September 30th, 2149
Octavia was trying to stay awake by concentrating on her task of sewing the furs that would protect everybody from the cold, but she was failing miserably. She could barely keep her eyes open. The very few hours of sleep she'd gotten after coming back from Lincoln's cave hadn't been nearly enough.
Bellamy stopped in front of her.
"You okay?" her brother wanted to know.
She stifled another yawn and nodded. "Mhm."
"Are you sick?" he insisted.
"I'm fine," she snapped. She still hadn't forgiven him for what he'd done to Lincoln. Octavia closed her eyes for a moment, trying to regain her composure. "Actually, I didn't sleep very well. I'm gonna go take a short nap. Is that okay?"
Looking defeated, Bellamy nodded. "Yeah, go ahead."
If there was one definite perk of being the leader's sister, it was this.
Octavia set her work aside and went into her tent. She laid down on her bed and covered herself with Lincoln's jacket. She'd found it on the Dropship after she'd helped him escape. She'd meant to give it back to him, honestly. But the jacket was just so warm and comfy, his scent still clinging to it. And besides, Lincoln had other jackets. He could do without this one.
She really had intended to rest, but instead she reached for Lincoln's book, for what felt like the millionth time. She went through the pictures in the book, one by one. He was very talented. Octavia found the picture of herself. She remembered last night's kiss. She touched her own lips now; she could still feel his lips on hers. That made her smiled.
She put the book back in its place under the covers and curled up in bed, a smile still on her lips. Tonight she would see him again. She couldn't wait.
Sneaking out of camp was getting harder and harder. The security around the Dropship's perimeter had doubled since Lincoln had gotten away and everyone had become more vigilant. When Octavia had finally made it out, she rushed through the woods. To meet him. That made her smile again. She'd been looking forward to this all day.
She grinned down at the knife she was carrying, the one Lincoln had given her the night before in her hand. He was worried about her, he wanted her to be able to defend herself. He'd even agreed to teach her.
Octavia found the first white lily on the hole in the tree's trunk. Just like he'd promised. She could feel her heart beat faster, a little thrill going up her spine. She picked the lily up and continued down the trail, following the path he'd decorated with the flowers. She grabbed every lily she found along the way, smiling. The last one was right at the Cave's entrance.
She set the lilies down and went inside as silently as she could. She tried to sneak up on him and practice her new ninja moves as she'd promised, but failed miserably. Even though he'd been seemingly distracted, Lincoln caught her easily. She giggled in his arms. The sound made Lincoln smile. It felt so good to have her here, to hold her. Octavia had come back. She'd promised as much, but he hadn't been sure if she really would return. Something could've happened. Her brother could've found out about her escapade, or she could've simply changed her mind… but no. She was back, she was here.
"Nice try," he told her. Then, he instructed, "Next time, try having a knife in each hand and attacking from both sides." He exemplified by placing one of her hands, gripping the knife, over her head, to attack from above and the other, down, set to attack the abdomen region. "Like this."
She listened attentively, and nodded. "Okay."
Then, their eyes met. There was an undeniable attraction, a spark between them.
"Hey," Octavia said.
"Hey."
They were both breathing heavily as they stared at each other.
"Thank you for the lilies."
He softened, showing a half-smile that threatened to melt her heart.
"Of course," he replied. She left him stunned. He'd never imagined he could be so… wonderstruck by anyone.
Octavia tried to lighten the mood. Clapping her hands together eagerly, she asked. "So, what's tonight's lesson?"
Lincoln smirked. "Are you ready?"
About an hour later, the two wrestled. Octavia was trying to escape his grip as he grabbed her from behind. She elbowed him in the stomach. Lincoln winced and stumbled backward.
She was appalled.
"Oh my God. I'm sorry," she cried out.
You idiot! she chided herself. He was still on the mend.
Lincoln laughed. "No. No, that was good. You're getting better at this."
"Really?"
He nodded.
And, even though she was still sorry that she'd hurt him, Octavia couldn't help but be pleased with herself.
Lincoln taught her a few more moves. One of which had her crashing down on the furs with a huff, with him hovering over her, their bodies touching.
"I win," he told her cockily.
"This time."
Suddenly, they were both all too aware of their positions and the mood became very tense. Lincoln touched the wound on her chin lightly. Then, his hand slowly descended to her neck. Octavia could feel her heart pounding in her chest. They stared at each other for a moment. He glanced down at her lips. Were they going to kiss again?
