#eating whumper

[mj-iza-writer]

Whumptober Day 9

Learning everything ain't what it seems that's the thing about these days / Polaroid / Mistaken identity / "You're a liar" I used the alternative list for "Reluctant Whumper"

"Please I don't want to do this to them", Whumpee shakily held onto the crowbar.

"You can pick another weapon, but we all know they deserve it, you can do it", a masked man stood behind them watching.

Whumpee eyed Whumper, who was tied to a chair in front of them. Whumper yelled through their gag.

The masked man glided towards Whumper. He grabbed Whumper's chin and pulled their face up to look in his eyes.

Whumper's eyes were wide in fear, they breathed heavily into the gag.

"You deserve everything you are about to receive, I've watched for to long before I could act", the masked man dropped Whumper's head, they looked back at the terrified Whumpee, "Whumpee will get their revenge, one way or another", they sighed.

"Okay go to town", the masked figure stepped aside.

Whumpee looked at Whumper, then at the crowbar, "I-I can't", the crowbar fell to the ground with a heavy klink, "I'm not them, I can't do it, I'm sorry."

The masked figure knelt down and cocked their head to the side. They studied Whumpee for what felt like eternity.

"I'm sorry, but who are you?", Whumpee looked at them, "you said you've been watching for a while, but I've never seen you before."

"Some have called me an entity, a watcher. I prefer magician myself. You called me to you a while ago, you never realized, but you've felt my presence", as though he knew what the next question was, "I had to wait for my strength to gather before I could offer aid, I am not from your plain of existence my power isn't as strong here and it takes a while."

Whumpee whimpered, "I remember a ghostly figure once."

"There is no need to be afraid of me, I was called to you because you needed my help. I am your protector now", the masked figure stood back up, "I almost expected you to not be able to hurt Whumper, I wanted to know for sure though."

Whumpee looked at Whumper, then back at the masked figure, "I can't, I'm not Whumper. Causing more violence to an already violent situation will not bring peace."

A chuckle came from the masked figure, "you will be an honor to protect, so pure. Even in the face of evil you offer forgiveness and peace."

Whumper thrashed in the chair bringing their attention back to them.

"Unfortunately, I can not let you go unchecked and unscathed", the masked figure sighed, "you are to dangerous, I'm sure by the time I'm done with you, you will wish they enacted their revenge, not left me to do it."

"Whumpee I will enact your revenge, I will cause them the same grief and pain they've caused you. They will feel how you felt for so long", the figure picked up the crowbar, "these earthly weapons mean nothing to me, but I have to conserve as much power as I can."

Whumper looked at him terrified.

"Please no", Whumpee pleaded.

"I'm sorry, I know it's horrific to your tender soul, you do not have to witness it", the masked figure sighed, "if we left them like this they could get free and hurt someone else. You have to let me."

Whumpee reluctantly looked at Whumper, then at the figure.

"They could hurt others?", Whumpee looked up sadly, not realizing that truth sooner.

"Yes."

"Are you going to kill them?", Whumpee sobbed.

"You do not have to witness it, you can go wait a few rooms over", the masked figure stated again.

"Your not saying no", Whumpee sobbed more.

"I am bonded to you, I am not able to lie to you, but i don't have to tell you whats going to happen", the masked figure crept closer to Whumper, "I'm starting in 10 seconds, I suggest you leave now. I will join you when I am done."

Whumpee whimpered and glanced at Whumper. The masked figure was standing in front of him now.

Whumper shot a terrified glance at Whumpee, then looked back at the figure. They screamed again into gag.

Whumpee watched the crowbar get raised. They darted out of the room as fast they could. They heard the crowbar make contact. They heard rhe scream.

Whumpee hid in the living room and buried themself under blankets and pillows. The figure both comforted and terrified them. What did they mean by protect and not being part of this existence.

They couldn't hear what was going on though so that was good.

Back in the room, Whumper squirmed as the crowbar came down again.

The masked figure searched the room for Whumpee, "I had hoped they would leave so I can show my true form, I mustn't allow them to see that side of me." The figure removed the mask to reveal their face.

Whumper weakly looked. The horrid face wasn't even a face, no eyes, no mouth, no nose. Whumper screamed.

The face morphed, "I take on the form of what scares you most, that is why I wear the mask", the figure chuckled, "hmm, this figure haunted your nightmares when you were young. I'm glad this is who will kill you in the end."

Whumper screamed again as the figure came closer.

"I'm going to eat you now, that way you are completely removed from this existence", the figure removed the gag.

"No don't, I'm sorry, I'm sorry", Whumper thrashed.

"It's to late to apologize."

Whumpee jumped when they heard a loud scream.

They peaked out of the blankets to see the masked figure standing at the doorway to the room.

"The deed is done, they can not hurt you anymore", the figure bowed, "any request for me."

"Can I ask a question?", Whumpee shook.

"Yes of course", the figure lowered itself to kneel, "you may notice, my form is my hazy now. I am but a shadow in this existence, it takes a lot of my energy to materialize."

Whumpee nodded, "I'm sorry, but I'm comforted by your presence, but still scared of you. What are you here for?"

The figure sighed, "about a month ago, you asked for help in a way that invoked my presence to you. Unfortunately my presence isn't the best here, so I had to wait to gather strength to aid you. I tried my best to comfort you though. I'm bound to you until you ask me to leave, I will take the form of your shadow, and go with you."

Whumpee looked at them confused and lost for words.

"I will explain more later", the figure stood and cautiously approached Whumpee, "you must rest now, you have been through a lot in a short time. Rest now."

"What do I call you?", Whumpee watched the figure.

"You can call me magician, everything will be alright. I promise to take care of you."

Taglist: as always please let me know if you want to be added or taken off of the list. It's not a problem at all. @villainsandheroes @the-beasts-have-arrived @sacredwrath @porschethemermaid

[hurtwithallthecomfort]

I’m such a sucker for whumpees reuniting with people who knew them from before the whump whilst in the midst of recovery. Might be one of my favourite tropes tbh.

Whumpees who changed their name after escaping visably recoiling when they hear someone call them that.

Maybe they don’t want anything to do with their old friends. They left that life behind for a reason. All they’ll do is remind Whumpee of the past, something they’ve been trying to leave behind.

It’s worse if Whumper was a mutual ‘friend’. Especially if these old friends didn’t even know something had happened to Whumpee. Whumper had made up some poor excuse, saying they left for a job, or had gone missing under unknown circumstances.

Their old friends are extremely emotional, having seen Whumpee for the first time in so long, only for the previously cheerful and expressionate Whumpee to just stare blankly in response.

They try to have a conversation with Whumpee but they’re horrified at how much Whumpee has changed. The old Whumpee was sweet, and always polite, yet now they cuss every other word and hardly have anything nice to say.

Or, maybe Whumpee used to be rebellious and freespirited. Now, they’re mild and obedient, a literal shell of their old self.

Whumpee’s old friends jump in to protect them from some threat, believing their usually fragile friend would still need help, only for Whumpee to jump in and defend themself, since they had to learn how to.

Someone who knew the old Whumpee breaking down after seeing how much their dear friend changed, asking them what happened, though Whumpee can’t bring themself to answer.

That person feeling like somehow, deep down, they truly failed Whumpee. If they had just been there, they could have done something. They should have done something.

Caretaker noticing how uncomfortable Whumpee is and trying to remove them from the situation. Their old friends are furious, they’ve been kept away from Whumpee for so long, and now they just have to leave, without any answers?

Bonus points if Whumpee and the old friends weren’t on good terms before they disappeared. Friends who had one final falling out, siblings with a strained relatiomship, lovers who had broken up, etc etc.

[oddsconvert]

Izaak core.

[letitbehurt]

Big fan of Whumpers who keep multiple Whumpees prisoner.

Maybe these Whumpees become something like friends during their captivity, trying to stay sane between Whumper’s visits. Maybe they’re not exactly fond of each other, but they have to work together to plan an escape.

Somehow, Whumper grows aware of this. And they realize they can use it.

[mj-iza-writer]

Maybe too specific for a request but...

I'm thinking about a vampire used as a bait by hunters for more powerful/dangerous/valuable creatures.

I mean, most creatures hate vampires and would love an occasion to hurt a vulnerable, chained up vampire. Also they can regenerate, so they're reusable!

Whumptober Day 7

Only for emergencies - unconventional weapon - magic with a cost - "it's us or them."

Though I liked these prompts, I couldn't think of any stories, so I used a prompt from the alt list with the used as bait prompt. I'm also using this to answer a request. - Mj

This story delves into Vampire: the Masquerade. So I used some mythos, terms, and lore from that fandom.

