Work Text:
Hyacinth didn't know why she wasn't allowed to go with the other girls. Francesca always went and Hyacinth is almost twelve now so she's more than old enough to join in on girls trips. If only the girls would listen. She had been left in the care of her four brothers, Anthony, Benedict and Colin were all grown ups and lived away from home but all three of them had moved back in to look after her and Gregory. Like they needed three carers, Hyacinth is sure they only moved back in for the weekend because all their partners had gone on the trip and they had nothing better to do. Her brothers are the type who make their relationship their identity. Hyacinth swears she'll never do that.
Anthony has been trying to suggest they all go do something together. "We could go to the zoo?" He offers.
Gregory rolls his eyes. "We're not children." He points out.
"The theatre then?" Anthony offers.
Benedict gives a dramatic sigh. "I'm in no mood for the theatre brother."
"Really Benedict, just because Gen is away for one weekend?" Colin teases, as though he is any better. Benedict shoots him the finger which leads to a lecture from Anthony, which Benedict promptly ignores.
Hyacinth is trying to listen into the conversation. She really is. She wants to contribute, she has a few ideas of places she'd actually like to go, but there is a problem. Her stomach is killing her. It's like she is being slowly kicked over and over and she can't find any relief. She dreads to think what she has eaten that is causing this. She shifts a little in her seat trying to find a comfortable position, but the pain only increases. Without really knowing it she lets out a hiss. Four heads snap in her direction.
"Hyacinth?" Colin asks, reaching her first and crouching in front of her. "Are you okay?" He asks. Hyacinth grabs his hand and grips it, causing him to yelp.
Anthony nudges Benedict and Benedict swears loudly. "You're bleeding Hyacinth. We have to get you to the hospital, spontaneous bleeding can't be good."
Hyacinth shakes her head. "It hurts too much." She whimpers.
"What do we do?" Colin asks, still holding her hand.
"I can carry her." Anthony suggests. "Phone ahead and say we're coming and we'll..."
"Are you all stupid?" Gregory cuts them off. "You all have multiple sisters and partners and none of you have noticed that she's started her period." He snaps, a collective gasp comes from her brothers and Hyacinth promptly bursts into tears. This literally could not get any worse. She is mortified.
"Oh." Colin is first to speak. "Let me help you to the bathroom." He offers Hyacinth his other hand and she slowly gets to her feet, almost doubled over in pain. Colin gently leads her out the room.
The second they are gone, the remaining three brothers start arguing over the top of each other. Benedict furious that Gregory has made Hyacinth cry, Gregory furious that no one else had the common sense to understand it was her period starting and Anthony apparently mad at absolutely everyone for absolutely everything. The shouting continues as Colin comes back into the room, looking frustrated. "Will you all shut up?" It is unlike Colin to lose his temper like this and everyone is quiet.
"Is she okay?" Anthony asks.
"She's very upset, I tried calling mum in and got no answer so I called Pen and she and Fran are talking to her now, Pen also texted me a list of what she'll need." Colin adds, waving his phone. He sends Gregory and Benedict to go get it, while he and Anthony join Hyacinth in the upstairs living room. She is chatting to Penelope and Francesca who seem to keeping her calm.
"How are we doing?" Anthony asks softly, taking a seat beside Hyacinth. Colin sits on her other side, taking the phone from her hand so she doesn't have to hold it.
"You did a good job giving her paracetamol and pads Colin." Penelope states. "Hi Anthony." She waves. "I've got some great photos of Kate after three shots yesterday."
Hyacinth perks up. "Can I see?" She asks. Penelope laughs. Francesca shakes her head. At the no, Hyacinth bursts into tears again, burrying her head in an alarmed looking Anthony's shoulder.
"I'm sorry Hyacinth." Francesca sounds deflated. Her brothers know she takes on other's emotions.
"It's not you Fran," Hyacinth cries. "it's just not fair that Mum never lets me come with you guys and even worse that I keep crying." She sobs even more and Anthony rubs her back.
"I'm sorry Hy." Anthony coos over and over until his sister calms down. "Why don't we put some telly on?" Hyacinth sniffs a little, but nods. "Ladies choice." Anthony offers her the remote and then regrets it when she chooses some foreign language documentary he has no interest in. Still he forces himself to watch as Colin shoots him an amused glare., after hanging up with Penelope and seeing what she's chosen.
An hour later Gregory and Benedict come back holding about four shopping bags each. Anthony blinks. "Did you buy the whole shop?"
Gregory rolls his eyes. "No but this bag is pads, this one is tampons, this one is squishy toys, this one is biscuits and Ben has the chocolate, the paracetamol, the head pads and the warm socks. We already put the bag of ice cream in the freezer." He sounds triumphant.
"I didn't think they could legally sell you so much paracetamol." Colin points out in sheer confusion.
Benedict looks a little guilty. "We went to multiple shops." He says blushing a bit. Anthony rolls his eyes, but before he can say anything Hyacinth bursts out laughing.
"You guys are idiots." She says between laughs. "Absolute idiots, but I love you." She adds.