Leah x Elle X reader

Summary: You are very stubborn when you are sick, but Leah and Elle make sure you get the rest you need. 

Word count: 4.8k 

Warnings: just hurt comfort

..

You had been irritable all day.

The kind of irritable where every sound grated on your nerves and the lights of every single room felt like the photons were being drilled into your eyes, right into your skull.

"Can you pass the juice, please?" Leah asked at breakfast, her voice still rough with sleep.

On any other day, you would be admiring the way Leah's cheeks were creased from the pillow, how her hair seemed to be sticking out in every direction, how the hickey you gave her a few days ago was now just a faint mark adorning her clavicle, barely showing over her oversized Arsenal sleeping shirt.

But today wasn't any other day.

Today, you were grumpy and struggling to accept that you were starting to get sick.

"It's right there," you snapped, not even looking up at her.

Leah's hand paused halfway to the glass jar, looking at you weirdly. "Damn, I was just asking."

"And I just answered."

The silence that followed was thick and uncomfortable, as it always was whenever you and Leah got into an argument, both of you too stubborn to back down. You could feel Leah's eyes on you; you could sense the way she was biting back whatever she wanted to say.

Your whole head was pounding, and every single muscle fibre was hurting, which made it hard to think and interact with anyone, especially the person sitting across from you.

"What's your problem this morning?" Leah finally said, setting down her fork with a half-stabbed egg in it with a clatter that made you wince.

"It's nothing," you said, rolling your eyes. "I'm fine."

Leah lifted her eyebrows, as if to say you were full of bullshit.

"You are clearly not fine."

"I said I'm fine, Leah."

It wasn't very rare for you to be short with Leah during breakfast; it happened often enough, actually, neither of you were morning people. But this time was different, and you both knew it.

The drive to training was tense, to say the least; not even Leah's great music taste could save the bitter Thursday morning. Leah's hands were tight on the steering wheel, her jaw set in that stubborn way that meant she was genuinely upset. It almost made you feel guilty.

Your phone rang unexpectedly, and you picked up, still not looking at Leah. In just a few seconds, Elle's face appeared on the screen.

"Hey, baby," Elle's voice filled the car; she sounded concerned. "Lee texted me a few minutes ago. What's going on?"

You gave Leah a side eye; she didn't dignify you with any kind of attention.

Snitch.

"Nothing's going on, Ellie", you muttered, pressing your temple against the cool window, but regretting it instantly as the movement only worsened your headache.

"Hmm...wanna try that again?" Elle said, her voice sweet. "She said you two had a fight? Over... orange juice?"

"We didn't fight. I was just- "

"Being snappy and difficult?" Leah cut in, her eyes still on the road. "Because that's what happened."

"Lee," Elle said, reprimanding in soft way. "Whatever's going on, you two need to talk it out. Please?"

You sighed, and the sound ragged in your throat; you were sure you would be voiceless by the end of the day.

"I'm sorry, alright? I'm just... my head's killing me," you said, now looking at Leah. "I didn't mean to be snappy."

Leah's expression shifted slightly, some of the hardness melting away, her hand loosened around the wheel, her jaw no longer set tight. "Why didn't you just say that?"

"I don't know," you said, shrugging, feeling too tired to explain the way your shirt was irritating every bit of skin it was touching or how the ten-minute drive was making you nauseous.

With a promise that you two would definitely talk it out, Elle finished the call, saying she needed to go to the filming set of a new campaign, but that she would be checking in on both of you later.

By the time you got to the training centre, Leah reached over and took your hand, squeezing gently.

"I'm sorry you aren't feeling the best," Leah said quietly, and you smiled lightly, grateful that the thought of hearing her voice wasn't so torturous anymore.

You squeezed her hand back, pressing your head to her shoulder as both of you made your way inside the building.

The first step in your routine was to have a gym session with all the girls. Each of them had their own gym plan and equipment they should focus on. That's why, for the first time since you woke up, you were able to be alone for a few minutes.

