writingpromptsandwhump

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There’s something about a whumpee just sitting down. Not fainting, necessarily. Maybe they’re just about to faint, and they quietly just kneel on the ground at a time and place that doesn’t make sense. They don’t even have the capacity or willingness to articulate why they need to abruptly stop and sit. Maybe they’re catatonic while the others look at them.

Maybe a caretaker can see the dull, vacant look in their eyes and immediately senses that something is seriously wrong. Maybe the fainting comes just a few moments later.

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There’s something about a whumpee just sitting down. Not fainting, necessarily. Maybe they’re just about to faint, and they quietly just kneel on the ground at a time and place that doesn’t make sense. They don’t even have the capacity or willingness to articulate why they need to abruptly stop and sit. Maybe they’re catatonic while the others look at them.

Maybe a caretaker can see the dull, vacant look in their eyes and immediately senses that something is seriously wrong. Maybe the fainting comes just a few moments later.

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weak in the knees for situations where a stoic whumpee allows someone to help them. they don't say a word of acceptance but they don't protest either. Too injured to say no and too tired to deny they need it. Just grudgingly letting a gentle hand guide them to a bed or to wrap a wound. Then a quiet, "thank you." in between sharp breathing as they try not to break down in front of someone else. Love love love shielded vulnerability

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1

It was one of those stormy Saturday nights, in which the rain hammered against the windows and the only light coming from the clouded sky were the bright thunderbolts striking across.

Aikko had been trying to make Tony feel better for days now but the fever had been working against her. With every hour that passed the sweat stains on Tony's shirt got bigger and the number of times, he had rolled over making an aching noise and helplessly searching for a more comfortable position rose.

“Hey— “, Aikko carefully jolt Tony's shoulder. “Hey—“, she repeated. She was nervously jumping from one foot onto the other. Deep down Aikko knew that it wasn’t Tony's fault they were in this situation but a part of her was refusing to accept that. What Tony did was unfair, mean, and it hurt her. More than she could ever have imagined being hurt. “HEY!—“, this time her tone had become more forcefully but incapable of hiding the fear for him. In front of Tony, she would have never have admitted how worried she was for the sickly, little boy laying in front of her he had become. The sweat was accumulating on his face, slowly running down his temples. Tony couldn’t keep his eyes open for more than a split second, but it was enough for Aikko to notice.

A ride to the hospital was impossible during those times. The weather conditions didn’t allow the much-needed visit of a doctor.

“Thank god, you’re under the living again”, Aikkos voice sounded like a relieved sight but her drawn together eyebrows were painting a different picture. Tony moaned.

“Sshh-“, Aikkos hand caressed his damp hair “stay with me. I'll get you some water, okay?”

It was foolish of her to expect an answer but the overwhelming silence that followed her question still left a sharp pain in her stomach.

And as much as she tried to convince herself that he deserved it to some degree, she could simply not stay mad at him. Not in this state.

And as her hands reached under his armpits, pulling him up into an upright position, tony curled up, whimpering in pain.

“Ssshhh”

Aikko knew damn well that “Sshhh” was not the magic remedy for pain relive but it gave her the illusion of not being completely powerless.

She slowly slipped her fingers under Tony's neck, bringing his chin up so she could slowly wrap up her glass of water bringing it to his chapped and unnaturally hot lips. she hadn’t been so close to him for so long and besides refusing to admit it, his hot back against her chest felt pleasant.

The fever was her endorsement that he was still breathing but also the threat that he would stop.

Thinking about how absurd this was, a small laugh escaped her lips. Aikkos eyes filled with tears.

“Drink this”, she pressed out. This time she only earned a delicate turning away of his head.

“please”, She pleaded. “For me”

“For you?”, Tony's voice sounded like sandpaper on unprocessed wood. “For you?”, he repeated adding more weight to his words. “Weren’t you the one wishing death on me?”, a pained smile crept on his lips.

“Not in this way”, Aikko responded holding back tears. Instead of further trying to convince him she increased the angle of the glass forcing him to at least let a couple of drops between his lips by adding more pressure.

“You seem to like me more than you admit, huh?”

Tony laughed agonized before he choked leading him into a painful coughing attack. A sharp pain stabbed him in the chest. He clenched his fist and bend over into a curled up position. Tony knew that he would have deserved to just be left to die in the woods where Aikko picked him up. He knew that he shouldn’t be teasing Aikko like this but her soft skin, and smile, voice, the way she cared about him even though she did everything to hide it made him crazy.

