Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

He was tired, stayed up late on his computer, didn't really end well when it came to the morning. Walking out of the basement groggily, running a hand through his hair as he sighed, overhearing two voices coming from the entrance to his house. Eyes looked around the corner, watching the scene before him, a young woman was speaking to his mum. Green hair which was pulled back into a half up half down ponytail with plaits going along the sides to meet the ponytail, fair skin with a light sprinkle of freckles across her cheeks, she was short in stature just about reaching 5’1 as well as having almost grey eyes from blue. Sebastian hadn’t really spoken to her, sure he’d seen her around, hauling seeds for Pierre’s or being dragged out the mines by Maru or Shane. Only reason he knew those two found her was because Maru mentioned it during dinner and his stepdad said that she was being reckless and Shane because he could hear him yelling at her from his spot by the river.

“Thank you so much for the extension, Robin! Felix really loves it. I’ve always enjoyed cooking and now I have a kitchen that's clean and the oven actually works.” From his distance he could see the smile on her face, it was strange having someone new in Pelican town, it was just becoming to the end of spring, she’d been her for a few weeks and she seemed to have settled well, her crops sometimes arrived at his house since Robin from time to time bought them. Sebastian sighed, listening in on the conversation wouldn’t have been interesting besides he needed to get back to his room after he got a drink. “Sebby! Come say hi.” What the fuck? I’m not six, I don’t need to greet everyone who comes through the door! Groaning slightly as he walked towards the farmer, she seemed equally uncomfortable as him. “Umm Hi, how are you.” 

I’m busy.” He saw her face drop slightly, his heart twinged slightly as she said ‘oh’, his eyes looked away as he began to turn away, Robin’s eyes staring into him as the farmer left. “That was rude, you shouldn’t have done that.”

“But I’m busy.”

“Too busy to ask her how she is? That doesn’t even take two seconds!”

—

Well that was unnecessary..

Artemis generally tried her best with everyone, providing cooked meals to Linus whenever she saw him, giving any left over crystals she had to Jas as she spent most of her time with Shane plus Demetrius was fascinated with doing experiments on her crops so anything she was storing she usually gave. She felt slightly hurt and annoyed but she didn’t have time for that right now. Now she had to save up to finally afford a coop, originally she had saved to afford her kitchen and now she had it. Walking down the path towards the town centre, heading for Shane’s house, he was finally comfortable with her entering his room so whenever he was off work he began stopping at his aunt's ranch before going to the saloon. “Art!” 

Merde, guess I lost track of time.

She had pretty much walked into him. “Watch where you’re going! This is why Linus or me keep finding you passed out in the mines! Yoba, be more careful!” He looked at her with a frown on his face, obviously displeased. Probably had a shitty day at work…he has a shitty day everyday at work.. The farmer reached into her bag, pulling something small out of it. “Will this make you smile?” She handed him a hot pepper, as he tried to hide the fact his eyes lit up at the sight of the spicy delight. “Fine, you’re off the hook, just watch where you’re going, Art.” He gave her hair a light ruffle, she usually hated people touching her hair but..no she still hated it, he messed up her plaits. The two began walking back towards the saloon, the two had more in common than they thought, both from the city and both had experience from Doja plus both of them hated it.

-

“HA! You’re so shit at this.” Sam always felt the need to state that whenever he won at pool, and everytime he did Sebastian only rolled his eyes. “Sooo, what do y’think about the new farmer?” Now he had his attention, he wasn’t really that talkative or what his mother would class as, that kind, towards the farmer..he wasn’t sure why she kept trying. “I don’t know.”

“Bet ya think she’s a cutie, I mean look at her.” Seb followed where his friend was pointing, there was the farmer sitting on a barstool next to what seemed to be Shane, it was weird to see him not in his corner. He hadn’t even seen her come in, the only other green haired woman in Pelican town was Caroline but the farmer's hair was a much deeper shade of green. “I don’t really know her.” He began moving around the table, setting up the pool table to play again, ignoring the fact that Sam was watching his every move. “If you don’t do anything I might.”

“She seems too cosy with Shane to do that, pretty sure I've seen her leaving Marnie’s farm in the morning, wearing his hoodie.”

“She could’ve just bought some animals or something.” Sebastian looked at him with uncertainty, a brow raised at him as he stared through his hair, eyes flashing towards the pair drinking at the bar. “I’ve been to her farm, went early this morning, mum wanted to drop a letter off to her, not a coop or barn in sight, just a bowl.” Now Sam looked away, back towards the two drinking. “Let’s go talk to them..order a pint.make it look normal.”

“No! It’d be way too obvious.”

“Are you jealous that Shane could be her boyfriend and not you?”

“Fuck you, I’m not fucking jealous, I don’t even know her.” He sounded like he was spitting venom at this point yet he followed his friend towards the bar, ordering two pints from Gus as they sat down on two barstools around the corner from the other two. “Oh here, you left this in my room the other night.” The boys peered into the conversation, watching as Shane pulled a green scarf from his pocket and wrapped it around the neck of the green haired woman. Her name is Art? Is it short for something? Sebastian nudged Sam, implying that he was right and it was true that the farmer was indeed sleeping with Shane. What does she see?? “So, Shane…gonna introduce your girlfriend?” The man nearly spit his beer out, cheeks flushed red, his ears reaching a hot pink colour. “What..my girlfriend..I don’t have..I don’t have a girlfriend..” His eyes looked away as he spoke, embarrassed by the words said by Sam. The farmer rested her hand on his shoulder, making sure he was ok and didn’t inhale any of his drink out of shock, which didn’t help the situation as it only made Shane flush even more red. “You ok?”

“Yeh..*cough* fine…”

“Oh shit, I gotta go. I’ll drop back at the ranch tomorrow, Jas wanted to play dress up, I’m sure you’d make an excellent princess, handsome.” Sebastian watched as she playfully grabbed his jaw and pulled it towards her as she laughed. Either he’s lying about sleeping with her or he’s absolutely enamoured by her. “Night!” With that she walked away, leaving 400g on the table for her bill. “What the fuck was that!?” Shane’s brows were furrowed, chugging the rest of his pint down, slamming the empty glass on the table. “I’m gonna go home, my mums going to worry if I don’t.” He left, not needing to leave any money as he hadn’t bought anything. It was probably best to leave before things got heated between Sam and Shane.

Had he actually missed his chance? I mean..she is good looking…shitt..the fuck am I going to do if I do end up liking her, she’s with Shane..I mean I don’t even know how he managed with her…he literally always told her to go away! “Meoww”

“Huh?”

“Meowwwww.”

The weather had gone downhill since he’d gone into the Saloon, rain had started pouring from the skies, creating puddles that the kids would love to jump in before Penny caught them. He pulled his hood up, it covered most of his hair..but the screeching was strange, there was a dog that Alex usually watched right next door and Seb could guarantee dogs didn’t screech like that. Walking around the side of the building to find a small tabby grey cat, soaked by the rain as it screeched. “Hey..it’s ok..come here.” He knelt down, holding his hand out in hopes to attract the cat over to him, happy when the cat came running over and rubbing its soft wet fur over his hand. “Felix? Seems a bit cliche to call a cat.” The cat’s collar was green underneath the name tag was a XF.. Xadian farm..It’s the farmer's cat.

“Come here, lil fella.” With that Sebastain put the cat under his hoodie, Felix’s head poking out of the head hole underneath Seb’s chin, quite happy to feel the warmth of a human body. “I’ll take you back to your home.” He began walking towards the farm, in his own little world as the furry beast was purring. He almost didn’t realise the woman running towards him. “Felixx? Felix!? Where are you?” 

“AH!”

“You should be more-”

“Careful, I know. Shane loves to make that clear. Petit merde."

She sighed, umbrella in hand as she looked back at him, finally realised that something he was holding gently through his hoodie was squirming. “Is that my cat?” Slowly he nodded, carefully removing the animal that was desperate to be in the arms of his owner. “Thank you so much, Sebastian! I thought I’d lost him!” He felt his heart jump as her hand accidentally brushed against his as she took Felix from him, that cat clinging onto her shoulder. “Hmm yeah no problem..” Artemis smiled sweetly at him and began to get ready to turn and walk away back towards her farm. “I want to apologise, you’ve been trying to be my friend and all I’ve done is be rude to you, you’ve given my frozen tears for fucks sake. I know those are really deep down in the mines..sorry.” His cheeks were pink as he apologised to her, wanting to avoid all eye contact with her.

“That’s ok..wait! I’ve never actually introduced myself. I’m Artemis, hence the nickname Art.”

