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Chapter 2

Bellamy woke with a grown. His shoulder burned and his body ached. He slowly opened his eyes, adjusting to the dim living room. He smiled when he saw Clarke asleep in the recliner.

She was curled on her side; the chair leaned back, and covered in a leopard print fuzzy blanket. Her blonde hair frizzed in all directions, and her lips formed an adorable pout.

He tried to sit up, grimacing and stifling a moan. He realized he hadn't been quiet enough when Clarke shot up, the recliner popping upright. The look on her face was priceless, a mixture of confusion and frustration.

"What are you doing, Blake", she grumbled rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"Just trying to get more comfortable, Princess", Bellamy said with a grin.

"What time is it?"

"About nine", he answered.

"Are you hungry? I'm starving", Clarke said with a yawn.

"I could probably eat something", Bellamy chuckled.

"I'll make some breakfast then", she said as she got up.

Bellamy watched as she shuffled to the kitchen, one hand moving to her neck and rubbing the taught, aching muscles. He rose slowly, ignoring the pain, and made his way to the island.

He pulled out one of the stools, easing down on the dark wooden surface, settling down to watch the princess work. He'd eaten plenty of her cooking over the years, and he was reminded of one such instance.

Bellamy had come in from a long day of work at the garage, his head hung low and steps dragging. He'd opened the door of he and Octavia's dilapidated house, his senses assailed with the smell of Italian food.

He made his way to the kitchen, catching a glimpse of blonde hair. He rounded the corner, her off key humming making him smile. Clarke stood in front of the stove wearing a pair of denim shorts and one of his many white t-shirts.

At eighteen she was gorgeous and very hard for him to ignore. Ever since that night four years ago, she'd been the one person he trusted most. He trusted her with Octavia, but more importantly he trusted her with himself.

"Whatcha cooking Princess", he said with a smirk.

"Chicken Alfredo. I saw the news earlier and figured your day had been less than stellar, so I thought I would fix one of your favorites."

He didn't bother looking surprised. There'd been a gang fight, but thankfully he'd missed out on it. It had ransacked the mechanic shop he worked in for Lynx, and he'd had to get everything back in order.

"Thanks. Where's O?"

"She's out with Jasper", Clarke said with a knowing grin.

"Hmm, well at least I okayed that one", he groused.

"He's a good kid, Bell. I don't know how long he'll be able to entertain her, but he'll take care of her all the same."

"What are you doing here", he asked with a frown.

"Mom."

The one word said it all. Clarke's dad had died two years ago and ever since she'd spent more time at the Blake residence than she did her own. However, something was different about this time.

"What happened?"

"She kicked me out", Clarke said matter of factly.

"What do you mean she kicked you out", Bellamy cried.

"We got into it, and then she just told me to get out. Didn't even let me get my clothes. I guess I'll have to run by when she's at work and pack up."

Bellamy was angry. How could her mother just kick her out! Then his shirt made sense, she didn't have any other clothes.

"You've always got a home here", he said seriously.

Clarke turned and smiled at him, "Thanks Bell."

"Do you want pancakes or bacon and eggs", Clarke asked, pulling Bellamy from his thoughts.

"Whichever sounds good to you", he said with a smile.

He already knew what it would be.

"Pancakes it is then", she said with a grin.

Bellamy watched her as she made the batter, her off key humming making him smile just like always. Her hips swung from side to side, and soon she was singing at the top of her lungs.

She threw him a smile over her shoulder, and soon he was chiming in.

"Cuz I'm all about that bass, bout that bass, no treble", they sang in unison.

They both burst out laughing, tears running down their faces.

"We should take our show on the road", Clarke said with a grin.

"Whatever you say Princess", Bellamy chuckled, "Are those pancakes ready yet? I'm about to waste away over here!"

He watched as she heaped a pile of pancakes on a plate, slathering them with peanut butter, and then smothering them with syrup. She set the stack before him, and then poured him a glass of milk.

"Better watch it. You're gonna spoil me", Bellamy grinned.

"Blake, I've been spoiling you for years", Clarke said dryly.

"Touché! Mmmm, these are awesome!"

He scooted over and made room for her at the island. She sat down, sending him a sidelong glance. The mirth left her blue eyes, replaced by serious appraisal.

"Don't say it, Clarke", he said quietly.

"I'm going to say it whether you want to hear it or not. I worry about you, Bellamy. I just wish you could get out of this mess."

Bellamy stared at her, looking into her concern filled eyes. She'd been one of the only people in his life who'd ever cared. Octavia loved him, but at times she was too busy with her own drama to notice what was going on in her brother's life.

It worked out in his favor, made it easier for him to hide his involvement with the Grounders from her. However, the blonde beside him missed nothing. Those blue eyes had always seen him whether he wanted them to or not.

"I know, Princess, me too", he said honestly.

"There's got to be something, Bell", Clarke said pleadingly.

"The only way to get out is in a body bag", Bellamy replied darkly.

"We'll think of something."

Bellamy looked down to find her hand on his forearm, her thumb rubbing back and forth against his skin. He tried to give her a reassuring smile before going back to his breakfast, the syrupy goodness not quite as enjoyable now.

After they'd finished, he rose from his seat and placed his dishes in the sink.

"Well, Princess, thanks for taking care of me", Bellamy said with a wink, "I've got to get back to my place."

"Be careful, and you could drop by just to visit occasionally you know", Clarke said with a smirk.

"Point taken. Where'd you put my pants?"

"I'll get them. I've got one of your shirts too", she said as she got up.

Bellamy leaned against the wall, staring down the hallway. He watched her as she bent to take everything out of the dryer. He caught his pants as she tossed them in his direction before moving into her room.

He caught sight of her digging through the bottom drawer of her dresser, pulling out a gray t-shirt.

"Leave your sweat pants in the bathroom and I'll wash them. I've only got one extra set."

Bellamy stepped into the bathroom, her words startling him. One would think that O would be in charge of his clothing, but here was Clarke collecting different articles of his apparel like it was normal.

The thought brought a smile to his face. It shouldn't surprise him. She'd been taking care of both of them since Octavia had met the little blonde spitfire on the playground of ARK Elementary.

He changed clothes quickly, leaving the sweats near the tub. He walked out into the hall and found Clarke pulling the blankets from the couch, moving to the washer and dumping them in.

Bellamy pulled on his shoes before making his way to where she was pouring detergent into the large metal drum.

"Thanks again, Princess", he said gripping her hand gently.

"You're welcome, Bell. Try to stay in one piece for the time being, ok?"

"I'll try. Bye Clarke", he said with a wave.

As he made his way out of the apartment, he couldn't help but wish he could stay. He'd come to find that in life, home wasn't a house it was a person and Clarke Griffin had definitely become the closest thing he'd had to home in a long time.

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