Periods were, at least for him, weren’t utterly baffling.

Before he got into a relationship with you, he had already grown up in a house ruled by women—disregarding the fact that there were more men (his older brothers, his father, and his younger brothers) under the roof. With an older sister who never hesitated to snap at him when cramps made her temper short and his mother who merely pressed a hand on her lower stomach as a means to endure the discomfort before continuing with the household chores.

Childe, from a young age, already learned that silence was often sometimes kinder than speaking, that warm drinks often helped, and that extra blankets were worth more than a useless advice.

He knew the signs almost immediately the moment it arrived for you.

The headache, the languid movements and weariness etched in your expression, or the way you’d crane your head to look in his direction with a faint crease between your eyebrows because sometimes the ache becomes far too unbearable.

“You feelin’ okay?” He murmured, voice quieter.

When you only gave him a tired look, he stepped closer without another word. A hand — calloused, warm — came to rest at your waist before sliding carefully to your lower back. He rubbed slow, steady circles, firm enough to soothe, gentle enough not to irritate. The other hand brushed your hair away from your face, thumb grazing your temple where the headache lingered.

“Go lay down.” He instructed gently, fond eyes carefully watching you. “I’ll fetch the electric hot compress. Do you want a painkiller, love? Or chocolate?”

He was already moving before you could even properly answer.

The electric hot compress was plugged in and warmed within seconds, tested against the inside of his wrist the way he always did — checking if the heat of it was tolerable against the skin. He returned to you just as quickly, settling it against your lower stomach and adjusting it until you gave the faintest nod of approval towards his direction.

“Not too hot?” He spoke up. “I’m gonna go grab some painkillers just in case, the chocolates you like, and make some hot beverage. Anything in mind? Tea, maybe? My hometown specialty?”