#Technology Infusion

[fullsailpmc]

Building a Resilient Growth Strategy: Tips for Managing Change and Enhancing Team Collaboration

Building a resilient growth strategy is essential for any company looking to thrive in an ever-changing business landscape. Managing change and maintaining alignment across your team can be challenging, but with the right strategies in place, it’s possible to foster long-term success. Effective team collaboration and the adoption of innovative practices are key to staying agile and navigating uncertainty.

For instance, a manufacturing company faced difficulties in adapting to rapid changes in market demand. To build a more resilient growth strategy, they partnered with Full Sail PMC, a leading product management consulting firm, to create a flexible roadmap that allowed them to pivot quickly while maintaining operational efficiency. Through a series of collaborative workshops, they streamlined their supply chain, integrated new technology, and improved communication across departments. This not only enabled them to respond more swiftly to market shifts but also fostered a culture of collaboration that drove innovation and problem-solving within the team.

In another example, a fast-growing software company was struggling with scaling its operations while maintaining effective internal communication. By engaging with product management consultants from Full Sail PMC, the company implemented a set of software tools designed to enhance collaboration and streamline project management. This approach helped them align their team’s efforts more efficiently, ensuring that every department was working toward common growth objectives. With this newfound alignment, the company successfully managed change, enabling them to scale rapidly while maintaining a high level of productivity.

To build a resilient growth strategy, companies need to embrace flexibility, technology, and collaboration. Partnering with experts like Full Sail PMC can provide the tools and insights needed to manage change effectively and align your team for long-term growth.

Full Sail Product Management Consulting, LLC | https://www.fullsailpmc.com/

[sleeprecoverytech]

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Cooling Gel Pillow

The best cooling gel pillow is essential for a restful and comfortable night's sleep. Finding the perfect pillow that suits your sleep needs can make a significant difference in your sleep quality and overall well-being. When it comes to choosing a cooling gel pillow, it's crucial to consider factors such as support, comfort, cooling technology, and durability. A high-quality cooling gel pillow…

[bixels]

End-of-Splatoon thoughts.

Thinking about how since the very start, Splatoon has had a feature where players can draw and post artwork and spot them as graffiti on walls or billboards. Or how the weapons have always been paint brushes and rollers and ballpoint pens. Since its inception, Splatoon has been dedicated to engaging its players with the act of creation and creative expression, showing them how their art can build communities and (literally) change the world.

Thinking about finding golden human-made music discs buried underground for thousands of years, and a grand finale music festival. About the Voyager Golden Records. About those human handprints etched into concrete in Alterna. Did those human artists know it would end like this? First a fiery death and then, eventually, a worldwide celebration of music to represent our shared past, present, and future. Did they know that their songs, insignificant in the face of extinction, would one day become the solution that will save the next dominant life-form from the same fate?

Thinking about how eerily similar the Octarian domes are to Alterna. About how close Inklings and Octolings were to repeating the same mistakes as humans. But their doomed fates were undone not by some miracle technology or military power or a rocket, but by music.

Thinking about how humans wiped themselves out with war, and our parting gifts were liquid crystals that somehow paired with the DNA of primeval inklings and somehow infused them with our memories and culture and a Song. And 12,000 years in the future, that same Song will end a war.

Thinking about how art and music and punk culture and rock & roll and friendly competition and petty arguments and water guns aren’t uniquely human concepts, but the fundamental qualities of intelligent life. An inheritable spirit that can cross evolutionary bounds.

Thinking about the theme of Splatoon, that art and music and fun will not die with the human race. That every piece of art we create is a seed we sow for future generations to reap. That our legacy is ingrained into the crust of the earth. That long after we’re gone, the oceans will remember, and they’ll pick up where we left off.

Thinking about how Splatoon says that the essence of humanity –– the thing that will outlive us –– isn't war or prejudice or destruction or greed, it's a song.

[waterbeads1993]

15 Astonishing Secrets of TLISMI Laundry Gel Capsules

"TLISMI 20 Piece Laundry Gel Capsules offer a glimpse into the laundry care of the future. Discover 15 unexpected facts about these soluble detergent beads, which are renowned for their powerful cleaning ability, long-lasting scent, and ability to remove stubborn stains. TLISMI's cutting-edge liquid laundry pods for all washing machines will transform your laundry routine."

Now, let's dive into the 15 less-known, surprising facts about TLISMI 20 Pcs Laundry Gel Capsules:

[tizeline]

TSAU!Donnie's Ninpō Explained!

The first ability Donnie unlocks is the ability to see mystic energy! Objects or people with with mystic energy has this colourful glowing aura you could call it, the more mystic energy the more brightly is glows. For example - Mikey already has a very bright aura naturally, which becomes even brighter when he is actively using magic! ..... All of this is to say, Donnie found that out the hard way when he used his mystic sight on Mikey when he was using magic and Donnie as a result got a little bit fucking blinded!

All yōkai and mutants are naturally mystic in nature, they always have a visable aura because of that. Humans are not mystic, so they don't have that aura. HOWEVER! Humans can learn how to use magic through certain means like, y'know, Ninpō for example! When a human uses magic, they do have mystic aura, but only while actively using mystic powers.

(Also Donnie totally accidentally discovered that the "teapot" had bad vibes because his mystic sight lol)

After a while Donnie is able to start making constructs out of his Ninpō. Initially however, he can't really form complex designs, it's mostly just blocks and walls, very simplistic shapes. But it turns out he can use these simpler constructs as effective shields! Which is good considering his soft shell as well as the fact that his battle shell in the AU wasn't built to be used as armour. Both he and April gets a lot of use out of the extra defense.

With quite a bit of practice Donnie is able to actually generate specific and more complex designs! Which means that yes, to the horror of friend and foe alike, Donnie can and will summon an entire arsenal of firepower, yikes. He's not limited to firearms though, he's able to generate all kinds of technology and machinery (drill!!!!)

To create these mystic contructs, it does require Donnie to have a good understanding of what it looks like, how it functions, etc. His imagination and his knowledge of technology are what sets a lot of the limits on what he is able to create, if he can build it in his lab then he can build it with his Ninpō. This particular ability requires a lot complex thought, if Donnie wasn't so smart he wouldn't be able to pull it off as well as he does.

Another limitation is that maintaining the contsructs is very energy-consuming, he'll quickly exhaust himself if he keeps them around. He'll usually only summon constructs very briefly for an attack and then immedietly dismiss them.

The way that Donnnie's Ninpō manifests itself is already very technology-oriented, because of that he can interact with ordinary technology through his Ninpō. Personally I haven't figured out the details of what exactly that can look like, but there's definitely a lot of possibilities to explore here.

One thing though, as Donnie's Ninpō grows more and more powerful overtime, a side-effect of that is that if he gets really pissed off or otherwise very emotional, he'll accidentally make the technology in his near viscinity go haywire lmao. (This has the risk of making him even more angry, which just worsens the problem, and so on haha)

I really like the idea of Donnie being the second most powerful mystic user out of his brothers, after Mikey of course. And because he's mostly self-trained, he doesn't have the best understanding of how to properly control his powers, which evidently can become a bit of a problem. Donnie eventually agrees to let Draxum help him get a better grasp on his mystic abilities after the Hamatos and the Draxums become more friendly with each other.

So uh. About how Donnie kinda accidentally infused Shelldon with mystic energy while creating him which caused the robot to develop a kind of soul? Yeah so because of that Shelldon's mystic energy if linked to Donnie's, which means that Shelldon more or less gains access to the same abilities as Donnie does! He's not quite as powerful as Donnie, and he still needs to practice to fully get a grasp on these powers as well. But point is, that's how Shelldon gains acess to Ninpō in the AU! (He also notices their fucked up "teapot")

----------

Anyway that basically summarizes it! A lot of these ideas are headcanons I have for canon!Donnie as well honestly, the AU is just an excuse to explore these concepts. Donnie's ability to summon fucking firearms and military equipment is also something I've thought about, I wanted to try to think how it would work for him while also putting some limitations on it. ANOTHER THING I like the idea of Donnie's tech constructs basically being the same ability as when Raph creates constructs of himself. The difference lies with that Donnie is a massive nerd so his first instinct is to recreate his own tech with the Ninpō. While Raph being someone who is already so physically strong would naturally use his Ninpō to recreate his own greatest weapon, which is himself. (Donnie uses his brain, Raph uses his brawn, who would've guessed)

[reasonsforhope]

"Amsterdam’s roofs have just been converted into a giant sponge that will make the city more climate resilient.

The Dutch have always been famous for their ability to control water, born out of the necessity of their homeland, much of which is below sea level.

Now, their expert water management skills are transforming the city skyline in the capital city of Amsterdam from one of terracotta tile, concrete, and shingles into green grass and brown earth.

It’s part of a new climate-resiliency trend in architecture and civic planning known as the ‘sponge city concept,’ in which a garden of water-loving plants, mosses, and soil absorbs excess rainwater before feeding it into the building for use in flushing toilets or watering plants on the ground.

If heavy rains are predicted, a smart valve system empties the stored rainwater into the municipal storm drains and sewers in advance of the weather, allowing the roof to soak up water and reduce flooding in the city.

In this way, the rooftops of buildings can be wrung out and filled up just like a sponge.

In Amsterdam, 45,000 square meters, or 11 acres of flat metropolitan rooftops have already been fitted with these systems, and the contracting firms behind the technology say they make sense in dry climates like Spain just as much as in wet climates like Amsterdam...

A 4-year project of different firms and organizations called Resilio, the resilient network for smart climate adaptive rooftops, rolled out thousands of square meters of sponge city technology into new buildings. As with many climate technologies, the costs are high upfront but tend to result in savings from several expenditures like water utilities and water damage, over a long-enough time horizon...

All together, Amsterdam’s sponge capacity is over 120,000 gallons.

“We think the concept is applicable to many urban areas around the world,” Kasper Spaan from Waternet, Amsterdam’s public water management organization, told Wired Magazine. “In the south of Europe–Italy and Spain–where there are really drought-stressed areas, there’s new attention for rainwater catchment.”

Indeed the sponge city concept comes into a different shade when installed in drought-prone regions. Waters absorbed by rooftops during heavy rains can be used for municipal purposes to reduce pressure on underground aquifers or rivers, or be sweated out under the Sun’s rays which cools the interior of the building naturally.

Additionally, if solar panels were added on top of the rooftop garden, the evaporation would keep the panels cooler, which has been shown in other projects to improve their energy generation.

“Our philosophy in the end is not that on every roof, everything is possible,” says Spaan, “but that on every roof, something is possible.”

Matt Simon, reporting on the Resilio project for Wired, said succinctly that perhaps science fiction authors have missed the mark when it came to envisioning the city of the future, and that rather than being a glittering metropolis of glass, metal, and marble as smooth as a pannacotta, it will look an awful lot more like an enormous sculpture garden."

-via Good News Network, May 15, 2024

[rainydetectiveglitter]

Your Midheaven Brand Identity:

A Guide to Boosting Your Social Media Presence

When it comes to building a strong brand identity, your Midheaven (MC) sign can offer invaluable insights. This astrological point reflects your career, public image, and how you’re perceived by the world. While many focus on their Rising sign to guide their personal brand, the Midheaven is actually more influential in shaping how you're perceived professionally. Also, consider how this relates to your IC for a more rounded approach.

Midheaven in Capricorn (Aries Rising)

Brand Identity: Your public persona should project authority, reliability, and professionalism. You’re seen as a goal-oriented and disciplined figure. Highlight your achievements, strategic thinking, and leadership skills.

Social Media Tips: Focus on structured content such as detailed guides, case studies, and professional milestones. Use a polished, business-like tone. Incorporate posts that reflect your strategic planning and long-term vision. Share behind-the-scenes looks at your projects to show the effort and planning involved.

