SP Character Fics!

'Her truth was found at last'

Lana's work-life balance is toxic, but is there a deeper reason rooted in her past? What happens when her habits go too far?

Pairing: Lana Winters x Reader

Word count: 3200

Warnings: illness (mentions of nausea) but not specifically graphic

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Lana Winters was a stern, formidable boss. She was insatiable as it seemed. She was also your girlfriend, not that it really seemed obvious the moment you entered the building. Lana had two personalities towards you, split down the middle; polar opposites forming a ying-yang girlfriend-boss which frankly confused the hell out of you.

At work, she radiated an aura of sophistication which presented itself in a slightly haughty & stony manner. Of course, she was a female in the writing industry - male-dominated & extremely demanding, so she had to appear untouchable. A concrete surface unable to be dented with even the heaviest of peer critics hammers.

But what you didn't understand was how this had to be applied to you at all times. Even when you both ate together in the middle of a work day, alone in her office, she was still relatively silent, occasionally delivering clipped responses to your docile questions. You didn't ever respond, half in fear of triggering some sort of breakdown from Lana, & half in denial that this emotionless woman was the same person you had woken up with in the morning.

Lana at home was not Lana Winters, the world-renowned author. She was just plain Lana, your Lana, & she was just perfect. Really, you could not think of a flaw in home Lana if your life depended on it. As soon as you entered your doorway, she would be taking your coat & placing gentle kisses along your hair as always. Lana was just the most caring, thoughtful, sweet girlfriend & you felt absolutely giddy with dizzying love for her.

She was the oxygen to your lungs, practical & essential - if she left you simply would not breathe.

Perhaps this was why your mind had long since rejected the notion of confronting Lana of her toxic workplace persona. Well, clearly your body had a different idea on this day.

- - - - -

You woke that fateful morning to the sound of rain attacking the roof, aggressive punches littering the roof above your ceiling, little shards picking your head.

Oh, you were sick. The realisation washed over you as a wave of chills overcame your shivering body despite the overwhelming heat of Lana, the blankets & your own increasing body temperature. The concept of illness was making you quite nauseous, as if your body had decided you didn't feel unwell enough.

As you sat silently debating your state, the shrill alarm rang through the room. Lana sprang out of bed like she had been laying on hot coals (not too unrealistic from how hot your skin felt at that point) & slammed the alarm to stop it.

Ah, so it was one of those days.

If Lana was extremely stressed or was coming up to a deadline, her stormy work mood would also greet you before work, & maybe even into the evening. There was nothing you could do, or dared to try to do, to abate her stress. You both tended to isolate from each other - you in fear, her in an oblivious whirlwind of anxiety.

This continued throughout this morning, Lana rushing to each corner of the house in a composed, frigid manner whilst you staggered through each task as your illness presented more inconvenient symptoms. But Lana had no idea, even though you looked positively zombie-like, & she even drove off without you as she did on some of her worst days.

"Shit." you muttered as you realised Lana had gone off in the only car, as yours was being repaired at the mechanics that week. You disliked public transport on a normal day, but the idea of dragging yourself through the long route whilst feeling like death warmed up, was enough to make you practically collapse on the spot.