Chapter 35: Awkward

Author's note: Thanks once again. :D

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Artemis Fowl.

It was beautiful outside.

The morning breeze gently blew through Artemis's hair, twisting and swirling into the soft midnight strands. He took a deep breath, closing the door behind him, walking down the porch steps to sit down by Holly, who was on the bottom step, her head her face buried in her hands. Artemis sighed, looking down at his hands on his lap. He hesitated before speaking.

"Holly … what my father said …"

"He's right," Holly murmured.

There was a brief silence.

"No, he's just—"

"What, Artemis, has happened to you?" Holly snapped, looking up to glare at him. "Have you lost all your reasoning? Have you?"

Artemis blinked, closing his mouth into a tight line, turning to look ahead. His eyes looked so hurt, that Holly instantly felt terrible.

"Artemis—"

"I acted like I did before because …" Artemis looked at her softly. "Because he came out in me … It was like I was being slightly influenced by Addison." Holly's eyes widened. Artemis grasped her hands firmly but gently. He looked into her eyes, shaking his head. "I am cured, Holly, I just … I've been more aware of them … because I know they're there," he muttered, almost to himself.

Holly squeezed his hands, her eyes relieved. "I thought … Wait, what do you mean?"

Artemis pursed his lips, trying to find the words to convey what he felt. "I felt like … I reacted as Addison would have," he murmured, his dark blue eyes deep in thought. "I don't know why. I would never have normally reacted so … strongly."

Holly's expression faltered slightly. Artemis shook his head furiously, his eyes exasperated. "Holly, I felt as though I acted, but I wouldn't have normally shown it, that's all I'm saying." He leaned up to stroke her cheek, his eyes sad. "Trust me, Holly, I love you more than I can explain," he said seriously. He chuckled, sounding nervous and rueful at the same time. "If anything, I'm worried that you … no, it doesn't matter."

"Arty," Holly said sternly, reaching up to grasp his pale hand on her cheek and hold it in her two hands. "Tell me."

Artemis shook his head, looking down at their hands. "No, it's nothing, Holly," he insisted weakly.

"When did you become so bad at lying?" Holly asked, chuckling out of anxiousness.

Artemis's expression became annoyed, and he looked up, his eyes narrowed. "I've lost the plot, Holly! I don't think you love me as much I love you!" His ragged breaths came out uneven through his snarling lips. His deep blue eyes looked wounded, the waves of blue fire swaying, shining with intense emotion.

Holly frowned, her hands tightening around his. "I love you more," she said gently.

"No, you don't!" he cried, pulling his handout of her grip, shocking her silent. He buried his face into his knees, wrapping his arms around himself. "If you did," he muttered quietly, "you would at least try to be part of this relationship … You don't really want me, do you?" He whispered the last part so vulnerably, so desolately.

Holly pulled at Artemis's arms, forcing him to loosen them and let go of his knees. She grabbed his face, crushing her lips against his before he could react. She had never kissed him this way before. Her lips were hungry, desperate as they moved against his shocked ones. She moved onto his lap eagerly, her fingers attacking his dark, soft hair. Their chests were pressed together, both of their hearts throbbing against one another. Artemis made a deep sound in his throat, making Holly shiver. He fervently wrapped his arms around her, standing up, not breaking their deep kiss. Holly wrapped her legs around his waist, hearing him gasp before pulling away for air. He leaned his cheek against her shoulder, closing his eyes, letting cold air fill his lungs.

Holly kissed the top of his head, her lips quivering as they touched his luscious hair. She was extremely aware of her legs wound around his skinny waist. "Of course," she whispered. "I love you. I just don't want to hurt you, neither of us."

"I don't care anymore," Artemis murmured, his husky voice causing her to shiver again.

Holly sighed, her fingers continuing to explore his hair keenly. "Oh, Artemis, I honestly can't think very reasonably right now."

"Then don't," Artemis whispered, leaning up to kiss her enthusiastically again. Holly didn't have a problem with that. When they finally pulled back again, Holly suddenly remembered something.

"Artemis, can you put me down? I need to talk to you."

Artemis frowned, his expression slightly dazed from their passionate kiss. "About what?" he asked quietly, leaning over to place her gently on the floor. He kneeled in front of her, giving her his full attention.

Holly's expression became angry. "I have to make him feel pain, Artemis."

Artemis's expression became serious. "Holly … what happened to him after … you know."

Holly tried to remember. "I … I don't know …" She panicked, realising she didn't know how to catch him.

Artemis sighed, his eyes patient. "Holly … he was as young as me … I don't think … he knew what he was doing," he murmured hesitantly.

Holly gaped. "So, what's happening in that brain of yours now? Oisin influencing you?" she asked cynically, her eyes mocking.

Artemis frowned, trying to hide his wounded expression. "Holly, I understand how you feel, but … it's just … I just … I don't think he meant to do it."

Holly blinked, her eyes wide, stunned. "Artemis, since when did you become so understanding?"

"Since I actually empathised with whoever this young man is, that's when!" Artemis snapped.

"Are you crazy, Artemis?" Holly shrieked, and without thinking, slapped him hard across the face. He staggered back, his hand flying to his cheek, his eyes full of shock.

"What was that for?" he asked quietly, his voice offended and stunned.

