#we’re up at the cabin. it is surrounded by forest filled with ravens | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

chasingpj · 3 years

Text

𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐝-𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝

"Ehm, is this like a seven-minutes-in-heaven thing?”

pairing: percy jackson x child of hecate!reader

words: 5,236

warnings: none? pls let me know if i missed anything

timeline: post sea of monsters

if you want to be tagged every time I update this story click here

a/n: hi hi! i hope you guys like this chapter. i fell in a little bit of a rut about my writing so I've been holding off on posting but I think I'm pretty satisfied with how this came out. i'm so fried after editing this so if i happened to miss any typos, sorry, i tried haha.

Part One Part Two Part Three Part Four Part Five Part Six Part Seven

The heat and dimness from the cabin surround you like a warm hug making it challenging to stay awake. Your eyelids droop against your wishes to study, fatigue messing with your vision as it blurs the letters on the page you were trying to read. As you find yourself mindlessly reading words, you decide to give in, and soon you’re settled in an in-between state of consciousness.

Suddenly, you’re standing at the entryway of the kitchen in your home, the first thing you notice is the scent of your favorite meal as it fills your nostrils, and you smile sleepily as your father looks at you. He’s hovering over the stove, right hand stirring something in a saucepan, and he smiles widely at you.

“Stella, you’re home!” He announces as he pushes his round glasses up the bridge of his nose, “Go, sit! Dinner is almost ready.”

You smile at the nickname your father has called you since you were a child. He said that the first time you cried in his arms, your little body illuminated like a supernova, and since then, he’s called you Stella, the Latin word for star. You make your way past the kitchen island on your left, noticing the history channel playing on the small TV in the corner of the counter like always. A sense of nostalgia hits you in your core, and you sigh, feeling safe. As much as you loved the camp, homesickness was unavoidable.

You settle yourself at the black round table in the back of the kitchen, chin resting on your palm as you look outside of the window beside you. The small garden of herbs and flowers you have in the backyard is as you remember. Every summer, your father cultivates herbs and flowers in dedication to your mother. He uses most of the herbs for spells, and at the end of the summer, he would make a bouquet out of the brightest flowers in the garden and rest them on your mother’s alter.

The reminder of your mother made your stomach feel heavy, and you quickly push the thoughts of her away. You weren’t in the mood to deal with them, especially not in a dream like this. The thumping of Atticus’s footsteps coming down the stairs catches your attention, and soon your brother appears in the doorway with his usual wide smile.

“Hey! I thought you were making my favorite tonight.” His shoulders slump, and he playfully narrows his eyes at you. You shrug,

“What can I say? Must suck not being the favorite,” you joke, and Atticus gasps dramatically. The sound of your father’s laughter fills the room as he tilts his head back.

“I love you guys equally! That’s not nice to say,” he says as he points the spatula at you as he squints. You snort as Atticus joins you at the table,

“Yeah, Y/n, that’s not nice,” he repeats, poking his tongue out at you, and you return the action. You and your brother have a short competition of who can stick out their tongue harder as your father puts the food on the table. At the sight of your favorite meal, you let Atticus win, turning to put a portion on your plate.

Amidst your dinner conversation with your father and your brother, the deep growl rumbling in Ambrose’s chest makes its way into your dream. A soft hum leaves your lips, your neck relaxing against your will, and your head jolts forward as your cheek slips off your palm. You blink a few times, groaning since you’ve lost your dream.

“Ambrose, shush.” Your chin returns onto your hand, and you submit to your fatigue once again. The image of a ravenous bunny, cartoonishly stomping its way through a candy cane forest, filled your mind, projected on your eyelids like a movie in a theater. It’s too ridiculous to give much thought, and you were too busy relishing in the soothing feeling of sleep.

All of a sudden, Ambrose bursts into a series of short high pitched barks, jolting you awake. Your eyelids fly open, and you turn in your chair. Ambrose stands up tall, his fur contouring to his muscles as they flex. His ears are perched up; his focus fixed on the back wall. Whatever he was looking at, he didn’t dare to approach.

"What? What is it?"

The bunk beds obstructed your view, but you are sure you are alone. Everyone was out and about doing their normal camp activities; if anyone had entered the cabin, you would have heard them.

You groan in your hands as they rub your face to shake off the remaining fatigue, growing annoyed at Ambrose’s persistent barking that nips harshly at your eardrums.

“Ambros-”

A bitter breeze fills the room, and your breath gets caught in your throat at the feeling. Your arms wrap around your frame, failing to prevent goosebumps from forming on your arms. It was impossible. Today’s weather report called for a hot, humid day like it’s been all summer. As the hair at the back of your neck stands straight, and you have an idea of what’s happening, but you hoped you were wrong.

Ambrose abruptly ends his barking with a distressing whine. His ears sag low on the sides of his head as he retreats, his large body shrinking in fear. With cautious steps, you approach him in the middle of the cabin. The thumping of your pulse is loud in your ears, and for the first time in a while, a familiar pang strikes you in your gut. You’re being watched.

Despite his fear, Ambrose guards you finding the courage to stand tall and confident after cowering a few seconds ago. You let out a shaky breath, and warily, you finally catch sight of what has his attention.

A tall, dark figure stands still at the end of the room. The light that bleeds through the thin curtains behind it wasn’t enough to expose its face but instead illuminates the swirling black vapor that made up this human form.

From your years of experience, you learned how to deal with these kinds of things. Ghosts gravitated towards you like a moth to a lit flame. Most of the time, the spirits are harmless, looking for some company, and were eager to ask for favors you often couldn’t fulfill. Other times, they were more malevolent entities, existing to feed off your fears, and had the reputation of being stubborn guests.

From the way, the room turned impossibly cold in the middle of a sweltering summer afternoon and the heaviness in your gut, the shadow in front of you was definitely the latter.

"Who are you? How did you get here?" Your voice booms through the silence. "Why are you here-"

The cabin door slams open, the shadow dispersing the moment the sunlight bleeds through the room. You jump, gasping as your whole body turns around. The two figures at the doorway are dark, the sudden beams of light blinding you for a moment before you manage to recognize Connor and Travis.

“Why is it so damn dark in here? And cold? Jeez, Y/n, open the curtains at least,” Travis nags with a smirk on his lips.

“I don’t need light to see.” You groan, turning your face away, the sun shining right at you as Travis begins ripping open the curtains. “And I hate when the sun gets in my eyes,” you complain, stepping aside where sunlight doesn’t reach. Though you saw the shadow disperse, you glance at the back of the room, double-checking that what you saw was gone.

"You know... “

Your focus returns to the two boys standing side by side a few feet away from you. Both of them sporting the mischievous smirk that all the Hermes kids had when they’re about to stir up trouble. Connor only uttered two words, but it was clear they were up to something, and you were about to be involved.

"You've been locked up in here, in the dark, alone, for a while now. It's been like a week and a half since the incident, and we know you’re still a little down,” he trails off, swaying on his feet.

"... yeah?"

"And we think we have the perfect way to cheer you up!" Connor gives you a toothy grin, and as confident as he looked, you don’t quite believe him.

"And that is?"

"I think it's time we execute our bunny prank on the Ares cabin!"

You press your lips together in a thin line; head cocked to the side. "That's supposed to cheer me up?"

"Yeah!"

