Chapter Text
When you woke, there was an ache in your abdomen, and you were aching to use the restroom. The pain worsened as you adjusted to sit up—and skyrocketed when you got on your feet. You clutched at yourself as you doubled down, groaning softly. Your stomach dropped when you found your underwear soaked with blood—your menstrual cycle had started overnight. Oh, gods…
You spent some time in the restroom beside your bedroom—thankfully, you were lucky for one of the maids to have come in to check on you. The sunlight was bright in the hall, but when you returned to your room, it was hard to tell that it was even daytime. Though it must’ve been late in the morning by now… the curtains were up and blocked out the daylight considerably, and the fire was dead. You asked her for a change of underwear and whatever tampons or pads that were available, and you returned to your bed. You curled into yourself, burying yourself under your blankets.
You couldn’t quite keep track of the time before she came back with your things, and you thanked her—she had restocked fireplace’s wood, which should help warm up the room. You got yourself changed, and retreated back to bed. Yada yada
You startled when you heard a heavy step by the doorway, you craned your neck to look behind you—it was Alcina Dimitrescu. It had been days since the two of you have last talked—you were afraid she was upset at you. You couldn’t find words to fill your emotions of anxiety and sheepishness, so you curled into yourself once more. She didn’t back out of the room—instead, she closed the door behind her.
“I heard you weren’t well,” Alcina spoke in a low, velvety voice. “I hope you’re not angry with me, my dear,” her words surprised you—making you look up at her, who was standing over you, now. You blinked, your expression likely something representing dumbfoundment. It earned a small chuckle from the woman, and her gloved hand reached down to your arm. You audibly struggled to voice your confusion—you, angry at her?
You shook your head and looked away, shrinking into yourself a little. “I thought you were mad at me—not the other way around,” you murmured, feeling guilty. You felt her weight shift the bed as she sat behind you. “Preposterous.” She said. You looked away, looking at the crevices and folds in your bedsheets. “I simply wouldn’t be able to sleep angry at you—I’d have to talk it out, or kiss it out.” She said, her voice chiding.
“What?” That flirt caught you off guard—you jerked your head to the side to look up at her, who now had a knowing smirk on her face. Your frown faded after a moment, and you turned back away, feeling undeserving of this sudden gush of affection. You felt terrible, and the blood gushing out of you and the tissue shedding inside of you made you feel utterly disgusting.
You felt her hand move to your cheek, and ran down to your chin, urging you to turn your head. She leaned down closer now, and you could feel her breath on your skin. “Come now, doesn’t that sound nice?” She purred as she tucked some of your hair behind your ear. “You smell delicious, and I bet your lips would taste just as lovely.” She whispered, her golden eyes boring into yours.
“No,” you choked out, feeling worse than ever. You pushed her away and curled into yourself, wanting to weep. “I feel disgusting, and my insides are shedding,” you sighed out, clutching your stomach and sides. She paused.
“Oh, Draga mea,” her voice was softer now, and when her touch returned, it was on your shoulder. “I am truly sorry—the scent of your blood… I didn’t realize.” You could feel guilty tears threatening to trickle down your cheeks, and you weren’t quite able to stifle a snuffle. “I’m sorry,” you whispered, and you felt her arms come around you, and the next second, you were lifted into them. She turned you so she could see your face, and her expression turned mortified at your tears.
“I am not angry at you, and I did not mean to coax you into anything out of your comfort.” She whispered, kissing your tears away. “Tell me what you need—everything.” She urged, and she was already moving. Opened the bedroom door and swiftly moved through the halls—she called out to one of the maids the two of you passed by, ordering the girl to bring tea and heating pads.
You were quiet as you spoke, and tears spilled into Alcina’s dress—you told how utterly pathetic you felt and sounded, and she cut you off there. “No, you are nothing of the sort. Never.” She insisted as she opened her own bedroom door, and before you could comprehend it, you were on her spacious bed. You apologized, you badmouthed yourself, and you sobbed, now—and she countered every loathe over yourself, now laying with you. She pulled you close, pressing kisses into your hair and over your forehead.
“My, my Draga mea… all is well, my love. I’m sorry for all of the misunderstandings.” She whispered, and you nuzzled into her skin. “I’m here,” she spoke, and you gave a gentle kiss upon the skin on her neck. It wasn’t long before the maid you heard Alcina talk to earlier knock on the door and come in; you heard a soft clink with the sound of a knock on wood—ceramic being placed upon a table. “Here, my lady.” The maid said softly as she handed Alcina something, who thanked and dismissed the girl.
Alcina slid something between the two of you, placing a heavy strip against your abdomen—a weighted, heating blanket. “Thank you,” you murmured. “You’re in pain, my poor girl. I requested tea if you feel well enough to sit up later, but for the moment, this should help with the pain.” Alcina said, and you hummed softly against the fabric of her dress. The ache in your abdomen was awful, but the warmth was nice, and the weight on it from the pad—along with being pressed against Alcina, was helpful.
You weren’t sure how long you had been curled upon yourself earlier, but the pain and distress had left you spent. As Alcina stroked your hair, your lids steadily grew heavy. She talked to you, gently and steadily… there was assuring, there was loving. It had been quite some time since the tears had stopped—you hardly noticed until now.
“I hope you are moreso at ease, my dear.” That velvety voice whispered to you, and you gave a soft nod. A part of you feared she would get up and leave, and so you tensed, clutching her close. She chuckled in response, combing her gloved hands into your hair once more as another rested easily on your back. “Don’t worry, my love, I’m not going anywhere. I plan to make up the time we’ve spent apart from the last few days, so I don’t plan to have you leaving my side—assuming you too, would like that.” She offered, and you nodded happily. She chuckled at the enthusiasm.
Alcina covered the both of you with a light blanket when she noticed that you were starting to doze, and she flipped you into the position that you slept most in—comfortably keeping you as close as possible. It wasn’t long before your eyelids couldn’t stay open anymore, and you let out a contented, lazy groan.
“May you sleep easy, Draga, and we’ll enjoy some tea together when you wake.” She promised, and your lips relaxed into an easy smile.