Whumpee shuddered fearfully as the sound of heavy steps echoed outside of their cell.

The heavy door screeched open.

"Okay bloodsucker. Are you ready to earn your keep?", Avril, Whumpee's owner, chuckled.

"Ple... please, I just want to die. You've caused me to be an accomplice in the murder of my own kindred', Whumpee hid in the back of their cell.

"Exactly why I won't let you die. You're too useful. A pitiful bait that other creatures can't help but mess with", Avril pulled out a bowl, "why do you care about what happens to the other kindred? They don't care about you. They attack you, even when you are clearly being used as bait. They just can't help themselves. Then the ones that do escape don't give you a second thought."

Whumpee looked at the bowl. It smelt intoxicating.

Whumpee licked their lips, causing Avril to laugh.

"Stupid bloodsucker. Such a dumb mind. You are supposed to be some powerful being, but here you are...  groveling for leftover meat and blood from my dinner", Avril stirred the blood around, causing the aroma to infiltrate the air more, "what do we say?"

"Plea... please may I eat Mas-master", Whumpee shook with adrenaline. They knew they would be sweating if their body could do it. Blood had become an addiction, and they had to rely on Avril to give it to them. Blood was so limited that it couldn't even be considered as a meal anymore, just something to keep them going, or something that was withheld if they didn't act right. They craved fresh blood. To be able to bite into someone... they couldn't remember the last time they had fresh blood.

"Earth to Whumpee", Avril glared at Whumpee.

"I-I'm sorry... bloodlust", Whumpee whispered, "I-I'm so hungry."

"I bet, so I hope you remember this smell. You are not getting anything until dawn when the hunt is over for the night", Avril stuck their finger into the blood and smeared it across Whumpee's upper lip.

The smell was too much. Whumpee lapped violently at the blood, then lunged forward at Avril.

Avril lifted their foot and kicked Whumpee down.

"I don't think so", Avril chuckled.

Whumpee was led out into the night by a chain. Their hands were tied behind their back. A muzzle pressed tightly against their face. A metal bit held down their tongue.

Avril talked amongst their partners as they made their way to a bridge that was prone to have kindreds stopping to rest.

Avril watched Whumpee's reactions for any tell-tale signs that kindreds were nearby.

"I know you sense something. What is it?", Avril saw Whumpee's head turn quickly.

"Anire" Whumpee let out a muffly, struggled reply.

"Vampire", Avril looked around, "get ready. This one might be a bit stronger with how fast Whumpee's head jerked."

Whumpee was shoved to the ground, and the hunters scattered. Whumpee winced as they looked around. They could hear strong wings beating against the wind. It was coming closer.

A well-dressed vampire flew over a few times before landing in front of Whumpee.

Whumpee looked up at them sadly, then looked back at the ground in defeat. This vampire was a very powerful being, the strongest yet. Whumpee would be a fun play thing for a few minutes until Avril made a move. This vampire would no doubt get away, and Whumpee wouldn't get their meal.

"My, you poor thing. I've heard quite a bit about your predicament. Captured by a human and used to hunt us. Unfortunately, you don't have a lot of power as it is, but the human has definitely kept you in a weakened state", the vampire knelt down.

Whumpee nervously looked up. Why was this vampire talking, an-and being nice?

Whumpee whimpered a little when the older vampire reached and cupped their face. They had soft, gentle fingers.

"It's okay, I've been hoping to find you. Let's get rid of these pesky hunters first", the vampire smiled. Six fangs were revealed.

Whumpee realized just how powerful this being was. Four fangs on their top jaw, two on their bottom. Avril wouldn't stand a chance.

Avril and their team made a move when it seemed the vampire was trying to remove the muzzle.

"This is locked on quite well... oh, I was wondering when they would come out", the vampire stood and looked around.

"Seven against one... hmm, what is a vampire to do?", they acted as though they were nervous but chuckled after.

"I'm Caretaker, of the Ventrue clan. I'm afraid tonight is your last night of hunting. The seven of you have messed with way to many of us now. They have asked the clan leaders to step in to put a stop to this", Caretaker announced.

"Ven-Ventrue?", Avril nervously gulped, "uhm you know what, can we just, you know, forget this ever happened. I'll just collect my property there by your feet, and we can, you know, be on our way?"

Caretaker chuckled, "no, as I said, I've been bothered to have to come here to deal with you and your team. You have bothered all of the clans. All thirteen. Normally hunters don't get the honor of facing off against a ventrue, as we find you hunters to be trivial, but we are quite done with your group."

One of the hunters tried to sneak up behind Caretaker and stab a spike into their back while they talked.

Whumpee muffled a scream, but Caretaker was already grabbing the person. They were on the ground in seconds.

"My dear", Caretaker glanced at Whumpee, "which one of these has caused you the most grief? I'll let you drink from them."

Whumpee locked eyes with Avril.

"You wouldn't dare", Avril glared at Whumpee, "you little sh...."

Caretaker grabbed Avril's face, and with a quick jerk, their neck was snapped.

Avril fell to the ground.

Whumpee stared fearfully at the body. Avril's eyes were still wide open, looking at Whumpee. Their pleadful expression unchanging now. Small gasp caused their lips to quiver.

"Two down, five to go", Caretaker started toward their next target.

Whumpee tried to roll away from Caretaker. They were thankful but terrified of this vampire.

Caretaker finished off all seven of the hunters. They took first choice and drank from one of their necks.

"Normally I don't take my meals like this, but I used up a lot of energy with this mess."

Vampires started to fly in to see if they could eat.

"Master, may we partake in this feast?", one flew lower.

"Yes, you vultures can eat up... except that one", Caretaker pointed at Avril, "that one is reserved."

Caretaker looked around for a moment before they saw where Whumpee had hid.

"Come now, I won't hurt you", Caretaker gently pulled Whumpee out from the shadow.

They finally managed to get the gag and other bindings off of Whumpee.

"Tied quite tightly, hmm", Caretaker helped Whumpee over to Avril, "take your meal. You look famished."

Whumpee stared into Avril's eyes. Tears streamed into the dirt.

"I-I can't", Whumpee looked away, "I haven't earned my meal. It isn't right."

"You don't have to earn this meal. If you are coming home with me I'd prefer for you to eat something beforehand. This will probably be the first of many meals I'll bring for you so you can get your strength back. Please eat."

"Go home wi-with you, but I-I'm not worthy... you're a ventrue... I don't even know what I am. I'm a mutt. Why would you want to take home some mere mutt?", Whumpee looked up at them, "I'm nothing master."

"I can do what I please. You may not question my decision to take care of you. Now eat", Caretaker knelt down.

Whumpee only kept their eyes on the ground. They figured that the vampire was more than likely taking them as a slave. Whumpee lowered themself even more to show reverence.

Suddenly, Caretaker sliced their claw like nails along Avril's throat.

Avril's shallow breathing turned to a shallow gargle.

The smell of fresh blood permeated Whumpee's nose.

They couldn't help but lunge towards the open cut and gulp down the blood.

"That's it. Just needed a little push", Caretaker smiled as they licked away blood from their nails.

Whumpee looked up at them as they drank.

Their puppy like eyes seemed so sweet to Caretaker.

Whumpee released when they could feel Avril's pulse weaken.

"Are you full?", Caretaker watched as Whumpee looked up.

"Their pulse is weak... I-I shouldn't tak..."

"I asked if you were full, not if they were done. Whatever is left of these hunters will go to the werewolves stalking us just past the tree line. If you are still hungry, then continue eating", Caretaker folded their arms.

Whumpee looked down at Avril. They were weakly looking around. Eyes glazed over. Already very close to death.

"I-I uhm, I am still hungry", Whumpee whispered, "I haven't eaten in a long time. Especially fresh blood."

"Then eat some more", Caretaker pushed.

Caretaker helped Whumpee up to their feet.

"You sucked them dry", Caretaker looked at the dried out corpse laying at their feet.

"I-is that okay?", Whumpee continued to carry themself lowly.

"Yes, it's perfect. You needed a full meal", Caretaker turned and saw how they were carrying themself, "you needn't worry about carrying yourself so low. I'm not one of those ventrue. You respect me, I earn my respect." Caretaker looked around and saw several vampires had flown away already, "so come with me. It is almost dawn. We need to get home."

"Home?", Whumpee whispered.

"Yes, you are coming with me for protection until we figure out what is going on with these blasted hunters. They have become a little bold lately, so we will need to put them back in their place. You can sleep in my coffin until we find you a replacement. I'm sure you don't have your own?"

"No master", Whumpee shook their head, "you're sharing your coffin... with me?"

