Chapter 29: Confessions
Author's note: I don't think you are actually aware of how awesome you are ... *VIRTUAL HUGS TO EVERYONE!*
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Artemis Fowl.
Artemis opened his eyes, taking a deep breath. He glanced around the silent, empty room, his deep blue eyes anxious. He knew that Holly would turn up soon. He immediately started fiddling with his hands, blinking fast as he felt his heart accelerate.
How am I going to do this? What am I going to say? Oh, sorry, I just wanted to say that I think I'm in love with you?
Artemis released a shaky breath, remembering Isidore's words.
"That's your best chance of understanding us, therefore, your best chance of recovering."
Recover. That's all Artemis wanted. His head shot up when he heard the door creep open. It was Holly. They paused, Holly knowing it was Artemis, and Artemis having a mental panic attack, his deep blue eyes wide. He blinked, gulping.
"Holly, I need to … talk to you," he murmured, averting his eyes. He heard Holly approach him slowly.
"Then talk to me," she said quietly, her voice nervous.
Artemis hesitated, looking nervously at his fiddling hands. "Sit down, Holly," he said, bringing his knees to his chest to hide his face behind them. He heard Holly sit down in her seat, feeling her eyes burning a hole through him.
"Holly, I-I …" His voice was muffled by his knees. "This seemed a-a lot easier when I was in m-our head." He chuckled nervously, forcing himself to stretch his legs back out. He glanced at her, his lips trembling, his eyes glassing over. Holly frowned, her mismatched eyes full of concern and worry.
"Artemis …"
"N-no, I'm okay," he reassured, looking in the opposite direction of Holly, hiding his eyes. His hands were clenched into fists at his sides, the deep purple veins in them easily visible through his pale skin. "… Holly, we need to talk about this," he murmured almost silently. "I can't … pretend that I didn't …" Artemis trailed off, burying his face into his hands. Holly stayed silent, slightly stunned, her eyes wide.
Artemis abruptly looked up, a decided look in his blue eyes. "What I'm trying to tell you is …" He paused again. His expression became sad. "… I care for you, Holly," he said hesitantly. He blinked, shaking his head, hiss eyebrows pulled together. "No, I mean … I love you," he whispered, his expression torn, tears beginning to spill down his bony cheeks. His eyes shone with so much emotion, that Holly felt her eyes glassing over just by looking into them. She was shocked silent. She blinked.
Artemis broke into tears, covering his face again. "I-I knew y-you d-d-didn't," he stuttered, crying harder. Holly frowned, feeling her heart break as she watched him cry so vulnerably.
"Artemis, don't cry," she said softly, hesitantly rising from her seat to approach the bawling teenager. He peeked through his hands at her, his body freezing. She stopped in front of him, pushing his hands off of his face. He let her, looking away as she cupped his cheeks.
"Artemis, look at me," Holly said firmly, but gently. Artemis slowly met her eyes, regret in the deep layers of blue. Holly's expression softened. "We can't … be together, you know that, Artemis," she said gently, gazing into his eyes, conveying her love for him silently.
"… I know," Artemis whispered, confused by the expression on her face. He frowned slightly. "… Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked quietly.
Holly chuckled, shaking her head at him. Artemis looked even more confused now, his eyes widening a notch. Holly paused, searching eyes. Her expression abruptly became serious, and she suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck, closing the distance between their faces, their lips. Artemis's eyes widened in surprise as her lips claimed his, before rolling slowly back into his head. Her lips were so warm against his, so soft, so gentle. For once, Artemis didn't think, he just acted upon his feelings. His arms wound slowly around her waist, holding her to him. Her fingers tangled and tugged at his midnight hair softly. He let her shape his lips around hers, knowing he would make it awkward if he tried kissing her back. Their chests were pressed tightly together, both of them feeling each other's hammering hearts. They eventually had to pull away from each other to breathe, but stayed in each other's embrace, no one wanting to let go.
There was a long silence as they felt each other's hearts slow back to normal again. "We shouldn't have done that," Artemis murmured quietly, leaning his chin on Holly's shoulder. "We're only hurting each other."
Holly buried her face into the crook of his warm neck, hearing his slightly fast breathing. Her hands untangled from his hair as she wrapped her hands around his neck completely, bringing them even closer together. She pressed her lips once against his soft, pale neck, feeling him shudder. "Please, Artemis, just stop worrying for once," she said calmly. Artemis stayed silent, letting her even breaths and the warmth radiating off her body, lull him slowly to sleep.
"Butler, is he alright?" Angeline Fowl asked softly, her voice sounding worried.
"Yes, Angeline. Artemis is doing fine. I think he's improving," Butler replied, keeping his voice bright despite the tiredness he felt.
"Really? That's wonderful! Can I come and see him again … just me of course … Butler?"
Butler blinked his sleepy eyes open. "I'll see what I can do, Mrs Fowl, and then I'll call you, okay?"
