A/N: thank you to all of my awesome reviewers! I was really happy to see I had some. Thanks for all the tips. I tried to take them into account. I will definitely post bigger chapters and don't worry there will be a plot. Regular everyday life gets kinda boring doesn't it? Well, maybe not for Arty cuz his day is doing illegal stuff.
Right in Front of Her Nose: Chapter 2
I was the late afternoon and Holly sat curled up in a chair in the Fowl Library thinking. A book lay forgotten in her lap. Since "our moment" (as she liked to call it) happened, everything seemed to have changed. And sometimes it was difficult to wrap her mind about it.
"Hmmm… Artemis sure has complicated things. I guess I wouldn't want it any other way but still. Oh great, I wonder what Foaly will say? Maybe it should be our secret? That might work if Artemis's big mouth would let him do that. I can just imagine that. 'But Holly, are you ashamed?' He really should be ashamed of using 'the look' on me. What am I supposed to do when he looks at me with his eyes all innocent and slightly hurt? Wow, he's a good actor. I mean, come one! Artemis fowl: innocent? I wonder where here is now, anyway? Maybe we can go do something. After all, I do have to leave tonight," she thought.
And with that she silently padded off to look for Artemis. She eventually found him glued to his computer with a look of intense concentration on his face.
"Typical Artemis Fowl. Glued to his computer hacking or something illegal like that. You do know that's a terrible habit, right?" asked Holly.
"I'll let you know Holly, that this is strictly legal. Or close enough anyway. I'm simply looking at some stuff. Nothing too classified and anyway, it is not like I'm redirecting any funds or hurting anything this time. Besides, I thought you liked all of me including my so-called terrible habits," replied Artemis. He looked away from the computer and finally gave Holly his full attention. That was lucky because as everyone knows, Holly has a great right hook…
"This time, Artemis? So you have done those things before? Anyway, no, I do not like your terrible hacking habit when it keeps you from spending time with me!"
"I'm sorry, Holly. I am being a terrible host. Perhaps you would like to go do something fun?" he suggested casually while giving her a look clearly stating his idea of fun. Something that would make me, the incredible author, have to rate this quite a bit higher.
"Artemis…" Holly's tone was warning enough and Artemis was wise enough to not push his luck.
"All right then, what would you like to do? We could go out to Dublin if you feel like wearing a hat, have a picnic somewhere in Fowl Manor, or really anything else you want."
"Can we just hang out and talk? We should probably settle some certain things. And Artemis, please stop being so formal! It makes me feel weird."
"Certainly Holly. Er, I mean, um, sure Holls. Lets 'hang out.'" Said Artemis. He was really starting to look quite a bit uncomfortable.
"Holls, Arty? Really?"
"If you come up with a better nickname I'll gladly use it. Anyway, where would you like to talk?"
"Here is fine. Ok Arty, these last 2 days have been great but what are we going to do when I go back to haven tomorrow? I can only get a surface visa maybe once a month if I'm lucky. I'm going to miss you." Said Holly. With her last few words she looked down at the floor with a sad, yet embarrassed look.
"Holly," Said Artemis, tilting her chin up to look at him, "It will work out. I promise. Besides, I'm sure Foaly would be able to get you visas. And, when you have vacation, you could come spend it with me?"
"Of course I would. But, Artemis, I guess what I'm going at is, well, what are people going to say? Will we even work out? I don't know."
"Holly, Holly, Holly. You should know by now that I always finish my projects. And you are my favorite one."
"Really, Artemis, is that all I am to you? A project?"
"Holly, I'm sorry. You are far more to me. I just am having a difficult time expressing myself. And well, honestly, I don't really know what to do." Artemis looked her in the eyes. "You see Holly, I have never had a girlfriend before. I will have to read up on this. But, I will do whatever I can to make this work."
And with that Holly melted. "Its ok, Arty. Don't read up on it, let me teach you. Now lets go do something. All this serious talk is making my ears itch. "
"Of course, my dear."
And with that they went to the kitchen. Butler was there preparing dinner. Just a simple Ahi Tuna Tartar with Wasabi Caviar and Spicy Ginger Vinaigrette and a light Pomegranate Sorbet for desert.
