Clara Next

You switch places with Clara, moving your chair closer to her side as she settles into Ren's padded station. The brief anxiety that flickered across her face doesn't escape your notice—beneath her confident exterior, she's nervous too. You reach out and take her hand in yours, your freshly tattooed wrist carefully positioned away from any pressure.

"Ready?" Ren asks, preparing the transfer paper with Clara's matching Trinity knot design. When she nods, he carefully positions it on her inner wrist, pressing it down with practiced precision before peeling it away to reveal the purple outline.

"Perfect placement," Clara murmurs, examining the transfer. Her fingers tighten around yours as Ren powers up his tattoo machine.

"First touch is always the strangest," Ren warns before the needle makes contact with her skin.

Clara winces slightly, her grip on your hand tightening. "Oh! That's... sharper than I expected."

"Breathe through it," you encourage, remembering your own experience just moments ago. "It settles into more of a vibration after the initial shock."

Ren works methodically, beginning the flowing lines of the Trinity knot. Clara's eyes remain fixed on the emerging design, her breathing measured and deliberate. You stroke small circles on the back of her hand with your thumb, providing silent support as the needle buzzes rhythmically.

"So how long have you two been together?" Ren asks, breaking the concentrated silence.

You and Clara exchange a loaded glance, amusement dancing in her eyes.

"It's... complicated," Clara replies with a small laugh. "Officially, not very long at all. But it feels like we've known each other in different forms for much longer."

"Different forms?" Ren asks, his curiosity piqued as he wipes away excess ink from Clara's wrist.

"Matt and I met through unusual circumstances," Clara explains, her eyes never leaving yours. "Let's just say we've seen each other through some remarkable... transformations."

You squeeze her hand, grateful for the shared secret between you. The buzz of the tattoo machine fills the comfortable silence that follows.

You nod, understanding the layers of meaning in her words. Your journey together defies conventional timelines—Matt to Mia to Matt again, with Clara there through it all, loving different versions of the same essence.

Ren works diligently, his focus absolute as he traces the final curve of Clara's knot. "Almost there," he says, adding the distinctive spiral endings that match your own tattoo. "These are turning out beautifully matched."

As he completes the design, Clara brings her wrist closer to examine his work. "It's perfect," she breathes, her eyes shining. Then she turns to you, extending her wrist next to yours so the twin designs align. "Look at them together."

The matching Trinity knots seem to vibrate with meaning when placed side by side—identical yet unique, just like the journey that brought you to this moment. Ren applies ointment and the protective film to Clara's fresh tattoo, his movements efficient and practiced.

"Now for the hip piece," he says, turning to you. "Shall we set up the privacy screen?"

17:30 | Friday 8 August 2025 | Inked Fates, Chelsea