Book Two: KOTLC One-shots and More

Alternate Ending: Stellarlune 29

A/N: @LostCities_Dynasty requested this alternate ending, wherein Keefe both hears and responds to Sophie's last transmission.

I miss you. It's better when you're around.

Sophie had thought she was merely transmitting the words out to the void.

She hadn't been trying to find Keefe's thoughts. Not that time. He'd ignored her so thoroughly--and ignored Silveny too--that she had given up hope on hearing from him until he was ready to come home.

So when she pictured him standing in the moonlight, thoughtful and a bit sad, she thought she was just imagining it.

But then suddenly, she felt a familiar prickle in her mind, a burst of energy, and a familiar voice filled her mind.

Foster?

Keefe?! She replied, her heart hammering. I didn't think...I thought you were ignoring me.

I was, he agreed, and she could tell by all the noise his background thoughts were making that ignoring her had been difficult and he already felt he shouldn't be talking to her right now. I wanted...want...you to forget all about me, like I said. I figured a clean break was the best way to make that happen.

But you responded just now.

Do you wish I hadn't?

NO! Sophie insisted. I need to know that you're okay. I'm just surprised you answered. I didn't expect you to. I just...really needed to say it.

He was quiet for a moment, though she could tell how much his thoughts were focused on how much he'd loved hearing it, and how much he missed her.

So much that it made her cheeks warm.

And I couldn't possibly ignore it, he finally said, his mental voice a soft whisper that made her cheeks flush even more. And for the record, Sophie, I miss you too. You have no idea how much.

Sophie really liked hearing that.

But he was still gone, and he could cut off their conversation at any moment, and AAARGH why did everything have to be so hard without him?

It's hard without you, too, Keefe said, reminding her that their thoughts were connected. Apparently she'd thought those things so loudly she'd accidentally transmitted them. But I have to stay away. I can't let my mom use me.

I understand, she assured him. I just...don't want it to be forever.

You don't know how bad these abilities are, Keefe argued. I want to come home, Sophie, especially since things feel really weird lately, but...I can't risk it.

Sophie didn't know what he meant by things feeling 'weird', but she chose not to press him on it. She really wanted to convey one thing.

I...may have talked to Dex about everything. I know more than you think. And I STILL want you to come home. I understand if you need to stay away a little longer, but...you have people here who love you. Who want to help you. Who don't want to have to walk through life without you.

His thoughts turned into a flurry of confusion as he processed everything she'd told him. She tried to focus on the things he wanted her to hear, but she couldn't help but register his surprise that Dex had filled her in, and the whole host of "what does it mean?" when she'd mentioned not wanting to walk through life without him.

He was--mostly--silent for so long that Sophie wandered to the Panakes and sat down under the swaying branches, leaning her head against the trunk and wishing that Keefe were there with her.