#i have pneumonia and was running about a 103 at the time of this dream

[transrevolutions]

had a wack ass fever dream the other night where tim stoker, daisy tonner, sasha james, and I were sitting and discussing the us election. I asked if trump was an avatar of anything and daisy told me no because you don't have to be an avatar to be a terrible person who hurts people. then I asked about elon musk and sasha told me that he (musk) is actually of the extinction.

[thegoodthebadthesickly]

Barbara Gordon- Pneumonia

Request- Pneumonia

Fandom- DCU

Requested by MelodyTheMusicMaker on Wattpad

@badthingshappenbingo​

Stars are completed, swirls are requests

I'm still fairly new to this fandom, so please don't come for me if this is all terribly out of character!

The wheels of Barbara's brain slowly began to turn as she woke up. There was a general since of ick that she could feel rapidly taking the place of the tiredness in her muscles. She shivered and curled into herself, despite the three blankets she kept on hers and Dick's bed, even in the summer.

She stretched her arms up, the motion apparently aggravating her lungs and making her chest ache. All in all, this didn't raise any alarm bells. Ever since the Joker, her lungs and heart-pretty much everything, if she were being candid about it- worked at about half the capacity it used to.

She coughed lightly and reflexively reached for the side of the bed that should, in theory, hold one sleeping Dick Grayson. Empty, how unusual. Barbara rolled her eyes and sat up, trying not to pay attention to the odd pain in her chest, she'd probably just slept weird.

Sitting up fully, Barbara reached for her chair, but a sharp pain in her chest pulled her back and into a coughing fit. Barbara put her hand on her chest, willing her body to remember how to breathe. After a moment, the pain subsided, but it felt as if there were a block sitting under her lungs, making it impossible to take a deep breath.

Once again, carefully this time, Barbara reached for her chair and expertly scooted herself into it, even if the exercise did leave her way more winded and tired than it should have. Trying to force her lungs to cooperate, Barbara took a few shallow breaths and pushed herself into the living room where the famous Dick Grayson was dead asleep and drooling over his laptop, the screen long since faded to black.

"Did you even attempt to come to bed last night?" Barbara asked- maybe a little louder than she needed to for the close quarters- noting the dark circles under Dick's eyes and the rumpled button up.

"Batman's wearing pants!" Dick yelled, sitting bolt upright and almost flinging his computer across the room.

"I certainly hope so, also, I guess that-"Was it usually this tiresome to wheel herself ten feet?  "-answers my question." Barbara laughed, wheezing slightly.

Dick, not one to miss subtleties-unless you were his girlfriend and you happened to want to kiss him sometimes- looked over at Barbara, a question in his eyes.

"You alright?" He asked, yawning as he stood up to stretch. Man, sleeping in a computer chair really did hit different when you were thirty versus seventeen. Barbara looked, well, sick, Dick thought. Her skin was pale and Dick could just see a few beads of sweat on her hairline, despite a notable shiver. He surveyed Barbara further, seeing how her shoulders hitched just slightly every time she inhaled.

"Yeah. Just feeling ugh today." Barbara shrugged.

"You kind of look like crap, Babs" Dick sucked at his teeth.

"I'll try not to take offense to-" huff "that." Barbara laughed, although it came out sounding more like the broken squeaky toy from Toy Story.

"Seriously, you look ready to pass out. Plus," Dick walked over and squatted to look Barbara in the eye as he put a hand to her forehead. "You are almost definitely running a pretty impressive fever." Dick stood up, feeling a small tendril of worry wrap around his stomach.

"Dick, seriously, I'm fine. You know as well as I do that ever since the Joker, my immune system has all but given up hope on me and that I latch onto any and all cold bugs like they're a life raft. If it will make you feel better, I'll take it easy today, let this bug run it's course." Barbara bargained, fixing Dick with a glare that said this was the final offer.

