This is a term for fictional stories that involve light torture or the threat of torture, but the character being (potentially) tortured is rescued and has a happy ending. The focus of the story is not on the torture itself, but rather on the emotions and relationships that the experience facilitates.
This term originated from fan fiction to distinguish these "fluffy" stories from more angst-filled "torture porn" stories.
This term originated from fan fiction to distinguish these "fluffy" stories from more angst-filled "torture porn" stories.
Example of a description of a potential torture fluff story: "Well, you know, bad guys should be all 'Mwahaha, we're gonna do bad things to you, Remus!' And then maybe they do. But then Sirius rescues him. Or he escapes himself. Anyway, then they cuddle."
by Michelle Nelson May 4, 2010