June Of Doom, Day Twenty-eight:

'You call the shots, babe I just wanna be yours'

I recently realized that one of the things I love most about whump is that the whumpee’s distress and angst is always validated. Whumpee doesn’t have to beg for people to empathize with their pain because 90% of the time, their situation is undeniably painful and whumpy. And even when the whumpee isn’t being validated by the characters around them, the very fact that they’re the main character means that we as readers are unconditionally on their side. The very fact that we love to read and write stories about whumpees means that those whumpee’s feelings are never invalidated or downplayed in the writing. Even if the whumpee downplays it themselves, we as readers know that they’re fairing worse than they let on. And it’s always okay for the whumpee to feel how they feel. They never have to justify being in pain to us readers. We listen and we care, and sometimes we write more ways to hurt them, but at least their hurt is listened to and validated.

Idk. I think that this aspect about whump is something that really draws me to it. In whump, we appreciate the harder parts of life, and we make it okay for our characters to feel emotion and pain. In fact we celebrate those emotions. I just think that it’s sort of beautiful.

What are your favorite whump writers looking to possibly discover someone new

Oh gosh, I have a lot.

So a lot of @whump-tr0pes (I read all of her Honor Bound stuff in like two days lol), @ashintheairlikesnow (Danny, Nate, and Ryan and Kaui, Chris, and Jake are all such amazing and well-written characters), @just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi's (Brody is such a sweetheart, Silver is my baby, and Nik just gives me the feels) stuff helped really get me into whump. I highly recommend all three!

I also love @whumpzone's Tomas and Rowe series. I'm not usually a big comfort person, but their story is phenomenal! I also really like @amethystpath's Leera/Rennera series, if you're into lady whump (which doesn't necessarily bother me, but I understand it can be a big no for some people). @liliability has a lot of great stuff, like her Auden the Combined Boxie series, although I know she has several others going on for Whumptober that are also great! @ohmywhump's Jonah & Vincent series is fantastic too, always gives me whumperflies. The Bastet series by @whumpfigure is amazing as well, really love Javier and really hate Michael and Joseph. A bit more NSFW is @simplygrimly and @lonesome--hunter's Boone Clan/Hershey's Kisses and The Devil's Highway series which have a lot of collabs.

Those are all the ones I can think of off the top of my head, but there are so many awesome whump writers on here that I know! This got really long, oops, but I hope some of these recommendations interest you!

Muscle Memory

As Whumpee is recovering, Caretaker notices that they always move both arms together and pick things up with both hands, as if part of them still thinks they’re wearing manacles.

Defiant Leader x Confident Villain

Is it self indulgent? Yes.

Do I post team Whump anyways? Yes.

*ignoring all my other WIPs* I hope you enjoy

*~*~*~*~*

Leader grinned as they fell with villain, hands twisted into villain’s black shirt. Villain let out a soft breath as their back hit the ground. They moved to buck Leader off but Leader was faster. Leader was always faster. Leader settled their weight against Villain’s stomach keeping them pinned.

“Always so smug,” Villain said with an effort, moving their neck slightly to get more comfortable.

“What can I say?” Leader asked, flashing their signature smirk. “You always made it easy to best you.”

A flash of metal and Leader’s hand shot out, not breaking eye contact with Villain, as they held Villain’s wrist and squeezed.

“Nice try,” said Leader as they slammed Villain’s hand to the ground. They slammed it again, and again, until Villain let the knife go. Villain’s other hand shot up and Leader caught it, pinning Villain’s hands to the ground above their head.

Villain’s lips pursed before they got that glint in their eye that always made Leader nervous. “You know, I think you just like being on top,” Villain said and smiled at the warning squeeze Leader gave Villain’s wrists. “I’m right, am I?”

“Don’t flatter yourself, Villain.”

“Don’t get me wrong, Leader. I think you look good like this,” Villain raised their head off the ground, the blood on the side of their eye dripping from their previous scuffle. Leader wanted nothing more than to lean backwards away from them, but they stayed as still as they could.

“I just think you’d look perfect on your knees in front of me.”

Leader actually laughed despite themselves. “In your dreams.”

“Everynight,” said Villain without hesitation. “But I don’t know. Somethings telling me you’ll do it before the day’s out.”

Leader’s lip curled back into a snarl, “I’ll never kneel to the likes of—“

“Leader!”

Medic.

“Leader!”

“Over here!” Leader said without looking away from Villain. They were a slippery sort, and Leader could never trust them when they turned their back.

Villain smiled, getting comfy on the ground again. “I think you should turn around.”

“I think you should shut up.”

Villain just smiled, that awful glint in their eye. Leader turned their head to look over their shoulder and their grip on Villain slacked. All of their teammates were behind them, but that’s not what shocked them to their core. It was that they were all currently disarmed and had knives to their throats from what must have been Villain’s henchmen.

