Book Two: KOTLC One-shots and More

Greyfell (Keefe POV)

A/N: @Haillie313 requested this event from Everblaze, where Sophie and Keefe visit the Sanctuary.

It had been an enlightening day with Foster so far--and it had really only just started. Neither of them had expected their plans to be derailed when they tried and failed to teleport to the Sanctuary, but Keefe hadn't minded the detour. He'd enjoyed seeing where she had grown up--plus, as a bonus, it meant getting even more time with her, and he was enjoying every minute of his quest to unravel all of her mysteries.

He was doing pretty well with that, too. Ever since he'd accompanied her and Silveny to the Black Swan to heal her abilities, their friendship had changed. Taken a more definite shape. That little bit of trust he'd earned had sparked change not only in their friendship, but in her. She still had a tendency to keep secrets, but she was starting to let him in a little more, too. Let him help.

He liked that more than he really wanted to admit to himself.

He also really enjoyed feeling the little fluctuations of her emotions. These were things he usually didn't get to experience because with everyone else, he required physical contact to take a reading, so he had no way of tracking every little minutiae, every tiny shift in mood. As an empath, it fascinated him.

As a boy becoming increasingly smitten, it was a very welcome and unique way to get to know her in ways others couldn't.

For instance, he'd felt the way he had been the reason she'd kept her cool when they got trapped in the void. He'd felt her powerful nostalgia at finding herself at her old family home and embarrassment at accidentally calling Fitz cute in front of him. Her gratitude when he'd given her his cape to help keep her warm.

And her compassion for Jurek, who was clearly bitter about the Council's treatment of him as a Talentless.

But it was pretty apparent that Jurek knew his stuff. He led them through the Sanctuary, taking them through rolling pastures as they made their way toward the ones that Silveny preferred.

And then he felt Foster's trepidation when she saw Jurek plop to the grass and slide down the steep hill.

Keefe, who felt no such qualms at what looked like a fun way to travel, immediately followed. When he reached the bottom, he looked back and saw that Foster was still standing at the top of the hill, adorably nervous. "Come on, Foster. Don't wimp out on me now!" He shouted with a smirk.

The taunt did it--as nervous as this girl was, he was also learning that she tended to respond well to being challenged. She slid down the hill, looking resigned to her fate as she got muddy--and he tore his eyes away from her long enough to look around for a glimpse of Silveny.

But looking away meant he hadn't seen her apparent inability to stop, and he only looked back a second before she crashed into him, knocking him off his feet before he could move out of the way.

He flailed his arms to no avail, and found himself falling on top of her, barely managing to brace himself with his arms on the ground to avoid crushing her.

He could feel her humiliation before either of them moved or said a word. So he grinned as he stood, and said, "Y'know, if you're trying to sweep me off my feet, there are less painful ways."

He couldn't help but laugh as she blushed a deep scarlet and struggled to stand.

Only Foster could look that cute covered in mud and grass. It was actually kind of ridiculous.

"Was the sliding really necessary?" She asked Jurek indignantly.

"No. But it was fun." Jurek tossed his wild hair, sending bits of grass flying.