Author's Note: School is killing me, but the semester is almost over! Then I'll have more time to work on this. So this chapter is super short and I'm really sorry for that, but I just wanted to let you all know I didn't forget this fic and I will keep working on it! Expect more over the weekend. For now, here's chapter 8.
"Are you sure you're ready?"
Going back isn't going to be easy, and Clarke knows that, but it's time. They've been gone for three weeks now. Because of the healing power of time (and Octavia), Clarke no longer cries herself to sleep, her nightmares have become far less intense, and she's sorted out many of her erratic emotions. Sure, she's not the same as before—she never will be—but she's ready. She wants to see Raven, Bellamy, Monty & Jasper, and her mom. This is what's best for Clarke.
"Let's do this."
Octavia smiles at Clarke and takes her hand. The girls look at the gates of Camp Jaha and step out from behind the tree line in unison.
As they get closer, Clarke hears shouts from behind the gates.
"Clarke is back! Octavia and Clarke are coming back! They're okay!"
It's just after first light, so there aren't too many people awake around camp, but with all the shouting there is no doubt that the returnees will soon face a crowd of people. With this realization, Clarke slows her pace dramatically. Her heart starts racing, her breathing becomes irregular, and her hands start shaking. There's no retreating back to the woods now, there's no running to their safe space. She has to face this.
Octavia has come to know Clarke's anxiety well. She feels the blonde's hand shaking in her own and squeezes it tightly. She matches her pace. As they walk, Octavia turns her head to look at Clarke and offer her reassurance.
"You can do this. You will be okay. Just take slow breaths and hang on to me. I've got you. I love you, Clarke."
With this, Clarke becomes almost instantly calm. Nothing makes her feel better than Octavia's love for her. This isn't a romantic love, but a genuinely caring friendship sort of love. That's not to say that they don't love each other romantically, but right now that's not what they both need. Right now, as friends and family approach them, they need the supporting love.
"I love you too," Clarke whispers to Octavia with a smile before people are upon them. Octavia smiles back, knowing she succeeded in easing Clarke's mind, then turns to face the onslaught of sky people.
"Damn, O. It took you long enough," Bellamy says lovingly as he picks his little sister up and spins her around. He never wants to let her go again.
Octavia smiles widely at her brother and quips, "I knew you wouldn't survive much longer without me; I kinda didn't have a choice."
As Bellamy welcomes Octavia, Abby hastily approaches and hugs her daughter. "I'm so happy you're okay. I love you so much Clarke. Thank god you're ok. Thank you for coming back."
Clarke is definitely overwhelmed and is finding it hard to breathe in Abby's grasp, but she still manages to speak.
"I'm really happy to see you again, mom. It's so good to see you."
After what seems like forever, Octavia and Clarke are released from the grasps of their relatives. The first person to sweep them both into another embrace is Raven. The mechanic missed her best friends more than she can put into words. Sass-less words, that is.
"Dammit guys, before you disappear for another month maybe you could invite me or, I don't know, TELL ME."
"A month? More like three weeks," Octavia laughs as she hugs her friend.
"Well clearly it wasn't long enough to make you loose the attitude, Pocahontas." Raven smiles at Octavia and then focuses her attention to Clarke. "Glad you're back, blondie."
After the three young women finish greeting each other, the remainder of the original 100 and the other Ark survivors bombard Octavia and Clarke with hugs and questions. There are a lot of questions. Both girls are struggling to maintain their composure and it's clear to Raven, Abby, and Bellamy that the prodigal daughters need some time to settle back in.
"HEY! Give them some room, people. They literally haven't even gotten into camp yet."
The crowd turns and looks at the open camp gate after Raven's comment. The mechanic is right, they're still about ten feet outside of camp.
"You two should head on in. Your tent is still where it was when you left, Clarke." Abby weakly smiles at her daughter. Though she is happy for the return, the doctor still harbors great worry for her daughter's wellbeing.
Clarke nods to Abby in acknowledgment and appreciation. Her mother didn't give up on hope for her return. The sky princess takes Octavia's hand, not worrying about what people might think, and they begin to walk into camp. Bellamy walks in front of them, clearing a path through the crowd of people.
As Clarke and Octavia walk through the threshold of Camp Jaha, they know that this is it. They're back.