After you were done changing your clothes, one of the physios approached you, looking you up and down with a concerned frown.

"You look rough. Are you feeling alright?"

"Just tired," you lied, tying your laces.

"You sure? Because you look haggered."

"Wow, thanks. Very kind of you, David," you rolled your eyes.

"I'm serious," he said, crossing his arms. "When's the last time you slept properly?"

You shrugged. "I'm fine to train."

"That's not what I asked," David sighed. "...Alright, well, let's start you off easy. Put your mat in the corner and do some light stretching and pilates. Nothing intense for today, okay?"

It was safe to say you barely made it through warm-ups, and by the time the team was halfway through the gym session, getting ready to go onto the pitch, you were sprawled on a mat with your forearm covering your eyes, trying not to whine at how the lightbulb was right on top of you, and the gym music box was playing the loudest music you had ever heard.

"Hey." Beth's voice came from somewhere above you. "You good?"

"Uhum, just a headache," you muttered, not looking at her.

"You've been saying that all morning," Steph added, and you could hear the worry in her tone.

Before you could respond, Leah's voice cut through. "She's not feeling her best. Haven't been since she woke up."

"You've been like this since morning?" Beth echoed, her mom voice coming through. "Why are you even here then?"

"Because we have a big game coming up," you said as if it was obvious, not moving your arm from your face. "I can't slack off now, Reneé said I'm starting."

"That's stupid," Leah said flatly, and you could hear her moving closer. "You need to go home."

"I am fine."

"You're not fine." She said, and even though you couldn't see her, you knew she was rolling her eyes. "Stop being so stubborn."

"Leah-"

"I mean it," Leah said exasperatedly. "This is ridiculous."

You heard her footsteps fading, heard her mutter something under her breath as she walked out of the gym. Something about you being 'impossible' and 'the most bull-headed' person she had ever met in her whole entire life, which wasn't true, Leah was the most bull-headed person to ever walk on earth, actually.

You took a deep breath on the mat, trying to recruit any strengt left in your body so you could follow the other girls - and one of your girlfriends - to the pitch, but you just... couldn't.

Your temples were aching, it hurt to open your eyes, and your throat was so sore it hurt to swallow water. That's why you had barely drunk any all day.

But finally, you pushed yourself up and found Renée talking with Leah by the edge of the pitch. It hurt to admit, but you weren't going to be able to play now. You just needed a few more minutes of rest before you could join the girls on the pitch.

"Reneé," you called out, your voice hoarse, making you whine. "Is it okay if I sit out the first part of the drills? Just need to lie donw for a bit."

Leah's jaw tightened, and she pressed her lips together in the same way she always did when she was worried about you or Elle.

"She needs to go home," Leah said, looking at Renée.

You huffed. "Leah, I'm fine, I just need a few minu-"

"You're not fine," Leah threw her arms in the air ."Stop saying that."

Renée looked between the two of you, clearly trying to assess the situation, trying to see if she should intervene in the couple's argument or not. She decided on the latter.

"Excuse me," Leah said to the manager, her tone leaving no room for argument. The blonde grabbed your hand and practically marched you toward the medical room, ignoring your protests.

"Leah, this is dramatic-"

"No, what's dramatic is you trying to train when you can barely stand up straight."

"I can stand fine!"

"You're swaying right now, darling."

As you walked into the doctor's office, Holly, a sweet girl just out of medical school, looked at you and pulled out a thermometer and did a few light exams. She delivered the news regarding your health with a sympathetic smile, as if she wasn't ruining your plan of playing in the upcoming match against Chelsea.

"It's the flu, love," She explained, looking at you as if you were a puppy with a broken paw. "Proper flu, not just a cold, it won't just go away if you rest for a few minutes; you need proper care."

Leah's arms were crossed tightly against her chest, and you knew she was using all of her self-control not to say 'I told you so'. She nodded solemnly at the doctor as she continued.

