I know that I uploaded this not long ago but I realised I put the wrong brother into the story after reading through it this morning so
I had to re-write some things. Sorry about that!
xo

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It was rare that Santana wasn't at school – her family was big on attending school even when really ill so when Brittany noticed that her girlfriend hadn't turned up, she knew it must be serious. Santana had some of the highest grades in the year and that's including previous years. Brittany couldn't be more proud of Santana since she didn't meet many people of that kind of intelligence very often. Well, there is Quinn Fabray but she wouldn't really say they were friends or anything – more acquaintances. Getting through the day was quite difficult since a lot of her days were spent hanging around with Santana but on the days she wasn't there, other arrangements had to be made. In each lesson, however, she did remember to pick up any homework since Santana didn't like being behind. It came up when they were discussing school at some point and Brittany still doesn't understand how they even got into that conversation.

Knocking on the Lopez' door, Brittany felt a spring in her step. She hadn't seen or talked to Santana all day. The only reason Brittany knew that Santana was sick is due to the fact her mother rang to explain her absence. It was rather sweet of Maribel to do, but it did catch her by surprise to why Santana hadn't rang or texted to explain. It wasn't as though she was going to yell or something for not being in school. Frankly, being at home is the best thing for Santana so she can get well again. When the door opened, the blonde noticed it was Santana's older brother, Julian. Santana had mentioned he was at home at the moment so maybe he was the one who had been looking after her.

"Hey Julian," Brittany greeted, gripping her bag strap. "It's great to see you again."

The man smiled. "It's great to see you again too, Brittany. I assume you're here to see my sister?"

"Well I'm not here to talk football with you if that's what you're asking."

Julian chuckled opening the door wider. "Damn, it's just not my day then. Come on in - she's in a puddle somewhere under her sheets. She's literally not moved all day."

"That bad, huh? It's probably a good thing I decided to bring some soup for her to eat."

"Where were you when I was sick?" He teased with a playful wink. "My sister is luckier than she realizes, I swear down."

Brittany smirks. "Don't let Santana catch you doing that or she'll have you."

Julian laughs motioning towards the stairs. "Tell me about it. I assume you know your way around the house – from what mami has told me you've been here enough times to not need the grand tour."

"Oh, I know it like my own – probably even better now I think about it," Brittany explains taking her shoes off putting them on the shoe rack beside the door. "We spend more time here than we do mine. I guess after years of not being able to communicate with them, the rocky relationship needs time to heal."

"Give it time – I understand the rocky parent relationship more than you would think." Julian explains with a smile. "A story for another time, however. Go on – go make my sister feel better. I'm sick of hearing her moan."

With a smile of gratitude, Brittany waves to Julian before making her way up the staircase towards her girlfriend's bedroom. It's pretty easy to find when you know where you're going - up the stairs, go down the hallway and it's the first door on the right. It's easy to miss though since the door kind of blends into the wall. With a knock, Brittany walks into a black space, which is a lot colder than she preferred. Closing the door, Brittany notices a lump in the covers which Brittany can only assume is her girlfriend. Chuckling, Brittany walks over to the bed taking a seat on the edge of it.

"Baby?" Brittany whispers, moving her hand over the figure. "Baby? It's me."

"Britt?" A voice mumbles, stirring slightly.

Smiling, Brittany pulls the sheets back slowly. "Yeah, it's me. How are you feeling?"

"Like shit. It's as though someone is drilling into my head with how bad my head feels." Santana explains before coughing. "I hate being in bed all day."

"Sometimes you need to be to get better," Brittany said before kissing her head, moving to lean against the headboard pulling her girlfriend against her. "I'm here to help you feel better, baby. I don't like you being sick and alone."

Santana's arm goes over the blonde's stomach scooting as close as possible with Brittany accepting it happily. She starts to move her hand over Santana's back in a soothing manner before tracing her fingers over it. Feeling Santana relax, Brittany knows she enjoys it which is a bonus. Relaxing means sleeping and that is exactly what her girlfriend needs – maybe some kisses too.

"M' fine, babe. Just a bit sick today, but tomorrow I'll be right back on top." Santana mumbled into her neck.

