✗ - // A R T E M I S

✗ - // “very funny.” they replied. any other words were cut off by his lips. she closed her eyes, near melting into the kiss. afterwards, she couldn’t help smiling up at him. “we’re even now, but i’m expecting a lot more where that came from. maybe we’ll arrange a date after our wrestling match.”

✗ - // she tightened her jaw, yet with no malicious intent. just annoyance, a feeling that his cockiness often invoked. “don’t get used to it.” still with a teasing smile she answered. “if we make this a regular thing then we might as well get wasted.”

✗ - // she had wanted to kiss him more, but she didn’t know how he would respond. he fortunately showed no resistance or hesitation. “oh fuck off. how long were you waiting for that ? you could’ve grown a pair and done it, but no, the woman has to do all the work around here.” she joked. a small smile, biting her lip. “you taste like blood and whiskey.”

✗ - // “i have no idea why i’m waiting.” they answered, shaking their head. she moved to approach him, but she stopped -- then completely let her guard down. “oh fuck it.” with that, artemis leaned in and kissed him hard, pulling away after a second or two. just in case.

✗ - // “if i couldn’t take it by now, i’d be ashamed. i might’ve even considered russian roulette.” she answered bluntly. a dramatic pause, but then they laughed. “no i’m joking.” waiting, huh ? she wondered if they were waiting for the same thing. artemis didn’t know how much more waiting she could do. she shoved her hands in her pockets, looking around at the vacant streets. “what what must mean ?” she teased back.

      “I never said you were a basic bitch, just asked what it was — but hey, forget I asked.” Joshua remarked, as he lent back in his chair, gaze traveling the length of the room as he observed everyone in the cafe.

✗ - // the hunter bit their lip, holding back a smug smile. this definitely wasn’t about wrestling anymore. this was about something artemis may have repressed for a while now. good thing they were on the same page. “it took a kick to the balls for you to grow some.” she joked, gaze flickering to that damned smirk. “oh i don’t think we’ve ever played nice, babe.”

✗ - // artemis clicked her tongue, tilting her head to the side. he always left her hanging. she wasn’t gonna let him do that anymore. she grabbed his collar and yanked him forward. “that’s not how wrestling works.” then they kneed him hard, right next to groin. “how do you like me now, gullage ? you’re lucky i didn’t aim a few inches to the left.”

✗ - // for the first time in months, artemis felt her breath hitch in her throat, rendering her speechless. they’d never gotten this close before, especially with such a dangerous subject.  “y-yeah ?” she sputtered out a laugh, her last line of defense. “how much would i need to hit you to get you there ?”

✗ - // they let out a terse laugh at his comment. eyebrows raised as he neared, stance unwavering and unintimidated. “oh yeah ?” she quipped back. “violence turns you on, does it ?” she didn’t hesitate to deliver another smack upon his head, even harder than the last strike.

✗ - //  “liar.” they said. okay, she lied through her teeth, but it was best not to fuel his ego. “alright then. see this.” without warning, artemis socked ransome in the jaw, not enough for a nosebleed, but enough to fucking sting.

✗ - // “you want me to be even more abrasive ? oh if only you knew how i really feel about you.” their voice trailed off, expression lifting into a small smirk. “psh, challenge accepted. we can even fight right here if you want to, maybe find a back lot to get down and dirty.”

✗ - // her eyebrows shot up, although somewhat sarcastically, since she grew accustomed to ransome’s banter. “if you’re gonna throw insults, two can play at that game. for you, i might add judgmental with lazy and cheap.” she shrugged. “well i think we both know i’d beat you.” cue a small smirk.  maybe you’ll enjoy the taste of defeat.”