! TRIGGER WARNING !
! PLEASE READ !
This is a potentially triggering chapter. This chapter is for older teen audiences and up. I did my best to handle this chapter eloquently and not get heavy with it. Harassment at the LEP has been canon a few times, and since this is a more "YA/adult" take on the AF world, I wanted to include it because it's also a common issue many people face. Despite this, it's still a fun chapter, and so if these subjects are not triggering for you, it won't be too heavy a read. Thank you.
This chapter contains sexual harassment, attempted sexual assault, slut-shaming, sexually suggestive themes, drug use, PTSD, and explicit language. Please do not read if you cannot handle this material.
SHIP WARNING:
This is a Holly-centric chapter, but if you are a devote A/H shipper, you may want to skip the A/OC sections of this chapter. This will be a brief pairing, and the endgame is still A/H. However, the story is ever-evolving and this is something I've decided on because I think it works best in my story currently. If I had known before, I would have tagged it sooner, so I apologize for that. I'll be honest: this chapter makes me a little nervous, but I firmly believe what I've got planned here will work. And, so, on that note, if you are like me and are a multishipper or deviating from A/H doesn't bother you, I hope you enjoy! Thank you.
Thank you to my betas for sticking with my chaos!
The trap song Trouble is rapping is a remix of Family Ties and does not belong to me. Warning, it is very explicit.
7 Days Later
Mulberry Row Condominiums
Apt 224
It'd been a whole week since Artemis moved out from Holly's apartment, and since she last saw or heard from him. Well, the former wasn't technically true. The media had stirred a frenzy when it was discovered the Irish genius was now living amongst The People. His pallid face was plastered on every billboard and news article. Everybody wanted to know: just what was a human doing in Haven City?
It was this very sentiment that added to Holly's sour mood. She tossed herself onto her stomach under the duvet to cuddle her fluffy pillow, unlocking her phone screen. The holo-projector lit a small screen above the actual one, allowing her to control her phone in the air. She frowned as she scrolled through her notifications; all of them from Trouble, none of them from Artemis.
She sighed into the soft poof of the pillow, just letting her face melt into the fluffy surface. "Urghh," she groaned from her throat, lifting her phone back up to read Trouble's messages.
Trouble aka trouble in my a-
(15 Unread Messages)
(3 Missed Calls)
She frowned at the messages. Fifteen? Really, Trubs? She whined again, skimming through the texts.
Trouble: Hey. Call me back ?
Trouble: Wyd
Trouble: Holly did you die lol
Trouble: Ok now Im worried
Holly rolled her eyes. She should feel flattered, or appreciated by this, shouldn't she? So why did she feel annoyed? She skimmed a few more, breezing through the end of the block of text.
Trouble: …been 5 days since i heard from you…you ignored me today…didd i do sometjing wrong ?
Trouble: Sorry.
Holly's lips flattened into a tight line. What was she doing? She didn't feel like a professional lately. She felt so out of her depth, like everything and everyone was challenging her mentally, spiritually, whatever.
Holly rolled in her sheets, snuggling the soft fabric. She missed her cat friend about now, realizing she hadn't seen the fancy tunnel cat since she came back from vacation. He's probably mad at me, too. Of course, he wasn't truly hers, as the fairies tended to only keep wild animal companions that were free to come and go, tunnel cats being the easiest and most popular of pets in Haven City - if you were lucky enough to befriend one.
But, Holly was alone in her apartment, tossing and turning in her spare hours before her early morning shift. She thought back to the media articles plastered across the internet.
What is a human doing in Haven?!
It's all because of me. It's all my fault. True, it was Angeline's idea to keep Artemis helpless in Haven. His mother had paved the way to bring it to fruition, but it'd been Holly herself who physically brought Artemis into the Lower Elements. She couldn't help but feel like it was a direct betrayal to him.
I tricked him down here, forced him into a job he didn't want, learned his deepest secrets, shot him, and kept him isolated in a cell for 72 hours.
Holly groaned and rolled over, frowning at the paneled ceiling as her thoughts kept swirling in her mind. He tried to kill himself in space. He doesn't think he's real. And I left him in a cell for three days. "Fuck," she uttered, running a hand down her face. I suck.
She tossed over onto her stomach again, slim fingers searching for her phone. She pulled up Artemis' contact and stared at it. Are you okay? Please be okay, wherever you are.
Holly caught a glint in the soft lavender lights outside her window, her eyes catching her carnelian ring. Just call him.
She dropped her phone and flipped the little orange stone over, allowing the ringer to carry out. It rang four times before rejecting. Holly pouted onto her pillow. Even after a week, he was refusing to talk to her? She felt like crying, punching her pillow, and eating a gallon of pandan ice cream. Why did she feel so out of control? She was 97, for Frond's sake!
A click from her living room caught her attention, her pointed ears alert and tingling. She got out of bed cautiously to tiptoe to the door frame, peeking out over the lip of the wall. A tall, raven-haired human was strolling through her apartment as if searching for something. Artemis!
Holly stepped out from the crevice so he could see the anxious elf in her athletic shorts and hoodie in the doorway. She held her arms together, swaying gently as she waited for him to notice her. And when he did, he froze, their eyes locked on each other's, full of regret and uncertainty.
"Hi…" Holly started first in English, taking a slight step forward.
"Hi…" Artemis repeated in English too, stiff on the center of her fuzzy rug.
Holly observed him before she spoke, silently checking up on her friend - if they were still friends. He seemed rested, and the haircut she'd given him had grown out nicely, his curtain bangs framed his face in wisps. His tapered jaw was dusted with dark, week-old stubble, and he seemed to be maintaining it. "Um, what's up?" Holly gulped. "What're you doing here?"
Artemis stood up straight, stuffing his hands in his slacks pockets. "I left a microchip behind. I should've retrieved it earlier, but…" He trailed off, diverting his eyes from her gaze to peek into her kitchen. "I can get it and leave."
"Oh," Holly said simply, walking past him slowly. "I think you hid it over here." She looked behind the herbal oils by her stovetop, plucking the tiny chip from the glass carafes. "Here," she turned to him and handed it upwards for him to take. She used the opportunity to observe him more closely now: overall, she had to admit he seemed fine, which both worried and relieved her. Was he hiding how he really felt? Was he actually better without her around? She noticed a reddish mark on the fair flesh of his neck, the contrast like a drop of blood in clean snow. She squinted at it, her fingers and chip frozen in place. "What's that?"
"What's what?" Artemis inquired genuinely, looking down at his outfit in confusion.
"That," Holly persisted, hopping to her tiptoes to press her fingers to his neck. A few blue sparks siphoned off her fingertips, dancing around the broken skin. "Is that a bruise?"
Artemis' cool demeanor broke briefly, his eyes widening as he reeled backwards. "Oh. That's, um-" He pulled up his turtleneck, an embarrassed smile creeping across his pink cheeks. "I hit a sign a few days ago. I'm much taller than everything here."
But Holly wasn't convinced. She arched a brow, peering closer again. "You're lying straight to my face, aren't you?" She recognized the way the red capillaries circled the broken skin. "That's a ph'rong!"
"A what?"
"A hickey, lovebite, whatever you Irish people call it," Holly scoffed. "Are you kidding me?"
Artemis threw his hands up a little defensively. "It's not what it looks like-"
"You're really gonna lie to me?" Holly sneered, crossing her arms. "Who're you hooking up with? You don't know anyone down here."
Artemis put his hands down, his expression growing steely cold. He straightened, asserting himself a little. "That's none of your business, to be frank with you."
"No? I brought you down here. It's my right to know what you're doing-"
"-No, it's not." Artemis held a palm up, stopping her quickly. "What I do in my spare time is my business, as is what you do in yours. I don't impede your personal life. Do not interject yourself into mine."
Holly put her hands on her hips. "Oh, yeah? Getting defensive, are we?" She peered closely at him, analyzing his reactions. "So, you're hooking up with random faeries now? Huh. I thought you were better than that."
Artemis' brow twitched a little. His jaw set tightly as he brushed her off. "First off, they're not random. I happen to know this person quite well now. And secondly, even if they were a stranger, you've no discretion to judge me-"
"I just never imagined you being so easy, is all," Holly interrupted with a shrug, refusing to meet his eyes. "I thought you'd have more respect for yourself."
She's trying to bait me. Smart. Artemis rolled his eyes at her. "I see what you're doing." He closed in their distance, his height towering over his former best friend.
"Let's make something very clear: you do not get to police me. You do not get to judge me, or project or impose your personal values onto me. I don't know why you think I'm a saint, or think I'm above intimacy, but I'm not. I'm a healthy, 28 year old man and I'm not getting any younger. I'm not like you - I don't get to live forever. So, I think I'm permitted room for a relationship." He stuck his hand out. "Are we in agreement?"
