Birthday Commitment

“I’ve never really asked you, but what are your thoughts on tattoos?”

“Well they look great on you if that’s what you’re asking”

“Aww thanks! But I’m wondering how you feel about getting one.”

“Erm… Needles aren’t my thing.. and I don’t know how I feel about getting permanent ink on me.”

“Don’t worry, it’s not as bad as it makes out to be. Well.. there are some places that might hurt a bit more than others. But I was thinking of somewhere along your upper arm.”

“Well… I’ll think about it. It’s definitely not anytime soon though.”

“Of course! I just thought it’d be nice to have matching tattoos since we’ve been together for a while.”

The fact that you weren’t against getting a tattoo brought a smile to her face.

And that’s how you ended up in a tattoo shop on her birthday. You had started researching in secret about where to get one and the process and ended up and some place called “Best Tattoos”.

Given the name, you didn’t think much of it. But when you arrived, they walked through the process and preparation. Any questions and concerns you had were answered smoothly and kindly.

So when your tattoo artist comes up and brings you over to his place you weren’t as nervous as you thought you’d be.

“A strawberry on your upper arm huh?”

“Yeah… it’s to match my girlfriend.”

“Girlfriend? She a long time partner or soon to be wife?”

“Umm I’m hoping. She’s a busy woman but we try to make the most out of the time we can get together. We’ve been together for over three years now so I think things are going well.”

“That’s pretty good man. I just always like to double check with my guys so they know the commitment a tattoo might have. So we’re just doing an outline and no shading?”

“Yeah…”

“Alrighty! This will be a smooth process and you’ll be on your way before you know it.”

You can’t help but gulp when he starts handling his equipment.

He notices and pats your shoulder, “It’s alright to close your eyes and think of happy thoughts. Everyone’s got things they’re not good with.”

And so you close your eyes and think of Chaeyoung. When she had first asked about you getting a tattoo. The happy glint in her eyes when you said you’d think about it. How cute she looked that day: her little dot near her mouth that seamlessly adds to her cuteness, her curled dark hair that you just wanted to fluff up more, her small kissable lips.. her-

“And we’re done.”

“Huh? Already?”

“Yeah it’s was an easy size and shape. Not too detailed either.”

You look down and sure enough, there it was. Really good too. “Wow… thanks. You’re really skilled at what you do.”

“Anytime man. Now remember to take care of yourself and take it easy. Even though it’s not a crazy tattoo, you still need to follow the aftercare steps.”

“Of course, thank you so much. Seriously.”

You do one last walk through to make sure everything is good before Chaeyoung comes. You had prepped before hand but being a bit of a perfectionist you do a fourth check. Then, right at the scheduled time, you hear the keypad buttons being pressed and immediately rush to the doorway.

The words “Happy Birthday” get paused in your throat. You know what Chaeyoung looks like, but for some reason today she looks especially stunning.

“H-happy Birthday!” You manage to exclaim.

“Wow it smells great in here. Are we having sweet potatoes?”

“Among other things” you smile as you wrap your arms around her.

“Mmm thanks” she rests her head against you and you can smell her strawberry perfume flow into you.

She notices your arm wrapped up and looks up at you questioningly.

You would’ve waited until after dinner and surprise her, but her cute gaze and pout overwhelms you and you sheepishly pull aside the covering.

“No way! You actually got one!” she squeals and excitedly jumps around.

“I’m glad you like it. You wouldn’t believe the pains I had to go through to get this,” you pretend to be tired and in pain.

“Aww you poor baby. Let’s go eat and you can tell me all about it,” she says hungrily as she wraps herself around you and directs you towards the food.