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It was just another day of friends hanging out together. Although, this it was just the two of them: Arty and Iris, just walking down the park, just chillin'.
It was a calm day, even Iris stayed uncharacteristically quiet, yet still seemed jittery. Girl's face was warm and slightly flushed, and the entire way Arty kept wondering:
— Are you sure you're not sick?
— Nihihi, nah, totally fine, gurl! Just excited.
— For what?
— A Secret~
This would repeat a couple of times, up until on the way home Iris suddenly stopped and asked:
— Wait wait wait!
— What, fren?
— Look, a candy shop!
— You want something? Sure, let's–
— Nah nah nah, I'll go alone, wait here!
— Um, okay...
And so, Artemis stood here, waiting, looking around. She was worried what was taking Iris so long even though it wasn't that long... And when the squiddo did come out, octo was surprised as she was focused on a bird nearby.
— Gah!
— Teehee, sorry! Here, for you!
Iris stretched out her arms, holding a heart shaped box.
— ...What is this?
— For you! A heart!
— Wha-
— Take my heart and it make it yours!
— I don't fol–
It took a few seconds for Artemis to get it, and when she did, her head sulked, gaze averted, breath became kind of pained.
— Arty? — Iris got worried over the sudden shift.
— ...Don't, please, — she muttered.
— Kitten?..
— I don't deserve affection, stop...
Artemis was silently crying.
— Arty, what are you–
— Leave me alone!
She pushed away her friend and ran, and Iris after, delayed due to trying to realize what happened.
But Artemis was faster, just because of the difference in size. Poor squiddo did lose the track, but she had an idea where her friend might've gone...
Artemis ran inside her apartment, hyperventilating and ugly crying, unable to handle her emotions, breaking down right here, on the apartment floor, not even entering any room beyong the entrance hallway. The phone is ringing in the girl's pocket, but she's too deep in the dark place to react in any way.
By the time she comes to, Artemis takes it out and quickly starts typing back to Iris.
"I'm sorry i didn't mean to hurt you i just it's too much i can't i don't want to reject but please don't hate me im-"
A lot of incoherent rambling gets suddenly interrupted by a knock on the door.
— Arty, c'mon, open up! Don't make me even more worried!
The octo had to oblige, slowly picking herself up from the floor.
Iris saw an absolute mess in front of her, eyes red, face wet, dirty from the floor laying. And yet...
— Kitten, please. I... I love you, — squid girl embraced her friend in a hug — You can't deny me my feelings and i am not taking no for an answer!
Artemis whimperer still.
— You are lying, just pranking me–
Iris suddenly headbutted the taller octopus right on the chest, cutting off the breath a bit.
— I am serious and this is my serious face. Are you that much of a low opinion of me that you think i would lie about something so serious to you?
— N-no... Of course not...
— Then why won't you listen?!
— Because it's not possible... I'm a horrible person and don't deserve any affection...
— Kitten... — Iris looked Arty in the face with a sad look — Really that bad? Is this really how you fell about yourself?
She nodded.
— And i... I do love you, but... As a friened... — Artemis was choking on her words — I am unable to feel more than that...
— Then...
Little squid grabbed her tall friend by the hand.
— You do really need me, kitten.
— Eh?
— With so much loathing and inability to love yourself... I will be the one to fill you with love! — Iris got energetic again — I won't let you rot away like that just because your head is a dumb-dumb!
— Iris... But–
— And i know your love, you love us all like a family anyway, so what's the difference? You DO love me! Kitten, please?
— Iris... Waaaaaaah–
Artemis broke down in tears, again, but now it was done in an embrace of a person who truly cares for her.
— It's gonna be okay, kitten. I will take care of you.