"Yes, of course. You will feel well rested. Nothing like a good rest in a coffin to help you gain your strength back."

Whumpee looked back at the corpse before they followed behind Caretaker.

Several werewolves came out and pounced on the bodies after the remaining vampires flew away.

"I've never met a ventrue before", Whumpee hurried to catch up to Caretaker, "you are so much nicer than I thought."

"Well, there are few ventrue that will act exactly as you imagined them to act, but there are a few of us that are quite nice when we need to be."

Whumpee nodded, "thankyou for saving me."

"You're welcome dear", Caretaker smiled, "now let's get you to my home where you can rest and heal."

"Master, I have one more question. If you would allow it?", Whumpee followed Caretaker's long strides.

"Yes", Caretaker nodded.

"How did you know about me, and what was going on?", Whumpee frowned.

"Several vampires who escaped those hunters brought to the masquerades' attention. To many were being killed by those hunters. That's why we acted so quickly", Caretaker sighed, "I also wanted to get you out of the situation. To be honest, some of the masquerade had intentions to murder you for being an accomplice, but I and a few other leaders denied them. Though everyone is now in agreement that you did not have a choice, there are still some who want you dead. I, of course, will not allow that to happen, but I do fear you will be with me for a long time."

Whumpee shuddered at the thought.

"Are you sure. Maybe I'd be better off dead. I'd be less of a problem for you... and others."

"Yes, you would be, but I would like to give you this chance to enjoy some freedom. I wish to take on responsibility for you if you'll let me", Caretaker grinned, "I'm old. I've been around for a long time, and am quite bored. I will take care of you. I promise."

Whumpee mouth opened to answer, but words were lost. They had never had someone who wished to take care of them.

"It's okay", Caretaker turned when they sensed Whumpee's uncertainty, "you don't have to say anything. I understand."

Whumpee nodded with a weak smile, "th..thankyou."

Caretaker nodded, "you're welcome."

Taglist. As always please let me know if you want to be added or taken off of the list. It's not a problem at all.

@villainsandheroes @the-beasts-have-arrived

@sacredwrath @porschethemermaid

@monarchthefirst @generic-whumperz

@bloodyandfrightened @freefallingup13

@notpeppermint @cyborg0109

@idontreallyexistyet @painfulplots

@whumpbump @everythingsscary

@skittles-the-whumpee @expressionless-fr

@theforeverdyingperson @legendarydelusiongoatee

@candleshopmenace @whumpanthems

@lavndvrr @ivymyers

@starfields08000 @a-living-canvas

@lumpofsand @watermeezer

@indigoviolet311 @whumpy-mountains

@3-2-whump @risk606

@electrons2006 @paperprinxe

@whumprince @kaz-of-crows

@mis-graves @decaffeinatedtimetraveler94

@sausages-things @ragin-cajun-fangirl

@isikedmyself878 @daffyduckcommittedtaxfraud

@valravnthefrenchie @glennemerald

@jasperthecapser @does-directions

@deafeninglittlecrown @jumpywhumpywriter

[loonybun]

hi guys massive trigger warning for bugs and gore but like

one of my all time favorite ideas i’ve come up with for immortal whumpees is peeling back their epidermis and planting larvae inside, and then stitching it back up and waiting for the bugs to hatch. is it physically possible? probably not! but god damn if not for pain it’s still a sensory nightmare. i created this idea for a character of mine named callum. i love him a lot. even if he wants to put bugs under people’s skin.

[inkwell-and-dagger]

How To Kill An Immortal

Chapter 4 — Pick Your Poison

- In which Foster can no longer rely on a friend.

Contains: Captivity, failed escape attempt, multiple whumpers (mentioned), whump aftermath, immortal whumpee, caretaker* in alliance with whumper

previous || next || masterlist

—> —> —> —> —> —>

The door rang not long after. She didn't live too far away, after all; one of their many, stupid promises they'd made over pinkies and drags of cigarettes. Foster both wished they could return to those simpler years, and that they never existed in the first place. After all, one of the many catalysts as to the way they are now came from such a bittersweet time.

Standing with a grunt, Foster moved to answer the door. They unlocked it with a steady hand, and it opened. Scrunched up in a bright smile, her eyes greeted theirs. Bright, curly blue hair tied into a loose ponytail framed a face ever so familiar.

Foster couldn't bite back a rare smile of their own, as small as it was. “Hi, Ivy.”

—> —> —>

Rayan felt something in the air change. He had initially perceived his captor as someone who'd prefer solitude over company; from what he saw previously, they lived completely alone, each room devoid of life and welcoming. In the vague silence, the sound of the door opening above seemed far too loud. Then, a muffled greeting, answered by another.

They had company. His captor was surely full of surprises.

This time, he heard a second pair of footsteps, light and smooth; a drastic difference from Foster's own thumping, quick footfalls. Rayan couldn't help but wince: both due to his wounds, but also due to the fact this poor, innocent companion of theirs was unbeknownst to what — who — was trapped under their nose. Dirt under their fingernails. So close, and yet so far away.

Rayan stared, listless, at the door. He paid acute attention to their footsteps. Guessing where they were going, wondering what they were doing when the footfalls ceased. The wound in his side was, no doubt, healing now; he no longer minded the tingling sensation that came along with it.

In the dim light, he vaguely saw what damage the bat had done: sickly bruises painted the skin on his arms, but most wounds were either under his clothes or under the blood. It'd crusted over by now. Good. He didn't want to see.

Sitting up, even as his aching limbs and the prickling pain in his side screamed in protest, Rayan crawled to the door. His legs trailed behind.

This was his only chance. Foster's visitor was the only outside contact he could have after days. They just might be the key to getting out of this hell.

His fist pounded on the door in quick succession, in rhythmic strikes that Rayan prayed they could hear. Whoever they were, he didn't care. As long as someone, anyone, heard him.

“HELP!” A shrill, raw cry ripped from his throat, hands striking the door quicker. His voice was brittle, but he continued to fruitlessly plead nonetheless. “HELP! HELP, PLEASE!”

After a while, the sickening realisation that his attempts were in vain dawned on Rayan. And yet, for some reason, he kept banging. Perhaps he still clung to the sliver of hope he had left of rescue.

Rayan felt like a ghost. An unwilling spectator, an invisible onlooker in the background, confined to a cold, empty existence with freedom right at his fingertips, yet nowhere near at the same time. He rested his head against the door, fists absently striking; the wound in his side jostled with the movement as he slumped down. Perhaps it wasn't healing in the first place. The thought alone was enough to elicit a dry and feeble chuckle.

He wanted to go home. To see Madeline. He wanted to exist without the fear of doing something wrong in his captor’s eyes and earning another gruelling beating. He wanted to feel something other than the unforgiving coldness of a blade, or aching remnants of wounds he shouldn't be able to heal from.

—> —> —>

Ivy whistled, letting herself in with a gentle bump to their shoulder. Foster let her waltz past, but not without an exasperated glare. “You're a sight for sore eyes today,” She teased.

“Piss off.”

“I'll have a tea. Two sugars, not too much milk, as usual.”

Foster's scowl hardened, shutting the door and crossing their arms. “What the hell is wrong with you today? Not even a ‘good afternoon’?”

Ivy grinned, turning to face them. “You were about to ask me, Cian—”

“It's Foster now,” They hissed.

“...Foster, sorry. You were gonna ask, like always. I know you like the back of my hand. It's called being a friend.” She patted their shoulder and her smile widened in a vain attempt to make them do the same. Suffice to say it hadn't worked, but Ivy wasn't deterred; as she walked to the kitchen, Foster sighed and trailed behind.

“What mug do you want?” As Ivy made herself comfortable at the kitchen table, Foster marched to the kettle.

“Any. I'm not fussed.”

Tea was made in quick succession, with sparse conversation in-between. Foster could feel her gaze boring into their back. It was nothing intimidating — she was simply observing — but a bothersome thought in the back of Foster's mind told them she knew why she was here.

As the kettle finally quietened its insistent shriek, Foster poured the water into a randomly chosen mug. Steam swirled up, weaving and tangling in the air, like ghostly branches. Almost absentmindedly, they turned to look over their shoulder at Ivy.

With a smile, Ivy leaned back in her chair, pushing an adjacent stool out from the table with her foot: a silent invitation for them to sit with her. It was strange, her ordering Foster around in their own house, but it was simply what they had been doing for years prior.

They sighed. Conversation seemed better than watching the tea as it brewed. “How’ve you been?” Foster walked over and sat down with a sigh, crossing their arms.

“Decent,” Resting her chin in her hand, she continued: “It’s been boring, sure, but decent. How about you?”

