|| Warnings; slight season two spoilers about Mel, injured reader, blood mentions, Mel takes care of reader, brief mentions of death but nobody dies, you decide why reader was in Zaun, short drabble
|| Summary; when reader returns from a trip down to Zaun with an injury, Mel helps her out.
Requests closed!
Started; December 15th
Finished; December 15th
HurtCember2024; Day 11, Caretaking
Author Note; firstly, sorry about how long all my fics have been taking me. I haven't had a writing mindset and I wanted the fics to be good so I haven't been writing. Secondly, thank you for 900 followers!! Love all of you 🫶 I wonder if we can hit 1,000 before the new year?
Also; don't know if Mel's magic can heal, but for the sake of this fic yes she can lmao
~~~
It was late afternoon when you'd stumbled into Mel's room after having gone down to Zaun. Looking for something. Mel, of course, hadn't been aware of your little adventure. So, when she saw you her eyes widened with worry.
"Y/N? What happened to you?" Mel forgot all about the clothes she was previously looking through. There was a party tonight; Mel was looking for an outfit to wear. But now, she was looking at you. More specifically the wound that traveled up your leg. It cut through the fabric of your pants. Stretching from the start of your heel, just above the edge of your shoe line, and twisted up to behind your knee cap. Blood dripping down from the deeper parts of the cut.
"Um... ran into a Zaunite," you explained. Tone a bit sheepish. Mel's eyes narrowed in confusion. A Zaunite? Why were you in Zaun? Or had the Zaunite come to the surface? Her mind buzzed with a million questions. Questions that she would ask once she's helped you.
Mel knelt down, taking your leg into her hands. With her magic, caretaking was a pretty easy thing for her to do. You winced as your leg was moved and Mel looked into your eyes. Her gaze soft, full of nothing but worry and sympathy for you," shh. You're okay," her voice feels like a soothing lullaby. One that makes your shoulders ease the moment it reaches your ears. You gave her a nod.
Her fingers danced along your injury. A light golden glow seeping through the tips of her fingers and into the wound. Closing it with a golden shimmer that marked the line of where it once was. The pain had left you the moment her fingers touched you. Feeling a sense of ease. You had to admit, Mel's magic was a handy little trick. It's helped you lots before.
"Better?" Mel asked, gently letting go of your leg. Allowing you to rest your foot to the floor again. You have your leg a little shake, testing if there was any lingering pain. A smile crossed your lips when there wasn't any.
"Yep! Thank you, Mel," you thanked her. She stood, hands gently caressing your cheeks while she looked into your eyes. Your own eyes locked with hers, those absolutely stunning eyes... you could stare into them all day without getting bored. They were just memorizing.
"You truly need to be more careful. What ever will I do with you, hm?" Mel met your smile with her own. She loved you, but you were always getting yourself into trouble that she had to drag you out of. Honestly you'd probably be dead if not for her. She didn't mind, though. You and your shenanigans were just free entertainment for her.
"Maybe kiss me?" You suggested shamelessly, earning yourself a laugh from your girlfriend.
"Is that all you want? Well, I think we can make that happen," her lips latched to yours. Dancing in soft rhythms. Your arms wrapped around Mel's neck loosely. Bringing her in closer to you.
The kiss lasted as long as it could before Mel's focus was back to your leg, frowning again at the blood that still lingered," let's get you into the shower." You weren't about to argue with that. Perhaps you could convince her to join.
Summary: Listen I am still unsure about this chapter but the more I look at it the more stressed out it will make me. So here it is. Some plot. Mostly smut. More of soft Melissa.
The car ride was pure torture. Melissa running her hands up and down her thighs with a look of mock innocence as she explained all of the things she had imagined doing to you at dinner. Your hands were gripping the steering wheel so hard you swore you could have ripped it off. When traffic further delayed the trip back to her home you cursed under your breath. Melissa laughed with a knowing smile.
“You think you are so funny sitting there telling me all the things you want to do to me,” You said glaring over at her, “But what about what I want you to do? Does that matter?”
“What do you want me to do baby?” Melissa quirked her eyebrow.
“Put those fingers to good use and put your money where your mouth is,” You replied eyes darkening as Melissa blushed.
“You are driving.”
“Oh not on me angel. I want you to be a good girl and touch yourself,” You words came out in a harsh whisper and Melissa gasped.
You looked at her scanning her features for any sign of distress or being uncomfortable. Melissa was blushing a deep red but she grabbed your arm squeezing it gently, “I trust you… that just got me more turned on than I thought it would.”
“Which part?” You grinned, “Touching yourself, me watching, or being a good girl.”
Melissa squirmed in her seat, “All of it.”
“Then let's go. I'm waiting,” You said just as traffic began to move again.
Melissa kept her eyes on you as she trailed her hand back up her thigh pushing her dress up so you could see the outline of her underwear. Her legs spread apart leaning towards the edges of the seat. She slipped her hand underneath the band and began to circle lightly on her clit. She let out a small moan biting down on her lip. When she saw you watching her cheeks turned a bright pink .
“Look at my girl. She is being so good for me,” You said which made Melissa groan and arch her back, “Come on Angel let me hear you. You couldn't stop talking five minutes ago don't go shy on me now.”
Whatever was holding Melissa back seemed to break and the car filled with sounds of her. Her fingers circling her clit hard and fast so you could hear how turned on she was. She was moaning repeating your name over and over again. Even the sound of her nails scratching against the center console as she tried to find some way to ground herself was intoxicating. You swore you could listen to the musical show of her unraveling the rest of the drive until she slipped two fingers towards her entrance.
