New Hampshire @ Boston College | 03.03.24

New Hampshire @ Boston College | 03.03.24

That bit where the shape shifter whumpee reverts to their animal form when the pain/stress gets to be too much. They show up on the caretakers doorstep, trembling and bloody, and the caretaker brings them inside and holds them in their lap until they've calmed down enough to turn back.

Writing Prompt 265

X cupped the back of Y's head and lifted it enough to drip a little water into their mouth. Y swallowed reflexively and let out a little whine. "It's alright," X murmured, giving them a little more to drink, "that's good."

“I’m glad you’re okay” but said by someone who has just had the shit beaten out of them, to someone who is not hurt at all, is a brilliant trope and I lose my mind every time.

gentle, patient touch. light hugs with plenty of room to escape. holding hands and a thumb tracing circles on the back of the other person’s hand - or, more intimate, one’s hand lain palm-up in the other’s, for a cut there to be tended to; maybe the fingers tremble imperceptibly. a steady hand on a shoulder, at their back, at the back of their neck. quiet assurances of i understand and i’m right here, i won’t leave. i promise.

Just thinking about the intimacy behind a very soft and gentle "Let's get you home."