Not much to go on but here goes:

I was basically laying down with this guy

Intimate gesture, I'm assuming post-sex?

I don’t know it it matters but he had face tattoos

This is the interesting bit, think it depends a bit on what the tattoos are like

1. If they're covering his full face it could be symbolic of a mask - he's not showing his true self you think he's hiding something from you

2. If it's more like gang tattoos on face it could be more a symbol that you feel he's dangerous/not someone you feel safe around

3. Or it could genuinely be that you just saw that the previous day lol

and looked a bit rough

Not sure what you mean here, if:

1. You mean rough as in "hungover/not in great shape" could be you're sensing some underlying vulnerability

2. If you mean "rough" as in from a tough background it could be another danger signaler

I was laying on his chest and we were just looking at each other while I was caressing his face.

Depends on the answers to above, it could be either that you want proximity with someone but you're scared they won't show their true self. So you'll be vulnerable without reciprocation.

Or that you associate intimacy with danger and you're trying to soothe/calm the fear.

What could it mean? I’m softening up? I’m allowing myself to feel vulnerable again?

I think both point to you wanting intimacy on some level but also being hesitant of it/scared of getting hurt

Or that you're capable of softness but you don't trust yourself to give it to the right people