Just outside TonDC – Unexpected Protection
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Lexa's been traveling for just over an hour, her pace slow but determined. With each step she takes she can feel the wound in her side closing and the pain lessening. Even if she didn't know her way to and from TonDC in any direction, she couldn't miss how close she is with the affect Clarke has on her. "Klark," she whispers and quickens her pace.
She knows they flank her, but she doesn't feel concern. Quite the opposite; she feels safe, which is why when the hair on the back of her neck rises, she halts and listens. She feels them do the same, hearing the roar of the pauna before she sees the beast headed towards her. She once more grabs her sword but can only slowly step back a pace as the larger of the two wolves leaps in front of her and crouches down, snarling. The lighter wolf has taken up position only a few paces to her right, keeping her between the two of them as they square off with the pauna that, to her surprise, has gone still in its pursuit.
She doesn't move and barely breathes as she watches both wolves remain crouched looking ready to leap in an instant. The hair on their backs looks rough as it stands up, and she can see their teeth bared as the low growl rumbles in their chests. It's more than that, though, she thinks, focusing a bit more on the larger black wolf. She can feel the growl inside herself. Nose flaring, she too crouches slightly and readies her sword, feeling a rush of strength flowing through her.
The pauna, for his part, is having enough of the stand off, and as soon as he makes a move to leap forward, the wolves launch from their positions. Lexa watches in fascination yet stunned silence as the lighter wolf attacks low and at the back of the pauna's legs while the black wolf keeps its attention with swipes of its paw and attempted bites at the pauna's large neck. The moment the beast falters, both wolves are on it, going for its throat. This is where she snaps out of it and rushes forward, burying her sword into its chest to ensure the kill. As she draws the blade out, she lowers her sword to her side and remains still. They are observing her for only a few moments before she wipes off her sword the best she can before sheathing it at her side and begins walking again.
Maybe it is a conscious reaction, maybe not, but she can't help but enjoy the feel of now relaxed and softer fur brushing under each of her palms as she makes her way back the final distance to the village.
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TonDC
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She hears them announcing her arrival the moment she enters the sight of the guards from their posts in the trees.
"Heda!"
"Mounin houm, Heda!" Welcome back, Commander, she hears the people shouting, but as she draws closer and is more visible to those on the ground, she hears the whispers and the cries of concern for her safety. "Pakstokas!" Wolves.
"Pakstoka?" Wolf? She hears the questions and the murmurs around her, but her focus is solely on getting to Clarke. She can tell many of her warriors are tense, she feels it, but even as they have grabbed for their weapons, they remain still and simply watch, waiting.
She has her focus straight ahead, and her hands lower to her sides as the wolves fall back a step and flank her sides from behind. Even as she continues forward, she is still aware of the questions being fired in her direction, but no one dares come too close in fear of the wolves.
She catches a glimpse of Octavia, who is approaching with Clarke, and her wide curious eyes as she hurries forward before being held back by Indra. "Hod op, Okteivia." Wait, Octavia, her general orders her with a hand held out, blocking her path. "Chil au." Stay calm. Octavia huffs and rolls her eyes but does as she is commanded even as Clarke charges past them and rushes into Lexa's arms.
They are one as they stand together. The now expected heat and energy generated between them is thick and hot, casting a protective field around them. But a new protection surrounds them as well, circling slowly, and circling within the energy, only a few paces away from the two.
The larger black wolf leaves Lexa's left and begins to pace around them to the right, as the smaller gray wolf starts at Clarke's side and begins walking the opposite path. They continue this in a slow pace, not in an aggressive stance as if waiting for a fight, but more as watchful guards.
"Leksa!" Clarke grabs at the back of her neck as Lexa pulls her in close by her hips, resting their foreheads together. "You're hurt," Clarke begins, her hand trailing down to hover over the bloody cloth at Lexa's side.
Lexa smiles a slow and lazy smile as she rubs her hand down the side of Clarke's head and cups her cheek. "Ai ge fis op, ai kwin." I am healed, my queen, she whispers. While she may not understand it herself yet, all she knows is what is. And with each step she made closer to the village, closer to Clarke, her wound was healing, and she was protected. She sees the slight confusion in Clarke's eyes and knows it mirrors her own. There is still much they do not understand, but if it does not feel wrong, what is there to question now? They will get the answers they require in time, and if Lexa knows anything, she knows that you can't fight time.
