This Started As Me Wanting To Draw Them As Old Men And Kind Of Spiralled From There…

Okay, so for the past few years whenever ANZAC Day comes around, I draw something Hetalia-related. And this time, I decided to focus on New Zealand! Because there weren’t be a ‘NZ’ in ‘ANZAC’ without them! 

Also, while researching for WW1 New Zealand uniforms, I came across the Bulford Kiwi - a giant chalk carving kiwi bird that was carved on the side of a hillside in England. And…according to Wikipedia:

“After the war was over the troops were eager to return home, but no troop ships were available. In the wake of riots by disaffected New Zealanders, officers decided that the troops should be kept busy carving an enormous kiwi into the chalk of the hill.”

And I think that’s just hilarious because it’s not just Australia who causes migraines for England!

When Nico and Will announced their quest to the camp, their reaction wasn’t all that surprising: everybody had thought they’d gone mad. People didn’t just go to Tartarus and come back with all of themselves intact. In fact, most didn’t come back at all. So for them to willingly go there? Nobody took it well.

Despite that, the campers still bid them goodbye with encouragement and “good luck”’s. As per tradition, the Apollo cabin prepared a shroud for Will. Since Nico didn’t have any siblings at camp, they made one for him, too. As days go by, the campers all wait in silent anticipation and worry for the return of their head medic and the child of hades they’ve grown fond of.

It was on the two week mark when they returned. The campers had a capture the flag game that night, when suddenly, Nico slipped out of the shadows, drenched in blood. Will wasn’t faring any better. They were rushed to the infirmary, where they were taken care of.

The next morning, Nico disappeared into his cabin and didn’t come back. Will brushed everyone off with a reassuring smile, explaining that Nico needed some alone time after what happened at Tartarus. Nobody thought much about it– the son of hades had a lot of demons to deal with after all.

Whatever progress Nico did before their quest was ruined. He reverted back to his previous self, to the Nico who refused to stay with others, to the Nico who hid in his cabin. He barely talked to the few friends he made at camp, either. With every passing day, his eye bags got darker, and his skin more pale looking. Nowadays, he was either in his cabin or reluctantly talking to Dionysus.

It was clear to everyone that Will tried his best to help Nico. He reminded him to eat, to sleep, he was there when he had night terrors, he often urged him to the infirmary if he got a little bit sick. Although Nico wasn’t in the best place mentally, he still managed weak smiles and tight hugs to convey his gratitude to his boyfriend.

Everyone tried their best to make Nico feel comfortable at camp, and not to cross any boundaries. They made sure to pay attention to his mood and what not. So much so, they didn’t notice that Nico wasn’t the only one who changed.

One moment nobody knew, and the next, the entire camp was whispering about it. It started when Austin received a camera from his mother for his birthday. He urged his siblings to pose for a family photo together, under the sun. When the photo was printed, he stared at it with a smile, admiring their happy faces and their shining eyes. That is until he noticed Will.

Will, just like everyone else, was smiling. His grin was wide and almost split his face in half, his left dimple popping out. It would have looked endearing, if it wasn’t for the fact that his blue eyes were dull, devoid of light. If Austin were to cover the bottom half of his brother’s face, his eyes looked even more… unsettling.

During dinner, he noticed it too. His brother talked and laughed just as usual, however, his eyes looked dull and almost… dead. They didn’t hold any emotion whatsoever, as if his laughs and teases were only for show… was it?

Austin talked about it to Kayla. Then Kayla mentioned it to her buddies at the archery range.

Next thing they know, the entire camp would subtly glance at the head medic’s eyes, and their worries were confirmed once they saw the dark and lightless blue staring into the horizon, as if he simply wasn’t there.

Almost too late, but I wanted to draw something quick for vicmas! My boy...

An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place or circumstance. > Revenge of Others (2022)

T H E G L O R Y 2022 || directed by Ahn Gil-ho

color palettes and the lovely aesthetics <3

remember you belong to me

this started with just alfred and arthur but then became a 1770s colonial!americas sketchdump. because i was just thinking how the american revolutionary war didn’t take place in a vacuum- all the resulting political developments did have an impact on other colonies too. and the inherent irony of the french and spanish empires supporting the 13 colonies, you know? 

(mexico and haiti are my ocs!)

I love so much these two

Tweets from Lyanna and Margaery

WW2 photo studies with a touch of color by yours truly 
Listen, I’m not a fan of the ‘Arthur’s grumpy all the time’ hc but WW2 was rough on him. That’s why I believe he tremendously appreciated Matthew’s presence. 
Matthew was one of his main pillars of strength, not so much in terms of reinforcements (though those certainly shouldn’t be overlooked) but in terms of emotional support. He was the one who knew how to deliver bad news and maintain his presence of mind in the face of them. 
Alfred on the other hand went into the war a bit shaken up but quickly regained his composure and even more quickly turned it into confidence. I imagine Arthur acted annoyed at his cockiness but deep down found it reassuring. 
ps The second reference I used was a photo of Roosevelt and Churchill and man those two are a treasure trove for Alfred and Arthur vibes.

victors instagram probably