“Lay down again”, she ordered. This time it was Aikkos turn to bend over, not in pain but in a helpless attempt to assist Tony laying down. Even though he had lost so much weight her tiny body couldn't put up with him. Her scent grazed his face.

Aikko smelled like home. A home he had lost long ago.

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You know what's cute? Whumpees who dissociate during high fevers.

Whumpee has been battling a high fever all day. Caretaker tries to sit them at the dinner table for some soup, to fill their belly so they can take some medicine. Poor fevered whumpee just sits there, listless, with a thousand yard stare and bright red cheeks. Caretaker tries to grab their attention, but it's all for nothing. Whumpee just keeps shivering and staring into the void.

Caretaker caresses their cheek. "You really are not feeling well, are you, sweetheart? Let's get some food into you and tuck you back in bed".

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The Anatomy of Passing Out: When, Why, and How to Write It

Passing out, or syncope, is a loss of consciousness that can play a pivotal role in storytelling, adding drama, suspense, or emotional weight to a scene. Whether it’s due to injury, fear, or exhaustion, the act of fainting can instantly shift the stakes in your story.

But how do you write it convincingly? How do you ensure it’s not overly dramatic or medically inaccurate? In this guide, I’ll walk you through the causes, stages, and aftermath of passing out. By the end, you’ll be able to craft a vivid, realistic fainting scene that enhances your narrative without feeling clichéd or contrived.

2. Common Causes of Passing Out

Characters faint for a variety of reasons, and understanding the common causes can help you decide when and why your character might lose consciousness. Below are the major categories that can lead to fainting, each with their own narrative implications.

Physical Causes

Blood Loss: A sudden drop in blood volume from a wound can cause fainting as the body struggles to maintain circulation and oxygen delivery to the brain.

Dehydration: When the body doesn’t have enough fluids, blood pressure can plummet, leading to dizziness and fainting.

Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension): Characters with chronic low blood pressure may faint after standing up too quickly, due to insufficient blood reaching the brain.

Intense Pain: The body can shut down in response to severe pain, leading to fainting as a protective mechanism.

Heatstroke: Extreme heat can cause the body to overheat, resulting in dehydration and loss of consciousness.

Psychological Causes

Emotional Trauma or Shock: Intense fear, grief, or surprise can trigger a fainting episode, as the brain becomes overwhelmed.

Panic Attacks: The hyperventilation and increased heart rate associated with anxiety attacks can deprive the brain of oxygen, causing a character to faint.

Fear-Induced Fainting (Vasovagal Syncope): This occurs when a character is so afraid that their body’s fight-or-flight response leads to fainting.

Environmental Causes

Lack of Oxygen: Situations like suffocation, high altitudes, or enclosed spaces with poor ventilation can deprive the brain of oxygen and cause fainting.

Poisoning or Toxins: Certain chemicals or gasses (e.g., carbon monoxide) can interfere with the body’s ability to transport oxygen, leading to unconsciousness.

3. The Stages of Passing Out

To write a realistic fainting scene, it’s important to understand the stages of syncope. Fainting is usually a process, and characters will likely experience several key warning signs before they fully lose consciousness.

Pre-Syncope (The Warning Signs)

Before losing consciousness, a character will typically go through a pre-syncope phase. This period can last anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes, and it’s full of physical indicators that something is wrong.

Light-Headedness and Dizziness: A feeling that the world is spinning, which can be exacerbated by movement.

Blurred or Tunnel Vision: The character may notice their vision narrowing or going dark at the edges.

Ringing in the Ears: Often accompanied by a feeling of pressure or muffled hearing.

Weakness in Limbs: The character may feel unsteady, like their legs can’t support them.

Sweating and Nausea: A sudden onset of cold sweats, clamminess, and nausea is common.

Rapid Heartbeat (Tachycardia): The heart races as it tries to maintain blood flow to the brain.

Syncope (The Loss of Consciousness)

When the character faints, the actual loss of consciousness happens quickly, often within seconds of the pre-syncope signs.

The Body Going Limp: The character will crumple to the ground, usually without the ability to break their fall.

Breathing: Breathing continues, but it may be shallow and rapid.

Pulse: While fainting, the heart rate can either slow down dramatically or remain rapid, depending on the cause.