It takes as long as it takes.
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They make their way into their tent avoiding all eye contact with anyone else and not speaking a word. No one dares to approach them or attempt to ask the questions that they are eager to ask. Not only are Lexa and Clarke in a world of their own currently but also their two new bodyguards are at their heels and take up positions on either side of the tent's entrance. Not even Indra dares to draw closer.
Clarke is thorough in her search of Lexa's body, determined to find and heal any wounds she may have and not realize. Lexa humors her for the first little while, knowing it will calm her love down to see for herself that she is unharmed. Regardless of how or why, her wounds have healed, and she feels strong, perhaps stronger than she ever has.
"Klark," she whispers softly when the blonde moves to check her side once more, "beja."
Clarke stills in her observation and connects her eyes to Lexa's. "Forgive me, I just…" She trails off shaking her head and leaning herself into Lexa, her face in the brunette's neck. She sighs, relaxing into Lexa's warm embrace, shuddering at how good she feels. She takes a deep breath, allowing herself a few moments to enjoy Lexa's scent before pulling back a bit to look into her eyes. "I was so worried, Leksa."
"As I was about you, Klark, but we are together," she emphasizes by tightening her hold, "and we are one."
Clarke can do nothing but nod her head, press a soft kiss to Lexa's chin before lowering her head back against her chest. "I know we have much to discuss, but-"
"Not tonight," Lexa interrupts, pulling back only enough to guide Clarke to their bed. "Please, I need to feel you Klark." Clarke swallows, her eyes darkening as Lexa removes the last bits of cloth she had on her body and reaches forward to rid Clarke of hers. Once they are both free, Lexa surprises Clarke as she lays herself down on the bed and holds her hand out. "Ai kwin," she beckons, and Clarke feels something stirring within her chest. Something new, or perhaps something very old but untouched.
Clarke crawls into the bed and hovers over the woman of her dreams and stills. "What do you need of me, ai heda?" If she's surprised by husk that has taken over Clarke's voice, Lexa doesn't show it.
"I need you to be my heda, beja Klark." Lexa's eyes are wide and open, no reservations and nothing but pure and total trust in her need. She knows what she is asking, and her only hope is that Clarke is willing.
Clarke stares into her eyes, captivated by what she is seeing and feeling from Lexa. There is her energy as always, the thick heat seeping into her and holding her, but there is also something else. Whatever it is stirs something yet again within Clarke, and she feels helpless to deny it, even though her body tenses slightly. "Leksa," she whispers, leaning forward slightly, staring at full and parted lips, watching as Lexa wets her lips. The slow pass of her tongue causes Clarke to clench in need.
"Take what is yours, Klark. I belong to you."
Those words, while spoken with such love and reverence, cause a growl to build within Clarke's chest that she cannot contain, and her hands tighten their grip on the blanket Lexa lays upon. Lexa, always prepared, senses the change as it begins and trails her fingertips down Clarke's arms until her hands cover the ones holding tightly to the blanket. "Open," Lexa requests, and Clarke obeys, relaxing her hands as Lexa slides her own into them and laces their fingers together. "Ai badan yu op en nou moun." I serve you and no other, she states softly and feels Clarke shudder above her as the blonde lowers her body to connect to Lexa's, relaxing her weight against her. "Grant me this, ai houmon." My wife
Clarke rolls her shoulders and grips Lexa's hands, moving them so that they are above her head as she leans in to kiss her hard and deep. She nearly comes undone herself at the whine that leaves Lexa's throat. She releases Lexa's hands and pulls back. She sees the question in green eyes and shakes her head. "Touch me as you wish." Lexa nods, running her hands up smooth and pale arms.
Clarke wastes no time in using her lips and tongue on Lexa's neck, feeling her chest expanding with the beat of her heart that is growing faster. She's aware of the energy surrounding them, the usual white fog and the heat, but there's an undercurrent this time, and she knows she is the one causing it and struggles to let herself give into it. She knows Lexa will bare her mark on her neck, and the thought brings another growl from her lips as she continues kissing down Lexa's strong neck and chest, and over to her shoulder, dragging her teeth on it, feeling an overwhelming urge to sink her teeth into the tender flesh. "Scar me," Lexa whispers, gripping Clarke's hair in one of her hands.
