So, after writing something as dead depressing as Never Gone, and being hit with inspirational plot bunnies out of nowhere (at 4:00 a.m.), this little one-shot came out of my head. It's a little short, but I had to get it out. Even though I always seem to have something about these two. But that's good right? I hope you all enjoy it!

Claire "Lightning" Farron was known by all as the embodiment of strength. She had climbed through the ranks of the Guardian Corp. after her parents deaths, taking care of her sister along the way. She had been branded a l'Cie, and with the help of some very important and precious people, had managed to defeat some great fal-Cie, ushering in a new age for Cocoon's citizens. She was now helping the people to rebuild while juggling some complicated relationships that had become not so complicated and she was still trying to deal with it. To be fair, admitting to love someone who was seven years younger than her after they had chased her for years had caused a little whirlwind in her head. But she had plowed through.

Oh yes, Lightning had managed it all and then some. She could stand tall and proud of what she had achieved. She could live proudly knowing that she had achieved the impossible-

-only to be taken down by a freaking cold.

"This is ridiculous." Lightning grumbled in her bed, twisting the sheets and glaring daggers of death at her caretaker. It was a wonder that he didn't burst into flames. But no, Hope Estheim, now a healthy and handsome man of twenty-one, only gave her a cheeky smile, even sticking his tongue out at her before cleaning up more of the tissues.

"It was bound to happen sooner or later." Hope said, sounding far too happy with her ordeal.

"Come over here and say that." she snapped, itching to let out her frustrations. She tossed again, unable to get her achy bones comfortable, and sent several more used tissues careening over the edge of her bed. Hope rolled his eyes and came to pick them up, giving her another smile.

"All right. It was bound to happen sooner or later." He nuzzled against her cheek, his platinum locks just tickling her nose.

Lightning said nothing, only glaring harder at him. This-this boy-no man. Yes, man now, could still be such a brat! What she wouldn't do to just-just-

"Ah-Ah-Ahchoo!" Lightning lifted her face into the air, sniffling, and allowed her head to fall back down on the pillow. Hope bit his lip, taking her appearance in. Her usually well kept hair was in tangles from her constant tossing and turning, some even sticking up at the top of her head. Her nose was a bright red from constant tissue use and her horrid cold, and her eyes had dark circles under them. Her face was paler than usual, and she looked all around miserable. And as much fun as it was to tease her, seeing Lightning like this was a little disconcerting.

"I think you need another dose..." he mumbled, looking back at the door. He should have grabbed the cold medicine while he was in the bathroom getting more tissues. Some caretaker...

"It's fine." Lightning said, turning over and away from him.

"Oh come on. Who's being the brat now? I don't care if you don't think you need it, it will help you get better faster." Hope shook his head before crouching next to Lightning on the bed, "Come on. For me?" Lightning rolled back over and looked at him with weary eyes.

"That won't work every time."

"As long as it works now..." Lightning only gave him a weak glare as he made his way to the bathroom, coming back only moments later with the cough medicine. He set the bottle on the table, taking the small cup and pouring the amount Lightning would need inside. Triple checking that it was the right amount, he sat on the bed and shook her shoulder. Lightning opened her eyes, looking a little dazed, but once she saw the dark liquid in the cup, her brow furrowed.

"That's not the one I meant."

"Cherry flavor kid's cold medicine isn't really going to cut it. Seriously Light, is this why you avoid colds? You suddenly regress into a-" he stopped at the look of death she gave him, hastily choking the words back down, "On second thought, just sit up." But Lightning made no effort to move. Taking a deep, calming breath, Hope set the cup down on the table and propped Lightning on her pillows. He reached for the cup, ready to give it to her, but she kept her mouth tightly closed.

"Really Light?"

"I'll get better on my own." she said. Hope was amazed. She hadn't moved her lips at all.

"And you'll get better even faster with this." Hope said, grabbing the cup and putting it to her lips. Lightning only gave him a dead stare, as if daring him to try it. He gave another frustrated sigh, looking up at the cream ceiling before glancing down at the medicine.

Nodding to himself, Hope opened his mouth and took the medicine, letting the contents swish in his mouth. He held back the grimace and overwhelming need to spit. So nasty! He looked at Lightning, satisfied with her surprised look, before diving in for a kiss. She let out a gasp and he fed her the medicine, backing away as she began to sputter. She gave him a withering look and swallowed, grabbing him by the collar and pulling him up to her sickly face.

"That wasn't so bad, was it Light?" She only opened her mouth and breathed on him, the smell of the medicine still lingering, and then she coughed on him as an afterthought. He broke away, falling to the floor with a hard thud, and looked at her in absolute horror.

"Wh-What the hell!"

"I gift for the medicine." she said, smiling in satisfaction and fixing herself on the bed. She pulled the pillows down so that she could lay comfortably, then pulled up the rest of the covers.

"Thanks. I love getting colds."

"No problem."

She smirked when she heard his frustrated growl, but then the bed dipped and she opened one bleary eye. "What are you doing?" she asked. Hope was sitting on her bed, legs crossed, hands outstretched as his sides, and looking at nothing in particular. He looked back at her and grinned.

"Staying here. You need me. I need you..." his cheeks started to redden and he plowed on, "I mean, who else can put up with you when you're like-Uh!" he let out a puff of air as he was pulled onto the bed. He felt his face heat up more and looked at her, meeting very tired eyes. "C-Claire."

"All right then." Hope blinked, clearly stunned, but slowly relaxed as Lightning pulled the blankets around them. He felt her hot body as her arms wound around his waist, and was close to a heart attack as she curled against him, "But don't whine if you get sick."

"R-Right..." he let out a nervous breath and smiled, "Just get some rest Light. I'll be right here."

"...I know..." Hope felt his heart swell at the words, a small smile on his face as he felt Lightning relax against him.

Lightning hated the thought of being taken down. And by a cold no less! How humiliating! But as she listened to Hope's steady breathing, the medicine slowly working its way through her, she couldn't stop a smile of her own. Colds sucked no matter what.

But this wasn't so bad.