#once in a blue moon i'll return to my roots

[bixels]

Drawing a Splatoon again.

[jaydelta]

soft pre-relationship marcbeth moment

"Do you sleep in the suit?"

Beth speaks suddenly from where she's perched on the counter, head tilting as she watches him. "... Do you sleep at all?"

"Why are you up?" Marc sighs, tugging his mask up so he can take a swig of his coffee. "Thought everyone was asleep."

"Everyone but me," she shrugs, swinging her feet. "You gonna answer my question?"

"You gonna answer mine?"

She honest to God giggles at that, and he has to clench his jaw to keep from smiling at her.

"That's fair," she tells him with a grin. "Just couldn't sleep, I guess. Your turn, Mr. Knight."

"I sleep."

"In the suit?" She asks, perking up a little bit. Despite how late it is, her eyes are bright behind her glasses.

"Beth," He says flatly, turning to give her a look.

"Sorry, sorry," she's grinning up at him, gripping the counter as she leans forward. "Can't resist." Her hair is down, for once, he realizes belatedly, pooling around her shoulders in pink waves. Her roots are coming in, dark brown in sharp contrast to the pastel shades she favors, and there are bags under her eyes.

"You look like shit," he says, watching her watch him. "Am I working you too hard?"

"Just what every girl wants to hear," she deadpans, raising an eyebrow at him.

"Not what I meant. You know you're gorgeous, you look exhausted."

"You think I'm pretty?"

"You're avoiding the question," he sighs, setting down his cup and crossing his arms as he leans against the wall.

"I am," she agrees quietly, smile fading. "I'll be fine. Always am. Cross my heart."

"You still haven't answered me," he points out, equally soft, as he steps closer to her. She's cast in shadow in the dim light, and if he tries, he can pretend they're teenagers in his first apartment again, can pretend there's no Moon Knight and no Midnight Mission, can pretend that neither of them have died and come back, that he's just a little jaded and she's still as bright as she ever was.

But then he steps a little closer, and he can see how pale she is. Can see the scar that wraps around her neck. Can see the way her eyes glint red. She tries to hide the way her deaths have affected her, but he knows her, and he sees it every time he looks at her.

"Talk to me, Beth," he says quietly, setting a hand on the counter next to her. He's careful with the way he stands, trying not to make her feel cornered.

"You're not overworking me," she tells him, focusing her gaze on his hand next to hers. "You don't need to worry about me, Spector."

"I'm always gonna worry about you," he admits, following her line of sight. Her nails are painted blue and there are colorful bandaids on her fingers, looking all the brighter next to his white glove. "... You been having nightmares again?"

"Is it again if I never stopped?" Her eyes fall shut as she sighs quietly, hand brushing against his as she readjusts her grip on the countertop. "I'm okay. Promise."

"You're a shit liar."

"Only to you," she says, eyes still closed. "You know me too well."

He reaches out with his free hand, tilting her face so he can see her better. If she's surprised by the touch, she doesn't show it, just leans into him a little bit as she blinks up at him.

"You should get some sleep," he murmurs, thumb brushing along her cheekbone.

"Yeah," she says softly, eyes fluttering closed again. "I should."

For a long moment, neither of them move, and then Marc exhales and steps away, pulling his hand away and tugging his mask back down. He watches her as she slips off the counter to pad down the hall, silent.

She pauses a little too long in the doorway and he's about to ask if she's okay before she speaks again.

"G'night, Marc."

"Night, Beth," he returns, meeting her gaze as she looks over her shoulder at him. "Sleep well."

[prodigum]

𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐒 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐃 𝐀 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 the contrast of salt and snow. both of them cutting, and both of them full of a dying light, at least in so many words. they do not know death, but they know how to die. and he finds himself pulled underneath the waves. finds his limbs blue with cold. deadly, they both are. home, they both are.