Duration: Most fainting episodes last from a few seconds to a minute or two. Prolonged unconsciousness may indicate a more serious issue.

Post-Syncope (The Recovery)

After a character regains consciousness, they’ll typically feel groggy and disoriented. This phase can last several minutes.

Disorientation: The character may not immediately remember where they are or what happened.

Lingering Dizziness: Standing up too quickly after fainting can trigger another fainting spell.

Nausea and Headache: After waking up, the character might feel sick or develop a headache.

Weakness: Even after regaining consciousness, the body might feel weak or shaky for several hours.

4. The Physical Effects of Fainting

Fainting isn’t just about losing consciousness—there are physical consequences too. Depending on the circumstances, your character may suffer additional injuries from falling, especially if they hit something on the way down.

Impact on the Body

Falling Injuries: When someone faints, they usually drop straight to the ground, often hitting their head or body in the process. Characters may suffer cuts, bruises, or even broken bones.

Head Injuries: Falling and hitting their head on the floor or a nearby object can lead to concussions or more severe trauma.

Scrapes and Bruises: If your character faints on a rough surface or near furniture, they may sustain scrapes, bruises, or other minor injuries.

Physical Vulnerability

Uncontrolled Fall: The character’s body crumples or falls in a heap. Without the ability to brace themselves, they are at risk for further injuries.

Exposed While Unconscious: While fainted, the character is vulnerable to their surroundings. This could lead to danger in the form of attackers, environmental hazards, or secondary injuries from their immediate environment.

Signs to Look For While Unconscious

Shallow Breathing: The character's breathing will typically become shallow or irregular while they’re unconscious.

Pale or Flushed Skin: Depending on the cause of fainting, a character’s skin may become very pale or flushed.

Twitching or Muscle Spasms: In some cases, fainting can be accompanied by brief muscle spasms or jerking movements.

5. Writing Different Types of Fainting

There are different types of fainting, and each can serve a distinct narrative purpose. The way a character faints can help enhance the scene's tension or emotion.

Sudden Collapse

In this case, the character blacks out without any warning. This type of fainting is often caused by sudden physical trauma or exhaustion.

No Warning: The character simply drops, startling both themselves and those around them.

Used in High-Tension Scenes: For example, a character fighting in a battle may suddenly collapse from blood loss, raising the stakes instantly.

Slow and Gradual Fainting

This happens when a character feels themselves fading, usually due to emotional stress or exhaustion.

Internal Monologue: The character might have time to realize something is wrong and reflect on what’s happening before they lose consciousness.

Adds Suspense: The reader is aware that the character is fading but may not know when they’ll drop.

Dramatic Fainting

Some stories call for a more theatrical faint, especially in genres like historical fiction or period dramas.

Exaggerated Swooning: A character might faint from shock or fear, clutching their chest or forehead before collapsing.

Evokes a Specific Tone: This type of fainting works well for dramatic, soap-opera-like scenes where the fainting is part of the tension.

6. Aftermath: How Characters Feel After Waking Up

When your character wakes up from fainting, they’re not going to bounce back immediately. There are often lingering effects that last for minutes—or even hours.

Physical Recovery

Dizziness and Nausea: Characters might feel off-balance or sick to their stomach when they first come around.

Headaches: A headache is a common symptom post-fainting, especially if the character hits their head.

Body Aches: Muscle weakness or stiffness may persist, especially if the character fainted for a long period or in an awkward position.

Emotional and Mental Impact

Confusion: The character may not remember why they fainted or what happened leading up to the event.

Embarrassment: Depending on the situation, fainting can be humiliating, especially if it happened in front of others.

Fear: Characters who faint from emotional shock might be afraid of fainting again or of the situation that caused it.

7. Writing Tips: Making It Believable

Writing a fainting scene can be tricky. If not handled properly, it can come across as melodramatic or unrealistic. Here are some key tips to ensure your fainting scenes are both believable and impactful.

Understand the Cause

First and foremost, ensure that the cause of fainting makes sense in the context of your story. Characters shouldn’t pass out randomly—there should always be a logical reason for it.

Foreshadow the Fainting: If your character is losing blood, suffering from dehydration, or undergoing extreme emotional stress, give subtle clues that they might pass out. Show their discomfort building before they collapse.

Avoid Overuse: Fainting should be reserved for moments of high stakes or significant plot shifts. Using it too often diminishes its impact.

