It hurts. But it would hurt no matter what anyone did. And I barely notice it.

[It is the truth. Give his tattoos this: the way they constantly ache means that he barely notices other pain sometimes, up to and including stitches. He registers it, yes, but there are far worse things.

He buries himself in Lorenz a little, pressing his face against his neck, nosing lightly against his skin.]

Truly. My pain tolerance is . . . different than others, I think.