Fitz couldn't believe how fast the past 2 weeks had gone by. The council had kept him busy with additional preparations for the trip to Gildingham. In addition to a basic goblin etiquette course Fitz had also spent every free minute trying to learn the idiosyncrasies of the Goblin language. More than once during a particular tough pronunciation he had reached out to Sophie to ask for help. He reminded himself that the next time he saw Magnet Leto to thank him for making Sophie a polyglot.

He was sure that with their Cognate status and her multiple abilities the council would send them on lots of assignments. Normally he would be upset to be considered the partner and not the main attraction but if it meant he got to be with Sophie all the time it wouldn't be bad. Too bad for him she was not being asked to go on this trip. Nope this trip was to discuss the Elvin regiments and how to promote the positive relationship and work to further it. He knew he would get to see Grizel and Sandor again as they were scheduled to lead a discussion on issues with minor charges in the lost cities. Really they should have asked Woltzer he had all kinds of stories about the difficulty in protecting a vanisher, especially when the vanisher was exceptionally talented and fearless.

Fitz was mentally going over his necessities for the trip and didn't notice Keefe sauntering through the door.

“All ready for your big trip?” Keefe said eyeing the room, still trying to figure out where Fitz kept the treats.

“Just about, I am glad you and Sophie told me to go.” Fitz said keeping his eyes focussed on the contents of his messenger bag.

“Don't forget to bring me home a present, none of that junk you brought back from the Forbidden cities either, I want something to cause a little trouble with!” Keefe said wiggling his eyebrows at Fitz.

Fit rolled his eyes and replied, “it is a work trip not a vacation.”

“Still try and have a little fun! You get a weekend out of the towers and I am stuck helping Master Cadence help some prodigy with mimicking again.” Keefe said plopping on Fitz's bed and putting his  hands behind his head. “For some odd reason she thinks being an empath will help me discover why whoever it is can't mimic, something about an emotional connection breakthrough.”

“Well don't torment who ever it is too much. Not everyone is willing to put up with you like me. Why do I put up with you?” Fitz teased jabbing Keefe on his side.

“You put up with me because if you didn't I might just sneak a gulon in your room or put some hairoids in breakfast.” Keefe smirked. “Now why don't you give me more of your treats to keep me company while you are gone.”

Fitz just rolled his eyes and proceeded to tug Keefe off his bed and pull him out of the room.

“Stay out of my stuff and maybe I'll share some of the custard bursts with you when I get back.”

“I want more of the Ripplefluffs, those are delicious.”

“Are you sure it was Ripplefluffs in the box, my parents have never sent those.” Fitz puzzled, he had forgotten Keefe had said that before and now the confusion was brought to the front of Fitz's mind.

Keefe thought for a second, this was a perfect opportunity to tell Fitz the truth that the box was from Sophie but he still couldn't let Fitz see the letter. Not without knowing exactly how Sophie felt and he still hadn't figured out how he was going to find an opportunity to talk to her until the next break

“Well maybe it wasn't Ripplefluffs and I am just hoping you have some of those hiding in here. Can't blame a guy for trying to snag another box!” Keefe replied smoothly, after years of lying to his father it slipped off the tongue with ease.

“Whatever Keefe, I need to go. Have a fun weekend and try and stay out of trouble.” Fitz said making sure to shut and lock the door to his room behind him.

“Me, trouble? Never!” Keefe laughed. “The only way you get in trouble is if you get caught. And Keefe never gets cau-in trouble.”

Keefe watched as Fitz walked down the hall towards the front door of the gold tower. The council had arranged for Fitz to meet them there before traveling to Guildingham. Keefe went back to his room to grab some notes and a book he had found in the library on mimicking entitled Say What You Hear. He had already decided if he had to tutor someone he was really going to make them work for it, mimicking was easy but the Black swan had made him read enough books he was ready to pass the form of torture on to next innocent victim the council sent him. Keefe made his way down to the elite levels tutoring center, grumbling about having to spend his morning class with apparently an emotionally void person who couldn't figure out one of the easiest skills an elf could master. He opened the door and was shocked at who was sitting in the room.

