Time seemed to pass slower once the two got together. Everything melded easier. It all just felt right. 

Sure, they worried about things. Like rations, and time. But they could never worry for long, because whenever they did, the other was there to snap them out of it.

Sadly, their love nor Rosie's failed attempt at saving more rations for John couldn't save them from starvation. Which is where they were headed, as their rations were nearly depleted. 

John still looked at Rosie and thought she was the most beautiful person in the world, but he couldn't ignore the small heartache he got when he wrapped his arms around her and realized how thin she had gotten. All he wanted was to save her, to create a life for both of them, and he couldn't do that. They were trapped.

Rosie had realized a few days before that they didn't have much time left. Sure, the human body was miraculous and could survive for weeks without food, but they were already so weak. Plus, once they were truly out of rations, then they would be out of hope as well. That would truly be the end for them.

When Rosie realized how close they were to running out of time, she had made up her mind. There was something she needed to do before they faced their inevitable doom with one another. Her heart pounded inside her chest as she realized that today was the day. It was time, before it was too late.

Murphy lay sprawled out on the couch, tiredly messing with the camera that had been in the corner of the room. He had never had one aboard the ark, seeing as his family couldn't really afford it, so he was intrigued by the thing. Rosie would catch him recording himself at times, and she couldn't help but think about how cute it was.

Slowly, Rosie descended from the kitchen to where Murphy lay in the living room. Her hands were shaking, so she stuffed them in her pockets to hide it. She wanted to come off as calm and collected, but she feared there was no way she'd ever really do so. Murphy flicked off the camera and laid it beside him. He sat up and smiled at the girl, just as amazed as always that they were really together.

"What're you doing?" He questioned, extending out his hands to the girl to pull her closer.

Rosie expected his hands and let him pull her into him. She rested between his legs, their foreheads touching. He wore the same goofy smile he always did as he leaned up slightly to plant a kiss on the girl's lips. His touch seemed to relax her significantly as she found herself smiling as well.

"There's something I want to do," She whispered against his lips, causing him to furrow his eyebrows.

"What?" He questioned, cocking his head to the side as he pulled away from her slowly.

Rosie bit down on her lip, avoiding the boy's gaze. She stood up, removing herself from where she had crouched in front of him on the couch. Slowly, she reached down and grabbed the bottom of her shirt, tugging it slowly up above her head. Never had she felt so willingly exposed in front of someone, and she resisted the urge to cross her arms over herself.

Murphy's eyes widened at the sight of seeing his girlfriend in just her bra. Of course, now he knew what it was she wanted to do. And obviously, he wanted that too. With her. But he couldn't help but notice the way her hands shook, and how she couldn't seem to meet his gaze. He bent down and grabbed her shirt from where she dropped it, then stood and offered it to her.

"Do you not... want me?" Rosie questioned, hurt filling her chest. She knew it wasn't a good sign when someone immediately hands back your shirt right after you take it off.

"No, no, obviously I do," Murphy shook his head, cupping the girl's face in his hands. "But, I also don't want to do anything until you're ready. We don't need to do this now, Rose."

Rosie bit down on her lip, knowing they did need to do it then. Sure, she was scared. It was something new, something she had never done before. But she was also positive she wanted to do it, with John. She thought he might be the only thing she was sure of anymore.

"I want to," Rosie spoke quietly before leaning up and kissing the boy.

Her shirt fell from his hands and they were soon lying back on the couch. Everything seemed to move in slow motion, because when they were together, they felt as though they had all the time in the world.

❀

The two remained on the couch, tangled up in one another. A blanket was thrown over their naked bodies as they used it and their body heat to keep each other warm. John lazily played with Rosie's strands of long red hair, curling pieces around his index finger then letting them fall. He found himself wondering how he had never realized how beautiful she was before the trip. Or, perhaps he had, and he was just too stubborn to admit it. He was pretty sure it was the second one.

