Sophie 2.0 - Keefe x Reader

Unrequited Solace

It was so warm. You were floating, flying through a haze of sunlit clouds. They welcomed you with their warm embrace, and you snuggled closer against them. You sighed contentedly.

Nothing could ruin this moment.

"Uhhh . . . Y/N?"

Except that.

You jolted awake, only to find yourself in the strong arms of someone you hardly knew. He was staring at you with wide, surprised eyes and more than a little pink across his cheeks.

"Sleep well?" he asked with a crooked, unsure smile.

You finally unfroze and scrambled back, knocking over one of the pillow walls. They toppled around you like physical manifestations of your shame.

"I—I am so sorry! I didn't mean—"

He was laughing. Why was he laughing??

"Y/N, it's ok! Not the first time I've had an accidental cuddle party at a sleepover. I'm glad you got some rest." His face turned serious. "You're gonna need it for what lies ahead."

You froze in the middle of restacking the pillows. ". . .Right." You have more important things to worry about, Y/N! Stop thinking about sleeping in the arms of this . . . ridiculously cute guy . . . who's super nice to you and doesn't seem to mind . . . and totally doesn't think of you that way! Come on, you've seen the way he looks at—

"Y/N? You good?" He was looking at you again.

"Y-yeah—sorry—"

He smiled a little. "Don't apologize if you haven't done anything wrong. Takes the meaning away." He hopped to his feet and offered you a hand. You took it.

"Breakfast?"

"Please." You smiled, already forgetting the panic from before. He so easily made you feel at ease, it made you wonder how he did it.

~~~~

The two of you leapt to another house for breakfast, to "get away from" Keefe's dad. It was mind-blowing enough to you that he had a giant spire of a house, let alone two mansions. Once inside, however, the relative simplicity of the house put you at ease. Keefe started cooking again, and while you wanted to help, you knew you wouldn't be able to do much with the limited knowledge of elven food that Sophie had given you.

Instead, you waited at the kitchen island and looked around. The walls were mother-of-pearl, and everything was gray and blue. You could hear the ocean outside, and through a window there was a patio with vine-covered arches and swinging cushioned benches.

"It's beautiful," you murmured. The whole place was calming and tranquil and quiet. It was the most still you had felt since elves had come into your life.

"Yeah," Keefe said quietly. He held up two plates of food and stepped toward the patio door. "Wanna eat outside?" You got the sense that he felt . . . uncomfortable inside. Stifled, even.

"Sure," you said, following him out. Together, you sat in one of the cushioned swings. Plates on your laps and eyes towards the sea, you ate in quiet companionship. He ate quickly and set aside his plate.

"So, if you're going to fully take Sophie's place for now, there're a few things you'll need to do. As far as bodyguards go—"

"I'll need to have Sandor with me, right?"

He smiled a little. "Right. I forgot Foster did that memory transfer thing."

"Yeah, me too. It's weird—the knowledge is just kind of . . . there, you know?"

"That sounds weird," he chuckled. "Do you think you'll get used to it?"

"Probably. Maybe. Hopefully. I kind of have to, don't I? I mean—if I can't, won't it be easier for me to be found out?"

"Mmmmayyybeee," he said slowly. "Sophie's kind of slow sometimes," he joked, ducking when you hit him. "Hey, hey, I'm kidding!" he laughed. "Really, though, it'll be ok. The Neverseen will expect you to lay low for a little while, so you have some time to get used to it. I'm sure the Forklenator will let you interact with some of our friends as practice. If they don't notice, no one will."

"Are you sure?" All the feelings you had squished down for the past two days were bubbling up again. You didn't know how much longer you could deal with—oh. Oh no.

Empaths can read your emotions. Keefe is an Empath.

"I can feel her emotions from here!"

Keefe had his arms reaching for you.

"I—I'm sorry—I'm ok, really. Just a little overwhelmed. And worried. And—"

He took your hands in yours.

"I know," he said. "It'll be ok, I promise. I've never done this without Sophie Enhancing my abilities before, but let me try." A little crinkle formed between his eyebrows, reminding you of Sophie. He closed his eyes and seemed to be focusing on . . . squeezing your hands?

"Sorry, I'm not sure—" he started, but then stopped. "Wait." His voice was softer now. "I think . . ."

A wave of calm washed over and through you, nearly making you fall back. He pulled you forward to counteract the fall, and his eyes flashed open. "It's working!" he said.

From this close, you could count how many eyelashes he had. You felt your mouth go dry and your neck heat up. He blinked, realizing what he had done, and let you go.

"S-sorry—guess I pulled too hard—" he said sheepishly.

"It's alright," you said, a little breathlessly. He turned to scratch the back of his neck. Was that . . . red on the tips of his ears? You smiled a little.

Whatever he had done had helped, and you were starting to think that maybe this wouldn't be so hard if he was by your side.

A/N: thank you all so much for your continued patience support! I appreciate each and every one of you. I hope to get longer chapters out soon, but it's 1 in the morning where I am rn, so that'll have to be for later. Love ya! <3