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Skeptic's monthly reminder always seemed to be the worst week of his life without fail. Not for any shame in himself, he was a man regardless, but the utter embarrassment. He didnt know when it got started in the Meta Liberation Army. People realised he got crankier at certain times of the month without fail, that he became more recluse.
They were somehow nicer to him and it nagged an infuriating vein in his forehead. Re-Destro gave him that smiling look when he entered ten minutes late to a meeting because his cramps made him throw up and didn't so much as hint any snark. Curious passed by his computer room far too many times with far too many snacks that coincidentally he liked to binge.
He never realised they put his period schedule on the fucking calendar until Hanabata sent a memo reminder that it was upcoming and mistakingly copied him into it. Gods, that was a nightmare. He nagged them so strikingly loud he threw his voice the next day. As time passed, he completely forgot about it and went with the flow.
It was the first time it cropped up with their new management. Skeptic had a big presentation and one of the League members were going to be there. He hoped it would be Spinner or Compress. They seemed like the most mature out of the group and would keep discretion if they saw him faulter a little in the meeting. With a deep breath he dry swallowed a couple of antiacids and pushed open the stall door, exiting the washroom to proceed to the gathering chamber.
Of course it was just his damn luck Dabi was there, slinking at the back like a panther in wait, cerulean blue locked onto him.
Skeptic eased a breath. He just had to deliver the presentation and escape to his room. It wasnt a big deal. He stood up straight from his hunch, took a few steps forward and wanted to murder his body when he felt that painful twinge in his abdomen of a cramp. Fuck.
"Gentlemen, let us get started on .. what we have learned from the heroes movements so far," Atleast his voice sounded level, even if his gait was noticeably pained. Nobody commented, but he could see through the black slats of his hair that Dabi tilted his head ever so slightly.
He could do this.
—
As it turned out, Skeptic could not do it.
He never had, in his lifetime, ended a meeting prematurely.
But when he felt the nausea toil in his gut along with the flexing rope tight cramps of his abdomen that seemed to come in waves, it was a recipe for disaster. Skeptic hastily declared the meeting adjourned and that they could view the rest of the slides remotely as he scurried out the room at record pace and straight into the men's toilets. Not even bothering to close the stall door as he collapsed to his knees and emptied what little lunch he had earlier into loo.
Tears wet his eyeline as his body shuddered from the release, getting no gratitude or release as he breathed heavily. A brief tiny respite to get his breath before he was hurling again, half dry heaving throughout, sounding downright miserable.
"Y'know, wondered how you kept your hair pristine when youre vomitin' your guts out." That damned raspy voice sounded behind him. Skeptic froze before his forehead slumped to the side of the stall wall, not having the fight in him to bitch out Dabi. Even as his fingers surprisingly gently carded through his hair and pulled it out of range of his bile.
"Practice." Skeptic slurred with a sneer, earning a little chuckle behind him. He sniffled and lifted his hand to wipe his eyes, rubbing them with his palm to rid the involuntary tears. His stomach was still queasy, but moments passed of steadiness. He expected Dabi to be mouthing him off, though he did jump and splutter in surprise when he felt his hands cup under his arms. " --What are you - !!"
"Relax." he tsked. "Helping you stand. I doubt you want to spend the next hour hovering over your own mess now do you?"
Skeptic huffed quietly, leaning somewhat against him as his muscles refused to co-operate, seemingly wanting to do nothing more than curl inwards and protect his fragile stomach. He vaguely felt Dabi press into him as he leaned forward and flushed the toilet behind him. The warmth was nice.
"What now?" he protested weakly when the pyromancer began to guide his wobbly self out, one hand on the flat of his lower back to guide him.
"Taking you to your room. Or want me to leave you here for any old person t'find you?"
"... No."
"Thats what I thought."
Skeptic did not end up questioning how the lieutenant knew which room was his in the villa, or why he was so at ease at guiding him in and stepping over the pieces of strewn clothing on the floor. For as organised as the man was, he hardly took the time to take care of his things or himself. He'd already half formed a pathetic looking nest of blankets and pillows to hide in for his week, body effortlessly being pushed onto the bed with a bounce.
The liberation member eyed Dabi warily between his fringe, how he unzipped his boots and kicked them off at the foot of the bed, a muttered rumble of protest sounding in his throat when the pyromancer slipped off his shoes too and dropped them at the side. Thankfully the League member did not appear to be stripping entirely, only removed his heavy fire proof coat and set it on the back of the chair.
"I'll be fine now, this really isn't… necessary," Skeptic mumbled, finding the fight in him draining rapidly as the warmth of the other man washed over him. He wanted to fight and protest and argue on principal, but it was over for him when Dabi slung an arm around him and tucked him against his side.
"I've had ta deal with my sister and then Toga. I know you're not going to be fine." Dabi sneered, tugging on the man's long hair lightly. He still winced on principal. "Besides. The calendar had some pretty direct instructions on how to handle you this week."
"The fucking calendar.." Skeptic groaned, back of his head thrown against the pillow to the pyro's raspy laughter. Inwardly he was cursing Koku. He hopes the man was feeling humbled by the death threats he was conjuring up. He was going to delete that damn calendar. " – This doesn't change anything. I'm not going to suddenly.. !"
He let out a quiet strangled noise when Dabi lifted up his shirt, letting it rest over his ribs and exposing his slightly bloated stomach. A dark flush marred Skeptic's face as he stuttered, like his brain had frozen for a moment. But the pyromancer didn't do anything untoward, simply rested his hand on the small, pained swell amd began to slowly warm his hand up.
"That good?" He asked almost smugly, knowing the answer when his hand curved under his belly and gently massaged the pads of his fingers against his abdomen. Skeptic whimpered out a moan of relief as pain was replaced by distracting, relaxing heat.
"This is so fucking embarrassing.." he muttered under his breath, face pink and ears burning, eyes squeezing shut. Dabi made a non committal hum and continued to massage his poor muscles, tucking the other's face against the crook of his neck. Making it so Skeptic could feel and think nothing but of Dabi.
"But…?"
"But, yes, it feels good.." the long haired man managed to snap with his usual bite, much to Dabi's delight.
For a few moments they remained like that. Dabi alternating between digging his fingers in and fighting against the cramps, enjoying the soft noises Skeptic made a little too much, to fascinatingly run his palm over the slight chub of his tummy. The man was always so lanky and thin, it felt nice to grab and squeeze.
"Careful," Skeptic hissed when he did just that, making Dabi laugh low and raspily.
Eventually Dabi's other hand came to join the other, roaming and petting. Skeptic was starting to get a little bit flustered for other reasons, softly squirming and finally shoving his hands away when the worst of the wave subsided.
"Now you're using this as an excuse to feel me up, pervert." he nagged.
"Heh.. maybe a little bit guilty towards the end there. But you should get some rest."
Skeptic rolls his eyes at being told what to do, but still ended up complying anyway. He twisted around to lay on his side, half curled up. It didn't surprise him in the end to feel Dabi follow suit and curl his arms behind him, settling his hands on his abdomen to provide relief whilst he spoons him.
"... Thanks." the man muttered softly. Dabi hummed but didn't respond, something Skeptic was appreciative for.
He might have to keep Dabi in contact the next month when it came. He had never managed to feel so relaxed or good before. He closed his eyes, drifting off to a peaceful slumber full of warmth and gentle touches