his hands feel so warm in her own. she might be ice and snow and fangs but to him she could only be the hearth and the home and the tie that binds him to this life. ( and once every full moon, he does wonder :: what he would be without her. what would become of him had she not showed up and reminded him of who he is. and he does not wish, in no measure, for her to go through what she has been through. but the soul of him is grateful, eternally, for her roll in the catalyst of his reclamation. )

tears well in the corners of his eyes — something he has learned to accept in spite of his history. in spite of everything that he knows and reveres and calls to. the wetness wells and returns him to himself. something lively, albeit sad. it's life that he stretches out his fingers for. it's life that he finds in her, and found in her, and has been chasing since the moment she, in so few words, reminded him of who he is. and for that reason — for her alone does he know who he is. and so begins the promise that he makes with all that remains of his body : to protect her. to fight for her. to love her. as if the later hadn't been something so long rooted — theon realizes, in so many words and feelings.

the blackest of nights could not take him now. his body, perhaps. not his soul — blue as the sea and blue as the glint of the sky reflected upon snow. ever he is on the surface. wading. sometimes drowning. and mostly waiting. when will it be my turn? because some lifetime ago robb got his and so theon thought that he deserved his own. sorely mistaken. and yet the fire of the night seems to claim him. seems to tell him it's his own. there will be no one chanting. but it is his own, and his time has come.

" you'll live, " theon starts, a shake to his body that reaches his shoulders. he turns to her. looks into her eyes. the sea boring into her own. ( the sea came to winterfell, and maybe it isn't such a sad thing ) " i'll be sure of that. until i die, lady sansa. "

𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓲𝓼 𝓱𝓸𝔀 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓵𝓭 𝓮𝓷𝓭𝓼. sansa is certain of it. there's a thickness to the air, surroundings so heavy, like the weight of the world sits upon tiny shoulders. her father had been a leader, had taught his children to face all challenges with integrity and honor, though the lady of winterfell feels like she is leading her people to slaughter. is there protocol, she wonders, for an army of dead descending upon you? prayers to be said... gods to worship. none of that matters now, no gods could save them from an almost guaranteed courtship with death.

time slows down for the lady of winterfell, though surrounding them, the world moves far too fast. she cannot make sense of this sensation, but it's almost as if she's simply frozen, watching the world carry on without her. [ at the end of the day, what can you do? you're not a warrior, your mind is your weapon, and yet your only blade is dull. useless against an enemy such as death ] there's a deep sigh hummed, hands encircled around a warm bowl of broth, blue eyes focused on a crackling fire.

theon's sudden words, however gentle they may be, bring her back to reality. there is no point in arguing his words, no use in polite denials of death. sansa of old, perhaps, would make a spectacle to pray and lean into optimism - though that girl was dead. the lannisters had saw to that. the lady before him understood death, she flirted with it, watched it escort those she loved to the dark abyss of eternity. to sansa, it was a matter of time until she was called to dance the very same line.

placing her supper aside, chilled hands reach out for his own. they had conquered so much together, faced unspeakable demons, came out stronger on the other side. when she looks upon theon's face, reek is no longer [ i refuse, of course, to acknowledge the presence of the other, to ever let him see the light of day. i see you only, theon greyjoy, the shadow to my eldest brother, the hero in my story, the wind in my escape, the companion i so desperately need in these final hours....]

❝ if we die tomorrow, ❞ sansa repeats, squeezing his thin digits ❝ i will be glad to have done it beside you, on our own terms, our fate reclaimed. ❞

[meenah-chan]

Safe Haven ~Epilogue~

A Barbatos x GN! MC fanfic

1.98k words

Genre: Angst/Fluff

Trigger warning: None

Requested by: @romaissa Thank you for waiting for this. I apologize for the wait. This turns out the way as I imagined it to be, more or less. I felt so fluffy as I edited this for the last time. I hope you'll like this last part. Enjoy~~ 😚✨💖💖💖

Part 1 (Safe Haven) | Part 2 (Safe Haven ~Another Story~)

Masterlist

A Barbatos x GN! MC fanfic

1.98k words

Genre: angst

Trigger warning: None

It was the same cliff… trees and breeze... The same dusk… But the voice calling them were not anymore...

… sensitive yet capable... One that withstand pain and hardship yet kept their gentleness.

Despite it being in the middle of the day, the sky enveloping the Devildom is dark. Very unlike that place. A place where the sun would shine so brightly even from the back of their mind. Not the human world where they grew up. Not the Celestial realm they visited once. It was only the Devildom whose light came from the moon and not the sun. Should the moon doesn’t exist in this kingdom, it’ll surely be pitch black.

