'How did I get here?' Bellamy thinks. All he wanted was to stay close to his sister, to protect her. The ground was supposed to be their new beginning, a safe haven from impossible rules. Instead, it was full of Grounders thirsty for blood. Grounders who sold them the story of unity only to turn their backs on them the first chance they get. The only good thing about Lexa's betrayal was that Octavia got to stay with him.
He's in Mt. Weather, roaming the empty hallways. It still, probably always will carry that eerie vibe that makes him clutch the weapon closer. All he carries is a gun. There is no threat here anymore. He rounds the corner. The sign says 'Sector 5'. He isn't sure how he got there, but he keeps going drawn by the sense of warmth. Like that child's game. Warmth is pulling him closer and closer, one corner, two… he halts abruptly.
"Clarke? "
The blonde turns. He isn't sure if he should believe his eyes. She rushes into his arms like she did once or twice before. "Bellamy." his name sounds like a prayer on her lips, "I need your help."
"What's wrong?" she's dragging him towards the door, "When did you come back?"
"We need to hurry, Bellamy." she urges him. She's yanking the lever on the wall, "It's jammed."
Without a question, he grabs on another half of the handle and pulls. The rusty metal hardly budges. They look at each other and nod. Using all his strength, he finds support on the wall. The big lever is moving down slowly, opening the door with a screech. As it reaches the end he lets go, arms feel like they might fall out of the sockets. "We did it." he turns to Clarke. She's not there. She's left him. Again.
The heath and strong, sulfuric smell hit him suddenly. What they… he opened was the dining room. People of the civilization he helped wipe out are standing, watching him. Bits of burned skin are falling on the floor. Some are grinning, showing off their rotting teeth. He draws out the gun. In unison they begin to walk towards him.
"Stand down!" he screams.
When they don't, he shoots one in the shoulder. It or he stumbles a little and keeps walking. Bellamy turns and runs. He has to warn the others. He rushes but the stench is following him everywhere. His head is spinning, everything is just one big blur. He must have taken the wrong turn, there is no way out… those things are everywhere.
He shoots one in the head. That seems to do the trick. Six bullets left. He's alone somehow when a kid appears. He remembers him. Only now, he stares at him with yellow rimmed pupils.
"Where's my daddy?" he asks in a cracked voice.
Bellamy points the gun at his head, hands shaking, "I'm sorry." he lets out a soft whimper and closes his eyes.
"It hurts…"
Bellamy's eyes shoot open. "Octavia…" he lets out. "What…"
His sister is looking at him with dead eyes, burnt skin yellowish and red barely holding onto her face.
"Bell…" strange voice comes out of her, "Blake!"
Bellamy opens his eyes, Abby's worried face close to his. He springs up, heart racing, hands still shaking.
"Bad dream?"
He lifts his hand, puts it down. He opens his mouth then shuts them. He rubs his face, "What's going on?"
"Marcus wants a word with you."
Bellamy sinks back on the bed and puts his head in his hands. It is wet, hair sticking to his neck. His nostrils are still filled with that smell, "I'll be there in a minute." he hurriedly pulls on his uniform and rushes out.
He follows Abby across the camp, wondering what the hell is happening. Kane was gone all day, nobody knew where. Well, Abby clearly knew but wouldn't tell him. Only some cryptic responses to leave him more worried. Kane must have returned late, after Bellamy's double shift. He spots his friends gathered outside, joking around. The rare sight of smile on Monty's face makes him grin.
When they reach Kane's, Abby turns to him. "He's waiting." she tells him in a tone that makes it feel like she's sending him to be floated.
He watches her leave, rounding the corner before he decides to enter. He knocks then peaks through the door, "Sir. You wanted to see me?"
"Yes." Kane's head jerks in his direction as if surprised by Bellamy's presence. And then it turns into a blank expression that doesn't look promising, "Close the door and take a seat."
He pulls a chair, scraping of the metal surface ringing in his ears. As he sits, he notices Kane's eyes follow his every move. He stares back, silent as well. While Bellamy is looking at Kane with curiosity, he feels the older man is assessing him. Something heavy is on his mind and after what feels like an hour of silence, Bellamy's urge to ask prevails. There is only one thing that could cause Kane to act like this – those damn Grounders, "Sir, are we at another war? Should I check the weapon supply?"
