Goosebumps break out on my skin as I feel someone's gaze on me. I turn my head minutely and flip over to head to shore and quickly grab my clothing. Whoever they are, they're getting quite the eyeful.
"Whoever's watching, I'm armed and supremely pissed,"I scream trying to sound almost bored as I put on my clothes. I was stupid to come out here alone in a huff.
And armed with what?
My mind scrambles trying surreptitiously glance around for a blunt weapon, maybe a branch or a rock.
"I can see that." said a very familiar voice. The even tone commanded my attention and I paused as I pulled my shirt over my head. I closed my eyes and sighed. Of course.
Bending down for my jacket and then tucking a loose, wet strand of blond hair, I avoided looking at Lexa praying to the frayed gods she would just ignore the fact she caught me half naked in the river.
"Commander." I say stiffly, clearing my throat. Fiddling with the leather sleeve of my jacket, I chanced a glance at her.
Her green eyes were definitely on me, flitting over my now clothed form. If I didnt know any better I'd think she was checking me out. But as her eyes stopped their exploration and settled on mine, that notion swiftly died. She didnt like me that way. It just wasnt possible. Not with me.
"There are tales of a river snake that swims in waters much like these. You should be more careful, Sky Princess." said Lexa.
A moment of surprised silence passes by before I clear my throat. If it were at any other time, her low voice would have made a pool of desire settle in my stomache, making it impossible to not stare at her and listen harder. Unfortunately, her mild rebuke instead annoyed me to no end. I could handle myself. And what did she care what happened to me? Just a second ago she had a knife to my throat.
What was that? Her way of saying she liked me?
I frowned staring past her at the water, words of defiance of my lips dieing. So much water. I would have killed to have this much resources on the Ark, so many starving for just a bit more. So many yearning to have more children yet struggling to take care of just one.
"Incredible." I murmur.
"What?" asked Lexa.
I jump out of my reverie at Lexa's question, for a minute very confused. Then what I said to myself came back to me and I shook my head, slightly embarrassed at myself. Way to go Clarke, talking to yourself in front of the Uniter of the Twelve Clans. She's sure to trust you then!
"Um, nothing. Its just theres so much water." I say gesturing towards the river. "How do you know it won't run out?"
The Commander glanced at the river and furrowed her eyebrows, confused. "It will not 'run out. Its the river." She said plainly.
I just tilt my head staring at the way the sun reflects off it. "We didnt have these things on the Ark. Night and day. Animals, battles and rivers. Rain!" I say smiling at the last one. I loved the rain. Water that fell from the sky! Who knew?
My tone sobers thinking back to the little we did have. "So many of us were dieing up there. All we had were each other, the stars and the fear. That we would starve to death."
I sigh again reaching up and gathering my wet hair to the side of my neck. Such melancholy will only depress Lexa. I should just go.
"Its just incredible. Seeing this. Its a gift." I finish lamely, shrugging. I walk away and try not to jerk back when Lexa leveled her steps with mine at my side.
"So was that what you were doing? Reveling in this world's gifts?", asked Lexa, her voice tinged with amusement. Her lips lifted only slightly, as if the battle to lift them or keep them still allowed for little movement.
My face burned as I reluctantly remembered she just saw me fully exposed.
I smile widely training my eyes on the clouds above us for a minute, thinking of what to say. "What can I say? I revel. I can get out of hand sometimes, sorry." I say bashfully. Ducking my head, I try to rein myself in. Thinking about particular ways I can revel the perfection that is Lexa would be painted on my face clear as day and that's not really respectful in her presence. Especially when she's made things pretty clear.
"There is no need to apologize, Clarke." says Lexa. Before I can focus on a coherent answer, a tan strong hand grabbed my upper arm and forced me to stop.
"It is I who has to apologize to you." says Lexa, her hard voice softening slightly.
I shake my head and smile, just glad to have her here ruling by my side. If I didn't have such a formidable, strong partner in her, I'd be lost. "Already forgiven." I say nodding my head once in deference.
Lexa blinks not completely believing in my easy forgiveness. "Truly?" she asks, her green eyes growing wider and somehow sharper. Most would be cut down with just that gaze but I smile wider, loving how her eyes seem to see straight into my soul, searching for my secrets.
I laugh slightly. Grounders. Always so serious and suspicious. "Yes." I say nodding my head again before gesturing to the path before us. We had a long walk back to Tondc. It looked shorter in my angry mindseye but we must have been gone for some time now.
Lexa swiftly turned on her heel walking side by side with me, letting the quiet envelope us. She faced forward and I could practically hear the gears turning in her head.
I glance at Lexa wondering what made her follow me. A twinge in my stomach told me it was likely she thought I was meeting with someone, conspiring against her and the Tridekru to kill them. But I grasped at straws, thinking about her apology. Maybe she wanted to make things right.