Kiss me, kiss me. Just kiss me, she begged silently.
He began to lean down, their eyes closing as their lips came closer to each other. And then, her stomach growled loudly. They laughed. Octavia turned her face away, embarrassed.
He kissed her cheek before getting up. Next, he helped her up from the ground. "Wait here. I'll be back soon."
She frowned and grabbed his arm to stop him. "Where are you going?"
"You're hungry," Lincoln stated, then smirked. "I'm going to get you something to eat."
After he left, Octavia cursed her stupid stomach. She was already missing his touch. Thankfully, he didn't take long. A few minutes later, Lincoln returned holding a small basket with what looked like nuts and some berries.
Octavia had been studying one of the images he'd drawn on the walls. It was the one of the water monster who'd attacked her on her first day on the ground. She turned to watch enter the main part of the cave. When she saw the nuts on the basket, she lifted an eyebrow and smirked.
"No Jobi nuts, I hope," Octavia said ruefully.
He smiled at the memory. "No."
They sat down by the fire to eat.
Octavia took her jacket off and warmed her hands on the heat of the flames. The light of the fire was a warm glow on her skin. Lincoln stared at her in wonder as she snacked on the berries. Then, he broke a walnut with the back of one of his knives, took out the inside and handed it to her.
She smiled up at him as she accepted the nut. "Thanks."
He grinned back.
Lincoln didn't care what they did – whether they were sparing or eating by a fire – he just wanted to spend time with her. He didn't want this to end.
Sometime later, they were still sitting together, the light of the fire illuminating them. They'd eaten most of the food he'd brought and talked about all sorts of things.
Lincoln sat, talking about his childhood, gesturing animatedly. He talked about growing up in a place called TonDC, with Nyko, the man who was like a brother to him, and all the adventures they'd been through.
As he spoke, Octavia gazed at him adoringly.
"I've never heard you talking so much," she said in wonder. He stopped and looked embarrassed. "No, don't stop. Please."
But he only shook his head. "That's enough about me. What about you?"
Octavia looked down. Her childhood was really something she wanted to talk about. She shrugged. "There isn't much to tell..."
She could see that he wasn't going to push, but she didn't want to just leave it at that. "I come from a place where my very existence was considered a crime," she muttered, staring at the flames. "A crime that my mother was executed for, a crime that almost got me executed." Then, something occurred to her. "Tomorrow's Unity Day..." she whispered, almost to herself. She could hardly believe it. It had been a year since she'd been caught by the guards, and since her mother had been killed.
"What's Unity Day?" Lincoln wanted to know.
Octavia shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant. "Something my people celebrate," she told him. Then added, "I hate it."
"Why?"
She looked sad, uncomfortable. "I don't want to think about it…"
Because Lincoln could tell that the subject hurt her, he didn't push.
Instead of talking about her past, Octavia told him about the coming of the 100 to the ground. "I feel like I was reborn when I landed here. I'm a whole new me," she told him, grinning. She sobered. "We didn't ask to come here. They just strapped us to that hunk of metal and dropped us here. But hey, I'm not complaining. I was rotting away in a cell, just waiting to die. And while things aren't perfect right now, at least I'm free." She hesitated before adding, "And I'm not alone anymore."
They smiled at each other.
The mood turned serious very suddenly, and there it was again. The tension between them, raw and heavy. The magnetic pull, bringing them closer together like magnets. They stared at each other. Lincoln tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, and she leaned on his hand, closing her eyes. Then, Octavia grabbed his hand and kissed his palm. Lincoln leaned in for a kiss, to which she replied eagerly. The moment of tenderness was gone, passion taking over.
Octavia grabbed his face and pulled him down on the furs with her, his body covering hers. They couldn't stop kissing, couldn't get their hands off of each other. She rumpled his t-shirt up, yearning to touch skin. Her hands roamed up and down his back as their tongues battled in a frenzy of lust. Octavia had never felt this way before. She trusted him, she wanted him, and she'd made up her mind.
He pulled back slightly. "Octavia…"
"No, I don't want to stop. I... I want you."
He smiled, a dark gleam of desire in his eyes. "I want you, too."
Octavia rejoiced. He wanted her back.
"Then take me."