“...Fine.”

Silence followed. Foster seemed on edge — their eyes, always so keen and attentive, drifted constantly to the hallway, as if checking to ensure nothing was out of place. White-knuckled and clenched, their hands sat tensely in their lap.

“So,” Ivy drawled; an attempt to ease the heaviness in the air, “why am I here again?”

“I need help. There's, um—”

Before Foster could continue, a muffled cry was heard from the basement; a quick banging sound followed the noises. Their eyes flickered to the hall, jaw clenching in what seemed to be annoyance. Ivy followed their gaze, and something dawned on her at that moment…

“Foster. Who was that?”

They bit back a wince. Another shriek, another pound on the door. Bastard. “It's nothing, Ivy, I promise you—”

But already, Ivy had shot up out of her seat, taking long strides out of the kitchen. Despite the lingering realisation that their cover had been blown — all because of a stupid man’s inability to just be quiet — Foster was adamant on keeping the wool pulled over her eyes. If not only temporarily. If not only for a few extra, fleeting moments.

“Ivy—” They called, following at her heels as they descended the steps to the basement. “Ivy, listen to me—”

“No!” She turned to face them, a sudden distrust glistening in her eye. Another bang. And then silence. “What the fuck was that? No— Who the fuck was that, Foster?”

“Ivy, just listen to me. I made a mistake, that's all. I just need your help, I don't know what to do with it.”

She scowled, rattling the doorknob. It didn't budge. Somewhere inside, she heard shuffling. “Foster. Where are the damn keys?”

“I'm not—”

“Give me the fucking keys!”

Foster sucked in a breath, hasting up the stairs once more to fetch the keys to the basement. They did so begrudgingly, a knot forming in their stomach. After all, they'd just been outed as a kidnapper to their best friend.

They returned with the keys; Ivy snatched them without a second thought, unlocking the door quickly. Foster attempted to pull her back, the smell of old blood permeating the air, but she pushed their hand away.

Inside, Ivy grew stiff at the sight of a figure slowly retreating into the corner. She turned to Foster, demanding an answer. “Who is that?”

Foster remained stubbornly silent.

“Foster, who the fuck is that?”

“I… don't know,” They relented, sighing. Hands balling up into fists, they looked away. “I'm digging. Looking for what I can. It's name—”

“They aren't an it, for god’s sake.”

“...His name is Rayan.”

Ivy returned her attention to Rayan, who sat cowering like an injured puppy. She pinched the bridge of her nose in evident exasperation, turning the light on with her other hand.

Light flooded into the room, and Rayan squinted and shielded his eyes with his hand. Etched into his palm was the vague outline of an infinity symbol.

“For fuck’s sake,” She growled, “what the hell is wrong with you? An Immortal rando?”

“He isn't— I swear, I recognize him from somewhere, and I don't fucking like it.”

Ivy grunted in frustration, leaving the basement and slamming the door closed. “Look. I know how you are with.. them, but you can't keep some random guy in your basement because he's one of them! Let him go.”

“I can't,” They hissed back, shoulders tensed. “It's too fucking late. Just.. help me get rid of him.”

“He's Immortal.”

“There has to be some way!”

“No, Foster. You dug this fucking hole for yourself, I'm not helping you out this time.”

Ivy shoved past them, like how she did as she'd entered the house. Foster let her go. Biting the inside of their cheek till they swore they could taste blood, Foster's eyes drifted momentarily to the cupboard — to the knives, and whatever dreaded things resided with them — and then back to Rayan. “I'm gonna fuckin’ kill you.”

“Good luck with that.”

Foster grunted out a wry laugh, walking in and picking up their bat once more. The blood had dried by now, crusted over the wood and metal nails. The weight was a welcome sensation, as if it fit perfectly in their hands.

Rayan quietened once more as they strolled up, lifting his chin with the edge of the bat. Rayan unwillingly met their gaze.

“I'll figure out a way,” Foster guided his head up, up, before pulling the bat away as his head sagged back down. Instead, they lifted it over their head. “Now go back to sleep.”

—> —> —>

“Did you do anything to him?” Ivy was back in the kitchen, but the tea remained an afterthought. They were probably brewed now, but that didn't matter.

“No.”

“Sure,” Ivy leaned against the counter, fiddling with her earring. “Look, Foster. I know how much you've been through.”

“You don't know all of it—”

“Just let me speak,” She snapped. “I know enough. But I thought it was behind you now. You've been out of the ring for years now, I thought that was the end. But I was wrong.

“I also know how much I've been an alibi to you. And vice versa. We made a pact, if I remember correctly. So I'm not going to run off to the police, or anyone. I- I can promise you that, at least.”

Foster perked up, but she held up her other hand. They clenched their jaw and remained quiet.

“I have some.. friends of friends,” She continued, “who live not too far away. Met them in the ring. They know a bit about Immortals, unlike me.

“You're a stupid motherfucker, Foster. But I'm a good friend. So, if I can't help you, I'll lead you to others who will.”

Foster let out a breath they hadn't realized they'd been holding; a weight was lifted from their chest, and they could finally breathe again. “Thank you, Ivy.”

She nodded, sighing. “You've gotten yourself into a mess, Fos.”

“I know, but I can handle him with your help.”

“Their help,” She clarified. “I'm not getting my hands dirty again, Foster. I can't. That's why I'm getting them to help, not me. I'm sorry.”

“Ivy, come on—”

“No, Foster,” Ivy looked at them as if they were no more than a stranger. “No.”

Foster's eyebrows knitted together as Ivy walked out of the kitchen, trainers thudding against the floor. Foster trailed behind, meeting them at the door, where Ivy lightly nudged their shoulder.

“Good luck babysitting,” She said, eliciting a scoff from the other. But she looked less than pleased. “I'll call them when I get home. See if they can make it in a few days. I'll update you.”

“Thank you.”

She shrugged, opening the door, “It's just what I do best.”

Foster didn't close the door until Ivy's car sped off, to which their face fell as they locked it.

They'd bitten off more than they could chew, indeed. And, it might've just cost them their friendship, as fickle as it was.

—> —> —> —> —> —>

WE ARE SO BACK (I say once more). luckily I didn't spend half a year on this, I think I spent only 3 months??? yippee!!!!!!! anyhow I hope you lot like ivy (and, shock horror, foster does have friends. nothing is impossible!!!!) :333

HTKAI Taglist: @kira-the-whump-enthusiast @whumpy-wyrms @creppersfunpalooza @toyybox @vidawhump

(*I'm not really sure whether ivy is a caretaker or not???? she doesn't do any whumping and has some sort of care for rayan, but then again suggests some people to foster who make rayan's life MUCH worse)

[chaotic-orphan]

Partners in Crime (2)

Read part one here

~*~*~*~*~*~

Casper peeled himself off the ground, his limbs exhausted as if he had just donated every drop of his blood. Even if he did donate all his blood, Monroe would still expect him to show up to work, or get Dante to grab his corpse for another fucking job.

He wobbled when he got his feet under him. It felt weird, like Monroe had cut off one of his senses; taken his eyes, or deafened him, or plucked every nerve from his body.

Monroe smiled at him as he grabbed the wall for support coming in from the balcony. “There you go, Casper. Taking it like a champ.”

“Oh fuck off, Monroe.”

Gavin laughed at that, eyes darting between the strange pair. Casper settled heavy into one of the chairs at the island, where Monroe was sitting when Casper arrived.

“Was any of this necessary?” Casper asked, not thanking Monroe as he slid a cup of coffee across to Casper. Little bit of milk, two sugars, just the way he liked it. “You still haven’t told me why you did it.”

Monroe inclined his head. “I thought I told you playing coy doesn’t suit you, Fox.”

“You think that I somehow betrayed you and used my power for someone else?”

Monroe just stared at Casper across the marble countertop. It was Gavin who answered. “He doesn’t think, Casper. He knows that—”

“Oh fuck off, Gavin, nobody wants you here,” Casper replied without looking at him. “You know that, right?”

“At least Gavin understands loyalty,” Monroe replied, heavy eyes pinning Casper to his chair. Casper rolled his eyes, bringing the steaming mug to his lips and gulping down two mouthfuls, gathering his thoughts.

“Like a dog,” Casper replied finally, casting his attention back to Monroe. “Well, I won’t be useful to whatever plans you want to discuss for the next few days. You’ve ensured that, dickhead.”

Monroe waved the insult away. “Nonsense. You know me, Casper, I like to plan well in advance. Your abilities should be up and running by the time I have use for them.”

“How convenient.”

“It really is. Just remember how you got to where you are today, Fox. How quickly your life changed after you met me.”

