UnderStanding (Clexa)

Chapter Twenty-Five

TonDC – Klark kom Trikru

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The journey back to TonDC was uneventful and for that, Clarke was thankful. She had felt complete contentment settled behind Lexa on her horse, arms linked around her waist. The feel of being close to her, even in front of the others, warmed her heart. She found herself surprised at Lexa's openness with her in front of some of her warriors, but she knew what they shared would mostly stay behind closed doors, or with the few of those they trusted. It wasn't wrong or frowned upon to show affection with your love, quite the opposite, but Lexa was a very guarded soul and after what had happened with Costia, Clarke knew it would be a fear of hers.

She was broken out of her thoughts at a light tapping on the door. Turning, she smiles, seeing Echo and Octavia approach. "What are you guys doing down here?" Clarke had been guided down into one of the bathing rooms to prepare for the celebration upon returning to TonDC. Lexa had kissed her softly, telling her she had a few things to do and would join her before the sun began to set.

"I've made it my personal responsibility to guard you when the commander isn't around and this one," she points over her shoulder to Echo, "decided we should come check on you." Octavia smiles at her, and Clarke is skeptical.

"Why do I feel like you two are up to something?" She can't place it, but something is nagging at her and the innocent smiles on the two faces in front of her aren't helping.

"You worry little sister, there's no need." Echo steps around her and plays with her hair. "Let me wash your hair and I will braid it for you."

Clarke can't help but nod, a smile on her face at the thought of her hair having braids like Lexa's or some of the other Trikru. It feels like another right of passage she was earning and it warms her. "Mochof, Eko."

Echo smiles and leads Clarke to the tub in the room as two women finish filling it with warm water and points, "Hop in."

Clarke hesitates for only a moment, glancing between Echo and Octavia before rolling her eyes at herself and shedding her clothes and climbing into the tub. "This is ritual, is it not?"

"It is," Echo begins and starts wetting and lathering the blonde hair in her hands, "usually two of the village women would see to this, not two warriors, but Okteivia and I asked if we could have the honour instead."

Octavia smiles and nods, eyeing Clarke, "That, and we thought you might be more comfortable with us too."

Clarke huffs out a laugh, not denying it. "I feel as if I've changed so much already in such a short amount of time, but then sometimes I don't. I guess nudity in front of someone that isn't Leksa is still odd for me."

"I do not need to hear about you being nude with the commander," Octavia laughs, splashing some water at Clarke's face, "no matter how good looking you may be."

Clarke rolls her eyes as she hears a throat clear and a husky chuckle, turning her eyes to meet green as Lexa enters the room. "I'm fairly certain Klark's good looks are only for me to appreciate now."

Clarke nearly laughs as the wide-eyed expression Octavia gets as she scrambles to stand up quickly and turn away from her. "O, she's teasing you, Leksa won't hurt you."

Lexa smirks slightly, turning to Octavia, "While she's right and I won't hurt you, I certainly was not teasing."

Echo grins as she lowers Clarke's head gently into the water, washing out the suds. She watches Lexa carefully, seeing how her eyes sparkle and soften as she stares at Clarke and feels her own chest tighten at the love these two share. She feels envy at what they have together.