"How is putting my life in danger going to cheer me up?" Your gaze switches between the two as they exchange looks with each other.

“Um…” Connor says, lost for words.

"It'll be fun. We promise!" Travis insists, waving your comment off. He moves to sit in your chair, leaning back as he props his legs on your desk. "So, have you thought about how we're going to do this?"

You sigh softly, not bothering to protest. If you denied participating, Connor would be quick to remind you what’s at stake.

"I have," you admit. After your last interaction with Clarisse, the prank did come to mind.

The Stoll brother’s faces grew almost as bright as the sun outside. Connor takes a seat on the bed closest to you, leaned in with his elbows on his knees, "Tell us the details then,” he urges.

"Okay, so I found a shape-shifting potion in my spellbook. It's pretty simple. I have all the ingredients except for one. The only thing I need is the hair of a rabbit. Get that for me, and I'll make it." Connor and Travis nod eagerly, and you can already see the gears turning in their heads as they formulate a plan to catch a bunny.

"If you can get it to me in a few hours, we can sneak into their cabin while they're practicing in the arena. Then I can pour a few drops of the potion into their water cooler. The potion is potent; you only need a few drops for it to work."

"Sounds like a solid plan. They'll be thirsty after practicing, and boom, they’re all cute little bunnies,” Travis says, legs unmounting from your desk, and he hops onto his feet.

"So hurry and get me rabbit hair!”

A small, almost manic laugh comes from Connor’s lips, "This is gonna be epic!"

"Should we ask the nymphs for help?" Travis ponders out loud as he makes his way out of the dorm.

"Wait! We should get scissors! Do you have scissors?” Connor asks you, and you giggle. You grab a pair of scissors from your desk drawer, and Connor quickly swipes them from your hands the moment you present them to him.

"Thanks, Y/n!” Swiftly, he turns on his heels, trailing behind Travis.

"Be careful, please! Don't hurt the bunny!"

"We won't! The worse we'll do is give it a bald spot; they’ll be fine!" Travis shouts.

After the slamming of the front door and the ragged footsteps of Connor and Travis’s departure, your smile falters as the silence regresses. The figure you had seen comes to mind, and you frown, Ambrose whining as he sits close to your legs.

"That was weird, wasn't it?" You lean down, affectionately scratching the backs of his ears as Ambrose licks your wrists. The sight of his drooping eyes told you enough to know that this wasn’t the last time you’ll be seeing whatever that was.

"C'mon, let's not worry about that now. We have to make that potion." An uneasy grumble comes from Ambrose's chest as he nuzzles his snout in your hand.

"I know, I know," you whisper before standing up.

☆’.･.･:★:･.･.’☆

"Shh, they’re coming,” Travis announces in a whisper, silencing you and Connor’s conversation. The distanced chattering and footsteps of the Ares campers become louder as Clarisse pushes open the front door. The three of you duck lower in your place as they scatter to their beds, beginning to take off their armor. Travis slowly rises from his crouching position, peaking enough to see the inside. He gives you and Connor a nod, a silent okay to peek yourselves. Cautiously, you come up, watching the group now crowding around the water dispenser, playfully telling each other to hurry up.

Connor lightly pats your shoulder with excitement, and you scrunch your face, anticipation swirling in your stomach as one by one, they begin taking sips from their water bottles. Your jaw drops as Mark forms a snout, his hands flying up to his face.

"W-what?" He sputters, moving closer to his reflection in the mirror. "What is-"

The rest of his words became soft squeals, his whole body shrinking and shifting into a stark white bunny in the blink of an eye.

“Um? Did that just-?”

“How did-”

“You have bunny ears!” Ellis shouts, pointing at Clarisse while she formed a pair of her own. Clarisse didn’t have time to comment as Ellis joins her half-brother. One by one, they began shrinking, and small shrieks fill the room.

"What are you guys doing?" The three of you practically jump out of your skin, heads snapping in the direction of the voice.

Percy’s eyes are wide and curious, furrowing his eyebrows at the chaos breaking out in the Ares cabin. You open your mouth to say something but stop yourself, not wanting to blow your cover.

“It must have been the water!”

“When I see the Stoll Brother’s I’m going to-” Squeal.

Travis’s face was a tint of pink from holding in his laughter. He doesn’t respond, simply waving at Percy to come and see for himself. You and Percy exchange a smile before turning back to the window.

His chance at seeing the pool of white bunnies went down the drain; the four of you met with an angry Clarisse instead. To your dismay, she didn't completely transform. Her normally brown eyes are now crimson and her mouth transformed into a whiskered snout. White bunny ears peek through her brown hair, making it look like she was wearing one of those bunny ear headbands they sell at the pharmacy around Easter time. You’d be laughing as much as the Stoll Brothers if Clarisse’s stare wasn’t fixed on you and only you. You give her a nervous smile as you step away carefully, and the moment Clarisse moves to jump out the window, the four of you bolted.

“She’s gonna kill us!” You exclaim; Travis and Connor burst into laughter, hands over their stomach as they run beside you.

“Split up! She can’t kill all of us!” Travis suggests, already making a beeline into the forest with Connor.

“Yeah, cause she’s gonna go after me!”

“We’ll weave you a nice shroud!”

“WOW, THANKS!”

The cackles of the two made you roll your eyes, and you make a mental note never to help them with a prank ever again. You grunt as Percy grabs onto your wrist, and you stumble for a second until you catch up to his pace.

“You can’t run from me forever!” Clarisse shouts, running close behind. She was right, you couldn’t avoid her forever, but you just needed her to calm down. "When I catch you, I'm tying your necks like shoelaces!"

You cringe at the threat as you and Percy burst through the swinging doors of the Arts and Craft center, weaving your way through the campers.

“Sorry!” You shout over their groans as you’re pulled into one of the hallways. Seeing the closets along the walls of the hallway gave you an idea. You bite your lip, focusing on the door leading to the outside. Reaching your hand out, you flick your fingers forward, causing the door to burst open fast enough for it to lock in place.

The moment you approach the last door in the hallway, you grab the knob. A grunt leaves Percy’s lips as you drag him in the closet with you. He loses his footing from the change of direction, spinning hastily toward you, and the both of you stagger into the closet. You yelp, the weight of Percy’s body sending your back right against the wall, and the knob comes out of grip right as it slams closed.

Percy grunts, his hands push against the wall beside your frame, promptly lifting himself away from you.“Sor-”

“Shh.” Your index finger rests your lips as you look at the door. Your shoulders tense up, afraid that Clarisse had heard the slam. Soon, Clarrise’s pounding footsteps rise like a crescendo and, to your relief, gradually fades as she runs right out of the building. A shaky sigh leaves your lips before glancing at Percy, who’s directly in front of you. You smile sheepishly, foot moving to step back only to be met with the wall.

Percy’s heart beats loud in his chest, and he was hoping that you couldn’t hear it. He tried to step back as well, but Percy’s foot was met with the shelves behind him to his dismay. He scans your face in the dim lighting for a few seconds. Suddenly, he’s reminded of how he stumbled on top of you, making him too embarrassed to look at you any longer. His focus falters to the shelves beside him, forcing himself to find interest in the tubs of paint stacked on them.

“It’s your fault,” you accuse after some silence. Shock flashes across Percy’s face,

“Huh?”

