Cognates - A Sofitz Story **CONTAINS HEAVY FLUFF**

Chapter 5: 1 hour

"Time starts as soon as you enter Fitz's room. Have fun!"

Sophie was sure her face was the color of a ripe tomato. Even Fitz's face seemed a little red, though it could have been from anger. Fitz grabbed her hand to lead her to his room.

"I'm sure it'll be fine. It's not like we've never spent time together by ourselves," Fitz reasoned as they walked down one of Everglen's beautiful halls.

"Yeah, but stuff has changed a little, right? I mean..." her voice faded away as she shut the door to Fitz's room, leaning her head against the door frame and closing her eyes. 

Now we know, well, you know. She finished telepathically.

You mean now we know how we feel about each other? Sophie nodded her head against the wall, wishing she could disappear and hide from her embarrassment. She felt, rather than saw, Fitz walk towards her. She opened her eyes and turned around when she heard his footsteps fall silent a few feet away from her. Fitz's unsure face reminded Sophie that he was just as new to this as she was. 

So she walked up and hugged him. Fitz seemed surprised at first, but soon wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

Are you alright? His mental voice was full of concern.

Yeah, I'm just... nervous. And kind of scared, if I'm being completely honest. I don't want to screw up everything we have, but I'm afraid I've already ruined it. That's why I was so afraid to tell you. 

Don't be. And I don't think I can exactly get mad at you for hiding this when I was hiding the exact same thing. I guess I was just waiting for my feelings to go away, and they never did.

Same here. Sophie shifted out of his arms and turned, pacing the ground in front of his door.

This is what I was worried would happen, Sophie admitted. I was afraid things would get more complicated than they already were.

Things have always been complicated. Now... now there's just another layer. And we don't exactly have to stay in this complicated state. Then Fitz yawned, cutting off his statement. "Wow, I guess I'm more tired than I realized. We haven't really had a break in a while."

"Yeah, I wouldn't mind a nap. Biana's going to think we're lame, isn't she?"

"Probably. But a nap sounds like a really good idea. Since we're stuck in here for an hour, might as well make the most of it," Fitz stated, flinging off his cape and boots.

"Uh, what are you doing?" Sophie asked. Fitz glanced over his shoulder at her as he walked towards his bed.

"I'm taking a nap. You should join me." He turned bright red when he realized what he'd just implied. "Wait, I just meant to sleep. Like a nap. I can sleep on the floor if it makes you more comfortable-"

"No, that's fine." Sophie could feel her face burning up. "Really, I don't want you inconveniencing yourself for me, I can sleep on the floor." Fitz walked back over and grabbed her hand.

"How about neither of us sleeps on the ground. It's fine, and I have a big bed, and it's only for an hour. OK?" Fitz's face was still slightly pink, but it was nowhere near as bad as Sophie's face must've been

"Um, OK." Sophie took off her cape and boots, and let herself be led to the bed.