In the main story, I'm at the point where I want to rewatch and re-read to original enough to make sure I have everything I want and need but I am failing in finding time to do so. So! As I find time to do that I will be adding missing moments I already have internally completed to expand the story and provide content. Let me know if there's anything you'd like to see such as flashbacks, extended moments between characters, AU's (for my... AU, which is kinda weird but eh), basically anything that might have or has been hinted at happening in the main story or just something you'd be interested in seeing. This also works for relationships you want to see. I'll always mention at the top of each chapter if what's happening is a 'this for realz happened' or 'this is a test to see the possibilities and to gift your blessed little reader heart' so don't hold back!
This one is a for realz moment where Nana first realizes that puberty is a bitch. It's super short but the moment has been strong in my mind. Hope you enjoy!

Takes place when Nana and Lavina are in school together.

Being a female kinda sucks sometimes.

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Growing Pains

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"Oh shit," Nana choked, fingers curling across their jaw like a bear trap. "Oh shit, shit, shit. Oh my god."

Their elbows dug into their side when they curled inwards even tighter. They had been prepared for this. They knew this was coming years in advance and they had long since come to terms with it. This wasn't supposed to be a problem.

Tears pooled down Nana's cheeks as they tried, falteringly, to breath deep. All they could manage was shallow, quick little gasps that always stuck against their throat like a steel security door had been installed and there was no password to get through.

"This is fine," Nana clenched their eyes shut, desperate. "This is normal. This is fine. This is supposed to happen. It's a good thing. Fuck. Damn it."

A knock on the bathroom door made them jolt. They inhaled too fast, choking on the air while their heart jackhammered against their chest in a desperate bid for escape.

"Nana?" the soft voice of their roommate called worriedly. "I heard… are you okay?"

"I-I'm fine!" they called back. Nana winced. Even to their own ears, their voice was thin and strained.

Scared.

Lavina didn't respond. After a full minute passed Nana wondered if she had left.

"Did it start today?"

Nana sobbed, hands muffling the sound but not enough.

"It's okay," Lavina soothed. Nana could envision her placing her hand over the wood like the comforting touch would somehow reach them if she believed hard enough. "Are you in pain right now?"

Nana exhaled, shaky breath hitting shaky fingers. "A-a little. Not much."

"That's good," Lavina encouraged. "I have some medicine in the cabinet if you want it. It should only take a few minutes to start working. I'm going to get your night clothes ready, okay? When you feel up to it why don't you hop in the shower?"

"O-okay," the swallowed. "I can do that."

"You're doing wonderfully Nana," Lavina cheered softly. Always so softly. "I have some pads under the sink you can use. Do you know how to put them on?"

"Uh-huh," Nana nodded. Goosebumps covered their skin, but it was easier to distract themselves with someone else to talk to.

"Alright. Leave the door unlocked and I'll come put your clothes by the sink once I hear the shower start."

"Okay." Nana's voice was barely above a whisper but Lavina must have heard them anyway. As they focused on calming down enough to move the sweet melody of the electric piano they had in their bedroom drifted through the walls.

It was Nana's favorite song.

Lavina played the entire time Nana was in the bathroom, only pausing to deliver their clothes when the sounds of the shower started. She made sure the volume was loud enough to be heard over the spray of water.

When the shower turned off she waited until the door clicked open before rising to her feet. Nana looked up at her, pale and still a little shaky. Lavina had made sure to grab their most comfortable pair of sweats but the sweater they were wearing was one of hers. It was very soft, and big enough to let them feel like they could hide away if they wanted to.

"I brought back dinner," Lavina smiled warmly, gliding over to the little table they used in the eating area. Their room wasn't as lavish and large as some of the other girls, with only the bedroom, small dining room, bathroom, and hallway to connect it all but it was still very nice.

"Thanks," Nana whispered, moving towards the chair closest to them.

Lavina scooped up the little take away containers the cafeteria provided and moved back to their bedroom. Nana followed curiously.

Setting the food on the dresser Lavina set to work on Nana's bed. Soon enough the blanket and pillows were piled up into the corner in a nice little cocoon. Lavina held the end of the blanket, leaving a nice opening, and stepped back a bit so Nana could crawl in.

Nana blinked, long and slow, before huddling into the bundle. Lavina curled the blanket across their lap and settled their food into their hands. With a quick flick of her wrists, she pulled her own blanket and pillow off her bed and laid them out next to Nana. Snagging Nana's laptop off their desk she grabbed her own food and settled in next to her friend.

"...What are we watching?" Nana wondered as she typed away.

"Professoressa Alessi said there would be a lunar eclipse next week. There are all kinds of things you can do for good luck and blessings. Beatrice told me about this documentary and I thought we could learn some of the more modern practices."

"I'm not dancing naked under the moonlight Lavina."

"Not naked," she rolled her eyes. "Especially not so close to the city. Don't be ridiculous Nana. We should dance though. Some believe full eclipses like this one are actually battles between the sun and the moon. Certain dances and songs are a way to bring peace to the sky and set everything back to normal."

"Huh," Nana settled back, flicking open the container and humming at the warm steam it released into their face. "Would your divinations work better or worse?"

"It depends on what the focus is. We should finish the year with perfect grades though."

"I don't think praying and giving thanks to the moon are going to magically make us know the test answers."

"Of course not. But we will be guided to the knowledge we need, and that will teach us everything we need to know."

"Sure."

"You'll see," Lavina promised, finally finding the documentary she wanted. "Do you need anything before I start it?"

Nana scooted over a bit, opening the blanket so Lavina could use the pillows as well instead of just the one she had grabbed for herself. Once she was happily pressed up against their side Nana rested their head on her shoulder.

"I'm good."

Lavina hit play, eyes wide with wonder. Nana smiled, lips pressed tightly together to stop themselves from crying again. They fell asleep first, head going fully limp. Lavina waited until the documentary was done before closing the laptop and carefully maneuvering Nana around so they were laying down in their cushion fort. Throwing away their empty containers and making sure everything was put back into place she quietly fetched the book from her backpack she had checked out from the library just earlier that day. It was a small book, only a handful of chapters, but it explained what to expect when getting your first period and things you can do to make the sudden change more manageable and comfortable. She had been drawn to it earlier when looking for books about the eclipse, and now she was glad she had followed her gut feeling. Setting the book at the head of the bed next to Nana's pillow she got ready to sleep herself.

"Goodnight Nana," she whispered, curling up happily on her side.

Nana grumbled something back in their sleep.

Lavina giggled and reached out to turn off the light. She would need to teach Nana the dances, but she could wait a few days for that. She'd focus on Sofia first. Nana was a fast learner, but Sofia could have two left feet sometimes.

Lavina fell asleep with her friends dancing through her head. Nana's sleep was dreamless.

Both woke up with a smile on their face.