Adrian Battye (adrianswall) wrote in carpediem_rp, @ 2015-11-15 10:17:00 |
|
|||
Entry tags: | character: adrian battye, character: jackson london, character: narissa smith, character: tony stark, thread: complete |
Who: Adrian Battye, Jackson London and Narissa Smith (and appearances by Tony Stark)
When: Aftermath of the game: Sunday 15 November
Where: Hospital Ward
What: Adrian was injured...
Rating/Warnings: Injury
Status: Closed/Complete
Adrian was in and out of consciousness. He spoke to Healer Mendoza, and Professor Stark and his parents and at some point various healing things were done - Adrian wasn't entirely clear what and when. His parents made him authorize them to manage the healing; he'd been too tired and uncomfortable to argue.
When he woke up next, his mother was there, and told him that Dad was with Nari… somehow Tony had gotten Jackson to take a break. His father checked in later, and they discussed whether he should stay at Hogwarts, or heal at St. Mungos and then at home. It was the fact that Narissa would be too distracted if she couldn't visit him that finally led their parents to leave him at Hogwarts, and trust him to Tony and Narissa's care.
He slept again. When he came too again, it was light out. He had a sense that various conversations had happened when it was already dark, although it had been light - morning? when his parents were last here. He thought so anyway. He hoped he was alone, finally.
He was not alone, as Jackson and Narissa had decided to take shifts on staying with him. Right now was Jackson’s turn, and the faintest of smiles curved his lips when he saw his lover awake again. It didn't last for long though, since he knew the other would be in pain - if not now, soon. He lightly brushed some hair from Adrian’s face and spoke quietly.
“Good morning, Sleeping Beauty…” A faint hint of a joke in his voice, though his concern was obvious as he looked at Adrian.
Jackson. Adrian frowned at the voice and closed his eyes again. Maybe if he pretended to sleep? Closing his eyes hurt. So did opening them. The tension was obvious on Adrian's face and his entire body. "Shouldn't be here."
“Where else would I be?” Jackson was still speaking softly. He had listened to Narissa detailing how Adrian had reacted to her, so he didn't really expect a warm welcome, especially since he knew Adrian would be in pain - and it was partly his fault, though he would not add that right now. “How bad is the pain, Adrian?” Because it wasn't a question if it was there. Jackson didn't leave it open to be denied.
"What do you think with multiple shattered ribs, a punctured lung and bone fragments they couldn't entirely remove?" Adrian grumbled. The pain was bad. He didn't know if they were going to have to do more magic on him when he'd healed more to try to take care of more of the fragments, or whether it would heal. Breathing hurt. And he couldn't not breath.
Jackson nodded slightly, accepting the snapping. His friend was in severe pain. He picked up a small container and then glanced at the bindings holding his friend slightly more still. “I'm going to put this on you. The little redhead in your house sent it.” Along with a note that indicated that it would work like ice to numb the areas it was applied to and help with swelling. “And then we are going to try and get some tea in you before you sleep again.”
It took too much effort to roll his eyes, but Adrian was frowning. "What is it?" Ophelia was a potion-master in training who played at healing with her brother. "Don't want tea… and not sleeping unless it makes you leave."
“It's a salve. She sent this note, says it will help with bruising and swelling.” Jackson showed the scrap of parchment with flourished writing on it, then carefully began to remove the bandages, murmuring charms to split them at his friend’s side. He didn't acknowledge the indication that he wasn't wanted- if he left, it would be when Adrian was healed or Narissa came to relieve him. His fingers very delicately ran over Adrian’s chest, covered with the salve to ease his friend some.
Adrian wasn't in a position to fight Jackson, so turned his head away and closed his eyes while the man who was supposed to be his lover played healer. Adrian didn't want Jackson to be his healer. He didn't want… any of this. He just wanted to be left alone in his misery. He hurt. He didn't want to have to entertain or even just… put up with well-intentioned interference.
Jackson was careful as he finished applying the salve and set the container down before wiping his hands on the edge of a towel on the table. “You've been asleep for the better part of a day and a night. Do you want to try and have some toast and tea? Or some sort of food? The elves have been pretty relentless and I'm pretty sure there's good chocolate pudding on offer. Just to get something in your stomach…”
Adrian continued to frown. What he needed was to use the restroom. He wasn't sure if he could even sit up, so he didn't, he'd wait. He definitely didn't want tea or toast or… he was hungry but the pain had him nauseous. He knew he wouldn't keep anything down. And then Jackson would see that… have to deal with that… "No."
