Author's Note: Hello all! Few things to get straight with this fic and chapter before we jump in! First off, I have made a rough plan for the first few chapters of the story - YAY!
Second, I have decided that I I'm going to have this story in 3 parts compromised of a few chapters each. What I haven't decided, is if I want to split the parts up into three different Fan Fics. Thoughts on that?
Third, I forgot to mention the significance of the titles. the main title, Empire of Our Own, comes from RAIGN, whose song was featured in Season 2. Chapter 1 featured a song by Volbeat that captures the tone of the piece. This chapter is a song by Hailstorm. I cannot put into words how these songs fit for each chapter, but they do in my mind. Give each of them a listen if you haven't already. :)
Finally, the next couple of chapters will have flashbacks telling why they all ran from Arkadia. (I figured it was better to do that, than to have them all sit by the campfire and tell stories.) Each flashback will be marked with "(Flashback)" before it happens and when the story comes back to present tense, it will be marked as "(Present)." This same format applies to the point of view between characters.
This chapter will be Ben's flashback, but next chapter will feature Monty's! Hope you all enjoy what I have to offer and let me know what you all think through review/favorite/follow. :)
Chapter 2: Here's to Us
Ben POV (Flashback):
As Monty and I ran through the dense forest that surrounded our property in Arkadia, I couldn't help but think about our time on the Ark itself. I remember the books we used to read about how people of Earth tried so hard to get to space and how it wasn't made possible until the nineteen-hundreds. Ninety-seven years after Earth became unlivable, we were finally on our way to going back down! The air was breathable and our greatest scientists were able to tell us that there is means for survival down there.
Most people questioned living on Earth. Why change a good thing? Why would people want to leave the comforts of space and try to make it in a new environment?
Only a select few people knew – mostly the higher ups – that the Ark was actually running out of its air supply. Who knows, maybe we would have stayed in space if we had unlimited air.
I remember the first time I ever ran on Earth. Hannah, Monty and I had all just gotten off the Exodus ship and Monty took off running to God-knows-where. He was laughing and screaming with glee as I followed behind him. Every once in a while, I would look back and see Hannah watching us; a beautiful smile graced her face as the sun shone on us. All of us.
As I ran now, I could feel myself being weighed down by several guns and a few knives as Monty carried a small bag of food and water. "Keep going Monty, don't look back!" I yelled over the wind that whipped passed our ears.
He didn't respond, but I noticed him increasing his speed.
We raced through the tall trees as I recalled the day things started going bad in Arkadia. Chancellor Jaha and his son had passed away and Charles Pike assumed a leadership position. This was a big step for our community as we had never had a democratically-elected- majority- rule political system. I was in favor of this as opposed to a monarchy, but Thelonious' sudden death was not favorable among our people. The people of Arkadia were looking for someone to blame. They leered at the Grounders. Pike had an answer to get back at the Grounders, and therefore he was in favor of everyone.
His rule brought many jobs to the people of Arkadia. Hell, he even gave Hannah a position as a personal officer. Every other week, he would come to our single-family home and eat dinner with us. Monty loved him and his teaching lessons from previous years.
Hannah and I could see behind Charles' façade though. To the common folk, he was a cruel man and didn't offer welfare of any sort to those who couldn't find work or means of trade. He dismantled the counsel, choosing to make executive decisions on his own. Charles Pike was the epitome of judge, jury and executioner.
However, when he offered Monty a position in the Guard, Hannah and I couldn't refuse. At least, not at first. I mean, we wanted our son to be financially secure, so he wouldn't be impoverished like some of the lower-class citizens.
One day, I asked Charles what Monty's job would entail. He responded with, "We will train him as if we were training a guard on the Ark and then we'll send him out with a few other officers and a few Progressives to attempt peace with Grounder villages. His job description seemed harmless enough.
When I went home and relayed his claim to Hannah, she looked at me with horrified eyes. "What? No, no, no! We can't let our baby do this!"
"Why?" I asked. What was the problem with making peace? "What's the problem, Hannah?"
"You don't understand," she said while flopping down onto the dining room chair. "Pike. He… oh god, he… trains new officers and sends them out with Progressives to exterminate Grounder villages, not make peace!"
