"I'm so sorry," Harry spoke up a few beats later.
                          
You pulled your head away from his chest, meeting his concerned gaze. "Why are you apologising?"
                          
"I shouldn't have made dinner tonight seem like such a big deal. I know we haven't seen each other this week but I didn't want you to feel pressure to come out even if you're unwell."
                          
"I promise I felt fine when I said yes. In fact, I felt completely fine up until 20 minutes ago. It's just how this thing goes sometimes."
                          
He looked a little confused.
                          
"It's... It's my period," you continued on hoping to answer the questions that were probably already forming in his mind, "I always get pain around the time of my period. And during as well. It is a little earlier this time though."
                          
"I have a sister, I've never seen her in pain like this though," he said, eyebrows furrowed.
                          
You just shrugged, wincing slightly as another jab of pain pierced your abdomen.
                          
Harry didn't question the issue further, instead he turned to rubbing circles against your lower back. But you could tell he was thinking intently. A few minutes later, he spotted the Uber and you both got in. Harry insisted on you scooting over to the middle of the backseat so that he could keep his arm secured around you. It was almost like he was never going to let you go now, and you don't think you had any issue with that.
                          
You kept your eyes closed the whole car ride, letting the sway of the car lull you into a stupor. A low thrum of pain was present the whole time but at least it didn't flare up. You knew the less you moved, the better it felt.
                          
"We're here," Harry said quietly after some time.
                          
Eyes blinking open, you realised he was right. Harry guided you out of the car and up the steps to your flat. His eyes stayed intensely locked on you as you fished the keys out of your bag. It was hard to mask the intense ache the movements caused but you didn't want Harry to worry more than he already was.
                          
"Thank you so much for helping me," you said once inside.
                          
"Don't thank me yet. Let's get you into bed. Do you have a hot water bottle? Ibuprofen in the kitchen?"
                          
Your mouth gaped slightly. "Harry, it's fine. I'll be alright now."
                          
He stared back at you slightly incredulously. "Have you seen yourself right now? You can barely stand upright. Just getting your key in the door was an effort and a half. Let me take care of you."
                          
You felt your eyes prickle with tears, you had forgotten what it was like to have someone want to take care of you. The past year you had battled through the pain alone, you hadn't realised the simple act of someone offering to make you a hot water bottle would feel so good. 
                          
After telling Harry where to find everything, you gingerly walked down the hall to your room. You changed into your comfiest pair of sweats and eased yourself onto your bed. This definitely wasn't the worst pain you had been in - no throwing up or collapsing to be seen thank god - but it was enough to make doing the simplest tasks a chore. 
                          
Harry crept in a few minutes later, a mug of steaming tea in one hand and the hot water bottle tucked under his other arm. You graciously accepted the bottle, pressing it against your stomach. A sigh of relief escaped your lips.
                          
"Do you mind?" Harry asked, motioning to the space available next to you.
                          
"Please."
                          
He stripped off his coat and slipped out of his boots before climbing in carefully beside you. You adjusted your position so that your head lay comfortably against his chest and he could easily cradle your side. The contact seemed to melt the pain away instantly.
                          
"Do you think you have endometriosis?" Harry spoke up a few minutes later.
                          
You hummed in confusion, unsure if you heard him correctly.
                          
"I did some quick research in the car. Your symptoms sound like it could be that. Have you ever gone to a doctor to check it out?"
                          
"They just told me to take pain relief. It's really hard to diagnose, like, you need surgery. I think if it's not heavily impacting your life then you just have to deal with it."
                          
"What?" Harry said in a shocked tone. "It's clearly impacting! You looked like you were going to pass out in that restaurant. Let's make an appointment in the morning, I'm going with you... If that's okay with you."
                          
You couldn't help but laugh. How many people had brushed off your pain like you were crazy and here was Harry, researching and wanting to book doctors appointments after an hour. "Come here," you whispered.
                          
"What?"
                          
"I want to kiss you, you idiot. You have to lean down though, I don't want to move too much."
                          
His previously concerned face gave way to a dimple-filled grin as he gladly followed your request. Your lips met, moving in sync immediately. You could tell Harry was being conservative, obviously worried to push things too far, but you were just happy to have him.
                          
"You know," he said once you both broke apart, "you can buy this little machine that uses electric currents to your nerves and it's meant to help with the pain."
                          
"How much research did you do in that car ride?" you said whilst chuckling.
                          
"I was worried!"
                          
You gave him a soft smile, "Thank you. But I think for now I'll stick with the water bottle. And your cuddles."
                          
"Are they helping?" Harry said, giving you a squeeze.
                          
"They are. I feel much better with you." 
                          
The pain did seem to be at bay and for once that accompanying feeling of dread didn't seem to be eating you up from inside out. For once it felt like you were going to get through this and you would be okay.