Book Two: KOTLC One-shots and More

Stellarlune 21-22 (Ro POV)

A/N: @sophia9087 requested this Ro content!

Blondie had been surprisingly disappointed when Ro decided to go on the hunt for Cadfael.

She'd thought she was driving the girl crazy--not that that would have stopped Ro from staying by her side--but now that Ro was preparing to leave, the girl was clearly sad about it.

She had a feeling it had a lot to do with the connection to Hunkyhair--Funkyhair--Ro really didn't know what to call him anymore, not even in her own head. She hated the boy for running off like he had. And yet...

She loved him a little bit.

Not that she'd ever admit to caring about an elf--her dad would probably laugh and kick her in the teeth at the same time if he heard that--but she knew it was true.

Hunkyhair was surprisingly cool for an elf.

And Blondie was practically made for him.

No matter how oblivious she still was. In fact, the sadness she was now feeling at Ro leaving was probably the best thing for her right now. Let her stew in that misery for a while. Maybe it would lead her out of the oblivion.

Even so, Ro wanted to make sure Blondie stayed safe--and gave her a job to do for the few days until Ro's return. So she gave Blondie one of her daggers and insisted that she train with it.

The she had to choke back her laughter when Blondie named the dagger Hope, because of course an elf would pick a name like that.

She supposed she should be glad the dagger hadn't been named Shimmer or Sparkle or Glitter.

Once that was settled, Ro realized she needed a way for Blondie to reach her if Funkyhair came back before she did. She doubted he would come to his senses so soon, but...the boy really liked his friends and really, really liked this girl.

Staying away was going to be way too hard for him.

So she pulled out a packet of Linquillosa and handed it over, explaining how it worked, and instructed Blondie not to clean it off until Ro got back. That was the best way to be able to track them down so Ro would know just where to go.

"But that could be weeks!" Blondie argued. "If you're still hunting Cadfael--"

"I won't be. Like I said, I should be able to catch him in the next few days. And odds are, Hunkyhair won't come to his senses before then--but if he does, catching Cadfael can wait! No way am I missing the big Team Foster-Keefe reunion--or all the..."

She made a loud smooching sound, making Blondie blush and give Ro her best death glare.

"Scowl at me all you want, Blondie--I see that adorable blush!"

She pulled her hair around her face, as though that could somehow hide her from view. "That just means I'm sick of this conversation."

"Does it, though? Pretty sure there's a whole lot more to it than that."

"Yeah, I'm trying to decide if I should use you for stabbing practice," Blondie muttered.

Ro couldn't help but grin. This girl was feisty. She and Hunkyhair were so obviously made for each other.

"I'd actually love to see you try that--but no changing the subject. I can hear your heart beating about a hundred times faster than normal right now. And your breath is all hitched. And your voice is all high pitched and squeaky. So clearly you're feeling excited and fluttery and--"

"I don't know what I'm feeling!" Blondie shouted. She crossed her arms and stared at her feet.

That was probably true. She seemed confused and frayed and frankly, on the verge of some sort of emotional meltdown.