Dex

"Biana," Dex breathed, watching as her stomach rose and fell in sync with her breathing. Her eyelids fluttered at the words, and Dex, for a brief moment, swelled with hope. It had been a week now since their encounter with the Puppeteer, and Dex had visited Everglen in secret, every night to check up on her. Alden and Della were being overprotective now, not letting anyone visit anymore. Fitz wasn't even allowed outside the house, much less allowed to fight in what Dex assumed would turn into a war. 

"Biana," Dex said again, "we've got a plan," he tried, hoping talking to her would help ease his worries. Whether she were listening or not. "It's dangerous, but it's the best we've had in a long time. Oralie's been fired, too. Stupid council."

Biana shifted in her sleep, and Dex's heart felt as though it were cracking again. Over the past couple months, before they'd brought Keefe back, Dex-- though he'd never admit to it-- had started to feel more towards Biana. He wasn't sure it could be called "love" exactly. Or even a "crush". But it felt like more now, than a friendship. He'd actually been about to tell Biana about these feelings, until she'd run off to find Keefe. That's when Dex had remembered she might've still had a crush on Keefe, which meant Dex stood no chance. Not compared next to the perfect blonde boy with "mommy issues" and amazing prankster. 

"Please wake up," he sighed, his eyes gazing out past the window and into the dark night. "We need a Vanisher, Biana. And I need you." Tears pricked at his eyes, but he wiped them away. He couldn't cry in front of Biana. Keefe didn't cry in front of Sophie. He sighed. Why did Sophie have to be so stubborn? Dex didn't think it was obliviousness so much as stubbornness. From the very beginning, she'd liked Fitz. And when that hadn't worked out, she'd convinced herself she still loved him. She didn't want to like someone else. Mind vs. heart, as always, the cause of so many heartbreaks. 

"You saw Sophie," he told Biana. "Didn't you? That was the reason you stayed." Dex tried a smile, but found it turned genuine as he stared out at the moon. Biana was always doing stuff like that; risking her life for the sake of others. A chuckle slipped past his lips.

"I used to hate you, you know. Vackers in general," he said, his eyes watching as glittering glow bugs danced outside his window. "But thanks to Sophie, I think I've fallen for one." 

Dex jumped as Biana shifted once again in her sleep, mumbling something under her breath. Dex couldn't make out the words, but he was sure he heard the name "Keefe". Dex sighed. What was the point in confessing his feelings to someone who would never even love him back? Dex sighed. Maybe it was his destiny to be forever lonely. Or maybe, he just never took action soon enough. Or maybe, it was that he took action at all. Next time, he'd be sure to wait for someone to fall for him. At least then, there was a guarantee he wouldn't get rejected. 

Dex stood up, glancing back to Biana once more as he headed for the window. 

"Please wake up," he whispered, before slipping out he window and with his pathfinder, he went home.