But villain never had henchmen. They were always a solo act.

“You had your friends,” Villain said beneath them, and Leader tightened their grip on Villain’s wrists. They turned back to face Villain, eyes shining with hatred. “I was feeling left out of the bonding experience. So I got some friends of my own.”

“Let them go,” Leader said, voice coarse and brokering no leniency. Villain just smiled up at them.

“I don’t think I will.”

Leader cursed, raising their fist in threat. Villain just cocked their head, a mimicry of Leader’s confident smirk mirrored on Villain’s lips. A hand caught Leader’s, another grabbing their arm still pining Villain to the ground, and was yanked back off of them.

For a single terrifying moment, Leader was suspended in the air from shock before their training kicked in. Leader threw their head back and found nothing but air. Eyes still on Villain as they slowly got to their feet, Villain’s eyes gleaming with a sick sort of glee.

Leader struggled furiously in the henchmen’s grip, but it was relentless. Every elbow Leader slammed backwards was met with resistance, subduing them until they quieted, feet on the ground taking in slow breaths as Villain stood. Villain stopped to pick up their knife, a pretty thing now that Leader could see it. Functional, deadly, and decorative — the exact things that Villain was made up of.

That Villain prided themselves on.

Villain stepped up to Leader, smile as deadly as the blade. “Can’t beat me on your own? You need your goons to do it for you?”

“I respect your skills too much to underestimate you,” said Villain honestly. Then their hand sliced up in a swift brutal arc and Leader suppressed a hiss as the warm blood started flowing down their face. “Now we match.”

There were shouts of protest from Leader’s team behind them. “I’m going to offer you a deal, dear Leader. In exchange for your precious little friends.”

“Go fuck yourself, Villain!” called Rogue from behind Leader, followed by a scuffle and a yell and a body hitting the ground.

Leader struggled harder against the bruising grip holding them back as Villain disappeared from sight. “Villain!” Leader called, the panic seeping into their voice. “Don’t touch them!”

Leader hooked their left leg in behind one of the henchmen’s and yanked it forward, tripping them. The henchmen was falling, grip loosened in surprise which Leader took to their advantage not wasting a second as they turned on the other one, punching them in the throat.

Leader hooked an arm around the henchmen’s neck and turned to face their group, their face going pale as they saw Villain standing in front of Rogue who was kneeling on the ground in front of them. Villain had Rogue’s dark hair in their grip and their pretty knife to Rogue’s throat, a smile on their face as they watched realisation dawn on Leader’s.

“Let him go,” Villain said and Leader obeyed. As soon as they did Villain’s henchmen turned and punched Leader before grabbing their arm again with both hands. The one on the floor stood and glared furiously at Leader, but just before he reached him Villain said: “hold on. Leave them free. Leader’s going to be a good little hero now for me, aren’t you?”

Leader swallowed thickly, eyes going to Medic and Sniper and their Second who shook their head slightly.

Telling them to fight.

To disobey.

To not give into Villain.

But they didn’t know Villain. The real Villain. Not like Leader knew them. So Leader relented, their shoulders sagging in defeat and Villain could have singed at the hopelessness on Leader’s face.

“Let them go,” Leader said, voice thick with emotion.

Villain’s smile grew into a toothy grin, “oh I intend to, Leader. Right after you get on your knees and surrender yourself to me, that’s the deal.”

“Leader don’t d—“ Rogue cried, but was cut off by the hilt of Villain’s knife slamming against their temple.

“How stupid are you, Rogue? I honestly expected you to gain some brain cells since the academy days.”

“You’re not taking Leader,” said Medic coldly. Villain pursed their lips at that. Leader had to suppress a laugh, of everyone in their group, Villain only hated one and that was Medic, because Medic always saw right through Villain’s smiles and lies.

Before the rest of them had realised what Villain was.

Villain glanced back at Leader and shrugged, going to slit Rogue’s throat and Leader lunged forward but was caught by the arms again. It wasn’t only Leader who jumped. There was a cacophony of struggle as Villain drew blood from Rogue’s neck. A small knick. Just enough to show who has the power on their side.

Their biggest strength was each other. Villain just realised it was their biggest weakness too.

Leader should have come alone. Like Villain asked, but deep down they knew that their team would never let them.

“All paying attention now? Yes?” Villain asked, humour drained from their voice. Villain was all business now. Threats bleeding into promises as the cat showed it’s claws. “Another interruption from the peanut gallery and I slit little Rogue’s throat.”

Rogue went to speak, and Villain lifted the blade under their chin and closed their mouth. “That includes you too, Roguey.”