Holly blinked, her hand flying her moth. "Arty, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it …" she whispered, her own voice bewildered.

Artemis hid his face behind his hands. "… yeah … okay," he muttered, his voice genuinely hurt and isolated.

"Arty, you're not okay," Holly said quietly.

Artemis blinked rapidly. "I'm fine," he said stiffly, slowly removing his hands from his face.

"Art—"

"Holly, please, just forget about it," Artemis said, hesitantly walking towards her. She threw her arms around his waist when he reached her, whispering apologies again and again.

"Timmy, you need to talk to him."

Artemis senior and Angeline sat on their bed in their room. Artemis senior was sitting at the end of it next to his wife, his head in his hands. He took a deep breath. "I didn't do it to be cruel, Angeline," he whispered, his voice laced with guilt.

Angeline stroked his back gently, her eyes soft. "I know, honey. Arty knows too."

"Does he?" the distraught father mumbled into his hands.

"He's a smart young man … I know he does," Angeline replied softly, her gentle hand soothing the tense muscles in her husband's back.

"… Okay … I'll go," Artemis senior said conclusively, slowly rising from the king-sized bed.

Butler was trying his best to keep his expression bright. Juliet was sitting next to him at the table, amusing the twins by making them draw pictures with crayons. Butler had told his sister what had happened, making sure to speak quietly so that the twins couldn't hear.

"Butler, look!" Beckett cried in delight, holding his paper up. It was something, but Butler wasn't sure what. He smiled.

"That's wonderful, Beckett," he said kindly, too worried to bother asking what it was.

"Mine's so much better!" Myles argued, holding his paper up to reveal a portrait of the family. Butler smiled slightly.

"I don't think Artemis's hair is that spiky, Myles," he said playfully.

Myles smiled. "It's meant to be. He's crazy with love … see?" he asked, pointing to the boy's face. The stick figure's eyes were replaced by hearts. Butler and Juliet shared a shocked glance.

Myles pouted, looking back and forth between them. "It's so obvious!" he exclaimed.

"Yes, it really is."

Everyone flinched, turning to see Artemis and Holly standing in the archway.

"… Are you guys okay?" Juliet asked quietly. The twins just stared at Artemis and Holly's' linked hands, disgusted expressions on their faces.

"Eww, that's yucky," Beckett whispered into Myles ear. He may as well have yelled it to the whole world.

Juliet turned to smirk at them. "You'll understand one day," she said, raising her eyebrows.

"Jules, no," Butler chastised, giving her a stern look.

"How did simple-toon get a girlfriend?" Myles asked in bewilderment, his eyes shocked.

"Myles!" The Butlers yelled at the same time. The boy paused, smiling innocently.

"What?" he asked.

Artemis pulled Holly along with him to the table, sitting down by the twins

Beckett beamed, holding up his picture to Holly and Artemis. "Look what I drawed!"

Artemis nodded patiently, his expression nuetral. "Drew," he corrected.

Myles laughed. "I knew that!" he said evilly.

Holly giggled quietly, feeling a little better because of the twins' bouncy personalities.

"Artemis?"

Artemis looked up, stiffening when he saw his father standing in the archway. Holly looked down, unable to meet the man's eyes. Juliet and Butler kept talking to the twins, distracting them. To them, no argument had taken place between their father and older brother.

"… Yes, fath-dad?" Artemis corrected himself again, knowing he would feel terrible if he ever said "father" again.

Artemis senior sighed. "I want to talk to you, son," he said calmly. Artemis slowly released Holly's hand from under the table, rising from his seat to follow his father out of the room. Artemis senior turned around when they were further down the hallway, his eyes watering slightly.

"You know that I love you, don't you?" he whispered, grasping his son's shoulders.

Artemis nodded slowly, his eyes confused. "Yes, fa-dad, I know," he replied quietly.

Artemis senior's eyes shone with worry. "I want you to take it slow with Holly, okay? I don't want you throwing yourself into such a vulnerable position." His father paused, shaking his head vigorously. "Of course, being in love is the most wonderful feeling, especially when you're young. It becomes everything, and I understand. The concept is so … intriguing to young minds. But taking it too fast usually ends the whole relationship in tears, no matter how much you may love the other person. Now, I know you're smart. You probably don't think that I need to tell you this, but it's a very important part of growing up. Not even a genius can figure it out on his or her own. Take it slow."

Artemis blinked, blushing slightly. "Fath-dad, I-I'm aware of … Yeah."

Artemis senior smirked slightly. "Oh, you wouldn't know, son, unless you've been there, which I would advise not to, for a while at least. You're a bit too young still. In other words, don't you dare try anything or I will get very mad."

"Dad, I'm not going to! I …" Artemis was as red as a tomato by now, his blue eyes avoiding his dad's smug ones.

"Don't say that you don't want to," Artemis senior said, smirking annoyingly, enjoying Artemis's extreme embarrassment. "It's only natural—"

"Okay! I'm going to leave now!" Artemis said hurriedly, spinning around and basically running back down the hall back towards the kitchen.

Artemis senior burst out laughing, doubling over.

Oh, young love. I remember the days.

Oh, that was naughty of me xD Thanks for reading! (Not finished ... don't ask)