Sebastian smiled at her, she was pretty cute but he wasn’t going to say that to Sam. I wonder if he’s going to have a black eye tomorrow..or will Shane have a black eye? “I also want to apologise for what happened between Shane and Sam, didn’t know you two were keeping your relationship low, it’s my fault really, told Sam I’d seen you leaving Marnine’s farm early in the morning before she wakes up in Shane’s clothes.” 

“Wait…hold on. Shane was telling the truth, nothing is happening. I stayed the night not because I’m sleeping with him but because I found him passed out drunk. I took his hoodie to fix it.” I’m so fucking stupid. Now he just felt embarrassed that he’d accused her of that.

“I am so sorry! I shouldn’t have assumed anything.”

He heard her sigh but she didn’t seem annoyed or angered by his mistake. “It’s ok. Just hope that it’s not some kind of gossip going around.” The air between became thick and uncomfortable, rain still slammed down against the ground, by the time Sebastian would make it back it would’ve soaked through his jumper. “I should get going, my mums going to worry, plus you could get sick if you’re out here too long.” 

“Take this, should keep you dryer.” Artemis handed him her umbrella, now rain began soaking through her hair and Felix was annoyed to have rain upon him once again. “Goodnight Sebastian, you uhh looked pretty cute with Felix in your hoodie..” He felt his heart race and his face go red. Yoba, I’m so thankful it’s dark out and she can’t properly see my face. “Night..Art-Artemis..”  He watched her return to her farm, his cheeks an uncomfortable amount of red as he began walking home..

-

It was the morning, being woken abruptly by his alarm he got up groggily, Artemis’s damp umbrella leaning against his wall which reminded him that A. He needed to return it and B. He was starting to gain a crush on the farmer. What did catch his eye that morning though was a sticky note on his desk, with a frozen tear next to it. Picking up the note as he began reading the neat, slanted handwriting.

Sebastian, just wanted to say thank you for bringing Felix home, I think he likes you. This is a thank you, don’t worry, Shane patched me up…we should have a picnic.

Artemis xx 

Once reading it he felt a grin spread across his lips, she had asked him on a date. Yep. He definitely had a crush on this farmer.

Chapter Text

Sebastian hadn’t heard from her in a few weeks, hadn’t seen her in the saloon, Marnie’s ranch, his own house, hadn’t seen her going to the mines. What if she’s trapped in the mines?! Injured and dying?! That was enough, enough to make him haul his ass out of his room and into the mines, he wasn’t doing this purely to see if she was joking about asking him on a date but because she was his friend and Shane might hurt him if she was dead. Once he entered the front of the cave a cold chill blew past him, hitting his skin through his hoodie. How does she spend hours here? It’s fucking freezing. He looked around, his eyes focusing on a pair before him. On the floor was a bloody Artemis that was unconscious and a very worried looking Shane that was holding her. “Come on, wake up! Please..Artemis please wake up..Can’t keep going…please for the love of Yoba wake up..” It wasn’t long until the coughing and spluttering of blood happened, the farmer had awoken and rolled out of her friend's arms to cough up the metallic tasting liquid onto the rocky floor. He could see some injuries, part of her jaw had blood dripping from it and her yellow jumper had been dyed red on her arm…

Had it not occurred to her she could die here?

Shane had already snatched her into a hug, neither of them had noticed Sebastian who felt like he was intruding on something. “Yoba..I thought you were dead. What were you thinking, you’re destroying yourself in these caves. You need to notice when you're tired or hurt! I can’t..lose you Artemis..” Shane tried holding back his tears, this one woman, who just got a farm from a will had changed his life. Everytime he was found passed out drunk she either hauled him to his room or to her farm. She was his best friend..one of the only people who cared. The pair pulled apart as grey eyes fell on him. “Sebastian?” He could slightly see the light blush that went across her cheeks. “Hey..I came looking for you..are you alright?” Shane had his arms under hers, hoisting her off of the floor, letting her lean against him for support. “Oh yeah, nothing unusual. I should get back to my farm and rest up, Yoba knows Felix might have used my bed as a scratch post.” Her lips formed a weak smile. They look very soft…like I could kiss them and it would be like I was kissing a cloud…Wait. What?

After she had hobbled out Sebastian felt a bit empty, it had been three weeks since her letter, now he wasn’t expecting her to turn up on his doorstep at dusk prepared to take him out but it just felt awkward? Was she expecting him to? He could.. Was she just kidding..?  

-

Shane hadn’t spoken to her for the entire walk, just keeping his eyes ahead. Her eyes glanced towards his face, his jaw was tense and she could see his stained cheeks. Reaching her door, she clumsily unlocked it, allowing her friend to push it open and guide her to her bedroom and into bed. He still didn’t speak to her, taking her sword and pickaxe and leaning them against the wall, then taking her items out of her bag and storing them into her chests. “Shane?”

“What?” Maybe it was a bit more harsh sounding than he intended.

“I’m sorry.” She could see his muscles become tense up before loosening, walking over to her. She could see how stern he was by his eyes. It wasn’t long until she once again felt his arms around her, clinging onto her like Felix does when she carries him when it’s raining. “I can’t lose you. Please. Please be more careful.” Artemis could feel his back shake as he held her, she knew he relied on her, she relied on him. Went with him to therapy, helped him pick out a present to apologise to Jas. It was winter now, she had received seeds from completing part of the community centre but it wasn’t enough to keep her going so she spent most of the time in the mines…avoiding Sebastian.

“I will. You know I can’t leave Alex or Felix, nor you.”

She could see a grin on his face, happy that she might actually try harder to keep herself from dying in the mines. “I’ve got to go home, call if you need anything, k’ay” His hand met her hair and ruffled her green bangs, giving a quick smile before shoving his hands in his pockets and leaving. “Well that wasn’t a good day.” 

Her injuries weren’t serious enough to end her up with Harvey. (Which she was happy about because she didn’t want to lose even more money.) So she simply turned over and curled up in her sheets, she didn't have a fireplace in her room which caused her to shiver now that it was winter. Not even Felix was staying in her bed that often anymore, sure the cat loved her but he wanted to be warm just as much as she did. At least she did manage to get some sleep, her alarm playing a song to wake her up at her usual time 6:00am . Artemis felt groggy and sore, her muscles screamed for her to take a rest day but she didn’t have time for that. The green head was becoming more and more desperate for money, raking up money was difficult when running a farm…. At least in the city I had a constant source of income…with a broken kitchen..no boiler..living off of instant noodles..maybe living here is ok. “Hey Artemis? You in?” 

Oh shit shit shit!

To be perfectly honest..Artemis didn’t look presentable. Halfway through the night she had woken up, changed into pyjamas and gone back to bed. Now Sebastain was knocking on her door as she had an oversized hoodie on, and shorts..in winter plus her hair was all over the place as she had smudged eyeliner by her eyes. She didn’t drink coffee, all her coffee was given to Harvey. It wasn’t like she had a choice but open the door..unless she just continued avoiding him? 

-

Sebastian was cold and tired. It was 6:15 in the morning for fucks sake. He stood on a snowy decking, his hands in his pockets fiddling with his lighter. “Artemis?” She is avoiding you, you idiot. Maybe I should check her coop. With that he moved away from her door, poking his head into the coop, keeping one foot in the door to avoid her chicken, Alex, from escaping. She’s not in here either..OW! You fucker! Her chicken was pecking violently at his shoe, obviously insulted that A) It wasn’t Artemis coming to feed her B) It wasn’t Artemis 

He sighed, slightly angered by the fact she wasn’t answering the door, he knew for a fact that she wouldn’t have left yet, it was too early for her to be charging towards the mines. Pulling a piece of paper from his pocket and throwing it into the snow, lightly a cigarette and leaving, blowing smoke into the frosty morning.

-

“Shit..” She was avoiding him for a reason. Maybe I was too forward..He seems anxious and well fuck. I might as well just have given him a mermaid's pendant.. She groaned and hit her head against her door, groaning again upon the impact of the wood. Artemis went about her morning, dressing and feeding her chicken, her foot knocking something along the way of returning the hay to a chest. “What the? Has someone been littering!?” She picked up the slightly soggy cold bit of paper that had been screwed into a ball, reading the words along the sheet, noticing all the lines that had been crossed out. 

Dear Artemis,

I’m not sure what to do with this, or really how to say it? So I'm writing to you obviously. It’s pretty cold during winter isn’t it. Fuck I’m staling. You.

I think that

Frogs are cool

Fuck! 