I almost began crying at the prospect of our little boy – albeit being a teenager – being sent out to kill innocent lives. 'Skaikru' and Grounders were never known to get along, but it never would've dawned on me that Pike's officers would just kill without conviction otherwise. "Villages? You mean to say villages? Men?" I asked as I paced the kitchen. Hannah nodded. "Women?" I questioned once more. Hannah nodded. "Children?" she nodded once more with tears brimming her eyes.
I plopped down in the chair next to her. My whole boy felt numb and I couldn't find it in me to look my wife in the eyes. She knew, she knew all of this and she didn't tell anyone. "Did you know that our son was going to be doing this?" I asked with a seething tone.
"No!" she blurted and rose from her seat at an alarming speed. "Of course not! I would never want that life for him! I just thought Charles would give him a security job on the watch towers."
"We can't let Monty do this," I stated firmly. Although I lost almost all respect for my wife in that moment, we still had to protect our son by any means necessary. He shouldn't have to live with killing innocent people for the rest of his life.
"Agreed," she had said. The very next day she had gone to tell Chancellor Pike to revoke his offer in which he did not respond kindly.
When Hannah came home, Monty was in his room, reading for a biology exam. "Ben! Ben, where are you?" she asked hysterically. As I came around the corner, I could see her grabbing a small backpack and filling it with a few canned goods and two canteens of water. "He moved up the draft date."
I just stood there, stock-still. "What?" No, this couldn't be happening.
"Pike moved up the draft date to tomorrow, they're coming to take him away right now Ben! You HAVE to get out of here before they come for him," she plead with me.
"What do you mean me? Why can't you go?" I asked, hurriedly.
"Because they'll find me if I go with you, I can't… I just can't she said. "Monty! Come out here please!"
Everything happened so fast. Hannah hugged her only son goodbye and then slipped the small backpack onto him. "I love you so much, my son."
"Mom, I love you too… but what's going on?" Monty kept asking. The worry and confusion was plain as day on his face.
Hannah went to the living room and quickly lifted a floor board, unveiling a plethora of weapons ranging from hunting and skinning knives, machetes, a hand gun with a holster, and a sniper rifle. "Woah Mom! Where the hell did these come from?!" Monty exclaimed.
"Language," she and I exclaimed in unison. At that, she looked at me and I looked back at her. We smiled softly at each other, remembering all of the previous times we scolded our son for his bad language. Suddenly, there was a harsh knock at the front door and our smiles disappeared.
With one last chaste kiss and a look that said more than 'I love you,' Monty and I were running out of our backdoor and into the woods.
What came next was nothing short of horrifying. Even from our position in the woods and with the wind sailing passed our ears, a single shot of a gun could be heard.
He didn't trip, and he didn't fall. Monty simply just fell to the ground on his knees. I stopped next to him, not falling but not fully standing. The shot could mean anything, it really could. But, I knew. My Hannah is no more. "Monty… c'mon get up. We have to go," I said while pulling him up. I couldn't even let my poor kid grieve for his mom. We have to keep going Monty."
"Yeah, yeah we do," he said while brushing off his dirty knees and his wet eyes.
Clarke POV (Present):
After about a week of putting off our little drinking party, we all decided that tonight was going to be the night! Everyone seemed to be in good enough moods, aside from Ben who seemed distraught.
Being the only parent amongst us and being the oldest, I could tell Ben tried to be strong for us twenty-four-seven. However, I recognized the look in his eyes; it's the same look I felt when leaving my parents behind. I also knew that he wanted to be left alone, so I assigned everyone jobs that didn't require the height or strength of Ben. I even steered Monty in the direction of helping Bellamy set traps around the camp – if anyone came near us, we would know.
Even though Ben seemed solemn, I knew he would appreciate a few drinks tonight. He probably needed good spirits more than anyone right now.
"So," Octavia bounced up next to me out of nowhere. Damn, this girl needed a bell around her neck. "What are we doing for dinner? It's not safe to drink on an empty stomach, you know!"
"And I bet you wouldn't know that if you didn't spend so much time around Jasper," I mumbled.
"What?" she asked.
"What?" I playfully countered. "Unless you guys want food poisoning again, I don't recommend my cooking. Fend for yourself I guess?" I offered.
"So long as you're not cooking," Octavia shivered.
"I was thinking about taking Monty out hunting tomorrow morning to see if we can't catch anything. Hopefully, I won' regret it, but I'm thinking about letting him shoot the bow. Maybe perfect his 'kill shot,'" I said, changing up the subject from my apparent shitty cooking. The bow was a long time gift from Bellamy to me after I outgrew the one my dad got me. It was my prized possession and I didn't much care for other people touching it, not even the maker.
