Torment-A KOTLC Fanfic

Chapter 9

Hey there guys! I just want to say that I am considering making an Avengers fanfic (ima mjor MCU fan), so let me know if you would like to see that! I dont really have much else to say, so, enjoy! (Also PLEASE don't hate me for how I end this chapter...)
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They found Dex, Keefe, Wylie, and Biana sitting under the shade of a few trees on a hill towards the front of Everglen's property. Dex seemed to be fidgeting with a gadget with Keefe ripping blade of glass a little farther to Dex's right. Biana was the only one standing and had her back turned to everyone, leaning against the side of a tree that overlooked the horizon. Wylie was first to notice their return, he was sitting by the roots of a nearby tree reading, something. He snapped his book shut gaining everyone's attention and set his book on the grass while beginning to stand. Soon everyone who had stayed at Everglen was standing by Sophie, Fitz, and Linh bombarding them with questions. The questions overlapped and Sophie's head began to flare with a headache and just when she was about to lose it Fitz silenced them for her.

"Please calm down." He said, rather loudly to combat the noise of the questions. He sat down and tore his hand through his hair while letting out a sigh. "Just give us a second." They all began to look from person to person before sinking down to sit with Fitz. After several endless moments of silence so thick you could cut it, Biana decided to end the awkwardness.

"What happened?" She asked, with and unplaceable tone.

"What didn't happen?" Linh scoffed, and Sophie noticed how she had moved to sit with Wylie. Sophie began to plunge into the long conversation, everyone seeming to lean forward with every word.

"That is basically everything." she sighed. "Can I meet you guys inside? I need to talk to Fitz, alone." Dex nodded and everyone except herself and Fitz moved inside. Sophie stood and offered Fitz a hand so he could do the same. "Can we walk and talk?" She asked, grateful when he took her hand and rose to his feet.

"I think I know what this is about." He said after they were a little ways into the forest. Fitz stopped dead in his tracks and stared at his feet. " It's about what I did to you today in the Healing Center, isn't it?"

"Fitz," His words made her feel so guilty, and her chest suddenly felt 10 times heavier. "No. I fully understand why you had to do that. I would have done the same." She waited until he looked up at her before continuing. "I just wanted to talk, alone. Instead of just transmitting everything we have to say." He nodded, giving her a cue to continue while still not meeting her eyes. "Stop," She ordered abruptly.

"Stop what?" He responded, starting to turn his head away from her. But she stopped him from looking away by reaching up and gently tilting his chin towards her. Sorrow and defeat fogged up his teal eyes, but guilt was the most prominent emotion.

"That," She answered. "You, more than anyone, should know how dangerous guilt is." Moving her hand to rest on his shoulder, feeling a slight twinge of happiness when he didn't look away. She used that happiness as courage to continue, knowing what she was about to say was, tough. "Don't deny it. I know you blame yourself, but it is not your fault. You could not have done anything to protect Tam, and Elwin would not have had you sedate me if he didn't have a just cause." Fitz closed his eyes and his chest tightened while he clenched his fist and sucked in a deep, shaky, breath. "You can't let yourself go there, because if you break...I don't know if I will be strong enough to heal you." She admitted, trying to stop her eyes from tearing, but she still sounded choked up when she added: "And if I can't heal you I don't know what I will do." She felt the tiniest tear leak down her cheek when he opened his eyes to reveal he was equally as torn.

"I won't let myself break." He promised, lightly brushing the tear off her cheek with the back of his finger.

"You don't know that." She responded. " Your strong Fitz, but so was your dad. It only broke him because he refused to tell anyone how he felt. Promise me you won't make the same mistake." He let out a shaky exhale and gave her a firm nod, his hand cupped around her cheek. The forest seemed to hold its breath while they just stood there, looking at each other.

"What was the other thing you wanted to talk to me about?" He asked, letting his hand relax so that his palm did not quite touch her face but she could still feel its heat.

"Yeah." She replied, leading him to sit at the base of a nearby tree. "I know there are a few things we haven't told each other about Tam."

"What do you mean?" Fitz asked, and Sophie could not quite decipher his expression.

"I don't mean that either of us tried to not talk about it," She quickly added. "We just haven't had time."

"I don't follow."

"I just, ok I'll tell you mine first I guess. Yesterday when Linh and I were leaving the healing center I saw... bullhorn curl up at Tam's feet."

"Wow. I, I didn't think he was that close..." Fitz mumbled.

"So, will you explain something for me?" She took his expression and silence as que to go on. "Will you tell me what happened to Tam when I went under?" Fitz slightly cringed at the words, but did not look as guilty as he used to. He bit his lip, and Sophie could see that he was battling blame. She put her hand on his knee and offered a reassuring smile. One that he tried to return but failed terribly.

"Once you went out, Tam started too.....well he started to seize up." Sophie sucked in a sharp breath.

"I have an idea." She muttered quietly.
"And what would that be?" Fitz puzzled. He looked even more confused when she began to pull off her gloves.

"It could be...dangerous. So, if I have your permission, I need to check to see that your mind is strong enough." Still confused, he gave her a slow nod. Even though she did not need physical contact to enter Fitz's mind, Sophie grabbed his hand and then entered the familiar safe place. It was much of the same, just as structured as always, all the memories just as fuzzy. But when Sophie examined it a bit closer she noticed the small fractures in the foundation. She knew that the small splinter had been there a while, but Sophie still felt a pang hit her heart.