“Because you were so nosey, you blew our cover.” You reach over, and you poke his shoulder. Percy’s peers down at where you poked him as if he was offended.

“At least I ran with you. Travis and Connor left you for dead!”

“Great friends, they are, huh?” You ask, your voice laced with playful sarcasm.

Percy laughs, "I think you've taken the trophy of being the most hated by Clarisse," he jokes.

"I don't think I can one-up you. You literally fought her dad and won," you point out. "I think if we split up, she'd definitely come after me. Imagine the last thing you see when you die is Clarisse looking like… that. "

Percy laughs and you laugh, too, feeling comfortable with making light of the situation now that you were out of harm's way.

"How did that even happen!?”

"I don't know!” You sigh, bummed that Clarisse had managed to be the only person who stayed human. “Maybe she didn’t drink enough water?”

“Wow, the only person you needed to transform into a bunny just didn’t,” Percy says as he crosses his arms over his chest, leaning against the shelves.

“Pretty much.”

“You have amazing luck, Y/n,” he says sarcastically.

“Whatever,” you mumble, eye faltering to the shelves beside you. Percy’s laughter fills the small space, making it hard to prevent the smile from creeping on your lips. The sound of footsteps interrupts you as you open your mouth to say something else and it brings Percy’s laughter to an end. Your shoulders are practically up to your ears as you look into Percy’s wide eyes before he mouths, “we’re dead.” If it is Clarisse, you guys are cornered, and you prepare to shadow travel even if it meant you might pass out, especially if you bring him with you.

You furrow your eyebrows as you hear two familiar voices, and soon the door opens, revealing you both to Beckendorf and Silena. There is a moment of silence, Silena blinking at the both of you, her head tilted slightly to the side as she observes the tension. Beckendorf’s right eyebrow raises, glancing between you and Percy’s face.

"Ehm, is this like a seven-minutes-in-heaven thing?" Your face gets hot, and you exchange a look with Percy, noticing the tips of his ears are bright red.

"No, we were hiding from Clarisse,” he stutters out, gaze snapping to the two, and you nod quickly,

"Because I turned her into a bunny and-"

"She didn't transform all the way-"

"It's okay. Charles and I would sneak around at first, too," Silena interrupts, her lips curled up in a satisfied smile.

"We were just talking!" You and Percy say in unison. The more defensive you got, the more suspicious you both came off. From the way Beckendorf and Silena smiled at each other, you knew they weren’t buying it.

Beckendorf shrugs, and he steps forward, reaching between the two of you to grab the box of beads from the shelf. He hums, “It’s clear we interrupted something. I just needed this. You guys can carry on,” he teases, amused at how embarrassed the both of you are.

“But- we-” you stutter, unable to finish your sentence, Beckendorf shutting the door, and Silena makes a sound between a giggle and a squeal as they walk away.

Percy clears his throat, interrupting the short silence that fell between the two of you, “Um, should we…?” His voice falters, not finishing his sentence, but you already knew what he was going to ask.

“Yeah,” you agree awkwardly, opening the closet. “Let’s go,” you mumble, stepping out with Percy close behind you.

"Where should we go now?" Percy asks, opening the door to the outside for you, and you smile, finding it sweet. You thank him shortly, and you shrug,

"I'm not sure, but I don't think Clarisse has calmed down yet…" you trail off, catching sight of a fuming Clarisse standing beside Chiron a few meters away. “Dammit.”

☆’.･.･:★:･.･.’☆

You shift on your feet, standing in Chiron’s office alongside Travis, Connor, and Percy. Clarisse’s crimson eyes are still narrowed at you as Chiron sighs, backing into his wheelchair before his backside disappears, allowing him to sit fully into it.

"I understand you guys are just having fun. However, I believe the Ares Cabin deserves a little break from the pranks, don't you think?" He asks as he looks at Connor and Travis.

You fiddle with your fingers, your shoulders slumped along with Connor and Travis’s shoulders. Travis nods, and he hums as if he considers it for a moment.

“We could prank the Apollo Cabin instead?" Connor suggests, and Chiron opens his mouth, but nothing comes out. You press your lips together in an attempt to refrain from smiling, discovering that Percy was doing the same. You became more amused at his face turning a little pink as he holds in his laughter, and you quickly look at your hands to recollect yourself.

“I’d prefer you tone down the pranking altogether,” Chiron clarifies. Connor frowns, and he nods slowly,

“Oh. Yeah, we could do that, I guess,” he mumbles, his hand coming up to rub the back of his neck. Chiron nods, shifting his gaze to you,

“Y/n, what did you used to transform them into rabbits?” You hum softly,

“It’s a shape-shifting potion from my spellbook,” you explain.

“How long will it take for them to transform back?” You look up for a second, trying to remember your notes. While recalling the day you went through Ernest’s potions book to jot the recipe in your Book of Shadows, you realize how many forms of the potion there were depending on the transformation length. Ernest had mentioned in passing something about reading his notes carefully. It wasn’t until now did you realize that the potion you had made was not the short-term one.

“About … 24 hours,” you admit, and Connor snorts beside you.

“What!?” Clarisse snaps, her fists clenching on her side. “You mean, they’re going to be like that until tomorrow afternoon?”

“Yes, that’s what 24 hours means,” you snap back; her presence was enough to annoy you. Clarisse’s glare burns into your face, and she moves to take a step, about to charge at you.

“Clarisse, please! They will be punished accordingly,” Chiron reassures her, making her halt in her place, and she groans, her arms crossing over her chest as she waits for Chiron’s verdict.

"Well, I was going to assign you four to clean the Pegasus stables, but now that it has come to my attention that the potion lasts 24 hours, your punishment is to feed and clean up after them while they’re under the spell."

“Ew, I’d rather clean the stables,” Connor mutters, and you furrow your eyebrows,

“But wouldn’t the pegasus stables be more work?” You ask, hoping to get him to change your punishment. The last thing you wanted to do was be surrounded by a bunch of angry bunnies. Sure they were small, but you did not doubt in your mind that you were going to be attacked by them.

“They are a big group; I think it is fair that Clarisse gets assistance in taking care of them,” He says calmly, his fingers intertwined as they rest on the desk in front of him. “Feed them before you go off to dinner, accommodate their sleeping arrangements and clean up after them before morning check-ins,” he decides. You sigh softly. At this point, as long as Clarisse wasn’t on the hunt to kill you, you were okay with it.

As Chiron dismisses you, you catch the satisfied smile Clarisse was sporting, and you felt your anger swirling in your chest. You grunt as you turn on your heels, Travis and Connor behind you as Percy walks by your side. You sigh, lazily trotting off the steps of the big house,

“This...”

“Sucks,” Percy finishes your sentence, and you nod, the both of you frowning.

☆’.･.･:★:･.･.’☆

“Stop biting me!” You complain, nudging off the crowd of bunnies from your arm. Percy laughs, seated on the floor beside you as he helps you make a nest of blankets big enough for the bunnies.

“They hate you,” he comments, amused. His smirk falls flat, and he hisses as one of them gets a good bite on his finger. “Ow!” He squints at the bunny before picking it up. It was your turn to laugh, and you watch curiously as he walks to one of the dressers and plopping it on top. “I don’t know who you are, but you’re in time-out,” he grumbles.