Holly burst into laughter, throwing her head back in mockery. "A relationship? Oh, really? A relationship with someone you just met? You should know better-"
"Enough," Artemis snarled. "I understand you're overwhelmed. I know I've been hard on you-"
"-Who is it?"
"That's none of your concern," he replied frigidly, snatching the chip from her hand and pocketing it quickly. He whirled around, briskly making his way to her door, fully expecting Holly to follow after him.
And of course she did. She threw her hair into a high ponytail as she marched after Artemis, the tips of her ears bright red and steaming. "Is it someone you work with?" When he didn't answer, she surged forward, leaning back on her front door to block him. She arched an eyebrow. "Is it Keni?"
Artemis did his best to keep a poker face, but unfortunately for him the elf before him knew him too well. Holly couldn't help but grin when she saw his nostrils flare and his cheekbones darken. "I knew it," she cackled sharply. Not a friendly sound. "You know she dates someone new every week, right? She changes partners like she changes hair colors. You're just another heart for her to steal and conquer."
Artemis couldn't help but smirk at the conversation, feeling a little ridiculous. He smoothed his bangs back coolly. "This is getting a little childish. Honestly, Commodore. I have to ask -" He looked at her square in her hazel eye, avoiding the blue as always. "Are you okay? You seem… a little out of sorts."
"That's hilarious coming from you," Holly sneered, grinning deviously at the human. "Ya know-" her eyes slowly scanned him, "Considering."
"Exactly my point," Artemis shot back, both irked and amused. "If I can tell you're off-kilter, then you definitely have a problem."
"Right. I'm the problem," Holly mocked, unwavered, her determination set in stone. "I'm just trying to help you so you don't get your heart broken."
Artemis held up a palm. "I think you've misunderstood," he chuckled with a slick smile. "It's not that kind of relationship."
Holly nearly gagged. "Gods. And here I was thinking you had class."
Artemis closed in their distance slightly, trapping her between him and the door. He continued his shot back at her, "You're one to talk about class. In fact, this whole conversation is very hypocritical of you."
Holly smirked up at the domineering human. If she wasn't so pissed with him, she'd probably think he looked pretty cool right about now. Regardless, she glared at him with fiery vexation. "Oh? And what's that supposed to mean?"
"You allowed your Commander to abuse his magick on me, then ran off with him as a reward, " Artemis argued, leaning in closer to her so their noses were a foot apart. "Talking to me about class while you 'went for a jog', but yes-"
"-Are you serious?"
"-let's talk about class," Artemis finished, his eyes fixed on her door. "Please move. I'd like to leave."
"You're gonna talk about me and Trouble as if you didn't loudly fuck Minerva in the room next to mine?" Holly retorted, her blood boiling so hot she could feel her limbs vibrating.
"5 years ago?!" Artemis nearly burst, fully annoyed with Holly now. "You need to let that go."
"Oh?! Like you let go of your teenage crush?!"
Artemis glowered at her, a little too miffed for words.
An intense pang of guilt ate away at Holly's heart. Sure, she was infuriated with Artemis, and more than ever she wanted to wipe that arrogant smirk flat off his face, but she couldn't. But she couldn't pinpoint why she was so out of her element either. She was nearing a hundred in a few years - almost a real fairy adult soon. She was supposed to have her shit together. So, why did it feel like she was falling apart?
Apparently, the conversation was enough for Artemis as he pushed against Holly, pressing his side into her as if fighting for the door. "You're too emotional for me at the moment. Let me leave," he stated firmly, glaring at her.
"Too emotional for you?!" Holly gasped, pushing back against Artemis' willowy frame for the door handle. "Are you serious?!"
"Holly," Artemis growled, the sound husky in his throat. "Let. Me. Leave."
"ARGH!" Holly cried out, slamming the front door open, sending it smashing into the adjacent wall. "Leave then! Go!"
Artemis stormed past her without another word, straightening his turtleneck as he rounded into the hall.
"It's like I don't even know who you are anymore," Holly grumbled from the door, to which she immediately locked up and gasped at her own words.
Artemis halted in place, his shoulders stiffening as his head hung forward. Oh.
Holly covered her mouth in shock at herself, her eyes wide on the back of his head. You idiot.
Holly leapt into the hallway but kept her distance. "Oh gods. I didn't- Artemis, I didn't mean it like that," she declared urgently, shaking her auburn head adamantly. "I didn't- I truly didn't-" she choked, tears welling in the corner of her eyes. How could she fix this? Why was she so out of control? "Artemis, please believe me. I didn't mean it that way. I rea-really, I truly…"
Artemis barely glanced at her from over his shoulder, his body hunched and heavy. He wanted to speak, but words felt scrambled in his head. Before he could advance forward, his right arm was yanked backward, a pair of small hands tightly gripping his wrist. His eyes dropped to examine the flustered elf at his abdomen tugging against his weight. She was in tears, and Artemis couldn't bear that. He fixed his sight ahead of him.
"Wait," Holly huffed, panting as streams of tears stained garnet-coloured cheeks. "I can't let you leave with that being the last thing I said to you. I can't. I can't," she explained between broken cries, shaking her head again. "I can't. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way. I'm so sorry. Please- I'm-"
Holly was falling apart behind him but Artemis refused to look. If he saw her sorry, tormented face, it was game over; it'd break him. More than anything he wanted to cradle her cheeks in his hands and hold her against him, whisper to her that things would be alright. But as much as he would've done these things had he turned to observe her, he couldn't. There was a deep nagging inside his chest that kept his shoulders locked and his head forward. He didn't feel well. He needed out. Now.
Artemis gently broke Holly's hold on his arm and took a step forward. "Take care, Holly," he whispered, briskly trekking the way down the long hallway and out of sight.
Holly watched him go through blurred, soaked vision. Her heart felt like an avocado pit dropped into her stomach: it just didn't sit right. She wiped her tears in frustration and huffed out a quick breath, closing her eyes as she buried herself into her mind, contemplating all the things she should've said, and those she shouldn't have.
Upper Levels, Lower Elements Police HQ
Commander's Quarters
If there was anything in the underground that Commander Trouble Kelp loved more than nettlebeer, crunchball, and pizza, it was pancakes. And oh boy, did he take his pancakes seriously. You see, Trouble Kelp had a routine: the burly elf liked to wake up in the wee hours of the morning for some quick cardio, relax with his first morning coffee while catching up on an episode of whatever show he was binge watching (right now was Troll King: Killers, Kissing, and Khaos ), stash up on some protein and run to work with his cacao protein shake, then consume his second morning coffee over work emails.
However, for only one day out of the week, every Friday in the prestigious corridors of the Upper Levels, the elite cafe Pêches et Crème was open for business. And you can bet on every Friday, Trouble Kelp was the first fairy in that bustling to-go line, excited for the cafe's legendary pancakes. With the week he'd just had, there was nothing better to improve his mood than the buttery, soft cake soaked in maple syrup, glazed in sweet blueberries.
So, Trouble jammed to trap music in his earbuds as he marched hurriedly down the halls of his quarters. He stopped outside the office door, bobbing his head to the beat and rapping under his breath as the door clicked green and slid open. He strolled over to his work area, lovingly placing his to-go pancake container on the desktop and moved to his coffee bar. "What's the pros and the cons of this next check? Wasn't nobody 'round, I was independent. In the '90s, sittin' bum with the windows tinted," Trouble rhymed to the music aloud, swinging his hands and head as his coffee poured into his metal cup.
Back at his desk, he set his sights on the to-go pancake container, rubbing his hands together as his mouth began to water. That's right. Don't think about her. These pancakes, dude. These pancakes will always be there for you.
But, as Trouble reached out to tear open the container to let the sweet aroma of maple and butter waft towards him, his office door slid open, a very flustered and terrifying female elf on the other side. Trouble blinked in place, unsure what his next move was. But before he could come to a decision, Holly practically threw herself at him, shoving him back into his chair.
"Woah!" Trouble gulped in surprise when Holly smashed her lips into his, kissing furiously against him. Trouble kissed her back with less intensity, a mixture of confusion and exploitation stirring inside him. Of course he wanted to kiss Holly. Of course he wanted her to want him, to throw herself at him. But she didn't want him - and that was the problem.
Holly yanked Trouble backwards off his chair, using her arm to clean sweep his desk - including his very precious pancakes. Trouble nearly whimpered as he watched the buttery cakes flop to the aluminum floor, maple syrup and blueberries pooling and dribbling out of the broken container. That's it. He pushed Holly back, his grip tight on her shoulders.
"We can't do this," Trouble asserted.
