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Kalim was someone most people would consider a highly patient person. Almost nothing got under his skin. He wasn’t prideful enough to snap back and didn’t let his mood affect how he talked to other people.
At least, not when it was his time of the month.
When it was, that laid-back patient heir was no more. There was nary a sign of that cheerful smile looking forward to the rest of the day, no straight posture that looked ready to learn even if the material was confusing. Instead, it was replace by a hunched over heir with one hand resting over his head in exhaustion, offhandedly fidgeting while impatiently waiting for the lecture to be over.
Even being lectured by Jamil would turn sour. Normally, Kalim would just laugh his scolding off with an apology, but at least he was willing to engage and hear Jamil’s complaints.
On his period though? You would think Kalim was some moody teenager rather than the kind-hearted heir others knew, his responses to Jamil being scoffs, eye rolls, irritated “I got it already..”, and just overall dismissiveness that felt much more hostile. Of course, when he was feeling better he’d apologize to Jamil for how he acted, but that didn’t make it any less difficult for the servant to deal with. Even when Jamil did try to sound less harsh in his chastising, it didn’t change Kalim’s grumpy responses.
Not even his dormmates were spared from Kalim’s ill temper. Sometimes it would get so bad that some of them suspected Jamil was using snake whisperer on him again. But after Kalim had come out about it the first time, their suspicions eased up, though everybody agreed to leave the heir alone during his cycle.
And that was another thing. Kalim, the same Kalim who loved nothing more than social gatherings and being around others, isolated himself much more on his period.
He rarely got out of bed, either sleeping most of the day or lying curled up in his bed, too weak to move as cramps hit his stomach and dysphoria plagued his mind. When the pain eased up, Kalim would shower to avoid smelling bad. Sometimes he’d venture out to get snacks but that was about it and even that was rare—he never really wanted to eat on his period.
But because of how extroverted Kalim normally was, being by himself, even on his own accord, was pretty difficult.
That’s where Ruggie steps in.
They’ve been dating for four months now, and during that time, Kalim confessed to Ruggie that he was trans.
It was quite a dramatic spectacle if Ruggie does say so himself, with Kalim in tears and begging Ruggie not to think of him as weird or to stop dating him.
Of course, Ruggie with fond annoyance responded to Kalim’s cries with a “you seriously think that’d stop me from liking you? Who do you think I am?” before kissing the heir’s cheek.
While the hyena beastman had thought that the emotional distress Kalim showed was a bit much considering they went to Night Raven College, where a lot of people were open and about, he did understand the fear since, well, Kalim’s family was…a bit traditional, let’s put it that way.
Ruggie was now standing in front of Scarabia, a bag in his hands of some supplies to help Kalim out.
While Kalim didn’t tell him directly about his cycle starting today (he usually doesn’t like texting people during his cycle often), Ruggie could deduce what was going on, his heightened beastmen senses allowing him to sense the hormonal changes, the blood and even just witnessing the sour turn around in Kalim’s attitude.
When he stepped through the mirror, he was greeted by Jamil making soup of some sort.
“If you’re looking for Kalim, he’s in his room. Though I’m not sure he’s exactly in the mood for visitors..” Jamil sighed defeatedly.
Ruggie chuckled and held up a bag. “Don’t worry, I know what’s going on. I’m not here to leech off him or anything.”
Jamil got a ladle and poured the dish he was stirring up into a bowl, topping it off with a spoon. He hands it to Ruggie.
“Well, since you’re here, do you think you can try getting him to eat this? I tried twice already and he keeps telling me he’s not hungry…I don’t want him to starve.”
Ruggie’s face grew slightly more serious and determined. He nods. “Alright, yeah.”
After Jamil thanks him for going through the trouble, Ruggie was careful to not spill any of the soup Jamil made, now resting the handles of the bag he brought against his wrist so one hand was free.
Coming up to Kalim’s room, the beastman knocked on the door. “Yo, Kalim. You awake in there?”
No response. Another knock. Ruggie sighed in relief once he tested the handle and saw it was unlocked, and slowly but surely turned the doorknob and stepped inside.
