whumptober25
day 14- ignoring illness
fandom- dp x dc
tw- description of injury
summary- Alfred arrives
ao3
whumptober25 masterlist
part 11- of TFR
Barbara made the call, and Alfred said he’d be there in two hours. Danny had woken up again at that point, and repeatedly denied that he needed someone to check it today.
“I’m fine.” he muttered. She and Jazz both ignored him. “I swear.” he coughed.
Jazz glared at him. “You’re not fine, Danny.” Her voice shook slightly. “We knew our… fix was a temporary measure. And since we can’t get to…” she paused, shooting Barbara a quick glance, “who we’d normally go to, we need someone else to see it.”
“Jazz, you know that… that whatever they can do probably won’t help.” He also glanced at Barbara, and she wondered if she should leave the siblings to discuss whatever this was without her.
They were clearly dancing around something. Babs suspected that it had to do with Danny probably being a meta, but she would try not to say anything until they told her.
Babs got out her own first aid kit while they waited for Alfred. Danny drifted off to sleep again, and Jazz kept running the cool cloth over him.
“Does regular pain medication work on him?” she asked quietly.
Jazz bit her lip, not taking her eyes off her brother. “He needs to take more than the usual dosage, and even then it barely works.”
Babs nodded to herself, texting Alfred to bring some of their meta-grade medication.
They waited in silence until someone knocked on the apartment door.
Babs left the siblings while she went to let Alfred in.
“Hello Miss Gordon.” Alfred said.
“Hey Alfred, thanks for coming.”
“Of course, my dear. Now, what is that we’re dealing with? You were a bit sparse in your call.”
She sighed. “A few months ago I helped out a couple kids who’d been left at the library by their parents. I let them stay the night and then helped them get bus tickets back home, giving them my number in case they ever needed my help again. I tried looking into them after they left, but couldn’t find anything especially when I got sidetracked looking into the GIW. Then two days ago they called me. They…” she closed her eyes for a moment. “I don’t think they come from a good home. At first I’d thought it was just neglect, but now…from what I can tell it was their parents that hurt them. And Danny… Alfred,” she said, looking up at him her eyes watering slightly. “He’s got a dissection scar that’s been badly stitched.”
Alfred sucked in a breath.
“And I’m afraid it’s gotten infected.”
“And you believe Danny to be a meta?”
“Yes. They were wary of getting medical help. And they seem to imply that there’s a specific reason their parents hurt them.”
“Hmm.” Alfred hummed. “Well, we’ll have to do the best we can in taking care of these two. Why don’t you show me to my patient and I’ll get started on helping him to the best of my ability.”
“Thanks, Alfred.” She smiled at him and led him to the guest room, knocking gently before opening the door. “Jazz, Danny, this is Alfred. He’s got medical training and is going to take a look at your injury.”
“Hello I am Alfred Pennyworth, it’s a pleasure to meet you both, though I do wish it was under better circumstances.” he smiled gently at them.
“Thank you for coming, Mr. Pennyworth.” Jazz said.
“Call me Alfred dear.”
She nodded, her smile slightly strained.
Alfred turned his gaze to Danny. “You must be Danny.”
“Nice to meet you.” he said, his voice strained.
“Now then, let’s take a look at your injury.” Alfred said his tone gentle.
Danny glanced at Jazz one more time before moving the sheet off his chest.
Babs noticed Alfred tense, though anyone without Bat training wouldn’t have noticed.
“Hmm.” Alfred hummed, “it does look infected. Do you know if regular antibiotics or anesthetics work on you?”
Danny glanced at Jazz. “I’m not sure.” His fists clenched the sheets. “I know regular pain meds don’t really work, but I haven't really had other medicine.”
“Well then, we’ll start with cleaning the wound. I must warn you though, that to properly treat this injury I will likely have to redo the stitches. To do that it would be best if we could do it at a local private clinic where they will have the necessary equipment and everything will be sanitized. We will also be able to test what local anesthetic will work on you since the clinic has a wide variety." Alfred said, referring to the meta-grade supplies they had at Leslie’s clinic.
Danny was tense but nodded jerkily.
Alfred relaxed slightly and moved toward the first aid kit.
Danny remained tense through Alfred’s inspection and cleaning of the wound, only relaxing when Alfred moved away saying that was all he could do for now.
“The private clinic will probably be busy tomorrow, but I don’t believe you need immediate medical attention. So, I will meet you the day after tomorrow.”
“Thank you.” Danny and Jazz said, and Babara led Alfred to the door.
“Thanks for coming, Alfred. I know you were busy with the others.”
“Nonsense, dear. I’m happy to be able to help.” He stared in the direction of the guest bedroom. “I just hope we are able to help those poor children. You are already looking into their parents?”
She sighed. “I haven’t been able to find anything on the kids or where they even come from.
“Hm.” Alfred hummed, tilting his head slightly. “Then I suppose we will have to wait for them to provide us with some information.”
“Hopefully sooner rather than later.” she said. She had a feeling something was coming. Something that they’d need all the time they could get to prepare.
