#kathryn writes: cracklingfires

[she-who-the-river-could-not-hold]

Crackling Fires 2021 | October Fic Challenge

"Taking a Chance"

hosted by: @crackling-fires | prompt(s): day 10 – sharing a scarf, day 17: campfire stories | ship(s): Princess Mechanic | wc: 1.4k Griffins aren’t cowards––so Clarke has to put on a brave face about the scary stories that the other Scouts want to tell around the campfire. But somehow even scarier than the story Harper is telling is the budding crush she has on her best friend Raven. But Raven offers her comfort and even if she’s nervous about her feelings, she can’t bring herself to turn it down.

Absent-mindedly scratching at the lone mosquito bite on her ankle wasn’t quite enough to distract Clarke from what was going on.

It was the second night of sleep-away camp for the Arkadia Scouts, their yearly camping trip for the young women to come out and enjoy nature, earn a few extra badges, and hang out with friends. It was always one of the last weekends of September, lining up with the slow changing of the leaves and a drop in temperature. Just warm enough to still fit in a few hikes or canoeing, but cool enough for nighttime bonfires and extra heavy quilts in the cabins. 

It was Clarke’s first trip ever despite having been a Scout since she was ten. 

Every year she found an excuse. Sometimes it was legitimate, like you know, her dad dying. Then her mom offered for her to come with her to a work conference and even though she didn’t have to, she’d said yes and purposefully skipped the camping weekend. There was just always something easy to say instead. Another way to earn badges, another way to have some time with the other girls.

Clarke was fifteen now but she knew that Griffins weren’t supposed to admit that they were scared.

And sleep-away camp terrified her.

Especially when Harper insisted everyone swap scary stories.  It wasn’t that Clarke hated scary things. But staying in old rustic cabins in the middle of nowhere, during her first sleep-away camp ever, was already scary enough. The last thing she’d wanted to hear was the exuberant excitement for ghost stories around the fire pit. No thank you. But it wasn’t up to her so she’d accepted her fate, stuffed herself full of burnt s’mores, and was desperately trying to pretend that she was having a great time. The day part had been fun at least, but she was silently counting down the seconds until bed while Harper described the gorey details of a man hacking people up on a spaceship because the demons of his dead wife and children asked him to.

She hadn’t realized how much she’d tucked herself back though until suddenly her vision was obscured.

“You’re looking pretty lonely back here, want some company?”

Clarke glanced up, her eyes adjusting from the deep orange glow of the campfire and into the eyes of…

Raven Reyes.

Gulping, she gave a quick nod.

“Yeah, go for it,” she responded, cringing at herself as she scooted over on the log so that the other girl had room to sit beside her. Raven gave her a wide smile as she sat down, her arm brushing up against Clarke’s. Fighting the blush threatening to bloom on her cheeks, Clarke did everything she could to keep her smile completely neutral. While she’d obviously been close to the other girl at camp so far, and even shared classes at school, they’d never been this close to each other. She could feel butterflies fluttering in her chest.

“You’re pretty far back, aren’t you cold?” Raven didn’t wait for Clarke to answer and unraveled the scarf hanging around her neck. “Here, it’s long enough to share.” 

Any protest Clarke could have had died in her throat, both as she shivered (it was getting cold) and as whatever faint whiff of Raven’s perfume followed the fuzzy fabric and tickled her nose. She couldn’t say no to that. So she squeaked out a thanks and the two squeezed tighter together, legs pressed up against each other.

So much for getting over her crush on the girl who had transferred to her high school last year.

Clarke had maybe a few month’s head start on figuring out that she liked girls the same way she liked guys when Raven had walked into her AP Biology class. And she was glad she’d already started figuring it out because she wouldn’t have been remotely prepared for the big fat crush she’d immediately developed. Tall, athletic, and whip smart. Of course, strikingly beautiful. Clarke’s heart hadn’t stood a chance.

Not that she’d really ever planned on saying anything. The two were becoming best friends but she’d heard stories about Raven’s ex-boyfriend (who’d cheated on her––how??) and she was too nervous to ask if Raven’s sexuality expanded past guys that looked like they belonged in boybands (not that Clarke had stalked his Facebook page). He had the potential to have been her type in middle school, but now his ex was also her type and she’d quickly closed out of his page when her mind started spinning at the confusion of it all.

Besides, even if she was bi or pan, Clarke wasn’t sure if Raven would like her back. Raven was cool, effortlessly cool. How many fifteen year old girls worked on cars in their spare time?? Not any that Clarke knew, that was for sure. And how could that type of girl be interested in bossy nerds who watched medical shows to critique them?

But those insecurities were impossible to focus on in her current situation.The scarf kept them close, but Raven prolonged it with her running commentary under her breath. She seemed just as skeptical of ghost stories as Clarke was. Her little side jokes had Clarke forgetting about being nervous or scared. Instead, she was giggling and even cracking her own jokes (take that, her middle school bullies, she could be fun). 

Earlier all Clarke had wanted was the evening to wrap up quickly. Now as the stories came to a close and the embers glowed low and red, she found herself sad that the night was coming to a close.

She sadly pulled away from Raven’s shoulder, where she’d ended up leaning against for the rest of the stories.

The brunette hoisted herself up quickly and Clarke cursed the sinking feeling in her gut. But was immediately swayed when Raven spun on her heel, extending her hand towards her to help her stand up.

It clearly wasn’t necessary, but she shyly slipped her hand into Raven’s and used it to stand up as well. 

And then Monroe came over to ask Raven about the projects for tomorrow and all Clarke could focus on was that Raven wasn’t letting go of her hand. 

The other girls are talking about something involving woodworking and the best views for the growing orange wave of leaves, but Clarke wasn’t listening. The scarf now hung singularly on her and with the warmth of Raven’s hand against hers, she didn’t even miss the now extinguished fire. There was plenty of warmth right here, even if she couldn’t figure out what all was happening.

When Monroe said bye, not even glancing once at their hands (she’d come out in eighth grade and had made her realize that maybe it wasn’t actually weird that she found girls pretty too), Raven finally turned to Clarke.

She looked like she’d been planning on saying something else, but one look at Clarke’s bewildered expression had her letting out a nervous laugh instead.

For the first time ever, the intense girl seemed nervous. 

“Sorry,” she said quickly, glancing down at their still conjoined hands, “I probably misinterpreted. I’m not really good at this whole thing, I’ve never pursued anything before.”

Raven cleared her throat before continuing.

