Sophie picked a fallen Panakes flower, and flattened its crinkled petals. She twirled it in her hands, slowly gathering speed. She watched the flower whirl, feeling a little queasy herself just as the flower slipped from her grasp and fell to the floor limply. Not bothering to pick it up, she sighed, and averted her gaze to a speck of dark brown far away, that she knew was the cave she used to practice alchemy with Dex in. She felt the usual prickle of fear crawl up her spine, though it was considerably less pronounced this time. Maybe it was the fact that she had gone through much more frightening experiences since her kidnapping, or that she now had five surly bodyguards protecting her.

At this, she heard a grunt from behind her, as though her bodyguards were reminding her of their presence. Sophie had thought she had gotten used to having 5 bodyguards with her, but the sudden reminder of them crowding over her and watching her every movement instantly made her extremely claustrophobic. She took a deep, calming breath. "Could I…have a moment myself?" she waited for Sandor to counter, but was genuinely surprised when he simply nodded knowingly and led the others away to a more secluded part of the large field. Sophie frowned. They must suspect something if they were willing to leave her alone that easily, instead of arguing against it. She hadn't been herself lately, mostly due to the predicament she was in, but had tried to hide it as much as she could; she must have failed terribly. Sophie drew her legs up to her chest and leaned her head against the trunk of the Panakes tree, as a cool breeze touched her cheeks and neck. She closed her eyes, trying to think through the chaos and confusion buzzing in her mind. She had been feeling this way for a while now, especially when she was with…

Sophie took a deep breath, shoving her unfinished thoughts away. She was trying really hard not to think of something; trying not to think of the person responsible the turmoil she was experiencing. A headache flared, as she was once again engulfed in a wave of incomprehensible emotions that made her want to laugh, cry, and tear her hair out in frustration at the same time. She gave an involuntary moan, rubbing her temple hard.

"I had a hunch I'd find you here" Sophie turned her head to where the very familiar voice had emanated from and found Keefe striding towards her, his trademark smirk on his face.

"Oh, it's you". She scooted over right as Keefe plopped down next to her and rested his chin on his hands. "Aw, come on. I thought you'd show a little more excitement at seeing me than that" he pouted. Sophie rolled her eyes, feeling the corners of her mouth twitch. She picked another fallen flower.

"So, what're you up to?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, what is that wonderful brain of yours pondering over right now?"

Sophie bit her lip, deciding the best way to handle this was by playing dumb. "I still have no idea what you're talking about." She looked away hastily.

"Oh, come on, everybody knows the Mysterious Miss F doesn't sit all deep and serious without any particular reason." He smirked as Sophie glared at him.

"If you must know, I came out to get a bit of fresh air, that's all." she huffed, trying to hide her dilemma by putting on what she hoped was a look of annoyance. Some of Sophie's worry must have shown in her face, because a second later Keefe's smile vanished and was replaced with pure concern.

"Hey, you alright?" he asked.

She gave an unconvincing nod, and turned her attention towards the Panakes flower that was still in her hand.

"What's the matter, Sophie?"

The abrupt change in Keefe's tone had left her feeling deeply touched, and it took every bit of strength in Sophie not to give in and tell him what had been bothering her. Instead, she forced herself to look at Keefe, made her face straight and said, "Nothing, why?"

Keefe blew a breath. "Okay, do you really want to run around in circles? Because I can tell you're brooding over something, and if you want to deny it, I'll continue to pester you until you finally give in and tell me. Your call, Foster."

Sophie gritted her teeth, fighting the twinge of annoyance that had flared in her. She definitely appreciated the gesture; she just didn't know if she was ready to talk about Fitz.

And there it was. The reason Sophie's stomach had been twisted with guilt, the reason she constantly felt a sense of foreboding, the reason she felt as though something very important to her was slowly slipping away from her grasp. She had been worrying about what was happening to her friendship with Fitz, and it was slowly eating her up from the inside. Of course, he had apologised, in the sweetest way possible, and they had 'made up'. Since then, their relationship had become strained, not to mention painfully awkward. They had then avoided meeting each other altogether if they could help it. And that bothered Sophie more than she realised. She sighed audibly.

"It's just…what if I've permanently ruined my relationship with Fitz?" she hadn't realised she had voiced her worry out loud until she saw Keefe tense up.

