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Chapter 24

A few days later, Clarke sat in her hospital bed staring at the handsome view not three feet from her. His head was bent, absorbed in a greek epic, his dark curls falling across his forehead in a charming display only Bellamy Blake could pull off.

She grinned as she watched his lips move, silently forming the words that compiled to form his favorite story of all time, The Illiad. She loved to watch him read, had since she was little. His dark eyes darted back and forth, and his nose scrunched adorably in concentration.

Her mind began to wander to the night she'd found him in that alley, his blood pouring from a gaping wound in his chest. They hadn't talked much about it, but she found that she needed to know.

"Tell me", she said quietly.

Clarke watched as Bellamy's head shot up, his expressive gaze colliding with her own. He set the book aside, and came to sit on the bed beside her. He gently took her hand in his, his thumb running over her knuckles in a soothing manner.

"My death was Kane's idea", he began, "He said that Cage and Lynx would hunt me down, using any means necessary, to ensure I didn't spill my guts to the authorities. He said that you had to witness it, you had to believe that I was gone so that you wouldn't look for me. The blood was my own, collected earlier in the day, and he slipped me a pill that gives the appearance of death.

"The ambulance picked me up and dropped me at a safe house, where I stayed until the night of the takedown. I had no idea you would be there. Kane neglected to mention that you'd taken over the shop after my passing. I know you're probably wondering why I did this, so I'll tell you. Cage is a dangerous man, and I couldn't afford him using either you or O against me. If he thought I was dead then you would both be safe."

Clarke simply stared at their joined hands for a moment, before looking back up.

"I'm sorry I took over the shop, and ignored O", she said softly.

"Princess, I never want you to apologize for the way you feel. I'm proud of the way you handled yourself. Kane even agreed that if it weren't for you we never would have gotten Cage and Lynx this fast, as well as the added bonus of Finn Collins. Who we are, and who we have to be to survive are two very different things."

Clarke gazed into his velvety brown eyes, all of her grief for him pouring forth. She needed him to know how much she'd missed him. So, she grabbed his shirt, pulling his mouth down to hers.

She poured everything she felt for him into that kiss, every moment she'd missed him and her joy at having him returned to her. Her fingers soon slipped through his dark curls, coming to rest on the back of his neck.

She felt him shiver, and she smiled against his mouth before pulling away and leaning her forehead against his.

"I missed you, Princess", he said softly, his breath ghosting across her cheeks.

"Not nearly as much as I missed you", she answered.

Clarke watched as he moved back to his seat, pulling the chair closer to the bed and never releasing his grip on her hand. He once again opened his book, one hand holding the tattered volume while the other traced lazy circles against her palm.

She laid back, eyes closed, and allowed her memories to lull her to sleep.

It had been a cold winter day when she and Octavia had finally moved the last of their things into the apartment. She was ecstatic to begin this chapter of her life, but also a little apprehensive.

Clarke was worried about Bellamy. It felt like she'd been taking care of him for years, and now he would be blocks away in his own apartment. The thought terrified her. She loved O, but Bellamy was the one she'd spent most of her time with over the last four years.

Now the thought of not seeing him every day was almost unbearable.

She stood in the middle of the apartment, eyes scanning her surroundings when she heard a grunt at the front door. She turned to see Bellamy carrying in two big boxes, his face hiding behind the stack of cardboard.

"Here let me get that for you", she said, stepping forward to help.

"No, Princess, I go it. Just point me in the direction of O's room", he grumbled, his voice slightly muffled.

Clarke gently guided him down the hall, and watched as he shoved the door open with his foot before laying the boxes down on the colorful area rug adorning the floor.

"There, that's the last of it", he said brushing his hands on his pant's leg.

"You could stay for dinner. It's the least we could do after you helped us move all of this stuff", Clarke said with a hopeful smile.

"Sorry, Princess, but I have to go and unpack things at my place."

Clarke watched him make his way to the door, and then a thought occurred to her.

"Bell, why don't I come and help you unpack? It's not like I've never seen your underwear", she said with a smirk.

Bellamy stood still for a moment, "Alright, but you're making lasagna for supper."

Clarke spent the afternoon helping him unpack, and then cooking them supper. They sat on the floor of his living room, grinning over plates of warm lasagna.

"Thanks for all your help, Princess, I don't think I would have ever finished on my own."

"You welcome. Bell, nothing's going to change, is it", Clarke asked hesitantly.

Bellamy's gaze found her own, and he smiled tenderly.

"Princess, nothing between you and me will ever change. You're stuck with me."

Clarke sighed, thankful to finally have her fears out in the open.

"It'll take time to adjust, but I promise to be over at your place so much you'll be sick of seeing me in no time", Bellamy chuckled.

"Bell, I've lived with you for nearly four years, if I was going to get sick of you I think I would have done it by now."

Clarke smiled at the memory, and then looked up to find Bellamy staring at her.

"Now, who's thinking too loud, Princess", he asked with a smirk.

Clarke sobered, tightening her hold on his fingers.

"Bell, promise me you'll never leave me again. I don't think I could survive it a second time", she whispered.

She watched him as he stood, coming to lean over her before placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"I'm not going anywhere, Princess. You're stuck with me for the long haul. Now get some rest", he said, smoothing an errant curl away from her face.

Clarke nodded, her eyes drifting closed. She had nothing to fear. Everything she would ever need was sitting right beside her.

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