Work Text:
Arty goes home from another day of work. Today's the first B-day she will be spending with Iris. Arty doesn't really even think much about the b-day, she might've already treated herself with a pizza or a piece of cake, or just went straight home depending on the mood. That's how it usually goes, anyway. Birthdays is not something Artemis ever celebrated much beyond that, not like she ever even had friends to spend it with, and her parents were poor. Arty adjusted to this life and it would be weird if something changes suddenly, plus, with her sheer self-deprecation, not like this octo ever thought that she might even deserve any celebrations.
*ris, however, already prepared for the tiny b-day party for the two of them. She actually wanted it to be proper, with all of Arty's few friends, but all declined and told Iris to drop it. But Iris didn't want to abandon the idea, she wanted to make the day special for her partner, even if it's only gonna be two of them.
Arty comes home, a bit tired as always. Opening the door, twas dark inside.
"Must've gone to the store again," thought Arty to herself.
And then suddenly, as soon as she entered the room and dropped the bag, BAM, lights up and Iris jumps out with a popper, then jumps onto her partner.
— HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRUMPY KITTEN! — and just hang on the gf.
Arty said nothing for a few second, just stood there with a head down, Iris ultimately noticed and jumped down, wondering.
— Kitten? What's wrong? Bad day? Somebody both–
But Artemis suddenly shoved Iris to the side and dashed to her room, closing the door behind.
Of course Iris got worried, thinking: "Did I do something wrong?", not risking to enter, realizing that her gf needs some time alone.
Few minutes passed, Artemis still wouldn't come out, so the squiddo sighed defeatedly and entered… Only to not see her love anywhere. But she did hear the whimpers.
Arty closed herself in the wardrobe, hiding her face in the knees, crying.
— Oh cod! Arty, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean– I just– I don't even know what I did but I didn't mean to hurt I'm sorry! Please don't cry kitten…
And so, they both sat together, for a couple of hours more, maybe less, time felt like molasses anyway.
When Artemis had nothing to cry with anymore and the whimpers stopped, she finally said something:
— …I told you I don't wanna celebrate, but I should've clarified and reminded and–
— No no kitten it's all my fault I should've written that down made notes like anything, i'm sorry, please… — Iris started crying too — I'm sorry, too much of a ditz…
Arty finally moved her head, looking at Iris with very tired, crimson eyes, with very visible tear lines on her face.
— Don't blame yourself… It's my stupidity, you are not to blame–
— Kitten, how many times do I have to tale you to stop blaming yourself! — pleaded Iris in crying — You aren't well, we both know it, you already do so much to treat and contain it, please, respect yourself, at least for me…
— I'm sorry… It's just… — Artemis sounded so, so tired — I should have kept myself together, for you, just wanted to treat me right, and I can't even appreciate that…
— Kitten, stop! No more! — Iris leaped towards Arty, embracing in a hug — No more… Calm down, both of us, 'kay?
— …'kay.
And so they sat there, in the wardrobe, embraced, till both fell asleep.