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]

"That's not...I just didn't want to forget! They're from my nutritionist!" And some extra calcium tablets for the ribs! She didn't expect it would make her sicker! She just...if she was going to be sleeping a lot her memory could glitch!

Hmph.

"Not going to get sicker. I think."

[sliceitwithwind]

"Better not." Braig said, pulling into home.

Dilan got out and held his arms for her.

[mitochondriaaya]

"Nope, won't," she promised simply. Granted, she had no idea that pneumonia got worse before it got better but she'd kick it eventually...right?

When they stopped she tucked her medicines carefully back into their bag with their write-ups then held her hands out to Dilan. "I find myself understanding why Braig is so tired after a doctor visit." she yawned.

[sliceitwithwind]

"Everything takes more out of you when you're sick." Braig said as Dilan picked her up, "I'll get you a glass of milk...want a snack with it?"

[mitochondriaaya]

"I didn't even walk though1" She was...offended at her body right now yes. "Yes? Please?"

[sliceitwithwind]

"I know." Braig said, "I know. It'll be okay."

Dilan tucked her back into bed, letting her stay in the sweats and his shirt if she wanted to, and grabbed the book she'd been reading to read to her for a while.

A few minutes later Braig showed up with a sliced apple and a ham sandwich. Totally a snack.

[mitochondriaaya]

"Tell Elcy and Yinsi? Or bring me the phone?" she called after Braig. Oh, bed and reading! Yes in sweats and shirt thank you they were comforting!

When Braig showed up she wiggled around to lay her head on his thigh and nibble at her snack. Yep. She was...going to finish it before drinking down the sleeping pill with her milk yes.

[sliceitwithwind]

"I'll call!" Braig called back. He delivered her snack before doing so, petting her hair while he let his parents know what was going on.

Dilan stopped reading while Braig was on the phone, and climbed into the bed with his back against the wall. The better to cuddle, my dear.

[mitochondriaaya]

The better to be incorporated into the nest of limbs and warm Aya yes! The boys should get used to the knot, they ere going to see a lot of it over the next two weeks1

[sliceitwithwind]

They didn't mind. She rarely had both of them with her when it wasn't night, one or the other was running around doing things for their parents, but she never missed both of them.

[mitochondriaaya]

And the coughing got steadily worse, which was actually a good thing, and she slept a lot more over the next several days, but she always, always opened her eyes when the boys shifted to or from the bed. She just knew they were moving and did her best to be engaging.

Yes, she was a dork.

And to be fair she wrapped around Yinsi's knees just as much as she did the boys when he read to her!

[sliceitwithwind]

It didn't bother them. None of the three of them. Dilan tended to stroke her hair and murmur, "Back to sleep, sweetie." when he traded places with Braig.

And Braig? He sang to her quietly when it was just the two of them.

[mitochondriaaya]

And despite the viral nature of her illness, she hovered at a high temperature constantly. She was burning through calories with the heat alone, much less the repair work going on. Cursed metabolism.

She only sleep-chewed on Braig's hand once? Oops?

Yeah.

She hated being sick! She was more than ready for being better by about, oh, day five or so.

[sliceitwithwind]

Hey, only sleep-chewing on him once was WAY better than dealing with Dilan!

The boys made sure there was a constant stream of foods for her, and helped her to the bathroom when she needed it.

[mitochondriaaya]

Exactly!

And Aya was good! She was fine! She was doing everything she was suppose to! Downing just about anything protein based with barely a blink, though some of the veggies and starches made her a little nauseous. Still, still, about ten days into the illness her body declared war.

She broke into a fever rash as her temp crawled upward another degree and she fell asleep, staying asleep, for something like fifteen hours straight. It wasn't a Dilan level of coma by a long shot, if shaken hard enough she mumbled but...yeah. Non-vital systems were set aside in favor of REMOVING THE MAIN INFECTION NOW.

Bet Dilan wanted a portable X-ray unit huh?

[sliceitwithwind]

Dilan was a complete fucking mess at that point. The doctor was dragged into the house in order to check her over, they started prepping the IVs just in case, and Braig had to divide his time between putting washcloths on her head and smacking Dilan to keep him from freaking out too hard.

[mitochondriaaya]

"Stop," the doctor, who knew better than to step out after a while, said to Dilan. "Get a sample and tell me what her immune system is doing! I know you have a microscope in house, and white cells are certainly big enough for you to count!" It was the useful version of 'GO BOIL WATER MAN'.

He wasn't overly worried really, Aya was strange, but he was used to Dilan and Dilan? Would totally do this in winter. For all he knew the girl had taken cues from the katzu's body somehow.

[sliceitwithwind]

"Yes, sir." Dilan said, happy to have a Job. Sometimes that helped more than people would expect. He bustled around less like a wet hen and more usefully with that in mind.

Braig sat out of the way of both of them and just watched. He could be patient. He could.

Elcy and Yinsi waited downstairs. They simply could not physically fit everyone in the boys' room.

[mitochondriaaya]

"Good, come tell me when you're done with that." It really would be helpful to know what Aya's system was doing, but still. Yes. Getting Dilan out of the way for now!

That meant he could direct Braig a bit more effectively and see if they truly needed the IV's!

For Dilan, well, the sample he got? Had something like eight times the number of active T-Cells and Phagocytes. He'd be counting a while.

[sliceitwithwind]

Counting for a while was good. He could do that! Counting was reassuring.

Braig stepped up to help in whatever way Dr. Somna needed him to.

[mitochondriaaya]

Braig main job was to keep Aya properly bundled in blankets and to watch the thermometer like a hawk. If she spiked suddenly to 104 or higher they'd need to get her in an ice bath. Aside from that though he could just lay cool cloths on her forehead and she'd be quite fine.

Dr. Somna was...reading through Aya's medical file very carefully. He'd gotten it shared from her normal doctor and for the life of him, well, couldn't find anything beyond broken bones and dietary needs in it. "How long since she ate or drank?" he asked after the last page was turned.

[sliceitwithwind]

"About six hours ago." Braig said, mopping Aya's forehead gently.

[mitochondriaaya]

"Then I believe it is time for fluids at least. Would you prefer we try to wake her or set up an IV?" Because it wasn't dire enough yet for him to make an executive decision. And he was quite alright with doing what he must to keep the family comfortable.

[sliceitwithwind]

"Let's set up the IV." Braig said after a second, "If she can sleep, it's probably for the best that she does."

[mitochondriaaya]

"Alright, just a saline bag for now." He waited for Braig to wiggle one of the girls' arms out from under the blanket wrappings then slid a needle into her arm without any further fuss. "Now, I just want to confirm something. From what I read she only sees the doctor for broken bones and vaccinations? Is she of a religion that prefers holistic care or something?"