Brand Colors: Deep green symbolizes growth and stability, gray for professionalism, and navy blue for authority and trustworthiness.

IC Connection: Leverage Cancer's emotional depth and nurturing qualities to soften the Capricorn edge. Share personal stories that reveal your emotional investments and how they drive your professional goals. This adds a relatable human element to your otherwise authoritative presence.

Ambitious and Professional: Emphasize your leadership skills and career-driven mindset.

Structured and Goal-Oriented: Showcase your strategic approach to achieving success.

Public Image: Present yourself as competent, disciplined, and reliable.

Social Media Tips:

Share content that highlights your achievements, career milestones, and strategic insights.

Use strong, authoritative visuals and a professional tone.

Midheaven in Aquarius (Taurus Rising)

Brand Identity: Your brand should emphasize innovation, originality, and a forward-thinking mindset. Showcase your unique perspective and contributions to progressive ideas.

Social Media Tips: Create content that reflects cutting-edge trends, technological advancements, or visionary concepts. Use engaging formats like interactive posts, futuristic graphics, and thought-provoking discussions. Position yourself as a leader in new ideas and unconventional solutions.

Brand Colors: Electric blue represents innovation, silver for technology, and neon green for modernity.

IC Connection: Infuse your Leo charisma into your Aquarius content to make it more engaging and personal. Share your passionate insights on future trends and show how your creativity shapes your forward-thinking approach. This blend enhances your appeal and relatability.

Stability and Luxury: Focus on high-quality, luxurious content and the practical aspects of your field.

Innovative and Unique: Bring a fresh, unique perspective to traditional topics.

Aesthetic Appeal: Use rich, earthy colors and visuals to create a soothing, attractive profile.

Social Media Tips:

Share content related to comfort, luxury, and tangible results.

Use high-quality images and engaging, thoughtful posts.

Midheaven in Pisces (Gemini Rising)

Brand Identity: You are seen as empathetic, artistic, and intuitive. Your brand should be focused on creativity, emotional connection, and spiritual or philosophical insights.

Social Media Tips: Use your platform to share evocative stories, inspirational content, and artistic expressions. Emphasize emotional resonance and creativity in your posts. Engage your audience with reflective and soulful content, such as personal journeys or meditative practices.

Brand Colors: Soft pastels evoke calm and creativity, sea green for emotional depth, and lavender for spirituality.

IC Connection: Incorporate Virgo's analytical skills to add depth and clarity to your Piscean content. Provide well-researched insights and practical advice wrapped in a creative or emotional narrative. This combination balances creativity with substance, appealing to a broad audience.

Versatile and Communicative: Showcase your adaptability and ability to handle a variety of topics.

Inspirational and Imaginative: Focus on creative and philosophical insights.

Intellectual Engagement: Share informative and engaging content that stimulates thought.

Social Media Tips:

Use diverse content formats, such as articles, videos, and infographics.

Share posts that combine creativity with intellectual depth.

Midheaven in Aries (Cancer Rising)

Brand Identity: Your public persona should be dynamic, confident, and pioneering. Emphasize your leadership abilities and proactive approach.

Social Media Tips: Share bold, decisive content and take a stand on relevant issues. Use energetic visuals and assertive language to engage your audience. Highlight your initiatives, new projects, and leadership moments to convey authority and drive.

Brand Colors: Bright red for passion and leadership, orange for enthusiasm, and black for strength and sophistication.

IC Connection: Balance Aries’ assertiveness with Libra’s charm and diplomacy. Engage with your audience in a way that is both bold and approachable, showing your leadership qualities while maintaining a sense of fairness and balance.

Dynamic and Courageous: Emphasize your proactive and pioneering approach.

Balanced and Harmonious: Highlight your ability to bring harmony to challenging situations.

Community Focus: Showcase your role in fostering positive change and leadership.

Social Media Tips:

Share bold, action-oriented content that reflects your leadership and dynamic nature.

Use harmonious and engaging visuals that balance professional and personal elements.

Midheaven in Taurus (Leo Rising)

Brand Identity: Your public persona should reflect stability, practicality, and an appreciation for quality. Focus on your reliable and steady approach to success.

Social Media Tips: Share content that highlights your achievements, high standards, and practical advice. Showcase luxurious or high-quality aspects of your work or lifestyle. Use a consistent, polished visual style to emphasize reliability.

Brand Colors: Earthy tones for stability, gold for luxury, and deep green for growth.

IC Connection: Integrate Scorpio’s intensity and depth into your Taurus-centric content. Share powerful personal experiences and transformative moments that underline your commitment to quality and reliability. This adds a rich, emotional layer to your dependable image.

Creative and Charismatic: Showcase your artistic talents and strong presence.

Stability and Practicality: Focus on grounded, practical aspects of your creativity.

Transformational Experiences: Share stories of personal growth and resilience.

Social Media Tips:

Create visually striking content that highlights your creativity and achievements.

Use a combination of dramatic and practical elements to engage your audience.

Midheaven in Gemini (Virgo Rising)

Brand Identity: Your public persona should be adaptable, communicative, and intellectually curious. Highlight your versatility and wide-ranging interests.

Social Media Tips: Create diverse and engaging content, from informative articles to interactive posts. Showcase your quick thinking and adaptability by covering a range of topics and trends. Use engaging formats like quizzes, debates, and live interactions to connect with your audience.

Brand Colors: Bright yellow for creativity, turquoise for communication, and light gray for neutrality.

IC Connection: Blend Sagittarius’ enthusiasm and philosophical insights with Gemini’s adaptability. Share your adventurous experiences and broad interests in a way that stimulates curiosity and engagement among your followers.

Analytical and Knowledgeable: Emphasize your expertise and practical solutions.

Versatile and Communicative: Highlight your ability to adapt and share diverse insights.

Movement and Learning: Incorporate elements related to continuous learning and exploration.

Social Media Tips:

Share detailed, informative content that offers practical value and insight.

Use a clear, organized visual style with engaging, versatile formats.

Midheaven in Cancer (Libra Rising)

Brand Identity: Your brand should be nurturing, empathetic, and community-focused. Emphasize your caring approach and ability to create supportive environments.

Social Media Tips: Share content that highlights your commitment to community and emotional well-being. Use personal stories, testimonials, and supportive messages to build a sense of belonging. Engage with your audience through compassionate and encouraging interactions.

Brand Colors: Soft blues for calm and trust, warm whites for purity and care, and sea green for emotional balance.

IC Connection: Incorporate Capricorn’s professionalism and structure into your Cancer-centric content. Present your nurturing approach in a way that also highlights your organizational skills and strategic thinking. This creates a well-rounded and credible public persona.

Balanced and Nurturing: Focus on creating harmony and providing support in your field.

Professional and Caring: Highlight your ability to blend professionalism with a caring approach.

Community and Relationships: Showcase your role in fostering connections and support.

Social Media Tips:

Post content that emphasizes balance, community, and supportive interactions.

Use elegant, harmonious visuals and empathetic messaging.

Midheaven in Leo (Scorpio Rising)

Brand Identity: Your public persona should be dramatic, charismatic, and authoritative. Emphasize your creative flair and leadership.

Social Media Tips: Share powerful, impactful content that showcases your expertise and creative achievements. Use bold visuals and compelling narratives to engage your audience. Position yourself as a leader and visionary in your field, using confident and inspiring messaging.

Brand Colors: Gold for leadership, royal purple for creativity, and bright red for passion.

IC Connection: Incorporate Aquarius’ innovative and unconventional ideas into your Leo-centric content. Highlight how your creative vision is informed by progressive thinking, adding a unique and forward-looking dimension to your leadership.

Intense and Impactful: Showcase your deep insights and transformative impact.

Creative and Bold: Highlight your innovative and charismatic approach.

Power and Influence: Emphasize your leadership and ability to inspire change.

Social Media Tips:

Share powerful, thought-provoking content that reflects your depth and creativity.

Use bold, dynamic visuals and impactful language.

Midheaven in Virgo (Sagittarius Rising)

Brand Identity: Your public persona should be detail-oriented, analytical, and practical. Focus on your ability to provide valuable, well-organized information.

Social Media Tips: Share well-researched content, practical tips, and detailed insights. Use a methodical approach to present information clearly and effectively. Highlight your expertise and problem-solving skills through structured posts and informative articles.

Brand Colors: Earthy tones for reliability, navy blue for professionalism, and muted green for practical growth.

IC Connection: Use Pisces’ creative and philosophical perspectives to add depth and richness to your Virgo-centric content. Combine practical advice with imaginative insights to engage your audience on both intellectual and emotional levels.

Adventurous and Insightful: Focus on exploration, learning, and philosophical insights.

Practical and Organized: Showcase your ability to apply your expansive ideas in practical ways.

Health and Movement: Incorporate elements related to well-being and personal growth.

Social Media Tips:

Create inspiring content that reflects your adventures and learning experiences.

Use clear, organized visuals and practical advice.

Midheaven in Libra (Capricorn Rising)

Brand Identity: Your public persona should be balanced, diplomatic, and aesthetically refined. Emphasize your ability to mediate and create harmonious environments.

Social Media Tips: Share content that reflects your sense of balance and aesthetics. Use a polished, graceful approach in your posts and interactions. Highlight your ability to bring people together and foster collaboration.

Brand Colors: Soft pink for harmony, light blue for balance, and neutral tones for sophistication.

IC Connection: Incorporate Aries’ boldness and assertiveness into your Libra-centric content. Show how your diplomatic approach is driven by strong convictions and proactive leadership, creating a balanced yet dynamic presence.

Ambitious and Balanced: Highlight your strategic approach and ability to create harmony in your field.

Professional and Diplomatic: Showcase your leadership and ability to handle complex situations with grace.

Success and Influence: Emphasize your achievements and your role in fostering professional relationships.

Social Media Tips:

Share content that highlights your career milestones, strategic insights, and professional network.

Use strong, balanced visuals and a professional tone.

Midheaven in Scorpio (Aquarius Rising)

Brand Identity: Your public persona should be intense, transformative, and powerful. Emphasize depth, passion, and your ability to handle complex issues.

Social Media Tips: Share content that delves into deep topics, transformative experiences, and impactful insights. Use powerful imagery and compelling narratives to engage your audience. Position yourself as an authority on complex or intense subjects.

Brand Colors: Deep reds for intensity, black for power, and rich purples for transformation.

IC Connection: Integrate Taurus’ steadiness and practicality into your Scorpio-centric content. Balance your intensity with reliable, grounded insights to provide a comprehensive and credible perspective.

Innovative and Transformative: Focus on cutting-edge ideas and profound impact.

Practical and Grounded: Highlight your ability to make innovative ideas practical and effective.

Personal Transformation: Share stories of growth and change.

Social Media Tips:

Post forward-thinking content and transformative ideas.

Use striking visuals and impactful, thought-provoking messaging.

Midheaven in Sagittarius (Pisces Rising)

Brand Identity: Your public persona should be adventurous, philosophical, and enthusiastic. Focus on your broad vision and love for exploration.

Social Media Tips: Share content that inspires and excites. Highlight your travels, philosophical insights, and adventurous pursuits. Use engaging formats like storytelling and exploration to connect with your audience.

Brand Colors: Vibrant oranges for enthusiasm, blues for expansiveness, and purples for creativity.

IC Connection: Use Gemini’s versatility and communication skills to enhance your Sagittarian content. Present your adventurous insights and philosophical reflections in an engaging, accessible way, appealing to a wide audience.

Creative and Visionary: Showcase your imaginative and expansive approach.

Exploration and Inspiration: Focus on your passion for discovering new ideas and inspiring others.

