Hurt/Comfort Exchange

[mimm]

Dear Hurt/Comfort Exchange writer,

I love hurt/comfort, yet I've never done this exchange before because freeforms scare overwhelm me. But I'm doing it now and I'm excited!

If you're already inspired by the freeforms, just take a look at the DNWs below (same as in the sign-ups, no unpleasant surprise!DNWs here) and you're good to go. I'll be offering some prompts and thoughts, but I'm equally enthusiastic to read your take on the tags so feel free to ignore my prompts.


DO NOT WANT:

Permanent death of ship characters (others ok if necessary for plot, temporary death ok)

Rape/noncon between ship characters (past rape ok, rape by others for plot reasons ok, dubcon ok)

Dom/sub dynamics

Daddy/mommy kink

Scat/watersports/emetophilia (hurt character throwing up ok)

Permanent break-up of ship characters (ending with an implied 'they might hook up again' is ok)

Unhappy endings

Mpreg, fpreg, acquiring or caring for children

Animal abuse/suffering

A/B/O

Crossovers, fusions, AUs that drastically change the setting (canon divergence = great)

Fandom-specific DNW for Doom Patrol:
Calling the negative spirit Keeg Bovo. Also, anything that hinges on comic knowledge. Borrowing is fine, as long as the fic makes sense on its own.

If there's anything you find confusing or conflicting, you can always ask through a mod. These are mostly things I dislike or am very picky about, but as I've mentioned before, I have no triggers that I know of.

Want to include eye trauma or broken bones that are visibly protruding, or just lots of blood? Go ahead, I'm not squeamish. Not sure how much internalized homophobia or self-hatred is too much? Lean as far into it as you need to. How about homophobic/transphobic OCs making characters' lives temporarily terrible? I'm ok as long as it's temporary and my ship ends up happy and, if they've been physically injured, the injuries heal. As for permanent injuries in general, I'll mention where I'm fine with them, and what type. They're not a DNW.

Basically, don't worry about the hurt being too hurt-y, as long as there's also comfort to go with it. But also, if you're squeamish yourself, don't feel like you need to amp up the injuries just to please me. Sometimes a conveniently twisted ankle is all one needs.



GENERAL LIKES:

Canon-divergent AUs, forks in the road, what if X instead of Y, fix-its for unhappy endings, alternate/mirror universes used in canons where they exist (for this exchange, Dark Matter and both Star Treks are great for this, and I could get behind something similar in Doom Patrol)

Angst and (mutual) pining

Hurt/comfort of any type and level, from minor wound tending to handling mind control situations, torture and PTSD

Internalized homophobia when it fits the canon (esp. if eventually learned/taught out of)

Having to share a space (anything from a single tiny sleeping bag to space shuttles to snowed-in cabins to whatever else you can think of - it's the 'I can't run away and ignore/hide my feelings oh no' that I adore)

Enemies/rivals having to work together and making a truce, temporary or otherwise

All the touching! From the tiniest of accidental (or "accidental") brushes to carrying someone wounded and having to unclothe them, helping out with difficult clothes/gear, dancing etc.

Undercover jobs from the sweetest "we have to fake being a couple" to the most painful "I must watch you get beaten up and can't do anything" (having to hurt the other doesn't work the same as having to watch, though I'd take both)

Time travel tropes of any kind in canons where it happens or is plausible: Groundhog day, traveling to the past/future and getting (temporarily) stuck there, time moving slower/faster than it does for others in a certain space, messages through time, altering history or future

First times (touches, dates, kisses, sex, arguments, anything first really)

Porn with feelings (friends: being able to express how they feel, enemies/rivals: realizing that oh no, it's more than simple lust)

If you want to go through my older letters, you'll probably find more.



ABOUT WRITING IN GENERAL:

All ratings are welcome for both sexual content and violence. I'd prefer no super chaste pre-slash.

I'm fine with all tenses and all POVs. If using 2nd person POV, I'd prefer it to not feel like reader fic, though.

I'm not a fan of poems as fics, and I tend to stay away from fics that are all epistolary and nothing else, but fics featuring these elements (so letters, emails, notes, poems, journal entries etc.) in addition to regular prose can be wonderful.



