#to potentially hurt with psychic powers

[mixingandmelting]

Hey so how do you think the bat boys would deal with a s/o who’s like the sweetest thing ever and he just sees them get mad, mama bear mode at a super powered hero who could end s/o if they wanted too. Like this super powered hero abused their powers and hurt someone on purpose cuz they’re thought it was funny or like violated their mental privacy with psychic abilities and messed with their head just cuz they are slightly annoyed at them over something mildly inconvenient and basic, (), (a fellow ally hero) and for some reason didn’t see a problem with it and they look confused like they didn’t see the problem as to why they’re being scolded like a bad child and apologise to s/o to appease this s/o cuz they’re friends, and s/o like, “are you kidding me? It’s not me that you need to apologise too and not do that again!”? Maybe the boys have seen slight glimpses into their s/o having some fire in them sent the boys way in the form of some sass when the boys are wrong about something and be stubborn about it?

Dick: 

Does he laugh or cry?  Donna’s covering her mouth with both hands while tapping him every other second to ask if the team should step in. Wally is making him concerned about the potential chance of him dying from hypoxia because he can’t stop laughing. Maybe he should’ve been the one to give the whole lecture why abusing powers for personal reasons is a big no-no. And he was going to do it too, already having the infamous Batman-glare from not being happy, at all, for witnessing the misuse of power for a petty reason. But so far, in his opinion, you’re doing a pretty good job at getting the message across. 

“-Oh, so you think you’re the next Superman or Green Lantern, huh? All big and tough when you resort to using your powers for being called jumbo?” 

See? Plus he’s pretty sure no one, including himself, wants to interfere when you’re like this. You left the Titans a strong impression when you, the warmest and kindest person he has known, showed this side of you before Dick and Gar were about to go at it with each other during a mission that was going wrong. Not only had you asked him if he was trying to prove he’s babygirl  by snapping at his fellow teammate over speakers of his phone, you had gone after everyone else the second your sharp hearing caught the sound of snickering. It was quite a humbling experience to say the least. They managed to actually get themselves back together and  improve their teamwork, starting with everyone comforting each other as soon as you hung up (too bad it didn’t help his case. He still remembers standing in front of the door for over five minutes, hesitant to enter his own home on the day he came back). 

“Are you kidding me? It’s not me you should be apologizing to. Go apologize to the right person and don’t do it again!” 

Oh, no. Well, there’s nothing he can do about it now. He gives the other his condolences, understanding what they must be going through. Doesn’t make the scene any less ridiculous though, the vigilante ten times your size and more powerful, slightly bending forward with a sad puppy look while you’re waving your arms. He plops himself on a broken part of a building and sits back to watch the other party turn around and drag their feet towards the victim while you walk right behind them like a disappointed mother. 

Jason:

He’s turned around, his hand is on the intercom, the other wrapped around his waist to sell the image he’s in the process of tying the loose ends of the finished mission. But it’s getting harder by the second to not burst from the conversation you’re having with the other vigilante. 

“So what you’re telling me is that using your powers to get back at someone because you were annoyed with them is perfectly acceptable and not immature, childish, or stupid. And you’re sure you’re not being immature, childish, AND stupid.”

He covers his snort with a cough. Listen. You’re already considered tiny when with him. Muscles, strength, give or take height. Your heart is the one exception, wider than the sea and accepting to most including himself. To the vigilante? You’re an ant. But here you are, lecturing them to the brink of their ears falling off while they look like a child getting scolded. 

He gets it. Had he been in the hot-seat, he probably would look the same. Out of good faith once, he took Duke  on a mission that involved Black Mask, To give the teen the taste of working as a solo vigilante even though he was far from completing vigilante training. By the time Bruce and the rest of the gang had arrived, his head hung low, standing as if he was the military. You, on the other hand, were forty-one minutes in and counting on your lecture, the poor teen behind you at a loss on whether he should stop you or not. Trust no one in the family to keep silent when people he doesn’t know come up to him at gatherings to ask if the story of him getting served by you is true. He’s still bitter, especially with everyone knowing he can’t do a single thing. Not when it’s tied to gentle and loving you. So when someone who’s close to you and/or him goes through the same misery, it brings him joy from gaining a new comrade, a sympathetic companion. 

“You better get going and apologize right this instance or so help me I will-” 

“That’s my babe.” Jason murmurs, faking a tear from how moved he is under his helmet. Proud that his one love is able to verbally go face-to-face with someone that can squash you if they wanted to. Until it registers in his mind that you’re silent. Turning around, he flinches and awkwardly waves a hand at your glaring form. Well damn. When things were getting good too. 

Tim:

He doesn’t even bat an eyelash to what’s unfolding behind him, going over the mission like normal despite all the glances the JLA gives over his and the rest of Young Justice’s shoulder. 

“Based on how the sediments that were being transported in the crates, we were able to rule out-”

“Sorry to interrupt Robin, but what’s going on behind you four?”

It’s a record-breaking moment. Their responses have never been as in-sync or instantaneous until then.

“Don’t worry about it.”

“It’s not an issue.”

“I don’t see a problem.”

“There’s a problem?” 

The JLA members force themselves to ignore it for the time being from the expression all four of them give. Good. The less questions asked, the better for the team. It was the other day Cass had to face you from the stunt she pulled during said mission they’re going over right now. He knows for a fact that Conner and Bart remember all the times you remind all three males the fire that resides in the soft and sweet you when not taken seriously. When it’s him,Tim can never manage to make eye-contact with you for a few days. Bart hides behind the nearest and largest object the second you’re within a ten-mile radius of him. Conner? He has it the worst. Often left in skin and bones, he used to lie on the floor of his bedroom and contemplate the meaning of life every time someone enters and tries to talk to him. He’s gotten better, having progressed to where he seems to freeze on spot if ignoring the miniscule sniffle he makes. 

You do manage to amaze Tim at the same time, proving to him how  “if there’s a will, there’s a way” is a scientifically proven phrase from the way you stay perfectly fine despite going on for five minutes straight without breathing. 

He does sympathize for the vigilante that can probably kill you on the spot had you not been their friend. From the background of his screen, he can see you point at a certain location before the other dejectedly floats towards that direction. Just in time too. He was running out of ideas on how to stop the league from further finding out Young Justice can’t function without you momming them. 

Duke:

He sends a prayer, wishing the victim to rest in peace. He’s seen you before, experienced first-handedly how you are when you’re in mother-hen mode. And he can say, with complete confidence, the person on the receiving end is a goner. 

Duke’s first time was back during the We Are Robin movement. Looking back, he has to admit younger him was an idiot to think he could dismantle a bomb on his own with no experience, nonetheless one set by Penguin’s men. But him in the past was in his emo-teen phase. Meaning, he didn’t acknowledge or consider all the red flags blaring at his face from how dangerous it was going to be, his mission on proving how useless the adults were to keeping a city safe taking priority. Needless to say, he was a mess when he got back to the base, barely managing to escape with his life intact. 

He thought he knew what was coming when everyone pats his shoulder as they walk out and leave him with you in their meeting room. You didn’t scream. You didn’t yell. The worst part?  He couldn’t defend himself. There was no room for any counter arguments because you knew he knew everything you were saying was right (and because he had a massive crush on but that’s besides the point). Charred front and back, he was instantly put in place and shedding out of his phase there and then. Hence, that moment being the last encounter with that side of you from all the efforts he had put in to do anything to avoid having those horrid times he experienced that day repeat itself again.

“What part of you makes you think it’s me you need to apologize to? On top of messing with a person’s mind because you didn’t like their attitude toward you? Are you sure you’re trying to help save the city? Or are you just- ” 

He shakes his head. He watches the remaining fight in their eyes disappearing, face becoming impossibly paler and ashen when you proceed to shred the remaining dignity in them. On one part, it almost, almost, makes him want to step in and save the other from further looking as if they wanted to dig a hole and bury themselves in it. On another, he’s glad he’s not the one facing your wrath. He can do another day of not going through it, thank you very much. 

Damian: 

He’s having the time of his life. Not as much as he usually does when he ruins a criminal’s perfect night, but still, nonetheless enjoyable. Despite the disapproving eyes Jon shoots at him, his grin grows wider at each strike you give to the vigilante. 

It satisfies him deep in his heart, the image of you destroying their soul piece by piece. Them tasting the hell he constantly goes through.

He suspected you had a fire in your heart since he first met you. How else would it explain your warmth and care you showered others in, including himself? Most cases, he has to maneuver himself to keep most of that warmth to himself. When he doesn’t, that’s when he gets burnt. 

Somehow you always manage to catch him, finding out from someone, perhaps from Drake, Brown, or Todd, about all the reckless actions he did during the mission he went on. Remember the Amazo suit mission he had with Super Boy? You were waiting at his and Super Boy’s hide out the day after it was over. The incident at Lazarus Island? He never wanted to die so much as he did when he had to endure your motherly wrath in front of Suren and Maya. Twice, in fact, after he chased the two that snickered at him during the whole session with his katana.

“Mr. Damian Thomas Wayne-“ is not where you stop. Your grip on his ear is surprisingly strong, where he can’t get you to let go no matter how much he struggles from pure resolve to have him stay where he is. His family had once laughed when he told them how terrifying this skill was, only you in possession of it to his knowledge. Now they, too, fear it having experienced it when they tried to thwart his very much valid and warranted concerns once in front of you. 

“You need to apologize to them, not me! And-Hold on! What do you think you’re doing? Don’t use psychosis! Actually say sorry to them!” 

There’s distraught written all over the vigilante’s face. They aren’t given the choice to choose seeing you don’t budge, leading them to childishly stomp their way towards their fellow teammate, grumbling all the way. They could’ve not listened to you and retaliated back if they really wanted to. Unfortunately, for him, it seems that they want to be in your good grace. Something along the lines of being your friend. Too bad, he disapproves. They’ve been too chummy with you the past few days for his liking and need to be taught the bare requirements to be close to you.

[gali-in-distress]

Been thinking about this for a long time:

David and Crystal's relationship as a very straightforward metaphor for abuse, sexual assault and grooming (and other things of the sort).

I think that we can all agree that David is basically a loser, but, he's in a position of power from the start. Much like an older man who can't get his peers to like him, David goes to a younger, impressionable human girl who will find him interesting, cool, mature, because he's a Demon.

When it comes to demons in general, he appears to be just a nobody, but to Crystal he's THE demon. He feeds her ego with this idea that she's special, so much better than the other girls, because she's a psychic. And only he can help her reach her full potential.

David encourages the worst parts of Crystal, according to him she's mean and evil and powerful. Nobody else will understand her, nobody else will love her, she's above humans, and so is he. He is awful, yes, but so is she. So they deserve each other, right?

Taking a page out of the Abuser 101 Guide Book, David doesn't believe in consent. Under that web of lies and manipulation, Crystal agrees to being possessed, but she doesn't get to back off after that. That logic rings familiar for a reason. It is very easy to blame Crystal for letting a Demon posses her. But at the end of the day, she's just a teenage girl who told her manipulative, more powerful boyfriend, to use her body once, only for him to change the terms of the original agreement. Consent is an ongoing thing. You should be able to take it back at any point. But David didn't let her. Is it her fault for saying Yes one time, if she wasn't allowed to say no after that?

Like many trauma survivors, Crystal doesn't get to remember much of what happened to her, good or bad. David took her identity. She only has her abusive ex's version of events to go off. He manipulates the narrative, selectively shows her the pieces of the story that support the argument that she's bad and Just Like Him. The version of her that has no family, no real friends, no support, no one to talk to but her toxic boyfriend.

That's the version that he can control. The one he has power over.

