Drabble Prompt: a gentle "i love you" whispered after a soft kiss, followed immediately by a stronger kiss


Perched on the edge of the bed, rubbing lotion into her legs, Lena watched as her partner shook the excess water from her toothbrush and a sad smile played on the corners of her lips. It was such a Stef thing - a habit Lena noticed years ago and had always found annoying until this night. This night she didn't care that she'd be wiping the water spots off of the mirror in the morning. As long as it meant Stef was still here to shake her damn toothbrush.

As Stef came back into the bedroom, Lena rubbed the last of her lotion into her hands. She tried to keep the anxiousness from her eyes while the two of them got into bed. Lena pulled the blanket up, burrowing until it was under her chin, like a child hiding from a monster under the bed. She thought Stef was going to turn off the light but instead she turned onto her side and found Lena's hand beneath the blanket.

"You okay, love?"

Lena swallowed, mad at herself for not masking it better.

"I'm not ready."

"I know." Stef held her hand a little tighter. "But I have to go back, sweetheart."

Lena closed her eyes against the reality. She couldn't do this. It was too hard.

"I'll be okay. Promise," Stef offered but they both knew that was a promise she couldn't make. It wasn't up to her. And now more than ever, Lena didn't believe it. She didn't have the luxury of pretending Stef's job was safe anymore. Not after what happened. Not after…

Lena turned onto her side and brought her hand up to Stef's cheek. The light grip of her fingertips told of her longing and her worry as she pressed a light kiss to her lips, lingering, wishing she could stay forever.

"I love you," she finally whispered around the lump in her throat. Before Stef could respond, refusing to give in to tears, she pulled her love in and kissed her harder as she made her own, silent promise. She would never take this life, this love for granted. She would get the most out of every single second they had together and she intended to start right now.