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You wake to hear the bedroom door open and close, before light footsteps pad across the room. The footsteps stop just before reaching you in bed before walking towards the bathroom. Slowly sitting up, you rub your eyes and hear for the shower running.
He must’ve been working late again.
You lower yourself back in bed and curl up into the covers. The sharp pain radiating from your lower abdomen shoots throughout your whole body. You grumble and squeeze your eyes shut.
You always had a hard time sleeping when on your period, you remember tossing and turning the whole night, holding onto your stomach and abdomen for dear life. Nothing ever seemed to help though.
You open your eyes and look over at the window. It’s left slightly ajar, the curtains swaying slowly in the light breeze, but looking past the sheer fabric you see the pitch black sky, lit only by many stars shining in the distance. You don’t know the exact time but it’s far from morning.
You groan.
It’s going to be one hell of a long night.
Hearing the faint click of the bathroom door opening, you peek your eyes open and see Zuko-your husband-walking up to the bed. His hair is still damp and you can already smell the lavender soap he always stole from you. Bastard.
He lays down beside you and you turn over to face him. For a moment he seems shocked, but that mere moment doesn’t last all too long, his tense expression immediately melts away revealing a warm smile and tired eyes.
Actually, now that you’re up close with him, you can see the faint dark circles under his eyes, his shoulders bunched together in stress, and the exhausted demeanor he wears.
You hope he hasn’t been working too hard, though you already know he has.
“Y-you’re awake!”
“Mmh-mh.” You hum, and nod your head.
“If I’d known you were still awake I would’ve said hi to you when I first walked in, sorry.”
“Don’t be, I’m just glad you’re here now. You’ve been working really late recently.”
Your arms-which had previously been clutching your stomach-reach out to hold him closer.
Your hand trails over his arm, then to his face, cradling his cheek.
Brushing hair from his face, he suddenly leans in to kiss you. It’s quick and sweet, and followed by a few pecks to your cheek and forehead.
His arms wrap around you, pulling you in.
“Stop it, I can practically see your mind racing right now. Don’t worry about me, I’m ok, and I’m sorry I haven’t been with you these past few nights.”
He smiles sadly, eyes just a little bit droopy, as you brush small circles over his skin.
You laugh softly, taking in what he said. It didn’t matter how many times he reassured you, your mind always found a way to overthink every possible situation.
Your mind always found a way to worry.
Especially when it was about him
You take his hand in yours and bring it up to your lips, placing a soft kiss there before suddenly jerking in place, your body shaky.
Your hand immediately drops his, rushing to clutch your abdomen in pain. Legs winding up and body curling in on itself, you squeeze your eyes shut in pain.
Zuko immediately sits up, panic painting is features. His hands hover around you unsure of the situation, only sensing that you’re in discomfort.
“Y/n?! Hey, are you alright? What’s wrong? What hurts?”
You only manage out a small mumble, eyes still squeezed shut.
“What’s wrong? Spirits, do I need to call a doctor?”
At that you let out a small, shaky laugh.
You open your eyes to see Zuko practically emanating distress. His brow is scrunched up, hands hovering, eyes wide.
“No, no need. I’m fine.”
“What? No-no you’re not fine-what’s going on? Are you hurt? What hurts?”
“No Zuko-“
Your hand reaches out to his and holds them down from restlessly shaking around.
“Zuko, please, I’m fine-just.. I’m on my period.”
He seems to freeze for a moment before relaxing just a slight bit.
“Oh.”
His eyes warm, his body settles down back beside you, and his hands move to hold you.
“Did you just get it?”
“No, it’s been a day or two.”
He sighs. “I’m sorry I wasn’t with you these past few days, works been piling up, have you been alright though?”
You laugh just a bit, still in pain, though momentarily sidetracked.
“Yes, Zuko, I’ve been ok.”
“Do you need anything? Like, uhm, water? Or medicine? Or-“
“I think I’m alright.”
You reply, smiling up at him. He always looked so cute worrying over you even if it was over something so small-so simple. A few cramps here and there, a headache now and then, would send him spiraling. It was be overdramatic-overprotective, but it was also adorable.
“You sure?”
“Im sure.”
You pause. Maybe he can do something to help. You think it over, and then tug him down back to bed beside you.
He lets out a surprised yelp before you turn over on your side and place his arm around you, his hand settling on your abdomen.
“Use your fire magic.”
He pauses, thoroughly confused.
“…what?”
“You’re always really warm cause of your fire bending, so can you warm your hand up? Heat always makes it feel better.”
He seems to laugh awkwardly to himself, only slightly embarrassed.
“Oh, I didn’t know that. But of course, anything.”
He shifts around for a moment, getting comfortable and wrapping the blanket around you both before you feel his hand that lays across you warming up. The heat immediately helps the pain and you practically melt into Zuko and the bed, finally finding comfort.
“You’re so warm and cozy.” You mumble.
His head comes down to press a kiss to your cheek and you can almost feel him smiling.
“I take it you feel much better now?”
“Much.”
“Good.” He replies, rubbing soft, soothing circles on your skin.
The act feels almost like a massage, the pain dissipates, and you slowly feel your eyelids grow heavy, your breathing soften.
Zuko appears to notice it as well, whispering soft and comforting words. Slowly lulling you into a deep sleep.
It doesn’t take long for him to soon follow too, drifting off beside you, but not before making sure you’re at complete ease and comfort.
Not before tracing the outline of your face and its many beautiful features with his eyes, gazing down at you in complete and utter awe. Not before massaging his hand over your smooth skin, tracing and dragging swirls and stars over your body.
Not before whispering a ‘goodnight.’ and a, ‘I love you.’ Or a, ‘rest well.’
Only then does he allow himself the sweet bliss of rest beside his one love.
°.🌀.ೃ࿔*:･