REQUESTS UNDER THE CUT:
Dark Matter [Kyle Kierken/Three (hurt Kierken), Kyle Kierken/Three (hurt Three), Anders/Three (hurt Three)]
Doom Patrol [Maura Lee Karupt/Larry Trainor (hurt Larry), Maura Lee Karupt & Larry Trainor (hurt Larry)]
Downton Abbey [Thomas Barrow/Jimmy Kent (hurt Thomas), Thomas Barrow/Jimmy Kent (hurt Jimmy)]
Star Trek: Discovery [Christopher Pike/Ash Tyler (hurt Pike), Christopher Pike/Ash Tyler (hurt Ash)]
Star Trek: Enterprise [J. Hayes/Malcolm Reed (both hurt), J. Hayes/Malcolm Reed (hurt Reed), J. Hayes/Malcolm Reed (hurt Hayes)]



DARK MATTER (TV)
Kyle Kierken/Three | Marcus Boone (hurt Kierken)
Kyle Kierken/Three | Marcus Boone (hurt Three)
Anders/Three | Marcus Boone (hurt Three)

I put both ships here with the same tags because I view them as very similar to each other. I mean, I love me some Three/his enemy, so how could I even choose when I don't have to? :D I'd also be fine with both hurt for either ship, if that's where your heart goes.

There are some prompts and random thoughts in an earlier sign-up here: https://mimm.dreamwidth.org/9439.html

I chose various tags that I know would make me happy. I'll add some thoughts where I have any, but other than that you're free to use them as prompts on their own. For Kierken, you can either explain why he's alive or you can handwave it.

Caring for someone who should be your enemy

Enemies to Lovers - A gets in trouble or injured protecting B; which makes B see A in a new light

Seeing enemy/antagonist hurting prompts unexpected feelings

Character A abandons plans in order to rescue Character B

These are all great for either ship. You can interpret A and B any way you feel is convenient: Maybe it's Kierken or Anders who initially had different plans but then Three's in jeopardy and damn, he needs to be saved. Or it could be Three minding his business and encountering an injured Kierken or Anders and there'll be much grumbling but he's a good guy so there's really only one option.

aftermath of being experimented on

With this, I'm thinking of the black goo, but you can make up your own. Maybe Three didn't get rid of it that fast and he's out there being not!Three, and either Kierken or Anders runs into him and tries to fix him, ending up with a lapful of hurt Three. Maybe there's a bigger plot with higher-ups involved, and GA's supposed to just close their eyes and assist, but when Three's being transported like cargo Kierken/Anders just goes all hell no, I didn't sign up for this.

Character A Confesses Feelings Because They Think Character B is Unconscious

Character believes comforter is taking care of them for practical or selfish reasons

Character A falls asleep on B's shoulder

Character A falls asleep on B's shoulder; B gently moves A to rest on lap instead

unexpected tenderness

These all sound more than a little OOC for them. That's why I love them. :D It's the contrast, tough guys being uncharacteristically sweet and cozy. I can't resist!

Cleaning/treating wounds

Blood and Injury

Altered States - Drugs (Nonconsensual)

Altered States - Fever

Altered States - Hallucinations

Temporary Amnesia

With this, either character is fine. These would go great with experiments but I'd take them on their own as well.

Both Captured - Forced to Work Together to Escape

Captivity - Captured Together

Hurt in the wilderness

Versions of the characters who lost each other in their respective universes meet

What it says on the tin. For the last one, it's fine if only one of them was involved with the other one in the other universe and not both. Maybe they were friends there, maybe more, maybe there's a version of GA where Three was part of it or an informant and it's very confusing when this version seems very hostile. :D

*

DOOM PATROL
Maura Lee Karupt/Larry Trainor (hurt Larry)
Maura Lee Karupt & Larry Trainor (hurt Larry)

It's not in the tagset but I'd also welcome a both hurt take on this ship, either / or & for that as well.

For Maura Lee's gender, I'm open to any interpretation: Cis male who does drag, trans woman, nonbinary. For Larry's gender, only cis male please. I view Larry as gay but I'd also welcome Larry/Maura Lee as het, incl. PIV type sex.

