I think my new favorite thing to do is watch Artemis de la Peña sleep. He’s snuffly, adorable, and the way his hand covers his face is almost childlike.
In a blur of stalkerish staring, I’ve been awake for about thirty minutes, listening to Cinderella snoring softly next to me. I dropped a couple messages in my sibling group chat, Roman, Sofia, and the twins, Tasha and Kique, have all been pestering me to answer their messages about what our family’s matching Christmas PJ set will be this year.
Tasha threatens mutiny if they choose plaid again; Kique sends a knife emoji. Roman says he’ll wear anything as long as it’s not elf themed. So, I’m absolutely choosing elf themed. What are younger brothers for if not choosing violence?
I look at the slumbering enforcer next to me. It’s common knowledge that his youngest brother gets everyone on the team matching Christmas wear. It started out as Christmas PJs, but has since grown into ugly sweaters, and last year he is rumoured to have given them all socks as well.
Ares de la Peña is a Christmas ho. Speak of the Cupid devil, his name lights up my screen with a question that makes my stomach sink.
Ares: Is my brother with you?
To buy time, I act coy.
Xavier: Which one?
I contemplate waking Arte, but he’s sleeping sosoundly, and looked so fucking tired last night, that I can’t bring myself to do it.
Ares: The one you’re fucking.
My anxiety ratchets up a couple notches. Fuck. Shit. Is he taking a shot in the dark? Or does heknow?I briefly consider faking my own death to avoid answering him.
He was responsible for getting us together, that much is definitely true. When I asked for his brother’s number for the hook-up, he was only too gleeful to oblige, but I don’t know what he knows. And I don’t want to get on Artemis’s shit list when I’ve just managed to get myself on his nice list. At least, I’m pretty sure I’m on the nice list.
Xavier: I’m honestly not sure what I’m supposed to say here.
Ares: Stop overthinking it. It’s just between you and me; I’m not posting it all over socials. I just need to know where he is since he didn’t come home, and he missed two meetings this morning already.
It’s barely 8AM, and he’s missed not one but two meetings already? This man works way too hard.
Xavier: I have him. Do you need me to wake him?
There’s a long pause, dots appear, disappear, and reappear again.
Ares: Captain Early Riser’s still asleep? Wonders never cease. Don’t wake him. I’ll call his assistant and have her take care ofit.
Xavier: He works way too hard.
Ares: Don’t tell me that, nag him. Though this morning is work for one of the non-profits he founded.
Xavier: Of course it is. Could he be any more perfect?
Ares: Isn’t that the kicker? He’s always believed he’s only valuable if he’s perfect. Would do him the world of good to be roughed up a little.
Ares: Just saying.
It feels like I’m crossing a line, talking about my… lover? That feels weird to say… With his brother, but something tells me this conversation is important. And the fact he’s open to having it with me shows me just how much he trusts me with his brother too.
Something blooms in my chest, something that feels a lot like pride. Being Roman Martinez’s brother currently has nothing to do with the trust Ares is putting in me on behalf ofhisbrother, and that… well, that feels fucking awesome.
Ares: Silverpaw Sanctuary. He has a thing for the great outdoors, just like his namesake.
Ares: Not for nothing but the charity has a fundraiser thing coming up sometime in the new year.
I pull up a browser and search for Silverpaw Sanctuary. His name and picture are nowhere to be seen, but for a tiny footnote on the ‘About Us’ page. That’s my Artemis, always being a fucking hero from the shadows.
The Silverpaw Sanctuary is a healing ranch and naturereserve for trafficking survivors, and survivors of sexual abuse and domestic violence. It’s a safe place for mothers with children needing temporary relocation.
The more I read the tighter my throat gets. Equine therapy, art therapy, archery, because of course there’s archery, even I know that much about Artemis from mythology, hiking… its logo even has a little bit of my very own black bear, Beartemis.
