warnings: this chapter contains allusions to graphic violence. reader discretion is advised.
forty eight | forty nine | fifty
“I miss the real world,” she groaned, draping herself across the fainting couch like some tragic heroine in a Victorian painting. Of course this house had one—a velvet Victorian fainting couch, tucked in the corner like it had been waiting centuries for someone to actually faint on it. The lush cushions swallowed her whole, but she managed to throw one hand across her forehead for dramatic effect anyway.
“I miss coffee. Real coffee. Not this… bean water you people drink. I drink instant coffee, Logan, instant, and I still can’t figure out what you’re mixing into your water here. It’s actually disgusting. It can’t be healthy.”
Logan leaned against the doorframe, watching her theatrics with a raised brow. “You could just get a coffee machine.”
She sat up halfway, glaring. “Not the point, Logan! I’m saying I need to go back. I had a life, you know. I had a job, friends, classes—” She froze mid-rant, eyes widening, panic rolling over her face. “Oh my god, my classes! I must be so behind by now! I’ve probably missed essays and exams and—and—”
“Okay, woah, easy there.” He held up both hands like she was a wild animal about to bolt. “Breathe before you actually faint on your fainting couch, please.”
“S’not funny!” she snapped, pressing her hands to her temples.. “I need to get out of here. I have to go to school and explain everything. Maybe– Maybe they’ll excuse my absence, or grant me an extension, or— or what if they kick me out of the university?”
Her voice cracked on the last word, a little more panicked than she wanted it to sound. She caught Logan’s gaze lingering on her, too steady, too knowing.
“What?” she demanded. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“You won’t like it.”
“Just spit it out,” she said flatly, her tone almost threatening. “Before I wither like a plant and die.”
“Please don’t.” He leaned back, smirking. “I feel like that would be kinda counterproductive.”
She got up, if only to swat his arm with the pillow she’d been leaning on.
“Ow!” He laughed, clutching his bicep in mock pain. “Someone’s getting violent.” Then, as if he couldn’t help himself, he grinned at her, rubbing his shoulder like he was proud of her for it.
However, the glare she leveled at him wiped the grin clean off his face.
He raised his hands in surrender. “Alright, alright. Serious mode.”
A beat.
“I don’t think you actually want to leave.”
Her jaw dropped. “What? Are you insane? I—”
“No, really.” His gaze didn’t waver. “I don’t think you want to leave. Because if you did? You would’ve by now.”
Her laugh was sharp, incredulous. “What the hell are you talking about? Do you not remember the huge locked gates? Or maybe the fact this place is crawling with armed criminals?”
Logan gave her an exaggerated bow. “Flattered.”
“Or the fact that I have no idea where the fuck I am? Or how to get home? Or how he—” she jabbed her finger toward the vague direction of wherever Lando was hiding “—had a literal gun—”
“You know he wouldn’t hurt you,” Logan cut in, certain. No hesitation. “In fact, he’d give you anything you asked.”
Her mouth twisted, bitter. “He certainly didn’t let me go when I asked.”
Logan rolled his eyes. “You know why. You just don’t like to think about it. Because if you did, you’d have to admit that the big bad boss man isn’t as mean or scary as you want him to be. You’d have to admit he actually cares.”
“Oh, fuck you.”
“I’m serious!” He laughed, clearly entertained by her fury. “Tell you what—if you don’t believe me, try it. Ask him for anything you want. And if he doesn’t give it to you… I’ll walk you out of here myself.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Wait. Like… actually?”
“Scouts honor.” He raised two fingers with mock solemnity.
“…You were never a scout.”
“Well, yes. But I’m making a point!”
She rolled her eyes, sinking back against the fainting couch, but the thought lingered all the same.
“What if I want books?” she said finally, leaning back with a smug sort of challenge. “My textbooks. Not the– those books on fourteenth-century siege tactics you guys apparently hoard in your little murder library.”
Logan didn’t even flinch, only flicking nonexistent dirt from underneath his fingernail. “Easy.”
Her brows arched. “And I want a– an espresso thingy. Y’know, the little old-style kettle so you can make it on a stove? No more of that bean-water swill you’ve been subjecting me to.”
“Oh, consider it done.”
Suspicion narrowed her eyes. “And how do I know you’re not the one getting me stuff?”
“Because it’s so much more fun to prove I’m actually right,” he shot back without hesitation, already rising to his feet. He winked, smug as sin.
She let out a frustrated huff. “I hate you, you know that?”
But he was already turning down the hall, laughter echoing back at her, hands shoved in his pockets like he’d already won.
Smug bastard.
“You've got to be kidding me.”
“Nope,” Logan said, leaning against the doorframe casually.
“This is insane.”
“I’m aware.”
“Like actually, literally insane.”
“I told him the same thing.”
Y/N huffed as she lifted the stack of first-edition legal texts—first edition, for god’s sake—onto the desk in her guest room. The weight pulled at her stitches and left her slightly winded, but it didn’t matter. First editions, annotated analysis, everything she could possibly need and then some.
She had to pause halfway, chest rising with shallow breaths, but her eyes were alight for the first time in weeks. The joy cracked through despite herself, bright and sharp, like sunlight after rain. For the first time in weeks her eyes were lit from within with that once-familiar spark, her fingers reverent as she traced the spines. The pages smelled faintly of dust and ink, her world spilling back into her hands.
“Oh, and there’s something else,” Logan added, far too smug for his own good.
She narrowed her gaze. “What?”
“I can’t bring it here. You’ll have to see it for yourself.”
“Where—”
“Just follow me.” Logan didn’t wait for her protest, already striding ahead.
Reluctant, wary, she trailed after him, tugging the sleeves of her cardigan over her hands. The walk wasn’t long, but her chest still ached by the time they reached the kitchen.
And then she froze.
Her eyes landed first on the stovetop—sitting there like it belonged all along was a gleaming little espresso pot, old-style, still in its packaging, not even thrifted—brand new. Her chest went warm. She stepped forward to touch it, her thumb gliding over the smooth handle, the weight perfect in her grip.
But then her gaze slid past it, caught on the monstrous machine next to it. Stainless steel, state of the art, with more buttons and dials than she knew what to do with. Thousands of euros of precision engineering, every bell and whistle she’d shown Liam once, laughing, saying maybe she’d get it for the café someday when business was good.
The sight of it now punched the air from her lungs.
“Told you he’d listen,” Logan said, grin wolfish, but softer than usual.
She didn’t answer, her fingers ghosting over the machine’s surface, her pulse betraying her fury by racing with something else entirely.
It didn’t make sense. None of it did.
Every time she thought she had Lando figured out—mob boss, liar, killer—something else clawed its way in. Lando remembering a coffee machine she’d offhandedly mentioned months ago. Him slipping Logan a brand-new knife set after he’d lost some on an operation. Him quietly giving Fewtrell a day off when he came down with the flu, no questions asked.
And yet… the same man orchestrated violence, left trails of blood in alleyways, carried a gun like it was part of his hand.
What kind of cold-blooded killer did things like that? Which one was the lie—the monster or the man?
Y/N didn’t have an answer, but the question gnawed at her ribs until she thought she’d splinter. Her eyes burned from not sleeping, and when she saw the faint strip of light spilling out from under the heavy door at the end of the hall, she thought maybe it was her chance.
Maybe, just maybe, she’s find it there — a conversation, an explanation.
The truth.
She padded closer, her pulse hammering. Y/N made it all of two steps closer before a shadow shifted.
The headshake was immediate, sharp.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
She froze. Her head snapped to the side, startled.
“Oh, you have got to be kidding me—”
“I assure you,” the voice said, low and dry, “I am not.”
Her eyes darted to the side, finding the figure who had seemingly materialized from the darkness.
Oscar.
The elusive one.
She hadn’t met him properly before, only in passing glimpses and echoing phrases here and there. But here, up close, he looked almost her age. There was something soft in his features that dulled the danger she’d built up in her mind, something that made him seem startlingly human.
He sure seemed to hang around here a lot.
“Sorry,” he said dryly, a smirk tugging at his mouth, “that party’s invite only.”
“I was just trying to—”
“Did he call you?” Oscar cut in, one brow lifting.
“Well, no, but—”
His look was pointed, knowing.
“I have to talk to him. It’s important—” she insisted.
“You can’t.”
The bluntness of it pricked her temper raw, frustrating her. “Why not?”
There was no answer, only silence that implied too much.
Lando’s hiding something.
He just looked at her with that same unnerving mix of softness and distance, like someone who’d already decided how this would play out.
And then, before she could argue more, he tilted his head toward the hallway. “Come on.”
He didn’t touch her, didn’t threaten. Just walked her back to her room with an almost old-fashioned courtesy, stopping at her door.
“Goodnight,” he said sincerely, voice low, before disappearing down the hallway like he’d never been there at all.
And just like that, she was left alone with the light still burning under Lando’s door—and more questions than ever before.
The more she thought about it, the more it ate at her.