“Not for the better,” Casper grumbled.

Monroe raised his mug of coffee in a sardonic toast. “And yet, you can pay your rent.”

“As can you in your fancy hotel,” Casper shot back, raising his own cup. “Partners, remember?”

Monroe’s eyes glimmered with a dangerous smugness that Casper hated. It was just so irritatingly superior. “Partners,” he replied coolly.

They both took a sip of their coffee. Even with the two sugars, somehow Casper’s coffee tasted bitter, or maybe it was the eerie emptiness in his body. The dreadful absence of something he couldn’t quite describe.

“Now,” Monroe said, setting his cup down and clasping his hands on the table in front of him. “To business. Gavin, be a dear and grab my papers for me.”

Gavin stood and nodded, as if following Monroe’s commands were his life purpose. His reason to breathe. Casper kept his eyes trained on Gavin’s back as he left the room.

Stupid git.

Monroe inclined his head. “He’s useful.”

“Yeah, as a footstool. Or maybe with a gag, he would be.”

Monroe smiled. “Mmm, so tempting, Casper. I could get the pair of you a matching set. I’m sure Dante knows a guy.”

Dante answered with deathly silence as he so usually did. Casper could picture him in his usual spot, sprawled out across the couch in the living room, a book in his hand.

Casper scoffed. “I’m sure he does.”

Gavin returned, sliding a manilla folder across the countertop to Casper. Casper stopped it with his hand and looked down at the stupid file. He didn’t want to do this again, last time was supposed to be his last job. He wanted to wash his hands of this life already, he was tired of it.

“Do you need Gavin to open the file for you, Fox?”

Casper raised his eyes to Monroe’s across the table. He clenched his jaw and pushed the file a little away from him. “I don’t want to do this anymore.”

“Open files?” Monroe asked innocently.

Casper’s expression dropped, exposing his irritation. “This. This fucking whatever we have here. Aren’t you tired? We got everything we want, Bass, let’s quit while we’re ahead.”

Monroe crossed his arms over his chest, cocking a brow at Casper. “You want to stop making money?”

“We have enough,” Casper grumbled. “The two of us, okay. You have your passive income now from your hotels and your real estate and I am secure. I have savings and shit. We don’t have to keep living like it’s all going to disappear tomorrow! We can stop.”

“I don’t want to stop.”

“Easy to say when you’re not the one taking the risks!” Casper snapped. The air seemed to chill with the snap of a book behind Casper and he straightened in his seat as he heard Dante move behind him.

Gavin, the idiot, broke the silence with a sneer. “You’re such a fucking pussy, Casp—”

“Dante, please show Gavin out.”

Gavin’s head whipped to Monroe, but Monroe didn’t even look at him, his hard gaze fixed on Casper instead.

“What? Why, I can help.”

“I know, but it’s getting late, and Casper and I need a chat.”

Before Gavin could protest further, Dante put a hand on his shoulder. Gavin looked between the two at the counter before letting out a disapproving groan and shrugging Dante’s hand off.

“Fine. Call me when you need me.”

“I will.”

Dread pooled in Casper as he watched Dante and Gavin leave. Somehow, Monroe still made him uneasy when he shouldn’t. Casper had known Monroe way before the other two did, but Monroe had a lethal way about him. In his words and his quiet power. The fact that he could beat the shit out of Casper but paid someone else to do it said everything about the man.

Only when the doors to the penthouse shut did Monroe begin to walk around the counter towards Casper. Casper set his jaw, not letting any of his anxiety show as Monroe undid the button of his waist coat.

“You’re right you know,” Monroe said casually, attempting to disarm Casper. Casper had grown with Monroe; he’d seen him do this same set up right before he added the dagger to your kidney with a smile. “I don’t take the risks.”

“I know.”

A razor-sharp smile spread across Monroe’s lips that seemed too large for his face. “Do you know why I don’t take the risks?”

Casper scoffed and looked away. That was a mistake. If there was one thing Casper should’ve known — one thing Monroe taught him — it was to never take your eyes off the enemy. A flash of movement caught his eye and before he could face Monroe again there was a hand in his hair.

Casper flinched, then froze, his blood pounding an erratic war drumbeat in his ears as the hand ruffled his hair. Casper turned a wide-eyed glance to see Monroe smiling, genuinely this time. Casper wanted to slap Monroe’s hand away like he always did, but there was something wrong with this picture. Some void opened up in the pit of his stomach ready to swallow him whole, but he couldn’t put his finger on what.

“It’s because I don’t have to, Caspy,” Monroe said simply with a casual shrug, but his eyes… the way Monroe was staring at him reminded Casper of a wolf looking at a particular vulnerable piece of meat. “I pay Dante to do most of it.”

Casper batted Monroe’s hand away with his forearm, steeling his expression once more. “Yeah, and I do the rest, putting my life and freedom on the line.”

A flash of movement and Casper’s head slammed against the marble island counter. Casper’s hands shot to the hand on the back of his neck which pinched harder as he tried to pry it off.

“Casper…” Monroe sighed as Casper groaned, trying to push himself from the chair and out of Monroe’s reach. Monroe hooked his leg around the chair and slammed Casper’s head down again. The thump of his head off the counter resounded through his entire skull, rattling his brain. Casper cried out, letting go of Monroe’s hand and instead pushed against the countertop. “Sometimes you can be a real brat, y’know that?”

“Fuck you!” Casper spat, spit flying from his mouth as he cried out, Monroe crushing his skull against the cool stone. “Get off of me!”

“Remind me again, Caspy, why don’t I take the risks?”

Casper didn’t answer initially. Monroe’s fingers went to Casper’s hair at the nape of his neck, fisting a clump and yanking Casper’s head back over the chair. Frightened eyes met warm blue eyes, smiling down at him.

“I’m a patient man, Casper. I can wait for your answer.”

“Bas... let me–”

“EHH!” Monroe said, mimicking the sound of a wrong answer buzzer on a gameshow. “Try again.”

“Okay! Fine! I don’t know! Why don’t you take the risks?!” Casper spat, the words rushing out of him as his head snapped up again.

Monroe stared at him as if he were a piece of meat. Casper reached for his ability pathetically, finding nothing comforting when he found the usual well of magic inside him.

“I don’t take the risks, Casper,” Monroe began softly, crowding Casper as he lowered himself slightly to stand over him. “Because I’m not the unregistered powered individual between us.”

Casper’s lips curled back into a snarl. “You bastard! You were the one who told me not to register!”

“Potato-potahto.” Monroe’s hand in Casper’s hair snaked over his shoulder as he leaned in closer to Casper’s face, a mock comfort that only made Casper’s heart race in his chest. “Point is, if you want to cash out and settle now when we have so much potential, well then… my good morality would win out and I’d have to report you to the proper authorities.”

The words stung something deep inside Casper’s chest, as if one of his arteries to his heart had just been severed. Like Monroe reached into Casper’s chest, plucked at the wire connecting his heart to his body and snapped the chord with a sickening smile on his face.

Monroe… he wouldn’t do something like that. Not to Casper, not after everything they had been through. Casper was the only family Monroe had— not blood, but as close to it or better.

“You wouldn’t,” Casper challenged, his voice coming out far smaller than he intended, trying to call his bluff. This was the first time Monroe said anything like this to him. Granted, it was also the first time that Casper talked about quitting but…

Monroe’s smile was anything but warm as he pulled back, patting Casper’s shoulder with his hand. A gesture of mock reassurance. “Do I look like I’m joking?”

Monroe straightened, pulling back altogether and began to undo his cufflinks as Casper straightened, trying to catch his breath and mulled over the threat silently. He felt sick, more so than he did when his powers were muted, but this was on a whole new level of control. Even for Monroe.

“Listen, Caspy, it’s not a bad thing we’re doing, and it’s not like I’m forcing you to do it.” Casper remained silent. He didn’t bother to point out the fact that Monroe was forcing him by blackmailing him into staying. Monroe’s voice turned soft, honey-coated words adding: “It’s for our mutual benefit, and you know – you know – I’d never let anything actually happen to you.”

Casper looked away from him, opting to stare forward instead out to the night-soaked sky that fell like a shudder over the city.

“You’ll see in time,” he said, unclipping his pocket watch and leaving it in front of Casper. “I haven’t steered us wrong before; I don’t plan on doing it now.”

When Casper still didn’t reply or look at him, Monroe sighed. From the corner of his eye, Casper could see Monroe run a hand through his hair. He was uncomfortable with his threat at least, Casper noted. At least he was still somewhat human.

“Tell ya what. I’ll have your bed made up in your room, huh? You’ll stay the night.”

“No thank you.”

