Let it happen || Clarke Griffin¹

1. four

Athena Solace couldn't seem to fall asleep. No matter how many times she tried, or how many different exercises she used to get her mind to shut off, nothing worked. It didn't help that Jasper's cries of pain could be heard throughout the camp followed by multiple shouts from the other delinquents.

Every time she closed her eyes she saw Jasper tied to that tree, and if it wasn't him, it was one of the others. She had enough of seeing that imagine when Octavia was next to flash behind her closed eyelids. Athena sighed and sat up straight, her hand dragging down her face in an attempt to wipe the tiredness from her expression.

That was until there was a soft cry to her left that had her turning in confusion. Athena didn't even realise anyone was near her. She hated that thought as much as she hated having that dream.

She rose to her feet and soundlessly walked towards the sleeping form, her eyes instantly landing on the small frame curled in on herself. Once she noticed the way the girl kept muttering and crying, she picked up her pace and crouched down next to her.

"Hey, wake up. It's okay. You're okay." Athena let her face slip into the softest look she could muster before reaching out and placing her hand on the girls waist. "You're Charlotte right? I'm Athena, you okay?"

The younger girl nodded slightly, but by the look in her eyes and the way her knees were still pulled tight to her chest, Athena knew she wasn't. It was the same look and position she found herself in most nights.

"You wanna talk about it, love?" Athena softly spoke, hand reaching out to brush over her knuckles. She was so absorbed in making sure the kid was okay, that she didn't notice the feet making their way towards them with a small smile.

"It's, my parents. They were floated and they, and I see it. In my dreams and I just." Charlotte cried.

"Yeah, I understand." Athena sighed and lowered her head so she could see her better. "My father, he was floated in front of me and it's just... I get it."

"Does it get easier?" Charlotte asked, finally looking up at her.

"Yeah, love, it gets easier. But first, you have to learn to accept it." Athena told her just as Clarke made herself known and sat down in front of them.

"So, how did you end up here?" Clarke asked her once Athena nodded at the younger girl.

Charlotte rested her head against Athena's shoulder, causing the older brunette to wrap her arm around her and pull her closer. "Well, we were taking my parents' things to the redistribution centre and, I kind of lost it. They said I assaulted a guard."

"Yeah, I get that also." Athena lowly laughed, ignoring the questioning look she got from the blonde.

"I can't say I blame you." Clarke sighed after a moment before turning her gaze to the stars. "See that bright star up there? That's The Ark orbiting above us. I think whatever happened up there, you know, the pain, maybe we can move past that now. Maybe being on the ground is our second chance."

"Do you really believe that?" Charlotte asked her.

"I'm trying to." Clarke smiled back at her.

"What about you?" Charlotte turned her head to look at Athena better.

She took a deep breath and locked eyes with Clarke. She didn't know what she believed at this point. I mean, The Ark had willingly sent a group of children to the ground without knowing if they'd survive. But, once she saw the look on Charlotte's face, she pulled that soft expression back on and nodded.

"I'll believe it as long as you do." She mumbled and placed a light kiss to the top of her head.

Charlotte was just a kid, she wasn't about to destroy her belief more than it already was.