"Alright, but if you're not at least marginally better tomorrow, I'm calling in reinforcements." Dick crossed his arms, giving Barbara's glare right back.

"Fine."

"Fine. Now, go get back in bed. I'm going to make you some soup." Dick stood up and mentally cursed all of the unnecessary acrobatics he'd done that Alfred had insisted he'd regret one day. Today was the day.

"You can't cook." Barbara said simply.

"I can buy." Dick quipped, smirking and grabbing his coat and car keys. "Be back in a bit." Dick bent down to give Barbara a peck on the cheek and then he was out the door.

Already feeling fatigued, even though she'd just woken up, Barbara was glad to climb back in bed and wait for Dick.

Barbara thought she must have dozed off. The next time she was aware, Dick was gently pushing back a piece of hair that had slipped out of her ponytail. Barbara smiled and broke into a cough that made her chest burn and ache in an odd way.

"Dumpling soup! See, I am useful for something!" Dick laughed, helping Barbara sit up before setting the bowl in her lap. "But first," Dick pulled a digital thermometer out of a little bag she hadn't seen before, Alfred must be helping from the sidelines on this one.

"Open up!" Dick mimed an airplane with the thermometer.

"You're such dork!" Barbara smiled and rolled her eyes, but complied.

At the beep, Dick looked at the digital read out. "100.5. Not awesome, but not something that's going to kill you. Ibuprofen, soup, and cuddles are the order of the day."

"Mhm, and where exactly did you earn your medical degree?" Barbara smiled, pushing herself to one side so Dick could slide under the duvet.

"Yale." Dick deadpanned.

"They'll just let anybody in nowadays, huh?"

"Rude!" Dick laughed, nudging Barbara in the ribs, pulling her into another burning coughing fit that made her eyes water. It was getting harder breathe all around, like her lungs couldn't expand all the way.

"Babs? Barbara, you okay?" Dick's impish look turned to one of worry as Barbara struggled to pull in a breath.

"Fi-" huff "fine."

"Clearly." Dick pursed his lips, turning to get a better look at her.

"Seriously, just got choked." Barbara shrugged him off.

"On what?"

"Air."

"Mhmm." Dick hummed.

"Do you wanna" huff "watch a movie?"

"Yeah. Movie day." Dick tried to sound excited and like a guy that definitely wasn't worried that his girlfriend might have somehow punctured a lung.

Dick got up to find a movie and Barbara started on her soup, but found that she just wasn't hungry. In fact, the thought of any more food made her just a little nauseous.

Dick smoothly pulled himself back into bed and put an arm around Barbara, a move that no human should be able to actually make look good, but Dick was a superhero, Barbara laughed to herself. Barbara tried to stay awake, but her body longed for sleep. She nuzzled into Dick's chest and closed her eyes.

When Barbara woke up, she was alone and cold, so cold. It was dark out now, or maybe the shades had been drawn to let her sleep. Everything felt just a little off. She fell back into sleep, her brain too fever addled to pick apart fine details at the moment.

When Barbara woke next, someone was talking to her, coaxing her to open her mouth. A piece of cold metal was briefly stuck between her lips. She didn't want to. She felt sick.

"Babs, please, I need to take your temperature. You're burning up." Barbara opened her mouth, but only to vomit over the side of the bed. "Shit!" Dick exclaimed as Barbara closed her eyes again.

Barbara was somewhat aware of something being pushed between her lips and onto her tongue. There was a beep. "103? Why isn't it going down?" Dick's voice sounded scared. Barbara wanted to tell him not to be scared. She was here. Everything was fine. She was just so tired. Sleep pulled at her again.

Barbara felt hot. Burning, She was going to combust! She threw off the pile of blankets on her, only to have the pushed back up to her chin. She opened her eyes, but nothing made sense. Dick rushed into her line of sight for a moment, but just as fleetingly, he was gone. It was dark, but also light and there were more faces around her this time. This didn't feel real. Nothing felt real. She was just so hot and nothing was real and she couldn't see Dick anymore. Barbara started to cry. Soon, she was hyperventilating. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't breathe! Barbara wanted to scream, but there was no air in her lungs and something was placed over her face and a low hissing sound was coming from nearby.

