Unedited.

"Fitz is here." Sandor said through Sophie's closed door. Looking up from finishing tugging her pajama shirt down. Only a moment later a light knock echoed on the front door. "Send him in." Sophie said as she let her hair down, and sat back at her desk. Staring at the last report she had for the day.  Sophie heard Sandor open the front door. Fitz greeted him.

"Sophie?" Fitz asked as he knocked on her bedroom door. "Come on in Fitz." She said deciding she'd deal with the report later. Fitz opened the door a crack and stuck his head in smiling. "So guess what." He said. "What?" Sophie asked, he stepped all the way in her room, closing the door with his foot. "Aw." Sophie cooed in surprise, standing up she walked out from behind her desk, as Fitz set the baby panda bear on the floor.

"Grady and Edaline thought you might like to see it." He said, as the cub sniffed around the room. "It's so cute." Sophie said kneeling on the floor, holding her hand out for the cub to sniff. Fitz kneeled next to her. "They wondered what you would name it." He said as the cub waddled up to Sophie. "Bamboo." Sophie said immediately as she let the cub climb in her lap. Fitz laughed, "Really?" He asked as Sophie
"Yes." Sophie said, Bamboo waddled around her room. Iggy growled at it from his cage. "Okay." Fitz said as he sat down on the floor. Sophie watched as Bamboo investigated her room. "How have you been?" He asked, his finger brushing Sophie's.

Sophie sighed. She was exhausted, she had been over worked. Again. And the red seal letters kept appearing, leading her to secret meetings. From what she gathered Emery, Noland, and Liora had made a deal with Fintan. If he would stay out of the lost cities they'd try to save some of his reputation. Which also explained why Brant had been in Eternalia, without really explaining anything. "That bad huh?" Fitz asked. "It's.... Yeah." Sophie nodded.

"You can just resign." Fitz said ad the cub waddled up to him. Reaching in his pocket Fitz threw what looked to be some kind a treat. The cub chased after it, tripping over itself. Sophie laughed at it's clumsiness which was just to cute to not laugh at.
"I can't resign Fitz....not yet at least. I will, one day but not yet." Sophie said. "I was afraid you'd say that." Fitz said as he stood up to pick Bamboo up off of her bed where the cub was about to topple off of the edge.

Setting the cub back down on the floor, Fitz gave it another treat. Sophie went to stand next to him. "I don't like you being gone...when you're out of my sight..." Fitz looked up at the ceiling as if hoping the right words were painted there. "I miss you." He said bluntly. "I miss you a lot." He said. Sophie felt her cheek warm. The thought of Fitz missing her made warmth explode in her chest.

As butterflies woke up in her stomach. "I miss you too." Sophie blushed as she looked at her socked feet. Fitz sighed as he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close, placing his forehead against hers. "I miss this." He said softly, he had never really shown this big of a display of affection for her. Yes he confessed to her, he rivaled with Alvar, and he had even kissed her, but this seemed different. It wasn't the careless emotion of having a crush, this was something much deeper...and they both felt it, deep inside of them. Sophie placed her hands on his chest. She felt his heart skip a beat beneath her hand, making them both smile. There was no blushing for once, there was no shyness, it was just Sophie, and Fitz. Closing her eyes Sophie lifted her head a little higher to press against Fitz's own, just a small gentle nudge.

Being in that moment made Sophie forget her anger, it made her forget all about the council, the Neverseen and even the Black Swan. No words were needed, holding each other close, was...it was completion. For once the chill in Sophie spine vanished, and was replaced with a warm tingling. Sophie just wanted to stay there forever. The blissful warmth of not being able to think a coherent thought, and not feeling the constant worry in the back of her mind. "I miss this too." Her voice barely above a whisper as she wrapped her arms around Fitz.

They embraced each other. Both just wanting to be close to each other, Sophie hadn't realized just how much she relied on Fitz being beside her. The soft hand touches, the hand on her shoulder, his head against hers, she hadn't realized just how cold it was without him there. She hadn't realized how much she needed Fitz, he was everything and so much more. A friend, a cognate partner who knew her every secret, he was warmth in the cold, he was support when she needed it. He was her hope.

