#swann posts

tagged by @pain-in-the-everywhere, thanks for thinking of me!! :)

Shaking hands

I lovelovelove when Whumpee has shaking hands, whether from exhaustion or fear. Not quite being able to do precise things, their hands are trembling no matter what they're doing. Especially since it could be from the cold, exhaustion, or fear. Their body is TELLING them that they have to run, but Whumpee can't. My personal favourite is when they tremble from fear AND exhaustion, because it's an outward reflection of their mental/inner state, even if they manage to look stoic. A bonus is that it makes it harder for Whumpee to lie about being/not being scared, and Whumper can always check to see how they REALLY feel.

Plus, it makes physical contact really really intimate, imo. Caretaker taking Whumpee's hand gently, steadying them with their warmth or presence, manually pausing the shaking until Whumpee feels safe. Whumper grabbing their hands and mocking them for their fear, or ordering them to stay still (and grabbing Whumpee forcefully when they CAN'T). Whumpee taking another whumpee's hand and shaking together/calming each other down, or Whumpee pressing their hands together to stop the shaking.

Lady Whumpees with minor character Lady Whumpers

When a female Whumpee interacts with a female Whumper who ISN'T usually hurting them/is more watching or on the sidelines as a secondary character, I love it. Two women, alone, would usually help each other, but Lady Whumper completely willingly (as in, no coercion/manipulation/blackmail etc. is forcing her to be a whumper) keeps Lady Whumpee in her place. It's quite a contrast, and really cements a whumpee's position. The person who's more likely to understand her DOES understand her, and cares, but isn't there to rescue. Lady Whumper cares because she's ENJOYING this.

And the female Whumpee is floored.

Whumpers and Whumpees who know each other

It is so good when Whumpee ends up in Whumper's clutches, and they KNOW each other (but NOT as a whumper and a whumpee). Maybe they're war enemies, maybe they've traumatized each other, maybe they used to be friends/lovers, but this is the first time one is 100% at the mercy of the other. I love this specifically when the relationship (if positive) has soured and rotted away, so Whumper is actually eager to get revenge on their traitor exlover/best friend. When Whumpee and Whumper are enemies, though, can't get enough, either. They've never liked each other, they've always fought (and i dont mean silly squabbles, i mean war), and now one is at the mercy of the other. I also really love fantasy/dystopian politics in my whump, so that opens up a lot of options.

The best (well, Whumpee disagrees) part is when Whumpee understands that they're being treated like a prisoner because they deserve it. They have no rose-coloured glasses/ideals. They know they're a traitor/enemy and don't expect any preferential treatment from Whumper (which is good, bc my whumpers rarely give it). Sure, they might have loved each other once, but that time has PASSED. And yet they're still surprised when they remember how strong Whumper actually is, and how their punches always left them coughing even in practice duels.

And if they're (war) enemies? Well, I love that too. It leaves a lot of options open for the 'multiple whumpers' trope, but also it's such a good way to instill fear in Whumpee. Yes, they know their enemy is a country of monsters. Yes, they've been trained. But are they prepared when they realize whose land they've woken up in? NOPE.

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YOU HAVE NO IDEA