Drabble Prompt: The Fosters + Hurt/Comfort
"Mommy!"
Stef groaned when the hoarse yell, followed by Brandon's hacking cough, woke her yet again. Her eyes felt like they were weighted with lead and every muscle in her body ached. Just as she was trying to wrestle her feet out from the comforter, wondering if she'd actually managed to tie herself in like the bag of garbage she currently felt like, she felt the weight of Lena's hand on her hip.
"I'll go," she said gently.
"It's fine," Stef managed, not sure if her labored breathing was from her struggle with the blanket or the cement lodged in her sinuses. "He only wants—"
"You, I know. You've said that for three nights now. But you're sick and you need to rest. You're never going to get better if you stay up all night."
Stef managed to free her legs and swing them over the side of the bed. It took considerable effort to get herself into anything resembling a sitting position, and when she spoke over her shoulder, she had to close her eyes to keep the room from wobbling like it was under water. "I'm used to it. He never let Mike either."
"Just let me try. You'll know soon enough if it's not working." Lena brushed the hair away from Stef's brow and tucked the longer pieces that had escaped her ponytail behind her ear. Despite herself, Stef sagged even further forward at the delicate touch. She let Lena guide her back down onto her pillow and squinted up at her as she drew the blanket back up over her. Lena leaned down and pressed a tender kiss to her temple, and as she slipped back into an aching, unsettled sleep, Stef realized she had nothing to worry about. Brandon would be fine if he felt even half as safe with Lena as she did.