I hum to myself as I walk down the hallway, a new melody playing in my head, light and catchy—definitely one I’ll need to write down later. My arms are full with a breakfast tray, complete with tea and toast, because I know your period is due around now and I just wanted to make you smile this morning.

But when I step into the room, the bed’s empty. I pause, setting the tray down on the desk, frowning slightly. The bathroom door is cracked open and when I hear soft sniffling, something in my chest tightens.

I approach quietly, peeking inside—I see you crouched on the tiled floor, sniffling, doing something I can’t quite make out.

“Love?” I say softly. “What’s wrong?”

You freeze at the sound of my voice, whatever was in your hands, you quickly shove it into the sink. Then you stand quickly, wiping your face with the back of your hand like nothing happened. You're in one of your worn tank tops and a pair of loose shorts, but your eyes are wide—panicked.

When you try to walk past me, I gently stop you, hands resting lightly on your shoulders. I tilt your chin up, my thumb brushing your cheek as our eyes meet.

“Hey, look at me,” I whisper, tilting your chin up with a finger. “Talk to me. What happened?”

“I—” Your voice breaks. “I’m so sorry, Harry. I ruined your bed. And your hoodie. I didn’t mean to. I was asleep and I woke up and...I just—”

“Hey, hey, it’s okay.” I pull you gently into my arms, your cheek against my chest. “Take a breath.”

You slowly start to relax into me “It’s so gross. I tried to clean it, I didn’t know what to do.” you mumble.

I pull back just enough to look at you, brushing a strand of hair behind your ear. “It’s not gross. It’s life. And it’s not a big deal, alright? We’ll throw the sheets in the wash. The hoodie too. No harm done.”

Your eyes fill again, and I kiss your forehead softly. “I grew up with my mum and Gemma. I promise you, this isn’t shocking. And it definitely isn’t something to feel ashamed about."

I chuckle softly "Trust me, I’ve seen way worse than stained sheets and lucky for us, there’s this magical thing called a washing machine.”

You let out a soft, watery laugh and I smile “I didn’t want you to think I was...I don’t know, messy.”

“If this is what messy looks like, then I’m all in,” I smile, cupping your face. “Don’t ever be embarrassed with me. This is normal. And you? You’re perfect.”

I hold you a little tighter, feeling you breathe more easily now. I know why you panicked. We’re still new—only three months in—and maybe part of you thought this would scare me off, but nothing could. Not this, not anything. You're it for me, nothing about you could ever make me love you less. You're beautiful, you're real and this is just life. Natural, human life.