“Okay. Tables are turned. You looked after me when my leg was a mess. And when I was.” His eyes met Adrian’s and he shrugged. “Aside from ‘go away,’ which isn't happening, what can I do?” He brushed fingers lightly over his boyfriend’s cheek, looking him over to see if there were any physical needs he could see as pressing.
Adrian hated that the tables were turned. Hated that Jackson considered Adrian a mess. And yet he couldn't argue with it. He was flat on his back, barely able to breathe with bandages binding his chest to try to keep him from breathing too deeply and adding more stress to his ribs. He closed his eyes trying to escape Jackson's brilliant blue gaze on him - not sure how to handle what they revealed. He shrugged his shoulders, immediately regretting the simple motion as the muscles of his chest spasmed on him. His eyes welled up again and his jaw tightened as he tried not to cry out.
Jackson frowned at the reaction and reached out to take Adrian’s hand gently. He wasn't sure what to do to make this better. Healing broken ribs wasn't like a broken leg, especially with the complication that had arisen from him not getting checked right away. “Washing up? Bathroom? Hot drink? Ginger ale? Mom always used to give me that when I got sick or hurt back home.” Because he knew well enough that pain could cause nausea and so maybe ginger tea or the soda could help some. Not that he knew how to help the pain. That was the hard part.
Jackson wasn't leaving well enough alone. His jaw tight as Jackson once again went on about when he didn't feel well and ginger ale. And using the bathroom. He needed… no he could wait. "It's not 'sick'." Adrian grumbled, as though Jackson didn't know exactly what was wrong with him.
“Which is why I added ‘or hurt.’” Jackson shrugged and shook his head at Adrian. “I'm not intending to go anywhere until your sister gets back, so if you're expecting alone time, it's unlikely. I figure if you need washing up or something I'm better for it than her, so you may want to let me know.” He stroked his fingers over Adrian's forehead and kissed it lightly. “You're stuck with us.”
Adrian didn't want either of them. "Just going to sleep more." Maybe then Jackson would go away? No, he'd probably just watch him sleep. And he was focused on Adrian washing up or… but Adrian wasn't sure he could even stand up. He couldn't fall; not when Jackson already thought he was a mess and helpless. He couldn't fail… It wasn't like when he helped Jackson this summer. But they weren't going to let him be.
Adrian hurt to much to even care about washing up… but he needed to relieve himself more the longer they went on. Would Jackson let him go in peace? Or was he better off waiting for his sister? She was smaller. She wouldn't be able to hold him up. She would have to let him have his peace then. Could he wait that long? How long had Jackson been here? He didn't know when his sister was due. Fine. Maybe if he could prove to Jackson he could piss by himself he could get the other boy to stop fussing. Adrian pushed himself to sit up, every spasm of pain visible on his face, his arm shaking.
Jackson was silent as Adrian pushed himself up. Clearly he didn't want help, so he held back as much as he could from offering it. It took all of his willpower to not though, given how much pain his lover was clearly in. It twisted at his stomach that there was really nothing he could do about all this. He just wanted to find some way to make it better. He felt confused and vaguely helpless and while he knew there were ways to make it fade, he had stopped hiding from his feelings. Adrian needed him, even if he wouldn't admit it. He had to do what he could.
Jackson could've tried to convince Adrian to take a pain potion for just a day. It was an argument that Adrian was used to having with everyone when he got hurt. His fear of becoming like his birth mother though meant putting up with the pain - especially knowing now his birth father was another addict. Still, given that Adrian was less than 24-hours healed, he struggled to breath, not just to contain his pain. He swayed when he tried to stand. Shit.
Jackson ducked in quickly, catching Adrian in a way that didn't touch his sore and injured areas at all. “Okay, lover. Where to?” He had tried to refrain and let the other man handle himself but clearly that was unsafe. “And when we come back I'm sending to your housemate or swiping something for you to take. Pain’s one thing. Punctured lung is an entirely different thing.” He looked at his friend sternly, hoping that the command would work - he doubted it but if he was controlling the situation Adrian might accept it more than just from a healer.
Adrian struggled to control his breathing - and to not cry when Jackson had to catch him. So much for proving he wasn't a mess. Maybe he should give up, lay back down. Drying charms would be easier than this… wherever his wand was. That was the fear that forced him to grit out, "bathroom." Defeated, he had no choice but to accept the help.
Jackson nodded, carefully guiding his friend to the bathroom. He flipped the light, then carefully moved himself so that Adrian could have physical support but as much privacy as he could grant for this. It wasn't much and he knew it but he still was trying to be respectful of some boundaries.