“Wait, that’s actually really smart!” You look down at the bunnies around you. “They can’t jump from that high!” As you reach for the closest bunny, they run out of your reach, squealing, and soon they were huddled under a bed.

Percy smiles as they disperse, “well, now they’ll leave us alone,” he says as he sits beside you to continue piling the extra blankets you found. “You should have let me play that rock-paper-scissors game with them,” Percy mentions.

The two of you were stuck making a makeshift bed for the Ares campers since Travis and Connor had to round up their cabin for curfew. Well, one of them could have done it, but they insisted that it was a two-person job. You said it was unfair if they skipped out and they offered to settle who will go with an intense rock-paper-scissors game; best of three. You had accepted the challenge and lost miserably.

"I should have known there was no point in trying with their luck."

"Yeah, you walked right into that."

You side-eye him, "anyways, you would have lost.”

“How are you so sure?”

"Because, you just would have," you say shortly, and you smile as he turns to you.

“Well, considering how lucky you've been all day," he says sarcastically, and you squint at him. "I would have had a better chance,” he gloats.

“You’ve been real sassy today,” you mumble, and he laughs. “It’s fine. There’s not that much to do anyway.” Carefully, you roll the sides of the blankets into a nest shape after Percy finishes piling them. You rise on your feet, “It’d sleep there if I were a bunny. What do you think?”

“I would too. It seems comfortable,” Percy smiles as he stands up.

"Are you losers done?" Clarisse walks into the cabin with bowls of water for her siblings, and you roll your eyes as she puts them on the ground.

"Yeah, is it to their liking?" You ask with fake politeness, straining a smile. Clarisse observes the bundle of blankets as her siblings get in to try it out. She furrows her eyebrows, listening attentively to the various squeals. She had inherited most of the bunny traits, and though she didn’t transform completely, she could understand what they were saying.

“Eh, it’s good enough,” she concludes after hearing all the complaints of her siblings. “I’m sick of seeing your faces; get out.” She didn’t have to tell you twice, and you don’t waste any time as you turn on your heels. You were sick of seeing her face too.

Walking down the steps of the Ares Cabin, Percy follows beside you. A slight hum comes from his lips, and you look over,

“I was wondering when you’d come back to sword fighting,” he mentions, and you nod, recalling that you had agreed to attend classes after sparing with him a couple of weeks ago. “Your brother has been coming more often; he’s gotten a lot better.”

“That’s why my body has been aching so much,” you mutter more to yourself. For the past week, you thought you were staining your body in your sleep.

“Huh?”

“Long story,” you wave your hand, and you think about his question.

If you were completely honest, you weren’t as depressed about what had happened anymore. After you talked with Percy, you had finally come to terms with many of the thoughts that were tormenting you. However, you still stayed locked up in the Hermes Cabin because in the past week or so, you’ve gotten so much studying done. You wanted to stay in and read, and you were planning on milking your excused absences for as long as you could. But now, you considered that maybe you should return to your normal activities. Connor and Travis were becoming more worried, so were Atticus and Lou Ellen.

“I could join tomorrow,” you say hesitantly, your heart fluttering as Percy’s face brightens up. “Are you that excited to beat me up?” You joke, and Percy laughs, shaking his head.

“No! It’s just… it’s weird not seeing you around.” He admits shyly as he looks away. The cool summer breeze blows on your warm cheeks, and you swallow,

“I’ll go tomorrow,” you confirm, sounding more sure of yourself this time. Once you approach the steps of the Hermes cabin, you turn to him. “Good night, Perce.”

The sides of Percy’s eyes crinkle as he nods, “Good night,” he says as he slowly backs away. “And try to wake up on time, yeah? I’m not feeding the Ares cabin alone tomorrow,” he teases. You did have a habit of being the last person to arrive at breakfast. He must have noticed.

“Yeah, yeah. Worry about yourself, waterboy.” You smile, hearing him scoff. Opening the door to the Hermes cabin, you look back at him one more time. You take in the wide grin on his face, and he nods,

“Got it. I’ll remember that when you’re being chased by Clarisse again.” Your mouth drops open, eyes glinting at his banter.

“You better go before the harpies eat you!” You shoo him away as he laughs, then with a short salute of his two fingers, he walks off to his cabin.

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razorblade180 · 5 years

Text

Lasting Embers pt22: For the ones we love

[Tai’s house, night]

The night came faster than anyone expected. Every adult sat quietly in the living room except for Ruby and Jaune who were noticeably absent. Yujin and Tenzen remained asleep upstairs not once stirred awake by the sound of an airship currently landing in the front yard where the prisoner still sits there unconscious. However, his body is in far better condition than earlier; brand new even.

Mercury:Looks like the guests of honor are finally here. Record time all things considered.

Weiss:*knocking* Hey, is anyone ho-

Yang:*opens the door and immediately hugs her* I can’t tell you how good this feels right now. Today has been pretty rough.

Weiss:I came as soon as I heard. *looks at Nora and Ren* this isn’t how I thought we’d reunite.

Nora:Believe us *sniff* neither did we.

Weiss:Well don’t just stand there *arms opened* you’ve had me worried sick.

*the two get up and receive a much needed embrace from their good friend*

Neo:*walking up to her old partners in mayhem* You two have seen better days; they did a number on you. *looking at his bruises*

Mercury:Come to rub it in?

Neo:Not in the slightest. * lifts Emerald’s neck to see dark bruises*........ are these from your weapon?

Emerald:They tribes hanging both of us with them. I’m......actually surprised we’re alive right now. *hand trembling* things got bad real fast Neo....

Mercury:*holds her hand* Somehow though, we’re alive. Battered but alive nonetheless.

Neo:........*looks outside at Jericho* Was my request fulfilled?

Raven:He’s been healed completely. Ready for whatever punishment you’re about to dish out.

Neo:*eyes turn pink* That’s good to hear. Make sure the kids stay inside; I’d feel guilty if they heard something unpleasant.

Tai:They should be our for the rest of the night.

Neo:Perfect, I’m doing this in the airship Weiss. Sorry in advance for the mess. *leaving*

Weiss:Give him hell....

Neo:That’s too good for him. *closes door*

In no time at all Neo drags him into the hangar of the ship and tying him to a chair. He soon wakes up to see her putting on a doctors mask and gloves. This doesn’t look like a normal hangar bay. Three buckets of water are carefully lined up beside him as various knives lay on a table. Screwdrivers, pliers, and metal nutcrackers can also be see on the table with a hammer and nails. Then there’s a bag; who knows what surprises it holds.

Jericho:Well, isn’t this a wonderful way to wake up? *notices his body* I guess the heroes needed a little extra help getting information.

Neo:Give the man a prize; it’ll probably be the only good thing you feel for awhile. *putting her hair in a bun*

Jericho:Perhaps, but I don’t mind. At the end this gonna be a huge time waster for yo- *finger put over his mouth*

Neo:You’re gonna wanna save your voice for screaming and answers. *pulls down a hanging map of Remnant with tons of blue X’s on it* I got this information curtesy of Blake. As you can probably tell, all the blue you see are bases that have been taking out; you are going to reveal the rest of them in red for me.

Jericho:So that’s the name of the game huh? Sorry, lips are sealed; might as well be mute like how you used to be sweetheart.