Clarke claims her lips again, kissing her as if she'll never have another. As they explore and relearn the feel of each other's lips and tongues, Clarke begins to grind her lower body against Lexa's, drawing out pleased sounds from the both of them. Her hands do not stay idle; one has a firm grasp on one of Lexa's breasts while the other is gliding along her side, her hip and to her thigh and back up before Clarke adjusts so that her hand can cup Lexa where she releases the most heat. She breaks from their kiss to release a drawn out groan at what she finds. Lexa is a wet and dripping mess, coating Clarke's hand, and her hips have begun a slow thrust, searching for more.
"Please, Klark," Lexa moans softly, "claim me."
Clarke feels it snap. Whatever control she thought she had, whatever it is inside her she felt the need to keep at bay, it's free. Three fingers are swiftly inside Lexa easily, and they both groan in unison at the feeling. She is not slow as she fills her love, thrusting into her with purpose, feeling the beast inside her leaving its cage with every in and out movement of her fingers. She watches Lexa's body, moving up and down with the force of her thrusts, and the sight mesmerizes her, and she can't stop herself from leaning down and nipping at Lexa's hip, sucking hard.
She continues her pace with deep and strong thrusts, working to hit every spot that earns her further encouraging "yes's" and going faster after each.
"Klark," Lexa breathes out, her voice breathy in her need. "Oh please…please, please, please," she repeats over and over, and Clarke really thinks maybe she is losing her mind as the feelings wash over her. She has never felt what she is feeling now, and she has never imagined Lexa feeling this way either.
Clarke doesn't let up, but she does release Lexa's hip from her abusing lips and positions herself so that she can kiss Lexa's full lips while still claiming her with force. "Please what?" she asks with a smirk on her face and is only slightly aware of how sexual and teasing her voice sounds.
"I want to bare your mark, please."
Clarke shudders and feels a primal urge bubbling to the surface, threatening to spill over. "Leksa…" she tries to warn, but a firm hand grips roughly at the back of her neck while the other claws at her back.
"Please, please, please…"
Want her, take her, have her.
Yours, claim, yours, claim.
She belongs to you.
Clarke grits her teeth and increases her pace, four fingers now deep inside Lexa as the inferno rages and her lips part, her teeth nearly aching as they find relief and release as they bite down into Lexa's shoulder deeply.
They both cry out, Clarke's not as loud, but Lexa's is one of pain mixed with pleasure as a snarl leaves her near the end when she hears Clarke moan in pleasure, and she feels it too.
She also feels the drops of blood that Clarke's tongue misses as it slides down her shoulder, and she grins, wrapping her arms tightly around her love and closing her eyes.
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"Octavia, do you really think you should be doing that?" Raven rolls her eyes and throws her hands in the air as Octavia ignores her and creeps slowly on her hands and knees towards the wolves.
She manages to get a bit closer this time before the black wolves raises from its sitting position and huffs. She stills, looking at the wolves but not directly into their eyes; she feels that might not be the best idea. And yet… maybe…
"Okteivia!"
The wolf growls at Lincoln as he approaches his love. Octavia takes a few steps back and rises to her feet, turning her head to look at him in annoyance. "Thanks, I was making progress!"
"Sure, trying to get yourself mauled to death by pakstokas."
"They wouldn't have attacked, you startled them rushing over like an idiot." She sighs and lowers her eyes. "There's something about them, Linkon."
"We have to wait for Leksa and Klark. It's obvious they are protecting them, we just don't know the rest. So please, be careful until we get to the bottom of this." He shakes his head, turning to look at Raven as if asking her to keep an eye on Octavia before walking away.
"He's right, you know?" Raven asks, stepping next to Indra's second, who hasn't taken her eyes off the wolves. "He's just trying to protect you."
Octavia shakes her head. "I know, but there's something there… I feel it." She suddenly seems to freeze, her eyes widening and a slight smirk on her face. "I know what to do. I need to earn their trust," she calls over her shoulder as she takes off.
