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Eddie woke up with Steve next to him. He breathed in Steve’s old spice and cigarette smell, Eddie loved cuddling with Steve.
It was the only time he felt truly safe. He felt something sticky on his legs as he wiggled slightly to get comfortable.
Looking down he saw the disgusting red of blood between his legs. How could this have happened?
His period was literally a week ago. Oh, wait maybe more like a month ago.
He looked over at Steve, who was still sound asleep. How could he sleep so well next to someone so gross?
Eddie looked at Steve’s pants he’d gotten blood on him!
No, no, no, Eddie slipped out of bed and went to the bathroom as quickly as possible. He ripped off his shirt and disgusting PJ bottoms.
Turned the water all the way hot, Eddie slid to the ground of the tub as he saw red blood flow down his legs.
“You're never going to be a real man!” he hears his father yell in his ear.
His hair flops down on his face, the water mixes into his tears. Eddie hears a knock on the door,
“Eddie, baby are you okay?” Steve… Steve is going to see how weak he truly is. “I’m g-good just taking a shower.” “Honey, I know what's going on, there's well um stains on the bed.”
Fuck, Eddie whispers to himself. All he wants is for Steve to hug him and tell him everything to going to be okay.
“Ed, may I come in?” He doesn’t want Steve to see him like this, but he really needs him. “Y-yes.” the doorknob turns and he hears the door creek open.
Steve opens the curtain slowly revealing Eddie curled in a ball “Oh baby, it’s okay.”
Steve sees the blood on the tub and quickly grabs a towel covering Eddie’s lower body.
“Okay Ed’s lay back I’m going to wash your hair.”
Willingly Eddie lays back as Steve shampoos and conditioners his hair. His fingers slowly untangles each knot of hair.
Eddie keeps his eyes shut the whole time. “Eddie let's get you out.” He opens his eyes to see Steve looking at him gently.
He pulls himself up out of the shower Steve turns around to give him privacy. Even though they’ve been dating for months now Steve always gives him privacy without Eddie even asking.
He always makes Eddie feel so safe, he changes into sweatpants and a hoodie to cover his chest.
“You can turn around now Steve.” Eddie is met with Steve’s kind eyes as they embrace in a warm hug.
“I’m sorry.” Eddie whispers “For what?” “I got blood on your pants.”
Steve cups the other face with his hands
“Eddie, I love you, and you can’t control this, never apologize for something you can’t control. Especially when it’s your body's natural response to life.”
“I just don’t understand how you could love someone like me.”
“How could I not love you? You're perfect, you lift me up on my sad days, and your hand fits perfectly in mine. You play me music until I fall asleep in your arms. You're the best boyfriend a guy could ask for.”
Eddie feels tears drip down his face “But I’m not even a real man.” Steve’s eyes fill with horror
“Edward don’t you say that you are more of a man than any other person I know. And just because you have a period does not change anything. Being a man is so much more than our bodies.”
Eddie knew that Steve meant every word he said, and that's what made it all more special. Steve made him feel safe and loved.
Eddie knew no matter what he would always have Steve.