But we know that that's probably not all there is to her. In Emma's memories, Crystal is a kind, funny friend. When the possession happens the change is so alarming that Emma feels the need to ask for help. Furthermore, once she's removed from her toxic environment, Crystal's actions speak of kindness, of sympathy and wanting to help others. She's flawed like everyone else, she's hurt and she's witty and opinionated (which are not bad things). But at her core, she's not a bad person, like David wants her to think.

The effect David has on her is evident. Her life, her relationships and her self perceptions are marked with his abuse from then on.

He harassed her to the point where she was forced to give up a great part of her identity in order to get rid of him. She had already lost her memories, but then she loses her psychic abilities, her talent, her skill, what she feels gives her the right to be useful, to have a place within her new friends. Something that she's ashamed and scared of having lost. And something we then find out is deeply connected to her identity as a black woman and her heritage.

Losing a crucial part of yourself because it's been tainted by pain and fear because of an abusive partner is something that many people go through.

Crystal, due to the damage David has caused, can't trust men in her life anymore. She's hyper aware of any possible sign of danger. She gets cornered by the fear of possibly making the same mistake again. She snaps at the people she cares about, she sees demons where they aren't. If that isn't a sign of trauma, I don't know what is.

Crystal is a clear representation of what could happen to a person when they're emotionally neglected by the people that matter. She's brought up in an environment that pushes her to be self-assertive and independent. But at the end of the day, she's just a teenage girl, so she's vulnerable to the influence of others.

David took advantage of a girl who had little to no guidance, who probably always felt different due to being a psychic. He presents himself as a cool, interesting, sexy guy who claimed to understand her on a level that no one else had before. But ultimately, he's just some loser guy who had to go find a vulnerable girl to pray on, because he wasn't cool enough on his own. She's more powerful than him, but he made her feel that she needed him. When it's the other way around. And when he couldn't keep her small, shaped to follow him, he took her experiences and her identity with him.

[eshithepetty]

So. It's been said before that Mob has this compulsive thing where he looks at his hand when he's thinking about his powers. But I've wanted for a While now to compile exactly when and how much he does this, so!! Here's exactly a post for that ^^

Starting with the very 1st episode of Season 1, here he looks at his hand while Reigen's spiel about him not using his powers to use against others plays in his head. At this point in the story, we don't really understand the full gravity of these words, and what they mean to Mob - really, they sound more like the obvious usual advice that a psychic mentor would give. But from Mob's percentage rising (tho most people won't know what the percentage means at this point in the story), as well as him generally sitting on this advice, we can tell that a nerve has been struck.

Then comes season 1 episode 3. This is technically the same exact shot, but I still decided to include it both because it's still technically a different instance, and also, because of the new information we learn in this episode, we can look at this shot with a different context. Namely, that we now know what Mob's percentage means, and that his powers are connected to his emotions, which is why he stifles both in fear of hurting people as Reigen warned him of. It turns from impersonal advice to a Very personal and real concern. Though the biggest reason for why he fears his powers is still unknown at this point... (though we are made aware of the other reason - fear of social ostracization).

Ough... here comes season 1 episode 5. The shot of him looking at his hand, the one that makes it abundantly clear exactly what he is imagining and thinking back to when he does this. He's remembering the literal blood on his hands... fuck me.

Then are these shots from the same episode. The hands are covered by a towel, so this one is less obvious, but by his sight line and the conversation that he just had with Ritsu - about the incident, and what he did to him - it's obvious that's where his eyes are set. And now compared to episode 3, we know exactly why he hates and fears his powers so much. Why he thinks these hands are dangerous...

Season 1 episode 10, another repeat shot - this time from the psychically induced flashback he suffers at the hands of Muto. I still think the 100% rejection scene is so underrated - imagine being forced to relive the most traumatic event of your life, especially considering he usually avoids thinking about it.. god, the way he just screams and sobs is so upsetting.. though I do wonder what exactly Muto saw when Mob reversed the illusion on him.

This one's from season 1 episode 11, and it's a lot more innocuous than the rest - he's just checking that his psychic powers indeed don't work in this cursed room. But it's still him looking at his hand and thinking about his powers, so I decided to include it. (though I will say, there is a fanfic opportunity somewhere in here about combining the fact that, apparently, there exist curses that can surpress psychic powers, and Mob's desire to do just that... maybe one day I will get to it)

Now we jump to season 2! Episode 3. God, this is still one of the most intriguing scenes of this show to me... here, along with the fear of potentially having to hurt his clients, Mob is thinking a lot of things - among them, for the first time considering not only that he can hurt innocent people with these hands, but also innocent spirits. And the fact that he had been exorcising spirits, essentially killing these beings that are as close to him as living humans are, for years... I just love this episode. And as one commenter on Youtube pointed out, in season 2 episode 1, he made a promise to himself to consider his feelings more - and his feelings are innately tied to his powers. Thus, opening his eyes to his feelings also made him open his mind to the ethics of how he is using his powers, and whether following Reigen along on all these jobs without thought is truly what he should be doing. This is a big part of why I fully support him deciding to not work for Reigen post-finale - he needs to figure out how he feels about his powers without using them as tools to get profit (well. Not so much profit for him, and there's certainly value he gained from this job besides that - such as being able to at least use and express his powers somewhat, along with the relationship he gained with Reigen - but point still stands. It's healthy for him to be able to think these things through without that). Plus, I personally like to imagine he grows more sympathetic to spirits as he grows up and isn't anymore too keen on him destroying them being his job. But ramble aside...

Here comes mogami arc! Season 2 episode 5. As the subtitles say, in contrast to all other times he's been agonising over being too powerful, here, he's regretful over not being strong enough (plus, I like how Mogami has basically redefined what strength means for Mob in this fabricated world. Where in the real one, strength for Mob means sticking it to your morals and being able to resolve things peacefully, here it's... kinda the opposite..). Also, what's interesting here is that he still looks to his hand here, despite having all his memories of his powers and the incident erased from his mind. I guess it's just that deep-seated...

Same episode. This one is kind of debatable, but he certainly looks like he's rising his hand to look at it. Thus, I'm including it. Plus, it has thematic relevance to the incident. As he is saying here, in this world, he truly hasn't done anything malicious or dangerous that could warrant people treating him as the enemy, yet here they are. I could imagine, that, somewhere in the back of his mind, he is feeling like he's forgetting something...

Season 2 episode 10. Here he just woke up and immediately whooped ass with his powers. Also more innocuous, he's just confused, but still looking at his hand, so. Here it remains.

Season 2 episode 12 - this one's also kind of a oddball, since for once, he's not really thinking about his powers, but rather Serizawa's, and what they reveal about the man's feelings- but I thought it was close enough at him looking at his hand. Besides, I think it's sweet that this is one of the first times he uses his powers to empathise, to connect with someone (we see him do so again while trying to take in Toichiro's powers, as well as in the Alien arc, notably), so I'm including it for its thematic relevance.

Now onto season 3 episode 1! There's a really good post explaining this one (as well as the ghost family scene instance) here, but to summarise, here, Mob is thinking back to his powers and instances of him hurting people - making mistakes - and how he never learns. Never changes. Not enough... just like with the 100% sadness scene, it's just so sad that he thinks this one instance of his powers getting the best of him has ruined him for life. That he can't afford to make mistakes... buddy, you're 14 years old. A child. Making mistakes is part of growing up, part of being human :( But I'm guesing he doesn't always see himself as fully human does he ...

And then. Season 3 episode 10. Ough... This is just all his worst fears becoming reality. He's hurt Hanazawa, again. He's hurting his loved ones, again. He's monstrous and dangerous, again... All these years of repression have just led him back to square one and below - to bloodied hands once more. But this was inevitable. He couldn't have continued looking at those hands and fearing them.. he needed to face himself. Look that trauma in the eyes. And say: that's not all I am. I did that, those hands are mine, I am capable of hurting, but it's not all I am. I am capable of changing.... and he does!! Reverting once doesn't erase all the good he has achieved and all the growth he has experienced. But fact remains, that before you heal the wound you heal the wound, you need to clean it first. And it will hurt... but he gets there. He gets there.

So to finish on a lighter note! The ending of season 3!! This one makes me so happy, because, as opposed to all these other scenes where he's looking to his hand with turmoil and anguish in his heart, here, it's the opposite! He's smiling!! He's confident!! He's becoming surer of himself every day!!! He no longer sees his powers as a curse!!!! It's a promise, that eventually, he manages to deal with all the trauma and achieve a happy ending. It's just his hand, and his hands can hold instead of harm. It's just so sweet. I love him and his character development so, so much.... <3

In conclusion: he looks at his hand a total of 14 times - 12, if we exclude repeat shots. And I just think it's fascinating, how we can follow his development throughout these instances. So I hope that this was interesting for you to read as well, and that you all have good days out there <3 Toodles :)

[thewertsearch]

He was forced to serve as the Helmsman for Her Condescension's imperial battleship. Psychics of his kind were exploited for interstellar travel, and his abilities made her ship the fastest in the fleet by far.

Turned into a living battery for all eternity. Now, where have I heard that one before?

This is a ridiculous amount of power. If goldblood telekinetics are able to accelerate a ship to FTL speeds, they’re in a class of their own – and the Helmsman is apparently a class above them. This man is legitimately on some Dragon Ball Z shit, and I have to wonder how he could have possibly been captured, let alone convinced to pilot-

...oh, right. Mind control.

Yeesh.

She grew so enamored of her Helmsman and his power, she would use her touch to extend his lifespan to match her own.

Feferi’s ancestor can extend life – and, since she’s a highblood, she’s not using psionics to do it.

I’m fairly sure she’s channeling the Life Aspect here. The Empress was a Player, in another life, and that potential is clearly still in her - which means it was probably in the Guardians, too. This whole time, Nanna, Mom, Bro and Grandpa really did have Titles.

The Empress and Feferi are both Life Players, so I think the Scratched Players will likewise share Aspects with our original heroes. Presumably Nanna and Grandpa will embody Breath and Space, and Mom and Bro will embody Light and Time. Someone's got to get Space, at the very least, since it's required to breed the Genesis Frog.

As for their classes – well, that’s for later, I think. I'll obviously be making a full speculation post for these four, once we've finished with the Act, and I'm trying to save my predictions until then.

Together they explored the stars for thousands of years. Due to the speed of her ship, she would personally expand the boundaries of her empire, typically being the first to greet new races before conquering them.

The Empress is probably on the starship that Scratch threatened Aradia(?) with. As the highest of highbloods, she’s the only troll who could possibly survive the Glub – and I’m sure being a wielder of Life doesn't hurt, either.

Even her Helmsman would die, which might explain why her trip back home is taking so long. She can’t go FTL anymore.

[shiningmystic]

Motivation for you (Timeless PAC)

Close your eyes and use your visualization skills; imagine 3 blank photos with the same golden frame. Whichever glows brighter or comes closer to your chest then that will be the one for you. It may visually be different in your mind on how it presents itself whatever feels correct follow that, you are your compass. May this reading find the ones who need this message.

All messages are from your highest self, spirit guides, or spirit/the universe who only want/s to see helpful growth for whatever you have the potential to become/desire to become.

Ko-fi

.·:*¨¨* ≈☆≈ *¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨* ≈☆≈ *¨¨*:·.

Here are the piles:

.·:*¨¨* ≈☆≈ *¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨* ≈☆≈ *¨¨*:·.

Pile 1 🕊

The cards: crown chakra (crown center), 6 of cups, 2 of cups

Symbols of confirmation: Moths, love, swans and ducks (ugly duckling)

The mind is a powerful weapon and it can be a double edged sword. We get distracted and punish ourselves but we also triumph and overcome. I see you are reminiscing about times of love that have passed, let these memories fuel you or hold you back. Sometimes it all ends with a choice, make a choice instead of reaching for something that is gone. You have grown to radiate understanding and love; you are much more beyond then what you judge yourself to be. You attract kindness and opportunities that will make you shine because you do. You radiate light; Let your mind run free and create what may have been dormant for to long. I feel your energy to be a flower blooming so follow your bloom.