"Earn their trust? Octavia!" Raven calls after her, but it's no use, she's already out of sight. "Why am I the only one here with any common sense?"
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2 hours later
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Octavia sighs in relief as she enters the village. She watches as a few heads turn giving her odd looks, but she doesn't pay them any mind. She's on a mission. She adjusts the kill she carries over her shoulder and tightens the grip she has on the bucket of water. She could have made two trips, but she couldn't be bothered.
Both wolves focus on her immediately as she approaches and she can see the movement of their noses as they smell the air, taking in not only her scent but that of the fresh kill she has brought.
She slows her movements, being cautious in her approach. She sets the bucket of water down with a heavy sigh, glad to be rid of its weight and then pulls the deer from her shoulder and dumps it on the ground in front of her feet.
"Sha, this is for you," she says, wiping the sweat from her forehead and finally giving in to her aching back and dropping to her ass in the dirt. She realizes in that moment that she is actually closer to them than she had yet been and gives a small shrug. "I mean you no harm." She hesitates and then makes eye contact. First with the smaller lighter wolf that only tilts its head and then to the larger black wolf that pins her with its stare. She pulls her knees up to her chest slowly, wrapping her arms around her legs and resting her head on her knees and just watches them.
It's only a matter of seconds before both wolves rise and cover the last few steps between them and the deer. They both sniff at the deer and then step forward to sniff at Octavia's face. She doesn't move, remaining completely still and hoping her heart is as calm as she feels it is, when really it should probably be racing in terror. But she feels no fear.
After a few moments, both wolves step back to the deer and begin tearing into it. Octavia watches in fascination, happy they are willing to accept what she gave them. This goes on for only a minute as she studies them. While the lighter wolf has taken his share and has gone about eating, the black wolf seems determined at tearing a piece apart, but has not eaten. She discovers why very quickly when dark eyes focus on her and the wolf is carrying a chunk of bloody deer and dropping it at her feet.
She's startled and a little confused as the wolf simply waits and stares at her expectantly. She glances down to the raw meat and back into the eyes of the wolf and swallows. She swears she hears laughter behind her and fights an eye roll. Raven, of course. She ignores her and focuses her attention back to the wolf that is still staring her down, waiting.
Octavia sighs and swallows thickly. "Mochof," she says and tilts her head. "Do you have names?" she questions out loud but shrugs. "We can fix that." She's stalling, not that it will do her any good. The wolf seems to sense this as it huffs and nudges the chunk of deer at her feet closer to her.
She nods and reaches forward to hesitantly grab the meat and looks for the cleanest spot she can before slowly biting into it, holding her breath as she quickly chews and swallows. She keeps her eye on the wolf as she takes another bite and internally sighs in relief as it goes back to the grey wolf's side and begins to eat. Octavia holds back the bile that threatens to rise in her throat, wiping the blood from her chin. She can still hear the faint echo of a laugh in the distance. I'm going to kill her.
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"Is it morning already?" Clarke asks sleepily as she rubs her eyes and watches Lexa finish the last few buttons to her jacket.
"Sha ai kwin." Lexa smiles and leans down to kiss Clarke softly. "We must go out and face the day."
"And explain to the people why there are two large wolves outside our tent that followed you home?" Clarke raises an eyebrow. "Is there an explanation to that?"
Lexa uncharacteristically shrugs. "They are guards; they will protect us."
"It's not something to be explained, only felt, yes?" Clarke asks, getting out of bed and stretching, smirking at the look in Lexa's eyes. "Oh no, face the day, remember?"
Lexa snarls and pulls Clarke to her, kissing her deeply and with reverence. "Sha." She nods once, taking a deep breath and stepping back. "Put clothes on. Quickly please."
Clarke chuckles and dresses, reaching for Lexa's hand as they step outside their tent and immediately stop and look at the ground in front of them. "We are awake, aren't we?"
Lexa fights a smirk. "Indeed we are, Klark, but who would believe us?" She snorts and shakes her head.
Although the wolves are aware of their presence and awake, they do not move from their sleeping positions. They are just a few steps in front of the tent entrance lying side by side, with a small Octavia shaped figure nestled between them, still with blood on her chin.