Every room in the house was hers to roam. She could eat anything from the kitchen, wander the endless halls, curl up with any book in the library—even ones she knew had been marked priceless. Rooms unfolded like a labyrinth: glittering halls, cavernous bedrooms, libraries stacked to the ceiling. She could have anything she wanted. Even sunlight, in carefully measured doses. Logan had proved that much.
Anything, it seemed, except for him.
Lando didn’t talk to her. Didn’t look at her. He made himself scarce, as if timed down to the minute. If she was in the garden, he was away. If she wandered near the east wing, he was gone before she turned the corner. The only space he seemed to guard jealously was the office with its locked door, the strip of light beneath it taunting her like a secret she wasn’t meant to touch.
What could he possibly still be hiding?
What was left to conceal when she already knew about the lies, the violence, the blood?
The question grew like rot in her chest. Was it just paperwork, ledgers, plans for whatever violent empire he ran? Or was it something worse—some evidence that the softness he’d shown her, the tenderness she remembered, was nothing but a carefully rehearsed illusion?
Logan’s words only fed the itch. On one of their usual walks, he’d mentioned offhandedly, “I’ll be out tomorrow. Helping the others with something for Lando.” He didn’t explain, and she didn’t press, but the thought burrowed in.
The way he said it so offhand made her stomach twist. What something? What needed all of them, but none of her?
But if they’d all be gone, if Lando wasn’t coming back until morning…
That night she lay awake, her mind chewing itself raw. She turned over every angle: why he kept avoiding her, why he left kindness in his wake like breadcrumbs but never faced her.
Which was the truth? The man who bought her peonies, who remembered her coffee machine, who made sure she ate? Or the mob boss who orchestrated killings, who was capable of shoving her into this gilded cage?
The questions scratched at her ribs until she couldn’t breathe.
So when the house finally quieted, when she knew he was supposed to be away on business overnight, she slipped from her bed and padded barefoot through the hushed halls.
The house seemed quieter than ever, every creak of the wooden floors too loud beneath her bare feet. Her heart pounded against her ribs as she made her way down the corridor, past the windows with their iron latches, until she stood before the door.
The office door loomed at the end of the corridor, the one place she’d never been allowed, the one truth she wasn’t meant to see. The light wasn’t on this time. Just the heavy outline of the door, the brass handle catching the faintest glow.
Her fingers curled around the handle.
It should’ve been locked.
It wasn’t.
The lock gave way with a soft click, and for a long moment she just stood there, holding her breath, waiting for alarms or footsteps. Nothing. Just silence.
The office smelled faintly of leather and gun oil. Heavy curtains muted the night outside, throwing everything into a hush of shadow and lamplight.
She stepped in.
For a moment, she just stood there, taking it all in. It was—well, it was exactly what she might have expected and nothing like it all at once.
The room was sleek, expensive, curated: heavy mahogany desk gleaming with polish, leather chairs angled with the kind of precision that screamed control. On the desk, neat stacks of paper and contracts sat beside a fountain pen, documents scattered in some invisible order. A pair of ornate glass cabinets displayed weaponry like art—antique pistols, a dagger with an ivory handle, even a rifle mounted above the mantle like some people hung trophies.
A glass case on the wall with weaponry displayed like artwork—knives, pistols, something old and gleaming that looked like it belonged in a museum. She moved carefully, her fingers hovering near surfaces without quite touching.
Her gaze snagged on a photo frame tucked onto a shelf. Not a formal portrait, nothing staged. Just a group of them at the beach, laughing, sunburned, mid–beer can cheers. Lando younger, maybe even carefree. Max Fewtrell with a beer can lifted in salute. Logan half-buried in sand, Oscar standing proudly over his handiwork. Verstappen scowled at the camera like it had offended him. And there, tucked between them all, was a man with a tumble of curly hair and a grin that seemed impossible to extinguish.
It was Daniel — the same face she’d seen in photos “Liam” had once shown her with a soft, heavy voice, back when sorrow lived in the gaunt expression of his face.
But here, in this photo, they looked untouched by pain, by fear, by grief. If she didn’t know any better, it looked like the people in that photo had never known any darkness at all.
The picture looked painfully ordinary. It was disarming. Too… sentimental. Too human, so stupidly human it made her chest hurt.
She set it back carefully, fingers trembling, and moved along the shelves. Mostly décor—books that had probably never been cracked open, a bronze globe, an ornate clock ticking so softly she could hear it in her teeth. They felt like decoration, chosen for appearances. She tilted one absently, and something clicked.
A sharp sound, mechanical, like a lock disengaging.
Her stomach flipped. She froze, then nudged the shelf again.
This time, the wood shifted, revealing the edge of a hidden board sliding back.
Her pulse spiked, breath sharp in her chest.
What the hell was this?
Behind the false board was chaos.
It opened into something sprawling—maps layered with notes, photographs pinned with surgical precision, red string cutting across it all in jagged lines. A wall layered in snapshots and scribbles, string webbing one detail to the next. She leaned in, heart hammering.
Her eyes darted over details, trying to take it in. A blurred shot of a figure outside the café. Police reports, stamped and signed, from the night Margot was shot.
Some of it she recognized instantly. A grainy photo of Brews & Books’ storefront, taken after the stabbing—yellow tape strung across the entrance like a wound. An autopsy report with Margot’s name stamped at the top, black ink bleeding into clinical words that made her stomach churn.
But there were other pieces that she didn’t recognize — men she didn’t know, grainy faces caught mid-stride, names scribbled underneath, blurry shots of cars at night. A map of the city with circles in red ink.
Her gaze landed on a string that started with a place she did know.
A picture of the café again, but this one older. It led to the silhouette of a man leaning against the wall, blurred in motion.
Margot’s shooter.
The mugshot behind the CCTV capture gave her a name, though it sparked no recognition, only rage. He appeared tall, blonde, something sinister and empty behind those brightly colored eyes.
George Russell.
Y/N clenched her eyes shut, forcing herself to try to remember that, to see his face. But whoever he was, he must have been too fast, because all she could remember was the bloody aftermath. She wanted desperately to be able to say that she remembered him, that she’d known it was him, that she could recall the face of the man that took everything from her.
She should’ve been careful what she wished for.
There, at the end of the thread leading out from him—the thread wound straight to another picture, another name. One that was hauntingly familiar.
Alex Albon.
Her breath caught, sharp and loud in the stillness. Her heart stuttered.
No.
Alex?
It couldn’t be.
The same Alex she once sat across from at tiny student cafés, notebooks between them, laughter awkward but genuine? The same Alex who’d been gentle with her, who left her heart bruised but not broken?
Her hand hovered over the string like touching it would burn. The bones of her ribs tightened, threatening to squeeze the air from her lungs.
It was Alex? Alex who had Margot killed? And Lando—Lando had figured it out?
Her hand flew to her mouth. The board blurred as her mind scrambled, crashing between grief, rage, betrayal.
Why hadn’t he told her? Why had she been left to hate him for lies while the truth sat locked in here?
She staggered back a step, the sound of her own ragged breathing loud in her ears.
“—You shouldn’t be in here.”
Her whole body snapped taut at the sound of his voice.
That accent, low and unmistakably British, rolled through the dark like a warning.
She turned, pulse clawing at her throat.
There, Lando stood in the doorway, shadowed, his expression unreadable.
a/n: sorry for the short chapter. i kinda liked this one, but i know a lot of people were upset about the short chapter last time as well. minimally edited, but hopefully next chapter can make up for it.
I (man in a very happy and fulfilling relationship) had to listen to around an hours worth of break up songs just to be able to continue the podcast without strangling Arthur Lester and John Malevolent Doe because the fumbling of the sad little gay priest greatly upset me me
Word Count: 11K (Someone stop me, I have a problem)
~Master~
*Based off episode 4x04 of the 100, A Lie Guarded*
Previously...
You snapped your head to her, not stopping the tears as Clarke swallowed back her fears. “Ok.” She began. “Ok…. I think- I think your dad was infertile before you were conceived. I think- I don’t think your dad is your real father.” You didn’t know what to do, you could only stand there listening to Clarke tell you the one thing you were absolutely terrified of. Clarke’s heart ached for you. “I’ll get my mom. She’ll know.” You didn’t feel yourself let go of Clarke, but suddenly she was gone and you were all alone. You could feel your breathing start to increase, your head spinning as you feel to the ground, pulling your knees to your chest and letting out every sob you can that racked through your body. You couldn’t breathe, but you couldn’t focus on that because there was one thought rushing through your head.
Who the hell were you?
—
It had been a few days since you found out the truth about your identity. Well, the truth putting it lightly. Clarke had gone and gotten her mother just like she said, and when they came back you were right where Clarke had left you, tears dried on your face as Abby kneeled in front of you.
“Y/N? Y/N, look at me.” She took her flashlight, shining into your eyes to see you were responsive, which in Abby’s eyes was great. “Y/N? Can you hear me?” She started snapping in front of your face and shortly you were becoming aware, your breathing speeding up as you squirmed. She put her hand on your cheek, getting you to look at her as she tried to calm you.
“I’m fine!” You screamed out, burying your head in your knees. Abby took a step back, giving you space as Clarke watched you with worry.
“Y/N?” Clarke asked as you slowly uncurled yourself, remaining on the ground as you looked at the Griffin’s standing above you.
