Sophie blinked. No, it couldn't be.

She shoved people aside, earning odd looks and Italian curses she'd rather not repeat.

She stood in front of the unconscious Fitz, and rapidly spoke English, and many people gave her confused looks. Then she remembered she was in Italy.

An Italian man stepped up to her.

"These people are worried about your friend." The man said, with a strong Italian accent.

Sophie told him, "We'll be fine. Thank you, sir, have a great day." He smiled and nodded and translated.

He told the group in Italian, all of which Sophie understood, that Sophie was taking Fitz to the hospital and asked them to leave. They, one by one, giving the three a look before walking away.

"Be safe, children. The world is bigger and more dangerous than we ever knew." The man said.

They said goodbye to each other before the man walked away.

Now it was time to deal with Fitz.
__________

That was difficult.

For one, Sophie didn't want to teleport with an unconscious boy. Or light leap. Or travel with him in general.

She dragged him deeper into the alley so people wouldn't see them.

She walked around the alley, staring at everything there was other than the unconscious elf behind her.

Fitz groaned. Sophie's eyes widen, surprised he was already conscious minutes after she found him.

"Ugh... where am I?" Fitz asked, stretching and looking around.

"Italy." Sophie replied.

"What's that?" He asked.

"A Forbidden City." Sophie said staring at the ground with many cracks.

Now it was time for Fitz's eyes to widen. He jumped up, peering around. "That's enough information, thank you... where's Alvar? Did you guys catch him? He's a murderer. He doesn't even deserve freedom. He deserves to stay in Exile until his ears grow pointier than Bronte's! Which is never." He said.

"Fitz... we've had him from day one. That's what Keefe didn't tell you - after he took Dex, Cadence kicked him unconscious and Forkle dragged him somewhere." Sophie said, taking his shoulders and shaking him, "We have him, Fitz! Don't go after him until you have all the information."

"Sophie... I need to talk to you. When we get back."

Sophie had no idea why, but nodded. She couldn't describe the look in Fitz's teal eyes.

Taking his hand while fumbling to get the leaping crystal to leap to Everglen, she looked Fitz dead in the eye before glittering away from Italy.
__________

The second they landed outside the glittering mansion that belonged to the magical Vacker family, Della ran up to Fitz and took him in her arms for a hug. Fitz's arms stayed by his side, still angered by his parents letting his brother stay at Everglen.

Della moved Fitz's hair from his face. "Sweetie, we were so worried about you. We're glad you're okay," Della said before wrapping Fitz in another hug, and this time, Fitz relaxed before patting his mom gently on the back.

Sophie was glad Fitz was okay. Truly. But she couldn't miss the crack in Della's voice, and she never talked like that.

Fitz's father, Alden, came out and smiled at Fitz before whispering in Della's ear and leading her back into the mansion.

"So.. uh.. you needed to talk to me about something?" Sophie asked awkwardly.

"Oh.. yeah." Sophie saw Fitz's cheeks blush before he led her to the side of the mansion.

He sat down under a tree, motioning her to do so as well.

"That room," Fitz said, pointing to the side of the mansion that was facing them, "is the reception hall. That's what Alvar used for his Winnowing Gala a few years ago."

Sophie had no idea why he was talking about it, but nodded. "We don't have-" she started.

"Havenfield's reception hall is your room. Did you ever wonder why your room is bigger than the others? And on the third floor?" Fitz asked.

That did kind of make sense. Jolie's old room was on the first floor.

"I'll have mine soon. Very, very soon." Fitz said.

His what?

Oh.

His Winnowing Gala.

Where you walk around in the most awkward place ever, deciding whether or not you should dance with the host.

"I think I'll register. I mean, I don't think I'll actually ever consider dating any of them, or, maybe if they're on my lists. Er, well, I kinda don't want to know whether or not someone is on my list. Someone in particular." He said, stuttering on a lot of the words, not looking her in the eyes.

Fitz had a hopeful, someone he hoped was on his list.

Of course he did. Why would she ever think he'd pick her? There were many other girls out there that were better picks than her.

"The matchmakers are kinda cruel," Fitz said. "But they're kinda helpful. They literally make sure you don't fall in love with your long-lost cousin or something. But I wish we could pick who we love. Who could decide our futures without genes getting in the way." Fitz said, looking her in the eye.

"I know you may not, but..." Fitz said, looking away.

Then she knew what he meant.

He wanted her on his list, even though the chances would be slim.

She wasn't just a friend to him.

She was more than that.

He leaned closer and closer before he was less than an inch away before Della yelled, "Sophie! Come quick!"

Sophie scooted away from Fitz and the tree. Did he want to.........?

She mouthed "sorry" before she jogged to the front of Everglen, where Della was shooting Alden unsure looks.

Fitz walked up to them and asked, "What's wrong?"

Alden and Della shared a dreaded look before Della said, "It's about Keefe. His guilt... he thought you guys were.....he's not okay..." Della fell, and Alden caught her just in time.

Sophie looked at Fitz.

No, it wasn't Silveny she was forgetting.

It was Keefe's guilt she was forgetting.
____________

Weeeeeeeell....you see, I kinda have a lot of Sokeefe shipper readers out there.

But lemme tell you this - it technically was Keefe that interrupted their...moment, so you guys should be pretty happy for Hunkyhair. Only thing is I'm literally kinda killing him. Oops.

What do y'all think of how Fitz confessed?

So as of right now, I have 452 followers. So I was thinking...

I could do a private meeting (like, just like a phone call, basically just talking with our own voices) with a few people who want to.

Comment here —> if you wanna. EVEN IF YOU DONT WANT TO CALL PLEASE JUST COMMENT SOMETHING LIKE HELLO OR SOMETHING. Okay h

And then I'll just pick names from a hat... so if you're lucky...

I'm actually kinda doing this because I want to see how many people pay attention to my announcements.

BUT! IF IT DOESN'T WORK OUT I WILL DO SOMETHING ELSE... BUT I HAVE NO IDEA.

Anyway thanks for reading!

And here's something I want to discuss with you guys.

What does a hero mean to you?

In America, there are signs outside of supermarkets. Because even if you're a grocery worker, you're still helping your community and its people. Doctors, nurses, dentists, eye doctors, firefighters, police, you name it, they've saved countless lives. That's what being a hero means to me. Saving people no matter the cost.

Thanks! Don't forget to comment, vote and share if you liked this chapter!

I have 12,520 words before we hit 50,000 words... not including this chapter.

Thanks and have a great day.

Somerandomhuman88