Listen, you’ve seen my bike right? I said I could take you for a ride sometime..do you wanna. If you do, meet me at 8pm at my house, tonight, I should be outside. The weather doesn’t matter.

Sebastian.

“You are such an idiot, Artemis.” She mumbled to herself, her cheeks dusting red imagining what it would be like to ride on his motorbike, her arms wrapped around him and her face pressed against his back, feeling the warmth from him- Nope! There was no time for daydreaming. Pocketing the letter and returning inside by now it was 7. She’d been out for a while. The woman had collected her mail, read through them, accepting the quest and pizza Shane had somehow shoved into her mailbox. Huh? Clint wants an amethyst for Emily. She sighed heavily, the only way for her to get to said mines was to pass Sebastian's house. Kissing Felix on the head, earning a happy mew and purr in return, grey eyes flashing onto a picture frame, a young man with black hair, dimples and hazel eyes. His arm wrapped around an Artemis from a few years back, her 21st birthday wasn’t long ago. I was seventeen then…God Felix why’d you not listen to me. We could’ve been here together. 

Now wasn’t the time for reminiscing on the past, she had a farm to run and feelings to push away, maybe I should join Shane tonight..What about Seb? Shaking her head in annoyance, Artemis could figure that out later. Carrying two crystal fruits, her skeleton bone sword and copper pickaxe. Sure it was very little food but she always claimed she’d be ok. “Morning Farmer!” Robin waved as she passed by, it wasn’t unusual for Artemis to pass the woman. Waving gently and flashing a smile she continued to the mines, reaching the lift and going to level 95. Ok. You got this! Gotta get to 100, hopefully 105! Pulling her sword ready to encounter the monsters that lurked…

Sebastian was quiet throughout his dinner, not uttering a word, anxiously waiting to see if Artemis would arrive at eight although he had thrown the paper away, there was always a chance. He leaned against his bike, arms crossed as smoke rose from his nostrils, he figured that out a few months ago when smoking. 8:15. She’s not coming. “Oh Sebby!” His eyes flashed to the front door where his mother stood. “You by any chance haven’t seen the farmer have you? I saw her this morning going to the mines but I haven’t seen her since then.” 

He shook his head. Probably fucking Shane. Although he knew that wasn’t true, that the farmer felt little to no romantic attraction to the guy, he couldn’t help but feel like there was something there. “The farmer? I haven’t seen her, she hasn’t come down by the community centre today.” Maru had overheard them from her telescope, nobody had seen her. “Oh dear, I’ll call Marnie and ask for her to put Shane on.”

It wasn’t long before it was ringing, before Robin handed Seb the phone. 

“Hello?”

“Who is this?” Shane sounded like he was stuffing his face with something (pizza).

“Sebastian, I wanted to know if Artemis is with you, nobody’s seen her for a while.”

“She’s not with me, I swear to Yoba if she’s hurt I’ll- Yes Jas you can have ice cream, no not for dinner!”

“Shane?”

“Find her or I swear I’ll..Just find her. I can’t leave Jas, Marnie’s out.”

The call ended abruptly after that, Robin and Maru had both left to do their own things, leaving him alone in the cold. I’ll check the mines. 

On the floor was a bloody Artemis

It was only a few days ago he’d seen that, causing his steps to become quicker and his breath to deepen, aggressively pressing her most recent floor level, 105, and only finding a ladder down, a trail of blood leading the way. Oh shit..no. Sebastian continued to follow the trail of blood, which was also followed by a slime trail and bats wings here and there. It wasn’t until his eyes saw a scene that made his blood run cold, against the wall was Artemis. Clutching her side as the yellow material of her jumper was stained red, her fingertips following  the same colour except her skin wasn’t a warm sort of pale but instead a sickly colour. He dropped to his knees, removing her from the wall and lying her down, desperate to find out that she was still breathing, letting out a sigh of relief when he felt uneven warm breaths brush against his hand.

Come on..you’ve got to be ok. 

Sebastian's hands reached under her legs, one hand supporting her back as she nestled into him, the bloody side of her body beginning to soak his own hoodie. Practically falling out of the mines into snow once the lift reached 0, if breaking down Harvey’s door was what was going to help the girl in his arms then so be it. His feet felt heavy as he ran past the community centre, nearly tripping over steps as he missed them to be quicker, now he was slamming his fist against the doctor’s door. “What is the meaning of this!? It’s 10pm! I don’t-”

The fear and worry in Sebastian’s eyes as well as the bleeding woman in his arms indicated that this was an emergency, that Artemis needed help.

-

“She’s going to be ok.”

Harvey had forced Seb to return home the previous night, not wanting any distractions while he worked on cleaning and stitching the wound. “Is she awake?” The doctor peaked around the curtain to see her awake, staring off into space. “Yes, you can see her.” He was quick to take the chair beside her bed, alerting her that he was there, worry still filling his eyes. “Morning..” He nodded in return, afraid that if he spoke he’d wake up, that she hadn’t been ok..that she was dead. “I’m so sorry Sebastian..sorry for not being there last night, for the mines..for avoiding you.”

“It’s ok..please just be careful ok, why have you been avoiding me, Arty?”

Arty

I love you, Arty

She could see the stupid grin of Felix, his dimples showing.

“I was…afraid. Afraid that I’d been too forward..so I avoided you..nobody’s called me that in a long time.”

She was just as afraid as he was. “What..Arty?” She replied with a simple noise, grey casting away towards the white sheets of the hospital bed. “I used to know somebody..I was sixteen and he was too. We started off as friends. Then we got close..really close. His name was Felix, he died when I was eighteen. He called me Arty.” It wasn’t hard to notice that Felix hadn’t just been a friend, but a boyfriend. “I’m..sorry. Artemis. I should’ve just kept to Art.”

“No..it’s ok, I prefer not to talk about it.”

“That’s ok, I’m just happy you know..you’re still here..and not in the mines.” Artemis could see the light blush of pink tint across his cheeks, she felt her adrenaline begin to rise as she reached for his hand, feeling their fingers become encased with one another, his thumb beginning to brush against her knuckles. Now it was her turn for a blush to flutter across her cheeks. Their eyes watched one another, ever move, every glance until…

“Yoba! You could’ve died! What have I told you!”

“Oh dear, my poor Artemis, you’ve got to be more careful.”

“You’d never leave me..right Aunty Artemis?”

The hands split quickly with the over flow of people entering through the curtain, although their eyes didn’t stay off each other for long.

-

“Good evening.”

Artemis smiled at him, her green scarf loosely lay across her shoulders as she stopped before him, this time he was still leant against his bike but no cigarette. “You ready?” With a curt nod she got on after him, her arms around his waist as he began driving. Holy shit! My imagination was on point..What do I do? Stay still and calm, Artemis! The scenery was beautiful, while her scarf flying in the wind was slightly annoying it didn’t distract her from A) The beauty she could see B) Sebastian.

He came to a stop on a cliff edge, onlooking the city she had once lived in. “What do you think?” The lights from the city and the moon from the non-polluted area was enough to illuminate the area, a small smile on his face. “It’s beautiful, it’s so much different seeing it from here than it is there.” She didn’t notice while she spoke his eyes watching her, a blush growing heavy on his cheeks. “Y’know..I don’t bring girls here often, in fact..you’re the first one.” Her eyes met his face, while his eyes avoided her gaze, wanting so desperately to get the words out. “You know what I’m trying to say, right?” 

His eyes flicked back to hers, one hand reaching up to cup her face as their lips met, both of them sinking into the kiss, Sebastian’s other hand found its way to her waist while hers rested on his shoulders. She tastes like strawberries.. While what Artemis could taste was more displeasing, cigarettes, it just felt so Sebastian that it was something she could get used to, quickly. The two broke apart, small breaths shared between them as half lidded eyes watching one another. 

Her hands moved from his shoulders down slowly, causing a wild red blush to appear on his face, only for her fingers to curl around the strings of his hoodie, pulling him down to meet her lips again. He copied her movements but instead used her scarf to pull her closer to him.

“Wow..”

Artemis heard him chuckle at her comment, by no means was it a picnic, but it was something they could both cherish. For now, and many other dates to come.