“Nonsense. It’s already late.” Monroe said, gesturing to the windows. “Your room hasn’t been touched; I think your bed was stripped but other than that it’s golden.”

Casper crossed his arms across his chest. “I have an apartment. I’d rather go home.”

Monroe paused, glancing over his shoulder at Casper. Casper could feel the eyes boring into the side of his face, but he refused to look at the man. Even though his heart sped up in his chest. Was this considered being a brat in Monroe’s eyes? Would he hurt him again?

Casper stiffened, preparing for the blow.

Monroe hummed.

Casper risked a glance. It was a mistake.

“I wasn’t asking.” Monroe told him with a smile. “We haven’t had family time in a while. We should relax, hmm? Just the two of us. Catch up. How about a movie?”

“Bas—” Casper protested getting to his feet.

“You can choose the film. And we can order takeaway, that sushi place you like? I haven’t touched your room, but I can get one of the maids to make up your bed?”

Casper sighed. Monroe grinned at him, knowing he had won.

“Choose whatever, I’ll be a few minutes.” Monroe said before ruffling Casper’s hair again and turning away. The protests died on Casper’s tongue as he watched Monroe retreat to his bedroom to get changed.

He didn’t want to stay here ever again. That’s why he moved out in the first place. He had outgrown living with Monroe who blurred the lines between family and business associates in the blink of an eye. It gave him whiplash. To go from the caring, protective older brother to the cold-blooded bastard that was Monroe.

“Fuck,” Casper muttered under his breath. He really shouldn’t stay. He should disappear while Monroe was distracted and move country, or continent. Or planet if he didn’t want Dante to find him and drag him back.

Fuck.

He dropped his head, running a hand through his hair and pulling at the strands on the back of his neck, letting out a long, tired sigh. Pale eyes flicked to the golden pocket watch that Monroe had discarded on the counter. Casper glanced up, making sure Monroe wasn’t lingering as he grabbed it, turning it over in his hand to read the inscription.

Fight. The world has enough doormats anyways. - C

Casper ran a thumb over the indents of the letters in the metal. It was old. It was old when he got it from a backstreet merchant known only as Grouse. Definitely stolen, but Grouse always had a soft spot for Casper. And Monroe. The only real cost was the engraving that crippled Casper financially for a week, but it was worth it. To see Monroe’s face light up when he gave him the gift was worth it.

Casper sighed, putting the watch down and getting to his feet. After all this time, Monroe was still the only shred of family he had in this world, the same way Casper was Monroe’s only family. Monroe had found him on the streets — the two of them scrawny and skinny — and taught him how to live instead of just survive.

Casper remembered looking up at the terrifying boy a couple years older than him that had just taken out three guys double his size, probably triple Casper’s. Monroe’s eyes gleamed with something monstrous when he turned to face Caspe, his chest heaving as he threw down the lid to the trashcan he had used to fight the other boys.

Monroe’s gaze softened when they fixed on Casper’s half concealed body. “You just gonna lay there and die, or are you gonna fight?”

Casper blinked owlishly at the boy. People rarely noticed him, let alone spoke to him when they saw him. He risked sticking his neck out a little to get a better look at the hot-blooded boy. He had blood gushing down from his hairline, staining the right side of his face.

Casper’s eyes widened as he saw one of the boys get to his feet behind the boy. Casper didn’t think, he just moved. He dashed past the other boy, standing between his saviour and the other boy. He scooped the metal lid from the ground and mimicked how the nice boy fought. He smashed the lid up, not quite reaching the taller boy’s chin like his saviour, but instead slammed it into the other boy’s chest, then below his ribs before sweeping it against the back of the bully’s legs.

The hulk fell with a thud. Wordlessly, Casper turned to face his saviour who was beaming down at him. Up close, Casper could see the dirt on the boy’s face and the small red stream down his nose. His teeth-stained red. The boy put a hand in Casper’s hair and ruffled it.

“A fighter. Good. The world has enough doormats anyways.”

The words were the nugget of wisdom Monroe had told Casper, back when they were kids. It wasn’t the full quote because the engraver said that it wouldn’t fit on the back of the pocket watch, so Casper pulled out the important parts and cut the rest.

Monroe taught him the way to survive the streets. He taught him everything he knows; rumours were power, favours currency, and of everything Monroe had taught him, only the smart ones survive.

That initial mantra – you just gonna lay there and die? – echoed in Casper’s mind like an earworm, every time someone hit him to the ground, he’d hear Monroe’s voice and get back up.

Casper walked into his room and stood in the doorway, taking it all in. Everything was how he left it. His bed took up most of the room, a super king and softer than any bed he had ever slept in. His PC was set up on his desk in the corner of the room, his screensaver lighting up the screen. Casper made a point not to look at it as he took the first door to his right.

His wardrobe, a small box room with shelves panelled into each wall and a hanging space in the back. Casper grabbed black tracksuit bottoms and a hoodie, getting dressed in the wardrobe. Hanging his signature leather leather jacket up with care and throwing the rest of his clothes wherever they landed.

It felt good, like old times as he stepped out of the wardrobe and walked to his ensuite. He missed him, the old Monroe; the version that was like an older brother. Bass. Not the dictator who had taken over Bass’s body, the hard businessman Monroe, who took whatever he wanted and left nothing for anyone else.

Casper made a point of ignoring the small voice in the back of his head that told him that’s the way Bass had always been. That it was Casper who changed. He didn’t have the energy to deal with that kind of revelation tonight.

He stopped in front of the mirror and sighed. He didn’t look into it, but he could see the gash on his forehead from the corner of his eye.

Just wash your face, Casper, he told himself. Tiredness pulled at his mind, fraying the edges slightly. He didn’t notice he was tired before, but the weight of everything felt too great. Or maybe it was because he was in comfortable clothes.

Just remember how you got here, Casper, Monroe isn’t there for you. He really wished that voice would shut up for two seconds. Thankfully there was a knock at his door.

“You ready?” Monroe called from the other side. Casper nodded, realising after that Monroe couldn’t see him right now. “Yeah,” he said back, walking to the door and opening it. Monroe grinned at him. He was dressed in red and black chequered pyjama pants and a white t-shirt. His grin exposed his faint dimple that was so much more prominent when they were kids.

Casper followed him to the couch, settling in while Monroe pressed a button on a remote to lower the blinds over the windows. They closed with a soft hum while Casper scrolled through Netflix looking for something to watch. He had one hand on the armrest of the sofa, propping his chin up while he scanned the films idly.

“I called for Maid to come up and change your bed, and asked Butler to place the order for sushi.” Monroe told him, scrolling through his phone casually.

Casper hummed in reply. From the corner of his eye he saw Monroe pause his scrolling on his phone and turn to face him.

“Oi, don’t tell me you’re still mad about today,” Monroe said. Casper shrugged one shoulder, eyes still focused on the TV. “Caspy,” Monroe whined like a child, slamming his foot at Casper’s leg. “Come on.”

“You got your dog to force me to drink some fucking potion that cuts me off from my powers for who knows how long, and then threatened to expose me to the government for being an unregistered Supe.” Casper said, turning his head to glare at Monroe now. “Sorry if I’m a little pissed off.”

“That’s business, Casp. You know that.” Casper studied Monroe’s face, his jaw clenched. Monroe’s face softened, a cheeky grin exposing his dimple again. “Casper~” he sang, setting his phone down on the armchair. “You can’t be mad at me forever.”

Before Casper could reply, Monroe lunged and caught Casper around the neck. His elbow locked around Casper’s throat while his other hand went to his hair, knuckles poised and ready. Casper kicked out, forcing the pair of them back against the couch cushions, trying to break free. Monroe responded in kind, locking his legs around Casper’s waist, immobilising him completely.

“Say you love me.”

“No!”

“Say you love me.”

“No way!” Casper grunted, pulling on the elbow locked around his neck and pulling it off slightly. He couldn’t help the smile that came to his face. “Get off me, idiot!”

“Say you love me or I won’t let go.”

“I’m going to punch you,” Casper told him.

Monroe sighed, tightening his grip on Casper’s waist with his legs. “Then you forced my hand.” His voice grave.

Casper cried out when Monroe gave him a nuggie, bucking wildly as his hands reached for Monroe’s wrists and yanked his hands off Casper’s head. Casper planted his foot on the couch and launched them off the side, rolling until he was free of Monroe’s clutches, a wide grin on his face.

Monroe got to his hands and knees with a small laugh. “Say you love me or I’ll eat all the sushi in front of you.”

“Like you could.”

“I’m serious,” Monroe said, pushing himself to his feet. “I’ll get Butler to tie you up and you can watch me eat all the beautiful dead fish.”

