Andrew ran a cloth dipped in soapy water over Jean's arm and palm to cleanse the fresh tattoo and spread a layer of ointment over the inked skin before applying the clear bandage. Normally Jean liked getting his tattoos done in one session, but for the kind of tattoo he wanted, it would take multiple sessions to complete. Not only that, but Andrew was the only person Jean trusted to ink him. Unfortunately, Andrew was also a very popular tattoo artist, which meant that the long sessions he'd need in order for the tattoo to be completed would have to be spread out across several smaller ones, and often after normal shop hours.
"Thanks, Andrew. Let me know when you're available again," Jean said as he stood up and brought his hand in front of him to examine the line-work, of roots reaching down onto his palm and branches stretching up onto his wrist and arm, covering years of scars with branches and birds. With a sigh, he shrugged into his jacket—a nice black leather one Kevin and Renee had gotten him for his birthday the year before, and headed for the door. "Have a nice night."
Andrew's hazel eyes ran him over, head to toe, before he offered Jean a simple two-fingered salute in farewell.
Jean ducked out of the store and stepped back out onto the pavement, the night having crept in while he'd been in the shop and making the temperature plummet. He shrank against the cold, making himself smaller in his jacket and trying to cover more of himself with the thin material. It wasn't a particularly warm jacket, after all.
He'd made it maybe a block down the road, cursing himself for never managing to remember to invest in hand warmers, when he heard the sound of approaching footsteps.
"You know, I never caught your name."