Chapter Text

“So you guys are official?” Artemis swallowed the beer he’d handed her, whenever they needed to talk they’d sit on the decking, drink and talk. “No..no bouquets have been given so no?” The way Pelican town did things confused her, she had never lived in a village where you presented someone with flowers and if they accept, boom! Relationship. Artemis stared into the pond below, she knew where to get a bouquet, Pierre had sent her a letter about it. “Hmm.” Shane avoided eye contact with her, he’d heard the fact they’d kissed, that Sebastian would take her out on night time drives on his bike he knew he was jealous, jealous of how Sebastian could make her smile like that. He’d figured out that he wanted to give her a bouquet the night she’d first gone on Seb’s bike, sure it had crushed him, that the first good thing to happen to him in months was taken away but Shane wanted her to be happy, and if that wasn’t with him then..that’s ok..but if Sebastian ever hurt her he would most likely find some sketchy Joja mart food he could feed him.

“I should get going. Good night, Shane.” 

Once she had left..he finished the bottle of beer..and many more.

It was much colder that morning, Artemis had left her house, looking at the scarecrows that had no work to do as she had no crops, her bee house empty so she had no profit from honey but at least Felix was happily purring around her legs. The green head walked into her coop, her new chick, Apollo, was pecking around as she collected the egg from Alex. Placing the one item into the bin a figure walking down the path towards Xadian Farm. It was Sebastian, smoking as he came closer, tapping the cigarette into the snow to get rid of some ash. She had to admit..he looked quite cute. He had a coat around his hoodie  and a woolly hat with a bobble on it. The hat white and light grey with a darker shade of grey woven in whilst his coat was black. “Mornin” He smiled whilst his cigarette remained in his mouth. The two had planned a day out around the valley. “Morning! You ready?” Seb nodded, putting the cig out and binning it. 

Sebastian knew she was struggling for money, he could see how tired she was but she was always up at 6:30 everyday and dragging herself outside. He watched as she fawned over her chickens, he found it quite cute, slightly confused by the blue on from the three but not taking it in too much. “What are their names?” He already knew the white one was Alex. “Well you know that one, brown one is Apollo and my newest member my beautiful blue baby, is called Ari.” He chuckled lightly to himself, watching as she gently shuffled the chickens back into the pen and closing the hatch.

He waited for her to walk up to him, he looked around at her farm, seeing her progress of development with the deforesting, he already knew she kept seeds to replant trees for a constant flow of wood. “You’re really changing this place aren’t you?” She turned away to look at her farm, an upgraded house, a barn, a silo and her overrun farm becoming less and less. Completely unaware of Seb taking a few steps back with a snowball in his hand. Artemis turned to face him only to have snow cover her face. “Oh you’re on.” He did his signature smirk that spoke that she would absolutely not win. 

Artemis grabbed snow and hauled it at him, hitting him in the chest as he began to run to her, only causing her to run away, the green head believed she was making progress until she felt arms wrap around her waist, stopping her from moving with a tight grip. “Noo, come on!” She felt the vibrations of his laugh against her back, causing a light blush to tint her face, he was so much taller than her. “Think I win this one.” She felt him right next to her, quietly whispering into her ear. It wasn’t until she felt the impact of the ground she laughed. Above her looked down brown eyes and a gentle smile. “That was hardly a snowball fight.”

“If you hadn't run, you wouldn’t be on the floor.” 

“You’re such an asshole! It’s so cold!” Her voice swayed with a laugh as she saw a bemused smile twitch on his lips.

“You’re so pretty, Artemis.”

His voice went back to a whisper, his body trapping her into the snow, Artemis felt her cheeks flush, she wasn’t expecting that. Yoba, he's something else… Hands, which did not have gloves, reached up to his poorly placed scarf, pulling on the two ends harshly so his lips met hers. Sebastian’s eyes widened before quickly closing, applying more pressure into the kiss as Art’s grip on his scarf loosened. The pair broke apart, small breaths between the pair as Seb watched her, snow laced its way through green hair, red flushed cheeks from the snow or the kiss whichever one he would never know and half lidded eyes. “We..We should go inside, it’s freezing! If I die of frostbite it's on you.”

Sebastian had removed his coat and scarf as well as his bobble hat which Artemis found quite amusing. Currently he sat in his signature hoodie and jeans, sitting on her yellow sofa in front of the TV with her stone fireplace to the side of it. Artemis had changed into her green hoodie that she slept in and boy shorts, she had joined him on the sofa. The fire crackled, warmth flowing through the room as well as being the only source of light. “Artemis?” She replied with a simple hum, not moving her head to meet his eyes, both of them staring into the TV, the Queen of sauce playing. “Would you ever consider getting married?” Shit, shit, shit. Why did I ask that? She’s not even my girlfriend, I haven’t presented her with a bouquet.. “I’d like to one day. Kids maybe, haven’t really thought of them. What about you?”

“I’d like to get married, leave, go to the city and get married. Like you I haven’t thought of kids.” He felt her go rigid at his mention of the city, sure she said the lights were pretty but she had moved away from the city. Fuck. That could be my chance of marrying her gone, she doesn’t want to go back. “Why do you want to leave so badly?” 

“Don’t know. Freedom?”

Artemis bit her tongue, she knew the city but she didn’t want to crush his dreams. A shiver ran over her body, many would call her slightly crazy for wearing shorts in winter. “Hey, are you cold? Come here.” Sebastian moved his arm to rest on the top of the sofa, allowing Art to move and curl her body into his. How is he so warm? He looked down to meet grey eyes looking at him, moving from his own eyes to his lips, then to his jawline, moving along it until she was met with his lips again. Instead of her eyes on them, her lips were on them as Sebastian had moved in to kiss her. Artemis kissed him in return, one hand cupping his cheek softly. It didn’t take long for her to put her legs either side of him and straddle him, their lips barely breaking apart, only for them to take a breath. Her fingertips brushed against the short hairs at the back of his neck, twirling her fingers into the slightly longer strands. She could feel his breath becoming stronger, his hands gripping into her waist.

“Yoba Art, how..are you so..beautiful.”

Sebastian felt her legs tighten around him, her hands gripping at his hair in response to what he said. His hands moved down her waist, gently lining her figure, his lips moving from hers and to her neck, softly biting down on her skin earning a delectable sound. His hands continued their way down her body, resting on her thighs gripping at the soft skin that met his hands. “Seb..” She arched her back when he bit down on where her neck met her shoulders, Artemis could feel him smile against her, a vibration of his chuckle moving through her. The green head jumped when she felt cold hands on the skin of her waist, Sebastian toyed with the skin that met his fingers, making sure to not play with the scarring on her body, yet he found it amusing with every cold touch, she jolted like she'd been struck by electricity. His lips had moved from her neck back to her lips, applying more pressure than before, running cold fingers across warm skin, inching his way up..

Someone had knocked something off a counter, creating a smashing sound. The pair spilt apart, Sebastian’s hands removing themselves from under Art’s hoodie. “Felix!” Felix, her grey cat, was sitting on the kitchen counter, looking at the floor where there was a smashed plate that once had sashimi on it, his tail fluffed up out of fear. Artemis stood up and walked to the kitchen, finding a dustpan and brush as she cleaned up the mess, Sebastian not far behind, wanting to make sure she didn’t stand on any. After binning the ruined plate and giving Felix a tickle around the ears she turned back to her..guest. He had his coat on, his bobble hat and once again, a poorly placed scarf.

“I have to go, Art.”

A kiss

“My mums going to go mad otherwise.”

Another kiss

“I’ll see you tomorrow, k’ay.”

A final kiss.

After quietly closing the door, his lips tasting like pomegranates and lighting a cigarette he walked through the snow, tugging lightly at his scarf which Artemis had fixed for him towards Pierre’s, there was something he wanted. “Hey! No smoking in the store!” Pierre always hated that Sebastian smoked, mainly because he was friends with Abigail, didn’t want a ‘bad influence’ on his daughter.. “Fine, fine. Not like it's going to burn the whole building down.” He walked up to the front, his hands fumbling for the money in his pockets. There were two other people in the store with him, Shane, who had given him a look which said that Shane wanted to punch him and Abigail who smiled and waved. “Do you have any bouquets left?”

“Sure do! 200g.”

Handing over the money for the colourful assortment of flowers, he left the store, only to feel a hand on his shoulder. Turning around he was met with the stern eyes of Shane. “I’m guessing those are for Artemis?” Sebastian raised a brow before nodding, they were indeed for her, he took note of Shane’s hand curling into a fist before releasing. “Just take care of her, she deserves it.”

“You want to give her a bouquet, don't you?”

“Who wouldn’t.”

Sebastian watched Shane as he gave a defeated look, Artemis had been there for Shane throughout everything. “I’m sorry.” Eyes flashed to him before he started speaking again. “It’s ok. I gave her Ari not too long ago as a thank you.” 