Brittany couldn't help but smile. Even when she is ill, her girlfriend is the most adorable human being in the world. After a long and worrying day at school it's just nice to be able to lay and cuddle with the one person who means the most to her. Being a selective mute and having haphephobia caused her to miss out on so much and the thing she missed out on the most is relationships. It's one thing everyone wants and generally everyone gets involved in at some point – imagine not having the ability to be involved in one for years. It really does get to you and the fact that she was able to overcome those fears and be able to finally be part of a relationship makes her feel so much happier. Santana makes me happier than I have ever felt so to have the opportunity to be here when Santana isn't at her best makes her feel honored. The fact that Santana is allowing her to see this vulnerability is something else.

"Santana?"

The Latina tilts her head up. "Hm?"

"I love you." Brittany whispers, kissing her head. "Thank you for allowing me to see you in this vulnerable state because I know you have tried to hide this from me in the past."

"I love you too, Britt," Santana responds kissing her shoulder. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you about me being ill."

"Why didn't you?"

Santana sighed leaning up on her arm. "It's not what you think – I just don't want you to worry about me."

"I'm going to worry, San. Not telling me altogether, however, is just going to make me worry even more." Brittany explains, with a small smile reaching up stroking her cheek. "Would you want to find out from my mother how I'm sick?"

Biting her lip, Santana shook her head. "No. No, I'd hate that."

"Then you can see why I'm not happy that I found out from your mom." Brittany said. "I want you to trust me. I'm not going to judge you for the way you look."

Santana smiled before coughing. "Thank you."

"Okay you need to get better and I brought something which will help." Brittany stated leaning down to pick up the flask she left beside her bag. "My mom makes a great chicken soup. Whenever I was ill growing up, even when there was a speech barrier in the way, she would come in with this soup to help me feel better. Since you are ill I decided to ask my mom to make you some."

"You did that for me?"

Brittany leaned down pulling a bowl from her bag, unscrewing the cap and pouring the contents into the bowl. Turning to face her girlfriend she hands the bowl to her before looking around her bag before sighing. "Shit, I forgot to pack a spoon. I didn't want to bother your mother for any dishes."

"Babe, I'm sure she won't mind lending you, or me since I'm the one using it, a spoon." Santana responded with a chuckle. "How about I go and get one from downstairs?"

"No no no no. You are staying in bed and I will go and get you a spoon." Brittany insisted standing up. "I've been here enough times to know where everything is. I'll be right back."

Without a second thought, Brittany left the bedroom and walked downstairs. She had no idea if Santana's mother was in the house but Julian was. By the sounds of it he was currently watching some football program – what is so great about it anyway? Brittany has never enjoyed watching it and the fact that some people base their enjoyment on it she couldn't understand. Shaking her head, the blonde walked into the kitchen looking around. One thing she always loves about coming to her girlfriend's house is it is always so clean. It's not as though her own house is unclean or anything, but I suppose comparing your own home to someone else's makes you think just how much better theirs is. Plus, it's bigger than her own and Brittany loves that.

Looking through the drawers, she goes around each one until she finds the ones with the cutlery in it – damn, why is it always the last one you look in? Okay, that kind of is a stupid question – if you find it in the first one, why the hell would you just keep on looking? Shaking her head, Brittany realizes she needs medicine. Every house keeps it in a separate place. She can't honestly just look in every cupboard too, can she? It would look suspicious as though she was searching for something in the house – she's seen it on these investigation programs on TV.

"Are you looking for something?"

Turning her head, she sees Julian leaning against the door banister with a smirk on his face. Brittany gives him an embarrassed smile blushing a little. "Sorry, I don't want to seem suspicious or anything. Santana is usually the one who gets stuff from the kitchen – I hope I wasn't making too much noise. I saw you were watching football and I didn't want to disturb you."

"I was actually revising a little. There's a Captain position coming up and I'm in the running for it so if I can note down different moves and positions on the field, I might have a better chance of getting it," Julian explains. "I don't tend to watch football on TV much anymore because I live on the field at college."

"Well I hope you get the position. I'm sure you'd make a great Captain." Brittany said, tapping the spoon on her palm. "So, I do need something…"

Julian quirks his eyebrow in interest before walking into the kitchen gesturing with his hands. "Well if you're down with keeping it from Santana then so am I."

Brittany laughs pushing him playfully. "Shut up – you'll get us both in trouble if you don't stop hitting on me."

The Latino gasps. "I am doing no such thing. I'm flirting with you – there is a difference."

