Work Text:
Maria sighed in exasperation upon being awoken in the dead of night by the sound of clanging metal.
Only one person in the house could have been up at that time of night. She stormed out of bed and slammed her door open, startling the girl in the living room. It was her sister, picking up the lamp she knocked over, sitting - of course - in front of piles of textbooks.
“It’s 2 AM”, Maria said sternly, arms crossed. “What nonsense extra credit work are you losing sleep over this time?”
Sofia looked up at her sheepishly. “I signed up for the Latin competition. Ms. Roone wanted me to go and I couldn’t say no to her…”
Maria raised an eyebrow. “Is your teacher’s opinion of you more important than your health?”
Sofia shrank in her chair. She hesitated for a moment. “...Yes?”
Maria glared. “Bed. Now.”
“I’ll be done soon… ish”, her sister said, turning to her notes. “I just need to translate two more paragraphs, do a quick review of my notes and-”
“EEEEEP!”, she let out as she was whisked away from her chair. Maria had scooped her up and cradled her in her arms.
“Now means now, dear.” Maria said softly, carrying Sofia to her room. “You need rest.”
“Fifteen minutes!” Sofia pleaded. “If Ms. Roone questions me on the parts I haven’t covered I will die of em-”
Maria silenced her with a kiss. Sofia lay still in her arms for a moment. Then she relaxed and kissed her back.
Maria wished that she could climb into bed with her and kiss her until the sun rose. But that wasn’t what she was here for; she pulled away. “Be a good girl and go to bed”, Maria said, “or no kisses for a week.”
“A week?!” Sofia was aghast. “You’re a meanie, sis”, she pouted. “Alright, fine. But I wish you’d just let me do what I want.”
Maria smiled lovingly. “Sorry, princess, but one of us has to take care of you.”
She placed Sofia gingerly onto her bed, wrapped her in a blanket, and kissed her goodnight.