It wasn't as though Jackson hadn't handled every part of Adrian by now. The slow physical response was as much because Adrian had to tamp down the pain as because of the 'audience'. It was still almost enough to make Adrian cry again. Finally he washed his hands. He dreaded to having to get back to his bed. "Okay," he admitted softly, indicating to Jackson that he was ready to accept help.
Jackson looped his arm around Adrian carefully again and guided him back to the bed. It took some time and he shortened his steps significantly to make sure he didn't strain the other boy, but he could tell it was difficult and his breathing was becoming more laboured. Once he was laid into the bed Jackson brushed another kiss on his forehead. “So. Am I writing your housemate or finding a potion here?” No third option right now - that would be for later.
It took all of Adrian's remaining energy to grit out, "neither," to Jackson's suggestion. "Sleep." Just going to the bathroom drained Adrian of any sense of strength or healing. And his already frayed temper meant he was not going to argue or explain. If his lover hadn't gone back to that earlier point, Adrian might have thanked him for his help but not now.
“Not an option.” Jackson’s eyes moved to meet Adrian’s for a moment. “Would you let me turn down potions if I couldn't breathe?” Because turning it around might help some. Either way, he walked to the cabinet and examined the available selection. Pain potions he knew well, and he plucked up a small bottle before walking back to his lover. “Adrian, I am here. I am not going to let you get lost in things any more than you let me. You've always been around for me. Just once, let me be the strong one?” He carefully opened the potion, looking at his friend. “Open, if you will?”
Adrian started to argue when Jackson moved away from him, energy or not. "Got healing treatment… will get more from healer later. Don't need more." Arguing was useless though, Adrian realized as Jackson moved away and returned with a vial. He shook his head when Jackson came back, not daring to speak now to refuse with the vial so close to him. And then he felt the tears welling up in his eyes again, and sliding down his face. He was in so much pain… but so very afraid. And Jackson was seeing him fall apart.
Jackson sighed softly and bent to brush a kiss over Adrian’s lips. He hated this, hated being so entirely helpless, and yet it was all he could do. “Adrian, lover, please.” His eyes moved over his lover’s face and he brushed back his hair for a moment, thoughtful. “You trust me. You've always trusted me. I would never do something that would cause you harm. Take this, and no more. I will make sure the healers all know that there will be nothing else. Just so you can breathe, Adrian… You can't rest and heal if you can't breathe.”
Adrian didn't fight the kiss at least, his mouth soft and yielding at the contract of Jackson's. He continued to cry softly though as Jackson pressed him. Jackson should know not to ask this. Should understand… but Jackson didn't really know Wallace. He hadn't grown up with the woman in and out of his life. But it had taken so much just to go to the bathroom. It hurt so much just to try to breath. Tears still running down his face, he opened his lips the tiniest bit. It was such a small amount it would be easy to miss.
Jackson was barely holding himself together honestly, seeing Adrian like this. He dripped just a few drops- a small dose, but enough to help ease his friend, and then stroked his forehead, setting the vial aside. “You're being so brave, lover. Close your eyes. I'm here and I'm not leaving you.” He began to stroke Adrian’s hair lightly, waiting for the potion to take effect and relax his friend as much as it would. He wouldn't do this again, but for the night until they fixed him more thoroughly he had to, had to be sure his friend could breathe and rest.
The exhaustion from the pain then coupled with the potion - even the tiny amount Jackson had given Adrian would have a profound effect on a boy who had never taken a pain potion before - ensured Adrian was not conscious for long. It wasn't a restful sleep, but it was sleep.
Jackson sighed as he watched Adrian’s face relax slightly into sleep. He took the other boy’s hand in his own and simply sat, watching over him. He wouldn't be leaving anytime soon, even if Narissa came and went. He needed to be there for his lover now, to make sure he understood that he was safe and protected.
Adrian thought it might hurt less to breath as he returned again to consciousness for a short time. Was he healing, or was he still under the effects of the potion? Would the pain be worse again when it wore off? Had it worn off? Would he feel it when it was not working? Suffer from withdrawal? He started chewing on his lip as he tried to work out the answers although he had no idea what the answers were, or even whether he'd know one way or another.
Jackson was still seated by Adrian, holding his hand and watching him rest. The change in his face was noticeable and Jackson bent to brush a kiss over the other boy’s lips. “How are you feeling?” Because he had slept long enough that the potion would have worn off but there had been other healing done in the meanwhile so he was hoping it helped a little.
