#ao3tap

the phoenix represents rebirth and second changes. all of his major milestones; meeting ian, getting out of jail, getting married to ian, death of his dad -things that saved him specifically.

the chain link fence symbolizes both his escape from juvie & his and ian's special spot

the angry dog is an allude to mitski lyrics 'i get mean when i'm nervous like a bad dog' which mickey relates to immensely. only ian knows the actual meaning of the tat, everyone else thinks it's just some badass inkwork

the ouroboros represents old, self-sabotaging mickey and is a reminder for him to not to go back to his old ways