federaliszt:

Stoicism Breaks

cw: implied captivity whump, interrogation, torture

Different ways a whumpee character can begin to break down:

• that first muffled grunt of pain wrung out of them after being captured. maybe it’s from an unexpected slap to the face or punch to the throat, maybe from the restraints around their wrists or arms being pulled a little too tight.
• the first screams that are ripped from their throat as the initial interrogation reaches a peak and injuries are now being layered on top of other injuries.
• the tears that start streaming down their face as they realize they just can’t control their own reactions anymore.
• the first time they start shivering and shaking from pain or cold or fear or exhaustion or some unholy combination of all four.
• the first time they break down and ask for food or water or blankets or painkillers or even just a bit of human conversation, because they’re so lonely and miserable in their cell.
• the first time they break down and beg for mercy, either because they can’t stand another round of torture, or because whumper has just decided to torture a teammate or friend in front of them.
• the guilt that saturates their entire being when they finally break down and give information to their enemies in order to save someone else from being tortured, or in order to prevent an attack on another target, or just to save themselves from some horrible fate, their once-strong resistance worn down to a nub.
• the moment right after being rescued, when a stoic character finally allows their eyes to well up with long-repressed tears. “I thought I’d never see you again,” they choke out as they cling to their friend. “I didn’t want to let myself hope -”