The One Who's Fallen

Chapter 37

I wake up slowly, taking in a deep breath. I can hear movement coming from outside my tent. There's the sound of a familiar voice talking to Artigas, who has insisted on guarding me every morning as soon as he wakes up. That's Lexa's voice.

Wait, there's something I'm supposed to remember about yesterday having to do with her. It's not just the fact that we're going to be leaving for Polis tomorrow. It's not that she's waking me up this morning. Oh. Oh float me. I kissed her. I mean, not on the lips but still. I didn't even give her time to properly respond before I fled.

The sound of my tent's flaps opening snaps me out of my panic but I keep my eyes closed. I'm both curious to how she'll wake me up and how she'll respond to yesterday, or if she'll even mention it.

Lexa's footsteps move closer to me until she's right next to my bed. "Clarke." She says softly. I don't respond and she lets out a breath. "You are so different than anyone I have ever met." She murmurs, thinking I'm asleep. "You have brought emotions to the surface that I thought were buried. You are not just unique because you fell from the sky. Though you have only been down here a relatively short time, you have learned so much. You already know how to fight better than some of my most experienced warriors. You have learned much about the clans and how to speak our language. It is beyond impressive how much you have learned, as well as how much you have done for my people. Every day since I have arrived in TonDC, a person has come up to me and told me what you have done for them and their family. You have helped so many and saved so many others. You are a wonder to watch. You are so strong, so brave, so willing to help others. You hold to your opinions and are not afraid to contradict me. Titus will not like you." She chuckles. "He does not like anyone who 'distracts' me or will argue with me. Or him. And I know I should probably tell you this when you are awake. But it is so much easier to speak to you when I am not entranced by your beautiful blue eyes."

I shift in the bed, making her pause. Her kind words have brought years to my eyes, but I can't help but to focus on that last sentence. She thinks I'm beautiful. Well, at least my eyes. But that's something I never thought I'd hear, not from Lexa.

"Clarke?" She asks softly. "Are you awake? Clarke?"

I slowly open my eyes, using the sleep crust around them as an excuse to wipe away my tears. I yawn, and start stretching out my limbs. Lexa flushes for some reason, and keeps her eyes on my face. Is it because I groaned a couple times when I stretched? At the cold air on some of my body, I realize that I'm in nothing more than my underwear and the furs aren't covering everything. I blush an even deeper red than Lexa, pulling the furs back into place.

"Good morning, Clarke." Lexa murmurs, making me look up at her face. The gentle expression on her face makes my breath catch.

"Good morning." I say, trying not to smirk when I notice her mouth open slightly. I've been up for a bit, but I haven't used my voice so it's still huskier than normal. I love her subtle tells that's she might just be attracted to me. I just hope it's not all in my head.

I'm about to start sitting up so I can get up and get dressed, but I'm not about to show Lexa my body. Yet. Maybe someday soon I'll be brave enough to make a move on her, but today is not that day.

Lexa understands pretty quickly and gives me a shy smile. "I will wait in my tent. Come when you are ready. I will have breakfast sent there for us."

"Mochof (thank you)." I say, watching as Lexa nods and leaves, pausing at the exit to give me one last smile before she slips out of my tent.

I hear her say goodbye to Artigas and then hear her footsteps swiftly getting quieter and farther away. I get up after that, letting the furs fall away from me and on to my bed. I get dressed fast, trying to ignore the anxiety bubbling up inside of me. Lexa didn't mention that I kissed her cheek. Maybe it's not a big deal to her, but maybe it is. I have to talk to her about it either way to make sure we're both on the same page.

I sigh and run a hand through my hair, grimacing when my hand hits a tangle. I'll definitely have to go wash soon. I don't want to go to Polis looking like I was dragged behind Lexa's horse the entire time.

I braid my hair and them make my way out of my tent. Artigas gives me a smile when he sees me and walks a few steps behind me. We don't talk while we're heading to Lexa's tent, but when we arrive he puts his hand on my shoulder. The sudden contact makes me turn to look at Artigas and he gives me a reassuring smile, probably sensing that I'm nervous. I thank him and head into Lexa's tent. She's leaning over a map, focusing intently on it. I don't think she even heard me come in.

"Hey." I say to let her know I'm here. "What are you doing?"

She visibly jumps and looks up at me, her eyes wide. Lexa relaxes when she sees it's me and nods to her map. "I am being productive while waiting for out food. I am trying to figure out the best route to Polis."

"Can't we just go the way you came?"

Lexa purses her lips and gestures for me to come closer. She traces a line on the map. "This is the route I took. It is the most direct, but also the second most dangerous. The safest way takes two days longer to do, so we would not be able to make it to the meeting on time."

"What about this one?" I point to one that seems fairly direct to Polis.

"That goes through Azgeda, so it is the most dangerous. This," she traces another, more squiggly line. "This is the best route. There are few bandits and assassins. However, that is because it goes along a mountain very near the Maunon." Lexa sighs. "I am sorry that the main road has gotten more dangerous so we cannot use it. There has been more and more reports of assassins waiting on that road, presumably for me."

Sorry this is later than usual! Until August 4th on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays I have driver's training! It's 10-12 but I have to walk (and that's forty minutes each time), and it's right when I usually write! It'll be back to normal after that! Thank you all for your support and for your lovely comments! Stay awesome!