Disclaimer: I own nothing
Happy Mother's Day. Last one was short so this a bit longer.
Clarke woke early the next morning to wind and rain battering the tent. It made the task of going into the trees a lot harder and she returned cold and saturated to the tent. Lexa was awake and needing a trip herself. Clarke took her out then straight to the healing pond to get warm.
Octavia was still deeply asleep, curled into a tight ball in front of a dampened fire. Keeping an eye on her friend in case she woke, she quickly stripped Lexa and got her into the pool. Then she dared to go stoke the fire and add some logs. Octavia didn't stir and she was hardly surprised. It had been long stressful months since they had landed on earth.
Hurrying back towards Lexa she stripped and slipped into the pool, teeth chattering as she pulled Lexa into her arms and held the brunette close.
Octavia woke maybe a half hour later and seeing the fire stoked looked around in confusion. Upon seeing the two women cuddled up in the pool she smiled and quietly got to her feet and left the cave.
Clarke watched her go, knowing she would be back soon with their breakfast. She mentally prepared herself for more bread and cheese. Looking down at Lexa she realised the brunette had fallen asleep in her arms. If she wasn't aware that sleep assisted healing she would be concerned about how much the woman was sleeping. Her body was still weak and she was easily tired. Another day or so and she would be sleeping less.
She was still awed that Lexa trusted her enough to be this vulnerable around her. Lexa was always strong, someone Clarke had leaned on. Maybe it would change when Lexa was better but Clarke hoped not. She liked the idea of Lexa coming to her every night with the need to be held. It would truly prove to her how Lexa felt about her if she showed vulnerability when in private.
Lexa murmured her name in her sleep and Clarke smiled, pressing a kiss to her brow and stroking her hair. Lexa snuggled in closer and Clarke smirked. Just like a little girl. Clarke continued to stroke her hair until Octavia returned with a large covered tray. Placing it down beside her she lifted the cover.
Although there was bread and cheese she was happy to see some strips of dried meat as Octavia said she would get their drinks and one of Lexas tablets. Clarke told her to bring her own breakfast and after a seconds hesitation Octavia nodded and left.
Upon her return Clarke ordered her to take off her boots and roll up her pant legs so she could paddle her feet. She was observant and had seen the other brunette hobbling. She suspected she may have blisters or a twisted ankle. Octavia protested but did as requested. Though she saw a couple of small blisters she winced upon noticing the swollen bruised ankle.
"When did that happen?" She asked as Octavia placed her feet in the water with a sigh then took the liberties to wash her hands and face.
"Last night. I slipped on rocks when nature called" Octavia shrugged "I've had worse. It will be fine"
"I will wrap it after breakfast" Clarke insisted and Octavia sighed knowing she was beat and merely chomped on a strip of meat. Clarke ate her share of the meal before deciding to wake sleeping beauty, glaring at Octavia who snorted when Lexa merely snuggled in closer.
"Komba ona Leksa (come on Lexa). Time to wake and eat" she shook the woman
"No Clarke. I was having a nice sex dream" Lexa complained and Octavia choked on her drink as Clarke went red. Lexa sat up hastily on hearing Octavia present and shot the other brunette a glare. Then turned that glare on Clarke.
"You could have warned me!" She growled and Clarke rolled her eyes.
"Like I knew what you were going to blurt out." She grumbled before taking a strip of meet and popping it in Lexas mouth. "Eat" Lexa mumbled but did as she was told. She didn't move from Clarkes lap. She eyed Octavia while she ate.
"Why are you paddling your feet in my pond?"
"Because I said she could" Clarke intervened and shoved a piece of cheese in Lexa's mouth when she went to protest "She has a sprained ankle"
"You said huh" Lexa raised a brow at her and Clarke simply watched her calmly. "You're lucky I am weak"
"You're full of shit" Clarke responded and Octavia's jaw dropped open in shock upon hearing it and then seeing Lexa smile.
