whump-is-a-fabled-thing

[whump-is-a-fabled-thing]

i just don't think that people should have to disclose their deepest and most life-ruining traumas as a requirement to write about sensitive topics

[whump-is-a-fabled-thing]

appreciation post for little hurts and tiny comforts <3

a small cut, nothing serious but it still stings and makes doing chores uncomfortable - so caretaker gets them a bandaid and seals it with a kiss

a slight cold, not rendering whumpee bedridden but weary (and whiny about it) - so caretaker tucks them into bed and lets them rest

a little sad, perhaps they’ve just had a bad day but they’d still use a comforting hug - so caretaker gives them one, a tight and loving one

no big stakes or heart-shuttering angst. just small things - and the comfort whumpee deserves

[whump-is-a-fabled-thing]

as a fellow touch starved whumpee enthusiast i NEED ur fave headcanons for it please 🙏

FAVE TOUCH STARVED WHUMPEE THINGS! coming right up! there are so so many things i love here but here’s a handful of them:

the way it physically hurts. hurts in their body, the way their bones ache and they feel cold to their core and their skin feels too tight and wrong. they know what would fix it, how they would feel better, but they can’t acknowledge it. they can’t ask for this.

the shame. the SHAME of it all.

when touch starvation is combined with traumatic touch aversion. touch has been somehow turned into a dangerous and frightening and traumatic thing they had no choice in. but they still want and need this. they’re both equally powerful and so they need something that they fear. they need someone it’s safe to get it from, but how can they explain it? how can they explain that they need something that terrifies them but they still need it, and need help from the person they need it from to make it safe and okay?

when it’s so overwhelming they choke up and can barely speak when they finally get touch, causing the person touching them to be afraid they’re making things worse, going to pull away, and whumpee crying harder and hanging on tight.

skin contact. direct skin to skin touch - cupping whumpee’s face or neck, cuddling in little clothing, helping them bathe. the extra layer of intimacy and intensity to the touch being so direct.

whumpee feeling like they’re doing something wrong when they seek out touch or ask for it. they don’t deserve it, there’s something wrong with them for wanting it, they’re dirty or ruined in some way. the person they want it from, feel safe with, isn’t a romantic partner or a biological parent or someone else really socially accepted to want touch from.

the thing where people assume whumpee won’t want touch after what’s happened to them, or think because of their fear and flinching and shrinking in on themself that it’s too triggering. meanwhile whumpee thinks that no one WANTS to touch them. miscommunication abounds, heightening the eventual moment when whumpee is finally touched.

[whump-is-a-fabled-thing]

Whumpee getting a hug after many, many years of being alone, of having no one to comfort them, to care for them.

Tensing up in that first moment, only to realize oh, this is nice, and then melting into it.

Maybe they start to cry, it's been so long since they felt this safe and comforted.

[whump-is-a-fabled-thing]

"don't say rape because writing about rape is bad" blocking you now goodbye

"noncon whump" please just say rape the former just makes me think of a whumpee being all "i don't want to be brutally tortured thank you"

[whump-is-a-fabled-thing]

Having to painstakingly pick dozens of little bits out of a character's wounds- shards of glass, shrapnel, thorns, shotgun pellets, quills, gravel, &c.

[whump-is-a-fabled-thing]

WHUMPERLESS WHUMP EVENT 2025

Welcome back to the Whumperless Whump Event of July, where we celebrate the situational and environmental side of our community via beating the shit out of our blorbos!

FAQ and plain text prompts under the cut!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How are the prompts divided?

Q: Where can I find the prompts list?

A: @whumperless-whump-event on Tumblr.

A: The title is a “theme” for the day, followed by two tropes and a dialog prompt.

A: Absolutely.

Q: Can I use the title as a prompt?

A: Not at all.

Q: Do I have to use all of the prompts?

Q: Can I use all of the prompts?

A: Absolutely. If it's fun, go for it--don't feel pressured to finish them all, but do follow what's inspiring you.

Q: If I'm writing a chronological story, can I swap the days to make it fit the timeline?

A: Yes. Just make sure you tag each piece with the prompt and day you're filling.

Q: Can I have early or late entries?

A: Yes. Early and late entries will not be reblogged to the event account, though.

Q: Is there an Ao3 collection?

A: Yes! This year's collection can be found here, or through searching whumperless_whump_event_july2025. Please remember to submit this year's prompts to the 2025 collection and NOT the 2024 one!

Q: Can I write NSFW?

A: You absolutely can, but the event blog will not reblog any prompt fill rated Explicit. Please ensure you tag NSFW appropriately.

Q: Can I use AI?

A: No.

Q: Can a whumper be included in the prompt fill?

