Whumptober 2023

Whumptober 2023

Day 1: "Don't panic, it won't hurt" [x Chain]

Hellsalem's Lot had some of the worst wasps you'd ever seen. You couldn't reach the stingers embedded in your back and sitting wasn't very comfortable; given that you couldn't lean back at all. That's how Chain found you, sprawled out face down on the bed.

"What...?"

"Wasps." You groaned, half rolling over, "They got my back and I can't get the stingers out."

Chain sighed. It would be tricky, but she could get a lot of them out at once using her invisible werewolf abilities. Though she didn't know how it would affect you to have someone phasing through your body. The people she fought tended to have very negative reactions when she phased through them.

"Okay, just lay still." She lifted your shirt slowly, "And take a deep breath. Don't panic, it won't hurt."

The deep breath you took was exhaled sharply as something went right through your skin. It felt so cold, it burned; though it was vaguely hand-shaped. Chain was doing her best to move quickly, she could tell that you weren't thrilled about this arrangement.

"Almost done." She said, "Just a little more and they'll be out."

The teeny dribbles of blood from the open wounds hurt Chain a little. There wasn't much left to do except ointment and bandages, which was far easier than removing the stingers. Though Chain was quick to kiss around the small plastic strips, and that made it feel just a little bit better.

Flufftober 2023

Day 6: "Your bedhead is really cute" [x Raju]

Waking up in a house was still a new feeling for Raju, even if he knew where he was and what was going on. He was a little too used to waking up in caves or trees, being on his own was far more common given his life span. But there was something deeply appealing about how you looked with your hair spread out across the pillows.

Gently trying to brush it around, looking for your face and reveling in how soft your mane was; Raju sighed in contentment. This was so weird, in a good way.

But his musing was cut short as your eyes opened. He drew back slightly as you looked around, not wanting to admit that he was doing anything. All the soft moments were embarrassing to him. Raju didn't think being this soft, even with his partner, was a good look for a warrior like himself.

"Morning hon." You yawned, "How did you sleep?"

Raju only hummed in response, weary of saying too much, or the wrong thing.

"Anything specific you have to do today? Or are you going to hang out?"

"I haven't a clue yet." He mumbled, "But your bedhead is really cute."

You stopped, blinking. Raju saying weird things was normal, but random compliments were still strange to hear. Not that he ever insulted you... after the two of you started dating at least. But he still blindsided you with these kinds of statements.

"But... I... I haven't even brushed my hair yet." You tilted your head, "I... it's all puffy and tangled."

"Its still very adorable." Raju admitted shyly, "And soft..."

Looking around the room, you tried to find a reason Raju would say something like this. Sure it was nice and typically normal in other relationships... but this wasn't a normal relationship. That was one of the reasons you were with Raju.

However, his straightforward nature meant anything he said was not only exactly what he thought... but it was usually true to some degree. Which only meant there was no arguing with him when he said randomly sweet things like this.

Whumptober 2023

Day 4: "Stay, please" [x Raju]

Raju floated in the middle of the living room, taking in what you said while you panted heavily. This wasn't his idea to begin with, he had no clue why he was even here at the moment. Sure, Raju had lived with humas before...

But not one quite like you.

The thing was, he wasn't completely used to someone wanting his presence, concerned this deeply for his safety. All things considered, love wasn't something he contemplated. Especially not for himself.

But here you stood, breathing hard from yelling at him for how reckless he was in battle. Telling him off for being gone most of the year, despite promising to visit more often. Promising to show up for the holidays...

Raju didn't know how to feel, but one thing rang clear in the silence.

"Why do you keep coming back? Just leave!"

But Raju couldn't move. He wanted to stay, he truly did. There was just so much he needed to get used to, things he never thought about with his huma family. Things that never once crossed his mind.

The tears still streaming down your face made walking difficult but you made the attempt to march off anyways. After all the waiting around you did this past year and a half, you just needed a nap... with or without Raju's answer.

Before you could pass through the hallway...

"[Name], wait." Raju had a blood thread attached to your sleeve, tugging you back as carefully as possible, "Stay, please?"

