Chapter two: Help

The deep, inquiring voice made Artemis spin round in surprise, and he didn't have the time to throw the pillow away before the door opened and the formidable shape of his bodyguard was visible.
"I heard something, are you OK, Artemis?"
The question was spoken so earnestly and with such warmth that Artemis decided to forgive his friend for opening the door without waiting for an answer. Butler's face, too, spoke only of the deep care and affection he felt for his young charge. As the older man's eye was caught by the pillow, the book and the shoes, however, Artemis knew he could not have the slightest chance of concealing what he had been doing, so before Butler had the chance to ask, the reply was given.

"I'm trying to dance, Butler. Only I can't."
Feeling a light blush creeping onto his cheeks at the smile tugging at the corner of the bodyguard's mouth, Artemis turned away from the friendly yet so scrutinizing gaze, walking over to the stereo to shut the infuriating music off. With his back still turned, he explained as carelessly as he could:

"I will have to attend at mother's ball, and that will include dancing."
"But you say you can't." Butler's response was unexpectedly soft, void of any mocking, and Artemis turned hesitantly.
"No," he admitted.
Then, more in mockery than with any real thought, he added
"Can you?"

At this, he was surprised to see the huge bodyguard smile almost shyly, averting his eyes and fidgeting with a loose thread at the hem of his white cotton shirt. He looked as though he was thinking of a rather amusing but somewhat embarrassing memory, and if he had only had long hair, Artemis could have sworn Butler would have been twisting a tress around his finger. This uncharacteristic pause only lasted for a moment, though, and then Butler quickly turned his eyes back to the puzzled boy. His sharp cheekbones had gained some colour, but his voice was clear and his gaze steady as he replied,

"Yes, I can. I'm no expert, but I know the basics and I can manage most of the popular dances."
He tried vainly to hide the smile that was slowly spreading over the finely-chiselled features, but it seemed to be caused by mirth rather than anything else. He added matter-of-factly,
"Of course I haven't had time or reason to practise lately", he smiled, "but once you've learnt how to dance you won't forget it."

Artemis realised something.
"Who taught you? It isn't very likely to be a major subject at the Body Guard Academy, I dare say?"
His smile widening, Butler shook his head.
"Not exactly. No, actually, I learnt most of it just like you, by myself with a pillow and a mirror." At this, Artemis blushed slightly. "And then Juliet taught me, since she did, in fact, learn it at the Academy. It might come in handy for a female bodyguard to know the basics of dancing in case she needs to attend some formal event or another. And then it might be an effective distraction for male victims." He smiled.

Artemis was silent for a few moments, staring into the middle distance whilst putting together pieces of information in his over-efficient brain. Butler patiently waited for his employer to finish the decision that was clearly forming in his head. He didn't have to wait long. Merely seconds later, Artemis turned his astonishingly blue eyes back to the waiting bodyguard, some slight hesitation showing in his face although his voice was determined. He wasn't used to be asking this kind of questions and didn't really know how to put it.

"Could you, I mean, if you would not consider it inappropriate and unless you are presently occupied, I would be very obliged if you would…" he broke off and stared at his feet. When he continued, his eyes were still fixed on the floor and his voice was so low Butler scarcely caught the words.
"If you would teach me to dance."
Butler at first just regarded his young charge, who was still not looking at him.
True, a voice in his head said, it would be inappropriate, and equally true, the bodyguard knew what his sensei would have thought about being overly friendly to the object. But Butler also knew that he had long since passed the point where he became too attached to Artemis, and that no matter what rules or convention said, there was practically nothing he wouldn't do for the blue-eyed young man.

Taking a step forward, he put one hand on Artemis' shoulder, with the other gently pulling his face up to look at him. Seeing how the genius was torn between embarrassment and attempts to dignity, Butler gave an uncharacteristically warm smile and nodded.
"Sure, I'll do my best."
The teenage criminal did his best not to beam.

Butler hesitated, unsure how to avoid causing Artemis further embarrassment, and then acted as straightforwardly as he could.
"Do you know the basics, or nothing at all?"
"Nothing." The reply was short and irritated, but more from frustration than from anger. Butler nodded.
"OK. I just need to have some grasp of where to start. Er…It's not very much space in here, but…" Artemis saw the point.
"Perhaps we could use the sitting room on the first floor?" he suggested.
"Sure".

Picking his words very carefully, so as not to put any pressure on the self-assured boy who was so unaccustomed to be asking for help, Butler started
"Would you…should…", and then he gave up on coherency. "Now?" he asked simply.
Looking relieved that he didn't have to pose that specific question, Artemis nodded.
He was still blushing, which Butler couldn't help but notice made him look rather…cute.
He mentally shook himself. That was not an appropriate thought about his charge. Wondering slightly however this was going to work, Butler silently opened the door and started to head for the stairs to the first floor. Without turning, he called over his shoulder,
"And don't bring the book, OK?"
He smiled when he heard the low thud of the book hitting the floor.

Artemis stood for a while in his room, looking absentmindedly at the pillow on the floor, then threw a quick glance in the mirror. To his annoyance, he realized that he was still wearing a somewhat stupid smile.