(Yall remember @deluxewhump 's Critter? Cuz I do! I'm so happy to have her support while I was writing this. My writing juice is coming back with a vengeance. So enjoy!!)
(Content Warnings: Non human whumpee, mention of fire, mention of heavy wounds, dehumanization, pet whump)
Gordo waved his goodbyes to Autumn and closed the shop door behind him as he left. Critter felt a strange sense of relief when it heard the sound of the semi-truck startup, and screeching tires as it drove off. Autumn, of course, kept her eyes down to them, holding the pet close to her. âMy my, you sure stink donât you? We need to get you in a bath.â Autumn giggled as Critter pulled their paws up to their face, cheeks burning in embarrassment. They werenât that bad were they?.Â
The shopkeep only smiled and carried the pet up the spiral staircase next to the front desk. It looked like it was carved straight out of a tree. Of course, when they got to the top, Autumn made way for the bathroom down the hall. Critter barely had time to marvel at all the beautiful furniture or the dazzling lights in the room. It had never seen anything like it. Autumn gave a small smile as she opened the door to the bathroom. It smelled like apple cider inside, and it looked like the comfiest bathroom ever, or at least way comfier than the rest stop they were in earlier.Â
Autumn set the creature on the toilet seat while she knelt down in front of the bathtub, putting the stopper in before turning the knobs on the faucet. Water almost immediately rushed out, steaming up the mirror nearby as she stood back up. âAlright, little one, letâs get you all washed up.â The woman gently scooped the pet up by their armpits before gently placing it in the warm water. It already felt so soothing to Critter, it was the best thing it had ever felt in a long while.
âAww, look at you, so cute.â Autumn gave that same warm smile before bringing a soapy washcloth down to its fur, wiping off a thick, greasy layer of mud and gasoline from the creatureâs fur. She couldnât imagine what this poor thing has gone through. She hadnât even seen what was under those bandaged paws yet but she had her suspicions.
Critter let out a shaky, though content sigh as it was washed, it felt like all of its worries were being rinsed away with the gasoline as it leaned its head against the kind womanâs arm. They hoped it would be ok, they hoped that she would be able to keep her promise of safety.Â
âEnjoying this arent you little thing?â Autumn chuckled knowingly at the creature, it looked so cute like this. She frowned though when she turned the pet around, seeing their back. It looked like a thick layer of brown and red was crusted over, like someone decided to fill in knife wounds with mud. She wouldnât be surprised if that was what happened either, sheâd seen much worse done to other pets. She gave a sigh before she gently dabbed the washcloth against itâs back, careful not to put too much pressure on the scabbed up wounds. She would have to find a way to treat it, the wounds looked so messy and deep.Â
Critter only nodded at her question, even if it was rhetorical. It let itself get turned around in the tub, going limp like a childâs doll under her grip. The feeling of the soapy washcloth on their back made it keen slightly in pain, but they did their best to stifle their noises. Pets donât complain. Pets donât complain.
After nearly half an hour of washing, the woman seemed satisfied with her work. The bathwater was now an ugly brown-grey, but at least the pet was all cleaned up from head to toe. She placed her hands under the creatureâs armpits once more, lifting them up. âAll done sweetie, letâs get you all dried up. You must be hungry huh?â Autumn trailed her fingers past the petâs protruding ribs, they looked like they hadnât eaten in days. She shuttered slightly at the thought of what couldâve happened to this one.Â
Critter only gave a silent nod. So far they havenât talked at all since they came inside the shop, and it worried Autumn. She canât have a mute on her hands... right? She couldnât think about that now. She should dry them off and get them all warmed up. A towel was wrapped around Critterâs soaking wet body, hugging them close to her as she carried them out of the bathroom and into the cozy living room.Â
âAlright hun, you can just sit right here in front of the fire while I cook you dinner. Sound good?â Autumn set the creature down in front of the fireplace before turning around to go into the kitchen, leaving the pet alone to its own thoughts while the sound of pots and pans rang in the air. Critter only nodded once more before looking back at the fireplace. Flames were licking the air around its brick prison, the only thing keeping it from consuming the house in light. Critter never was scared of fire, they found it comforting really. The flames rose high up into the air in front of it every so often, as if they were reaching for something that wasnât there, something it could never grab on to. Critter reached a bandaged paw towards the wire gate, the only thing keeping them from slipping in and touching the warm fire. It all felt so good, they felt their fur start to dry, and for once, for some reason, Critter felt safe. Critter was safe, sitting by the fire and waiting for a warm meal from its new owner.Â