For someone who always seemed calm and collected, she certainly seemed talkative when she was anxious.“The scarf was stupid, I know. Like who would assume that’s a pickup line? It doesn’t exactly scream ‘hey want to go on a date after camp’ or anything––”

As she rambled, Raven’s grip on Clarke’s hand was loosening.

So naturally she panicked. “I’ve had a crush on you since you walked into Mr. Pike’s bio class!” Clarke blurted out, interrupting the long string of run-on sentences that were spilling out of Raven.

Now it was Raven’s turn to gawk at her. Even in the low light of the lanterns on the pathway, the stars seemed to illuminate the surprise in her eyes. Or maybe it was the stars that Raven was so obsessed with reflecting back at her. 

Clarke chewed on her lip anxiously. “Too much?”

A slow smile started to tug at the corner of Raven’s lips as she shook her head.

“Not at all.”

Their hands stayed tightly clasped as they walked back to the cabins, the butterflies still in Clarke’s chest but now in a much happier sort of state. Maybe after this weekend she can ask Raven out on an official date. Halloween and fall events will be starting up again and if anyone could make her feel safe and happy during all of that, Raven was the perfect person.

And, if Clarke was brave enough, maybe their first kiss could be in the arc of autumn, to bookend the beginning of the season when they first admitted their feelings.

[she-who-the-river-could-not-hold]

Crackling Fires 2021 | October Fic Challenge

"I Know"

hosted by: @crackling-fires | prompt(s): day 07 – antique shops | ship(s): Murven | wc: 899 Raven needs some last minute costume pieces for the Halloween party that Jasper and Monty are throwing and Murphy tags along. Somehow they accidentally decide on a couple's costume at the antique shop and Raven has to figure out what that means. 

The same universe as the pumpkin patch fic.

“You seriously don’t have a costume already? I thought you were a planner––the party is in five days.”

Raven rolled her eyes as she shifted through her stack of homework. “Fuck off Murphy, I’ll be fine. Are you telling me you don’t have one?”

The bane of her existence, and unfortunate star of her current romantic fantasies, sighed and slouched back in his chair. Murphy had come to bother her at the library before they all met up for dinner at the dining hall. She both hated and appreciated his presence because his habit of making her tongue-tied went from non-existent to almost consistent since the piggy back ride at the pumpkin patch.

“Of course I don’t yet,” Murphy replied exasperatedly, tipping his chair back into a precarious angle, “but that’s my brand. I’m never prepared. You probably came out of the womb correcting the doctor on how to properly be prepared or whatever.”

She couldn’t help but feel a smile tug at her lips at the strange compliment. 

“Well what do you propose we do about it then?” Raven snapped her notebook closed and arched an eyebrow at him. Grinning now that he had her full attention, Murphy let the chair slide back into its correct position and leaned over the table towards her. Raven fought against the blush threatening to bloom on her cheeks as he stared intently at her.

“That antique store on Polis Drive. The owner is one of Clarke’s old flings, Niylah. There’s gotta be some cool shit there and I know you don’t ever want to blend in, even at Halloween.”

***

The antique shop was, indeed, filled with “cool shit” as per Murphy’s description.

Niylah, a striking tall blonde woman, let them in and pointed out the different sections of it all. Apparently it had all started from her father’s collection and grew over time as she sought to save items from ruin in neighborhood garage sales and collectors who needed new homes as they moved on. There was only one other person in the shop, giving them essentially the run of it as they hunted through the racks of tightly packed clothes.

“You own white pants, right?” Murphy’s voice floated over, muffled from the distance and the towering faux-marble statue between them.

Raven had to think for a second before she remembered her own wardrobe. She did have white pants––she’d bought them when Harper had dragged everyone with her back when she was trying to figure out what sorority to join. But somehow it had been a year since then and Raven hadn’t gotten rid of the pants. But less startling than that (she didn’t trust herself to wear the color often), was that Murphy remembered.

“Yeah…” she confirmed cautiously, “why?”

He appeared beside one of the racks and excitedly held up a top. It was some type of vintage top, probably from the sixties, and was white and long sleeved that belled out around the wrist. When Raven didn’t respond right away, Murphy gave the hanger a wiggle.

“Picture it: a retro inspired Princess Leia in A New Hope. We just need to find a silver belt or something that you could wear. Then with the white pants, skirt, or whatever, throw your hair in a bun, boom.” 

Raven couldn’t find the grin tugging at her lips.

“That’s actually a pretty good idea, Murphy. Well done.”

A hint of bashfulness overcame him but he quickly shrugged it off with a wave. “Movies were a big thing when I was a kid. I’ve got all of those costumes burned into my brain.”

Raven immediately became intrigued at the visual, thinking of her own lack of movie knowledge as well. There probably wasn’t a subtle way of doing it, but she’d have to figure out how to ask him about doing a movie night sometime.

“What about you?” She walked up and took the shirt from him, inspecting it as she did. It was in good condition thankfully and she definitely could imagine what he was describing. Maybe she wasn’t a huge movie person, but she most certainly knew about Star Wars; it had been her first introduction to space and the obsession that she’d carry in her heart ever since.Murphy pointed down at the basket in hand. A heavy, brownish gray leather vest was nestled inside.

“Han Solo.” His eyes shot up to meet hers. “If you’re cool with it, obviously.”

He didn’t say the words but they were clearly underlying his statement.

A couples costume.

Raven hoped her nervousness didn’t come through at all as she assured him that of course it was fine. But butterflies were erupting in her stomach and heart pounded. Did she look ridiculous right now? Murphy didn’t seem to be acting differently but she was pretty damn sure she had a comically large, goofy grin on her face as she trailed after him to find the rest of the pieces.       

But in between the aisles of trinkets, memorabilia and clothes, she thought she caught a glimpse of a privately proud smile on his face. So when he insisted on paying for the costumes, Raven let him. And as they drove back and talked about the movie franchise (it turned out they both agreed about the prequels being underrated), she became even more confident about her new Halloween plans:

Tell Murphy about her feelings for him.

[she-who-the-river-could-not-hold]

Crackling Fires 2021 | October Fic Challenge

"Picking You"

hosted by: @crackling-fires | prompt(s): day 02 – pumpkin patch | ship(s): Raven x Murphy | wc: 936 Raven’s recent injury leaves her chilling in the truck while everyone else goes pumpkin picking. But Murphy doesn’t seem to like the idea that she doesn’t get to participate, so he decides to do something about it.

