after unlocked: a sokeefe fanfic

Chapter 36-Sophie

"Are you guys gonna come in?" Dex called to them.

They'd lightleaped directly to Rimeshire after Rayne's warning, hoping to still pick up the book before Dex left to Tinker's.

"I see the triplets haven't destroyed the statue yet," Sophie observed, watching Lex and Bex race past, and halt directly in front of the statue, then run away.

A hollow ache developed in her chest as Rex trailed after them, hands shoved in the pockets of his cape.

Dex shrugged, his eyes following his younger brother as well. He forced a grin. "My dad keeps telling them to break it, but they won't. Definitely out of spite."

"The triplets are my favorite." Keefe informed them, in obviously light tone. But when Sophie glanced at him. She could see the guilt written on his face.

"I was just about to head to Tinker's, I figured you might want to come. I'm showing her the book today."

Keefe shrugged, looking at Sophie. "Any excuse not to do homework is fine by me. Foster?"

Sophie rolled her eyes. "We still have to do homework, but I guess that'd be fine. Probably."

"I'm coming," Sandor reminded her.

"Me too," Bo chimed.

Flori almost looked reluctant but she also agreed.

Ro picked at her nails. "Sure."

"Mr. Forkle won't get mad at you?" Dex asked, as he fished a crystal from his pockets.

"Foster always breaks the rules anyways," Keefe said. He elbowed her, a grin on his face. "Ain't that right?"

"I don't," Sophie muttered.

"Sure," Keefe said.

Sophie faced him. "When did I break the rules?"

Keefe pretended to think. "Hmm. I'm not sure. Today, perhaps? Maybe the time you snuck away to see me. Oh, and that other time, when we snuck away from the bodyguards to check on the thing in London. Oh, and don't forget when you got me the E.L. Fudges. And did I mention you did all that for little ol' me?" He batted his eyelashes innocently.

Sophie felt her sheeks warm. "Those were during bad times, okay?"

"Admit it, Foster. You know you did it for me."

She had done most of it for Keefe, but there was no way she was telling him that. He did not need an ego boost.

Dex cleared his throat. "Look, as gag-worthy as you two flirting together is, can we go?"

Keefe grinned, then slung his arm over Sophie's shoulders.

"We're not—" Sophie began, her face burning.

Keefe interrupted her, unfazed. "Admit it, Dizznee. We're adorable."

Sophie wished he was not so Empath-y. He could probably feel every shift in her emotions at the moment. "I'm going to change the subject, now, okay? Let's leave."

***

"Who are you?" Tinker drew her eyebrows together, staring at Keefe.

He flashed her his trademark smirk. "Keefe Sencen."

Her eyes shifted to Sophie. "Is he a friend?"

"He's part of the Black Swan." Sophie answered.

Dex cleared his throat. "Excuse me. Yep, I'm here too."