A Secret for Christmas

Chapter One: Winter's Chill

Snow filled the sky that day; the clouds holding the promise of a snowstorm. Although the sun's rays couldn't slip through the thickness of white, the snow shone and sparked as if crystals were embedded in the banks. Every tree had icicles hanging from their branches as if actually made of frost. Ah yes, winter, a beautiful season. A season for warmth through the cold; love through the ice. But fate collided this very winter in a large manor, and a small family. This manor which had icicles on the porch's beams like the trees and covered in a soft blanket like the ground or the sky. This house which was very empty, yet very full in other ways. This house surrounded by a mother's sleeping garden and a light wood with a path. A path where a human and an elf walked together among the ice and snow.

Sticks snapped and light thuds were heard has the two friends left their feet's' imprint in the snow. They were silent yet peaceful with the chilled breeze and the light flurry of white dots. Their cheeks were red, their coats warm and his red scarf dangled in the wind. Artemis looked down at his friend. His family was going to be here soon; his two cousins to be exact. Even with his cousins there, the Fowls stayed a small and quiet family. Of course you have to learn to be quiet and patient when there are paparazzi around every corner. But this was nice. Holly breathed a calm sigh and watched the light steam come from her mouth. She and Artemis both were surprised that this winter has turned out to be so cold. Ireland winters were usually very mild and the snow didn't stay very long, when there was snow of course.

Artemis turned his gaze down at the elf once more. She was smiling, enjoying the mildly cold weather. She like how the cold gave a little sting to her cheeks. She closed her eyes and started to hum a familiar Christmas song that she has heard a long time ago. It was about holly winterberries, she remembered. Christmas was her season; though she'd never admit. Her father always said hollies were for Christmas and that she was more beautiful than any plant. "Holly?" Artemis asked lightly, his gaze wandering the little wood. Holly looked up at him and waited for him to continue. She was still humming. "What are you doing this Christmas?" Artemis asked his every year, though he always knew her response was something including a few bottles of champagne.

"I'm going to bake some cookies," She said smiling slightly. Artemis returned her smile. "And probably drink a couple bottles of champagne." She added chuckling. He chuckled also and suddenly regretted his question. He knew the answer. He always thought the same thing every Christmas. Does she ever get lonely? It was Christmas after all and even though Artemis even started to feel lonely at times, he still had his family. His two brothers always kept him busy and he enjoyed talking with his father very much. Holly had to get lonely, especially on such an occasion; to spend it alone. Artemis secretly wished to ask her is she ever did get lonely. What if she was used to it, and didn't really care? What if she found it offensive and got angry with him?

Artemis sighed and that alerted Holly immediately. He looked the tiniest bit wary, though he covered up the rest with his emotional mask. Holly and his mother were the only ones who could see right through the mask that he had worked years to perfect. He could feel a big hole in his mask and he knew that Holly had put it there. Or it might have been puberty; he really didn't know the real reason, but Holly was definitely a part of it, and maybe all the fairies for that matter. Artemis opened his mouth to talk and looked over to see her staring at him and looking worried.

"Holly…" he said again, trying to approach the subject lightly. His mask was gone now and he was struggling with words. They both stopped walking and Holly reached out to place a hand on his chest. "Artemis, what's wrong?"

"Holly, during Christmas…" He mumbled, trying not to make a fool out of himself. He looked down to force his eyes away, but she was there being the short elf she was. "Do you ever get lonely? I mean, you're always just there by yourself and I just thought…" Holly's hand dropped and she looked to the ground effectively avoiding his stare, unlike his previous attempt.

"Oh." She said quietly. Artemis greatly regretted saying anything now. He didn't like it when she was angry, but seeing her so distraught and unhappy made his guilty mind go mad. Holly looked back up at her friend who looked very torn and apologetic. She smiled halfheartedly and shook her head to clear her mind. "I do. Well, I used to be lonely very often, but I got used to it after awhile. My brother always comes to visit me and we talk." Artemis still looked wary, but they started to walk again. He suspected he was in the clear. Holly snapped her head up to see him and laughed saying, "And you call me on Christmas Eve every year."