Inside, he was greeted with a clear bump under the covers of the bed, an inch of his white hair poking out. Slowly but softly stepping forward, Ruggie closed the door with his foot while placing the soup and bag on the nightstand. Leaning forward, Ruggie reached out to pull a piece of the blanket away, revealing Kalim’s sleeping face.
Slowly, Ruggie ran his calloused fingers against his soft cheek. Kalim stirred with a sleepy hum, and blinked his eyes open, his groggy red eyes meeting Ruggie’s sympathetic, soft blue.
“Heya sleepyhead..” Ruggie whispered lowly. Though he liked to tease, he’d try to hold off when Kalim was probably dealing with painful ass cramps and dysphoria. The heir never took it to heart thankfully, but he didn’t want to test that theory out by saying something out of line and accidentally upsetting Kalim.
Kalim yawned and leaned his face against Ruggie’s hand.
“Ruggie..? Whatcha doing here?” He drowsily asked. For someone who supposedly wasn’t in the mood for visitors, Kalim was quite clingy.
“Just checking up on you. Not feeling too hot, huh?”
Kalim shook his head. Ruggie could see the faint outline of Kalim’s arm resting over his stomach under the covers.
Ruggie sympathetically patted his head, stroking his hair back.
With his free hand, he reached for the bowl of soup, holding it in front of Kalim while taking a seat on the edge of the bed.
“Jamil told me to give you this.”
Kalim huffed, a pout making its way onto his face. “I already told him I’m not hungry,” he mumbled as his free hand rested over his eyes.
Ruggie hummed. He got it. He knew menstruation can definitely mess with your appetite but..he didn’t want Kalim to starve himself.
“I know..but try to eat at least a bite, will you? For me? I DID come all this way.”
Ruggie couldn’t help but have that manipulative edge to his plea like those times he had unsubtly guilted Kalim to not cancel certain parties, but this time it was rather tame, because he really did want Kalim to eat.
And like always, Kalim’s big empathetic heart gave in, even when his body’s hormones were making him so cranky. He sighed in reluctance. “Fine…”
Ruggie smiled enthusiastically, and used his other hand to hold the spoon. Thankfully the soup didn’t grow cold, so he blew on it, preparing to feed Kalim.
Kalim, meanwhile, crawled out from his little blanket mountain to sit up, though it took some effort due to how inactive his body has been most of the day. That combined with his lower abdomen still feeling like it was being stabbed with a hundred knives. But he managed, sitting up and resting his back against the pillows.
“Sorry to put you through the trouble..” Kalim admitted. Ruggie’s ears flicked, a lighthearted scoff leaving his mouth as he gave Kalim the first spoonful. Kalim drank the liquid.
“Cmon, none of that. It’s really okay. You spoil me all the time, let me return the favor.”
Ruggie wiped some soup from the edge of Kalim’s lips.
“I guess but are you really okay with dealing with me when I’m all..gross like this?”
Ruggie sighed, his hand going from the spoon to grip Kalim’s shoulder reassuringly.
“Hey, you’re not gross. It’s normal.”
Kalim smiled sadly, though judging by how he was avoiding eye contact with Ruggie, he wasn’t fully convinced.
The blond’s hand left the white haired boys arm and went back to the spoon. Repeating the motion, Kalim ate from it again.
Ruggie smirked.
“What?” Kalim asked.
Ruggie shook his head dismissively. “Nothing just…the way Jamil was describing you ya’d think he was talking about a blood thirsty piranha. But you’ve been pretty cooperative with me so far.”
Kalim huffed a little laugh and shrugged. “I mean…I still feel bad. It’s not his or anyone else’s fault my body is reminding me I was born a girl, and yet I’m kinda taking it out on them anyways.”
Ruggie smiled once again, softer now. “Even when you’re in so much pain, you’re still thinking about others huh?”
Kalim’s smile widened. “When you see Jamil again, tell him I said sorry if I said anything mean..”
Ruggie nodded. “Alright, but I’m sure he understands.”
After a few more bites, Kalim turned his head away, claiming he couldn’t eat anymore since his cramps were still pretty bad. Ruggie took the now cooled remains of the soup to show Jamil the evidence of him actually eating, as well as to relay the apology to him, as promised.
