Grumpy's Bones

Everytime I Move, I Crunch Like Popcorn

Grumpy woke up with a frown, as usual. However, attempting to get up, he felt intense pain in his back, and even heard a crack. Wincing, he cried out in pain.

"Mat's the whatter, er, what's the matter, Grumpy?" Doc asked urgently.

"Oof," stated Grumpy, "think I'm gettin' too darn old fer this."

Doc looked at the poor dwarf struggling to even try getting up. He couldn't help but instantly look away when he heard Grumpy forcibly getting himself up and severely injuring his back.

"AGGGGHHHHHH!" shouted Grumpy, in intense pain. He was forcing back the tears forming around the corners of his eyes.

"Oh dear," said Doc, "I oughta pret the gincess, er, pet the incress- report to Snow White!"

Grumpy's small eyes could only close as he fell to the ground.
. . .
Grumpy woke up in a small room, surrounded by his fellow brothers, the princess, and the prince. Snow White looked at Grumpy with concern.

"Oh dear goodness," uttered Snow White, "are you okay, Grumpy? How are you feeling?"

Grumpy tried turning to her, but he only felt a sharp sting of pain in return. Sighing, he turned his back onto the bed again.

"What does it look like?" replied Grumpy, bitterly.

"You're not looking too good," said a voice that Grumpy didn't recognize.

"Oh, is he going to be okay, doc?" Snow asked, before turning to look at Doc, "or, um..."

"I get it," said the doctor, chuckling, "but, unfortunately, no if he's going to be stubborn and go to work."

"But I can't lose my job!" said Grumpy.

"Grumpy," said Doc, "no one'll fire you at all."

"Still," said Grumpy, "how am I going to make a livin'?"

"Bro," said Doc, "we mine diamonds. We have all the currency we need! We share the same house."
Grumpy sighed.

"Oh yeah, I forgot 'bout that."

The doctor turned to look at Sneezy.

"Oh, Sneezy!" exclaimed the doctor, "How has my number one patient been?"

"I'm doing OK," replied Sneezy, "my hay fever's still a bit bad."

"Well that's how it is when spring starts, takes its time, and ends," replied the doctor.

Grumpy impatiently watched the two have a conversation, later clearing his throat to get his doctor's attention.

"Huh, oh yes, you'll need to stay home for a few weeks for your back to heal," said the doctor.

Grumpy snarled, "Well I need ta do my job at the mines! What even is yer name?!"

"Oh, it's Dr. Edward Zircon at your service, but just call me Dr. Z," said Dr. Z.

"OK, Dr. Z," said Grumpy, "how are ya goin' to make my bones stop crunchin' like popcorn?"

"It's easy, just make sure you take these antibiotics and... you will be set. Two pills for day and night each," replied Dr. Z.

"Pills are disgustin'," grumbled Grumpy.

"Oh, may I volunteer to look after him?" offered Snow White.

"Well... I don't see why not," said Dr. Z.

"What?! I can't have the princess babysittin' me! I'm too darn old for this!" objected Grumpy.

Dr. Z said, "It won't be babysitting, it will only be making sure you don't break your back further."

"I know you'll only try to skip your pills," said Snow, "but I'll be there to make sure you take them."

Grumpy could only mutter a few curses under his breath, yet increasing the volume of his rambles when he adjusted himself in bed.

"Hey! Language, Grumpy!" exclaimed Doc, "The dearest princess is here!"

Grumpy realized and instantly regretted the curses when he shot a look at the fair young girl.

"Listen, we understand what you're going through," said Snow, "but we need to look after you. We care about you, and, yes, we know you care as well."

Grumpy thought for a moment.
"Alright, this'll be fine with me, I guess, but don't bother me too much!" Grumpy said, giving his final judgement on the matter.

"Hooray!" shouted everyone in the room.

"Eh, whatever..." said Grumpy.
. . .
Grumpy laid there, grumbling as Snow White prepared a soup for him.

"It's going to be alright, Grumpy. I even made your favorite! Alphabet soup," assured Snow.

"Don't be sayin' that in front of the others, now!" said Grumpy, "They shouldn't be knowin' that I like that stuff."

Snow White nodded and went into the kitchen downstairs.

Just a few seconds later, Dopey came and jumped into the room where Grumpy rested his back.

"What do ya want, ya fool?!" Grumpy asked, rather rudely.

Dopey thought for a moment, then shrugged.

Grumpy sighed.

"Just- Don't be goin' and- DOPEY!"

It was too late. Dopey had already knocked over all the shelfs, spilled a bucket of water, and set part of the house on fire. Well, maybe not the first or second part, maybe the third part. Definitely the third part.

Grumpy struggled to get out of bed to alarm the others, but getting out only caused his back to get much more sore. He heard another snap in his back.

The last words he heard was the calling of his name from Snow White.