Raven was perfectly content to sit in the back of the pickup truck, hot chocolate in hand, but apparently Murphy wasn’t feeling it. She watched him with narrow eyes over the brim of her cup as he ambled over towards the car. His fake nonchalance was a half-assed effort at best; it wasn’t random that he was walking over towards the truck and splitting off from the rest of their friends.

“What are you doing Murphy?” She called over to him once he was close enough.

He shrugged. “Just thought I’d see how you were doing. Is that a crime?”

Rolling her eyes, Raven gestured towards the pumpkin patch that lay just beyond them. From here, she could see Clarke and Bellamy bickering about how big of one to get and Jasper was delightedly grabbing as many of the small ones as he could carry. It was the weekend before Halloween and tonight they were all planning on carving them while watching cheesy scary movies. At the rate they were going, they were going to totally make this farmer’s day with the size of their purchases.

“Don’t you want to find the perfect pumpkin with the rest of them?”

“Yeah, well,” he shoved his hands impossibly deeper into his jeans, “what about you? You can’t trust them to make sure you get the right pumpkin too.”

“I already told Monty what size I wanted,” Raven responded, both amused and touched by Murphy’s concern. “Besides,” she added with a tap to her leg, “still not really a great time for me to squat and measure pumpkins.”

Murphy’s face fell as he looked down at her leg and guilt wormed its way into her gut. She hadn’t meant to make it about him. She knew now the car crash wasn’t his fault, but that didn’t erase the tension that had simmered between them for the last couple months (completely unhelped by the lingering crush she'd been developing on him).

“I know,” he mumbled, his eyes flicking away then. “That’s also why I came over.”

Somehow Murphy seemed embarrassed, which was something she was pretty sure she’d never seen him feel throughout the last two years of knowing him at Arkadia College. When she opened her mouth to apologize, he quickly raced to cut her off.

“What if I gave you a piggyback ride?”

Raven didn’t mean to burst out into laughter, but she did and was immediately glad she’d finished most of her drink and didn’t spill it all over her and the blanket.

“You? Carry me?”

Murphy let out a scoff. “Just because I weigh 150 pounds wet doesn’t mean I can’t carry you.”

A few more giggles escaped but they slowly stopped when she realized he was being serious.

“You should get to pick your own pumpkin,” he said quietly, scuffing his shoe against the ground. “It’s only fair.”

Chewing on her lip, Raven contemplated the offer. It would really be nice to feel included with everyone else again. Even with her physical therapy progress, she still resented feeling left behind. And if the snarky guy who she’d reluctantly grown feelings for over the past semester wanted to offer her a piggyback ride, who was she to say no?

“Okay.”

Murphy looked up at her in surprise, as if he hadn’t expected to get this far.

She waved her hand towards her. “Come here, I should be able to hoist myself onto your back from here.”

A slow grin began to spread across his face as he quickly closed the space between them. Raven hoped he didn’t catch her sucking her breath in when she got a waft of the cologne he always wore. She hated how much she associated it with him, that hint of spice and wood. He was like fall personified when he wore it and she hated how good he looked in a flannel too.

He obediently turned around then, kneeling slightly to bring himself to the right height. She knocked back the last of her hot chocolate and then shimmied out from the blanket and pulled herself up onto his back.

“All good,” she announced once she was situated, thankful he couldn’t see the way her face burned at the feel of his hands on her legs. Had they ever touched each other before? Maybe while passing drinks at a party, but she was suddenly very aware that she wasn’t even sure they’d hugged before.

“Great!” She hoped she wasn’t reading into the slight change in pitch in his voice as he tightened his grip on her.

Sliding her arms around his shoulders, Raven tried to let herself relax into the moment. Which luckily was easy enough once Murphy returned to cracking his usual jokes. He was careful to not jostle her leg too much and she tried to not blush at the curious looks from their friends once they joined them in the patch.

Even as her fingers began to tingle from the cold evening beginning to encroach on them, Raven found herself laughing as she led Murphy throughout the rows of pumpkins, instructing him at which ones to look at closer. She forgot to worry about their closeness and let herself sink into holding onto him, letting her head rest on his shoulder as they all paid for their pumpkins.

And she didn’t miss the way he seemed reluctant to let her go, so once they arrived back at the dorms she made sure she suggested he carry her back up as well. He happily accepted and Raven decided that maybe her feelings weren’t so one sided after all.

[she-who-the-river-could-not-hold]

Crackling Fires 2021 | October Fic Challenge

"Words Lost in the Wind"

hosted by: @crackling-fires | prompt(s): day 01 – "Wild is the music of the autumnal wind / Among the faded woods" –– William Wordsworth, The Excursion (Book VI: The Church-Yard Among the Mountains) | ship(s): Bellarke | wc: 1.2k Season 2, Canon Divergence –– Clarke is living on her own in the woods and trying to heal after the events of Mount Weather. Fall has arrived and with it, an unexpected guest. She and Bellamy haven’t seen each other since she left him at the gates of Arkadia and maybe the change in the seasons might also help them navigate the changes in their relationship with each other.

Clarke moved carefully through the underbrush, doing her best to not snag her pants along the prickly snares of the thistle. She’d already had to mend these pants twice since making them and she didn’t feel like adding that to her list to do again already.

Maybe others wouldn’t like the slow death of nature around them, but Clarke found it strangely comforting. The seasons on Earth were out of whack for what they should have been, or at least from what she’d learned in Earth Skills, but what she imagined was autumn had finally arrived. She watched as the lush green forest around her dipped into monochromatic hues, oranges and browns with bright yellow tips as a splash of color. The first morning she’d experienced fog––true fog, not the kind that burned through your flesh––she’d just stood in wonder. The cool mist filling in the gaps of the trees, dampening her curls and casting a sleepy haze throughout the woods.

It felt like nature was going into hibernation and it felt therapeutic to find her body moving naturally with it. The first couple weeks had been terrible in isolation and it was only now that she felt herself finding therapy in her new day to day life. Today was a better day too, even if she’d belatedly realized that she needed to go out and harvest some more food. And wood too, based on the way she rubbed her hands together to generate some heat as she waited for the rest of her body to wake up.

She’d followed her usual route, letting herself disappear amongst the fog to silently forage. Listening to the crackle of fallen leaves underfoot and breathing in the cool air, she gathered up new herbs and mushrooms, collected new kills from her traps, and some wood for a new fire. So much of her routine was the same and she found safety in that. Which meant when she saw a person standing outside her small hut she’d built, panic overcame her. But then she realized who it was. She stopped in her tracks, nearly dropping the pile of wood in her arms as her limbs went limp.

“Bellamy?”

