A/N: Omg I'm updating in under a week! *tries to pass it off as normal* Pshawww! I update reeeeally often so it isn't a big deal! Haha, yeah... Anyways, this chapter's kinda just medium-length and it's yet another filler, sorry, but I promise the next chapter WILL be a significant one towards the plot. This one just builds up some of the climax for it. Well, uh, hope you like it!


27- A Bold Profession

"ARE WE READY?" Sir Tiergan/Granite repeated to the group, his chalky features serious as he in turn had a staredown with each individual.

Della was a trainwreck, sobbing on the floor with Alden tersely standing beside her, patting her shoulder hesitantly as if he was afraid Della would bite his hand off.

Biana had tears streaming down her mascara-free face and Tam, who didn't bother to hide in the shadows, had one arm wrapped securely around her.

Linh was subtly holding hands with Dex, who was shaking. She whispered something that seemed to calm him down significantly.

Meanwhile Keefe and Fitz stood a meter away from Sophie. Her face set, she turned to them and looped an arm through each of theirs. "C'mon, guys! Why the long faces?" she brightly asked.

"Uhm, maybe because we're facing our deaths?" Fitz said at the same time as Keefe said, "Does my hair still look good?"

Sophie shook her head impetuously and beamed. "Turn that frown upside down!" She reached out and pulled the ends of Fitz's mouth into a saggy smile and poked Keefe's jaw.

"Uhhh, you're seriously creeping us out, Foster," Keefe shuddered after he and Fitz shared a quick, knowing look.

Sophie cocked her eyebrows up. "How so? I'm simply trying to look on the bright side!" Then she started to sing under her breath some human song unrecognizable to Fitz and Keefe both.

Fitz and Keefe's heads turned and locked. Clearly they were having some sort of telepathic conversation.

Finally they twisted their heads back and gazed at Sophie. "Sophie," they said in unison, then blinked at each other, then shook their heads.

"Sophie," Fitz said, his tongue flicking over his lower lip. "Keefe and I both support you no matter what, okay? You're going to do great."

Sophie's serene expression fell and she allowed her lips to limply return to a frown. "Th-th-thanks, guys. I don't deserve such great friends."

Keefe softly punched her in the shoulder. "Yes you do, Foster. You're the Moonlark of all moonlarks. Instead of facing it alone, you have a flock right behind you."

Fitz nodded and smiled gently. "You're the best Moonlark they could've ever made."

"Thank you, Fitz," Sophie's voice wobbled, "you're amazing. I-I know for a fact you were an awesome boyfriend."

Fitz's smile faded and he stared down at his shoes. "Thanks, Soph," he whispered sorrowfully.

Sophie pursed her lips and nodded. "And Keefe?"

Keefe's head snapped up attentively.

"You're amazing, don't ever forget that."

Keefe's ice-blue eyes clouded over with thick tears of great emotion. "Foster, I-"

Sophie held up her hand and gingerly pressed it to his cheek. "I care for you so much more than you'll ever realize-" her voice was choked- "and you have so, so, so much potential. I'm no Descryer but even I know that."

Keefe wiped his eyes. "No, Foster, don't act like you're going to-"

Sophie forced a smile. "We all have to admit that it's a huge possibility, Lord Hunkyhair."

Keefe's eyes twinkled with pleasant surprise. "You called me Lord Hunkyhair... about time, too!" He smirked and yelled, "Ro!"

The ogre stomped over. "What is it?"

Keefe's lashes lowered and he murmured something into Ro's ears.

"Yes, go for it, Sencen boy," Ro whooped loudly. Keefe gave her a glare and Ro wrung her fingers nervously. "Oh, it was supposed to be-" Keefe nodded brusquely. "Oh. No regrets!" she called, stomping back into the garden to do who knows what with Bo.

Keefe took a deep breath in. "I need to tell you something, Foster. If you think there's a possibility you might-" gulp "-die... I have to admit something to you."

Fitz nodded sadly as he realized what Keefe meant. He left, probably off to spy on Tam and Biana.

Sophie ran a hand through her messy blonde hair. "What is it, Keefio?"

Keefe sharply intook a deep breath. "Come here," he muttered, beckoning for Sophie to follow him outside. He anxiously scratched his forehead.

Confused, Sophie sat down on the stone steps next to him.

Keefe made sure to leave enough space between them. Biting the inside of his cheek, he started. "Sophie, for a long time I've felt this, but only for a couple months I knew it..." He swallowed nervously.

Sophie hugged her knees to her chest, leaning against the wall of the doorframe. She knew it must be something serious. After all, he called her 'Sophie.' He only ever called her that when the subject at hand was grave. He always called her 'Foster.' Something must be really wrong. "Yeah?" she nodded encouragingly.

Keefe slapped the grass, pulling out a huge chunk with long twirly roots. "Oh, screw it!" he shouted. "Sophie, I'm in love with you!"


A/N: Lol, finally Keefe admitted his feelings in a conspicuous way! I mean, yeah he did kiss her several times in this fanfic lmao, but never did he clearly state it! Yeeeeep! Okay, so now we're at twenty seven chapters... I want there to be AT LEAST thirty, and yes I'm relaying this in basically every author's note. Maybe I should talk about something else. Ummm, so, the Super Bowl? Rough, huh? *silently facepalms myself* Cary, that was like a month ago and only the USA celebrates it. What the heck is going on with your brain? Is it short circuiting?

*smiles to readers* Mkay, that didn't happen! Anyways, yeah. My brain is seriously frying nowadays, so I am SO SORRY if it slips into my writing and if more plot holes start to open up than usual. Please, please, help this poor fanfiction writer. If you find a plot hole, a grammar/spelling mistake, or ANYTHING WRONG- SERIOUSLY, ANYTHING!- please P.M me or review. I want to improve my writing as much as poss. THANK YOU GUYS! YOU ARE AMAZING PEEPS!