Balance Realism with Drama

While you want your fainting scene to be dramatic, don’t overdo it. Excessively long or theatrical collapses can feel unrealistic.

Keep It Short: Fainting typically happens fast. Avoid dragging the loss of consciousness out for too long, as it can slow down the pacing of your story.

Don’t Always Save the Character in Time: In some cases, let the character hit the ground. This adds realism, especially if they’re fainting due to an injury or traumatic event.

Consider the Aftermath

Make sure to give attention to what happens after the character faints. This part is often overlooked, but it’s important for maintaining realism and continuity.

Lingering Effects: Mention the character’s disorientation, dizziness, or confusion upon waking up. It’s rare for someone to bounce back immediately after fainting.

Reactions of Others: If other characters are present, how do they react? Are they alarmed? Do they rush to help, or are they unsure how to respond?

Avoid Overly Romanticized Fainting

In some genres, fainting is used as a dramatic or romantic plot device, but this can feel outdated and unrealistic. Try to focus on the genuine physical or emotional toll fainting takes on a character.

Stay Away from Clichés: Avoid having your character faint simply to be saved by a love interest. If there’s a romantic element, make sure it’s woven naturally into the plot rather than feeling forced.

8. Common Misconceptions About Fainting

Fainting is often misrepresented in fiction, with exaggerated symptoms or unrealistic recoveries. Here are some common myths about fainting, and the truth behind them.

Myth 1: Fainting Always Comes Without Warning

While some fainting episodes are sudden, most people experience warning signs (lightheadedness, blurred vision) before passing out. This gives the character a chance to notice something is wrong before losing consciousness.

Myth 2: Fainting Is Dramatic and Slow

In reality, fainting happens quickly—usually within a few seconds of the first warning signs. Characters won’t have time for long speeches or dramatic gestures before collapsing.

Myth 3: Characters Instantly Bounce Back

Many stories show characters waking up and being perfectly fine after fainting, but this is rarely the case. Fainting usually leaves people disoriented, weak, or even nauseous for several minutes afterward.

Myth 4: Fainting Is Harmless

In some cases, fainting can indicate a serious medical issue, like heart problems or severe dehydration. If your character is fainting frequently, it should be addressed in the story as a sign of something more severe.

Looking For More Writing Tips And Tricks? 

Are you an author looking for writing tips and tricks to better your manuscript? Or do you want to learn about how to get a literary agent, get published and properly market your book? Consider checking out the rest of Quillology with Haya Sameer; a blog dedicated to writing and publishing tips for authors! While you’re at it, don’t forget to head over to my TikTok and Instagram profiles @hayatheauthor to learn more about my WIP and writing journey! 

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‘Can you stand?’ A asked. B nodded shakily, trying to pull themselves to their feet.

Just as soon as they managed to get upright, their knees buckled. B’s vision went blurry as they tried to grab the wall, or anything, really, to stop them from-

A catches them before they hit the ground, helping B sit back down. ‘S-sorry,’ B stutters. ‘I-’

‘It’s okay.’ A slips a hand under B’s legs and another behind their back and picks them up easily. ‘It’s okay, I’ve got you.’

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Body Aches Sickfic Prompts🤒😫:

1: Constantly clinging to caretaker because everything hurts, they're miserable, and they don't know what to do with themselves.

2: Crying any time something cold touches their sensitive body.

3: Being extra sensitive to bumping into things, or to rough touch.

4: Just straight up inconsolable crying because they feel bad all over and they're just fed up.

5: Cuddling with caretaker in a warm shower/bath.

6: Being fed pain meds by caretaker.

7: Whining while getting a massage from caretaker, because even the lightest touch hurts.

8: Curled up in bed, not wanting to move and swaddled in blankets.

9: Being super uncomfortable on a car ride because every bump is painful.

10: Making a bed for themselves in whatever the warmest room in the house happens to be.

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a character who doesn't know they're about to pass out becaue they've never done it before. rather than saying "I feel faint" or something, they say "I feel a little weird." they only sit because another character points out that they look pale and tells them to sit or lie down.

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Based off this prompt from @jordanstrophe

“Caretaker! Caretaker!”

Whumpee let out a breath of relief as they stumbled into the arms of Caretaker, grasping desperately at the fabric of their shirt and clinging on for dear life.

“Hey, hey Whumpee calm down,” Caretaker rumbled. “Shh, it’s okay.”