Of course, I had let Octavia use the bow a few times, but her preferred weapon was a machete or twin blades whenever she could get her hands on them.
"That could be good for him! She exclaimed. "Good to get him used to using other weapons if he doesn't have that hand gun of his. What time do you plan on leaving? Dawn?"
"Yeah, most likely. That usually tends to be the plan. But-" I began, but was interrupted.
"But what?" she asked.
Damn girl doesn't have a patient bone in her body! Must get that from her brother…
"You're really impatient, did ya know that?" I asked, my voice covered in mock frustration.
"Please," Octavia began. "Compared to you?"
She has a fair point.
"I was going to say, that depending on how late everyone is up, we might want to leave later. What are your thoughts?"
"Who's taking watch tonight?" Octavia asked.
"I am and whoever falls asleep first is," I said, leaving it to chance.
"Just go when you and Monty are both awake. Shouldn't be a problem, right? You don't want to be tired when you go out," she pointed out.
"We'll see, then."
For the rest of the day, Bellamy and Monty worked on making traps and noise-makers for anything that might stumble into our campground.
Jasper was in charge of organizing and minimalizing our first-aid kits and other supplies. Instead of carrying around six backpacks with six sleeping bags, it would be lessened to three backpacks and everyone would switch off and help with carrying them.
Octavia and I were gathering everything for tonight and trying to prepare a feast fit for kings! Really, this meant that we each got our own can of assorted fruit and a full bowl of rabbit stew. Unfortunately, it was the last of our game, so I was hoping there would be some luck with tomorrow's findings. Octavia and I got some much needed 'girl time' and talked about the latest philosophical arguments Monty and Jasper were having. We talked about the calmness of the day. We even talked about Bellamy for a while.
It seemed as if in no time, everyone was back in the camp. Looking over my family of five, I realized just how amazing each and every one of them were. Where would I be if I hadn't met any of these people?
As I smiled slightly to myself, I found the dark orbs I had been subconsciously seeking out. His eyes were so transfixing, that I almost didn't notice his bare chest. Why the hell wasn't he wearing a shirt and why the hell was I so attracted to his tan body?
That horny thought aside, I gestured my head away from the camp. We made our way out of earshot as to obviously not be heard.
"Are all of the traps set?" I asked, still a little red in the face. Why couldn't he just put a damn shirt on?
"Traps are set and tested. Don't worry your pretty little head off, Princess," he rolled his eyes.
"There's gonna come a time when an actual princess comes along and will be seriously offended by that Mr. Blake," I snarked.
"Well then she'll just have to deal with it. You're the only princess of my concern," he said back.
This was nice. It was the first time we had really talked or joked – aside from bickering – since the events of last week.
"So I just wanted to apologize for last week again," I said, while not directly looking him in the eye. Apologizing wasn't a strong suit of mine.
"Clarke, it's fine. I completely understand," he said with a far-off look. Yes, he did indeed understand.
Bellamy was a very private person, but Octavia was not. I fully knew the reason as to why they had to run away, and it wasn't anything that anyone would want to say out loud. I heard it from Octavia, but I knew that Bellamy would tell me when he was ready. Or, he would at least try.
"Can we just forget about it? I'd rather not dwell on the past right now. It's time to have some fun," I said with a chuckle. Hopefully, I could pull him out of his brooding before it was too late.
"Anything for you, baby cakes," he said with a wink.
"Baby cakes? That's new. Pig," I muttered. "I suddenly like 'Princess' a whole lot better."
"Only for you," he said while giving me one of his trademark grins.
God, I loved that grin so much. Wait… ugh, damn hormones.
Blushing slightly at his knowing gaze, I tried to scowl at him, which failed and turned into a fit of giggles. Giggling?! Since when goes Clarke Griffin giggle?
He smiled a broad toothy smile at me. "It's been awhile since I've heard you laugh. A real laugh, at least. It's nice."
"Whatever floats your boat, kiss ass. C'mon, let's go get something to eat or drink." I said with a smile. "By the way, put a shirt on before you catch a cold, Bellamy!"
"Why would I do that when I know you like looking at my chest?" he asked.
I blushed fiercely as he walked back to our camp.
After hours of eating and drinking half of each bottle of alcohol, we were all at a stage of telling stupid jokes and laughing at every little thing.