Neo:......Do me a favor and notice the buckets on the floor? Each one has it’s own purpose; the first one is for me to clean myself up with because frankly, I don’t like torture. It’s messy and the only reason I do it is so other people don’t have to. That second bucket is for your feet for when I pull the car battery out of the back on the table. It has jumper cables too so I assume you know what I’m doing those.

Jericho:What makes the third bucket special?

Neo:I feel like I’m going to be doing a lot of clean up. Maybe when I’m done I’ll put the bag over your head and dump you in it. *grabs a simple kitchen knife* Let’s start simple though; I’ll cut a tendon in your arms to loosen your grip. Once your hands are opened I’m going to nail them to your chair; bare with me though because I have terrible aim. After that your knuckles are going one by one until you start saying things I want to hear. I’ll keep one or two safe so you can fill in that map for me sweetheart. *twirling knife* Or you can fill it in now for me?

Jericho:........

Neo:Thought so, I’m glad you’re playing hard to get. For the record, I try not to make things personal and be efficient. However, Emerald and Mercury look like they’ve been dragged through the mud. So I’m going to take my sweet time with this......

Weiss:Where are-

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

The sound was a bit muffled but was heard all to well by everyone. A chill shoots up everyone’s spine as if their souls were trying to escape. They could tell it was gonna be a long night.

Mercury:I guess she’s started.

Weiss:......

Yang:Uh Weiss?

Weiss:*jumps slightly* Sorry, I was going to say where are Jaune and Ruby?

Yang:Oh....she needed to go somewhere to think and asked him to drive her. She didn’t say where but I got a pretty good feeling where....

[The Car]

The air is awfully stagnant in it; much like during Yang and Yujin’s drive. Ruby looks out the passenger side quietly as they pass by countless trees on the dirt road. It’s been like this for two hours now.

Jaune:How much further?

Ruby:Not to far now. Couple more miles maybe? The spot was hard to find for me even ten years ago.

Jaune:........Are you sure you really to be here?

Ruby:*hand shaking* Last time I saw my home it was still on fire. I....was to broken to see it after they told me what happened to Oscar and Qrow. Sigh....honestly I still feel too broken.

Jaune:*holds her hand* I’m here if you need anything Ruby.

Ruby:*gripping his hand tightly* You can stop the car; it’s right pass the trees on my right.

Jaune:*notices slight marks on the trees that were surrounded by rose bushes* Those seem a bit out of place.

Ruby:Pine trees and rose bushes;it was Yang’s idea. *hoping out the car* won’t take long now...

Jaune:.....*grabs her hand again* Let’s go then.

With a slow nod the two of them make the hike that was way too short for Ruby’s liking. In no time at all they stood in a peaceful forest clearing with grass lusher than the rest. In the center was the remains of a foundation for a giant cabin like house. The burnt wood now covered in moss lays silent on the ground. Almost like nothing was ever there in the first place.

Ruby:*picks up a piece of wood and hands it to Jaune* Here....

Jaune:What’s this? *brushing it off*

“Mr. and Mrs. Rose-Pine”

Jaune:........

Ruby:Do you know what the greatest lie I ever told was? *looking at the sign* I told myself I was stopping the cult because it was the right thing to do. All I wanted was for them to feel even a sliver of the pain they caused me; revenge and booze was all I felt for ten years. Not very huntsman like am I right?

Jaune:You were in a pain you’ve never had to deal with before. Anybody would’ve had a struggle bouncing back from-

Ruby:I never bounced back....*holding her flask* don’t tell Yang or Yujin but....I never really gave up drinking. I’ve slowed down but even now I can’t shake it completely; I just spike my tea.

Jaune:You lied about being sober?

Ruby:Awful right? I chastised Qrow for years and I ended worse somehow. I told myself I would quit when this was all over. *shaking* but even when I thought it was I felt so empty without it to the point I didn’t even recognize myself. *crying* Now it looks like this fight isn’t over and it’s taking everything I have not to down this thing in one shot.

Jaune:*slowly taking the flask out her hand*........ *starts chugging it*

Ruby:Wha....!? Jaune!!!!!

Jaune:*cough* Damn, you really did spike it. What was that, half and half?

Ruby:Are you crazy! I thought you were about to pour it out!?

Jaune:Nope! *tosses it back* there’s still some in it if you really want a taste. Just know we’ll end up staying out here for a bit because neither of us will be driving that car intoxicated.

Ruby:......*pours it out* Why would you do something so drastic?

Jaune:To prove a point; despite the temptation you choose getting us home over caving in. Because at your core you’ll always pick the tougher option to benefit everyone else. Now you have to do that for yourself.

Ruby:......

Jaune:I can’t begin to imagine how much pain you’ve been dealing with on a daily basis. This... this is far worse than what happened with me and Pyrrha, no debate about it. However, just like with that, I spent time wanting nothing but revenge and feeling empty. Eventually, everyone helped me get through it; you helped me get through it. So let me help you, but first you gotta have to want to move on.

Ruby:....... *walks closer to her old house* You know something Jaune? I remember when I was the one who gave the supportive speeches. *drops the flask* I guess times have changed.

Jaune:Believe me, not as much as you think. *smiles* as far as I’m concerned you’re still much stronger than me.

Ruby:Maybe I should start acting like it. *reaches in her pocket and pulling out a gold ring with a ruby in it * the flask isn’t the only thing that should rest here.

Jaune:Woah, hey you don’t gotta go that far. I mean-

Ruby:I don’t know what tomorrow is going to bring. I can’t tell you if this fight against the cult is truly over but I feel like it’s not even close. *places the ring on the ground* If I have to go back into the fray then the goal shouldn’t be vengeance. Fighting for the ones that are still here, that’s gonna be goal. Like it should’ve always been. *wiping her face* What do you think?

Jaune:I think....you’ve finally come home. *smiles*

The two of just stood there for a moment before heading back to the car. The silence this time wasn’t something stagnant at all; it was something else. New but familiar as well; very familiar.....

Jaune:Alright looks like I get to witness your driving ski- *intereupted by a unexpected kiss. It was soft but also inviting and wanting for something. Wanting for him...* ...........

Ruby*flushed* S...sorry, I just.....thank you. For always being there when I ask or need help. It means more to me than you know. *trying not to fidget*

Jaune:No...no problem at all. Can I tell you a secret? That offer Yang made to you, she didn’t just come up with it because she knows I’m important to you. *red* She also knows just how important you are to m-

Yet again he was interrupted by the Reapers kiss; he said all she needed to hear in that moment. They haven’t done anything like this since before Salem was taken down, yet it felt so natural. Like they never stopped doing it in the first place; they never forget how to love each other in a way that was special to only them.

Ruby:You...*huff* taste like rum. Guess that’s my fault a little.

Jaune:I guess you got to taste alcohol after all. *kissing her again*

Ruby:I’ll admit, this still feels a bit....taboo for lack of a better word.

Jaune:Do you wanna stop?

Ruby:*hands sliding under his shirt* I’ll get over it. If this is possibly my last night of peace for awhile then this....this is something I want. To feel loved again after years without it. *tearing up* I felt so lonely and-

It his her turn to be cut off. He picked her up and sat her on the hood of the car. Muscle memory kicking in as he unlaced her corset with ease and she did away with his belt as they continued to french kiss until they annoyingly had to breath.

