In the dark

22

Over the oncoming weeks, Peri would spend most of her time with the men. Whether at the apartment or at HYBE, she would rotate her time between them all. Yoongi and Jin would come in the morning to make her breakfast, make sure she had enough food or anything else she might need, and check in with her. Whichever one came in the morning, the other would switch and see her in the evening.

Namjoon would see her any time. Sometimes it would be in the afternoon when she would stop by his studio. Other times he would join the others and have dinner with her in the evening. One day had heard the pitter-patter of rain falling on his apartment window. He smiled and thought of Peri. He came by the apartment only to find Peri sleeping peacefully on the couch. She was curled up in a blanket with a book resting in her hands. He saw a mug on the coffee table and touched it. The cup was stone cold, and she had been asleep for a while. He gently slipped the book out from her hands and sat beside her for a while. He watched her for a moment, smiling softly when he saw her nose crinkle, or she shifts her head slightly for more comfort. He let out a breath of contentment seeing her so relaxed in their home, her home. It was hers just as much as it was his. 

Peri found ways to interact with those who couldn't see her too. She would watch them carefully to see if they needed anything. Water after a hard day of practice, snacks if they were hungry, and towels to wipe off their sweat. Anything that Peri could grab quickly for them and make them magically appear.

Peri even found a way to play around with them. After a day of more practicing, the boys were headed to the HYBE gym for an after-practice workout, and Peri headed back to the apartment. She headed straight for her sanctuary and filled the tub with soap suds filled with the various scents for each man. With every pop, a new fragrance would hover in the air and take over her senses. 

The hours of soaking did her body good. She had finished her bath and was walking out of the big bedroom when the elevator door dinged down the hall, and four men stepped out. 

"Do you think she is here?" Jimin asked, looking up and down the hall.

"I don't know, but it's not fair the hyungs have been hogging her all to themselves," Jungkook quipped.

"Yeah, we should have met her ages ago!" Taeyhyung finished.

"Peri, are you home?" Hoseok called out to the apartment.

Peri's face gave a wicked grin. "It seems I have some uninvited house guest," she said with an evil little laugh. "Well, let's give them a greeting." Peri reached behind her for the bedroom door, giving it a hard slam shut. The boys all turned their heads and faced the now-closed door.

"Hi, Peri. I hope I am not scaring you. I'm Hoseok. You can call me Hobi. I'm a friend of Jin-Hyung, Yoongi-Hyung, and Joon-ah," Hoseok called out from the main space.

There wasn't an answer, however. Peri slithered down the hall, hugging the wall tightly in case any of them made a move down the hall. She knew they were quick with their movements, and Peri needed to be on guard. Peri moved to the couch and grabbed the remote. She turned on the TV, and the sounds coming from the speakers sent the men's heads whipping toward the noise. Hoseok jumped behind Jungkook to hide. The three younger one's eyes narrowed, and Hoseok's went wide. 

Peri glided over to the dining room table. She gave a chair a little nudge. Their eyes darted to the chair. Hoseok ducked down further behind Jungkook's back. Peri placed her foot on the chair and paused. She waited until all their eyes were on her. Peri gave the chair a hard kick and sent it flying toward them.

"Fuck that! I'm out!" screamed Hoseok, who had turned around and started quickly pressing the elevator button. Taehyung was hot on his heels. Peri laughed hard but then stopped. Jimin and Jungkook weren't as fazed as the others. They were going to take more convincing. She saw them approaching the countertop to the kitchen. Peri moved quickly into the kitchen and raised her hands in the air. She watched as they tentatively came into view. Once she has them in her sights, she lets loose. Peri grabs the cabinet doors and starts opening and shutting them instantaneously. That was enough to send them scurrying back to their waiting friends.