Taking the Blame Raven Reyes/You

Taking the Blame

It is best for you and Raven to not speak.

The two of you can argue at one misunderstood word and two of you care so much for one another that a single insult can feel like the deepest cut from your sharpest blade.

You love her and because of that you stay.

"We should not do this," you warn the mechanic your footsteps silent in the forest.

She limps through the fallen branches and stomps on the crushed leaves ignoring you.

"This will only worry the surrounding villages."

Raven stops and turns the object still held securely in her hands.

She tilts her head a scowl pulling at the corners of her lips.

"You don't have to be here. I don't need anyone to protect me."

Your brow furrows at her tone.

Your next words are sharp her aura biting at yours.

"I follow you because I wish you well. If you do not want me, then you need only say so and I will go."

Raven cocks her head limping to your side until the two of you are face to face.

You refuse to take the bait letting her step so close, knowing how exactly to make her fall but refusing to do it.

"The three hundred warriors have been cleansed in fire. By releasing that, you will only remind the Trikru why the Skaikru should not be trusted but feared."

Raven challenges you lifting her chin.

"They should fear me. All grounders should fear me."

You stiffen and tighten your jaw.

"I am a grounder."

Raven stays there a single eyebrow lifting.

"Your Commander made Clarke kill Finn. Barbaric."

You take a step with every word you say fury making you faster, stronger.

"Your Finn killed himself when he killed those innocents in that village. My sister wanted justice. Vengeance would be slaughtering all Skaikru for those left."

Her face pales but you do not give.
"Jus drein jus daun."

The phrase does it.

Raven lunges and only stops halfway when the quiet growl vibrates through your eardrums.

Your eyes widen your stomach plummeting to the ground.

"Raven," you whisper breathless. "Don't move. "

Her body twitches and you move slowly your arm reaching for the blade at your back.

The leaves crunch under the pauna's steps and you retract it just in time.

The hunter's green eyes stare straight into yours as it prowls.

Raven turns and that's when you act.

It's a death match.

The pauna is undeniably feline the black fur decorated in near perfect half circles. The green eyes never look away from you or Raven. It's too tall its head easily your shoulders without standing on its hind legs. The teeth protrude from the creature's mouth two fangs that could too easily rip out your throat.

The pauna growls loudly but doesn't move too close to Raven for comfort.

You see its body lower to the ground and your eyes widen in realization.

"Run. Behind me," you say near silently gritting your teeth.

She doesn't waste a second.

The creature pounces and your scream and its roar echo through the forest.

There's almost no chance you will win.

The pauna is ferocious its nails catching on all exposed skin. You stab it through its mouth ignoring its screech of anguish. You see the throat but your arms aren't quite wide enough to reach.

Raven screams your name.

You're airborne.

You smack into a tree the breath knocked out of you.

You can barely breathe only watch as it approaches.Your hand searches the ground for anything, everything to save Raven.

Then you found it.

The black grenade gleams in the soil: your salvation.

You remove the pin knowing you have no time to waste.

You throw it and the pauna swallows.

Your foot throbs slowing the sprint but you make it just in time.

Your ears ring the body underneath you unmoving.

Then there's arms around you pulling you in squeezing your waist.

You flinch at the pressure on your surely bruised ribs but bury your head in the hollow of her throat.

She's alive.

You're alive.

A burst crazed laughter shakes your chest and Raven only watches concerned until it dies.

The hooves of horses approach and you rise pulling Raven to her feet.

Lexa's face is a ghostly white seeing the blood and bruises that cover you.

"Where are your guards?" she demands voice heightened in worry. "What happened?"

You look back at Raven's face.

It's a sickly shade of white the tan all but disappeared from her skin and her bottom lip shakes white where her teeth dug in.

You would never put her in danger.

You straighten your back holding in a wince.

You stare into your sister's eyes unafraid.

"It is my fault."

You look behind you to Raven's torn face and your mask wavers.

You allow your lips to lift just a little in a semblance of a smile.

"I apologize. We were attacked by pauna and explosives were used to be rid of the creature."

Lexa's chest heaves as you explain and her next words are rough unthinking.

"You will come back to camp and Naikou will heal you."

You stand there debating yourself before looking up at Lexa pleading.

"I will have my warriors escort Reivon to her camp," Lexa says her voice stony but you smile relieved.

She lifts you to the front of the horse her hands holding you steady.

Raven watches you get on the horse scared and worried at your repeat flinches but your smile stays only wavers.

You nod towards her trying to ease her pain.

"May we meet again."

With your sister holding you steady, you ride back to camp wondering about long you can wait to see Raven again before running off again.