#whumpblur

[tansyuduri]

Chapter Two of "To Break A King" Is up

“Well, she knows how to hold a grudge,” Merlin observed softly.

“Don’t talk,” Arthur ordered. Talking would use up the little air Merlin had more quickly.

As always, Merlin did not listen to him. Instead, he shook his head and, with what was clearly a great effort, managed to push himself up slightly to lean against the magical membrane.

“Don’t you remember, dollophead? I never do what I’m told.”

“Merlin! Don’t talk!” Arthur urged.

“I sort of have to,” Merlin continued. “Well, not really, but I want to say things.”

“ Mer lin!”

“I wanted to say, I love you. This is not your fault. And if this is it for me, I’m—” Merlin cleared his throat. “Well, I’m partly glad you're here… Glad you’re here for my sake, but not glad about you having to watch. You don’t think you might be able to close your eyes?”

Merlin looked toward him, eyes full of hope. Then he nodded in understanding, not waiting for a reply. “I don’t think I would be able to either if I was in your spot.”

“Merlin. SHUT. UP. You’re using up air!”

“I know… but you can’t reach me either way. And we both know I cannot go a few hours without air.”

Arthur strained harder, desperate to stop this. His fingers scrambled against the cold stone floor, just out of reach from giving Merlin his freedom.

“I’m trying to think of what to say so you won’t blame yourself. What might help you… But I don’t know what to say,” Merlin continued rambling, using up precious air.

“I suppose… I love you and I wouldn’t change a thing? Well, I would change being in here. But if the choice was having the time I spent with you and dying here or never having met you, I know that I’d pick…” A pause, “I’d pick being with you, just in case that was not clear.”

“You stupid self-sacrificial… idiot of a sorcerer,” Arthur gasped out, agony and love filling his chest.

“It's not very nice to insult someone who is dying,” Merlin responded. “But of course, you would. You’ve never had nice manners. You should probably work on that.”

Arthur could feel the tears running down his face. He hurriedly brushed them away, then went back to struggling to reach the membrane.

“I love you, Arthur. With all that I am. Please don’t let this break you. I don’t want this to break you.” For the first time, he sounded frightened. Merlin finally couldn’t hide his fear, and what he couldn’t hide his fear of was how this would affect Arthur.

Also, was it Arthur, or did Merlin’s voice sound strained in another way?

No, it was starting, Arthur realized as Merlin gasped lightly and then tried to normalize his breathing.

“I love you,” Merlin told him, sounding breathless. “Always have... Always will. Well, not at first, thought you were a prat then... But perhaps…” He cut off to take a struggling breath of air.

Arthur could see Merlin's trembling. It was the one reaction to what was happening to him that he couldn't hide. Because he was trying to hide it. For Arthur.

Merlin gasped a few times. Clearly struggling and managing the words. “Goodbye, clotpole…love… you…” He then looked away from Arthur, likely so Arthur could not see the fear in his gaze.

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[the-wandering-whumper]

hey! i just recently found out that i like whump and that im not a bad person for doing so, you helped me so much, i cant thank you enough lol.

But i have a question, where can i find whump stories? ive been trying to find 'em but i dont know where to look.

Thanks :) have a great day.

Greetings fellow Whumper and well met! We’re so glad you’ve stumbled onto our little part of Tumblr.  As far as finding whump stories, we just had an entire event centered around Whump in October where 99% of people wrote fic to participate.  I would suggest checking out the @whumptober2020 blog and the tag.

A lot of our members use Tumblr to post fic so if you just search for blogs with whump in the title, chances are you’re going to find a TON of OC and Fandom fics.  If you’re looking for more fandom specific whump and have a specific character in mind, if you search AO3 for “hurt character” (ex. Hurt Steve Rogers) you can usually find a bunch of whump fics.  There is also a Whumpficapedia and @aceofwhump has put together a masterlist of whump fics as well.

There are a TON of resources out there. I’ve only mentioned a few. The whumpblur tag is also a good place to look for writers.

We’re so excited that you’re here!

[tansyuduri]

Chapter two of Nine Lives is up!

As night came, he kept Merlin close to make sure he stayed warm while keeping his legs elevated. Every now and then, Merlin’s breathing picked up or turned to wheezes and Arthur stroked his hair helplessly until it evened slightly again.

Arthur was desperate. He had tried to become the curse’s victim to protect Merlin, but he had not expected Merlin to do what he had to protect Arthur. Help him, sure… but to run though a serket nest? More than anything, he hoped the curse would wait before trying to kill Arthur again. He had to make sure Merlin was alright first. He also hoped he would get the chance to yell at him for this.

“You are an idiot,” he told the unconscious warlock in a soft whisper that was easier on his throat. Merlin did not reply. His eyes were shut. Wherever he was, Arthurs could not reach him right now. “You are an idiot, but you need to come back… you need to survive this…” he added in the same whisper. Arthur desperately wished he was in the condition to get Merlin to Gaius again, but he was not and he knew it. “I love you, you idiot of a sorcerer. So… survive...” He bent down to kiss Merlin's forehead quickly, ignoring the protests of his bruised muscles—he could pay attention to them when he knew Merlin would be alright.

Halfway through the night, as Arthur struggled not to fall asleep, Merlin’s chest began to heave. Arthur turned him to the side, just in time for him to vomit and dry heave several times. Merlin tried to curl up after, as he moaned and tucked his knees up to his chest. 

Arthur pulled him straight again and onto his back with his legs elevated. Had that been a good sign or a bad one? Arthur didn’t know. He tried to give Merlin a bit of river water and realized that was probably a good idea. Keeping Merlin hydrated could be important. But he also needed to keep him warm, right? Arthur spent the rest of that long night trying to warm up cold stream water and then pour it down Merlin’s throat... 

He also kept Merlin in his lap, hoping the body heat would help. “This was not supposed to happen,” he admitted in a horse whisper. “This was never supposed to happen, Merlin. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”  Arthur's voice broke.

Read it here