“Okay we get it,” said Leader and Villain looked at them again with a shark like smile. The henchmen holding Leader let go and Leader stepped forward again.

“If you want the rest of them to get out of here alive,” said Villain, voice soft. “Then get on your knees.”

Leader just looked at Villain. They didn’t break their gaze, because they knew if they looked at one of their teammates they’d lose the nerve of what they needed to do.

Slowly, Leader sank to their knees. They hit the rough ground, humiliation burning their lungs, their chest, in their gut, but to their knees they went.

For their team.

A flash of silver and a pair of handcuffs landed heavy on the ground in front of leader and Second in command jerked forward before being wrestled into a forced calm.

“Put them on.”

A command like a dog. Like they knew Leader couldn’t refuse because they couldn’t. Not when Villain held Rogue like that. So tentatively Leader reached out and slapped a cuff loosely onto their wrist and was going to slap the other on but was interrupted by Villain again: “ah-ah. Behind your back, there’s a good little hero.”

Leader huffed a breath out their nose, their heart thumping beneath their chest, but they couldn’t not obey.

So Leader put their hands behind their back and slapped on the second cuff. Their eyes closed at the sound, like a judge’s gavel falling heavy on its podium.

Villain smirked, tossing Rogue aside and into the arms of one of Villain’s waiting henchmen, and advanced on Leader. Leader kept their eyes shut not wanting to look at Villain’s eyes. Not wanting to look at anyone.

Then a hand was on their chin, tilting their head up to look at Villain who stood above them. A knot tied in their throat that they tried to swallow down but couldn’t.

“Open your eyes, Leader.”

And Leader obeyed.

Trying to force every ounce of hatred into their glare. The grip tightened on their chin as Villain’s gaze turned hungry.

“Didn’t I tell you you’d look perfect on your knees,” said Villain, quiet enough so only leader could hear.

“Go fuck yourself Villain,” was the reply but there was no real bite in it.

Villain laughed. “We’ll have to work on your foul mouth, but we’ll have plenty of time for that.”

Villain’s eyes flicked up to the henchmen behind leader. “Get him up.”

Leader was yanked to their feet by the arms, a hand covering the loose cuffs on their wrist and tightening them until they bit into Leader’s skin. Leader pulled at the chain but there was barely any give on it before the chain snapped taut.

Leader looked past Villain’s shoulder to see their teammates unconscious on the ground and they lunged at Villain before being caught by the wrists and held in place.

“You said you’d let them go!” Leader barked, panic lacing their voice.

“Relax, Leader. They’re just passed out. A little failsafe so your friends don’t try and follow you. I intend to keep you out of my way for a long time, Leader,” Villain said, putting a hand on Leader’s cheek. Leader recoiled, chest heaving up and down as they were dragged away from their unconscious and vulnerable teammates.

They had failed. They had failed them all. Leader was supposed to be strong enough to protect them!

Leader continued struggling the whole way, until a henchmen handed Villain one last syringe. Leader struggled more, but the henchmen holding them kept them still and arched their neck so Villain could plunge the needle into the side of their throat.

Leader hissed, but Villain hushed them as they thumbed the liquid into Leader’s bloodstream. The effect was instant. The world swaying. Colours bleeding into blurs as they stumbled forward a step.

“Nighty, night Leader. Save your strength. You’re gonna need it for the foreseeable future.”

The weight of the day crashed down on Leader and they let themselves be whisked away by whatever drug was knocking them out. Shutting down their body.

Leader’s eyes fluttered shut. The last thing they saw was Villain grinning down at them.

"start with..."

picture this: the entire team is captured, outnumbered and outmuscled, there are three people holding the strongest member down. the leader is forced onto their knees in front of the enemy leader, who ponders who to break first.

"... the youngest."

youngest's face blanches white as they meet eyes with whumper

leader and the eldest team members, who considered themselves somewhat of youngest's parental figures, lunge forward against their restraints, hurling curses and threats at whumper as they approach youngest like a predator cornering a small animal

"you leave them alone!"

"... the girl."

over the rest of the team's outrage, leader turns out to be the most protective, cursing profusely without regard for the consequences

their previous image of being "the composed one" flying out the window with every word they spit in their blind fury

"touch her, and i will be the last thing you ever see."

"... the leader."

more meaningful if leader and whumper are acquainted with each other

their most protective teammates try to protest, offering themselves up for torture instead, but leader orders them to stand down with gritted teeth or a sad smile

"what a good role model you are, [title]. wanna show your team how it's done? you should lead by example, after all." — whumper, probably

bonus: whumper forcing youngest to torture leader

works especially well if youngest is usually the rowdy one/most troublesome according to leader

a weapon is placed in youngest's grip, heavy in their hands, guided to point at leader's chest

whumper closes their hands over youngest's, tightening their hold on the weapon as the youngest sobs, terrified out of their mind as whumper hushes them in mock soothing

“sh, sh, sh, don’t cry now… your [title]’s gonna have to pay for every teardrop, you know.”

leader reassures youngest with the softest voice they can muster:

"hey. hey, look at me. it's okay. you're gonna be okay. do as whumper says."