Yet, in the dimness of the kingdom they’ve suddenly been to... Who would have thought I would meet my sun in such a place? A smile formed on their face as they delved deeper in their thoughts.

As they did so, a strong wind blew past them. It was strong, they didn’t notice someone approaching them.

“Oh!” a pat on their shoulder snapped them back from their deep thoughts.

“Y/N? What are you doing?” They flit their head behind and meet with the same, familiar eyes.

“Lord Diavolo... Nothing. And Queen Rose? Did something happen?” Their surprised demeanor was replaced with a confused one. Why wouldn’t it? Since unless some responsibility on the Kingdom required to, the royal couple is technically attached at the hip. Which is still pretty rare.

“Stop with those formalities. You’re making me sad.” As if he were not such a tall, well-built demon, Diavolo looks at them like a weeping dog.

“Alright, I’m just teasing you... So, what happened?”

“Rose got angry over one of my posts on Devilgram.” His pout becomes more obvious as he complains to them like a child.

“Oh, that picture.” Diavolo didn’t have to elaborate further for them to guess which one it is. It was a picture of Diavolo pecking the Queen on her cheek on their bed chamber.

“Even if I were her, I would be mad. You’re the rulers of Devildom after all. You can’t afford showing any vulnerability to your people.”

“But love is our strength!” He emphasized the last word with his hand gesture and furrowed brows.

Which only received a giggle from the human. “You sound like those princesses in the movie we watched yesterday.”

“Hey, I’m being serious… Since when did you take her side anyway?”

“I’m just speaking with reason.”

“You’re so harsh these days. Where is the angel I knew? Barbatos is rubbing on you a bit too much.”

“I won’t be if you were a bit more reasonable. And remember, Simeon can be scary too sometimes.”

Diavolo paused for a moment to think. “Right.” And let out a sigh. “Why can't I win a debate with you? I'm the King, you know.”

“Then be glad I'm an ally.”

“But Y/N...” Diavolo stared at them for a moment. “I noticed you're becoming more beautiful. More than ever.”

“...Where’s Queen Rose? She needs to know the king’s flirting with his ex—”

“Hey, I don't mean it! I mean, not that way! You're beautiful as a friend.”

“Beautiful more than ever as a friend, yes?”

“I mean it with pure intention! And Rose is the most beautiful! You know that!”

“Most beautiful. Favorite line, huh…” They sassily fiddled with their nails as they stared at it.

“Let's settle this here? I-I'll even grant you a wish.”

They glanced at him from their nails and stared at him. “Pfft— Hahaha!! I'm kidding, I’m kidding, pfft— hahaha! You should have seen your face, hahaha!”

“Are you messing with me again?” He frowned at them.

“I was but, hey. A wish from the King is rather enticing.”

Looking straight in their eyes, “Are you still mad because of our past?” he asked. As if he's been holding this question back for so long. In guilt of what they have been through because of him.

And with a smile, they replied “No.”

It was the truth.

They could never hold anything against Diavolo. They can never hate the man they fell in love with…

“Your face is just so hilarious I can't help it.” Rather, they wanted to see that expression one last time. That expression I adored way too much, as I fell beside the cliff.

“Since when did you become so fickle?” Yet despite his words, a sense of relief emanates from the Royal Demon.

He is now certain. He is finally free from the shackles he created himself. And they...

“Spare Barbatos some slack. Some regular day offs will do too and you’ll be absolved of your offense.” Without Diavolo being able to snap a last glance on their face, they turned their back to him and started walking. Despite it, a smile formed on his face.

“Consider it done...” He said as they wave as a response before disappearing from his sight.

I see you’re finally free from my curse... Diavolo chuckled as he left to return to his queen, ready to ask for another forgiveness.

---------

“Y/N.” It was the same cliff. The same trees and breeze. The same dusk who witnessed everything. But the voice calling them were not the prince’s anymore.

“Barbatos, you’re early.”

“I apologize for always making you wait for me but,” worry was showing on his face as he looked at them. “...do you always wait here this early?”

