I can't believe there is less than a thousand fanfic for KOTLC here! I had to share this little one I wrote while reading Book 5. I was so frustrated with the absence of Sokeefe action! Please do not spoil me, I'm still reading Book 6 !
Never I have ever
We were all gathered in the Everglen living room to celebrate Biana's birthday. The stars were piercing through the diamant ceiling and reflecting shimmering dots of light on the crystal walls and glossy wooden furniture like a mirrorball. Biana, more than ever, was dressed like a princess straight out from a fairytale with a puffy pink dress and corset covered by a rainbow of gemstones. I put on my most extravagant outfit, a red dress with a low cut neckline, because I knew my friend would like the effort, and she did say so, but I could not help to feel insecure among so many naturally good looking people - elves - who put on their best clothes for the occasion.
« You look good, Foster », whispered Keefe who must have felt my anxiety passing behind me to get to his seat near the fountain, opposite to me. The heat rode to my cheeks and I shook myself a little bit. Go away, damn butterflies !
We were seated in a circle, playing a drinking game humans love to play at parties like this. I told them about it without thinking they would actually want to play it, but here we are.
« Never I have never… been to a Forbidden city. »
Marella, as the true competitor that she is, knew how to strike hard. Seven of us raised our glass. Fitz and I, obviously, but also Dex, Biana, Keefe, Tam and Linh. All of them who were dragged into a Forbidden city, risking their lives, because of me… But surprisingly, they all looked proud to take that sip while Marella muttered something about being the only « FC » virgin of the group.
« Who's next ? » asked Biana. She was the one who drank the less (despite our efforts to make her drink) but looked the more fluttered. I suspected Dex to have spiced up her drink with something from his dad's shop. It would have been such a « Dex » birthday gift that I didn't want to ruin the charm by asking about it.
« My turn ! » said Linh, sitting straighter onto her cushion. « Never I have ever… kissed someone who's in that room !» she finished giggling.
Tam looked exasperated by his sister's behavior, but apart from him, we all looked at each other curiously. Linh, who took our collective mission at heart, was delighted when Biana took a shot. Along with Keefe. Marella whistled.
Dex was looking at me, a mix of worry and anticipation on his face. Fitz was also giving me an insistant look and I forced myself to shut down my thoughts. The only one not staring was the one I couldn't take my eyes off and he really was avoiding my gaze like never before… Oh please, Keefe !
« Sophie ? » , asked Linh puzzled. « Not drinking ? »
I heard Fitz moving awkwardly on his stool and Tam laughing under his breath. What a spectacle it all must be! Sophie Foster, Superfreak, Girl with a Crush, hi, nice to meet you too.
« Nope. Really nope. », I said in a bitter voice. If only they knew…
And Keefe, will he finally look up at me ? No, the amethyst fountain was way more interesting right now.
I said something about getting us some water to thinned our drinks so we could keep playing and got up. Only at that point, Keefe rose his head and I gave him a shrug, meaning : If you want to play it like this, so be it. And I exited the room.
By the time I reached the double doors leading to the crystal staircase, it was Dex's turn.
« Never I have ever… had a birthday party ! Drink up, Biana… »
On my way to the kitchen, I decided to get a bit of fresh air and climbed up the stair to « my » bedroom, the one I stayed in the first time I came to Everglen, the first time I came to the Lost cities actually. I remember stepping on the balcony of that room and catching my breath at the view of the lake surrounding the Vackers estate. I wanted to see it again. The stars tonight were shining even brighter than in my memory.
« What was that ? », asked the deep familiar voice behind me.
I jumped a little, not at the words but when Keefe closed the door behind him. We were alone up here and the reassuring muffled voices of the others echoing on the crystal walls across the manor were now gone.
Keefe came to stand against the railing next to me and I stepped aside by reflex. I knew a few inches wouldn't change the fact that he could feel all of my emotions but it shouldn't be so easy to him. I swiftly glanced at him, his blond carefully messy hair dancing in the breeze, his turquoise eyes fixed on the horizon and then, finally, on me.
« What ? », I asked, fainting incredulity. I knew what he was talking about but was surprised he was mentionning it after avoiding my gaze all night long.
« Nope, really nope. » He matched my voice to the perfection so much so that it sent a shiver down my spine, not a good one. I've always hated when he copied my voice. My voice wasn't supposed to come out of his lips. Only my name…
« I just answered Linh. », I said with another shrug.
« While looking at me intensely. » So it did bothered him !
