This is the first in my collection of short one-shots. If they’re romantic (which most of them probably will be) they’ll probably be Artemis/Holly, because I never can resist. They each can stand on their own, unless I specifically say otherwise. Rated T for (relatively clean) sexual references and possible mild language.

Can anyone find the line that is practically taken from Time Paradox?

.:/Morning After\:.

The first time Holly Short woke up in a man’s bed, she awoke with a smile still in place from a lingering dream. She kept her eyes closed, mentally reaching for the details that eluded her grasp, tantalizing her. When she gave up the task as impossible she opened her eyes, immediately closing them again. Sunlight. How could she be awakening to sunlight? She looked towards the extremely familiar window, which was open so as to let in a slight breeze and the sound of early birds singing.

She smiled again as she looked away from the window, searching for her lover. Her eyes found his as he sat half-dressed (or half-undressed, if one wishes to look at it that way) by the foot of the bed they had shared the night before. He was already staring at her, drinking in her features with an odd mixture of hunger and anxiety. A line between his eyebrows corrupted the otherwise smooth planes of his fair face, and his midnight hair was the most disheveled Holly had ever seen it.

“What’s wrong, Arty?” she whispered, breaking the silence.

“That is what confuses me. How can everything be absolutely right, yet completely wrong at the same time?” he asked, never looking away from her.

Holly frowned. “Wrong?” she said, trying to hide the hurt. There hadn’t been anything wrong about last night.

“Yes. The Fates must have had a laugh, having the most unsuited people become the world’s most imperfect pair. And yet, it matters to absolutely everyone except them, that is to say, us.”

“You’re right. It doesn’t matter,” she stressed vehemently.

Artemis nodded and looked away from her for the first time that morning, regarding the open window thoughtfully. That line was as deep as ever, and Holly wished she could erase it for him.

They lapsed into silence once more. Holly’s eyes roamed the face of the man she somehow managed to love after all they had been through, or perhaps because of it. He pretended not to notice while he remained thoughtful.

When he finally looked back at her he had a sad smile on his lips. “We shall steal happiness for now – after all, I’m sure the Fates owe us that much. But there is no way this can have a happy ending, I’m afraid, because of my human life span.” He suddenly looked terribly frustrated. “I abhor being the weak link in this chain of ours! It’s not fair to you that I grow old and die while you live on without me.” (Conceited much? remarked a snide voice in Holly’s head.)

“Not only will this not end ideally,” Artemis continued, “but while it does last there cannot be any peace unless we hide from your people and mine, though I fail to see how that is peaceful for us.” He sighed as he concluded his rant. “Nothing is ever easy for us, is it, Holly?”

She stared straight into the mirror of her eyes as she replied. “No, it doesn’t. But I can’t bring myself to give a d’Arvit about any of the reasons we shouldn’t be together, or the consequences of it, which makes me think this has to be pretty damn worth it. We’ll think about things when we have to, but for now this is enough.” She smiled. “Anyway, Arty, I have the suspicion that the challenge of it all makes it that much more appealing. Now, get over here, Mud Boy. I have something I’ve been wanting to do since I woke up.” She plunked her head down on the pillow.

Artemis gave her his characteristic smile and walked over to his lover with exaggerated slowness. Impatient, Holly grabbed his arm and yanked him so that he stumbled right next to her. He started to lower his face when her hand suddenly stopped him. He looked at her inquisitively. Holly grinned and smoothed out the small trace of the line left with her index finger. She then proceeded to reach out and pull his lips to hers.

“I love you,” she murmured against his skin.

“As I do you.”

Daw. I do love it when light angst is remedied by light fluff. I don’t think they’re too out of character, which makes me pretty happy. But you’re welcome to contradict me… in a review!

Next installment/chapter is Minervacentric. I’ve already written it, because I was a maniac writer yesterday. Which doesn’t usually happen.

Some other stories by XxEviexX:

• The Scrapbook Part 8: Vanity
• The Scrapbook Part 7: Time Wasted
• The Scrapbook Part 3, 4, 5, and 6: The Loves of Holly Short
• The Scrapbook Part 2: Almost Perfect
• The Raven and the Dove