Chapter Text
Cramps, loss of appetite, lack of good humor, holding a heating pad against your lower abdomen to ease the pain, feeling hot liquid between your legs, "weak stomach”, menstrual diarrhea, sore breasts and craving sweets. It's frightening how both body and mind change during the bloody days.
"I don't—".
"Y/N, you need..." Donnie said softly, holding a sandwich out to you.
"Donnie, I... I'm not hungry".
"You haven't eaten yet".
But- okay…” You let out a sigh, groaning as you pushed yourself upright. The lair was quiet, the hum of distant pipes filling the main room as you sank back against the worn sofa. You reached for the sandwich resting on the table-perfectly stacked, almost too good to eat—and held it for a moment, just staring. Your stomach should have been growling by now, begging for food. Instead, nothing. No hunger, just the dull ache that had been clinging to you for days. It’s the kind of feeling you think you’ll get used to over time, but you never do. Every month, it still hits like the first time
It’s been several hours since you had your breakfast. Donnie once said that if you don’t eat anything, you shall become weaker than before.
“I don’t want it anymore,” you whispered, your voice heavy with defeat as you slid the half-eaten sandwich toward your purple-clad friend, who’d been watching you in silence the whole time.
Donatello saw the discomfort flicker in your eyes. “It’s okay,” he reassured, his voice warm as he took the sandwich away. “You ate, and that’s what matters.” His massive hand pressed gently against your shoulder, easing you back down onto the cushions. “Rest now. I’m just a call away if you need anything.”
You give a faint smile as he walks away. Donatello is the only one, besides April, who truly understands your monthly discomfort; the others are aware, but not nearly as much as their brother. That 's okay. They will learn one way or another.
"How's Y/N?" Mikey asked as soon as Donnie entered the small kitchen area.
"She's okay. Just tired," he explained. "Still not hungry."
Mikey hummed in confirmation and nodded. Even though it's difficult to understand what's happening, the younger brother has a deep respect for you, giving you space and silence while offering support when necessary. He gave you a quick glance as leaned closer to Donnie. “Hey, Don”.
“Hmm?”, the nerdy replied, sipping his coffee with milk and holding a piece of bread smeared generously with Nutella.
"I know Y/N suffers from… uh... menstrual thing or something. But can you explain why she has it every month?".
Donnie almost choked on his coffee, his eyes wide as he stared at his younger, curious brother. “Well, I'll explain. But I'll just tell you what Y/N told me, okay? I'm not an expert on it”.
Mikey nodded and settled into his seat, bracing himself for the upcoming 'class'.
Donnie mirrored his movements, picking an empty chair and positioning himself directly across the table, facing Mikey. With a subtle gesture, he signed to his younger brother, beckoning him to lean in closer so they could communicate more easily. “Okay, imagine.” Donnie began, in a low voice. “Imagine you have an organ in your lower abdomen”.
Mikey glanced down at his plastron, confused.
“This organ is called ‘uterus’, and it’s designed to create, carry, and support a child.”
Mikey looked back at Donnie, his expressive face showing a mix of emotions.
“Okay, a period is a woman’s body’s way of shedding tissue it no longer needs. Every month, a woman’s body prepares for pregnancy. The lining of the uterus thickens nurture a fertilized ovary". Donnie made a 'Got it?' gesture to his brother, who nodded. "Well, an ovary is released, ready to be fertilized and settled into the uterine lining. If fertilization doesn’t happen, the uterus gets rid of everything it prepared. That’s why women bleed during this time,” Donnie finished, taking a bite of the Nutella-covered bread.
Mikey didn’t say anything but lock his eyes on you.
Donnie tilted his head, waiting for his brother to comment.
"I still don't understand". Mikey said quietly.
Donnie groaned. "What didn't you understand?".
"How can a woman create a child alone?".
"Mikey!".
"Sorry! I know women don't make children alone. There are a bunch of questions running through my head right now".
Donnie shook his head and took another bite of his food. He didn't blame Mikey at all; he knew he was new to this kind of conversation. "Okay, well..." he continued calmly. "Women are the only ones who have this organ-".
"I was already aware of that”.
"Good, that's good. So, to sum up: period-or menstrual cycle-is kind of a 'punishment' for women for not getting pregnant," the nerd summed up”.
"Really?".
"Yeah".
The orange-clad turtle made a sad expression: "That's… awful".
"Indeed".
"But why do they feel pain? I mean, not just cramps, but other stuff".
"What they feel is similar to, or the same as, pregnancy symptoms. It actually depends on each woman. For example, Y/N," he points at you, "Feels weak, has a loss of appetite, and gets cramps. There are days when she feels okay during her period, but on other days, it looks like she can't even leave bed."
Mikey glanced at you with sad eyes. "Poor Y/N. She has to go through this every month just because she?.... I guess I wouldn't be able to handle it, though."
Donnie shrugged.
Both turtles spent a few seconds observing you sleep, their minds-Mikey's mostly-lost in a sea of questions. They wanted to ask you more about your period, but they were too timid to do so. It's strange for men to ask women about their menstrual cycles, but it's important to understand what happens to a woman's body during this time.
"So, when will Y/N get pregnant and not feel those things?"
“Excuse m-!”
They flinched the moment you stepped into the kitchen area, their eyes widening as they took in the sight of you: hair in complete disarray, dark circles shadowing your tired eyes, and an expression that spoke louder than words about the mood you were in.
"Hey, Y/N," Donnie greeted with a smile. "Why did you get up? You could’ve just called me to help you".
"No problem, Donnie," you said in a hoarse voice. "I need to get my body moving. I was too still. I'm okay".
You took a sip of water and walked back to the sofa.
"Hey, Y/N. Can I ask you something?" Mikey's question sent shivers down Donnie's spine.
The genius immediately grabbed Mikey's arm, pulling him closer, and whispered a threat, “Don't you dare ask that!”.
"Sure. What do you want to ask, Mikey?", you turned to meet their gaze, but noticed their sudden change of behavior. "Is everything okay?".
"Yes!" Mikey responded quickly. Donnie shared a dorky smile.
You shrugged and headed back to the sofa. Of course you knew what they were talking about, after all, you could listen to the whole conversation. You decided not to join the conversation, feeling that this was something men had to face and understand for themselves at some point in their lives. It wasn’t your place to interfere, not yet, and sometimes the most important lessons come from experiencing things firsthand.