“Show her.” You whispered, your throat hurting a little from your last outburst. Clarke nodded, picking up the tablet that laid on the ground next to you. Her mom was furrowing her brows as she looked between you and tablet, unaware of the secret you had just learned. As soon Clarke had the file pulled up again Abby took the device, reading over the words. “He’s not my dad.” You told her as your eyes locked on the ground. She didn’t say anything, opting to stay quiet as she turned around. You took a deep breath, pushing yourself up onto your already shaking legs. “Abby. Did you know?”
It was a dumb question, sure, but Abby was a doctor. She had access to medical records and no doubt could’ve known.
“I didn’t.” She assured you. It made sense, you thought. To Abby, your parents were no one, just another couple who apparently couldn’t have a child together, yet did.
“Is it possible he was tested after Y/N was born?” Clarke asked her, trying to disprove her theory but Abby ruined your hopes. He would’ve been tested before you were born and Abby had no idea what happened. You didn’t want to hear much more.
You tugged Bellamy’s jacket closer to you stumbled out of the room, hearing Clarke call after you but you didn’t stop as you made your way recklessly through the empty halls of the Ark, grabbing onto walls to support you until you wound up at a familiar door.
Bellamy’s door.
You knocked on it, not stopping until it swung open. You didn’t bother waiting for an invite in as you pushed inside, running your hands through your hair and pulling. Bellamy didn’t know what you were doing there, especially in the middle of the night, looking completely distressed. He wasn’t going to turn you away though. He slammed his door, coming over to you and grabbing your hands to lead you to the bed.
“Y/N? What’s wrong? Are you alright?” He asked you, seeing you bite your trembling lip. He thought for a moment you’d say you were fine, just like you always do to not show your emotions. But this time you didn’t. Instead you shook your head and fell into tears, collapsing onto Bellamy. He wrapped his arms around you and held the back of your head. “It’s okay. It’s okay, Y/N. I’m here. I’m always here.”
When you finally stopped crying, you told him everything, from the start of the voice in your head all the way to your father, well, the man you thought was your father. Bellamy didn’t know what to say. You’ve never cried like this, at least not in front of him. It hurt.
“I thought I knew who I was. My head is all sorts of crazy and I thought the one thing I still had after all these years of losing my sanity was that I still had my name.” You let out a bitter laugh as Bellamy reached up to wipe away your tears. “If I’m not Y/N Y/L/N, then who am I?”
“You’re Y/N.” Bellamy told you, getting you to look up into his brown eyes. “The Y/N who has been a pain in my ass since the moment we opened the dropship doors. The same Y/N who saved me from a panther despite hating me.” You let out a genuine laugh, Bellamy’s heart soaring at the sight of your smile, despite the tears drying on your face. “You’re the Y/N who believed in me countless of times when I didn’t deserve it. That’s who you are. A name means nothing.”
You stayed quiet, both of you looking at each other intensely as you cracked another smile. “I didn’t hate you.” You whispered, earning a look of confusion from Bellamy. “The panther. I didn’t hate you, even if you had almost let me die afterwards.” He rolled his eyes, happy to see you could sort of joke after your breakdown. The feeling didn’t last long though as your face fell again, looking down to your hands as you played with your fingers. Bellamy stopped you, reaching forwards and grabbing both of your hands as you continued to stare. “I never hated you.”
“That’s good.” He told you as you looked at him through your eyelashes, seeing him now being the one to look at your interjoining hands. “Because I never hated you too.”
“Well, I never gave you a reason too.” He heard you sniffle as you wiped your tears onto your shoulder.
“That’s fair.” Bellamy took a deep breath, unknowingly squeezing your hands a little tighter. “What I’m trying to say is,” He looked up, a mistake really as his words were caught on his tongue. The 3-word phrase he wanted to say seeming too daunting for the moment after your breakdown as he settled. “I care about you.”
You tried to ignore the way you longed for Bellamy to say the words you were too frightened to say. “I care about you too.” You whispered. You stayed in Bellamy’s room that night.
Now, almost a week since that night, you barely left your room and when you did, you were often in Bellamy’s room where you had continued to spend most of your nights as well. Bellamy never minded, instead he sought comfort in the knowledge you went to him for comfort. He knew he had fallen for you, but he was only falling more every time he woke up and saw you lying next to him, your eyes closed peacefully as your chest moved slowly up and down in your sleep.
This morning, Bellamy woke up earlier to see you asleep next to him and he pushed himself up on his elbows to peer down at you. He was silent as to not wake you, his focus shifting from being aware of your closeness to your warmth. Your hair fell into your face as you moved a little, completely unknown to the fact Bellamy was watching you with a smile. He brushed the hair out of your face, his thumb tickling your cheekbone as you started to wake a little, eye slowly fluttering open to see Bellamy’s brown orbs staring back at you. It warmed your heart to see them first thing in the morning.
Bellamy’s hand still playing with your hair tucked behind your ear. “Were you watching me sleep Blake?” you joked, pulling the definitely-not-made-for-two-people blanket closer to you.
“Depends.” He mumbled, making you cock your head. “Would that be weird?” Your face scrunched into a laugh as Bellamy joined you, letting his head fall lightly onto your shoulder before he heard your laughs slowly stop and your hand come up to his hair, gently running through it as Bellamy pulled back enough to look at you. Your eyes were zoned out and staring off in space. “What are you thinking about?”
“Hmmm?” you asked, pulling yourself back to this moment, Bellamy laying above you as you smiled. “Nothing. I’m just enjoying this. Us.” Bellamy nodded, letting another smile spread onto his face as you both just stayed there in close proximity to each other, feeling the other breathe as your thoughts got away again. “Bell, what are we?” you blurted out, tired of this game you were playing with your feelings. You needed a constant in your life and you needed it to be Bellamy.
Bellamy knew what you were asking, the same question he had been asking since he’s feelings began to get out of hand and you became the person on his mind more than everyone. “What do you want to be?”
You didn’t respond with your words. Instead, you pushed yourself upon the bed, your lips against Bellamy’s perfectly as you show him what you wanted. Bellamy kissed back eagerly, his free hand not holding himself up went around your waist as he slowly moved you back down to the mattress, hovering completely above you before pulling away. You breathed heavily, your hand moving to hold Bellamy’s cheek as you looked into his eyes again with a smile. He let out a soft chuckle, turning his head slightly to kiss your palm.
“I guess that answers my question.” He mumbled into your skin as you bit your lip, letting your eyes close in bliss. Your worry that Bellamy wouldn’t want the same was for nothing because here you both were, no distractions and finally, officially-
“Wait, this means we’re dating right?” you clarified, realizing even as amazing as the kiss was, you needed a definitive answer.
Bellamy’s face faltered, only sending that worry right through you again. “Dating? I thought we just agreed to be enemies?” Confusion hit you for a second before Bellamy smirked and you relaxed.
“Oh, you think you’re funny, huh?” Bellamy shrugged, making you roll your eyes fondly and push him off you. “Fine then, no girlfriend for you.”
The joking stopped as soon as Bellamy heard you say those words. “Will you be my girlfriend, Y/N?” You stopped pushing him away, your hands on his chest as you smiled to him and nodded. You could feel his heart beat against your palms as he let out a breath of relief, falling into you and kissing you again. You laughed against the kiss while feeling him on top you. The last few minutes felt like a dream to you and with the end of the world barely a few months away, it was a dream you wished you could stay in for longer.
“Bellamy!” A pounding came at the door as you and Bellamy jumped having not expected an interruption. “Bellamy get a move on!” You realized it was Raven at the door, her poundings getting louder as you turned to Bellamy for an explanation. He too was confused for a minute before sighing.
“I’m scheduled for a hunt today.” He told you and you deflated a little, wanting to spend time in bed with your now boyfriend. He turned to the door. “Give me a minute!”
“Now Bellamy!” Raven shouted back as you giggled, feeling Bellamy bury his head in the crook of your neck disappointedly.
“You better go.” You whispered in his ear, feeling him nod but not move. “Bell, I’m serious! Harper was told me a while ago that when Monty and her started dating, Raven walked in on them post sex. The girl has no chill when it comes to getting work done.” Bellamy chuckled against your neck at your story, pressing a soft kiss against your skin before Raven started knocking again.
Bellamy groaned and sat up, looking down at you laying in his bed with your hair all messed up. Despite the past couple of days for you, you looked happy and Bellamy was glad he could help with that. Raven had one big knock as Bellamy rolled his eyes. “Alright I’m going!”
He got off the bed, changing his shirt and almost leaving before you stopped him. “You forgot your jacket.”
“You’re not going to wear it?” He asked. Since Bellamy let you borrow it to sleep that day in the office, you had worn it more than he had.
“I would, but I’m not the one leaving.” You stood up, grabbing his jacket and throwing at him. Bellamy caught it, hiding his smile as he shrugged it on. Raven’s knocking finally stopped as you chuckled and fell back on the bed.
“You could come with me, you know. It’ll only be a few hours.” He offered, watching you prop yourself up on your elbows. He knew your answer would be no based on the look on your face. He shook his head, telling you it was fine before you even said anything.
