Love Me Harder

Who Are You

3 MONTHS AGO (2 DAYS AFTER MT. WEATHER)

Lexa was marching towards her tent. Stopping a few feet away, turning and glancing at the tent to her left. Lost in thought for a minute before she started towards it. The three guards outside didn't move a muscle when their Commander waltzed past them. Lexa could hear Indra practically hissing out words to the person she was blocking. "Pleni," the Heda shouted out.

Indra froze in place. She turned slowly to face her leader. Indra hung her head low not wanting to step on Lexa's toes. It wasn't her place to enforce rules but sometimes she felt the necessity to do so. After all her loyalty to the Commander ran deep. "His betrayal must be punished." She kept her voice low and even. Never raising a tone to her Commander even when she didn't agree.

The Grounder Leader glimpsed over at Lincoln. He was bound to a chair. The ties were cutting into his wrist; she could see the fresh blood staining the ropes. His ankles tied tight to the legs of the seat he was prisoner to. Lincoln kept his eyes on the Heda. His mouth was not gagged yet he didn't speak. Keeping her gaze locked on his, Lexa addressed Indra, "Bants osir." When Indra began to plead the Commander spun to face her, "NAU!" Her face cold with her firm reply. This time the warrior didn't try to retort. She gave a small bow before exiting the tent. Slowly Lexa returned her view to Lincoln. Walking slowly around him. "You disobeyed direct orders."

She stopped in front of him. Her eyes reflected nothing, no feeling or emotion, almost mirror like. Her expression hardened. This was the Commander Lincoln was used to. He didn't dare reply. He knew better. Waiting for her to continue knowing she was studying his every movement. Which is why he never let his eyes fall off of hers for a second. "Treason is punishable by death," her voice void of any sentiment. "You are one on of my best warriors. I need to know I can trust you Lincoln. I need to know that if it ever comes down to it again, you will put your people first. Love is a weakness!" She emphasized that last part. Partially wondering to herself if she did it for her own reminder, or his.

"Ai serve yu," his response was automatic. He loved his Heda. He also loved Octavia. He didn't have to see Octavia to know leaving them at Mt. Weather was going to hurt her. Bellamy was inside the building. He saw the look in Clarke's eyes. The tears filling them threatening to spill over. The blonde fighting to keep them at bay. All from Lexa's choice. The choice to save the Grounders over the SkyPeople. It was when Lincoln realized the old SkyCrew Leader had to love his leader. It was only love that can cause that kind of pain. He pictured that pain in Octavia.

The Commander's eyebrows crinkled together as she contemplated his allegiance. On one hand he has proven to be an exceptional fighter. Has protected the Grounders countless times, fought beside her, and was reliable. On the flip side of that he was clearly in love with Octavia. His actions two days ago were not the actions of the man she once knew. Lexa knew there was some decisions she made that were different because of Clarke, more lenient. How could she punish Lincoln when she was not so dissimilar? It was part of the many reasons why she made the deal with Emerson. "You will prove your loyalty. When Octavia comes to Polis you may not see her. I will have her informed of how you're doing, and you of her. You will not see each other until I say so." She brought her face so close to his that she could feel the exhales through his nose. "If you dare try to see her before, you will watch her die." Her decision was final. There was no third chance. The Heda wasn't known to be merciful and she was not going to start.

Lincoln heard his verdict loud and clear. This woman terrified him. He has seen her fight and he has admired her as a leader. The one person he knew never to cross was Lexa. He never saw himself doing anything like this against his clan. That changed when he met Octavia. "What makes you think Octavia will come to Polis, Commander?" He was shaken from his thoughts when he saw Lexa almost leave the room. His voice was raspy from the dryness that was burning his throat.