After that, Barbara lost track of what was a dream and what was reality. Everything felt odd and floaty, like the ocean. Sometimes there was Dick or Alfred or another familiar face, sometimes there was only inky, sleepy darkness.

When Barbara woke, she at least hoped she was awake, anyway, she felt nothing short of disgusting. Her mouth tasted awful, like someone had been shoving sand into it. Her body ached like it hadn't in a long time, it was a feeling not unlike getting shot. She fought against the remaining fatigue to open her eyes. Early morning, or maybe late evening, sunlight peaked into the room, just giving enough light to tell Barbara that she was no longer in her and Dick's house.

She tried to push herself up, to give her brain a little more material to work with, but her arms were jelly and she flopped back onto the pillows unceremoniously.

"Oof" She huffed at the sudden fall.

"Babs? Dick's voice rang from somewhere else in wherever they were.

"Dick?" Barbara croaked, her vocal chords felt absolutely shredded and her lungs felt as if they'd been used as makeshift bagpipes.

"Hey, I can't tell you how glad I am to see your eyes opened." Dick sighed, smiling and walking over to sit on the edge of the bed.

"What happened?" Barbara whispered, trying, in vain to save her throat from the pain.

"You woke up sick and we were just going to have a lazy day-"

"The last thing I definitely remember is falling asleep while we watched a movie." Barbara cut in.

"Okay, good. So, that was three days ago."

"Three days! What happened?"

"The short answer? Pneumonia. The long answer? You fell asleep and I couldn't get you to wake up no matter how hard I tried. I tried to take your temp, but then you went all exorcist on me. That's when I called in reinforcements ala Alfred. You've been in and out for the past three days, mostly out, if I'm honest. You're fever got up to 106. I didn't even know that was possible. You had a seizure." Dick admitted.

Barbara swore she could see a little fear in Dick's eyes. She motioned for him to come closer and twined her hand with his.

"Alfred said, um," Dick took a shaky breath. "He said he wasn't sure if you'd wake up, or if you'd be the same if you did."

Barbara watched helplessly as Dick cried, from fear, relief, or both, she really couldn't say.

"Hey, I'm okay now. I'm here." Barbara reassured Dick, part of her remembering her question from earlier. "Where exactly is here?" Barbara looked around at the unfamiliar room.

"It's my old room. We're at the mansion. It was the first place I thought of and, after a while, it really wasn't safe to move you anymore." Dick explained with a sniff.

"C'mere." Barbara said simply, trying, in vain to pull herself over to one side of the bed. Thankfully, Dick got the message and helped her over to one side while he lay down on the other. Twisting around to face her, Dick quickly pulled Barbara into his arms.

Barbara reached a weak hand up and stroked Dick's hair as he pulled her closer to him. She didn't miss how his shoulders shook lightly with sobs, but just let herself be held and quietly hushed him.

"Shh, it's okay. I'm okay. Shh." Barbara repeated it like a mantra. Eventually, Dick seemed to cry himself out and his breathing deepened enough that Barbara could assume he had fallen asleep. Poor thing, he probably hadn't slept in nearly 72 hours. Even though she'd apparently been asleep for the better part of that 72 hours, Barbara soon found herself yawning and followed suit.

Alfred, who'd heard Barbara wake, quietly walked into the room and set down the two mugs of tea he'd been brewing and walked out again just as quietly. If he stopped at the door to watch the two kids-yes, they were in their thirties, but they'd always be his (and Bruce's, although he'd scarce admit it) kid's- for a while, he would keep that snapshot of a memory to himself.

[protectorsofthewood]

The Red Jewel - Episode 3

THE RED JEWEL

Episode 2

Written By John KixMiller

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WILL YOU KEEP IT FOR ME?