Versatility and Insight: Highlight your ability to communicate diverse insights and inspirations.

Social Media Tips:

Create content that reflects your creativity, exploration, and visionary ideas.

Use imaginative visuals and engaging, inspirational messaging. Alright! Now go and ...

[fullsailpmc]

Achieving Operational Excellence Through Supply Chain Optimization

To achieve operational excellence, focus on Supply Chain Optimization. At Full Sail, we offer key strategies to enhance your supply chain:

Advanced Supply Chain Optimization Use our Go-To-Market Software Solutions to improve logistics, supplier coordination, and process automation. This boosts efficiency and aligns your supply chain with business goals.

Effective Inventory Management Our solutions provide real-time tracking and automated controls for Inventory Management, ensuring stock levels match demand and preventing issues like overstocking or shortages.

Emerging Technology Infusion Incorporate Emerging Technology Infusion with AI and machine learning to enhance forecasting, gain insights, and drive innovation. Full Sail helps integrate these technologies for superior supply chain performance.

Expert Product Management Consulting Engage with top Product Management Consultants from our Product Management Consulting Firm. Their strategic advice helps optimize processes and address challenges effectively.

Local Consulting Support Looking for Product Management Near Me? Our network of the Best Product Management Consultants offers personalized, localized support to enhance your supply chain operations.

Full Sail’s solutions and consulting services ensure you achieve operational excellence by optimizing your supply chain, managing inventory effectively, and leveraging cutting-edge technologies.

Full Sail | https://www.fullsailpmc.com

[hrrtshape]

hi emma!!!! i loved reading all your historical drs, have you ever considered being a writer omg!!! i was wondering if you could do one of ancient china or ancient korea! i’ve been setting up a nobility dr for each!

also, i started burning incense while i take baths, and omg if that’s even kind of like what it was in babylon im so thrilled for you. i feel like a princess.

a guide on how to survive in ancient china.

hello, intrepid time traveler. i'm emma, your self-appointed shifting guidée and general lifeline as you hurl yourself into the vast, intricate, and utterly fascinating world of ancient china. this is not for the faint of heart, OK??? you are stepping into a civilisation spanning thousands of years, shifting (pun not intended) dynasties, and mind-bending customs. you need to be prepared. the great wall won't save you, and confucius won't be there to give you a pep talk. so i will.

your survival depends on understanding the nuances of daily life, from the silk-clad heights of imperial courts to the dusty roads of peasant villages. let's get into it. how to dress, eat, navigate society, and, most importantly, how to not offend the wrong noble and end up in a very unfortunate situation (and by that, i mean executed).

꒰ 𝐝ynastic context . . .where are you in time?

ancient china isn't just a single moment in history but thousands of years of shifting rulers, laws, and customs. each period has its own political and cultural landscape, so research where you're landing. here's a quick guide to some of the major time periods you might find yourself in.

shang dynasty ( 1600 – 1046 bce ) : the bronze age, oracle bones, and human sacrifices. if you're here, be careful. early china was intense.

zhou dynasty ( 1046 – 256 bce ) : the age of confucius, the mandate of heaven, and the rise of philosophy.

qin dynasty ( 221 – 206 bce ) : the first emperor, legalist rule, and the construction of the great wall. harsh punishments, so keep your head down.

han dynasty  ( 206 bce – 220 ) : the golden age of china. silk road trade, confucian ideals, and thriving arts and sciences.

tang dynasty ( 618 – 907 ) : the height of chinese cultural brilliance. poetry, tea, and flourishing trade. if you're here, congratulations. you've landed in one of the best times.

song dynasty ( 960 – 1279 ) : economic prosperity, gunpowder, and great advancements in technology. just watch out for the mongols.

 　　　　　 　　　　　 　　　　　┊

꒰ 𝐰hat to wear.

fabric and style : if you're nobility, you'll be wearing silk robes with intricate embroidery. if you're a commoner, it's hemp or cotton tunics and pants. men and women both wear hanfu, the traditional robe-like attire with wide sleeves and layered skirts. hair : hair is a BIG deal. long, neatly styled hair is a sign of respectability. women will have their hair pinned up with elaborate ornaments, while men tie theirs in a topknot or wear hats. colours : certain colours indicate status. yellow is reserved for the emperor, so do not wear it unless you want serious trouble. shoes : cloth or leather shoes for commoners, embroidered silk shoes for the wealthy. lotus shoes (for bound feet) exist but are not universal.

❛ pro tip from your travel guide ! clothes often reflect rank, so don't dress above your station unless you want to get called out.

 　　　　　 　　　　　 　　　　　┊

꒰ 𝐡ygiene and personal care.

bathing : hot baths were a thing, especially for the wealthy, but commoners bathed in rivers or public bathhouses. soap existed, but herbal infusions were more common.

teeth cleaning : chew sticks made of aromatic wood or herbal pastes.

perfume and skincare : scented powders and oils made from flowers and herbs were common, especially among noblewomen.

toilets : public latrines existed, often near marketplaces. rich households had chamber pots.

 　　　　　 　　　　　 　　　　　┊

꒰ 𝐟ood and what you'll be eating.

staple foods : rice (southern china), millet and wheat (northern china), vegetables, and tofu.

meat or fish : pork was the most common, followed by chicken and duck. beef was rare due to buddhist influence.

street food : dumplings, noodles, and grilled skewers were available in bustling markets.

tea : a must-have, especially in later dynasties. if you're in tang or song china, tea culture is booming.

chopsticks : learn how to use them. forks are not an option.

 　　　　　 　　　　　 　　　　　┊

꒰ 𝐦oney and shopping.

ancient china used copper coins with square holes in the centre, strung together for convenience. paper money appears in the song dynasty.

everything from silk to fresh produce to exotic spices can be found in bustling markets. bargaining is expected, so don't accept the first price.

trade : silk, porcelain, and tea are major commodities. if you want to make money, consider trading luxury goods.

 　　　　　 　　　　　 　　　　　┊

꒰ 𝐬ocial class.

emperors or nobility : untouchable. bow deeply, avoid direct eye contact, and NEVER question them. scholars and officials : the ruling class of confucian-trained bureaucrats. respect them. merchants : despite their wealth, merchants were looked down upon as lower-class (confucian ideals valued scholars over businessmen). peasants and labourers : the majority of the population, hardworking and tied to their land. if you're asking what were women's roles, it varies by dynasty, but generally, women are expected to be modest, obedient, and skilled in household arts.

❛ pro tip from your travel guide ! bowing is essential. use honourifics, speak respectfully, and never address a superior informally.

 　　　　　 　　　　　 　　　　　┊

꒰ 𝐩ersonal safety.

crime and punishment : punishments are often brutal, especially under legalist rule (think qin dynasty). avoid breaking the law.

superstitions : witchcraft accusations or defying social norms can be dangerous, especially for women.

if you're travelling, roads are dangerous, with bandits common in rural areas. if possible, travel with an armed escort.

military : avoid battles unless you're a trained warrior. war is frequent between dynasties and neighbouring states.

 　　　　　 　　　　　 　　　　　┊

꒰ 𝐟inal tips for a successful integration.

please.....learn basic mandarin (or classical chinese). speaking the language is key. written chinese changes over time, so be aware of your era.

adopt confucian values, such as respect for elders, duty, and harmony are essential cultural pillars.

stay in your lane, because blending in is survival. don't attract unnecessary attention.

rituals, festivals, and ancestral worship are vital parts of daily life. follow traditions.

if all else fails, claim to be a wandering scholar or lost noble (but tread carefully).

congratulations!!!! you now have the basic knowledge needed to navigate ancient china without causing a diplomatic incident. or worse, getting yourself executed. step lightly, speak wisely, and drink your tea politely. happy shifting, time traveler!!!!!

( p.s., the pretty dividers were inspired by the ever-so-lovely @solanasreality and i think @elysian-fawn 's beautiful creativity possessed as i edited this. so. )

[robertpattersonsleftcoochieflap]

Xiao & Wanderer Anatomy headcannons

Warnings; non-human anatomy, minor body horror (?), NSFW

Xiao ♡

Do not let an adepti's humanistic appearance fool you; They are built completely differently to humans.

On the outside, an adepti can make themselves look relatively human if they so choose. Though they're not hard to spot due to their unnaturally beautiful appearance and intricately made outfits.

If one looked at Xiao hard enough, they'd definitely start to notice his non-human features -- For example; his pointed ears, teeth and nails.

Upon closer inspection, they'd notice his sharp, cat-like irises and lack of pores on his skin. His completion is completely clear of imperfections -- a sign of his above-human nature.

If one removed Xiao's clothing; that's where they'd notice the difference. Adepti do not have nipples or belly buttons -- they have no need for either.

Xiao, of course, knew what they were. He'd been around for a very long time and had observed humans throughout the years -- both clothed and unclothed. He never found them particularly attractive; until you came along.

Xiao finds himself enjoying suckling on your nipples, rubbing and tweaking them between his fingers. He finds them infinitely more exciting than his own flat, bare pectorals.

He does, however, enjoy when you mouth at his chest. He gets an almost phantom feeling of you suckling on his nipples. Nothing makes him wetter.

Another difference in his anatomy is what lies between his legs.

Adepti are not bound by gender and are ever-changing in their forms to suit their needs.

Xiao cares little for human societal norms and finds them rather confusing. Most humans he comes across instinctively refer to him as a male -- which he doesn't particularly mind. But he is also not completely sure what it is about himself that causes them to assume that's what he is. Perhaps it is his voice? His flat chest? He has seen human males naked and knows that what is between his legs is much more similar to that of a human female.

Xiaos form - the one he was 'born' into - is that of a bird. He takes on many traits and behaviours of a bird; such as nesting and collecting trinkets he finds on his travels.

Many millennia ago, Xiao once had great turquoise wings. They were magnificent. Large and powerful. Unfortunately, they were taken by his old master and he still bares the scars on his back from them to this day. They ache and pain him from time to time.

Xiao is particularly protective of his nest. He spent many years crafting it, using only his best materials for it. Being invited into it is a great honor only bestowed to his closest friends (Zhongli) and you - his mate.

Wanderer ♡

The Wanderer was a puppet built by the electro-archon herself. Crafted with care by skillful hands. Only to be discarded in the end.

Wanderer's body was sculpted in the image of the electro archon. Infused with ancient technology and pure elemental power. Despite all this, he is built much like a human.

Wanderers' body is pristine and perfect. He bares not a single scar or blemish. His skin is cold to the touch and he has a much higher tolerance to the temperatures; though he seemingly is able to taste things to a much higher degree than a human can, making him overwhelmed by strong flavours - causing him to prefer things with a subtle taste, such as tea.

Wanderers body had gona through many changes over his years at the fatui. He'd been taken apart and put back together. His parts broken and replaced.

Contrary to the belief of many. Wanderer did feel. He had the same amount of feeling as a human would; perhaps even more. He felt both pleasure and pain the same. Though he was much more used to the feeling of pain.

Wanderer finds himself enjoying the feeling of being held and touched with gentleness. He is so used to being treated roughly by most because they know they can just piece him back together; he enjoys the feeling of being fragile. It makes him feel like he is important and cherished by you.

Do not mistake this as a weakness though. It took him a very long time to appreciate your touch and the pleasure that comes with it. He may act like he doesn't care for it in front of most, but he is always in some sort of physical contact with you; whether it be brushing up against you, feet touching under the table or simply placing his hand over yours when nobody's looking.

Wanderer is beautiful and he knows it. Throughout the years his beauty has deceived people into thinking he was weak. How wrong they were.

Back in his 'youth'. When he had longer hair - he found himself frequently referred to as a woman. Not that he particularly cared. Humans were fickle creatures and he thought their obsession with labeling each other was foolish. Gods were above such things; as was Wanderer.