A: The short answer is no. The long answer is that you cannot have the role of whumper in your prompt fill (aka: no whumper-on-whumpee); however, if the character you want to be a whumpee or a caretaker happens to be a whumper, then as long as they are not fulfilling the role of whumper, it's fine. Also, if there is a whumper, it must be totally impersonal and faceless. Here are some examples for clarification:

A character's drink is spiked at a party. OKAY: The whumper who spiked the drink is never mentioned and is completely faceless, and the story is directly about whumpee recovering. NOT WHUMPERLESS: The whumper who spiked the drink kidnaps the whumpee. A character is left alone in a storm. OKAY: The character is stranded or lost. NOT WHUMPERLESS: Whumper tied them to a post and left them in the storm. A character is mugged on the street. OKAY: The whumper is a stranger, faceless, and the focus is on Whumpee. NOT WHUMPERLESS: The whumper is a stalker and there to kidnap Whumpee.

All in all, if your goal is to fulfill the event, then try to avoid a whumper. If you're using the prompts elsewhere, then ignore this; but in the spirit of the event, no whumper roles please.

Q: How do I tag my posts?

A: Tag with #whumperless whump event, #wwevent 2025 and #wwevent day [x](Don't just tag wwe, that's wresting.) Then, tag triggers and content warnings. Please put these first in the tag order! It just makes it easier to reblog.

Q: How do I get reblogged?

A: Mention this blog in your post! It's the easiest way for me to find you. Otherwise, I won't reblog it. (This also means if you do not want your post reblogged to the event, just don't mention the blog, and it'll stay private.)

I think that's about it. That's a lot, so if you've got any questions, feel free to shoot me an ask. I'm happy to help!

PROMPTS:

INSULT TO INJURY: Infected wounds / Hurt and ill / “Fate really has it out for you, huh.”

PUBLIC MISINFORMATION: Presumed dead / Search party / “There's a hand, I can see them!”

IT'S NOT YOU, IT'S ME: Left behind / Attempted Martyr / “Get out while you can, and don't look back.”

LIKE A KALEIDOSCOPE: Numbness / Dissociation / “Can I hold your hand?”

AT LEAST IT'S NOT MANUAL: Trapped in a car / Stranded / “You can't drive like this.”

DOOMED BY THE NARRATIVE: Scheduled execution / Near death experience / “That was too close.”

AHOY THERE MATEYS: Motion sickness / Washed ashore / “I hate the ocean.”

CHEF MIS-STEAK: Hot stove / Slip of the knife / “I swear, I'm usually better at this.”

SCHEDULE YOUR MAINTENANCE: Lack of self care / Sick day / “Just take a nap. I can handle the rest.”

BOOM, CLAP: Gunshots / Sound sensitive / “Shut up, please.”

CAN'T STOP WON'T STOP: Overworking / No time to rest / “We're not safe yet.”

HOW DID WE GET HERE: Isekai'd / Evacuation / “This is not a good place to be.”

A GOOD OLD FASHIONED BEATDOWN: Training mistake / Accidentally hurting someone / “…Let's take a break.”

RIPPED THE RUG FROM UNDER YOU: Despair / Clinging on for dear life / “Please don't leave.”

GET BEHIND ME: Using their body as a shield / Full team whump / “You're such an idiot!”

KNOCK ME OFF OF MY FEET: Collapsing in public / Dizzy / “Woah, there, you good?”

SEEING RED: Bloody nose / Coughing up blood / “Good lord, is all that yours?!”

BREAKING NEWS: Storm Shelters / Huddling for warmth / “It'll be over soon.”

IRRESISTABLE: Venomous snake bite / Spiders / “Man, these bugs really just love you, don't they.”

GOT THE SNIFFLES: Seasonal allergies / Can't stop coughing / “Bring tissues next time.”

FEAR IS THE MIND KILLER: Phobias / Uncontrollable shaking / “I gotta do this. I have to.”

HUG TIME: Touch starved / Comfort / “You're safe. I promise, you're safe.”

RECOVERY PERIOD: Tending to past injuries / Bruises / “Alright. Lecture me before you pop a blood vessel.”

IT WAS ALWAYS BURNING: Wide-scale fire / Third degree burns / “You'll only make things worse if you keep doing that.”

IT'S JUST SPRINKLING: Stuck outside during a storm / Natural disasters / “We should not be out here right now.”

CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE: Flying debris / Pinned / “We gotta get you out of here.”

ONLY WAY OUT IS THROUGH: Withdrawal / Hangover / “You'll get through this.”

TAKE A WALK (LITERALLY): Hiking mishap / Heatstroke or heat exhaustion / “Can we take a break?”

TAKE A WALK (FIGURATIVELY): Snapping under pressure / Lashing out / “You wanna say that again?”

