Disclaimer: I do not own The 100. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
*****
Raven Reyes had heard the whispers. How could she not? Hell, a few of the braver members of Wonkru said it right to her face. Bloodreina's Bitch. That's what they called her. Normally being referred to is someone's bitch, and especially just bitch, would send her into a rage, causing her to dish out a verbal beat down, if not a physical one.
However she understood that people were frustrated and looking for something, or someone, to lash out at. And they had bigger things to worry about, as the food was nearly non-existent, and even the air was running out, and if they didn't get out of the bunker soon they were doomed. Which was kind of ironic, as this was supposed to be their salvation but was now their prison, and someday soon maybe their tomb.
So she let it go, ignoring whatever cruel and insulting remark her people wanted to throw her way, even if it was right to her face. Of course it was only to her face when Bloodreina wasn't around, because everyone was afraid of her lover, and for good reason. If Octavia Blake heard those words in public she would have no choice but to kill whoever said it, as the leader of Wonkru couldn't allow herself to look weak.
But Octavia knew, and Raven had to keep her from doing something drastic. So they had settled into a routine, which more or less started the same way, but always had the exact same and admittedly mutually pleasurable ending.
"I'd kill them all for you, you know." Octavia said softly, breaking the silence which had fallen between them, "Slice them up one by one with my blades. Just say the word."
"You wouldn't." Raven said firmly, not for the first time reminding her girlfriend, "You're not the monster they say you are."
"I would, if they ever hurt you." Octavia said firmly, unlike before looking directly at her girl, "Seriously Raven, think about it. Things are getting worse, and people are getting bolder. How long before they do something to truly hurt me, by hurting you? Maybe we should just kill them all now. It would save on the oxygen."
"Then we would have no more meat." Raven said bitterly, hating she was having to use that argument, but knowing that Bloodreina was nothing if not practical, and then when Octavia gave her a look she quickly added, "And no, I am not freezing the corpses of your enemies just so we can have a source of protein. We are only resorting to... to that, to keep people alive. If it was just us I couldn't leave that way. I just couldn't. You know that."
"Maybe I'd make you." Octavia threatened, the two of them having a staring competition for a few long seconds, before the mighty Bloodreina lowered her head, "This was a mistake."
Again hating herself for saying it Raven pointed out, "We have too. If we're going to survive..."
"Not the cannibalism. Us." Octavia snapped angrily, and then tried to soften her words given the expression on Raven's face, "I... I just, I could do this a lot better if I had nothing to lose. I can just turn off my humanity. Become the monster they say I am. But... you keep me human. And I kind of hate you for it."
"No, you don't." Raven said softly, which sounded arrogant, but it was just the truth.
"No, I don't." Octavia admitted, almost laughing as she did so, "But I wish I did. It would be easier."
"Maybe. But I'm glad I'm here, keeping you sane." Raven said the last part playfully, although it was probably true, "I like proving to you that you're not the monster they think you are. That you're just a person, in extreme circumstance, trying to save her people by any means necessary. I can't imagine anything more human than that, and I'm so, so proud of you."
There was a long pause, then Octavia said softly, "You are, you know?"
"What?" Raven asked.
"The only thing keeping me sane." Octavia explained with a soft smile.
During that conversation they had been sitting on Octavia's bed in their private chamber, and for that last exchange they had been getting closer until they were resting her foreheads together. They stayed like that for a few long seconds, just taking comfort in each other, before pressing their lips together softly. Which to be fair was also taking comfort in each other, although it was more of a distraction from their problems.
It was thankfully an effective one, and something Raven needed just as much as Octavia did in that moment. Along with more explicit physical intimacy, which started shortly afterwards as they both got up and started removing each other's clothes. Which was more difficult with Octavia's clothes, given how complicated and intimidating Bloodreina's outfit was, but they got it done in the end.