Nowadays, Wanderer finds himself to be referred to as a man. He finds that with the title of being a male; people are more likely to take him seriously. He can't say he completely understands why either and finds it odd as he has experienced life living as both.

He noticed the change in pronouns once he'd decided to cut his hair short. He didn't understand why his hair was the deciding factor for people when they determined whether or not he was a male or female. Wanderer knew the difference in anatomy between human male and females. Human males had a flat chest an extra appendage, which he did not himself have and human females had larger breasts and a slit between their legs. If wanderer were to categorise himself, he'd probably say he fits into both - but he's not going to do that because he does not care enough to.

During his time with the fatui, the doctor had done many unnecessary experiments on him. One included giving him a penis. Dottore claimed it was what 'men' had and since he's fronting as a man, he should have one. Wanderer disagreed. After experiencing having a penis for himself, he quickly decided it was inconvenient and that whatever he had in his pants didn't define him. He's a god after all. Not long after he was given back his rightful genitals that were taken from him.

While the wanderer's body is pristine and modelled in the likeness of a human, some areas are a dead giveaway that he is not human. Wanderer's back is rarely seen, always covered in the thick material of his clothes. That is because they hide his most sensitive areas beneath them - his access points.

Along Wanderer's back are connection points for tubes and power sources. While Wander doesn't need to be powered manually anymore with the help of his visions elemental power, he still has the ports that were once used to power him. There are 4 small ports on his back and 1 on the back of his neck. His neck is by far his most sensitive place with it also being the area he bares his electro sigil. He comes undone at the lightest touches of them. They are by far one of your favourite things about him - teasingly circling the holes on his back with your finger is one of your favourite things to. A way to get him instantly worked up.

Wrote this after i took my painkillers so i hope this makes sense. Lmk if anyone wants any scenarios involving these headcannons.

Enjoy.

[facts-i-just-made-up]

What’s your favourite linguistics fact?

I wrote a history of the English language a while back that I'm pretty happy with-

English was invented in the year 927 by Lord English of England. Because 927 was a long time ago, he called it "Old English." Lord English of England was German, so the language was mostly just German with a dash of the language spoken by the original inhabitants of England, the Romans.

It became popular to speak English until 1066, when English Island was taken over by a French guy named Norman. Norman insisted everyone speak French, but they didn't know French so he just dropped some French words into the middle of the language and called it "Middle English."

After Middle English, trade patterns and technology such as the printing press and podcast allowed the infusion of numerous other languages, which all melted into English in their own way. Because they melted with each other, the new language was called "Modern English." Several sounds and phonetics changed over the years as well, so this was called the era of the Colossal Vowel Movement.

About this time, England did its usual bullshit and colonized pretty much every place on Earth that it could. English thus spread like a linguistic coronavirus across America, Africa, Australia, and Atlantis, which managed to purge the English influence by sinking to its total destruction and thereby avoiding the horrors of having to speak English.

Today, English is the most spoken language on Earth, not because the most people speak it, but because those who do just never shut the fuck up. Several books have also been written in English, including "Fifty Shades of Grey," "A Weasel in My Meatsafe," and "Pounded In The Butt By My Handsome Sentient Library Card Who Seems Otherworldly But In Reality Is Just A Natural Part Of The Priceless Resources Our Library System Provides."

[heliosunny]

Yandere lucky egg Welt Yang?

LUCKY EGG

Yandere!Welt Yang x Reader

[Lucky Egg Dispenser]

Just a silly game, a gimmick at best. You thought.

But when you received the egg, something told you this was different. The vendor said it would hatch in three days, but by the second night, something strange happened.

As you lay in bed, a strange pull dragged you toward the egg. It was unlike anything you had felt before—like gravity itself was bending around you, sucking you in. Before you could scream, your vision blurred, and for a moment, you were inside.

A vast void stretched infinitely in all directions. Stars blinked in and out of existence. The weight of the universe crushed against you, yet at its center, a figure stood. His silhouette was imposing, his glasses reflecting an unreadable light. His voice echoed through the space.

"So you’re the chosen one."

You barely had time to comprehend before reality snapped back. You gasped, now back in your room, the egg still resting on your desk—silent, unchanged. Had that been… a dream?

By the third night, cracks raced along the shell. Light spilled from within, painting the dark room in a golden glow.

He stepped out.

As the egg cracked open and the light faded, you expected something to be fragile, small, and needing care. Instead, a person stood before you, composed, and radiating an aura of wisdom. He adjusted his glasses, his expression calm, his deep voice broke the silence.

"I must apologize. This is likely unexpected for you."

His tone was gentle, polite, so carefully measured, like he had already accepted this new reality without hesitation. He examined his surroundings before looking back at you with the weight of someone who had lived countless lifetimes.

"I am Welt Yang. And it seems I was meant to come to you."

Your mind raced with questions.

"Why are you fully grown? How did you come from an egg? What happens now?"

The next few days were surreal. Welt adapted seamlessly to your home. He moved through your space with quiet grace—reading books you had long since abandoned, and speaking only when necessary.

When you tried to ask him about his origins, he would smile.

"I have existed before, in many ways, in many places. But here, now—this is where I am meant to be."

You noticed the small things first.

He always positioned himself between you and the door, as if instinctively protective.

His gaze followed you—not in a way that felt invasive, but like he was memorizing every detail.

When you spoke, he listened too well, as if dissecting every word, every emotion behind it.

----

You weren’t sure if shopping was something Welt would enjoy, but you figured it was necessary—he had come from an egg, fully grown, with nothing but the clothes on his back.

The city was a blend of modern technology and old fantasy, towering skyscrapers laced with enchanted neon signs, trains that floated along invisible tracks, and adventurers in sleek, reinforced gear heading toward dungeons to farm points for their next upgrade.

As you walked through the bustling shopping district, Welt remained calm as always. His gaze lingered on technological displays, arcane artifacts, and the strange blend of magic-infused machinery.

"This world is fascinating" he murmured, adjusting his glasses.

You led him into a high-end boutique, a mix of modern fashion infused with enchanted materials. Welt didn’t resist, but he also didn’t seem particularly excited—his approach to shopping was practical, efficient, yet undeniably elegant.

He ran his fingers over the fabric of a long coat, analyzing the enchantments woven into it. "Durability enhancement… a fine choice."

You encouraged him to pick what he liked, but he only sighed softly. "If I must, I will choose what is necessary. But if it pleases you, then… I shall wear what you prefer."

You didn’t enter dungeons often, but you figured Welt might want something useful—perhaps a weapon, a device, or something enchanted for protection. To your surprise, he was far more interested in books. He browsed an ancient tome filled with combat theories, occasionally nodding as if confirming information he already knew.

"You have dungeons here… fascinating. Are you well-versed in combat?" he asked, glancing at you.

You shrugged. "I can manage. But I’m no expert."

"Then perhaps I should accompany you next time. I’d hate for you to get hurt."

The store was packed with enchanted trinkets, weapons, and gear for dungeon explorers. You reached out to grab something—a sleek, rune-etched device—but in your distraction, you misstepped. The uneven flooring caught your foot, and in an instant, gravity betrayed you.

But before you could even hit the ground, a soft yet firm force caught you mid-air.

A low, familiar tap echoed through the store—Welt's cane against the floor. A subtle distortion rippled around you, as if space itself had bent to his will.

You were weightless, suspended just inches above the ground before gravity gently readjusted, setting you back on your feet as if nothing had happened.

"I would suggest being more careful. But… I suppose I shall always be here to catch you."

---

One evening, you returned from a dungeon, exhausted. You barely managed to set your gear down before sinking onto the couch.

You didn’t expect him to say anything—Welt wasn’t one for unnecessary words.

Instead, he simply walked to the kitchen. The soft clink of porcelain, the quiet hum of a kettle. And then, moments later, he set down a cup of tea beside you. You blinked up at him.

"Drink"

You hesitated, then took a sip. The warmth spread through you, soothing, grounding.

And then, rather than returning to his own space, he stayed.

Not speaking, not hovering—just there, reading, sipping his own tea.

---

The marketplace was full of people—merchants shouting their wares, adventurers bargaining for supplies, enchanted displays flashing prices in shifting runes. You had been here countless times before, yet today, the crowd felt denser. You were focused on a shop window, eyeing a sleek new dungeon scanner, when the sudden shove of a passerby knocked you off balance.

A pressure settled against your lower back, keeping you upright.

"Careful" Welt's voice came, steady as always. Slowly, he withdrew his hand from you.

You turned to him, half-expecting a comment, a lecture on paying attention. But he only adjusted his glasses, nothing more.

"Didn’t expect the market to be this crowded today."

Welt hummed in agreement but didn’t step away. If anything, he shifted slightly—positioning himself between you and the chaotic stream of people passing by.

Another person brushed too close, and this time, Welt moved again, subtly steering you toward the safer edge of the walkway.

You glanced at him, a question forming on your tongue, but he spoke first.

"Shall we keep moving?" His tone was neutral, polite—as if he hadn’t just repositioned himself to guard your every step.

You nodded, falling into step beside him.

He was always paying attention. Always watching out for you.

And for the first time, you wondered—just how long had he been doing this?

----

The dungeon loomed before you—an ancient structure half-swallowed by time, its entrance pulsing with an eerie glow. You had been inside dungeons before, but never without a solid reason. This time, Welt was with you. And this time, you didn’t know what was waiting ahead.

The party of twenty adventurers stood at the entrance, murmuring strategies, double-checking equipment. A mix of veterans and newcomers, all here for the same reason—to farm, to survive. You adjusted your gear, your grip tightening around your weapon.

A hand lightly tapped your shoulder.

"Are you ready?"

You turned to him. He was dressed in sleek, reinforced attire, different from his usual formal wear but still undeniably his style.

"As ready as I’ll ever be." you replied.

His gaze lingered on you for a moment before he nodded.

The moment the dungeon gates sealed behind you, chaos erupted.

A tremor shook the ground, and before anyone could react, a force split the party apart—an unseen magic carving an impassable wall between you and the others. The stone beneath your feet shifted, rearranging the dungeon itself.

You barely had time to process what was happening before a deep, guttural growl echoed from the dark.

Your Battle: The Abyssal Maw

The chamber you had been forced into was massive, its walls lined with dripping black stone, pulsing like a living thing. In the center, a hulking creature uncurled itself from the shadows—a beast with jagged obsidian scales, eyes like molten gold, and a mouth lined with spiraling rows of fangs.

Your instincts screamed at you to move. The moment its claws lashed out, you barely dodged, feeling the wind of its attack slice past you.

"Tch—this is bad."

You had fought before. You could hold your own. But this thing was different. It moved with terrifying speed despite its massive frame, and the magic-infused air weighed you down, making every movement sluggish.

You launched a strike, a well-placed slash aimed for its exposed side—but the moment your blade connected, a pulse of energy repelled the attack, sending you skidding back.

"It’s reflecting damage?!"

No. Not reflecting. Absorbing. The wounds you had managed to land were already closing, as if the dungeon itself was sustaining it.

Then, the floor quivered beneath you—black tendrils shooting up, aiming to ensnare you.

You dodged too late.

A sharp pull yanked you downward, the abyss-like tendrils tightening around your limbs. The beast's maw opened wide, its next attack coming straight for you—

Welt’s Battle: The Chrono Tyrant

Elsewhere in the dungeon, Welt stood alone.

His battlefield was different—a massive, circular chamber lined with golden clockwork mechanisms, gears the size of buildings shifting with ominous precision. The air thrummed with magic, time itself feeling… distorted.

And standing in the center, a creature of regal terror.