"We do this all the time," Holly argued, leaning in to kiss him again.
Trouble allowed it for a half-second before finding his bearings and pushed her back again. "No, Holly. You haven't talked to me in a week and now you're kissing me at work?" He waved a palm at his ruined food. "You wrecked my pancakes," Trouble complained sternly. "You know I have to wait a whole week for those-"
"You are not mad at me over pancakes right now-" Holly interrupted in annoyance.
"It's not the pancakes, Holly," Trouble explained, stepping away from her so he could articulate properly. "It's the general disrespect. You ghosted me after we hooked up, and now you're throwing yourself at me? I mean…" he trailed off, his heart pounding in his chest. This was not how he wanted his morning to go, and he had no idea his day was only getting started.
Holly sat against his desk, blinking at him, processing what he said. "Throwing myself at you?" she furrowed her brows together. "You make me sound like a slut. I'm not a slut, that's your other ex. Not me."
"Okay, well, Lili's not the one in here trying to fuck at work," Trouble rolled his eyes. "Speaking of work, you should be at your station."
"I came here to see you," Holly said but stopped, realizing what she was doing here. I've been using him.
"You've been using me," Trouble said a moment later, as if reading her thoughts. "I don't think you realized it, but everytime you and that stupid human get into a spat, you come to me afterwards, crying and upset. I mean… you don't come to me any other time. Am I wrong?"
Holly didn't mean to, but her face fell into a deep frown. She was so disappointed in herself. Was she even 97? Or was she 67? Trouble was one of her oldest friends, and she'd totally taken advantage of him.
"What is wrong with me?" she whimpered, hiding her face in her hands. "You're so right. I'm so sorry, Trubs. I don't… I don't know how I feel anymore. I don't know what's happening to me."
"It's ever since he came back," Trouble snarled, moving past her to pick up his poor pancakes. "Ever since you came back from vacation with him, you've been like this. I don't know why you keep him around, Holly. He isn't good for you."
Holly remembered back to her and Artemis' argument a week ago, when he had placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I'm not good for you."
She shook her in disagreement. "No, it's not his fault. You can't blame him for my behavior." She crossed her arms into her jumpsuit to comfort herself. Her eyes fell to the floor, heavy with realization. "This is on me. I- I'm so sorry, Trubs. I mean, I'm… I'm a piece of shit, aren't I?"
"Nah," Trouble replied with a sigh. "You're just really stressed right now. Maybe get some hits in at the gym? That should help."
"No, Trouble. I mean…" Holly placed her hands on his plated shoulders, showing him she was taking him seriously now. "What I've done to you is really not okay. I knew how you felt about me and I used it to my advantage. That's fucked. I mean, I'm-" she shook her head again. "So… just friends, then?"
Trouble placed his hands on hers, giving her a small but sullen smile. "It's best, Holly. I can't keep doing this."
Holly wrinkled her nose at him suddenly. "You're not still messing around with that airhead, right?"
Trouble's dusky skin reddened under a wide gaze. "Uh… that's confidential information, Short."
"Are you serious, Trubs?" Holly arched a brow, curling her lip in disgust. "Your smashed pancakes are stacked higher than Lili Frond's IQ."
"Yikes, Holly!" Trouble patted her hands, moving back to his chair. "What is it with you and Lili? You're not jealous of her, are you?"
"Hah! Me? Jealous of what?" Holly giggled mockingly. "Her lack of a brain or that loose cannon between her legs?"
Trouble sighed deeply, his violet eyes reflecting his holo screen. "Here we go…" he muttered, trying to ignore her.
"Am I wrong? 'Cause I know I'm not wrong."
Trouble frowned at Holly. "You are. She's actually a very interesting person. You'd probably like her if you actually spoke to her."
"I can't believe you're actually defending her," Holly threw her hands up, pacing in circles in front of Trouble's desk. "I mean, how is what she's doing any different than what I was?"
"Because she's not seeing anyone else, she actually talks to me outside of hooking up with me, and I don't have feelings for her." Trouble watched her silently for a moment. "Stop pacing. You're making me nervous."
Holly stopped, raising her brows at him. "Nervous? Why?"
"You always do something impulsive when you pace." Trouble sighed deeper this time, massaging his temples. "Look, why don't you take an hour break to cool off?"
"But, I-"
"I want you at the gym in T-minus five minutes. Get some of that stress out. You need it." When Holly pouted defiantly at him, Trouble narrowed his gaze. "That's an order, Short."
Holly groaned, leaving the Commander's office in a hurry. A few steps down the hall she remembered her insolence, and she backed up to his door. It slid open at her presence and she offered a guilty smile at the other elf. "I'm sorry about your pancakes, by the way. I didn't really notice them… yeah… sorry…"
"Gym, Short," Trouble warned, albeit a little playfully. "Now."
"Yes, sir," Holly saluted, trudging her way over to the LEP's gymnasium facility with defeated shoulders and a weight in her heart.
Phobos Tower, The Black Alley
Room 408
Electronic Gnommish rap played from the holo-tv on the wall while teal lights from the Alley streamed in through the dim, hazy air of Artemis' suite.
Artemis himself was perched on his full-sized bed, finally inserting the chip he'd taken from Holly's apartment into his laptop. He sat comfortably in red boxers, legs crossed as he tuned out the 'music' and typed away at his keyboard. Soft skin shifted beside him, a warm, pixie body pressed into his side. He ignored Keni for a few moments as he continued monitoring Alley accounts, until her skin was the only thing he could focus on any longer.
He turned his head slightly to raise a brow at her, a smile growing on his face. "Can I help you?"
"Whatcha doin'?" the pretty pixie asked, burying her curious, indigo stare into his screen.
"Making sure every account has been cleaned out, or is in progress of doing so…" he mumbled mindlessly, refocusing his attention back on the screen.
"Which means…?"
Artemis sighed. "We've gone clean, which means the Black Alley will not remain a black market any longer."
Keni shook her head in disbelief at him. "Wait, what? Since when is that your goal?"
"That has always been the goal," Artemis continued dryly, doing his best to keep his attention on the numbers in front of him. "It was my very intention from the start."
"So… we're no longer… doing crime?"
Artemis looked at her again with a teasing grin. "That's what going clean means, Kens."
"When were you going to tell me this?" she questioned, backing away a little.
"I'm telling you now," Artemis shrugged, glancing at her. When he saw her reaction he offered a small, fanged smile. "C'mon, Kens. We'll make as much money, if not more, and we can't get arrested for it. Win win."
Keni blinked at him, then blinked at the screen. "...You're the worst criminal I've ever heard of."
"But you've heard of me," he smirked, chuckling when she hit his arm in response.
Keni rolled her eyes at him and reached over the edge of the bed, lilac waves draping her shoulders. She pulled a cigarillo from her bag and settled onto her stomach next to Artemis, bobbing her head to the beat of the Gnommish rap as she sparked it up between her lips.
Emerald smoke wafted through the already steamed air, drifting by Artemis' head. He crinkled his nose in disgust at the stench of burnt earth, glancing at Keni. "Do you have to smoke inside?"
Keni raised a brow at him. "Oh? Sure, I can smoke outside naked. I didn't know you were into voyeurism, but we can try it-"
"Stop that," Artemis blushed, his eyes scanning over spare fund transfers. He spared a glance at her, noting the green smoke she puffed from her lips. "What is that, anyway?"
"This?" Keni lifted the cigarillo for confirmation. "It's uh… the good stuff."
"Which is…?" Artemis raised a curious brow, eager to intake new information.
"I dunno what to call it, to be honest. I call it green, 'cause it's green," she shrugged.
"I've noticed there are different colors the fairies smoke. Do the colors matter?" he asked, finishing up the last of his work.
"Yeah. Green is down, purple is up," Keni explained, taking another inhale and handing it to him. "Why don't you stop asking and just try it yourself?"
"No, thank you," Artemis scowled, closing his laptop and falling onto his back, running a hand over his face as stress seeped back into him. "I'd prefer not engaging in psychoactive substances that don't pertain to scientific research."
"Uh, you've never done it before. Doesn't your first time count as 'research'?" Keni countered, crawling up closer to him.
Artemis thought on it for a second but decided against it. "A bit more goes into it than that," he concluded, stealing a glance at her under his hand. "Hi."
"Hey, hot stuff," Keni grinned, emerald smoke filling the air between them. "Well, if I can't get you to relax with me, maybe we can do something… else?"
Artemis chuckled at her, closing his eyes. "We just did that."
Keni curled up to him, patting her manicured hand on his bare chest. "Well, I know I hold a lot of power over you, sooo-"
"Oh?" Artemis inquired in amusement. "You think you have power over me, do you?"