In an instant you grabbed her wrist stopping her, “That's for me.”
Melisss groaned pouting slightly, “I can't…”
“I know,” You replied because you did. Melissa had confided in you long ago that she struggled to get herself off only playing with her clit but you had other plans in mind, “But that is mine. And only mine. Now be a good girl and start again.”
Melissa’s head hit the seat with a whimper as you released her wrist. She moved her fingers back to her clit and the sounds you had come to adore filled the car again. You could tell she was close by the time you parked in her driveway. Her eyes were screwed shut, breaths coming pants, cheeks almost as red as her hair. You watched for a moment before leaning over to whisper in her ear.
“Look at my beautiful girl. What do you need angel?”
“You,” Melissa panted, “Fuck me. Please.”
“How do you want me to fuck you? With my fingers buried deep inside of you. Pumping in and out of you hard…fast. Curling my fingers to hit you in that spot you love so much. The spot that makes you see stars.”
Melissa grabbed her arm her perfectly manicured nails digging into you. You smiled moving just the tiniest bit closer, “I know you are close Angel. Are you going to give me what's mine? You can do this Be a good girl a cum for me.”
You could see as the band snapped on Melissa’s orgasm. She arched off the seat her breasts pushing against the seat belt. Hair falling back behind her as her eyes remained shut. You knew you could never get bored of this sight. How beautiful Melissa looked when she came down from her high and looked at you through half closed eyes. She always smiled as she caught her breath.
You brushed a strand of hair behind her ear kissing her forehead gently, “I'm so proud of you Angel.”
“For cumming all your seat?” She laughed looking down at the wet spot on the leather.
“Well that was hot but not just that. I'm proud of you for telling Gerald a version of the truth you were ready for. For letting yourself be free of that weight.”
Melissa leaned forward to kiss you, “Couldn't have done it without you baby. Now come on let's get in our house.”
Our house. There it was again. Dropped out of nowhere like her girlfriend comment from dinner. And you realized that maybe these weren't as accidental as you thought. You could tell they were genuine on the part of Melissa but she was too scared to talk about it outright. It would give you the chance to shut her down so she instead slid it in casually. Like she could play it off if you were against it. But what she didn't realize were you never going to be against it. You would soak in the pieces of Melissa’s life that she gave in timid segments. Till she realized you weren't going to run away or deny her. That you were there to stay.
“Hand over the keys angel our home awaits,” You smiled watching as she softened at the words.
She rummaged through her purse grabbing out a lanyard full of keys for various things around her house. You knew hers had the Eagles all over but this one was the Flyers.
“Your set,” Melissa handed it to you with a shaky hand and a whispered, “For emergencies and stuff.”
“Oh,” you said heart warming at the gesture, “Well angel I have quite the emergency. I need to be inside you immediately.”
Melissa laughed rolling her eyes as you rushed around the car to help her out. You half pulled half ran with her up the porch. You made easy work of the locks and once inside you shut the door pushing Melissa back up against it. You kissed her hard her hands automatically wrapping around your neck. It felt overwhelming to finally be touching her after everything that happened in the car but you pulled yourself away your mind clogged with different thoughts.
“Angel,” You whispered locking eyes with Melissa, “I love being your girlfriend and I love that you feel comfortable giving me keys but we have to work on the delivery. You keep dropping them like bombs waiting to see if I welcome the explosion or will run away. I am not going to run but some things require a little more conversation. I am here to work through it with you and will be for as long as you want me to be. You just have to loop me in.”
Melissa’s ears were still ringing with the love dropped casually she needed a minute to process what you had said. But your request was simple. You were willing to take whatever step Melissa wanted but you wanted to be asked. Not dropped to the wolves but included in the conversation. To show that you were going to stay and could plan the future out with her and not run away. And if the older woman was honest she was proud to have given you the keys for emergencies but that is not what she really wanted.
“I gave you the keys to see if you wanted to move in,” Melissa said still clinging to you like you would disappear at any moment, “I know it may seem sudden but I am too old for long drawn out relationships. Waiting for the stars to align or some shit. We only started doing all of this recently but we have known each other all school year. And you spend more time here than anywhere else. You are on a month to month lease spending way too much money to keep that shit apartment. Your sister wants to move anyways. And I want you here waking up next to me with Athena running around the house. It was lonely today walking in and seeing that no one was waiting for me. I don’t want to be alone anymore. “
“Now that is a conversation I can get behind,” You smiled.
‘So that is a yes?”
“A million times over,” You responded.
Melissa pulled you closer kissing you once again. Fuck timelines. Fuck what was socially acceptable. Fuck the rules. She wanted you and she had spent too long with people who had let her down to let another moment pass her by. You were hers and she was going to wake up every day next to your grouchy morning face to prove it.
“This dress has been driving me crazy,” You said running your fingers lightly over the long sleeves when you finally came up for air, “You are so beautiful angel.”
Melissa watched your hands trace the exposed skin right above her hips then down the skirt stopping at the hem. Her breath was ragged as she locked eyes with you, “I took off the normal Schemmenti armor. I don't feel like I have to be strong around you. Like the world doesn't rest on my shoulders and that maybe just this once I can be soft.”
You smiled placing a gentle kiss on her lips, “I promise angel I will catch you every time. You can fall apart with me and be soft with me. I got you.”
Melissa tilted her head back a blush spreading across her face, “How come you barely touchin me and I'm already putty for you?”
“Because you feel safe angel,” You said pulling her dress up just enough to expose her black lace underwear, “Because you know I'm going to treat you like the Goddess you are.”