Adrian's impulse was to shrug - a non-answer but memory of the pain stayed the motion. "Fine." The one word non-answer was his only alternative. He wasn't fine. He was aware of every shallow breath he took, and still worried about the potion. He couldn't say all that though.
Jackson watched his friend, gauging his actions with his words. “Liar.” The word was not said with any malice, simply as a fact. He picked up a cup from the night table. “Ginger tea. You have to get something in your stomach.” He looked at Adrian and lightly bit his own lip. “Do you want me to move some pillows to support you? It might help some…”
Adrian wasn't able to admit to more. He didn't argue the point though. Not when he expected to have to fight Jackson on other matters. Not when he was going to need Jackson's help just to sit up. The idea sat poorly. "It's fine," he grumbled darkly.
“Okay.” Jackson shifted slightly, one arm easing behind his lover’s back to guide him to the cup he was holding. He moved slowly, carefully, gently, not wanting to agitate the pain any more than he already had. “After you drink, I will put more of that salve. The bruising seems to be fading, the healers said.”
Adrian was ill-tempered about it all but was not actively fighting it at the moment at least. When he'd already lost the fight about potion… and the bathroom. What was the point in continuing to fight? Jackson wouldn't go away and Adrian couldn't make him. He tried again, "It's fine," he grumbled, though Jackson would tell Adrian was defeated.
Jackson sighed softly and shook his head. “Forgive me. I care.” He allowed Adrian to take a sip of the tea and then followed it up with a kiss. He was doing his best to be gentle and careful but he also wanted the other to know that he was loved and being looked after. “Professor Stark and your sister are still looking into healers still to put things to right. Healer Mendoza says there's not much to do but wait. They’ve reinflated your lung as best they could. It's just… A lot of healing to do.” He didn't want to touch that he was listening in and heard a bit more than that. That was something family should share.
"You shouldn't," Adrian replied, the words out before he thought it through entirely. His brows drew together as Jackson continued talking. About more healers. Why would they still be looking into healers if the foreign healer said there was nothing to do but wait for him to heal now? "Does he want to find a way to make it happen faster?"
“He and Narissa are looking into other opinions. Healer Mendoza has contacted her family, as I understand it, and Stark is looking into the most famed in the world to do more.” Because while the healers here did not want to do certain things without pain potions, there had to be other ways. They did it with muggles, he knew, and Stark had endless funds to try and find someone.
Adrian frowned more deeply. Why did they need other options? It was some broken ribs. Some bone-mending potions and a few days - a week more likely - to heal up more and fix whatever damage happened to his lung. "Professor Stark needs another hobby."
“Your lung, Adrian. Narissa didn't tell you your lung was punctured?” Jackson narrowed his eyes and frowned a bit, confused. “They haven't been able to fix everything.” His hand brushed through his hair and he sighed softly. “They want you to heal up better, make sure everything is the way it should be.”
"She said that, yes," Adrian didn't know that there was damage they hadn't been able to fix though. He just assumed it was healing, just slowly. "And that there might need to be more healing later, depending on how this first healing took." At least that was how Adrian had understood the conversation with her and their parents. There had been no implication that they didn't KNOW how to heal him, just that it might require more time or effort.
Jackson whistled softly, calling for an elf to come. “Go and bring Narissa Smith. If you can apparate her here, all the better.” Because clearly the same rules didn't apply to the elves and so there was a good chance that would be something that could happen. “She knows what's going on. I just know what I eavesdropped on.”
Narissa soon appeared, hand in hand with the elf, and raised a brow at Jackson. Her eyes moved to Adrian after a moment and she bent to kiss his cheek. “Are you feeling any better? Have the most recent spells improved anything?” Because she had been in and out to check in, and she was concerned as to whether it was even doing anything anymore.
Adrian was still scowling when his sister arrived. "What is going on, Sissy? Jackson seems to think you and Stark are still talking to healers." He didn't like being ill, but he didn't like not knowing what was going on even more.
Narissa glanced at Jackson again and then nodded. “We are. Professor Stark and I are meeting with different healers. He's trying to get as much information and… Input as possible.” She sighed and ran a hand through her hair, closing her eyes for a second. “He thinks they're not doing enough here. That they can...fix what happened and the healers here are just afraid of the effects. I…. We've talked to dozens. He's still trying but… They can't fix your lung, Adi.”
Adrian's expression didn't change while Narissa spoke. Breathing still hurt - sitting up, even propped up as Jackson had made him was hurting. "Can't fix it how? It is just punctured?" And if so, once the ribs healed the irritant would be set and… "That is not that difficult."
