It will be me before it's you (And that's okay)

Chapter 12

Clarke closed the door behind her, waltzing into the room with an extra spring in her step. The air felt lighter today. Almost as if it was easier to breathe than a few days before.

If she was going to be honest, she hadn't had a full nights sleep for a while. She couldn't complain, though. She had spent hours upon hours burrowing through the internet and the world around her, trying to desperately to find something to bring Lexa out of her million dollar shell which happened to be her home.

"You seem happy" Anya observed as she strayed towards her on long legs

"I'm always happy, Anya"

"Happier" she exaggerated

"I'm a happy person" She shrugged "anyways, what are you doing here? Wasn't the point of my job is to give you a break?"

Anya sighed "Some habits are hard to break. I'm gonna get going. You need anything?"

"No, not really. I think I'm going to try get her out of the house today. Get some fresh air"

The taller woman chuckled "Her lungs are so starved of fresh air they're turning black with the sludge of indoor living, but there is no way you're getting her past this door without a damn good reason" she clapped her shoulder as she moved through the doorway in question "Good luck"

"Gee thanks" She rolled her eyes as the door closed.

She took a moment before she began her day to take a breath. She pressed her palms to her face, sighing heavily. Lexa was a stressful patient. If Clarke said she wouldn't she would be a straight faced liar. She was stubborn, miserable, and quite frankly, awkward.

But at the same time, she had plenty a softer moment. She held a sensitive side that had Clarke curious to see more of each time. Her story remained untold, and yet, Clarke was addicted to it.

"Alright" she brushed her hair from her face, coming it through with her fingers before turning and facing the day "Let's give this a try"

She placed her bag and coat in their usual spots and ascended the ramp, eyes searching for the woman in question.

And there she was, still tucked tightly into bed where Anya had left her the night before. Green eyes, no longer tired and sleepy, stared directly into her soul without a hint of hesitation.

"Good morning, Clarke" Lexa greeted kindly

"Morning. You ready to get up?"  She smiled

"Please. Anya didn't let help me up today." The girl pouted from the bed sheets.

"Well, it's a good job in here" she held back the laughter bubbling in her chest "Come on, let's get you sorted. What's the choice of clothing for today? White shirt or white shirt?"

Lexa rolled her eyes "Funny. There's a grey jumper in the dresser somewhere. That's comfortable"

Clarke hummed, shifting around the bed to dig in Lexa's drawer. She moved aside different coloured sweaters with holes in them before she finally spotted the grey fabric sat at the very bottom. It definitely looked like it hadn't been worn for a while.

"This the one?" She questioned, holding it by the neck and letting it unfold. As it rolled out before her, she caught the worn logo on the front. The logo of the United States Army. She ignored it, thinking it wasn't the best time to bring the topic up. But she couldn't stop thinking. Why start wearing it again now?

She untucked Lexa from her bed, taking her hands and pulling her up to a sitting position, an arm around her back to keep her upright. Redirecting her eyes, she untucked Lexa's sleep shirt and pulled it over the woman's head, their shoulders pressed together to keep her balanced.