These are the prompts for the 2026 Disabled Whump & Hurt/Comfort writing challenge, a 30-day challenge running from May 1-May 31, 2026 (works may be written in advance but should only be posted on/after May 1). The FAQ Page is here and the AO3 parent collection is here (check it for this year's subcollection).
Below the read more are the content and posting rules for this challenge. The prompts are divided by themes, but can be mixed up or taken out of order or only a few at a time. See rules for more information.
Remember to tag your works #disabledwhc2026 !
PROMPT LIST
LIVING WITH IT
Established disability
1. Hurt: Targeted vulnerability | Stigma and discrimination | New or worsened symptoms
2. Comfort: Not backing down | Confidence | Friendship between disabled people
The Long Haul
3. Hurt: White-knuckling | Fatigue | “Not this again”
30. Comfort: Unconditional love* | Trustworthy | Offering without pressure
31. Free day
*Any kind; platonic, romantic, spiritual, sexual.. have at it.
Rules below the cut:
Rules:
This event will be centered on characters with disabilities and chronic conditions, visible (ex, paraplegia; limb differences) and invisible (ex, migraines; CFS) mental and intellectual (ex, Down Syndrome, schizophrenia). Stories about characters from adjacent communities where not everyone in them identifies as disabled, such as characters who are Deaf/HOH or autistic, are welcome too. The bottom line is that the character(s) should have a condition which is impairing for them. For writing to qualify, please have one or more disabled/chronically ill characters as the focus of your story, rather than a side character/cameo in a story about nondisabled characters. Prompts are meant to facilitate stories about disability and disabled characters in the genres of hurt/comfort and whump (also known as hurt-no-comfort).
"Disability" can have a broad definition, and many conditions can be disabling. The moderator will not be filtering or rejecting submissions based on what medical conditions "count"; the only parameter is that the central character lives with a chronic condition of some type which is disabling for them in some way. Disabilities which come about in a fantasy or sci-fi setting are welcome as long as they are portrayed as being disabling in some way which is analogous (eg, a permanent problem caused by magic, or vampirism as a fantasy-disability). In fanfic it does not have to be canonical - headcanons and AUs are fine.
Please do not TAG your posts/links with the names of disabilities you are writing about (eg tagging a story about an epileptic character with “#epilepsy”,) or with “#disability” or “#chronic illness”, as those tags are used by disabled folks to talk about our RL disabilities and in the past there have been issues with writers inadvertently clogging those tags with fiction/writing advice.
Please DO tag your posts and links #disabledwhc2026 and, in a second tag, the day (eg, #day 1: established disability) so the mod can find and reblog them to the blog!
Original work and fanfic are both welcome; anything goes in terms of settings and genres (fantasy, sci-fi) as long as it’s h/c or whump.
You do not have to write for every prompt (that’s why there’s a mix of hurt and comfort!) or every day to be featured. If you don’t have time for 30 days, do as many as you feel like. If you only write either H/C or Whump, you can do a 15-day challenge, reinterpret the hurt prompts to include comfort, and/or find a whumpy spin on the comfort prompts.
If you write prompts out of order please still tag which day you are writing for and the title of that prompt set. So if you decide to post the prompt “frustrated ambition” from the set “Loss”, which is day 21, on May 3, please still tag your May 3 post “day 21: loss”.
There are no restrictions on what content can be posted, but please use content notes for the following topics: "Rape/Noncon" "Underage Sex" "Graphic Depictions of Violence" (ie gore), and "Major Character Death" before the start of your piece. You can also use the warning "Creator Chose Not to Use Content Warnings" if you do not want to spoil fic. Please use a "read more" for these pieces.
Please tag any NSFT works (explicit sexual content) as "NSFT". Please use a "read more" for these pieces.
i think people are sleeping on avid saying "im sick" when describing his never-closing wound and all the things that implies wrt it being an allegory for chronic illness, especially with all his desperate attempts to cure himself. but what else is new this is my bread and butter
Stiles has been calling it normal for years.
Everyone else in the room starts quietly realizing that word might not mean the same thing to him as it does to them.
