Forbidden Cities

Bridges

Sophie's legs dangle over the end of the bridge, legs in between the railings. The daytime sun is beating down on her and she savors every second of it. With Ro and Sandor living with them, Sophie has barely seen the light of day. They have absolutely no trust in her, and especially not Keefe, but they have respectable reasons for that. 

The river that courses all throughout Paris is flowing underneath her calmly. London is actually  beautiful when you aren't staring at all the stray cats and abandoned garbage bags on the side of the road. But compared to the Lost Cities, nothing is beautiful. 

Sophie takes her phone out of her pants pocket and takes a quick selfie to send to Keefe. They've made that a routine when being locked up in the hotel, since they have run out of things to do in there. 

Keefe responds in a matter of seconds, but when she taps on the photo it isn't what she expected it was. It's a far off picture of Sophie from the behind, legs dangling off the bridge and all. She didn't realize how well she braided her hair today. 

Sophie whips around. Keefe is standing a few feet away, smirking. 

"What, are you stalking me now?" Sophie asks. She pats the spot next to her impatiently.

Keefe sits down beside her, leaning back on the palms of his hands and letting the burning sun beat down on his face. "Nah, I just saw you sitting here at the same time you sent me the selfie. You look beautiful, by the way." He adds. Keefe leans in and lightly brushes a piece of stray hair out of her face and behind her ear. Maybe she didn't do the best job of braiding her hair as she thought. 

Sophie blushes, "Thanks," She slowly places her hand atop his. 

Keefe leans in further, a smug smile spread across his lips, "If you want to hold my hand, you can just ask." He twins his fingers with hers, making her stomach go fluttery. Despite how long they've been dating, the feeling of butterflies never goes away when she is around Keefe. 

"The sun feels good, doesn't it?" Sophie asks. She tilts her head straight up toward the sun. She forgot how amazing warmth felt. 

Keefe gently pinches her chin in his index finger and thumb and brings her face very, very, close to his. He tilts his head to the side, lining up their lips perfectly. 

Sophie lets out a giddy giggle before connecting their lips. This kiss is softer and less intense than all of the other kisses they've shared, but it's special all the while. She buries her hands into his hair, not being able to hide her smile. Keefe smiles against her as well. 

"Feels weird to kiss without Ro breathing down your neck, right?" Keefe asks after they pull away. 

Sophie laughs. She drops her forehead onto his shoulder, "Can I be honest?" 

"Is that even a question?" 

She scoffs, "Fine... I feel kind of guilty." 

Keefe leans his cheek against the top of her head, letting out a content sigh. Moments like these are the ones she is so excited to see Keefe draw, because she knows he'll draw this. He already has a few paintings scattered across the vanity that Sophie looks at every time she gets ready in the mornings. 

"You feel guilty for leaving?" Keefe asks. 

"Not... really. I feel guilty because I... gosh this makes me sound like a horrible person-I feel guilty because I don't feel homesick." 

Keefe hums. He strokes his thumb over her knuckles gently and he presses a soft kiss to the top of her head, "You can't get mad at yourself for not feeling a certain emotion, Foster. Trust the empath. But do you know why you don't feel homesick?" 

She exhales through her nose slowly, "Because I'm so happy here, I think. There isn't any stress and there's... you. I feel safe with you." 

"Good."