"Are you really saying I don't?" Keni blinked at him.
"Considering that's what I said, yes."
"PFFFFFT!" Keni spurted, covering Artemis' mouth with both of her hands. "Shhh. Stop talking." When he gave up and she saw his light smile through her fingertips, she removed one hand to stroke his sweaty, jet black locks. "See? You do as I say. Like a good pet."
Artemis removed her hand off him, promptly sitting up. "Pet?" he grimaced.
"I've always wanted a human pet," Keni shrugged.
Artemis turned over, getting off the bed. "No," he responded simply.
"I was kidding!" Keni whined, reaching her arms out to him. "Come baaack."
Artemis transferred his laptop from the bed to his desk before strolling over to his closet. "It's past noon now. Don't you have work to be doing?
"I can do work on you..."
Artemis froze. Keni offered an innocent smile.
"...Tempting. But we must discipline ourselves," Artemis concluded, removing his gaze and disappearing into his closet.
Keni fell onto her back. "Fiiine." He exited the closet with a fresh suit over his arm. Keni continued, puffing smoke into the air. "Work hard, play-" She eyed his boxers, "hard..."
Artemis rolled his eyes. "Okay. Enough of that," he chuckled, laying the suit over his desk chair.
But Keni wasn't deterred. She put out half the cigarillo in the ashtray on the nightstand and crawled over to him. "You should eat more, by the way," she commented, poking his arm from her position on the bed. "You're a bit skinny. No offense."
"I don't really know how to reply to that," Artemis coughed out, the insult jabbing him a bit. "I suppose I lost muscle mass in space, though physical activity has never been a talent of mine."
"I could teach you," Keni offered with a lecherous smile, running her hands over his shoulders. "I do run a fight club, you know."
"Does Holly frequent your club?" Artemis asked suddenly, his gaze stuck on the neon lights in the window as he imagined Holly punching Keni through a wall.
"Oh yeah. She's one of our top fighters. It's why we're friends," she explained, her arms wrapped around him from behind now.
Artemis barely noticed. "How long have you been friends for?"
"Three years," Keni purred against his back.
"Interesting. Did she lose her bet to Juliet at your club?"
"Mhm. So many questions. Why do you ask?" She bit his shoulder playfully, causing him to jolt in surprise.
"Oh-um, I-" Artemis stammered, a little unnerved by her presence, albeit pleasantly. He realized he was talking about Holly again and facepalmed. "No reason. Curiosity, I suppose."
"You're cute when you're nervous," Keni grinned, her pointer finger stroking his chin towards his lips, inching him closer. She waited for him to realize what she wanted and moved forward, taking his lips in hers.
Once she got his attention on her and he relaxed, she moved her hand down his arm, peeling him from his suit and placing it on her bare body.
Before he knew it, Keni had Artemis reeled back in, hook, line and sinker. He let his mind wander as he focused on her, work becoming an afterthought. He held onto her as he moved towards the bed, allowing her to take the lead. She pushed him onto his back and her lips were tangled in his again. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing herself into him, deepening the kiss. Artemis let himself go, giving into the heat of the moment.
He didn't really know how he felt in moments like these. Physically, he had to admit it was one of the better pleasures in life. But it seemed… empty? Even when the chemistry was strong, like he felt with Minerva, and now Keni, something felt… vacant. As if something had been carved out of his chest and was missing.
You're not real. That's why you're hollow.
This was never supposed to happen.
Artemis' eyes snapped open mid-kiss, completely unaware of Keni and only attached to the dark ceiling above them.
You're hollow. A shell, with no seed. Vacant. A ghost of who you used to be.
Who are you?
You're a bother to everyone.
You should just die.
And then the pain struck. It started in his gut and wormed its way up his intestines, twisting and scratching and clawing at every inch of his internal organs until it filled his lungs. Artemis imagined it like black tar coating him, blocking his breath. He choked into their kiss and pushed Keni up, breaking away so he could breathe.
Keni blinked, dazed from the moment a la passíon. "Wha-?"
Artemis shoved her off gently, hopping off the bed as quickly as he could muster. "Sorry. I-I need a second," he forced out.
Mumbling like an idiot.
"Are you okay?" Keni asked slowly, confused by his sudden behavior, watching him from the bed.
Artemis barely heard her as he flung himself into the bathroom, closing and locking the door. As soon as the latch clicked, it was like his throat returned to closing in on him, sucking the air straight from his lungs. Artemis fell over the sink, heaving as he struggled to breathe. His hand struggled to turn the sink on so the noise could mask his erratic breathing, warm water finally falling free from the gold faucet.
Artemis dropped to his elbows, hyperventilating as his breath wouldn't catch. And then the panic hit.
His eyes landed on themselves in the mirror, reflecting back his hateful gaze.
Pathetic. Too broken to be fixed.
The panic pommeled his chest over and over and he gasped, his eyes clenching in pain as his head dropped once more. He hated himself for this. He was so weak.
Your amygdala is triggering an epinephrine release, he tried to calm himself with science. These are chemicals. You are fine. Ignore it. You are fine.
Except he wasn't. And pretending he could beat it was making it worse. He couldn't control this - no matter his intelligence, his knowledge, his education, his discipline - nothing was working.
You're not the real Artemis. You're worthless.
"Hellfire!" Artemis swore, clamping his teeth together. "I can- I can't-"
"Boss? You okay?" Keni's voice startled him from the other side of the door. He'd nearly forgotten she was still here.
"Please-" he tried to get out, but his chest was caving in and the world was spinning. Of all the times in the world to experience his worst attack yet, why now?!
"Did I do something, Artemis?"
"No! I- I-... I'm sorry," he managed, covering his shaking head in his hands. "I'm sorry! I'm-"
"Do you need anything?"
"No- I'm- I'm- I can-"
"Look, I'm gonna go, okay?" Keni replied sullenly from the door. "I don't know what's happening, but, um, I hope you feel better."
He heard the door close over the faucet and Artemis switched it off and rested on his elbows. Drops of sweat rolled off his forehead and dropped into the wet sink, slithering down the drain with droplets of water. Or were they tears? He hadn't even noticed he was crying, the warm liquid staining his burning cheeks. He hyperventilated even more, hating that he was crying. So weak. So useless.
Who are you anymore?
Artemis glanced at himself, catching those fake blue eyes in the mirror.
Who are you?
Who are you?
Who are you?
Who are you? Wh o are you? W ho are you ? W go are y ou? Who a re you? re you? Who a re y o u? Wh o areyou? Who are you? W h you ? W ho ar e-
"AGH!" Artemis roared, smashing the copy in front of him, pieces of him shattering around the bathroom like a glittering dust storm.
He didn't notice the blood that rolled down his arm, or even comprehend he had really just smashed his own bathroom mirror like a maniac, but he wouldn't have cared. He was so disappointed with himself. He should be better than this. And he wasn't.
The pain was so intense, it was like his mother forgetting he was her son; it watching his father be thrown into the arctic waters all over again; like Butler being gunned down and dying in his arms; like Holly's pleads as she died on Hybras; like when she had been kidnapped by the Extinctionists; when he thought his mother was dying at his fingertips; when he realized he had to die to take Holly's place - this is what his heart felt like, all at once. All together. All at the same time.
He glanced back up at his broken reflection, staring back at the shattered glass that disfigured him. He was broken, just like his reflection. Just like in the stars. The lengths he would go through to get rid of this feeling. He couldn't handle it, he decided.
You could always die.
His back hit the wall, shaking his head furiously. No. That wasn't an option. And then he remembered Keni's cigar.
"Green is down, purple is up."
Artemis' eyes widened. Yes! He broke out of the bathroom, stumbling towards the bed. He crawled onto the mattress weakly, barely catching his breath as it continued to hitch in his throat. He reached for her cigarillo, rolling it between his fingers.
Drugs? Pathetic, honestly. Holly was right. Who are you?
That was right! He remembered Holly's challenge a few weeks ago. "Promise me you'll try something new everyday. Even if it's something you wouldn't normally do."
Artemis frowned but grabbed the lighter beside it anyway, his shaking hands struggling to light it. Smoke piled from the edge of the leafy wrap and he hesitated for a moment before uttering, "To hell with it." He inhaled quickly, desperate to be rid of his internal turmoil.
Of course, Artemis had never done this before, and his lungs could barely handle the intake of smoke and his hyperventilation. But he didn't care. He hit his chest, coughing hard, nearly vomiting as tears welled his eyes. "Vile," he choked out before inhaling more, and more, until his body accepted it.
Emerald smoke wafted around him as the world melted like a fresh oil painting, dripping as he fell over on his side, his eyes glazing over as they pinned to the neon alley in the window. Well, this was certainly… different.
