So no-one spends forever trying to think, title is from Coldplays 'Fix You' and is a slight joke towards Lexa's candle obsession.
Now onwards:
This is NOT a safe fic if you like Bellamy. At all. He is painted as a monster, pure and simple, within this fic. I don't wanna hear you whining about how I've portrayed him, the tags warn you and I'm warning you here.
This is also a triggerful Fic. I will be doing my very best to be respectful, but there are serious issues being addressed in this fic, so while I hope for some fun and games (I do have some very cute moments planned out!) this will be a heavy fic. You have been warned.
Those things out of the way, enjoy the pain I bring you~!
Lexa wasn't blind. She wasn't stupid either, and seeing this blonde, stood before her, hunched over and blinking rapidly, Lexa knew what she had to do.
"Yes, we will accept Skaikru into our coalition. But we need an ambassador to stay here. Someone of my choosing." Lexa's voice was firm as she stared down the party before her. The lady Chancellor, the warrior boy and the tiny blonde who looked so terrified of what was going on.
"Of course!" The lady Chancellor agreed instantly. She was smart, Lexa could see that she would do anything to protect her people. She could respect that.
"Her." Lexa motioned it the blonde. "She shall be your emissary and remain here in Polis." She looked to the blonde, attempting to establish eye contact, though that didn't work as she continued to simply stare the ground and fidget.
"Anyone else." The warrior spoke, clearly out of turn if the look on the Chancellor's face was anything to go by.
"You can have anyone else but if she stays, so do I."
"No deal." Lexa said, easily locking eyes with the warrior, staring him down. He'd just confirmed her suspicions.
"She stays, alone, or your clan will be an enemy of the coalition and we will have no choice but to deny our protection and allow events to unfold."
"I'll stay..." The voice was quiet and Lexa had to force her face not to soften at such a timid sound.
"Clarke!" The Warrior's tone was scolding, like how someone would speak to a misbehaving small child. The blonde, Clarke, shrank down smaller than before, fidgeting slightly.
"She'll stay." The Chancellor's voice mirrored Lexa's. Firm, authoritative and leaving no room for argument. The Warrior went to protest, but this time it was Lexa who cut him off.
"Wonderful. Chancellor Griffin, we shall brand you as Heda and then you and your party may return to your land, bar your Emissary, who shall remain here." Lexa nodded, motioning to one of her own warriors.
"Take the Chancellor to be prepared for the branding. We shall perform the ceremony in an hour." She instructed, standing from her throne and nodding to the Warrior.
"You have until then to say your goodbyes." And if there's a single bruise on her when you leave, I'll tear your hands off myself. Lexa added on to herself as she stared him down before heading off to her own room.
Removing her cloak, Lexa rolled her shoulders slowly, breathing out a soft sigh. She was doing the right thing. She'd save this girl, Clarke, from the Warrior. She couldn't stand people who thought it okay to hurt their comrades. But without proof outside of Clarke's reactions in her throne room, Lexa could do nothing but keep her here in he hopes of protecting her from further pain. Maybe one day she'd get justice for her suffering, but sadly, that wouldn't be today.
The hour went too slowly for Lexa's liking, especially with the knowledge that the blonde was likely being berated and possibly even physically injured, but Lexa endured the best she could.
And then it was time. Lexa watched from her throne as the Chancellor bravely took the brand on her forearm, barely even wincing as the flesh sizzled from the burn.
Stepping down and offering out her other arm, Lexa offered the Chancellor a slight smile. She gripped Lexa's upper forearm and the two nodded to each other.
"Welcome to the coalition, Griffin kum Skaikru." Lexa said formally before stepping back. "I'll arrange for a consignment of warriors to escort you and your young friend back to Arkadia and to remain there to help train your people, should you need it."
"Thank you." The Chancellor nodded before turning to Clarke and cupping her face gently, kissing her forehead. "Be good, Clarke. I love you."
"I love you too, Mom." Clarke whispered and Lexa couldn't help but wonder what 'Mom' meant. She made a mental note to ask Clarke at a later point. And then the Warrior stepped towards Clarke. Turning away, unable to watch, Lexa gave instructions to Indra to gather a small fighting force to escort the newest Heda back to her lands.
Watching her warriors leave with the Chancellor, Lexa turned to Clarke, allowed her face to finally form the look of kindness she had so wanted to give the blonde. She seemed scared. Beyond scared, she seemed terrified. Hunched over and fidgety, like a rabbit right before a predator snatches it up.
"Come." Lexa said softly, offering a hand out to Clarke. "Allow me to show you to your room, Clarke kum Skaikru." She watched carefully as Clarke eyed her hand before nodding and taking it gently. What shocked Lexa, however, was the fact that Clarke laced her fingers with the commanders, rather than simply holding her hand to allow herself to be lead.
"Things are different in Polis than I imagine them to be in Arkadia." Lexa said as she began to walk, finding she rather enjoyed the grip that Clarke had on her hand. "There is no violence within the city limits, other than official tournaments, and people may walk the streets without any fear of those around them." She wanted to make these points clear to Clarke. She didn't have to be afraid here.
Leading her back into the tower, Lexa continued to talk about her home. "Your room shall be next to mine and if you ever encounter a problem within Polis, you are more than welcome to request my assistance." An offer Lexa had never offered any of her other ambassadors, not that they tended to live in Polis year round. But Clarke was different. Having seen this behaviour before, from her most promising Nightblood, Lexa couldn't allow Clarke to remain in an environment of fear and would do all she could to protect her.
"Now, only the warriors speak your tongue, so until you have mastered the basics of our language, I must suggest you don't leave the Tower without an escort of some kind, simply to avoid confusion. However, if this idea does not appeal to you, you are more than welcome to disregard it." It was all about choice. About returning power. Glancing to Clarke, Lexa registered the look of confusion on her face.
"Do you have a question?" She asked, hoping to hear Clarke speak again. She seemed to consider it, before shaking her head and looking to the floor again. Lexa bit back a sigh. One step at a time.
They came to a halt outside of Clarke's room, Lexa pausing to allow Clarke to draw level before speaking again.
"This is your room. There is a bathroom inside, along with a fireplace. No one shall enter without your permission, although I advise you allow the cleaning staff access." A slight smile graced Lexa's face at her own joke, although Clarke simply eyed the door warily.
"It's mine?" Again her voice was quiet, and had Lexa not been stood directly next to her, she'd have had to strain in order to hear it.
"Yes. It's yours."
"Private?" Lexa's heart jumped as Clarke spoke again.
"Yes. No one shall enter without permission." She'd repeat herself as many times as needed in order to bring some comfort.
"Not even you?"
"Not even me." Clarke nodded, as if considering the sentences very carefully. Slowly, she unpeeled her hand from Lexa's and reached for the doorhandle. Twisting it, she pushed it open and stepped inside the room, shutting the door behind her. Lexa held in a soft chuckle.
"Goodnight, Clarke kum Skaikru." She called through the door. Waiting a moment and receiving no reply, Lexa turned and headed for her own bedroom. It would be an uphill battle, even more so than with Aden, but Lexa was determined. She would undo the damage done to poor Clarke.