This is a short one but I'm on vacation with my family.
The first time Nasa stepped foot on the Ark wreckage she looked terrified. Her worst nightmares realized. "Nasa, are you alright?"
"You were a child in here?"
"Yes."
"How did you play? Where did you run? How did you learn to climb a tree?"
"We had space enough to play and run, I learned to climb a tree from you, remember?"
"Where are your fields? Can I see where you grew food?"
"A lot of that was lost in the landing, it was on another part. Monty can explain it to you if you'd like." She shakes her head, holding her elbows too tightly against her body. "Nasa, you can go wait outside. There is nothing to protect me from in here." she nods and looks back where they came from. They reach the door to the workshop, it opens at the touch of a button, taking Nasa's anxiety to an all time high. "Really, I'm fine, and now you know where I'll be if you need me. Can you make it back outside?"
"Oh I'm going out." Raven offers.
Clarke and Bellamy lead Lexa deep into the Ark wreckage. To the unsafe parts, with iron beams crushing stairways, and exposed wires that Raven's apprentice is ripping out and splicing together to power Camp Jaha with the damn form Mt. Weather. Through spaces so tight they weren't sure Bellamy would fit. Climbing step ladders into the darkest corners of the Ark, until they found it.
"You think she's ready Commander?" Bellamy asked.
"Ready enough. What is this place?"
"This is where Octavia and I grew up." He tries the door, then leans his shoulder into it, then steps back and kicks it open. The sewing machine was still bolted on to the table but the table had been thrown against a wall during the landing. The entire place is at an awkward 45 degree angle. Bellamy leans down and opens the hatch in the floor. "She lived in here. Most of her life."
"Lexa, did you tell her what Luna was like?" Clarke finally speaks.
"No." Lexa can't take her eyes off the small space, a pink blanket is bunched in the lower corner. Flooding her usually neat mind with images of her own childhood, of tight spaces, and hidden safe alcoves.
"Babe," Clarke's voice pulls her from her trance, "She needs to know Luna puts people in cages." looking between Bellamy and Clarke she wraps her arms tight around her body.
"I think you are enjoying this too much Commander." Blood is dripping from Octavia's mouth.
"I take no pleasure in this." Lexa lands another punch.
"Are you sure." Octavia's voice is strained.
"If you trust someone else to know how much force breaks the skin but not the bone you are welcomed to pick someone else for this job."
Octavia looks at the gathered few, pointing at Nasa, "I'll take the fat one." Without warning Clarke lands a vicious left hook sending Octavia to the ground. "What the hell Princess! I think you chipped my fucking tooth."
"Don't be an asshole."
"It does make it a little easier." Lexa extends a hand and pull her pupil off the ground. When she's up Clarke roughly checks the cuts on her face, and the suspected broken tooth. Pressing hard on her cheekbones, jaw, and eye sockets. She nods at Lexa, another punch.
"How's it going little sis?" Bellamy is slurring his speech and can't seem to get his balance. "Did I just hear the word Commander come from your lips? Clarke I think that's enough headshots? No offence Commander." He lands a sloppy hand on Lexa's shoulder and she shakes him off.
"I thought you were supposed to be distracting Lincoln?" Octavia looks around.
"I tried getting him drunk, but then I ended up drunk, and then I lost him."
"We need to do a few body blows." Lexa explains. Bellamy steps back.
"Can't wait." Octavia quips as Lexa does a spin kick sending her flying backwards.
"Lexa! I swear to God, if you break her ribs I won't let her ride." Clarke leans down to check and a red welt is already forming. "That's enough. I'm calling the fight. I'm throwing in the towel. Her eye is really swollen. How many fingers am I holding up?"
Octavia holds up both middle fingers, "This many."
"I said, don't be an asshole. Go wash your face." She checks in her mouth again. "I'm going to have to come with you, I can't be sure she doesn't have a concussion."
"Clarke we discussed this." Lexa nods and her guards walk away, Bellamy lingers until Nasa throws her head to the side for him to follow her; they help Octavia to her feet. "I can't focus on what I have to do if I'm worried about keeping you safe. I am taking a healer with me. I know she's your friend and you are worried for her, I agree that we are asking a lot of her. But she is a warrior. And warriors are my domain."
"I'm worried for you too." Clarke takes Lexa's hand in hers and looks over her red knucles.
"That is unnecessary as I am Hercules made invincible from kissing a princess." Lexa knows her bravado is Clarke's weakness.
"That is not what makes Hercules invincible." Clarke squints in the sun and frowns trying to keep her smile at bay.
"It is not? What is?"
"I can't remember. I think his father was Zeus."
"Who was made invincible from kissing a princess then?" She lifts the flap leading to their tent and they both go in.
"I don't know. I don't think that's a thing." Clarke walks to a nearby basin and washes her hands of Octavia's blood. "You are very good at changing the subject Commander. But you are going to have to work a little harder than that. This is my plan, I should be there."
"Clarke, I love you very much. I am better with you than without you in every conceivable way, except battle. I believe your kiss makes me invincible and so it shall be. I am leaving in a few hours and I do not want us to be in a fight when that happens." She laces her fingers in her girls hair and steals a kiss from a frowning Clarke. When she pulls away Clarke is not frowning, she has a determined smile on her lips.
She backs Lexa into a nearby table pulling down at her neck and kissing her deeply, pressing her leg between Lexa's. Lexa's is a little startled at first but catches up and buries her hands deep in Clarke's hair, cradling the back of her head. As they kiss, Clarke's nimble hands make quick work of Lexa's many buckles and open her pants.
Lexa lets out a low moan when Clarke turns her and tears at her clothes. As her shirt hits the floor Clarke brushes brown hair with one hand while sliding the other up Lexa's ribs. She sinks her teeth into the back of Lexa's neck.
Clarke let's out a throaty laugh when Lexa's knees buckle and she leans back into Clarke who is ready to bear her weight pushing her hips into Lexa's. Pushing the muscular brunette forward so her weight is on her arms the blonde slides a hand down the front of Lexa's open pants and pushes her face on the warm exposed skin. Lexa holds her breath at the touch.
Panting and foggy Lexa turns to face Clarke who is leaning on her trying to catch her breath. She slides her arms around Clarke's shoulders and whispers, "You still cannot come with me."
Clarke lifts Lexa's arms off her shoulders ducks her head and turns for the door. "I'm going to saddle my horse." before she can reach the door Lexa executes Clarke's lift from Octavia's cabin two weeks earlier. She's off the floor and onto the bed with a thump. Lexa pressing herself down between her legs muffling raspy protest with her mouth. Nearly ripping every article of clothing she takes off. Lexa manages to strip her naked with out losing her perch on top of Clarke. They are a sweaty tangled mess, when Clarke's hands are not pulling her down to make sure every inch of exposed skin is touching they are in her hair pulling it back revealing her face so they can keep eye contact when the moaning starts.
Lexa keeps her eyes open, memorizing every second, watching Clarke's skin blush from the heat when they kiss. Following the beads of sweat down her neck to the center of her collarbone where it pools. Studying every color change in her eyes. Until they are exhausted and fall asleep, satisfied, in a tangled heap.
When Clarke wakes up, the sun is setting and Lexa is gone from the bed. She rushes to find clothes. By the time she makes it outside, she can see the last horse vanish into the forest.