.·:*¨¨* ≈☆≈ *¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨* ≈☆≈ *¨¨*:·.

Pile 2 🐞

The cards: The devil, 6 of wands, the hanged man, death

Symbols of confirmation: Dragonfly, bugs, wings, trampoline, trumpets, keys

Oh wow, you guys are really going through it but you’re gonna win. Don’t hold back! I feel your guides are riding this wave with you. Powerful energy, you guys are giving up on addictive unhelpful habits. This could range from drugs to coffee, like seriously anything can be addictive and hard to let go. It could even be a role you have been playing for to long and your breaking free; fantastic! I’m really feeling this energy guys, it’s a sacrifice you’re making for something good and you are transforming into what you choose to become. Even if your resisting this change (which most are not) you should be proud of how far you have come and accomplished even if it hasn’t been smooth ride. I’m honestly honored to channel this message to you. Keep rising to your highest potential and good luck, your guides are cheering for your next victory.

.·:*¨¨* ≈☆≈ *¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨* ≈☆≈ *¨¨*:·.

Pile 3 👁️

The cards: 3 of pentacles, 3 of swords, base chakra (base energy center), 7 of cups, 7 of swords

Symbols of confirmation: Eyes, people, choices, reds and blues, masks

You could have chosen deception, manipulation and gone back to your old ways with yourself but you didn’t. You learned and stuck it out even from betrayal. You have been insecure and unappreciated a lot throughout your existence and you know what? You have the right to be angry at the people who have hurt you, the hand you were dealt and how you could continue the cycle of pain; but you didn’t choose that path. You have chosen one of renewal and moving on. Maybe not moving on completely but enough to change, to move in a different direction that is you. Have pride in that, maybe pride is a bad thing for some but sometimes we deserve recognition and you have earned it. True strength comes from within, you have endured deep sorrow, know that you are recognized and heard, stay true and you will be alright.

.·:*¨¨* ≈☆≈ *¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨* ≈☆≈ *¨¨*:·.

Tarot Cards used: The Psychic Tarot Oracle deck by John Holland

[scariusaquarius]

rehab. 44.

Avenger! Bucky Barnes x Winter Soldier! Fem! Reader

Summary: While on a mission to find any more possible super soldiers that were a part of the Winter Soldier program, Steve and Bucky make a discovery in an abandoned HYDRA base that was cleared out a few years prior to their mission. They discover the Reader, a long-forgotten soldier that was still asleep within a functioning cryostasis pod; still awaiting orders. While Bucky isn't happy about it, he is put up to the challenge of helping to rehabilitate the soldier in Wakanda where she may be able to become a person again.

-

A/n: I recently redid my hair and it made me feel so good and gave me a good mental health boost that i've been needing for months, and it's also kinda boosted my motivation to write :D I hope you guys enjoyed that I included the X-Men! X-Men is one of my favorite franchises (even though Fox loves to royally fuck up the continuity). So, the timeline that I'm doing is 'First Class/Logan Elements' and yes, everyone is still be a bit young. I hope that makes sense haha also, i hope you guys noticed the really small detail with the candle ;) that's all i'm saying mwuahahah

Also, if you enjoy my work, please consider buying me a coffee! If you would prefer to read Rehab on Archive, you may do so right HERE!

This is an au where Bucky joined the avengers but still rehabilitated in Wakanda (sometime before Infinity War [canon divergent cause NOPE]). I am NOT fluent in Russian, so I did use google translate cause I couldn't find a good translator that I trusted. If anything is wrong, PLEASE let me know!! Also, I tried to list as many warnings as possible so you know what the story will contain as chapters are posted. Stay safe!

NOTE: I DO NOT GIVE PERMISSION FOR ANY OF MY WORKS TO BE FED INTO AI FOR BOTS, I DO NOT GIVE PERMISSION FOR MY WORKS TO BE TRANSLATED, REPOSTED, REWORKED, ETC, IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM!!!

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Genre: Slowburn, Enemies to Lovers/Friends to Lovers, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, Humor, Drama, Dark Content Rated: Explicit Warning: Angst, Dark Content: Graphic Depictions of Sexual Assault, Blood and Gore, Mentions of Manipulation, Kidnapping, Canon-Typical Violence, Body Horror, Nonconsensual Body Modification/Scarring, Emotional and Physical Abuse, Mentions of Murder, Mentions of Suicidal Thoughts/Ideation, Graphic Depictions of Human Remains, Mentions of Sexual Coercion/Manipulation, Death, Misuse of Drugs/Forced Drugging, Self-Harm (Graphic Depictions and Mentions), Nightmares

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Author: ScariusAquarius

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rehab masterlist. / rehab masterlist 2. chapter 42 / chapter 43

The atmosphere in Charles Xavier's office had become tense and quiet. From outside the office, Bucky could hear the children talking amongst themselves, the sounds of what seemed to be teachers talking to each other about lesson plans and potential events for the students, and the sounds of powers being used.

The environment on the outside was completely mundane; ignorant to the turmoil within the office, and Bucky clenched his fist tightly. The plates in his arm whirred and shfited, Logan glancing at him with an almost questioning look as he watched Bucky's metal arm adjust itself, and Logan glanced back at Charles as the Professor turned around within his seat.

"Alright, so what do you wanna do? You just wanna let her sit there and magically deprogram herself?"

Hank shook his head, adjusting his glasses.

"It doesn't work like that, unfortunately. With the programming being encoded into her DNA itself, taking it out is going to be a bit like surgery."

Charles sighed and stated.

"This whole process must be done carefully and precisely. No brute force, no magical or psychic overrides, and no sudden shifts in reality that (Y/n) will not be able to comprehend or her body to respond to. We will need someone to reach her...and someone extract her from HYDRA."

Tony looked up and asked, raising his brow as he spoke.

"How do you expect us to extract her when she's sitting somewhere that the Avengers can't touch? If we try to force our way in, we might as well just storm the White House. Hell, Strange can't even get in. From what the wizard says, the HYDRA base that she's being kept in has magic VPN's that keep him from being able to go in."

Strange glared at Tony when he called him a wizard, and he shook his head before further explaining.

"While Lukas Meiers is a simple human, he is a man of power. With power comes connections, and whoever he had magically reinforce his home knew what they were doing. Astral projection didn't work, and my astral body was almost torn apart trying to get through without tripping the alarm system. Moreover, the magical reinforcements that were placed on (Y/n) were somehow reversed the second she stepped into the base, most likely from the dormant failsafe that was finally activated when Lukas and Nagel worked on her."

Hank looked fascinated, asking.

"Astral projection? How intriguing..."

Logan rolled his eyes before shaking his head, looking at Charles again.

"Alright, Charles, who the hell are we gonna send in?"

Charles hummed in thought before he finally theorized.

"I believe that Kurt might be our best option. With how instantaneous his gift is, Kurt would be able to get in and out quick enough that the physical and magical security would not be able to detect him in time."

Peter looked confused on the name 'Kurt' and he scratched his head a bit before asking.

"Professor, who is Kurt?"

Charles' face became gentle and fond as he gazed at Peter, regarding the young man with an expression that a father would their child, and he stated.

"Kurt Wagner. Some, however, may know him as Nightcrawler."

Peter's eyes practically became stars as he asked.

"Wait, you mean the blue guy who can teleport and has a tail?"

Charles couldn't help but to chuckle at Peter's enthusiasm, confirming with a fondness in his voice that wasn't there before.

"The very one. Kurt has a very unique gift. His relationship with the space around him is almost unprecedented. His teleportation bypasses physical dimensions that most sensors, whether technological or mystical, can't anticipate. It's not just his speed, but the unpredictability that makes Kurt perfect for this mission. By the time he would have been detected, him and (Y/n) would already be gone."

Peter was in awe, and Bucky couldn't help but to comment.

"I thought Stark's stealth shit was impressive...guess Kurt's got the jump on you."

Tony glared at Bucky, pointing a finger at him.

"Don't make me put a sprinkler in that arm of yours."

Bucky just rolled his eyes, and Logan snorted. Tony huffed before shrugging.

"So, good old-fashioned magic. That's cool. Yeah, no, that's perfect, except the fact that Lukas' mansion is literally warded against that."

Strange sighed, becoming fed-up with Tony as he stated firmly.

"It’s not magic. It’s biology."

Hank perked up again, his eyes lighting up as he explained.

"It’s true. I’ve studied Kurt’s physiology extensively. He really is such a fascinating case of mutant biology. His abilities are tied to an innate mutation—he traverses through a separate dimension momentarily. The dimension itself is largely untraceable to conventional instruments, which is likely why it wouldn’t trigger magical tripwires or wards."

Peter whispered under his breath, a hand to his chin.

"So he’s like a ninja…but fuzzier."

"Fuzzier and holier,"

Logan interrupted, giving Peter a thoughtful look.

"Kurt’s a good man. You’re not gonna find anyone more loyal or willing to risk himself for someone else. Let alone the fact the kid is probably the only one who can."

Bucky stated protectively, Logan glancing at him with a small frown.

"That's great, but I can't just take your word alone. I want to meet him."

Before Logan could open his mouth, Charles nodded.

"Of course. If you would like, I can have Kurt come right now...or, if you'd like to meet with him privately, I can advise everyone to leave...perhaps Hank could take Tony and Peter to his lab?"

Hank's excitement was poorly hidden, and he looked at Bucky, whispering.

"Please?"

"I ain't going nowhere, bub, so don't even bother asking."

Logan was gruff, and Bucky gave the man an expressionless expression. It was obvious that Logan didn't trust Bucky, and Bucky briefly wondered if Logan was aware of his past. Charles hummed thoughtfully before he wheeled away from the window, asking gently.

"Sergeant, would you take a walk with me?"

Bucky became uncomfortable, and Logan stepped forward. Charles kept a hand up, glancing at Logan.

"It's alright, Logan. Hank, I'd like for you to take Tony and Peter to your lab. Strange, I trust you to make your own decision whether to follow or not...but I think you would take great interest in the Mysticism class that we teach here at the Institute."

Strange's lips curled up slightly as he adjusted his cloak and the sleeves on his arm.

"I'll consider it, though I need to warn you: I'm a difficult student."

Charles chuckled, winking slightly.

"So was Logan. You'll find the class on the second floor."

Tony sighed and stood, gesturing to Peter as Hank smiled enthusiastically.

"Come on, Peter, maybe Best has a DNA printer or something similar."

Peter's excitement was poorly contained, asking.

"Do you think he'd let me use it? Oh, man, this is so cool!"

Hank was proud, stating with a wink.

"I assure you, neither of you will be disappointed. Right this way."

As everyone filed out, Logan hung back for a moment, thinking to himself before he began to subtly follow Bucky and Charles as the two began to traverse down the hallway.

Bucky was slightly uncomfortable, but his eyes were darting around the environment, watching the kids and taking in the mundane living that was around him.

Charles was quiet, giving Bucky a moment to become comfortable, and he spoke after a pregnant pause, stating.

"I would like to reassure you, James, that I did not ask you to walk with me to interrogate you. Quite the opposite. If you would allow me, I would like to understand you without jeopardizing your privacy."

Bucky didn't know how to respond. He wasn't really used to people wanting to understand him just to do so, but Charles was different. While Charles wasn't exactly like him, he was still a super human; someone that was considered an outsider. Well, not the way Bucky was, but Bucky guessed it was still the same thing.

"You can try, but I don't know if you'll get very far."

