AN: This story takes place a few weeks following a successful defeat of the Mountain Men. In my headcanon there were no major character deaths. Clarke embarks on a voyage with Lexa to meet with other clan leaders about the future relations. Any reviews are appreciated :)
When the wind settled into a thick blanket of heavy wet air, Lexa awoke. Years under the stars accustomed her to the moods of the skies. She knew, despite the night still unfolding over the vast expanse of land—her land, that the storm had made its presence known and disappeared as quickly. Without needing to look outside for confirmation, Lexa sensed the arrival of a thick layer blanketing the plush grass outside the confines of her tent. Excitement filled her chest with the same child-like joy she had always felt during the first snowfall of the season. Memories of snowball fights with her father when she was too small to ever stand a chance at victory rushed her mind, bringing in its wake a dose of nostalgia almost powerful enough to strip Lexa of her cool composure.
Tradition. She always did the same thing during the first snow fall. It didn't matter that time had ripped first her parents, and then so many others, from her. It was always the same on the first storm of the year. And for the first time in longer than she cared to remember Lexa had someone she wanted to share the moment with.
She rose and dressed in a hurry. Before exiting the warmth of her tent, Lexa grabbed an extra cloak and a warm fur hat for her maladjusted friend. She slipped silently out of her tent and made her way across the small camp she and her people had set up during their week long travels for the clan leaders assembly. When she arrived at Clarke's tent, Lexa slipped in the small opening without a sound. Even in the dark she could make out the fair mane of hair spread out like sun rays atop a white pillow.
Not wanting to startle her sleeping friend, Lexa approached Clarke's side silently. She knelt low and reached out with the intention of shaking Clarke's shoulder lightly, but somehow instead found her fingers brushing a strand of stray hair off Clarke's tensed forehead. Lexa frowned, sensing the disturbing thoughts behind Clarke's furrowed brow.
"Clarke," she whispered, this time finding the spot and giving a firm, but gentle shake. "Clarke, wake up." At first Clarke groaned and rolled away from Lexa's cold fingers, but one more shake and her eyes lifted open. Clarke blinked and shook the drowsiness from her mind as she processed who was in her tent.
"Commander?" she asked when her mind cleared enough to process that it was still very clearly night. "Is something wrong?" Clarke sprung to attention, slipping out of her covers and standing, ready for a fight.
"No, Clarke. I have a surprise." Clarke's eyes narrowed as she took in Lexa's stance. The usually calm and collected commander stood with her hands clasped near her chest; a genuine smile threatened to tear through her usually pouted lips. When their eyes met, Clarke found a twinkle in her companion's that served a catalyst for a smile of her own.
"In the middle of the night? Are you leading me to a secret execution?" Clarke teased as she pulled on her jacket and buttoned her pants. "I'm kidding," she added, when Lexa's grin slipped. "Just let me find another coat or something. It's freezing."
"I brought you this," Lexa offered. Clarke took the cloak without hesitation, pulling the fur over her shoulders and tying a secure knot at the base of her throat. "And this to warm your ears." The hat was snug on Clarke's head, but she already felt her body warming under the layers. She knew she probably looked a sight in all the grounder clothes, but she was definitely grateful for Lexa's consideration and generosity. The past four days of travels had taken a toll on Clarke's patience due to decreasing temperatures. In fact, her small group of companions were faring just as poorly in the cold, bitter atmosphere. Clarke continued to hope that this clan assembly would go well; she needed to believe her people would be able to enter into trade with the others. It was the only way she knew to keep them warm through the winter.
The never ending troubles that plagued Clarke's mind dampened her mood considerably as she bent to pull her boots on. Lexa frowned at the return of tension over Clarke's brow. She knew how much pressure Clarke was under, not just from her friends that accompanied them on the excursion, but also her mother and the other leaders back at camp. Lexa longed to ease that burden and vowed silently to take some of the weight on her own back. She'd do whatever it took to help the Sky People. Her gratitude for their assistance against the Mountain Men would not go unreturned.
Clarke knew Lexa was staring again. She'd never met someone so intrigued by her every movement. When they first met Clarke had found Lexa's gaze to be unsettling, but now it gave her an odd sense of comfort. Clarke had to admit she liked the consistency. Lexa was strong and firm, always there to support and listen. Sure, Clarke knew Lexa had very different ideas about dealing with those who oppose their leadership, but she also knew that Lexa could be trusted to honor her word. Clarke was confident that Lexa would not betray her. Truthfully, that meant everything to Clarke. It was the most important part of her new life on Earth. She felt she'd found a kindred spirit in the commander. They'd both been burdened with a curse of leadership. Clarke felt comfort in the realization that Lexa was just as confused as she was.
When Clarke attempted to slip out of her tent Lexa slid up behind her, using the height difference to effectively cover Clarke's eyes with her cold fingers. "It's a surprise," Lexa whispered, her mouth close enough to Clarke's face to feel the warmth of breath on her cheek. It sent a shiver down Clarke's spine that had nothing to do with the cold.
Clarke stepped out of the cover of her makeshift home slowly. The unexpected crunch from under her boots sent a shot of excitement up her legs and through her body like a ripple in an ocean. She couldn't see or feel it, but Clarke knew it had finally come—snow! Lexa's hands did not leave Clarke's eyes as she whispered clear concise directions that led Clarke away from camp. After what seemed like hours to Clarke's eager sensibilities, Lexa ordered her to stop.