Fandom-specific DNW: Calling the negative spirit Keeg Bovo. Also, anything that hinges on comic knowledge. Borrowing is fine, as long as the fic makes sense on its own.

I love this show so much! I recently rewatched it and somehow it just gets better. I love every character, it's a hilariously cracky and bizarre universe and I embrace it, but I also adore the serious, quiet moments that are painful to endure. I'd prefer the tone to be more on the serious side than pure hilarious crack, mainly because many of the tags I chose don't really lend themselves to hilarity. But there are also tags that could work with more light-hearted surroundings, and with those I would definitely welcome something lighter (specks of bizarre crack also welcome). It doesn't have to be 24/7 angst by any means!

Emotional Hurt

Emotional Hurt/Comfort

affection starved

Touch-Starved

Stoic character breaking down

Cathartic Crying

Closeted

Closeted Character In Unhappy Marriage

Internalized Homophobia

Character(s) ashamed of their sexual desires

Self-Esteem Issues

Self-Hatred

Bigotry & Prejudice

Loneliness

I see Larry as this tormented guy who's still trying to accept himself and who also has a terrible relationship with his remaining family. It's awful to watch it sometimes. I want to see Maura trying to help him with it, whether as a friend or something more. They share a lot with each other.

Grief over death of a loved one

Could be Larry's son, could be John, could be someone else.

Characters live together while one recovers from hurt

Helping hurt character to dress/undress

Waking from a happy dreamworld to a painful reality

Waking up from nightmares while sharing a bed

For any of these, I'd love it if Larry stayed on Danny the Street for some time, for whatever reason. On the other hand, I do like the idea of Maura visiting him at the manor and even staying for a bit. Or they could be on the road somewhere else. (Yes, this is helpful in narrowing it down. :D)

aftermath of being experimented on

Character A made to live through/experience B's worst memory

Character tormented by visions

Character has nightmare about their trauma

Character has to be convinced to accept comfort

Character isn't used to being loved and shown tenderness/affection

Character used to suffering alone is gratefully surprised to receive comfort

I was thinking about Larry's past here. The moment he gets the negative spirit or when he's being experimented and imprisoned. With the visions, they could be something new the negative spirit shows him, or a canon divergence version of something he's seen in canon.

Permanently injured character pines for someone they think won't reciprocate due to their injury

A is self-conscious about their scars; B touches them for comfort and affection

hesitation to tell the stories behind scars

This might make one go a little "Huh?" because Larry's wrapped in bandages and he can't exactly show those scars because the radiation would kill the other person. I'd love to get a fix for this, either temporary or permanent, so feel free to invent something! Maybe he's not lethal when the negative spirit isn't inside him. Maybe Flex Mentallo has a random muscle cramp and whoops, Larry's radiation is down to zero. Maybe the negative spirit lets them share a space in their mind where they can be together, with or without scars. This universe is already wacky, so anything would make sense.

*

DOWNTON ABBEY
Thomas Barrow/Jimmy Kent (hurt Thomas)
Thomas Barrow/Jimmy Kent (hurt Jimmy)

Post-canon or during canon are both great. Maybe canon divergence where things go differently for them, or maybe Jimmy didn't leave when he did (or it's for a different reason), or maybe they meet a few years later somewhere else.

affection starved

Touch-Starved

Internalized Homophobia

Character(s) ashamed of their sexual desires

Comforting character is in denial about attraction to other character

Bigotry & Prejudice

Character Defends Another Character From Bigots

This is going to sound weird, but I actually like the plot line with Jimmy's mild homophobia towards Thomas. We get to see an imperfect nice guy who eventually accepts Thomas for who he is, more or less. I also wouldn't say no if you want to expand on Thomas' painful experiences with trying to cure himself. I love a good self-acceptance journey, however deep the character has to go for it.

This would also be interesting for Jimmy who might figure it out later, after he's already left the house, and there's a different kind of denial there. Or maybe the homophobia comes from the outside and it's the two of them against the rest? Also great.