“Fuck,” Melissa whimpered as you hook your fingers around the fabric.
You pulled them down following their path with open mouthed kisses. Melissa watched gasping as you lifted one leg and then another tossing the underwear somewhere behind you. You took your time unlacing her sandals so they could slide off her feet. Placing one final kiss to her thigh you looked up at her.
“Will you let me take care of you angel?”
The question was simple but the symbol of the moment was enough to make Melissa go weak in the knees. You were sitting back on your heels looking up at her. Ready to submit and do whatever was asked of you. You were bowing to her in a way no one had before. The power Melissa felt in that moment was intoxicating. She could almost understand how others got off on it. It made her bite in her lip in deliberation when you called out.
“I trust you Angel. Just let me take care of you,” You said.
Melissa saw the difference in this moment and understood what she had always wanted. To be held and cherished by the woman she loved. To be able to submit herself fully because when she felt safe and trusted the other person everything was on another level.Another layer of attraction that had Melissa on the brink of her second orgasm. So she whispered please and learned how to let you take care of her.
You set to work immediately kissing up her thigh before throwing one over your shoulder. Melissa gasped grabbing for purchase on the shelf next to the door. A small thing that only held her keys, Athena’s spare leash, and her back up pair of sunglasses. All of these items clattered to the floor as your hot breath touched Melissa’s clit. You extended one hand upwards and Melissa clung to it like her saving anchor.
The first swipe of your tongue had Melissa hitting the door hard with her head. It made you both laugh and she could feel the vibrations against her clit. Laughter turning to a moan as you began to suck on her clit. Melissa’s head was in the cloud as you made circles across her clit her fingers teasing her enterance. You gently slipped one finger in then a second pumping deliberately slow. The woman above you groaned gripping her leg tighter around you pulling you closer to her. You let a couple more moments pass before you gave Melisa’s clit one final kiss and pulled away.
‘What the fuck baby,” Melissa whimpered as you gently removed her leg.
“Angel,” You tsked, “Don’t get sassy with me now we just have to move.”
“Why? This spot is just fine. I was so close” Was the whine that came from the older woman’s mouth.
She didn’t care that she was till pressed up against her front door. Or that she was shamelessly begging for you. All she wanted was you and you had barely touched her since you came back inside.
“Whining will get you nowhere,” You teased and then took Melissa’s hand off the shelf, “We are moving cause you were about to pull this thing off the wall.”
“Am not,” She said slapping her hand back on the wood.
It immediately broke away from the walls Athena’s leash clattering to the ground and the shelf barely missing Melissa’s foot. You laughed and grabbed Melissa’s hand pulling her towards the bedroom. Once inside you lifted Melissa and tossed her to the bed. She yelped bouncing momentarily until your body was ontop of hers.
“Angel you are fucking perfect,” You said and Melissa’s cheeks blushed a deep red.
You kissed down her neck sucking at her pulse point. Her fingers found her way into your hair holding you there. You went to pull away scared to leave a mark but Melissa refused to let you go.
“Please Y/N. Don’t stop,” She whimpered and you felt your heart begin to soar.
You stayed for a couple more moments biting down just hard enough that Melissa let out a fuck holy shit before she finally released you. Pulling back just enough to see that a bruise was already forming you pulled up the bottom of the dress pushing it up over Melissa’s breasts. She sat up just enough to let you remove it all the way and throw it to the other side of the room. All that was left on her body was the black lace bra that she was practically spilling out of. You made quick work of taking it off before latching on her nipple giving it a small bite. You were so so captured by kneading one breast with your hand leaving a hickey on the other you almost didn't hear Melissa's question.
“Baby, why you got so many clothes on?”
“Cause tonight is about you,” You smiled leaning down to switch sides.
“If tonight is about me then you have to do what I want. Which is for you to take you clothes off,” Melissa said and as you raised your eyebrow she added, “Please baby.”
You stepped of the bed untying your shoes and tossing them in the closet. Rolled down your pants and underwear stepping out of them but leaving them on the floor. You worked quickly through the buttons of you shirt heaving it across the room with the bra. Melissa was watching you propped up on her elbows.
“You are gorgeous baby.”
“Hey there compliments are supposed to be my thing,” You teased laying down next to your girlfriend, “What do you want now Angel. Your wish is my command.”
“I need you inside of me… immediately,” She said with a grin as she slid her hand between your thighs.
She circled your clit and you released a large moan. You were already a wreck from watching her in the car and then from the display at the front door. Everything felt like too much and not enough at the same time. You mirrored her movements and Melissa’s eyes fluttered close. She dragged her fingers down and slid into you easily. You followed her movements groaning at the feeling of her around you.
“You are a fucking goddess Angel,” You said leaving small kisses along her collarbone, “Just fucking perfect.”
“Oh fuck,” Melissa panted as you began to curl your fingers just right.
“I have been waiting for this all night,” You smiled, “Watching you take me like such a good girl.”
Melissa's fingers inside you faltered for a moment, “Baby…fuck.. you are..oh god…distracting me.”
“You like it don't you? Being my good girl. Being all mine.”
“Fuccccckkkk, I'm gonna…”
“Cum for me angel. I'll be right behind you. Show me what a good girl you can be.”
And at your last word Melissa clung to you with her free hand body shaking around you. As promised you were falling over the edge with her. She removed her hand moving to hold you until the intensity of the orgasm seemed to waver just slightly.
