➼ Chap. 18

106K 1.6K 1.1K
                                        

L U C I A N O

Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.

L U C I A N O

I rummage through Paris's drawers, my movements steady but tense. The lukewarm bath helped-her fever's dropped a bit, but it's still there. I finally find what I need and return to the bathroom. Paris is still in the tub, sipping water slowly, looking exhausted. Earlier, I gave her some medicine for the fever and made sure she drank as much water as possible.

"How do you feel now?" I ask, taking the water bottle from her and setting it aside.

"Still awful..." she sighs.

My jaw twitches and I glance at the tub. The water has cooled down. I have to get her out. Paris watches me as I put the fresh tampon she asked for on the counter. Her eyes linger on it for a moment while I grab some towels to prepare her for getting out.

"Can you... help me with the tampon?" Paris asks in the smallest voice. "I don't think I can do it myself."

I freeze, caught off guard by her request. I just nod and move closer. I gently grip her waist to help her stand and she holds onto my shoulders. Once she's on her feet, I guide her carefully to sit on the edge of the tub. I grab the tampon, turning it over in my hand, feeling completely out of my depth.

"How does this work?" I ask, my voice low and uncertain. "How do I... put it in?"

"You just... unwrap it first. Then... you see the applicator? You push this part to insert it," she motions with her hands, trying to show me how it works. "It should glide in smoothly, but... don't force it. Once it's in, you just press the smaller tube to release the tampon. The applicator comes out afterward."

I nod slowly, acting like I get it, but honestly, most of what she says goes right over my head. I'm both amazed and freaked out by how the tampon works. It's like a less scary version of a syringe. I kneel before her, tampon still in hand, trying to stay focused.

"And... how do I know when to stop?" I ask, glancing up at her for reassurance.

"It'll stop on its own," she explains, her voice softer now. "Just... go slowly."

"Does it hurt?" I inquire, still concerned and she shakes her head.

"No, it doesn't. Not if you're gentle."

"I'd never survive this... women are truly amazing." I mumble under my breath, frowning at the tampon in my hand.

I don't even realize I said it out loud until I see the corner of her mouth lift into a small, almost hidden smile. And just like that, something inside me shifts. I haven't seen her smile in days, and now, even this tiny ass smile hits me hard, making my heart flutters like it hasn't in years.

It's ridiculous that this moment, of all things, is what brings back that little missing spark of joy in my life. As I prepare to go ahead, Paris suddenly stops me by closing her legs.

𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗟𝗬 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦 ✔️ (𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀)Where stories live. Discover now