Its form was humanoid but grotesquely elongated, draped in flowing robes made of shifting sands. A golden mask, cracked and ancient, covered its face, and in its skeletal hands, it held a massive staff with an hourglass embedded within.

With a mere flick of its wrist, the entire world slowed.

Welt’s body reacted before his mind fully processed it—his movements suddenly delayed, weighted. The Tyrant had activated its Temporal Field, distorting the flow of time in its favor.

Welt exhaled, adjusting his grip on his cane. "Hmph. A manipulation of time? I see… then I shall correct it."

The Tyrant struck first, golden chains of pure energy snapping toward him. Welt tapped his cane against the ground, and gravity warped.

The chains veered off course, thrown aside by an invisible force—but not entirely. A second chain materialized mid-air, twisting against the very rules of space and catching Welt's coat.

Time bent.

A vision flashed before him—a glimpse into a possible future. A strike to his left. A trap forming beneath his feet. The slowing of his pulse.

He adjusted.

His footwork shifted, moving not just in reaction, but in expectation. His power countered the Tyrant’s own—where it sought to manipulate time, Welt adjusted space.

The battle was not one of brute force.

It was a war of who could rewrite reality first.

As you struggled against the Abyssal Maw, as Welt confronted the Chrono Tyrant, one thought echoed between you both.

"Where are you?"

Because if you had already fallen—

Then neither of them had any reason to hold back.

Welt did not rush.

Even as the Chrono Tyrant screeched in defiance, the golden hourglass embedded in its staff fracturing, even as the dungeon trembled beneath his calculated strikes—he remained measured.

The moment he had seen through its abilities, the battle had already ended. With one final tap of his cane against the air, the very gravity of the chamber shifted.

The Tyrant lurched, its elongated form crushed under its own weight, ancient mechanisms groaning as time itself unraveled. Gears halted, sand reversed, and in one final, distorted wail—it shattered.

He had no time to linger.

His cane tapped against nothingness, and as if the air itself had become solid ground, he walked.

Not forward—up.

The laws of physics bent to his command as he ascended through the dungeon’s fractured space, his coat billowing in the unnatural wind. The dungeon itself was warping, sections of its structure breaking apart from his influence.

And then, he saw you. You were still struggling.

The Abyssal Maw was relentless, its black tendrils tightening, its body regenerating faster than you could wound it. Your breaths were labored, your body aching from the sheer force of resisting its pull.

It was only then that you felt it.

Your head snapped upward, and there, standing above you, as if gravity itself had ceased to matter, was Welt.

His cane tapped once against the empty space beneath his feet.

"KNEEL."

The very air shuddered as an unseen force crashed downward.

The Abyssal Maw collapsed. Its massive body slammed into the ground, the weight of existence itself crushing it into the dungeon floor.

And you, despite your resistance, were forced down as well. Your knees hit the stone, your breath stolen by the sheer magnitude of the gravitational pull.

Everything was on their knees before him.

The Abyssal Maw let out a strangled, guttural roar, but it could no longer move. The force holding it was absolute.

Welt descended then, slow, deliberate, his polished shoes touching the dungeon floor with elegance befitting a king. His shadow loomed over the beast as he approached, and then—one final tap of his cane.

The weight increased.

The beast’s body cracked.

Its form imploded into itself, crushed under its own mass until nothing remained but a whisper of the abyss.

"Are you hurt?"

What had once been a party of twenty was now reduced to a handful of survivors. The rest—gone. Some torn apart by unseen forces, others crushed beneath collapsing structures.

The dungeon had never been this brutal before.

You and Welt stood among the wreckage, taking in the eerie stillness that followed the battle. It wasn’t victory—it was survival, and barely at that.

Then—a new presence.

You turned.

At the far end of the ruined battlefield, half-shrouded in shadows, stood her. A girl. Purple hair cascading like silk, eyes gleaming with an unnatural glow. No expression. No hostility. Just… watching.

Yet—the sheer pressure of her presence sent a chill down your spine.

You gripped your weapon instinctively.

Welt, however, stiffened in a way you had never seen before.

And then—a flood of something.

Memories. Not yours. His.

You saw it in the way his hand trembled against his cane, his usually composed expression shifting into something unreadable.

A whisper of a name—long buried, long forgotten.

But this was not the time.

"Retreat," Welt ordered, voice steady despite everything. "Now."

You ran.

And for the first time in your life, you saw Welt Yang retreat—not out of weakness, but out of understanding.

Because whatever she was—

Even he wasn’t certain he could win.

Welt led the retreat with calculated precision. Not a single wasted motion, not a glance back—just forward. His grip on his cane was tighter than usual, his breaths controlled but heavier.

The survivors—those few who remained—followed, their footsteps unsteady, half-limping, half-running through the shifting corridors of the dungeon. The walls trembled, reality distorting in ways it shouldn’t.

Behind you, there was no pursuit.

No sound.

But the presence of her remained, like something watching from beyond a veil.

Welt felt it more than anyone.

Memories that did not belong to the present flooded him. Visions of battles fought in another time, another place. The cold sensation of déjà vu, of knowing something yet not remembering why.

"Welt!" Your voice snapped him back.

The exit was so close. The dungeon’s magic was shifting—trying to keep you in. Welt’s mind worked fast. He saw the exit crumbling before it even happened, understood the physics of collapse before the first stone fell.

"Keep moving!" He ordered.

A single tap of his cane against the air. The dungeon’s gravity twisted, shifting against itself. For a brief moment, space folded—a shortcut carved into reality. The survivors didn’t hesitate. They dived through the opening, one by one, escaping just before the structure sealed again.

You followed, but just as you passed the threshold, you turned—Welt was still inside.

The weight of memories, the presence of her, the strain of controlling the very dungeon itself—it slowed him, just for a second.

And in that second, the dungeon walls collapsed toward him.

"WELT!"

Another tap. A shift in space.

And then—he was beside you. The dungeon sealed shut behind him.

You barely had time to breathe before the survivors started counting their numbers, checking wounds, assessing what was lost.

Welt, however, was silent.

"Welt?" You asked, cautious.

For a moment, he did not respond.

Then—he exhaled. "It seems we have more to investigate."

----

Welt had always carried a calm vibe, so steady that it makes you depend on him. Even in the face of overwhelming odds, he remained unshaken.

But now, he was burning up. His body, usually so composed, lay fevered beneath the dim glow of your room.

You had done everything you could. Cooling cloths, potions, even magic-infused remedies. Nothing worked.

The nightmares never stopped.

Then—the system board appeared.

It flickered into existence before your eyes, its interface an unnatural light against the darkened room. A choice.

[Welt Yang is unresponsive. External interference detected. Do you wish to enter his consciousness?]

Your fingers hesitated.

Then—you pressed [Yes].

The world blurred.

And then, you fell.

Inside Welt’s Dream

You landed on solid ground—yet it felt… wrong. Like the weight of existence was shifting beneath your feet.

The sky above was fractured, shards of light and shadow twisting unnaturally. The air carried a heavy, suffocating stillness.

And ahead—Welt.

But he wasn’t himself.

He stood at the center of the dreamscape, frozen. His form was both him and not him, flickering between past and present. His eyes—haunted.

And then—a whisper.

"You should not be here."

Not from Welt.

From the dream itself.

A shadow shifted at the edges of your vision. Something watching. Something waiting.

But you had no time to hesitate.

You stepped forward. Toward him. Toward whatever had him trapped in this nightmare.

You approached carefully, the unstable ground beneath you shifting with every step. Welt remained frozen, caught in a battle you couldn’t see—a war within his own mind.

But then—a red-haired girl appeared.

She stood not far from Welt, her expression unreadable. As if she had expected you.

"You came for him."

Her voice was soft, almost gentle. Not a threat, not an enemy—something else entirely.

The dreamscape shuddered. Reality here was breaking.

Welt let out a sharp breath—a flicker of consciousness, a struggle to return.

You didn’t hesitate. You stepped between them.

"Let him go."

The girl tilted her head.

"You think I am keeping him here?"

The dream pulsed. Your heartbeat quickened.

You could fight. You could force her out. But something told you she wasn’t here to destroy.

She was a presence of the past.

"He doesn’t belong here anymore."

For a moment, she just watched you. Then, she smiled.

"Perhaps he doesn’t."

The dream began to crumble. The world around you brightened, the suffocating weight lifting.

And as she faded, dissolving into the cracks of memory, her final words echoed—

"Take care of him."

A final whisper. A final glance at Welt.

Then—she was gone.

The moment she disappeared, Welt gasped, collapsing forward.

You caught him.

The dream shattered—

And the two of you woke up.

You stretched as you got up, ready to cook something—your body needed food after everything that had happened. But just as you turned toward the kitchen, you felt a gentle pull on your sleeve.

He wasn’t looking directly at you, his gaze fixed somewhere past you, his grip light yet unwilling to let go.

"Stay."

You hesitated.

But then—your stomach betrayed you. A low, unmistakable growl broke the silence.

Welt finally let go. "Go on, then," he murmured. "Take care of yourself first."

Even as he let you go, you could feel his gaze follow you until you disappeared into the kitchen.

As you sat down with your freshly made meal, you let out a satisfied sigh. Finally, food. You scooped up a spoonful, about to take your first bite—

And then, in a blink, it was gone.

You stared at your now-empty spoon in confusion before following its trajectory—right to Welt, who had the audacity to be calmly chewing after swiping your food.

"Welt!" you exclaimed.

He barely looked fazed. With a small, deliberate motion, he tapped his cane against the floor and adjusted his glasses.

"To think of it," he mused, completely ignoring your glare, "I shouldn’t waste food, should I?"

Oh. Oh, he did not just say that.

"That was my food!" you huffed, scooting away protectively with your plate. "You literally said you weren’t hungry!"

Welt simply tilted his head slightly, watching you with a faint, unreadable smile. He looked way too satisfied with himself.

"Thank you for the food." he said.

You narrowed your eyes.

"Fine. Next time, I’ll just have someone else cook for me."

The moment you said that, you felt it.

Welt didn’t outwardly react, but something changed in the air. His fingers tightened slightly against his cane, his shoulders going just a bit too still.

"Someone else?"

You shrugged, missing the way his gaze darkened ever so slightly. "Yeah, maybe a friend or—"

The sharp clink of a spoon being set down cut you off.

You turned to see Welt calmly placing the stolen utensil beside your plate. His expression was still polite, still composed—but something in his eyes told you that he was absolutely not amused.

"I see." He leaned back slightly, "Perhaps I should make sure you have no need for… others."

Before you could question that slightly ominous statement, you sighed instead, choosing to ignore the weird tension he just created.

Looking at him now—this grumpy, elegant, thief of food—you couldn’t help but think about everything you had been through together. The dungeon, the sickness, the nightmares… and somehow, here you were.

You softened a little.

"From now on," you said, nudging his shoulder lightly, "I’ll be in your care."

The tension that had wrapped around Welt instantly unraveled.

For a moment, he just stared at you. Then, his entire demeanor shifted.

Gone was the faint edge in his voice, the almost possessive glint in his eye. Instead, something gentler took its place.

He sighed, a small, nearly invisible smile tugging at his lips.

"Very well," he murmured, voice softer now. "From now on, I’ll be in your care as well."

[reidmarieprentiss]

Better Together

Summary: Spencer knows he messed up, he wants to prove to you that it was a mistake. His words, not you. You would never be anything but his person.