An idea sparked in Artemis's mind and he smiled brightly. "My parents are throwing a big Christmas Bash on the eve of. Would you like to come? You can bring your brother too and I'll invite Mulch though he'll probably go just for the food." Holly nodded and set her sparkling eyes on him. They were excited and thankful. Artemis heard the crunch of gravel on his long driveway. His cousins. "I have to-"

"I know." Holly said, still beaming vividly. She leaned on the top of her toes to hug him. Artemis grinned as she ran way back to where she had hidden her electronic wings. It took her another second to fly back to him. She met him at the height of his eyes. Holly kissed him on the cheek and flew away waving, "'Bye Arty!" She quickly disappeared while he waved after her. Artemis turned around slowly and started walking back to his home. There was another special lady going to this party. He had a big decision to make. But there was just something about her blonde curls that made him intrigued and fascinated. Would he risk his friendship for something more? Artemis trudged faster through the snow that was getting thicker. Yet, he wasn't the only one in the family holding a secret…

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The slick black Volvo pulled into the Fowl's driveway. Andrew Fowl looked out the window and frowned. His cage; his prison. What was he going to do? Settling back into his seat, he fumbled with his fingers. The snow was cold but that wasn't why he shivered. Was there anyone who he could tell? Was there anyone who could help him with his… dilemma, I guess you could call it. Why had this happened to him? It wasn't a bad thing, but he just didn't understand. He was confused and he had never felt so alone in his life. His black hair covered most of his light green eyes, but he could still see. He just didn't want anybody to notice he was on the verge of tears.

Skye could see right through his pitiful act. She was his twin, and twins think alike. They were identical twins, so the only way to tell them apart was that Skye had longer hair. He had been like his for a little over two weeks now and she was very worried for her brother. But no matter, they were here. They loved their aunt and uncle, they were nice people. The little twins Becket and Myles were very cute, and of course there was Artemis too, but the cousins bickered back and forth like they were sister and brothers.

The two siblings stepped out into the cool air. Andrew let the air into his system. This made him feel calmer. And then he saw Artemis. It had been awhile and by God, he had grown! Andrew and Skye were three years older than Artemis. Well, six now counting the ones he had lost. Skye ran over and hugged him, muttering something about how big he was. Andrew walked forward and gave him a light embrace. "Hi Artemis." He mumbled. He was scared that Artemis would see through him also. Finally, they walked inside the warm manor. The manor that was empty yet full.

"Oh, my darling Andrew and Skye! Look how you have matured!" Auntie Angeline gushed as she ran over to see her only niece and nephew. She squeezed them both with arms like her love; stronger than steel. "My, my, what two lovely young adults. How are you both?" The twins didn't really know what to say. Their year had been eventful, to say the least. Skye had gotten herself an agent and was now working on a mystery book that some publishers were very willing to publish. This year was the fourteenth year of their mother's death, which they were still getting over. Andrew did have a secret, but wasn't ready to say anything yet. Skye answered for them, talking about the book she was writing. Artemis the First was very interested to, though not as bubbly as his wife.

Andrew's eyes were fixed on his cousin who was looking at him. Artemis looked curious and slightly bemused. I'm caught in the act, Andrew thought warily. Artemis looked away to Skye, but Andrew could tell he wasn't listening. Or he was doing what most people did when they had something important in mind; listening slightly for key words, just in case they had to answer or make a question later. That day was a blur for both the boys. They talked over tea and then they watched something on television. The rest of the time Andrew and Skye were left to unpack and ready themselves. Artemis went to his room too, taking the chance to call Mulch to invite him to the party and then Holly who was just as excited to go; not just for the food.