“Hey,” he answered. His voice was as rough as ever and he had a sort of crooked grin on his face and he was really standing in front of her.

Not as much had changed about him physically as she was expecting. But that meant she’d wondered about him during all of this and she quickly squashed that down. Besides, she’d left him behind with the camp for a reason––he didn’t break like she did. She could see that in the way he carried his posture now, less cocky and more confident. His hair was longer and it was hard to imagine a day when he’d slicked it back. He was wearing a newer guards uniform than the one he’d stolen to come to Earth; this one fit him naturally and like it had always been meant for him.

But just when she felt the pangs of jealousy stir up in her, her roving eyes picked up the faint dark circles beneath his eyes, the twitch of his hand at his waist near the gun that lay there. There was still an edge to him.

She hated the relief she felt underlying the sorrow for knowing that maybe there were cracks still struggling to close in him too.

“What are you doing out here?” She asked thickly. Finally regaining movement in her body, she slowly walked closer to him. With a clatter, she dropped the wood down beside the door and he waited for the sound to settle before shrugging and responding.

“I thought I would come and try to find you.”

It’s been almost a month, she almost replied. But that would imply it was all on him when she was the one who had left him.

So she remained silent and the wind rustling through the leaves around them filled the space instead.

“Do you want to help?”

The question burst out of her as he looked to maybe say goodbye. It was a moment of panic––she wasn’t sure he was really here and she wouldn't let him go yet. But his tense posture relaxed and he nodded. He followed her into the hut and she handed him the knife she used for preparing the meat and she got to work on cutting up the mushrooms while he did as well.

“Your hair’s changed with the leaves,” he teased gently, awkwardly, a few minutes later. She self-consciously reached up and touched her hair. She hadn’t updated it in a while, shrouding her blonde hair behind a mask of red.

“It’s just temporary,” she found herself saying. As if the golden locks didn’t remind her of a different person. A girl who could laugh and was called princess and didn’t have the weight of Mount Weather on her shoulders. But somehow she couldn’t let Bellamy think that she was entirely gone. Like the trees in fall, that girl just had to go away for a while.

He simply nodded and continued with his work.

It was almost unnervingly domestic to watch him skin the rabbit, as if he did this all of the time here, so she quickly turned away.

Maybe it was the lack of eye contact that encouraged him because Bellamy spoke up again, as if he’d been waiting for her to face away from him.

“The others miss you, Clarke.” A drawn out pause when he added in a rush: “I miss you.”

She couldn’t fight back the choked up sniffle that came from her. Everyone’s faces were still so vivid in her mind, even through the hazy red tint that had taken over her memories.

I miss you too.

“I thought I was doing the right thing,” she said in a rush, “I knew you could take care of them.”

“And you? What’s taking care of you?”

Was there an unspoken ‘who’ in there? Did Bellamy not see the hollowness of herself and this hut, void of another presence to settle her always thumping heart?

“Sometimes I just listen,” Clarke replied quietly, “and try to hear what the earth is saying around me. What the wind is telling me. The humanity we faced in Mount Weather was so twisted that I think I lost a part of myself there. But when I’m here amongst the trees, I feel like I can hear that part coming back to me. Remembering that there can still be hope down here.”

Bellamy nodded along, his hands still above the rabbit and the knife loose in his hand. He looked as lost in his memories as she felt.

“I’d never force you to come back,” he finally said. But as the wind whistled around the thin walls of the hut, Clarke felt like she heard the silent echo of him asking instead.

“I know,” she responded immediately. She had to make sure that he understood him, better than maybe she even wanted to admit. And the soft smile he gave her was enough to know that he got it, as he returned to his work and her as well.

They continued on in silence and Clarke decided that maybe her regrowth didn’t have to be alone.

[she-who-the-river-could-not-hold]

Crackling Fires 2021 | October Fic Challenge

"Something in the Water"

hosted by: @crackling-fires | prompt(s): day 04 – chilly, day 05 – cabin on the lake | ship(s): Bellarke, Linctavia (minor) | wc: 974 Getting away to nature can be good for repairing friendships as well as crossing new bridges in current ones.

The damp cold of the morning cut through even the heavy sweater that Clarke had pulled tight across her body. Thankfully, the coffee that she was currently holding was scalding hot––too hot to drink even––which made it an excellent way to warm up her hands. Taking a long, deep inhale of the coffee’s aroma and allowing the steam to warm up her face, Clarke leaned against the porch’s wooden railing to look out over the lake.

Everything was still this early. A heavy fog was slowly burning off, but kept the tree-line hazy and shrouded. Outside of the occasional caw in the distance, the birds were even still asleep.

Which is very much what she would have preferred to be doing instead if she was honest with herself.

But the reason she was up this early was because the others who had woken up even earlier than her were pulling into the dock down below.

Clarke waved her mug of coffee in greeting as Lincoln appeared first on the steps leading up to the cabin. His smile flashed bright against the misty morning and he hoisted his fishing gear up over his shoulder as he began the climb back up. Next was Octavia, her hair pulled back in a wet braid and her stand up paddle board in hand. And then next came Bellamy, holding his own fishing gear and looking extremely happy to be back on solid ground.

“Welcome back,” Clarke called over the railing once they were all in earshot. “Any success?”

“You won’t believe the size of the bass they caught!” Octavia crowed.

Once they got up, Clarke gave an air hug to the young woman, still wet from an apparent fall into the water, who promised to immediately go take a hot shower to ward off the chill from being soaked. Lincoln showed her that they indeed caught a couple impressively large fish and Clarke’s stomach rumbled at the promise of that night’s dinner.

“And how was your quiet morning?” Bellamy planted a quick kiss on her head as they lingered out on the porch, the other two stepping inside the cabin.

“Good! I finished the promotional piece for Indra and got it sent over. With the time change it should be the first thing she sees when she checks her email.”

“And you got to be warm,” he tacked on with a groan. “Plus an extra two hours of sleep.”

“So you aren’t going to turn into a fisherman overnight?” Clarke teased, nudging him gently in the side.

Bellamy laughed, shaking out his curls. “Nah, I don’t think I’m going to be keeping this up.” His eyes trailed back up to the cabin though and his smile turned softer. “I think it meant a lot to O though, so I’m glad I did it.”

Clarke wrapped her arm around his waist and he cradled her into a one-armed hug.

“She’s definitely happy that you did. I’m glad you and Lincoln are getting closer,” she murmured into his chest. “Seemed worth the early wake up.”

