rat loves nate

It takes a bit more work at the start and they definitely aren't getting along for now, but the enrichment is off the charts once they get used to each other!

Even with Caretaker, stress from slow recovering, treatment, appointments, side-effects, being asked questions, releiving and recalling every details as strangers take notes and pry for more information.

"Stay down."

"i'm- i don't know." whumpee's words melt together as they lean heavily on caretaker. "i feel like i might need to sit-" they fall completely against caretaker and then quickly slide to the floor, "sit down."

-and are still covered in bruises anyway.

Caretaker and Whumper are good friends, and Caretaker is completely unaware of what Whumper gets up to in their spare time. One day, Whumper asks Caretaker to house-sit for them while they go on vacation/business trip/family emergency/etc. Caretaker's duties are simple, just to look after the house while Whumper is gone. But Caretaker is not to go inside the basement. When asked, Whumper gives a "normal" explanation (ex. there's mold in there, doing renovations). Whumper had previously stocked Whumpee's cell with food and water for Whumpee to ration and promised them if they behaved themselves, Whumper would reward Whumpee (and punish them if they disobeyed ofc). Anyway, things seem pretty normal at first, but after a while, Caretaker becomes curious about the basement. They also notice other things that don't really add up, such as evidence Whumper might be involved in illegal activity. Finally, they can't take it anymore and check the basement, where they find Whumpee, chained up and not in the best state. How does Caretaker respond to this? Do they take Whumpee to the hospital? Do they go to the police? Do they convince themselves Whumper has a good reason for this, or do they realize that Whumper isn't the wonderful person they thought they were?

even so, whumper delivered a sharp kick to their torso when they wouldn't get up from their fetal position. with a last coughing cry, they felt everything fade away into inky blackness.

im fucking crying