Catch 22 - JJK (21+)

Chapter 33 - ARMY

ARIA

"You know how I've been saying I wanted to do something big to commemorate the grand opening of BTS Fitness? Well, I finally decided on this..."

Jungkook's smile grew wide again as he held out his right hand all bandaged up in clear plastic that looked like Saran Wrap.

"Oh wow! You got the tattoo?! Lemme see!" I jumped up, gently took his hand and brought it closer so I could see all the intricacies of my man's new ink, the letters A-R-M-Y written in bold print across his knuckles. There were also a few other letters and symbols in various places, including the number 0613 below his thumb, the date of his gym's opening.

Jungkook had been talking about wanting a tattoo for months now, and he'd also been dreaming of owning his own gym since he was a teen. I honestly couldn't think of a more perfect way for him to celebrate such a huge accomplishment.

"Awww, babe... I love it so much! And I can't believe we only have a week left before the doors officially open."

"I know. I can't believe it either. It's kinda surreal, and honestly Ari, I don't believe I would have been able to do it this soon without you."

"I can't take any of the credit. All I did was lend my support when needed. You were the one who made it happen, and I am so, so proud of you," I praised, cupping his face with my hands and pushing up onto my tippy toes to place a lingering kiss on his pouty lips.

"Yes, and your support means everything to me. You know, all eight of you may be my ARMY, but I actually came up with the word by combining the AR from your name and the MY from my mom's name, Myunghee— the only two women who have ever and will ever own a piece of my heart. You're also the strongest and most resilient individuals I know. I wanted to have a piece of each of you permanently etched into my skin as a reminder that I can make it through anything, especially with the two of you by my side."

I was taken aback by Jungkook's heartfelt confession, my eyes welling up, mirroring his.

"You've never told me that before. I'm truly touched that you'd want a part of my name on your body forever, especially in connection with your mom's. You know how much I adore and admire her."

Gosh, Jungkook's mom...

When I'd had the pleasure of meeting her a few weeks after graduation, I kinda felt silly for being afraid and waiting so long. She'd quickly become one of my favorite people and the closest thing I'd had to a mom since I lost Mi Mi. Every time we visited her in Busan, she'd be in the kitchen whipping up all sorts of delicious meals and desserts, saying how much she missed cooking for her baby and needed to make up for lost time.

I swear I'd gained close to ten pounds since we'd met, but I hadn't tasted home cooking like that since... well since Mi Mi, so I didn't mind the extra fluff, and my man wasn't complaining either. Besides, I had 24/7 access to the best (and the sexiest) personal trainer in all of South Korea. I could think of a few ways to work it off when I was ready.

Cooking aside, though, what I loved most about Jungkook's mom was the kindness she'd shown me from day one. She never once mentioned the fact that Jungkook and I had started our relationship while he was still my student. She'd only welcomed me into her home and treated me like her own daughter. That meant the world to me considering my own poor excuse for a mother treated me like trash.