"You like me like this" Lexa winked
"True" Clarke nodded and they smiled at each other.
"Oh God you two are nauseous" Octavia thought she had stepped into an alternative world and when the other two turned to her in shock she grinned "forgot I was here huh?"
"If you so much as..."
"I know Heda." Octavia cut her Commander off. She kind of liked seeing these two like this. They deserved to have some fun. Have each other and enjoy their time. She quickly stood up and grabbed her shoes to pull them on.
"Octavia" Clarke protested and she held up a hand
"Look after Heda first and then you can check my ankle" she picked up her empty breakfast plate and headed for the cave entrance with a slight limp.
"What are we going to do with that girl?" Lexa groaned and Clarke shrugged
"I think she will make a great personal guard"
"Surely you jest" Lexa stared at her incredulous and Clarke shook her head
"Indra has trained her personally. She is her second. She will remain her second but I'd rather her be around than one of your usual male guards"
"I had male guards for a reason" Lexa scowled "they are big and tall and scary looking. No one will mess with them" Clarke tried not to snort. Yeah right.
"Octavia is special and desperate to fit in. You know she spent 16 years living under the floorboards of the Ark" Clarke paused when Lexa shot her a disturbed look "She was a second child which was forbidden. When the Chancellor found out they put her in a cell and floated her mother"
"And you call us barbaric" Lexa snorted. Children were a blessing.
"I trust Octavia to protect you at all costs" Clarke continued ignoring her comment. She knew all too well how barbaric they had been. Her mother had aided in her fathers death.
"Me?" Lexa was non plussed at Clarkes words.
"She respects you. You allowed Indra to train her. Surely you notice she looks at you for approval all the time as much as Indra"
"I had not" Lexa scowled realising just a few short days ago she had ordered the woman's death. "I do not deserve it"
"You do, but your ways could use a bit of tweaking" Clarke teased and when Lexa looked at her confused added "you could change some things a bit"
"It is how we survive" Lexa growled
"Have we not agreed we deserve more than that?" Clarke reminded and Lexa smiled
"But you're not ready" she did her own reminding and Clarke scowled.
"Oh shof op" Clarke grumbled and cupping her face pulled her in for a kiss. Lexa blinked in surprise, this wasn't a soft gentle meeting of the lips as their previous kisses had been. This was a true kiss, with passion behind it. Mentally shaking herself she came out of her shock in time to open her mouth and kiss Clarke back. Both women groaned as electricity zipped down their spines and heat engulfed them as the kiss deepened still. Lexa demanded entry with her tongue and Clarke opened for her.
Lexa felt like she was starving for Clarke, her emotions pouring out and she just couldn't get close enough. It's been a long time since she has been this desperate just for a kiss. She wasn't sure she had been before.
As for Clarke she was stunned by the emotions buffeting her, she hadn't felt anything like this ever before. It was addictive and scary and overwhelming at the same time.
Shaking she broke the kiss and buried her face in Lexa's neck overwhelmed. Lexa was a bit put out by having Clarke withdraw, her body demanding further contact. But then felt Clarke shaking and was concerned.
"Hey" she whispered "You ok?"
Clarke nodded and held on tight "I never knew" she whispered
"Never knew what?" Lexa stroked her hair.
"How it could feel, so strong and overwhelming. It was so strong Lex" Clarke used her name as a nickname and Lexa quite enjoyed it coming from the blonde so let it go. She was confused by Clarkes reaction still.
"But I'm not your first"
Clarke sighed and raised her head "I know and that's why it overwhelmed me. I felt more in that kiss than I did with my other previous experiences"
"Oh" Lexa finally understood, slightly shocked. That made her chest swell with pride though. "I would be honoured if you allow me to show you the pleasures of the body. I promise to take it at the pace you decree is acceptable" she cupped Clarke's cheek tenderly as she promised "If you get overwhelmed tell me. If there is anything you need to know you just have to ask"
Clarke nodded and pressed her forehead against Lexa's. They sat there for long minutes breathing each other in. Finally Clarke sighed. "As much as I hate to do this you need your medication and we need to get out of the pool"
"You always like to put a dampener on things" Lexa complained but did as Clarke insisted and they were soon walking side by side together back to the tent, rug over their heads to protect them from the driving rain.