Her body went slack for a moment a small whimper leaving her lips as you removed your fingers. You brought them up to her mouth and she opened them obediently sucking them clean. You kissed her forehead before you started to kiss down her neck finding your way back down to her breasts. You took a nipple in your mouth cirlcing your tongue before giving a small bite. Melissa arched her back already beginning to shake. Gently pushing her legs back open you slapped her clit hard- once, twice, three times.
“Fuck baby, again please. I am already so close,” She panted, “God damnit.”
You circled her clit lazily like you had all the time in the world speeding up occasionally and then slowing back done. You brought her right to the edge and then at the last second sent another smack down right where your fingers had been. Melissa jumped as she came with a yell liquids spilling down her thigh onto the bed. Her body started to vibrate and she reached out to you gripping your shoulder. You quickly pulled up the blanket around you both pulling Melissa into your chest.
“I got you Angel,” You said rubbing her back gently, “I am here. Breathe baby.”
She snuggled into your chest her body slowly calming down. In a sleepy voice she asked, “Is that always going to happen?”
“Not every time,” You told her with a kiss to her forehead, “But you look damn hot doing it Angel. You ready for bed?”
However you realized the question was pointless as Melissa had already fallen asleep. Her snores filling the room as her arms hung loose around your hips. You could stay locked in this moment forever but there were things you had to take care of first. You wiggled your way out of Melissa’s grasp replacing your body with a pillow that she immediately snuggled into. You went to the bathroom cleaning up tossing on one of Melissa’s oversized t-shirts.
Wrapping Melissa up in the blanket you lifted her up transferring her to the chair that she kept in the corner of the room. She moved for a moment but fell back to sleep shortly after. You pulled off the wet sheets picking up the laundry off the floor as you went shoving it into Melissa’s overflowing laundry basket. Rummaging through the hallway closet you put new sheets on and found the fluffiest blanket to cocoon in. You threw it across the bed and were just finishing up when you jumped at the sound of Melissa’s voice.
“What are you doing baby?” She asked groggily, “I thought we was gonna cuddle.”
“We are but I wanted to change the sheets first. Give me a second to clean you up and then we can get back in bed,” You said rushing off to the bathroom.
You came back moments later Melissa already drifting back off to sleep. You shook her shoulder gently, “Angel two more minutes you gotta stay awake.”
She nodded too tired for words and let you peel the blankets back from her. You cleaned up her thighs and pulled an Eagles T-shirt over her head. Guiding her arms through the holes you placed a small kiss on her lips.
“Ready for those cuddles now angel?”
“Cuddle. Cuddle. Cuddle,” Melissa said holding her arms out to you.
You laughed leaning down to pick her up walking the short distance back to the bed. You laid Melissa down and crawled next to her. Pulling the fluffy blanket around you both. Melissa curled into you chest and away she went. You stayed awke a couple moments longer running your fingers through her hair. Carefully picking out any tangles that had formed throughout the night you cherished this moment. Something had changed in Melissa tonight. She had become softer more open and you knew deep down that she loved you. You just wished she would say it.
You kissed her forehead one final time, “I love you angel.”
Mel says she’s perfectly fine. Caitlyn would believe her if “perfectly fine” didn’t involve a fever, a cough, and rewriting her speech while half-asleep at her desk.
tags: sick Mel, protective Caitlyn, established relationship, banter, fluff (1.2)
sicktember masterlist
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Caitlyn knows something is off before she even opens her eyes.
Whether it’s due to her sharp intuition or bit of a sixth sense, Caitlyn always knows when something’s off with her girlfriend. And this morning all of her internal alarm bells are ringing.
Mel isn’t curled up next to her, for starters. That in and of itself isn’t too unusual – both she and Caitlyn have their fair share of early mornings, due to their equally demanding careers. Caitlyn knows Mel has an event today that she’s been working on for months, a fundraising gala for the aid organization Zaun Children’s Society. She’s probably already up and getting dressed for the event, perhaps refining her speech for the umpteenth time.
But what is out of the ordinary is the light smell of lavender with a hint of menthol hanging in the air. Caitlyn recognizes the scent instantly as the aromatic cream Mel is partial to using when she’s feeling unwell. A quick glance at her girlfriend’s nightstand also reveals two slightly crumpled handkerchiefs discarded there. That is quite unusual, both Mel and Caitlyn despise messes and are meticulously neat.
Caitlyn doesn’t need any further clues to unravel this particular mystery. Mel is sick… and sure to be absolutely stubborn about it, if history serves as any precedent. Caitlyn grins softly to herself as she slips out of bed, donning her silk dressing gown and sweeping her hair into a messy ponytail. She feels a bit as though she’s readying herself for battle, which isn’t far from the truth. Convincing the determined, headstrong councilor and mage that she is, in fact, still human always proves a challenge. But that’s never stopped Caitlyn before, and it certainly won’t now.
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As expected, Caitlyn finds Mel in her study, reviewing her notes through narrowed eyes. Caitlyn easily clocks the signs of exhaustion on Mel that would be so easily missed by anyone else. The slight hunch to Mel’s usually perfect posture. The purple hue under her eyes. The way the golden sigils sweeping over her skin are just ever so slightly dull, missing their usual gleam.
Mel muffles a tiny cough into her shoulder, then glances up quickly when Caitlyn enters the room. Her expression is guarded, almost sheepish.
“Good morning, my love,” Mel says, giving her a soft smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes. Caitlyn comes to her side, her heart skipping a beat the same way it always does when she sees Mel. She still hasn’t gotten used to her beauty, even after all these months that they’ve been together.