She felt him nod above her. He and Octavia’s fiance had been friends then fell apart once he started dating his younger sister. While their friendship had been on the mend for a bit, this fall retreat was in an effort to cement the growth before Octavia dove headfirst into wedding planning. She’d told him that she wouldn’t be able to focus otherwise and the last thing Bellamy had wanted to do was distract her anymore than he already had. And luckily, they’d already almost buried the hatchet as it was and now it was hard to remember the bickering. So Clarke had offered up her family’s old cabin up in Maine for them to all get away to for a long weekend and just focus on the four of them.

“We should come up here more often though, fishing or not,” Bellamy piped up from above her.

Clarke hummed pleasantly at the idea. “It’s really amazing. I’m so much more focused and it’s cool to make new memories here. My grandparents would be thrilled if they were still around to see it being used more. I loved coming here as a kid.”

“I can see that,” he remarked warmly. “I mean, I can also see…”

He paused with a flush and Clarke carefully pulled away from him.

Her heart pounding and a sly, but giddy grin slowly quirked at her lips. “You want to finish that sentence Mr. Blake?”

Laughing, Bellamy ducked his head before looking back at her, eyes sparkling.

“Well… Mrs. Blake…” he drew out teasingly, though still blushing, “I guess I can also see our kids here too. Lincoln was a good teacher, we both love hiking and it’s healthy to get away sometimes. It would just be nice to add to those memories.”

Clarke felt like her heart was floating and she smiled widely.

“Is that your way of saying you’re ready to start trying?”

When Bellamy nodded, Clarke pushed herself up on her toes and pulled him for a kiss. He chuckled against her lips as she nearly spilled her coffee on them before enthusiastically returning it. They’d hinted at the next step for a bit now but neither had felt like they were ready to commit to the idea. She’d even been nervous about how to tell him that she was ready now, that her freelance was in a good enough place that she could set aside time depending on how quick it all came together, but not sure how to do it without pressuring him.

But he was, as usual, on her same wavelength and being at the cabin had not only rejuvenated his friendship with Lincoln, but brought them to the conclusion together.

Or maybe he just really liked the look of her in his sweaters.

[she-who-the-river-could-not-hold]

October Fic Challenge #1:  The Art of Falling at First Sight

Hosted by: @crackling-fires | Day 1: Crisp | Day 2: Back to School | Ship: Bellarke | Rated: G | WC: 1.4k

Clarke owns a small art shop in Arkadia and one perfect autumn day, a new customer comes in and suddenly her fall this year is starting to look a lot more promising.

Leaves skittered across the ground in front of Clarke as she stepped up the door of her shop, as if they were trying to get out of her way so as not to be stepped on. The sight made a smile crack open on her face (even despite not having had enough coffee this morning). 

Fall in Arkadia had grown on her over time, despite the negative associations she’d had for the season since her father’s death in the middle of September over five years ago. But after getting over her irrational thing about therapists and time doing its best, she was warming up to the season once again. It didn’t hurt that Arkadia, her new home as of three years ago, had everything quintessentially fall. Her group text with her friends had blown up last night about scheduling a trip to go apple picking (Wells was a cider fanatic) and the back-to-school buzz was contagious (even though she hadn’t needed to go school supply shopping in years). 

That was the energy that she was carrying with herself today, shouldering her way into the shop with her arms laden down by boxes of decor. Clarke knew eventually she’d be switching it out for Halloween decor for kids that would inevitably stop by, but for now she’d stuck with autumnal browns and earthy prints to fill up her studio, Eden. 

When she’d bought the small space, at first it had just been with the idea of it being just an art studio. And then it had expanded to include a small shop after Vera Kane had taken one look at her latest landscape painting and insisted on purchasing it as a set of cards. Now, thanks to a generous loan from her mom, she’d expanded the space by kicking out one of the back walls and she’d stumbled ass-backwards into teaching art classes twice a week. It was a far cry from the high-speed graphic design position she’d left once she moved here, but it was impossible to picture doing anything else now. 

She was halfway through decorating the shop portion of the studio when the slight ding of a bell from the entrance door pulled her focus away from the string of acorns she was battling. 

Standing on the welcome mat was a person she was fairly certain she’d never seen before.

An impressive feat considering it was a pretty small town –– but she knew she would have remembered someone that attractive.

He was rubbing his hands together to quickly warm them up, the September air already crisp with cold breezes and dropping temperatures. Clarke had always been adamant that regardless of gender, everyone looked amazing in sweaters and flannels and this man was no exception. The navy of his flannel was accented by the oatmeal colored sweater he was wearing over it, as well as the warmth radiating from his freckled, tan skin. It was probably rude to immediately wonder what it was like to run your hands through a potential customer’s curls, but as long as she kept it to herself Clarke couldn’t imagine that it would be a problem.

“Hi! Welcome to Eden. I’m Clarke,  I’m the owner and artist here. Is there anything I can help you with?” 

Thank god for being able to fall back on standardized greetings so as to stop imagining how good of hugs he could give (it looked like he’d be great at them).

The man looked relieved at the sight of her, as if he had no idea where to even begin in here. 

“That would be great actually if you’re not busy. I’m Bellamy, by the way.”

Clarke did her best to not let on how surprised she was at the introduction, reaching out to reciprocate his offered handshake. It wasn’t that Arkadia was filled with rude people by any means, but this felt above and beyond.

“It’s nice to meet you in that case, Bellamy.” 

His handshake was as confident and warm as she’d expected, or even hoped for. 

“So, what can I do for you today? Or are you just browsing?”

He rubbed at the back of his neck and chuckled. “Well I actually could really use some help. I was just supposed to be a substitute teacher this year but one of the elementary school teachers, Monroe, had to take unexpected leave. Her wife went into labor earlier than expected so they called me up to take over. I guess she recommended me and requested I be the one to fill her shoes.”

“Wow! Well an extended congratulations to her and her wife, as well as you for getting to fill the position!” Bellamy smiled at her praise and ducked his head, as if embarrassed by the accomplishment. It was adorably modest.

Clarke remembered Monroe from the summer when Raven had hosted her annual Start-of-Summer backyard bash. She wondered though where along the line she’d missed out on meeting Bellamy.

“Anyway, since I’m coming in just after the year started, I figure I should try to find some way to help the students warm up to me. My sister suggested an art project or craft as an ice breaker, which I think is a great idea but since I’m not at all artistic…”

Laughing at the helpless turn his expression took, she quickly reassured him that she’d be able to help him. They spent the next thirty minutes or so wandering throughout the products she sold. While her shop still primarily focused on her own work, the extension of her classes had led to her also selling art supplies as well. There hadn’t really been one primary source for art in Arkadia and Clarke was proud to help support local suppliers, as well as bringing quality art supplies to people who were willing to invest in her and art. Bellamy listened to her intently the whole time, taking all of her advice incredibly seriously. 