“You’re a good friend to her. She really cares about you, Shane.” He gave a small smile and thanked Sebastian before walking towards his aunts while Seb began walking towards the mountains, bouquet in hand.

It was the morning of the next day, Artemis was already outside feeding her chickens and giving Felix a scratch around the ear, reminiscing of the sofa scene of the day before, causing her cheeks to flush red. I need to get more hay, I should go to Marnie’s. Wrapping herself up in her scarf and leaving, she hadn’t chopped down enough trees in order to go through her farm so the longer distance was better. “Arty!!” Jas jumped up into her, wanting a hug from her favourite neighbour. Artemis felt a kick to the stomach, she still wasn’t used to hearing that nickname again, it felt foreign to her, just brought back memories of Felix. Of their argument. “Hey..sorry about that.” Jas had already ran off again, now Shane was hugging her, holding her tightly to himself. “It’s ok, I’ll get used to it. How are you not cold!? Put a damn coat on, you’ll catch a fucking cold!”

“Pleasant as always, Art.”

The two walked inside, Shane and Jas going to the kitchen, whilst Artemis spoke to Marnie, ordering some more hay for her silo. Walking into the kitchen once Marnie had left to go see..Lewis.. “Here, made you some coffee.” He gave her a quick smile, his ears tinting pink at the slight touch of her hand against his, reminding himself that she didn’t like him that way..she liked Sebastian. “Arty? Where are those bruises from? Did you get into a fight…Did..did someone hurt you?” The young child was pointing to her neck, Shane’s eyes flashing with spite before he started laughing. Artemis’s hand reached up to her neck, wincing slightly.. Shit…Sebastian! “Oh yeah, Artemis had a.. ’fight’.. ” He doubled over once she elbowed him, giving him a stern yet playful look. “Don’t worry kiddo, it’s nothing.” Pulling her scarf slightly at the embarrassment. Jas only shrugged before going to her room to play with her toys.

“It wasn’t like that..”

“So you two didn’t-”

“No.”

“Would you?” 

“If Felix hadn’t knocked a plate off the kitchen counter. Probably.”

Once again Shane laughed, sipping on his coffee. While Artemis ignored him and continued drinking her coffee. “I need to get something from Pierre’s, see you soon.”

Sebastian sat at his desk, finishing off a program. He felt too anxious to give Artemis the flowers, Shane supported him and no doubt his mother would but he just didn’t know how?

Looking away from his computer screen towards the flowers in a vase of water on his chest of drawers, still looking fresh and happy, the last thing he wanted to do was give her a wilted bouquet. Someone knocked on his door, saying that they could come in when the door opened. “Hey Seb!” His eyes looked up from his screen to see one of his friends. “Oh, hey Abi.” The purple head kept her hands behind her back, not that Sebastian took much notice of that. Abigail’s eyes flashed to the bouquet next to her, feeling her heart rate begin to increase.

“I got you something..”

She sat on the sofa, not resting her back as her hands remained there. Seb got up from his desk chair and sat next her, an inquisitive look on his face. “Here!” He felt his heart tighten, this wasn’t what he wanted. Abigail had presented him with a bouquet. “Oh..Abi..I-.I can’t.”

“What? But you bought one yesterday.”

“They’re..for someone else.” His hand reached the back of his neck, running his fingers along the shorter hairs, feeling a small cut.. Artemis..her nails.. This was awkward, the air in the room had thickened. Her hands went to her lap, the bouquet dropping a few petals onto his floor. “They’re for Artemis aren’t they? The farmer.” He nodded slowly, casting his eyes away. He didn’t want to hurt his friend, but he didn’t want to lie to her either. “I’m sorry, Abi.” She didn’t look at him..she felt just as awkward. “I thought she was fucking, Shane. They’re inseparable, that one night at the saloon, she grabbed his face and called him handsome.”

Sebastian thought back to that night, Sam was tempted to hit on her and dragged him along, only to find out in the rain that they were not..although Shane liked her. “They’re friends. She helped him with alcohol and she was just there for him.” She nodded, still not meeting his eyes. Seb opened his arms, offering a hug to comfort her, which she accepted, it didn’t last long before she pulled away. “You’re a good friend, Seb. She’ll be good for you.”

She left not too shortly after, giving him time how exactly he was going to give Artemis the flowers.

Artemis was walking back and forth, a bouquet on her table (Luckily Felix was asleep on the sofa.) She didn’t know how to give it to him, she wanted to..but was she really ready? Would her dead boyfriend, Felix, be happy she’s moving on? Her thoughts snapped at the sound of gentle knocking on her door, peeking her head out her bedroom window to see who it could be at 7:40pm. It was Sebastian. Her door opened and she greeted him with a smile, earning one in return. After closing the door, she quickly stood in front of her table, covering the flowers with her body. “What can I do for you?” He had one hand in his pocket and another behind his back, when she was looking out the window she couldn’t see anything.

Artemis’s eyes watched his body language, he seemed uncomfortable and awkward, more so than usual. “Are you ok?” His heartbeat quickened, her voice sounded so concerned about him. Ok..here I go. Sebastian moved his arm from behind his back, presenting her with a beautiful assortment of flowers. He had given her a bouquet.. “Seb..” 

“Seb..”

Pushing the thoughts back from how his name coming from her sounded from the previous evening and focusing on her in the present moment..was she..rejecting him? He watched as she reached behind her, presenting him with a bouquet. “I got this for you..” She watched as he smiled, a single dimple on his left cheek as she smiled in return. His eyes flashing to her neck as his cheeks flushed red. “Did..did I do that?” His hand pushed her hair back to get a better look at her neck, unaware of his now girlfriend’s cheeks becoming flustered. “Yeah..It’s ok though.” She placed her hands on his chest, kissing him gently as his hand became entangled in her hair.

The couple sat outside on her decking, feet in the snow, watching as the sun set over her farm. A golden warm glow sat upon the snow, giving their surroundings a tranquil atmosphere. Artemis reached down and cupped some snow in her hands, her boyfriend unaware of what was happening, too entranced by the scenery before him..only to have snow pushed into his face. “There. I’m happy now.”

Sebastian simply pushed the snow off his face, leaning over and kissing her slowly yet gently. “Ok, I’ll get you back soon, darling.”

Chapter Text

It was now her second year of living in Pelican town, summer, meaning that she was growing hot chilli peppers, well..should be currently tending to them. Meanwhile Artemis was awake and reading a book in her bed, an arm of her boyfriend wrapped around her waist preventing her from leaving. One hand held onto the book whilst the other hazily played with Sebastian’s hair as he slept in. “Mm mornin’” Distracted from her literature she looked towards him, his voice in the morning always sounded gravely. “Morning.” Sebastian sat up, leaning his back against her headboard as he looked towards what she was doing. “What genre are you reading?” 

“Romance.”

“Ugh that's boring!” His comment was sarcastic, he knew she also enjoyed fantasy and sci-fi like him but she also had a large interest in romance, meet cutes.. Everything that he wasn’t. “Oh shut up. Put a shirt on!” She teased him, putting the book down and leaving the comfort of her warm bed, leaving him cold from her warm body as she slept in a hoodie and boy shorts. Sebastian watched as she left, admiring her, he surely didn’t know how she ended up being his girlfriend, why she chose him. Throwing on a plain black t-shirt, and following her, Felix was already purring around her legs, wanting something to eat. Artemis held out a cup of coffee, he accepted his with a smile, eyes moving along her neck, marks still decorated her skin, the first ones had cleared but he didn’t care. He just put more. “Hey Seb, can you get Felix’s treats? They’re in the drawer on my side of the bed.” He nodded, placing his mug down whilst she started preparing some breakfast for the pair of them, pulling open her drawer to find a mostly empty packet of cat treats and a  photo frame faced down as well as postcards with a hair tie wrapped around them. He knew he shouldn’t, that if it was something she kept hidden she wasn’t ready or was hurting, but fuck that. Curiosity is what killed the cat.

Sebastian pocketed the treats in his pyjama bottoms and lifted the photo frame out of the drawer, turning it over to see two people, one with green hair reaching just past her shoulders, grey eyes, freckles dotting across fair skin and a smile. Holy shit, that's Artemis..her hair is shorter now. Sebastian took note of a ring on her ring finger… Was she engaged?  There was a young man standing next to her, an arm wrapped around her as he was kissing her cheek. He wore a jacket supporting a grid-ball team, black unruly hair, slightly tanned skin, as if he spent too much time in the sun. The photo frame had an engraving.

