what happens when you're late for your period
(and you've been planning to be child-free ?)
tags: slight angst, fluff, comfort, established relationship
content warnings: mentions of abortion
a/n: for the anon who requested this - I hope you see it and enjoy. also for me who hopes I'll find myself a Xavier who wants to be child-free with me :>
feel free to dm me with requests (I can't guarantee I'll get to all of them but I'm willing to try)
Early on in your relationship, you and Xavier had mapped out your future together. Moving out of the city to somewhere with sprawling fields of flowers, maybe taking in one of those stray cats. A place where the two of you could rest your weary bodies and live at your own slow pace. Getting some well-deserved peace and quiet. And so, you had decided – no kids.
You wanted to be together, just the two of you. The occasional baby-sitting adventure was more than enough to satiate any baby-fever. Plus, Xavier wasn’t keen on sharing.
Xavier was away, he’d been roped into another extended mission, and you had been spending a relaxing Sunday at home, napping on the couch under the streams of sunlight filtering through the blinds.
Yes, you had been relaxing, a mere moments ago, before you heard the ping of your phone read through the text Xavier had sent you, and had been struck by that sinking feeling, so intense you couldn’t move.
Starlight, how R U feeling?
I hope U R resting properly
The hot water bottle is in the cupboard and I stocked the pantry with all the chocolate U like
He thought you were on your period. Did you forget? You pulled up your phone calendar- it was marked clear as day. Two days ago! You were supposed to have started your period yesterday at the latest! How could you be late? What were you going to do?
Ill skip the debrief and head home tonight
He would come home, expecting you to have started your period by now. Fuck.
Willing yourself to stop spiralling you grabbed the keys from the counter and headed out.
“Pharmacy, pharmacy, pharmacy,” you muttered under your breath. “It’ll be fine, I’ll just walk in, grab the tests, and I-“
You felt your chest tighten, choking on the rest of your words.
I’ll take them and they’ll be negative. Right?
While the walk to the pharmacy was short, it took far too long scanning each of the aisles to find what you were looking for. You could barely stand to look at them, grabbing whatever your hands reached, pulling a bunch of boxes from the shelf and shoving them in your bag.
Despite your attempt at a polite smile, all you could manage was a grimace. You scarcely glanced up at the cashier, hands shaking as you tapped your card to pay.
You barely made it through the door, practically collapsing on the bed, dropping the bag full of test kits to the floor. You had your head in your hands. Feeling too sick to eat.
You hadn’t realised how long you had been sitting there, curled up, fingers pressing into your ribs, until you shot up startled after hearing the click of the door.
The sound of footsteps, echoing down the hall, was gradually getting louder. Panicking, you kicked the bag backwards under the bed. You rose just in time to greet Xavier.
Just the sight of his face, you feel the knot in your stomach loosen slightly. He pulled you in hurriedly, like he couldn’t stand waiting another second without holding you. He was soft and warm and solid. You let out a breath you didn’t realise you were holding.
“My star. I missed you so much.” He smiled down at you.
“That’s not possible,” he murmured, squeezing you tighter, pulling you impossibly closer.
After a beat he loosened his hold and you stepped back, keeping him at shoulders length. Your eyes swept across him, a hand reaching up to cup his cheek. “How was the mission? Are you okay? No injuries.”
He turned his head to kiss your palm.
“The medic had me looked at. Nothing important, just some scrapes. How are you feeling, my Star?” His hands lowered to your hips, fingers massaging your stomach softly.
Your gaze shifted to the floor. Suddenly it was too difficult to look into his eyes.
“Starlight?” his voice softened, “what’s wrong? Are you in pain? Don't hide from me. Let me take care of you.”
“It’s not that,” your voice was barely a whisper.
“What is it then?” he spoke softly. Your gentle Xavier. He wouldn’t be mad at you- right? Your partner in life – he’d always be by your side, no matter what – right?
“I-“ you swallowed, “my period. It’s late. I’m late.”
“How could this have happened?” You tore yourself from his grip, pacing now, as it began tearing out of you. “We were always careful! We always used protection! What are we going to do? I can’t be pregnant! I can’t – this can’t happen-” your throat felt tight, and the tears you had been holding back all day started to pour down your face.
He grabbed your wrists tightly.
“How is it okay? I can’t-”
“Breathe. Just breathe with me okay – try to match my breath.”
After a few minutes Xavier moved closer and slowly gathered you in his arms again, tucking you under his chin. Your felt your shoulders loosen, the tension seeping out of your body. His arms rubbed the length of your back soothingly.
“I don’t want it, you know that. But,” you dare to ask the question you’ve been holding back, “What if I- what if I’m pregnant?”
“Then, we’ll handle it. I’ll book an appointment. Linkon has many clinics that specialise in women’s reproductive health and abortions.” He took your face in his palms, raising it gently to meet his eyes, and brushed your tears away. “You won’t have to do this alone. We’ll deal with it together.”
You eyes flutter close as he kisses your forehead. “Do you want me to go out and buy a test for you?”
Time and time again you’re struck with how lucky you are to have ended up with Xavier. So considerate and kind hearted and good.
“Oh no it’s okay. I already did that.” You step back out of his arms, pull the bag from under the bed and dump its contents on the bed. “Okay, so maybe I went a little overboard," you observed, glancing down at all the boxes, two of which were identical; the same test from the same brand.
“I see,” his tone barely concealing his amusement.
“I just want to be sure,” you protested, narrowing your eyes at his smiling face.
But your playful mood quickly faded. Looking down at the tests, you paused, frozen in place. An overwhelming sense of fear rose in you.
You wanted to, but couldn’t turn to face him.
You felt his arm brush yours, seeing him in your periphery, bending down and picking up one of the boxes.
“I’ve seen this brand online.” He hummed, opening the box and retrieving the instructions.
“One line for no, two for yes.” He held the stick out. “Don’t be scared.”
Your hands shook as you plucked it from his palm. His hands closed over yours, gently folded your fingers over the stick.
“I can check the result for you if you want.”
You walked together towards the bathroom. “I’ll be right on the other side of the door.”
You felt a brief rush of embarrassed; at how much reassurance that gave you, how much you needed him there with you.
You returned to the bathroom and passed the test to Xavier without looking at it. You found yourself standing there wringing your now empty hands, unable to breathe, waiting for the verdict.
“You’re not pregnant, Starlight. Just a single line.”
You could finally smile again.
“Oh my god, Xavier, I’ve never been so scared in my life.” You let out a breathless laugh, reaching out for Xavier and pulling him in.
He smiled back at you, touching his forehead to yours. “I told you, nothing to be scared about.” He stroked the back of your head and nuzzled the side of your face. “You were probably just stressed.”
“Yeah,” you sighed. “Still, I want to take a couple more,” you motioned towards the rest of the boxes on the bed, “just to be sure.”
Suddenly, he fished his phone out of his back pocket, typed out a few words and tossed it onto the bed before you could catch a glance at it, his arm curling back around you.
You looked at him, eyebrow raised.
“Just sent a text to Jenna. I’m taking the week off.”
“But why? Not that I’m complaining but, you didn’t need to- “
“Yes. I did.” He cut you off sternly. “I should have taken better care of you.” He ducked his head down, kissing you neck, “I’m sorry.”
He pulled back, smiling again. “Besides, your period will be here soon. I’m back now and ready to take care of you.”
And you know,” the side of his mouth curled up slightly, “I’ve read up on the best pain relief techniques.”
“Xavier!” you shoved at his chest softly. “Your so-called techniques are the reason we ended up in this mess in the first place! You gave me the biggest scare of my life!”
“Well, let me make it up to you.”