No words were needed to express themselves, as they held on to each other. Just breathing in the scent of each other, soaking up the warmth, and feeling the silent support. They held on to each other. When a thump sounded through the room the pulled away and Sophie couldn't help but laugh at the clumsy bear, that had fallen off the bed. Fitz sighed as he picked up the cub, setting it on it's feet. "Behave, Bamboo." He scolded lightly. The cub made a calling noise and he sighed, "I guess I'll have to take him back." He said standing up straight. Sophie smiled, holding his arm open he invited Sophie for a hug, which she gratefully accepted. Fitz pulled away slightly, before pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"Let's meet up for lunch tomorrow. I have another surprise for you." He said, before picking up Bamboo. "Okay." Sophie said.

~

The next day, Sophie found herself sitting at the Velvet café, waiting for Fitz. She made her report out, if the others approved the rules at Timon's academy would change, along with another academy for girls.

When Sophie had asked Harley why they just didn't just attend Foxfire, he told her some parents were strict and didn't want their kids dating till it was time for the matchmaking scrolls. Sophie listed all the rules the boys had trouble with, she also included a note that no sports were allowed, at both schools. Sophie had not only talked to Harley, she had visited the girls academy as well, she was now putting her idea into words, of a monthly collaboration where the two schools met, to play games or sports, and even have parties. At least something to look forward too.

She heard the door of the café open, and several voices of what sounded like teenagers fill the busy air. Sophie didn't look up at the noise.

'Timon's academy for Gentlemen, and Celine's academy for Ladies, are schools of yesterday, today it's time to change and prepare for tomorrow.'

Sophie finished the report with a flourish of her name, which had come easier since she had gotten her job as councilor. "Hey." Sophie jumped in her seat, her pen flinging across the table and hitting Fitz in the chest. "Sorry." He smiled as he picked up the pen, and set it on the table between them. He had on a sleeveless bramble jersey with the red number '11' on it. Sophie took her pen, "Hi." She said. "I'm in the championships." Fitz said. That's when Sophie remembered, he had been competing...meaning she had missed all the games. "Don't worry I knew you were busy." Fitz said as he saw her facial expression. "We all did, so we agreed we wouldn't bother you." He said.

"Everyone attends the championships. Including the council, to congratulate the winners." He said with a movie star smile. Sophie smiled, but when she heard a few snickers she turned her head and saw the whole red team, including Keefe, Linh, Tam, Stina and Dex, sitting at the long table near the corner.  "We came here to celebrate our win." Fitz said. "Well congratulations." Sophie said as she shuffled the papers together in a neat pile. "That's not the only thing." He said as he stood up. "Come on." He stood up. Sophie pushed the papers in her bag, before standing up and following him to the table, Sandor trailing behind. "Sup Foster." Keefe said. His jersey number was '12', "Hey guys." Sophie said, accepting a hug from Linh.

Dex quickly scooted over to make room for her on the bench. Sophie sat, "Sorry I haven't been able to come to your games." She said. "Well if you want to make up for it." Fitz said as he took a small box from a blonde elf, who's smile looked charming as she smiled at Sophie. "Wear, this at the championships." Fitz said handing her the box as he sat next to Sophie. Keefe snickered, and Sophie's hands froze, as she stopped from opening the top. She narrowed her eyes at Keefe. "So help me if this is a prank-"

"Trust me it's good." Dex interrupted her. Just in case Sophie lifted the lid, towards Keefe who's smirk only grew. "It's kind of a prank on the blue team." He said. Sophie peeked in the box and looked at the red bramble jersey. "The council never chooses sides." Said a girl. "So if we had a councilor rooting for us it might shake them up." Dex said. Sophie pulled the jersey out and Dex took the box. The number on it was '1'. "We need our number one fan cheering us on." Keefe teased. Sophie rolled her eyes, "I'll give you a whole box of mood candy if you wear it." Keefe said smugly. "Keefe, are you trying to bribe a councilor?" Sophie asked in fake shock, before smiling. "Deal." A few laughs went around, Sophie looked at Fitz.

"This was your surprise?" She transmitted. Fitz shook his head. "Nah, I'll tell you, once they all leave." He replied. "Hey. No, private talking unless you're talking about me." Keefe said, fanning the air. Sophie and Fitz looked at each other, already knowing they were thinking the same thing, they looked back at Keefe. Lifting their feet they kicked his shins. "Ouch!" Keefe yelped. Sophie chuckled as her imparter buzzed. Frowning she looked down, "Is that important?" Fitz asked. "No, it's just Harley. I'll hail him back later." Sophie said canceling the call. "Harley?" Fitz asked. Sophie shook her head before turning to the team. "So do you have a captain?" She asked. All eyes turned to Fitz, "All captain's wear number one." Keefe said smirking.

