Lightning bolted awake, reflexes making her reach for a weapon that wasn't there.
Another sneeze shook the mattress she lay upon, followed by a raspy, nasally voice that was familiar but didn't sound quite right. "Ugh, sorry." A hard sniff.
Lightning rolled over to find Fang propped against the headboard and looking absolutely miserable. Her nose was flushed and tissues were strewn about her side of the bed.
Lightning automatically brushed a hand across her heated forehead, then slid her palm down to cup her cheek. Fang mumbled, "I'm fine," even as she closed her eyes and leaned into the touch, like she might fall asleep right there.
"Of course you are." Lightning twisted around and tossed the covers aside, glancing at the clock as she got out of bed. It was only a little past midnight. She went into the bathroom to gather medicine and a thermometer.
The thermometer confirmed what she felt with her hand. She handed Fang the medicine and a small paper cup of water, then rubbed her shoulder as she winced and visibly forced the fluid down her throat.
"I'll be right back," Lightning said, kissing her shoulder before slipping out of bed. Fang made a weak attempt to hold on to her shirt.
Lightning returned swiftly with a full glass of water with a straw, as well as a damp cloth. After making Fang take a few sips, she set the glass on her bed stand. Then she took the cloth and pressed it gently to her forehead.
"How are you doing? What else do you need?" Lightning slid the cloth down her face and along her neck, then lightly dragged it along her collarbone.
Fang blinked. "Mm. Stay." Though her head drooped slightly and her eyes spoke of her misery, her eyes stayed steadily on Lightning's face.
Lightning hummed a laugh. "Why would I want to be anywhere else?" Fang's eyes closed, her peaceful expression relaying her pleasure at the words, and she fully trusted herself to Lightning's care.
Clambering back to her side of the bed, Lightning continued to soothe Fang's skin with the cloth until she drooped a bit further. Lightning set the cloth aside for now so as not to chill her. Shifting down a bit, she pulled Fang to her side, encouraging her head onto her shoulder.
"Might drool on you."
"Shh." Lightning kissed her forehead. "Go to sleep."
Fang was restless for a while longer, needing to reach for more tissues or jolting up as she sneezed or coughed. They moved to a more comfortable position with Lightning curled at her back, still stroking fingers through her hair just how she liked, and eventually followed her into sleep.
