Book Two: KOTLC One-shots and More

I Thought I'd Lost You (Keefe POV)

A/N: @Lezb00nDangerN00dle requested this chapter. This is part of my AU wherein Sophie and Keefe started dating earlier in the series and this chapter (by the same name) was originally told in Sophie's POV.

It was twilight by the time Keefe had Silveny bring them back to Havenfield. After hours in the void, even the fading light was almost overwhelming--but it was a shock to the system that he would gladly take in exchange for leaving the vast, dark emptiness of the void.

Especially when he realized that Foster was sitting under the Panakes.

Even if being around her now was a constant, second by second reminder of everything he'd lost.

Everything they'd lost.

Silveny seemed to notice her at the same moment he did, because she started her usual chant of SOPHIE! SOPHIE! SOPHIE!

"Is everything okay?" Keefe asked as he hopped off Silveny's back and made his way over to her. He had felt, lately, like she might be avoiding him. He thought maybe she just felt awkward--after all, he'd told her he loved her, fallen unconscious, then after waking, he'd broken up with her in a goodbye note and fled the Lost Cities.

That definitely lent itself to awkwardness and probably resentment.

So if she was sitting outside where she knew she was bound to run into him, something big must have happened.

But thankfully, she nodded, indicating that everything was fine. "Yeah, I was just...waiting for you--and I was starting to think you weren't coming back."

Keefe dropped his gaze, fidgeting with his cape. It was easier than looking into those warm brown eyes and knowing he'd lost her forever.

Maybe even lost their friendship, if he couldn't find a way to salvage it. "Sorry," he replied quietly. "I wanted to see what would happen if I had Silveny fly me around in the void while I talked in my mom's voice. I thought maybe if I managed to say at least a couple of the right words while I was in there, whatever she hid would come crashing toward me."

"Did it work?"

"Not particularly. And in case you were wondering, the void never gets any more exciting. It's just darkness and more darkness--and oh, hey, even more darkness! I'm sure Tammy Boy would love it, but man, I'm glad to see color again."

His eyes shifted--without his permission--to her bright red tunic, and he forced himself to look away. She just looked way too good in red.

But...she knew how much he liked her in red. He'd told her many times.

He tried to snuff out the tiny sparks of hope that had ignited in his chest.

He couldn't expect her to never wear red just to spare his silly heart, and he really couldn't let himself read too much into it every time she wore the color.

"You could've taken me with you, you know," she said softly. "Or at least left me another note telling me where you went."

Keefe inwardly cringed at the mention of the note. He'd broken up with her in that note. Were they finally going to talk about it?

That adorable worry crease had appeared between her eyebrows, and Keefe's mind was inundated with memories of all the times he'd gently pressed his finger over it to smooth it out. All the times the worry on her face had faded to a peaceful contentment under his soft touch. Keefe fought to keep his expression neutral as she studied his face.

"Do you want to go for a walk?" She asked him unexpectedly.

Keefe agreed, and they both turned toward the pastures. Keefe told her about the cool place he'd found in the Grove, and she agreed to check it out.