< Sophie's POV >

"Hey Fitz, what are you doing here..?" I ask, blinking in surprise.

He's holding my arm gently, and beside me, I feel Keefe tense. The kind of tense that makes the air shift. Suddenly I remember – they haven't been talking much lately. Keefe told me they needed time apart, "just a breather" he said.

"I came to talk to you for a while, y'know, just catch up a little bit. Wasn't really counting on you having company..." Fitz replies, his tone polite but his eyes flicking coolly toward Keefe.

"Hi Fitz. I'll just, uh, leave now, shall I? Since it's just a friendly friend catch-up..." Keefe says with that Keefe-level sarcasm, kissing my cheek and squeezing my hand softly.

"What?! I mean... are you sure, Keefe? It's raining really hard outside..." I widen my eyes at him, silently pleading.

He shrugs with a bittersweet grin. "I'll just come round tomorrow, 'kay? My dad wants me to practice empath exercises with him anyway. See you tomorrow, Sophie. Bye, Fitz." He grimaces slightly and leaps away into the storm.

The silence he leaves behind is loud.

I realize we're still standing at the door. "Do you wanna... come in?" I ask, stretching on a forced smile and motioning to the living room.

"Oh, okay, yeah, sure." Fitz walks in and sinks into a plush armchair like he's been here a hundred times before – which, I guess, he has.

I drop into the seat across from him. "So what brings you to my humble abode today, Fitz?"

He takes a breath. "Well... I wanted to make it to you, Sophie. Hear me out: I know you and Keefe are... ahem... dating. But listen. I don't care about the matchmaking list anymore. I just care about the girl I'm getting. I know I've been a terrible friend. And... honestly? A terrible boyfriend, too. I wasn't supportive, I wasn't understanding. But I want to explain. I want to make it right."

He looks at me then – really looks – and I see the sincerity glowing behind those teal eyes of his.

"Wow... I... okay. Thank you, Fitz. I'm touched," I say softly, meaning it.

"Oh – and before I forget..." He reaches into his cloak and pulls out a parcel wrapped in glimmering teal paper, tied up with a perfect silver bow.

Suddenly, my favourite colour – ice blue – doesn't feel quite so special compared to the way that shimmering teal catches the light.

"Thanks, Fitz," I whisper, taking the gift carefully.

I untie the bow, peel back the paper – and gasp.

Inside is a moonlark feather pen set with silver accents, a thick journal in the exact shade of Fitz's eyes embossed with the Ruewen crest, a jewelry set with matching blue-green gems, and a glowing crystal orb that holds a 3D image of me and Silveny. The light inside it pulses gently, sparkling like stars.

And there – tucked beneath the ribbon – is a folded letter.

I open it and read:

Dearest Sophie,

I know I haven't been the greatest person in your life recently, and I really want to change that.
I miss you – your laughter, your presence, your eyes, your voice, your burning fire of a personality.

You've been my light, my rock, and my friend. Maybe more than that, once.
When I felt like I had no one, you were my someone.

In short – I miss you so, so, soooo much, Sophie.
I can't live without you. I can't sleep at night. I feel lonely, neglected... and I can't survive knowing I can't have you.

I don't want to be the bad guy, but I know I've already made that mark – as the guy who couldn't accept you for you.
I was wrong. I see that now.

I love you, Sophie. I can't deny it.
Please give me one more chance – and if you don't, I'll still be here.
Visiting you, making it up to you, until I earn your trust back.

I won't stop trying. That's a promise.

Sincerely,
Your friend,
Fitz

Attached to the bottom is a moonlark charm and a little silver dragon – identical to Mr. Snuggles.

I smile.

I blush.

The words thank you form on my lips as I look up to say them –

- but he's already gone.