cascade | kotlc

NIGHTFALL

--- June POV ---

Not Found.

Sophie seemed to forget how to breathe as she turned white, freezing in place, her eyes unmoving and unfocused. Even her hair stopped fluttering in the wind.

"Breathe," Keefe said, gently taking her hand as she sucked in a sharp breath. They'd become more of a couple couple now, and god were they adorable, but this wasn't the time.

June still didn't know how to feel about it. She loved Sophie, and she'd support everything she'd do, everyone she'd love. But this was wading into new waters, and it struck her particularly deep.

As much as she hated it, there was one part of her, the insecure part of her that would constantly yell, will she even care about you anymore? If she gets back her human family, will she care anymore?
"Why would the records be not found?" Sophie whispered, paling against Keefe's chest.

"It could mean lots of things," Fitz promised, but he too looked devastated. His hand was half reached out between Sophie and June, and his eyes flickered around nervously. "I'll hail my dad to see what he knows, hang on."

He ducked into the hall, and June started to step toward him, but Sophie clung to her, shaking her head. Something boiled inside her, and she sighed, turning back and watching Panakes blossoms flutter to the ground.

"Okay, I was kinda right," he said, stalking back into the room a couple of minutes later. June fanned her fingers out and he accepted them, curling her near himself and hugging her loosely, twirling his fingers around her tunic. She relaxed slightly.

"I need to see them," Sophie said. "Can you get their address from your dad? I don't care if he gets mad, I need to see them."

Really? June thought bitterly.

"Yeah, one sec." He slipped back into the hall again and June felt a slight shiver pass through without his warmth. She glanced wistfully at her sister, who was cuddling with Keefe, leaving her alone.

"It's going to be okay, Foster," Keefe promised, brushing a tear off her cheek. Sophie nodded to him, strangling him in a hug, and June stood there, resting her hand on her hip, trying to not feel left out. It didn't work.

"My dad can't give me the address," Fitz said as he returned, taking her hand again and making her feel slightly better. "He has a leaping crystal that goes there. He'll take you right now for a quick check, if you're ready."

"I am," Sophie told him immediately, already untying her cape. June looked down, studying her outfit. She was wearing her usual white silk tunic, but her shoes were studded with diamonds on the heel. She bit her lip, debating silently before she sighed and slipped off her shoes. Hopefully concrete floors wouldn't burn as much.

"We're coming with you," Sandor announced as he melted out of the shadows. He was spending more time with Grizel, and she'd been teaching him to improve his stealth. June secretly watched them train sometimes.

Alden knocked at the door a while later, and Sophie rushed down to answer it. A moment later they returned, Alden holding a blue leaping crystal.

"This won't end well," June muttered as Fitz took his hand and they zipped away in the bluish light.

-

"They were here. They took them. Why would they take them?"
June swallowed, setting apart their differences and taking her arm. This was no time to be jealous. Sophie needed her.

Keefe took her by the shoulders, his expression fierce and determined. "I don't know what's going on, but we'll find them, okay? We'll get them back, I promise."