"You'll need plenty of rest, lots of fluids, water, Gatorade, everything. I'll prescribe you some paracetamol for the fever, and also something for your throat and body aches-"

You sat there, noticing how the doctor wasn't even talking to you anymore, but with Leah. You crossed your arms, pout on your face as you felt like a scolded child.

"And Y/n," Holly said, finally referring to you. "No training until this fever breaks, yeah? And before you ask, no, no gym work either, at least for three days, possibly more."

"Three days?" Your mouth fell open. "But-"

"No buts," she said, giving Leah a piece of paper with her medical stamp on it. "Doctor's orders."

You got up, a scowl on your face as Leah opened the door for you, before either of you could leave the office, the doctor called out.

"And don't give Miss Williamson here a hard time, yeah?" The doctor winked at Leah, making the blond grin as if you rolled your eyes.

Hard time? Huff, it was as if Leah wasn't the one making this situation much more difficult than it needed to be.

As you walked into the hallway, you didn't have the grace to be kind and appreciate Leah for caring for you.

"You didn't have to make such a big deal out of this," you snapped as she led you to the car, carrying both training bags on her shoulder as she chewed on gum she took from the receptionist's station. "Now you're missing training too. That's dumb."

"I'm not being dumb," she said calmly, as if she were the sane one in this situation. "You're just being stubborn."

"I have a small fever, Leah," you huffed. "That's it, and now you'll be out of training and we'll lose against Chelsea!"

"38° C isn't a small fever, the doctor said you're on the edge of being delirious," Leah countered, opening the passenger door for you to get in and completely ignoring your last phrase. "So, forgive me for actually caring about your health, my love."

The fight drained out of you instantly, partly due to the weary, worried, and exasperated mix in Leah's voice, and partly because you caught sight of yourself in the rear-view mirror. Your cheeks were alarmingly flushed. It was instantly clear that your fever wasn't as light as you wanted to believe.

You were miserable the entire ride back to the apartment, grumbling under your breath as Leah stopped at a pharmacy.

"I'll be quick," she said, already unbuckling her seatbelt, leaving you alone in the car to perish by yourself.

You were humming a song to yourself, and when you were about to start a third song, Leah came out with a bag full of paracetamol, all different kinds of sore throat lozenges, different soup flavours and weird teas that promised some kind of miraculous healing.

"Did you buy out the entire cold and flu aisle?" you croaked as Leah placed every bag on the back seat.

"Pretty much," Leah said, and there was the smallest hint of a smile on her face. "Better safe than sorry."

"You'd better hope no one else gets sick on this side of London," you murmured as she started the engine. "They won't find any paracetamol."

"I don't get about other people," Leha said, making a teasing, kissing face. "I care about you."

As soon as Leah parked in front of the apartment building, her hand stayed steady on your lower back as you walked like a zombie across the corridor to your flat. You truly had to thank Leah... no way in hell would you be able to train when your legs felt like jelly and your peripheral vision had small black dots on the corner.

By the time you got inside, you barely made it to the sofa before face-planting into the cushions with a pathetic groan, regretting it the minute your face hit the soft material of the sofa, because although soft, it felt like hitting a concrete wall.

You heard Leah moving around, opening the windows, the rustling of the pharmacy bag, and the cat that Elle had insisted on adopting meowing frantically, begging Leah to feed him

"Elle's flying back tonight," Leah said, and you felt the sofa dip as she sat near your feet. Her cold hands pulled off your shoes and socks, massaging your feet gently. "She'll be here in a few hours."

You looked at Leah from the cushion with a pout, pointing at the light switch so Leah would turn off the bright light that was almost blinding you.

"What? No," you said, feeling relief as the room was now dim. "Tell her to finish her work in Madrid first."

"She said she can finish the campaign next week," Leah explained.

"She doesn't need to see me like this," you mumbled into the cushion. "I feel horrible."