Jaune:You’re not alone anymore....

Ruby:*wrapping her legs around his waist* Love me like you used to....

Jaune:I never stopped....*wiping her tears*

Some would call this moment too quick, or inappropriate with the circumstances given if. Frankly, they wouldn’t give a damn about those people. This was their moment and they were gonna have it for as long as they could.

[Menagerie]

The festival is in full swing. Lanterns are lit on every house as people enjoy roaming the streets and being at a variety of vendors. Blake watches comfortably from her parents terrace. Thinking about tomorrow.

Blake:*in a black and purple Japanese style kimono*.......

“You look festive.”

Adam:*walking out in a black kimono with a red sash.* You never seem to break color scheme.

Blake:I could say the same for you. That suits you surprisingly well. Where’s Jacquelyn and the kids?

Adam:Jacquelyn is bonding with your parents. My kids are somewhere in the madness of people. In matter of fact...*points out in the distance*

Jael is holding Sun’s hand as they walk around. Her kimono is red with a black sash. Sienna dawned one with a white tiger pattern that matches her ears wonderfully. The three of them smiling like kids in a candy shop.

Blake:I’d say you should join them but that would raise a lot of eye brows.

Adam:I don’t mind; Jael apparently doesn’t get to socialize much so this is a good thing for her. She told me your roof would be the best spot to enjoy the fireworks so she’ll come rushing back soon.

Blake:I swear that kid has you on the brain 24/7 it’s actually pretty cute.

Adam:I deserve none of it, but I’m thankful for it every day. So, any reason the guest of honor isn’t reveling in her return? I thought you and Ilia would- actually, where is she?

Blake:Oh, well.....I had her run an errand for me. It’s nothing serious but it was sort of important. So she left to-

Adam:It’s been a decade and you’ve gotten no better at lying or keeping a composed look.

Blake:......Sigh, I hate that you know me.

Adam:Any reason you’re keeping your highest ranking shadow out of the loop? I’m sure you have your reasons but it must be something pretty complicated.

Blake:I....I don’t want to get you involved if I don’t have to. I wanted your mind focused on your family for at least a night. You just got home after all.

Adam: So did you. Not to treat you as my pupil or anything again but, I’d like to be kept in the loop. Especially if whatever is happening could affect life here; sort of finally have a good thing going.

Blake:...I’ll explain tomorrow morning. Just know I have to go to Vale tomorrow.

Adam:What time are we leaving?

Blake:“We?” I don’t need-

Adam:If the returning High leader is going on a trip she should always have a shadow accompany her just in case. In case you forgot but you made that rule. Also I’m pretty sure Vale actually means Patch. So that means your team and cult members most likely.

Blake:....*puts head down in defeat* I don’t understand why even thought talking to you alone was a good idea. You can accompany me but please enjoy tonight with family instead of probing for information okay?

Adam:You....really want to emphasize that huh? *jumps and grabs the roof ledge* I hope you do the same; sounds like you need it. *leaves*

Blake:(Unfortunately...I might have the most time here.)

A crowd of people swarming a merchant with fox masks. His business is really booming .

Merchant:Settle down haha I’ll make sure you all get one.

Jael:*waits patiently for her turn* Excuse me! May I have- *completely ignored and walked passed*....... one? Sigh....

Sienna:*eyes narrow* Hey! Did you not hear the girl you piece of-

Jael:Forget it sis. I guess even on a day like this I still can’t catch a break. I’m sure I can find another mask some- *Sun puts a fox mask on her head*

Sun:Got you one...

Jael:When did you-

Sun:*swaying his tail with two more masks on it* Old habits die hard; I would’ve payed but serves him right for judging you.

Jael:*smiles* Thanks Uncle Wukong. *puts it on*

Sun:Why are these so popular in the first place.

Sienna:This internet teen heartthrob wears one when he dances and does parkour. Almost everyone is obsessed with him her age.

Jael:I’m not obsessed, I just think TZ is cool. He’s also really quick; I’d love to meet him.

Sun:Awww does someone have a crush?

Jael:As if! My taste are you know.....feminine?

Sun:What if he’s just a muscular woman? That mask could be hiding anything.

Jael:His voice duh! If it’s all an elaborate setup then I would know since I keep track of-

Sienna:Aren’t you supposed to be meeting dad right now?

Jael:Shoot! We’ll talk more about this later! *hugs both of them then floats off*

Sienna:I know you know that TZ is not a muscular woman. What was that about.

Sun:Having a bit of fun. Honestly he’s such a pretty boy I thought he was a girl when he was little. (Hopefully he’s okay)

Jael:*floating down next Adam* Sorry I’m late, I got a bit distracted.

Adam:You’re right on time actually; having fun?

Jael:As much as I’m physically allowed. I wanted to try a few of the rides they decided to set up but honestly, wasn’t sure how my heart would handle it. Even the fried food has it beating a bit faster. It’s actually a bit nice; I feel... normal. *smiling*

Adam:You are normal Jael. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Especially when you go to Beacon....

Jael:Wait, I don’t remember telling you that’s where I wanted to-

Adam:It’s a no brainer. Why do you think I was so tough on you with training? That school is bound to draw in countless types of people.

Jael:*hands shaking* I know right? I want to see them all. Speak to them all!

Adam:You don’t look worried in the slightest.

Jael:Well, it’s because I think I’m ready to see more of the world. The exam is soon so it’s nice to finally spend some time with you before I go and take it. Maybe we can wake up early and do some fishing?

Adam:Actually....I’m assisting Blake with a situation in Vale tomorrow.

Jael:Oh....*shoulders slump* okay..... I thought you were staying longer this time.

Adam:I don’t exactly know the details but I should be coming back. *he reaches for her but she turns away*.....

Jael:It has something to deal with that girl Yujin, doesn’t it? *gripping her clothes*

Adam:*wide eyed* You know of her? Who-

Jael:You’re gone a lot and don’t tell me much. So I just start snooping to get my own answers. I don’t understand why you would go out of your way to do as much as you do for a girl like her.

Adam:Like her?

Jael:I’ve been thorough with my snooping. She seems hot headed and now respect for her heritage.

Adam:She’s had rough life when it comes to family.

Jael:And I haven’t!? Last time I checked, I cannot even say your name without setting off some kind of alarm. Yet this girl denies a half of her legacy so I’ve read. What’s worse is she’s seen you more this year than even I have; you even missed my birthday this year.

Adam:Missed but not forgetten. *holds a pendant with a gem carved as a star* to fifteen years of being you.

Jael:Father....*putting it on* thank you.

Adam:Like I would just forget. You shouldn’t judge Yujin prematurely though.

Jael:Everything about me is sort of premature don’t you think? I’m just saying, she doesn’t look like much. Which is ashame since her parents are talked about like superheroes. I wonder what the world would think about knowing the things you do.

Adam:Jael you know how I feel about that.

Jael:I’m just saying! *stands up* Do you know you’re already in history books? The problem is none of them are accurate since the world believes you died at Argus.

Adam:It’s better this way.

Jael: For who? People don’t give you a fair shake down and every word about you is soaked in hate.

Adam:I’d still be hated easily; I was bad news back then.

