Chapter Three

Dinner was a quiet one, except for the occasional questions Angeline would ask. Butler almost felt sorry for the teenager but there wasn't much he could do.

During dessert Angeline asked: "So, Arty, Juliet tells me you have feelings for someone. Is this true?" When both Artemis and Butler glared at Juliet, she almost choked on her piece of coconut cake.

"Well Juliet has lied to you then," answered Artemis, knowing his face was red.

"Awe come on, I know you better than that. There must be someone with those handsome looks of yours," exclaimed his mother. Butler wanted to defend his master, but for some reason he couldn't find any words to say.

"There is NO ONE!" yelled Artemis pounding the table and standing. His mother stared at him after his outburst, along with Juliet. Artemis stood still for a few seconds, then slowly turned to look at Butler. He was starting at Artemis with a look of hurt in his eyes. The young man looked down at the table. "If you would excuse me, Mother," Artemis said quietly. He didn't wait for permission before he left the dining room.

Angeline and Juliet then took their attention to Butler, Juliet giving him a sympathetic glance. "Excuse me," he said standing up, "I will go make sure he is okay." Juliet nodded while Angeline was comforted by her husband.

"Artemis?" called Butler as he knocked on the teen's door. The door opened slightly from his knocks and he peeked in.

Artemis stood by the window, his eyes looking at the stars. Butler walked towards his young master, knowing he wouldn't be startled due to his reflection in the mirror.

"Are you okay?" asked Butler putting a strong hand on the teen's shoulder.

"I'm sorry," replied Artemis.

"Pardon," asked Butler slightly confused.

"I lied you know. There is someone I have a crush on. I shouldn't have lied in front of you," exclaimed Artemis, his eyes looking at Butler's reflection.

Butler looked at Artemis's reflection in return, curious at what had been said to him. He wondered if there was a girl in Artemis's life, someone that gave him more peace than Butler could ever give.

"If my psychology is well intact, you are curious by whom I have this simple crush on," said Artemis in his normal tone.

Butler look down, trying to hide the blush that appeared on his face. "I don't want to pry if it is none of my business," said Butler starting to remember the kiss he had planted on Artemis's cheek earlier, remembering the emotion he felt towards Artemis. He felt it now, deep within his heart.

Artemis turned toward Butler, his icy-blue eyes looking up at him. They showed innocence, which Butler never saw now. "Society calls it taboo, a sin, something that I would go to Hades for, but I love you, Domovoi," said Artemis in a soft voice. Butler blinked as Artemis continued, "When you come in my room earlier, I was awake the whole time. When you kissed me, it felt different from the kisses Mother gives me. It felt nice….I want to feel it again." Butler felt as if Artemis was begging him on the last sentence, Artemis was 16, Butler was 31, and it was a big age difference. But he didn't care and he realized Artemis didn't either.

Obeying his young master's wish, he leaned down and kissed Artemis gently. Artemis leaned against Butler, allowing Butler to wrap his arms around him.

Butler broke the kiss, only to hear a soft whimper from Artemis. He allowed his hand to run through Artemis's soft, brown hair, feeling the urge to ruffle it.

"I love you, Artemis," said Butler, caressing his master's neck softly. Artemis looked up at Butler, icy-blue depths piercing into his own dark brown. Hope shined in the beautiful never-ending blue, along with wonder and amazement.

The night was kind to both lovers. Their hearts which never thought of this emotion, of this magnitude, had blossomed in a few short minutes. Only the moon and the stars witnessed such a nice moment.

Author's Note: My lover helped me with this chapter so credit goes to me and her. Review!