All Along: a KeeFoster story

The horror of linguistics

Warning: there is a small spoiler from nightfall... so if you haven't read it beware.
A/N: This takes place after legacy, and the neverseen is defeated somehow. I just didn't want to deal with that so I could focus on SoKeefe instead.

"Hey Foster! What's up with all the dread?"

"Nothing, I'm fine." Keefe raised an eyebrow, clearly not sold.

"tell me what's wrong or I'll find out for myself."

Ugh empaths. He probably already knew what was bothering her and was just waiting for her to admit it.

"What's wrong is that I have linguistics next." Hearing herself say that made Sophie feel so petty.

"What's wrong with linguistics... I mean you're a polygot, shouldn't that be kind of easy?" Oh a lot was wrong with linguistics alright...

"All Lady Cadence does is grumble about how pointless my lessons are. The first half is her wondering why she was brought back from Ravagog to teach me... and the second half is me failing at mimicry while she acts all disappointed. Honestly, I'd take inflicting with Bronte before this!"

"Ahhh Foster, if you would just ditch with me, you wouldn't be worried about this."

"No ditching."

"But I have Elvin History..."

"No."

"Pleeeeeeease."

"No! Come on Keefe, you know if Mr For- I mean Magnate Leto found out he would have you do extra work."

"Ugh fine. But in all seriousness... I could tutor you in mimicry." He said in a perfect imitation of her voice.

"What do you say Foster?"

"That's... actually a good idea."

"Don't sound so surprised! Everyone knows I'm smart and have amazing hair."

He winked at her, then ran a hand through his hair which somehow made him look even cuter. Sophie rolled her eyes and pretended not to notice how good he looked. She immediately went bright red so she tried to hide behind her hair to conceal it.

"I love making Foster blush."
This made her turn an even deeper shade of red and realize that they had gotten off topic.

"Ummm would tonight at 5 work?"

"Yeah Foster, I always have time for you."

He held her gaze as he said the last part with a new intensity in his eyes that made it harder to breathe. Wait did she... no. She couldn't... she didn't. They were just very close friends. Besides, Keefe flirted with everyone. The other part of her brain was saying, but didn't you fall for it?

"And there's the mood shift." He said with a knowing smirk.

"Uhhh ok see you at five!"

"Bye Foster!"

What just happened to her? She knew she felt something when Keefe said he always had time for her... and that was not normal. Now that she thought about it... she realized that had happened many times. But right now, the thought made her slightly nauseous so she put all of this in the I am not ready to deal with this section of her mind.