Pairing: Spencer Reid x fem!reader

Category: fluff, hurt/comfort, angst

Warnings/Includes: aftermath of taking a break, reinforcing love and commitment, mild groveling, happy ending

Word count: 2.9k

a/n: i would just like to say that i do not think engagement equals love and i also don't think it's necessary to get engaged to "prove" your devotion -- this is fiction and mama wanted a ring lmao

main masterlist part one

As Spencer stepped into the quiet of the apartment, the absence of your presence was palpable, a silent echo of the space growing between you both. His gaze drifted across the familiar surroundings until it settled on the note affixed to the fridge. The sight of it—a stark, solitary piece of paper in the place usually bustling with the warmth of shared meals and conversations—felt oddly jarring.

The note was simple, void of excess detail, stating only that you had gone to stay with a friend. It didn’t say who, nor did it need to. The message was clear: you needed space. Spencer’s heart sank a little more with the understanding, yet there was also a part of him that acknowledged the necessity of this distance for both of you.

He stood there for a long moment, the weight of the empty apartment pressing down on him, reminding him of the gravity of your last conversation. It was time to use this space effectively, to reflect on everything you had said, on the emotions that had driven you to seek solace away from him. Spencer realized this was not just a moment to passively wait for your return, but an active opportunity to address his own fears, to understand his hesitations about the future, and to think critically about how he could make you feel more cherished and included in his life.

With a heavy sigh, he moved away from the note and sank down onto the couch, the silence enveloping him. He knew the coming days would be challenging, filled with introspection and perhaps painful realizations. But there was also a glimmer of hope—the hope that this time apart could lead to healing and a stronger foundation for whatever lay ahead. Spencer pulled out a notebook and began to write, outlining his thoughts and feelings, the fears he rarely voiced, and the steps he might take to bridge the gap between you. This was his chance to transform understanding into action, to show not just through words but through meaningful changes that you truly were his world.

—

Spencer was acutely aware that healing the rift between you would require more than just time; it demanded meaningful, heartfelt efforts. The damage done was not something he could fix overnight, but he was committed to doing everything in his power to mend your heart.

He started with texts. Spencer wasn't one to rely heavily on technology for emotional communication, but he knew you cherished seeing his name light up your screen. Each message he sent was carefully crafted, infused with warmth and affection, designed to remind you of his presence and his regret. Despite the sweetness of his words, you found yourself wrestling with the urge to respond. You appreciated his efforts—they tugged at your heartstrings, yes—but they weren't enough to sweep away the hurt that had built up.

Recognizing the limitations of digital words, Spencer transitioned to something more personal: handwritten letters. Since he didn’t know where you were staying, he sent them to your workplace, hoping the surprise of receiving mail would bring a smile to your face. Each letter was filled with his unmistakable handwriting, his words oscillating between heartfelt confessions, sweet nothings, and the occasional goofy remark that was so quintessentially Spencer. You couldn't help but smile sadly with each letter you opened, touched by his efforts yet still guarded, the emotions each letter evoked a mix of nostalgia and melancholy.

As days turned into weeks without a reply from you, Spencer realized he needed to do more, yet he was mindful of your dislike for public displays or grand gestures. He knew whatever he did next had to respect your boundaries and preferences.

So, he kept it simple. One evening, he showed up outside your workplace with nothing but a small bouquet of your favorite flowers and a hopeful smile. He waited for you, not as a grand gesture, but as a quiet statement of his willingness to do whatever it took to begin mending the gaps between you.

When you saw him standing there, something inside you stirred. It was a testament to his understanding of you, a reflection of his desire to make things right in a way that felt safe and respectful. The sight of him, so hopeful and earnest, cracked the protective wall you had built around your heart just a bit more.

His approach was soft, his voice tentative when he spoke. "I didn't come to pressure you, just to give you these," he said, extending the flowers towards you. "I just want you to know that I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere, not unless you want me to."

The simplicity of the gesture, the sincerity in his eyes—it all resonated with you, reaching deep into the places in your heart that still ached for him. This was the Spencer you loved, the one who understood you sometimes better than you understood yourself.

—

Your stay with Penelope provided a comforting pause, a needed respite that allowed you to sift through the whirlwind of emotions and considerations that clouded your thoughts. Despite the necessary distance and time for reflection, your draw to Spencer persistently tugged at your heart, a constant reminder of what might be at stake. After all, he remained the love of your life, despite everything.

Motivated mostly by yearning and somewhat by determination, you felt it was time to go back home. It was a Saturday, a day Spencer typically reserved for introspection and journaling—a practice you respected for its purpose, though lately, it seemed to fall short in facilitating effective communication between you two.

You entered the apartment quietly, the familiar setting wrapping around you like a well-worn comfort. You navigated through the silent spaces until you reached his office door. There he was, ensconced in his usual spot, pen in hand and deeply absorbed in his journal. For a moment, you just stood there, watching him, taking in the sight of your handsome boyfriend, so focused and earnest in his contemplation.

With a heart full of mixed emotions—hope, love, and a tinge of residual apprehension—you approached him quietly from behind. As you wrapped your arms around him in a gentle embrace, you could feel him tense briefly, startled by the unexpected contact. However, as soon as he recognized your scent, the one so intrinsically linked to home and comfort, his body relaxed under your touch.

“Hi, darling,” Spencer greeted, his voice a soft murmur of relief and warmth, the endearment lingering between you.

As you nestled closer into Spencer, the warmth of his neck against your cheek, you felt the familiarity of your bond slowly rekindling the embers of connection that had seemed so threatened recently.

"Hi, Spence," you mumbled softly, your words barely audible, filled with the comfort and sadness of everything that had passed between you.

"You came home," Spencer responded, his tone tinged with a mix of sadness and hopeful surprise, as if he hadn't fully believed he'd hear those words or feel your presence like this again.

You nodded against him, the gesture simple but loaded with emotion. "I missed you," you admitted, letting the truth of your feelings spill out in the quiet sanctity of his embrace. It was a confession, an olive branch extended in the hope of mending the fractures that had formed.

Spencer's hand came up to gently rest on one of yours, securing it against him, a physical affirmation of his gratitude for your return. He turned slightly within the circle of your arms, attempting to catch a glimpse of your face, needing to see the sincerity in your eyes that matched the words you just spoke.

"I missed you too," he confessed, his voice a whisper of relief mingled with lingering apprehension. "A lot more than I thought possible," he added, giving voice to the depth of his feelings during your absence.

There was a pause, a breath of silence as both of you allowed the honesty of the moment to sink in. Then Spencer ventured further, his words cautious but necessary, "Are we okay? I mean, can we... talk about everything?"

You felt a flutter of nerves at the question—it was the one you both needed to address, yet feared. Taking a deep breath, you stepped back just enough to look into his eyes, searching for and finding the earnest worry reflected there.

"We need to talk, yes," you agreed, your voice steady despite the tumult of emotions. "But first, let me just say this... I came back not just because I missed you, but because I believe we can fix this."

His eyes searched yours, looking for the reassurance they so desperately needed, and he found it in your steady gaze. "I want that too," he said, the vulnerability in his voice striking. "I want us to work through this, no matter what it takes."

Encouraged by his words, you suggested, "Let's start by really listening to each other. No interruptions, just us, trying to understand where the other is coming from."

Spencer nodded in agreement, the gesture firm. "I’d like that. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, and there are things I need to apologize for and areas where I need to do better."

"And I have things to admit too," you added, acknowledging your part in the strains that had tested your relationship. "Let's make a pact, here and now, to move forward together, with honesty and open hearts."

"Agreed," Spencer said, a soft smile finally breaking through the earlier tension. He extended his hand, a symbolic offering for you to shake. "Partners?"

"Partners," you affirmed, placing your hand in his, feeling a renewed sense of commitment enveloping the space between you.

—

"My parents' marriage... it wasn't something I ever wanted to emulate," Spencer confessed, the weight of his past evident in his tone. "And my father... he wasn't around. That left a mark on me, more than I usually admit."

Listening, you could see the struggle in his expression, the conflict of a man torn between his desires for a future with you and the scars of his past. His next words came slowly, each one a careful step forward. "I've been scared, really scared of turning into him, of failing as a husband... as a father."

"But," he continued, looking directly into your eyes, seeking the connection that had always grounded him, "knowing you, seeing how strong and committed you are, it gives me hope. When you came back... it meant everything. It told me that you're here, really here, even when things get tough."

You reached out, taking his hands in yours, squeezing them gently to offer reassurance and support. "Spencer, your past doesn't define your future. We can create something different, something better together. And I know you, you could never be like him. You're too caring, too thoughtful."

He nodded, a tentative smile beginning to form as the weight seemed to lift slightly off his shoulders. "Hearing you say that... it helps more than you know. I want to face these fears, not just for me, but for us. I want us to build a life together, free from the shadows of what was."

The conversation stretched on, each of you taking turns to lay bare fears and dreams, weaving a tapestry of shared hopes and commitments for the future. It was a pivotal moment, one that felt like a new beginning, as if you were both stepping out from under the heavy curtains of the past into a clearer, brighter day together.

—

One lazy Sunday, you were curled up on the couch, grateful for Spencer’s thoughtfulness as he had volunteered to run to the store to pick up the products you needed for your period. He had been so sweet and doting, eager to make you as comfortable as possible. In his rush to take care of you, however, he had left his phone behind on the kitchen counter.

When it started ringing, you instinctively picked it up, not even glancing at the screen, assuming it was your own phone. "Hello?" you answered casually.

"Spencer," Diana's familiar voice greeted you without skipping a beat. Before you could say anything, she continued. "I have your grandma’s ring. Would you rather I send it in the mail or do you want to come pick it up?"

You blinked in confusion, processing her words, especially the mention of a ring. "Um, hi, Diana," you replied awkwardly, realizing far too late that you were answering Spencer's phone, not your own.

"Oh, Y/N!" Diana's surprise was evident as she corrected herself. "I didn’t realize it was you."

You forced a small laugh, your mind already swirling with what Diana had just said. "Yeah, Spencer’s out running errands. I, um… picked up his phone by mistake."

"Well, no harm done," Diana chuckled lightly, though there was a warmth in her voice. "It’s good to hear your voice."

"Likewise," you replied, though your thoughts kept drifting back to the mention of the ring. "So, about that ring...?"

"Oh!" Diana said, realizing she might have let something slip before Spencer had a chance to talk to you. "It’s your grandmother’s engagement ring. Spencer and I were talking, and, well, he thought it might be nice to have it... for the future."

Your heart skipped a beat, the weight of her words settling in. Spencer was thinking about marriage, about proposing to you. Suddenly, the reality of your relationship felt larger, heavier in the best possible way.

"That’s... really sweet," you managed to say, though your voice wavered slightly, emotions swirling beneath the surface.

Diana’s tone softened, sensing what this meant for you. "He loves you so much, Y/N. I can see it every time he talks about you. I’m sure when he’s ready, it’ll be perfect."

You took a deep breath, trying to steady yourself. "Thank you, Diana. I appreciate that."

After a few more moments of polite conversation, you hung up the phone, still clutching it in your hand as you stared off into the distance. When Spencer came back a little while later, arms full of bags, completely unaware of what had transpired, you gave him a warm, knowing smile, your heart swelling with even more love for the man who had just picked up your favorite snacks.

"Everything okay?" he asked, noticing your slightly different demeanor.

"Yeah," you replied softly, still holding onto that secret knowledge. "Everything’s alright."

—

When Spencer finally brought the ring home, he did so with a heart full of intentions and a mind made up to bridge any distance that had crept between you two. The apartment you shared was softly lit, the ambiance calm and intimate—an environment that felt right for what he planned to do.

It was just an ordinary evening by all appearances, but for Spencer, it carried the weight of every moment that led up to this, every trial and misunderstanding, and every reaffirmation of his love for you.

You noticed he was a bit more fidgety than usual, pacing slightly before stopping in front of you, taking a deep breath as if to steady himself. You watched, curiosity piqued by his nervous demeanor, a soft smile playing on your lips, encouraging him silently.