"Holly, how are you? I haven't really gotten a chance to talk to you these past few days. It seems Artemis has been hogging you." Butler said.
"Au contraire, Butler, Holly just dragged me away from my computer. I was working on our new project. You know?" Artemis said with a slightly sneaky look in his eyes.
"Yes, that's right. However, thankfully this silly mud man will go away from his computer if he is forced to choose from it or me. And what is this new project? You told me you weren't doing anything illegal." Holly pouted
"Holly, so how are you? I trust you will be staying for a little longer, correct?" said Butler, saving Artemis's butt from being kicked by Holly's police side. Artemis shot him a grateful look for this.
"I'm great, Butler! I have to leave tonight though."
"Will you be staying for dinner, Holly dear?" asked Artemis.
"I think I can. I better go down soon after before Trouble suspects me of anything though. That's the problem with being a workaholic" Holly joked, "When you take a break, people suspect something is going on."
"Well, what does he think you are doing? You have been here for 2 days." Asked Butler.
"Oh, he thinks I came to do the ritual and check up on Artemis. They are still kind of paranoid about you. Foaly must be giving them lessons. I guess I did check up on you but he won't expect what else I did," said Holly giving Artemis a coy wink.
Artemis flushed slightly, remembering the night before. Anyone would agree that nothing too bad had happened, but for a boy with his first girlfriend, even making out was a lot.
"Kids these days" Butler muttered. "Well, dinner is just done now. Let me go set the table for you too. Oh, Artemis, Mr. and Mrs. Fowl will be back tomorrow."
Mr. and Mrs. Fowl had been taking the twins on a trip to Disney World Paris. Naturally, Artemis had refused to go, not only because of Disney World but also because he suspected that his parents were trying to get him and Minerva together and would have decided to go for a visit to her while in France. It is not that Artemis detested her, she was fine for a chess companion, but they just didn't have any sparks.
Not like him and Holly.
-000-
After a quiet dinner together, Holly unfortunately had to leave. Fortunately, she would try to come back soon.
"Bye Arty. I'll try to visit again soon. Try not to rise up to Foaly's jibes. You know him, he'll find out even if we don't tell him."
"Of course, Holly. Come as soon as you can. I have been working on something that would give elves a human appearance so that you can meet my mother and father and come anytime without having to worry."
"Was that the project Butler mentioned?" Holly questioned.
"No, that was a different one. But," Artemis said, quickly switching the conversation away from the project, " I was wondering, if you were going to tell others about our new romantic relationship? It is quite alright, whatever you decide to do."
" 'Romantic relationship'? Come on, Arty, say it normally."
"Very well, are you going to tell anyone about the fact that we are dating or that you are my girlfriend?"
"I think I might have to tell Foaly. He would get suspicious if I kept asking him for visas and kept going to Fowl manor. And then, Foaly of course will tell everyone. Even if I ask him not too," Holly sighed.
"Well, that's alright with me. Tell me if the council or LEP gives you any trouble. Bye Holly,"
Artemis leaned in for a quick kiss goodbye. Nothing could compare to that feeling. When they kissed, he felt everything slip away, felt as if he were a normal boy. And for once, he didn't mind being normal.
Holly slipped away and said, "Bye, Artemis"
As he watched her fly to Tara, Artemis let slip four words that she couldn't hear, "Bye. I love you."
Artemis went back inside and went to his computer to continue working. Being a 16-year-old genius wasn't all fun and experiments after all.
Butler came in and laid one heavy, comforting hand on his charge's shoulder. "You really love her don't you?"
"Yes," Artemis replied. "And I miss her already."
A/N: yay! Another chapter done. And this one is a lot longer. I'm going to try keeping them around this length or longer. Next chapter, we shall see how lower elements will react, more about Artemis, and if you are lucky, something else.
Remember my dear readers: REVIEW! I love to hear it all. Constructive criticism, death threats, comments, compliments, and any ideas you want me to include. REVIEW TO MAKE ME WRITE MORE. Unless of course you hate my story.