She was about to kiss him again, when something stopped her. They should be completely honest with each other, especially if they were about to have sex. "Lincoln, there's something you should know…" He nodded, waiting for her to go on. "I've never done this before."
He hesitated. Studying her, he asked, "Are you sure you want to do this? We don't have to."
"Yeah, I'm sure." She gazed deeply into his eyes. "I trust you."
Lincoln smiled at her sweetly and leaned down to touch his lips to hers.
They almost got lost in each other again, but he remembered something.
"Wait, wait..." He pulled away from her and she groaned regretfully. He kissed her again to calm her. "Give me a minute."
He went to a box of herbal medicines and cures that Nyko had prepared for him before he'd left TonDC. He rummaged through its contents until he found what he was looking for, the small glass vial with the greenish liquid. He returned to her side. She sat up and he handed her the vial. "Here."
She frowned at the strange liquid. "What is it?"
"It's to prevent pregnancies," Lincoln explained. She was glad he'd thought about this. Bringing a child into an already messy situation wouldn't be fair. She knew that better than anyone. "It's safe," he promised.
Octavia nodded and drank it in a single gulp.
He kneeled down beside her. He felt incredibly honored and humbled that she would choose to share this with him. Incredibly terrified, too. He wanted to make this experience as special and magical for her as he could.
Desire rushed back and they reached for each other again. She pulled his t-shirt off and tossed it aside. She wanted him so badly. Octavia had never felt like this before, not even with Atom. What she felt for this wonderful man couldn't be described by mere words. Next, she began removing her own clothes. She wiped her tank top over her head. Lincoln was about to kiss her again, but he stopped and stared down at the strange material covering her breasts.
"What?" She glanced down to see what he was looking at, and chuckled. "I'm guessing grounder girls don't wear bras?"
Lincoln shook his head, a stunned smile on his lips. "No."
She snickered and sat up to reach around the back.
"Here. There's a clasp on the back."
Octavia unhooked the bra clasp and removed the bra, one strap at a time. Then, she drew him down to her again. They kissed passionately and groped at each other, touching as much skin as they could. The heat threatened to consume them. Lincoln left her lips to leave a trail of kisses down the side of her neck. He moved down to her small breasts, taking them in his mouth and biting them gently. Octavia moaned and arched her back up from the furs. Next, he moved down to her stomach, kissing her skin until he reached her jeans. Lincoln lifted her hips up from the floor, and popped the button of her jeans open. She giggled. The giggled turned into a deep moan when he nibbled the skin of her lower abdomen.
He reached down to untie her shoelaces and take her boots off. He kicked his own shoes and pants off. Octavia looked down and stared in awe. Holy shit! The man was gorgeous, his glorious brown skin lightened by the warm glow of the fire beside them. He pulled her jeans and underwear down her legs. Lincoln ran his hands up her slim frame, his brown eyes taking in every single feature of her body. His hungry gaze scorched her.
He came back up to her and laid a soft kiss on her lips.
They lay skin to skin, no more barriers between them. Their bodies wrapped around each other as they kissed. They couldn't get close enough. It was like there was a fire inside them, it made them yearn for one another.
Despite being naked and exposed, Octavia felt safe in his arms. She felt loved. He was a big and muscular man, but he never hurt her, was never rough with her. In fact, he was exquisitely gentle. And, somehow, their bodies fit perfectly together, as if they'd been made for each other.
Lost in each other, they moved in unison.
He pulled away.
"I have to ask again–"
Octavia grabbed his face and kissed him to shut him up. Pulling back, she looked him in the eyes and told him, "I'm sure."
His hand traveled down to find her, already wet and ready. She gasped when he touched her most sensitive parts, and grabbed hold of his arm with a vice grip. Lincoln was ready as well. She could feel his erection pressing against her inner thigh as his mouth nibbled her neck and his fingers worked her.
"Ready?"
Her heart was pounding in her chest, she felt like it was going to burst. But she nodded and held on to his shoulders. "Yeah."
Lincoln reached a hand between them to guide himself into her. This was it. He told himself to stay calm, to be gentle. He was trying his very best to do just that. The last thing he wanted was to hurt her.
He gazed deeply into her beautiful green eyes as he entered her slowly, studying her, making sure she was alright. She was so tight around him. Octavia closed her eyes and let herself feel the fullness of him inside her. It hurt a little, but it wasn't too bad. He gently pulled out, then back in. Lincoln grabbed her hip with one hand as he moved in slow, soft strokes. His other hand reached for hers, intertwining their fingers.