Artemis and Felix. Aged 16 

For my Arty X

It clicked pretty quickly for Sebastian to realise who he was, it was Artemis’s ex-boyfriend, Felix, she had also told him that he’d died when they were eighteen. Putting the photo back where he found it and now pulling the wad of postcards out. The address was not one he recognised. Must’ve been when she lived in the city..   There were multiple, scruffy handwriting, words devoted to Artemis, of plans, how much he loved her.. He didn’t know how he died, or what happened between them, if he died while they were together or died after they broke up…if they did break up. He turned over the wad to find a letter, pulling it out and taking note of the fact the letter was not the same address as the postcards..plus it wasn’t Felix’s handwriting, it was Artemis's, her slanted neat handwriting.

To Felix,

You won’t ever receive this my love but I’m sorry. I’m sorry for our argument that day, I’m sorry I didn’t see you as often as I’d like to. I loved you so much, Felix but I think I’ve moved on, I moved. My grandfather left me his farm in Pelican town, It’s in Stardew Valley. Y’know I told you I never thought I’d end up in the countryside again.. There’s this guy Felix, his names Sebastian, I think you would have liked him. I also adopted a cat, he looks like the one we were planning to adopt, named him Felix…It’s coming up to the day I lost you, Summer 9th..I don’t know how much longer I can deal with it. I miss you so much, everyday. 

I’m sorry you ever met me Felix, maybe you’d still be alive..

Yours, Arty

The letter didn’t look old and slightly ruined, it looked new. Like she had written it recently. “Seb? Did you find them?” His hands fumbled, his heart rate increasing out of panic, hoping Artemis wouldn't find him snooping through her personal things. “Yeah, I’ll be right out.” Closing her drawer and walking back towards the kitchen, the sizzling smell of bacon sandwiches floating through the room. “Here boy.” Sebastian knelt down, offering a few treats to the feline who accepted them happily. “He really likes you, I mean after all you did take him out of the rain.” The cat purred around him before walking away to sleep in front of the fireplace. Seb felt anxious around her now, knowing that her ex-boyfriends anniversary of dying, he knew how much she once cared for him and by reading Felix’s postcards he could see how much he loved her. The couple had eaten their food, Seb washing up to help out. “So, Art. You got anything coming up soon?” Maybe pushing her wasn’t right. Has she forgotten, does she care? 

Artemis flinched, closing her eyes and counting back from ten as she tried to even her breathing, her fingernails digging into her palms, all of this happening without Sebastian being able to see. “No. Nothing. Nothing is happening in a few days.. Why? Did you want to go on a date?” She seemed hesitant, plus she was avoiding eye contact with him. “Maybe, are you ok?” Art simply hummed, stroking Felix’s fur to calm herself down as he had joined her on her sofa. He didn’t believe her but she didn’t want to talk, and he wasn’t going to force her… maybe..maybe Shane will know more. Of course he didn’t want to go behind her back, snoop more but this was something that meant a lot to her, someone who meant a lot to her.

“You said yesterday you ran out of hay, I’ll go by Marnie’s and pick some up k’ay.” He walked over to her as she tilted her head back, leaning it over the back of the sofa as he leaned down to kiss her, gentle and soft, almost as if he was afraid to break her..Seb’s hand traced her jaw, speaking softly and quietly to her. “I’ll be back soon, darling.” Before he let he gave one more kiss, not wanting to leave her alone.

Although it was summer, Sebastian still opted to wear his hoodie, despite all the strange looks he received, he was happy for Sam that Kent had returned, but his dad just seemed distant, it had been a long time. The man was still becoming familiar with domestic life again. He didn’t really go to Marnie’s, never had a reason too. Living in the mountains meant that there wasn’t really any room to have farm animals. “Oh Sebastian, lovely to see you. What can I do for you?” Marnie was always a nice woman, she sometimes dropped off spare eggs or milk to his mum. “Morning, can I get thirty hay?” She nodded as she started preparing a bundle, Seb taking a small notice of the young girl poking her head around the corner watching him. “Here you go!” He nodded in appreciation as he gave over 1,500g. “One more thing, is Shane here?”

“Just outside dearie, you’ll find him on the dock.”

Taking the bundle and leaving, walking towards the pond that was located on her ranch. Shane was sat, hunched over watching the water. “Hey, mind if I sit there?” The older man shrugged, he didn’t really care. Sure. Sure Shane had said it was fine for Sebastian to date Artemis but he couldn’t help but feel something had been robbed from him. Seeing the new couple in the Saloon on Fridays when Sam and Seb played pool, Seb always beating his friend, very rarely allowing his friend to win. Yet of course when Sebastian won, Artemis always gave him a kiss, having to watch the girl you wanted have another person have their arm around her waist, pulling her in closer to them as they kissed back really could make you heartache as you wished it was you kissing her…but it also made your blood boil. It made his heart ache when he could see the marks that lay at the base of her neck, her yellow sweater doing a bad job of hiding them. Always reappearing once they should’ve gone. Like Sebastian wanted everyone to know she was his.  “What do you want?” He sounded annoyed, he couldn’t help it. 

“There’s something coming up and I really don’t know how to approach Artemis about it, do you know what happened to Felix? The day of his death is in two days..” You’re her boyfriend! Grow the fuck up and ask her yourself. Shane tipped his head back and swallowed the beer that he had in hand, recently he had been drinking more. “Summer 9th Felix died, Artemis was eighteen and they lived together in the city. She went to his funeral of course but she hasn’t once visited his grave in five years, this year being the fifth.” Sebastian looked at him when he said that she hadn’t been to the grave. Was it too much? Probably. “She’s never been?”

“Nope. Found it too hard. I’ve tried talking to her about it…but she just couldn’t.”

Sebastian pulled his legs so he could rest his chin on them, watching the water as the sun began warming him up too much. “Thank you, hope you have a..good day Shane.”

Have a good day my ass.

He walked back to the farm, feeding the chickens, duck and cow so Artemis wouldn’t have to, putting the remainder in her silo and returning inside, pulling his hoodie off so he remained in his fitted t-shirt. Sebastian froze as he placed his hoodie over the armrest of the sofa, looking up towards the bedroom.. Was she crying? Gently pushing the door open, silently thanking that these floorboards were new so there was no creaking. Artemis was sitting on her bed, one leg hanging off the edge, the postcards and photo frame next to her. Her room and green leafy wallpaper, a mahogany bookshelf filled, a chest of drawers, two bedside tables, a fish tank and a king size bed..she was nicely decorated with her black carpet and green rug. Yet right now how she decorated her house was not important right now. “Hey, hey. Shh, come here darling.” He sat behind her, slowly pulling her into him as he wrapped his arms around her, allowing her to cry into him. He noticed that the necklace with the ring around it hung from her neck. Sebastian rocked her slowly, whispering words of affection and reassurance, every now and then placing a kiss into her hair.

He could feel that she had stopped shuddering, her breathing had evened but she was now cracking individual finger in a pattern.

Pinky, pinky

Ring

Middle

Index, index

Middle 

Ring

Pinky, pinky.

Repeat.

“What's wrong?” It took her a few moments before she finally could form her words, without hiccuping from crying. “The day Felix died is in two days. I thought I could cope.” Although he already knew, it felt more real hearing it from her, maybe one day he could convince her to go..it might give her something..he wasn’t sure what it would be. She didn’t feel like talking after that, just wanted to have Seb close to her. Artemis fell asleep in his arms from exhaustion, Felix the cat curling into her and purring as Sebastian left to go into the kitchen. He knew how to prepare sashimi, not as well as Art but it wasn’t like they would get food poisoning. He knew she had some extra asparagus somewhere. Hopefully if he cooked for her he could make her smile, even just a small one. 

“Fuck! Fucking shit. Stupid hot pan.” Sebastian shook his hand, quickly running it under the tap in hopes to cool it down, it wasn’t a serious burn, luckily.. Arms wrapped around his waist as he felt someone put their head against his back. “I was hoping to bring you food in bed.” 

“The shouting woke me up.” 

“I’m sorry, I’m nearly done, darling. I’ll bring it to you on the sofa. K’ay.” She hummed, seeming reluctant to move but she did..otherwise he’d burn all the food and they’d end up eating pizza..again. She didn’t speak while he cooked, her eyes aimlessly staring at her new flat screen tv, her eyes watering.

In Zuzu city four years ago. Summer 9th.

