A/N: the ring burn is in relation to Breeding ground by Scarlett-Scribble on Diviantart.
Regina lay facing away from Emma.
Emma's finger reached out, of its own accord, and traced the ring burn in Regina's back.
Regina twitched as the burn still stung.
Emma retracted her hand, biting her lip. Stupid move.
"Sorry."She buried further into the covers.
Regina turned, "It's alright dear."
Emma stared at the pillow case.
"Why didn't it go away? W-When I used magic, everything else did…"
Regina lay her hand on Emma's.
"It can't be healed. Only transferred."
Emma wondered if she could move the mark. She would have to try later when she felt better.
Regina's hand was still resting on hers.
"Emma, how are you feeling? You can go to sleep you know." She pushed a stray hair back out of Emma's face. Brushing her cheek with the back of her fingertips.
Emma told herself not to look up at Regina, but her eyes weren't listening.
She looked all over Regina's face. The woman had such affection playing across her features, for Emma. The woman who she had hated just days before.
Emma wanted to say something to try and make sense of this, but it was easier to just let her eyes flutter closed, to pretend to be asleep. She could still feel Regina watching her. Regina started to scratch Emma's scalp.
Emma opened her eyes and looked up.
Regina looked away and just kept up her hand motions.
"Henry likes this when he isn't feeling too well." She was going to add more but she stopped, it still hurt, the possibility that Henry might still leave her alone again.
So Emma closed her eyes and just tried to forget that this should be odd, and just let someone take care of her for once.