Kane shakes his head like the idea is laughable, "No, nothing like that… How is the guard training going?"
'So, there is a threat.' Bellamy thinks, "Good. Lincoln and I are working with them. They will be ready for duty in… ten days tops."
He nods. Just a courtesy, the topic seems not to interest him much, "And your Trigedaslang?"
"Um…" Bellamy's confused. This feels like small talk. They don't do small talk, "All right, I guess."
"I went to Polis today."
Bellamy blinks in disbelief, "Alone?!"
"With Indra."
"You shouldn't have gone alone, sir. They could have-"
"It is a wonderful place. People from all around live and work together in harmony. I cannot describe it but it opened my eyes to new possibilities."
Bellamy is the one who is silent now. No, that's not what got Kane thinking. There's more. There always is with those people. He's waiting for the bad news.
"I spoke with the Commander."
And there it is. Bellamy smirks at his correct presumption.
"She had an interesting proposal that could open trading routs and most importantly prevent all future bloodshed between our people."
Bellamy snorts. Until better offer comes along, "Does she think we're stupid or that we had a collective amnesia?"
"She offers a marital bond." If that doesn't sound like a line out of the bad horror story, the next one surely does, "To her."
Bellamy bursts into a wholehearted laughter, his stomach begins to hurt. However, when he looks at Kane again, it all dies. It cannot be real, "With all due respect sir, have you lost your mind? You can't seriously be considering this. This isn't the Middle Ages. You can't just marry someone off, especially not to that monster!" he springs to his feet, the chair falls with a loud clang. The idea of her being that close to any of them makes his blood boil. He wants to take the chair, smash the entire place. How could anyone entertain such idea?! "She will annihilate us all without giving it a thought if it serves her. Do you really think a marriage would make any difference? No, she's not to be trusted… This will not happen. No…"
Kane's waiting for Bellamy's word to run out. All he's left is heaving chest and throbbing temples. There's more, Bellamy realizes. Kane's pitting look says is all, "Who is it?" he asks with the last breath in his lungs.
Kane stands up, his chair does not make a sound, "Calm down, Bellamy. Sit."
His open arms seem welcoming and understanding. But this time Bellamy doesn't obey. He steels himself in the spot.
"We are at the crossroad, the Grounders are restless. This is the only way to bring peace and prevent any other clan from attacking. Lexa confirmed only the public duties of a spouse will be required. A delegate with a formal bond to the Commander."
"Who. Is. It?" Bellamy asks forcefully, fiery anger palatable in his voice. He feels he's losing control over himself. His hand are shaking, eyes burning, Adam's apple is wobbling as he breathes.
"She requires someone close to her rank, single, respected by both Trikru and Skaikru… The one able to defend themselves and preferably know some Trigedaslang…" With every word his voice is becoming more quiet but the words are echoing loudly enough in Bellamy's head. As Kane looks away and bows his head in shame, it all clicks.
Bellamy feels like smacked in the gut. The sickening feeling of acid moving up to his throat is overwhelming. He stares at the back of the man who couple of minutes ago he admired greatly. He looks small and old. But Bellamy will not let him off the hook. He will not make the end easier. So he pushes his chin up and asks coolly, daring him, "Who is it?"
Kane turns, somehow having the decency to look him in the eye. His eyes plead not to say the word but Bellamy refuses to budge, "You." he finally utters.
Only after that verbal confirmation does Bellamy allow himself to fully comprehend the meaning of the entire conversation. That evil thing is trying to humiliate them and Kane has agreed to bow his head after one stern look. He can almost envisage the scene. The big bad Commander and the naïve Sky person. And what now? Bellamy should do the same? Not the same, the worst. Marry and do who-knows-what… the sole possibility of being in her presence is giving him murderous thoughts.
"… it's the only way, Bellamy. She's accepted you and we have two days to respond." Kane's voice is seeping back into his mind, "I'm afraid if this falls through-"
As Kane's hand touches his shoulder, Bellamy jerks away like burnt. He needs to get away or he'll do something he might not even regret at this point. He yanks the door open.
"I am sorry." Kane repeats but the words sound hollow.
Kane threw him into this mess; his sorry won't do him any good now. Bellamy cannot listen to the hypocrisy anymore… it's like the Ark all over again - sacrifice the poor and the expendable, "You should be." he hisses before leaving his mentor to wallow in self-pity.