Jael:People should at least be allowed to make that decision after knowing the whole story. That not everything in a stupid textbook is true. I could show them; just please let me use my real last name when I go to Beacon!

Adam:Not a chance...

Jael:But-

Adam:You’d be judged and outcasted on the spot. It’s-

Jael: I AM NOW!!! *starts coughing a bit before calming down*

Adam:.....

Jael:I keep the secret here but rumors still creep around; people think I’m some fan girl and trying to be like the image they believe you to be. That’s why I can’t wait to leave. A fresh start is what I need.

Adam:That’s the last thing you’ll get with my name.

Jael:.....I’m not ashamed of you. I hope you know that. I’ve never been ashamed of knowing your past.

Adam:....Why is this so important to you? Isn’t it enough that the people who matter to me know my full story? I’m not looking for the worlds forgiveness.

Jael:It’s not about that! It’s about....sigh *sits back down. It’s about inspiring others....

Adam:I...don’t follow.

Jael:Everyone is contempt with writing you off making you an example of what not to be. No one gets to know about how you rescued Sienna from being tortured and killed when she was six. Or the story about how you wanted to turn yourself in and face actual justice. Do you remember what happened one night when I was 14? We sat down sort of like this talking?

Adam:....You wanted to tell me something important but were afraid for some reason. You ended up sobbing uncontrollably.

Jael:I was too scared to know how you’d see me if I came out. All I could think about was how bad my friend got treated when she did the same; almost completely shunned from the family. Nothing could be worse for me then seeing you hate me; to lose your love. Do you remember what you did when I finally told you?

Adam:*smirking* I hugged you tight and told you good, boys are overrated anyways. I never seen tears of fear turn into joy so fast.

Jael:I just want the world to know that our name can be more than spite; I just want to be able to show the world how much I love you. *tearing up* what’s so wrong about that? If I become a fantastic huntsman that helps mankind then I could do both, but I want to do it the right way. With my real name.

Adam:.....

Fireworks finally go off in a dazzling display. The two goat faunus though are too busy sinking in each other’s looks though. One of pure determination while the other of pure shock.

Adam:Jael... *pulls her into an unexpected hug* What did I do to get a wonderful daughter like you? My beautiful desert rose? If I can’t stop you then....please be safe?

Jael:*face turns red as she welcomes the embrace* Yes sir, I promise I’ll make you proud. Come home as soon as you can.

Just like that, tomorrow finally comes. It’s still pretty early but sleep is the last thing anyone needs right now; only answers.

Ruby:We’re back every-*weiss hugs her*

Weiss:Hey you dunce, I’ve been waiting for you.

Ruby:Hehe, sorry about that. Our trip was longer than expected.

Yang:You look different, sober...*smiles* I’m glad.

Ruby:Wait, what do you mean by-

Yang:I knew the whole time about what was in the flask. Good to see my sister back; frankly I’m surprised you’re walking. If you know what I mean. *winking*

Ruby:*red* Geez, it’s that obvious? Well thanks, for everything.

Yang:It’s why I’m here.

Jaune:Is Neo done?

Blake:*walking in with Adam* from the sound of it she’s wrapping up. I thought I’d miss-*Yang hugs her*

Yang:Bout time you showed up; the gangs all here now.

Blake:You make it sound like we didn’t just spend ten years together.

Mercury:Sup goat boy. Didn’t expect to see you here.

Adam:You two okay? I’ve heard you’ve been through the ringer.

Emerald:Nothing a raise won’t fix. *laying on Mercury* or vacation time.

Adam:Hmph, I’ll see what I can do....

Neo:*walking in with tired eyes and mostly clean attire* I better be included in that. Especially after everything I just did. *pulls out the map.

Jaune:Is that.....?

Neo:It took awhile but, they always talk. Unfortunately he talked longer than I expected.

Ren:Meaning?

Neo:This map started out with 60 blue X’s that took a decade to find and bring down. Now we have what’s left in red. *opens the map*

The room goes quiet for a few minutes. The color in everyone’s face washes away instantly.

*Upstairs*

Yujin:*slowly waking up* Man, that was some nap.

Tenzen:*on her bed* You slept all night; that’s not a nap.

Yujin:Really Tenzen? You’re gonna badger me this early in the- * gasp!* You’re awake! *hugging him*

Tenzen:Ow! Ribs...my ribs still hurt!

Yujin:Deal with it; I...I was so worried about you. Thank god you are okay.

Tenzen:.....*hugs her back* Thanks to you; I owe you one.

Yujin:Make me breakfast and we’ll call it even.

Tenzen:Hate to break it to you but it hurts to even breathe right now. I was actually hoping...

Yujin:Sigh, I’ll get you some breakfast. *leaving*

Tenzen:You’re beautiful Jin.

Yujin:*red* Shut up a lay back down dummy. Flirting will get you no-

Yang:YOU’RE JOKING!!! Right!!!?

Yujin:Mom? *walking down stairs*

Tai:Yang calm down!

Yang:HOW!? There’s 87 more these bases that we missed!!? We spent an entire extra year just double checking and realized we didn’t even do half!!!!! *eyes crimson*

Ruby:......

Weiss:This....isn’t something we can ignore at all. Plus they know where we live now. More importantly...

Nora:Our kids....

Neo:Loved ones too.... they followed everyone home. That’s how they know so much, combined with whatever info they had before.

Jaune:....What happens now?

Ruby:....Sigh, we address the elephant in the room. Who’s willing to go again? Even with this list, this could take time.

Blake:My hands are tied this time around. If Sun or I leave now it’ll raise questions that shouldn’t be asked. Sorry but...I’m definitely out this time.

Weiss:.....Screw it, what’s another journey? After all I can’t exactly leave my partner since you’re obviously going.

Ruby:Guess that’s two so far. *looking at Yang* I assume you’re staying back this time?

Yang:.......

Jaune:Yang? *frowning*

Yang:I...I don’t know. You don’t expect me to just let you go off on your own with this? I just can’t ignore a problem this big. Leaving the fight now.....doesn’t right.

Yujin:But leaving me does...?

Everyone turns to see her standing on the stairs; any rest she might’ve gotten isn’t visible on her face anymore. She looks more tired than she’s ever been her life; eyes showing everyone just how identical she could she look to Yang. Right now it’s her mother that looks like she’s a startled kid. Erasing any trace of red from her eyes.

Yang:.......

Yujin:I should’ve known this, you were too good to be true.

Jaune:We....this is all still discussion. Nothing is final ye- *walks pass them and to the door*

Yujin:Whatever......I don’t care anymore. Shouldn’t have in the first place.*leaves*

Anyone around for Jericho’s speech feels the full weight of what just happened. No one wanted to say it but the man was right about the dangers of fighting the way they do against such psychological tactics. Because no one wanted to tell Yang her greatest fear might’ve just come true; she might’ve just lost the reason for her fighting in the first place. The love of her daughter is slipping right through her finger tips.

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mermaeids · 7 years

Text

shelter (chapter three)

Life during the years after Praimfaya.

CHAPTER THREE UNDER THE CUT.

Bellarke & Sea Mechanic (alternating chapters)

AU after 4x08.

WARNING: This fic is based in part off of the leaked pages of the Season 4 Finale. I filled in a lot of the blanks, but DO NOT READ if you don’t want to read possible spoilers. You have been warned.

read on ao3

Chapter Three: And Then They Were Alone

Because you died, I shall not rest again, But wander ever through the lone world wide, Seeking the shadow of a dream grown vain Because you died.