Whumpmas in July #5 - Who is your favourite Whumpee?

If we're talking about a favourite Whumpee from others writing (and screw you I CANNOT pick one) then mine are (and it's entirely coincidental they line up with some my all time favourite whump writers!!! 🤭🤭🤭)

-

Benjamin Adkins - from @darkthingshappen series 'Brothers Keeper'... With my whole, entire heart that none is left to protest, I adore poor Benny. Such a sweet, innocent and beautifully written character going through absolute unimaginable hell yet still retaining that beat of willpower and strength to just push through - the tiny, few and far between flickers of defiance that creep out against his tormentors every now and then that have you cheering him on from behind the screen 🤌 So resilient and strong-minded. I will never shut up about this story - you can't make me.

Jack Kenyon - from @whumpcereal series 'Behaviour Modification'. Shaking, screaming, sobbing. I cannot describe how badly I want to jump into that story's universe and pluck Jackie out and run like the wind. Life continues to deal him the shittest hand of cards and when he finally strikes luck with Joe? Ivan swoops in and tears his world apart, corrupting him to fear/think he's the property of the man he loves? 😫 Bearing in mind everything Jack's been through? And to still make it to the other side, to still function in some respect? I'd like to award him 'bravest whumpee' award.

Kane De Sang - from @whumpsday 'Kane & Jim' series: 🥺💕Kane💕🥺 The once angry, lil leech - he gets a lot of flack, I know a lot of readers would sharpen their wooden stakes on sight of him. And don't get me wrong, he was an absolute piece of shit, treated Jim horiffically. But that rescue/recovery arc - his character development - it's so wonderfully done that I can't help but fawn for the broken guy. I wanna wrap him in blankets, give him buckets of blood. He's the whumpee that made me fall head over heels for the 'whumper turned whumpee' trope, and for that? He'll always have a place in my heart-

Danny - from @t0rture-me 'Cat & Mouse' series: SWEET SWEET DANNY - the emotional turmoil that boy goes through where no matter how hard he tries, no matter how well he behaves - he still can't win, can't avoid punishment 😫 Watching him slowly retreat further and further into himself and watching his stutter worsen through the chapters pulls at my heart strings everytime. And he's so adorable with his interests and how he talks with his cat I just 🥰 yeah 🥰

And it's not out yet but I can definitely see myself becoming besotted with @leyswhumpdump new lab whumpees!!! Precious boys, oh my days - y'all are in for a treat and a half 👀👀👀

-

But also just from our own - my favourite Whumpee I've made so far is definitely Josh from my series Play Pretend - it's only just getting started but he's willing to fight and kick but also do whats necessary to survive - he'll lie, fake and comply if it gets him through it but there's times when he also won't hold back.

@whumpmasinjuly

Got any drug whump? Like the whumper wants the keep the whumpee docile. (Expecially when the whumpee is strong or sarcastic)

- “There, there…Just let the sedative do its job, let it take you down. No more struggling, no more fighting, that’s it…Nighty night, sweetheart.”

- Whumper strapping an anesthesia mask over Whumpee’s face. “Perfect. That’ll stop you from biting, won’t it?”

- “You feel that, don’t you?” Whumper whispers, pulling Whumpee’s chin up to look into their glazed eyes. “Soon you won’t be able to even lift a finger.”

- “I sure wish you had listened to me when I told you to stay quiet, Whumpee. This next dose is going to be even more painful.”

- Whumpee groggily mumbling. Whumper thinks they’re finally going to get them to talk, but it turns out Whumpee is just mocking them even in their stupor

- “Time for another poke!” Whumper singsongs as they jab the syringe into Whumpee hard. “I’m sure you won’t mind the bruises, you’re a tough guy/girl!”

- “I remember a time you would have been trying to tear me apart for touching you.” Whumper strokes a hand through the dazed, sleepy Whumpee’s hair. “Isn’t it better now that you’ve learned your place?”

- Whumper convinces Whumpee after they wake up from the drug’s affects that they told them everything they wanted to know (Maybe they did). It’s the first time Whumper sees real fear on Whumpee’s face and they’re living for it

Whump Prompt #289

“Stop it! Please!” The caretaker lunges forward. “I’ll do anything you want! Please don’t hurt them!”

The whumper smiles, leaning forward to caress the caretaker’s face. “Oh darling, I’m not going to hurt them.” They press something cold and hard into the caretaker’s open palm. “You are.”