Stoic Caretaker and Sunshine Whumpee. Stoic Caretaker seeing Sunshine Whumpee's spirit breaking, watching the spark in their eyes fade. Stoic Caretaker gradually letting down more and more of their walls, because if they can be open and gentle with Whumpee, maybe Whumpee will know it's okay to be low and vulnerable with them in return until it gets better ❤️
That moment when the gentle giant sees enough of their smol one(s) suffering and finally snaps 👏👏👏
We need more of whumpees who are stressed, skittish and sleep-deprived and caretakers who know just the Secret Weapon to help them relax. They’ll be subtle about it, though, i.e. making idle conversation while casually carding a hand through Whumpee’s hair until A) Whumpee’s practically purring under their touch or B) They’re still trying to protest in little grumpy mumbles as they doze off.
Bonus points if Whumpee later asks them how they knew something like that would put them to sleep and Caretaker plays dumb. “Oh, does it? I never noticed!”