“Sophie? Are you lost?”

Sophie looked up to acknowledge Keefe as he sauntered into the room.

Sighing she responded “no, the council wants to make sure I try everything possible to learn how to mimic. Someone has a theory that there is an emotional block in my head that won't let me.”

After a few seconds they made eye contact, both remembering why Sophie had rejected any attempt to hone the skill of mimicry.

“Anyway, I was supposed to have a special session with Fitz today but since he is gone and they couldn't find a mentor for today they sent me here.”

Keefe felt the combination of sadness and pride rolling off Sophie. He didn't know what to make of it.

“How's that going for you?” Keefe asked still trying to get a read on Sophie's emotions as he made his way over to where she sat.

“Really good, I've had so many incredible experiences and met some really powerful and interesting mentors. I think my favorite was-”

“I didn't mean your sessions, Sophie.” Keefe interrupted putting his hand on her arm “I meant Fitz.”

“Have you ever made a mistake, and thought everything would be ok, but it seemed like everyday it felt like it was all going to come crashing down?”

Keefe stared at her incredulously. “Seriously? Did you forget that whole running off to join the neverseen? Not my finest moment, that's for sure. But what does that have to do with Fitz?”

This was the moment that Keefe was looking for, he would finally get some answers from Sophie about how she really felt and he would know if he was correct for holding back on Fitz or if everything really was awesome in Vackerland. Sophie's solemn expression and the crazy emotions she was tossing around didn't give Keefe much confidence.

“I found your letter, Sophie. I know what you wrote.”

Panic hurled out of Sophie and Keefe pulled away feeling the intensity of her emotions. Panic was not what he thought it would be as he fought the urge to pull her gloves off and try and calm her down.

“How?” Sophie asked so meekly Keefe wasn't sure she had even said it out loud.

He went on to explain about Fitz sharing the box of treats and how upset Fitz had been that day ending with “he was really sad, he didn't think you wanted to be together anymore. He thought you forgot about him. He thought you didn't need him.”

“And you didn't run over and make him read it? I think the letter pretty much lays it out there how much I need him.” Sophie snapped back.

“I wasn't sure what to think, you had just blown him off to spend the day with somebody we've never met. Maybe your feelings did change.”

“Keefe if you really thought that you are the worst empath I have ever met, and I know your dad, so think really hard about what you say next.”

Keefe sat there for a few minutes before clearing his throat. Sophie could tell the words were struggling to get out but she had to hear Keefe say it.

“Fitz is my best friend and he is like a brother to me. I would never want to see him hurt, especially by someone he likes as much as he likes you. So I had to hide that I know about the letter until I knew what was going on in that brain of yours, “ Keefe said looking directly at Sophie. “It's not like I could just sneak in your head and wait around for you to start going on and on about how amazing Fitz is and how those eyes are so beautiful.”

His voice mimicking Sophie's perfectly describing her thoughts.

“Plus I guess I'm just worried I'm going to get left behind. Team Foster-Keefe is epic and maybe now that Fitzphie or Sophitz is official you will forget about me. It's always been bad with the staring into each other's eyes but now, I guess I didn't want to lose both you guys.”

Sophie reached out to grab Keefe's hand, hoping he could feel the sense of reassurance she was trying to push his way.

“Team Foster-Keefe is pretty cool, and I don't think anyone could forget you, especially your two best friends.”

“So what do you want me to do with the letter, tell Fitz about it or give it back to you?” Keefe asked before a huge grin broke out on his face. “Or I could keep it, and just surprise you!”

“No, I want you to,” Sophie paused.

What did she want? A couple weeks ago she was ok with Fitz having it and knowing he was having doubts made her more inclined to share it but now after not seeing him for so long and knowing that she wasn't scheduled for a telepathy session before the midterm break would it just be easier to wait and talk about everything in person? Maybe this was fate giving her a chance at getting the letter back.