Sophie flopped onto her bed, internally groaning as she went over her homework load in her head. Today had been especially exhausting as she'd been up late last night. Again.
Her Imparter bleeped just as she reached for her bag. Keefe's message glowed as she slipped the silver square out of the pocket.
Can't make it today, sick on my deathbed, it read. Sorry Soph.
She couldn't help smiling at the new nickname. Keefe had dubbed her with it after he claimed that calling her "Foster" was a far too formal name to call his girlfriend. If she was his girlfriend. She didn't even know if they were dating yet or not. How did dating work in the elven world?
It's fine, she messaged back. I can come visit you. She slid it into her pocket, hidden in the folds of her skirt, before she could see Keefe's protest.
She passed Edaline downstairs, mumbling something about going to Everglen to study, and light-leaped away before her adoptive mother could change her mind.
The Sencen family home loomed before her. Candleshade. She remembered Keefe's pin with the Sencen crest on it, its two hands encircling a candle lit with a small green flame, like his own hands, cupped around her own. Sophie marveled at how alike Keefe was to a candle: bright and flickering, but always burning.
The thought gave her enough courage to walk through the iron archway and up to the door. She touched her hand hesitantly to the door, wondering if she should knock, or maybe there was a doorbell somewhere...
She jumped back in surprise as it slid open to reveal Lord Cassius in all his elegancy. "I suppose you're here to see Keefe," he drawled. "He's in his room, upstairs. Would you like to use the stairway?"
"Yes, please," Sophie blurted nervously, then immediately cursed herself for agreeing. Her last encounter with the Sencen stairway wasn't ideal; she could still remember the way her stomach flipped. But she obediently stepped onto the stairs and let Lord Cassius lead her the rest of the way.
-
"Knock, knock," she whispered, poking her head into the bedroom.
Keefe was sitting up in his bed, twiddling with his Imparter. When he saw her he groaned and threw his head back.
"I told you not to come, like, a million times," he protested, but when he met her eyes again his expression was good-natured.
Sophie whipped out her Imparter to see that he had, indeed, been leaving her messages. "Yep. Now I'm getting them."
"Fosterrrr." Keefe stretched lazily. "You may as well come in."
She sat on the side of the bed and turned to face him. "Are you okay?"
He shrugged and ran a hand through his hair. "Nothing Elwin can't cure." Keefe grinned, and then coughed.
Sophie started forward but he waved her away. "I know you can't resist me, Soph," he joked, "but you really don't want to get sick."
"Oh, please." She sat back, trying to hide her blush, then leaned forward to take his hand. "I just... wanted to make sure you were okay."
Keefe smirked, while looking down at their hands. He brushed his thumb over her knuckles. "Well, aren't you sweet." He then erupted into another coughing fit.
"Are you sure I can't do anything?" Sophie cringed.
He shook his head. "I'm fine. I'll be back to my normal self in a day or so. Don't worry too much." Keefe smiled.
Sophie smiled back. "Well. In the meantime, we'll miss you."
"You'd better." He grinned, and still keeping eye contact with her, he brought her hand up to his face and kissed it, in a very romantic and old-fashioned way. Sophie blushed and fought down her crazy grin.
They were silent for a moment before Sophie spoke again. "No offense, but as soon as I get home I'm going to wash my hands."
Keefe laughed. "You'd better. I wouldn't wish this cold on anybody. It sucks."
There was a "bleep" sound from Sophie's pocket. She quickly checked her Imparter– it was Grady, wondering when she'd be back. Sighing, she let go of Keefe's hand and stood up.
"Are you leaving?" he asked with an exaggerated pout.
She pouted back at him. "Yes. The rest of us have lives, you know." After a moment's hesitation, she leaned forward and brushed back his messy blonde hair to plant a quick kiss on his forehead.
Keefe blushed, staring at her with something close to amazement. Before he could say anything, she whispered, "Bye," and turned to leave the room before he could notice her flustered expression.
Long after she had left the room, Keefe whispered "Bye," and smiled to himself.
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