The black wolf moves its head to face Lexa, jostling Octavia's sleeping form. "Phobos, what's wrong?" she sleepily mumbles and rubs at her eyes. Upon opening them and seeing Lexa and Clarke standing in front of her she nervously jumps up and wipes at her face. "Heda, Klark," she acknowledges and bites her lip.
Lexa disregards her apparent nervousness. "Phobos?" she questions and looks between Octavia and the black wolf that tilts its head.
"Oh uhm," Octavia hesitates and looks to Clarke, who smiles and nods before looking back to Lexa. "Yeah, so I don't know how much Trikru knows about Greek or Roman mythology, but my mother used to teach me."
Lexa watches her with an open expression, hoping to encourage her as she can see Octavia is a bit nervous still when talking with her about something that isn't an upcoming threat. Octavia means a lot to Clarke, and Lexa sees something in her, as does Indra, otherwise she wouldn't have taken her as her second. "I don't know much, would you tell me?" She releases a small smile at Octavia's wide eyes in excitement.
"I spent most of my life on the Ark hiding under the floor so I wasn't discovered, but in this time, I read a lot about space and the earth. One story that particularly came to mind is that of Phobos and Deimos, the two moons that circle the planet Mars… kind of like how they circled you and Klark when you entered the village yesterday. There's also a tale in Greek Mythology that Phobos and Deimos were twin brothers who escorted the God of War into battle. Phobos represented fear, and Deimos is dread or terror." She turns and looks at the two wolves that are again watching her. "They will act as your shield and your personal guard as well as your weapon. They will follow their commander into battle, always circling and defending." She pauses and shrugs. "It seemed fitting when I thought about it last night, and they, somehow, seem okay with it."
Lexa studies her and again watches as the wolves seem completely at ease around her. "And the bloody face?" She raises her hand and points to a smear of blood that still adorns her face.
"Oh, well I brought them a deer…" Octavia huffs as Lexa just raises an eyebrow waiting for her to continue, "and they shared with me."
Lexa does smile now and turns to Clarke. "They've accepted her into the pack."
Clarke steps forward and holds her hands out as Phobos and Deimos each sniff at her and allow her to run her fingers along their heads. "It appears so." She smiles and chuckles as Deimos licks her hand and pushes his head into her side for more attention. She leans forward and rests her head against his and scratches behind his ears. She only stops when she's nearly knocked over by Phobos who is nudging her other side. "Hey, hey, there's plenty of love to go around," she softly coos and shares her affection with Phobos as well.
Lexa can't stop the smile that takes over her face at her love and the wolves before turning back to Octavia. "Thank you, Okteivia." Lexa nods to her and then turns her attention to Raven and Indra, who are walking their way from different directions, but Raven reaches them first. "Raven."
"Commander, Clarke." Raven smiles and steps close to Octavia. "What have you gotten yourself into this time?" She laughs and raises a cloth to Octavia's cheek to wipe away the stain of blood. Seeing it isn't coming off, she licks the cloth and tries again; this time it wipes away, and she smirks at the look Octavia gives her. "What?"
Octavia blushes only slightly and shakes her head as the wolves focus their attention on Raven for a moment before sniffing her, bumping her hand with each of their noses and then backing away. She goes to comment, but a growl interrupts what she is about to say as Indra approaches to Lexa's left but stops in her tracks. Phobos, the black and larger wolf, places himself between Lexa and Indra protectively.
Lexa raises her hand at Indra and places the other at Phobos' back. "Chil au, Phobos." Stay calm. Deimos circles behind Lexa to stand beside Clarke as Phobos eases his stance but remains between the two women.
Indra looks at the closeness of her second and Raven and shakes her head. "These two may approach but your trusted general is threatened by pakstokas? Wolves. Heda, is this wise?"
"It seems they have formed a loyalty with Okteivia this night and accepted her as their own. While I am unsure about Raven, perhaps they sense her loyalty to Okteivia. It is no matter, you are loyal to me and in my trust, so they will not harm you." She watches Indra look at the two wolves with interest and then back to the two girls from the Sky. "Patience, Indra. Patience. There is much to discuss."
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