Book Two: KOTLC One-shots and More

Alternate Ending: Unlocked

A/N: @cyrahendal7893 requested this one-shot from Sophie's POV. The original AE, which is in my first one-shot collection, was written in Keefe's POV.

Sophie filled Keefe's mind with the image of her leaning against the Panakes with Wynn and Luna, and she could feel the tenor of his thoughts soften as he took it in.

Wish I was there, he told her, his mental voice sounding wistful.

Me too, she answered softly.

Then, though she was trying to only hear the thoughts he intended her to hear, she could hear how the direction of his thoughts had moved to imagining him being there with her. She tried to tune it out, but his imagination was so vivid that she could practically see the scene in his head as though it were really happening.

Him sitting beside her, with her head resting on his shoulder.

But even as he quickly moved his thoughts to other things, she was so surprised that she unthinkingly blurted out, whoa. That looks...cozy.

Well...he answered after a second. You're getting all the good snuggles over there, meanwhile I'm stuck here with a bodyguard who keeps trying to trick me or goad me into talking.

And my head on your shoulder? she couldn't help but ask.

It almost felt like...

What can I say? He teased. We look cute together.

You could come over, you know, she said tentatively. She knew he had good reason to stay away until his empathy settled back down. She just also knew she really didn't want him to.

I think I'll have to pass for tonight, he said after a minute or two. We both need sleep. I know Elwin wants to see if he can help me, but maybe I can find time to come over tomorrow? You can tell Glitter Butt and her sparkly babies to expect a visit from their very favorite person tomorrow.

That sounds perfect, she told him. It was probably for the best. She was exhausted. And maybe tomorrow, things would start calming down and he'd be able to handle being around her. Thank you for this. I feel so much better. Maybe I can actually sleep tonight.

I hope you do. Sweet dreams, Foster.

Sophie wasn't sure exactly when Keefe would come--and figured he'd be too afraid to use his voice to hail her first--so she wandered outside after breakfast and waited. By late morning, his handsome figure glittered into view and he made his way toward her.

He looked stressed.

They sat side by side under the Panakes, and she tried to keep her emotions calm and even so she wouldn't bombard him. She opened her mind to his thoughts--with his permission--and asked how the morning had gone.

And he filled her in on all the elixirs they'd tried, and how overwhelming the triplets were, and how unsuccessful they'd been with every attempt to control or manage his commands. He didn't say it, but she felt his despair in his thoughts.

Saw it in his eyes.

In the tense way he held himself, frightened and dejected and on edge.

It's all going to be okay, Keefe, she insisted, reaching for his hand and hoping it wouldn't cause a reaction like it had in the Healing Center.

Thankfully, it didn't. He even tightened his grip on her hand as he answered, you don't know that.

But I do.

Foster, this isn't the sort of thing we can fix with a plucky can-do attitude and perseverance. This is apparently my legacy and...I don't think I'll ever be the same again. I don't even think I'm really done manifesting--who knows what will happen now? What other horrible things my mom has made me capable of?