Bellamy felt too hot, like there was a fire under his skin that was melting his insides, but the surface of his skin was too cold and he was shivering. He didn't know where he was, his eyes wouldn't open and his mind was sluggish and sticky, too hard to think about much or stay conscious for long. But he knew Octavia was there. He could feel her hand in his and hear her when she talked to him.

His little sister was taking care of him. If he could have, he would have smiled. Instead he drifted.

When he woke next his eyes were still closed, still in the warm darkness, but his head was a little clearer. He also noticed how hard it was to breathe. His chest was tight and his lungs felt heavy, every breath taking effort just to expand them enough to get in the air he needed. He felt like he was suffocating. He didn't like it.

Bellamy grunted and turned his head, trying to find some way to get the brick off his chest. He was getting more agitated, moving around didn't ease the pressure at all. He tried pushing the sheets off him, wanting to open his eyes but they were stuck shut. Someone grabbed his wrists and held them still at his sides. He was becoming panicked at not being able to move or breathe and he whimpered, as he tried again to tug his hands out of the person's grip.

There were voices then and he turned his head towards them, trying to concentrate on what they were saying.

"Bellamy, it's okay. I'm here, you're okay, just stay still alright? You have an IV in you don't want to pull it out."

It was Octavia and she was running her hands through his hair, pushing it back and calming him down. If she was there, he was safe. He stilled and his hands were released but he whimpered still.

"Don't feel good. Can't breathe."

He pushed the gravelly words out and sucked in another breath of air. Talking was hard.

"Oh I know Bell. We'll get you better. Clarke's here, she's taking good care of you."

Bellamy scrunched his eyebrows and turned his face into his sister's cool hands. He thought Clarke was gone, how was she back?

Sensing his confusion, Octavia explained before he could tire himself further by asking.

"She came back to help you get better. You have pneumonia Bell, it's going to be a while till your breathing gets better. But you're doing better already. Do you think you could open your eyes?"

He tried but they were so heavy and his energy was already fading. He felt like he had been away a long time though and didn't want to leave his sister. He gave up on his eyes and shook his head, squeezing her hand instead.

"Okay, it's alright, Clarke said you'd be tired. Do you want something to eat?"

He shook his head again. Eating sounded like too much effort.

"Bell, please? You need to get strong so you can get better."

She sounded so sad but Bellamy was already losing the war with exhaustion.

"Okay. I'm just glad you're safe. I was so worried Bellamy. I thought I was going to lose my big brother."

She started crying and Bellamy reached a heavy arm out to pull her to his chest. She curled onto his shoulder and wrapped her arms around his chest as he laid his arms across her shoulders. He felt like he hadn't hugged his sister in ages. She shook against him and he held her.

"I'd never leave you O."

She sniffled and settles against him as he drifted back to sleep.

…

Clarke was taking a rare break from the med tent to eat something and was just finishing when Raven came limping over. Clarke jumped up, closing the distance between and taking hold of the mechanics shoulders.

"Bellamy?"

"He woke up again, he was getting agitated with the blankets and was panicking, he would have ripped the IV out if I hadn't stopped him. Octavia's with him now, she calmed him down, it's okay. He couldn't open his eyes but he was talking."

Clarke nodded, smiling at the news.

"He's getting stronger, that's good. I should bring him something to eat, maybe some meat now that he's awake to actually chew it."

Raven nodded and left the girl to it.

Clarke wanted to see Bellamy awake and talking so badly but decided to give the siblings some time to themselves. By the time Clarke made it back to the med tent Bellamy was already asleep, with his little sister asleep on his shoulder. His arms were wrapped around her so he had obviously been coherent enough to know what was happening.

She set the bowl of soup and meat down and went to sit beside the soldier's bed, taking his wrist in her hand and counting out his pulse. It was stronger and she noticed his skin was cooler too.

The medic reached a hand up to feel his cheeks and saw his eyelids flicker. He shifted, turning his face into her open palm and tightened his grip on Octavia. She didn't want to wake the girl yet and tried to keep quiet.

"Shhh, Bellamy it's okay."

He grunted and frowned.

"Clarke?" His voice was rough from disuse but it was the most beautiful sound and Clarke smiled at finally being able to hear it after so long.

"Yeah. I'm here."

"Came…back." He was so tired but Clarke couldn't bring herself to stop talking.

"Yeah. I'm sorry I left, but I'm here now."

He breathed out as big a sigh as he could manage and lifted a hand from his sister to reach it vaguely towards Clarke.

"Don't…leave. Stay. Here."

She took his searching hand and held it gratefully, tears filling her eyes. He wanted her there.

"I'm not going anywhere."

The Blake smiled and nodded.

"Good. Gotta have my… princess." And he was asleep. Clarke blushed at the familiar nick name and pressed a kiss to his forehead.

"Goodnight Bellamy."