MOMENTS

PNEUMONIA PART 1

THIS STORY WAS GIVEN BY ONE OF MY CLOSEST FOLLOWERS AND TOLD ME ABOUT HOW THIS MOMENT SCARED THEM REALLY BAD WHEN THEIR PARTNER GOT PNEUMONIA. SO THIS STORY MAY BE IN 3 PARTS

It started with just a simple cough.

Garfield Logan, or Beast Boy as most knew him, didn't think much of it at first. Raven often stayed quiet about how she felt physically, keeping her discomfort to herself. When the cough started a few days ago, she had waved him off when he asked if she was okay, insisting it was "just a little cold."

But now, several days later, Gar was growing increasingly worried.

Raven had spent most of the day in bed, too weak to do much more than read or meditate, but even those activities were becoming harder for her to focus on. Her skin had paled more than usual, and her cough had become deep and rattling. She was burning up with fever, and Gar had finally put his foot down, calling the doctor after her symptoms worsened.

He paced around the living room of their apartment, biting his nails anxiously while the doctor spoke to Raven in their bedroom. The sound of Raven's labored breathing from earlier still echoed in his ears, and it made his chest tighten with worry.

Moments later, the doctor emerged, closing the door softly behind him. Gar immediately straightened up, eyes wide with concern. "How is she?" he asked, his voice laced with worry.

The doctor sighed softly. "It's pneumonia. Her lungs are inflamed, and that's what's causing the severe cough and fever. The good news is that we've caught it early enough, and she should recover well with antibiotics and rest."

Gar's heart sank. Pneumonia? He knew it could be serious. "Is... is she going to be okay?" he asked, his voice a bit shaky.

"With proper care, she'll be fine," the doctor reassured him. "But you need to make sure she rests. No magic, no overexertion. Just rest. Keep an eye on her fever. If it spikes too high or if her breathing gets worse, take her to the hospital immediately."

Gar nodded, his hands trembling slightly as he processed the doctor's words. "Thank you."

After the doctor left, Gar stood outside the bedroom door for a moment, gathering his thoughts before pushing it open softly. Inside, Raven lay propped up against a pile of pillows, her breathing still labored but a little more even now. Her skin was flushed with fever, and her violet eyes were dull with exhaustion as they met his.

"Gar..." she rasped, her voice barely above a whisper. "What did the doctor say?"

He walked over to her side, sitting on the edge of the bed and gently taking her hand in his. "You've got pneumonia," he said softly, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. "But you're going to be okay. You just need to rest, Rae."

Raven closed her eyes, her lips pressed into a thin line. She hated being sick, hated feeling weak. But more than that, she hated worrying Gar. "I'm sorry..." she murmured, her voice cracking slightly.

Gar's heart ached at the sound of her voice. "Rae, you don't need to apologize for being sick," he said gently, leaning in to press a soft kiss to her forehead. "I'm just glad you're going to be okay."

Raven opened her eyes again, looking up at him with a mixture of fatigue and gratitude. "I didn't want you to worry," she admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "I thought it was just a cold..."

Gar sighed, his expression softening. "Of course I'm going to worry about you, Rae. You're my wife. You mean everything to me." He cupped her face gently, his thumb brushing over her cheek as he spoke. "But I'm here now, and I'm going to take care of you, okay?"

Raven nodded weakly, leaning into his touch. "I'm so tired..."

"I know," Gar whispered. "Just rest. I'll be right here."

For the next several hours, Gar stayed by her side, making sure she was comfortable, keeping her hydrated, and checking her temperature. As the evening wore on, Raven's fever spiked, and her breathing became more labored. Gar's heart pounded in his chest as he pressed a cool cloth to her forehead, his mind racing with worry. He hated seeing her like this—so fragile, so vulnerable.

At one point, Raven stirred, her brow furrowed in discomfort as she coughed harshly, her chest heaving with the effort. Gar immediately sat up, his hand gently stroking her back as he whispered, "Shh, it's okay, Rae. I've got you. Just breathe, baby."

Raven's breathing eventually steadied, but the fever made her delirious. She murmured incoherent words, her voice barely audible as she drifted in and out of sleep. Gar stayed close, holding her hand and whispering soothing words whenever she seemed distressed.

"I love you," he whispered, brushing a strand of hair away from her flushed face. "You're going to get through this, Rae. I'm right here."

As the night stretched on, Gar felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him, but he refused to leave her side. He dozed off in the chair next to the bed, only waking when he heard Raven stir or cough. It was a restless night, but he didn't care. All that mattered was that Raven was okay.

The next morning, Raven's fever had come down slightly, and though she still looked pale and exhausted, her breathing had improved. Gar let out a sigh of relief as he checked her temperature again, thankful that the worst seemed to be over.

Raven slowly opened her eyes, blinking groggily as she looked up at him. "Gar...?"

"Hey, Rae," he whispered softly, his hand finding hers again. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired," she rasped, her voice still weak but clearer than it had been the day before. "But... better, I think."

Gar smiled, his heart swelling with relief. "You scared me there for a while," he admitted, his voice soft.

"I'm sorry," Raven murmured, her hand squeezing his gently.

Gar shook his head. "Don't apologize, Rae. I'm just glad you're okay." He leaned in, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. "You're going to get through this. We'll get through this. Together."

Raven looked up at him, her eyes filled with gratitude and love. "Thank you... for taking care of me."

Gar smiled warmly, his hand brushing over her cheek. "Always, Rae. Always."

And as Raven closed her eyes again, drifting back to sleep, Gar stayed by her side, his heart full of love and determination to see her through this. They had faced so much together already, and this was just another challenge they would overcome—together.