Stiles sneezed, hard. Twice.
Several voices echoed automatic replies:
“Bless you.”
“Gesundheit.”
“Ugh!” Stiles sniffled and sighed. He needed a tissue.
He stood up and blinked hard.
Peter, who had not moved from his position near the window, said without particular inflection, "Why does your heart do that?"
Stiles turned. "Do what?"
"When you stand." Peter's eyes moved to him with that quality he had, like a lens adjusting. "It spikes. Every time."
"That's just— it's normal." Stiles scoffed.
"It isn't."
Scott shook his head slowly. "No, he's had it since—since I was turned I noticed it but I thought—" He stopped. "I thought it was the Adderall."
Peter shook his head. "Adderall wouldn't care whether you were sitting or standing. This only happens when you stand."
Stiles scowled, “Are you stalking me again?”
“I notice things,” Peter sighed.
“That feels like a passive-aggressive yes.” Stiles eyed Peter carefully, because that’s what you do with Peter.
Read on AO3
[operating on AuDHD burnout and MCAS/POTS flares. If you enjoyed this, you may leave an offering]
edit: why does Tumblr keep breaking my link posts. here, clickable:
the law of life
Genshin Impact | Collei, Sumeru Characters
G, Gen, No Archive Warnings Apply
Collei works on her thesis, writes a poster for a symposium, and outpaces her past.
I wrote the first 6k of this for disabled whump/hurt/comfort month last year, and um. failed to write the rest until this year's whump month and Collei Patch The Patch About Collei. listen... i was busy... knitting hats. avoiding black lung. making 3 different versions of spreadsheets about my hats.
love that gives me heartburn (Almost Paradise (TV), T, Gen 2.4k)
No Archive Warnings Apply; Alex Walker & Todd Carpenter; Alex Walker/Claire Walker; Alex Walker (Almost Paradise); Todd Carpenter (Almost Paradise)
Canon Disabled Character; Hypertension; High blood pressure; Pre-Canon; Undercover Missions; Partner Betrayal; Divorce; Erectile Dysfunction; sorry that's canon in my head for alex now; disabledwhc2026; alex trying to ignore the symptoms for as long as possible
Summary
"It's just the heat."
It's Spain, it's summer, the sky is bruised with smoke from the wild fires. His chest is tight after a run, but the air is bad. We all have off days.
Prompt fill for the Disabled Whump and Hurt/Comfort Challenge - day 3 'not this again'.
Alex Walker has a problem, and he doesn't want to admit it.
Fandom: it’s written in generic style so can be read without context, but it is a work for an extremely niche fandom (Ark for Varg)
Content: disabled whumpee, self-deprecation, internalised ableism, trust issues, hints on complicated team dynamics, self-deadnaming in one scene
Whumpee curled under the blanket and closed their eyes shut. All of their body was burning from the inside and felt weirdly numb, weak, and useless at the same time. Their joints seemed too loose and unstable to hold their weight, but simultaneously too stiff and inflexible to move. Their muscles were sore. Their bones ached. Their head was full of cotton and fog.
They needed to get up. They had a lot of work to do. And they definitely didn’t want to draw unnecessary attention of their teammates. They didn’t want them to stick their noses in Whumpee’s business. They didn’t want to let them down—which was baffling. They have never been about the common cause, the greater good, and other ridiculous things Leader shouted about. Or they weren’t before.
They definitely weren’t in the right mind to think about it. They just needed to make their body to cooperate.
They were able to do it before. They’ve gotten used to being a bit tired after missions. Especially hard ones, like the latter. They had to move a lot, track and chase, and use their powers with little to no breaks. If they didn’t count lying in wait as breaks.
But it was nothing new. They have done it before. They were sore and felt sick before. They were able to push through it. Why couldn’t they do it now?
They raised the hand and pushed a blanket aside. A chill instantly ran through their body. Their head throbbed with a sharp pain. They tried to ignore it and sit up, and nearly felt out of bed, swaying dangerously.
They leaned against the cold wall and exhaled slowly. Okay. Maybe they’ve gotten sick. Maybe it will pass in a few days. Maybe they’re just being dramatic. Other people live through it just fine.