They ended up settling on some less expensive sets of watercolor sets so it would be easier to share and not nearly as messy as any other type of paint, while also making the fourth graders feel more important than just being handed a bunch of crayons.

Clarke didn’t let him finish his protest as she insisted on giving him a discount while she was ringing him up at the register. It was for the kids after all. At least that’s what she told herself.

“I insist,” she repeated as she handed him the bag. “I can’t have the newly substitute-turned-teacher already using up most of his first paycheck on just art supplies.”

They both knew it wouldn’t have been that expensive, but the rueful smile he gave her as he accepted the lower cost was still enough to give her butterflies.

She hoped she wasn’t imagining the way he lingered, asking her a little bit more about the area (he’d only lived here for a year it turned out). It wasn’t that she was bad at dating, but she rarely was the one to make the first move –– and it had been a while since she’d even tried. So once it was too weird for them to keep dragging out the small talk, Bellamy made a reluctant move towards the door. And Clarke’s instincts kicked in.

“I like coffee!” 

The sudden exclamation from her startled both herself and Bellamy, who turned with a wry grin once he processed what she said.

“I… I like to get coffee, usually from Green’s Bakery,” Clarke quickly added on before he could say anything or before she could chicken out. “I don’t know what time you leave to teach, but I’m usually there on weekend mornings too.” 

Bellamy nodded slowly, his smile only growing wider.

“What time do you usually like to get your coffee?”

The look on his face was all the confirmation she needed to know she hadn’t made a complete idiot of herself and Clarke felt like she was glowing.

“Usually around nine?” 

Giving her a small salute, Bellamy leaned against the partially open door where she had stopped him. Stray curls danced in the breeze and she knew it must have been chilly, but he was still singularly focused on her with a smile on his face.

“Then I suppose I’ll look forward to running into you at nine at the bakery.”

And with that, it was a date.

[she-who-the-river-could-not-hold]

October Fic Challenge #4: Scary Movies are for Hand Holding

Hosted by: @crackling-fires | Day 7: Fall Clothing | Day 23: Scary Movies | Ship: Clarke x Raven | Rated: G | WC: 1.0k

Clarke is sick on Halloween and can’t make it out, so Raven comes to visit her instead of going out as well. She brings over scary movies, something that Clarke normally hates, but she finds out that they’re a good excuse for getting close to someone you have a crush on.

When Clarke opened her dorm room door Saturday night, Raven Reyes was the last person she was expecting to see.

“You look as bad as you sound!” Came her best friend’s cheerful comment, making her way inside the small room before Clarke could say anything. 

“Aren’t you supposed to be at Miller’s Halloween party?” Clarke managed to ask before having to grab a tissue to blow her nose. Raven patiently waited for her to finish before grinning at her.

“I was, but then I figured there’s no reason for you to be alone on Halloween so I came here instead.”

Clarke arched an eyebrow.

“I’m alone because I’m sick.” 

Her words didn’t seem to be enough to deter Raven, who she knew had already made up her mind to be over here. Once Raven decided on something, it was impossible to change her mind. In fact, Clarke’s weak protests fell on deaf ears as Raven was busy resituating Clarke’s bed. She pulled the pillows to the side and fluffed them up, humming some sort of tune under her breath. She clearly was here to stay. 

Clarke took in the sight of the brunette skeptically. Raven was wearing her usual fake leather jacket over a deep red cable knit sweater and she knew she recognized the black lace up boots as Raven’s “going out boots” for the fall. The decision to come over must have been a last minute one and Clarke couldn’t figure out if that made her feel better or worse. She looked down at her own clothes. The lazy, sick girl’s version of fall attire: a baggy hoodie that had once been her dad’s and gray plaid pajama pants. At least her fuzzy socks had tiny bats on them for the holiday spirit. 

When she looked back up, Raven was looking at her softly and it made Clarke flush (praying that it was disguised by her cold). She and Raven had been close for a couple years now but it wasn’t until this year of college that she’d caught that expression on her friend multiple times. She’d been trying to not read too much into it lest her own hopes be dashed. But she was too much of a scaredy-cat to even attempt to actually find out what it meant.

“I don’t want you to get sick,” she finally settled on, her voice stuffy from her clogged nasal passages. 

Raven brushed off her comment as she shrugged her jacket off. 

“You’re not contagious, it’s been too long for that. Besides, what are friends for?” When Clarke kept staring at her, she sighed. “Yes, I’d been planning on going out for a bit. But you sounded so pitiful when you were texting me I couldn’t bring myself to do it. So I figured a movie night instead!”

That was when Clarke noticed the DVDs poking out of Raven’s purse and she groaned. 

“You know I hate scary movies.”

Rolling her eyes, Raven hoisted herself onto Clarke’s bed. “That’s why I’m here you cute dumbass. So you can cuddle me when you get scared.”

Clarke would have normally scoffed at that but she was sick and Raven had a good point… and the idea of getting to just curl up in bed with her to watch movies made the jump scares worth it. God her crush on Raven must be bad if she was willing to watch her least favorite movie genre.

Which was how Clarke found her hand tightly holding onto Raven’s while she was tucked underneath her other arm. They were watching The Evil Dead –– or at least the new remake of the classic movie. Which apparently was much scarier and not a parody like the originals and Clarke sort of wished they’d watched those. But then she maybe wouldn’t be completely tangled up with Raven since she wouldn’t be as scared. 

Finally the credits rolled and Clarke let out a long sigh, Raven chuckling from just above her. 

“I’m proud of you, you stuck that one out,” Raven chuckled before startling Clarke with a light kiss to the top of her head.

Her and Raven were many things but physical affection was low on the list of ways they showed they cared about each other. But the press of Raven’s lips on her forehead made Clarke realize that no, she hadn’t been overthinking her feelings or misinterpreting them because she very much wanted her best friend to do that again. And maybe next time on her lips.

She must have stalled for too long in her surprise though, because she could feel Raven begin to squirm next to her.

“Shit––sorry. If that was too much…” Panic began to creep into Raven’s voice and it was one of the few times Clarke had ever heard her be nervous. Realizing that Raven was interpreting her silence as rejection, she quickly pushed herself into a seated position and tightened her grip on Raven’s hand.

“No, no. That was definitely okay. I just didn’t expect it,” she rushed to say. “I was too scared to think you might like me like that too.” 

