Apocalyptic Hucklerabbot ft: holistic/fae(?) Dennis AU -part 4
Dennis drags the stool to the workstation, pulling up along to where Jack has his leg rested. The prosthetic is still on, gleaming in the candle and fire light where the original metalwork is, there are also muted and tarnished screws, detailing, and some cogs, too.
"I've never seen a prosthetic before," Dennis states, looking it over, pretty impressed with the workings. A few of the books he has collected over time had teachings and understandings of prosthetics. He has only truly seen them in drawings or photos.
He moves his gaze just above the metal, to where there's flimsy gauze wrapped around where Jacks leg ends. Dennis can already see how red and irritated the skin is.
"You are a doctor, right?" Robby comments looking more unsure after Dennis' last statement.
I do intend to help and heal people Robby" is Dennis' reply, while looking up at him over the table, "I was very sheltered as a child. Then didn't start helping people until after the deadones arrived"
Robby suppresses a shiver, Dennis didn't confirm or deny his question.
"Any amputations I have had witness to, never had a prosthetic on the end, or I was sewing it up." his eyes have returned to Jacks leg, checking from all angles.
"Is it okay to remove the leg and wrap please? It will help me see the whole scope of it." He asks softly, making eye contact with Jack. He can sense how much Jack doesn't want to be vulnerable around him.
Jack lets out a heavy sign, closing his eyes and nodding. He reaches down before Dennis or Robby could try and help.
The metal detaches with a few clicks, both Dennis and Robby ignore jacks groans of pain, for his sake. When it's off, Robby places it further down the workstation, so Dennis has room to work.
Jack heaves a breath, readying himself to take the wrap off. Dennis moves his head more into Jack's eyeline, "May I?" He asks quietly, hands hovering a little over the gauze.
Jack nods before leaning back and closing his eyes.
As Dennis unwraps his leg, more and more of the akin shows to be irritated, and the closer to where the prosthetic clings to, the deeper the colour of bruises there is.
Dennis is calm as he is exposed to more of Jacks pain. The leg from mid thigh down is swollen, worse at the connection. There is a cut where a part of the metal dug through the gauze, Dennis focuses on it. Working out if it needs stitches or not.
"What's the diagnosis, doc? Do you need to cut more of my leg off?" Jack mutters out as Dennis has got up to collect what he needs. Robby lets out a snort into his tea at the comment.
"Well Abbot, it's nothing that extreme.
It's good you came when you did however. As there is a skin sore that is borderline infected that I want to focus on. Along with the cut on the side. I am still debating stitches."
Dennis has collected a few jars of salves, a bottle with a dark green liquid in. He is also getting some big leaves. Nodding and talking to himself,
"Yes, garlic will be good.
Should I use coconut or aloe?"
Robby and Jack pick up a few words, giving each other a look. They knew the 'witch' s doctoring wasn't the norm but,
"This is sounding like a meal Dennis, not going to cook us up now, are you?" Robby asks in tease, but deep down, actually questioning.
Dennis laughs the question off, the sound of bells ring throughout the cabin.
Just natural remedies that have proved to work again and again. "
Dennis has settled himself back next to the leg, with a clothe and a bowel of water. Softly, he wipes any blood, sweat, and debris away. Even more gently, over the cut and skin sores.
He dabs on a salve with a garlic smell over the sores, another with some herb in over the bruises. There's an oil, too with a fresh, almost minty scent that Dennis delicately massages into any part that is swollen.
Robby watched the almost intimate exchange. This is the first time he can say he has ever seen such care any 'doctor' has had with Jack. The look on Jacks face is one of pure relaxation, the added tea making him drowsy. Robby is kinda jealous.
Dennis covers the cut with another salve before sealing it in with one of the leaves. Deciding it wasn't big enough for a stitch.
He starts to wrap with a new fresh gauze.
"So, your main issue is the sores and swelling. Which go hand in hand.
You will have to keep the prosthetic off for at least a week please.
And keep as elevated as much as possible. And rest. That will help a lot"
Dennis explains while tidying up. He can sense that Jack is having one of those eye contact conversations with Robby, so he takes the now empty mugs to the kitchen to give them some privacy.
"How the fuck am I supposed to go around without my leg Mikey?
And 'keep it elevated'!? How is that meant to happen out there in a shitting apocalypse?" Although Jack is stressing in anger, it's not at Robby, and it's whispered out so Dennis won't hear.
"I know, I know, but we'll figure it out, Jack. We always do. " Robby has come to the side of Jack, stroking his grey curls back. "I got you, brother."
When Dennis comes back in, he stares at how fond and soft the two are with each other. Robby is still stroking Jacks hair, but his other hand is now grasped onto Jacks. Dennis looks in longing.
When he does notice that Jack has swung himself on the workstation, his legs dangling off the edge, like he is about to ready himself to try and walk with no support.
"Oh! Ah. Don't move, please, I'll be one second!" Dennis quickly rushes out as he turns and patters away. The two hear a door open, and the sound of the storm gets louder. A gust of wind flows into the cabin, the scent of petrichor heavy.
Again not one candle unlights.
Dennis comes rushing back in, with a huge wooden staff in hand. Roughly the height of his shoulder, it twists and is thick. It looks stable and firm. The top has a socket with softened edges.
"Here, use this while you're here, I know it's not the crutches you are probably used to, but it'll help"
Dennis' eyes are gleaming as he hands out the staff. Looking between the two men.
When the both of them are hesitating to answer, "Is it okay? I can find a different one tomorrow? But this one is perfect for your height"
"You want us to stay? Here?" Robby is first to ask.
Dennis looks confused at the question, "Well yeah. I did say Abbot would need to stay off the leg for at least a week. And can't lie, I would like to observe your leg over the next few days, " he says, looking to Jack, his head tilted to the side. Jack looking back a little baffled.
"Did you think I was going to send you two back out there?"
When Dennis only receives silence, he splutters. "What? It's not safe out there. it's nightfall!
Yes, the deadones venture into the forest, but you're safest here. In this cabin."
Dennis is pacing while explaining,
"I have the space, and medicines and care."
He stops mid pace and turns to them, eye widening.
"Unless you want to go? Which you can, but I would wait at least until sunrise, and I do really suggest you not moving around until the swellings gone -" the windchimes rattle more, and candles flicker as he goes deeper into rant.
As he continues the vent, Jack and Robby share an amused look at each other. This beautiful untrusting creature of a man is concerned about these two oldies?
Jack smirks sleepily at Robby. Well, just like Robby said, it got figured out.
"Hey Dennis" Jack says quietly, he does just want to lie down at this point.
"We'll stay. If you'll have us. Just till I can be up and running again, yeah?" Jack still needed his boundaries. He still doesn't fully trust Dennis to stay too long, but his gut tells him it's safe and something deeper longs to stay.
Dennis settles hearing that, breathing out a sigh.
"Yeah. Yeah, that works perfectly. I'll show you around a little, then we can all get some sleep, huh?"