That is everyone except for me. I decided to stay somewhat sober tonight, only taking small sips of the strong content every now and then. Even Monty was drinking more than me! Oh boy, he is in for a surprise when I wake his lazy ass up at the crack of dawn!
Ben was starting to get pretty out of it and Octavia was already smashed and trying to climb on Jasper's lap. About the only thing that stopped her from completely getting on top of him was Bellamy's death glare directed their way. I couldn't wait to remind her about this tomorrow. Bellamy was by far the calmest of the heavy-drinkers tonight, but this red tint to his cheeks and glazed eyes told me that he was very drunk right now.
Suddenly, Ben got up and almost stumbled over. After he righted himself, he said, "I propose a toast!" Everyone waited for him to continue. "You beautiful are my family now and no matter what happens when all of this is over, I will love you all," Ben slurred while putting his hand on Monty's shoulder. To everyone else who was inebriated, they might've seen it as a sign of affection, but I saw that it was only Ben trying to stay upright.
What the hell? I raised my glass.
"To us," I simply, but firmly stated.
"To survival," Ben reprised.
"To friends," said Monty, looking around at the members around the campfire with adoration in his relaxed face and fisting-pumping Jasper.
"To family," slurred Octavia, holding up her glass to mine.
"To good times," Jasper smiled.
"To love," Bellamy said while looking me dead in the eyes and raising his glass to meet everyone else's. Was I just imagining that look he was giving me or was it for real?
In that ten second time span between dark brown eyes meeting my blue ones, it felt as if hours passed as I began to realize just how strongly I felt for Bellamy. He made me feel like I could do anything, like I could find my inner peace every time I gazed at his soothing smile or smoldering eyes; but it wasn't like I was planning on telling him that anytime soon. After all, it could just be the alcohol talking.
Soon after making the toast, people started to make their way to bed in their own tents. I basically had to force Octavia into hers and my tent, so she wouldn't run into Jasper's tent while Bellamy was still in there.
We had a good sleeping arrangement – Octavia and I shared one tent, Bellamy and Jasper were reluctantly in another, and Monty and Ben were in the last. I didn't want to mess up the order that was set. It was the only roommate situation Bellamy wouldn't get mad about and everyone would feel comfortable with.
After making sure everyone was asleep, or at least in bed and not throwing up, I sat down by the fire with a copy of a romance novel I picked up from the Ark's library so long ago. It was the only form of entertainment I brought before I had to flee. As I read, I admired the chemistry between the protagonist and her Scottish lover. Reading the author's words of adoration between the two was something that was out of this world – their love was inspiring. Not to mention, the scenery described in the book sounded beautiful. The author did a fine job with every aspect of the novel and I only hoped to stumble upon the sequel, even though the chances were very low. The only indication I had to a sequel was the small section in the back dedicated to the first two chapters of the second book. I was too scared to read them for fear of not receiving closure on the star-crossed lovers.
I had just finished rereading the end of chapter two when I heard a loud whimper and a few sobs coming from my tent.
Octavia.
I rushed to our tent to see her sitting up in the sleeping bag, a mixture of what looked like either sweat or tears streaming down her face. I purposefully collapsed down next to her and grabbed her face to look at me with both hands. "Hey, hey. Shhh. It's okay. You're fine, see?" I said in a soothing, but gravely tone. I hated that she felt so sad in this moment.
Suddenly, she sat further up in her makeshift bed and engulfed me in a bone-crushing hug. Any other time, I would've yelled and screamed until she let me go, but not this time. My best friend needed me right now. I tried to wrap my arms around her and rub small circles in her back as she cried even harder into my shoulder.
Another few minutes of wracking sobs and I was positive that Octavia had woken up at least two people besides myself.
Finally, her vicious sobs became soft shudders as she began to calm down. I figured that now would be as good as any time to ask what had happened.
"O," I said in a calming voice. "Talk to me. What happened?"
"Y-you and Bell…" she paused to sniffle and get herself together. "and everyone else were gone and I was alone. There was no one, Clarke – Pike killed everyone. I saw everyone's… bodies," she said in a quiet, forced whisper.
"O, look at me," I said in a stern, but quiet voice. "I'm still here. Bell is still here. Jasper is still here, and Monty and Ben are sure as hell still here. Remember what we said about always sticking together? That's not going to change. Me, Jasper and everyone else are all fine."
"Is that what you think?" she challenged.
