Whump Drabble: Subtly Conditioned/Stoic Whumpee
I was not really that big of a fan of conditioned whumpees, until I realized that was because I prefer conditioned characters to act more subtly. The full-blown ones can be fun in all, but as a writer and reader I've realized that they're just not up my alley.
I prefer a conditioned whumpee to blend into society easily. On the surface all seems normal. Yeah, perhaps they're a little antisocial. Maybe they've got a horrendous attitude, and put all their focus into their work instead, ignoring everybody else. But it's the little things that catch Caretaker's eye.
Whumpee's eyebags are always heavy. Caretaker often catches them procrastinating going "home", loitering outside over a cigarette for way too long. A few deep bruises peek out from their long sleeves or neck collar.
It takes time and purposeful effort to get close to Whumpee, but denials to hang outs start turning into refusals. Whumpee's particularness and hot headedness became desperate. Things as small as misplacing their phone (or a magic item) temporarily are the end of the world.
Whumpee doesn't break though. They never tell anyone what's their problem. They never complain. They never cry. But then one day Whumpee falls asleep with team/at work, and oversleeps going "home"
Caretaker of course let's them catch the obviously much needed sleep, maybe whumpee is sick or noticeably unwell, but when Whumpee awakes they freak out.
And for the first time ever, as whumpee rushes out the door, still waking up, they incidentally mention why they have to go home so bad.
"They're going to kill me... or worse!"