He cleared his throat. "You regret…"

"No, that's not it." She said quickly. "I meant what I said. I do think we're better off as friends. But the awkwardness that now exists because of what I said is getting unbearable." Sophie was finding it harder to breathe. She forced the next words out of her mouth, "Fitz was my first friend, and I don't want to lose him because I'm not capable of being a loyal friend. All…all my friends are really important to me, and I don't want to do anything that would jeopardise that". She felt her eyes burn and closed her eyes, swallowing hard.

Sophie jumped as she felt a warm hand slip into her own. She thought Keefe was going to send a few mental breezes, and prepped herself for them, but they never came. Instead, Keefe's grip on her hand tightened.

"I understand where you're coming from, but trust me when I say that you're thinking too much of it. I know how hard this must feel, with the tension around, and the awkwardness. But I seem to know Fitz really well, and I know that he's going to get over this in a few weeks or so, just like how you are going to get over it in the same time as well. I'm just going to ask you to be patient and wait for a few days. It'll be fine."

"But what if it isn't?" The lump in Sophie's throat was so big it was starting to hurt. She blinked back her tears, and forced her gaze on Keefe, who was frowning heavily.

"It'll be fine. In fact, you'll see that it'll be better than fine when you both start dating again, after all of this is over." Keefe said, in a rather small voice.

Instead of comforting her, all Keefe's comment did was increase Sophie's string of chaotic thoughts. What he had said seemed right and wrong at the same time. Her heart plummeted as she was struck by another thought. She chewed her lip, fighting to regain control over her raging emotions. But a thought had latched onto her mind, and the more she tried to quieten it, the louder it became. Was she a horrible person for thinking that…maybe she didn't want to be with Fitz?

"What if…" Sophie couldn't say the next part; the words were lodged in her throat. She inhaled sharply, shook her head, and forced the words out, in barely a whisper, "What if I can't?"

Baffled, Keefe raised his eyebrows.

"I mean, what if I-don't want to continue with" she winced as her voice faded away. But Keefe was nodding his head slowly.

For a few moments, the only sound that was the crash of the waves, and the soft rustling of leaves as a gentle breeze drifted past them. Then Keefe snorted.

"Is that what you're worrying about?" Sophie glared at him as he started to laugh.

"I mean," she started again, her voice stronger, "Fitz's reaction to us breaking up was harsh on its own. What if it intensifies when…" she cleared her throat "if, I decide not to continue? I don't think I'm strong enough to handle that".

Sophie closed her eyes, shutting down the memories of her and Fitz's break up that had flashed onto her mind. She could still feel the hopelessness that had descended upon her, depriving her of all other emotions, and the deafening silence that had hung in the air after Fitz had left, threatening to suffocate her, as she fell to her knees, head in her hands. She shoved the memory away, focusing her attention on the current conversation.

"We know Fitz. He does get really mad, but his anger is short-lived. He will get over it. Besides, this is your life Sophie. You're living it for your happiness. You don't have to make sure everyone else approves of the decisions you make in your life, as long as you know that the decisions you make are what you, and you alone, want. Others can get mad all they want, but the only person who should get to decide what you want is you, and solely you."

A smile spread on Sophie's lips, as Keefe squeezed her hand again. She was surprised at how much the simple physical contact helped clear her mind; more than what mere mental breezes could have done. She sighed contentedly as a gentle breeze drifted past the Panakes tree. A whisper of a song that was carried by the breeze reached Sophie's ears. The whisper reminded her to stand strong while forging new ties, and attempt the unknown bravely. Sophie leaned her head onto Keefe's shoulder.

"You think so?" she knew she was being childish, but she so desperately wanted to hear it one more time; wanted to be assured that she definitely had nothing to worry about.

Keefe leaned closer and lifted her chin up gently. "I know so", he whispered. The force and conviction in his voice melted some of Sophie's newly dredged worries. He wiped a few stray tears from her face. Sophie looked into Keefe's ice-blue eyes, and as brown eyes met blue, an incomprehensible emotion passed between them. They were now so close that she could feel Keefe's warm breath on her cheek, and Sophie's stomach filled with fluttering things.

Without thinking, she blurted, "I really hope so, because it's you I want to be with." And then she was kissing him.

Sophie didn't know what she was doing or why she was doing it, but she had felt deep down that it had to be done. Keefe's words had brought a change in her; her mind was now eerily calm with a revelation that had left her shook; Sophie Foster was in love with Keefe Sencen, and had been in love for a long time now. She suddenly felt a mad urge to laugh out loud at her own obliviousness, and quickly shoved that thought away, focusing on the blond-haired boy in front of her. Sophie saw Keefe stiffen, saw his eyes widen in shock and she felt her own stomach plummet. She was terrified that she had made the wrong move, that she was going to enter her room for another sleepless night later on, having lost two of the most important people in her life, and clenched her fists anxiously, blinking back tears that were threatening to spill over. Just when she was about to pull away and mumble an incomprehensible apology, Keefe kissed her back, and a shower of fireworks exploded in the back of her head.