"Too bad. I already texted her."

You would have argued with the captain, but you genuinely didn't have the energy.

Leah disappeared into the kitchen for a moment, and you heard the tap running and the clink of a glass against the counter. When she came back, she sat down on the other end of the sofa and just looked at you for a second, taking in your flushed cheeks, the way you were curled up like you were trying to make yourself as small as possible, as if it would make your body hurt less.

Leah placed a glass of water on the coffee table before sitting down on the sofa and stretching out.

"Come here," she said, her voice low.

You cracked one eye open, watching her carefully. "What?"

"Come here," she repeated, patting her chest.

You groaned. "Leah, I'm fine where I am."

You would really appreciate some cuddles right now, but the thought of moving already sent shock waves through your arms and legs.

Leah didn't argue. She just took a deep breath, reached over, and carefully manoeuvred you into her lap before you could protest properly. One arm wrapped around your waist, the other gently guiding your head down to rest on her shoulder.

"There," she said simply.

You blinked up at her, your brain fuzzy with fever. "You're being awfully touchy."

"And you're awfully sick," she shot back without missing a beat.

"I am not."

"...and awfully stubborn."

You grumbled under your breath, letting your eyes fall closed as you settled against Leah's warm body. You smiled when you felt Leah placing a gentle kiss on the top of your head.

Her body was warm and solid beneath you, and even though you would never admit it, it felt good and safe. Leah was right, it was better to lie like that rather than with your back stiff against the sofa.

You took some deep breaths, enjoying your free airways as long as you had them. You knew it would be just a matter of time before you would be struggling to breathe.

You didn't miss that Leah turned on your favourite show, an adult cartoon one she absolutely hated and always complained about, saying it rotted brain cells and ruined your humour.

"You put on my cartoon," you mumbled, feeling your throat scratch.

Leah was silent for a moment. Her hand never stopped touching your waist, giving you comfort that you often struggled to accept.

"Don't get used to it," she said in a low voice.

"You hate this show."

"Yeah, well. You're sick, so..."

You smiled faintly against her shoulder. Even though you weren't really watching the TV, it felt nice to hear the voices and the well-known jokes of your show.

Your head didn't feel like exploding anymore. The sound was just background noise, and it felt nice. Leah's presence felt comforting. The blonde could be thoughtful when she wanted to; she could be caring in that Leah way of hers.

Neither you nor Leah were big romantics, nor did you rely on big gestures to show love. That's why you got along so well. While Elle was the most romantic person in the world, she was caring and nurturing and always kept both of you on your toes.

Minutes passed, and you felt Leah's fingers continued to trace absent patterns on your back; her breathing was steady and even beneath your cheek. It was all too good for your feverish and shivering body.

"Don't think I didn't realise you barely ate today," Leah said against your ear.

"Hmm," you hummed, a pout forming on your face. You had no energy to really say anything back to her.

"Breakfast doesn't count," she continued. "You had, what, half a banana?"

"I don't want to eat," you said quietly. The thought of eating food made you nauseous.

Leah laughed softly, the sound rumbling through her chest, making you feel the vibration on your own. She laughed as if you could ever choose to do something that wasn't good for you while she was standing right there.

Strict. Leah was strict. And you were stubborn. It was not a good combination most of the time.

"You'll eat later," she said, and it wasn't a question. It was a statement, final.

You didn't say anything, and Leah continued,

"I'm just not putting food down your throat right now because you've got a fever and your cheeks are all flushed and you look cute."

That made you smile properly, your lips curving against the fabric of her hoodie. "Push food down my throat? Elle would say she would bird-feed me."

"Elle is more gentle than I am," Leah said simply.

"Oh, I know," you replied, a hint of teasing in your raspy voice.

Leah snorted. Both of you sat in comfortable silence. You were almost sleeping when something occurred to you, and you shifted slightly, tilting your head up to look at her.