“For fucks sake, Artemis!” Felix paced in their apartment, barely making eye contact with her. “You see this? We are going to fucking lose this place! All because you won’t take on more hours and! And because you won’t open that damn envelope from your dead grandfather!” Artemis flinched, it had been a year since her grandfather had passed, and as he’d asked she hadn’t opened. Right now still didn’t feel like the correct time. She worked a desk job at Joja part time as she was doing a university course while Felix did an apprenticeship. They just managed. “You do not get the fucking right to bring him into this.”

“It could be money, Arty. Money. And right now we need it, otherwise what. We’ll be fucked, do you want that?” The couple rarely argued, for the two years of being together and six years of knowing each other there was barely anything they disagreed on. This, this was the worst. She was sitting on their tatty sofa, essentially they were screwed. Bills were becoming more and more expensive and they just couldn’t keep paying. “And what if it’s not money?”

“Then it could be some possessions we could sell.” Now her boyfriend was leaning up against a wall, their bill in hand. “You want me to sell the last remaining thing I’d have of my grandfather?” She could see it now, Felix was contemplating his words and how harsh he’d sounded but he knew that even if it was the last remaining thing…they could still last another month or two. “Yes. No.. Just listen to me please. We are going to lose this apartment. We have nowhere to go if that happens.” Artemis led back on the sofa, looking into those rich dark eyes. “I- I can’t.” She could hear Felix breath through his nose, breaking eye contact with her. He walked over to her, cupping her face as she tilted her head to look up at him, green hair brushing against his hands.

Felix leant down and kissed her, slowly and lightly before he pulled away. “I need some space, Arty. We can talk later.” He grabbed his phone and left, left their apartment with a ruined stove and bills that were overdue.

Artemis paced, she was worried. Felix wasn’t home yet. Usually if he needed a breath he’d be thirty minutes. An hour at max. She could feel the panic rising in her gut, already messaging him a few times making sure he was ok…he would’ve replied.

Arty. I’m so sorry, I’ll be home soon my love,I love you x

I love you too x

A final message, not related to any message she had sent him.

Another hour had passed, trying to calm her nerves. Art turned on the TV. She flicked through the channels until she landed on one. A new news story.

“There was a fatal car crash in Zuzu City. The driver is luckily alive but is being arrested for drunk driving and involuntary manslaughter. The driver ended up hitting a civilian which resulted in death. The civilian has been identified as 18 year old Felix- “

Her heart skipped a beat. It showed a picture of him at his work. It just couldn’t be. It couldn’t fucking be him.

And their last physical conversation was an argument.

“Art? Hey..” Artemis snapped out of her trance. Eyes flashed to the ones before her, Sebastian stood, offering her a plate of sashimi. Gently she accepted, eating slowly as she refused to look at him again, just focusing on the moving images of a cheesy rom-com Seb had put on for them. He cleaned their plates, he didn’t say anything when Artemis put his hoodie on as he’d left it on the arm of the sofa, she’d even taken off the one she was originally wearing just to wear his. Had she been like this last year? Most likely yes. Artemis Aphelion was extremely good at putting up a facade, she’d managed a lot but she still hadn’t told Sebastian much about her life

“Hey Seb?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m going to go to bed..”

It was about four pm, very unlike her to go to bed at this time…she was usually stumbling through the door from coming home late from the mines even though she usually used the minecarts as transport. Sebastian hummed, kissing her forehead as he left her be..maybe he should surprise her..?

Artemis lay in her bed, twirling the ring on a necklace between her fingers, the smell of Seb’s hoodie soothing her slightly. She remembered the day she found the ring, how much it hurt her..how many things she regretted. Artemis listened to her boyfriend bustle around her house, tending to her fire, cleaning, refilling Felix’s food bowl. Course she felt bad for the fact she should be doing these things as it was her home but she just couldn’t be bothered.

She pulled herself through to her bedroom, her apartment cold and dark, she had just managed to pay her bills, finishing her university course and going full time with Joja. Her bed was unmade from a few nights ago….a stupid hook up with some guy she had met from a corporate event. Hopefully she’d never see him again. They guy had some kid he was looking after, a god daughter? They were both pretty drunk, he hadn’t long left. 

She switched on a light, one on her bedside table. Clumsily opening the drawer, finding a box and note. Was it a speech?

Arty,

I love you so much, so so much. I’ve been thinking about a day where I’d do this and this is it. We’re not perfect, as you’d say perfection is a lie, but I don’t care. We can do anything together. So, Artemis Aphelion, would you do the honour of marrying me?

Artemis felt herself tear up, they already had promise rings that they’d exchanged but he was planning to propose. “Fuck, fuck fuck!” This was even worse. Even fucking worse. Maybe she should call him. Take the pain away.

“Hey, you free tonight?”

“Yea, same bar?”

“Sure, see you later..Shane.”

Sebastian stood by the door, leaning against the wall as he waited for her. He went home briefly on the 8th of Summer, today was the 9th. He claimed that he had a surprise for Artemis, but they had to go on a road trip to get there. “I’m ready.” She had come outside, leaving her animals to roam around their pens and for Felix to roam the farm as she locked her door. He hummed lightly, getting onto his bike while Artemis wrapped her arms around him, clinging onto him as he drove towards Zuzu City. 

The drive was quiet, just nature around them, hot weather and clear skies. Seb parked his bike, rummaging through the bikes box, pocketing some items. He kissed Art’s cheek as he took her hand, encasing the fingers together as the couple began walking, blending into the crowd. Artemis clicked on the direction they were going in, now she was doing what she always did. Cracking her fingers in that one pattern. Sebastian squeezed her hand, brushing his them across her knuckles in hopes to soothe her, only working very slightly. The couple arrived at a cemetery, one Art remembered clearly, approaching a grave stone she had never visited. 

Felix Mintil 

Aged 18

‘Perfection is never a lie’

“I thought you could use some clarity. We can leave if you like, darling.”

She let go off his hand, kneeling down in front of the gravestone. Sebastian presented her with the note she had written him and a flower. Without speaking she accepted them, continuously re-reading the note before she placed it at the base of the stone, along with the singular flower. Artemis could hear his voice, his laugh, she could see his smile, the way his dimples showed when he did, that messy black hair and those beautiful rich brown eyes. The way he’d hold her, dance with her around their crappy apartment. Tears began falling from her eyes as she tried to hold in her sobs, failing as Sebastian knelt next to her, pulling her onto him wordlessly, gently rubbing her back soothingly. I loved you, Felix.

I miss you so much.

Goodbye. 

She tugged on his hoodie, implying that she wanted to leave, He nodded, kissing the crown of her head as they walked away. He wouldn’t make her stay..just getting her here today was a milestone and Yoba was he proud of her. 

He wasn’t entirely lying when he said he got her something.

The two had returned to her cabin, Sebastian had gone outside to grab something. “Close your eyes now.”

She did so, a small smile painting her lips.

“Ok, open!”

A puppy was in his arms, a German shepard. Wagging his tail happily as the dog's tongue was sticking out panting. The dog wriggled out of his arms and jumped onto the sofa, standing on Art’s leg wanting to give kisses. She smiled, kissing the puppy on the head as she stood up. Pulling on the strings on Sebastian’s hoodie, pulling him into kiss her. Their lips moulded together as his hands gripped on her lower back, bringing her body closer to his. 

“I love you, Seb..”

“Love you too, Art.”

Chapter Text

He’d pushed her against the wall, one leg between hers and one hand against the wall blocking her in while the other held her hip, moving her into his body. They had barely broken apart, only to take in small breaths or for Sebastian to move to her neck, biting more and more firmly, needing to leave a mark on her pale skin. Artemis’s hands pulled on his hoodie, lifting her head up to give him better access as she pushed herself into him. “Seb~” She felt his breath hitch against her skin. “I love you..so much. You’re so..fuckin’ beautiful.” His lips moved from her neck back to her lips, getting that wonderful pomegranate taste. Her hands had stopped pulling on the strings off his hoodie, instead had moved to under it, warm hands gently pulling at the sides of his waist. The pair was too distracted by each other to notice the knocking on her door until the yelling began. Sebastian removed himself, cheeks flushed, Artemis pushed her hair back to try make herself look somewhat decent before she answered the door. On her decking was Shane, who was staring at the floor as she opened the door, hoping that his yelling had been acknowledged. “Shane! Hey.” He smiled at her, his eyes softening as she smiled back, faltering slightly when Sebastian wrapped his arm around her waist. “You called the other day, said that you had a strange looking egg.”

“Oh yeah! I hatched it.”