“You took your time about getting healed. The flying and then just waiting. There's bone fragments in your lung.” Narissa ran her hand through her hair again and sighed, shaking her head. “They can't take them out. They… Your breathing capacity is going to be reduced. You're not going to be able to do some things in the future.” Running and Quidditch among them.
Jackson quietly held Adrian as his sister talked. He had already heard all of this, but that didn't make it much easier to hear again, especially knowing now that Adrian was hearing it for the first time. It was bad, he knew, and there wasn't anything he could do to change it.
Of course Adrian had taken his time. He had to finish the game, and then he had to speak to the scouts. He could feel the broken ribs, they made it painful to breath, and he didn't feel like he could catch his breath either. But even if there were still some fragments, he was young, in good health. Obviously his lungs would, when he finally healed, be able to compensate for the reduced capacity. "Even if the capacity is down a little… how would that mean?" Adrian wasn't thinking about the fragments themselves, and what could happen if he was ever hit again… if those fragments moved.
“Adrian, you're not listening. There are sharp bits of bone in your lung. If you take another hit you could die. It's in the lung. It can rip it apart.” Narissa looked away for a moment as Jackson started to rub his hand over Adrian’s shoulder, her eyes closing. “You are not going to be able to play, Adi. You… You can't run. You can fly carefully but being around bludgers… You can't.” Her voice had dropped to a whisper and she looked just about anywhere except at him.
Listening and understanding were different things. It didn't make sense, not really. He'd seen worse bludger hits. He just broke his ribs and punctured his lung a little. Narissa was trying to say he couldn't play. "It's just a few broken ribs… a bit of a punctured lung…"
“It's bone in your lung. A thoughtful pause and she looked at him again. “Put a shard of glass in a balloon. It might not do damage immediately but sharp contact, jostling too much…” Narissa shrugged again, looking at Jackson as though there was something he could do to make it easier. There wasn't though and both knew it.
It wasn't that Adrian wasn't capable of understanding the concept… it just didn't seem inline with what happened to him. And it didn't help his ill-temper. "I understand what you are saying, but it doesn't make sense," he grumbled.
Narissa shrugged. “If you hadn't flown more the fragments may not have gotten into the puncture. As it is, there's nothing to be done.” She stroked his hair lightly and shrugged again. “Stark refuses to believe that there's nothing that can be done. He seems to think that if he throws enough money at the healers they'll fix it.” Her voice was softer again and she shook her head. “He's literally offering a fortune to fix your lung and no one can do it…”
"That is his typical approach," Adrian agreed softly. When one had money, it was the solution, no matter what the problem. Adrian didn't see the problem yet, himself. It still wasn't real to him, no compared to the immediate pain.
“He really cares about you, Adi. I was worried at first but he is trying really hard.” She brushed another bit of hair back from her face and then glanced at Jackson. “Could you excuse us for a second?” She watched as the boy left, presumably to go to the bathroom, and then turned back to Adrian. “He hasn't left your side since he found out you were here, aside when Professor Stark forced him to go eat. Just figure you should know that…” Because Adrian would need his friends soon, she knew.
"He does," Adrian didn't deny that Stark cared, that he was trying. He was a little surprised that Jackson left when Narissa told him too. "He wouldn't go when I told him to." Not that his sister did either. "You don't need to be here watching me sleep, either of you."
“He probably hasn't gone to the bathroom even since he came up. Professor Stark had to threaten him to get him to go eat.” Narissa shrugged and glanced to the door Jackson had gone through. “He’ll be back. He...we both just…” Narissa shook her head and kissed her brother’s cheek, trailing off entirely.
"You had better go to class tomorrow. Is it tomorrow?" Adrian wasn't sure anymore. He just… "You don't need to be here all the time." Adrian heard what she was saying about Jackson - and knew she was hovering too. "You can't do anything… and I just want to rest."
“You're my brother.” Because that was a valid excuse in her mind for any of this. She sighed softly and bit her lip absently. “Do you want me to get you anything? I can do the sleeping charm if you need it, that way you're sure to rest at least for a while?” Because that was important at the moment. Him resting and healing.
"I don't need anything," Adrian grumbled with ill-temper. Except sleep would be a way to get away from it all for the moment. "Sleep… yes… before Jackson comes back."
Narissa laughed softly at her brother. “Not gonna make him leave you, but okay.” She waved her wand and murmured the spell, then moved to adjust his blanket over him, tucking him in and shifting his pillows to a more comfortable position.