He suspected a good dose of serotonin? Maybe his glutamate system was being slightly stimulated? Likely both, he concluded, momentarily fascinated by the drug's effects on his brain until another wave of euphoria overtook him. He blinked, the teal light on the walls rippling as if he were underwater. How in the hell did Goliath and Keni smoke this so casually? And then he realized: magick. The pixies didn't have the regenerative abilities of elves, therefore the drug's effects on them were likely a buzz, more than a high. Artemis was greatly satisfied with this new discovery, glad that there was at least some educational outcome from this poor coping decision.
Then he realized: he was making a lot of poor coping decisions, wasn't he? He blinked again, gravity pulling him and sucking him into the bed, sinking him down as if he were laying in quicksand. His thoughts shifted back to his decision-making: he knew trauma had prominent effects on the brain in youth, and he knew he was lucky to only get PTSD from the long list of things knocking on sanity's door, and even if that wasn't true, he still felt that way. But, impulsively running off to space after a bad break up with Minerva? Poor. Staying in space for 5 years? Bad. Attempting suicide in space? Even worse. Getting kidnapped by Yakuza to secure funding and involve Holly's life without her consent? Horrible. Moving out of Holly's apartment to fool around with a cute pixie? Not a great idea, but not the worst. Then again, there had to be better coping mechanisms than intimacy. Of course, he was aware of that.
Speaking of coping mechanisms, did he really think cleaning the Alley without Holly's knowledge would work? It had so far, and was still now, but would it have been the same if he had just told her?
Why didn't I just tell her my plan? Why didn't I just ask her first, then attempt to take over the Alley? Don't I trust her? Don't I- I've been trying to move on, but what do I even feel? What am I moving on from? I don't want to lose her. I can't lose her. She's Holly.
Do I like her? Do I?
What if I do?
Artemis turned over on his back, the shadows on the ceiling like demons laughing at him.
I betrayed her. She will never open that door again, and I don't deserve it. She likes Kelp. She doesn't like me. She never has. She knows she's too good for me.
But why was she jealous? Why? He felt like his brain was melting his worries away, and he faced his issues head on with no fear, no pain, no anxiety or guilt. He had to admit: he felt good.
Definitely serotonin and glutamate, then, he grinned stupidly, covering his face in awe. I'm an idiot.
Holly was jealous, was she not? She also questioned my virginity. What else could that behavior indicate? Curiosity? Protectiveness? Possessiveness? She's given no other indication, though. Perhaps I've imagined it out of hope.
Artemis felt a tingle on his lips and his fingers touched them lightly, as if careful to disturb the sensation. He remembered back to when Holly kissed him so many years ago, the feeling of her soft, cherubic lips against his and the magickal spark that erupted between them. He had no sparks with Keni. Was it an elfin thing? Or had it meant something?
"In another time."
What did it mean? Could it be… what if it didn't have to be the past? Or a paradoxical timeline somewhere else? What if it meant now?
Artemis nearly laughed at himself. Yeah. Right. Idiot. She's your friend. Don't ruin what you've got. Don't make this about you.
His thoughts floated away from him as if he sank underwater, and he concluded that sleep would suffice for the time being. He decided to let himself drift off, snoozing happily on his pillow as the depths of shadowy unconsciousness dragged him in.
Lower Elements Police Plaza, Haven City
Vinyáya-Root Gymnasium and Physical Facilities
Commodore Holly Short decided to follow her Commander's orders just this once, and found herself in black sweats and sports bra, hammering away her frustrations on a swinging punching bag. Her bare knuckles smashed against the rough surface, every tear and abrasion zipped up clean by magick blue sparks. Light flecks of blood streaked her fists and the bag, and she relished the pain as a form of punishment for her recent immaturity.
Holly pressed her forehead to the bag and took a deep breath, panting for a few minutes. Sweat dribbled down her temples, her eyes shut closed as thoughts poured away in her head.
I've been using Trouble. Artemis likes me and I-
Fuck.
Holly blew out a quick exhale and moved off the punching bag to scan the facility. The gym was entirely made out of reflective glass, the ceiling with its own sim-sky set to whatever you wanted. Right now, Holly had it set to a sunny blue sky, hoping it would lighten her mood. And even with the happy sky and unleashing her wrath on the bag, she didn't feel any better. She just felt frustrated, boiled, overwhelmed. Like a kettle that'd been left on the stove too long.
At least she had the gym alone. Normally, there'd be several beefy elves and gnomes in the state-of-the-art facility, either getting their health reports from the med-scanners, benching some weights, or flexing in front of the floor length mirrors. Holly liked the peace and quiet, and lack of smelly males.
And in the blink of an eye, her peace was ruined. Just like that. Of all the fairies in the Lower Elements Police, it had to be a long-legged elf in tight, teal spandex strolling past the sliding glass doors.
The gorgeous Elfin princess, Lili Frond, tied her luscious, blonde waves into a high ponytail, showing off her impressive pointed ears and high-cheekbones. Her golden skin glittered under the sunny sim panels, her aqua eyes matching the blue sky.
Holly hated all of it. She rolled her eyes. "Oh! Hey. You're in the wrong building. The bimbo convention is actually next door," she snickered, turning back to the punching bag.
Lili didn't even bat an eye, and her lack of response bothered Holly further. Holly pounded her fists into the bag twice, growing ever disturbed by Lili behind her. "Can you go away?" Holly complained loudly, smashing her knuckles against the pack and blue sparks. "Some of us are actually trying to get a work out."
"You're literally the only person in here, Short," Lili replied indifferently from the elliptical behind Holly, her blonde ponytail swinging behind her.
"Right. And I'm actually trying to make some progress," Holly huffed, shoving each word out with each hit. "So, if you can find somewhere else to do your bullshit workout, that'd be appreciated. Thanks."
"Oh?" Lili laughed in mockery. "Like where?" Holly opened her mouth to answer but Lili cut her off, still ignoring Holly's glare. "Let me guess… you're going to suggest I go fuck Trouble as a work out, right?"
She sneered at the redhead from over her shoulder. "Hm… thought so." She coolly turned back around, refocused on her light cardio.
"Why do you insist on bothering me?" Holly snapped, whipping around to burn her eyes into Lili's back. "You're always in my space. Everywhere I turn. It's like, you're such a fucking slut, you need to keep tabs on me. Or maybe you're into me too. Difference is, unlike Trouble, I won't promote you for fucking me."
Lili halted and slowly turned her head to look at Holly, an irked frown spread across her noble features. "First of all, I'm pretty sure you don't swing that way, so I'm not interested, babe. Second of all, I earned my promotion fair and square. If anyone got their position from using Trouble, it's you. So, please," Lili turned back around, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Stop wasting my precious mind space to listen to your insecure blabbering."
"Me?" Holly laughed. "Not to toot my own horn, but they make movies about me for a reason."
"They make movies about Fowl, and you're just his romantic side-kick," she smirked. "I guess art replicates life."
"HAH!" Holly howled, her heterochromia burning wild flames at Lili now. "You're just upset I'm ranked above you. I've always been better than you."
"Are you trying to convince me, or yourself by saying that?"
"See, Lili, here's the thing-" Holly stopped her assault on the punching bag and strode over to the blonde. "Unlike you, I actually worked hard to get where I am. I've died before, and through time, was brought back. I watched Julius Root die before my eyes, and then I was framed for it! I watched Vinyaya die, and there was nothing I could do. I saved Atlantis from a fucking psychopathic elf. I watched my best friend die for humanity, for our People, for the world."
Holly was shaking now. She was having a mental break, wasn't she? Regardless, she carried on, fuming up at Lili on her useless elliptical. "So, I earned my rank as Commodore. I worked for that. Died for it. What have you done? Besides stand there and waste air by looking pretty?"
"Aw, you think I'm pretty?" Lili sneered.
"Get the fuck down here and look at me elf to elf, Frond!"
"Jeez, you're really determined to be close to me, huh? Too bad you're straight, Short."
And because Holly was a kettle boiling over onto a flaming stove already, she assaulted Lili with the worst, most petty thing she could think of. "Exactly what I mean. You didn't become a Captain from hard work or integrity. You're a whore. You've fucked every guy in the LEP. No wonder you're trying with the girls now."
Lili sighed and stepped off the elliptical, a pretentious smile inches from Holly's face. "I'm a what, Commodore?"
"You want me to repeat it?!" Holly grinned impishly, her eyes falling to Lili's cleavage. "You're nothing but a dumb, smooth brain bimbo that relies on her noble vagina to think for her so she can please royal mommy and daddy into thinking their daughter isn't a useless whore that makes a living passing her body through the ranks."
"At least I have a mom and dad."