“You hatched it! ART! You don’t just-”

“It was a chicken. Black with red flecks, she is very warm. Like a heated blanket on your lap.” She giggled as she spoke which made his heart flutter, she was like…an angel. He wouldn’t class himself as a religious man but Yoba..she was an angel. Sebastian also gave a small chuckle. “I can confirm, Azrael is a very warm chicken.” Shane gave him the side eye, brows furrowing. “Azrael…did you name her that? What kind of name is that!-”

“I named her. She’s my chicken.”

She didn’t quite see why Shane was so..prickly whenever Seb was with her. Like it was some sort of competition. He backed away quickly after that, rubbing the back of his head with his eyes back on her decking. “I best be going then..Goodbye Art, Sebastian.” He moved on quickly, her barn and coop nearly filled with animals. Before she could close the door Otto had barged in, Felix was asleep on her bed. “That was weird.”  Seb opened his mouth but quickly closed it as she was already playing with Otto, rubbing his jowls as he began to lick her hand. He just smiled and went to go find Felix and give him a cuddle, finding an old phone on her bedside table..it wasn’t her current one plus it was an old model. Lying down on ‘his’ side of the bed with the grey cat curled up happily in his lap he turned it on.

100%

Swipe up to open

Doing so it opened instantly. The background was old, of her and Felix (The human) when they were together. It’s her old phone, I shouldn’t be going through it. 

Curiosity is what killed the cat.

“Are you fucking kidding me!”

Artemis looked up quickly, shocked at his tone. “What?” She was puzzled, had she done something? Or was it some kind of computer thing she wouldn’t understand no matter how many times he explained it. “You were fucking Shane, weren’t you. Do not lie to me, there's no point.” It didn’t take her long before it clicked. He had gone through the phone, the last app opened was her messages. The last person messaged was Shane..before she moved here. “That’s…- Fine yeah I was. Years ago.” 

“Years ago as in when you first moved here. So Sam was right and Abi. Who else knows, Marnie? Maru? George? Or Alex, you’re getting pretty fucking chummy with him, and Sam. What? You going to fuck my best friend too?” Artemis clenched her jaw, this was getting out of hand..but he had seriously pissed her off. “What about you huh? You acuse me of all this shit but what about you? What about Abigail?” Sebastian only sneered at her. “Don’t change the subject.” She couldn’t deal with this. Not now. Artemis didn’t think he’d give her a chance to explain. “Get out. Get out of my house and off of my farm.” His brows furrowed, if he refused she could call the police if she wanted to..he shoved the phone onto the table, shoving his shoes on and leaving, giving the door a noticeable slam as he ignored the whimpers of the german shepherd who was trying to nuzzle his hand as he left. “Fuck..” She didn’t care if she hadn’t fed her animals or watered the plants in the greenhouse; she just pulled herself back into bed. Tears fell from her cheeks, staining her pillows and she curled up, Otto jumping onto the bed, whimpering as he laid his head next to her chest, looking up like a dog would when it would be sad…sometimes it was like the dog could feel her emotions..like a daemon. Felix soon joined, curling into her hips and purring, hoping to calm the human down.

It had been very early when Shane knocked on her door, before his shift. Sebastian waited outside Joja mart until five. Waiting for the man he so dearly wanted to punch. Shane wasn’t paying attention as he left, too busy daydreaming of the soft lights of the Saloon to notice anyone until he was shoved against a wall. “What the- what are you doing, get off of me!” 

“Do not go near my girlfriend! You hear me!?” He hadn’t calmed down. He knew he probably should. “She’s my goddamn friend, you can’t stop that!” Seb’s eyes got darker as he squinted. “You don’t think I haven’t noticed the way you look at her, even though you said I should go for it and not yourself. Everytime I play pool with Sam and she kisses me, that your eyes are burning into my back, every mark I leave on her body. You wish it were you don’t you. You wish you could have her all to yourself again, don’t you!” Shane realised that he knew, he knew the events that occurred before he had even moved to the valley with Jas. 

“You don’t know the story. You’re just accusing your girlfriend, what a nice fucker you are.”

Sebastian backed away, flicking his hair back so it stopped irritating his eye. “So then, what's the whole story, huh?”

“After Felix died..she was not in a good place. I worked for Joja in the city and so did she. Two of the corporates decided we should have a team building exercise, I met her there, she was distant. After that was over we all went out for drinks, we started talking and she took me back to her place. We were never…together. We just slept together. I moved with Jas. We stopped contacting each other. Then she moved here, Jas recognised her first. ‘That woman with the green hair! The nice, pretty one!’ “ Now Seb wasn’t looking at him, just trying to concentrate on his breathing. He knew he had a bad temper..probably came from his dad leaving and Demetrius moving in. No more words were exchanged as the black haired male left, up towards the mountains, he just needed some space.

Artemis was blinded by the sun peaking through her curtains. It was a new day, her cheeks feeling dry from the previous tears that fell down them. Quickly showering and changing solemnly she started her work. Maybe if I drown myself out in my farm I can distract myself. None of her animals were very happy with her but Mila and Mira still produced milk and Zuri was her piglet. She’d also got a new blue chicken, Aria..Azrael really was a strange chicken but she was very affectionate towards Artemis. She had a few eggs she could sell, a jar of void mayo and two blocks of cheese, a few coffee beans and some strawberries. It wouldn’t be loads but it was income. “Hey!” She looked up from the wooden bin, Sam was coming towards her. “Wanted to return this, it was really good!” She’d lent him a fantasy book very much like the board game, Solarion chronicles.

“Oh no worries, good that you liked it.”

“Are you ok?”

She felt her heart cinch, she’d become good friends with Sam, watched his concert, happy that she helped him with it. “I’m fine..Seb and I just had an argument yesterday.” The blonde opened his arms, offering a kind hug, which she accepted. “Seb had a tough childhood, his parents would argue like mad until one day his dad just upped and left, no contact with him and Demetrius isn’t easy on him, just because he’s not some doctor like Maru.” Artemis knew he didn’t talk about his childhood much, most of the time he didn’t want to or he wasn’t ready. “It’s where his insecurities stem from, Art. I think he gets the way he does because he’s jealous..or worried..that you’ll just up and leave.” 

She nodded, they both had messed up past’s..maybe they should work through it..together. “I should go, Vince wanted to do something like bake..oh no..” Artemis giggled, the last time she was in a kitchen with Sam he’d dropped an egg..and knowing Vince likes pink cake..there would be a lot of eggs.

The blonde left, walking towards Marnie because it was the ‘scenic route’. Instead he actually wanted to pass her farm animals and try to say hello to Felix who didn’t move from his sunbathing spot on top of the barn. “Hello. Is it alright if we have a chat?” Her spine stiffened, it was Sebastian, she quickly straightened herself out and invented him inside although her tense behaviour didn’t go unnoticed by him. The couple sat at her table opposite each other, neither one talking or making eye contact until Seb broke both of them. 

“First off I want to apologise. I should’ve left you explained..Shane told me after I nearly punched him, I also didn’t mean to insinuate that you were sleeping around. You’re just..fuck. You’re just such an amazing person, kind, sweet, smart and beautiful and I was jealous. I know I have stuff I need to work through. I don’t know how to, always thought that because I’m a guy I shouldn’t express myself too much, not masculine enough.” Artemis reached across the table for his hand, gently rubbing her thumb across his knuckles as tears began to seep into his eyes. “I don’t need some masculine macho man who doesn't feel emotions and nor do I want one. I want you. You are you, what you said is a stereotype created by a double standard, oppressing society.” He smiled through the tears the started to drip from his chin, she stood up and walked around the small table. Artemis cupped his face in her hands and kissed his forehead lightly. “I love you, k’ay. We can find you someone to talk to in the city.”

His hands rested on her waist as he looked up to her. “Yeah..okay..I really am sorry, Art.” She breathed for a moment, her shoulder’s relaxing. “It’s ok, but you’ve got to trust me ok, I’ll tell you things when I’m ready to.” He nodded, he knew he needed to stop… “I’m also sorry about what I said to you this morning, Seb.” 

He dismissed her, taking her over to the sofa as she rested her head on his shoulder, Otto laying in front of an unlit fireplace. “The day I gave you the bouquet Abi had come to visit me, she had seen me buy them the day before…thought they were for her and presented me with a bouquet.” He felt her stiffen next to him, before she could say anything he continued. “But I rejected her, the nicest way I possibly could. Said they were for someone else, she guessed it was you. She supports us y’know, like how Shane supports you.” He kissed her hair, slowly moving his hand through the shoulder length greeness. 

Giving one more kiss to her head as their breathing smoothed out and they fell asleep,