“Be safe okay? Don’t get your ass in any trouble.” You joked, hearing his laugh as he walked back to the bed to you, making you sit fully up as he cupped your face and leaned down to kiss you one last time. You hummed into the kiss before he pulled away. “You know, I think I could use to this boyfriend and girlfriend thing.” You teased as pushed him to the door.
“I think I could to.” Bellamy agreed. Right before he got to the door, he stopped and slowly turned to look back at you burying yourself under his covers again. He was going to do it. You already took the first step, it was up to him to take the next. “Y/N?” You turned to him, seeing him fidget his hands as you furrowed your brows. “I love-“
‘Bellamy, let’s go!” He groaned, turning to glare at Raven through the door as he heard you laugh.
“I told you. The girl’s relentless.” Bellamy cracked a smile but he didn’t laugh. “What we’re you going to say?” You asked, trying to think of the possibilities of a sentence starting in ‘I love’ and not ending in ‘you’. Bellamy hesitated, but shook his head, telling you he’ll tell you later. You gave him sad nod before he left the door and you heard Raven continue to yell at him outside.
You settled into the bed again, looking up at the ceiling as you closed your eyes and smiled to yourself.
“I knew you loved him.” Your eyes shot open and you looked around the room. It was empty, just like you had thought when you realized the voice was back. Only this time it wasn’t the same man it had always been.
You put your elbows on your knees, burying your head in your hands and closed your eyes. The voice was familiar, but given its unexpected arrival, you weren’t paying attention enough. “You’re just a voice in my head.”
“I’m not just a voice.” This time you knew it. And what more, it wasn’t only in your head. You picked your head up, looking at the chair in front of you to see Lexa sitting back with her legs crossed in front of her.
“Lexa.” You whispered. She nodded, smiling softly at you. You paced around the room, ecstatic and unbelieving in the fact Lexa was right there. “I knew I saw you! I thought I was going crazy! I thought the flame-“ You stopped yourself, grabbing the back of your neck as you realized you were in fact having a conversation with someone who’s dead. “You’re still in my head.”
“I am, yes.”
“It’s the flame, isn’t it? A side effect.” Lexa just kept smiling at you, answering you silently as you tried not to clench your fist. “I supposed the other voice, he’s in here somewhere too?” You knocked on your head to gesture, biting your lip as Lexa’s face fell.
“What other voice?” She asked, straightening in her seat as you furrowed your brows.
“The other one, I don’t know, some guy. He keeps calling me Skaikiler, telling me to listen to him, but that’s all he ever says.”
Lexa seemed to be pondering your situation as you watched her, hoping if Lexa knew anything about the flame, she’d know about these unwanted side effects “This man, have you ever seen him?”
“No, just hear him when I’m trying to sleep.”
“What does he sound like?”
“What?” Lexa came closer to you, worrying you with her urgency.
“His voice. What does he sound like?”
“I don’t know, deep voice, kind of rough, I guess?” you shrugged.
Her face turned stone and her eyes were boring into yours. “Sheidheda.”
“Who?”
“His name’s Sheidheda, the Dark Commander. He was the strongest, most likely why he’s able to reach you. Whatever you do, don’t listen to him.”
“Why? How do you know it’s him? Who is he?”
“Just don’t listen-“
Once again, your conversations were cut short by a knock on the door. You turned at the sound of Clarke’s voice. “Y/N?” You looked back at Lexa, but the room was empty and you were all alone again. “Are you in there?”
“Uh, yeah. Come in.” You called back. The door opened and you put on a fake smile for your friend.
“Did Bellamy leave already?”
“Just missed him.” You told her. In all honesty, Clarke and you hadn’t spoken much since the other night. It wasn’t that you didn’t want to, it was you hadn’t gone out much. “Did you need something?”
“Well, I figured since Bellamy wasn’t here, it was worth trying to get you to come out.”
“Clarke-“
“It’s been a week Y/N. You can’t just hide in your room or Bellamy’s.” You didn’t say anything, looking down at the ground. Clarke sighed as she knew pushing you wasn’t going to do any good. “Just think about it, okay?” You listened to the door closed as you fell back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.
“Lexa?” you called out in hopes she would come back.
You sat there for a couple hours, a few of the books Bellamy had stashed in his room keeping you occupied, but the time Bellamy was supposed to return had passed and you were getting antsy. Clarke was right. You couldn’t just hide in your room, that wasn’t who you were.
The camp was almost quiet as you walked outside, seeing a few people talking and others just hanging out. Clarke was talking to Riley as you walked around, taking in the fresh air.
“He’s awake!” Your head snapped around at Jasper’s yell. He was standing above the lake as everyone came out to look. Squinting your eyes, you went closer, feeling a laugh bubble up at the sight of Jaha floating in the middle of the body of water. “Hey, Jaha! It looks like you got floated!” Jasper shouted as he cupped his mouth for the man to hear.
“I see you’re keeping yourself busy, Mr. Jordan.” Jaha yelled his loudest from the lake.
Clarke moved next to you as she smiled. “Yeah, you were right.” You told her, nudging her arm as you listened to Jaha and Jasper laugh with each other. “This was definitely worth leaving my room for.”
“Yeah, yeah.” She said with an eye roll before talking to the whole camp. “Alright everyone, back to work!”
She was about to walk away before you grabbed her arm. “Is Bellamy back yet?”
“No, but it’s normal for hunting parties to go radio silent.”
“Wait, radio silent?” You knew Bellamy was late, but you didn’t know he lost contact.
“I’m sure he’s fine.” She told you as you dropped her arm, feeling barely better. She kept looking around the camp.
“What’s wrong. You’ve got that look on your face.”
Clarke sighed, running a hand over her face. “I feel useless. I'm stuck here in case anyone needs their cut bandaged and supervising the backup plan when I should be going to the island to make Nightblood.”
“Come on Clarke, that’s not true. You’re keeping everyone’s head on straight. Besides, you’re not a geneticist.”
“Neither is my mom.”
“But they have Raven. Computer code, human code. They’ll figure it out.” You shrugged. Abby, Raven and their group left this morning, Bellamy had been keeping you updated with Abby’s idea to create Nightblood and them leaving that morning just after he had.
“I’m serious Y/N.”
“And I am too.” You put your hands on her shoulders, shaking gently to get her to understand. “Becca’s made Nightblood before, if they can find out how then they can use Luna to make more. Everyone lives.”
“If they can figure it out before the radiation comes.” She mumbled under her breath as you sighed, knowing she’s right.
“Then I guess we better make sure the ship’s working.”
Clarke nodded, turning around to Riley behind her. “Riley? How’s it going with the ship?” She asked the boy who turned his attention to the two of you.
“We’re on schedule. We should have the radiation patch up before dark.”
You nudged Clarke with your shoulder again. “See. One less thing to worry about.” Even though the aspect of everything turning to shit was still high on your worries, it couldn’t be on Clarke’s.
Thunder boomed in the camp as you looked up behind you, dark gray clouds filling the sky. Everyone in the camp stopped at the sound, fear rising in everyone. “Alright, everyone inside, just like we practiced. Go!” Clarke shouted but you stayed rooted in the ground. Bellamy was out there. Clarke turned around, seeing you haven’t moved. “Y/N, let’s go!”
“But Bellamy-“
“Will be fine!” She finished, grabbing your arm and pulling you to the Ark. You let her, sparing glances at the gate. You knew she was right and Bellamy can handle himself, but how were you supposed to assume he can when he went radio silent?!
You were right behind Monty as you entered the ark, the boy stopping to close the door as you turned around, seeing Jasper moseying around outside with no care about the impending rain. “Jasper!” you shouted, grabbing Monty to stop the door.
“Jasper, come on!”
“Jasper what are you doing?!” Clarke shouted over your shoulder as you watched the clouds above you.
“You can’t live your life in fear.” Jasper tilted his head back and opened his mouth, ready for the rain that was seconds from falling. Monty took off, trying to save his best friend and you tried to grab him but he got away. Harper went after her boyfriend, pulling him back to the ship as the rain hit. You all ducked inside, watching as the rain fall onto Jasper, soaking him as he started to react, his eyes widening as he began gagging and fell to the ground clutching his throat. “The sky… is…” Jasper muttered as you listened, the thought of losing him high on your mind. “Falling!” He began laughing, the realization he was just messing with all of you hitting the group at once as you scoffed.
“What is wrong with you?” Clarke asked as you nodded in disbelief, turning away from Jasper’s dumb antics.
“It’s just rain! Not radioactive ash!” He told you all but none of you listened. “It’s just a joke!” As soon as Jasper was alone, he threw his hands up before letting them fall. “When did everyone lose their sense of humor?”
---
Kane sat at a table in Polis, the radio in his hand as he spoke to Abby on the other side as she rode a boat to Becca’s island. Abby told him all about Luna’s blood preventing the radiation from killing her. “Abby, if what you’re saying is right, Luna could be the miracle we’re looking for. I wish I were with you.”
“Me too. But you have to be there.” She reminded him. “Once we create this Nightblood serum, we’re going to have to distribute it very quickly and we need to be at peace for that.”