Keefe placed one hand on the small of Sophie's back and used the other to cup her cheek. Sophie couldn't help leaning into his touch. She had been expecting the kiss to feel awkward, or wrong or…she didn't know. But she was definitely not expecting this. A tiny part of her mind, the part that wasn't currently whooping and cartwheeling in glee, noted that kissing Keefe felt…natural. Sophie closed her eyes, feeling the pent-up emotions in her break free. She could feel the burden she had been carrying these few days roll off her. Because it wasn't just Fitz's friendship that had contributed to her chaotic thoughts. It was the slow revelation that what she had craved for, what she had needed in her life, was right beside her. And just like that, the storm raging in her mind came to an abrupt halt and she lost all sense of reality, as her heart felt as though it was about to explode with what could only be described as pure bliss.

They finally broke apart after a few minutes, red faced and breathing hard. The couple stared at each other, with an intensity similar to the burning sun, trying to convey what was running through their minds simultaneously, for mere words wasn't enough. After what seemed like hours, Keefe broke the silence as he mumbled, "Oh man, Fitz is going to clobber us". Sophie couldn't help the laugh that escaped her lips, and resorted to grinning sheepishly.

They traipsed into silence again, each lost in their own thoughts. Sophie had to admit that this wasn't a silence she was afraid of. This was a silence of comfort and understanding; a silence that seemed to unite the emotions and thoughts of her and Keefe, and allow them space to connect together slowly. This was a time when the silence had spoken louder than words could have ever done. She looked over at Keefe, who was leaning against the trunk of the Panakes tree, his hands folded behind his head, a dreamy expression on his face. She opened her mouth to tease him, when instead, she blurted, "How long have you liked me?"

Sophie's question seemed to snap Keefe out of his reverie, and he flushed, avoiding her eyes carefully. "Since the time we were hiding in Alluveterre, after being banished. I…can't say I was my best self at that time, with everything that had happened. But I saw how hard you tried to cheer me up; I could see the concern in your eyes every time you came to check on me. No one's ever done that to me before. I tried to tell myself that it was nothing, that what I was feeling was really just a growing friendship, but I somehow knew. Something was growing, all right, but it definitely wasn't friendship.

I also saw how close you and Fitz were getting, and it felt like torture. It was torture to see the two of you together, and maybe a little selfish of me to wish desperately that it were me instead of Fitz that was making you laugh. Eventually, I decided that I wouldn't interfere in your life like that, because the most important thing to me was your happiness. And if you were truly happy with Fitz…"

He trailed off, closing his eyes. Sophie blinked repeatedly, her mouth slightly agape. She was only just starting to realise how big of a part Keefe had played in ensuring a smooth relationship between her and Fitz, and how much it had cost him to do so. He was always the one who had spoken to Fitz on behalf of her during their arguments, he was always the one she had naturally gone to, to spill her heart out, and gain comfort from. All those times, she had never once stopped to think whether this was affecting Keefe. She had been selfish and focused on herself, yet again. Even this conversation had once been Keefe consoling her about her and Fitz, mere minutes ago. Choking back her tears for the umpteenth time that day, she was about to embrace Keefe in a hug when he opened his eyes again and spoke up.

"What made you...you know, realise that you wanted to be with…?" Keefe asked in a voice of forced calm, blushing an adorable scarlet.

Sophie looked away, a small grin on her face. "I think I've known for a while now. I just didn't realise that I knew, if that makes sense. And I…I guess I was…afraid to change things up. What had happened with Fitz had made me realise just how fragile bonds can be, and I wanted to wait before I did anything else. But when I heard you talk just now; I knew I couldn't stay put. Fitz had cared, of course, but something wasn't right when we had started dating. I felt it deep down, but was…afraid, in a way, to give that thought a voice. Once I told Fitz that I was unmatchable though, it was much harder to ignore the flaws in our relationship. I couldn't stay silent, and neither could he." She paused, her grin widening at the raised eyebrows Keefe gave her, and continued, "But you were different. You…supported me, and made sure that I was surrounded by everything and everyone I loved, even if it included sacrificing your own happiness. For once, I wanted to do the same to you."