It’s not what being sick feels like, a tiny traitorous voice whispered at the back of their head.
They brushed it off dismissively. I think it’s actually pretty close to what being sick means.
Maybe you’ve become too soft, it chuckled slyly and venomously. And can’t handle a little discomfort anymore.
They made a conscious effort not to wince. It sounded too much like a certain person they weren’t in the mood to remember.
Poor little Deadname, the voice taunted. You’re not trying. You’re not putting effort.
Deadname is dead, they snapped and shook their head to shut the wicked thing up.
There was a knock in the door.
Whumpee put all their strength to sit upright.
“Come in,” They tried to sound nonchalant, but even their voice was weak today.
Leader opened the door. “Whumpee?” They spoke hurriedly, as usual. “We’re having a meeting, everyone is already—“ Their eyes finally caught the dim light of the room and Whumpee’s silhouette in the bed. They frowned worriedly. “Are you okay?”
“Of course, Leader,” Whumpee stretched their lips in the most carefree smile.
Leader didn’t buy it. “If you’re sick, you should go to Medic,” They rubbed their forehead. “Or I can bring them here.”
“No need,” Whumpee’s smile was glued to their face. “I’m perfectly fine.”
Leader looked hesitant. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely,” Whumpee nodded and suppressed a pained grimace. Movement made the pain in their temples to pulse again. “I’ll be here in a five.”
“Okay,” Leader still didn’t sound convinced, but they thankfully decided to drop it.
When the door closed behind their back, Whumpee’s smile dropped. They had no idea how they would make it to the first floor in five minutes.
It’s time for a bit of heroism, i guess.
***
They managed to get out of the bed and down the stairs. When they arrived, everybody was already sitting in the meeting room. They let a couple of disapproving glances slide down their back and bounce off their impassive smile without actually reaching them. They perfected ignoring people’s opinions.
They took their usual spot in the corner and, as always, remained silent all the meeting. Well, maybe slightly more than always—they usually threw a couple of technical remarks or sarcastic comments. Today they were barely able to keep their eyes open. Teammates’ words blended into an indistinguishable jumble, and they remembered nothing of it. At the middle of the discussion they caught themself just staring at the wall, head empty and foggy, unable to recognise a word or form a single thought. They were totally useless. They would’ve better stayed in their room.
Well, at least nobody was paying attention to them.
Finally, the meeting that seemed to go on forever, came to an end. Whumpee suppressed a sigh of relief. They hadn’t processed a single thing, but there was unlikely something important. Most likely, just a regular debrief.
They waited while teammates were leaving the meeting room. They didn’t want to risk getting up and failing in front of them. Leader, who usually left first, rushing to the next task, was the last to come out, casting Whumpee a worried glance from the doorway.
Their tried to smile back. Even this movement felt unnaturally stiff and took too much energy.
They struggled to the feet, stumbled, and leaned on the table to catch the balance. The way upstairs waited them.
It’s just a bad day, they thought tiredly. Tomorrow everything will be back to normal.
***
If tomorrow wasn’t completely normal, it was definitely better. They still felt stiff and sore and worn down, but it was something they were able to push through. And they weren’t assigned to a mission, so they used an opportunity to slack off a bit. Contrary to some people’s belief, they were reasonable. They knew about their limits and when it’s time to stop pushing them too much. They survived harsher environments, and they managed pains and injuries since… They couldn’t remember properly, but it was long enough. Some things went so deep in the past they assumed they were born with it.
So, tomorrow was better. And the next day was even somewhat okay. The bad day passed without a trace, and they could put it behind them with a clear conscience. Everything was back to normal. They were right.
***
They were wrong.
At the fifth day they were assigned to a mission—unfortunately, with Leader who watched them like a hawk—and their body was shattered.
They barely made it to their room and collapsed face-down onto the bed. Their head buzzed like a swarm of angry bees.
This mission wasn’t even that hard! It had to be easy! They had to be fine! They can’t just crash after every task like that! They have to be useful! They have to put effort—
Their face burned, and it was terrifying. They didn’t lose control like that. They didn’t crash out. They didn’t wallow in despair. They didn’t allow emotions to take over them. They couldn’t. They mustn’t.
