"You, Holly Short," Artemis said as he stepped out onto the patio off of the back kitchen that led to the garden, "should not be up this early."
Holly jumped and whirled around, surprised. She was standing near the railing of the tiled patio in shorts and a tank top, looking as if she had just rolled out of bed. She sported handsome purple bunny slippers, which she had borrowed from Juliet to keep from touching the cold floors in the morning. She settled and rolled her eyes, turning back to face the garden, leaning over the railing with her arms folded.
Artemis came and stood beside her. She had a coffee cup precariously balance on the metal railing. Artemis could tell it was her third or fourth cup by how jump she was- coffee was a luxury for her as fairies don't often have real coffee underground.
Holly seemed very quiet, staring at the sunrise, peaking over the top of the wall and the gardens, setting the world aglow.
He tried striking up conversation again. "You aren't usually up this early."
Holly looked frankly over at her husband. "Yes I am." She took a step closer to him and nudged his side with her hip.
Artemis shook his head. "You're usually beside me when I wake up. In fact, this is the first time, if my calculations are correct, that you weren't."
Holly rested her head on his shoulder. "I ALWAYS wake up in time to watch the sunset. I just slip back in bed before you wake up. You just woke up earlier than usual this morning."
Artemis nodded his head in compromise. "You're very quiet, then."
"Not really. You just sleep like the dead." Holly countered, and then laughed.
All was quiet for a moment. Artemis held his head high and closed his eyes, taking in the warmth of the rising sun. Nearby he heard a bird sing a note- a sharp sound that moved swiftly with the wind and disappeared just as quickly as it had appeared.
"Why watch it by yourself?" the words came out and he suddenly realized he had been the one who said them. "The sunrise, that is." He added quickly.
"Gives me time to reflect," she took a deep breath and let it out through her nose, "time to take in nature. And remind myself why here is better than there." She motioned to the ground and Artemis knew exactly what she was talking about. She stood on tiptoe and kissed Artemis' pale cheek, "I don't mind the company though."
"Haven wasn't the best for sunset viewing, I gather?" He smirked.
Holly nodded wordlessly. The sun climbed a few more millimeters in the sky.
"It's hard not to take in the beauty of nature when you hail from a place that's all dirt, rock and chrome. Humans take for granted the earth and what she does for us."
Artemis' head bobbed in absolute agreement. He himself had been doing just that not long ago. Having Holly at the Manor full time made him really appreciate the earth's natural beauty.
"Look at what they have done and are doing to the earth," Holly continued, "It breaks my heart to see the damage they've caused." She took Artemis' hand and he could feel her gentle skin radiating warmth. She smiled up at him. "Though… not all humans are bad…"
Artemis brought her hand up and kissed it. "No, not all of them…" he agreed with a knowing smile.