Hurtcomfortverse

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Tropes and genres
Synonym(s)Hurt/Comfortverse, Anodyneverse, Anodyne AU, Hurt/Comfort AU
Related tropes/genresHurt/Comfort, Alternate Universe
See alsoAlpha/Beta/Omega, BDSM AU
Related articles on Fanlore.

Hurtcomfortverse is a type of alternate universe setting in fanfiction where some people are born with a biological drive to comfort distressed people, and other people have a biological drive to be comforted when they're in distress.

The idea originated on Fail-Fandomanon:

I've been bouncing around an AU in my head, similar to the a/b/o or D/s verses, except it's hurt/comfort themed. The very short version, sometimes people are born with a biological drive to comfort and take care of anyone they care about who's in distress. Similarly, some people absolutely crave the fussing over any time they're hurt. Part self-indulgent plot reasons to write the hurt/comfort scenes I love without building up why two particular characters would so easily fall into these roles or mash together rival/enemy characters in a "I hate you but you're in pain, it's not personal." "Don't lie, you have to care at least a little." sort of way. In addition, getting into some worldbuilding about how people like that are subject to stereotypes based on it and may try to hide it.[1]

Worldbuilding notes -

No idea what to call the two types of people yet, I can't seem to find good catchy terms. I'll go with comforter and comfortee for now, even if the first makes me think of bedding.

For the comforters seeing someone in pain is very distressing if they care about them. It can be resisted, but it's uncomfortable for them.

For the comfortees, they get hurt and they want to fling themselves at the closest person they care about for love and attention. Again it can be resisted, but it's not pleasant.

This is generally annoying to all the people who aren't either. Most people don't want to be picked up and swaddled in blankets and kissed and fussed over for stubbing their toe, or have someone clinging to them wanting all of that just because they've stubbed their toe.

Because of the above, a lot of people repress and hide their instincts. Comforters are stereotyped as condescending and controlling and sometimes as weak and caring too much, while comfortees are seen as weak and needy and manipulative.

There's also the rumor that comforters will hurt others to get their fix, and comfortees will self injure or want people to injure them. So potential for really dark messed up relationships, or characters worrying that they're going to get the urge to hurt others or be seriously hurt. Is someone being reckless because they secretly want to be fussed over?

Most comforters will do a lot of medical research, but won't have any sort of medical job because of burnout or stigma against it.

Both are can be varying levels of picky about who they feel urges for. Some people all it takes is not hating the other person, and some people it has to be someone they love or care deeply about.

It doesn't have to be sexual, but if the feelings are already there sex is frequently part of the comfort-urges.

That's what I've got so far. It's currently a fairly flexible and adaptable AUverse.[2]

Example Fanworks

Other Links

References

  1. ^ Re: Writing Thread - Questions comment in Fail-Fandomanon, posted 2018-02-20.
  2. ^ Re: Writing Thread - Questions comment in Fail-Fandomanon, posted 2018-02-20.
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