A's unrequited pining found to be requited while B helps them recover from serious injury

Character A realizes their love for character B when B is hurt/sick

Nearly losing someone reveals deeper feelings

Character A Confesses Feelings Because They Think Character B is Unconscious

Feverish Confessions

Character A sees Character B cry for the first time

Waking from coma or deep sleep and realizing the beloved caretaker is near

I will never tire of this type of ship fic. I love pining, I love slow burn, I love friends to lovers, all of that. And I love it when these friends-to-lovers involve getting glimpses of something that's usually hidden away, like crying.

Broken Bones

Character is beaten up and left for dead

Character is beaten and robbed

Character A hurt protecting character B

Caring for character's injured hands

confused hurt character attacks caregiver

Character being threatened/blackmailed

Estranged Characters - Injured A shows Up on B's doorstep Saying "I didn't know where else to go"

If you're more into physical hurt, any of these would be great options for it. As for the threats/blackmail, it could be about anything. I don't have any particular ideas for it. Could be about being gay, could be about them being seen together, could be about knowing something related to the Crawleys, or something either one's done in the past, or something else entirely.

Character doesn’t trust comforter’s motives

Character is ashamed of needing help/comfort

Character used to suffering alone is gratefully surprised to receive comfort

Thomas is so used to doing everything on his own, being friendless and also not very friendly, so he's obviously going to struggle with someone actually being there for him. I love it.

Slow dancing with a sick partner

Character Finally gets a Hug

Checking For Fever With A Gentle Touch That Lingers

Pretty self-explanatory, I think. Little things that I love.


*

STAR TREK: DISCOVERY
Christopher Pike/Ash Tyler (hurt Pike)
Christopher Pike/Ash Tyler (hurt Ash)

During canon, post-canon, canon divergence, it's all good. You're welcome to use TOS as well if you feel like it, but it's absolutely not necessary.

Note: I'd be ok with parts of Pike's fate in TOS in this as well. Wheelchair? Fine. Scars? Fine. But I'd prefer him to still be able to talk himself and have most of his upper body functioning. I'd even take a recovery story. But also, turning it the other way around and it's Ash who gets seriously injured while Pike survives? I'd love that as well.

Accidental Time Travel

Time Travel - Deliberate Time Travel To Comfort Someone Who Suffered Alone In Original Timeline

Versions of the characters who lost each other in their respective universes meet

You can never go wrong with time travel. :) Whether it's a time loop type of thing, or much more, go for it. Using mirror universe could also be interesting. And it doesn't have to be both characters who've been together (either as friends or more) and lost each other in the other universe, it could be just one of them (either one) and I'd be happy.

Hurt in the wilderness

Attacked By A Creature

Rescue Missions

Captivity - Captured Together

stranded in hostile environment with injury

stranded in space

Trapped Together During Gunfire/Fighting

Trapped/Injured in a Cave-In

These are all tags that feel like they'd go well with a mission-gone-wrong type of fic. And they're all things I like.

Altered States - Drugs (Nonconsensual)

Altered States - Fever

Amnesia - Temporary amnesia leads to character fearing their loved ones

Temporary Amnesia

Head Injury

Back rubs for head/shoulder pain

back rubs to ease a headache

I do love a good amnesia/head injury fic where the other character isn't fully lucid all the time, or the amnesia causes trouble, whether it's misunderstandings, temporarily missing memories, character completely forgetting who the other one is, or just plain headaches that need to be taken care of. The noncon drugs is something I could see a villain do, not something either Pike or Ash does for the other one.

Broken Bones

Cleaning/treating wounds

Disfiguring Scars

patching up each other's wounds

B sees formal A voluntarily wearing casual clothes for 1st time while A is sick/injured

Various tags that could also go well with a mission-gone-wrong type of fic. I'm adding the scars because I do like Pike with some scars, and I could see Ash having some as well. (I'd be happy with no-scar versions as well, don't feel like you need to add them if you're not into the idea.)

Flashbacks

Character has nightmare about their trauma

Character A made to live through/experience B's worst memory

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD

Restraining Someone to Keep Them From Hurting Themselves

These would go really well with Ash's past. I'm actually fine with him either being Voq or not being Voq, so you could go with either. I'd definitely welcome these tags for Pike as well.