A smile broke out on Raven’s face and she laughed before kissing Clarke gently on the nose. 

“Well thank god. I kept thinking you were going to make the first move but when it became clear you weren’t, I had to resort to doing something. Scary movies seemed like an easy way to get you to hold my hand.”

Clarke blushed as she looked down at their intertwined hands. Looking back up, she gently leaned forward and left a lingering kiss on Raven’s lips. They sat there for a brief moment, their breath mingling as they tested out how the other felt before Clarke slowly pulled back.

“I’ll forgive you for the horror then since that was a pretty good plan,” she teased lightly. 

As they started the second movie (The Shining since Raven said it was a classic), Clarke snuggled in closer and felt herself smiling. Being sick on Halloween was definitely not what she had hoped for this year, but now she wouldn’t trade it for anything.

[she-who-the-river-could-not-hold]

October Fic Challenge #2: Autumn Would Be the Magic Hour

Hosted by: @crackling-fires | Day 3: “Listen! The wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves / We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!” ― Humbert Wolfe | Day 8: Rainy, Foggy Autumn Day | Ship: Memori | Rated: G | WC: 1.2k

Emori is a freshman in college and she can’t get over the beauty of fall in Polis, especially when compared to the desert she’d grown up in. And it turns out that a fellow student had noticed and he can’t help but mention it one day. –– [title from a quote from Victoria Erickson]

Polis University is, at a glance, just a normal college. It has nice open areas for students to hang out and chill or study. Weekend parties that might get a bit too rambunctious but are great for making memories at. Classes that are small but not too small, allowing for a sense of minor ambiguity but you still feel like you can easily talk to the professor.

But none of those reasons are why Emori loves going to Polis U. She didn’t just pick it because of the scholarship or their majors (though it has a surprisingly strong psychology department). 

She picked it for its location.

And most specifically: it’s location and how that translated to the seasons.

Emori had grown up in a trailer park in a desert, devoid of signs of life that weren’t prickly or poisonous. She was used to an oppressive heat, coughing when speeding cars kicked up dirt, a constant haze. So when the chance had been granted to her to leave, to get out of a place that was sucking her as dry as the environment, she took it and ran. Ran to the college up north on the opposite coast that was nestled amongst the trees and low rolling hills that had all four seasons. Sure, when classes had started it had been at the cusp of an extra muggy summer. But even that experience had been a fun one for her. She liked to embrace any change she could.

This time of the year though? The switch from September to October as the area transitioned into autumn?

Utter perfection.

It was a Monday evening and she’d been out of class for about fifteen minutes now. Normally she’d be making her way to the dining hall to grab dinner, but when she’d stepped out of the small brick building she’d been greeted by a drizzly, foggy evening. Bright orange and yellow leaves lined the walkway from the building, slick to the ground from the light rain. The day’s earlier overcast clouds had melted into fog and filled the gaps between the trees, creating a muted atmosphere. Classmates around her had streamed out of the building, most ready to just be done for the day or fishing for their umbrellas while they bemoaned the shift in weather.

Not Emori though. She edged to the side and mimed like she was looking through her backpack for something, waiting as everyone left. Once she was the only one left, she quickly situated herself on the stone steps, her boots just peeking out from the buildings roof and onto the damp pavement. Not quite far enough out to get wet but enough to stretch her legs out after a long day of classes. 

She took in a full-body breath, letting her gaze soften as she looked out in front of her. The air seemed fresher here all of the time, but something about today was even better.

Lost in her thoughts, she almost didn’t realize someone had sat down beside her until a voice said, “You’re probably the only person here who actually likes this kind of weather.”

Emori jumped at the interruption and looked over to see the grinning face of one of her classmates. 

“You trying to give me a heart attack, John?” She teased lightly. She liked seeing him bristle at her use of his first name instead of his last like how everyone else addressed him (though she’d noticed he hadn’t reacted negatively as much recently).

His eyes still narrowed lightly, though all in good fun she could tell, and he looked back out at the nature in front of them. He didn’t give an excuse or explanation of why he’d decided to surprise her by joining her. 

“I just meant ever since it started to feel like fall, I always see you looking out the window in class with the look of awe on your face. Or one time when it started raining I saw you leaving the library and I’ve never seen someone that excited before for rain.” 

For once, the cockiness he usually spoke with was gone. He seemed almost shy and it would have thrown Emori for a loop if it hadn’t been for the fact that she’d suspected he had this side since she saw him on the first day of English 101 and she found it utterly adorable. 

She was more stunned by the fact that he paid attention to her and it made butterflies erupt in her stomach.

The two sat for a few more minutes in silence, watching as a few leaves dropped to the ground almost as if they were in slow motion. The rain was becoming steadier and Emori knew they’d probably have to get a move on soon so they wouldn’t become soaked, but she was too nervous to break the moment. She even considered telling him about her childhood, as if to explain the simple joy she got out of the autumn weather they were experiencing. But she also didn’t want to break the silence. This moment of peace they were sharing made her heart swell… and maybe finally acknowledge that her feelings towards John Murphy had certainly grown past just thinking he was cute. 

Eventually he was the one to interrupt the silence. 

“Want to grab dinner with me? I mean––my friends would be there too, Raven is always complaining we don’t have enough girls in the group. Not that I don’t want you there I just––ugh,” he dropped his head back in frustration at the obvious struggle he was having with his words.

It made Emori laugh, eventually dissolving into helpless giggles as John let out a mutter about being a dumbass and not being able to ask someone out normally. 

“I’d really like that,” she finally said, saving him from feeling like he’d embarrassed himself any more than he already thought he did. She didn’t want him to sweat it out to the point of him thinking she wasn’t interested in him.

At her words, he puffed up a bit in pride before jumping to his feet. Spinning around on his heel then, he extended his hand out towards her to help her up. Emori hesitated for a second before accepting it, cringing at his hand tightened against hers as he pulled her to her feet. It was her “bad” hand, or so her parents had always deemed it. Maybe it had been the smoking her mom hadn’t stopped doing during her pregnancy, maybe it was radiation from the military base down the way from the trailer park, no one really knew. She was used to the weird stares it garnered her. 

But John’s eyes were solely focused on her, not even a flinch or reaction to the feel of the odd texture of her skin beneath the wool glove she wore. Instead, his eyes sparkled as he looked at her face, his sharp and angular features somehow both softened and defined by his smile. It wasn’t his trademark smirk or a mischievous grin, just an outright smile. 