Rosie rolled over so she was now facing the boy. She smiled as she realized he had been leaning up, gazing at the girl. Slowly, she leaned up and planted a kiss on the boy's lips, before sighing dreamily and settling back into his arms.

"Tell me something good," Rosie requested as she squeezed her eyes shut.

"Like what?" Murphy cocked his head to the side as he eyed the girl.

"Anything," She responded with a yawn, cuddling closer to the boy.

"Alright, well, when we get out of here, the first thing I'm going to do is kick Jaha's ass," Murphy thought aloud. His words caused Rosie to giggle slightly, which made him smile. "Yeah, then, I'm going to get you off of this awful island. We're going to make it back to Arkadia, you'll get to be with your dad and Bellamy again."

Murphy paused, truly imagining the sentiment. He didn't spend much time thinking about what would happen if they got out, because it just seemed so impossible. But, what if they did make it out? How would their relationship progress? What would Bellamy, arguably the most important person in her life, react?

"What else?" She murmured softly, clearly almost asleep.

"Well, we'll become model citizens. No more of that criminal bullshit. Everyone will be back from Mount Weather. We can move in together, and we'll be happy. Really happy. We won't need the 'City of Light,' we'll have each other."

As he spoke, he realized her breathing had slowed and she finally drifted off to sleep. He let out a small sigh as he thought about just how badly he wanted everything he said to be true. He wanted a life with her, more than anything in the world. But instead, they were trapped down there. With little time left.

He brushed a stray piece of hair out of the girl's face and sighed, wishing she were still awake to tell him something good in return. He didn't like having such negative thoughts bouncing around his head, but he couldn't help it. It was hard to look on the bright side of things when you've been trapped in an underground box with no way out. 

His only source of hope was lying in his arms at that very moment. She was the one thing that kept him going. He didn't want to think about what would happen if she were to go first, because he knew he'd lose his mind. He tried to shake the thought away from his mind as quickly as it entered. Slowly, he leaned over the girl and placed a kiss on her temple, before uttering the words he was too scared to say while she was awake.

"I love you, Goldsman," He muttered softly.

Her eyes fluttered open, shocking the boy and causing his face to turn red. He had just naturally assumed she was asleep, but now he was cursing himself for not actually checking. It wasn't like Rosie had any problems staying quiet, she had done it for years. It was foolish of him to take that as a sign that she was asleep.

"What?" She questioned softly, sitting up to look at him.

"Uh, nothing," He shook his head. "I thought you were asleep."

"Did you mean it?" 

"Mean what?" He feigned confusion, furrowing his eyebrows together.

"John," Rosie gave him a pointed look, exasperated by his fake confusion. He knew what she meant, and now she wanted an answer.

"Yes..." He answered softly, avoiding her gaze. He didn't want to admit it, not yet at least. He had learned that the easiest way to avoid getting hurt was to not care about anyone but yourself. That kept you safe. Loving someone didn't. It made everything so much harder. "Look, you don't have to say anything back, like I said I thought you were sleeping. We can just go to bed—"

"—John," She tried to interrupt.

"—It's really not a big deal. I just wanted to say it, because you make me happy, I guess, and—"

"—JOHN." She spoke louder, succeeding in cutting him off this time.

"Yeah?"

"I love you too," 

John smiled wildly, not expecting the response from her. He had been so sure for so long that he was unlovable, or that he didn't deserve love. But, here he was, with undoubtedly the best person he'd ever met. And she loved him too. 

Neither was sure what the future would hold. If they'd make it out, or if their days were limited. They didn't know if things would be better in Arkadia (if they could make it out), if people would accept them as a couple. But, they knew they had each other. And that they loved one another. And somehow, that was more than enough.

A/N: Ah so this is kind of a short, cheesy chapter. But it had to be included! So I've decided I will continue on past the bunker, and that there will be a couple more chapters in part 1 before I start part 2. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed it & I'm planning on updating this story more regularly!