#caretaking

[snakebites-and-ink]

Former living weapon absolutely dominating at laser tag

[yougivemewhumperflies]

Been thinking about a healer in the heroes/villains world who refuses to take a side and brings in anyone who shows up injured at their doorstep. Doesn’t matter what uniform whumpee is wearing, Caretaker only cares about nursing them back to health.

Villains, of course, show up often, wounded and grateful for Caretaker’s asylum. They know they’ll be treated with respect and allowed to leave freely. Heroes, on the other hand, flow to Caretaker’s place more gradually. Heroes who are too ashamed to get help back at HQ, or that are severely injured and found on the street. Almost all civilians in the area know exactly where Caretaker is.

Most significantly, Caretaker enforces neutrality at their place. If a hero and villain happen to be there at the same time, they can’t fight each other. At the very least, civility is mandatory. But in more urgent situations, they’re frequently asked to help the other one that’s more seriously injured.

Both heroes and villains constantly try to recruit Caretaker to their side. But Caretaker always refuses, saying they’re already doing their part. And in the end, it’s because of their work that the fighting ends. So many heroes and villains have passed through Caretaker’s doors and been forced to get along, or even heal each other, that they can no longer see each other as enemies.

[jordanstrophe]

Whumpee's hand are tied behind their back, they're crumpled on the ground bleeding out from wound after wound.

They can't put pressure with their hands bound behind their back, so they're curled on their side in the slightest attempt for pressure.

-And that's how Caretaker finds them. ♡

[whumpup]

sleep during recovery is so so important to me. hypervigilant whumpee choosing a small, enclosed space for sleep, in order to feel safe. only getting sleep for a few hours at a time, and being constantly exhausted. getting horrid nightmares every night, hating the thought of even laying down out of fear of them.

finally conking out at an unexpected time... falling asleep on caretaker's chest, taking a nap on the couch, falling asleep at their desk as they were working on something. caretaker picking them up and carrying them to bed, with whumpee unsure how they feel about it in the morning... caretaker surprised to see whumpee looking calm and relaxed for the first time....

[scumashling]

Right now I'm thinking about Caretaker sitting bedside vigil to a Whumpee who's in such excruciating pain, the ragged breath, soaked in sweat, eyes clenched, can barely move or think type of pain. They have no painkillers, so Caretaker offers their hand, their wrist, their upper arm and tells Whumpee "squeeze". Whumpee takes the offer, and Caretaker can feel the slight tremble as Whumpee holds onto them for dear life, desperate to focus on anything else besides the agony. Caretaker wincing as Whumpee squeezes harder and harder, but refusing to pull away or complain. Whumpee feeling guilty the next day when the worst of it is over and they can see the the dark finger-shaped bruises they pressed into Caretaker. Caretaker reassuring them, Caretaker offered after all, and they're just glad Whumpee is doing better. Do you see my vision

[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.

[whumpster-dumpster]

"I've had worse."

"And? That's not a reason not to take care of this."