"What time are you picking Elle up from the airport?"

"I am not."

You frowned. "What do you mean you're not?"

"She is getting a taxi."

"Leah-"

"I'm staying here with you," she said, her tone leaving absolutely no room for argument. She was using that captain voice, the one that made even the most stubborn teammates back down, including you, most of the time at least.

But you tried anyway. "That's stupid. You should go get her. I'm fine-"

"You're not fine. You've got a fever, you can barely keep your eyes open, and you haven't eaten all day." She looked down at you, her expression softening just a bit. "Elle can get a taxi. I'm not leaving you here alone."

You wanted to argue. You really did.

But the way she was looking at you, steady, certain, like there was no other option she would even consider, made your chest feel tight in a way that had nothing to do with the flu.

"You're so bossy," you muttered, giving up.

"Yeah," Leah said, the corner of her mouth twitching up. "And you love it."

You didn't answer. You just buried your face back into her shoulder and let yourself be held.

..

When Elle arrived hours later, she didn't even bother dropping her suitcase properly. She came straight to the sofa, her face soft with concern as she knelt beside you and pressed the back of her hand to your forehead.

"Oh, baby," she murmured. "You're burning up."

"I'm fine," you lied, your voice muffled against Leah's hoodie.

"You're definitely not fine," Leah said dryly, though she didn't move. She just kept her arm around you, her thumb still tracing those slow circles on your skin.

Elle smiled, reaching up to run her fingers gently through your hair. "When did you last eat?"

"Breakfast. Maybe."

"That's not good enough," Elle said softly, and you felt her press a light kiss to your temple. "Le said she picked up some soup. I'm going to heat it up for you."

"I don't want it," you argued.

"I know, love. But you're eating it anyway."

Leah smirked. "I told you."

A few minutes later, Elle came back with a bowl in one hand and the gentlest expression on her face. She sat on the edge of the sofa, and Leah carefully shifted you so you were sitting up a bit more, still tucked against her side.

Elle held out the spoon filled with something that, in your opinion, shouldn't be considered food. "Just a few bites, okay?"

"I hate soup," you said, turning your head to the opposite side. "I would rather eat dirt."

"You said you would rather die ten minutes ago," Leah pointed out dryly. "I don't think we should take your preferences seriously - plus you already ate dirt yesterday at training when I knocked you down on the grass."

You looked at Leah grumpily, hearing Elle's soft laugh.

"Piss off," you muttered weakly, then turned to Elle. "You should be on my side. It's all her fault, Ellie. I bet there were flu viruses on the pitch, and I got sick because Leah knocked me down."

Elle bit back a smile and leaned in closer, her voice then dropped to that soft, coaxing tone she always used when you (or leah) were being difficult. "I'm on your side, darling. Now come on, eat just a little bit. Please? For me?"

You cracked one eye open, looking between them. "You just got here. You should be spoiling me, not torturing me."

"Asking you to eat some soup is not torture," Elle said gently, cupping your flushed cheek with her free hand. "It's called love. That's why I'm asking you to eat."

Leah snorted. "Don't let her guilt-trip you, Elle. She's been a nightmare all day."

"I'm sick," you protested. "Not a nightmare."

"Sick, and still a brat," Leah teased.

Elle sighed and leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to your warm cheek. Her voice even more tender now. "Please, baby? Just a little bit. I promise."

You blinked up at her, your fevered brain taking a second to catch up. "You're not playing fair."

Elle's smile was gentle, her thumb brushing along your cheekbone. "I know."

You huffed. "Fine. But only because you asked."

Elle didn't waste a second. She brought the spoon to your lips, and you begrudgingly took it, one spoonful at a time.

Leah stayed close the whole time, her arm still around you. Elle kept murmuring soft encouragement between bites.

By the time the bowl was empty, you were exhausted, slumping back against Leah with your eyes already half-closed, your head still pounding.

