Sentry of the Arcane: Engulfed

Chapter Eleven: Sophie

I see Benen and Donovan rush out of the room abruptly, making me wonder where they're going. Before he leaves, Benen whispers something in the female Altruistic's ear before kissing her cheek gently. Both of them smiling happily, Benen rushes after the male Sovereign, making me frown visibly.

I'm about to rush after them when Audrey pulls me back down, causing to lose my balance and fall onto our sleeping area. When I glare at her, she says, "They'll be back, don't worry. And besides, you're staying here with us, Ms. Sophie."

"When did you start to like to have sleepovers?" I ask skeptically as I sit up.

Audrey shrugs. "I don't know," she admits. "But I do."

I sigh. "I'm not getting out of this in any way possible, am I?"

"Nope," Audrey and Laurel say simultaneously. The Sovereign and Altruistic begin to laugh as I lay down again, groaning in defeat.

A few minutes later, Benen and Donovan return with Fitz, talking to him about something I can't hear. When we make eye contact, the male Percipient and I smile at each other. He then comes down to sit next to me, allowing the male Altruistic and Sovereign to be seated next to their respective partners. Sophie, Fitz transmits, startling me slightly. When I turn to look at him, I can tell that he needs to talk to me.

Let's go to my balcony this time, I suggest, looking over at the sliding door. When both of us stand up, I mouth, "I'll be back," to Laurel and Audrey before walking over with Fitz to the balcony doors. Smiling, Fitz opens the door and chivalrously lets me go outside first before following. Thanking him, I step outside and look at the, spotting a few stars that are scattered within the darkening sunset.

Fitz chuckles softly behind me, causing me to turn towards him. I smile sheepishly as I stare into his teal eyes. "Just a habit of mine," I explain, sighing happily as I stare at the sky again. I manage to find the stars that make up the constellation Ursa Major and smile more. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Fitz smiling softly at me, and I can't help but smile back at him shyly when I face him again.

Before he can say anything, I say, "I know you wanted to talk to me about something, but take your time. It may be hard for you to say." I don't miss how Fitz tenses up at the topic of whatever he has on his mind, causing to stare at him with more concern in my gaze.

Releasing a breath I realize that he's been holding in for a bit, Fitz looks at the setting sun before staring at me. "It's actually going to be hard bringing the topic up again," he says somewhat to himself, but loud enough so I can hear it. "Well, bringing that topic up again to you."

I'm about to ask what he's talking about when realization hits me. My breathing hitched, I manage to ask, "Oh... about when you..?"

Fitz nods. "And... something happened there," he says. "And now, it's... permanent."

"What's permanent?" I inquire, worry laced with every word. "What happened? Fitz- did you get hurt while you were there..?!"

The male Percipient furrows his eyebrows. "Hurt... is too broad with this topic," he says. Suddenly, Fitz unbuttons his shirt, revealing an unnatural shape on the corner of his chest. He stares at me as I look at his torso in shock.

"What is it?" I ask suddenly, rushing to him. Touching the dark blue part gently, I question, "Does it hurt? Is it a tattoo?" I trace the intricate details of the black outline. "What is it?" I repeat out loud.

"It's a scar," Fitz says, making my eyes widen considerably. "I got it last year, but I only told you two today."

"Who?" Overwhelming emotions flow throughout my body, ranging from irritation that he kept this a secret for at least one year, or saddened that he didn't tell any of us sooner. I can't decide what emotion I should be showcasing on my face, so my shock is still noticeable out of all of my emotions.