Chapter Text
Taking care of a sick teen wasn’t in the job description, but here he was. 2 AM on a Tuesday night and Dick was hovering over Garfield Logan who had suddenly been overcome with some kind of illness that Dick could only presume was the flu or a nasty bug. The RV wasn’t cramped, but it definitely wasn’t the best for anyone who was sick.
The vehicle was quiet– minus the quiet snores of the rest of the team. It was just the two of them awake at this ungodly hour. The younger boy was pale and obviously had a pretty good fever going. Gar was fine earlier that day. There were no missions, no meetings, just a rest day. A very rare, but much appreciated day… Maybe he was too quiet.
Dick sat there with a cool washcloth in his hand, slowly patting the boy's feverish skin. He watched as the green haired boy let out a sigh of relief. He let out a soft chuckle.
“M’sorry, man,” Garfield whispered. “I don’t know what happened.”
“Don’t apologize, Gar. Even superheroes get sick sometimes.” Dick whispered back.
Garfield cringed as he slowly sat up from the couch he was laying on. “Dude, that’s something you say to a child when they can’t handle a cold! Type of crap you see in the nurse's office at school.”
“Well, sorry that I don’t have any other words of comfort after you almost threw up your dinner on me.” Dick said as he handed Gar a water bottle.
“Key word: almost!” Garfield countered.
The RV’s dim lights revealed Gar’s pale skin and dark circles. It was clear that the boy was unwell. Despite the playful banter and liveliness, Dick could tell that he was fighting sleep. Slowly, he lured the boy back under the covers and replaced the damp washcloth.
“Get some rest.” Dick said before returning to his cot.
He hoped this was just a 24 hour thing or maybe just a random hiccup and he’ll be better in the morning. Seeing Gar like that made his heart sink and maybe he cared for him a little more than he thought. He’s not afraid to call his team his family, especially when it comes to Gar and Rachel. The pride he gets from mentoring them is unexplainable, and the pain of seeing them hurt is almost equal.
At nearly 4AM a soft cry is heard coming from Gar. No words were exchanged. Dick didn’t care that he was going dad mode on his teammate, but he was just a kid after all. A quiet embrace turned into Gar falling asleep on Dick.
Kori is the first to wake up the next morning. The sight that she sees almost makes her want to take pictures, but she refrains and savors this for herself. Gar was laying on Dicks chest fast asleep. Nightmares weren’t uncommon in the RV, but this sight made her melt.
Kori’s attention is drawn back when she hears one of the boys shuffle.
“Sleep well?” Kori chuckled.
Dick rubbed his eyes while trying to sit up with Garfield still laying on him. The younger boy was curled up, his back facing away and his head tucked between Dick’s chin and chest.
“Not really.” Dick whispered. “Gar’s sick.”
“What? How?” Kori asked as she crept down to feel Gar.
“Probably some bug is going around, but we should lay low until he’s better. We can’t risk it with him unable to fight– hell he can’t even stand…”
Kori stood there lost in thought as she ran her fingers through the boys' green locs. She knows that Garfield isn’t her kid, but nonetheless, she feels some sense of maternal instinct around him. The way a mother is protective around her child. She decides to back off once she realizes that she was subconsciously moving towards the sick boy.
“Maybe we should bring him into STAR labs just to make sure it’s nothing serious.” Dick said, trying to move Gar off of him. The sudden worry in Dick’s voice shocked Kori. Usually Dick is calm. She forces herself to brush it off.
“Relax.” Kori said, causing Dick to halt. “I’m sure it’ll pass, plus I’m sure he would rather not be tested and prodded in a lab right now–”
“Kori, just because things have been quiet lately doesn’t mean that we are safe from any hidden attacks.” Dick interrupted.
Dick and Kori locked eyes, a simultaneous realization both hit them. Kori moved to the couch to lift Garfield up. The boy was hot, yet his hands were ice cold. Kori’s warm hands held onto Gar’s freezing ones. She wiped the hair out of his face and stroked his cheek in hope it would gently wake him up.
A quiet groan came out of Gar’s mouth as his eyes fluttered open.
“W- What–” he moaned.
“Gar, you with us?” Dick softly asked.
He was clearly still out of it due to his obvious fever. His body was shivering and his eyes were looking past Dick and Kori.
“Dick, do you see that?” Kori suddenly said as she pointed to Gar’s wrist.
Dick reached out and pulled Gar’s red sweatshirt sleeve up, revealing splotchy green patches.