He made sure not to take too long, not wanting Kalim to be by himself for such an extended period of time while being in so much pain. So after doing what he needed to do, he wasted no time at all getting back to his boyfriend.
— — —
When Ruggie got back, Kalim didn’t move from his bed. Now he was laying back down, his head rested against the pillows, his hands gripping his stomach.
“Kali? I’m back.” Ruggie announced, keeping his voice at a steady volume still. Kalim opened his eyes and turned his head towards the Savanclaw vice’s direction. “Welcome back..” was all he said, sounding pretty drowsy.
Ruggie made his way back to Kalim’s bed and sat back down on the edge of the mattress. His hand hovered over the covers placed over the heir, planning to move them off.
“Mind if I…?”
“You’re good. Go ahead..” Kalim responded. With his permission, Ruggie pulled the blankets down to just below Kalim’s waistline.
Kalim’s shirt was already ridden up a bit, his hand resting over his lower belly, so with a careful hand, Ruggie pulled it up a bit more to fully expose his stomach. He pushed his hand below Kalim’s hand, replacing it now with his own.
“Didja take meds for the cramps?” The hyena beastman questioned, his thumb absentmindedly stroking the heir’s stomach soothingly.
Kalim nodded. “Yeah, they helped a bit but…”
“But it still hurts?” Ruggie finished Kalim’s train of thought, and the latter nodded.
Yeah, figures. From what Ruggie could gather, Kalim’s cramps could get pretty bad..he was handling it well though at least.
He patted Kalim’s stomach assuringly. “Don’t worry, I got something for it.”
With his free hand, he reached for a heating pad, one of many things he bought from Sam’s shop.
None of which were cheap but hey, it wasn’t his money. It was Leona’s, and he was 99% certain the lion beastman wouldn’t give much of a shit.
Pulling Kalim’s shirt back down, Ruggie places the heating pad onto Kalim’s lower belly while plugging the long cable into a nearby plug-in. The heat mat started up, a soothing buzzing indicating it was doing its magic.
Kalim sighed in relief. “Thanks Ruggie, you’re a lifesaver..”
Ruggie’s ear flicked as he chuckled. “Don’t you mean good boyfriend?”
Kalim smiled. “That too! You know what I mean..”
Ruggie snickered again. “Yeah yeah I know. I’m just messing with you.”
Reaching into the bag again, Ruggie pulled out a chocolate bar and tosses it to Kalim, to which he catches.
It was a specific brand Kalim loved, and especially craved when he was on his period.
“Aww, thanks!!” Kalim expressed happily as he carefully pulled open the wrapper, adjusting his position so he was half sitting and half laying down to eat while popping a piece into his mouth.
He offers a piece to Ruggie, but Ruggie flippantly waved his hand to refuse. He got that for Kalim after all, and he wasn’t a big fan of those expensive ass chocolate brands.
Watching Kalim eat, it was clear he was in a much better mood than when Ruggie first stopped by. His lips turned upwards again as he rested his hand on his chin, watching his boyfriend with a fond look in his eyes.
That’s when he felt Kalim grip his hand and pull him into bed with surprising strength, and Ruggie almost felt the air get knocked out of his lungs. But seeing Kalim sweetly smile as he snuggled into his chest, Ruggie’s fondness returned.
He cupped Kalim’s face and kisses Kalim on the lips. Kalim happily returned the kiss before Ruggie pulled back, their noses touching.
“Finished with your candy?” Ruggie asked, his warm breath hitting Kalim’s face. When the heir nodded, Ruggie took the empty wrapper away and onto the nightstand, and lazily wrapped an arm around Kalim’s waist.
“Thanks for taking care of me Ruggie…” Kalim whispered against his shoulder. The blond softly stroked his arm.
“Of course..”
Kalim hummed serenely, before he leaned back against Ruggie, feeling so grateful that the same guy who’d normally tease him and..occasionally take advantage of his money put up with him when he was so vulnerable.
“I love you…” Kalim whispered.
Ruggie kissed his cheek. “Love you too…I’ll take care of you on your next cycle, okay? Next month.”
Kalim smiled at the thought. “I look forward to it…”
And for the first time on his time of the month, Kalim felt something other than irritable.