you remeber what today is?"

I puff my cheeks out, racking my brain for something important going on. Nothing. "No, I don't."

"It's the day of your tattoo appointment! Have you figured out what you are getting yet? Remember our deal?"

"Fuck- yeah, I am getting a rose. So I don't have to get your name anywhere on my body."

"Fuck man, that would've been hilarious."

"No, it wouldn't have been. I can imagine it now 'Oh is this your ex's name?' 'Nope, it's my best friend's name.'"

"That's why it's so funny! That'd be so awkward!"

"I'm already awkward enough."

"Come on. Let's get you ready! For your first tattoo."

I stand up from the couch, walking towards the kitchen to put my dishes in the sink. "Does it hurt?"

"I'm not gonna lie and say it's like eating cotton candy. It hurts like a bitch at first, but then you get used to it. The first is always the worst."

I nod, entering my room and finding my black muscle shirt and my maroon jeans. I tie my hair into a bun, then put a minimal amount of makeup on. I meet Lou at the door, as he fixes his fringe, and grabs his car keys from the hook. He drapes his arm over my shoulder, giggling loudly.

"Why are you giggling?" I ask.

"No reason," he grins, giggling even more.

I only roll my eyes, opening the door to his sleek, expensive car. It's a five minute drive to the tattoo parlour that he likes. At the doors, I stop, hesitating for a second. No, I have to do this. This is for myself. I can get over the pain. I can get over my fears.

I follow Louis through the doors, and to the counter. My eyes meet the sight of Zayn. He smiles softly at me.

"Ah, Lou, so this is the one getting her first tattoo," Zayn grins.

"Yeah, she's the one," Lou laughs. "She's being a little brat though."

"How so?" I snort.

"You don't even want to fucking do it, and you aren't getting my name," Louis exclaims.

"Because you're a twat. I don't want your name permanately on my body!" I shove Lou lightly.

Zayn just grins shyly. "Follow me."

I follow him into a room at the back, with Louis behind me. I get situated in the seat, with Lou beside me.

"What are you getting?" Zayn asks, snapping the gloves onto his hands.

"My name on her ass," Louis smiles proudly.

"Fuck yourself, Louis," I hiss. I turn to Zayn. "I don't know where I should get it, but I was thinking just a rose."

"Creative," Louis snorts.

"Lou," I hiss. I turn to Zayn. "Where do you think I should get it?"

"Maybe the top of your arm. That spot doesn't hurt as much," Zayn suggests.

"Sounds good. Whatever hurts the least."

Zayn smiles. "Do you want a stress reliever or anything?"

"That's why Lou is here," I answer.

"Are you sure?" Zayn asks again.

"Ink me," I smile, feeling a small burst of confidence.

Lou lays his arm across me, and I grab onto his arm with my long nailed fingers. I sit as still as possible so that Zayn can do the tattoo. I suck in a breath when the cool collection of needles meets my skin.

"Are you okay?" Zayn asks, his hazel eyes meeting my blue ones.

I nod, clenching my teeth. I know that I won't be able to speak without whimpering in pain.

It hurts a lot, to the point I'm bitting my lip, holding my breath, and leaving small cresents imprinted on Lou's arm. It takes over two hours of pain to finish the rose.

I spend the better half of that time watching Zayn. Not creepily, of course. It's just adorable how much concentration he has, when he sticks out his tongue and licks his lips (that I still really, really want to kiss).

When Zayn's done, he wraps me up in bandages. He helps me up, out of the chair, as Louis rubs at his arm.

My eyes scan it, and tears come to my eyes. It looks really beautiful. And I conquered one of my fears to do it. It may have hurt, and Lou may have nail marks in his arm, but it is definitely worth it.

I follow Zayn back to the front, with Louis following behind us. Louis rubs his arm tenderly, massaging the nail marks out.

"How much was it?" I ask, leaning against the counter

"On me," Zayn answers, as he makes his way behind the counter.

"Seriously, how much? $20, $40?"

"Seriously, it's on me." Zayn smiles up at me.

"Are you sure?"

"Completely."

"Well, uh, thanks," I grin.

"Anytime."

I take one last glance at Zayn, who is now leaning against the counter, with a sexy smirk on his face. I quicky follow Louis out of the building, groaning at the fact it has started raining. We run to his car, and I get in, before we drive off. I don't even pay attention to where we are going. I'm just quite happy that the encounter between Zayn and I wasn't as awkward as yesterday. But then again, today's conversation was very dry. I still have a lot of questions about Zayn and the tattoos that are on him.

But I can save those for another day.

Hopefully.

. . . . .

god zayn's sooooo nice and adorable and shit ha

hope ya like it babes