WHO. CLARKE & ABBY GRIFFIN.
WHAT. GRIFFIN LADIES REUNION.
WHEN. MAY 12TH - JUST AFTER 5PM.
WHERE. ABBY'S APARTMENT, #3-104.
WARNINGS. A FEW INJURY REFS.
STATUS. COMPLETE.
Clarke had almost thought it was kind kind of mirage when she saw the familiar name on the normal intake alerts. Abby Griffin. It wouldn’t be her mother’s first visit to Atlantis, but it was the first time she’d been brought here by a coin and after everything, especially the memories she’d gained not that long ago of the last 6 years, she had wondered if she’d ever seen the woman again. Even knowing in Atlantis it was more likely didn’t keep her from being surprised.
Despite everything that had forced her to grow up too young, despite being in her mid-twenties now and having someone she considered almost a daughter of her own (at home, at least - Madi wasn’t here), the sight of her mother was enough to make Clarke almost feel like a child again and the first thing she did on seeing her was throw her arms around the older woman, letting out a sound that was halfway a sob as she did. “Mom,” she murmured as she just held on for a moment. She still didn’t know what had happened to her or any of the others in the bunker at home, save for what she’d learned from Octavia and it wasn’t like either of them had wanted to share much of the last 6 years, but it hardly mattered now that her mom was here.
Though she may have wanted to stay in the shower for longer it was almost damn near impossible to forget the rules they’d all had to follow on the Ark. With everything being rationed everyone knew that you used just as much as was necessary. Nothing more and nothing less. And if that wasn’t enough life on the ground hadn’t offered much of a change. There were certain things that still needed to be rationed and the luxury of a proper bath often put aside to tend to those in need.
So, like she always had, Abby quickly washed away the layer of grime that she knew covered most of body. Once she was done and dressed in fresh clothing she made her way towards her intake appointment. The welcome message hadn’t given much information to go off of. But having grown up listening to her father’s lessons and making her way up through medical she certainly had an idea. The hopeful part of her theorized that the intake appointment was harmless and similar to a standard checkup. However, the part of her that still had nightmares about having her leg drilled into had her consider the alternative.
Her theories were quickly forgotten when her daughter wrapped her arms around her and she reciprocated. Not too long ago she had resigned herself to never seeing her daughter again. And yet here she was with her baby girl in her arms. All at once the guilt that she carried with her and the utter happiness she felt began to overwhelm her. And as tears began to steadily fall, Abby, tightened her hold and with a voice full of emotion softly whispered, “Clarke.”
Clarke allowed herself that brief moment with her mother, time to revel in the fact that she was really here, but then she pulled back a little, her hands still gripping the older Griffin’s arms as if she might fade away at any moment. Quickly, she looked her over for signs of [...] she didn’t know what, but all she saw was a woman who looked almost exactly as she had when Clarke had last seen her over 6 years ago.
“I wasn’t sure I could believe the alert,” she said after a moment, letting the relief show on her face. She didn’t know how long this would last, if she would decide once more to go back home to their people like she had before, like Bellamy had, too, although she couldn’t be certain if he’d left by choice this last time. This life was no less certain than it was at home, though, where death could claim a loved one in an instant. However long she had her mother here, Clarke would make the most of it.
“You must have a lot of questions,” she added, She could almost sense the confusion that was so common in new arrivals and it made her suspect this version of Abby Griffin didn’t have the memories of having been here before. It was lucky for her that her daughter would make an excellent tour guide.
A pang of sadness and little bit fear went through her heart when Clarke pulled away from their hug. Abby was sad that the moment had to come to an end. And she was fearful that this hug was a sign that she might lose her again. Much like she had many of the other times that they shared an embrace.
“I was so sure that I’d never see you again,” Abby said once her daughter had finished speaking. She could see the relief on Clarke’s face and knew that the same was reflected on hers. Though her face was damp from the tears that she had shed.
“I do have a lot of questions but they can wait. I need to know how you are doing first” she said taking a tiny step back - but not far enough that she dislodged her daughters arms - so that she could get a good look at Clarke.
Clarke was grateful that her injuries from a couple of months ago had healed. No more casts and the cuts and bruises had faded to invisibility by now. Whatever scars she bore as a result of her recent captivity were beneath the surface, tucked away where her mother wouldn’t see them. It gave her time to decide just how much she wanted to tell her about her life in Atlantis.
Unseen wounds or not, Clarke’s smile was still sincere as she looked at her mother. “I’m doing good,” she said, “and even better now than you’re here. It’s been mostly me and Octavia for the last year and a half.” Bellamy had come and gone a few times and Raven had been here, but not for months. Octavia had been the only constant presence from home.
“Good. I’m glad,” Abby said, “and I’m not planning on going anywhere ever again.” And she truly was glad. When she’d realized that Clarke wasn’t going to be able to get in the bunker she had been distraught. And that feeling continued when she’d been dropped into the traveling circus. So, knowing that her daughter was doing all right put her mind at ease. But only just slightly. There were things that Clarke wasn’t saying but Abby knew that she’d learn what they were in due time.
After Abby processed all of what Clarke said she asked, “you said mostly, Clarke, does that mean that you’ve seen others from home?”
Nodding, Clarke explained what she’d meant by that. “You were here once, months ago, but you felt like you needed to go home. It was before Praimfaya, when we were still looking for a way to save everyone.” That had been before the memory update Clarke had gotten, when she’d aged 6 years overnight and gained the memories of everything that happened in that time, so it actually felt like years ago for her rather than months.
“Raven was here in the beginning, too. She stayed a while before deciding to go home. Bellamy’s come and gone a few times.” She couldn’t be sure if he’d left by choice or not, since he was the one who hadn’t said goodbye. She’d liked to think he would have told them if he had chosen to leave, but here in Atlantis sometimes you couldn’t be sure of everything.
Abby listened as Clarke began explaining what she had meant by her comment. A puzzled look came across her face when she heard that this wasn’t her first time in Atlantis. She couldn’t fathom leaving her daughter behind but she had also lived through Praimfaya. Had she arrived prior to Praimfaya she could see herself having made that decision. Finding a way to save their people had weighed heavily on her mind until they’d found a solution.
Once Clarke was done speaking, Abby, reached out and pulled her daughter close again. There was an ache in her heart over the fact that Clarke had to live through the continuous coming and going of those they knew. And while there was nothing that she could do to change the past she would be damned if her daughter had to go through anymore pain. After pressing a kiss against Clarke’s forehead, Abby, pulled back and looked her in the eye before saying, “I promise you that I am not going anywhere.”
Clarke’s experience in Atlantis had taught her that a promise like that couldn’t always be kept. Sometimes people left without saying goodbye and those who were left behind were certain they wouldn’t have done that by choice. Whether they were glitches in the technology, COS wreaking havoc with systems or something else was hard to determine, but the end result was the same - you couldn’t count on anyone sticking around here, no matter what they said. It would have been easy to feel like getting close to anyone was pointless, but Clarke had decided long ago that it just meant it was important to make the most of the time you had with the people you loved.
“Come on,” she said, changing the subject. “Let me show you around. You’re not going to believe all the incredible things they have here.”