In the dark

60

Peri walked out of her bedroom wearing a knee-length dusty rose pink dress with a crochet halter top and a lined ruffled bottom. A "needed" gift from a broad-shoulder, handsome man she was lucky enough to call her boyfriend. She kept her hair down so it could play peek-a-boo with the dress's open back that curved down low. Peri planned on spending the day out in the warm sun. September was approaching quickly, and there would not be too many summer days left. 

Peri made her way into the kitchen, making sure she made a sharp turn out of the hallway and into the kitchen. With each twist of her hips, the base of the dress would lift slightly and swing around her. Peri knew she was acting like a child when she made her dress twirl, but Jin's choice of dresses made Peri feel pretty.

Se began opening the cabinets and pulling out the items she would need for a late morning breakfast. "Hungry?" Jin's voice asked behind her. She had noticed him sitting on the couch with his eyes focused on the screen, but when she turned to face him, Jin's eyes were right on her. "Don't answer that. I already know."

"I was thinking about an omelet," Peri told him when she pulled a bowl from the cabinet and placed it on the counter. She turned toward the fridge, opened it, and began sifting through the shelves to find the vegetables she wanted. 

Jin latched onto her hand and pulled her into his chest. "You make the coffee; I'll make the omelet." He gave her a little peck on the tip of her nose before letting her go and pushing her toward the coffee maker.

"You're going to have to let me into the kitchen again at some point." she huffed as she pulled a coffee mug from the cabinet.

"Not today," said Jin. Both of them turn their heads to look at each other. Peri squinted her eyes, and Jin followed suit. Both of them stare each other down like an old Western standoff. Peri was the first to crack, letting out a little giggle. Jin had one this round but felt confident she could get him in the next. 

Jin chopped the veggies, adding them to the pan as he went while the coffee pot worked its magic. Peri walked past Jin, letting her hand slide against Jin's waist as she reached inside the fridge to grab the milk. With one hand on Jin's waist and the other on the milk, Peri reached over and planted a small kiss on Jin's shoulder before peeking over and looking into the pan. Jin returned the kiss to the side of her head. Their actions were so domesticated. Jin wanted it every day. To spend time in the kitchen with his girl by his side. "Go sit down. It will be ready in a minute," he whispered to Peri when he added the scrambled egg.  

Peri finished making her cup, cleaned up her mess, then sat at the table just as Jin brought the plate to where she sat. Jin kissed her one last time before his phone dinged with a new message, and stepped away to answer it. While Jin was occupied with his phone and the constant dings, Peri finished her breakfast and headed into the kitchen to wash the dishes.

"I can do that," Jin told Peri as he made his way to the sink where she stood.

"No, I got it," she answered.

"Peri, let me."

"No."

"Yes."

"No." Peri turned on the faucet and let the warm water fill the sink. "I was serious earlier. You have to let me back in the kitchen at some point," she told him as she added dish soap to the running water. 

"I was serious too. Not today."

"When? When you feel like I won't cut myself again?"

"Precisely. When I fell like..." A loud gasp exited Jin's mouth, stopping his words from coming out as a spray of water smacked him in the chest.