Outside Work We... •[TNN One-shots]•

Hormones 😒 •|| WINTUMN ||•

Prompt: Autumn has an emotional and hormonal day and Winter helps her.

The house was unusually quiet that day, except for the soft patter of rain against the windows. Autumn sat on the couch, knees pulled to her chest, a blanket draped loosely over her shoulders. Her red hair was disheveled, her glasses slightly askew, and her face blotchy from tears she’d been unable to suppress.

She hated days like this. Hormones wreaking havoc on her emotions, turning her into someone she didn’t recognize—vulnerable, irritable, and, worst of all, teary.

Cadaver rested in her lap, purring gently, but even his soothing presence wasn’t enough.

The sound of the front door unlocking pulled her attention. Winter walked in, shaking off the rain from his coat before hanging it by the door. His sharp black hair, which he usually kept perfectly straightened, was slightly damp and curling at the ends. When he saw Autumn’s state, his face softened instantly.

“My love,” he murmured, walking toward her. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Autumn mumbled, avoiding his gaze. “It’s stupid.”

Winter crouched in front of her, his silver glasses glinting in the dim light. “If it’s upsetting you, it’s not stupid.”

She sniffed, brushing at her eyes. “I’m just... off today. Hormones or something. Everything feels wrong.”

Winter reached out, gently tucking a stray strand of her red hair behind her ear. “Why didn’t you call me? I would’ve come home sooner.”

“You were busy,” she muttered, her voice breaking slightly.

“I’m never too busy for you, love.”

Her lower lip trembled, and tears welled up again. “I hate feeling like this, Winter. I’m a mess.”

“You’re not a mess,” he said firmly, standing up and taking her hands in his. “You’re human. Even goddesses have their days, right?”

She let out a weak laugh despite herself, nodding.

“Come on,” Winter said softly. “Let’s get you comfortable.”

He gently lifted Cadaver from her lap, placing the cat on the nearby armchair. Then he sat down next to Autumn, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her close. She buried her face in his chest, his steady heartbeat grounding her.

“I brought your favorite cookies from the bakery,” Winter said after a moment, his voice light. “And I was thinking we could watch that cheesy rom-com you like to make fun of.”

Autumn tilted her head to look at him, her lips twitching into a faint smile. “You hate that movie.”

“I hate it less if it makes you happy.”

Her smile grew, and she rested her head against his shoulder. “You’re too good to me.”

“Impossible,” he said, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

For the next hour, they sat together, Autumn nibbling on cookies while Winter made sarcastic commentary about the movie. By the time the credits rolled, she felt lighter, the emotional storm of earlier finally subsiding.

“Thank you,” she whispered as they lay tangled together on the couch, the rain still tapping against the windows.

Winter tilted her chin up to look at him, his gray eyes soft. “Always, my love. Always.”