“Good morning.” Caitlyn perches on the edge of Mel’s desk, gently tugging the papers out of her hands and setting them aside. Mel sighs, giving her an irritated look, but Caitlyn isn’t dissuaded. She trails her fingers lightly down the side of Mel’s face, touching the backs of them against her cheek. Her skin is warm, too warm. “You’re not well,” Caitlyn murmurs, her brow pinching. She brushes her thumb over the faint circles under Mel’s eyes. “You should rest, darling.”
“I’m well enough,” Mel huffs, leaning back in her chair. Her golden-green eyes are sharp as she looks at Caitlyn, head tilted. “You aren’t going to convince me to forgo the event.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Caitlyn smirks, leaning in to press a light kiss to Mel’s forehead. “I was simply making an observation.”
“I’m fine,” Mel insists, but then her expression shifts, her nose scrunching. She turns and sneezes into a handkerchief, the sound rough enough to make Caitlyn wince with sympathy. “Ugh…excuse me,” Mel mutters afterward, coughing a little and pressing a weary hand to her temple.
Caitlyn lets out a long breath, shifting closer and reaching out to gently rub Mel’s shoulder. “Sweetheart…”
“I can still do the speech,” Mel protests, her voice cracking halfway through. She coughs again, trying to clear her throat. “It’s nothing, truly.”
“Mhm, and what would you say if it was me who had no voice and a fever, insisting on carrying on?” Caitlyn keeps her tone soft, but raises her eyebrows pointedly.
“I don’t have a fever.”
“You do, love.” Caitlyn lays the back of her hand against Mel’s forehead, humming softly. “Quite an impressive one, in fact.”
Mel sighs, closing her eyes and pinching the bridge of her nose. “I simply can’t cancel, not now. The timing is terrible, I’m supposed to be speaking just this afternoon,” she groans, but she’s sounding less sure of herself each passing second.
Caitlyn starts rubbing slow, soothing circles on her back. “They would understand. And there’s enough time to find someone to fill in. Shoola perhaps?”
“It would be rude of me to miss it.”
“But coughing your way through your speech wouldn’t be?”
“I would manage.”
“Love.” Caitlyn clasps Mel’s hand warmly between her own, giving her a level look. “I know as well as anyone that it’s pointless to try and stop you from something you’ve put your mind to. I am simply suggesting, however, as someone who loves you quite dearly and doesn’t wish to see you faint on stage in front of a crowd, that you stay home and let me look after you.”
Mel looks up at her, a mix of stubbornness and weariness in her eyes. “You wouldn’t catch me if I swooned?” she smirks, eyes glinting. “I would have expected more, Cait.”
Caitlyn chuckles, immediately coming to Mel’s side when she stands, putting a protective hand on her waist. “Of course I’d catch you. It still might put a dent in your status as the most formidable woman in Pilotver, though.”
Mel sighs, stumbling slightly when she sneezes again. Caitlyn tightens her arm around her, steadying her. “I hate falling ill.”
“I know,” Caitlyn says sympathetically, brushing a kiss over the top of Mel’s hair and guiding her from the room. They quietly head down the hall toward the sitting room.
“And I truly didn’t feel it coming on, or I would have canceled sooner,” Mel adds, coughing when her voice cracks.
“I know,” Caitlyn repeats patiently, helping Mel settle onto a velvet, plush settee. She props a pillow behind her girlfriend’s head, then covers her with a thick knit blanket, tucking the edges around her warmly.
She kneels next to the sofa, tucking a loose curl behind Mel’s ear, then kissing her cheek. “Rest. I’ll send word to the society and Shoola.”
Mel gives her a small, grateful smile. “Thank you, love.” She hesitates, expression turning hopeful. “Is there any chance I could sweet talk you into…”
“Making you a cup of ginger-lemon tea with a ridiculous amount of honey?” Caitlyn guesses with a grin. “That was exactly what I was going to do next.”
“You know me so well,” Mel laughs, eyes soft.
“I do. And I love you.” Caitlyn rests her forehead against Mel’s for a moment, just savoring the feeling of having Mel here. Sick, yes, but resting. Taken care of. Caitlyn’s.
“You’re mine,” Caitlyn says, her voice dropping into a low, protective murmur.
Mel cups her chin, smiling up at her. “Yes, darling. I’m yours.”
Those just might be the words Caitlyn loves the most.
Ngl, I’m a little exhausted of all the inequal amount of love Viktor’s getting in the fanfics and drawings and stuff. Jayce needs appreciation and tenderness. Mel needs respect and love. They’re all broken, besties. Let them cuddle under a fuzzy blanket. Give it to me neow. I was gonna binge ao3 five but none of them sounded like things I’d enjoy. Throw some my way!
prompts: 3. "Yeah, that's a fever.", 13. "I don't like the sound of that cough."
summary: doctor!vi looking after a sick and feverish mel
wc: 3.1k
a/n: so this wasn't a request but I had to write something for my girl Mel! and I just love Vi being all protective of her. this is a sequel to the doctors au fic - read the first fic here.
prompts ❊ masterlist ❊ req's closed temporarily while I catch up
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Vi has never understood the point of a mandatory staff mixer. If the goal is to improve morale and make her like her coworkers, all dumb events like this manage to do is irritate her. She should be at home on the couch with a beer and the game on. Or pumping iron at the gym, or hell, even doing laundry would be better than being stuck at work after hours, pretending to be interested in making small talk while sipping on watery lemonade.
She glances at her watch again impatiently, wondering how much longer of this torture session she has to endure. The event is supposed to be ending in an hour, which still feels like a ridiculously long time from now.