"Y/N," he began, his voice stronger than his trembling hands. "I know there have been times when I haven't communicated well, when I've let my fears and past dictate how I handle our future." He paused, searching your eyes for understanding. "For every moment you felt you weren't enough, I am profoundly sorry. It was never about you not being enough; it was about me being too scared to admit how much I needed you."

You felt a rush of emotions at his words, warmth spreading through your chest, your eyes welling up with tears that mirrored the sincerity and vulnerability in his voice.

He took another deep breath, then knelt before you, the little box in his hand now open to reveal a ring—his grandmother's ring, rich with history and sentiment. "I can't imagine my life without you, and I don't ever want to try," he continued, his voice steady despite the tears that started to form in his eyes. "Will you marry me, Y/N? Will you be the joy in my every day and the peace in every night? Will you let me spend the rest of my life proving that you are, and always will be, more than enough for me?"

The room seemed to hold its breath as you took in the depth of his proposal, every word infused with his love and regret for any pain he had caused. Smiling through your tears, you nodded, words momentarily failing you as emotions took over.

"Yes, Spencer," you managed, voice choked with emotion. "Yes, I will marry you."

As he slipped the ring onto your finger, a symbol of promise and continuity, you both embraced, a long, tight hug that spoke volumes. It was a new beginning, a recommitment not just to each other but to always striving to be the best for each other.

In that moment, the past's shadows seemed to dissolve, replaced by the clarity of a shared future, one built on mutual love, respect, and the unwavering commitment to see each other through not just the easy moments, but especially through the challenging ones.

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[kleopatra45]

Uranus in the Houses

In astrology, the placement of Uranus in the houses of a natal chart can indicate where and how an individual seeks independence, experiences sudden changes, and expresses their unique individuality.

Uranus in the 1st House

The personality is unconventional and often seen as a trendsetter. Individuals with this placement value personal freedom and may have a unique appearance or approach to life.

Uranus in the 2nd House

These individuals seek financial independence and may experience sudden gains or losses. They might have unconventional values or talents that generate income.

Uranus in the 3rd House

Communication and learning are infused with innovation. They may have a restless mind, enjoy intellectual pursuits, and excel in fields involving technology or new ideas.

Uranus in the 4th House

The home and family life are characterized by unpredictability or non-traditional dynamics. There may be sudden changes in the upbringing or the home environment.

Uranus in the 5th House

Creativity and self-expression are unconventional and original. Romance and hobbies may be unpredictable, and they may have a rebellious or experimental approach to fun and entertainment.

Uranus in the 6th House

Work habits and health routines are unconventional. They may seek jobs that allow for autonomy or involve technology and innovation. Health issues may arise suddenly but are often resolved quickly.

Uranus in the 7th House

Relationships and partnerships are marked by independence and a need for freedom. They may attract unconventional partners or seek relationships that allow them to maintain their individuality.

Uranus in the 8th House

This placement suggests a non-traditional approach to shared resources, intimacy, and transformation. They may experience sudden changes in financial matters or have unconventional views on sexuality and psychology.

Uranus in the 9th House

Beliefs and philosophies are progressive and may change suddenly. They seek freedom through travel, higher education, or spiritual exploration, often gravitating towards unconventional or cutting-edge ideas.

Uranus in the 10th House

The career path is unconventional, and they may experience sudden changes in professional life or reputation. They are often drawn to innovative fields or positions that allow them to break new ground.

Uranus in the 11th House

Friendships and group affiliations are diverse and based on shared ideals of progressiveness or innovation. They may belong to unconventional social circles or engage in activism and humanitarian causes.

Uranus in the 12th House

This placement suggests a hidden or unconventional approach to spirituality, solitude, and self-undoing. They may experience sudden insights or breakthroughs in understanding the subconscious mind.

©️kleopatra45

[cece693]

hii, are you ever planning on making a part 2 of the I Forgive You (reader x bucky), I adore it so much!!

Thanks so much for the comment! I was debating on how to end it, but I couldn't let Bucky suffer...So the second part is filled with angst, fluff and everything in between :) Because this was already getting long, there are soo many time skips, but I think this is a good ending for this fic. I hope you enjoy it!

I Forgive You Pt. 2

pairing: bucky barnes x gender neutral reader tags: you die, bucky is depressed, endgame occurs, changes in the timeline, I won't spoil it, but I think you can guess what's going to happen, hint hint bucky goes back in time :), kinda au since some things had to be changed to fit the narrative better

The day you passed away was the day Bucky Barnes’s world collapsed. They rushed you into Wakanda’s medical wing, Shuri and her teams working feverishly, but there was no stopping the internal damage. Despite vibranium-infused treatments, advanced technology, and the dogged determination of the Wakandans, you quietly slipped away in the early hours after the battle. No cosmic power or high-tech intervention could resurrect what Thanos had destroyed.

When the moment came, Bucky was by your bedside, holding your hand in his. Your final breaths were shaky, pain etched across your features. Bucky spoke in frantic whispers, clinging to hope that you would hear him.

“Don’t go,” he pleaded, tears clinging to his lashes. “I—I need you here. I’m…I’m not strong enough alone.” Your eyes fluttered open one last time, just enough to focus on him. You squeezed his hand—a gesture that felt heartbreakingly weak. And then you were gone. Your chest fell still; your fingertips slipped from his grasp.

Bucky’s anguished cry echoed through the pristine Wakandan lab as medical monitors went silent. Shuri’s shoulders slumped, her gaze dropping. She quietly dismissed her assistants, understanding there was nothing more they could do for you. In that instant, any progress Bucky had made in escaping the Winter Soldier’s shadow shattered. He wasn’t just lost—he was broken.

As if your passing wasn’t catastrophic enough, the unthinkable happened: Thanos succeeded. The battle outside ended in an instant of cosmic horror. Half the universe dissolved into floating specks of ash.

No one could forget the way Okoye fell to her knees, watching T’Challa fade from sight; or how Wanda’s breath caught as she vanished with tears still in her eyes. Even rocket ships grounded when Rocket lost some of the Guardians. For Bucky, still cradling your lifeless form, the destruction outside was just another layer of nightmare. But the cruelest twist? Bucky remained.

He had hoped, on some desperate level, that if there was some cosmic design, it would also take him. He’d have welcomed oblivion, a chance to follow you into whatever lay beyond. But the universe, in its cruel indifference, forced him to remain—tethered to life when the one person he’d dared to love was gone.

In the days that followed, Bucky was nearly catatonic. He barely ate or slept. He didn’t respond when Steve tried to reach him, only staring at the vacant spot on the med-lab floor where your blood had pooled. Gone was the peace he’d found in Wakanda, the fragile sense of self that Shuri’s deprogramming and your unwavering love had helped him reclaim.

All that remained was the echo of your final breath, the memory of his own hands betraying him—the Winter Soldier reawakened, by Thanos’s design, to deliver the fatal blow. No matter how many times anyone insisted it wasn’t your fault, he couldn’t accept it. Because he had held the knife. He had heard you gasp in pain.

That knowledge devoured him from within.

Upstate New York, The Avengers Compound (Two Years After the Snap)

Eventually, Bucky found himself at the Avengers Compound, a shell of what it once was. Natasha spent her days clinging to the last threads of her sense of duty, coordinating scattered reports from various corners of the globe. Steve tried to hold group therapy sessions in a local community center, urging people to find hope. Bruce and Tony—before Tony retreated to a private life in the woods—clashed over how to move forward. Thor was gone, wandering somewhere, presumably wracked with guilt.

Bucky offered no solutions. He spent most of his time quietly cleaning weapons or aimlessly flipping through old mission files. Sam had vanished in the snap, which meant there was no one left who could truly break through Bucky’s solitude—except Steve. Occasionally, Steve tried to coax him into conversation.

“What are you thinking?” he asked one day, watching Bucky methodically oil a handgun he barely used anymore.

Bucky glanced up. Shadows clung beneath his eyes, evidence of sleepless nights. “Nothing worth saying,” he murmured. His voice was cold, guarded, but Steve recognized the heartbreak beneath it.

Steve laid a hand gently on his friend’s shoulder. “He wouldn’t want you to give up.”

Bucky’s grip tightened on the gun. “He’s not here to tell me that, is he?”

Steve’s hand lingered on the metal shoulder a moment longer than usual, and Bucky felt the gentle weight of that gesture like a brand. He swallowed, refusing to meet Steve’s gaze. “Maybe not,” Steve answered quietly, “but I’m here. And I remember exactly how he looked at you—like you were worth saving every day.”

Bucky’s jaw clenched. The words burrowed under his skin, scraping nerves already raw. He set the handgun aside with slow, deliberate care, as though it might shatter if he moved too fast.

“Don’t,” he said, voice hoarse. “Don’t put his faith in me like it’s a shield. I dropped that shield the second I—” He cut himself off, throat tight. The second I stabbed him. Even two years later, the memory struck like a knife to the gut.

Steve pulled over a folding chair and sat across from him. The armory lights hummed overhead, dust motes drifting through the beams. Outside, spring rain pattered against the broken skylight. It sounded like a heartbeat that refused to stop. “You blame yourself because you still see the Winter Soldier when you look in the mirror,” Steve said. “I get that. But he saw James Buchanan Barnes. So do I.”

Bucky barked a laugh—sharp, joyless. “He saw who he wanted to see. Everyone does that with me. It’s easier than facing the truth.”

“What truth?”

“That there’s no redemption arc big enough to erase what I’ve done.” Bucky’s eyes were like storm clouds—dark, volatile. “Not just to him. To all of them. I can’t fix this.”

Steve folded his hands. “Maybe you can’t fix everything. But you can still do something. Every day we’re alive is another chance to try.”

Bucky shook his head, rising abruptly. “I’m done with pep talks.” He shoved the chair back and strode toward the exit.

Steve’s voice followed him, quiet but firm. “Running from the pain won’t make it fade, Buck. You taught me that, remember?”

Bucky hesitated at the doorway, fingers tightening on the frame. Rain drummed harder on the roof, like impatient fingers. He turned just enough for Steve to see the grief etched in his profile. “I’m not running,” he muttered. “I’m just…waiting for the part where it stops hurting.”

Steve’s expression softened. “Maybe it never stops. Maybe we carry it, like we carried each other through the war. But carrying it together makes it lighter.”

For a heartbeat Bucky said nothing. Then, almost inaudibly, he whispered, "Save the sermon, Steve. Some weights don’t get lighter—no matter how many hands you put on the bar.”

Five Years After the Snap

When Scott Lang—Ant-Man—reappeared from the Quantum Realm with a desperate, impossible plan to time-travel and reclaim the Infinity Stones, the Avengers reassembled for the first time in years. Tony was coaxed out of his lakeside retirement, Bruce had undergone a curious evolution into a “Professor Hulk,” and Thor stumbled into the compound carrying the weight of his failures.

Bucky kept to the back of the room as they discussed quantum physics and potential paradoxes. The idea of going back in time to retrieve the stones before Thanos could destroy them sounded insane. But there was an ember of something in Bucky’s chest—hope, maybe? If they could undo the snap, perhaps…he'd be here, Bucky thought, half-listening to the frantic conversation. He’d be the first to volunteer for this. He never hesitated to save the world. Bucky’s jaw clenched, eyes drifting over the faces of the other Avengers. Steve caught his gaze and nodded. There was a shared understanding: Bucky was in, no matter how impossible it seemed.

The plan was laid out with careful precision: split into teams, jump through the Quantum Realm, gather the Infinity Stones, and bring them safely back to their time. From Tony and Bruce’s intricate equations to Steve’s measured resolve, everyone moved with one desperate thought in mind: undo what Thanos had done.

