Chapter Fourteen: Love Me Like You Do
"You're the light, you're the night
You're the color of my blood
You're the cure, you're the pain
You're the only thing I wanna touch
Never knew that it could mean so much, so much
Only you can set my heart on fire, on fire
Yeah, I'll let you set the pace
'Cause I'm not thinking straight
My head's spinning around I can't see clear no more
What are you waiting for?"
-Ellie Goulding
xxXxx
Another week passed at Camp Jaha and with everyone healed, the days progressed like they did before, with everyone working and doing their duties around the campsite.
Clarke assumed her position as leader while Bradley kept working in the medical tent, looking after a few who had caught some sort of cold. Both girls had been worried at first, but with the help of Lincoln and Nyko, Bradley had her hands on some remedies that the Grounders passed onto her.
Roxanne and Bellamy had worked into a comfortable routine around each other, keeping their new relationship under the radar while in public. So they bickered, which usually escalated all on its own, while they worked to strengthen the walls surrounding their home.
Murphy spent most of his time leading small hunting parties, and whatever time he had to himself he spent with Bradley, whether it was helping her in the medical tent or when it was just the two of them when they found a moment to spend alone.
After his small outburst, he had withdrawn from Bradley for two days. She didn't push him, but instead gave him the space he needed to sort out his thoughts and feelings. When he found her again, she smiled and kissed him, like nothing had happened.
Murphy watched her now as she sat next to Fox, who was the newest sick patient. The red haired girl was sickly pale and covered in sweat, so Bradley pressed a cool cloth against her forehead and murmured to her reassuringly.
He didn't miss the worry in her blue eyes. He knew it wasn't easy for her to be around sick people, since it reminded her of her past and her mother, but he marveled how she pushed through that so she could help others. Her determination outweighed her own pain, and that was something to take into account.
Murphy felt himself smiling slightly.
"Murphy," Bradley called out. "Can you go get some more fresh water, please?"
Murphy stood and headed over to the bed where Fox was laying, and picked up the small bucket that Bradley had been dipping the cloth in. He gave Fox a look he hoped was somewhat sympathetic before meeting Bradley's gaze.
She tried to give him a brave smile, but the anxious look in her eye seemed to only be growing.
So he strode out of the tent quickly, heading for the closest stream.
xxXxx
Bellamy watched Clarke and Roxanne from a distance. Both of them were talking amongst themselves while heading to the main hut, and both of them wore the same serious expression.
Leaning against a post, Bellamy frowned, wondering what they were discussing.
"Quite a sight," Finn commented, walking over to Bellamy's side.
Bellamy lifted a brow. "What?"
"You know, Roxy and Clarke."
"Roxanne," Bellamy corrected before cursing silently.
Finn gave him a surprised look before grinning. "Oh, so now it's Roxanne? Not Roxy or bit-,"
"No," Bellamy grounded out. "Just Roxanne."
Finn kept giving him that amused look while his eyes twinkled.
Bellamy exhaled loudly and glared. "What?"
"Nothing, nothing," Finn said, taking a step back while lifting his hands. "But can I tell you something?"
When Bellamy aimed another glare his way, Finn backed up more while his grin spread.
"It's about damn time!"
Bellamy growled under his breath while Finn turned, laughing out loud. He watched the other guy walk away whistling loudly and cheerfully and wondered how long it would take before everyone in the damn camp knew.
"Fuck," he hissed, running a hand through his hair irritably.
xxXxx
When he finished helping Bradley with the sick people, they both went down to the stream to wash up so nothing would spread. Murphy smiled when Bradley muttered under her breath about germs and cooties.
After cleaning off their hands and arms, they sat in the grass together side by side. Bradley absently played with the mutated, star-shaped flowers, selecting one with pale green petals and purple antlers.
Murphy laid back against the soft grass, putting his hands behind his head, and closing his eyes. He listened to the sounds of the forests and the warm sound of Bradley humming.
"I'm a little bit restless
We're both alone tonight, tonight
A blue buzz in the dark, a message in my ear
I'm pulling on my jeans waiting for you
To get here, tonight, tonight
Forget the day you've had, forget the loves you've lived
Oh you and I are experts at pretending to be kids
Wash off all your grass stains, I'll pull off my shoes
Lets love like we're kids all shiny and new…
So, tell me all your troubles
Just clear your head
And lets play hide and seek inside my bed…"
Murphy felt his entire body relax as he kept listening to her, letting this feeling of contentment wash over him.
