It started out fine...

[mitochondriaaya]

She was fourteen when the area karate regionals came around. Never mind the fact that it was early December, and her mid-terms were coming up, and she was still trying to come to terms with her new breast size. Like an idiot she said she'd be there, layered on sports bras, and trotted to the gym.

The fights were simple exhibitions, points awarded on execution and touches rather than beating an opponent into the ground. In her third bout Aya was getting tired, and her opponent, a human from two towns over she'd met in the ring before, was as well. That was probably why things went wrong.

Three points in he flubbed a spin kick and his ankle buckled, making the attacking foot lash in an unexpected direction. She didn't get a block up in time and he tagged her hard on the ribs, taking them both to the floor. The referee blew his whistle, hard, halting all conversation as paramedics came forward to access injuries.

One cracked ankle on his side.

Two cracked ribs on hers.

They both managed to facepalm at the same time when it was announced they were unfit to continue. "Next year," they mouthed at each other around the pained wincing as they were bandaged.

Comments

[mitochondriaaya]

"Yeah, I know. You guys are epi-ninjas." They were! "I'll be fine. I just...this is weird."

[sliceitwithwind]

"I know, babe." Braig said, shifting over to her other side and hugging her. "We'll get through this."

[mitochondriaaya]

"I think I'm going to nap until...3? 3:30?" Yeah, hard not to surrounded by the boys and still in her PJs. Then she could get dressed and go to the doctor.

[sliceitwithwind]

"Okay." Dilan said, shifting a bit so that he'd be a better pillow, "Sounds good to me."

[mitochondriaaya]

Eh, he was always a good pillow! He breathed! She was out like a light within a few minutes in a nap style more characteristic of Braig than Aya. She woke up easy, and coughing, when they shook her though!

[sliceitwithwind]

"C'mon monkey." Braig said, "Lets just get you into some of my sweats, okay? That'll be easier than jeans."

[mitochondriaaya]

She blinked at Braig then slid slowly out of bed. "Yeah, and a shirt. Flip flops." Easy stuff all around. She was...honestly kind of scared about going to see a doctor because she was sick. "Should I change bandages before doc or rewrap after?"

[sliceitwithwind]

"After." Braig said, "He may want to unwrap you."

Dilan hustled over to grab one of his t-shirts for her, "You sure you want flip flops?" he asked, grabbing those as well.

[mitochondriaaya]

"Alright, after it is." She held her arms up for the shirt then wiggled her feet ruefully. "Uhhh...maybe not?" Belatedly remembering it was December? Yeeeeah.

[sliceitwithwind]

"Slipper socks." Dilan said, fetching them, "I'll carry you while we're outside. These are warm."

[mitochondriaaya]

"Alright, that works." Slipper socks were warm! And easy to put on! "No one will care if I get carried in?" Doctors offices could have weird rules she didn't know about!

Never mind people seeing. Everyone knew the boys worried.

[sliceitwithwind]

"Nah." Braig said, shaking his head, "Okay, here's your coat..." he helped her into it, then Dilan picked her up, "And we're off!"

It wasn't a long drive to the hospital, and nobody so much as batted an eye when Aya was carried in, although a nurse did ask if they wanted a wheelchair.

[mitochondriaaya]

"No wheelchair, thank you," Aya offered politely. She was more than content with her Dilan chariot! The nurse brought them back after they signed in then the doctor pointed Aya at the exam table.

"So, fevers I hear? That's abnormal?"

"I only got them after the magic boosters before," Aya admitted.

[sliceitwithwind]

"Hi, Doctor Somna." Dilan said, edging over to a seat. Braig was in there too, of course.

"She's been running the fever for several days." Braig said, "And today she started on a dry, raspy cough."

[mitochondriaaya]

"Well, that's not good. Aya, I'm going to need to listen to your chest alright? See if we can't figure out what's going on." He fitted his stethoscope to his ears then blinked when he encountered bandages under her shirt.

"Two cracked ribs," Aya admitted, chagrined.

"Shouldn't give you a fever. Alright, new plan, X-ray room boys."

[sliceitwithwind]

"Yes, sir." Dilan said, standing up and hefting Aya, "Lets go, monkey-girl."

"I'll stay here." Braig said, "Out of the way."

[mitochondriaaya]

"We'll be right back Braig!" Aya called over Dilan's shoulder almost cheerfully. She was used to X-rays after all!

The doctor brought then through a few halls and to a rather standard room and another bed. "Lay down dear, I won't make you stand alright? We'll get a picture of your lungs. Dilan, boy, do you want to be behind the shield with me? We can see the printouts then."

[sliceitwithwind]

"Yes, thank you." Dilan said, setting Aya down and helping her get arranged, "Love you, Ayay." because, well. This was her first time with this.

Then he went back behind the shield to watch.

[mitochondriaaya]

It wasn't her first time with X-rays! She'd had broken bones before! Just her first time with the sick! "Love you too kitten. Irradiate me!"

The doctor chuckled, loaded the film, and nodded. "Alright, hold still, and hold your death Aya." Whirrrrrrsnap! "And a close up of either lung, again, hold still." He passed Dilan the exposed film casing since he was there to carry!

[sliceitwithwind]

Dilan accepted it without fanfare, watching. He didn't often get to see this.

[mitochondriaaya]

The magic, apparently, was in knowing exactly how to position for the picture despite varying bone structures and how much the film needed to be exposed for proper readings. The film cases were slotted into a machine and he nodded. "Ten minutes or so Dilan, then we should know if we need to redo anything."

[sliceitwithwind]

"Okay. Can I go in there and hold her hand?"

[mitochondriaaya]

"Of course," he allowed easily. "There aren't any chairs in there so you can even sit next to her on the table if you want alright?"

[sliceitwithwind]

Dilan nodded, "Ten minutes, monkey-girl. Then we'll know if we need to take more."

[mitochondriaaya]

"Okay, ten minutes, maybe more pictures. So, what are my insides like? Photogenic?" Yeah, she was assuming the film showed on a screen before physically appearing! It was magic behind that screen!