Here's the second installment. I like it, though it doesn't give me the "aw, fluff!" feeling that the previous gives me, for obvious reasons. It's primarily A/M, as it's from a Minerva angle, but it's also definitely A/H. So don't just leave if you're just in it with me for the A/H. Sheesh.

.:/Almost Perfect\:.

I. Minerva Paradizo's life had mostly been as close to perfect as anyone could hope for, once her mother's departure with the gardener was overlooked. After all, she had grown up with an incredible amount of beauty, intellect, money, and support from her proud daddy. How could one with all of this not end up doing great things and living the life most can only dream of?

II. No one was surprised when Minerva snapped up the great Artemis Fowl as a husband. He was, after all, her perfect match in every way as far as everyone else, and indeed Minerva herself, could tell. It was only natural that he would marry her, the woman who surpasses all others as he himself did. To the world, they were the perfect couple, unparalleled in suiting to each other.

III. Minerva had always appreciated how lovely her life was, if a little lonely before Artemis entered it. When she met him, she was thrilled to have finally met an equal – someone who understood her. She had been interested since their first telephone conversation and hooked from their first meeting. She cursed herself for her bout of idiotic childishness each day the Irish boy was not available to converse with her because of his time traveling escapade to save the demon population (another relatively small blip in her life, though her bruised ego had taken a while to recover). With each fond anecdote Butler recalled on their various holidays together, Minerva found herself falling more and more for a boy she'd barely met.

IV. When he returned, Minerva was overjoyed to find him up to her expectations. He lived up to her ideas of him, and even beat her in chess more often than he lost! She knew then that there was no way she could possibly allow him to leave her, now that she'd found someone with whom she was unbelievably compatible with.

V. When she and Artemis started to date, Minerva saw everything she wanted. Everyone else saw the same. They all knew they belonged together; it just had to be the rule of nature.

VI. Minerva's wedding day was the happiest of her life, even more so than when she finally won her Nobel Prize. It was the most beautiful ceremony, and all those who attended agreed that it was one marriage that would never fail, they were so happy. No one took the slightest bit of notice when the groom took a quick glance towards the back of the church, where there appeared to be a shimmer of heat, before he said, "I do."

VII. Several years later, the fairy tale still appeared to be in place. Minerva was the perfect wife, Artemis the faithful husband. They frequently left the children in the care of Juliet Butler while they enjoyed a nice night out, at the theater perhaps, or an art gallery. They remained companions, true equals. There appeared to be nothing out of place.

That being said, sometimes Minerva detected a sort of… forced quality in her husband when he kissed her, or made love to her, or when he touched her in any way. Most of the time she really took no notice, always choosing to see and feel what she wanted. It was only at times when her mind wasn't completely functioning logically when she thought she sensed this, like when she'd had a bit too much wine, for example. She always shoved these poisonous thoughts away later on, knowing better. How could Artemis not love her, after all?

VIII. Some nights Minerva would dream the same, recurring dream. She would look upon a darling scene of a kiss being shared between herself and Artemis in the moonlight. Soon, however, Minerva noticed that she had metamorphosed into someone else. Her long, blonde curls became short and auburn; her milky skin darkened to the color of hazelnuts; her height decreased. For reasons she couldn't fathom, her beloved husband always seemed so much more passionate when her transfiguration took place.

Minerva always awoke troubled from these dreams, but never quite remembered what took place. The dreams were irrational, after all, and she never tolerated irrationalness, even subconsciously. And if she could count on something to be completely rational, it was that she and Artemis Fowl were meant to be. Perfect.

Hmm. Don't like this one as much, I'm afraid. The writing seems to flow less naturally. I do like VIII, though. Whatever. Reviews make me smile. Constructive criticism/writing tips make me smile even more! Flames make me laugh.

Next up is something pretty Vinyáyacentric. It's already written (not typed), and it's longer that these last two.