52.

Alex paced back and forth in his chamber, glancing nervously at Aeryn, who was lying on his bed, curled up in a tight ball, clutching her stomach. She groaned, her face scrunched up in pain, and Alex’s anxiety grew by the second. He had never witnessed anything like this before. Human periods were bad enough—this much he’d gathered from their earlier conversation—but *cramps*? He hadn’t expected her to be in so much pain.

“What... what do I do?” he muttered to himself, running a hand through his hair for what felt like the hundredth time.

Aeryn let out another groan, her face pressed into the pillow. “Alex, it feels like a thousand tiny soldiers are stabbing my insides with pitchforks.”

Alex blinked, completely bewildered. “Pitchforks?” he echoed, looking horrified. “Why would—how is that possible?”

“It’s not literal, you alien,” Aeryn mumbled into the pillow, her voice muffled but clearly filled with exasperation. “It’s a metaphor. My cramps are killing me.”

He had heard of human pain and discomfort, but seeing it up close made it feel all the more real and terrifying. She was sweating, her body tense, and she looked so fragile. Was this normal for human women? How could they endure such torment every month?

“Should I call a doctor?” Alex asked, frantic.

Aeryn groaned louder. “I don’t need a doctor. I need chocolate.”

That threw him off completely. “Chocolate?” He stared at her like she’d just asked for something utterly bizarre. “How does... chocolate help with internal stab wounds?”

Aeryn lifted her head just enough to give him a glare, though her pained expression lessened the impact. “It doesn’t actually heal anything, Alex. It just makes me feel better. It’s a comfort food. Humans eat it when they’re miserable.”

He blinked again, trying to process this strange human ritual. He could summon healers, physicians, or herbal remedies from his planet’s finest medics, but... *chocolate*? That was something entirely foreign to him.

Without wasting any more time, he tapped the side of his communication device. “Guards,” he commanded in a sharp tone, “I need information on something called... chocolate. Fetch whatever you can find in the human archives, immediately.”

There was a brief pause, followed by a confused acknowledgment from the other side. “As you command, Your Highness. We will... investigate this ‘chocolate’ immediately.”

Satisfied, Alex turned back to Aeryn, who had now buried her face back in the pillow. She was muttering something under her breath, but he couldn’t quite make it out.

He hesitated before sitting beside her on the edge of the bed. “Aeryn?” he ventured carefully.

She mumbled something incoherent, her face still buried.

“What did you say?” he asked, leaning down closer.

She lifted her head just enough to glare at him again. “I said... hold me.”

Alex’s eyes widened slightly. Hold her? He wasn’t sure if that would help, but if it was what she needed, he’d do it. Tentatively, he reached out and slid an arm around her waist, pulling her toward him. Aeryn immediately collapsed against his chest, wrapping her arms around him and burying her face in his tunic.

He stiffened at first, surprised by how tightly she clung to him, but he quickly relaxed, rubbing her back soothingly. “Does this... help?”

Aeryn sniffled into his chest. “It helps a little,” she muttered. “You’re warm, and I feel like my insides are trying to kill me.”

Alex swallowed, still utterly confused by the whole situation. “Are all humans like this during their periods?” he asked, genuinely curious.

Aeryn groaned. “Not all of us, but yeah, cramps make a lot of women miserable. Some handle it better than others. Right now, I’m just... not handling it well.”

He frowned, gently stroking her hair as she nestled further into him. He had faced battles, conquered planets, and led his people through hardships, but this—dealing with Aeryn’s cramps—felt like one of the most challenging things he had ever encountered.

Moments later, a light knock came from the door. Alex looked up as one of his guards entered, holding a small, metallic tray with what looked like... brown cubes?

“Your Highness,” the guard said, bowing, “we have retrieved the ‘chocolate’ as requested. It appears to be a popular human delicacy.”

Alex grabbed the tray and inspected the contents, his brow furrowing. The chocolate didn’t look like much—small, unassuming squares—but he figured if this was what Aeryn wanted, it couldn’t hurt to try. He carefully broke off a piece and held it out to her.

“Aeryn,” he said softly, “I have... chocolate.”

She lifted her head from his chest, her face red and tear-streaked. Her eyes lit up the moment she saw the chocolate, and she quickly swiped it from his hand, popping the piece into her mouth. Her expression shifted almost immediately from pain to bliss as she chewed.

“Oh my God,” she mumbled, her mouth full, “this is heaven.”

Alex watched her, still perplexed by how something so small could bring her such joy. He handed her another piece, and she eagerly accepted it, munching away as if it was the most precious thing in the universe.

“Is it really that good?” he asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

Aeryn nodded, finally smiling through her pain. “It’s not just good—it’s necessary,” she said dramatically, savoring the taste.

Alex made a mental note of this. Apparently, chocolate was the ultimate cure for human suffering. He’d have to remember that for the future.

As she finished the last piece, Aeryn let out a satisfied sigh, though the pain in her abdomen was still evident. She leaned back against Alex’s chest, resting her head on his shoulder as she closed her eyes. “Thanks,” she whispered. “For the chocolate. And for... dealing with me.”

He smiled softly, though she couldn’t see it. “I’ll deal with you anytime,” he replied, stroking her hair gently. “Even if I don’t fully understand human cravings.”

Aeryn snickered weakly, her body relaxing a little more. “You’ll get used to it,” she murmured. “It’s just part of being human. Sometimes we’re dramatic. Sometimes we’re demanding. But we’re worth it.”

Alex chuckled, resting his chin on top of her head. “I don’t doubt that.”

They sat like that for a while, with Aeryn slowly calming down and her cramps easing, the chocolate apparently working its magic. She still had a long way to go before she felt normal again, but with Alex by her side, she felt just a little bit better.

And while Alex still found the entire situation baffling, he was glad he could provide some comfort to her, even if it involved strange human rituals involving sweets. He’d endure anything if it meant seeing that tiny smile on her face again.

As Aeryn drifted off into a light doze, Alex made another mental note: stock up on chocolate. If it could bring peace to his human queen during her worst days, it was worth keeping in endless supply.