“They’re trying to- You have to stop them,” Whumpee blubbered, “Please, please don’t let them get me please-”

Caretaker drew a calming hand down their back. “Shhh calm down, no one is trying to hurt you.”

Whumpee’s sobs softened as they gripped tighter onto Caretaker.

“We just want to make sure you’re safe.”

Whumpee froze. Their eyes raised slowly to Caretaker's and saw an undefinable glint in them. Despite the warmth Caretaker tried to exude, Whumpee could see something hidden under the facade. Something dangerous.

All of a sudden the warm arms surrounding them seemed all too constricting. Whumpee’s eyes widened.

They bucked against Caretaker, suddenly terrified as Caretaker’s hold grew tighter.

“Whumpee stop-”

“Let me go!” Whumpee shouted, panting breathlessly as panic grew. The sound of the footsteps of the medics behind them grew louder and Whumpee’s struggles increased.

“No, no no stop stop please Caretaker Caretaker-”

Caretaker huffed while shifting to pin them down. Whumpee yelped.

“Whumpee we’re doing this for your own good.” Caretaker looked tired out, stressed.

Whumpee wouldn’t buy it. They pulled frantically against the hold but Caretaker wouldn’t budge.

“Caretaker, please-” Tears streamed down their face and they looked up at Caretaker only to see a stony, unwavering face meet them back.

The sound of voices drew their gaze as the medics finally arrived. Their heart dropped. Their last chance at freedom, gone.

A needle pricked them in the neck and they whimpered, slumping against the ground.

Whumpee’s eyes started to droop against their will and they used their last bit of strength to glance at Caretaker, the one they thought was on their side.

Caretaker looked back at them, a look of sadness and concern. They brushed a sweaty lock of hair out of Whumpee’s face and Whumpee would have flinched had they had control of their body.

“We’re going to help you.” Caretaker whispered softly, a sad smile on their face.

Whumpee’s eyes shut to the sound of lies.

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when caretaker has no choice but to cover an injured whumpee’s mouth, when an emergency medical procedure is being performed on them (for instance, an on-field amputation or an act of applying a tourniquet to slow the bleeding), with their hand to prevent whumpee from screaming in pain and agony, and in result give out their location to whumper or other danger.

the food is good and delicious.

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Caretaker comes into sick whumpee's room and finds them shivering violently in their sleep. Sympathetic and concerned, they tuck them in with another blanket, thinking they'll surely be cold when they wake up.

So many ways it could go from there.

1: Whumpee wakes up much colder than Caretaker anticipated, to the point where even the extra blanket doesn't matter

2: Whumpee sleeps off most of the fever and wakes up a little tired and groggy but not nearly as chilled as they were in their sleep

3: Whumpee wakes up boiling and too weak to push away their layers, Caretaker feels guilty

4: Whumpee doesn't really wake up at all, going straight from a feverish sleep to delirium and are far too out of it to notice if they're cold or hot at all

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More fever prompts just because:

Whumpee waking up with a now-lukewarm cloth draped over their forehead, and weakly reaching up to brush it away

Caretaker coming to check on Whumpee and finding them awake but silently crying into the edge of their blanket because they really just don't feel good at all

Whumpee being too weak and dizzy and shaky to eat the soup their caretaker brings them, only able to sit up for a few minutes at a time before they have to close their eyes and lie back again

A caretaker sponging off a whumpee's sweaty, feverish face, and the whumpee just whimpering feebly, so out of it they can't tell if it's too cold or feels like a wonderful relief

The crease between their eyebrows, wordlessly mouthing whatever fears they're facing in their dreams, soft sounds of distress escaping them, all while the caretaker gently thumbs damp strands of hair from their forehead

The fever finally breaking and the whumpee waking up sore all over and so weak they're trembling at the slightest movement, sweat clings to their shirt and they shiver violently when Caretaker helps them out of it and into something dry

Feeling so so cold but with that uncomfortable heat just over their skin that feels all wrong, they know they must be hot because the sheets are almost painful against them, but without them they're a shivery mess

A whumpee sitting huddled against the headboard of their bed/the back of a couch or chair, wrapped in three blankets with beads of sweat on their forehead, eyes glittery and half open, half aware of the shadows creeping from the corners of their room that might just be their imagination -- they couldn't tell the difference if they weren't