Charles chuckled before stating.

"Well, if you're anything like Logan, I think I can manage."

Bucky frowned, glancing down at Charles as the man guided him around the institute.

"What do you mean?"

Charles hummed, shaking his head slightly.

"You and Logan are cut from very similar cloths. If there is any man that can understand you better than you, yourself, it is Logan. He is very rough around the edges, but he is still battling with the ghosts that still haunt him as well. Logan also knows the same loss that you do...it's why he's...hm, how do I put this...angry."

Charles then hummed, giving Bucky an inquisitive look.

"That's why he's finding it hard to be trustful. He's not only been you, but in the very same position. Logan knows loss and pain and what it is like to lose your autonomy, and this situation hits close enough to home that it has Logan's mind in shambles."

Bucky was quiet for a moment, confused, and he asked as he looked at Charles.

"Why are you telling me this?"

The two men paused, and Charles sighed. However, it wasn't a sigh of annoyance, but rather a sigh of understanding, and the man gave Bucky a gentle look.

"Because you need to know that you're not alone. You've spent a very long time being a weapon, and being seen as one. A threat, nuisance, anything that human's can say to make themselves comfortable in the presence of something they cannot understand. Perhaps, even a mistake to fix, or a problem to contain. But I see a man who was broken and is still standing."

Bucky's face was tense, but the man looked small; almost like a child as he stared into Charles' eyes, and Bucky swallowed thickly when Charles continued.

"And I think that man is worth knowing. Worth trusting. I also know what it’s like to believe that no one could possibly understand what you’ve been through. And yet... here you are. And here we are."

Bucky was moved by Charles' words, but he retreated slightly, stating to Charles.

"You know, you're real smooth for a guy in a wheelchair."

Charles laughed, a genuine sound that was light and warm that made Bucky's worry melt just the slightest.

"Well, it's a lot harder to walk away from me mid-conversation."

Bucky couldn't help but to chuckle, shoving his hands into his pockets, and there was a moment of silence before Bucky revealed quietly.

"I can't get her eyes out of my head...she was...it was like she was dead; just a machine that was trained to kill and obey, and I couldn't reach (Y/n). I know she's in there somewhere, but even if we save her and get her away from HYDRA...even if we destroy the failsafe...I don't know if she'll come back from this."

From behind a wall and out of sight, Logan was leaning against it with his arms crossed. His expression was firm and downcast, a furrow in his brow as he listened. Charles was quiet before his voice carried a weight in the air, Bucky listening intensely.

"Sometimes the hardest part about survival is believing that you deserve it. You know the stakes because you've been this woman. You've worn her eyes, you've worn her hands, and you've worn the weight of forced compliance...but just like you, she needs someone that is willing to wait for her on the other side. Someone that understands and loves her."

The choice of words that Charles used made Bucky's jaw go slack, and he swallowed thickly before looking away, staring out into the garden and watching as the wind blew slightly; white lilies catching the sunlight as they swayed, and Bucky chewed on his cheek for a moment.

"What if it isn't enough?"

"Then you adapt."

Bucky was looking at Charles, a look of worry across his face, but Charles was patient and kind as he looked back. Bucky then looked down at the ground, and he frowned for a moment.

"You said that Logan was...like me. What do you mean by that?"

Charles hummed, shaking his head as he winked at Bucky.

"I think that is a question better suited to ask Logan himself. Though, do not be offended if he does not open up to you. As I said, Logan continues to battle those ghosts himself, and it's difficult for him to be vulnerable."

Charles then cleared his throat and informed Bucky.

"I will leave you to your thoughts if you would prefer. I will retrieve Kurt, and if you find yourself in need of familiar company, Hank's lab is just down the hall."

Bucky nodded, and he sat down on a chair that was sitting next to the window overlooking the garden. Charles wheeled away, and when he passed Logan, he stated with a teasing tone.

"Logan, eavesdropping is very unbecoming."

"Like you can talk."

Logan scoffed. Charles rolled his eyes a bit before stating.

"Talk to him."

There was a finality to Charles' voice that left Logan unable to protest, and he growled to himself slightly before he kicked himself up off of the wall. For a moment, Logan watched as Charles wheeled himself away before he walked out to where Bucky was. Logan didn't say anything at first, but Bucky noticed him immediately.

"You always go around sneaking like that?"

Logan pursed his lips before relighting his cigar, muttering as he plopped down in front of Bucky.

"I wasn't sneaking."

Bucky raised a brow, wrinkling his nose slightly as the smell of the burning tobacco as he replied.

"Right, so listening while I spill my guts out isn't sneaking?"

Logan didn't respond. Instead, he stared out the window at the garden for a moment, seeming to contemplate his words as he became uncomfortable. He was never the kind to have such deep talks. It just wasn't Logan's style, but the mutant could feel it. There was a similarity; a resonation with the Avenger that was familiar.

"Earlier, you said that (Y/n) might not come back the same...it's pretty likely."

"If this is your way of being comforting, you're not really good at it."

Logan glared at Bucky, replying with a curled lip as he took a big puff of his cigar.

"It ain't supposed to be comforting, bub, it's honesty."

Bucky pursed his lips before he looked down at the table before he mumbled.

"I know I'm right. I've seen it before. I've been there before...but the programming they've used...it's completely different, and I don't know what to do."

Bucky clasped his hands together, rubbing the metal of his left hand with his thumb.

"With the regular programming, it was easier. You stay out of cryo for a while, they don't wipe you, and you start to remember. For me, it was a lot easier because I had Steve...I had something to hold onto, but (Y/n)'s family is mostly dead except for her Aunt Mavis. (Y/n) had nothing...and she was just starting to stabilize, to remember more, before fucking Fury and everyone decided to send her into HYDRA."

Logan frowned deeply, and he asked, tilting his head.

"Why did they do that, anyway?"

"Because the goal was to infiltrate HYDRA instead of HYDRA infiltrating us. Fight them on their own turf, and the only way they would do that would be for someone they know and trust to go in. I can't because HYDRA is already aware that the programming is gone. But for (Y/n)...deprogramming her was the point...and I still don't understand why."

Logan was quiet for a beat before he sighed, taking another big puff of his cigar before he spoke.

"I get it. I've seen people turned into weapons because somebody else decided that it was the 'right thing to do' and necessary. I was one myself, and bub, there ain't nothing clean or noble about it. It's just a bunch of bastards pretending like they're doing the best for their country cause they ain't got the balls to fight for it themselves the hard way."

Bucky became intrigued before he asked quietly.

"What...what happened?"

Logan stared Bucky down, understanding what the man was trying to ask. His jaw shifted slightly, the cigar smoldering and adjusting, and Logan sighed, his brow furrowing.

"Same damn shit as you, kid, just different labs, different coats, different people. They took everything from me. My memories, my thoughts, me, and all that was left was...was a monster that was angry. I followed orders, killed, all because one man was hungry for a power he couldn't handle."

Logan sat back in his seat a little, a wry little smile on his face.

"But after escaping, I started to remember...started to figure out who I really was...and I made sure to pay a visit to that man and remind him just how human he was."

Logan then looked at Bucky, who was listening intensely.

"Your turn."

Bucky was taken back, blinking slightly.

"W-What do you mean?"

Logan raised an eyebrow at him, a subtle annoyance coming over the mutant.

"I told you my scars, you tell me yours."

Bucky was almost taken by surprise. Did Logan really know nothing about him and the Winter Soldier?

"You really don't know about...me and...the Winter Soldier?"

Logan's expression darkened a little, the corner of his mouth twitching around the cigar.

"I know what they called you. And I know what they turned you into. But I ain't askin' for a file. I'm askin' what you carry from it."

Bucky looked surprised again before he looked down at the table, the sunlight shining on his metal arm and creating a glare that hurt his eyes a bit as he looked at the shining material.

"I...I can't sleep at night sometimes. I remember all of them...all the people I had to kill...all the people I've hurt because of my actions. Hell, I'm part of the reason (Y/n) was turned into the Winter Soldier. And...there's a part of me that still wonders if this is real or if it's just a fabrication, you know?"

Logan was listening quietly, crossing his arms as he gazed long and hard at Bucky, and Bucky took a calming deep breath.

"I was starting to make a bit more peace with what I did when I met (Y/n). I didn't want to help her, I knew what she was, and I...I hated her. I hated being faced with what I was...but Steve was insistent that I help. I guess he figured that if I tried to rehabilitate (Y/n) alongside the Wakandans, I might learn something. I did, in a way...and now, I'm so fucking terrified that she's lost forever because I didn't fight hard enough for Fury to send someone else in."

His eyes turned glassy, and Bucky desperately blinked the tears away as he brought his hands to his mouth, whispering.

"I'm so fucking terrified. I'm trying to keep a level head...trying to stay calm...cause I can feel it. I can feel that part of me that's still in there. (Y/n)...she's awake for all of this; all of what she's doing, and I'm so scared that once we get her back, there's gonna be nothing of her left. It's just gonna be a hollow machine that we're gonna have to...have to..."

His voice trailed off, unable to bring himself to say the words, and Logan wisely didn't finish the sentence for him. Bucky swallowed thickly before muttering.

"I've been alive for 101 years...and I was a weapon for around 75 years...and I don't have a single clue on how to go about this."

Logan scoffed, leaning over to put his cigar out in a bowl that definitely wasn't an ashtray.

"You say 100 as if that's old, bub. You're still a baby."

Bucky was offended.

"What the hell does that mean? You're like 40."

Logan smirked, a knowing expression on his face as he replied.

"Actually, kid, I'm 186."

Bucky squinted, quipping back as he stared Logan down.

"That's bullshit. There's no way."

Logan chuckled, shrugging.

"Healing factor, son, and some pretty damn good genes."

Bucky almost rolled his eyes before Logan's expression became serious again.

"Listen, kid...we'll get your lady back...but you better be prepared for what's ahead after that. You had Steve, but she has you, and you need to be ready to carry that weight for her until she can carry it herself."

I want to remember the sunlight, even if I don't remember what it is.

Bucky became serious, nodding his head as he agreed.

"I know, and I'm willing to do it. What we have to focus on first is actually getting her back."

Before either of the men could say anything more, Peter suddenly came skidding around the corner, panting slightly.

"B-Bucky! Oh, hi, Mr. Wolverine. Um, you need to come to the lab, like, now."

Bucky stood up from his seat, asking as dread suddenly filled him.

"What is it, Queens?"

Peter looked reluctant to say anything before he stated gravely.

"It's...It's all over the news, man. (Y/n)...they had her assassinate the Prime Minister of France."

Both Logan and Bucky shared a look, and the group hurried to Hank's lab where Tony, Hank, and Strange were watching the TV. Hank was holding a hand to his chin in shock, and Strange was clenching his jaw.

Tony was staring down at the ground with an angry look on his face, and Peter became anxious as he picked a spot by a table as the report on the TV continued, a zoomed in and extremely blurry image of (Y/n) holding a rifle on the screen.

"-Speculation has already begun to spread with many citizens wondering 'is this the infamous (Y/n) (L/n) from the United States vs Rollins & Holloway court trial from a couple weeks ago'? And if so, what went wrong? Is this a woman gone rogue, or is HYDRA beginning to rear its head once more?"

The scene changed to a man that was crying while speaking in French, English captions coming up as the interviewer took his statement.

"It's a tragedy! Our Prime Minister is dead! What is our country going to do? First, the Swiss President, and now ours. He was a kind man, why did this happen? Whoever did this deserves to die!"

The interview was immediately cut off from his vulgar words, and the news reporter looked grim.

"The Prime Minister of France, and many of his security detail were found dead at the scene. French officials have yet to comment, but sources close to the investigation suggest the possibility of a highly trained assassin operating under foreign influence."