"There is no difference." Brittany responds rolling her eyes with a smile. "Back to the subject at hand – I need cough medicine. Well, your sister does anyway – she's got a horrible cough and unfortunately, I didn't bring any medicine with me so, I'm hoping, you keep some here."

"Yeah of course. Mami keeps it in the top cupboard last time I checked," Julian explains, reaching up looking inside before getting out a bottle and handing it to the blonde. "This should do the trick – it's disgusting but that's how you know it's working.

"She'll have to deal with it." Brittany responds with a shrug. "Thanks for your help. I'll even forget about your awful flirting choices."

"Okay for starters they were not awful and second of all, anytime, Brittany." Julian responds with one of his charming smiles.

Brittany smiles back before making her way to the door before turning back. "You are only teasing when you flirt with me, right?"

"Oh definitely. Can you imagine if I really was flirting with you? Santana would have me by my neck before throwing me into a pool full of piranhas." Julian answered laughing.

Brittany nods her head before making her way back upstairs and back to her sick girlfriend who was sat up in bed with a box of tissues in her lap. It's as though this sickness was getting worse – she had already been in bed all day. How could it get worse? Closing the door, Brittany walked over to the bed, putting the spoon in the soup and the medicine on the dressing table.

"Julian flirted with me again," Brittany stated with a laugh. "I swear he doesn't give up."

Santana joins in before coughing. "You are gorgeous and it's not very often we have a gorgeous woman in the house."

"Why, aren't you the charmer?" Brittany teases before picking up all the dirty tissues and throwing them into the bin. "He knows I'm all yours though – he's respectful and he likes me. He thinks I'm good for you, I think."

"You are good for me – even if you are a pain in the ass half the time."

Brittany gasps turning around after putting the bin back. "Me? You are calling me a pain in the ass? What about you?"

"I'm perfect, obviously." Santana states with a smirk. "You have a perfect girlfriend."

Brittany raises her eyebrow. "Perfect? What about the fact that when you brush your teeth you can't seem to put the lid back on the toothpaste?"

"That is what annoys you? The toothpaste won't dry out, Brittany." Santana states before coughing again. "I don't even see why it needs a lid anyway."

"It's just common curtesy to put it back on after using it – or is that too hard for you?" Brittany asks with a smirk. "Is it too tough for my badass girlfriend?"

"No, it's just pointless." Santana responds with a pout.

Brittany shakes her head with a smile before pointing to the soup. "Eat up."

"You distracted me." Santana responds starting to eat the soup her girlfriend brought over. "Damn, this is really good. Tell your mom I said thank you."

"I'll give her the memo." Brittany said with a chuckle before moving to sit beside Santana when she begins coughing patting her back. "You are meant to take the food in not cough it out."

"I can't swallow and cough at the same time babe," Santana states laughing before coughing again. "Okay, laughter isn't good when eating."

"It certainly isn't. I want you to eat all of it too."

Brittany watches as her girlfriend eats the soup she was given making sure she doesn't miss any. She might not have looked after a sick person before but she knows it's important to make sure they eat and have enough fluids – her mother always makes sure she is the same when she ends up sick. Frankly, it's nice to take care of someone else for once instead of them trying to take care of her. It's just a nice feeling. Brittany runs her fingers through Santana's hair kissing her head whilst watching her cautiously.

"I've never done this before."

Brittany looks at her with an eyebrow raised. "Been sick? If that's the case then I can assure you, that's a lie. You were sick in the first few months after we met."

"No, what I mean is I haven't ever had someone, aside from my parents of course, look after me when I'm ill." Santana explains looking at Brittany intensely. "I love you and I'm glad I have someone who can look at me like this and still want me."

"You mean look at you with all the love in the world even though you have a runny, red nose and look like shit?"

Santana grumbles to herself. "Well you didn't need to say it like that."

Taking her hand, she cups Santana's cheek stroking the skin with her thumb softly before kissing her nose. "You still look beautiful to me."

"Can't you kiss me properly?" Santana asks, pouting causing Brittany to laugh.

"When you have a cough and a cold? No chance, babe." Brittany responds with a laugh. "I have a motocross race coming up and I cannot be sick for it."

