KOTLC Deleted Scenes

Flashback B&N Exclusive Edition- Fitz's crush

Hello, awesome Keeper readers! Since I know some of you probably snuck back here straightaway, before reading Flashback (especially you eager Team Fitzers!), I feel the need to say: WARNING-MAJOR FLASHBACK SPOILERS AHEAD! Even the paragraph below isn't safe. Personally, I'd recommend waiting to read this until you've finished Flashback so it doesn't ruin anything. But that's up to you. Just don't say I didn't warn you!

Okay! so this story-*pauses for one final spoiler warning*- covers some of what Fitz was up to during the first few days he spent at Everglen after leaving the Healing Center. So imagine these moments between him and Biana happening at the same time as all the things Sophie was living through in chapters 27-31 of Flashback. Happy reading! -Shannon Messenger

"So you and Sophie looked cozy." Biana's voice has a singsony quality- because she always took her job as Annoying Little Sister seriously. "That goodbye hug was super adorable! Does that mean you guys are finally out of Denial Land?"

Fitz scowled, wondering if it was too big of a jerk move to trip Biana with his crutches. The path they were on was mostly grass, so it wouldn't hurt that much if she fell....

Biana stepped in front of him, studying his expression before she rolled her eyes. "You really didn't tell her? Even with all that time alone in the Healing Center? I mean, I know it's not the most romantic place or anything, but-"

"Seriously?" Fitz interrupted. "This is what you want to talk about right now?"

"Why not? We've got time to kill." She pointed to Everglen's glowing gates, which still hadn't opened for them. "All the security changes for tonight make getting in and out take forever. So come on, Fitz. Explain it to me-because I seriously don't get it: Why are you so afraid to tell Sophie you like her?"

"I'm not afraid. It's just... not the right time."

"That's what you always say. But I figured since you guys both just almost died, that might motivate you to not take anything for granted, you know? Like how you finally realized you liked Sophie after that arthropleura nearly killed you."

Fitz sighted. "I know. But... it's complicated, okay? So can we please not talk about it?"

Biana rolled her eyes. "Fiiiiiiine. What do you want to talk about? Alvar?"

The name was a total punch to the heart, and Fitz had to shift his weight onto his good leg so he could let go of one of his crutches and rub his chest. This echo thing was really becoming a problem. In fact...

"I need you to do me a favor tonight," he told Biana. "When they bring Alvar in, I need you to kick me or elbow me or whatever. Just keep me distracted, okay?"

"I can do that," Biana agreed. She watched him take several long, slow breaths before she asked, "You'll be okay, right?"

"As much as I can be."

"Yeah," Biana mumbled. "I know what you mean."

The gates made a soft click, then swung slowly open, and Biana helped Fitz get balanced on his crutches again.

"Thanks for coming home," she whispered.

He gave her as much of a smile as he could. "We're in this together. But let's go make sure Mom and Dad know our cooperation doesn't come free."

"You realize I'm going to call you Chandelier Head from now on, right?" Biana asked from Fitz's bedroom doorway, grinning wider when Fitz gave her his evilest glare.

"I'd like to see you levitating up the stairs," he muttered, rolling to his other side and pulling his blankets up to his neck. "And thanks for all the help, by the way. It's good to know that if I'm ever trapped somewhere, I can count on you to roll around on the ground laughing."