But Andrew stayed the same. His ears were not in tune and everything was hard to understand. He needed someone to talk to, someone who was smart and could help him with his confusion. Then a thought stuck him. It was so obvious that anyone could have thought of it. Artemis could help him, he could. So Andrew walked down to the smallest lounge of the manor and knocked lightly on the door. A low voice mumbled something inaudible to Andrew's ears, but he entered the room anyways. A fireplace was lit, the flames making shadows on the pale blue walls surrounding them. Artemis was sitting peacefully in a chair. He was transfixed in a book he was reading and his emotions were plain on his face; although only an emotion of fascination lay there. Artemis looked up a smiled lightly at his cousin. He used his eyes to beckon Andrew forward.

Artemis closed the book and put it to rest on a coffee table. He looked intently serious now, and maybe even concerned. "Are you alright, Andrew? I know that there is something that you're not telling us. You seem… different, and troubled." He said gently. Andrew looked down in thought and was struggling to make his muddled lips move. What to say? How to start? Andrew fumbled with his fingers once more and then looked back up at his friend and cousin. Artemis was like his brother, though he would admit, a very annoying brother. "Well Artemis," Andrew started. "Two weeks ago… Skye took me to this party. She wanted me to hook up with someone, because, well, you know I'm not the greatest with relationships. I didn't really find anyone there that interested me. There were herds of women everywhere as you very well know."

Artemis did know. A single Fowl man over eighteen can't walk in the street without having women all around them. They were women magnets. For their money, good looks, classy charm, flawless style, and of course everybody loves a bad boy. The Fowls had a bad reputation for crime and trouble. Girls thought of the Fowl men as perfection, though we all know that they aren't perfect at all. "But I was attracted to one person…"

Artemis picked up the one key word that Andrew had wanted him to. Person. And yet he didn't act on it right away. He just made a note to make an inquiry sometime later after the whole story. "And did you like her?" Artemis asked curiously. He had never played matchmaker before. It was refreshing. Andrew then looked terribly upset. Silent tears fell from his eyes as he spoke the words that would make Artemis understand.

"It wasn't a 'her.'"

Andrew placed his head inside his hands and began to weep. Artemis was shocked. He hadn't been expecting this, and now he had a big secret in his hands. No matter what, he wasn't going to give that secret away and betray Andrew's trust. Artemis stood from his seat and walked over to him. He didn't know what to do, so Artemis did the only thing in mind. He gripped Andrew to himself and let his brother sob on his shoulder. "Andrew..." he whispered through his speechlessness. "It's okay. This isn't bad. I'm sure you'll be fine."

Andrew tried his best to look up. "I know that! But what is going on? I've never felt like this before. And dad!" Artemis sighed and shook his head. Andrew wiped his tears and then stared into the sapphire eyes that he knew so well. They were going to keep this secret no matter what. There was someone who couldn't know. That was Andrew's father.

Everyone who knew the Fowls knew that Edwin Fowl was the worst of them all. He was hated and feared by his family and when his kids were living alone with him, he was abusive. As soon as Skye and Andrew turned eighteen, they packed their bags and left. It was a shame that he still bothered to come for Christmas. Once Andrew's secret was out, there was sure to be rage and maybe even he could get hurt. Skye and Artemis would gladly take a beating for their brother.

Quiet conversations were coming from the hallway, but none were cheerful. Andrew quickly wiped the tears from his eyes once more and the two boys shivered of fear. Artemis would be in just as much trouble from keeping this secret. A tall man opened the doors and slowly took three strides into the room.

"Now where is my son?"

With this new fiction I am raising the bar. Every chapter must receive a certain amount of reviews to continue. More reviews; quicker posts. Anywho, I'm not telling you this so you have to freely review. Hahahaha, I'm so evil.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Artemis Fowl the books, characters or settings. Please don't sue and don't take my plotbunny!

This is my first slash fic and I intend to make it very dramatic and humourous at the same time. This is NOT an A/H fic, it is an A/M fiction, but there are no real pairings since this is about the Fowl family and their big secret. I will try to make this descriptive because authors describe their stories to no end, so it's practice for me. This chapter has reached over 2000 words. I've never written a chapter this long before! I promise quick posts and long chapters. The more reviews you give me, the quicker the posts will be. I hope you will enjoy this fiction.

Your Evil Authoress,
Shannon