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An exasperated sigh blew past your lips, flicking stray strands of hair out of your eyes as you lazed around on the couch. You shifted positions every few minutes, trying to contain the grimace of pain that flashed across your features as you nestled yourself into the sea of pillows supporting your back. A soft groan tumbled from your parted lips as another wave of pain spiked in your swollen abdomen, stealing the breath from your lungs as your body ached all over in discomfort. The throbbing pain in your stomach made you feel nauseous and the dull headache pulsing behind your eyes only made it worse. You swore something foul under your breath as you cursed your anatomy.
Your disgruntled noises and loud fussing caught the attention of your lover as he returned to your side, having completed his task of fetching you a glass of water when you asked for it. The glass cup softly clinked as it was placed on the small table beside the couch, the glass already dotted with beads of perspiration in the horrible heat wave that rolled through Konoha. The sweltering heat made you feel sticky, clammy skin dotted with beads of sweat as you struggled with the war that was raging inside your stomach. Madara sat by you as you thanked him for the glass of water, yet you couldn't find the strength in you to move your limbs, the heat sapping the last of it as it fizzled and dried out with your salty tears of despair.
"Madara" you whined loudly.
"What is it now?" he asked.
The Uchiha settled on the couch beside you, body almost draped over yours as the piece of furniture struggled to fit two grown adults in it. A small pout tugged at your lips as you gave your husband a sad look, wisps of his raven black hair tickling your bare arms as he leaned further over you.
"It hurts" you complained.
"I know" Madara agreed.
“Want it to stop” you added as another grimace made your nose scrunch up in displeasure.
"Endure it. You have before."
A soft noise stirred in your throat. You knew he was right; you had endured many awful cycles before. But that didn't change how crappy they felt nor did it erase the discomfort you were currently feeling. Your body shifted yet again as you tried to sit up a little more, body almost consumed in your nest of pillows despite how hot the house was. You didn't care how your shirt was sticking to you like another layer of skin nor how stuffy the material made you feel. It was the only blessed comfort you could get for your sore back. You shot your husband another pathetic look as you trailed your fingers along his arm, digits tangling in the sleeve of his shirt as you tugged on it.
"Can you give my stomach a massage?" you asked. "Pretty please? I might feel better."
A loud sigh blew out of Madara’s nose as he cast his charcoal gaze upon you, eyes soft as he looked down upon you. He hated to see you in pain or distress and he was willing to do anything to make you feel better. He remained silent as he nodded along in agreement, curling his index finger in your direction and signalling for you to lift your shirt. You were more than eager as you lifted the fabric from your soft stomach, exposing your abdomen to the stuffy air permeating the room as the fan in the corner of the room struggled to blow even a gentle breeze. The muscles in your stomach jumped as Madara lay his hands on your belly with a gentleness that was rarely seen from the Uchiha. You could feel the callouses on the tips of his fingers as he slowly rubbed his hands over your round stomach, soft skin squishing under his touch as he massaged your sore flesh.
"Where does it hurt?" Madara asked idly, eyes transfixed on the spots his fingers touched.
You thought about the question for a moment as he continued to prod around your stomach and hips, his hands a blessed, soothing balm against your searing skin. You idly chewed on the dry skin clinging to the corners of your mouth as you watched his hands work, fingers twitching whenever his fingers grazed by a sensitive spot.
"A little lower, I think" you murmured.
Madara followed your instructions as his fingers walked down your stomach a little lower, pressing into the soft skin as he tried to tease the tense knots from your muscles.
"Here?"
His fingers grazed your skin and brushed against a very sensitive and ticklish spot. Your reaction was immediate as your leg bounced, an uncontrollable snort of laughter bubbling up your throat as your foot kicked out and almost struck Madara in the stomach. It would have landed had he not seen the attack coming and twisted his body to dodge the swipe. Another soft giggle rumbled in your chest as you slapped your hands over your mouth, trying to contain your bouts of laughter as Madara's eyebrow twitched.
"I'm sorry" you muttered, failing to stifle your giggles and the smile that stretched across your lips.
Madara rolled his eyes so hard they almost disappear into the back of his skull as he shook his head.
"I'm just following your instructions" he stated.
"Sorry, it's a little ticklish."
Madara pressed down on the soft spot again as a snort of laughter was wrenched from your lips. His lips twitched into a ghost of a smile as he rubbed his hands along your stomach, thumbs rubbing soothing circles into your skin and drawing random patterns.
"If you keep squirming, I'll stop" he warned with a teasing lilt to his voice.
You tried your best to settle once more as your shoulders shook with suppressed laughter, a grin still painting your lips as you hid your flushed cheeks behind your hands. You peeked down at Madara through the gaps in your fingers, your heart fluttering wildly in your chest as long lashes brushed against your warm cheeks.
"I'll be good, I promise~"
Madara hummed softly as you relaxed further under the gentle caress of his hands, the large palms resting against the curve of your stomach as he kneaded the skin in a soothing motion.
"Good girl."
The pain ebbed under Madara’s touch until it faded into a dull, yet manageable throb. Your head didn't feel as dizzy anymore and your wave of incapacitating cramps eased. You traced your fingers over the tops of Madara's hands, tracing over the ridges of his knuckles and poking at the calloused skin of his fingertips as you grew drowsy under his repetitive ministrations.
"Thank you" you mumbled in a hazy daze of bliss.
Madara hummed in response, acknowledging that he had heard you as your eyelids continued to droop. You took a deep and calming breath, staring at the top of Madara’s head as your mind began to wander.
"You've solved one problem" you said. "Now if you could fix this rancid heat…"