“Don’t mind it. I love waiting for you.” Barbatos’ heart skipped a beat from their words, a tint of pink forming on both person’s ear tips.

“A-Ah, right. You didn’t tell me you'll plant some flowers here.” They touched the petals of the Forget-me-not flowers as if to avert the butler’s attention.

It was as healthy as the one they took care of or perhaps even healthier.

“Were they not to your liking?”

“No, I… love them.”

“Then I'd be glad if that were the case. I raised them with the thoughts of you after all.” Even though Barbatos’ remarks were always like that, they couldn’t help but feel bashful everytime.

“Seriously, how can you say some cheesy lines so smoothly?”

“Hmm? I don’t recall saying such things.” He lifted a knuckle under his chin while glancing upward as if in thoughts.

“This guy..!” All they could do is shut up and frown. They couldn’t remember a time where they actually won on Barbatos’ wordplays.

“Is there something that displeases my flower?” Barbatos moved towards them when the frown they wore turned into a sad smile when they glanced again at the blue flowers.

“Well...” they sighed, Barbatos now stepping in to caress their face. “I just remembered the poor flowers I destroyed that day. I cared for them for a long time only to die from my own hands.”

Barbatos brushed his thumb to their cheek, fondness reflected in his eyes. “But they didn’t.” It was still like a dream for him to be able to hold them freely as he wished.

“What do you mean? Of course they will. I pulled them all off the ground myself.”

“Would you believe me if I said this plant was your flower’s seedlings and roots?”

“Y-You mean..!?” The human’s eyes snapped back to the Forget-me-nots. That’s probably why the flowers have the exact same shade and size as back then.

“I thought it’ll be a great gift for you.” He let them go to squat and check the flowers closely.

It took a while as they observed and admired the lush flowers. It was a comfortable silence, as Barbatos watched his favorite bud.

“Hey Barbatos.” Finally satisfied from staring at it, they rose on their feet. “I had some silly idle thoughts a while ago.”

“What is it?” He asked. But unlike them, the demon butler’s eyes never left his favorite flower. He could spend another millenia just gazing at them, and still say it’s the best sight he's ever seen.

“Devildom is a dark place no matter how I try to think of it.” He watch their back across the nightfall. The way the cold breeze brush through their locks. Those subtle shivers they give off as chills bites at their sensitive yet capable arms. One that withstand pain and hardship yet kept their gentleness.

“Then how come of all places, I’ll meet my sun there?” He tread beside them, not minding their words.

Not even the fondness in Barbatos’ eyes yields. Not in the slightest.

He knew. It was Diavolo. It will always be his Young Master. “He was so bright. So dazzling yet I couldn’t take my eyes off him. Diavolo will always be my sun.” And he… He already accepted this fact a long time ago. Staying by their side, until they found their happiness, is more than enough for him.

So instead of reacting, he removed his coat and placed it over their shoulder.

“I won’t forget. I will cherish the memories he left, no matter how painful it is. After all, he and the memories,” but they were thinking differently from Barbatos. They spun on their feet, suddenly facing him, who was just a few inches away from them, “...they all led me to my moon.” Their eyes were glistening, with him reflected in it. It took his breath– his words away.

“Shining through my darkest nights. Cradling me with its gentle light. Brushing off the tears from my eyes. My precious moon, who helped me remember that there’s still happiness beyond my sorrow.” They reached for his face. “Nights were supposed to be cold, yet he brings warmth instead. And you know what’s the most amusing thing?”

“In Devildom, whether it is day or night, you can see the moon in its brightest.” He never wants to assume anything, yet the way their thumb runs across his cheek so tenderly… The hope he hid with all his might, surges out wanting to be freed.

“Oh, but there is just one problem with my moon. He was so selfless, he wouldn't take me to himself.” The hand next to his cheek moved and brushed to the tip of his nose.

“Pardon?” He thought he finally sealed it away so perfectly, so why… With just a single touch…?

“I don’t wanna be single forever yet he keeps on ignoring my signs...”

“Wait, you mean…” But his promise… his vow to them...

“I still can’t say I don’t have any more feelings with Diavolo but I swear, I mean it. That’s why I’m already taking this to my hands… Hey–!” The knot within Barbatos’ heart came undone, along with the stream of tears he’s holding back due to their dreamlike words.

