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You knew the signs. Slight back pain, that sore feeling in your legs, slight headache, feeling like utter shit.
You were about to start your period.
Whoop de do.
The last time you made the unfortunate choice to go out even while about to start your menstrual cycle you got stuck at Mychael's for almost the whole time. Vida nearly called the cops in a panic.
Luckily you felt better enough to make the trek back to sweet sweet cell service and text a quick message (paired with video to prove being very much alive) before Vida could have your address blasted on the neighborhood board as a last seen location.
You'd be fine. You were sure of it.
You felt a little fuzzier than usual but such is the woes of having hormones. It must be fluctuations with she much as you didn't want to think about it.
Glad to have taken the right path to find Mychael's, you don't think you would've lasted another second. The air was so dry today.
A warm feeling overtakes your chest once you reach his doorstep.
When you knocked on his door you were greeted with the sight of his "going out" clothes.
"What are you- what are you doing here?"
"We said we'd meet today, did we not...?"
"Well- yes. But I was supposed to pick you up."
"Oh, please. I'm not that fragile."
"I'm sure you're plenty capable but I-"
Then he mumbled something under his breath that you couldn't quite catch.
"Well, are you gonna invite me to tea?"
"So long as you promise not to walk through the woods alone again."
"Okay, bossy"
"I can't have you getting caught by a snare..."
He probably thought you didn't hear the, "or worse" that he tackled on at the end so you decided to ignore it. After all what could be worse then getting your foot caught in a bear trap? Maybe an actual bear but...
"So... tea?"
"Tea."
When you stepped through the door the most delightful scent filled your senses.
"Woah, what have you been up to?"
"Oh, nothing- just trying a new recipe."
You approached a pot on the stove and curiously lifted the lid, much more comfortable in his space since your last visit.
"Is this... soup?"
The pot had been brought to a boil. Red, white, and orange looking berries and ginger floating in the liquid, now tinted a beautiful and rich looking warm brown.
"Uh, tea, actually."
Then, you recognized the berries in the pot.
"Oh, Goji berries!"
"Uh, yeah."
"How'd you know about these?"
"I have my ways." He flashed you a smile that was just screaming 'wouldn't you like to know'
You decided to not think too much about it, simply happy he was thinking about you.
"I'm excited to try it."
"Yeah, uh... don't be too excited"
He grumbled "that old lady wasn't very descriptive with measurements." as he turned to grab a mug from the cupboard. Serving with a ladle to be sure to get some berries as well.
It was delicious as always and you said as much. Mychael, who would've been sheepish but happy at the compliment before, now took it in stride. It'd be a task to wipe the smug look off his face.
The day continued and you had been feeling worse, sore all over. Pushing through only so you can enjoy your time with Mychael.
You were optimistic. Maybe if you kept it up you could pull through just for today! You headed to the restroom with a hopeful mind.
Only be to be greeted with that oh so familiar red.
With a sigh you grabbed your bag from the floor beside you. Your horror increasing with every passing second you rifled through the cursed thing.
This can't be happening.
How could you not have it on you? You may have been a little too excited to meet up with Mychael but surely you couldn't have forgotten to repack your bag...
...except it seems you have.
And now you're screwed.
You rolled a bunch of toilet paper and shoved it in your underwear. It's have to do for now. You would apologize to Mychael for the waste, after all it probably wasn't easy for him to just pop into the store. Though he did say he had his ways...
Mychael gave you a curious look when you stepped out of the bathroom. You assured him everything was fine.
And it was!
Until the cramps got to be too much.
"Is something wrong?" Mychael asked. "You've been looking a little... tired."
"I'm just-" a major cramp hit you hard enough to make you double over in the pain.
"Woah! Is it the... period again?"
"Yeah, actually... We timed this poorly, huh?"
"Yeah."
He guided you to bed just like last time, then went for the kitchen. A warm bowl and a another cup of the tea was presented to you.
"Oh, no Mychael. I can't stay I don't have any period products."
"Like pads?"
"Huh?"
"With wings...?"
"Well yeah, that's one kind- why do you know this?"
"And not the bird kind, I got it!" Mychael was already prepping to head out leaving you in shock on his sheets.
"Wait, Mychael! I'll just head home and get them myself-"
You were interrupted by another wave. "Mychael, I can't just spend another week here. You should already know how long periods can last from last time!"
"Then you can just give me your phone. You said it can send um, messages? At the edge of the forest, right?"
"Well yes, but"
"I'll send something to that Vida person." You don't know why he seemed a little on edge saying the name, but you were more focused on trying to make sure you left this house.
"I mean, I guess... but Mychael-!"
"No. You promised."
"What?"
"You promised you wouldn't go into the woods alone. Just- let me go to the store for you. And you can rest here for a few days! Just like last time.."
"I said 'okay.' I didn't"
"You said okay."
He wasn't gonna budge on this was he. He carried the same intensity you saw at the river your first time here... It honestly... scared you. And you worried for what might be going through his head.
Just agree.
Tell me what you need and I'll get it. I'll care for you. Just please trust me.
Stay.
A headache and cramp combo hit you hard. You pressed your hand to your head, breathing a little heavy as you reluctantly agreed.
He looked somewhat sullen. You couldn't really pinpoint any reason why. You'd agreed after all.
"Just... let me show you how it works. And I'll write down what I want. There's a lot of different products you know."
"I know."
You let out a tired sigh as you typed it in your generic notes app.
"This is my password just in case it turns off. Okay?"
"It needs a password?"
"Well, yeah. It's so it doesn't get stolen, Mychael. Or to just, you know, keep people out of your phone."
"Out of...? You can.....? But it's so small......."
"Don't open any app other than this one. Got it?"
"App?"
"Nevermind, I'll explain another time. Just, please don't break it? It's expensive to get a new one."
"Okay." A faint blue blush dusted his cheeks. Seems he was happy to have your trust with something so important to you.
"I'll be back soon."
"Got it."
And soon you were left alone.
At least last time Mychael was with you... you lamented his absence as you stopped your tea, more lukewarm than hot now. The bowl, with nothing in it, near completely cold.
We're you always this dizzy on your period? And you might have felt a little sweatier than usual, too...
Nothing a splash of cold water couldn't fix.
The trip to the bathroom was a little torturous, geez, and you thought you you were gonna make it to the store and then home like this?
Maybe it was good that Mychael had offered.
You rinsed your face in the bathroom sink before stumbling on back to his bed.
Lucky for you, you bumped your knee on the edge of it.
As you crouched down to clutch your knee (why did this have to feel so bad?) you spotted the corner of a book peeking out from underneath the bed.
You slid it out just a little further so you could see the cover.
'The PERIOD book!'
"'A puberty guide for young teens'....? The drawings are cute."
A small laughed escaped you as you realized this must be where Mychael got his newfound confidence about knowing things.
As you looked through the first few pages you noticed the library check in card 'Mychael' oh, so that's how he spelled his name. That's quite cute.
You wondered why he wrote his name in the card, given, people don't really do that anymore.
Absent-mindedly you thought about the aunties that hang around the library.
You slid the book back under and crawled back into Mychael's bed. Letting yourself melt into the sheets.
Maybe a little too much...