Leader knocked at the door—Whumpee knew it was them without asking. Who else could it be?
They breathed slowly, trying to collect themself. The knocking grew more insistent.
“Come in,” They sighed, not bothering to sit up.
It felt awful to be in front of someone in such a disheveled state. Their insides twisted and they wanted to vomit. They’d rather die than allow anyone to see them like that.
Still, they couldn’t find enough energy to care. It blowed their mind—they were overwhelmed by humiliation and disgust, and at the same time they felt so numb and unreal that they couldn’t give less fuck about anything in the world.
“Whumpee?” Before Leader had at least tried to hide their concern, but now it flew out of the window. “What’s going on?” They demanded.
They must be worried sick, noted some part of Whumpee who knew Leader too well.
“I’m fine,” They mumbled, not lifting their head from the pillow.
“Whumpee!” Leader raised their voice. “Stop lying!”
Adrenaline spike gave them enough (so needed!) energy to sit upright and face Leader with a challenging smile and slightly amused look in the eyes—wow, you are daring to shout at me now? Interesting!
“Whumpee,” Leader deflated and sighed, rubbing their forehead. The look in their eyes was a look of a tired mother who tried to reason with a stubborn child. “I can see your condition, okay? It’s not fine. Please,” They stepped closer and stretched a hand. “Let me help you.”
You’re really into saving everyone, Mx. Leader, they wanted to say. Haven’t you learned yet that it doesn’t work with me? Haven’t you learned yet that it has consequences? Have you already forgotten where your previous tries brought you? Have you ever thought about the cost—not for you, we both know you don’t care about it—but for other people who relied on you?
They wanted to make it sting. They wanted to hurt them, to push them away. To make Leader leave them alone.
Why do you want to force your help on me so bad? Do you, by any chance, miss something? Whumpee wanted to taunt, to fluster them, to distract and provoke, to make them forget what they were talking about.
But they were reasonable, after all. They knew something was wrong with them, more wrong than usual. They knew they had to accept help. They didn’t want to let down everyone who relied on them—like Leader have done once, and it almost cost their team everything, and it almost cost Whumpee their sanity—so they had to swallow everything that burned and swirled inside them and spit it out. They have to get their shit together. They have to put effort.
“Well,” They slumped, then slowly laid down, glancing at Leader through their eyelashes, “Maybe I’m feeling a bit off for a couple of days.”
Amusing. They marvelled at the terrified look at Leader’s face.
“Haven’t thought it was that bad,” They blunted and immediately jumped into action, “I’ll bring Medic. Don’t go anywhere.” They stormed out of the room.
Whumpee couldn’t help but chuckle. Sometimes Leader was really funny. They definitely could use some distraction from the looming disgust of being exposed in their weakness.
They hated let people in. It have never done them good. And now they had no other choice.
Disabled Whump and Hurt/Comfort Challenge 2026 Day 1 Submissions
@disabledwhumphurtcomfort
Day 1a: LIVING WITH IT - Established disability - Hurt: Targeted vulnerability
The Fuck am I Supposed to Do!? - newwwwusername - Tales From the Gas Station - Jack Townsend [Archive of Our Own]
Day 1b: LIVING WITH IT - Established disability - Hurt: Stigma and discrimination
You're Gonna Drive Yourself Crazy - newwwwusername - The Mental Illnesses - Jreg (Web Series) [Archive of Our Own]
Day 1c: LIVING WITH IT - Established disability - Hurt: New or worsened symptoms
Worse with Heat - newwwwusername - The Play That Goes Wrong Series - Lewis & Sayer & Shields [Archive of Our Own]
acquired disability: adjustment period | learning from others' experience
in the original timeline ive got for the story, by the time shinichi gets his body back, kaito has been using a wheelchair for like 2~ years and he ends up being a lot of help emotionally, even if their issues are different. walking is hard.
slightly less angsty(?) doodle below:
also kaito is in a dress because its too long since ive drawn him in a dress
