pain builds character

call me tea/teagan! | follow back as @necromancing-and-archiving

[lovedbyaster]

u g h, yeah (source)

[alittlebitofwhump]

Whumpee dissociating

Looking at their hands and feeling like they aren't real and aren't theirs.

Always feeling dizzy.

Thinking back at the whump and feeling like it was a dream.

Caretaker mentioning what happened to whumpee and they suddenly feel like they are no longer in their body.

Eyes darting to different objects in the room, feeling like non of it is real and they aren't really there.

A strange tingling sensation in their arms and legs.

A foggy memory of the whump, maybe not remembering it at all.

Falling back in old conditioned behavior without even realizing it is happening.

Spending hours just staring at the wall, unable to move or do anything.

Vision going blurry.

Snapping an elastic band against their wrist to get themselves back in their body. Maybe even self harm.

Not realizing they are crying until caretaker points it out.

Losing their ability to speak or think.

Having a memory resurface and then immediately forgetting it again, like a mist suddenly took over their brain.

Having a memory resurface but forgetting it the moment they try to speak it out loud, frustrating both themselves and caregiver.

Being clumsy, knocking things over, accidentally running into walls or doors or tables because they aren't aware where their body is.

Going from extremely emotional to extremely numb to extremely emotional to extremely numb.

[bubble-up]

Is there anything better than a character saying "Ah, 'm just closing my eyes for a second" and then promptly either passing out or falling asleep

[bubble-up]

Even better that their tone here can be soooo different depending on the situation.

Joking, knowing they're in a bad situation, saying "Oh, just closing my eyes for a second" when they know they're teetering on the edge of unconsciousness.

Meaning it completely sincerely, and they had no idea how tired they really were. Waking up with a start later because they honestly did not mean to fall asleep.

Being so out-of-it that they have no idea that they're in a bad state. Slurring their words while they say they're "just closing their eyes for a second," hardly aware of the world around them.

[ghostlychill]

I love when a character wakes up bleary and a little disoriented after days of fever. They're in bed with a cool cloth on their forehead (though by now it's a little warm), and they're sweating under the covers. They're still not well, but they're well enough to know what's going on.

As they sit up, the cloth falls onto the bed, and they look around to find their caretaker asleep in the chair beside them. Caretaker is overjoyed when they're woken up to find the most lucid version of character they've seen in days.

[bloodiedbriars]

Physical Reactions to Pain

arching spine

brows knitting together / grimacing

clenching teeth together

cold sweats

collapsing to knees

covering the hurting area

crying out / screaming / yelping

disorientation / confusion

doubling over / curling in / stumbling

dropping objects

eyesight blurring / blacking out

flinching / jerking

flushing / going pale/ashy

gasping / hissing

going rigid / tensing up

goosebumps

holding breath and sharply exhaling after

inability to speak / babbling incoherently

lightheadedness

lips pulling back, baring teeth

nausea

nostrils flaring

protective posture

rapid blinking

reaching out for something to hold onto to avoid falling

ringing ears

squeezing eyes shut

tears welling / crying

voice cracking

vomiting

(Hurtcember 2025, Day 13: Pain)

[promptlyprompting]

"Show me."

"Really, it's not that bad. We don't have to stop. I can keep going, I—"

"Show me." 

[whumppromptoftheday]

"hey, are you alright? you look a little pale." caretaker puts a hand on whumpee's shoulder.

"i'm- i don't know." whumpee's words melt together as they lean heavily on caretaker. "i feel like i might need to sit-" they fall completely against caretaker and then quickly slide to the floor, "sit down."

[whump-im-serious]

Nothing like caretaker who learns that whumpee is back and that they’re hurt and runs through the halls, across the yard, down the stairs, while everyone around is watching. They storm into the room, and oh that little pause before they walk up to the bed more slowly and shyly.

Whumpee was not expecting caretaker to be this worried about them and they raise their head in surprise, while somebody else is already tending to their injuries.

[pain-in-the-everywhere]

I love it when Whumpee is leaning on things. They're dizzy, nauseous, in too much pain to stand, or just plain tired, and they can't get by without some kind of support.

Leaning on cabinets and against walls in people's houses. Propping their head up with their hands at the dining table. Steadying themself against a banister on the stairs. Holding on to the post of the traffic light for dear life while they wait to cross the road because if they stand still unsupported they will fall to the ground.

It's such a small display of I am not feeling good, but once another character notices it becomes so obvious. This person is weak and vulnerable. Either I can help them, or I can hurt them further. It's not like they're in any position to stop me.

[snakebites-and-ink]

When a character with some sort of medical background is dangerously sick or injured, and they're definitely not in any state to treat themself but on autopilot they start listing out their symptoms in clinical language. Like they can't help but fall back on the familiar routine instead of processing the implications

[laserbobcat]

I put it everywhere, no joke. Everywhere. It might be my fav trope. When it's in a media I kick my feet on my bed while hugging my pillow.

[whumpbox]

sick whump scenarios send a symbol, get a drabble.  

✿: feeling so out of it, they need constant attention

❥: barefoot, sleepy wanderings

+: being led back to bed with patient whispers

!: that classic collapse into someone’s waiting arms

✘: forehead kisses

⌘: being picked up

⟰: the crinkle of blankets when being tucked in extra good

⬤: being called soft things like baby, sweetheart or honey

►: crisp, clean pajamas

#: shaky hands 

✓: waking up either adorably confused or painfully scared

ʌ: comfort after a nightmare

≈: medicine

➥: nap

≣: hand holding

⌫: lullaby

✂: drooping eyelids

✈: reaching out for someone [bonus points if they mumble! their! name!] 

‡: bath

¿: thermometer 

⌓: tissues

℧: a damp towel against flushed, feverish skin   

ʃ: fingers running through sweaty hair

[comfortingcatharsis]

A group of characters rushing into a beautifully appointed drawing room or parlour with a wounded, bloodied companion supported amongst them, leaving muddy and bloody footprints across immaculate rugs, depositing the injured character on a sumptuously upholstered sofa that is soon discoloured with bloodstains and tearing down swathes of elegant curtains and draperies as the nearest fabric to staunch the bleeding.

[redcarpetwhump]

Sports player Whumpee uses the hem of their shirt to wipe the sweat from their brow during a game, completely forgetting that their abdomen is absolutely littered with bruises. The cameras catch all the damage. The commentators aren't quite sure what to say. Whumpee drops their shirt and keeps playing.

[egg-writes-whump]

Had a sudden vision of two people getting out of a battle or otherwise violent situation and instantly embracing/kissing each other (if they are kissing bonus points if its their first) and when they pull back being all giggly and excited to have survived only to suddenly realise one of them is injured. Badly.

[for-the-ouchies]

Whumpee talking an inexperienced or emotional caretaker through treating their injuries, forcing their tone to remain calm and reassuring despite the immense pain.

[allthewhumpygoodness]

I will NEVER be over the gentle little "shh, you'r okay" + a hair stroke from one character to another who's feverishly and fearfully mumbling in their sleep