#or at least afab

[soleillunne]

completely self indulgent drabble i wrote utc

The evening air was thick with the scent of rain-soaked earth, the patter of droplets fading into a distant hum outside your window. You lay curled up on your futon, a hand pressed against your aching abdomen, the pain sharp and relentless. Anxiety gnawed at your chest—a mix of stress from the day’s tasks and the sheer exhaustion that came with your period.

Kazuha knelt quietly beside you, his crimson eyes filled with worry. You hadn’t even needed to say anything; the furrow of your brow and the way you clutched at your stomach had been enough for him to understand.

"My heart," he murmured, his voice as soft as the rain outside, "you don’t have to endure this alone."

You turned your face into the pillow, the heat in your cheeks not entirely from embarrassment. “I’m fine,” you mumbled, though the tremor in your voice betrayed the truth. “I just… I hate feeling like this.”

Kazuha didn’t respond right away. Instead, he reached for the thick blanket draped at the foot of the bed, gently tucking it around your frame. His hands lingered briefly at your shoulder, warm and grounding. "Pain like this can be overwhelming," he said softly. "But perhaps we can lessen it together."

Before you could protest, he rose with the grace of a drifting leaf and disappeared into the adjoining room. Moments later, he returned with a small teapot and his collection of dried herbs. The rhythmic sound of him preparing tea filled the silence, and you found yourself focusing on his movements—the delicate way he measured each pinch of herbs, the quiet hum of a melody as he worked.

As the tea steeped, Kazuha pulled a small heat pack from his satchel. He knelt beside you once more, gently lifting your hand away from your stomach. "May I?" he asked, his gaze tender.

You nodded weakly, and he placed the warm compress against your abdomen. The soothing heat was an immediate relief, drawing a quiet sigh from your lips.

“Better?” he asked, his tone hopeful.

“A little,” you admitted, managing a faint smile. “Thank you.”

Kazuha smiled in return, his expression soft and unguarded. “It’s my honor to care for you, my soul. I only wish I could take the pain away completely.”

He helped you sit up just enough to sip the tea he’d prepared, his hand steadying you as you leaned against him. The herbal warmth spread through your body, dulling the ache little by little. When you’d had your fill, he placed the cup aside and guided you back into the comfort of his arms.

You rested your head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. His fingers traced gentle patterns along your arm, his touch feather-light. “Close your eyes,” he whispered, his breath tickling your ear. “Breathe with me. In... and out.”

You followed his lead, letting his calm presence anchor you. The storm inside you began to quiet, replaced by a profound sense of safety. “You’re too good to me,” you murmured, your voice heavy with both affection and fatigue.

Kazuha chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to the crown of your head. “I think, perhaps, you deserve more kindness than you allow yourself to believe.”

His words settled over you like a balm, soothing not just your body but your spirit. And as the rain outside slowed to a gentle drizzle, you drifted into a peaceful slumber, wrapped in the warmth of Kazuha’s love.