Abby sat near Tiny on the bed and read a story, but she could not hold Tiny’s attention. Glenda kept nervously staring out the small front door window, moving back to look at Tiny, and then staring out the larger living room window. Tiny began watching her mother, not noticing the pictures in the book. Abby signaled Glenda to stop pacing around. She pressed her hand toward the floor and mouthed, “Calm down.” Glenda understood.

Then Abby had an idea, and asked Tiny, “Do you remember the story you and your friends made up at the pre-school?”

Tiny’s eyes turned to Abby. “Was I the Good Fairy?”

“Yes, you were… and you still are, any time you want to be.”

“How did that story begin?”

“Well, we were playing ‘building a city’, and it became a story. We gathered baby trees from outside and made a forest. You and all your friends found figures and they became characters in the story.” “Tell me more.” Tiny’s voice was very faint. She could barely keep her eyes open.

“Franklyn became a wizard, and a dragon appeared guarding the treasure in the forest. Wonder Woman and Robin Hood’s band defended the forest from bad guys wanting the treasure. And the city and forest have animals, like birds, dogs, raccoons, even an owl.”

Tiny had fallen asleep. Abby sat quietly near her as the time slowly went by. Tiny couldn’t get comfortable. She moved her limbs, kicked off the sheet, and muttered in her sleep. Sweat dripped down her temples. “There she is!” exclaimed Glenda. She opened the door for Dr. Bear before she had a chance to knock. She carried a small dark leather bag, glazed with water. Glenda took her wet overcoat and hat. Their eyes met. Even though they said ‘hello’ as if it were a casual visit, Abby could feel their anxiety. They quickly walked into the bedroom. Tiny’s eyes opened, and Abby stood aside, saying nothing. Tiny met Dr. Bear’s kind dark eyes.

“My stomach hurts,” murmured Tiny. “My back hurts.”

“Let’s see if we can help you feel better,” came the doctor’s soft voice. “Sit up here if you can.” Glenda sat next to Tiny and arranged her pillows and helped her up. Dr. Bear took from her bag an instrument that lit up, and looked in Tiny’s eyes and throat and ears. She felt her stomach, under her arms, and behind her knees.

“Try to cough for me.”

Tiny made an effort, but hardly made a sound. Dr. Bear took another instrument and listened to her breathing, and heartbeat. Finally she took Tiny’s temperature. “Hmm… a little over 103 degrees. Not too bad compared to others. Let’s try drinking a lot of water.” She handed Tiny a half full glass from the bedtable and helped her take a few swallows, and then helped her again.

Dr. Bear turned to Glenda and Abby. “let’s make a pot of warm tea. I’ll see what you have available.” She turned back to Tiny. “Everything’s going to be all right. Do you like mint?”

“Sometimes.” Tiny’s voice was still almost a whisper.

“Okay, we’ll be right back.”

The adults retreated to the kitchen. Glenda put water on to boil and fumbled through a cupboard until she brought out a tin of mint. Abby watched Dr. Bear. She’s figuring out what to say,’ thought Abby. It’s not easy. Not easy at all.

“So…” Dr. Bear began in a very low voice, “this is what people have been calling the ‘summer flu’. We had a few cases, and suddenly have a lot of cases. It’s got a few specific symptoms: exhaustion, high fever, aches and pains. This virus doesn’t seem to cause the usual respiratory infection, no danger of pneumonia so far as we can tell. This virus is something new, and so we’re watching it and studying it very carefully. “You see…” the doctor paused.

She actually looks embarrassed!” thought Abby in amazement.

“You see, it’s actually not the flu.”

“But…” Glenda could hardly get her words out. “But then what is it?”

“We don’t really know yet. As I said, it’s something new. The scientists in the laboratories don’t have a name yet. We don’t even have a test for it. But those of us treating this illness know the symptoms.”

“All right,” replied Glenda, trying to be patient. “How does it run its course, what can we expect, what can we do to help?”