The doorbell rang. The brother’s locked eyes for a moment. Then it was a mad dash for the door. Casper reached it first, smiling at Butler, hand out to get the food before Monroe barrelled into him from the side, and pushed him to the ground.

“Thank you, Butler,” Monroe said, fixing his hair and grabbing the bag. “You are a star.”

“Of course, Mr Monroe.” Butler said, his eyes drifting behind Monroe. Casper’s hand darted over Monroe’s shoulder, kicking the older man in his shins and grabbing the bag of food.

“Thank you Butler!” Casper called over his shoulder, dashing to the kitchen and quickly unpacking the dishes.

Butler hummed while Monroe groaned, taking Butler’s outstretched hand. “It’s good to see you both together again,” he said earnestly.

Monroe’s grin melted to a genuine smile. “He’s still a little shit.”

“As are you, sir.” Butler said with a wink. Monroe waved the old man’s comment away with a breath through his teeth.

“Psssh, me? Never.”

“Indeed.”

The rustling of cartons and paper bags drew Monroe to the kitchen, where he saw Casper sitting on the edge of the countertop, a piece of California roll between two chopsticks.

Monroe smiled at the scene. It was good to be together again, to see his little shithead of a brother again. Compared to what he was when they were kids, Casper was a man now, same as him. He didn’t need as much protection as before, Monroe would always be there for him. Always.

Even when Casper didn’t want him to be anymore.

[hold-on-a-little-longer-whump]

controversial whump opinion:

I really, really dislike using and reading "whumpee" and "whumper"

Like, yeah I get that it makes things easier to post and interpret and all that jazz. It's probably easier on our consciences instead of using actual, real-world terms like "victim" and "attacker" - and that's a very valid reason. It's another way to distance whump media from real-world scenarios because we don't actually want bad things to happen to real people (just our fictional blorbos pls n thx)

but, regardless, a tiny part of me just has an ick when whumpee and whumper is used.

[letitbehurt]

“I’m sorry.”

“No, you’re not.” Whumper brushes a thumb gently over Whumpee’s cheek, smiling when they close their eyes and swallow. “Not yet.”

[mj-iza-writer]

Whumptober Day 20

Emotional Angst - Shoulder to cry on - Giving permission to die - "It's not your fault"

Darryn was pushed into the dimly lit room, someone grabbed his shoulder firmly and pushed them down to a kneeling position.

He barred his fangs at the someone and received a slap to the face.

A second slap came to them by way of their senses.

"Blood", they whispered, drool threatened to come from their mouth.

Their captors had starved them of blood for a couple of weeks now.

They hadn't bitten anyone for a long time. Their fangs yearned and ached for that sensation.

The air was thick with the smell of fresh blood, a fresh cut no doubt. It took Darryn all of his strength not to leap away from the hands that now held him down. They wanted it.

"Easy Darryn, you'll get your chance", their new master smiled as they stepped in front of Darryn, "you do want the blood right?"

"Yes please", Darryn looked up, their cravings causing them to shake.

"This is my gift to you", the Master turned to reveal a body tied to a chair.

A cloth bag was covering the head, the person was weeping under it. Sure enough, blood seeped from a stab wound on their thigh.

"You have a choice though Darryn, I will not reveal who is under that bag. You can choose to let them go, I will bandage them up and send them on their way. If you choose to drink from them, you can drink to your hearts desire, but you can't sire them. If you drain them to much they will die and you can't stop that outcome", the Master smiled, "am I clear."

Darryn nodded. Their blood lust was causing their other senses to be blurry. They thought about it for a second, they could control themself to only take enough without killing the person, they were sure of it. Something in the back of their mind said they recognized the sound coming from the person though, but who, they couldn't remember anyone.

"What's it gonna be?", the Master interrupted their thoughts.

"If I drink and they live, what will you do with them then? I'm sure I can control myself, but what will their outcome be afterwards?", Darryn eyed the human, then the Master.

"They will go free", the Master promised, "you know I'm honest with my word."

Darryn looked back at the human and licked their lips, "I'm sure I can control myself."

"Let him go", the Master commanded, "you heard him."

Darryn's arms were released from the people holding them down.

They inched steadily to the human, they felt bad hearing their fear.

"I'm sorry, it will only hurt for a second, I promise", Darryn moved to the neck, "I must survive to."

At those words, the person stilled.

Darryn sunk their teeth in and started to drink. They worked to control their lust. They concentrated on listening to the body. There were always a few warning signs that a human was losing too much blood.

The heart started to vibrate the blood, that was warning sign number one.

'Please not yet', Darryn thought to himself, 'just a little more.'

Warning number two, the human started to fall sideways, threatening unconsciousness.

Darryn sighed, they had to stop.

As they licked the wound to stop the bleeding, Master pulled the cloth bag from the human.

Darryn happened to glance to see who their donor was, they froze.

"No, my love", Darryn screamed.

Their love was nearly unconscious, the blood wouldn't stop oozing from the wounds.

"I believe you took more blood then you meant to", the Master grinned, "you had a chance to let them walk, but you had to be greedy."

"Please let me turn them, they can't, they can't die. I'm supposed to protect them", Darryn hugged the almost lifeless form, "please."

"That wasn't part of the agreement", the Master stated.

"You tricked me", Darryn yelled, "please", their voice cracked, "my love."

"What if they don't want to be sired, what if they get turned and hate you for the rest of their eternity", the Master jabbed.

"To know my love would still be alive, even if they hate me. To know they grace this earth with their presence, I would chance it", Darryn buried their face into their loves body."

"Please I don't have much time, please let me", Darryn pleaded.

"On one condition", the Master grinned.

Darryn turned, tears still lining his face, "anything."

"You become my slave", the Master grinned again.

Darryn frowned and looked at their beloved, "that would make them your slave too."

"Yes that's a good point", the Master chuckled, "you'll be making a choice for the both of you."

Darryn turned to look at their beloved, tears welled up in their eyes.

"I will do you one better", they turned to look at the Master, "allow me to sire them, and teach them to survive. If you allow them to go free. I will willingly serve you, you will have access to my full abilities. I will not hold back any parts of my strength so long as you give me the blood to do it. You recall that I am a pretty powerful vampire right?"

The Master smirked, "you'd throw your whole life away for some human and serve another, just for love."

"Yes, my beloved is worth it", Darryn hugged them again.

"You know what, I'm feeling nice today", the Master grinned with an evil smile, "it's a deal."

Darryn wasted no more time, he bit into his own arm. When their blood started to seap they put it to their love's lips.

"Drink please", he begged, "it's okay."

The person used every ounce of strength to drink the blood. There was a second where they made eye contact.

"I'm so sorry", Darryn whispered as tears fell from their belove's face.

Their love fell unconsciouss.

"It takes time for this to work", Darryn sighed, "they will survive", they licked their beloved wounds until they disappeared, then licked their own wounds from their arm.

The Master grinned.

Darryn frowned and went to kneel before the Master, "allow me to be your weapon, I will serve you as you please. Do you except?"

"I do", the Master almost sang, they were so giddy. This was their plan.

A golden ring formed around Darryn's upper arm.

"That symbolizes our contract, I shall serve you until you die. Only then am I free", Darryn bowed.

Little did they know Darryn's love was already awake, listening.

The Master allowed a week for Darryn to train the new vampire. Darryn was happy they didn't seem upset about the situation.

"How can I be upset", they had said, "when you said you needed to survive to, I could tell how weak you were. That's why I relaxed and didn't fight it."

Darryn gave them all of their knowledge, they wanted their love to be successful.

At the end of the week Darryn released the natural contract that came with sireing someone.

"I believe you will be alright", Darryn fought tears, knowing this may be their last time seeing them, "if you need help, use my name. There are many that will help you because I sired you."

Their beloved hugged them, and whispered, "I will return to you."

Darryn nodded in understanding, "just don't do anything stupid, Master controls me now. I can't get around that contract, I don't want them to make me do anything that I'll have to live with."

Time passes.

Darryn had caused substantial damage in the name of their Master.

Scars littered Darryn's body, their once pale flawless skin held damage from the heavy labor their Master forced upon them.

Their love watched from a distance. Hidden by a close friend of Darryn. Their heart torn for the pain Darryn carried.

"Darryn is powerful, but he never wanted to cause all of this. He was peaceful until", they spoke to someone. Another one of Darryn's friends.

"Unfortunately Darryn was like this at one point until he found someone worth being peaceful for. You never know true peace unless you knew true violence. Unfortunately he is a weapon being wielded by a madman. He can't go against the orders of his Master", the friend sighed, "they taught you everything they knew and sent you to find their friends for protection. His only way out is for us to end the Master's life. That is what I understand of the contract."