"God that's cold" Clarke complained once in the tent. She helped settle Lexa onto the bed, the brunette still too stiff and ungainly. Clarke went about applying salve and bandages to Lexa's ankle, thigh and hip before giving Lexa a pained look. Lexa nodded in understanding then grit her teeth through the pain of the salve being applied.
Clarke placed the pot aside that held the salve and quickly lay down beside the brunette, rubbing her back gently and murmuring to her while pressing gentle kisses to her shoulder. Dammit she hated doing this. It pained her to hurt Lexa like this. It was long minutes later when Lexa finally calmed and looked at her, green eyes dull.
"It hasn't gotten any easier"
"I know. But it has barely been a day. It will" she promised "You're other wounds are responding well"
"Easy for you to say" Lexa muttered
"Don't think this comes easy for me" Clarke was affronted slightly "It hurts me to hurt you but it's necessary for you to heal"
"I know Clarke" she sighed as her eyes started to flutter "I am weak"
"You're not weak, you are injured and sick. There is a difference" Clarke assured brushing back her hair. "Get some sleep. I have to go check Octavia's ankle and I will be back"
"I do nothing but sleep" Lexa grumbled even as her eyes started to close
"It helps you heal. You need it so do as you're told" she instructed then smiled when she realised Lexa was already half out of it. She continued to brush back her hair until Lexa gave a half snore indicating she was asleep.
Clarke pressed a last kiss to her brow and rolled away to get up. She looked around the tent to try and find her clothes but couldn't see them. There was however two fresh bundles of clothes stacked neatly at the side if the tent. She recognised some clothes as hers, ones she hadn't seen since her days on the Ark. Where had they come from? Octavia she guessed. She hoped they fit. She had become more toned since her time on the Ark. Only one way to find out she figured.
In the end the pants were a little tight but not overly, the tops were fine and she pulled on her boots and jacket and headed outside. She found though the rain had let up for now the wind had gotten stronger, buffeting her as she looked around and found Octavia and two of the guards in the camp. They were struggling with tarps they were trying to tie down to make shelters around the camp. She hurried over to help them and received thanks for the extra muscle.
"What's going on?" She asked as she looked around at the large protected area.
"We needed an area to protect a fire Skaiprisa" one guard stated "We need it for warmth and to cook on"
Clarke looked around and realised they had created a lean to of sorts. Protecting a new fire pit from any weather that came down from the North. It was ok but they could do better. Make it bigger and stronger.
"We need more. If the breeze comes up and it rains or snows it can easily dampen the fire. What else have we got?" she asked the guards and the next thing she knew she was being shown a pile of tarps and hessian netting and she had an idea.
It took a couple of hours but they had a three sided protected area in tarps built back towards the cover of the trees and large enough to stand in to prevent the risk of fire. The walls protected the north, east and west sides to the fire A wall of hessian netting was formed from the east wall out at a slight angle to form an entrance and allow some small protection from the south. Most the inclement weather should come from the north or north west so they should be well protected. It meant they didn't have to spend every hour of every day in their tents if it rained or snowed.
"Good enough for a few days or a week" Clarke nodded in approval then turned sharply at noise behind them, pulling out her ever handy pistol. The two missing guards froze, hessian sacks falling off their shoulders with a thump.
"Skaiprisa?" one asked confused and she lowered her gun
"Where have you been?" She growled
"Hunting" the same guard looked at Octavia
"We heard feral pigs this morning." Octavia informed "I ordered them to go kill one before the storm comes in so we had plenty of food"
"I see" Clarke eyed their bags "And you were successful?"