Tony shook his head, running a hand through his hair in stress, and Strange muttered.

"We're out of time."

Peter looked anxious, asking in an almost panicked voice.

"What do we do? I mean, (Y/n) was seen this time. What is HYDRA thinking?"

Logan spoke up, making everyone in the room look at him.

"They're turning her into a message, and if we wanna do something, we better listen."

Bucky's metal hand clenched, the plates in his arm whirring again, and Bucky muttered.

"We need to get her out fast. There's no waiting or dragging this mission out. We have to get (Y/n) back."

Peter then asked, shaking his head.

"I'm not trying to be insensitive or anything, but what about HYDRA?What are we gonna do about that?"

Tony finally spoke up, pacing as he began to think out loud.

"If we're going to destroy HYDRA once and for all, then we need to do it ourselves. Gather evidence, data scrape, do anything we can to prove HYDRA is still around and are in the highest positions of power. And don't say a damn word to Fury about it. I'm talking full ghost protocol."

Peter raised his hand, asking with a confused look on his face.

"Um, what do you mean by 'ghost protocol'?"

Logan muttered with a growl that came from deep within his belly, startling Peter.

"It means we're on our damn own. Can't trust suits, agencies, nothing."

Bucky was cold as he muttered.

"Then let's start acting like it."

-(Y/N)-

Her head was swimming with pain. (Y/n) was kneeling on the floor, head pressed against the cold concrete and hands splayed out on either side as a cane came cracking down on her back. Despite the fact that she was trapped in her own mind, (Y/n) could still feel the physical pain.

She'd been here for what felt like hours, her new Handler cracking the cane down onto her back so hard that (Y/n) was surprised that her spine hadn't broken yet. She was sobbing internally, writhing on the floor of her snow-covered cage with every smack of the cane, and all (Y/n) could think about was how cold she felt and how much the pain was hurting.

The soldier, however, stayed obediently quiet; not a single sound coming out from her lips. Her eyes stared down at the floor, focusing on the blood splatter that had appeared when the cane struck her in the face, and (Y/n)'s mouth involuntarily salivated at the urge to lick it up.

A good dog always cleans up their messes.

It was getting harder to breathe with every smack of the cane, every kick into her side, and just as (Y/n) panicked at the sound of a belt unbuckling, the cell door swung open, and Lukas walked in. He made a noise of disgust, a slap sounding as he hissed out.

"What are you, a fucking dog? Get yourself together and get the fuck out."

The Handler rushed out, and finally, it was just Lukas and her in the room. It was quiet for a moment, the sound of a match striking making her ears perk up, and the smell of lavender and vanilla began to fill the room before Lukas spoke.

"Come on out, little Achilles."

Suddenly, her body relaxed, and for the first time in a while, the door to her cage was open. It felt as though she was being sprung into a wall, gasping a deep breath in, and that's when the pain really began to settle. (Y/n) grit her teeth, clenching her bloodied and busted knuckles, and she slowly sat up, coughing out as a sob ripped itself from her lips.

Lukas was uncaring, simply staring down at her as the candle flame flickered across his cruel expression. (Y/n) was beginning to shake and tremble, and she was terrified; unable to speak as she braced herself for whatever was about to happen.

"Sit up."

Despite the fear, somehow, her body still obeyed, and she sat up, her face betraying her fear. Lukas smirked, and he knelt down before her, tilting his head.

"The work you have done today will be remembered for years to come. In no time, the world will turn upon the Avengers...the public is already speculating that the Avengers were lying this whole time...harboring a weapon and using it to get back at the ones trying to control and regulate them."

Her bottom lip trembled, the tears falling down her face, and Lukas cooed in mock empathy, his hand coming up and forcing (y/n) to flinch as he wiped her tears away.

"Oh, save your tears, little one. Save them for the moment you kill them all."

The words hit her like a freight train; her chest caving in from the gravity of the sentiment, and (Y/n) became deathly still; not a breath or a word coming from her. There was something in her that cracked, something deep within that fractured and pulled away from her like sinew and bone.

It was a part of her that still remembered the sunlight; the sound of Doris Day playing on the speakers in Shuri's lab; the way Bucky looked at her as he held her hand.

And the memories burned like a fire within her.

Despite the desire to lunge; to claw at his eyes; to escape, her body refused to move. Her muscles were spasming and twitching, trying to fight the control, but the failsafe was still active and only momentarily loosened.

"No."

She turned her eyes up to him slowly. Glassy. Trembling. But in the depths of them, a spark.

"I refuse."

Lukas frowned slightly, noticing the change, and he suddenly laughed as if she said the funniest thing he had ever heard.

"Oh, little Achilles, what makes you think you can refuse? I hold you in the palm of my hand. With a single sound, you are under my control."

His hand went into his pocket, and the sound of the ringtone from the phone played. (Y/n) instantly stiffened, almost crying out as it felt as though she was violently shoved back into her snow-covered cage.

“Don’t forget. You are mine, and you will carry out your missions with utmost satisfaction...or shall I pay a visit to our lost asset?"

(Y/n) didn’t speak, her lips unable to move, but the thought of Lukas going after Bucky made her blood run cold. She was begging within her mind, grabbing the bars of her enclosure and screamed loud.

The soldier sat quietly. Lukas smirked before he waved his hand and walked out of the cell, locking the door as he called.

"Rest up, Asset. We have more work to do."

-

So, I went with the scent route because the avengers, Shuri, nor the Xmen (save for maybe Hank) would NEVER think that a scent could deactivate the failsafe. Sometimes, the best solutions are the simplest ones ;) hehehehehHEHEHEHEHEHEH!!!!

TAGGING: @ravenswritingroom @mggslefttit @softpia @thebl00dwyrm @buckvoidsyy @chonkybonky @seemsxsketchy @tilldeathripsusapart @vicmc624 @mgchaser @aash3 @samfunko @seventeen-x @valckenaux @babybeeelle @sc4rrc @cjand10 @bane-y-zane @notsostrangerthing @thenameswinter99 @bumblebeebutter @torntaltos @highhopes1008

[archduchessgortash]

Unpopular Opinion

An 'evil power couple ruling Toril together' ending for Durge and Gortash is a horrible idea, and I'm glad that it doesn't happen in Baldur's Gate 3. If it ever did, it would not be a happy ending for either of them.

If that's your kink... cool. It's such a popular ask in the fandom that I'm sure someone already wrote it months and months ago.

My kink is redemption, but hardly anyone seems to want that for Gortash, and it makes me sad. I really think it should have been an option.

Here's why I don't want Durge and Gortash ruling Toril:

Durge and Gortash have both been abused, manipulated, and treated like complete shit by their families, their caregivers, and their gods. Bane's treatment of Gortash isn't exactly clear except that he tortures his soul for failure even though Gortash did everything he possibly could to succeed in the Absolute plot. By the time we meet him in-game, Gortash has become as bad, if not worse, than his abusers. Pre-tadpole Durge was a piece of work, too, although Sceleritas does mention that they struggled to stay the course that Bhaal had set them upon even before their lobotomy.

We know that one of the themes in Baldur's Gate 3 revolves around cycles of abuse. Even when the victim-turned-abuser isn't arguably 'as bad' as the one who hurt them, if they choose the same sort of path, they lose everything they were ever really fighting for: themselves.

I know Ascended Astarion stans will stomp their feet and say he hasn't become Cazador 2.0. To them, I say: 'You're right. He hasn't... yet.' However, he has eternity now and a delusional slave of his very own to bring out the worst in him. There's a reason that spawn Astarion mentions how he felt everything he'd learned since meeting his new friend/partner slipping away when he thanks them for stopping his ascension. Because that is what ascension does to him. Astarion loses. Cazador wins. Even dead, he has won. That the fandom doesn't get that boggles my mind.

Some fans like the idea of evil Durge and Gortash taking out Bhaal and Bane, becoming gods themselves. In my opinion, this is so much worse. Killing or torturing their abusers as revenge isn't 'finally showing them' or proving their strength. It is, in fact, a mirror of their abuser's own weakness manifested in their victim. Gortash has already crossed this line. Dravo Flymm is effectively dead, animated only by his tadpole. This is another reason I wish Karlach had the option to forgive Gortash--not for him--but for her.

Gortash intellectualized his own abuse so hard that he actually thinks he was helping Karlach by giving her to Zariel. He has not truly dealt with anything that was done to him. He projects it onto the people around him and makes his own problems into everyone else's. I believe this is why there's no ending in which he survives. That, and running out of time and money to do him and Wyll justice with their storylines.

I don't like Durge and Gortash becoming worse together. A history of abuse does not excuse its continuation. I don't want to watch them be overtaken by their own weakness, to weep as I gaze upon the manifestation of their inescapable cowardice.

I want to see them win, but my definition of winning is not ruling. My definition of winning is choosing to no longer emulate their abusers, to become what tiny glimpses into their back stories show us they once had the potential to be.

The idea of Durge and Gortash enslaving the world and ruling it brings to mind a line from one of my all-time favorite songs: Veteran of the Psychic Wars by Blue Öyster Cult.

'Did I hear you say that THIS is victory?!'

Well... it is. Just not theirs.

Repeating the cycle of abuse is nothing short of ensuring the legacy of the abuser.

Like I said... I want Durge and Gortash to win.

[hiddenfaith40]

I wonder if Akutagawa will have problems using Rashomon now that his original coat, the one Dazai gave him when he joined the mafia? Rashomon can manifest from any clothing he is wearing or touching, and it can feed off of Akutagawa’s emotions.

That’s a brilliant line of thought—and one that opens up some emotionally loaded and potentially devastating narrative threads.

You’re absolutely right: Rashomon can manifest from any article of clothing Akutagawa wears or touches, but canon heavily associates the black coat (the one Dazai gave him) as not just a conduit but a symbolic tether—to his identity, his trauma, and especially his connection to Dazai.

If Akutagawa no longer has that original coat:

1. Psychosomatic Weakening of Rashomon

Even if Rashomon can function without the coat, Akutagawa might believe it can’t—and that belief alone could impair his ability to control or summon it. His emotions fuel Rashomon, and doubt or grief can cause it to malfunction or lash out uncontrollably. Imagine:

He reached for Rashomon. Nothing came. Not because it was gone—but because the weight of that coat, the memories stitched into every seam, were gone too.

2. Emotional Feedback Loop

The coat is a physical reminder of Dazai’s approval, of the boy who wanted so desperately to be seen. Without it, Akutagawa could spiral. If Rashomon feeds off his emotions, that grief, that instability, could twist Rashomon into something more violent or unrecognizable. Imagine it shifting erratically—harder to control, even hurting those he’s trying to protect.

3. Symbolic Rebirth

This is also a huge opportunity: if he’s no longer wearing the coat Dazai gave him, maybe it’s the first step toward reclaiming himself. His version of Rashomon. His coat. His purpose. A quiet act of autonomy. Rashomon might even evolve—adapting to a new emotional wavelength, less corrupted by old wounds.

4. What If Someone Else Gave Him a Coat?

If Atsushi gave him a coat to wear in the aftermath—imagine the symbolism. Rashomon responding differently, subtly, but still with strength. A transformation in Akutagawa’s ability mirroring his emotional shift:

It’s still Rashomon. But not quite the same. Like it’s breathing new air. Like it finally stopped choking on guilt.

The interesting thing is that since Bram Died, and Akutagawa has been fighting Amenogozen with Atsushi, but he hasn’t once used Rashomon.

YES. And that omission is incredibly telling—and almost certainly intentional.