"I'm going to bed." You grumbled, voice drained of emotions post-outburst, "That's all."

"I'll join you."

It wasn't exactly a command, there was a hint of plea in Raju's voice. But he probably could have asked instead of...

"Whatever."

You trudged into your bedroom, why should you care that he was following you anyway? Flopping onto the messy spread, you burrowed under a fluffy blanket and tried your best to ignore the floating half-man you were supposed to be dating.

Its not like you could tell anymore.

Raju didn't need sleep however. Instead opting to just hover there, watching over you. One slender hand, his only hand left after everything he'd been through in life, caressed your back slowly. He could at least help ease you to sleep.

That didn't stop him from mumbling under his breath though, "I'm sorry [Name]. I know I can't keep using the same excuses. You don't deserve to be left alone for months on end, not by someone like me. If you still want me gone, I won't fuss. I just want to know you're okay... I'm sorry I hurt you with all this..."

Even half asleep, you couldn't deny how badly you wanted to forgive him. But all you could manage was grabbing onto his cane before dozing off.

Whumptober 2023

Day 8: "Because I don't wanna hurt you" [x Femt]

"Stay back out of here!" Femt threw an empty beaker at the door, "You don't need to be in here!"

Backing away from the broken glass, you jogged back into the bedroom; slamming the door behind you out of fear. Laying on the bed, you tried controlling your emotions. You hadn't been hurt physically, but Femt was the last person you thought would ever yell at you like that. Let alone throw anything at you.

It was just a little too much when you weren't fully over your horrid ex. And now Femt was starting to act the same...

.

Pushing the bedroom door open, Femt was surprised to see you already fast asleep. It was extremely early for sleeping, and a little late for a nap. Not that Femt would ever tell you what to do, he was just a little surprised given that you usually pulled him to bed at a reasonable hour.

Debating poking you awake, he started changing. Preparing for a shower so he could snuggle up to you. At least be comfortable and cuddle you while he dozed off. At least until you stirred on your own.

Grinning as he approached the bed, Femt was deeply hurt when you shrank away, "Dearie? What's wrong?"

Turning and hiding in the pillows, all you could manage was a soft whimper in response.

"Not feeling too good then?" Femt sat on the bed, reaching for you, "You should have told me--"

Even without looking at him, you scooted away from his outstretched hand. Femt frowned harder, this wasn't adding up at all. What was going on? Why were you being like this?

"Dearie..." Femt got up, circling around to the other side of the bed, "What's going on? Is there something wrong? I won't know if you don't tell me."

Peeking at the face very close to you, just over the edge of the bed. It was clear that your actions had hurt him, but his actions had also hurt you. Your voice was very small sounding, quiet to an extreme degree.

"I just... I didn't want to bother you."

Femt frowned, he'd heard this all before. You rarely ever meant the direct words you said, "Sweet dearie, you could never bother me. What is this really about?"

"The... beaker..." You hid in the pillows again, "You threw at me earlier..."

Stopping with his mouth half-open, Femt didn't have a response for that. He did throw a beaker at the door you'd opened. But that wasn't meant to harm you.

"Where did it hit you?" He stood, wandering off to find the first aid kit, "I was aiming for the door, the door frame at best. You should have told me what I did."

You sat up slowly, "No, you... you didn't hit me. Not physically anyways..."

Turning quickly in the door of the bathroom attached to the bedroom, he tilted his head. This wasn't adding up for Femt, until his memory caught up with his line of logic. Then he practically teleported to the bed, ignoring how you shrank away as he squeezed you in a tight hug.

"Dearie! Why didn't you say anything sooner?" He wasn't letting up, you were squished against his chest, "I wasn't trying to hurt you! I threw that because I didn't want you to get hurt by my little project!"

It was a struggle to push Femt off enough so you could breathe, "Femt! I still need oxygen!"

"But you were hurt by me!"

"And it'll get worse if you don't ease up!"