"Yes, that was the contract that Darryn offered... so many years ago", their love sighed, "he did this for me. He's suffering... for me."

"Darryn is strong. He knew what he was getting involved with. He was happy when you were able to walk free", Darryn's friend smiled weakly, "it is time. We will release Darryn soon... I promise."

Darryn fell to their knees weakly.

The use of this much power was catching up to him. There was not enough blood anymore to keep him going. He was working on fumes. He had already killed all of his Master's team for their blood... there was no one left.

"Get up", the Master ordered.

"Can't move... to weak", Darryn looked up before their head fell into the ash.

"Get up now... you're not do..done.. yet", the Master noticed several people standing around them now, "who dares interrupt me."

"We've come to release Darryn from you", Darryn's friend looked at Darryn and felt an ache in their heart.

The Master chuckled, "I'd have to die to allow them freedom, as per the contract. I don't plan on dying. This entire world will perish, and once it falls to ash. I will rule."

Darryn glanced up weakly, "why have you... brought them here", they struggled as they eyed their love, "go, now.... leave me."

"Darryn, kill them", their master ordered, "start with your beloved."

"No please" Darryn pleaded, "I'll fight any one of them... not that one."

"Did I stutter?", their master argued.

Darryn weakly got up, their body almost unable to hold them.

They looked at their friends.

"Please, destroy me before I destroy my beloved", they pleaded with a lump in their throat, "kill me."

Darryn stood in front of their love.

"Why aren't you running from me... please?", Darryn's voice breaking, "why is no one moving to stop me?"

Right before Darryn attacked their beloved, all of their friends moved. Their plan in place.

Someone now stood in front of Darryn holding them up from attacking any of the others. They were hard to hold back even with a broken body.

"You useless vampire", their master yelled as several others surrounded them.

Darryn weakly tried to fight against the person hiding them.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry" Darryn winced.

"We know... you don't have any choice right now", they wrapped Darryn in a bear hug and kept pushing them away from their love, "for right now I'm going to keep you busy until the others destroy your Master."

Darryn bared his fangs at them.

"I know you're tired... I'm not going to fight you. I'm just holding you back", their friend promised, "keep fighting me."

Darryn turned and saw their Master being held down.

"Don't just stand their, help me", the Master yelled.

Darryn pulled away from the hug and attempted to run toward them. They were stopped again and pinned into another hug.

"Kill them already. He may be weak, but he's still a fighter", the person yelled and squeezed tighter.

Darryn started to crawl and drag toward their master.

They screamed as their friend sliced the Master's throat.

Darryn fell weakly, finally able to stop.

Their beloved ran toward them.

"No, not yet, they need to eat while this blood is fresh", the team yelled while Darryn was dragged to their Master's dead body.

"Drink buddy, you need some strength back", they gently lowered Darryn near the slash mark.

Darryn gathered all of his strength and started to drink.

Their love knelt beside him, they happily smiled when they saw the golden band leave his upper arm.

"Is he... is he free?", the love looked around at the team.

They all nodded.

"We will work on fixing the damage done", the group started to turn, "can you both handle him."

Darryn looked up from the body, "I'm done. I'm so tired."

Their love lifted Darryn into their arms and cuddled them close. They comfortingly played through their hair.

Darryn melted into their arms.

"I think we can handle him", his friend smiled down at them, "I've taken care of his love for the past little while. I can handle the both of them."

Darryn weakly smiled, "I'm so happy to have my beloved back."

"I'm never leaving you my love", they kissed their forehead, "we'll be together forever."

"All right love birds, let's get Darryn home and rested", their friend dunked down and lifted them into a cradled position.

Darryn's love sat beside him while he rested.

Darryn's eyes squinted open.

"My love?", they looked around.

"I'm here" they sat up, "I'm right here."

"That's good. So many times waking up without you. To be able to see you again", Darryn reached for their love, "I love you", they kissed their hand.

"I love you too", they leaned in and kissed their cheek, "I love you so much."

Taglist. As always please let me know if you want to be added or taken off of the list. It's not a problem at all.

@villainsandheroes @the-beasts-have-arrived

@sacredwrath @porschethemermaid

@monarchthefirst @generic-whumperz

@bloodyandfrightened @freefallingup13

@notpeppermint @cyborg0109

@idontreallyexistyet @painfulplots

@whumpbump @everythingsscary

@skittles-the-whumpee @expressionless-fr

@theforeverdyingperson @legendarydelusiongoatee

@candleshopmenace @whumpanthems

@lavndvrr @ivymyers

@starfields08000 @a-living-canvas

@lumpofsand @watermeezer

@indigoviolet311 @whumpy-mountains

@3-2-whump @risk606

@electrons2006 @paperprinxe

@whumprince @kaz-of-crows

@mis-graves @decaffeinatedtimetraveler94

@sausages-things @ragin-cajun-fangirl

@isikedmyself878 @daffyduckcommittedtaxfraud

@valravnthefrenchie @glennemerald

@jasperthecapser @does-directions

@deafeninglittlecrown @jumpywhumpywriter

@blackbirdsinatrenchcoat @mylifeisonthebookshelf

[oddsconvert]

Please let me cook some more! 🤝 My favorite scenarios for catatonic/near-death Josh include:

The whole ordeal takes place the day before Felix's little fake wedding, so he forces begs Josh to power through the ceremony the next day (threatening his family to 'motivate' him) and it actually works. Josh may be bleeding internally or having a deadly fever, yet the wedding and party afterwards go pretty well, and Felix finally has the man he dreamed of... But when the guests leave and they are alone again Josh loses the fight against everything Felix unloaded onto him the previous night. He got the perfect husband he always wanted for a single day, but at what cost?

Catatonic!Josh won't react to any punishment or torture anymore so Felix has to actually be properly nice to him. An impossible task, I know.

A dead Josh freaks Kurtis out so badly (maybe they started to get along well) and he finally starts trying to get rid of Felix too.

Catatonic!Josh starts to get better but gets amnesia and actually falls for his "boyfriend" who takes such good care of him. Months go by and the lucky couple lives as normally as can be with Felix breathing down his darling's neck, but some day Josh finds a few photos/evidence of the horrors™ towards him and remembers every gruesome bit.

Yeah, so, I.... think about your guys a lot... 👀

EEEE! I LOVE IT, I LOVE IT! ALL OF IT! 😱I love the tie-in with the mock-wedding! I can see Josh, dressed in his suit - sickly pale, cheeks gaunt, eyes dark and sunken in - and Felix is so set on having his perfect day and perfect husband, he doesn't care about how unwell Josh is. Probably puts it down to him faking ill to get out of the wedding.

Catatonic!Josh would be such a heart-breaking sight 💔 Felix would finally have the doll he's always wanted, that would bend to his every will - because Josh would be too out of it to process a single thing. He'd just be numb.

And also Kurtis & Josh do start to get along well in the story!!! It's a very fucky, up and down dynamic, but at times Kurtis is the closest thing that Josh has to a friend or an ally in his hell.

It warms my heart that you think about my boys!!!! 😭❤️

[starryybrained]

Cheers!

Whumptober Day 14: [Alt. prompt] - Venom

Content: Venom, alcohol, immortal whumper, implied murder

Whumper likes to keep bottles of venom on their shelves.

They have an endless variety, sourced from every kind of creature, from snake venom to spider venom, all translucent and hidden away inside inconspicuous glasses.

The bottle of organic white wine is actually filled to the brim with venom that will kill the drinker within a minute, mixed with the finest locally-made white wine Whumper can buy. The bottle of Texan tequila holds nothing but snake venom and liquor, crystal-clear. They have a half-filled glass of brandy with a dash of spider venom.

Light from outside seeps in as Whumper opens the door to the liquor cabinet, glinting across the many glasses.

“What would you like to drink?”

“Oh, take your pick — surprise me!”

“Sure thing.” Whumper answers. Something light to drink, then. Whumper takes out a long-necked bottle filled with light, golden liquid, studying it. Richmond’s, it says on the label.

Such a fine brand.

They pour themself and their guest a glass, then walk back to the table, setting them at each place.

Whumper sits back, giving their guest a small, courteous smile.

They pick up the glass, holding it towards the center of the table, and their guest follows suit. The glasses clink, and Whumper offers a polite “Cheers,” and takes a sip. The alcohol tastes sweet and light, with a pop of berries and a twist of lemon.

… And the sharp, cloying taste of spider venom.

Whumper savors the taste.

Wonderful.

[lumpsbumpsandwhumps]

saddest soggiest simpiest slasher