The door to the eatery Kane was in opened and Octavia stepped inside, murmurs from the other men filling the room as Kane looked up. “Abby, I have to go. Stay safe. Be in touch when you reach the lab.” Octavia approached the table as Kane put the radio away, taking a seat across from him at Kane’s orders.
“What did I do now?” She sighed.
Kane sat forwards in his seat, keeping his voice hushed. “Rumors of the Flame’s destruction are spreading. People on the streets are openly calling for the King’s head. Your choices have consequences.”
“Would you rather I kill Indra’s daughter?”
“I rather you didn’t kill.”
Octavia glared at him. “Our mission to keep Roan on the throne to buy time for the others to find a way to save us from the radiation. I’m doing that.”
“By decapitating an innocent boy?” Kane reminded her of the fake Flame thief.
“Everyone’s guilty of something.”
Kane shook his head, staring at the young girl in front of him. “There’s a darkness in you, Octavia. I know you’re still morning.” Octavia heard enough. She stood up, ready to leave to escape the topic of Lincoln but Kane kept talking. “Sit down.” A few people turned to look, their conversation having gotten louder as Octavia took her seat again. “You didn’t have to kill that boy. You didn’t have to kill Ambassador Rafel. And you didn’t have to kill Pike.”
“Pike got what he deserved.” She growled, but Kane shook his head.
“Justice and Vengeance are not the same thing.”
“To me, they are.”
Kane paused before sitting back in his chair knowing Octavia was lost. “Your decision making has grown increasingly questionable and I can’t have my people going rogue.”
“Rogue.” Octavia scoffed. “I’m a warrior.”
Kane disagreed with her, in shock of her way of thinking. “A warrior knows when not to kill. Lincoln taught you that. But you’ve seemed to forgotten.” A member of Roan’s guard entered; the other grounders not keen on Azgeda being there. He approached the table of the two Skaikru, looking towards Kane.
“Chancellor Kane, the King would like to see you.” Kane nodded to him as Octavia stood up.
He stopped her before she got far. “You’re no longer part of me security detail.” He told her and Octavia clenched her jaw. “I had Helios saddled for you. The ride home should do you good.”
“I’m not going anywhere before I talk to Indra.” She defied him.
“Suit yourself. She’ll be here soon enough.” Kane told her before following the grounder outside and to the King.
---
The boat docked at the island as everyone began to climb out. Abby pulled out her tablet and pulled up the map. “According to the map Thelonious had, the lab is in the middle of the island, 5 miles straight ahead.”
Jackson picked up a backpack and handed it to Raven, looking down at her limp. “You okay for that hike?”
“Try and keep up with me.” She told him, throwing the pack over her shoulder.
John Murphy looked at the island, a sense of discomfort coming over him. “Never thought I’d be here again.” Raven stood by his side.
“Then you shouldn’t have come.” She told him, sending a side glare. “You’re not fooling anyone. You’re still a dick.”
Luna and Nyko were the last ones off the boat, watching the Skaikru interactions carefully. “You’re doing the right thing.” Nyko spoke in a hush tone to Luna.
“They didn’t give me a choice.” She reminded him. Because of Luna’s blood she was valuable and because she was valuable, she wasn’t given a choice of helping or not, she was forced.
Nyko sighed and stepped in front of Luna. “These are good people Luna. I trust them and you trust me.”
“They think my blood will save them, Nyko.”
“Save us all.” He corrected.
Luna narrowed her eyes. “What do you think will happen if I tell them no?” She asked despite the fact they both knew the answer already. At Miller’s word, they followed the others onto the island. Emori led the way, bringing the group to what looked to be a boundary set with pillars before she stopped.
“What’s wrong?” Abby asked the girl.
Emori hesitated. “ALIE’s rules. No Frikdreina past this line. I’ve never crossed it.”
“Frikdreina?” Jackson spoke up, needing the clarification most of them did.
“Mutants.” Emori gestured to her wrapped hand.
“I’ve never met a line I wouldn’t cross.” Murphy said as he smiled at Emori before taking the very first step over. Everyone started following Murphy’s lead except for Emori who still wasn’t sure about the idea of crossing the line. Only when Murphy stuck his hand out to her, inviting her in, did she finally cross the line.
Ears went on alert as they trekked up a hill and heard a buzzing. “What is that?” Miller asked the question on everyone’s mind. They looked up in the sky to see a drone hovering not far above them.
“We should run.” Emori told them all but no one listened.
“Why? What’s the penalty for crossing the line?” No sooner than the words left Raven’s lips did the drone start firing at them and a guard fell to the ground with a bullet in his head.
“Run!” Everyone shouted before taking off running. The drone kept shooting at them and Miller tried firing back but didn’t hit it.
“I thought you said ALIE was dead!” Murphy shouted as he ran with Emori next to him, their hands interlocked and dodging every time the drone fired to them.
“It must be automated!” Raven told him, finding it a struggle to run on her limp. Murphy let go of Emori’s hand, pushing her forwards as he reached Raven and swung her arm over his shoulder and helped her run.
“I got you!” The group kept running, trying to get out of the drone’s firing as they split up, Emori, Murphy and Raven taking cover behind a log. Murphy checked on his girlfriend, making sure she didn’t get hurt. “Emori, are you okay?” She nodded as they all panted.
Nyko and Luna were still running, both having split in a different direction than the others as the drone followed. “Luna watch out!” Nyko shouted as he yanked Luna back and used his body as a shield, taking several shots to his back as Luna cried out for him.
Miller started shooting down the drone, taking several shots as Nyko died in Luna’s arms. Miller finally hit the drone, sending it clattering to the ground away from them. Everyone let out a sigh of relief at the one less drone causing them danger. “Well, that took you ten shots.” Murphy ridiculed Miller’s shooting as Miller roll his eyes. “ALIE’s got tons of drones, who do you think’s gonna run out of bullets first?”
“Could we talk about why they’re still in the sky?” Miller yelled out, pointing at the drone on the ground.
Abby was bent with her hands on her knees as she caught her breath. She looked up to where the deceased Nyko and Luna were, only the latter wasn’t there. “Where the hell’s Luna?”
More drones filled the sky as the group shrunk behind their safeties. “They’re back!”
“We see that Jackson!” Miller snapped, pointing his gun up in the air, but not firing. “Okay, if we don’t find Luna, everyone we know is gonna die in a wave of fire.” Miller reminded everyone, trying to come up with a plan. “We split up. Murphy, Emori, Abby you go west. Wilson and Taggart you go east. Jackson and I take north. And Raven-” He turned to Raven, unsure what to do with the mechanic.
“I like the beach.” Raven offered, knowing she wouldn’t be of much use.
Miller nodded. “Stay under the trees and you’ll be safe. The rest of you do the same. We check in every ten.”
Raven glanced over to the drone, seeing the light flickering. “It’s still active.”
“One problem at a time, Raven. Lets move out!” The group spilt up per Miller’s directions. As Emori, Murphy and Abby walked, Emori was nervous. She looked around her frantically and tried to catch up with Murphy.
“We shouldn’t be in this forest, John. We need to cut our losses.” She said quietly for Abby not to overhear.
“Why?” Murphy asked, looking at a anxious Emori before he stopped her. “Hey. What aren’t you telling me?”
“Just trust me.” She whispered, watching Abby get further ahead of them. “There are worse things here than those drones. We’re safer at your bunker.”
Murphy shook his head. “It’s not stocked, I ate everything.”
“Then we restock it.” She tried to get him to see. “You said it was big enough for two.”
Abby turned back briefly, stopping when she realized the teens were not keeping up with her. “Is everything okay? We have to keep going.” She shouted back at them. Murphy and Emori exchanged a look before moving forwards, following the doctor.
---
Roan sat on the throne with a scowl as the doors opened to his guard leading in Kane. Kane walked in slowly, glancing around the empty room. “Is there a reason we’re meeting here? I would’ve thought-“
“Tell me the plan.” Roan interrupted him.
“The plan?
“It’s been 3 weeks since Y/N told me Praimfaya would once again destroy the world. Skaikru asked for time to find a solution. What do you have to show for it?”
“We’re still working on it.” Kane gulped, hoping to soothe the kings worries. “Hopefully, with enough time-“
“Enough!” Roan held his hand up to silence Kane who obliged. “Echo.”
At Roan’s command, Echo entered the room dragging a Skaikru guard with her as a hostage while another member of Roan’s guard had Bellamy, both of them gagged and hands tied together. Kane’s mouth fell open when he turned around. “Stephens, Bellamy are you alright?” Bellamy and Stephens were forced to their knees. Bellamy bit down on his gag as Kane asked Roan what was going on.
Roan stood up and approached the hostages. “Echo saw your people rebuilding your ship. She captured these two hunting in my woods.” He pointed to Stephens, “This one says it a shelter from the radiation.”
Kane looked at Bellamy, see the young man’s eyes hinting to tell Roan. “It’s a backup plan.” Kane told the King. “Nothing more.”
