Book Two: KOTLC One-shots and More

Stellarlune 49-50 (Keefe POV)

A/N: Someone on Archive of Our Own requested this scene in Keefe's POV.

Keefe had had a lot of low points in his life.

Most of his life was one big low point, to be honest.

At least every part that contained his parents.

But realizing that his mom was there, at Elysian, waiting for them?

That was one of the worst feelings in the world and a major low point. Especially since she started out by easily admitting that she had trapped them there.

Then she made their situation even worse when trolls clawed their way out of the earth, grabbed Sandor, and disappeared again, all apparently under her command.

NO!!!

Keefe's panic, he knew, was nothing to Sophie's. She may grumble about her bodyguard, but her affection for the massive goblin warrior was obvious.

He had to end this.

If he couldn't command her to stop, he'd make her. With his bare hands, if he had to.

Or with Sophie's dagger.

So while Sophie was distracted by her panic over Sandor's captivity, Keefe reached carefully for her holster and slipped the dagger out, placing it in his boot, trying not to remember the way she'd proudly indicated the holster when it was just the two of them in the clearing.

He couldn't think about that right now.

Couldn't think about the feel of her lips on his.

It was time to fight.

So he backed away and crouched down, begging his commanding ability to come through for him. But try as he might, he couldn't get any commands to bubble up.

Which was super frustrating. He'd spent so much time fighting it, it had been torture trying to choke back commands as they bubbled up his throat, and now that he needed one...nothing.

He barely heard the conversation Sophie was having with his mom. He simply clutched his head in his hands, trying trying trying to concentrate through the panic and anger.

Keefe? Fitz's voice filled his mind. He glanced over his shoulder to see Fitz watching him. He locked eyes with his best friend, letting Fitz know it was okay to enter his mind.

You're not having some sort of breakdown over there, are you? Fitz transmitted.

No, Keefe promised him. Just...trying to figure out a command to control my mom. But...it's like the ability isn't working. But don't worry. I have a backup plan.

That...doesn't sound good. What are you planning?

Nothing stupid, Keefe promised. I'm just planning to take my mom DOWN no matter what. Though...I hope Foster forgives me when she realizes I stole her dagger.

Keefe thought he detected a faint flicker of amusement in Fitz's mental voice when he replied, she's forgiven you for worse. What do you want me to do?

Just keep my mom talking. Buy me some time while I try to get this stupid ability to cooperate.

Got it. And, Keefe?

Yeah?

We should...probably talk through some stuff if we survive this.

WHEN we survive this, Keefe corrected him, we definitely should.