A/N: I've been bitten by a rabid plot bunny for these tooth-rotting oneshots involving the Fowl boys, so you can probably expect a few more of these.
Disclaimer: If I said I owned anything relating to Artemis Fowl, I'd be lying, and we all know where liars go…
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"Pulling another all-nighter Artemis?" inquired Butler, poking his head into the young genius's room.
"Unfortunately. This system isn't going to solve itself," he replied, continuing to type away at his laptop. Artemis was on his second night without sleep, and Butler was beginning to worry.
"Don't you think you'll be able to function better with some rest?" the body guard cajoled.
"I have a theory about sleep deprivation. The more tired one is, the greater the connection between the right and left side of the brain. And as you know, the activation of the right side of the brain often gives one a whole new perspective, something desperately needed in most problem solving situations." Though his voice was steady, Butler didn't miss the way Artemis blinked a little harder than normal to clear his eyes.
"Whatever you say. Good night Artemis." The massive man closed the door behind him. Though Artemis was slightly surprised at the ease with which Butler conceded defeat, he quickly pushed it to the back of his mind and refocused on the problem. Not five minutes later, he heard the door creak open once more. However, instead of the heavy, graceful steps of his manservant, he heard the hurried, careless pad of four small feet.
"We couldn't sleep," intoned Myles in an almost imperceptible lisp.
"What'cha doin'?" inquired Becket, inching ever closer to the bright screen of the computer.
Artemis took a long breath through his nose. "If you're going to stay here, then you have to be quiet." He gazed at his brothers sternly and waited for it to sink in. The nodded in unison, heads bobbing up and down; the young man couldn't help being endeared to the angelic gesture. He got up stiffly, pulled the covers away from his bed, and gestured for the toddlers to crawl in. The each let out a little squeal of childish glee and vaulted onto the bouncy piece of furniture.
Artemis returned to his computer, but was promptly distracted by stifled giggling and the sound of his bed springs creaking. He glared at his younger siblings, who immediately became totally immobile. He returned to his equation, but it wasn't long before little voices piped up in protest.
"We're cold!"
"Yeah! Take a break and snuggle with us."
He shot a calculating look at the boys. They were only going to keep making noise until he gave in or sent them away, and he already knew he wasn't capable of the latter. And the bed looked so comfortable…
No. He was committed to finishing his system as soon as possible.
"Please?" they implored together. Between their pleading tone and large, innocent eyes Artemis never stood a chance. As soon as the boys fell asleep he would return to his work…
"Oh, alright. Move over," he commanded. The twins happily obliged and he was soon curled up in between the two chubby bundles of flesh. Myles sighed contentedly while Becket shoved his face against Artemis's arm, breathing sticky puffs of breath against his skin. The boys were almost instantly asleep, going from rambunctious play to complete unconsciousness as only small children can. The genius sighed. Now how to get away from the two boys without waking them up. He moved a few limbs experimentally, only to have Becket let out a strangled grumble of protest. "Perfect," he groused, accidentally letting out a yawn.
'While I figure this out, I might as well relax a bit…' he thought, reposing into one of his fluffy, designer pillows.
Twenty minutes later, Butler poked his head into Artemis's room. This time, he was met with a sight that brought a slow grin to his face. His young charge was completely asleep and snoring lightly between his baby brothers.
He closed the door, chuckling lightly to himself. "It works every time…"