Swinging by the sad refreshments table covered in a dollar-store plastic tablecloth, she grabs some more cheese and crackers and snorts to herself at the fact the admins couldn’t even manage to get some decent food for this “team-building event”. Typical.
“Pretty sure they just picked up a cheese platter from Costco,” Jayce Talis says, coming up to her and nodding at the plate in her hands. “At least it’s better than the old celery sticks that they had last time.”
“God, these things are the fucking worst,” Vi groans, biting into a stale cracker. “As if we don’t have enough work to do already, without them making us socialize.”
“You’re telling me,” Jayce snorts. “I’m hoping this is the last one they schedule this year.”
“Fingers crossed,” Vi mutters, but then gets distracted by a familiar voice.
She turns and spots Mel talking to another doctor nearby, and Vi frowns immediately when she gets a good look at her. It probably wouldn’t be obvious to anyone else who doesn’t know her as well as Vi, but she’s lacking some of her usual warm glow, and her cheeks are flushed. Her eyes look a little glassy too, and Vi doesn’t miss her politely muffling a cough into her elbow.
“Lanes? You with me?” Jayce asks, waving a hand in front of her face. Then he swivels to see who Vi is looking at. “Ah. Yeah, nevermind. Go be with your girl.”
Vi feels her cheeks redden. “She’s not my fucking girl, Jayce,” she retorts, rubbing the back of her neck. Jayce just gives her a pointed look with raised eyebrows.
Vi flips him off for good measure and wanders over to Mel, who’s finishing up her conversation.
“Having fun?” Vi smirks, bumping her shoulder lightly against Mel’s.
Mel sighs, then coughs again into her elbow. “So much. How could you tell?” she says sarcastically.
Vi frowns at the hoarse, congested sound of Mel’s voice. “You sick, Mel?”
“Getting over a cold,” Mel waves a hand dismissively. “It’s nothing.”
However, her claims are rendered somewhat ineffective when she has to turn away from Vi to sneeze, her nose pinched firmly between her thumb and index finger to keep them silent.
“Bless you,” Vi murmurs, rubbing Mel’s back gently as she sniffles. “Seems like you should be in bed, sweetness.”
“But then I would miss this lovely mixer,” Mel jokes with a deadpan look, and Vi laughs.
“Yeah, you definitely wouldn’t want to miss any excitement,” Vi smirks, but then her smile drops when Mel coughs again, harsher this time.
“I’m not loving the sound of that cough, Mel,” Vi frowns, resuming rubbing her back. “How long have you been sick?”
“A few days, but really, I’m fine, Vi,” Mel insists, sipping on her drink to calm the cough and clearing her throat. “It sounds worse than it is.”
Vi hums thoughtfully, studying her. “Can I give you a check-up real quick?”
“A ‘check-up’? I’m not five, Vi,” Mel chuckles, rolling her eyes slightly.
“Well, ‘exam’ sounds a little suggestive dontcha think?” Vi teases, gently wrapping a hand around Mel’s elbow and guiding her out of the room. “C’mon, let’s play hooky. No one will notice.”
“I’ll have you know I’m only agreeing because this mixer is painfully boring,” Mel says, as Vi guides her down the hall and to the elevator bay.
“Sure, sure, you know you just love getting me all to yourself.” Vi winks lasciviously, putting in the number for her floor once they’re in the elevator.
Mel just shakes her head at her and laughs quietly, before sneezing a few more times.
“Bless you, again,” Vi murmurs, her chest tightening a little with worry. For as much as she puts up a flirtatious act, she actually does care deeply for Mel, and she doesn’t like seeing her sick.
It’s late evening now, so the hospital corridors are fairly empty and quiet as they make their way to Vi’s office. She feels almost nervous, being alone with Mel like this, even if her main priority right now is making sure she’s alright. She’s been harboring a massive crush on her ever since they started working together, although she’s never acted on it beyond her shameless flirtatious jokes.
“Have a seat,” Vi says after she unlocks the office door, guiding Mel to the couch. “Alrighty, let’s see what we’re dealing with.”
Mel coughs into her elbow, then sighs. “It’s just a cold, like I said.”
“Then this will be very straightforward,” Vi says, grabbing her stethoscope and joining Mel on the couch. She puts the earpieces in her ears and warms the metal part with her hands before placing it on Mel’s chest. “Deep breath, sweetheart,” Vi orders, eyes narrowing as she listens in attentively.
Mel takes a few deep breaths, Vi moving the stethoscope to different spots, before she has to break away to cough again. Vi gets up to grab an unopened water bottle from her mini fridge and cracks it open for her.
“Thanks,” Mel says, a little breathless and hoarse after the coughing fit. She takes a few slow sips of water, then clears her throat.
“‘Course,” Vi hums, watching her catch her breath for a moment before reaching a hand to her forehead. “Do you have a fever?”
“Um, I don’t think so?” Mel shrugs. “I haven’t checked.”
Vi hums as she slides her hand down to her cheek, frowning again. “I think so. Let me get a thermometer.”
Mel looks a little put out, but Vi makes quick work of retrieving a thermometer and getting a quick read of her temperature.
“Yeah, that’s a fever, Mel,” Vi sighs, studying the thermometer after she pulls it from Mel’s mouth. “Your lungs sound tight, too. You definitely need to be in bed. Have you been resting, hydrating?”
“Yes, doctor,” Mel says with a playful roll of her eyes. “It just needs to run its course.”
“Mhm, well let’s have it run its course with you resting and actually taking care of yourself,” Vi raises an eyebrow. “C’mon, I’ll drive you home.”
