I'm sorry about all the angst lately but it's just so fun to write, I can't help myself lol. 

Don't worry some fluff is in the works 😊

Besides it ends cute anyways

—~Shino POV~—

Artemis has been acting weird lately. He doesn't talk much about anything yet is constantly keeping busy. Is this how people feel hanging around me?

Yesterday I watched Artemis walk downstairs for the first time in hours to grab leftover dinner from the day before then rush back upstairs.

I feel like something is going on. No, I know that something is going on.

I head to his room and knock on the door. He's silent for a while so I assume he fell asleep. Just as I turn to go, Artemis opens his door. He looks fine, not tired, not stressed, just pretty normal for him. Other than his hair being a tad bit messy, he seems perfectly fine. But I can tell from the way he acts, he is definitely not fine.

"Did you need something Shino?" Artemis says dully. Much less like his usual enthusiastic tone.

"I wanted to ask if you might want to... Go see a movie or something? We haven't been there in a minute..." As much as I want to help him, I also want to spend time with him. Being with Artemis makes a lot of things not even half as bad as they are.

But I also remember that sometimes people have off days, off weeks, maybe even off months. I've had my fair share of those...

"I'm actually pretty busy..." Artemis says while glancing back into his room, clearly preoccupied.

"Oh...Well we could just watch a movie right here, or we don't even have to watch a movie...I could just keep you company while you...Do as you do." I feel myself get slightly nervous. Artemis' usual warm an inviting expression has turned into a dark stare, as if he's just waiting for me to stop talking.

"Still busy.." Artemis says, he actually seems to feel quite bad, yet too drained to express it.

"What...has you all...'busy' at the moment?" I ask slowly, hoping to get some kind of insight to what's wrong.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you. I started a new project. It's pretty important...It's a commission for a school dance. The person that requested it had a very...specific idea for their dress. It's my first time actually...y'know, selling something I make. I want to do it right." Artemis explains, the first smile I've seen on him all week shows up on his face.

"Oh, congrats Arty! I'm so proud of you, I know you'll keep getting these commissions and it'll turn out great!" Artemis smiles again and tries to the close the door but I hold it open.

"Buttttt, that's not saying you can't take a little break, I'm sure you'll work even better if you're all replenished with energy!" I say enthusiastically, trying to make up for Artemis' lack.

He thinks for a moment.

"Ok."

—~+~—

"Artemis! are you ready to go?" I shout up the stairs. Artemis calls out something back but I'm not sure what.

He finally appears in dark blue jeans, a loose white shirt with a black jacket over it and some white sneakers to match. I smile and Artemis smiles back.

"I have to admit it would be beneficial to get out of the house for a little while..." Artemis giggles and gives me a kiss on the cheek.

We decided to go to that movie, I've never heard of what we watched but it was still pretty good. Afterwards we went for dinner. Just some quick fast food place, nothing fancy. It was still good, arguably better than what they serve at fancy restaurants. We took a stroll through the park on our way back to the dorm.

When we finally got back Artemis said he had to check on everything upstairs. Well I suppose I had him back for a few hours, now it's back to this... I nodded and went down to my room to change. By the time I was upstairs Artemis was there too. He hadn't changed yet or anything, and he looked angry. "A car splashed mud on me" kind of angry. Uh-oh.

"God Shino this is all your FAULT!"

Artemis suddenly yells.

"What's wrong Arty?" I say cautiously, uncertain of this new anger.

"If you hadn't dragged me away, I wouldn't have lost track of time and I would have finished this!" Artemis shouts while showing me his phone. There was a reminder on the screen. '7:00, Ms. K shows up in two hours!'

"Wait what!? Artemis, I'm so sorry, I lost track of time too and I didn't-" I start to calm him but he cuts me off.

"JUST SAVE IT SHINO! Now I have 2 HOURS to get everything perfect before the person that ordered it shows up! That's hardly enough time!" Artemis whines, clearly stressed.

"Artemis...I didn't mean to...If you want I can help however I can!" My heart sank a bit, Artemis has never yelled at me like this before, let alone speak angrily at me.

"Just leave me alone, you've done enough wasting time, don't you think?" Artemis says coldly, not even looking me in the eyes, he storms up to his room.

I hate making him upset... I feel awful..

Rikku tiptoes up the stairs from her room.

"I heard Artemis yelling, what happened?" She asks gently.

I stay silent but walk over to the couch, slumping down defeatedly. I hug one of the pillows close to me, dampening an edge of it with my warm tears.

—~+~—

"Artemis! I wanted to apologize..." I walk closer to him and sit on his bed carefully.

"I'm not mad anymore Shino..." Artemis says while turning his chair to me. I can't tell if he looks sympathetic or hurt. I choose the latter.

"Listen Artemis, I'm sorry I messed all of this us for you! I mean, I should've been keeping track of time, I just was having too much fun hanging out with you! If you still need any help, I'm still here, so don't be afraid to ask! Again I'm so sor-" Artemis cuts off my fast paced apology with a kiss. He holds my cheek in his hand, the other sits beside me.

"Like I said, I'm not angry at you Shino..." Artemis smiles but I don't buy it.

"I mean, are you sure? I don't want you to feel like you have to be fine when you aren't bec-"

Artemis pacifies me again with another kiss, this one was rougher than the last. After a good few minutes Artemis finally breaks away.

"Does that convince you?" He asks quietly. I nod with a smile.

"I should be the one apologizing Shino, I shouldn't have screamed at you like that. I was overly stressed and it wasn't your fault. I didn't mean anything I said before, I swear I don't control my words when I'm angry..." Artemis said that last part sadly, as if this isn't the first time something like this happened.

I hug him tightly and he hugs me back.

"It's ok Artemis, I get why you were annoyed. Did everything turn out well? Of course I could still help if you need me to!" I offer with a smile, Artemis returns it.

"Everything is under control, the dress was mostly done, just had to double check some spots, sew a few small things, just nitpicky details... There was no reason for me to be so angry at you, I really am so sorry Shino."

"I promise, it's fine, I didn't take anything to heart, I knew you were angry." That was a lie. I spent the whole hour before I came up here overthinking about what he said. I almost had a panic attack, but hearing him say that he didn't mean it helps.

"I'm so glad, I don't like hurting you Shino..." Artemis said apologetically, still worried.

"Don't worry, I'm fine, I promise. Now are you sure the dress is ok?" I reassure him, genuinely curious about the dress.

"Yup! Would you like to see it?" Artemis offers while getting a hanger with a fabric coat over it. 

As he unzipped the black coat I gasp at its contents. The dress is blue with different crystals on the top, a dark sash around the wait switches it to the different layers, each going a darker shade of blue than the previous, a dark royal blue at the bottom layer. Artemis beams at his work and anticipates my reaction. 

"This is beautiful Artemis!" I say loudly. I'm just so amazed! It's not that I doubt Artemis' talent, but the sheer beauty of it makes me near speechless. Artemis seems to understand and shoots an apologetic smile at me.

I get up to hug him, Artemis holds out a hand gently before zipping the dress back up and putting it back on a rack. Then suddenly he jumps onto me into a hug. I hug him back and smile, smelling his lavender shampoo. It makes me think of his eyes. Those pretty eyes... God I'm rambling, 

Artemis finally lets me go, planting a kiss on my cheek sweetly. I do the same.

How could I stay mad at him?