「 ✦ Bambi- Bellamy Blake ✦ 」

Aspectabund

being able to let expressive emotion show easily through one's face and eyes

The group moved through the forest in near silence, each step cautious and deliberate so as not to disturb any potential prey. 

"It's like the whole forest decided to ghost us." Jasper states the obvious. 

"Maybe the animals are just laying low for now," Athena offered optimistically.

"Bambi's right. We should just keep going," Bellamy asserted, his grip tightening on the gun as he led the group forward.

As they continued on, Bellamy forging ahead, Jasper and Athena found themselves falling into conversation

As Jasper's joke elicited a loud laugh from Athena, the sound echoed through the quiet forest, causing Bellamy to abruptly halt in his tracks. He turned around, his expression stern as he directed his gaze at the two of them.

Jasper's gaze shifted to Athena, his eyes silently accusing her of being the instigator.

"This isn't a picnic. Seriously, can't you keep it together for once? It's distracting. And Athena, I don't need you flirting with Jasper every time we're supposed to be getting something done."

Athena's heart sank at his harsh words, feeling the sting of his rebuke. "Harsh," she mumbled under her breath, her hurt evident in her voice.

"I wasn't flirting," she whispered defensively, hoping Jasper would understand. He chuckled in response, nodding sympathetically.

As the sun began its descent, casting long shadows over the forest, Bellamy broke the silence that had hung over them since his earlier outburst. "Let's go back to camp," he said tersely, his voice cutting through the quiet evening air.

Jasper and Athena exchanged relieved glances before obediently following Bellamy back to the camp. Upon their return, they were met with the disheartening sight of almost no successful hunts among the other campers.

Athena spotted Octavia sitting alone by the fire and made her way over to her friend, offering a greeting. "Hey. Did you hunt anything?" Octavia inquired, her voice tinged with disappointment. Athena shook her head in response, the weight of their failed hunt heavy on her shoulders.

They sat together in companionable silence, watching the camp around them. Athena's gaze lingered on Bellamy, who was engaged in conversation with a group of hunters.

"You know, Athena, if you keep staring at my brother like that, people might start to talk. Or worse, he might actually notice." 

She turned to face her friend, wide-eyed and flustered, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Got a crush on my big brother, huh?" Octavia chuckled, her tone playful as she caught Athena off guard.

"Um, no, I—" Athena stammered, her words failing her as she struggled to compose herself. The last thing she needed was for Octavia to pick up on her feelings for Bellamy.

But Octavia's knowing grin told her that the secret was out.

"I was just, uh, spacing out. Definitely not staring at your brother. That would be... weird."

Athena's attempt to deflect Octavia's teasing only earned her a hearty laugh from her friend. She couldn't help but feel a pang of embarrassment at being found out so easily.

"Come on, Athena, don't play dumb with me. I've known Bellamy my whole life, remember?" Octavia said with a knowing grin. "I've seen the way he looks at you when he thinks no one's watching. Bellamy might not be the most open guy, but trust me, he's got a soft spot for you. It's like he's walking on air whenever you're around. Trust me, he likes you back."

With a doubtful expression, Athena voiced her uncertainty. "I don't want to read too much into things and end up making a fool of myself. Maybe he's just being... nice," she said softly, her gaze following Bellamy as he disappeared into his tent.

"He likes you" As Octavia's words lingered in the air, Athena felt a mix of emotions wash over her. She watched her friend retreat to her tent.

With a heavy sigh, Athena remained seated by the fire. Her gaze drifted over the familiar faces of her friends. Murphy's diligent work on the fish, Harper and Fox's shared laughter—it all seemed distant, as if she were observing from afar.

Despite the warmth of her surroundings, Athena couldn't shake the heaviness in her heart. The weight of her doubts and insecurities weighed heavily upon her.

Athena sat alone, anxiously biting her nails. 

She replayed Octavia's words in her mind, the uncertainty gnawing at her as she considers her next move. Confessing her feelings to Bellamy feels too daunting, too risky. But maybe there's another way to find out the truth.

As Athena approached Bellamy's tent, her heart pounded in her chest with each step. She tried to steady her breathing, to quell the nerves that threatened to overwhelm her.

Silence greeted her. Confusion furrowed her brow as she glanced at the tent, her mind racing with unanswered questions. She was certain she had seen him enter the tent, and yet now, there was no sign of him.

Athena's heart sank as she pushed aside the tent flap, her stomach churning with a mix of dread and disbelief. The sight before her sent a jolt of discomfort through her veins—Raven closing her jacket, Bellamy shirtless in bed.

With wide eyes and a mouth agape, Athena locked gazes with Bellamy, the shock of the moment rendering her speechless. Raven's hasty exit only added to the awkwardness of the situation.

"Sorry," Raven's hurried apology barely registered as Athena slowly turned on her heel, letting the tent flap fall shut behind her. Her mind reeled with a whirlwind of emotions, her thoughts in turmoil as she struggled to process what she had just witnessed.

The sound of Bellamy's voice calling out to her from inside the tent pierced the silence, but Athena had already begun to walk away, her steps heavy with the weight of disappointment and betrayal.

" Athena, wait."

26/5/24

I won't lie. The moment i started thinking of writing this fanfic, i was most excited to write this chapter. I love me some angst </3