#zander oc

Whumper grabbed Whumpee by the roots of the hair and wrenched their head back so they could speak in their ear, while their other hand ran down Whumpee's torso.

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Whumpee has fallen asleep cuddled against Caretaker's chest while Caretaker is still awake

Caretaker notices that Whumpee's body has stiffened against them and Whumpee is slowly, almost imperceptibly, retreating their clenched fists closer to their own body. There's a small frown creasing between Whumpee's eyebrows - they must be having a nightmare. Caretaker gently traces their thumb along their furrowed brow, meaning to comfort them, but Whumpee flinches and their breath hitches and Caretaker realizes they're awake and frightened. Caretaker remembers with a sinking feeling what Whumpee had said about being forced to share a bed with Whumper.

“Shhh, hey…it’s just me. It's okay.”

Whumpee's eyes open cautiously and they peek up at Caretaker beneath their lashes. When they see it really is Caretaker, the tension melts off their face and they sigh gratefully, nuzzling against Caretaker.

- when they wake up to soft morning light, feeling refreshed, and realize they slept through the night with no nightmares

- when they’re laughing hard with friends with no huge worries looming over them

- when they finally return a loved one’s embrace without wanting to flinch away

- or, when they actually initiate physical contact in a way that truly feels comfortable/fun

- when it’s an anniversary of something particularly traumatic and they don’t even think about it until someone else mentions it

- when they’re seated with a loved one, their head resting on their shoulder, watching a sunset and realize the world can be so much more than what they experienced

“Get up. Up.”

Whumpee struggles to sit up, every part of their body aching, but just as they’re about to force themselves to stand, Whumper’s voice continues,