“He said that too, just before he told us you have a Nightblood.” Stephens looked ashamed as Kane glanced at him. “It’s a good thing the Flame’s been destroyed, or I’d be worried you’re planning an ascension.”
Kane thought about what to do, knowing Roan is losing trust in the Sky people. “You have to trust me. We discovered that Nightblood helps metabolize radiation. We're investigating ways to create it for everyone, turn everyone into Nightbloods so we can all survive.”
Echo narrowed her eyes. “Blasphemy. Nothing they tell us is true.” She said to her King, trying to get him to believe Skaikru is not to be trusted for Nightblood couldn’t be replicated.
“It’s not blasphemy! It’s science! If Nightblood could save lives, then we should use it.” For a second Roan looked like he was understanding, like he was going to give Skaikru another chance. But with the nod of his head, that chance slipped through Bellamy’s and Kane’s fingers as Roan had signaled for Echo to slit the throat of Stephen and with a draw of her sword, she had. “No! No!” Kane shouted as Echo pushed Stephen’s dead body over and Kane knelt down to him. Bellamy watched on, terrified of his own fate and thankful beyond relief that you hadn’t come with him like he offered for he didn’t know how things would’ve turned out if you were by his side as well.
“Warriors don’t share their secrets.” Echo said as guards came into the room, standing around Kane and Bellamy.
“Truth is the first causality of war.” Roan began. “If your motive’s were pure, you would’ve shared your plan with me. Our alliance is broken.” Echo smirked as Kane and Bellamy were horrified. “Skaikru and Trikru are the enemy.”
“What about them, sire?” One of Roan’s men asked about Bellamy and Kane, his hand on Bellamy’s neck.
“Hostages.” Bellamy was shoved forward. “Find Octavia and Indra. Kill everyone else.” Roan walked off as Kane and Bellamy struggled to get out of the grounders grasps as they were led to the cells against their wills.
---
You had been nonstop worrying about Bellamy since Clarke told you he’d been radio silent. You knew Clarke had a point in telling you hunting parties go silent, but you couldn’t help but think you should’ve gone with him, at least then you’d know if he was alright.
“I think this is the most I’ve seen you in a week.” Clarke said as she joined you in the dining room, having watched you tap your now empty cup against the table for the last twenty minutes. You didn’t say anything as she took the seat across from you. “How are you?”
“I’ve been better.” You told her. “I saw Lexa today.”
For a second, Clarke had forgotten about your side effects and your sentence had surprised her. She cleared her throat. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. And she spoke this time, not just standing there.” You admitted. Clarke nodded, feeling her stomach twist. She knew that she was the one to tell you not to hide your problems, but she didn’t know how much it would hurt to hear you got the chance to see her ex-girlfriend and she didn’t.
She tried to change the subject. “How’s it going with you and Bellamy.” She asked, knowing Bellamy had been by your side for almost the entire week.
You found yourself stop tapping the cup against the table, a small smile making way on your face that Clarke certainly caught. “Pretty good actually. Um, we’re dating now.”
Clarke was surprised. She’s watched you and Bellamy dance around your feelings for a while. “Wow. When did this happen?”
“This morning actually, right before he left.” You told her, looking down at the table.
“Well, congratulations.” She said and you nodded awkwardly, not know what to do. “Can I ask you something?” you picked your head up, looking to your friend and nodded. “You wanted me to take your name off the list. You still want that?” You knew happiness wouldn’t last long. It was naïve of you and Bellamy to start dating now. The world was ending and you were giving up your spot. How could you have been so stupid. “Y/N?”
“I want my name off.” You whispered. You knew it would break Bellamy, but you couldn’t take someone else’s spot and if that whole Nightblood mass production worked out, then you wouldn’t take someone’s spot regardless. If it didn’t… then he would just have to move on. He’d need to move on.
“Y/N.”
“I’m not taking someone’s spot Clarke.” She nodded, letting out a shaky breath.
“Alright, then let’s go change the list.” The two of you stood up, walking to the Chancellors office in silence, completely unaware of Jasper and Monty inside having found the list already. You were walking behind Clarke as she entered the Office, both of you stepping inside.
Monty’s eyes snapped from the list in his hands, the one that contained Clarke’s name and your name and not his own, to both you and Clarke in the entrance. “Clarke! Y/N! Wait!” He shouted but it was too late as both of you were covered in fire-suppression spray, the white foam covering your entire upper body as you stood in shock, not having expect that to happen.
“Really?” Clarke yelled at the two boys as you wiped your face with your hands, blinking a couple times before Clarke shoved a towel in your hands and you properly wiped down your face.
“We found your list.” Jasper said as he snatched the list from Monty’s hands and walked towards you both. “I guess we really know who matters to you now, huh?” Clarke began sputtering out Jasper’s name but Jasper wouldn’t let her get a word out. “You’re not God, Clarke. You don’t get to decide who lives and who dies.”
“The list is a backup, Jasper.” You shouted over him, getting his attention on you.
“And you! You’re on here too! In fact, you even took someone else’s spot. Yeah, yeah. How’s that for playing god?” Jasper spouted as he backed up, moving towards the speaker. “Then I guess you wouldn’t mind if I tell everyone?”
Your eyes widened as Monty saved your asses, jumping in Jasper’s way. “Jasper, no.”
“People have a right to know they’re working for nothing.”
David Miller rushed into the room, seeing the fire-suppression spray all over you and Clarke. “Is there a fire? Is everything okay?”
“Not for you. You’re not on the list.” Jasper said as he shook the list in the air.
David furrowed his brows. “What list?” Jasper took the distraction as he pushed Monty to the side and grabbed the intercom.
“Attention Arkadia. I have an announcement to make.” Jasper didn’t get to finish though because the second he grabbed the intercom you had jumped into action, pulling the shock lash off of Sgt Miller’s uniform and thrusting it at Jasper. He fell to the ground groaning as one of the other guards grabbed your arms, holding them behind your back and taking the shock lash from you. You didn’t fight them on it, not believing the fact you had just shock lashed your friend.
“Let her go.” Clarke ordered and the hands behind your back disappeared slowly. Clarke straightened herself out as she moved next to you. “He broke into the Chancellor’s Office. Lock him up.” Sgt Miller and the rest of the guards didn’t move, not knowing whether or not Clarke had the authority or not. “I’m acting on the authority of Chancellor Kane. Take him into custody.” Sgt Miller nodded and the guards pulled Jasper off the ground and brought him to lock up.
You hadn’t moved since you shocked lashed Jasper and Clarke put her hand on your shoulder to pull you out of your trance. You turned to Monty, seeing him kneel on the ground as you stepped closer.m“Monty, I’m sorry-“
“Don’t.” He held up a hand, stopping you from coming any closer and you listened. “Just don’t.” He moved by you, not sparing another glance as you turned to Clarke, seeing her looking distraught.
“I had to.” You told her and she nodded.
“I know.” She assured you. Jasper was going to tell Arkadia and that couldn’t have happened.
---
Something in Polis seemed different as Octavia climbed off Helios outside the building from earlier. There was no noise from inside, no one talking, or even anyone coming outside. She looked around, trying to find her mentor before entering.
She stopped as soon as she stepped inside. Warriors, Trikru Warriors, were slaughtered inside, the tables were knocked over and lined with blood as bodies laid everywhere. “Indra.” Octavia whispered, worried for her mentor’s safety. She turned over a woman looking exactly like her, and Octavia felt relief in knowing it wasn’t her. Someone moved in the corner as Octavia looked over to see a warrior in pain, but still alive. “What happened?” She asked him as she looked at his wound, knowing he wasn’t going to make it.
“Skairipa…” He mumbled when he realized who was in front of him. “They’ll be back for you. You need to run. Ice Nation is attacking Skaikru and Trikru. They’ll march on your camp tonight.”
“Where’s Indra?”
“Warning our people that the alliance is broken. This is war.” His speech slowed as he tried harder to live and breathe. His head dropped forwards as the pain became too much and the warrior died. Hearing voices just outside, Octavia ran out heading right back to Arkadia.
---
Since you shock lashed Jasper, the mood around camp had seemed to be going down. Monty walked out of the ark, glancing to you sat in front of the fire with your head practically buried in your hands before walking right past you, heading unknowingly to where Clarke was stood watching everyone.
“Monty…”
“Jasper’s fine.” He interrupted her before scoffing. “In case you care.”
“I do care, Monty.” She told him, already feeling bad how the day went. “Can we talk in private?” She asked. Monty paused before moving past her and Clarke inhaled thickly before after him. He brought her to a more secluded area, one where they couldn’t be disturbed. “Making the list wasn’t easy and I only had so many slots for engineers. You’re an apprentice and Jaha knows more about the ship.” She explained, beginning to list out reasons as to one person opposed to the other.
Monty scoffed, holding up a hand to stop her. “That’s what you think this is about? I get why you didn’t put me on the list, I might even agree with it. But its just, who are you? When did you become this person?”
“I haven’t become anyone.” She tried to tell him.
“The Clarke I know wouldn’t be arresting her friends.” He almost growled. “And Y/N shock lashing him?”
“She did what she had to!” Clarke defended you, not wanting Monty to blame you at all. She stopped herself, taking a calming breath. “Kane agreed that we needed to keep this quiet.”