Someone going to bed feeling a little off and getting zero sleep, throat sore and mind racing and chills too prevalent for them to get a single wink - in the morning they wake up feeling exhausted and out of it and when they swing their legs out of bed they find themselves almost too dizzy and shaky to stand up and that's when it hits them that oh, this is beyond just a sleepless night

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tina and linus (all of the prompts are stolen from people around Tumblr)

hesitant kisses, but when they part one whispers "do it again. please

"kiss me again, but- mphh"

cupping your lover's cheek. staring into their eyes with a grin before the kiss, their hands curling around your neck, anticipating it.

resting your head gently on their shoulder

them running their fingers through your hair and looking into your eyes

placing a soft kiss on their forehead

soft kisses on both cheeks and tip of the nose.

 “I gave you one hundred and one reasons to walk away, yet you never did. Why?” “Because I love you. It’s really that simple.”

“Remember when we first met here?” “Yeah, of course. That was the day when you spilled coffee on me and apologised profusely but all I could think about was how gorgeous you are and how great it would have been to get your number.” 

You’re an idiot.” “Well, at least I’m your idiot, right?”

Smoothing your fingers down your lover's tie, fixing where your lover couldn't tie it right. 

Holding your jacket over your lover's head as they hide from the rain, finding their formal outfit more important than your casual wear. 

Whispering jokes/loving words in a lecture/school/church/a meeting. Trying not to laugh/flirt back in fear of disturbing everyone else who's trying to pay attention. 

Protecting your lover's sleep as they doze on your lap, making sure nobody bothers them as they entrusted their peace to you. 

"Hold on, let me fix this for you." 

"God, you look so good." 

staring at them for a long time

observing their little details 

having their every little thing memorised 

Kisses Prompts that sends the readers reeling:

(5th, and 7th onee!! omfg 12th one PLSPLS somebody write and tag mee!)

hesitant kisses, but when they part one whispers "do it again. please."

hands caressing your neck or tracing your jaw as they kiss you nuts

their lips on yours, hot, feverish, partly sucking, teasing with their tongue (OMG-)

heated kisses - their hands on your bare skin, yours in their soft hair, lips nibbling, biting, moaning into yours, while heavily breathing after.

"love, don't hide your face, don't.." hands gently removing yours from your flushed face. "you make me fluster." you say, but they kiss you through those words and mumble against your lips, "you fluster me more, sweetheart."

kisses trailing down your chin, leaving love bites on your neck, chest, and all the shyness in between > < feeling their hot, sloppy wet kisses all over ur body, everywhere and beneath your stomach, and above it. :')

"i don't know how to kiss but let me kiss you, and I'll do it just right." (on my damn knees ffr)

moving to gasp for air, but the other still leans in, eyes closed, lips parted, absolutely wanting more!!! a string of saliva connecting each other's lips!!

hugs after kisses, that lasts several heartbeats long, as they nuzzle their face in your crook. kissing there as well, shyly smiling into it. (fyi im single since birth and haven't experienced ANY OF THESE BEFORE.)

"kiss me again, but- mphh"

cupping your lover's cheek. staring into their eyes with a grin before the kiss, their hands curling around your neck, anticipating it.

"lay down, love and let me do you how you deserve it."

[writingpromptsandwhump]

Could you write a prompt with a whumpee with a leg injury (maybe a stabbing or something) who has to completely act like nothing’s wrong because they’re walking back home with their friend who is already suspicious and they can’t let them know (for some reason)? Sorry that this is uber-specific.

No 4. Dead on Your Feet

Hidden Injury | Waking Up Disoriented | Can’t Pass Out

The night air hit Whumpee’s face in a rush. Their eyes flickered close, soaking in the warmth for a single moment before they had to keep moving. Whumpee followed Caretaker into the street, sprinting to a nearby alley that they could only barely see through the tears blurring their vision.

Their leg was a cacophony of pain. Blood had seeped down a good half of their pant leg, blessedly invisible against the black fabric in the dark night. Each step felt like it sent shards of glass into their bone, as though the knife was still embedded there. It wasn’t, which created more problems, as now they were bleeding out a lot faster.

“Whumpee, hurry up,” Caretaker hissed. Whumpee winced at how strained their voice was, even in a whisper. Maybe now that they’d finally gotten the job done, Caretaker would get some rest.

“Sorry,” they breathed back, fighting against a limp as they reached their friend.