He only let up a little bit, threatening to lay on top of you. It would be impossible to get away from Femt for a while, he never took these transgressions lightly. No matter the reason, he would make it up to you. And figure out a way to think in the moment when he was working on his projects.

Whumptober 2023

Day 5: Overhearing a Caretaker mildly complaining [x Klaus]

Break a leg huh? Welp, you broke a leg alright, and Klaus was determined to take care of you to the best of his ability. But you knew it was putting too much on him, asking him to watch over you like this when he should be at work.

Even if he can just take care of the paperwork, it wasn't fair to ask him to take care of you. Not like this.

But he was stubborn. Your leg bone had broken, damn near splintered when you fell. Moving was difficult, Klaus wouldn't leave your side for a second, occasionally resigning to carrying you around because he could. It made you feel like a doll.

The worst of it was how damn careful you had to be about your frequent headaches. Laying back into direct, bright lights wasn't helping at all. And you only had a few ways you could lay without risking further injury. It was only a matter of time before Klaus got annoyed with it, you were certain.

"I'm unsure what to do Steven." Klaus's voice woke you from a fever nap, "It's been getting rather dark lately. Far too early. And [Name] can't handle the bright lights."

You laid still, pretending to still be fast asleep. The pause and sigh told you that Klaus was on the phone, and not at all happy.

"Of course we've tried nightlights. We've also tried flashlights." Klaus passed very close to the couch where you were laying, "But the way it throws shadow... I hate seeing [Name] frightened like that."

Klaus stopped suddenly, turning back to where you were. From his point of view, you were still asleep. While he listened to Steven suggest a variety of solutions, Klaus knelt by your side. Each possible outcome had its drawbacks, and while Klaus could appreciate the help, he didn't care for the accusatory tone Steven used.

This was his beloved [Name] after all, not some random person off the street.

"Steven, I'm well aware of how this must look from your point of view. And believe me, I do find it frustrating to be held back by so many inconveniences."

Your heart squeezed a little hearing that, knowing that Klaus was too much of a gentleman to say it to your face. Or even admit out loud that this was your fault. It hurt on so many levels.

"Even so, I will be back in the office soon." Klaus's hand rested gently across your back, "[Name]'s last doctor appointment went very well and they should be more than capable of caring for themselves soon. I believe Dr. Estevez mentioned crutches."

Finally hanging up, Klaus absently rubbed your back. He just wanted you to be okay. He knew you weren't trying to make things difficult, and the way you were bedridden was only natural after the accident. All he could do was hope for best situation, and that you weren't awake to hear him venting to Steven.

Klaus would die if you'd overheard. He was terrified what you might think of him. What your thought process might lead you to...

Whumptober 2023

Day 10: "I trust you." "That was your first mistake" [x Aligula]

The kitchen was an absolute mess, you didn't know how Aligula managed to get pudding in the oven hood, but here you were. Covered head to toe in a batch of pudding and watching it drip from impossible places. You knew Aligula wasn't the best in the kitchen but how did she mess up stirring pudding?

"I trusted you, Lily." You moaned, "How did you manage to get pudding in all these places?"

"That was your first mistake." Aligula huffed, "I was trying a new little device for helping in the kitchen."

"Well now we need to clean everything."

"Including you." Aligula snickered, "That'll be fun."

"Don't act like you don't need a shower too Lily." You were trying so hard not to smile, "But we can manage with a cat bath so this doesn't have time to dry before we can get it out of the vents."

Aligula pouted, "But the house would smell like chocolate! We can't pass up that opportunity!"

"We can, we will, we shall." You sighed, "This is non-negotiable. Chocolate in the vents will attract rats and Femt ran out of traps last time you tried cooking."

"So why'd you let me cook again?"

"IT WAS PUDDING!" Aligula giggled at your frustration, "How you managed to blow up a bowl of pudding belongs in a fricken record book somewhere."

"We'll burn that bridge when we get there. One problem at a time."

Rolling your eyes, you started running the tap water. Maybe you should have a perma-ban against Aligula. Taking pictures to remind you of all the weird things she's done to get to this point. At least she hasn't set fire to milk... yet.