"… okay … thank you, Butler," Angeline said, sensing his grumpy mood by the sound of his voice. "Goodbye."
"Artemis, you did it!" Mane squealed in excitement, jumping out of his seat to throw his arms around a stunned Artemis. He pulled back when he realised what he was doing, feeling all the alters' eyes on his back. Artemis smirked slightly at him. Mane chuckled nervously, reaching up to scratch his head. "Uh … sorry, I … get a little carried away sometimes," he apologised, his voice sincere.
"Don't worry, you're not the only one," Artemis said light-heartedly, glancing to Alistair, his eyebrows raised. Alistair seemed to be a little shocked, his eyes wide in … jealousy? He looked down, blinking.
Orion seemed to be reacting in much the same way as Addison; his eyes narrowed a fraction, looking down testily at the table top.
They're jealous, Artemis realised.
Oisin looked towards Addison, who was sitting at one end of the table. "That really was amusing," he said.
"Dr. Argon couldn't even think of something smart to say back," Quaid added, sharing an amused look with Isidore.
Addison shrugged, a tiny hint of a smile crossing his lips. "It was nothing," he replied modestly.
Oisin smiled at Artemis as he settled down in the seat beside the kind alter. "I'm proud of you, Artemis," he said quietly.
Artemis smiled. "Thank you, Oisin," he said gratefully. "I wouldn't have done it with you around to bug me about it."
Oisin smirked slightly. "I know," he said smugly, his voice teasing.
"… Orion?" Artemis asked unexpectedly, turning to face the jealous alter. Orion kept staring at the table top. "Yes, Artemis?" he asked quietly.
"Would you … like to go out?"
Orion's eyes nearly popped out of his head. His head shot up and he gaped at Artemis. "M-me?" he asked.
Artemis nodded slowly, a small smiling touching his lips. "Yes … as long as you behave yourself … okay?"
Orion beamed. "Oh, thank you, Artemis!" he cried, jumping out of his seat and racing towards the screen.
Orion eyes opened slowly. The first thing he felt was something's warm breaths on him, and someone's arms wrapped around his waist. He slowly looked down.
MY PRINCESS IS HOLDING ME! … ME! I MUST BE DREAMING!
Holly was asleep, cuddled up to Orion's chest, her arms looped around his small waist. He watched her dreamily, his dark blue eyes gentle and tranquil. He couldn't believe his luck. He had never dreamed of being this close to Holly. He could feel his heart hammering wildly in his chest. He stared at her face, admiring every detail of it.
How can someone be so beautiful? Orion thought dreamily. He hesitantly reached out, stroking her cheek as softly as he could. She suddenly shifted, a smile gracing her lips. She leaned up, her eyes still closed. Orion watched her lips coming closer to his, his eyes widening. His breath hitched before he felt their lips press together. He pulled back slightly.
"P-p-princess?" he stuttered in shock.
Holly's eyes abruptly snapped open. Their eyes met, both of their expression shocked. "Orion! What are you doing here?" she demanded, scrambling off the bed hurriedly. But Orion was too far gone, touching his lips, his eyes a faraway look in them.
"Oh, princess," he murmured, chuckling nervously, "I never knew you felt so strongly for me."
Holly groaned, mentally slapping herself.
Why, Artemis? Is this your idea of a joke or something? Letting Orion out?
"Orion? Orion!"
Orion blinked. "I'm sorry, my princess, I didn't catch that. My mind, you see, is flustered. Your lips are as red as roses, as soft a—"
Holly threw her hands up in the air in frustration, actually storming out of the room.
"Wait!" Orion yelled after her, his voice pleading. "I'm sorry, princess! Please, my love, forgive me!"
Holly paused, hesitating. How can I have a soft spot for Orion? I'm crazy, that's how.
She slowly turned around. Orion was looking at her, his eyes wide in alarm, his hands outstretched. He pulled them back to his chest, looking down sadly. "… Why do you hate me so?" he murmured quietly, his eyes deeply offended.
Holly frowned. "I don't … hate you, I just …"
Orion smiled sadly. "Do not like me. I understand," he finished.
Holly walked forward, reaching out to grasp Orion's frail hand. He looked up, his eyes refuel. Holly hated the look of sadness in his eyes.
I would prefer him to be annoying than sad, she realised.
"Orion, don't feel upset," she said softly. "I do like you. I just don't want you to be so …"
Orion searched her eyes. "Bothersome?" he asked quietly.
"Orion!" Holly snapped. He winced. Holly laced her fingers through his, her expression softening again. "I know you mean well. I appreciate that … I just need to get you something to eat. You must be starving, hmm?" Holly smiled softly, patting his cheek before turning around to leave again.
Orion just stared, completely thrown by Holly's weird mood swings.
Are all woman like that?
o.O ... It happened! Anyways, thanks for reading! :D