Now it was Keefe's turn to look away. He blinked furiously as he wrapped an arm around Sophie's waist, and she sank into the hug, not wanting to let go. "I-you don't know how much that means to me. You don't know how much you mean to me. Thank you. But I meant what I said. It is your life, and you get to decide how you shape it. If you decide you want me to be in it, I'll accept, with happiness of my own. I'm sorry I didn't say this earlier, but I didn't want to pressure you. I know the burden you're forced to carry; I can feel the weight on your shoulders. And, I guess I didn't want to add to it, until I knew you were ready" Keefe said, in a hoarse voice.

"Thanks" she whispered meekly; her own voice constricted with emotion.

"Anytime. Oh, and Foster?"

Sophie looked at him expectantly, noticing the sudden change in his tone as he called her name with a twinge of curiosity.

"You really are cute when you worry."

Keefe yelped as she sent a well-deserved smack at his arm.

Sophie looked over to the endless stream of waves crashing onto the shore, replaying what Keefe had said to her. She could feel hope slowly bubbling up inside her and her face broke into a wide grin. Somehow, she knew that things would be fine in the end; that they would be fine, but she would just have to wait.

Wait until everything becomes alright.

"Sooooooooooo…" Keefe grimaced slightly as Ro dragged the syllable, striding across his room. "That happened."

"Yes, it did." He jutted his chin out defiantly. If Ro was going to be nosy about it, then he would be ready for whatever prying questions she hit him with. But Ro just smiled, held her hand out, and said "Pay up, Funkyhair. A bet's a bet. I told you she would make the first move."

"It wasn't even a fair bet" Keefe grumbled, as he reluctantly fished out a few lusters and handed them to a gleaming Ro.

Keefe tried to glare at Ro, but he couldn't. He simply couldn't. He couldn't even make his face straight, as there seemed to be a permanent grin etched onto his features. He flopped onto his bed, letting out a gratified sigh, and stared at the ceiling as his mind continued to replay the events of the last few hours on repeat.

Keefe didn't know how he had managed to light-leap home from Havenfield; his mind had been extremely jittery with exhilaration. He had been in a complete daze, and had been unable to focus on anything other than the gold-flecked brown eyes that had been in front of him. It was a wonder he hadn't faded while leaping; he couldn't control his racing thoughts at all. He had been wearing a stupid grin on his face all evening long, and even his father's scornful looks and sadistic comments had not wiped it off his face. He had merely shrugged his father's comments off, and almost skipped to his room, his spirits lifted further at the sight of his infuriated father as Keefe ignored him.

Struck by a sudden thought, Keefe sat upright, and reached for the bottom drawer of the dresser in the corner of his room. He began the usual drill of pulling out his clothes and tossing them onto a pile nearby. After every single one of his clothes had been added to the pile, Keefe pushed the right corner of the drawer, making the false bottom lift slightly. He grabbed the other side, pulled the panel up, unhooked the trip wire and retrieved a gold coloured book from the depths of the hidden compartment.

Keefe sat on his bed and flipped the book open. He examined each page, his grin widening at every image of Sophie in his drawings. Each page had screamed his name, and had drawn his attention towards every minute detail in the drawings. The book had once served as a reminder of what had truly kept him standing, and of what he had wanted with a yearning so deep it threatened to inundate his being. At present, the book stood more as proof that even the dreams that seem impossible to occur do come true, over time. When Keefe reached the last page, he grabbed his stationery and started drawing a new scene on a fresh page.

He would never admit it, but gold was his favourite colour for a particular reason. It was a colour that left him feeling bold and determined. It was a colour that made him feel as though he was capable of doing anything. And as he drew the evening's events, he realised with a sudden jolt that he felt exactly the same way every time he stared into the gold-flecked brown eyes of the person he loved so much; he felt as though he was capable of doing anything. Keefe worked feverishly for hours deep into the night, perfecting his drawing of himself and Sophie under the Panakes tree.

At long last, he had finished, and stepped back to admire his work. It was a breath-taking replica of Sophie and Keefe kissing earlier on, with a few additions. Keefe had added minute details of his own to the scene, which seemed to bring the painting to life. The edges of the drawing had also been encompassed by a golden border, such that the entire drawing glimmered with a reserve of hidden energy every time a ray of light hit the painting. It felt as though Keefe was watching the scene unfold in front of his eyes once again. Every nerve in his body was tingling, his heart was pounding against his chest and his breathing had become shallow. Keefe inhaled slowly and closed his eyes, trying to ignore his mind which was buzzing with thoughts. But the more he tried to quieten it, the louder one particular thought became, which left him trembling with excitement and glee in its wake.

His wait was over