A couple of minutes into it, Octavia could tell that he was controlling himself for her sake.
"I'm okay," she promised. "You can go faster."
He took her at her word and let go of his control a little.
Intimately joined as they moved together on the furs, he brushed his warm, soft lips on her skin. Lincoln had only been with one other woman in all of his life. And, even then, it had only been a boyhood crush, nothing more than lust. It was different with Octavia. She was everything.
Octavia's free hand ran up and down his back, urging him on. Her nails digging into his back, she held on to him as if her life depended on it. When they were together, everything else ceased to matter. The war between their peoples, their differences... None of it mattered. They were one. She felt complete in his arms.
He shuddered, chills running down his spine, as he felt her hot breath on his skin. Words couldn't describe what having her hands on him felt like. He could feel himself closer and closer to reaching the peak.
A few moments later, he groaned into her neck as he let go and climaxed.
They embraced, holding each other closely and their lips touched in a sweet kiss.
Afterward with Lincoln was easy. There was no awkwardness, no shame, and absolutely no regret. They were huddled beneath the furs, facing each other, their legs were intertwined. Winter was upon them, and the nights were turning colder, but they had the fire and the furs to warm them, and each other. He held her close, almost as if he were shielding her, protecting her.
"Thank you," Octavia murmured. "For giving me this."
Lincoln brushed a piece of hair from her face as he gazed at her sweetly. "Are you okay?"
She smiled and nodded. "Never better."
It was the truth. Even though she was still feeling a little sore from their lovemaking, she felt amazing. Being here with him, like this, was perfect. It was everything. This was the most wonderful night of her life and she never wanted it to end.
Still, he studied her.
"Seriously, it was perfect," she assured him and leaned in for a kiss. "Thank you."
Lincoln smiled. He still couldn't believe, even as he stared at her. Octavia was here, in his arms. He couldn't stop looking at her, smiling at her. He caressed her arm, her shoulder, her neck. She closed her eyes and smiled, thoroughly enjoying his touch. Then, he picked up her hand and kissed the back of it. It felt so old-fashioned, it made Octavia giggled. He grinned at her. Lincoln still couldn't believe his luck, to have this amazing girl in his arms and to have her return his feelings.
He marveled at her body. Her skin was unmarred. There were no marks on her body, no tattoos or kill marks. In fact, the only scars she had, had been inflicted here on the ground. He traced the scars on her right thigh with his fingertips. Octavia looked down at where his hand touched her.
"Oh, yeah. You can thank that little beastie for those," she said, pointing at his drawing of the water monster. "It attacked me on my very first day here on the ground."
Lincoln looked up at the sky and she followed his gaze. They stared up at the starry night through the roof of the cave for a moment.
"Do you miss it? Being up there."
She grimaced. "No." She traced the tattoos on his chest. "Besides, I kinda like it here."
He grinned and they kissed. When they pulled away, they settle back down to stare at the sky again.
"You've got a pretty great view here." Octavia remembered the best and worst day of her life. "I saw the moon from up close once, from the Ark. Saw Earth, too."
"Did you?"
She nodded.
"What does Earth look like? From up there?" he wondered.
"It's all blue and green, with wisps of white. You know, because of the clouds." She gazed up at the sky with such a look of wonderment. "It's so beautiful."
He smiled at her. "You're beautiful."
Octavia looked down, embarrassed, a small smile playing at her lips. "Stop..."
Lincoln nuzzled her neck playfully, making her squeal. Things between got heated up again. The fire, the rush of need returned in full force. But before they could do anything, Octavia put a hand on his shoulder and pulled away.
"Actually, could we not right now?"
"Are you sore?"
She nodded. "A little."
He smiled and nodded. "Okay. No problem." Lincoln thought for a moment. "How about we do something else?"
She was interested. What did he have in mind?
"Like what?"
"Do you trust me?" he asked, raising an eyebrow teasingly.
She smiled. "You know I do."
"In that case..." He leaned in to kiss her. "Relax."
Lincoln moved down her body until he reached her most sensitive area.
Octavia gasped. "Oh God!"