Let’s break it down, because if Akutagawa hasn’t used Rashomon once since Bram’s death while fighting a literal god alongside Atsushi, it suggests a few major possibilities—each with deep emotional or thematic implications:

⸻

1. He Can’t Use Rashomon Anymore

If Bram’s death severed or weakened something—psychically, spiritually, or emotionally—it could have broken Akutagawa’s bond with Rashomon. Perhaps Bram’s final command to “protect the princess” echoed so strongly that it overrode his normal ability instinct. And once Bram died, that purpose—the anchoring drive Rashomon responds to—shattered.

If Rashomon is fueled by emotional clarity and Akutagawa is now in emotional limbo—free of Dazai’s influence, no longer a tool, unsure of his place—then the ability might be dormant.

⸻

2. He’s Choosing Not To Use It

This could be huge. Akutagawa may be trying to prove that he is more than a weapon, that he can stand alongside Atsushi on his own. Especially if he still thinks Dazai sent him to die—using Rashomon might feel like playing back into that old role.

Or maybe:

He doesn’t want to use the thing that was born of rage, of fear, of longing for someone who never saw him.

It’s also possible he feels like Rashomon is too dangerous to use around civilians—remember, they’re fighting in a city. Rashomon’s destructive power might not be safe anymore, especially if it’s unstable without the coat.

⸻

3. His Emotions Have Changed Too Much

If Rashomon feeds off emotion—and those emotions are no longer fear, desperation, or fury but grief, guilt, even love—maybe it doesn’t respond the way it used to.

Rashomon may require sharp, directed emotions to take shape, and Akutagawa��s feelings may be too conflicted now:

• He respects Atsushi

• He doesn’t want to die a tool

• He misses Gin

• He’s possibly changing as a person

He might reach for it… and nothing answers.

⸻

4. Atsushi is His Anchor Now

If Rashomon originally responded to the pain of abandonment and the need for recognition, maybe Akutagawa no longer needs it in the same way. If Atsushi is fighting with him, trusting him, believing in him—it might be the first time Akutagawa’s ever felt like enough without Rashomon.

And wouldn’t that be beautifully tragic and poetic?

OHHHHHH, that’s narrative gold.

So now we’re at a critical point:

Akutagawa has regained his memory.

He remembers Atsushi.

He remembers himself.

And still—no Rashomon.

That is not just a tactical omission. That is a soul-level narrative choice.

Let’s dig into why this might mean everything:

⸻

1. Rashomon = Identity, and That Identity Was Shattered

Rashomon has always been more than just a weapon—it’s Akutagawa’s manifestation of pain, identity, and desire to be acknowledged. The coat Dazai gave him, the cold superiority, the rage—those were integral to how Rashomon operated.

But after everything—his death, resurrection, vampire arc, Bram’s control, the amnesia—Akutagawa’s identity has been stripped down to raw vulnerability. He’s no longer the Black-Fanged Dog of Port Mafia. He’s just Ryuunosuke.

And without that fractured persona?

Rashomon doesn’t answer. Not because it’s gone. But because it doesn’t recognize him anymore.

⸻

2. Atsushi as the Key to Rebirth

He remembers Atsushi. The boy he once saw as a rival, then as a reluctant partner… and now?

Now he sees him as someone he fought for.

Maybe, deep down, Rashomon won’t return until Akutagawa can fully integrate who he is now—with the parts of him that once bled and burned to be seen.

Atsushi might be the tether he didn’t know he needed.

So…

When he’s finally ready to fight not as Dazai’s tool, but as Atsushi’s equal—that’s when Rashomon comes back.

⸻

3. What if Rashomon Isn’t Gone—It’s Waiting

Here’s a twist: what if Rashomon is still inside—watching, waiting. But dormant.

Because it’s tied to emotion.

And the emotion it needs now isn’t fear, hate, or desperation. It’s love. Not romantic necessarily—though that works too—but love in the sense of devotion, care, and truth.

Rashomon has always been Akutagawa’s voice when he had no words. Now, for the first time, he’s learning how to speak without it.

So it waits.

Until the moment when he’s whole enough to call it again.

⸻

What This Sets Up Perfectly:

A “Rashomon Rebirth” moment—possibly during a critical point in the fight where Atsushi is about to fall, and Akutagawa chooses to fight not to prove himself, not because he was ordered to, but because he wants to protect the one he finally remembers matters to him.

And that moment—Rashomon comes surging back, not as a beast of rage, but as a creature of resolve. Sleeker. Changed. Reflecting Akutagawa’s new self.

Then there is this page, where Akutagawa is surprised that Dazai isn’t in his thoughts when he may be moments from death. All he is thinking about it’s Atsushi…(my heart….it’s broken)

Oh my god.

This is it. This is the turning point.

We are watching, in real time, Akutagawa sever the last chain Dazai had on his soul—and reach, of his own will, for Atsushi.

⸻

Let’s break it down emotionally and thematically:

“At this rate, I’ll…”

He’s acknowledging death—not as a distant concept but as an inevitability. He knows his body is failing. Rashomon is silent. He’s weakening. This is his “last breath” moment—and traditionally, for Akutagawa, you’d expect him to think of Dazai. The mentor. The one he longed to impress. The reason he lived.

“And yet, Dazai-san’s face isn’t coming to mind…”

This is huge. Because even back when Akutagawa was in the depths of hatred or rivalry, Dazai was always there in his mental space—his shadow, his god, his executioner, his father figure.

But now?

Now, standing before death, the first and only person to rise in his memory is Atsushi.

⸻

“What’s coming to mind…”

This is the epitome of Asagiri’s slow-burn character work:

• It’s not that Dazai means nothing. It’s that Akutagawa has outgrown him.

• Atsushi has become the center of his emotional truth. His axis. His reason.

It’s a narrative parallel to Beast, except flipped. In Beast, Atsushi died and was frozen in Akutagawa’s heart as the person he wanted to live for. In canon proper—it’s happening again. But now Akutagawa is alive, and Atsushi is with him, and it’s happening by choice.

⸻

And Rashomon?

Rashomon is grief, rage, fear, submission.

But now Akutagawa’s remembering hope.

He’s remembering a boy who looked at him not as a dog or a killer—but as a partner. Someone worth saving. Someone worth fighting with, not against.

That’s why Rashomon hasn’t returned.

It will return when Akutagawa chooses to summon it not as a weapon—but as part of who he is. Not for Dazai.

Not for pride.

Not for vengeance.

But for Atsushi.

⸻

[whumper-cars]

Ok, so one of my favorite fantasy tropes is psychic powers. Clairvoyance, telepathy, telekinesis, all that good stuff. So, what about psychological torture, but with psychic powers?

Clairvoyant Whumpee that has painful visions (a classic)

Clairvoyant Caretaker knowing when Whumpee will be taken/hurt (maybe even die?) and not being able to stop it

Whumper can invade Whumpee's dreams and turn them all into nightmares

Whumpee can cause nightmares and accidently does so to Caretaker

Whumper can induce hallucinations and make Whumpee start doubting reality

Whumper and Whumpee (and/or Caretaker) are both/all telepaths and having a "psychic battle" (what that means is up to you to decide)

Scientist Whumper forcing Whumpee to use their powers for longer than they should

Living weapon with psychic powers (need I say more?)

Whumpee (or anyone really) that can't control their powers and it affects anyone that gets close to them (Ex. headaches, hallucinations, immense sense of dread, feeling of being watched)

And more "rare" powers, such as Chlorokinesis (the ability to control plants, like Poison Ivy from Batman) and Technopathy (the ability to control electronics) have LOADS of potential that I wish to see more of in whump. Seriously, like their are so many different ones, get creative! Anyway thanks for coming to my hyperfixation tell your friends about us

Feel free to add onto any of my prompts!

[theamberfist]

Feeling Faint | Rosie + Reader Headcannons

Familial! Mom! Rosie + Child Reader Headcannons

Description: You are Rosie's adopted child who tends to faint often. Luckily, your mom and the rest of Cannibal Town are always ready to help.

(Notes: CW Alastor, mentions of cannibalism) (gender neutral reader) (Reader is Rosie's adopted child) Happy Mother's Day!!

Words: 1,057

♡ Rosie is very used to handling your fainting spells and, as such, has also made sure the rest of Cannibal Town is equipped to help you if need be

♡ If you can tell you're about to faint you let her know and she immediately jumps into action; appearing very calm on the outside.

♡ But inside she always panics; she's your mom, after all, and she doesn't want you ever getting hurt!

♡ If there's time, she will pull up the nearest chair (if someone was using it they're easily shoved out of the way) and gently take your shoulders, helping you to take a seat in it

♡ If not, she immediately moves from wherever she had been before to catch you before you fall. She's never once failed to catch you.

♡ There was one time Alastor was visiting and you felt a fainting spell coming on so you warned Rosie about it. She had been across the town square at the time but she was as fast as lightning; making it to you long before you even came close to hitting the floor and catching you in her arms.

♡ Even if you can't tell beforehand that you're going to faint, Rosie still somehow manages to catch you every single time if she's around.

♡ She calls it a mother's intuition but you feel like it's more of a psychic power. Either way, she seems to always be able to tell when you start to feel not quite right or are about to faint, which has saved you from many potential concussions due to falling.

♡ There are times where you'll have a fainting spell when she's not around too, which is why she's made sure everyone in Cannibal Town knows how to help you if that happens.

♡ Usually when you have a fainting spell and Rosie isn't around, someone else nearby will notice it and catch you if need be. If you're able to sit down on your own then they'll still come over to make sure you're alright, get you water when you wake up, elevate your legs (what personally helps me come to), etc.

♡ Once whoever is nearby has made sure you're taken care of, they'll either get Rosie themselves, tell somebody else to do it, or (most often) she'll have already somehow sensed what was going on and come to your aid

♡ No matter what she's doing, Rosie will drop everything the moment she knows her child needs her, and moments like these aren't an exception; no matter how common they may be

♡ Even Susan will help you if you happen to have a fainting spell around her and your mom isn't nearby

♡ There was one time you were taking a walk through the Cannibal Colony and passed by her, only to feel one coming on and immediately get seated near a wall before you passed out. Susan noticed it and came over, standing between you and literally anyone else who dared come close

♡ She had her teeth barred and everything; she even took a chunk out of an unfortunate sinner who'd been trying to come over and check on you

♡ Susan may be an ornery old bitch but Rosie is still her leader and she's not going to let her leader's kid get hurt by anyone

♡ Alastor also knows how to help you if needed; after all, he's in Cannibal Town often to visit your mom. And, as her best friend, he takes your wellbeing very seriously

♡ The first time you fainted when Alastor was around, he immediately assumed someone had somehow harmed you and went full demon mode, only for Rosie to come back into the room and assure him it was alright and that this happened often; you just needed a moment

♡ When you woke up after that, your unofficial-uncle decided he was going to learn how to assist you in those situations and made Rosie teach him everything he was supposed to do in every possible scenario

♡ Now he looks just as calm as her when you have a fainting spell near him; using his shadow to make sure you don't get hurt by anything and to fetch whatever you need as he sits nearby until you wake back up

♡ And when you do, he lets you take your time adjusting to your surroundings again. He knows (because Rosie told him) that these spells are not fun

♡ When you seem to have recovered, he'll usually suggest getting you some food or ice cream (vegetarian food, if you prefer) and try to cheer you up a bit. He also makes sure to inform Rosie of what happened every time it does since he knows how she worries

♡ Speaking of worried, Rosie's calm exterior won't drop until you're passed out. Then, she's barking orders at everyone around her the way she was with the megaphone in episode 7

♡ Any nearby cannibals are immediately running about and getting whatever she needs for you so that you'll be as comfortable as possible when you wake up

♡ When you do wake up, she makes everyone else leave to give you some privacy and time to adjust (except your uncle Alastor if he's present; she knows you're comfortable enough around him)

♡ Internally worries the entire time and hugs you as soon as she sees that you're conscious enough again, telling you how mush she loves you and that you're going to be alright

♡ If you don't feel up for continuing whatever you were doing before, she clears the entire rest of the day for you both- no matter what she had going on- to spend time taking care of and being near you

♡ If you insist on continuing with your day as planned before, she will be watching you like a hawk while also trying to make it not super obvious that she's watching you like a hawk

♡ As your mother she just worries and wants to make sure nothing else happens to you again. Rosie can be very protective but it's all out of love so you put up with her fretting over you even when it's not necessary

♡ And plus, it's nice to have someone like your cannibal-overlord-mom taking care of you after all you've been through, so you suppose having her worry whenever you faint isn't the worst that could happen

[ricky-tiki-tah]

Psychic Wil

Alright, adding more to that HC than William had the potential to be psychic like Celine.