I shall spend brief and idle hours beside The many lesser loves that still remain; But find in none my triumph and my pride;

And Disillusion's slow corroding stain Will creep upon each quest but newly tried, For every striving now shall nothing gain Because you died.

— Vera Brittain

Harper’s water broke on a dark night in April.

She and Bellamy were sitting in the hallway in front of the only window when he heard her go, “Oh,” and looked down to see the pool under her feet.

“The baby’s coming!” they both shouted, and Monty came running.

By the time they got to the girls’ dorm, Raven and Emori had already gotten the bed ready.

“How far apart are your contractions?” asked Echo, helping Harper to lie down. Echo had always been a bit distant since they got up here, very out of place among people who had been her enemies on earth. But when Harper had announced her pregnancy it was quickly decided that Echo knew the most about prenatal care, and so she became something of a caretaker for the young mother.

Echo, Emori, and Monty ran around the room gathering supplies while Harper breathed heavily on the bed.

Even though they were doing their best, Bellamy still wished for Clarke. He wished that she could be here because she was trained in medicine, but also so she could witness their friend become a mother. She was missing all of this.

“We’ll do everything we know how to do,” Raven assured him, seeing the doubt on his face. “And we’ll get through this, just like we’ve gotten through everything else.”

Bellamy watched as Monty and Harper shared a look of complete joy, excitement, and fear.

They had a long night ahead of them.

Harper was in labor for a long time. Almost too long, Raven thought, but Clarke wasn’t here to tell them if something was wrong. They just kept telling Harper to breathe, kept wiping the sweat from her forehead, and kept trying to hold on to hope.

Hours and hours later, the little baby made his presence known with a defiant cry.

They all cried. The joy was too much to bear.

After they left Harper and Monty alone with their child and the rest of them went to get some sleep, Raven found Bellamy sitting in front of the window. Today they had a view of earth, blue and gray under the sunlight.

His gaze didn’t falter as Raven sat down next to him.

Even now, surrounded by so much relief and joy, everything about Bellamy was dulled. Since Clarke’s death, Raven hadn’t seen him come back. He was here with them, breathing and talking and even laughing at times, but part of him had always been down there, on earth, where Clarke had perished.

He sniffed. “I just… I just miss her.”

Raven rested her head on his shoulder. “So do I.”

Minutes passed, but time was invisible to them. Up here in space, it was almost impossible to sense time at all.

“The night before Praimfaya,” Bellamy said, “I told her I loved her.”

Raven lifted her head and looked at him intently. A tear slid down his face, forging a path between his freckles until he wiped it from his jaw with the back of his hand.

“She… she said she couldn’t say it back,” he continued, “because she thought that she was cursed, somehow… because everyone she had ever loved had died, and she didn’t want me to die. But… but then she died. She stayed behind and now she’s gone. And I was so angry. I’m still… I’m still so mad at her. Because she died.”

Raven was crying softly now too, clutching Bellamy’s shoulder and feeling his pain.

“I wish I could make it better,” she said. “I wish I could bring her back. I wish it every damn day. But she’s not coming back, Bellamy. Us being miserable won’t change that.”

“I know I have to let her go. But I don’t know how.”

“All you can do is try. We’ll get through this.”

He shrugged and attempted a crooked smile. “We always do, don’t we?”

The air between them lightened. “Through hell and back,” Raven said.

(Two Years Later)

The landing was rough.

“Swim away, swim away,” Raven kept whispering to herself as she got them safely into the water, sweat on her brow and heart pounding in her ears, but still alive.

Once they realized they’d made it, the cabin erupted into cheers.

“We’re home!” Monty shouted, high-fiving Harper, who pressed a relieved kiss to the forehead of the squirming toddler in her arms, a little boy named Adam.

Raven glanced back at Bellamy, who had a cut on his forehead from the turbulence. He half-smiled at her. “You did it,” he said.

“Did you ever doubt I would?” Raven placed a hand on his shoulder. “Let’s go home.”

They all swam to shore, happy to leave the rocket and their life in space to sink beneath the waves.

The day was gray. The sky was smothered in clouds, only strings of sunlight reaching through to touch the sand, which looked more like ash.

Raven fell to her knees once they reached the shore. Her leg throbbed with pain from the swim, but it was worth it to feel the sand between her fingers, to breathe the sea salt air. Inevitably, she thought of Luna. Her heart soared.

She thought she could see Luna for a second—was she standing near the tree line?—but she blinked and the vision dissipated. It worried her.

Raven’s seizures had stopped once they’d gotten to space and she could rest her mind, and she hadn’t had one for years. Did the stress from the landing bring them back? She desperately hoped that she was just exhausted, that the vision meant nothing.

Emori approached her. “You need a hand?” she said, offering hers.

Raven nodded in appreciation. Emori helped her to her feet, and together they walked across the beach.

It looked different, Raven noticed. The trees were bare skeletons, the ground barren except for a few green shrubs. She saw blue violets dotting the forest floor and smiled. There was even a faint buzz of bugs. Somehow, the earth had begun to heal itself in the five years they’d been gone.

“Where to?” she asked once they’d regrouped.

“Luna’s rig is just off this shore,” said Bellamy. He took a moment to get a grip on their surroundings before pointing diagonally through the woods. “Which means we need to go this way. We should get to the bunker by nightfall.”

We should get to Luna by nightfall, thought Raven.

They found Luna at nightfall.

They pried open the door to the bunker and ran down the steps. And Raven saw her. But instead of running to her like she had planned, she stopped in her tracks.

The bunker was empty except for the girl from the sea.

Luna looked like a ghost. Hers was the face of a girl who had fallen under the weight of death. Her haunted eyes told the tale of too many heartbreaks and not enough strength to pick up the pieces.

“Raven?” she said. The word rippled through the echoing bunker like a drop of black rain in the ocean. “Is that you?”

Raven’s face crumpled. “Luna,” she cried and limped as fast as she could down the rest of the stairs and across the room until they were face to face.

“Is that you?” Luna repeated in a hollow voice. There was confusion in her eyes.

“Yes, it’s me. I’m here.” Raven touched her face, but Luna flinched away.

“It’s okay,” Raven whispered. She didn’t know what had happened, where everyone else had gone, or why Luna was in such a state, but right now she couldn’t think about any of that. All she cared about in this moment was that Luna was standing in front of her

Gently, as if handling a baby bird, Raven wrapped her arms around Luna’s shoulders. Slowly, the girl in her arms began to relax and returned the embrace. Raven sobbed in relief and buried her face in Luna’s shoulder, breathing in the musty scent of sweat and something like death.

But it didn’t matter. All that mattered was that Luna was here and Raven was back and they were together. They were together. Raven pressed a kiss against Luna's cheek, trying to quell her tears.

The others had stayed back, had given them space, but Bellamy was restless.

Once Raven and Luna had pulled away—Raven keeping a hand in hers—Bellamy said, “Where’s Octavia?”

The look on Luna’s face enough of an answer. And that’s when the world crumbled around them.

#the 100 #the 100 spoilers #bellarke #sea mechanic #the 100 season 4 finale spoilers #my fic

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