Caretaker glanced back at Whumper’s base where it loomed behind them, jaw twitching in the dim light the street lamps provided. “If no alarm has been raised by now, we probably have until that guard you knocked out wakes back up. Are you okay walking back home?”

Whumpee furrowed their eyebrows. “Yes? Why wouldn’t I be?” They took another step and briefly found themselves unable to breathe. Lovely.

“Just making sure,” Caretaker said slowly, eyes just a little too perceptive. Whumpee stayed on the inside as they moved into the street, hugging the buildings and the shadows that clung to them. Their ragged breaths seemed to give life to the walls towering on either side, making them tilt and sway, the ground swelling.

Their shoulder hit the brick wall hard.

Caretaker turned towards them, face shadowed in the hazy streetlight. “Whumpee?”

Whumpee screwed their eyes shut, using the wall to push themself back upright. “Yeah. I’m good. Just tired, I guess.”

They didn’t get a response from that, only Caretaker watching them, a silhouette in the dark that Whumpee would give up everything for. Their leg was a dead weight beneath them now, heavy like lead and filled with glass that bit deep into their skin, their muscle, their bones, with each hesitant movement. Whumpee locked their knee when putting weight on it (wouldn’t want to be caught limping, would they?).

The world was still spinning. Whumpee leaned their head back and looked at the sky for a moment to try and disguise it, to hide the tears building in their eyes as sure as the headache embedded in their skull. “The sky is beautiful tonight,” they whispered. Not that they could see it.

Caretaker let out a small breath. “Yes, it is.” Their tone was softer now, and something gentle stirred in Whumpee’s chest.

“We should get home before Whumper wakes up,” Whumpee continued in that same soft tone. “You need sleep.”

“Is that honestly what you’re worried about right now?” Caretaker snorted, but there was no malice behind it. “You look exhausted yourself. But we deserve to celebrate tonight.”

Whumpee’s tears receded and they dropped their head back down. Their throat burned with the effort when they spoke. “Yeah. You’re right.”

Caretaker deserved to have a night of celebration more than anyone else. Whumpee wouldn’t take that away from them for the world. They walked on in silence, Whumpee’s hands burrowed deep in their pockets. Their fists were clenched against the pain, but beyond that, their extremities were getting very, very cold. They were almost surprised there wasn’t ice crusting along their fingertips, despite the warm night. Best to just keep moving.

Their vision was shifting in and out of focus, flashes of black coming in when they were certain they hadn’t blinked. They were shaking from the effort of keeping their leg moving, now. Their muscles were growing stiff around the weeping wound. Still, they kept their back straight. They kept their knees locked. Their breaths grew more and more labored, burning their lungs, but their breaths were there.

Then their leg buckled underneath them, and none of it mattered.

The world swung back into place slowly above them, circling and circling like water going down the drain, long after Whumpee had gone still. A muffled ringing filled their head. A noise was lingering beneath that, thick and soft like whoever it was was yelling through a mattress.

Why did it all hurt so much?

A face appeared right above them, blocking out the golden streetlights. Whumpee stared blankly. They were terrible at reading lips, and for some reason Caretaker was just mouthing words. Or—no, they were speaking. Whumpee just couldn’t hear them.

After a moment, Caretaker seemed to realize this. Their face was creased deeply in worry, and Whumpee felt a spear of guilt thrust into them at the realization that that was their fault.

“‘m sorry,” they forced out. Caretaker froze. Their expression changed, tightening. When they spoke again, it was very deliberate, so that Whumpee could make out what they were saying.

“Can you hear me?” The lips said. Whumpee shook their head, closing their eyes as the world dipped around them. Caretaker waited until they were looking again. “Where are you hurt?”

Whumpee hesitated, tears rising to their eyes again. They didn’t want Caretaker to have to deal with it.

Something like anger swelled in Caretaker’s eyes. They grabbed onto Whumpee’s chin, forcing their gazes to meet. The intensity of Caretaker’s expression cowed them, and one of their shaking hands reached down towards their leg, then slumped down in defeat.

Instantly Caretaker was down beside it, ripping away the soaked pant leg. Whumpee was pretty sure they screamed as it came away from the wound. They didn’t have time to think about it, though, because they promptly passed out.

When Whumpee woke up, their hands were warm, and their clothes were dry. It took them a moment to process anything else.

Slowly, they opened their eyes, rubbing the sleep from them. They didn’t remember going to bed.

