Black and Blood
I have three tattoos so far (I count them as three / they could be four or twenty) and their unifying theme is that they're all black.
For some reason I decided early on - at 14, when I still debated whether getting scratched by a needle was worth looking cool - that none of my tattoos would be in color. It might sound odd, but I didn't like the look of colorful tattoos. As they aged they faded into pastel, chalky shadows; whereas black tattoos faded like fine ink on old parchment.
I got my first tattoo at 25; a small one, just to test my pain tolerance. Tattoos are addictive in the sense that once you realize you can live through them, you want more. I got my next one at 28; my last one at 30.
I'm overdue now and I've had a list building up. The next one I want is a copy of my partner's first armband they designed themselves. We decided it would become our family symbol, since we both like it and we've been together long enough that my fears of committment can now be inked away.
After that my arms feel empty, and I have various ideas for how to fill them. Then my back still has some space. My legs and calves in particular...
And then one day a tiny sliver over or near my heart - as close as a family history of cardiovascular disease can allow - that symbolizes a crack in my skin, a sort of visible chink in my armor.
For this tattoo I'd allow a splash of color; the inner vibrancy I hold tightly seeping outwards onto the surface of myself. What color I'm not sure; red is always a bold choice, yet it tends to bleed heavy. Yellow or white might look more lightened. Heck I could go rainbow and add fuel to my lover's debate on my actual sexuality. Or maybe a bright blue or natural green.
Whatever I end up with, my skin aches to be painted. With the shelter-in-place restrictions nearly lifted in our area I'm waiting to schedule an appointment as soon as safely possible. Granted my lover has a strong say in when that happens, especially as I must beg them for their design, but once it's done I will feel that happiness that only comes with a fresh new brand and the scent of copper.