“Oh you don’t need to –” Mel starts to protest, but then promptly breaks into another coughing fit.
Vi rubs her back lightly while she coughs, nudging the water bottle at her when she’s able to take some sips.
“Mel, you can barely go two seconds without coughing, and you’re running a temp. You definitely shouldn’t be behind the wheel right now,” Vi says seriously, holding Mel’s gaze. “It’s no problem, I promise.”
Mel wipes a few irritated tears from her eyes with a soft sigh, and it isn’t hard for Vi to read the exhaustion she’s clearly feeling. “Well, only if you’re sure…” she hesitates, searching Vi’s eyes with a hint of trepidation.
“Positive,” Vi says firmly, pushing up from the couch and offering a hand to help Mel up. “Let’s get you home.”
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It doesn’t take long for Vi to drive them both to Mel’s apartment. She’s been there before several times and she knows the route well.
Vi and Mel have been friends for a while now, although usually their time together is spent hanging out casually, often with other friends present. It feels new and somewhat intimate for Vi to be alone with Mel in her apartment, especially when the other woman is feeling so unwell. But Vi decides to put her awkwardness aside in favor of making sure Mel is taken care of.
“Why don’t you go change into something comfy and get in bed?” Vi suggests, once they’re inside and have taken off their shoes. “I’ll make you some tea, get you some medicine.”
“You really were serious about me staying in bed, weren’t you?” Mel sighs, with a slightly disgruntled look.
Vi smirks, giving her shoulder a squeeze. “Afraid so, sickie.”
“Since when were you so overprotective?” Mel huffs, but then devolves into yet another coughing fit.
“Since you started sounding like that. You - rest,” Vi orders, putting her hands on Mel’s shoulders to gently steer her in the direction of the bedroom. “I better see you in some PJs and under the covers when I get back, Medarda.”
“So bossy,” Mel complains with a roll of her eyes, but Vi can hear the fondness in her tone.
Vi smiles a little to herself as she heads to the kitchen to get the tea kettle going. She’s been friends with Mel long enough to know her favorite types of tea, so she makes quick work of preparing her a generously honeyed cup of chamomile.
Heading into Mel’s bedroom, she finds the curly-haired woman sitting up in bed with several pillows propped behind her, dressed in a silky, red pajama set.
“You actually listened to me,” Vi grins, coming over to the bed and carefully setting down the mug of tea on the bedside table. “Are pigs flying?”
“Oh, hush,” Mel chuckles, reaching for the tea. Her hands shake slightly on the mug, nearly sending the hot liquid spilling over the side.
“Careful,” Vi warns, putting a hand on Mel’s to steady hers. Vi’s heart flutters slightly at the feel of Mel’s soft, small hand underneath hers.
“Thank you,” Mel hums, taking a cautious sip of tea. “This is lovely.”
“It’s nothing,” Vi shrugs, hoping she sounds more nonchalant than she feels. She watches Mel take another sip of tea. “How’re you feeling?”
“About the same,” Mel says, giving Vi a wry smile. “I have survived a cold before, you know.”
“I know, I just –” Vi lets out a breath, raking her fingers through her messy hair. “I dunno. Don’t like seeing you like this.”
Mel studies her with her sharp, golden-green eyes. “You try so hard to hide it, but you’re quite sweet, Vi,” she observes, after drinking some more tea.
“Me? Sweet? Never,” Vi smirks, ignoring the sudden flush of heat to her cheeks. “I think you mean tough. Or cavalier. Or dastardly.”
“Mm, right,” Mel laughs softly, then her features shift into a familiar expression. Vi immediately reaches for the mug and takes it out Mel’s hands, just in time for Mel to twist into her elbow for a flurry of small, itchy-sounding sneezes.
“Bless you,” Vi murmurs, putting the mug back on the table. “Lemme get you some tissues, be right back.”
In Mel’s bathroom she finds a box of tissues easily, then also locates a bottle of ibuprofen in the medicine cabinet. After a moment’s consideration, she grabs the tub of Vick’s she finds there too, figuring it’s worth a try.
“Here you go,” Vi hands over the tissue box, sitting back down on the side of the bed. Mel takes a few and gives her nose a polite blow.
“Thank you,” Mel says after she finishes, leaning back against the pillows and looking exhausted. Vi frowns at the pallor to her usually warm brown skin, and the hint of flush over her cheeks. She rests the back of her hand against Mel’s forehead, trying to gauge whether she’s gotten any warmer.
“I’m alright,” Mel assures, her voice gone soft and hoarse now, looking up at Vi. “You don’t need to worry about me.”
“You’re pretty sick, Mel,” Vi frowns, dropping her hand and reaching for the bottle of ibuprofen. She shakes out a couple of pills into her palm and hands them over. “Take these, please.”
Mel swallows the pills dutifully, taking a few more long sips of tea. Then she has another small coughing fit, groaning quietly after. “Ugh. Sorry.”
“It’s fine,” Vi soothes, running her hand up and down Mel’s arm a few times. “You wanna try some Vick’s? It might help with the congestion. Or I could run out and get you some cough syrup, even though you probably know the research is mixed on the effectiveness of that.”
Mel shakes her head. “No, the Vicks will just make me sneeze, and I hate cough syrup.”
Vi nods, setting the tub aside, then gazing back at Mel. “What else can I get you, sweetness?”
“Nothing. You’ve done enough already, really,” Mel reaches for her hand and gives a soft squeeze. “Thank you, Vi.”
“Anytime,” Vi smiles, running her thumb over Mel’s knuckles. “You want some company? I’m up for a movie marathon if you are.”
