100 One Shots #9

Disclaimer: I do not own The 100 nor do I own anything on CW.

A/N: Thank you everyone who reviewed and followed! I really appreciate it! you guys keep me going on making my one shots! I hope you like this new chapter!

Runaway With Me

Bellamy raised his axe, following through with a forceful swing that jarred his shoulders as the blade sank into one of the thick branches of a felled tree. He'd been working since early morning earning his living as a woodcutter. The money wasn't much, but when added to Octavia's meager salary as a seamstress it was enough to get them by.

He wriggled the handle, trying to pry the axe from the tree, when his employer approached.

"The tree will still be here when we get back. Let's break for the noon meal," the man said with a chuckle as he clapped him on the shoulder.

Bellamy nodded, giving one final jerk to free his axe before leaning it against the side of the tree and then sat down to eat.

Clarke had been walking in the woods for some time, enjoying the quiet and the escape it gave her from her mother. Abby wanted her to spend time with her new fiancé, but she really didn't see the need. It wasn't that Mr. Collins was a bad man; she just didn't want to sign away her freedom. She wanted to travel, see the world and experience all of its wonders.

It had always been her dream to venture to the city. She wanted to see the cobbled streets, tall stone buildings, and large open markets. She wanted to see beyond the mountains that loomed in the distance, feel the ocean lapping against her bare feet.

Clarke sighed, running a hand through her tangled blonde curls. She knew that most young women would be overjoyed at the prospect of marriage, but to her it only felt as though she was being sold to the highest bidder- the son of a wealthy ironworker. She couldn't help but be angry with her mother for pushing for this arrangement, an arrangement that had seemingly ruined her life.

She soon found herself walking unbidden to her father's shop. It was mid-day, and she knew that he would have stopped to eat some of her mother's freshly baked bread and goat cheese.

Clarke quickened her pace; coming upon the wooded area where her father's small shop sat huddled among the trees. She crept forward, remaining behind one of the giant pines, peeking out to see her father sitting on a stump as he enjoyed his noon meal.

Not far from him was the man she'd found herself captivated by since the first moment she'd seen him when he had first moved to her tiny village several months ago. He was a mystery to her, and always looked to be deep in thought- almost like he was brooding over something he couldn't seem to let go. She frowned as she stepped away from the tree, knowing she should turn and run.

"Get back to work," someone shouted behind her, "Break's over."

Clarke hurried away from the tree, not wanting to be caught so close to her father's shop. She didn't feel like explaining to her mother why she went beyond the walls… Again.

She was nearly out of sight from the workers when a deep voice sounded behind her.

"You shouldn't be here," Bellamy told the blonde beauty he'd seen peaking out from behind a tree. He wasn't sure why she'd been there, but he didn't object.

He'd seen her many a time as she strolled through the village, and many more as she snuck through the city gates. He admired her restlessness, but he could tell that it wasn't just a free spirit that caused it. He could see it in her startling blue eyes- the need to escape.

"I'm Clarke, by the way," the blonde says, extending her hand with a nervous smile," And you're right, I shouldn't be here."

Bellamy watched as she tipped her head back, gazing at the bright blue sky slightly marred by wispy clouds. When her eyes return to his, she sighs, and he can read a sadness in their depths that startles perplexes him. Why would something so beautiful harbor such sorrow?

Then he remembered the rumor of the girl pledged to the son of the village's wealthy ironworker. He didn't like the thought of the vibrant creature before him being forced into a marriage she didn't want.

"The city is most beautiful in the summer time," Bellamy offered, unsure why he was telling her this.

Then he watched as a small wistful smile played on her lips as her blue gaze traveled to where the tree tops swayed in the breeze.

"If only I had time," Clarke replied sadly, thinking of the adventures she would miss out on. She would be tied to her husband, obligated to give him children and keep his house.

"I'm Bellamy."

The deep voice successfully pulled Clarke from her dark musings, and she realized all she wanted to do was hide away from her troubles with the man before her- if only for a little while.

"Tell me more about the city, Bellamy," Clarke said, taking him by surprise.

Bellamy recovers quickly, nodding as he began to tell her about everything he could about the city. He told her about the buildings, houses, shops full of trinkets and dresses, the people who cluttered the cobble stone streets, and the theatrical performances they loved to watch.

They talked for hours, Bellamy working and Clarke listening in rapt attention. He would cut and split the logs while she stacked it in a neat pile. Her dress was soon filthy, but her problems felt far away.

After Bellamy's work was finished they walked back to the village. He was telling her a story about his sister, Octavia, when she was young making Clarke laugh. She hadn't laughed in such a long time, and he had to admit that he enjoyed the sound- enjoyed everything about her.

The odd pair soon began to spend every day together, even when Bellamy wasn't working. They often went outside the walls, talking as they walked through the shaded forest. They shared their dreams and wishes, their deepest fears and greatest desires.