As they walked, he launched into describing the farm that had the best pumpkin patch near the school and how she’d have to join him and his friends for their annual trip. Apparently she hadn’t experienced “real” fall until she’d gone on a hayride. Around them, the fog brought on an earlier dusk as darkness cloaked the campus and the streetlights illuminated into a warm, golden glow.

He didn’t let go of her hand once while they walked towards the dining hall.

[she-who-the-river-could-not-hold]

October Fic Challenge #3: Settling In

Hosted by: @crackling-fires | Day 6: A Cabin in the Woods | Day 9: Bonfire | Ship: None – General | Rated: G | WC: 1.2k

A peaceful drabble where season one ends with a happy note. Mount Weather doesn’t come down to kidnap them, an alliance is struck with Trikru, and the Ark hasn’t made its way down yet. All is well, which means the Delinquents get to enjoy an autumn night. It’s complete with a bonfire, moonshine-filled apple cider, and a chance to relax.

“Can you please focus? Lincoln said Trikru would be here any day now and we need to make sure we’re ready for them.”

Clarke pursed her lips as she watched Octavia completely ignore her. The girl’s focus was distracted by the noises and cheers coming from just beyond them, her head turned away from Clarke as she scoped out what was happening.

“Hey! Octavia!” It took every ounce of willpower in Clarke to not snap her fingers in front of her face. 

Finally Octavia turned around, her eyes rolling teasingly and a wide grin on her face. 

“Oh come on, Clarke. I get it, we don’t want to embarrass ourselves. But they already agreed to trade with us so you don’t have to so uptight about it. Plus it’s a bonfire, we could even have this conversation over there if it’s killing you so much,” the brunette pleaded. 

Letting out a long sigh, Clarke glanced back over at everyone else. There indeed was a bonfire –– and from the looks of it, people were taking turns jumping over it. The over-worrier in her wanted to run over and tell them to stop, but it had been so long since she’d heard that much laughter that she couldn’t bring herself to do it. And well… it was enticing. 

“Sure,” she replied and watched as Octavia’s expression brightened, “let’s call it for the night with this.” 

The younger Blake shrieked excitedly, jumping to her feet and running over to join Miller in line to jump over the fire. Clarke slowly followed, her hands shoved into her jacket’s pockets. The weather had only recently begun to change and it was taking some getting used to. She was confident she was going to really enjoy the season shift though.

She ended up alongside Bellamy once she came to a stop by the group.

“I’m stunned, are you gracing us with your presence?” He teased, looking down at her from the corner of his eye. 

“Oh shut up,” Clarke muttered under her breath, but she couldn’t help the smile that quirked onto her face.

Bellamy’s expression grew more serious, more earnest. 

“You do know it’s okay to relax sometimes right? We’ve got the alliance figured out. We don’t have death hanging over our head anymore, you can take a  breather. We’re making it all work.”

She knew Bellamy was right. He unfortunately usually was (or fortunately since they were finally on the same side about things). Taking a glance around her as his words sunk in, she took a chance to really look at the progress they’d made. 

The biggest change they’d been able to make since landing was the cabin tucked back to the right of the dropship. It was far from impressive, and she’d had to fight Bellamy on using the wood for that instead of fortifying the fence, but he’d eventually come around to it. It was relatively small, just one level, but it had a couple of rooms. The most important to her was the medical one. Though their injury count had gone down as they’d gotten the lay of the land, it was still good to have a central location that she could use to help people. They used another part of it as a makeshift kitchen and food storage, which was adding to the longevity of their supplies. There was one extra room too, but no one had felt confident enough to claim it a bedroom. Maybe it could be a meeting space for when Trikru arrived to help them plan for the winter.

“I suppose I could fit in some time to hang out,” she finally responded, turning back to Bellamy. She hadn’t even realized he’d been carrying any tension in his shoulders but at her words, his posture relaxed and an easy-going smile slipped onto his face.

Before Clarke could say anything, they were interrupted by the arrival of Monty. He thrust a drink at Clarke, Bellamy raising up his own cup, one that she hadn’t even realized he was holding, to signal Monty he already had one. 

“And this is…?” Clarke did her best to not make a face as she sniffed the concoction in front of her. To Monty’s credit, he didn’t look offended.

He nodded back towards Jasper just as his lanky friend leapt over the bonfire with a holler.

“Jasper and I were thinking of figuring out how to make moonshine,” he replied with an excited smile. “Will probably take a while to figure out but we might as well. Especially since the gobi nuts, I don’t think anyone would be interested in our more edible items.” 

He let out a chuckle before pointing at the cup in her hand. “But that specifically is an attempt at spiked apple cider. We found some apples that we’re pretty sure aren’t filled with radiation and then made the cider alcoholic.”

Clarke considered the drink in her hand, taking another sniff. Once she was able to get past the nose-hair burning smell of alcohol, she could actually pick up on the hints of apple in it. Maybe it wouldn’t be terrible. She grimaced at her first taste, making Monty laugh, but the aftertaste was definitely better than she expected. When it looked like she wasn’t going to spit it out or hand it back to him, Monty trotted off confidently to pass off another drink to someone else.

Seasons had been a forgotten thing on the Ark. There was no reason to think about them with scientifically controlled agriculture, eternal darkness in space that was only alleviated by artificial light. So when they’d landed, Clarke had assumed the weather they landed in was all there was. They’d all been shocked by the sudden drop in temperature one night and then Fox had announced to everyone that she saw the leaves changing colors and they’d all gathered around the large tree that was turning yellow. The radiation-affected creatures had been one thing, nature working on its own had been a different type of breathtaking. 

“Fall” had just been a word to Clarke for so long, and when they’d first landed “summer” hadn’t even crossed her mind. But now that a peace treaty had been figured out with Trikru and they awaited talks with the Commander, life had settled, she really had a chance to look at the changing environment around them. The crackle of the bonfire in front of her filled in the gaps of laughter and conversation, the sky above them illuminated by sparks and stars. 

Even the burn of the drink was starting to feel good, warming her up, as she turned to engage in a conversation with Harper and Raven. Maybe this season was going to be a good time for her to actually learn how to relax, to embrace the hardships they’d worked together to overcome. She knew fall was traditionally a season of nature dying and awaiting for the arrival of spring, but right now all she could feel was the potential of rebirth.

[she-who-the-river-could-not-hold]

To Live in October [autumn themed The 100 AUs]

“And all at once, summer collapsed into fall.” –– Oscar Wilde

A collection of drabbles from Tumblr, as a part of @crackling-fires October writing challenge.

multi-chapter | various ships | rated g

read on AO3!