“This virus is probably a cousin of the flu virus, related in some way. So I’ve brought two antiviral medications that should help to some extent, especially to keep the fever down. Try to keep her cool. No hot food or drink, lots of cold water. And bath her in gently cool water if the fever spikes.”

“What can we expect over the next few days?” Glenda was far from satisfied. Abby could see that she was barely able to control her temper and her fears.

“We’ve noticed two other characteristics of this virus. It primarily spreads among children. You should certainly keep her home for at least a week. And second, cases vary considerably from each other. Some are severe, some are very light, are over in a few days. But keep her home until you are sure.”

“But Dr. Bear, don’t avoid the bad news. I need to know what the dangers are. Have children died of this virus? What are the danger signals?”

“Please,” replied the doctor, “keep you voice down. Fear, anxiety and stress will only do harm. It’s very important to keep up Tiny’s comfort and her moral. Give her a lot of loving attention. There is little of that to spare in the hospital, as you may guess. I think she’s better off here, but only if she’s watched around the clock. She will not have a normal sleep schedule. She’ll sleep and wake on and off all day and night. Whenever she wakes she needs attention. Cold water to drink at all times. Help her with it. Get some food in her. Soups, fruits. Make everything very easy to swallow. Try to feed her any time she will tolerate a few swallows. We really do not want to have to admit her to the hospital for lack of nourishment or hydration.”

“All right. Abby, please, I know it’s a lot to ask.” Glenda had tears in her eyes. “Can you stay with me?”

The eyes of Glenda and the doctor were on her.

“Of course! I had already decided to stay.”

Glenda hugged her, and turned back to Dr. Bear. “And when will you come back? When should I call you?”

“I’ll come by again the day after tomorrow. And remember.” She was having trouble keeping her voice down. “She will move in and out of sleep all twenty-four hours. And it can be a problem that sometimes she may be between sleep and waking, dreaming while she’s awake. That can be very frightening. Bath her in cold water when that happens. This is a strong fever medicine. Give it regularly according to directions. Do not overdo it. A cold washcloth and cold water to drink are a must. And give her attention if she is dreaming while awake. Get her to sit up. Find any way you can to entertain her, reassure her. Have one of you nearby at all times… I’m sorry if I can’t give you better news. We will probably know more in a few days, and I’ll call. But right now I have to return to the hospital. More cases come in all the time. Some parents are not prepared for twenty-four hour duty, and the hospital is crowded.”

“Just one more question. Adults just don’t get this virus?”

“Very rarely.” She put on her coat and hat, and retrieved her bag. Tiny was sleeping. Glenda followed her out the door thanking her over and over.

When Glenda returned out of the rain she hugged Abby and wept on her shoulder for a minute, and then pulled herself together. “Okay, I’m so grateful. But I’m overwhelmed. Let’s make a quick plan.”

“I’ve already thought of that. You should eat and go to sleep as soon as possible. I’ve got plenty of energy, I’ve learned a lot, and I wouldn’t sleep anyway. Let’s get a soup on the stove, and then I’ll be ready to go. I’ll sit with Tiny all night. My sleep schedule has been very strange this past week, so this is nothing new.”

They chopped vegetables and fried very small pieces of chicken, and left it on simmer. Glenda flopped down on the living room couch and Abby turned out the light.

Abby watched Tiny sleep. She was astonished to see so much movement of the eyes under their lids, so many changes of expression. It was obvious that a world of things was happening inside her heart and soul. Life was taking place. Time went by. Abby had an interesting thought. Hmm… wasn’t I just asking ‘Free to do what?’ Wasn’t I wondering how to repay the Great Mystery for saving me, and hopefully all those poor souls mumbling in that deep dark region? That was some sort of demon in charge. But I held my own! And when I got in too deep was about to be lost, someone saved us with that incredible light. That really happened! Some day I’ll write down, and think it through word by word.

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