Sam's Whump Art

character b wakes up in the hospital on a nasal cannula (breathing thing) and immediately panics and tries to get it off and character a quickly grabs their hands and stops them. “Hey- ! Leave that alone, you need it. It’s helping you breathe, kiddo.”

Based off of my SOA magic system that should probably post, because yesterday was my birthday, these are basically my truest fave tropes

When heartbreak/grief affects a character's magic

Magic backfiring often having the same effects as a gun backfiring

When the stress and trauma is genuinely killing the character

The variance of scars caused by magic. Necrotic scars from dark magic. Colorful scars from haphazard spellcasting. Lighting scars that refuse to fade. Leathery skin from overuse of fire magic. Discolored fingertips, foggy eyes, rapidly graying hair, gimme gimme gimme

Nose bleeds from overuse? A class. But what about... tinnitus, blurred vision, dizzying, loss of appetite, weight loss, tingling/numbness, loss of balance, paling skin, weakened immune systems, muscular pain, oh I could go on

Soldiers collapsing mid battle from using their magic too much

Squad mates holding up their comrade so that they can keep casting magic, despite their weakness and inability to stand for themselves

Watching magic trace through someone's veins before it conjures into reality

Magic whiplash, magic friendly fire, magic misfire? Yes yes and yes

Curses are such a common thing, that they're basically a disability, and yes people discriminate against the cursed of course

This had to be some sort of test. Yes, a test of devotion! That must be it. There's no way Whumper would leave them behind. They just had to wait, prove that they wouldn't break under pressure. Then they could atone properly for their mistake once Whumper came back.

yes absolutely!!

loved ones/found family - after the whump, Whumpee is taken in by their loved ones, or their rescuers/Caretaker, or a new team. While they can never erase what happened to Whumpee -- and they know Whumper is still out there -- being surrounded by the loving care and companionship starts to bring Whumpee out of their shell and back into the world. the healing is through connection and love

new life - after the whump, Whumpee is either forced to flee or chooses to go somewhere where they know absolutely no one. In this new place, they can be whoever and do whatever they want. Maybe there's a period of isolation at first, but Whumpee starts to try new things, talk to people they've never met, and make an entirely new life for themselves. the healing is through reinvention and reclaiming identity

mission-oriented - after the whump, Whumpee is driven by a new purpose. Maybe it's related to what they went through and making sure it doesn't happen to others, maybe it's simply because they came so close to death that they want to make every minute count. the healing is through action and dedication

mentor whumpee - after the whump, Whumpee meets someone who has gone through something similar, maybe even with the same Whumper. Helping this person/people reinvigorates Whumpee's passion for life and helps them heal themselves. the healing is through bonding and guiding someone, allowing them to see their trauma in a new light

revenge (with a twist!) - after the whump, Whumpee is hellbent on revenge. in the proces, however, they stumble across something new -- a person or a craft or a place. and in this new thing they begin to find fulfillment completely unrelated to Whumper, and while they may never forgive Whumper, their life starts to revolve around them less and less. the healing is through internal gratification and rediscovering something in themselves

"Shut up, we're not talking about this."

"Why not?"

Whimper grabbing Whumpee in a chokehold while their eyes desperately search for an escape, only to land back on Whumpers face, who’s now smirking at them in amusement.

Whumper pulling Whumpee out of a hiding place with a victorious smirk.

when alone, they find themself crying— for no reason, apparently, because isn't this place far better than the one they've come from? nothing hurts, and despite the debilitating confusion, these people haven't tried anything. it'll take a long time for them to realise that it is because despite their best efforts, they've come to think of this room as a safe place— and the lack of violence is abrupt and unexpected and distressing.

* Because they're scared to say yes

* Because they've desperately wanted to say yes and are finally able to

* Because they're ashamed of what they're agreeing to

* Because they're frightened of the reaction they're going to get

* Because they're too injured / out of it to do anything else.

* Because they don't really mean it but feel like they have to agree anyway

* Because that's all they can manage to do without breaking down completely.

* Because they can't communicate any other way

"Anything, huh?"

"Fuck you, yes! Take me. Let them go, and you'll see. I can hold so much longer."