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In between fighting, helping other crewmates with their problems, getting them out of near death situations, and taking on missions, Gran did it all with a smile and more. But as invincible as the captain of the Grancypher could seem like, even he, too, had his human limits. He could fall ill from being out in the cold too long, he could pull a muscle, sprain an arm, or twist an ankle. Or, he could simply fall victim to his body’s own biological functions.
As in, Gran got his period. And this month, it was bad.
Typically, the captain could use a few medicines, drink tea, and still be back to their old self, albeit slightly more lethargic and sleepy. But there were always the bad months, where the pain was unbearable, where Gran seemed moodier than usual, where it got messy.
This month was all three of them.
He and Seox were supposed to go on a small mission together, and the Erune waited on the deck of the ship, feeling the breeze on his skin and watching the sun go overhead. After an hour, his ear twitched and he went back inside, feeling something might be wrong. Gran wouldn’t keep him waiting this long.
Did he oversleep? Was he caught up by something? Or…
The Eternal’s thoughts quickly turned to the worst, but he shook his head and continued to Gran’s room. That was ridiculous, he thought. If anyone had any intentions to hurt Gran, the captain would’ve stopped him already. That’s just the type of person he was.
Reaching the captain’s quarters, Seox gently knocks on the door. “Gran. Wake up. Did you oversleep? We were supposed to go on a mission today.”
Faintly, Seox hears a groan. A pained groan.
“Seox… Sorry. Today’s not a good day.” Gran sounds.. Irritated, a far cry from the captain’s usual upbeat and bright tone.
Seox can sense the change and narrows his eyes behind his mask. “Gran. Something’s wrong, isn’t it?”
“No! Nothing’s wrong! Just…” Gran sighs. “Nothing. I just need to sleep.”
“I’m going to come in.”
“You wouldn’t dare.” the captain actually hisses , and Seox turns the knob and enters, completely convinced something horrible is going on.
What he finds, however, is that his boyfriend looks like a mess. Gran’s hair is wild in every which way, his eyes bleary, and the room smells faintly of… blood?
“Gran,” Seox says, his voice tight. “What’s going on? Why does your room smell like blood? What did you do? ” Seox tries to keep the panic out of his voice, but a bit leaks through, and his voice cracks a tiny bit.
Gran smiles ruefully. “Guess you had to figure it out sometime,” and Seox’s heart plummets. What had his boyfriend done??
Gran sighs, then winces, seemingly from pain. “I… It’s…” He looks away. “It just happens every month. This month happens to be worse than the others, I guess,” he mumbles, his voice trailing off, begging to every Astral that Seox would understand and he wouldn’t have to explain.
Under his mask, Seox wears a look of confusion. Every month? What could happen every month where Gran reeks of blood-
Oh. His ears twitched, finally understanding the situation. Seox, you idiot, his brain yelled at him. Gran didn’t savagely murder anyone, he’s just menstruating!!
Seox only had a somewhat vague understanding of how bodies worked, Gran’s father teaching him only the basics when they had been spending their time together, but he knew well enough that he could figure out what “every month” and “reeking of blood” meant when put together. He was aware of Gran’s body, himself, and who he really was, and supported him wholeheartedly, but completely forgot that, in Gran’s case, he’d still have to go through that every month.
While Seox was lost in his thoughts, Gran winces again in pain and holds his stomach. “Do you get it?” The captain asks through gritted teeth.
Nodding, the Erune comes closer. “Yeah. Is it always this bad?”
“No. Just this month. I hate it. It’s messy, painful, and I…”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of you.”
Gran looks up at him. “You don’t have to.”
“I want to.”
“Why? You have better things you could do.”
“Because…” Seox drifts off, takes a deep breath, and removes his mask. “I want to take care of you. You’re clearly not feeling well. You shouldn’t have to deal with that alone.”
Gran looks down, his own cheeks flushing a light pink. “I.. Okay.” He smiles for the first time that day. “Thanks, Seox.”
“Don’t mention it. Is there anything you need right now?”
Gran taps his chin. “Several things, actually. Sorry in advance.”
“Don’t apologize. Just let me know what you need.”
And that is how Seox finds himself flying about the ship, getting a hot compress, cold water, sweets, blankets… many things to make Gran comfortable. The others would run the ship in his absence, and told Gran to get the rest he needed, piling the items in his arms. Even Vyrn parted with a beloved apple just for the captain.
“Ugh,” Seox closes the door, the last item of sweets in his hand. “Everyone is far too eager.”
“I guess they just want to take care of me,” Gran laughs.
“The job is taken.”
“ Seox !”
“Only kidding. Anything else?” His tone is somewhat soft.
“One more thing. You, right next to me, holding me.” Gran beams, sliding over in his bed to make room for Seox. “C’mere. Another warm body wouldn’t hurt.”
Taking off his mask, Seox joins the brown haired captain in the comfortable, soft bed, and Gran immediately snuggles close to him. “You smell like…” Gran sniffs. “Nature. Kind of… earthy. Like the forest.”
Seox bristles. “You smell like blood. It’s a scent I’m too familiar with.”
“Seox…”
“Sorry. Either way, I don’t think I like that scent on you. It doesn’t fit you.” Holding Gran close, Seox buries himself deeper into the shared bed, beginning to feel sleepy from running about all day and being in bed with his loving partner.
Gran notices. “Let’s sleep?”
“I’m way ahead of you.” Seox yawns, closing his eyes. He isn’t sure where to put his arms when Gran leans into his touch and rests his head on the Erune’s chest, but he settles for wrapping them around the captain. He can feel Gran smile against his chest.
“Xing?” he calls softly, which immediately makes Seox’s heart race. Gran only ever called him by that name when they were alone.
“Yes?”
“I love you. Thank you.”
“... I love you too. You’re welcome.”