MIND THE STRINGS: Mind control / Psychic mishap / “Come back to yourself, please!"

ONE WRONG STEP: Caught in a trap / Impaled / “If we remove it, you'll bleed out in seconds.”

ALTERNATES:

THE CLOCK IS TICKING: Losing track of time / Long term coma / “Was I… dreaming?”

IMPROVISED SOLUTIONS: Field medicine / Makeshift gurney / “It's all we have, I'm sorry.”

HARD KNOCK LIFE: Severe concussion / Clumsiness / "Sorry… who are you again?"

UNDER PRESSURE: Can't stop the bleeding / Disrupted healing factor / "Why isn't it working?!"

WHO'S YOUR EMERGENCY CONTACT: Workplace mishap / Distress call / "Talk to me."

SHENANIGANS AFOOT: Time loops / Body swap / "You're scaring me."

A RIVER IN EGYPT: Working through injury / Recovery / "I'm fine. I'm fine."

[whump-is-a-fabled-thing]

"noncon whump" please just say rape the former just makes me think of a whumpee being all "i don't want to be brutally tortured thank you"

[whump-is-a-fabled-thing]

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".

[whump-is-a-fabled-thing]

A hug between one character who’s sitting and another who’s standing, so that the seated's face ends up pressed to the standing's torso as they cling to them, one of the one standing's hands cupped ‘round the back of their companion's head, skritching through their hair and the seated character's hands tangled in the fabric of the other's shirt, clutching them close.

[whump-is-a-fabled-thing]

Some comfort (whump??) dialogue prompts that are EXACTLY my cup of tea:

- "Shh... it's okay, just close your eyes. I'll be here when you wake up, I promise."

- "Hey, no- stop that...! You'll rip the stitches if you keep doing that!"

- "Focus on my voice... I'm here..."

- "No, let me do it. You're injured."

- "That's it, just feel me... Focus on the way my chest rises as I breathe... Try to follow my lead..."

- "It's safe to fall asleep. It's okay. You don't have to worry about anything, I'm here with you."

- "What you're feeling is a bottle of water that I'm holding to your mouth. Come on, drink some of it..."

- "My hands are here if you want to hold them, okay? You can tighten the grip as much as you want, don't worry about hurting me. You won't."

- "It's me... It's just me, it's okay...*

- "It's all over now, everything is okay..."

[whump-is-a-fabled-thing]

Fever nightmares or fever confessions / angry about being sick or in denial about it / craving physical touch when sick or rejecting it. / Delirium or passing out / cold compress or ice bath / persistent cough or sore throat / multiple caretakers or multiple sick characters / hand to forehead or mouth thermometer / "You're burning up" or "Are you okay?" / Dizziness or pale face / overheating or hypothermia / sick at a formal event or sick during important activity / enemy caretaker or crush caretaker / caught in the rain or caught in a blizzard

This or that: sickfic tropes I enjoy edition

Fever nightmares or fever confessions / angry about being sick or in denial about it / craving physical touch when sick or rejecting it. / Delirium or passing out / cold compress or ice bath / persistent cough or sore throat / multiple caretakers or multiple sick characters / hand to forehead or mouth thermometer / "You're burning up" or "Are you okay?" / Dizziness or pale face / overheating or hypothermia / sick at a formal event or sick during important activity / enemy caretaker or crush caretaker / caught in the rain or caught in a blizzard

[whump-is-a-fabled-thing]

Yoooooo characters who rush recovery. Passing out because they’re trying to run around the day after a high fever breaksssss 💖

[whump-is-a-fabled-thing]

This has probably been said before, but it's worth saying again: Friends/companions just, like, hanging out with the injured / recently ill one while they recover.

Not explicitly "taking care" of them or "cheering them up", just being together because that's what comes naturally.

Sitting around their bed, playing cards or dice together, swapping stories / songs / tunes, chatting over warm mulled drinks, sharing a meal of something better than their recent broth-tea-and-porridge fare.

[whump-is-a-fabled-thing]

a character who isn't used to being cared for or treated kindly being gently and tenderly cared for for the first time in years or maybe ever. save me

[whump-is-a-fabled-thing]

i know i don't usually post about tropes on here but this one whump concept has gotten so stuck in my brain

character who is usually a closed book getting sick. someone who keeps their emotions close and hidden is suddenly feverish and emotional, teary-eyed in a way nobody has ever really seen them because fevers do that. suddenly this character who would usually never be caught dead showing this kind of vulnerability is emotional and weepy and

YOU SEE MY VISION

[whump-is-a-fabled-thing]

“Yeah, it’s me. I found them. We’re gonna need a medic, but—tell them to be quiet. They’re skittish, I don’t want to scare them more.“