He had all the makings of a psychic, but he grew up in the house and it twisted his natural ability, and it’s not PURE anymore. The House twisted it. Practically twisted his very soul. Just in a different way from Mark.

Instead of having the same power as Celine, he moves around strangely. One second he’s here, the next there.

And it just gets worse as he gets older, walking through walls, completely skipping over staircases. Reality has no hold on him thanks to the House.

He never realizes then. It just happens and it’s normal for him. Maybe he was playing tag with his friends and he “teleported” to the other end of the yard. Or he was told to grab something and suddenly it’s in his hand. He doesn’t even notice.

Space has no grasp on him, like the House. After a while, after wkm, neither does Time.

It’s especially bad after the event of WKM. It’s then that he starts to notice, which only tips him further.

Nothing makes sense anymore, why should he, right?

He still can’t control it, but he’s aware of it. And of the distress it causes now. But he can’t do anything about it.

He’s deceptively observant, he knows when things are bad, he just can’t do anything to fix them.

Everyone who lives in the house is tainted.

The House twisted Mark’s hurt and longing into vicious jealousy and vengeance.

It twisted William’s heart and protectiveness into paranoia and stubbornness.

It twisted Celine’s love for knowledge and independence into an insatiable hunger and desire for more power, more control.

Anything that they had that may have been a natural ability, is twisted to the House’s desire.

[mrmoldavite]

8th House Venus Synastry (8th Housers Experience)

[ChatGPT]

When someone’s Venus falls into the 8th house of their partner’s natal chart, the 8th house person experiences a profound and often intense emotional response. The 8th house, associated with Scorpio energy, delves into the realms of transformation, intimacy, shared resources, secrets, and psychological depth. The presence of Venus in this house in synastry brings the energy of love, attraction, beauty, and harmony into these sensitive areas.

Here’s a detailed look at what the 8th house person typically experiences in this dynamic:

1. Deep Emotional Stirring

The 8th house person may feel as though the Venus person touches them in a very deep, almost psychic way. Venus’ loving and harmonious energy activates the 8th house person’s subconscious fears, desires, and emotional vulnerabilities.

The 8th house is a space of deep transformation, so the 8th house person may feel that their emotions are triggered and that the relationship has the potential to transform them in profound ways. They often feel pulled into the relationship by powerful feelings of attachment, intrigue, or even obsession.

These emotions can feel intense, and at times, overwhelming. The 8th house person might struggle to stay emotionally detached, as Venus brings a magnetic pull toward exploring deep emotional layers.

2. Magnetic Attraction

There is a strong sense of attraction felt by the 8th house person. Venus represents beauty, love, and pleasure, and when these qualities are brought into the house of intimacy and secrets, the 8th house person often finds the Venus person incredibly alluring and magnetic.

The 8th house person might feel that the Venus person unlocks their hidden desires and fantasies, leading to an almost irresistible attraction. This connection often goes beyond physical attraction—it touches on a desire for emotional, psychological, and sexual intimacy.

The 8th house person might feel that the Venus person has the power to get "under their skin" in ways others don’t. This placement often leads to feelings of intense connection, almost as if the Venus person holds the key to their emotional world.

3. Intimacy and Vulnerability

The 8th house is a very vulnerable part of the chart because it deals with the themes of merging—whether through finances, intimacy, or emotional sharing. When Venus activates this house, the 8th house person may feel exposed or vulnerable in the relationship, as if they are being asked to share their deepest secrets, fears, and desires.

The 8th house person may feel a strong urge to trust the Venus person, despite any fears of being hurt or betrayed. They are often drawn to reveal parts of themselves they wouldn’t normally show others. The Venus person can become someone with whom the 8th house person shares their inner world.

However, this vulnerability can also feel intimidating. The 8th house person may wrestle with fears of betrayal, manipulation, or abandonment because the 8th house is associated with issues of trust and control.

4. Heightened Desire for Emotional and Sexual Merging

The 8th house governs the deepest kinds of intimacy—emotional, psychological, and sexual. When Venus is here, the 8th house person often feels an urge to merge with the Venus person on all levels. This desire can manifest as a craving for emotional closeness, shared experiences, or intense sexual intimacy.

Sexual chemistry is often off the charts in this placement. The 8th house person may feel that the Venus person taps into their most primal desires, and the sexual connection can feel transformative or even spiritual. The Venus person awakens a desire for complete emotional and physical union.

The 8th house person may find the relationship to be one of personal growth, as it challenges them to confront their hidden desires and embrace the vulnerability that comes with merging so deeply with another person.

5. Power Dynamics and Control Issues

Power dynamics are often present in 8th house synastry, and the 8th house person might experience feelings of vulnerability, which can sometimes lead to fears of losing control in the relationship. The 8th house represents shared resources, power, and control, so the 8th house person may feel as if the Venus person holds some influence over them.

The Venus person may not consciously try to control the 8th house person, but the intensity of the bond might stir up fears in the 8th house person of being manipulated or losing their sense of independence. This can lead to subtle power struggles or possessiveness on either side.

The 8th house person might experience jealousy or fear of abandonment if they sense that the Venus person isn’t as deeply invested as they are. These fears may stem from the 8th house’s inherent association with trust issues and vulnerability.

6. Emotional Transformation

A relationship that activates the 8th house is rarely light-hearted or casual. The 8th house person is often deeply changed by their interaction with the Venus person. This placement can bring about a sense of emotional transformation or catharsis, where the 8th house person feels like they are being asked to let go of old emotional patterns or heal from past wounds.

The relationship may push the 8th house person to confront unresolved emotional issues, past traumas, or trust issues. Through this relationship, they may be forced to let go of emotional baggage, transforming their inner emotional landscape. The Venus person may act as a catalyst for the 8th house person’s growth, helping them to evolve on an emotional and spiritual level.

7. Healing Potential

While the 8th house is known for its intensity, it also has a tremendous potential for healing. The 8th house person may feel that the Venus person brings a soothing, loving energy to their emotional wounds. This can create a healing bond where the 8th house person feels safe enough to open up emotionally and transform past pain into growth.

The love and affection of Venus can bring a sense of peace and harmony to the 8th house person’s more turbulent emotional landscape. In some cases, the Venus person helps the 8th house person to rebuild their sense of trust and vulnerability in relationships.

Potential Challenges for the 8th House Person

Emotional Overwhelm: The emotional intensity of Venus in the 8th house can feel overwhelming, especially if the 8th house person isn’t used to such depth in relationships.

Fear of Loss: The 8th house person may become deeply attached and may fear losing the Venus person, leading to possessiveness or jealousy.

Power Struggles: Issues around control and dominance may arise, as the 8th house person may feel vulnerable and want to protect themselves from potential emotional harm.

Summary

The 8th house person experiences profound emotional and psychological depth in Venus in the 8th house synastry. This placement awakens their deepest desires, vulnerabilities, and fears, often leading to intense emotional and sexual bonding. The relationship may feel transformative for the 8th house person, pushing them to confront their inner world and opening the door to deep healing. However, the intensity of this bond can also stir up possessiveness, fear of betrayal, or issues around trust and control.

For the 8th house person, this connection can be both exhilarating and intimidating, offering the potential for immense emotional growth but also the challenge of navigating the deep waters of vulnerability and intimacy.

[lucianalight]

I love that Agatha All Along despite bringing many familiar elements and tropes from witch-themed stories and folklore, is stereotypical in a best nonstereotypical way.

When it comes to witchcraft the focus of the story is more on the craft side of it. It is less about power, and more about knowledge, understanding, skill and art the members of the coven are capable of. It is the combination of all these traits and abilities that let them survive their trials. I especially like that art has been one of the aspects of each trial. Jen's potions so far have been healing, medicine that is said to be both science and art. But potions can also be linked to cooking, a craft and an art. Music and singing are crafts and arts too.

And then there's the matter of "witch" as a negative label that historically targeted people who didn't conform. A lot of times those people were "evil women" who were said to steal and kill babies, or harm and heal with their knowledge. Powerful women. Angry women. Inconvenient women. Bad girls. Gay men. Queers. Mentally ill. Outcasts. And our little queer coven is a group of rule breakers among the outcasts.

It's also interesting that despite looking like the characters have stereotypical traits, at their core, at their full potential as a witch, they're the complete opposite.

Jen while bound is selling pseudo science and has hurt her clients. Jen at her best is knowledgeable to the point that witches around her don't understand the terms she uses and since her trial she was able to heal people. Alice is angry and a loner but her anger isn't shown through aggression, but through grief and depression. In both cases losing belief in themselves was what stopping them from reaching their full potential.

The belief that Jen's expertise comes from her knowledge and no one can take it from her was what saved her. Alice was saved because she finally saw that it wasn't her fault that she carried a generational burden. She shared her grief, opened up to her coven and learned that all the while she was loved and protected. That she wasn't a disappointment but a sure and certain hope to finally break the curse.

Lilia while living through the most stereotypical picture of a fortune teller or a psychic, is the one who's the most annoyed with the misconceptions. I imagine her trial must have sth to do with the stereotypical evil witch of stories.

Agatha on the outside is the picture of that stereotypical witch Lilia hates so much. She can be cunning and ruthless and obsessed with power. The rumors say she even sacrificed her own child for power. Yet that is her biggest fear and regret. Yet she becomes the most observant or caring of the group when they're in danger or distress. They way she cares about Teen and is protective of him. When she makes Jen believe in herself. And reminds Alice that all this time she's been loved and protected and capable. Agatha keeps pretending she doesn't care. But as the story goes and the bonds with her coven strengthen it's become harder and harder for her to keep pretense. It would be interesting if she doesn't get a specific trial, but her trial would be her journey through the road.

