part one. + stars shine lonely in the sky +
+ alone +
Bellamy is almost six when he goes to steal food for his mom.
He stands in line and remembers her telling him time and time again how things are going to change, but that he has to protect the baby.
The lie that his mother is quarantined because she is sick works, given that she can stay secluded. Some neighbors that know better than to share their secret help them in exchange for favors, so his mom has been able to hide well in the past two months. The baby is due soon.
To Bellamy, there is nothing lost to him other than the fact that he is stealing. It's a foreign feeling, yet at six he is so warped in concern he would consider the options later, his heart weighing heavy. He will steal more food.
He has been quiet while carrying the two trays, and his food is significantly less than the plate his mom is served. Bellamy walks towards the bread station and grabs an extra roll quickly. No one seems to notice at first, but then a hand pats his shoulder.
Bellamy is a skinny child, long legs and arms, and the hand against his back feels warm and strange. He looks up, scared, at the man that has bright blue eyes and a kind smile. Bellamy is not used to blue eyes, and this man is holding out another bread roll for him. Bellamy does not drop the tray as the man laughs and places the bread roll on his plate. His eyes widen, and he takes in the kind blue-eyed stranger.
He has dark blonde hair and he is tall. The blue in his eyes reminds Bellamy of the pictures of Earth he is shown in school, the pictures of Home before they ended up in space.
The man is kind, and Bellamy smiles softly, memorizing the warmth that the man's chuckle seems to pass on.
"Go on," he encourages Bellamy.
Bellamy, at six, has never known his father, but he hopes that he is as kind as this man is. He steps away and mouths a small "thank you", his voice coming out as a whisper, a secret that he can barely voice.
The man has walked away, to a figure further in the dining area. Bellamy's eyes follow him and see his head towards a woman with dark long hair and smiling eyes. He looks upon the bundle she holds towards her chest, and the man inclines his head to kiss it. Bellamy understands the man to have a family.
Bellamy himself never has understood why he was unable to have a family as well, but he will have one soon. The baby is coming, and he has to bring back the food for his mom.