“You might get sick if you hang around here,” Mel warns, raising an eyebrow. “You probably should keep your distance.”
Vi shrugs. “I’ll take my chances. C’mon, budge up.” She motions for Mel to make room on the bed, and the other doctor complies, scooting over for her.
Mel reaches for the remote and switches on the TV. Then she turns away to sneeze into a tissue, before pulling up Netflix. “What do you want to watch?”
“Bless. I don’t care – you’re sick, you choose.” Vi settles in on the bed, leaning back against the pillows with her hands laced behind her head. “I just draw the line at reality tv.”
“Oh, you’re no fun,” Mel chuckles, shaking her head. She hums as she scrolls through the movies, finally settling on one. “How about a classic – Casablanca?”
Vi agrees, and Mel starts the movie, scooting down in the bed to get more comfortable. Their shoulders brush together, and Vi tries not to be too distracted by the soft feeling of Mel’s body leaning against hers.
After a half-second mental debate, Vi lifts up her arm in a silent offering for Mel to cozy up to her.
Mel sniffles, rubbing her nose and giving Vi a curious look. “Are you sure? I’m pretty gross at the moment.”
“You’re not gross, c’mere,” Vi mutters, looping her arm over Mel’s delicate shoulders and shifting slightly so that Mel can curl up against her side. “You are like a mini furnace, though. Hopefully this fever of yours breaks soon.”
Mel hums noncommittally, letting her head dip to rest against Vi’s shoulder. Vi’s stomach does an unceremonious somersault, and she hopes that Mel can’t hear her heart pounding. She’s itching to duck her head and press her lips to Mel’s and take her fully in her arms.
But Vi gives herself a mental shake. This is about making sure Mel is taken care of, not trying to jump her bones.
“You comfy?” Vi asks, rubbing a few circles on Mel’s shoulder with her fingers.
“Mm, very,” Mel says, snuggling in even closer to her. “You make a great pillow.”
Vi chuckles quietly. “Glad to help.”
They stay tucked up close together for a while as the movie plays, Mel coughing occasionally, Vi reminding her to keep drinking the tea. Vi isn’t really paying attention to the movie, all her thoughts stuck on Mel.
Eventually, however, Vi is brought out of her daydreaming when Mel shivers slightly against her side. Vi tightens her hold on her, rubbing her arm briskly to warm her up. “You alright?”
“Fine,” Mel assures, but then she shakes with another shiver. Vi frowns, reaching down to tug the covers further over Mel, tucking the duvet around her shoulders.
“You gettin’ chills, Mel?” Vi asks, putting a hand to her forehead again. Mel definitely still feels too warm, maybe even more so than before.
“Just a little cold,” Mel murmurs, burrowing deeper under the covers. Vi grabs a blanket that’s folded on the end of the bed and shakes it out, covering Mel further.
“The ibuprofen should have brought your temp down by now.” Vi studies Mel with furrowed eyebrows. Mel’s cheeks are still unhealthily flushed, and her usually sparkling eyes look glassy. “I want to take it again, you have a thermometer?”
“In the bathroom,” Mel sighs with a cough. “Is it really necessary though, Vi?”
Vi nods, slipping out of bed. “It won’t take long, promise. I’m just gonna give you some acetaminophen too if that fever isn’t coming down yet, ‘kay?”
Mel mumbles something about Vi being overattentive but doesn’t protest, curling up further in bed. Vi smiles a little to herself as she heads to the bathroom to look for the thermometer.
It is true that her caretaking instincts seem to ratchet up several notches whenever it comes to Mel. Vi’s always been a caring person, it’s why she became a doctor after all, but she has to admit what she feels for Mel goes deeper than that. Somehow Mel manages to strike Vi as a study of contradictions, both strong and fragile – not naive by any stretch of the imagination, but also a little too good for this world. It makes Vi want to keep her safe, make sure she’s getting what she needs. Maybe it’s overprotective, but she also gets the sense that Mel kind of likes how attentive Vi is when it comes to her. Vi knows Mel hasn’t had a lot of softness in her life, having had a very strict upbringing, and Vi can’t help but want to give her that comfort now.
She quickly finds the thermometer in the bathroom and cleans it. She brings it out to Mel, who slips it under her tongue and shoots Vi an impatient look.
Vi laughs softly, giving Mel’s shoulder a fond squeeze. “Sorry, darlin’. This is what you get for being friends with a fellow doctor.”
The thermometer beeps and Mel plucks it out of her mouth, glancing at it before showing it to Vi. “I suppose that’s true,” Mel says with a small smile.
Vi takes the thermometer, frowning down at the number. “Ah, yeah it’s gone up, Mel. More meds for you, and maybe a cold cloth too, I want to get this temp down a little.”
“Lovely,” Mel mutters sarcastically, and Vi gives a low chuckle.
“I know, I know, I promise I’ll leave you alone in a sec,” she says sympathetically. “Be right back.”
Vi brings Mel the additional pills and gently lays a cool washcloth on her forehead, then climbs back in bed. Mel looks so adorable with the cloth on her forehead, bundled up under a mountain of blankets, and Vi smiles at her fondly. “You need anything else?”
Mel smiles faintly back at her. “No, I feel thoroughly taken care of, Vi. Thank you.”
“That’s what friends are for,” Vi grins, although her stomach sinks slightly at the word friends.
But Vi just curls up further on the bed next to Mel, wrapping her arm around her shoulders again. Even if she can’t have her the way she wants, at least she gets to have Mel in her life.