"Two sows Skaiprisa." The guard beamed proudly "We will feast every meal"
"Good, you have done well" she told them "Lets hope you know how to cook, I look forward to a roasted leg tonight" she informed and slapped him on the back as she walked past him "Octavia come, it's time to check that ankle" she declared walking towards her tent.
She found Lexa had not moved and was still snoring lightly when she entered the tent, Octavia on her heals. Clarke headed for her pack and ordered Octavia to sit quietly and take her boots off. Octavia sat on the floor and pulled off her right boot. "Both of them. I'll treat your blisters too"
Octavia sighed but did as she was told. Clarke organised some salve and bandages then walked over to her friend.
"The salve may sting a bit but its well worth it" she offered as she sat in front of her and took her left foot, examining it then scooping up some salve and started to apply
"For fucks sake" Octavia hissed "Holy fuck you put this on Heda's back? How come she doesn't scream bloody murder?"
"Cause she isn't a wimp like you." Clarke stirred and when Octavia shot her a look reminded "Why do you think I give her back rubs?" She looked over at Lexa still sleeping soundly "I hate hurting her. It pains me every time. I nearly refuse to do it but I know it helps her."
"It always hurts us to hurt the one we love" Octavia nodded
"Yeah it does" Clarke side and realising what Octavia got her to admit shot her a look. Octavia smiled in understanding.
"You don't need to admit it to her yet but don't lie to yourself ok"
"Yeah" Clarke sighed then moved to applying salve to Octavia's right foot and ankle making the brunette hiss "Sorry"
"No you're not" Octavia managed to chuckle as she watched as Clarke expertly wrapped her ankle.
"Make sure you keep it wrapped, firm not tight. If you have any issues come see me. When we aren't in the pool try and soak it for a bit ok"
"Excuse me, it's my pool. That's my decision" came a voice behind them and they turned to find Lexa watching them closely and Octavia gulped. "Then again if she's going to be our personal bodyguard she needs to be fit and healthy"
"What?" Octavia squeaked and Lexa raised a brow
"You didn't tell her?"
"We have been busy around the camp. Didn't exactly have time." Clarke shrugged
"Wait, you two want me to be your bodyguard?" Octavia was stunned with the request. She could only stare slack jawed.
"I don't believe it. Someone's rendered Octavia speechless" Clarke waved a hand in front of the brunette's face to see if she was still with them. Octavia knocked it away annoyed and turned to Lexa with awe.
"Are you serious Heda? It would be an honour." She frowned "But what of Indra?"
"Indra is my General. You will still be her second and follow her orders in battle unless Clarke or I give you a direct order ourselves" she informed "When not in battle or times of war you will be with us unless we tell you to leave. You will hear and see things you will not be able to repeat or I will kill you myself"
"Lex" Clarke sighed but Octavia nodded.
"I understand Heda"
"Whenever Clarke and I leave camp you go with us" Lexa continued like neither of them had spoken "you will be head of our protective detail. The only time you leave our sides will be when we want privacy to which you will stand guard outside our tent and not let anyone in, even if its a blizzard"
"Sha Heda" Octavia nodded
"You won't get to be with Lincoln a lot, except at nights when regular guards will watch our tent"
"It will make the nights all the more special Heda" Octavia offered and was surprised when the other woman chuckled.
"I am sure it will and I understand fully" Lexa looked over at Clarke who was blushing bright red at the implication before rolling her eyes and packing up her medical kit.
"You should be so lucky!" She muttered causing both the brunettes to offer hurriedly choked off chuckles when she glared at them.
"So what has kept you busy around camp?" Lexa asked hurriedly not wanting to get in further trouble.
"A storm is coming. We made a protected area to keep a fire going and to take shelter in" Octavia informed while Clarke pointedly added
"You can see it when you are better and able to get around"
"I need to use the privy" Lexa stated, rather out of the blue Octavia thought but Clarke stood, hands on hips and glared at the Commander.
