Work Text:
A rather nasty flu wave had hit Springfield like a truck. Most of the residents had caught it when it had spread like wildfire, but for now the worst was over. Or was it?
Smithers was, as always, bringing his boss a nice cup of tea. He set the tray on the desk, saying "Here's your tea sir. I added some honey into it as well." "Excellent." said Mr Burns as he took a tissue and coughed into it. Even he had caught the flu along with Smithers.
But unlike Smithers, who only sniffled once in a while, Burnses flu didn't seem to get better. He still got rather violent coughing fits and his chest "hurt like hell". As Burns sipped carefully his tea, Smithers asked "Sir wouldn't it be better to let Doctor Hibbert to have a another look at you?" Burns in turn made a face and shooked his head. "No Smithers, besides don't you see I have this paperwork going on? Shoo." he said irritatedly and waved his hand. Smithers sighed as he walked away. As he shut the door behind him he got an idea; if Mr Burns isn't going to the doctor then the doctor had to come at Mr Burns.
"Glad to see you're doing better Waylon, but I'm guessing that wasn't the reason you called me here."
"No... It's Mr Burns. He isn't getting any better I'm afraid."
"I see. What are his symptoms then?"
"He still gets coughing fits and complains about chest pain. I've tried to get him to take it easy, but he is stubborn as an ox." Smithers sighed and hung his head.
They had meanwhile reached to the door of Burnses office. Smithers carefully knocked it. "Yes come in Smithers." said Burnses voice from the inside. Smithers beckoned to Doctor Hibbert to follow him. Burns was too occupied into his paperwork to notice that Smithers wasn't in fact alone. Absentmindedly he browsed trough his papers until he had another coughing fit. "That doesn't sound good." said Doctor Hibbert as Burnses coughs finally subsided.
Burns was startled as he looked up from his work to see that next to Smithers was Doctor Hibbert with his bag. "Good day Mr Burns. So shall we start then?" he said while he ruffled trough his bag. "Wait, what, how, when did you came here!?" asked Burns. "Ah sir, because I called him. Since you didn't want to go to the doctor..." "You brought him here." Burns said bitterly and glared at Smithers.
Meanwhile Doctor Hibbert had found his digital thermometer and approached Burns with it "Now this goes under the armpit." he said and Burns reluctantly let Hibbert to put it in it's place. Soon enough it beeped and Hibbert took it out "100.3 degrees. You have a mild fever.". He put the thermometer away and took an otoscope from his bag. "Let's see your ears and throat Mr Burns.". Hibbert approached Burns and looked into his ears "Fortunatly your ears are healthy. Now open wide and say ahh." Burns sighed but cooperated "Hmm your throat looks fine given the circumstances." said Hibbert and proceeded to feel Burnses neck and lymph nodes.
After doing that he said "Now Mr Burns if you please would remove your coat and shirt so I can listen your chest.". "Haven't you poked me around enough already?" asked Burns and covered his heart area with his hands. Smithers, who had been watching silently, went to his side and gently begun to move his coat. "Sir, it's for your own good." he said and petted Burnses shoulder "Please be cooperate just a little while.". Burns in turn just let out annoyed sigh but he let Smithers remove his coat and shirt. When that was done, Doctor Hibbert again approached Burns, put the stethoscope on his ears and carefully put the diaphragm on Burnses chest.
"Mmhm, your heart rate is on the rapid side but that's normal." said Hibbert as he moved the stethoscope on Burnses back "Now, breathe deeply as you can please.". Burns breathed deeply as Doctor Hibbert placed the diaphragm on different places on his back. He did, however, had another coughing fit and Smithers quickly handed him a tissue. After the fit was over, Doctor Hibbert continued his listening.
"Alright, it's all clear now." said Hibbert as he removed the stethoscope from his ears and Smithers helped his boss to redress "Mr Burns, I'm afraid you have acute bronchitis. In laymen's terms it's simply a chest cold, but..." "So can I finally return to my work now?" Burns interrupted impatiently. Doctor Hibbert chuckled and said "No, I'm afraid not. What you need now, Mr Burns, is a week's sick leave." "Another sick leave?! That just doesn't do!" Burns exclaimed but he had again a coughing fit. Smithers quickly handed him a new tissue and rubbed his back comfortingly. "Sir, you you won't get any better if you push yourself like this.". Feeling weak and fatigued, Burns finally gave up.
Later in that day Smithers had had covered Burns in the bed. "Here sir, take Bobo with you." he said as gave the bear to his boss. Burns took it and clutched it to his chest. "Smithers?" "Yes sir?" "... Would you sing for me?" "Sure thing sir! What would you like to hear?". Burns had withdrawn under his cover and mumbled "Don't care, just sing something.". So Smithers begun to sing softly as exhausted Burns finally fell asleep.