Sabine and Violet pulled on their climbing shoes, anxiously tying the strings with their freezing fingers. Sabine was anxious about many things: Sunny's safety, the integrity of the burnt up forks that were supposed to support her and Violet, the safety of herself and the two older Baudelaires and all three of the Quagmire triplets.
She sighed, giving her laces one last firm tug to make sure the shoes would stay on her feet. When they stayed put, she gave a small nod to Violet, which she returned after she tugged on her own laces.
They both stood up, dusted the snow off their pants, then made sure that their gloves were snug on their hands before turning to say their goodbyes to Klaus and Quigley. Violet turned to talk to her brother, and Quigley smiled softly at Sabine.
"Good luck," he said, his tone laced with sadness.
She gently cupped his face and gave him a soft kiss on his forehead. He chuckled and wrapped his arms around her back, pulling her into a hug.
"Good luck to you too," she whispered, hooking her arms tightly around his neck. Kissing her cheek, Quigley reluctantly pulled away, holding Sabine at arms length.
"Be safe, baby doll," he sighed.
Sabine's mouth curled up slightly, her heart swelling happily at the nickname. She nodded, then pecked his lips. When she pulled away, she saw the blush on his cheeks and giggled quietly, then walked towards the waterfall with Violet. Giving Quigley and Klaus one final wave of farewell, the girls turned around and started their climb up the frozen waterfall.
~༄~
"We're almost there," Violet said after hours of climbing. "It's difficult to see with the sun going down, but I believe we're just about at the top of the peak."
"I can't believe we've been climbing all afternoon," Sabine panted.
"I guess this waterfall is about as high as 667 Dark Avenue. It took a very long time to go up and down that elevator shaft trying to rescue you and the Quagmires. I hope this is a more successful journey," Violet said.
"Me, too," Sabine agreed. "Do you think we'll find Sunny at the top?"
"Set!" came the reply.
"I couldn't hear you over the wind," Sabine said. "What did you say?"
"I didn't say anything," Violet said. She squinted above her, trying to see in the last of the sunset.
"Set!" someone said again, and Violet's face lit up in recognition.
"Sunny!" she cried.
"Sssh!" Sunny said.
"She's here?" Sabine asked hopefully, climbing up beside the eldest Baudelaire.
"It's Sunny," Violet confirmed, and hoisted herself onto the peak to see her baby sister, standing next to Count Olaf's car and grinning from ear to ear. Without another word, the two Baudelaire sisters hugged fiercely, Violet taking care not to poke Sunny with one of the forks she was holding. By the time Sabine reached the top of the peak and pulled herself up to lean against one of the car's tires, the two Baudelaires were smiling at each other with tears in their eyes.
"I knew we'd see you again, Sunny," Violet said. "I just knew it."
"Klaus?" Sunny asked.
"He's safe and nearby," Violet said. "He knew we could find you, too."
"Set," Sunny agreed, but then she noticed Sabine and her eyes grew wide. "Sabine?" she asked in amazement.
"Yes," Violet said. "She and Quigley led us to the headquarters, Sunny."
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𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕋𝕨𝕠 ℂ𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕠𝕘𝕣𝕒𝕡𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕤 (ASOUE)
Fanfiction"Shh, don't cry, Sabine," Quigley whispered in her ear. "It's okay, don't cry." His hand slid down her arm, then gently landed in her palm. He slowly spread his fingers out, then carefully entwined them with hers, as if he were savoring every sweet...