"You're not checking it out and that's final"
"Shall I pee in our bed?" Lexa challenged.
"You do and you'll be looking for someone else to share it" Clarke informed and Octavia was getting dizzy with the back and forth. She was rather surprised Heda was letting Clarke talk to her like this. She watched as Clarke stormed over to the pile of clothes and picked up some before going over to help the Heda dress. As mad as Clarke appeared to be she was gentle with The Commander before assisting her to her feet. "You are too stubborn for your own good. Privy and back to the tent"
"Sha love" Lexa agreed quietly so only Clarke could hear and smiled when Clarke melted and went shy, a red stain spreading across her cheeks. Lexa stepped forward slowly and took her hand.
Octavia watched the byplay, the caring, and the love between them was palpable and blindingly obvious. As they made to head outside she stepped in front and led the way, practicing her new role and assessing the danger before allowing them out. She walked so far into the tree line with them before stopping and waiting for their return. Of course once back at the camp Lexa insisted on a quick visit to the new shelter, eyeing it impressed.
Upon entering she could see it was quite spacious and could hold the 7 of them easily. It was also toasty warm, as warm as their tent and the air smelled delicious and she realised they had been hunting. The guards stood upon seeing her but she waved them back to their duties. All but one who had been merely observing.
"Heda" he nodded
"You have all done well. I am impressed" she admitted
"It was Octavias idea and Skaiprisa came up with this" he informed and Lexa continued to look around.
Clarke had noted that since her absence logs had been dragged in to sit on around the fire. Extra Hessian netting had been hung over the shelter for more protection as no matter how tight you tied the tarps together there was always a gap. The thick hessian would provide more resistance to the elements.
"You have done a commendable job" Lexa nodded "Is there any more hessian netting left?"
"Sha Heda. Nyko brought such a large supply we are unsure what to do with it." The guard admitted.
"Hang it around camp, offer as much protection as you can. If there is sleet or snow we want to be able to move from our tents to here or the cave without getting soaked"
"Sha Heda" he nodded happy to be given a job to do.
"Start after your meal, do what it takes. Work hard and at the end of the day after I have used it you may use the pool" she informed surprising everyone including Clarke. All the guards looked at each other in shock before one managed weakly.
"Sha Heda. It is an honour" he informed and Lexa nodded and turning slowly headed out of the tent. Clarke and Octavia hurried after her. Octavia to do her job, Clarke as she was worried Lexa had overdone it. Lexa was slow but made it back to their tent under her own steam.
Lexa practically collapsed on the bed with a scowl. She hated being so weak. She knew it was the infection from the wound and her fever that did it. She thought Clarke did well to hold her tongue as she stripped her of her clothes down to her undershirt. Lexa looked at Octavia who seemed to be already taking her job seriously and standing guard. Lexa rolled her eyes.
"Leave us. Bring us our sanch (lunch) when ready and help the other guards protect the camp. Later you can have a bath too"
"Sha Heda" Octavia replied then hurriedly left the tent.
Lexa lay down under the covers, glad for their warmth. Looking up at Clarke she was once again struck by her beauty. It had ensnared her right from the start.
"Lay with me" she implored and held out her hand while giving her best puppy dog look. She bit back a grin when Clarke sighed and shucked her clothes before sliding under the covers to join her. Lexa immediately cuddled close as Clarke wrapped her arms around her. She felt safe, secure, protected and invincible. She sighed.
Love is weakness, but only if you let it. Love could make you stronger too. While she may be weak in private like this, she had no doubt her love for Clarke would make her stronger in life, on the battlefield and in negotiations. With Clarke by her side she would be more determined than ever.
She sighed as Clarke started to stroke her back and she felt her body turn to liquid at her touch. Right now she was quite content with weakness