The Girl In Chains (Artemis Fowl x Female Reader)

Chapter 22: Stay

I lay there. Mr.Fowl leaves the room, but Angeline and Artemis stay.

I feel both comforted and repulsed by their presence. I want them to leave, but i also want company. I'm afraid of bonding with them, i'm afraid of caring for them, i'm afraid of them.

But i don't have enough mind to dwell of those thoughts, due to my current state.

Artemis sits at his laptop, searching up on psychosis probably, though im sure he already knows a great deal.

Juliet comes back about an hour later, my fisrt-aid kit shoved under her arm. She sets it down on the ground. Artemis and I stand up and bend down beside it.

I open the small suitcase and pull out my Antipsychotics, Artemis sends for a cup of water for me to swallow the pill. We stare awkwardly at each other for a few seconds before blushing and turning away. I go to sit back on the bed, not knowing what else to do.

"Artemis" Juliet whispers, looking at him uncertainly.

"Yes, Juliet?" Artemis sounds tired.

"May i speak to you? Alone?" My interest piques.

"Fine"

Artemis's POV

"What is it, Juliet?"

"I found this is her suitcase" She fidgets with a little post-it note in her hands. She passes it to me reluctantly.

I unfold the crumpled paper. The black ink is blotting in certain areas, like someone had cried over the paper.

I read it, then read it once more, again and again, i stare at the words, trying to find an ulterior meaning hidden in them.

"I'll deal with this myself, thank you, Juliet"

"I'll go now"

She leaves.

Y/N's POV

"Oh, right. Do you know how you fell under in the first place?" He calls at me when he comes back into the room. 

Juliet doesn't come back in with him.

"I'm not sure, but i can guess that maybe it's because of.... over-stress"

"I see" Artemis says, an unspoken understanding passing between us.

"What would cause that much stress, dear?" Angeline Fowl asks me.

"Just work" I say off-handedly, "I've had a lot of pressure put on me recently from both work and school"

"You work?" She sounds interested.

"Yeah"

"What work do you do?" I feel Artemis tense.

"I'm an artist. A lot of people want my art, and i want to pour my heart and soul into each piece, which unfortunately takes quite a toll on my body."

"Wow! That's amazing! This probably isn't the time, but are you single?"

I hear Artemis fall into a coughing fit. My face reddens, i'm used to people wanting to date me - i used to get asked out a lot in high school, but Artemis just feels.... different.

"Ummm, yeah actually, i am. I'm not looking for a relationship though"

Angeline sighs, "Oh, well. How come all the good women are unavailable?"

"Mother, please. You were right, this really isn't the time for this" Artemis groans.

I can't help but chuckle, "Artemis? You're trying to get a girlfriend?"

"Don't you start, Morrigan"

"What's your type?~" I tease, "Do you dream about running in a field of beautiful little white flowers? Her laughter filling the air? Her eyes sparkling lovingly at you?"

"Morrigan, i really don't.... why do you?.... just shut up" He sighs.

I chuckle again.

Angeline watches our interaction with wide eyes. Wait, wide-eyes.

I swish around to look at Angeline's face. it's not blurred anymore, and her features are chained back into place. I switch my gaze to Artemis's face, and he's the same. I take a look around and find that the objects have stopped blurring, and the patterns have stopped rippling. Colours are still flashing, and the voices are still tickling the back of my mind, but things are better already.

I internally celebrate, and allow myself a smile.

"Well, as much as i appreciate what care i have received from you and your family, i will be leaving now, i couldn't allow myself to bother you any longer"

I need to leave.

"Honey, stay for a bit, dine with us, you must be starving! You hadn't had breakfast. I'm sure Butler prepared something good"

I want to stay, but i know i shouldn't. I'm hungry, sure, but i can hold it. I need to leave, i need to go. If i stay any longer i will start forming a bond, whether i wish to or not. Everything in my body tells me to turn down her offer.

"Sure, i can stay a little longer"

Artemis is really messing with my judgement.