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He really wanted to sleep in on a Sunday, really, truly wanted to, but he couldn't once he felt that unpleasant dampness.
He gathered some strength and got out of bed. It wasn't a big stain, but it wasn't small either. Either way, it was disgusting.
Every month it came back to haunt him, a reminder that he would never feel like a real man.
He wanted to rip that organ out, wanted to stitch those folds shut. He'd rather have nothing at all than have that.
Those were the thoughts that surfaced when he didn't feel like he belonged in that body.
Even if he got every surgery possible, in moments like this, he thinks he'll never feel like a real man.
"Inojin," a familiar voice called from a few feet away. The blond turned around and found Shikadai leaning against the bedroom doorframe. "I was calling you."
"Sorry, I didn't hear you...," he answered, and turned away again to pull off the dirty blanket.
"Let me do that," Shikadai said, approaching his boyfriend and reaching out to take the blanket from his hand. Inojin pulled back.
"You don't have to," he said curtly, covering the stain. Shikadai noticed the tone, but he didn't back off.
"You made the bed yesterday, it's my turn today."
"I know, but I can do it today too."
Shikadai wasn't stupid. He'd lived with him for years, and he knew how to recognize certain behaviors.
They stayed silent for a few seconds. Inojin was still hiding it, ashamed, avoiding the other man's eyes.
"'Jin, can I take it?" He held out his hand again, waiting for the blond to hand over the blanket.
He got no answer, and chose not to pressure him.
"Do you want to go take a shower? I'll take care of this," he offered in a low, warm tone.
Again, no answer, but there was a reaction. Inojin lowered the blanket, though he didn't let go of it, and turned to face him.
They didn't need to exchange a single word before Inojin let go of the fabric and hugged his boyfriend.
He spent at least half an hour in that bathroom. He probably cried more than he washed.
When he came out, he felt like a body without a soul. He felt heavy, exhausted. Shikadai came over as soon as he noticed the door opening.
"Come here," he said, gently taking the Yamanaka's hand and guiding him to the bed. Shikadai helped him lie down, even though he didn't need any help.
"Do you need anything?"
"...Could you get one of those hot water bottles?" he asked in a low voice, almost inaudible.
"Of course. I'll be right back."
He pressed a kiss to the blond's forehead before leaving the room.
His mind left no room for any thoughts; Inojin was too sleepy to think. The only thing keeping him awake was the growing ache in his lower belly.
He practically fell asleep awake before feeling his shoulder being lightly nudged. He opened his eyes and found those warm green irises.
His shirt was lifted a few inches, just as his bottoms were pulled down. Then he felt the warm heated pack touch his abdomen.
An arm wrapped around him and lifted him up. Shikadai offered an ibuprofen pill, which Inojin took and swallowed with the water the brunet also offered him.
Nara sat on the bed beside him and began stroking his boyfriend's head. He picked up a small container with some apple slices.
"Are you hungry?" he asked, and held out one of the apple slices as soon as he got a yes.
Inojin didn't need all that care. He was a grown man, he knew how to fend for himself, but he felt no desire to refuse the care his boyfriend offered him every month.
He might feel like the biggest anomaly in the world, but he could always feel loved by him, just as intensely as he loved him back.