“Barbatos. Hey, don’t cry.”

They tried scooping his face with both hands only to stop by his own.“I’m so happy.” He placed one of their hands on his chest. It was warm, with his heart practically drumming crazily fast.

He never knew it’s possible to feel happier than the day they allowed him by their side. Incomparably so. It was at that moment he felt so… alive.

“I thought it’ll be a great gift for you.”

“This is the greatest gift I’ve ever received in my life.” He pulled their other hand and placed a tender kiss on its palm.

“I wonder if I can surpass this next time.”

“Then how about a kiss? Can I kiss you?”

“You don’t have to ask,” They took another step towards him, “I love you, my Luna.”

“I love you more, my Flora.” Barbatos sewed the space between them and soon, two breaths became one. All the words dissolved between their lips. Yet, all the emotions bottled up within poured out.

Of loneliness. Of longing. Of elation. Of attachment and inclination. With a spice of passion and devotion. All swirling together, filling the gaps in their hearts.

They parted just to converge again, like how their threads of fate crossed, unraveled and intertwined together.

The coldness of the night now utterly nonexistent within their moment, as they were embraced by the vivid rays of moonlight.

Part 1 (Safe Haven) | Part 2 (Safe Haven ~Another Story~)

Masterlist

[avery-allyss]

I guess this could be worse.

The assignment was to create a design based off of one or more creation myths. I have little hints of several because copying something too closely seems redundant. Yes it a bit of a confusing jumble and you need to stretch a lil to pick up all the references, but I like it that way.

Egg shape is from several myths, mainly because my favorite myth is the Finnish creation myth, which is also the source of the duck. I'll get more into that further down in the reflective portion of this post.

The yin/yang base for the devision of the egg is from Asia. The concept is more into the description of the energies, the yang being masculine firey intenseness of light, and the yin being the quite coolness of darkness.

The volcano ang glacier are derived from Norse mythology, and I played with the idea of making some sort of root system in the line separating the two to represent the beginning of yggdrasil.

The reeds and cat are from the native American myth. Something about a Reed carrying the founders through worlds, and loosing a war to cat people? It stuck in my mind.

This is the second time I've ever done print making, the first was over ten years ago and stamping a smaller design on an extra large Tshirt I still use as pjs.

The entire process was a mess.

We had one linoleum panel to work with. We had to carve away each color we wanted to keep.

I started slow because the white and yellow layers were so complicated.

I miss measured the paper size so the back of all four copies are a mess.

I made four copies, and every one had a different mystake. The one showed was the only one that the cat showed up on.

I fucked up carving alot, I just got good at covering it up.

The duck has no bill. I tried to make up for it by giving them an intentional halo, it didn't quite work.

The reeds are too short. This actually gives off a slightly more organic vibe than I was going for. I'm not quite sure if I like it.

One of the sun swirls is broken up a bit because my hand sliped.

The blue layer was off and ended up giving the volcano some highlight. It pops a little until you realize it's out of place, so I don't like it.

Printed red through black in one day, my entire arm hates me still. I had my entire arm tensed to prevent slip ups. It's not so bad right now because my mom told me which med to take today, but I couldn't sleep on that side or my back very well last night. At least I didn't break skin when I stabed myself! I need to lay off crocheting, but that's how I decompress...

I will repost with individual pictures of each copy and the drawing on Monday, that's when the crit is anyway.

What I would do differently

Smaller egg, let the corners interact with each other a bit.

I would play with the idea of white clouds, or white with black highlights.

I would make the sun swirls part of the red gradient. I would also simplify their shape to make them easier to carve.

I would look at different ways to portray the cat. Maybe I would play with the idea of red eyes on the cat. Red claws to represent violence? Cause I'm not going to ever go all in on a horrific portrayal, hints have to do for kitty.

Multi colored and more consistent pebble bed. Maybe mossy rocks or sand with grasses growing in? Seeds? Arthropods to pull in yet another creation myth?

Duck would have a bill and a halo or some sort. There plenty of methods to imitate and explore.

I would play with the idea of defining individual rock structure on the volcano and the small waterfall.

Gemstones on the volcano?