Character A abandons plans in order to rescue Character B

Character volunteers to be punished on behalf of other character

accepting injury to protect someone

Character gets injured or sick and expects to be left behind now that they're no longer useful

Ordered to leave commanding officer behind

Blaming Themself for the Other Character Being Injured

Various tags that feel like prompts on their own (like most of the other ones, tbh).

I wish I had more solid ideas and prompts to give but I don't. Honestly, I'd be happy with just about anything if there's both hurt and comfort, so if you have an idea that sort of fits one of these numerous tags? Go for it.

*

STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE
J. Hayes/Malcolm Reed (both hurt)
J. Hayes/Malcolm Reed (hurt Reed)
J. Hayes/Malcolm Reed (hurt Hayes)

The chemistry between these two, right? I don't know how anyone could miss it. I've chosen a lot of various tags and I'm honestly open to any interpretation you might come up with. I'm not picky. It can be something that happens during canon before that Thing happens, or a canon divergence to avoid it, or post-canon with some kind of a twist, time travel back in time or something.

Fix-it - Character survives canonical death

Character A mourned B but then B comes back to life/wasn't actually dead

aftermath of near death experience

Aftermath of Resurrection

Bedside Vigils

All for Hayes, obviously. Maybe his wounds weren't lethal, or maybe they were and Reed's already mourning, but they find some kind of a device that can bring people back and he doesn't even think if it's wise but just goes for it. I don't want a Comes Back Wrong here, but I could see Hayes being very upset, both by dying and by being resurrected. I put the bedside vigil here because I could see it working here, but it could go well with many other scenarios as well, even when both of them are hurt and staying in beds near each other.

Time Travel - Character changes the past to prevent traumatic events and succeeds

Accidental Time Travel

Whether to fix Hayes' future or just something that happens during the canon, either one's great.

A and B have a troubled past; forced to work together

Caring for someone who should be your enemy

accepting injury to protect someone

Character A attempts to sacrifice themself for B; B gets very upset

Blaming Themself for the Other Character Being Injured

Because I love how they're these co-worker enemies that are so close to becoming friends (and more) if only they weren't so hardheaded about it. :D I'd love protectiveness but I'd also love guilt or just general annoyance. Feel free to interpret the tags as you want, because I might miss something obvious here.

Rescue Missions

Trapped/Injured in a Cave-In

stranded in space

A few things that could go well with canon-typical events.

Blood and Injury

Blood Loss

Broken Bones

Cleaning/treating wounds

Fever Dreams

Fever Hallucinations

Temporary Amnesia

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD

A few more things that either fit canon-typical events or are the types of injuries I could see working in h/c.

Character A realizes their love for character B when B is hurt/sick

Character A Confesses Feelings Because They Think Character B is Unconscious

Character A thinks they're about to die and voices their feelings for B; but oops A survives

A's unrequited pining found to be requited while B helps them recover from serious injury

Feverish Confessions

Who doesn't love a good awkward "...well, shit" moment of realization? Or awkward confessions? (Note: Doesn't have to be awkward. It's just the vibe I get.)

Sick/hurt character falls asleep on comforter

Helping hurt character to dress/undress

Being bathed while mutually pining

Tracing Scars

Various things that I enjoy. They've very sweet or they're great for (mutual) pining and physical closeness.

Characters live together while one recovers from hurt

Comforter stunned by how much comfortee trusts them

Character doesn’t trust comforter’s motives

Tags that I couldn't group with others because they seem more individual. But they're all things I'd love. The last one could go well during canon when there's still mistrust between them. As for the living together, I'd prefer it not be an established relationship but more like having to share quarters or a place at some space station/on a planet or something else for handwavey reasons, but if established relationship is all you feel comfortable doing, it's not a DNW so go ahead.

Versions of the characters who lost each other in their respective universes meet

One or two of them being a mirror version or something similar could be great. Could be both losing each other's other versions, or just one of them, I'm great with both. Maybe our Hayes actually did die but Reed meets another version and refuses to let go of him?



My AO3 for possible treaters: Mimm
I've requested fanfiction for all of these, but if anyone feels inspired to do fanart by all means do! Even the quickest, roughest sketch featuring my ship and something like a wound or a scar and a touch of some kind would be lovely.