TW: Past Captivity Mention, Angst
Whumpee fought the urge to frown at his lunch.
Caretaker had been strangely secretive lately.
For the last few weeks, they’d been leaving and staying out of the house longer than usual. When they returned they sometimes had food or gifts given to them by someone else. Whumpee once made the mistake of assuming they were for him.
When Caretaker went out, it was usually to volunteer, tend to the community garden or go grocery shopping. Whumpee was dragged along when he was feeling well enough to walk around and wasn’t experiencing any flare ups or migraines. Caretaker hadn’t asked Whumpee to go with them anywhere in… forever. Sometimes Whumpee wasn’t even aware Caretaker would be going out until they swung by his room with a quick see you when I get back.
They also spent a lot more time on their phone than usual. Caretaker wasn’t very tech savvy and occasionally needed help from Whumpee. They preferred socializing in person and playing card games. Lately, they barely spared him a glance.
At first, Whumpee tried to give them the benefit of the doubt. Surely, Caretaker was just tired from work but still wanted to participate in their hobbies and make sure the two of them would have food on the table.
That was until Whumpee started seeing the gifts and the little smiles Caretaker directed at their screen. He began to realize something was different. Then came the weekend mornings where he sat alone in the kitchen, waiting to have breakfast with Caretaker. Only to realize they were out and about, with him nowhere on their mind.
Perhaps Whumpee just needed to let it go. Perhaps he was just being selfish.
After all, Caretaker was allowed to have a life outside of him just as they’d been having before taking him under their wing.
But a part of him still felt as if he was being ignored or even forgotten about.
Perhaps what was really wrong was that he didn’t want to be left behind again.
He was taken from his thoughts when he heard the front door open and shut. Caretaker was home.
“I did not think I would be out that long.” They sighed, coming into the kitchen with two arms full of grocery bags. “Sorry if you were waiting for me. I had to run some errands.”
He only frowned at his spoon.
“This was quite the week, huh? Thankfully it’s over.” Caretaker sighed, leaning on the countertop as they gazed dreamily at the blue sky outside the window. “I can’t wait to see my husband.”
The silverware dropped from Whumpee’s hand, landing on the table with a clank. “What?! You’re married and you didn’t tell me?!”
Giggling, they turned around and faced him. “No, you silly goose! I’m not married. But I can’t wait to be! He promised me!” They smiled softly.
“You’ve been dating someone this entire time and didn’t tell me?” Caretaker’s smile fell as they busied themself with putting away the groceries. Whumpee’s frown deepened as he stood from his chair, holding onto the table for support. “Why won’t you tell me things anymore?”
“I tried to tell you.” They mumbled. “You wouldn’t listen to me.”
“You shut me down so I have no reason to tell you anything.”
“And if you’re going to keep treating me this way, I’m going to have to kick you out.”
Whumpee paused. Had he really been ignoring Caretaker this entire time? What else has he done to make them feel this way?
“I’m giving you until tomorrow to make your decision. If you’re going to accept me as I am, then you can stay. But if you’re going to keep belittling my identity, you have no reason to stay here and it’s best if you start packing now.”
“You don’t have to apologize now. Just make your decision and be on your way if that’s what you choose. If you’re not gone by tomorrow afternoon, just know I have a guest coming. And if you don’t want to be bothered by him, just stay in your room.”
Whumpee tightly held onto the table as Caretaker walked out of the room. Was he slowly becoming like his captor? Dismissive, selfish and God knows what else he was doing without realizing it.
He didn’t want to be like him. He didn’t want Caretaker to feel the same way that he did in captivity. Whumpee had to figure out a way to make it up to them somehow. He refused to go down the same path of the perpetrator that put him in the predicament he was in now.
The next morning Whumpee gave Caretaker his undivided attention, much to their confusion. However, they eventually opened up, telling him about their plans for the day as they picked out their outfit and got ready.
As the afternoon neared, Caretaker’s excitement became clearer. Though they suddenly turned serious.
“I know you said… you didn’t believe in queerplatonic relationships… but, I need you to know that this is very important to me. I know it’s not something that everyone understands but if you’re… not willing to accept this then…” Whumpee almost asked them to continue when the doorbell rang. “Well, um, would you like to meet him?”
Whumpee nodded and followed Caretaker to the door. When it opened, he froze in place.
“Whumpee, this is Whumper. My partner.” They clasped hands with the familiar face, a gentle smile on theirs.
Whumper’s lips curled into that familiar smirk. “It’s nice to meet you. Whumpee.”
