#earache

Harmony can only flourish with mutual regard

[1997.09.27] Iron Monkey - Iron Monkey

FROM THE VERY DEPTHS OF THE '90s HEAVY ROCK UNDERGROUND -- ONLY ON EARACHE RECORDS.

PIC(S) INFO: Mega spotlight on a vintage tee design for "SLEEP's Holy Mountain," the second album by American stoner/DOOM metal band, SLEEP, released in late 1992 and early 1993 respectively under the then leading UK extreme music label, Earache Records. Sleeve artwork by Robert Klem.

"Far within the oaken tower, Exists the one with evil power, Magic channeler of Earth's frustration, The Druid sleeps in meditation."

-- "The Druid" (1992) by SLEEP

So, I have a request for you, if it’s okay for you: )

What about a whumpee, who was initially a hostage, but now they and their whumper have kind of a peaceful relationship.

And one day the whumper (preferably someone who works as a doctor) comes home to a sick whumpee, who is trying desperately not to show that. And you know what I’ve been thinking about? Otitis! Because ear infections are underestimated in the whump community. And, trust me, it sucks. Just imagine the poor grey faced whumpee, unable to even think straight, and all the sounds are blurred, and the pain….

Yes, I love this idea. Thank you for the request, I always look forward to request.

I hope you enjoy.

Whumpee was on the way to the bathroom when they saw Whumper pull in.

They cupped their ear tightly, hoping to relieve some pressure from their ear.

"Mmph, why is he home?", they looked at the clock, "crap I didn't call during lunch to check in with him, he's going to be ticked."

"Whumpee?", Whumper called as they stepped into the house, "where are you? You better have a good reason for not checking in, then ignoring my call."

"Crap, I didn't hear the phone ring", Whumpee sighed, "he's already mad. There's no need to frustrate him even more with me being sick."

"Whumpee don't make me count to three", Whumper called more sternly.

Whumpee walked out into the hall, "sorry sir, I was in the um, bathroom."

"Then why didn't you say that", Whumper sighed, "if you're ignoring me it better stop."

"I'm sorry I forgot to call, I didn't hear the phone ring either. It wasn't on purpose", Whumpee looked down shyly.

Whumper pulled his cellphone out and called the house number.

"You didn't hear that?", Whumper asked as the phone rang loudly, "you're kidding."

Whumpee shook their head no, then instantly felt dizzy.

Whumper watched them lean against the wall as they fought the dizziness.

"Are you feeling okay?", Whumper stepped over to them.

"Yes sir, I feel alright", Whumpee faked a smile, "why are you home so early?"

"I had my day shortened today for some time off. There were too many doctors in today", Whumper placed the back of his hand on Whumpee's forehead, "hmm, you feel feverish. You sure you don't have anything to tell me, I'll find out if you're hiding something in a matter of minutes."

"N-no sir, I'm feeling okay", Whumpee wished to hide.

"Okay, well we'll see about that", Whumper frowned, "go sit on your bed, I'll be in soon."

Whumpee gulped, "okay. I'm sorry. My ear is throbbing and burning. It hurts really bad. I can't hear very well right now, and I'm starting to feel dizzy."

"And you thought it would be a good idea to hide that from me?", Whumper sighed as they helped Whumpee to their room.

"I'm sorry, I knew you were mad at me, I didn't want to frustrate you further", Whumpee sighed as Whumper helped them into bed, "plus I didn't know what kind of day you had, I didn't want to bombard you with issues when you got home."

"Wait here", Whumper sighed.

He came back carrying his home medical supplies.

"Although I appreciate you thinking of me like that", he pulled out a thermometer and placed it in Whumpee's mouth, "I'd rather you tell me, so I can take care of it quickly instead of making me guess."

Whumpee watched as Whumper read the thermometer.

"Yep slightly elevated", Whumper grabbed a few more things, "let's do a quick check up, then we'll deal with the ear."

Whumper quickly did the checks, "aren't you lucky to have a doctor for a kidnapper?"

Whumpee rolled their eyes, "you know doctor and kidnapper don't sound right in that context "

"Trust me, I'm aware", Whumper grinned, "to be fair, you are in a better situation than you were in before I took you. Unless you want to go back to the streets."

"No", Whumpee looked at him quickly, "no please."

"That's what I thought", Whumper pulled out his otoscope and checked the ears, "I'm guessing this is the one", Whumper looked up when he was done.

"Yes sir", Whumpee nodded, then got dizzy again, "hmm", they grabbed their head.

"It looks irritated, I'm guessing otitis", Whumper stood.

"O-what", Whumpee looked at him.

"Otitis, an ear infection", Whumper grinned, "it's painful, and normally last a few days."

Whumpee frowned, "can you do anything for it?"

"It normally heals itself, I can do things to relieve the pain though. If it gets bad I'll have someone write a script for antibiotics", Whumper sighed, "how long has this been going on?"

"I woke up with it sir, it wasn't bad this morning, so I thought it would go away. It got worse a while after you left for work", Whumpee held their ear, "there is so much pressure."

"Okay let's have you lay down, I'll be right back", Whumper left the room.

Whumpee whimpered, they felt worse after talking about everything going on.

Whumper came back in time to see a tear escape Whumpee's eyes.

"Hey, it's okay", Whumper patted Whumpee's head, "I'll get you feeling better."

"I don't feel good", Whumpee started to cry, "I feel like my head is going to blow up."

"Okay, shh", Whumper whispered, "it's all going to be okay. I've got you."

Whumper offered a few pills and helped Whumpee take them with some water.

"That should help relieve the fever and pain", Whumper sighed as he watched Whumpee try to get comfortable.

Whumper made a warm compress and held it on Whumpee's ear.

"This will help as well", Whumper whispered, "I'd like for you to take a nap, I'll hold this on your ear while you fall asleep. Rest will help your body heal more than anything."

Whumper held the compress in place and rubbed Whumpee's head while they started to doze off.

Whumper smiled when Whumpee had finally fallen asleep.

He made a new hot compress and put that over Whumpee's ear.

"My poor little hostage", Whumper whispered as they gently stroked Whumpee's face, "ear aches are not fun, I can't imagine how much pain you've been in today."

Whumpee scrunched their face a little and let out a tiny whimper before relaxing again.

Whumper smiled, "rest well, Whumpee, you'll be okay, I promise."

Thankyou again for the request prompt, I don't get them very often, and I had a lot of fun writing it. I hope you enjoyed.