“You’re awake,” a strained voice said. Whumpee sat up, wincing at a pain in their leg. Caretaker was sitting at their bedside, face like stone and eyes red and bloodshot.

Another sleepless night on their part. Whumpee could have drowned in their guilt. Their hands felt out the lump in the covers where their bandages were.

“I passed out,” they remembered. Their voice was weak.

Caretaker took a deep breath. “Yes.”

“I don’t—” they started, then deflated under Caretaker’s hard eyes. “I thought I could make it.”

“Clearly.”

“I’m sorry.”

“…I don’t understand.” Caretaker crossed their arms over their chest. They hadn’t accepted Whumpee’s apology. Whumpee waited for them to continue. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Whumpee’s eyes dropped. “I. I didn’t want you to worry.”

“I’m worried now, Whumpee.” Their voice was sharp as a dagger. Something dark flared across Caretaker’s face, receding just as quickly. Whumpee knew it was still there. They just nodded, morose.

A thin silence stretched between them. Whumpee’s head started pounding, and they leaned back against their pillows.

“I went for a walk this morning,” Caretaker said suddenly. “When you were still asleep. I was tired of sitting here.” They swallowed, brows lowering over their eyes. “You left a trail of blood last night, did you know that? I could follow your footprints all the way back to Whumper’s. And last night I didn’t even notice.” Their voice broke off suddenly, and for the first time Whumpee noticed tears in their eyes. “Why didn’t I notice?”

Whumpee hugged themself. “It’s not your fault.”

“No, it’s not my fault that you decided to just ignore your stab wound. It is my fault that I noticed something was wrong and I didn’t do anything until you were bleeding out on the ground.” Caretaker’s voice was raised now, and they cut themself off with a grimace. Their voice was soft the next time they spoke, but still shimmering with anger. “Were you going to tell me?”

“Caretaker…”

“No. Answer the question, Whumpee.”

“…no.”

All the air seemed to leave Caretaker at once. They slumped over, elbows resting on their knees and face in their hands. Whumpee had never seen them brought so low.

“Why?” they asked again, and it sounded almost begging.

Whumpee didn’t have an answer. They just sat there battling back their tears, because Caretaker deserved to feel upset without Whumpee stealing the moment again.

When Caretaker lifted their head up, their eyes were wet. “Okay. Here’s what we’re going to do. I am going to go get you some food and medicine. When I get back, I am going to be calm, and you are going to have some damn good answers for me.”

They stood up while Whumpee cringed and nodded. As they got to the door, Caretaker looked back.

“And Whumpee?”

“Mm.”

“Never let this happen again.”

—

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[writingpromptsandwhump]

“Drop them.” Caretaker ordered, causing Whumper to freeze. Their arm was under whumpees shoulder, they seemed barely conscious and are clinging to their arm for support.

“I SAID DROP THEM!” Caretaker yells.

“As you wish.” Whumper sighs; the second they unhook their arm, whumpee collapses on their knees with a wounded gasp. 

Unfortunately, that’s how caretaker realized they’re hurt.

[writingpromptsandwhump]

Whump ABC #8 - Hidden Injury

Based on the results of this poll.

_

Caretaker grits their teeth as they get up from the chair, the dizziness almost making them sit down again. But they take a deep breath, straighten their shoulders and walk out of their office. Team leader catches up to them on the hallway, placing a hand on their shoulder which makes them flinch.

The sudden movement hurts, the pain immediately shoots through their body, exhausted and almost shaking as their painkillers slowly but surely stop working. But caretaker bites their tongue and hides the agony they are in - there are more important things to do right now. Resting would set the whole team back, they can't risk it.

"Hey, we need you upstairs," team leader says and eyes them for a few seconds. "Lookin' a bit pale, you good?" Caretaker manages a nod and tries to shake off the pain that won't stop throbbing through their whole body, trying to casually lean against the wall as their knees feel like they almost give in.

"Are you sure you are okay? You seem-" but team leader stops in the middle of their sentence to catch caretaker by the arm and guide them softly to the ground as the collapse, feeling hot and cold at the same time. They try to struggle against the hands lifting their shirt, revealing blood soaked bandages around their abdomen.

"How long have you been hiding this?", team leader asks, eyes widened in concern. "Hey, hey ... stay with me, okay?" But caretaker mutters an excuse and feels the pain take over.