Lincoln was lying on his stomach, as Octavia traced the marks on is back with her fingertips. He had felt bad that she hadn't climaxed during sex; he'd wanted her to have that experience. Well, that wasn't an issue anymore. He smiled as he remembered the way Octavia had mewled and moaned when his tongue had loved on her sweet spot.
"What are these?" she inquired, touching his marks. "Do they mean something?"
The light mood he'd been feeling vanished.
"They're kill marks. Each of them signifies a kill in combat."
"Have you fought many battles?"
Lincoln hesitated, looking very somber. "Yes."
She could tell that it bothered him, so she changed the subject.
"I guess I get why you like it here," she said, looking around the cave. "It's so peaceful, quiet."
Then, Octavia yawned hugely. She was feeling so relaxed and worn out, it made her drowsy.
Lincoln changed positions so he could cuddle her close to him.
"Sleep…"
"I can't fall asleep. I have to go back soon."
"Sleep," he insisted. "I'll wake you when it's time."
She didn't want to sleep. She wanted to be with him, she didn't want to miss a single moment of their short time together. But she felt so groggy, she drifted off.
A couple of hours had passed and Lincoln knew he should wake her up. The sun would be rising soon and Octavia had to return to her camp before someone noticed her absence. But, looking at her, lying there in his arms, peacefully sleeping, a slight smile playing at her lips… love filled him. But love was not alone, dread also consumed him. What would happen with the conflict between their peoples? His people saw the Sky People as invaders. What would happen to them?
Lincoln looked up to see the sky. He didn't know how long he'd stared at the stars, but suddenly, her voice startled him. "I wish things could be different."
It was like she'd read his mind.
"I know." He kissed her forehead. "Me too."
"What's gonna happen now?"
"I don't know," he lamented.
Octavia leaned up and propped herself on her elbow to better look at him. "I don't know, either. I just know I don't want this to stop."
"Neither do I."
She smiled, leaned down and their lips met softly. Then, she snuggled back down on his arms.
"I should go," she groaned.
"You could stay," Lincoln teased playfully.
"Yeah, that'd be fun," she muttered sarcastically. "My brother realizing that I'm gone and coming straight here to raise hell and probably kill you."
Despite talking about leaving, she made no attempt to move. Instead, she burrowed closer to Lincoln, snuggling him. "I wish we could stay here forever. I would love nothing more than to stay here with you, just like this," she told him, looking into his eyes. "But the sun is almost up and I really have to go."
They would have hell to pay if she didn't leave soon, so Octavia dropped a kiss on his chest and reluctantly got up from the bedding, away from his warm embrace and gathered her clothes.
She was in the middle of getting dressed when Lincoln held up her bra to her.
"You forgot this."
"No, I didn't," she told him, smirking. "Keep it."
He grinned. He would keep it, and he would cherish this strange small piece of black clothing that belonged to the girl of his dreams.
Lincoln quickly got dressed, while she stared (more like gawked) at his stunning form and tried not to drool. They'd just had the most amazing night together. How was she still hungry for him?
He walked her outside.
Despite their problems, they couldn't stop grinning. Complete fools in love… Octavia guessed that this was what it was like to be in love. She felt giddy with joy, and she couldn't get enough of him.
Outside, the dawn was beginning to break. They held each other close.
Lincoln lowered his forehead to hers.
"Come back tomorrow," he pleaded softly.
Octavia smiled and nodded. "I will," she vowed, and added playfully, "And I'll try to sneak up on you again."
He grinned and they kissed again.
"You know, there's a very good chance the soreness will mostly pass until tomorrow night," she flirted. She was suddenly serious, passion returning. "I want to do it again."
"We will," he promised.
He leaned down to kiss her deeply, passionately.
"God, Lincoln," she said, when they pulled apart. "What are we doing?"
Their foreheads touched again.
"I don't know, but I don't want to stop."
"Me either."
Neither of them wanted to let go of the other.
An excerpt from William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet occurred to Octavia. It reminded her of them. A thousand times goodnight, Juliet had told her love as they bid farewell. To which Romeo had replied, A thousand times the worse, to want thy light. The two fictional lovers had been as willing to part as she and Lincoln were at the moment.
Lincoln and Octavia leaned in for one last kiss. It was long and incredibly sweet. It would have to last them until they saw each other again. She sighed regretfully as she let go of him. Walking away, she already missed his warmth. She couldn't wait to come back here the following night and be in his arms once again.