"It's what I know."
She looked down after a few seconds and said, "You're right. I'm sorry. I just…"
"I know, I get nightmares all the time," I admitted. "C'mon, lay back down and get comfy." When she looked all tucked in and as comfortable as possible, she looked at me with a questioning gaze.
I began to sing:
"Come stop your crying, it'll be alright
Just take my hand, hold it tight
I will protect you from all around you
I will be here, don't you cry
For one so small, you seem so strong
My arms will hold you, keep you safe and warm
This bond between us can't be broken, I will be here
Don't you cry
Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on, now and forever more
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here, in my heart
Always."
It worked! She was actually falling asleep and calming down. Congrats Clarke.
I sat up and walked out of the tent as silently as I possibly could without setting off the hibernating bear in my tent. I intended to go sit back down beside the fire for a couple more peaceful moments and read some more. Octavia was the first one awake, but I was definitely not planning on keeping her up for watch duty.
Immediately walking out of the entrance to the smallish tent, I was met with two pairs of eyes. Oh great.
"What are y'all doin' up?" I whispered and could hear the tiredness in my voice.
"Well, we heard some weird noises, so naturally we decided to be the little detectives we are and sleuth around a bit, ya know?" said Jasper whose voice was either laced with sarcasm, annoyance or worry for Octavia. Either way, I wasn't in the mood for dealing with his sassy attitude.
"Go ahead," I simply stated while gesturing to the tent. "I ain't gonna stop ya. She needs all the moral support she can get. Bellamy looked like he had a thing or two to say about the roommate situation, but one look from me silenced him nonetheless.
Jasper looked taken aback towards my lenient attitude and said a very quick thank you before going to attempt to wake up the sleeping grizzly. Standing there in my own shock of leniency, I had almost completely forgotten the second presence there.
"Bell, you should probably go back to bed. Octavia will be fine," I said with resignation.
I waited a moment to see if he'd say anything.
He didn't. Bellamy just stared into my eyes looking for something I couldn't quite put my finger on. Maybe I was looking for the same thing? Who's to say I was if I didn't even know what I was looking for?
I swiftly broke eye contact, like it was any other less-awkward occasion. As I walked by him to retrieve my book, he grabbed my forearm; his grip was tight enough to stop me mid-step, but also loose enough to not hurt me. All the same, I looked to him with sullen eyes.
"Was that you? Who sang?" he said in a low whisper that sent shivers down my back. He wasn't slurring his words, but I could still smell the sweet alcohol coming from his breathe.
My breath hitched in my throat. "Yeah."
"You have a beautiful voice. You should sing more often," he whispered.
"Th-thank you," I said back, shocked.
As if just now realizing that his hand was still wrapped around my arm, he let go quick as lightning and I couldn't help feeling the chill that came across the part of my arm that replaced his warm, calloused hand. "You're going hunting tomorrow?" he asked after what felt like hours of just standing there.
"Yeah, why do you ask?" I asked.
"Sleep," he stated simply.
"Nah," I began. "Really, I'm not even that tired right now."
Before I knew it, Bellamy was directly in front of me with both of his hands on my shoulders. "Clarke, you need to sleep. I'll take over watch for the next couple hours and you go catch up on sleep in mine and Jasper's tent."
"Yeah, sure. Whatever," I said all of a suddenly too exhausted to even argue with Bellamy.
"You can use my sleeping bag, it's the brown one. Just don't make it smell too girly and stuff. I still have a reputation to uphold," he said with a half smirk playing on his lips.
Bellamy did have quite the lady-killer reputation back at Arkadia, which is one of the reasons why I had never even considered him to be "boyfriend material." The past two years and being on the run seemed to have calmed him down though and made him see his priorities more clearly. I could now see why my parents approved of him so much.
"I promise to try not to," I said with my voice now completely laced with a sleepy tone. "Goodnight and thank you. It means a lot, if you need any help or whatever, then don't hesitate to wake me."
"In your dreams. Goodnight Princess," he said while kissing my temple as if he had a habit of doing that.
I rushed off to his tent and laid down in the brown sleeping bag, while rubbing at the tingling sensation on my forehead.
How the hell does a love story even fit into all of this shit?
That was the last conscious thought I had before passing out beneath the musky scent of the sleeping bag. That night, I dreamt of dark brown eyes and tanned skin.
Please don't forget to comment on the story! Thank you all for reading! :)
