Book Two: KOTLC One-shots and More

Legacy 19.5 (Keefe POV)

A/N: While Fitz is inside the Shores of Solace working with Lord Cassius, Keefe tells Sophie he'll talk to Fitz for her. This chapter depicts that conversation.

After Foster left, Keefe chose to stay outside, sitting on the porch swing and staring out at the beach.

And trying to ignore Ro, who was still cursing at him.

"I can't believe you plan to actually talk to Captain Perfect about your girl," she huffed, refusing to be ignored. "You do realize that it suits you for them to fall apart because of all of this, right? This could be exactly what you need to turn things in your favor!"

Keefe closed his eyes, allowing himself a few seconds to come to terms with the fact that he was going to have to have this conversation with Ro again. "Listen," he said, finally opening the package of Jaffa Cakes and shoving one in his mouth before continuing.

It was surprisingly good...

For human treats, anyway.

"Listen," he said again. "We've been through this. I hope they decide that they're better off as just friends. You know that. You know I hate the way they feel about each other. But you also know that I refuse to resort to meddling or pushing between them. I want them to be happy. Just...not together. And I need them to figure that out on their own. I--"

"I know, I know," Ro cut in. "You don't want to be the consolation prize. You've said it before."

"Well, apparently I have to say it again," he said hotly. "You don't seem to be listening."

"I still think you're just scared."

Of course he was scared.

Of his so-called legacy.

Of the damage his mother could cause to those he cared about.

Of the damage the Neverseen as a whole could cause to those he cared about.

Of what gaps he still had in his past.

Of the things his mom might have made him do.

Of Foster and Fitz finding happiness together.

And yes...even scared of telling her how he felt and being rejected. Of losing her friendship--or their friendship being altered, at the very least.

But that last fear...if that was all it was, it wouldn't stop him. The fear would not be enough to keep him from telling her how he felt. He'd almost told her a few times before, but her feelings for Fitz just kept growing. At least, in her head, they did. So if he were to cut in and tell her how he felt, it would seem too much like he was trying to give an ultimatum. He didn't want her to feel like he was forcing her hand one way or another.

He wanted her to be free to choose what she wanted. Who she wanted.

So he felt he wasn't telling a lie when he looked at Ro and said, "I'm not scared. I'm worried, but I'm hopeful, too. And I'm done with this conversation."

Ro shook her head and grumbled under her breath--Keefe distinctly heard the words "oblivion" and "Wonderboy" thrown in there--but didn't press him any further.

And Keefe went back to staring at the ocean, kicking his porch swing back and forth, refusing to go inside until he absolutely had to. Living with his father was always difficult, but at least the Shores of Solace provided a nice view. And something about the vastness of the ocean always made it a little easier to believe that all of his problems--all of their world's problems--weren't really as dire as they seemed.