« Oh you noticed ! » I forced my smile to stay hidden behind a poker face but…
« Foster, I can tell you're enjoying yourself right now. »
« And you're not. » The outline of my smile vanished. It wasn't a question. His fists were clenched on the railing and his jaw tight. My humor wasn't making the effect I was hoping for. Making the air feels lighter. We were far above the tree line, suspended in the night sky and yet I felt buried under ground. For far too long. I needed to get out. I needed to get it out. So, I took a deep breath and dived :
« Look, I know you've never mentioned it and that's really delicate of you, Keefe, but it doesn't mean I forgot the time you push me back when I tried to kiss you. » There, said and done.
It was late at night at home. Keefe called and asked to come over. He wanted to tell me about his exams. We studied together for the past weeks, though I think the reason he was so diligent about his studies was because it gave him an excuse not to be at home so much. And now that the exams were in the rear mirror, he was finding himself stuck in a house too big, too cold and too empty to be a home. Part of me was nervous to find myself alone with Keefe without any reason, so I decided to calm myself and took the potion Dex gave me for the exams that I didn't use. It was called The ball-Z potion. It was suppose to calm my nerves and give me a boost of confidence but I was glad I didn't take the potion at school. It got me dizzy, hyperventilating and the strangest : I had the urge to take risks, like to climb out of my window up to the roof, to call Stina to talk about alicorns, to escape to a Forbidden City for a few hours… I wanted to ask Keefe to come with me. Somehow Venice was the only city that came to my mind right this instant. Or maybe Paris…
I was holding my breath, waiting and waiting for his answer, considering jumping of the balcony to teleport far from here when he articulated :
« You were drunk. »
Wait.. what ? « I was not drunk. » I blurped in defense. « I had a bit of liquid courage I admit, but I wasn't drunk. Not more than tonight, and I am not drunk ! » Though I realized it might sound like I was, but it was just nervousness. I started hyperventilating and Keefe stepped back, probably overwhelmed by my feelings because he didn't contradict me but instead he asked : « Why ? Why do you…»
And I thought Empaths were clear-sighted people…
« Is it not obvious ? I knew we were friends and I didn't want to ruin things. And it didn't, gladly ! You gave me the grace of never mentioning it again and I'm sorry I alluded to it tonight, that wasn't cool. It's ok if you're not feeling the same way, really… »
« But you and Fitz… »
I gave him a look that shut him up immediately. I knew he knew about my crush on Fitz. Everybody knew but no one ever mentioned it directly to my face. My cheeks must have become scarlet, it was so embarrassing !
« You two got closer after that night… » he added carefully.
« Nothing happened with Fitz. We just worked on our Cognatedom... But yeah I was sad. You did push me away… »
« You were drunk ! » shouted Keefe kicking the railing in exasperation.
« I-was-not, I just told you ! » I shouted back. « Gosh, what in the hell did I do to make such a fool of myself that you thought I was drunk ? »
To that, Keefe Sencen was speechless. I could tell he was remembering the moment and I felt embarrassment coming up as I was recalling the event as well.
No, Sophie… His hands on my shoulders, friendly at best, holding me at a safe distance from him, a disappointed look on his face. And then Grady bursted into the room and, not knowing what he interrupted, asked Keefe to call it a night and go home, leaving me alone. Desperately alone. Not knowing if I lost a friend that night... I didn't but it still hurt like a slap.
His eyes were finally locked in mine, what I was hoping for all night, but it didn't feel like victory now. He always could tell everything I was feeling but I felt more vulnerable than ever.
« Nothing, you did nothing… » he mumbled. « I guess I just couldn't figure out a reason why you would want to kiss me out of some confusion state… »
My shoulder dropped. I had the feeling of having the young Keefe in front of me, insecure and lonely and it broke my heart. I stepped closer to him and took his hands in mine.
« I like you, » I let out without filter. « I really like you, Keefe Sencen. » I didn't realize I was crying until one of my tears landed on my hand. « And anybody will be lucky to be with you… » He didn't know what to say for the right reason that he didn't have to say anything. I let go of him and brushed past him for the door, holding in a waterfall of tears, but then, he grab my hand and turned me to face him. His nose brushed my cheek, swiping a tear in its roll. His breath was warm against my skin. I was lost in a sea of turquoise.
« Will you, Foster ? »
And his lips met mine. Gently. Softly. Keefe kissed me.
When he pulled back, I bet he had read my incredulity in block letters. « But… »
« I thought you were drunk. » he said in a whisper.
I was about to reply with exasperation when a sneaky grin appeared at the corner of his lips. There was only one way to take it off. I slide my fingers into his blond curls and pulled him closer.