When your body senses that you're about to die/are badly wonded/ etc, often times you will end up just... Laying down. That's often seen in animals, actually.

Now, imagine. There's two characters from opposing sides. Maybe your classic hero/villain dynamic, maybe something esle, just make something up. And one of the two stumbles over to a tree and sits down first, then just curls up. They don't collapse. They just lie down, staring into the distance.

but when the human/giant KNOWS they ain’t a doll and are patiently waiting for them to break character>>>

exit stage right

Now listen.

Sedation that doesn't knock you out completely, but just makes you very confused and tired instead, unable to form a clear though, yet still somewhat aware of what's happening around you. Drugging basically...

Augh

I especially adore that when combined with an otherwise very defiant whumpee who refuses medical treatment, and a kind, gentle caretaker? One who holds their hand, strokes their hair and reassures them that everything is going to be okay? Even better when it's a hero/villain dynamic???

You need prime lighting and a crowd of high rollers to show off your prized merchandise

You're not an heir but still a part of the royal family.

War looms on the edge of the kingdom and in the tangle of politics to find allies you somehow catch the eye of another land's ruler.

You'd always known you'd probably marry for political reasons, but securing a wartime alliance was much higher stakes than anything you'd imagined.

The wedding is glamorous, but rushed and before you know it the familiar lands around the castle you called home are fading away into the distance.

Your new spouse leaves almost instantly to attend more war talks, leaving you alone in a new environment, surrounded by strangers. One of the advisors pulls you aside, telling you that the alliance hinges on you cooperating.

Things slowly start to change, guards barring you from areas you should have been allowed to visit and servants whispering behind your back.

Worried about possibly putting your family in danger by threatening the alliance you play along.

You say nothing as you are confined to your quarters. It's not the luxury you're used to but at least it's not a dungeon.

You don't protest as some of the guards begin to push you around and the servants bringing you food smugly tell you about how cruel your spouse can be when displeased.

You make up lies in your letters home, making it sound like you're having a great time in your new prison home.

Months pass and they finally return home, the war over.

You sit in your quarters, anxiously awaiting someone you believe will be far worse than all the others.

Yet, when their eyes catch on the bruises under the makeup the servants had smeared across your skin less than an hour before their eyes darken.

"Who did this to you?"