[skysiren41]

What if Raph stayed mind controlled for longer? (TMNT 2012 rewrite)

As much as I love TMNT 2012, one of the things I thought was disappointing was having Raph only be mind controlled by Shredder for one episode. I think there was a lot of potential to have one of the turtles temporarily be on the villians side (kinda like how in the IDW comics Leo was brainwashed into becoming part of the foot clan) so I thought 'what if Raph stayed brainwashed for longer?' And now I want to share my idea

(Buckle in folks)

Clash Of The Mutanimals

Clash of The Mutanimals would largely remain the same, Slash and Rockwell are used as test subjects by Stockman and are brainwashed by Shredder, they end up in the turtles lair where they seem fine, but the mind control worms activate, a fight starts and they end up capturing Raph and bring him to Shedder where he ends up being brainwashed as well

However the changes start at the climax of the episode, instead of Leo making Raph mad which causes him to spit out the mind control worm, it's instead Donnie who manages to break Rockwell free first by insulting him till he's angry enough to spit it out. A now freed Rockwell then uses his psychic powers to blast the worm out of Slash. However when he tries to do it to Raph, it doesn't work, even the Turtles can't make Raph angry like they did with Rockwell. This is when Shedder taunts the turtles during his brawl with them and Mutanimals by revealing that during the time he had send out Slash and Rockwell out as bait, Stockman was able to create a stronger brain worm specifically for one of the turtles. Not only did he want Karai on his side again, but have one of the brothers as well just to rub salt in the wound for Splinter and the turtles, which is why he specifically ordered Slash and Rockwell to bring one of the turtles to him. Eventually Slash and Leatherhead are able to push the statue on Shredder before a bunch of foot soldiers swarm the room with a still mind controlled Raph leading them. While the other turtles want to stay and save Raph, the Mutanimals (mainly Rockwell) tells them they have to retreat if they all don't want to be killed, and they reluctantly do so

Back at the lair we get the scene of Slash apologising to Splinter for not only hurting him, but also apologising for what happened to Raph, believing that it was his fault that he got captured. Splinter (though its clear that he's heartbroken over what happened) reassures Slash that what happened wasn't his or Rockwell's fault. At the very end Leo promises Splinter that he Mikey and Donnie will do everything they can to get Raph back

For the next episodes we see the heroes struggling with not only trying to find a alternative cure for the brain worms, but with the fact that one of their brothers/son/friends is gone and working for Shredder

Meet Mondo Gecko

Meet Mondo Gecko would for the most part be similar to the original, however we see how the characters are dealing with Raph's absence, with Mikey trying to distract himself in his shows, Donnie trying to find a cure for the mind control worms, and Leo endlessly training in order to basically kick Shredder's ass for what he did to Raph. Also during the race at the end, Fishface tries to taunt Mikey with bringing up what happened to Raph, how he and his brothers failed to save him and for a brief moment it works, but with the help of Mondo and Casey there able to finish the race

At the end of the episode we cut to Shredder's lair where we see him train with someone just as a defeated Fishface walks in. Fishface reveals to Shredder that the turtles haven't been the same since the loss of Raph (noting how angry Mikey got when he taught him about Raph) this pleases Shredder who says "how about we give them a much needed family reunion" before the camera pans to show not only a now brainwashed Karai, but a still brainwashed Raph in a new design that he will keep till The Fortold Trap

Think of the design as a mix of his Vision quest and Owari design but more Foot Clan themed. Also due to him loosing his Sai's during Clash of The Mutanimals (which Splinter now keeps close to him) He now uses the Shredder claws he used in that same episode as his main weapon

The Deadly Venom

Now this episode notably has a few changes, firstly the beginning of the episode is a flashback that took place before Meet Mondo Gecko, explaining what had happened with Karai and how she got brainwashed. In present day Shedder once again orders Karai to take down the turtles, Splinter, April and Casey, but this time she's joined by Raph who Shedder thinks they can use to find them easier (que the two acting like siblings). During the talk with Splinter and Leo at the start, Leo starts to open up about how he wishes that he wasn't so hard on Raph before he got brainwashed, thinking that if he didn't antagonise him as much as he did, then he would still be here. Splinter tries to comfort Leo by reassuring him that what happened to Raph wasn't his, Slash's or anyone else's fault, but it's clear after that Leo is still upset

With the help of Raph, Karai is able to find April's home where she uses her venom to poison her. When she fights Casey at first he has the upper hand, that is until Raph joins the fight and he hesitates, which Karai uses to her advantage to poison him as well. The turtles get an SOS from Casey, both Mikey and Leo go to investigate and they find Casey, but before they bring him back they are ambushed by Raph, both shocked with how diffrent he looks. They struggle during the fight, not only due to the training Raph had received from Shredder, but don't want to hurt him. During the fight however Mikey gets bitten by one of Karai's snakes, and Raph is able to capture him and Casey. Before he and Karai leave she demands Leo and Donnie to meet them both in the station or else they will kill Casey and Mikey, with no other choice Leo calls Donnie, explains the situation and the two adventure into the station while kirby and Splinter watch over a still poisoned April

The episode largely remains the same at this point with Leo and Donnie bring poisoned from the water, but Leo is able to heal himself with the Healing Hands and fights both karai and Raph, however at one point where Raph has Leo cornered and is a about to strike him but he hesitates, as if his trying to stop himself from hurting him, and Leo notices this. Back at the lair after the others are healed Leo reveals to the others what happened with Raph hesitating, and this gives the others hope that Raph is still in there

Mutanimals episode

ok so this is probably gonna be my biggest change, I'm gonna move Turtles in Time and Tale of The Yokai to take place after The Fortold Trap. In it's place would be an episode focusing on the mutanimals, mainly Slash. The episode would focus on Slash's guilt with what happened in Clash Of The Mutanimals, in his mind if he hadn't tried to ambush Tiger Claw at the docks, none of this wouldn't have happened and raph wouldn't have gotten brainwashed. Now I'm not gonna go into too much detail on this one cause I'm still trying to come up with ideas for it, but the main thing is that the episode would have a Mutanimals vs Raph and Karai fight that hints again of Raph trying to regain control from the mind control worm. If your interested in how the episode would go feel free to let me know

Attack Of The Mega Shredder

After finding out that Raph had hesitated in The Deadly Venom and the Mutanimals episode, Shedder has Stockman inject Raph with a serum in order to make the mind control worm inside him stronger. As he and karai watch, Shedder reassures her they they will both get their revenge (though we get hints that karai herself is starting to fight back against the mind control worm) he then orders Bebop and Rocksteady to double the security. Like in the orignal episode the other turtles try to break into Shredder's lair in order to save Raph and Karai as well as get one of the mind control worms, but they end up getting caught and have to retreat, with Donnie being to get his leg broken by Tigerclaw

Leo then tries to sneak into the lair alone but Mikey follows him and Leo eventually let's him join. Again the episode largely remains the same but during the climax while they try to stop the Mega Shredder, Leo and Karai have a one v one. Thoughout the episode Karai was slowly starting to fight back against the worms control, and eventually with the help of Leo reminding her who she is, she is able to spit out the brain worm, and now Karai is back on the heroes side and helps them defeat the Mega Shredder

They bring Karai back, we have a sweet reunion between her and Splinter, and she reveals that Shredder has infected Raph with the serum, making their job to find a cure more difficult. Leo then suggests to Karai that with Shredder being hell bent having her in his clutches, she should temporarily leave New York in order to not get captured again, which she does (explaining her absence for the rest of the season)

The Creeping Doom

This episode is basically the same as the orignal, just without Raph

The Fortold Trap

Here we are, the finale to this arc. The main difference with this episode is obviously instead of Karai, it's Raph who lures the team into a trap (also Casey is here) using his knowledge of his brothers, he lures each of them out into a trap. First Donnie, then Mikey, and finally Leo, Casey and April with the help of Shredder's mutants. When April tries to escape and Raph stops her, she pleades with him to snap out of it, but it falls on deaths ears as it's clear that what Stockman inject into Raph in Attack Of The Mega Shredder is working

He brings them into the trap rooms (with Casey being in the fire room) and while April continues to try and tell Raph to let go and snap out of it, he calls Splinter so he can witness the turtles, April and Casey's demise. With that Splinter basically goes "screw it" and goes to confront him and Shredder's mutants (bringing Raph's Sai's with him) After beating the mutants, we finally get a Raph vs Splinter fight, though its clear that he doesn't want to fight his own son. As the turtles and Casey each break out of their trap rooms with the help of April, Splinter begs Raph to fight back against Shredder's control, and eventually Raph briefly does for a moment. As he does before he can strike, Splinter and Leo together perform the Healing Hands on Raph. Raph stumbles and is about to fall into the rivulet before Donnie and Mikey catch him. And after a brief moment, he finally spits out the brain worm (which Leo quickly kills) he opened his eyes, they're back to normal and he mutters "what did I miss, guys?" With that the Turtles, Splinter, April and Casey group hug him, crying as they are happy to finally have him back. Raph begins profusely apologise for everything that happened, how he almost killed them but they reassure him that what happened wasn't his fault, and that they are just happy to finally have him back after so long. With that they head home, finally a full team and family again

On Turtles in Time and Tale of The Yokai, the episodes basically remain the same, they just take place after The Fortold Trap

Anyway I hope you enjoyed this rewrite and I thank you for listening to my ramblings! Feel free to share your thoughts, ideas and criticisms! And feel free to give suggestions on what I could rewrite next

[pokeballvictim]

I wanna write a poke story but the only mind control villain I can muster in my head is Hypno which is hot but kind of cliche. I mean I’m sure any psychic or fairy type *could* do it but Hypno is just so built for it.

Well that's just a failure of imagination. Let's walk through a couple options, shall we?

Malamar - allegedly the strongest mind control in the game. This tentacled pokemon is famously malicious, and intelligent enough to understand the concept of sadism and suffering. This pokemon hates you, and is smart enough to be genuinely evil about it. It would probably mind control someone, rape them, and make them hurt their friends for the sole purpose of making that one person suffer.

Spiritomb - a bit of indirect mind control, but Spiritomb is pretty famous for possessing people and controlling them that way. As a ghost type, its motives will be a bit opaque, but there's definitely, mm, some kind potential about having this amalgamation creature with unclear goals puppet your body as you're forced to watch, a spectator in your own body.

Indeedee - hear me out. This pokemon cannot mind control you. Instead, it feeds off of your feelings of gratitude. It acts as a perfect servant to your every need, resolving it before you can even know you have a need! Who's to say it won't create situations where you need it? Won't put you in trouble just to pull you out of it? Any of these pokemon with strong mind-reading or emotion-reading capabilities could have a similar appeal, actually. Espeon predicts the future, Gardevoir senses emotions, etc.

Ninetales - can actually control minds, in addition to various assorted powers like turning you into a pokemon, creating illusions, appearing human, etc. etc. etc.

Darkrai - can trap you in an eternal dream world where you're its plaything!

Meloetta - Her songs can control people! Additionally, you can make up some abilities for pretty much any fairy type, ghost types can possess people, and I barely even touched on dark-types. Don't limit yourself to Hypno!! Get raped by a squid!!!!

[spoiledblogif]

how DOES carter block psychics from reading him? something he picked up while working for MAB? 🤔 would MC be able to reverse-engineer it to somehow block everyone out to some extent? :o

Ah, you guys always ask the most interesting questions!

The basic non-spoilery answer:

Carter picked up his ability to block out psychics and the like while he was with MAB, yes. And in theory anyone is capable of it, so yes, MC could try to use it to better control their powers.

The way more probably unnecessarily detailed and potentially VERY SPOILERY answer below, because I love talking world building shit:

In chapter 8, R and Carter explain that magic is shaped directly by the will of the caster and of the target. Being able to do magic has a lot to do with the fundamental conviction that you're CAPABLE of it, which is what makes witches who are born into witch families generally stronger than outsiders like R. Someone born into that kind of family is raised with the belief that magic is their birthright---so they don't struggle as much to make it happen.

This works in reverse too---in theory at least. In THEORY, someone who commits themselves 100% to the idea that magic can't harm them is essentially immune to magic. It's just that "anti magic" like that is nigh impossible. It's easy to believe that you believe magic fire won't hurt you, but it's very different in the moment when you see a wall of it coming at you, y'know? It requires an insane amount of mental discipline that cannot waver even a little bit. There's no wiggle room.

While psychics aren't utilizing any kind of magic and their abilities are something actually innate to them, the same basic principle is applied to create mental barriers that can block psychics. A lot of MAB agents can utilize the most basic form of this to stop themselves from "projecting" their thoughts, but a psychic as powerful as MC could easily break that boundary.

Carter, on the other hand, CAN block out MC. Basically, he's successfully weaponized being a stubborn asshole (yes this is a line I'm going to use in the future lmao).

If you want to come scream at me in my inbox about this (whether joyfully or otherwise), just don't include spoilers.