Bradley hummed again, which changed slowly as she began a new song.
"There is a devil in the dark
One hand on my throat, and one on your heart
Love is the mercy covering me
Once was blinded, now I believe
So don't let me go
Don't, don't let me go
Face to face, time stands still
Who you want is who you need,
Just give in
The taste is on the tip of your tongue
Feel this fire burnin' me up
Don't, don't let me go
Come back, come back
Come back to me
Don't, don't let me go
Run to me in the rising dawn
Forever will be, holding on…"
xxXxx
Later that day, Clarke stood at the entrance to Camp Jaha with a strange sense of nerves and anticipation dancing in her stomach. And when she saw what she was waiting for, a small smile broke across her face.
In the distance came two horses, carrying Lexa and Nyko, who were then followed by Indra.
The three Grounders had made frequent trips between their camp and Camp Jaha, both to exchange any information they had on the Mountain men as well as to have Nyko assist Bradley with their ill.
Clarke nodded at Nyko when he dismounted first, who dipped his head in acknowledgement before heading towards the medical tent.
"Hello, Clarke," Lexa greeted, swinging down from her own horse.
"Lexa," Clarke returned, trying to ignore the way her heart skipped a beat when the Commander looked her over with those large, cool blue eyes.
The Commander's second dismounted last before taking the three horses to the post where the other horses were. The other woman didn't greet Clarke, but merely met her gaze and tilted her chin infinitesimally.
Clarke didn't mind Indra's cool persona, knowing that the Grounder still harbored some doubts about her and the other members of Camp Jaha.
"Follow me," Clarke said to Lexa, before turning to lead her back into the main hut.
Clarke looked around as she walked alongside Lexa, noting that Bradley was talking to Nyko before they both stepped into the medical tent. She also didn't miss how Murphy shadowed the blonde girl.
Inside the main hut was Roxanne, Bellamy, Raven, and Finn. Clarke had asked them to be there so they could discuss matters between them and the Grounders, mainly about the Reapers and the Mountain men.
After greetings were exchanged amongst them, Clarke stood at the head of the table, looking over the map that Lexa had brought with her that depicted the land that spanned over fifty miles.
"I think we should set up a communication system," Clarke stated, looking towards Raven. "Do you think you can do that?"
"No problem," Raven stated confidently. "I can put a transmitter together that the Commander can take back to her camp, along with devices we can use to talk long distance. I just need a few days."
Clarke nodded, turning to Lexa. "Is this agreeable with you?"
Lexa tilted her head. "This would be better if the Mountain men were to strike again. Yes, this is agreeable."
"Speaking of," Roxanne interjected, looking down at the map. "What are we going to do if they strike again?"
"We could set up a perimeter to keep an eye on Mount Weather, just a few people with horses that can get to one of the camps quickly if something comes up," Finn suggested.
"And what about the Reapers?" Lexa countered.
"Is there anything that can scare them off? Have you noticed any weapons that make them run off?" Bellamy asked the Grounder's leader.
Lexa shook her head. "They show no fear."
"Capture them."
The others turned towards Roxanne's simple statement. The brunette cocked a brow at them. "What? If the Mountain men are catching Grounders, why not catch the Reapers right back? You said they were once Grounders. Maybe if you figured out a way to detox them from that red stuff, they'll come to."
Lexa's eyes narrowed. "We have holding cells. This is possible."
"Maybe Clarke, Bradley, and Nyko can out their heads together for some kind of cure," Roxanne continued, leaning her hands on the table. "And if we make sure no more Grounders are taken…"
"We can even the odds more," Bellamy concluded, rubbing his fingers over his jaw.
Roxanne nodded before looking at Clarke and Lexa.
Clarke looked at the Commander as well, who nodded. "I would rather try this than kill any more of my brothers or sisters." Lexa leaned forward as well, tapping the map on a space by the base of the mountain. "If we set up a perimeter like Finn has suggested, we can watch the Mountain men as well as take back the fallen Grounders."
"We'll help in any way we can," Clarke informed her.