Holly snapped. "At least my parents would've been proud of me," she retaliated with force, angry tears welling in her eyes. "You're just a useless breeding vessel that's been used too many times to work."
Lili gaped at Holly, taking a step back in stunned silence. There was very little that could get to her, but that… "You're such a bitch," Lili said quietly, as if struggling to bottle her emotions now. "Like you really are an insecure fucking bitch, Short, you know that? You're a loose cannon."
"At least I'm not loose… you know."
Lili had enough. "Fuck you, bitch," she spat, fat tears streaming down her face now. She shoved past the shorter elf to storm out of the gymnasium, hiding her tears on her way out.
Holly panted in a sweat for a few moments, absorbing what transpired. She was justified, right? Lili had talked about her parents again. She deserved it, right?
But I made her cry. I was so brutal… I made Lili Frond cry.
Holly's eyes caught the Gnommish sign above the doorway. Vinyáya-Root Gymnasium. I wish they were here. What would they think?
Fuck.
"Lili!" Holly called out, chasing after her. But as she burst through the gym doors, the hallway was empty and Lili nowhere to be found. Holly ruffled her fingers through her braided hair, stray strands sticking to her sweaty skin. What was she to do now?
Lower Elements Police HQ
Commander's Quarters
"I, uh, kinda fucked up."
"What did you do now?" Trouble groaned, running a gloved hand down a long face.
"I made Lili cry and I don't know where she went," Holly explained sheepishly.
"You made her cry?" Trouble questioned aghast. "Holy hell, Holly. What did you say?"
"I called her a whore… amongst other things."
Trouble's face fell into his hands. "Please tell me you didn't."
"...I did."
"Apologize to her, now," Trouble demanded, standing over the seated Commodore and jamming his finger on the desk. "That's an order, Short!"
"That's why I'm here," Holly grumbled, avoiding his gaze. "I don't know where she could be. I was thinking you would know."
Trouble let out a deep sigh, giving him a second to calm down. He held his chin in his hand, his fingers drumming the desk in thought. "She might be somewhere that makes her feel safe. There are a few spots she won't tell me about though."
"Like where?"
Trouble pondered a bit, his eyes hard in concentration. "Well… she might be in the pool area, to be honest. She's really into hydrotherapy. My guess is she's at the hot spring by the saunas."
Holly nodded. "Thanks. Um… how do I apologize to her? We're not exactly… ya know. Friendly."
"Be nice, and be genuine. She'll sniff you out if you're fake," Trouble answered, crossing his arms. "Explain to her you've been stressed out. Apologize like an adult, Holly. I don't know what to tell you."
Holly sighed. Here we go.
Lower Elements Police Plaza
Vinyáya-Root Physical Facilities
Because Haven was situated above a boiling hot spring that ran clean water through the city, that meant the cavern was situated with tinier springs around magma pockets, one of these being on the outside deck of the pool area. It was situated a little further ways into the cavern but not out of sight. So when Holly entered the empty deck and no blondie in sight, she grumbled in annoyance. How hard could it be to find the only female Captain in Retrieval?
Holly strolled to the hot spring, searching the area for clues. A trail of water droplets on the onyx floor led towards an exit back to the main building. Was Lili going back to her locker? She felt like a PI again, or like a predator tracking its prey. Is this how Artemis and Butler felt when they had tracked Holly down sixteen years ago? Holly followed the water trail to the glass doors, moving through the exit into the main hall. This area of the hall was empty too, spare one sprite that flittered past her. She noticed a reflection on the tiled floor - more water! It seemed Lili had finished her hydrotherapy session and was indeed off to the female lockers.
Confident in her discovery, Holly marched back over to the lockers. Even if the princess was long gone, Holly could still change back into her uniform. She rounded a corner quickly, careful not to slip on the water when her sensitive ears picked up a hushed conversation somewhere in the brightly-lit hall. She halted, listening in.
"I said no thanks," a soft female voice replied to someone, the tone clearly annoyed.
"Don't be like that, babe," a gruff male voice said in response. "We'll have a good time. We don't have to tell anyone."
"I don't want a good time. I want to be left alone," the female replied, more adamant this time. "Back off."
There was a dull thump and a gasp. Holly cautiously approached the mysterious pair tucked away in the smaller hall intersected with hers. She peeked over the corner, her eyes honing in on the situation.
Captain Gronk Moss had Lili trapped between him and the wall, his buff arms on either side of her. She stood undeterred in her dripping one-piece LEP swimsuit, her eyes narrowed at Gronk in disgust. "Fuck off, mouth breather," she ordered, shoving his wide shoulders back.
But Gronk was significantly taller and stronger than her limber frame and flung her back into the wall with both hands, pressing himself over her now, his face inching closer. "Come on, babygirl. You're already half-naked. This will be fast."
"I said no!" Lili yelped, slapping Gronk across the face as hard as she could.
But it only seemed to encourage him more. He touched a hand to his reddened cheek, a lusty smile growing on his face. "I don't take no for an answer, babe." Gronk moved back in, his greedy fingers gingerly stroking the air as he couldn't wait to get his hands on her again - when WHAM!
Before Gronk could even lay one finger on Lili, Holly Short's fist pommeled into Gronk's cheek, sending him reeling across the hall.
Holly panted angrily, in total disgust over what she just witnessed. She nodded at Lili. "You okay?"
"Yeah…" Lili nodded slowly, stunned by what just happened. "I thi- Holly!"
While Holly checked up on her, Gronk had recovered and sent a punch straight across Holly's jaw. She hit the floor before she could even tell what happened, blood spurting from her lips.
"Fucking bitch," Gronk grunted, blue sparks lighting up the veins in his face, healing Holly's impact.
"I'm," Holly started through gritted bloody teeth, "Gonna. Fucking. KILL. YOU!" She leapt up, ducking under his throw and slugged him right in the nose. And her other fist, then the other, rotating each fist between his cheeks, his brow, his nose, anywhere her raw knuckles could bust up and bruise.
Gronk grabbed her braids and held her an arm's distance away. His other hand tugged on the hair at the nape of her neck and smashed his forehead into hers.
Holly sank to the ground, stars swimming in her eyes. Holly was a prolific fighter and had taken the Yakuza down fairly easily. Fighting ambushed humans was different than fighting a muscly, armored, trained military elf that could heal after each hit. But what Gronk lacked was Holly's wrath, her rage, her fury, but most of all - her ability to stand up for what was right, and right now, Lili Frond needed her help.
Holly caught a glimpse of a thick boot above her but she rolled out of the way as it came crashing down beside her head. Her eyes narrowed up at Gronk, totally incensed. Was he trying to kill her?! She was so livid that her stomach twisted in painful knots. Holly wasn't going to let him win, or kill her for that matter. No fucking way.
"Heal," Holly whispered as she spun up from the ground, blue sparks electrifying her eyes as she cracked her neck side to side. She ducked down to dodge a throw from Gronk and landed one back on his cheek instead, stunning him as she battered his face over and over. "AGH!" she screamed out, kicking at his knees now. "Fuck you, máthair fucker!"
Gronk was over his beating. He squared up his shoulders and back and charged at her, grabbing Holly and throwing her upwards, body slamming her into the tiled floor. He spit blood, his gaze fixated on the beaten elf as sparks regenerated his swollen face. "You hit hard for a little bitch, you know that?" Gronk would've kicked her unarmored gut had it not been for the two arms that suddenly wrapped around his trunk-like neck from behind.
Lili was done being a background character. Holly needed assistance, and now was Lili's chance to show she wasn't some airhead princess - she was LEPRetrieval. She screamed out as she squeezed on Gronk's neck, choking him out from behind with all her strength. But her efforts were short-lived when he heaved backwards, smashing her between him and the wall. Lili slid off him, slumping weakly to the ground.
Gronk coughed, rubbing his neck as he turned back to Holly when he was met with her boot flat to the face. He crashed into the wall, magickal blue sparks flying wildly like embers between the three elves in the hallway. At this point, that fluttering lone sprite Holly had passed earlier had done another round and bore witness to the fight. And, of course, like all adrenaline-loving officers, he had gone and brought back half the building to form a crowd around the Captains and Commodore.
Cheers and heckling erupted as Holly continued battering Gronk's face into the wall. He finally found an opening and grappled Holly, throwing them both to the ground. He sat on his knees as he straddled over her, held her down by her braid, and served a solid smash of his fist to her pouty mouth. He didn't get another hit in though - he reeled his fist back for a second punch when Lili raced beside him, striking her foot diagonally at Gronk's groin like she was kicking a goal. Gronk immediately hunched over, his hands flying to his precious family jewels as he tipped over and fell useless to the floor.
