Whumpee accidentally touches Caretaker for the first time since being rescued, maybe their fingers touch when handing over an item or maybe they lightly brush against them in a tight space, and Whumpee immediately panics, apologising over and over while Caretaker tries to calm them down. Eventually, Caretaker is able to tell Whumpee that they didn’t do anything wrong, and that they are allowed to touch Caretaker if they want. Whumpee is too afraid to really believe them and makes sure, going forwards, to not repeat their mistake.
A few weeks pass, with Whumpee slowly getting more comfortable with Caretaker as they learn that Caretaker won’t hurt them, even when they’ve made a big mistake (there was an incident with a spilt glass of juice). Once they start to believe Caretaker that they really are safe there, Whumpee remembers what Caretaker said about being allowed to touch them. Whumpee doesn’t do anything right away, but keeps thinking about those words, especially when they’re alone. Eventually, Whumpee starts inching closer to Caretaker when they’re sitting on the couch, until, after a few days of this, Whumpee finally works up the courage to lean against Caretaker as they’re watching a movie together. Caretaker is shocked, but determined not to do anything to scare Whumpee away. By the end of the movie, Whumpee is curled up in Caretaker’s lap crying quietly, and Caretaker’s arms are wrapped loosely around them.
They don’t actually talk about it, but Whumpee follows Caretaker around afterwards, always looking for cuddles.
