𝓱𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓽𝓫𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓴𝓮𝓻 𝕂𝕖𝕖𝕗𝕖 𝕩 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕖𝕣

005 𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝑺𝒕𝒆𝒑

𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕣𝕪 𝕒𝕤 𝕤𝕠 𝕥𝕠𝕝𝕕 𝕓𝕪 𝕐/𝕟-

 I slowly approached the crowded table, Jensi following behind me giving encouraging nods and smiles. I bit my lip, staring at my shoes as I made my way to one person in particular.

"Y/n?" A voice asked- familiar, but not the one I was looking for. "What are you doing here?"

Fitz's voice held no judgement- purely curiosity. "Just looking for someone." I mumbled.

I slowly walked over to where I knew a certain flirtatious elf was sitting- debating how to start the conversation. I had of course thought about this last night. And right before walking over here. And while I was walking. But nonetheless- I had no clue what to say. This was a hard subject to breach.

"Hey... Can we talk?" I whispered. I hadn't intended to whisper. I meant to come across loud and confident- as Keefe always did. But being over here with him in front of all our old friends made me feel insignificant compared to the amazing elves that had saved our world time and time again.

"I- of course." He nodded, standing up.

We both headed for the door to the cafeteria- Ro immediately standing up to join us. Keefe groaned.

"Ro please."

The ogre princess shook her head- making her choppy purple and pink pigtails sway. "I don't think so Hunkyhair." She said, taking the lead out.

I flushed with embarrassment. "That's alright." I followed Ro out the door, Keefe walking beside me. We overtook her, beginning to lead the way.

"So. Before we get into this uncomfortable topic. Do you have a specific spot in mind? Because if not I have a suggestion."

I gestured for him top lead the way- and he gladly did so, leading us down so many twists and turns it felt like we were in a maze. "Where are we going?" I questioned.

"Just wait. You'll see."

I sighed, and relented, until he threw up his hands and announced we were here.

"Where is here exactly... You wanted to come to a sculpture of a giant F?"

He scoffed. "L/n, L/n, L/n. Have you really that little faith in me? . Do you really believe I'd lead us somewhere that lame?" He must've sensed me about to point out why I had so little faith in him- because the next thing I knew, the giant F stone sculpture was contorting and shifting, until eventually it formed a giant archway at the push of a button. "This is where I lead us."

"Woahhh," I breathed. "It's amazing. Where are we?"

He grinned. "Remember when I used to bring you snacks from the 'secret mentor cafeteria?' Where do you think I got them?"

I smiled at the memory. "You said you'd never tell me where it was." I recalled.

"Yeah. Well. I also told you I'd never leave you, and here we are." He looked down sheepishly. "That is why we're here right?"

I nodded meekly. "Yeah."

He nodded as well. "Well then." he said, heading farther into the castle looking room- although, with how big it was, perhaps it wasn't a room... I followed him, the archway shifting back into the normal sculpture and blocking the exit, leaving it the way it was before we came.

There were satin lined tables and chairs scattered around the elegant looking room that was seemingly fit for royalty. I sat in awe, admiring the beautiful architecture and decor, marvelling even more so at the fact that Keefe had managed to find this.

Speaking of Keefe, he suddenly came up beside me with a tray of all the best elvin delicacies. Ro had already grabbed two of her own, and settled herself amongst a golden throne. She seemed quite at home. "Mallowmelt always makes a difficult conversation a little bit better." He smiled, ushering me over to the table to sit.

"Sooo..." He said, watching as I tentatively picked up my fork and cut a small chunk of Mallowmelt off with the side of my fork. "How should we do this?"

I sighed, not even the gooey delicious Mallowmelt being able to take the edge off this conversation. "I guess I just... Wanted to let you know I do want us to make up."

He chuckled. "You dragged us all the way here to tell me that? I know that darling. And I really am sorry, Y/n. I messed up- time and time again."

"I- I..." I frowned, setting my fork down and putting my head in my hands. "Wow, this is so much harder than I imagined it being."

Keefe smirked, seemingly ready to comment on me admitting to thinking about this moment. But at the last minute, his mouth formed new words. "I know. But you know what? We're both trying- and that's all that matters."

I frowned- not convinced. Keefe must've noticed, because he got up from his seat across from me and sat himself in the seat beside me, taking my hands in his, waiting for me to meet his eyes. "I'm serious Y/n. I really appreciate you coming here to try to forgive me today. Even the longest journeys start with one step."