Lili laughed at his pathetic display under her breath, her eyes craning to Holly. She moved to stand over the dazed Commodore, water droplets from Lili's hair mixing into the pools of blood beneath them. "Are you okay?" Lili asked. She stuck her hand out to Holly, as if making a peace offering.
Holly blinked a few times at her, her wounds healed by blue sparks, but her face was still sore as hell. She shook her head a little and opened her eyes at Lili fully, noticing the hand. Holly hesitated.
"Come on, Holly," Lili assured her hurriedly. "He's not down yet."
Holly blinked once more. Lili said her first name. Not Short, not her rank. But her actual name. Holly nodded at her, reaching out and taking her hand. Lili heaved her up, helping her up to her feet. "Thanks," Holly said, forming a small smile at the blonde.
Lili opened her mouth to share a witty comment but gasped instead, shoving Holly aside. "Move!" she cried out, both girls avoiding the slam of Gronk's incoming fist.
Lili twisted around quickly, kneeing Gronk in the stomach to stumble him back while Holly surged forward, serving a roundhouse kick to his gut, sending him flying to the edge of the roaring crowd of officers.
Her eyes caught Lili's by accident and both girls couldn't help but smile at each other in disbelief - was this really happening? Holly refocused and cracked her neck once more, darting towards him as adrenaline soared through her. Gronk was sitting upright, groaning and sweating as sparks circled his torso. Holly didn't spare him any mercy though - she thrust her knee into his nose with a crack and he flopped over flat.
"Kick his ass, bitch!" Lili shouted, racing around Gronk and pressing his arms over his head.
That was all Holly needed to launch her fists at his face over and over again, her knuckles in a cycle of ripping, shattering, then healing on each impact with his skull. And as quickly as the fight had started and the crowd had formed, Commander Trouble Kelp appeared through the crowd, tomato-faced and fiery-eyed. Holly might've compared him to their beloved former commander had she not been so invested in breaking Gronk's face.
"BREAK IT UP!" Trouble hollered, his voice thundering through the hall. "BREAK THEM UP, NOW!"
Several officers jumped in at once, breaking the ravenous Holly and Lili away from the sputtering Gronk. Even as she was being pulled back, Holly was clawing her way to Gronk, still determined to get a few more hits in.
"Commodore Short," Trouble fumed at Holly, stepping towards the group from the crowd. He turned to Gronk, addressing them both. "Captain Moss. My office. Now." When Holly still didn't give up, kicking and screaming in the officers' arms, Trouble roared in her face, "NOW!"
This seemed to snap her out of her furious fixation and she relaxed, breathing heavily against the other fairies. She shot one more nasty look at Gronk and stormed past them when Trouble grabbed her arm, locking a cuff on one wrist. When he locked the other, Holly tugged on him. "What're you doing?"
"I just witnessed you assault another officer, Short. That's a criminal offense," he explained as he led her through the crowd. "Back to work, the lot of you! Anyone seen standing around will have the last hour docked from their pay, so move fast," he warned loudly, causing the officers to snicker and scatter. Trouble noticed Lili but didn't question her, he could ask her later. "Captain Frond, go get dressed and join us please."
Lili nodded, smoothing her long hair out of her eyes back into its ponytail. "Yessir." She saluted him and practically sprinted away, disappearing through the door of the female locker room.
Trouble continued forward, a handcuffed Holly Short and free Gronk Moss treaded beside him back towards the Commander's Quarters.
"So," Trouble started once back in his office, Holly and Gronk standing on either side of each other in front of their Commander. "Can one of you calmly explain what just happened?"
Gronk was faster, starting first. "I was talking to Lili about work and this crazy bitch attacked me out of nowhere. I don't know what the lunar cycle is right now, but this is exactly why females shouldn't be LEP, Commander. She can't handle her own emotions. How can she handle an entire flight squad?"
Trouble made a face but continued on. He nodded at Holly. "And you?"
Holly smirked after a few moments of silence. "You're gonna leave him here next to me?" She giggled a little scarily, eyeing Gronk elfishly beside her. "Mmmkay." Before either male knew it, Holly sweeped down low, kicking Gronk's legs out from under him. "Fuck you, you gross, perverted criminal!" Holly kicked him once in the shoulder until Trouble yanked her back, forcing her in a chair.
Trouble leaned into her ear and whispered, "I will fire you right now if you don't fucking quit it, do you hear me?" He straightened, nodding to an elf corporal guarding the door. "Take Short out. I want to hear Moss' story first."
About ten minutes later Gronk emerged from Trouble's office, a devious grin planted on his chiseled cheeks as he strolled by the handcuffed Holly. "Good luck with your story, sweetheart," he teased, winking as he was led down the hall.
Holly chewed on her tongue as she was walked into Trouble's office, the corporal guard leaving them alone in the glass-enclosed space. Holly glared at Trouble, waving her wrists at him. "Uh, can you free me please?"
"How do I know you won't attack me too? You've been a loose cannon lately," Trouble shrugged.
"Are you serious, Trubs?!" Holly laughed. "Uncuff me. Now."
"Why did you attack Gronk Moss, Holly?" Trouble tried a little softer this time. He knew she didn't respond to aggression well. "What happened?"
Holly almost answered, but then didn't. It wasn't her story to tell, was it? She remembered the shame she felt when she told Artemis, and how hard even that was to do. She had yet to tell Trouble and now she was regretting not having done so. Maybe this could've been avoided? Was this her fault? And he had only flirted with her. She couldn't imagine the shame Lili felt, especially after the awful things she called her. That could never be undone, and even if she apologized, those words were forever. Holly loathed herself for that.
She bit on her lip, keeping her eyes down. "I… I can't."
Trouble shook his head in exhaustion. "What?! What do you mean you can't?"
"It's not my place. I can't say." Holly looked up, her distraught eyes meeting his. "I'm sorry. I know I'll get repercussions for this, but I can't."
Trouble's features stirred in confusion. "What are you talking about? You attacked him! I saw you. It's not your place to say?" He threw his head into his hands. "Three times today, Holly. Three times today you have caused issues at work. Are you trying to have me fire you? Because this won't demote you, this will fire you!" He stepped in front of her, placing praying hands in front of her. "Please work with me here."
Holly tried to speak, to tell him to call up Lili so she could explain, but she doubled over instead, tears escaping her eyes. She felt so overwhelmed, her own behavior, the stress and pain of everyone and everything, and her guilt finally seeping into her. "Sorry," she cried, hiding her face from him. "Sorry."
Trouble uncuffed her, leading her to the small couch on the far corner of his office. He helped her sit gently, his concerned gaze looking over her cowering frame. "Holly. Please know, I will always take you and Lili Frond's word over Gronk Moss', anyday, anytime. There is no way the two of you worked together without a good reason. Please tell me what it is."
"He's a total creep," she cried angrily through thick tears, wiping them away in annoyance. "He's made moves on me before. He has no respect for the female officers, not even his superiors. He doesn't care about consent apparently, either, so there's that. I-" She looked at Trouble guiltily. "I wanted to tell you sooner, but I felt really embarrassed. I didn't want you to think I couldn't handle it. I'm sorry."
Trouble was frozen stiff and silent as he absorbed this information, and Holly could see the tips of his ears burning bright red. He nodded once after a minute of processing and stood, dusting his uniform off a bit. "I'm going to call Lili in here. You okay with that?"
At her nod, he dialed Lili's wrist computer at the comm on his desk. "Hey, Lil? You done yet? …Yeah. Thanks." He glanced at the door and moments later, Lili Frond stepped into the office in her emerald uniform. Trouble took a careful step forward, his eyes cautiously scanning her face. "First things first: Are you okay?"
Lili shifted in place uncomfortably, wrapping her arms tightly across her chest. "Yeah, no thanks to Short over here," she nodded in Holly's direction. "You should've seen her. She was like a damn pigeon or something."
Holly blinked at her deadpan. "A pigeon? Really? ...a pigeon? Out of all the animals you could've compared me to, you picked a fucking pigeon?"
Lili smiled. "They're fast," she winked. "That's why they're mail carriers."
Trouble cleared his throat to get their attention. "You're sure you're okay?" he asked Lili again, to which she nodded, again. He took a few steps towards Lili, getting closer to her. "Do you need her to leave?" he asked quietly.
Lili mulled it over, but left her smile on her face, fixing her gaze on Holly. "Nah. Any bitch that fights a dude for me is a bitch I respect." A tiny smirk grew on the corner of her lips. "Besides, she saw the whole thing. Nothing to really hide."
"Can you tell me what happened?" Trouble asked gently, careful not to push.
"It was… it wasn't a big deal. Gronk was just being a dick. It's how he is," she shrugged, avoiding Trouble's stare. "I think we overreacted a little. Sorry. I didn't mean to get Holly in trouble."
