Book Two: KOTLC One-shots and More

The Waiting (Keefe POV)

A/N: @77alisons requested the "Hard Decisions" and "Happy" chapters from Keefe's POV. As a reminder, these are a continuation of my AE for Legacy 11. This will be told in two chapters.

Keefe had leapt home hours ago. He was in his room, hiding from his dad, and drawing just for something to do.

He couldn't help it—he was drawing a picture of him sitting with Sophie that morning, holding her tightly as she cried.

His mind continuously dwelled on the confession he'd finally made and the way it had caused her emotions to go haywire.

She had feelings for him—and now, she knew it. He could feel as her emotions shifted.

But that didn't just take away her feelings for Fitz.

Now she had a choice to make.

This wasn't how Keefe wanted it to go. He should have kept his mouth shut today. He wanted her to figure it out on her own. Come to him on her own. But then...he'd never known anyone to be so ignorant of their own feelings. She'd somehow seemed to have convinced herself it was impossible. Maybe it was good that he made sure she knew her options.

Except...

He didn't want her to choose him for the wrong reasons. Couldn't bear the thought of her picking him just because it was easier. It wasn't fair to him to be the consolation prize—and as sick as the thought made him, it wasn't fair to Fitz for her to reject him because she feared losing Keefe.

Ro, of course, was ecstatic that he'd finally 'stopped being a wimp' and told Sophie how he felt. He'd confided—grudgingly—his concerns, and Ro had told him he worried too much.

Ro's complete confidence filled him with hope—but hope was scary.

"I need to talk to her," he decided, putting his pencil down.

"Hang on there, buddy," Ro replied. "You need to give her more time. Obviously you're a much better choice than Captain Teal-Eyes, but she needs to figure that out without you pushing her."

"I'm not going to push. I just...need to make sure she knows a few things. Can you please just—"

She held up her hands. "I'll leave you alone. For now."

Well thank goodness for that, at least. Keefe reached for his Imparter. He'd never felt quite this nervous when hailing Sophie, but he hoped it wouldn't be too obvious.

"Hey," she answered. Wow, she looked stressed. He had very mixed feelings about that. But, as he studied her face, he couldn't help but be amused.

"Foster," he reproached. "How many eyelashes have you tugged out?"

"How do you know I've tugged any out?"

"Because I can see one on your cheek."

He watched as she sighed and used her free hand to wipe her cheeks, removing the offending eyelash. "I'm just...stressed."

Keefe nodded, feeling his smile slide off his face. "I knew you would be. That's why I hailed you."

"What do you mean?" The confusion was evident on her face.

He took a deep breath, bracing himself. He had to say this, even if it hurt his chances. "Well, I just wanted to tell you...I don't think you should give too much consideration to the whole unmatchable thing while trying to make your decision. I mean...I think you should just decide who you want regardless of that, if that makes sense."

"I...don't know if it does," she admitted, looking thoughtful. "Me being unmatchable is necessarily a part of this, whoever I end up with."

"The thing is," Keefe said, feeling his cheeks warm as he spoke, "I don't think it is. You already know I don't care, but I wouldn't want that to influence your decision."