they had worked for aventurine for a long time.

they knew all his likes, his dislikes. His peeves, his interests. knew when that time of the month rolled around, leaving him curled up into a ball in bed with pain, not just physical but also emotional.

they could somewhat understand the sentiment, having experimented with their gender themselves, but their bouts of dysphoria were never so real, so severe. they knew his body disagreed with him, bleeding and hurting, but still a boy. always a boy, no matter what time it was of the month. they wished they could share this sentiment with him, show him that even if he was having his periods, he was a boy, and nothing could change that.

he let out another pained groan, hands clutching at his stomach, they assumed because of the cramps, and also the sheer anger at his body for not being the way he wanted. gently, they settled next to him, carefully reaching out to pet soft blond locks, now messy with all the squirming around he did. he peeked up at them, one amethyst-blue eye staring up at them, though even his half hidden face couldn’t hide the exhaustion etched in it. their heart tugged painfully.

“you don’t have to stay with me, darling.. I can handle myself.” he murmured, but nevertheless accepted their hand as they held his. for all his bravado, they knew almost all of it was a facade, something that would crack the moment they held him.