Holly stood, shaking her head in refusal. "Fuck no, we didn't overreact! I heard him, Lili. I heard what he said to you. I saw him." She moved towards the blonde slowly. "You can tell Trouble. He trusts us. You know he does."
Lili's eyes shifted from Holly's to Trouble's carefully, studying each person. She eventually sighed, taking another step closer to Trouble. "Okay. Yeah. He started harassing me at the spring and I got really uncomfortable with it being us two alone, so I left. He followed after me and kept calling me a stuck-up princess-" she rolled her eyes "-you know how that goes. Then, yeah. He got a bit physical. He told me he didn't take no for an answer, then Holly hit him." She blew out a giant breath, smoothing her damp locks back. "Please don't make me repeat that," she shuddered, avoiding Trouble's gaze again.
Commander Kelp was quiet for several more long minutes, to the point both Holly and Lili glanced at each other in concern. Eventually he nodded to himself and popped his head up, moving back round his desk. He dialed in the comm: "Bring Moss in here now. Bring Cyprus and Reed too." He switched it off, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath as he ruffled his fingers through his short hair.
A few seconds later, Gronk strolled in through the doors, the other officers filing in behind him. "I've been summoned, Commander, sir?" Gronk asked innocently, saluting the shorter male.
Trouble wore a dark expression on his face as he calmly approached Gronk, his arms behind his back and his posture straight. "Gronk Moss, on this day, March 3rd, Era 10 Year 63, I declare you dishonorably discharged from your service as an LEP operative. You must turn in your badge and sign out any weapons on you."
"You're not serious, sir," Gronk protested, his tawny eyes growing large and wide with realization. "You're firing me?" He waved his palm over at Holly. "What about the crazy girly Captain? Oh- oops. Sorry, Commodore," he scoffed.
"I recommend you stop speaking and turn in your badge immediately," Trouble spoke very icily, which was unusual for him. This is where his name came in - an icy Trouble meant trouble was brewing, and definitely not one you wanted to mess with. "Badge. Weapons. Now. You're out. You're done."
Gronk gaped at him in utter shock but growled, tossing his badge across the room. "I signed out my weapons already. You're a shitty commander, anyway," he scoffed, turning to leave when Trouble nodded to the officers behind Gronk. They took the elf's arms and thrusted them behind his back, cuffing him. "The hell is this?!" Gronk demanded, glaring at the Commander.
"Gronk Moss, I hereby place you under arrest for attempted sexual assault, assault of another officer, and battery. You are not obliged to say anything unless you wish to do so, but whatever you say will be taken down in writing and may be given in evidence."
"The fuck are you on about?!" Gronk roared, tugging against the officers' hold on him. "I'm fucking innocent and these bitches have no proof I've done shit!"
"You sure about that? Foaly's got this place loaded with secret cameras. You sure you want to incriminate yourself further?" Trouble grew a tiny smile at Gronk, approaching the former officer until he backed him into the wall. He bore his deadly stare into Gronk's eyes until they were inches apart. "You're lucky it was Holly who hit you," he whispered into the elf's ear so only he could hear. "Because if it were me, I would've killed you." He drew back a few feet, his glare still pinned on Gronk. "Get him out of here. Place him in Block A."
Gronk protested the entire way out, and once his declarations had died down the hall, Trouble exhaled loudly, punching the air angrily. "Gods dammit," he growled, running hand through his crew cut. "Having a guy like that in the LEP, and I didn't know. I didn't notice. Fucking-"
"It's not your fault, Trubs," Lili said softly, resting an elegant hand on his shoulder. "You couldn't have known if we've been hiding it from you. Thank you for believing us."
Holly stood, approaching the pair warmly. "Yeah, Trubs," she agreed, raising her brows at Lili for using the same nickname as her. "You're a great Commander. Julius would've been proud of you, and honestly, he wouldn't have wanted anyone else."
Lili looked between the two, lifting her arms. "Awh. Group hug?" When Holly hesitated, but eventually gave in, wrapping her arms around them, Lili squealed, "Group hug!"
Trouble broke away first. "Alright. I have paperwork to fill out. Can you two talk things out meanwhile? I think it's long deserved, yeah?"
Holly rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, yeah Commander." She looked at Lili. "That okay with you?"
Lili rubbed her neck, her cheeks blooming pink. "I actually want some time to myself, if that's okay. But I'm totally down in a few hours when we're off work. We can talk over some dinner. It's on me. Is thaaat… cool? Or, like, weird? Or…?"
"No, yeah!"
"Yeah?"
"Yeah," Holly smiled genuinely. "Let's do it."
The three went their separate ways, and for the first time in a few days, all three felt hopeful and relieved that a new friendship might form from this. Finally, something good.
Upper Levels, Haven City
Mulberry Row Condominiums
Apt 224
The sky was a soft lavender as twilight fell upon the bustling and twinkling Haven City. Holly couldn't help a small smile as she entered her apartment, falling back onto her couch with a huge exhale of relief.
The day had started so terribly that having a satisfying resolution was a considerable weight off her shoulders. She smiled into the umber cushion, feeling good about herself. She'd gotten a lot of her anger out on Gronk's face earlier, and though it may not be the best coping mechanism, it was certainly justified. Trouble and her seemed to be on okay terms, and that was something she could work on. Most surprising of all, she'd ended a decades long feud with her greatest rival, Princess Captain Lili Frond. Holly threw her head back, her smile widening as she watched lavender streams of light twirl on her ceiling. Would they actually become friends? Would they get along during dinner later on?
Holly sighed, running a hand over her face. Her eyes caught her little carnelian ring and she froze. Artemis. Not that she'd ever actually forget about him, but she'd been so occupied she'd forgotten their fight earlier. She sank back into the couch, disappointment once again taking its primary hold of her.
She had to apologize for her behavior. There was no way she could damage their relationship further. She twisted the cloudy orange stone, letting its rings fill the silence of her lone apartment. It rang and rang, but nothing.
Holly groaned and shut it off, eyes on the ceiling again. Was she too late? Did he hate her forever now?
A sudden click behind her caused her to jolt in place, startled by the sound of her front door unlocking and sliding open. Holly whipped around on the couch with wide eyes, anticipation thumping in her chest like a taiko drum.
It was Artemis! His cheeks were pink and he had a duffle bag over his shoulder. His eyes caught hers and froze, his face deepening into a wine blush. "Hi…" he spoke uncertainly in English, hovering in the doorway.
Holly hopped over her couch and stared at him in total awe. Was he really here? "Hey…" she took one careful step forward. "You're… here?" she asked in English too.
Artemis shifted in place, resettling his bag. "Yeah. I-..." He broke out into an embarrassed smile, avoiding Holly's gaze. "I was wondering if you still had room for one. You know, if the vacancy hasn't been filled yet."
"What?!" Holly laughed, peering in playful confusion at him.
"I wanted- I-" Artemis struggled, and Holly couldn't tell if it was his shame or pride. "I wanted to apologize for earlier. I shouldn't have engaged you. I'm the entire reason you've had a hard time, and I shouldn't have contributed to-" Before he could finish Holly threw herself at him, burying him into a tight hug. He smiled into the embrace, kneeling a little and wrapping his arms around her in return.
They held each other warmly for what must've been three silent minutes, Holly the first to break the ice. "I'm sorry," she whispered to him. "I was such an asshole. You didn't deserve that. I was unbearable."
"You're never unbearable, Holls," Artemis said, his voice hushed in her hair. "I'm sorry for all the stress I've caused you."
"We can talk about that later," Holly murmured, pulling him in tighter, catching a whiff of his cedar soap. "I miss you."
"I miss you too." They released each other, both with warm smiles on grateful faces. Artemis tugged at his collar a little nervously, his eyes at the floor. "Holly. I was… could I move… back in… you know, with you?"
"Oh?!" Holly started with a wink. "What? You missed my bed that much, did you?"
Artemis rolled his eyes. "Don't be ridiculous. The full-sized bed at Phobos was more than substantial." He smiled teasingly at her. "I miss you. Yes, we're always in each other's space, and I don't exactly help around here-"
"Mhmmm," Holly raised a brow, tapping her foot with a devious smirk.
"But," Artemis continued with insistence. "I cannot deny that Haven is considerably more enjoyable with your company. And, so, if you'd have me-"
"Of course," Holly cut in, sticking her pinky finger out to him. "Welcome home, Artemis. You're always welcome here."
Artemis nodded, locking his pinky in hers as a smile crept his cheeks. "Thank you, Holly. Really."
"So!" Holly chimed. "How do you feel about a cuppa' Earl Grey and a storytime?"