Lexa glanced at the other leader, and nodded again.
The meeting progressed, spanning over a couple of hours, before Clarke brought it to an end. The others left her and Lexa alone, and Clarke poured the Commander another glass of water and offered it to her.
"Thank you," Lexa said, leaning back in the chair she had taken a seat in.
Clarke sat down beside her, sighing.
"What is on your mind, Clarke?"
Clarke resisted sighing again. "I want my people safe," she said in a low voice. "But anything I do, or try to do, leads to someone getting hurt."
"That is no fault of your own."
"But I'm supposed to lead them, protect them. What kind of leader am I when all I do is stitch my people back together?"
"People will get hurt, Clarke. Many of them might die," Lexa stated, placing down her glass. "But such is the way of life."
"How can you be so nonchalant about this?"
Lexa looked away. "I am not…nonchalant, as you say. I have lost many people, friends…even a lover. But if I dwelled on the past, I would not be fit to lead. So I honor the dead by striving to protect the living."
"I'm sorry," Clarke whispered.
"It was many years ago," Lexa said in a soft voice. She met Clarke's gaze again, leaning forward to rest her elbows on her knees. "What kind of leader are you, Clarke Griffin? The kind that holds onto the past, or the kind that looks to the future?"
"I'm… I'm going to be the best I can be," Clarke stated.
Lexa's lips curved. "Indeed you are. I hope I'll be by your side when you do."
Clarke's cheeks turned slightly pink. "By…my side?"
"Is that not agreeable?" Lexa asked, her voice taking on a husky overtone.
Clarke felt herself leaning closer to the Commander without realizing it. "No…" She swallowed thickly. "That's agreeable."
Lexa smiled again, slowly. Her gaze held Clarke's before dipping down to the other woman's lips, then back up again. "Clarke?"
"Mm?" Clarke breathed, still leaning closer, her lips parting involuntarily.
Lexa's expression changed, becoming more intense, before her hands rose up to capture Clarke's face. The Commander spared Clarke one burning look before drawing her in, and capturing Clarke's lips with her own.
Clarke's hands shot up and gripped Lexa's forearms, her nails biting into the Commander's clothed skin. Heat skidded down her spine as Lexa's lips mused with her own, brushing and tasting.
And just as quickly as it began, it ended. Lexa leaned back, drawing in a sharp breath. Clarke felt dizzy and was glad she was already sitting. She stared at Lexa, noting how her eyes seemed darker and her pupils were dilated. She could feel the heat of her skin as she sat there flushed, her heart racing like she had just ran a mile.
"I must return to my people," Lexa whispered, her voice still husky.
Clarke nodded and she placed a hand on the table so she could get to her feet without falling flat on her face.
"Until next time, Clarke," Lexa said, tilting her head in goodbye.
Clarke drew in a breath. "Until next time… Lexa."
The Commander's lips curved into a smirk before she strode out of the tent. The moment the flap was back in place, Clarke sank weakly back into her abandoned chair.
"Holy shit," she whispered to the now quiet room.
xxXxx
Murphy watched the three Grounders as they rode off once more on horseback. Bradley stood by his side, waving goodbye to Nyko, who had brought her more herbs for the medicine he had taught her how to make.
Then she sighed, smiling up at him.
His own lips twitched when he felt her hand slide into his back pocket, giving his butt a friendly squeeze. He put an arm over her shoulder, pulling her against his side, and kissed her temple softly.
"Tired?" he asked.
"No. You?"
"No."
Bradley smirked up at him. "Well, what are we gonna do about that?"
"No idea," Murphy returned, leaning down further to nip at her earlobe.
Bradley squealed and pulled away from him, her eyes sparkling mischievously. Murphy tried to grab her, but she dodged his hand with ease. But when he tried again, he caught her by the arm and pulled her close again, and this time pressed his lips to hers.
"Let's go for a walk," she whispered when they pulled apart.
Murphy smirked, reaching down to take her hand in his, and almost chuckled when she eagerly pulled him towards the gate that lead out towards the woods.
xxXxx
Disclaimer: I do not own the 100.
Author's Note: A fluffy chapter, I know. I'm in a fluffy mood.
This chapter included the songs "Kids" by Emily Kinney and "Don't Let Me Go" by Bandit Heart.
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