...only You.

Selective Mutism

Selective mutism is a fairly common comorbidity of autism, I experience it myself from time to time. It is not the same as being non-verbal, those who are non-verbal are either partially or completely incapable of verbal communication and some are even unable to understand words spoken by those around them. Selective mutism is where an individual is otherwise capable of normal verbal communication but under stress are suddenly unable to speak even if they wanted to. Personally this was one of the reasons I likely wasn’t diagnosed until I was 19, as everyone thought I was just pretending to be mute when it was convenient. Except it usually happens when I am in an argument or being bullied, I would hardly call that a convenient time to shut down. 

So how does this relate to Reed? I found this example of him experiencing selective mutism. This is from Fantastic Four (2013) #5 AU, by Matt Fraction and Andre Araujo, an alternate universe story to tie into Age of Ultron. Here the Fantastic Four are facing the end of the world and they record a goodbye message for Franklin and Valeria. When it comes time for Reed to speak, he simply cannot do it, he is so overwhelmed emotionally the words just won’t come out. 

[Image description: Valeria and Franklin stand before a holo-projection of their father, who is kneeling down, silent, trying to speak. He then raises his index finger in a “wait a minute” gesture. Franklin and Val exchange a confused shrug. Reed returns with a pen and a notepad and begins to write his thoughts down. The notes read: “I don’t know how to say this…words not coming. How does a father say goodbye to his children? Impossible. I am a man of science. There is no god. There is no heaven. There is no hell.” 

Next panel shows Franklin holding Val who is crying

Reed continues to write: “No hell = it doesn’t matter what we do = what we do is all that matters.”

Reed then speaks: “Do you understand, children? For all my failings…Please remember that.”]

As we can see, by the end of the transmission he’s calmed down at least enough to say a few final words to his children. God damn, this issue was heartbreaking.

I hope now after Harry has once again confirmed that Viktor is soft-spoken and his anger is quiet anger that the fandom will stop writing him as aggressive, cold, rude, and angry in the form of cruelty or outbursts. it's literally so opposite his character I don't see how this portrayal of him persists so frequently. Canonically, when he's angry, we see him speak in low, controlled tones, or with words that are more sharp and hissed than his usual timbre but at the same quiet volume. The only times he raises his voice in the show are when he's alone, screaming from pain, fear, or emotional release. He never yells at anyone, that's why those rare moments where he does raise his voice hit so powerfully. He curls in on himself and makes himself smaller when upset and vulnerable, he doesn't lash out or intimidate others. He cries, he whimpers, he doesn't shout. He hyperventilates and throws up from nerves. Like how does so much of the fandom overlook this and somehow turn him into some sarcastic, aloof 'broody dark-haired boy' stereotype that hits people with his cane and insults Jayce. Please go back and rewatch the source material.

The sheer and utter heartbreak I felt when he realized he was still seen as a weapon.

When he was the winter soldier, his skills and his ARM were two extreme marks of who he was. A killing machine trained to do nothing but obey orders. In the comics, this was especially true. Considering he had no serum in the comics, the only thing that brought him to the same level as super soldiers was his enhanced arm. No special serums, nothing but his incredible skill to kill. But his arm was what allowed him to be just that much more effective and efficient. It made him who he was. The Winter Soldier, not Bucky Barnes.

When he was in Wakanda. He rebuilt his life. He had peace. He wasn't being put in a freezer and being thrown into wars left and right. He got to go find peace. Calm. A place that allowed him to heal. And with that, he gained a new arm that was supposed to represent that new life. One that wasn't plagued by death and blood. One that represented him as Bucky. Not a weapon. Yes, it still acted similar due to Infinity War, but it's representation was clearly geared towards a new life. He was finally beginning to be himself again.

Only to have that ripped away at the sign of disobeying those of Wakanda. To remove his arm when he was seen as a threat. To be reminded that he will ALWAYS be seen as a monster. A killer. Nothing but the Winter Soldier to them. Even after all that time, he had that trust shattered while he was trying to COMMUNICATE WITH THEM. Not even while trying to hurt anyone. He wanted to de-escalate, and yet he was met with having his small sliver of peace ripped from him.

I hate this scene and the look on his face. It hurts so bad

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im new to this app so im not really sure what im doing but thank you to everyone who’s interacted with my posts !! <3

there's an observation/headcanon going around that the celestial bodies react to emotions with color, interesting to think about this in regards to mage viktor who is void black

The one to reach out

when you get what you want but not what you need

Favorite Arcane Scenes: 4/? ↳ Don't mess with Officer Cupcake.

This perfect one broke my heart Love him sooo much т.т

And my heart breaks once again