"Are you ready, Clarke?" she asked, her body still impossibly close. Clarke nodded and prepared herself. In a rush she felt Lexa drop her hands and retreat a respectable distance away. Momentarily Clarke missed the warmth of Lexa's body, but the thought scurried away when her eyes opened. She was poised in the center of a small clearing surrounded by imposing trees. The ground was dusted a brilliant white more pure than Clarke could have ever imagined it would be. The trees nearby bowed under the weight of the lush white powder. If Clarke believed in a higher power she'd think it had conspired to bring her exactly to this moment. Just past the tree line the sky was illuminated in a hazy gray, split open by sharp bright sun rays; morning had come.
As Clarke's eyes took in the sheer beauty of fresh snow Lexa observed Clarke. She'd seen many beautiful colors in her life, but Lexa was not sure she'd ever seen a blue so clear and lovely as Clarke's eyes. Clarke of the Sky People. The girl with sunlight in her hair and stars in her eyes. Lexa wasn't sure when she first noticed how lovely her ally could be, but the constant dull ache in her stomach was now a familiar friend. Lexa was happy with Clarke no matter what the circumstances surrounding them. Without the prying glances from her people or the weight of her responsibility, Lexa allowed herself to feel; she opened her heart to that unrestrained joy she had learned to suppress long ago.
Clarke, realizing her gratitude for that very moment, peeled her gaze from the line of trees and looked to the person who'd given her this gift. Their eyes met and their smiles broke out of hiding. Clarke was sure she'd never seen so many of Lexa's teeth. Her heart swelled tenfold. The urge to reach out and hug Lexa overpowered her.
Lexa stumbled backwards as Clarke's body barreled into her. Instinctively her arms encircled Clarke's lower back and held her close. "Thank you," Clarke said, holding on just as tight around Lexa's neck. The pair stayed in the embrace for a pregnant moment, breathing in each others warmth and savoring the feel of someone else's strong and sturdy frame holding them upright. It was Lexa who finally broke the embrace, not because she no longer wanted to hold Clarke close, but because being so close made her want to hold Clarke closer.
"I always sneak away to play in the snow during the first storm," Lexa explained when she had backed away from Clarke. "Although today is more beautiful than most." She'd be lying if she denied that most of the beauty radiated from Clarke, not the weather. Lexa was willing to wait as long as it took for Clarke to reciprocate feelings. She owed her that respect. And even if Clarke never came to her with a promise of readiness, Lexa was content to be friends and allies. She was already too attached and going back was not an option. If there was one thing Lexa learned from her time leading her people it was that.
"It's amazing," Clarke mused as she bent low to pick some snow up. Her hands held tight to the cold, wet powder as it melted and froze her uncovered digits. Splat! The snow ball exploded in one sharp cold burst over her arm. Clarke turned, eyes dancing, just in time to be hit by yet another cold ball of snow. She shivered as the ice melted and dripped down the bare skin of her neck. "Did you just...?" she sputtered as she hurried to make a snow ball of her own. "Hit me?" she finished, as she stood and tossed one back. Lexa darted away in a blur of laughter.
"You're gonna have to be faster than that, Clarke," she teased as she bent to make another. As she worked, Clarke managed to send one sloppy snowball right to the back of Lexa's head. When Lexa reeled around she had two more snowballs ready. "You're dead."
Clarke took off as fast as she could in the plush snow as Lexa launched a counterattack. The attacks continued on and on as the girls ran and played. Their playful giggles broke the silence of the morning air. After quite some time, Clarke—all white puffs and heaving chest—slipped and slid to her back with a thunk. Lexa, startled, hurried over. "Clarke? Are you alright, Clarke?" Lexa reached down to help, but was yanked to the ground with a shriek of laughter. Lexa tried to protest Clarke's betrayal, but soon she was laughing too. Unrestrained guffaws erupted from the ladies until their stomachs ached and their eyes burned with moisture.
"I win," Clarke remarked when she finally managed to regain her composure. She looked over, not at all surprised to find Lexa already studying her. Her smile dropped and silence descended on the clearing.
"Thank you," Clarke whispered, not wanting to disturb the peace that seemed to have crept in sometime during their play.
When Lexa replied she spoke in the same breathy undertone. "My pleasure." It was a simple response, but the only honest one. She fixed her eyes on Clarke's and refused to break the contact until Clarke finally looked away. It might have just been the cold air, but for a moment Lexa could swear she saw a blush erupt over Clarke's already rosy cheeks.
Lexa turned her head back to the sky and closed her eyes. She inhaled deep and begged the familiar Earth below her to hold the moment forever. Clarke's fingers slipped in hers and squeezed tight. Lexa could feel the heat from Clarke's stare so she smiled without opening her eyes. For once she just allowed Clarke to observe her.
For Clarke the peace of the moment nested deep inside her core. She felt the blanket of serenity settle inside her bones. It felt like...well home. The thought seemed misplaced somehow—like it was an intruder in her mind. But as Clarke steadied her gaze on Lexa's smiling profile she couldn't deny the familiarity her companion offered. For the first time since landing on Earth Clarke wondered if maybe she was able to map out a home for herself in the midst of all the chaos. So she looked back to the sky and smiled too. Their entwined hands thawed as they savored the moment.