It only took one cycle of the moon for Clarke to realize that she was falling for this man. The more time she spent with him, the more attached she became until any thought of the ironworker's son brought a deep ache to her chest.

The day of her wedding was drawing nearer, and they'd decided to spend one last day together before she was swept up in the planning of her wedding. They ventured into the woods like they'd done so many times before, but today silence hung between them as they were both consumed with their thoughts.

They hadn't talked about their feelings, always leaving them just out of reach. They had been putting it off, trying to ignore the inevitable heartbreak they both knew was coming. Bellamy couldn't do it anymore, he needed to bring it up because he was in love with Clarke and he couldn't sit by and watch as she married someone else.

"You will be married in less than a fortnight," he said, his hand resting on the hilt of the sword at his belt.

Clarke's lips thinned, she didn't want to talk about it. All she wanted was to walk in silence with Bellamy at her side, her hand occasionally brushing his, but she knew they had to discuss the future.

"I guess you're right," she mumbled, tearing a leaf from a low hanging branch. "My mother gets what she's always wanted," she tore the leaf in half before letting the pieces drift to the forest floor, "Money."

"And Finn gets what he always wanted… You," he frowned, his gaze never leaving the golden beauty before him.

"So, what do we do now," Clarke breathed, running her hand over the rough tree bark as she walked by, slowing to a stop and looking up at Bellamy.

"Do you want to marry him," Bellamy asked, his tone hesitant- almost as though he's afraid of the answer.

Clarke shakes her head, a soft smile curving her lips, "You know I don't."

Bellamy stared at her a moment, and then his lips twitch with a smirk as he took a step back, "Prove it."

Clarke tilted her head at his challenge, "How?"

"Run away with me," he said, hope evident in his dark eyes.

Clarke ponders this for a moment, "Where would we go," she asked in amusement.

"Anywhere you want," Bellamy answered, taking a step closer to her, "The Ocean," another step closer and he began to circle her. "The city," he whispers against her neck.

Clarke gulped, gazing up at the tall trees. Bellamy stepped away with a knowing smirk.

"The mountains," he continued, watching as her smile faltered and of course he noticed, "Afraid?"

"No," Clarke said without hesitation- she wasn't afraid, she was excited!

"No," Bellamy asked, playfully grabbing Clarke's waist.

She lets out a surprised giggle, trying to wriggle free and ends up making them both fall to the forest floor. She looked up at Bellamy, his hot breath ghosting over her face, his dark eyes going nearly black.

"Really," he asked as he hovered above her, searching her deep blue eyes, "You'd leave your home? Your family? Your whole life?"

"I would do anything to be with you," Clarke answered honestly.

It was the first time she'd uttered such a thing out loud. They both knew that there were strong feelings between them for some time now, but they'd never said them out loud.

"I thought you'd say that," Bellamy smirked down at her, helping her to her feet and pulling her close.

"Oh did you," Clarke asked, playfully pushing his shoulder.

Bellamy laughed, wrapping his arms around her waist, "Let's do something about it."

His hand is warm as it cups her cheek. She sucked in a deep breath, looking over his shoulder at the horses they'd ridden picking at the green grass peeking out of the fallen leaves.

"It'd be a half day's ride before anyone knows we're gone," Clarke said with a smirk, her challenge filled gaze colliding with his.

Bellamy looked at the horses, and then back at Clarke. His breath caught as he leaned in, his lips so close to her own. He'd never been this close, always keeping his distance but now there was no need. She was his, and she had been for a while.

Clarke leans in because he's just so warm, heat radiating off him and enveloping her in his woodsy scent. She closed the distance between them, pressing her soft lips to his.

The kiss was slow at first, but quickly became heated. Their lips moved each other in a rhythmic dance that left Clarke breathless and wishing for more. Bellamy pulled away first, resting his forehead against hers.

"I'll race you," he smiled.

Clarke looked at him for a moment before running with a little shriek to the horses. She's nearly there when his hand on her arm slows her so he can run passed her. She laughs, pushing her legs to go faster. She reaches the horses first, and soon he's pulling her to him again.

"I'm in love with you, Clarke," Bellamy whispered as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I know," she smiled, "I'm in love with you too, Bellamy."

He pressed his lips to hers in a quick kiss before pulling away and helping her onto her horse. It's that moment that a realization hits her, something she can't ignore.

"What about your sister," she asked, looking at the man she was prepared to spend the rest of her life with.

"She has Lincoln," Bellamy said gruffly, staring at the trail ahead.

Clarke reached for his hand, twining their fingers together. He squeezes her hand, running his thumb across her knuckles saying, "She'll know where to follow once we're gone."

"Let's go then," Clarke smiled, reluctantly letting go of Bellamy's hand.

Bellamy jumped up on his horse, throwing her one more smile before leading the way to their new adventure. Happy, now that they could finally be together.

A/N: Please go and check out my co-written story Kingdom of Shadows!

-Lin