"Good girl," Elle said softly, setting the bowl aside and pressing another kiss to your forehead.

You were too tired to even respond. You just let yourself sink into the warmth of them both. You were ready to sleep when you heard Leah's voice.

"Hey, doesn't your healthy girlfriend deserve a little kiss too?" Leah pouted, the question clearly aimed at Elle, who was now fussing with the blanket that was wrapped around your body.

Elle laughed and it felt like a tender sound near your ear.

"Oh, my poor, poor Lee. Come here, Captain," she murmured, before shifting slightly and pressing a quick, loud kiss to Leah's cheek or temple, you weren't sure.

Elle sat herself on the sofa next to Leah and you, her warmth welcoming.

"And now you can sleep, too, my sick girl," Elle whispered to you, and Leah settled back in, her arm tightening around your waist, just before you allowed your eyes to finally fall closed.

..

That night, you fell asleep between them.

Leah had one arm slung across your waist, her body warm and comfortable. Elle was tucked against your other side, her hand was loosely holding yours, her breathing slow and even, somehow grounding you.

Your head still ached. Your body still felt like it had been run over by a tractor, but you were warm and safe, and for the first time in weeks, you had both Leah and Elle clinging to you, so it was perfect.

Maybe you would get sick more often if it meant that Leah wouldn't take her hands off of you, and that Elle would drop everything to be with you.

..

At two am, you woke up completely drenched in sweat.

You had foolishly thought that you were going to burn through your fever during sleep, but that's not what happened. If anything, you felt worse.

Your shirt was sticking to your back as if a second skin, your body was burning, and your head felt like it weighed a hundred kilos even if it was lying on the fluffiest pillow.

You blinked into the darkness, completely disoriented, forgetting who you were and where you were. To make things worse, you screamed when you registered two figures looming over you like two hunting spirits, which was absolutely not good for your sore throat.

"Jesus fucking Christ!" you rasped, your voice wrecked. "What are you two doing? Go back to sleep and stop scaring me!"

Leah was crouched beside the bed, brows furrowed, her hand already reaching for your forehead.

"You're burning, mate," she said quietly, brushing damp strands of baby hair back. "We need to get your temperature down. Maybe we can take a cold shower?"

You turned your face into the pillow with a groan. "No, no cold shower. I'm fine, I just want to sleep."

Elle, who was standing on the other side of the bed in one of your oversized shirts, held out a glass of water and two tablets. Her expression was calm but firm.

"Take these," she said softly. "Then we can all go back to sleep."

You let out a long and suffering sigh, but you ended up taking the glass with shaking hands. "I hate this."

"We know," Leah said, her tone dry, but still with affection. "Now take the bloody paracetamol. I woke up because you felt like a furnace against me."

Elle leaned down and kissed your forehead. She didn't even flinch at how hot your skin was. "Don't be difficult, sweetheart," she murmured. "Just let us help."

You rolled your eyes, feeling the shoots of pain in your skull, but you did swallow the tablets, drank the water, and flopped back onto the pillows as if you had been working all day and needed rest.

Leah gently tugged your damp shirt off, replacing it with a clean shirt of hers, or maybe Elle's, you weren't sure, from the drawer, and then climbed back into bed beside you.

Elle slipped in on your other side, pulling the duvet back up and tucking it around all three of you. You didn't say anything. You just let them settle in close, Leah's arm across your stomach, Elle's fingers threaded through yours like she always did when you were ready to fall asleep.

..

When you woke up hours later, the fever had finally broken. You still felt like rubbish, but the worst of it had passed. Leah was curled into your side, her face peaceful in sleep, one hand still resting protectively on your hip.

Elle was pressed close on your other side, her head was tucked beneath your chin, her breathing soft and steady. You didn't move. You just lie there, held between them, and let yourself feel cared for.

And even if you would never admit it out loud, you loved when they fussed over you.

..

A/n: I hope you guys enjoyed this one <3