Work Text:
Alex rests his head in his hands, sitting on the toilet while his uterus continues to shed its lining. He should be used to it by now—it happens every 4 weeks like clockwork thanks to the birth control pills he takes—but he isn’t. The intense cramps and persistent nausea hit just as hard every time, and the blood is like his own disgusting, personalized version of hell. He knows the toilet bowl looks nothing short of a massacre. As if that’s not enough, the dysphoria hits even harder; the reminder that he was born with a body part that wasn’t his choice and causes him so much grief, all for nothing since he never plans on getting pregnant.
There’s a soft knock on the door as Henry quietly steps into the bathroom. “How are you doing, love?” He walks over, pressing a kiss to the back of Alex’s head.
“I’m fighting for my life in here,” Alex responds miserably. “I’m fighting my demons, and the demons are the bitch ass internal organs I didn’t ask for.” He knows he’s being dramatic, but he deserves it, as a treat.
Henry knows there’s nothing he can do to help, other than the painkillers he provided earlier, but Alex appreciates it all the same as his husband bends down and wraps him in a gentle hug, careful not to exacerbate Alex’s already aching body. Henry smells like freshly cut grass and clean linens and home . His period may be wreaking havoc on his mind, body, and soul, but being held by the love of his life feels like the closest thing to an antidote to the curse of bleeding out once a month.
Henry pulls away just enough to look Alex in the eye, no doubt assessing what his husband needs. “Are you just about done here, or do you need more time?”
Alex sighs. “I think I’m good,” he responds before cleaning himself up and putting in a tampon. “Can you get my ice cream and bring it to me in bed?”
“Of course.” Henry squeezes Alex’s hand, and they part ways as Henry makes his way to the kitchen. God, he loves his husband.
After wrapping himself in a blanket cocoon, Henry joins him in bed and hands over a pint of his favorite ice cream—cold brew coffee, duh. “Thank you, my wonderful, beautiful, amazing love of my life.” He wastes no time in shoving the largest scoop of ice cream into his mouth, sighing in pleasure as the flavor hits his tongue. It’s almost enough to forget that his uterus is trying to kill him.
Henry huffs out a laugh and kisses Alex’s temple. “You’re welcome, love.”
“Oh!” Alex scrambles as he grabs his phone from the nightstand and opens the Super Six group chat. “I need to send my monthly obligatory message.”
Alex
hysterectomy whenNora
real
one day…Pez
don’t you worry, darling, we’ll get that poor old thing out in no timeAlex
lmao can’t waitJune
Hang in there, lil bit ❤️
Alex continues texting for a few minutes, and he can’t help but smile—his friends always know how to cheer him up. He puts his phone back down, along with his now empty ice cream container, and snuggles into his husband. “You’re so cozy. Nap time?”
Henry nods as he wraps his arms around Alex and pulls him in close. “Nap time.”
Alex closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. Henry’s comforting scent may as well be a painkiller with how well it distracts him from the cramps and nausea, and he’s finally able to relax and fall asleep.
Being trans and having a period every month is annoying and painful and inconvenient, and gender dysphoria is a bitch, but here, in Henry’s arms, he knows he’ll be okay.