PERCEPTION
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Dick was sitting in front of the TV with Damian on his lap. He had managed to stop the youngest from crying after trying to explain the relationship of "fights and kisses" that Selina and Bruce had always had, besides making up an excuse for the girl's scratches involving cats.
Now, who was almost crying was Richard himself.
He felt helpless, bound, a farcical hero who cannot save even his little brother. He didn't feel that way just because of what happened to Damian, he also blamed himself for what was happening now: the little one was still shaking due to his nervousness, besides having his gaze fixed on nothing.
— I don't know how to calm you down anymore, kiddo... — He murmured hugging the little one even more tightly — If it continues like this it will end...! — Dick couldn't finish, he didn't even want to think about the possibility of another one of those attacks.
— How's he doing? — Selina asked entering the game room, where the "puppies" hid. This time I was holding arms with Bruce — I'm sorry, I didn't think he could have something like... I'm really sorry!
— I should have gone straight to the point, instead of trying to hide — Bruce tried to reassure her, he had already come to himself and was apparently calmer.
— If I had said it all at once, I wouldn't believe it — She shrugged, letting go of him and moving closer to the sofa — Damian, I'm sorry for making you nervous and... Damian?
— What happened? — The eldest walked hurriedly to the others, bending down in front of his children and trying to understand what was wrong — How long has he been like this!?
— B...! — Dick tried to speak, but the lump in his throat made him hesitate a few seconds — He was like that when he stopped crying and...!
— How long, Dick!?
— I do not know! — Graysson already had teary eyes — About five minutes, what difference does it make?
— He's having a crisis! — the night watchman said. He had already thrown all his calm into the air, he was about to collapse with his son.
That was enough for Dick to start crying, completely losing his composure and anything else that had kept him steady until that moment. Selina, who already felt bad about meddling and having crossed the line, took all the responsibility for it:
— This is my fault, I-I... — She had to stop and wipe her own tears — ... I'm a monster!
— I was so afraid of him having a crisis that I didn't even notice that...! — Richard hugged his brother even more, he didn't know what would come after that.
Appearing in that room like a light at the end of the tunnel, Alfred went to them maintaining the facade of tranquility in the best possible way. With care and implied orders, he took the child out of Richard's arms and laid him on the sofa, stretched out.
The butler had overheard the discussion before, knew that Dick was calming his brother and saw when Selina and Bruce entered there, already made peace. However, it was strange that there was no sign of celebration, given the puerile animation that Damian maintained at almost all times. He entered there already hoping that something had happened.
— Alfred, does that mean… — Bruce began, without the courage to finish.
— Yes, Master Bruce — the butler replied without looking at him, preferred to dedicate his attention exclusively to Damian — Damian is, unfortunately, epileptic.
— There are still chances that he won't be, it's not like an extra crisis would make such a difference, right? — Selina looked at her boyfriend, wanted to maintain her optimism despite having tears streaming down her face — Right!?
— It's the third since he woke up, unless we realized. After the second, so close, it is no longer just an eventuality — The butler answered by the boss.
— Alfred, he wasn't struggling like the other times, are you sure this is an epileptic fit? — The older brother wanted to hold on to whatever hope it was — He just got nervous! That! This lack of attention must be because of the medications he takes!
— There are several types of crisis, Dick... — the patriarch finally joined forces to speak again — Apparently, he had one when he was with me and I didn't notice it either.
— They are worryingly close to each other — the old man warned.
— And what does it mean? — Miss Kyle, who was already close enough to caress her newest boy's dark hair, dared to ask.
— That I need to take my son for exams — Bruce replied, feeling defeated before he even had a verdict.
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NOTE
I could be here in these notes talking about the fanfic, but I believe it is time to talk a little bit about a serious subject: epilepsy.
To write the fanfic I had to research a lot about it, since my only experience with this type of disease was with my little dog who died (of old age, by the way). However, as I am not a health professional and I did not even have time to read more in-depth materials, such as articles, CBT or even books on the topic, I can (and probably am) mistaken on some topics:
Do you remember the crisis in which Damian lost consciousness with his body rigid and shaking? This is called a seizure and is just one of the ways that epilepsy can present itself, it is the most intense type. When a person has a seizure it does not mean that they are epileptic, as epilepsy is set up when seizures are frequent — unrelated to infections, use of toxic substances and other likely triggering factors.
In addition to the seizure, there are other ways in which an epileptic seizure can arise. They vary a lot, so I am not really sure if the form described above is considered "within the standards".
WARNING: if a person is having a seizure, DO NOT try to restrain him, DO NOT try to put something in his mouth (especially his fingers), DO NOT leave him in places where he may fall or get hurt by bumping into things (turn him on his side, if you can, to prevent the saliva from choking you). Wait trying to stay calm. Be aware of the duration of the crisis, passing five minutes can be serious — the seizure is not just a symptom of epilepsy.
Respect: Epilepsy is not contagious and is not a mental illness. It has treatment and cure: people and epileptic animals have a normal life.
For those who are more interested, search the Internet for articles from the Brazilian Institute of Epilepsy, as well as some very cool interviews that professionals in the field (neurology) usually give for awareness.
Note of the note: this is a translation, other English terms are probably used. Sorry!