"But-" Sophie looked down at the clean jersey in her lap. It was bigger than her, and looked to be freshly washed, Sophie looked up at Fitz who smiled nervously. "Now my surprise is ruined." He said. "You- but- shouldn't-..." Sophie couldn't find the right words as she felt herself blush, she looked back down at the jersey. "Aaaaaww...." Keefe teased. "We made her blush." He cooed. Sophie would of shot back but her imparter buzzed again. This time it was from Emery.

"Sorry guys. I have to head back." She said standing up, swinging her bag over her shoulder, she held the jersey close. "Good luck at the championships." She said looking at the team, "Who needs luck when they have me?" Keefe asked, Sophie rolled her eyes before glancing at Dex. "Bye cousin." She said ruffling his hair. Dex rolled his eyes as he ducked away. "Bye." He said. "See you.." Sophie trailed off feeling her face flush, she hadn't even checked the time of the game. "Tomorrow at sunrise." Fitz said, as he stood up with her. "Sunrise?" Sophie asked. "It's an all day event Foster." Keefe said. "Right. See you then." She said accepting a quick hug from Fitz.

Back at her office, Emery was waiting for her. He frowned as she set the red jersey on her clean desk. "You said you'd have the reports ready." He said. Sophie had finished the piles of paper work p, easily and nothing seemed to be coming in. "Right here." Sophie said as she pulled the reports out of her bag. Emery took them. As he scanned them, he spoke, "You know the council doesn't pick sides at the championships don't you?" He asked. "There isn't any rule against cheering on friends." Sophie said, as she sat behind her desk. Emery's piercing blue eyes met her, since Sophie knew about him and Liora, he seemed much less intimidating, her respect for him had dropped down a notch.

She realized he wasn't this calm elf who had always seemed untouchable and unbreakable, but now Sophie realized he wasn't. Sophie met his eyes and after a moment he pulled his gaze away from hers, looking back at her report. "If you wear that jersey, the others will have no choice but to wear one as well." He said. Briefly Sophie wondered what Bronte would look like in a jersey. Smiling at the mental picture she looked at Emery. "I'm cheering my friends on." She said firmly, as she brushed her hand over the jersey. "Very well. We'll have to split up evenly." Emery said standing up. "What did you think of the report?" Sophie asked. Emery looked back at the papers in his hand. "It's certainly something that should be taken into consideration." He said before leaving.

Sophie sat back in her seat and stared at the folded jersey. Fitz had worn that at all his games... He was captain meaning the jersey was everything in the game...but he gave it to her. Sophie blushed at the thought, before putting her feet up on the desk and pushing her chair back, leaning her head back, she felt her hair swing, she stretched. "Ah, it feels good to have gotten all that work done so early." She said to no one in particular. "You still have to hail Harley." Sandor said. Sophie didn't answer as she stared at the painting behind her desk.

Stretching farther, she heard her circlet fall, but the cold realization that made her freeze, blocked out all feeling. A sharp knock signaled someone at the door before it swung open. Sophie yelped and fell out her chair, banging her head on the desk, her legs were in a tangled mess with the chair. Sophie let out a quiet groan before sitting up and looking at who came in her room.

Noland.

"Oh....um....hi?" Sophie asked nervously. Noland looked around her clean office, and the fern that had grown twice the size it had been when Oralie gave it to her. "What were you doing?" He asked, as Sophie stood up and straightened her chair, picking up her circlet she put it firmly on her head as she sat down. "Just getting a new look on things." Sophie said. "Can I help you?" She asked. Noland cleared his throat. "Yes you can." He said as he held out a paper to her. "Explain this please." He said. Sophie frowned at the familiar writing.

Noland,
Meet me in my office.
Sophie Foster.

Sophie snatched the paper from him and stared at her signature she hadn't signed. "I didn't write this." She said looking up at Noland. "Isn't that your writing and signature?" He asked. "Yes, but I didn't write this." She said. "Kysil just came in my office and gave it to me." Noland said. Sophie frowned and shook her head. "I sent Kysil away for the day, his sister is getting married." She said before meeting Noland's eyes. Someone had wanted Noland out of his office. Sophie threw the note aside and raced for the door. Noland followed her, Sophie stopped at the door as Sandor hurried out in front of her, she looked at the painting, which was two in one.

As it was it looked like a landscape, with a few puddles and silver lined clouds, however staring at it upside down, it was a crystal clear lake,

With a black swan swimming over it.

(Aw Fitz...)