Without a second thought, she hands Santana a tissue when she sees the face she makes as though she is going to sneeze and it turns out, she was right. The fact that she can look at Santana whilst she's blowing her nose and coughing and not be turned off by it must mean something. Turning to get something from her bag, Brittany gets up off the bed standing beside it. The blonde pushes Santana gently onto her back taking the empty bowl away whilst unbuttoning her shirt slightly so her chest is revealed. What she is trying to do is make her girlfriend be able to breathe and vapor rub always works. Well, most of the time anyway.

Putting the tub on the side, Brittany straddles her girlfriend's stomach whilst rubbing the gel over it making sure to avoid it getting in her hair – that is never helpful. Smiling, Brittany leans down kissing her cheek peppering kisses over her face – she had to make Santana feel better somehow. Moving away from her chest she puts some of the gel on her neck too before pulling back and buttoning her pajama top up again. At any other time, she would unbutton it further but Brittany was not about to have sex with her sick girlfriend.

"It will help you breathe a lot better." Brittany explains, sitting beside her once again pulling her body against her side. "You can thank me later."

"You are amazing, Britt."

Chuckling, Brittany nods her head. "I know. I'd do this for you anytime, though. I love you and I want you to get better again."

"Will you stay with me tonight?" Santana asks, looking up at the blonde. "We can even watch Disney movies."

How could she deny the Latina when she is looking at her like that? Brittany nods with a smile running her fingers through her hair maintaining eye contact for a few seconds before kissing her head.

"Of course, I will stay, sweetie. We can watch whatever you want this time since you are sick."

Santana grins excited. "So…you will watch Drag Race with me?"

Brittany groaned. Santana had become with this show since she discovered it on Netflix the other week and she had been dying to get her to watch it with her but always came up with an excuse until now. How could she deny her sick girlfriend that? She would just have to get through it and ignore any thoughts of how shit it is.

"Fine. I will watch your shitty show."

"It's really good, Britt! You haven't even watched an episode so you can't judge!"

Brittany rolls her eyes before turning the television on. "If we watch this then you have to take some cough medicine. Your cough has gotten worse in the short time I have been here."

Santana tries to pout her way out of it, but Brittany remained strong and stern - apparently, that is all she needed. Reaching over, Brittany takes the medicine from the box helping Santana sit up before pouring it into the little measuring cup that came with it handing it to the other woman. It amused her how many faces of disgust Santana could show at once but it worked since her girlfriend did drink all of it before pulling the funniest face afterwards.

"That is so fucking disgusting." Santana hissed, shaking her head a little. "I'm sure poison would taste better."

"Medicine isn't meant to taste nice, babe." Brittany responded with a laugh. "Most of the time I find that the worse it tastes the better it works. You aren't a child so you don't need sweet tasting medicine."

"It would be great," Santana responds before cuddling closer to her girlfriend. "I would take more medicine that way."

Shaking her head in amusement, Brittany leans back against the headboard pulling Santana down against her again. She enjoyed having her girlfriend's body against her own, cuddling against her side. It's relaxing and she gets to hold her for hours at a time. It's always so perfect and wouldn't change it for anything. Santana settles into her side resting her head on Brittany's chest looking at the screen which Brittany had put on. The blonde began to trace her fingers over Santana's back – she hadn't felt this relaxed in a long time. Kissing her head, Brittany began to watch her girlfriend's favorite show and how ridiculous it looked whilst moving her gaze back down to the Latina in her arms. She noticed how her eyes were beginning to close which she found both adorable and funny at the same time.

"You are still staying, right?" Santana mumbles into her chest. "I'm not going to wake up to you being gone, am I?"

Brittany laughs. "No, I will still be here when you wake up – I promise. Just get some rest, okay?"

The Latina nods her head, gripping Brittany's top lightly. "Thank you for taking care of me. You being here is enough."

"Anytime, beautiful." Brittany whispers, tracing her fingers over Santana's back. "I love you so much."

"I love you, too." Santana manages to get out before falling asleep.

The blonde watches her girlfriend for a few minutes before looking up at the TV beginning to watch the show Santana was so adamant on watching before she fell asleep. She continues the movement of her fingers on her girlfriends back before moving her hand under her top slightly to trace along the skin on her back enjoying the unconscious shiver she gets from Santana. She smiles kissing Santana's head once again settling comfortably against the headboard.

Santana might be ill, but she wouldn't trade this for anything.