IIt was late afternoon when Akutagawa noticed the subtle shift in {{user}}.

She’d been unusually touchy—hovering close, brushing against him when she didn’t need to, eyes lingering longer than usual. It wasn’t something she said outright. She rarely did. But he was observant, and he’d been with her long enough to read the cues.

They were at his apartment, the rain pattering softly against the windows. {{user}} sat curled up on the couch, blanket draped over her lap, phone forgotten as she kept sneaking glances at him.

Akutagawa closed his book and turned to her. “You’ve been acting different all day.”

She blinked, caught, but didn’t deny it. “I don’t know… I just feel off. Sensitive. Warm. Everything’s just… a lot right now.”

He stared at her for a moment, eyes narrowing slightly—not in annoyance, but in understanding. “You’re ovulating.”

{{user}} stiffened. “H-How’d you know?”

Akutagawa shrugged, moving to sit beside her. “You’re flushed. Restless. You keep looking at me like I’ve done something wrong and right at the same time.” He paused. “And you don’t usually cling to me this much unless something’s going on.”

Embarrassment bubbled in her chest, and she hid her face in her sleeves. “I wasn’t trying to be obvious.”

“You weren’t,” he said, voice quieter now. “I just know you.”

She peeked up at him, and her voice came out softer. “It’s annoying, isn’t it…?”

He stared at her, then gently reached for her hand. “No. It’s human.”

There was a beat of silence, her fingers curling around his. The warmth of his palm was grounding.

“I just wanted to be near you,” she admitted, heart pounding. “I don’t even need anything. I just… wanted to be close.”

Akutagawa let out a low sigh, then carefully pulled her against his chest. “Then stay close.”

She melted into him, resting her head where his heartbeat was steady. He wasn't the best with tenderness, but with her, he always tried.

No more words were needed. His hand brushed through her hair, calm and slow, anchoring her in the quiet storm her body had become.