“Kane’s not here. That’s just an excuse. You’re the one saying you live and Harper dies.” He reminded her, feeling protective for his girlfriend. “Y/N’s the one shock-lashing Jasper and you’re the one arresting him. You’re the one going too far and still using that same old justification. It’s all for my people.”
“It is!” Clarke yelled much louder than she wanted. She looked around, making sure no one heard her and luckily no one had. Monty shook his head, wanting to share the truth with everyone. “It’s too risky.”
Monty scoffed and made his decision. “Jasper was right. You’re not God.” He took off, leaving Clarke alone to mull over his words. Monty went straight to the rover, the sound of feedback calling your attention as Monty spoke. “I have an announcement to make. Clarke Griffin is lying to you.” Your eyes widened as you listened and stood up, seeing Monty was getting the attention of everyone around. “Arkadia will only save 100 people. Who thinks they made the list?” He pulled the list out of his pocket and everyone had stopped working at this point, moving closer as you made your way over to Clarke. “Abby Griffin. Eric Jackson.”
“Can we stop him?” You asked Clarke, knowing people were getting increasingly angry at Clarke.
She just shook her head as Monty continued to read, finally reaching Bellamy, Clarke and your name. “It’s already done.”
---
Raven stayed alone on the beach, keeping an eye to the sky in case another drone strike decided to make a surprise appearance. There were a few drone’s in the sky but they didn’t shoot at her. The drone just far enough out of her comfort run zone kept getting her attention, the machine was whirring and still blinking, telling Raven it was still alive.
“You can’t fly, but you can talk.” She mumbled to the drone, looking up to see another fly away. This was her chance. She ran out from behind the tree heading straight for the drone, but unfortunately, she didn’t get very far before the drones were back and shooting at her. She tried to backtrack but only managed to fall over, the drone strike continuing at her. She got back to the tree, pressing her back against it as she hid.
“Raven! Raven, are you okay?” Miller shouted over the radio as the shooting died out.
Raven groaned as she pulled the radio out of her pack. “All good here. Worry about your damn self.” She told him as she stared at the broken drone, trying to figure out how to get it. By the edge of the beach, Luna walked out of the trees right past Nyko as Raven saw her. “Luna no! You’ll get killed!” Luna spared her no attention, walking as if there was nothing to bother her as she stepped out of the boundary and the drones stopped aiming at her. Raven spoke into the radio. “Luna’s here. She’s heading for the boat.”
“Copy that. Do whatever you can to stop her, we’re on our way.” Miller told her and Raven took off. She ran towards the border, the drones firing just behind her as she ran as fast as she could with her leg. As soon as the boundary was in her reach, she dove and lost the drones behind her.
“Luna! I can’t let you leave, we need you!” Raven shouted as she pushed herself up, aiming a gun at Luna.
Luna however kept walking. “Heard that one before.” Raven shot at Luna’s feet as the girl finally stopped walking. When she turned around, Raven had her gun still drawn at her. “So, I am a prisoner.”
“Your blood could save everyone!”
“Do you really think you deserve to be saved?” Luna narrowed her eyes as both women stepped closer to each other.
“I know how you feel, but it won’t always be like this. You just have to keep fighting.”
“What if the fight is all we are? We torture, kill, betray, pretend we’re more than that just to make ourselves feel better, but it’s a lie.” Luna told her and Raven’s gun faltered just a little.
“What about Adria? Was she more than that?” Raven brought up the girl, remembering Luna caring for her as she died. Luna felt her stomach sink as she reminded Raven that Adria was gone. “But she was good, right? There are others out there like her. Don’t you want to give them a chance?” Raven lowered her gun and put it on the ground, showing Luna Raven meant no harm. “You’re not a prisoner. You have a choice, Luna.” The gunfire went off behind Raven as Miller came on the radio, telling of Jackson getting hit in the arm and how getting Luna to safety was the priority right now. “We need to help them Luna!” Raven said, holding the radio tight in her hand. “Please, I know what to do, but with my leg,” She gestured down to the brace on her leg, “I can’t do it myself.”
Luna took a second, looking back to the boat before knowing what the right choice was. “What do you need me to do?”
Raven explained everything about needing the drone so Raven could hack into it. As soon as the coast was clear, Luna took off as Raven yelled for her to go. Luna ran and dodged the shots being fired at her as Raven shot at the drone in the sky. Luna managed to grab the damaged drone, using the trees to hide her before she finally made it past the boundary to safety.
Raven took the drone from Luna, hearing her friends over the radio calling for help. “I just need to access its core programming.” Raven got to work, trying to hack into the drone. “They’re protecting ALIE’s facilities like guard dogs.”
“Well, can you stop them?” As Raven started to work, her head started pounding, a migraine occurring but she ignored it.
Abby, Murphy and Emori ran through the woods, looking for Jackson and Miller until they found them taking shelter. Murphy pointed his gun in the air, looking for any sign of a drone but came up empty. “I can’t see it!” He shouted to Abby.
“I’ll draw its fire.” Abby told him and soon as she said the words, she dashed out from the trees right out into the open.
“What are you doing?!”
“You’re going to get yourself killed!”
“When they come for me, shoot them!” She yelled before waving her hands in the air. “Hey! Over here!” She shouted. Murphy aimed the gun and the moment a drone appeared behind Abby, he pulled the trigger, only it didn’t fire.
“Shit.” He muttered and figured he was out of bullets. Abby turned around slowly, eye level with the drone and she thought it was over for her.
Until the drone fell out of the sky.
They all went silent, thinking about what could’ve happened. Abby pulled out her radio, her hand shaking as she spoke. “Raven? The drone just fell out of the sky. What happened?”
Raven looked down at the drone, the screen blinking to say the security measures were disengaged. “I happened.” She told them. “Now get your asses back to the boat, Luna’s here.” She didn’t wait for a response as she put the radio away, turning to Luna to see her staring at the boat. “Luna.” She called out for the girls’ attention. “It’s not your blood that defines you. It’s your heart.” Luna took in her words, sending Raven a nod to know Luna was in.
---
The camp had turned to chaos since Monty spilt the truth. Everyone was yelling at Clarke, saying how unfair it wasn’t up to Clarke to determine who can live.
“I didn’t survive the ice Nation just to die because you don’t think I’m good enough.” Riley spat at Clarke as you stood next to her, glaring at him.
Clarke was getting overwhelmed with the yelling, trying to defend herself. “Riley, you’re smart, but you were training to be a guard. We only need so many soldiers.”
He scoffed at her reasoning. “You’re saying Darcy is more qualified than me? She’s a trainee too and I’m a hell of a better shot.
“Look, I know this is hard to hear, but we needed to ensure the survival of the human race and to do that the list needed to be weighted towards young women who can have children.” Clarke explained, much like she had when you helped her with the list.
“Wait. It’s because she can have kids? How’s that fair?” Someone asked as you turned to scowl at the man.
“It’s not fair, it’s smart.” You defended Clarke, feeling her grab your elbow to pull you back.
Monty shook his head. “What about Harper? How come she’s not on the list?” He nodded towards Harper who agreed, looking between Clarke and you who apparently was the only person who could see Clarke’s struggle.
Clarke’s face softened. “There’s a chance she could be a drain on medical resources.”
Harper scoffed in confusion. “Well, I’m not sick.”
“Not yet.”
Monty caught onto Clarke’s thinking. “Your dad.” She mumbled to Harper, knowing of Harper’s father’s sickness. “Wait, you went into her medical records?”
“You’re condemning me for an illness I might have someday?” Harper asked, shocked this was how Clarke was deciding.
“I had to consider all variables.” Clarke explained.
“That’s rich for a person who put herself on the list.” Harper snapped at her and you bit your tongue, knowing no good would come out of you ‘helping’.
“And Bellamy Blake? Come on!” Someone yelled and suddenly you didn’t want to keep quiet anymore. “Even Y/N Y/L/N? She doesn’t deserve a spot!”
You clenched your fist, turning to look at the man who was speaking before Clarke was holding you back again and Jaha made way into the middle, but you didn’t even realize, too busy staring down the man who was severely intimidated by you now.
“Of course, Bellamy and Clarke should be included.” Jaha said, standing between you and the man. Your attention was only pulled away by the fact Jaha definitely did not include your name as he put his hands onto Clarke and your shoulders. “Strong leadership is essential for survival. You don’t like the list?” He turned to Monty, holding out his hand as Monty handed it over. “Consider it shredded. We can keep fighting each other and die, or we can work together and give everyone a shot at survival. It’s your choice.”
“Meaning what?”
“We hold a lottery.” Jaha went on. “Randomly choose the 100 people to survive, but you have to work for it. You don’t show up for assignments, you can’t be in the lottery, and when the time comes, we’ll collect names and draw.” You knotted your brows. There was no way this was going to end up great. “Good?” Jaha asked and everyone nodded except you and Clarke, sharing looks and you knew she caught on to the same dilemma you had. “Good. It’s settled. Then get back to work. Let’s get it done.”