Maybe not even do a volcano, and just make a black dragon on a mountain? Chinese style to keep up with the theme of creation?

Shade the reeds in gradients, maybe make thin red lines to imitate their texture?

Dragonflies by the reeds?

Green layer to add moss and lichen, as well as springtime pigments for the reeds as opposed to fall, can you even marble shades effectively in print making? Green detailing on the cat would start getting Erie.

Yggdrasil roots in the division, multi color highlights on yellow, tiny branch coming around to poke out by the sun?

Grey to black gradient instead of straight black for the outline?

Use a digital painting software instead of actualy carving it all. That's the only way I will play with this image again.

The Finnish Godess of Creaton

Luonnotar

Once the universe was comprised of three things.

There was nothingness, a vast unmeasurable abyss where not even a single star shone. The power of stillness was held in the dark expanse.

There was a river, a mysterious flow of swirling posability. The power and movement of the universe was held in the 'waters'.

And lastly, there was a girl. Luonntar was the daughter of the stillness of the abyss and the power of movement. She was alone, and there was nothing for her to do, no way to express herself, or to release energy, or even just simply enrich her life. She did not know companionship, so she did not know to be lonely. She did not sleep, nor did she truly live. She only felt emptiness. There was no pain to be felt, nor was there joy to be had.

Something changed. Something tightened in Luonntar's chest, as though her heart was hurting. Over another eternity she came to recognize the pain as desire. Into her emptiness had flowed a blind longing. She wanted something but she did not know what there even was to want. She wanted change, but because she never experienced anything but the same river and the same darkness, she had no idea what it was she wanted.

Slowly (as everything so far had), an idea budded in Luonntar's mind, the first idea ever in the universe. She jumped into the river and swam. She did not sink, but floated on the surface, looking back up to the darkness she had left from. This action permanently altered the universe, though seeing how took some more time (of corse). In the meantime the girl relaxed as she drifted through the river.

Then came a duck ((grapes are not involved in this myth stahp)) swimming up to Luonntar. A duck, in a universe where there had only ever been one being, now there were two! With Luonntar's change and wish, she changed the entire universe and a new world was created in which the duck could exist too.

The curious bird swam around the girl looking at the strange other being, the girl laying very still as she did the same. The duck climbed up onto Luonntar's warm knee and sat. Then something else happened, something so beautiful that Luonntar could not believe her eyes.

The duck layed three eggs there upon the goddess' knee because it was the only warm dry place in the entire universe, and the only place the future could hatch.

Luonntar kept so very still, anxious of the fragile life prched upon her knee. The duck warmed her clutch as they grew hotter and hotter as the future drew near.

Luonntar yearned for that future like she had never yearned before, bringing back the dull pain from before. She ignored it.

The eggs grew uncomfortably hot, the ducks featherstickled her, and the bebed feet left tiny scratches on her. She ignored it all.

Suddenly the duck shifted, her feathers tickling Luonntar and she couldn't help but to twitch reflexively. She did not mean to but it was enough. She watched horrified as the eggs tumbled into the river. She berated herself, fearing for the eggs. Would they sink forever out of sight? Would the future be lost?

Instead the eggs broke open. Marvels poured forth. The yolks joined into the sun and rose up into the abyss. The whites became a silver moon, rising as well. The tiny bits of the shells became the stars, scattered disjointed with the rest of the remains of the three eggs. In a world where only darkness had existed, light was born. It was magic.

Luonntar was changed by the magic, as she dove beneath the surface. Something was calling to her from the depths. It was the mud at the bottom. She grabbed handfuls and swam back to the surface. She molded a cone from the mud upon her belly and placed it on the surface of the river. It rose into the sky and became a mountain.

She dived again and again, returning to the surface to mold more new landscapes. She carved veins of rivers through the land, scooping out lakes. The stars watched in fascination. Inspired, they rearranged themselves into designs. The moon learned out to show its changing face to the earth.

As Luonntar built the land, life burst forth. Plants grew, creatures came to be. All life was the children of the new earth. When the goddess rested at long last and looked at the bright sky, the green foliage, and the lively children, she knew it was good.

((Adlibed from "Wild Girls" by Patricia Monaghan))