Work Text:
The energy novas blazed lustrously within the unearthly lime-green environment. A grotesque, flea-bitten structure mirroring an insane asylum of centuries past stood on an isolated free-floating island.
It's assumed that ghosts terrified the living due to an obsession found in their previous lives. Or, to be more accurate? This persisted as one of the myriads of hypotheses that individuals contemplated. The residents of the Ghost Zone did indeed maintain various obsessions. However, whatever their fixations, they weren't the run-of-the-mill speculations humans assumed.
Admittedly for the specter that operated in this psychiatric hospital, his fixation persisted in deciphering the human psyche. What else would you anticipate regarding the spirit of Sigmund Freud? Distinguished within the Ghost Zone as "The Therapist." According to specific regulations of the Ghost Zone, everyone remains obligated to have treatment. Therefore ghosts took their mental health quite seriously.
The Therapist's healthcare facility offers numerous treatment types, from your common mental illness to couple counseling. Everyone received the therapy they required. Currently, two adolescent boys are inside the waiting room. One boy looked like a juvenile version of the Egyptian god, Anubis. The other one echoed an archangel of heaven.
The jackal's name was Kai. His father was Cronos, the Ancient of Death. His mother, Dreama, and her twin brother Nocturne were the Ghosts of Dreams. His boyfriend? His name was Empathy. Son of the Ancient Ghost of Peace, Harmony, and her titan husband, Helios. Empathy was a transgender male.
Unlike the human race of Earth? Without hesitation, every occupant of the Ghost Zone accepted members of the LGBT community. They'd no issues whatsoever with anyone's sexuality or gender identity. Kai and Empathy were different as night and day. Yet they'd a solid relationship. However, both their parents insisted they receive couples counseling.
Ghosts may accept LGBT members. Yet, it didn't mean they didn't possess anxiety that some relationships might encounter a few snags along the way. That persisted as the rational motive for the couple went every Wednesday at four to have their hourly session.
Empathy seemed incredibly uncomfortable today. His magnificent snow-white wings continued giving him a lot of difficulties today. Kai considered that peculiar. Ordinarily, if Empathy's wings were troubling him, he'd retracted them for a few hours.
Therefore, why hadn't he withdrawn them if they gave him this much distress? "Man, this is beyond torturous!" he muttered. But, of course, that was out of character, as Empathy never muttered.
His mother trained him to have impeccable manners. Therefore he wouldn't mutter unless something was genuinely wrong. "Empathy? What's the matter? You've never been this agitated before our weekly session. Consequently, what's going on?" his boyfriend urged concerningly.
Empathy sighed, "I got into a scuffle yesterday at Hyde Park. Some random hoodlum was threatening some five-year-old children at the playground. I decided to intervene. Suddenly I got whacked by an aluminum bat. He ruptured three blood feathers on my left wing! It throbbed like hell, removing them! Do you know how long it takes to develop primary flight feathers? Or how challenging it is to get feathers cleaned when they hemorrhage?"
"Why didn't you notify me regarding this?" demanded Kali furiously toward his boyfriend. He wasn't pleased that Empathy didn't tell him about this sooner.
"I didn't want to infringe on your family celebrating your mother and uncle's birthday yesterday. I understood how significant it was to you. Spending time with your family. "
"You still could've shot me a text last night!"
Before their dispute could get more turbulent, the Therapist materialized, "Gentlemen? Is there a problem?" he questioned coolly.
"Umm..."
"You know the rules—no fighting in the waiting room. We will discuss it in my office if you're having an issue. Not in the waiting room. Please follow me."
Accordingly, they followed the gentleman to his office. He granted them each a bottle of sparkling carbonated liquid. People tend to get remarkably thirsty in therapy. So consequently, everyone was provided with something to drink at each session.
Once they'd taken a few sips of their drinks, the Therapist commenced his session with them. "Now, I'd like you both to calmly tell me what you're quarreling about in the waiting room. Kai? You may speak first. Empathy, don't interrupt. Wait your turn."
Immediately, Kai launched into his side of the story. Next, Empathy then described. Next, they each established the grounds for their behaviors and responses. Finally, after fifteen minutes, the Therapist articulated his conclusions on the subject.
"In a healthy relationship, there need to be both boundaries. Plus, proper communication between both partners. These tools are imperative to sustain a healthy relationship.
However, it doesn't mean you're not entitled to privacy. Or you have separate lives outside your romantic relationship. You don't have to be joined at the hip. However, I'll strongly emphasize it once more. It's critical that couples properly communicate with one another, even if it leads to some heated words.
Contrary to its sounds, having arguments is part of a healthy relationship. That you're truthful regarding your feelings. Furthermore, you're addressing issues in your relationship.
I don't advise concealing from one another if you're hurting physically or emotionally. It demonstrates a lack of trust with your partner if you can't be straight with them when pulling."
"So what should we do then?" Empathy was asked to which Freud answered, "If you're having some difficulty explaining your pain to your significant other, I suggest drafting a few practice speeches. Make sure to have a discussion when you're both calm and in a relaxing environment. Avoid utilizing trigger words.
Make sure to clarify the reasons you're in pain. Or any additional issues that need to be addressed. Wait until the other person has finished speaking. Then give your response calmly.
Make sure to listen and hear what your partner is genuinely saying. You don't have an answer already in your head for what you assume they will say. So instead, hear them out and think thoroughly before you speak."
"How do we ensure our emotions don't get the better? So often, it feels unachievable to turn off strong emotions. Such as anger, for example." Kai admitted.
"There is a time and place for your emotions. Visualize your emotions if it isn't the right time or place to get emotional. Take a few deep breaths, then scoop the images of your emotions up. Place them into a receptacle and plan a more appropriate time to deal with them later. Again in a relaxed environment." he then handed them some worksheets.
"I want you both to fill out these worksheets. They're thought-emotion-behavioral. I want you both to think of a particular thought. It can be anything. Next, write the emotions you felt before writing about your behavior in response to those specific thoughts and emotions."
Each of them wrote about assorted thoughts, emotions, and behavioral scenarios. After filling out three sheets apiece, they handed them back. Freud looked through them meticulously. After he finished going over them, he requested them to describe their answers' motivations. Subsequently, he asked them to talk to each other regarding some of their answers.
Eventually, the session came to an end. The Therapist considered it had been quite a successful session. He did give them homework to do. This was a stander for any therapy at his healthcare facility. To provide patients with some homework. The two thanked him for helping them before waiting for their parents to take them home—a perfect day.