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Fading (Sophie x Fitz)

A/N: This story is set in the first book, after Fitz rescued Sophie and Dex. 

Elwin re-filled a vial. He was really worried about Sophie and Dex, both of which were in a critical condition. He bustled around the healing centre, grabbing more vials. Dex's condition was improving, and both him and Sophie were in their homes. Or rather, Sophie was at Everglen, the stuff with Grady and Edaline seemed chatotic at the moment.

He leaped to Everglen, rushing inside the gates. He went upstairs to where Sophie was asleep. She lay in the large bed, still looking so pale, after all, the day before she had nearly faded away. He sighed when he noticed the figure sitting next to her. "Fitz, you can't just sit here all day."

Fitz looked up, the pain in his eyes heart-breaking. Fitz was holding Sophie's hand in his, and he looked like if he let go, she would be gone. "Is she doing any better?" Fitz asked, as Elwin flashed a yellow orb around Sophie. 

"She's doing a little better, but it's still not good." Elwin said. Fitz swallowed. "I thought she was dead. I went to her planting, grieved for her, all while she was being tortured by those rebels." His voice cracked. "We all thought she was gone. But she's here and we need to get her through this." Elwin said.

'Fitz, can you try to reach her subconscious?" Elwin asked. Fitz shook his head. "No-one can breach her blocking." "About that. In the weakened state that she's in, you should be able to breach her defences. I known it violates the laws of telepathy, but it's vital right now." Elwin said.

Fitz nodded. "I'll try." He put his fingers on her temples. He tried to enter her mind, but after 15 minutes, he was sweaty and pale. "I can't get in." He said sadly. "Her mind needs to trust you." Elwin said. "Try transmitting memories to her. Ones where she trusted you." 

Fitz kept trying for hours. Elwin rushed in and out. Grady and Edaline sat on the other side of the bed, looking broken. Keefe and Biana stopped by a few times, but Fitz didn't notice any of it. He just kept trying, trying to get the girl he loved to trust him.

Because yes, Fitz had a thing for the brown-eyed girl. Sophie meant the world to him, and to see her in that state broke Fitz's heart. 

(The next day)

Fitz had barely slept. As soon as he woke up, he ran to Sophie's room. Elwin was already there, flashing orbs around. "Is she doing better?" Fitz asked, concern in his voice. "She's doing better, soon I'll be able to actually sleep and she won't fade." Elwin tried to re-assure Fitz. "I'll try to find another memory today." Fitz said.

He tried all day, and nothing worked. He just couldn't get Sophie's subconscious to trust him. Grady and Edaline sat by Sophie for most of the day, watching Fitz and Elwin.

(1 week later)

Fitz still hadn't gotten into her mind. He sat by Sophie, looking defeated. Alden came up to him. "Are you trying to get her mind to trust you?" He asked. Fitz nodded. "Yeah, but it's not working. Her mind is to strong I guess." "Actually, I might have figured out a way. Think of a time when Sophie need to 100% trust you, and you alone." Alden suggested.

Fitz gasped. "I know what I need to do!" He exclaimed. Alden nodded, then left the room. Elwin stepped back from Sophie. "She's all yours, I need to go have a break. Her condition is stable." He said, before raising a crystal to the light and leaping away.

Fitz took a deep breath. Grady and Edaline were needed at Havenfield, so Fitz was alone with Sophie in the guest room. Fitz steeled his nerves, before reaching for Sophie's temples. He recalled the memory, trying to breach her mental defences.

The memory was the day they first met. FItz had shown her where she belonged, and she had trusted him with her life, despite having just met him. Fitz added a second memory, the day Sophie got accepted into the Lost Cities by the council.

Fitz concentrated, focusing on the memories. Suddenly, a chill ran down Fitz's spine. He was in Sophie's mind! But it wasn't right. Memories flashed around him, of screaming and fire and pain. He must be seeing what happened when she was kidnapped. 

Sophie, he transmitted. There was no response. Fitz transmitted her name again, and again, btu there was no response. But then, A shred of warmth appeared in the darkness. Fitz? The voice asked quietly. Yeah, it's me, He transmitted. A shape emerged from the darkness, blurry at first, until it solidified into a brown-eyed girl.

What happened? Sophie asked. You told me where to find you, I light-leaped there and brought you to my house, you're still there, and you're unconscious. You were on the brink of fading. Even in the transmission, Fitz's voiced cracked. 

Sophie stood there, not saying anything. How did you get here, Fitz? She asked. I got your mind to trust me. I recalled the day we first met, and I guess you trusted me enough both that day and the day the council accepted you. He explained. 

Makes sense. I've always trusted you, but especially on those days. Sophie said. You trust me? Fitz asked. Sophie nodded. Well, you're here right now. You've never lied to me, or kept secrets. Unlike me, who hides my secrets. She said.

Are you talking about your secret? The one you wouldn't tell any of us? Fitz asked. She nodded. But I'm done hiding. When I wake up, I'll tell you. Sophie said boldly. Fitz nodded. I hate to leave you, but I have to go. He said sadly. I'll be back tomorrow. Sophie nodded.

(1 week later)

Fitz has been 'talking' to Sophie every day. Elwin said that she was nearly better, and that she would wake up soon. Fitz's transmissions were helping her recovery, according to Elwin. Fitz still didn't leave her side that much, but he had been leaving the room to change and shower and stuff.

"So, she might wake up soon. I need to be prepared for when that happens. I need to make a run to slurps and burps, can you watch her?" Elwin asked. Fitz nodded. Elwin gathered his supplied, cast a beam and leapt away. Fitz was once again alone with Sophie.

A groan came from the bed. Fitz whipped around. Sophie's eyelids were fluttering. She blinked, before opening her eyes. "Hey Fitz." She said. Fitz choked back a sob, as he hugged Sophie. "I thought I'd never hear your voice again. I thought..." He tried to not to cry. "It's okay, Fitz." She said quietly. 

Fitz pulled back from the hug, tears streaming from his eyes. "Oh, I'm so sorry." He said, wiping his eyes. "Fitz... do you remember what I promised to tell you?" She asked quietly. Fitz looked at her, understanding immediately. He nodded.

"My secret. It's actually connected to why I trust you so much." Sophie said. "What is it?" Fitz asked. "Fitz... I have a crush on you." Sophie said, blushing. Fitz stared at Sophie in shock. He pulled her into another hug. "Good. I like you to." He pulled away from Sophie, cupping her face.

Sophie was blushing. Fitz leaned in closer, and when Sophie didn't pull away, he closed the distance, kissing Sophie. She relaxed and kissed him back. Fitz broke free (y'know to breathe) and looked into Sophie's eyes. He rested his forehead on hers, their noses nearly touching. 

"I'm so glad your okay." He said. Fitz brought their faces back together. "Umm... am I interrupting anything?" Elwin said from the doorway. Grady and Edaline were behind him. Grady had a murderous look in his eye as he glared at Fitz. 

Everyone came in, Grady and Edaline talked to Sophie. Elwin gave Sophie the all-clear, but she still had to stay at Everglen for a while, she wasn't strong enough to leap yet. Grady pulled FItz aside and threatened that if he ever hurt Sophie, Grady would mesmerise Fitz into beating the shit out of himself.

Fitz nodded. He meant what he said. Him and Grady walked back into the room. Sophie smiled at Fitz. Despite how scary Grady was, Fitz knew that nothing would come between him and Sophie. Not even scary adoptive fathers.