dw-t:

A lightning-round drabble for Winzler, who wanted something where Sam and Alan were interacting as peers …

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Sam was still peeling his jacket off in the relative warmth of the medical center when he found Alan, pacing through the tiny waiting area with enough ferocity to make his neck twinge trying to follow. “Hey, Alan - Alan! Sorry, I only just heard and got here as quickly as I could. What’s going on -“

The man’s head jerked up, expression so pale and pinched that Sam’s stomach dropped even as he reached out to snag his godfather’s arm. “Wait - is he - “

“He’s-got-appendicitis.”

The words came out pell-mell, so rushed that Sam had to run them through his head twice. But once their meaning registered, he had to bite back a laugh of as much relief as humor, and after a quick glance about to see who might be within easy earshot, leaned close to mumble curiously, “Programs have appendices?”

Sam had to bite back laughter a second time at the look of stunned outrage that crossed the man’s face, and hurriedly ushered his godfather into the farthest seat from the room’s other occupants. “Sorry, sorry, look, that’s good news - “

“Good news!” Alan burst out and Sam winced, making leveling motions with his hands.

“Yes!” he emphasized in a low hiss, and Alan hunched his shoulders resentfully. Taking pity on his godfather’s obviously miserable state, Sam cajoled, “It’s Dr. Danielson taking care of him, right? Danielson knows Tron’s history, and he’s the best. He took care of Brian too - “

Alan perked up a bit, glancing sidelong at him with a tentative, “Brian also had appendicitis. Two years ago, wasn’t it?”

“Yeah,” Sam assured quickly, grinning as he gently elbowed the man in the side. “When he was three. Yeah, Seline and I threw a fit then too, so don’t feel too bad. But it happens all the time, and kids bounce back from it real quick.”

“Tron’s not a kid - “

“He’s your kid.”

Sam had meant it as a joke, but somehow it came out as more than that, and Alan was staring down at his open hands before he released a long sigh and smiled ruefully. “Yeah. Yeah, I guess he is.”

This was very kindly written to cheer me up as I am sick and RL is pretty low right now. Thank you, DW! You tumblr people are the best.