For Bucky, however, that glimmer of hope took a wildly different shape. Deep down, he knew the Snap itself hadn’t taken your life, but part of him clung to the impossible dream that maybe, just maybe, if they could harness the Stones or alter the timeline, he could undo his greatest regret. Bucky shoved that hope down where it couldn’t distract him, but it remained a stubborn ember in his chest.

When the Avengers regrouped in the present with the Stones in hand, Bucky felt that ember burn a bit brighter. If these Stones can bring back half the universe, who’s to say they can’t—No. He cut off the thought, jaw clenched. Focus on the mission. Don’t be selfish.

Yet the longing was there, pulsing beneath every breath.

When retrieving the stones, they never expected for Thanos to follow. But the Mad Titan—this time, a past version even more relentless—arrived in a fury, bringing a warship and legions of vicious outriders. In an instant, the Avengers Compound turned to a smoking crater. Flame and twisted steel surrounded them, the air thick with dust and debris.

Bucky was among the first to spring into action, rifle in hand. His mind snapped into combat mode, adrenaline surging. Distantly, he noted Tony’s frantic calls for backup, Thor’s roar, and the clash of vibranium on alien weaponry. He had no illusions about the odds.

“He’s here!” Steve shouted, shield up, voice tight with urgency. “Everyone—scatter and engage!”

Bucky nodded sharply, storming through the rubble, eyes scanning for any sign of Thanos or the outriders. The sizzling hum of energy blasts whined past his ears. Chunks of concrete rained down from collapsed walls. It felt like war—just another battlefield, except the stakes were greater than ever. Bucky was ready to die; he owed you at least that much after what he'd done to you, but it was Tony who made the ultimate sacrifice. Wearing the gauntlet with all the stones, Bucky could only cover his eyes before a bright flash surrounded the battlefield. And then, silence—save for the faint crackle of dissipating cosmic energy.

Bucky’s ears rang. When he lowered his arm, the field was eerily still. The sky, once bruised with smoke and fire, now glowed soft pink in the newborn dawn. Thanos and his armies were gone—reduced to drifting motes of dust that shimmered for a heartbeat before the wind carried them away.

Victory. But it didn’t feel like triumph.

Across the rubble‑strewn expanse, Bucky spotted Stark slumped against a jagged slab of concrete, the makeshift Infinity Gauntlet fused to his scorched armor. Rhodey was already there, hands trembling as he tried to stabilize a reactor that would never beat again. Peter stumbled forward, sobbing apologies. Pepper knelt, voice breaking as she coaxed Tony’s fading gaze to hers.

Bucky stood rooted, rifle limp at his side. He should move—help, comfort, do something—yet his legs refused. The scene blurred through tears he hadn’t realized were falling. Another good man dying in front of me, and I can’t save him. Just like…

Your face flashed behind his eyes: smiling under Wakandan sunlight, then contorted in pain beneath the Winter Soldier’s blade. His stomach twisted. A hand landed on his shoulder. Steve—bloodied, exhausted—looked at him with the same hollow grief. “He saved us all,” Steve whispered, voice hoarse.

Bucky swallowed hard. “And I couldn’t even save one person.”

Days later, after the dust settled and the funeral for Tony concluded, the Avengers made preparations to return the Infinity Stones to their proper places in the timeline. Steve volunteered to be the one to do it—he insisted he should be the one to make it right.

On a quiet morning at the rebuilt Quantum Platform, Steve approached the pad, the case of stones clutched in one hand. Bucky hovered a few steps away, posture tense, arms crossed. Sam and Bruce were there as well, operating the controls. “We’ll see you back in five seconds,” Bruce said, giving Steve a shaky smile. Steve nodded, stepping onto the platform. He glanced at Bucky, eyes filled with a mixture of resolve and something else that Bucky couldn’t decipher. Then Steve was gone in a flash of quantum energy. Five seconds ticked by. Bruce fiddled with the controls, waiting for a signal.

Another second passed.

Then another.

Bucky’s heart sank. Fear twisted in his gut. Why wasn’t Steve coming back?

Suddenly, Sam pointed across the clearing. Near the shoreline by the compound, an older man sat on a bench, gazing out over the water. He and Sam exchanged confused looks before sprinting over. As they drew closer, they recognized him—Steve, aged and wearing a contented smile.

“I’m sorry,” the older Steve said softly, looking to both Sam and Bucky with fondness in his eyes. “I took a detour.”

“You went back to the 40s, didn’t you?” Sam breathed, understanding dawning. “Peggy?”

Steve’s lips curved gently, but he shook his head. “I saw Peggy, yes. But she…she’d moved on. She lived her life. She was happy.” He let out a breath that seemed to carry decades of contentment. “I couldn’t take that away from her, not after everything. Not just because I wanted one last dance.”

Bucky stood there, uncertain how to react. Part of him had always expected Steve to choose Peggy in the end. “So, you just stayed anyway? On your own?”

Steve carefully opened the case on his lap, revealing an Infinity Stone—one that hadn’t been there before. Bucky frowned, and Sam’s eyes widened, confusion etched on his features.

“This,” Steve explained, tapping the stone, “isn’t from the same stash we used. It’s a spare from a slightly different reality. I got advice from someone who owes us a big favor—someone who knows the Stones in ways we can’t imagine. They told me there was a special timeline where certain tragedies happened that could be undone.”

A look of dawning realization flickered across Bucky’s face. “You…you mean…?”

Steve nodded, placing a wrinkled hand on Bucky’s vibranium arm. “I can send you back. Not to the 1940s—” he smiled kindly, “—but to just before all this started. Before Thanos. Before they…” Steve’s voice faltered. “You, out of everyone, deserves that life, Buck. Both of you do.”

Bucky’s chest tightened, eyes burning with unshed tears. “Steve, I…I don’t understand.”

The older man smiled, sadness and pride mingling in his gaze. “I had my dance. It wasn’t with Peggy—she belonged to her own time. But I found something else worth living for.” He patted a small ring on his finger that Bucky hadn’t noticed before. “In a timeline out there, I found a second chance…not the one everyone expected, but the one I needed. We all deserve that, Buck.”

Sam cleared his throat, clearly reeling from the news. “So, you’re sending Bucky back in time to stop everything from happening?”

“Not everything,” Steve corrected. “The Infinity Stones need to remain hidden until Thanos makes his play. But Bucky can change his own path—and theirs.” He looked at Bucky meaningfully. “You can prevent their death, Buck, and maybe help ensure we’re more prepared for Thanos than we ever were.”

Emotions warred inside Bucky: disbelief, guilt, longing. Could he really go back to you, change things so you’d never meet that fate on the battlefield? Could he warn the Avengers without altering reality in catastrophic ways?

“It’s risky,” Steve admitted, reading the turmoil in his friend’s eyes. “Time travel always is. But something tells me you’ll find a way to make it right. You two always did have each other’s backs. And remember—this is your choice, Bucky. You don’t have to—”

But Bucky already knew his answer. He didn’t need a second invitation. He let out a shaky breath, turning to Sam. “You’ll be okay?”

Sam’s eyes held sadness at the idea of losing another close friend, but he forced a reassuring smile. “I’ll manage. You do what you need to do. And if you succeed, I’ll see you on the other side, right?”

Bucky gave a slight nod. Then he turned back to Steve—his oldest friend. Words failed him, so he placed a hand over Steve’s heart. “Thank you,” he whispered, voice rough. “For everything.”

Steve’s eyes glistened. “No, Buck. Thank you. Now go find them.”

Later that day, at the Quantum Platform

Professor Hulk adjusted the settings, hooking up the new Infinity Stone in a protective container that crackled with cosmic energy. “We’ll send you to a specific date,” he explained, tapping on the console. “Right before everything started going downhill. Remember, you can’t just reveal everything outright. That could break the timeline. But you can steer things—nudge them, warn them—to avoid the worst.”

Bucky gripped the handle of the small time-travel device. Part of him still couldn’t believe this was real. When he closed his eyes, he could almost see you, smiling with that bright, fearless grin, calling him to you. Telling him that he wasn’t alone. As the mechanism powered up, Sam and Steve stood nearby, offering silent support. With one final glance, Bucky nodded. Bruce activated the quantum jump. A surge of light enveloped Bucky. The world around him distorted, twisting into a kaleidoscope of color. A second later, he vanished.

Present-Day (Pre-Infinity War Timeline), Avengers Compound

Bucky materialized in an empty room in the compound—one reserved for weapons storage. He immediately recognized the layout, the hum of the building’s air conditioning. He glanced down at himself. He was wearing a familiar combat outfit, minus the dust and grime of the final battle. His heart pounded. This is real. This is real.

Cautiously, he slipped out of the storage room into the corridor. It was bustling with people—agents, recruits, staff—while monitors on the walls displayed mission briefs from around the globe. A part of Bucky wanted to weep at every sight that was normal. No looming threat from Thanos yet, no sign of half the world turned to dust. Bucky’s stomach churned with anticipation. He needed to find you. But how? He paused, remembering the timeline constraints. He couldn’t just announce he’d come from the future; it could unravel everything.

A sudden voice from behind him nearly made him jump. “Barnes? You back from Wakanda already?” The figure approached, wearing standard-issue tactical gear. It was just a random S.H.I.E.L.D. liaison, but it confirmed that you and the others believed him to have been in Wakanda. Perfect cover.

“Yeah,” Bucky managed, forcing a tight smile that felt alien on his face. “Something came up.”

He slipped past the agent, heading towards the living quarters. He remembered exactly where your room was. When he arrived at your door, his hand hovered over the handle. His heart hammered so hard he feared the entire compound could hear it.

Taking a breath, he knocked softly. From within, he heard shuffling, a muffled “Coming!” Then the door hissed open. And there you stood—every bit as vibrant as Bucky remembered. There was that spark in your eyes, that quick smile of curiosity. The same presence that had made him feel safe even in the darkest times.

Your brow furrowed slightly in surprise. “Bucky? I thought you were still in Wakanda."

The sight of you alive, breathing, unharmed, was overwhelming. Bucky’s breath hitched; tears pricked the corners of his eyes. You were about to say something else when he surged forward, wrapping you in a desperate embrace. His metal arm and flesh hand both pressed against your back, holding on as if you might vanish at any moment.

You froze in shock. “Hey…?” you managed softly, unsure what had shaken him so badly.

When Bucky finally pulled back, he didn’t give you a chance to question him further. He looked into your eyes, tears sliding down his cheeks, and before he could second-guess himself, he kissed you—fierce, trembling, full of pent-up grief and longing. The moment his lips found yours, time seemed to stop. A swirl of emotion poured out of him—sorrow, relief, love, desperation. The kiss was messy and unplanned, but he didn’t care. He needed you to feel how much you meant to him—how much he had lost and found again in that single instant.

At first, you tensed, wholly unprepared for such intensity. Then, sensing the genuine anguish behind it, you softened against him, letting your arms slide up to his shoulders. It was as though some fundamental piece of your bond, across timelines and tragedies, recognized his need.

When you finally broke apart, your breathing was unsteady. A thousand questions hovered in your eyes. “Bucky,” you murmured, voice shaky. “What…what happened? Why are you—”

He swallowed hard, thumb brushing your cheek, memorizing every line of your face. You’re alive. “It’s a long story,” he whispered, voice raw with unshed tears. “I-I can’t explain everything right now. But I—please, I just…need to hold you. Need to know this isn't some kind of dream.”

Your gaze searched his, seeing the pain etched into his features. Tenderly, you wiped away the moisture clinging to his lashes. “Well,” you said softly, “I’m here and I’m not going anywhere.” Bucky closed his eyes, silently thanking whatever higher power had granted him this second chance. I will save him, he vowed. I will save us.