Book Two: KOTLC One-shots and More

Happy

A/N: Okay so this has nothing to do with this chapter but I would love some help! Does anyone remember exactly when Sophie goes to Slurps and Burps to talk to Dex about their kidnapping? I don't even remember for sure which book it was in or the context behind why she went to see him about it, but I'm wanting to revisit that conversation for a chapter idea I have and really don't have time to comb through multiple books, but I bet one of you remembers!

Sophie felt like she might throw up as she leapt to Everglen.

And there was Fitz, standing outside waiting for her. He had his arms crossed, looking slightly tense, but as she approached him, he relaxed and even gave her one of those smiles that made her heart flutter.

She felt a bit irritated with her heart for still fluttering, considering what she'd gone there to say.

Before she could say a word, he enveloped her in a tight hug. "Everything is going to be okay," he murmured. "Regardless of what you came here to say. I have to believe that everything will be okay."

Sophie nodded as she pulled back. "I think so too." She let out a sigh and they both turned to walk the grounds, slowly making their way toward the lake. Sandor, who knew what she was there to say, hung back with Grizel, giving them space. "The thing is, Fitz...you and I have always been close, ever since you showed me the truth about who I am. And then becoming Cognates...it's one of my very favorite things, the way we trust each other and work so incredibly well together."

"Me too," Fitz said, his voice sounding cautious now. He must have sensed a change coming.

"But I've decided," she continued, cringing slightly, "I won't be looking for my genetic parents. I'm still so angry with Mr. Forkle for keeping this information from me, but at the same time, I really don't want to know." She paused to let that sink in.

But she did steal a glance at Fitz, whose handsome face now looked stony, impassive.

"I see."

That was all he said.

"I'm sorry," she told him. "I just really can't handle the drama."

"And you don't think being unmatchable--and inevitably, one day, being a bad match--will come with drama?" He asked incredulously.

"No, you're right, it will. But the difference is that if I'm with someone who doesn't care about that, then we can face the so-called drama together. But once I find out who my genetic parents are...there's no unlearning that. There's no coming back from it."

Fitz's face softened as he stopped, taking her hand to turn her toward him.

She squeezed his hand before pulling away.

"I understand that, Sophie, I really do, but...where does that leave us?"

She shook her head. "You know how long I've liked you. And I love your family as though they were my own. But...I don't see us working. Even if you tried to come to terms with me being unmatchable, I think you'd always resent it. Or at the very least, I'd never be able to believe that you wouldn't resent it."

"What are you saying?" Fitz looked shocked now, and a little panicked.

"I'm saying...I want you to have everything you want. I want you to find a girl on your match list and avoid the stigma that comes with being a bad match. I want you to feel like you're putting your family back on track after everything that Alvar has done to mess it up."

"Funny, you calling it putting us back on track when you think the matchmaking system is corrupt." He sounded bitter now.

It stung, but she didn't really blame him.