Twirling-SoKeefe

Are you sure?

"Foster? What happened?"

It took Sophie a second to realize that she was still standing there, staring at the spot where Fitz had been. She didn't know how long she had been there, whether it was minutes or hours. Her eyes burned, and her hands started to shake-

"Hey," a soft voice said from behind her, and Sophie felt warm arms wrap around her waist and spin her around so that she was facing the owner.

"I'm sorry," Keefe whispered, steadying her. "I was talking to Grady, and I got so caught up in the conversation... I should've been here."

Sophie shook her head. "I'm fine," she told him, but even she spoke her knees gave out and she wobbled forward. Keefe caught her, wrapping an arm around her waist and another around her shoulders.

"I'm sorry," he whispered again, holding tight.

Sophie closed her eyes and leaned into him, tucking her chin into the crook of his neck.

"Me too," she said.

Sophie could've stayed there forever, clinging to Keefe, listening to their breaths fall into sync... but they were still in the middle of a party. So she pulled away, putting on a smile and taking his hand.

"Dance with me," she said, meeting his eyes.

Keefe raised a brow.

Sophie rolled her eyes.

"Come on," she told him, dragging Keefe towards the twirling elves to their right. But then she had an idea. "Wait."

Sophie shook off the stupid red shoes, kicking them under a silver tablecloth. She sighed in relief, stretching out her poor, aching toes. Keefe smirked. "See, and I'm not surprised at all. Actually, I'm impressed that you lasted this long."

Sophie rolled her eyes again, but she couldn't keep the smile from spreading across her face as she reached for his shoulder with one hand and twined their fingers together with the other. Keefe gently placed his hand at her waist, and slowly, they started to glide to the music.

Well.

Glide was a loose term.

Sophie fumbled to remember the steps and Keefe stifled his laughter as he guided her through each song.

But soon, Sophie got the hang of it, and forced her feet to pad in the correction directions. Keefe raised their hands and twirled her, and Sophie laughed, her skirt and sleeves flaring out behind her. She spun and spun and spun, feeling her worries fly away, feeling freer than she had all night. Gentle pressure on her wrist sent her twirling back into Keefe's arms, and she collided into his chest, breathless. But before she got the chance to catch her breath, he was kissing her, the force and emotion behind it pulling the air from her lungs.

"What was that for?" Sophie breathed, dizzy.

"You," Keefe whispered, ice blue eyes sparkling and bright. Sophie laughed, and he kissed her again, arms wrapping around her waist.

"What does that mean?" she asked when she pulled away, cheeks flushed. Keefe shook his head.

"Just you," he said, leaning his forehead against hers. His breath was warm against her cheeks, and she closed her eyes, breathing him in. He held her tightly, like he was afraid to let go. Sophie reached up, wrapping her arms around his neck and threading her fingers into his hair, tugging him closer.

They stayed there for a very long time, leaning on each other and swaying to the gentle music.

They stayed as the last bits of color faded from the sky, and the world turned a deep blue sparkling with stars.

They stayed as two baby alicorns crashed through the main doors and into a plate of desserts before scampering away with mallowmelt smeared noses and a chewed red heel.

They stayed long after the beautiful elves filed out of the doors, leaving the glimmering hall empty and quiet.

Even after the decorations had been conjured away and Edaline had dragged Grady upstairs to bed.

Windows amplified the starlight, casting soft sparkles onto everything. Gentle breaths fell in and out, the only sound except for the padding of bare feet and the quiet thuds of boot soles on marble floor.

"Sophie?"

She felt his whisper against her lips.

"Yes?"

Keefe took a long, deep breath, and Sophie opened her eyes.

She was close enough to see each dark blue fleck in his ice blue eyes, the colors blending together under his thick, dark lashes.

"I love you."

Quiet.

Sophie closed her eyes.

She knew exactly what she was going to say.

Her heart had been telling her for years.

All she had to do now was listen.

"Keefe?"

Quiet.

"Yes?"

She opened her eyes.

"I love you."

He kissed her.

Once.

Twice.

They were still swaying, moving slowly in a small circle, clinging to each other, shadows colliding in the gentle light.

Sophie swirled the hair at the nape of his neck around her fingers, the silky blond strands giving easily.

She kissed him.

Once.

Twice.

"Sophie?"

"Yes?"

Keefe blew out a breath, leaning his forehead back against hers.

"Are you sure?" he asked, so quietly she could've missed it.

Sophie smiled. "More than I've ever been in my entire life."

"Okay."

"Are you?" she asked, kissing his bottom lip.

Keefe caught her mouth with his, kissing her so long and deep that she was breathless by the time he pulled away.

"More than anyone in my entire life."