Everyone started off, moving to help Jaha put up a radiation shield as you turned to Clarke. “I guess he’s Chancellor again.” You muttered, sending a look at Jaha’s back.
Clarke shook her head, moving to chase after Jaha. You stood in your place, listening to Clarke and Jaha take about how problematic a random list could be but you could focus on that.
Even Y/N Y/L/N? She doesn’t deserve a spot!
You didn’t even want a spot, but who were they to tell you that you didn’t deserve to live?
---
Helios was flying through the forest with Octavia on top him, turning back every few moments to see Echo and her riders getting closer.
“There she is! This way, we’ll cut her off!” Echo yelled as she led the riders through the forest. Octavia moved faster, trying to get away but it was no use for Echo did manage to cut her off.
Octavia caught sight of another pathway. “Yah!” She told Helios, leading him down the path as Echo chased after her again. Octavia was getting ahead, that was until she came to the top of a ravine, looking down to the water below as Echo emerged from the tree line. Octavia got off her horse, patting him to run away as he did.
“It’s over, Octavia. Don’t fight it. Roan wants you alive. Come quietly.”
“That’ll happen.” Octavia muttered with no plans to surrender.
“One in her leg.” Echo told the rider to her left. He nodded, drawing back his bow but Octavia beat him. She threw her knife, hitting him in the head and stopping him. Echo jumped off her horse as did the man next to her, both of them pulling out their swords as well as Octavia. They began fighting, Octavia taking the first swing at the rider before moving to Echo, fighting them both at once. She got a few cuts in on Echo, a few punches landing on Octavia as well before she sliced the man’s neck, cutting her enemies down in count. “It doesn’t have to be this way.” Echo told her as they circled each other, their swords drawn.
“It does.” Octavia panted. “You made sure of that.” Echo took the first swing this time, the fight starting up once again.
Echo swung.
Octavia ducked.
Octavia swung.
Echo ducked.
It went on, Echo finally getting the upper hand as she cornered Octavia to the edge of the cliff, the rocks slipping out from Octavia’s feet but she wasn’t going to lose. Octavia kept fighting, swinging her sword over and over much like Echo did, but Echo prevailed. Octavia’s sword broke in half, the pieces flying in different directions as Octavia’s eyes widened and the grip of Echo’s sword was punched into Octavia’s face, sending her backwards.
“I said he wanted you alive!” Echo told Octavia, both of them exhausted from their fight. Octavia caught sight of the dead riders’ sword, not far from her as she crawled on the ground. She grabbed the sword, gripping it tight as she stood up.
But she barely got on her feet before Echo thrusted her own sword right through Octavia’s stomach. Octavia stopped fighting, gasping out as Echo ripped the weapon from her stomach. Octavia brought a hand to her stomach to hold herself as she fell, backwards, right off the edge of the cliff.
Echo watched, peering over the ravine as she hit the water. “Yu gonplei ste odon, Octavia kom Skaikru.”
---
Since Clarke had him locked up, Jasper had been sitting in a cell all alone, sitting in silence before Clarke came in. He didn’t move, not even bothering to acknowledge she was there.
“I shouldn’t have locked you up.” Clarke admitted. “I thought it was the only choice I had.”
Jasper sighed. “It was the only choice you gave yourself. If you think you have the best idea, you convince people, not lie and lock them up.” He gestured to the cell around him.
“That doesn’t matter now. Monty read the list over the radio, so everyone knows everything now.”
“What a shame.” He said, finally looking over to Clarke. “I thought you were giving Jaha a run for his money there. Jaha lite.” He chuckled at his joke.
Clarke nodded, knowing she deserved that. “You know, he used to be everything I hated. Maybe he was keeping us together.”
Jasper sat up, chuckling some more. “When Jaha seems reasonable, it’s time to reassess.”
Clarke gave him a tight-lipped smile, turning to the wide-open cell door. “You can go.”
Jasper sighed, reaching for his jacket as he stood up and walked past Clarke. “You know, someday when this is all over, you’re gonna realize that foam bit was funny.”
---
With the threat of the drones no longer looming over their heads, the group on ALIE’s island were making great progress on finding the lab. After they stopped for the last time, the lab was just through the trees. They finished the distance, seeing the giant concrete structure as they stopped.
“Hey, I have a question.” Murphy sighed, tilting his head. “ALIE had a security system to protect this thing, right? Any idea what she was protecting it from?” No one had an answer.
“Let’s hope we don’t find out.” Abby said as she took the first steps to the lab. “But just in case, Raven get the drones back in the sky.” The group made their way inside, some less excited, like Emori, but still followed.
The lights turned on the moment they stepped inside, the entire lab at the tips of their fingers as they looked down to all the technology. Raven smirked. “Not bad, Becca.”
---
Bellamy and Kane were prisoners, locked in the cells as they worried. Bellamy was terrified about his sister, not knowing what will happen if they find her. “Doesn’t matter what we do, we always end up here at the brink of war.”
“Abby’s on the island. She’ll find a cure. I know she will.” Bellamy couldn’t believe him. How could he when nothing goes their way. He was terrified.
He was terrified about Octavia.
He was terrified about what Roan would do to them.
He was terrified about you being in Arkadia and having no idea the alliance was broken.
Bellamy was just terrified of everything.
Kane caught the look on Bellamy’s face, one of someone with no hope. “Hey, we’ll get through this.” Bellamy nodded, needing to believe he would see you again.
The sound of keys jingling caught their attention as the cell door opened, Echo and more grounders coming in. “On your feet.” They were told and obliged.
Kane looked past Echo, seeing Roan enter. “What are you doing?” He asked the King.
“We’re bringing you home. Your ship is protection from Praimfaya. I intend to take it.”
“You don’t have to do this. We can find a solution together.” Kane offered, knowing if Roan took Alpha then Skaikru would die.
Roan held his hand up, stopping Kane’s pleading. “That time has passed.” He turned toward Echo. “Get them ready to march.”
“Octavia will get there first.” Bellamy spoke up, believing in his sister to protect his people and you. Roan stopped walking. “She’ll warn them you’re coming. You’ll lose.”
Roan looked over his shoulder at Echo, the silence not settling well in Bellamy’s stomach as Roan nodded to the woman. Echo slowly turned around, stepping towards Bellamy before reaching into her coat.
Bellamy felt his world stop when she pulled out Octavia’s broken sword, letting it fall to Bellamy’s feet. He couldn’t breathe, staring at the weapon he knew was his sisters which could only mean one thing.
“She wouldn’t be taken alive.” Roan told him. “I’m sorry.”
“No.” he whispered, shaking his head and looking up at Echo. She nodded and Bellamy’s heart broke again. He turned around, grabbing onto the cell bars to keep him up as he tried to breathe. “No. No. No. No.” He repeated, feeling himself break down.
“It was a good death.” Echo said, only making Bellamy want to collapse.
“No. O!” He sobbed, falling to his knees. “No. No. NO! NO!” He screamed and cried out, begging for his sister as the guards pulled him away despite his violent thrashing and sobbing. “NO! NO!”
NO!
---
Helios walked the waterfront, taking his time after he had left Octavia. The water flowed right past him as he walked on the beach. He kept walking, drinking some of the moving water before finding Octavia’s body washed up on the shore. He nudged his muzzle against her bloodied hand, over and over until finally Octavia turned over her hand and let Helios lick her fingers.
Her breathing was raspy and painful as she picked her head up and Helios back away. She took as deep of a breath as she could and began crawling out of the water, groaning from the pain in her stomach and from the fall. “Helios.” She groaned and grabbed onto the stirrup, using it to pull herself up until she could pull herself onto the saddle completely. She had thrown herself over, falling forward onto the horse. “Home, Helios.” She mumbled, barely able to form the sentence. The horse started moving, heading in the direction to Arkadia while Octavia held on as tight as she could. “Take me home.”
A/N: Apologizes for my lateness loves, let me know what you think!
As small points burst from his hands, Steven smiled proudly. They unfurled outward into the interlocked branches of flight feathers. Not that they were positioned in the right way for flying, that would be an experiment for another day.
Steven focused on removing the feathers, he didn't want to pull them out or make them fall off. It was too messy and he didn't want to get caught out.
So, meditating, he began reversing the process. Eventually, with practice, he hoped to be able to do this faster, but for now he worked at his usual pace.
That was interesting, because he needed to reverse the flow of his Gem energy and it felt odd to do so. Unnatural, like he was shoving water back into a pipe.
Slowly though, he felt the feathers degenerate. It caused a rush through as the feathers turn back into what they once were, keratin, then proteins, the atoms, and finally...
...Gem Energy.
Steven nearly lost his focus when he saw that, he didn't know how to adapt it into parts outside of himself, but it showed he could do it.
When he finally got rid of all but one feather, which he made fall out before removing the follicle. He nearly wanted to try it right then, but decided against it.
Picking up his feather, a yellow flight that now served as a keepsake of his first time properly shapeshifting, he got up from the dirt and headed home.
Transplanting objects into his Gem could start tomorrow.
◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇
(Steven's powers in this au are slow, analytical, and methodical. I felt it a nice contrast to the quick bursts of energy of his mother).
