Flower Dust

(...) With a heavy, exhausted sigh, Anajhi walked back toward his room. Behind him, Beamya stared at his back as he headed for his bed, unsure of what to do. This conversation hadn't gone at all where she wanted it to, and now she was afraid of saying anything. It had always been so hard to tell how affected Anajhi was by events or shocking news; the walls he built around himself were solid fortresses. But since he had arrived here... those walls were breaking, and the ocean kept behind them was starting to leak out. The atrocities he had gone through, his own pent up emotions and unspoken words, the balls of anger and sorrow he had swallowed down over the course of two millenia of living... She could see it all now, and it was... disorienting.

Anajhi then turned back to her, and gestured her to come to him. With a slight hesitation in her legs, Beamya walked over, saying softly:

"Ani...-"

But when she was close enough, she was suddenly cut off when he wrapped both arms around her in a tight lock, freezing her in place. He lightly rubbed his muzzle against hers, in what she could only recognize as an Ikrouk Kiss, and her heart almost flew out of her chest when he did. He was holding her so tight... almost in desperation.

"I'm sorry," he breathed in her ear. "I didn't mean what I said..."

The words were few, but to her, they sufficed. She gladly returned the hug as a comforting warmth spread inside her, hoping that this very warmth would spread over to her friend; she smiled up to him.

"Apology accepted," she said. "But... please, Ani, don't hide your feelings from me like that. You know you can trust me... right? I know it's been a long time since we've been together... but I'm still Bea. You're not dreaming any of this, Ani."

It was his turn to smirk, with a short and dry chuckle, directed at himself.

"You're right. You'll have to forgive me, Bea... I just spent one thousand years not trusting anyone I met. This whole trust thing... is new to me. None of this feels real to me... except you."

He looked a bit to the side for a short moment, then separated from her; however, he instead held her hand in his, and pulled her with him onto the flower bed. She didn't protest, and followed him as the large petals laying around the bed began to move and engulf them. They both laid down on the soft cushions that made up the bed itself, while the petals closed on them and cast a warm light glow upon them. From the petals, glowing dust began to descend onto them, making them both drowsy and very much awake. Bea stared ahead in wonder as he leaned into her ear, to whisper...

"You know, Bea... The only reason I'm still alive is you. The thought of you alone gave me strength... and I want to thank you." (...)

I always wanted to do an intimate piece like this, but lacked the skills to pull it off. Now I feel much more confident about trying it out, and I don't regret it. This was also a style test to see which style I would go for in my Bound Fates comics. Something that doesn't involve heavy painting or thick lines, a nice mix of both. I like it!

Also, I don't think I've ever showed what Beamya looks like under her mask and coat. It's not a spoiler or anything, we actually see it quite early in the story so don't worry about them spoilers. I won't say what exactly she is though, now that would be a spoil.