||𝒯𝑜𝑔𝑒𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝒜𝑔𝒶𝒾𝓃|| (𝒹𝒾𝓈𝒸𝑜𝓃𝓉𝒾𝓃𝓊𝑒𝒹)

Chapter Two

Keefe nearly choked on his coffee when he saw Sophie. She noticed he looked like he was struggling to swallow.

"You alright?" Sophie said, concerned.

"Oh, you're real. I thought I was just imagining you until you spoke," he responded. Then he smacked his head, and shut his mouth, like he had forgotten about his ability for a moment.

"Do you want to sit with me?" She said, changing the subject.

     Keefe nodded in response. She was disappointed, his voice was so soothing and calming, it hurt her inside not to hear it. And without his voice, he couldn't be the usual Keefe. That scared Sophie. Keefe was one of the strongest people she knew, and for him to not be himself was truly scary. But Sophie pushed all feelings aside as she ate her donut and they drank their coffees in silence.

     When they were done, Keefe got out a notepad and a pen and wrote: Want me to show you my new place?

     Sophie smiled and said, "Sure."

     They walked out of the shop and walked a few cold before heading into a nice neighborhood, full of huge houses. They stopped at a pastel yellow house white white lining, and he led her inside to sit on a couch.

     There was silence for a while, but Sophie decided against her gut to break it. "Keefe, why did you leave?"

     She waited for a response, but all Keefe did was shake his head and look away.

    "Keefe, please."

     Still no response.

     "Keefe, you're not going to hurt me-"

     "It's not just you I'm scared to hurt. It's...everyone." Keefe whispered, still looking away.

     She put a hand on his shoulder. "Look, I understand you have a new ability, one no one else has, and you're struggling to figure it out. I feel you there. But please try to talk to me. Maybe if you speak, you will become more in control of your ability. You've already resisted the urge before, you told me so."

     "Fine." Keefe said, finally looking at Sophie. "I left because I didn't want to hurt you, or anyone, and...I don't want to be a problem, especially one no one knows how to fix. I'm sick of my abilities."

     "Keefe, you're not a problem. You're...the solution."

     Keefe smiles a half smile. "What do you mean?"

     "Think of it this way: you brighten up everyone's day. You do it in a way no one else can. You smile, and everyone else feels like they should smile too, because if Keefe can, they can. You are the light in so many peoples lives, including mine, you have no idea how much everyone needs you," she paused, drawing up confidence, "how much I need you."

     Keefe brightened up at the last bit, giving a real smile. "Thank you."

     "So...will you come back?" Sophie questioned.

     Keefes smiling face turned to annoyance and sadness. "I am not coming back. I can't. You knew that when you came here. I even told you not to come, but you did anyway. I'm no-"

     "Keefe," she interrupted, "doesn't me coming even though you told me not to show how much I care?"

     "What it shows that you like to disobey what people tell you." Keefe said, his voice at a whisper, getting a bit louder. "I told you to not come here, I didn't tell you where I went, I told you I wouldn't come back, how much of a hint is that that I want to be alone? I don't know how you came here, how you found me, but please just go home! I just want everyone to stay away!"

     Sophie flinched at what she thought was a calming voice. "I came out of love. I thought you of all people would care about that." She snapped, getting up abruptly.

     His eyes narrowed. "I do care. But you have no idea what I am going through." Keefe retorted, standing up as well.

     "Really, Keefe? You're pulling that card? I understand you more than anyone else right now! You think I haven't gone through the same things? All I am trying to do is help, and so is everyone else, but all you do is reject them. But you know what, if you're so set on being alone and not letting others be there for you, fine. I'll leave. Don't expect me to come back."

     Sophie raised her pendant up to the light coming through a window. And she was about to step through, when Keefe whispered, "No."

     She turned around. "What?"

     "I-", Keefe started, "if you're leaving, just let me say one last thing."

     Sophie raised her eyebrows in curiosity, signaling for him to continue. "I love you, Sophie."

     He pulled her into a hug. "Please don't leave, I'm sorry."

     "That was more than I wanted to hear," she whispered against him. "But I can't leave you."

     He pulled away. "Then stay here with me. I told you, I can't go back, but you don't have to either."

     "Okay."

     Sophie released a breath she forgot she was holding. This wasn't going exactly as planned, but maybe she could make it work, for the elves sake, and hers.

     She looked over at Keefe, who happened to be doing some intense thinking. Then she saw a smile flicker onto his face.

     "What?"

     "I just realized what we were talking about earlier. You said, 'I did it out of love'. Did you mean..."

     "Yes," Sophie admitted. "Wait, you said something similar, didn't you?"

     "Possibly." Was all Keefe could say.

     Sophie smiled, knowing fair well he did. He smiled too, and she took the chance to lean in and kiss him on the cheek, before walking away.

     Did you like this? I have more coming soon!

Word count: 967

~*~HunkyHairDontCare~*~