Our Journey (the Fourth Book in the Her Weakness series)

Chapter 53

Lexa's POV

Our plans for Louwoda Kliron (Shadow Valley) are more vague than it has usually been. We are in a beautiful city, designed differently than we are used to, and underneath a cliff. I am certain the others would like to just explore the city, see how it is similar and different to other cities we have been to.

I wake up to darkness, as is common in this clan. The sun does not often shine on the city, causing many to use a tunnel that leads to the top of the cliff in order to get sunlight. The tunnel was designed for exactly that purpose after the leaders here noticed people being unhappy after not having enough sunlight exposure.

I look over at Clarke, whose mouth is hanging open slightly, her breaths making more noise than usual. I find it adorable. But we should be getting up soon. I have a rather good internal clock and I can tell it is much later than I planned on sleeping. It is fine, we will not miss out on anything. The city looks pretty much the same throughout the day due to the lanterns that are constantly on.

I focus on Clarke again. She snuggles up further against my shoulder and lets out a sleepy sigh that makes my heart melt. I kiss her forehead and Clarke's lips twitch up into a small but noticeable smile.

"Clarke." I murmur, not wanting to jar her. "We should get up."

"No." Clarke grumbles and snuggles up closer.

I kiss her forehead again, smiling softly. "Come on, hodnes. We did not even stay up late. Why are you so tired?"

"I'm not tired, I just want to cuddle with you for longer." Clarke mumbles, pressing a sloppy kiss to my bare shoulder.

I swoon at her words and I know I am giving her a wide, beaming smile that probably looks like I have been hit by a "love arrow" whatever that means (it is something Raven and Octavia occasionally tease me about)... But I cannot find it within myself to care.

Clarke's eyes open slowly and she blinks like she's trying to push away her sleepiness. She sees my smile and grins back just as wide, with a sleepy tint to it that is incredibly adorable.

"Fine." I agree easily. I can practically hear Raven teasing me about being "whipped." "But I would like to walk around the city with you."

"You just like it because it's the city of candles." Clarke mumbles, her blue eyes warm as they meet mine.

"Mm?" I hum, not paying much attention to her words. She is just so stunning when she has just woken up. Well, Clarke is always stunning but there is something to be said about sleepy Clarke.

"This city is underneath a huge cliff, and there isn't much light. To compensate, people have put lanterns and candles everywhere. You, Lexa, love candles with a fiery passion. Get it? Fiery?" Clarke winks at me and laughs at her own dorky joke while I fall even more in love with her. "You are a known candle ho, babe. It's cute, I promise."

"A candle... Hoe? How am I a garden tool?" I question, confused.

"Like, you really love candles. That's what it means. If you tell Raven and Octavia that you're a candle ho, they'll love you forever. After they finish laughing, of course." Clarke says, chuckling.

"They are our best friends, they already love us forever. I would assume." I say. "Very well. I will tell them that when I see them."

Clarke chokes on nothing, looking shocked. "Wha- you will? Oh my god. Le-"

"Hey bitches!" Octavia says, shoving the door open, with Raven right behind her. Their hands are over their eyes. "Can I look or are you naked? We couldn't tell if that was a really good massage last night or an attempt at relatively quiet sex."

It was both, one then the other. This house does not have great soundproofing, which we learned when we heard (in great detail) what Octavia and Raven were doing with each other. We did not want to emotionally scar the guards any more than is unavoidable, or people out on the streets.

"We are naked, but covered." I say, pulling up the covers a little bit so that they will not see my breasts.

They both lower their hands and sigh in exaggerated relief when they see this is the case. I roll my eyes fondly at their dramatics.

"So, you seem cozy. Do you want us to bring you guys breakfast in bed?" Raven offers.

"Why are you being so nice?" Clarke asks, instantly suspicious.

"What do you mean? We're always nice." Raven pouts at us.

"But this is overboard, even for you nerds. So what's on your minds?"

"Are you suggesting we have ulterior motives?" Raven clutches her chest and acting overly offended.

"Am I wrong?" Clarke raises an eyebrow.

"... No." Raven admits after a couple seconds of a stare down between her and Clarke. "We both want to be your best man."

"Best woman." Octavia corrects.

"Best woman." Raven concedes, nodding. "So? Who's going to be your guys' best woman?"

"You have told me of this tradition." I say and their eyes all turn to me. "It is customary for one partner to have one best... Best person, yes?"

"Yeah." Raven says.

"So then both of you can be best woman. Raven can be mine and Octavia, you can be Clarke's."

They all just stare at me in surprise. Clarke nods in agreement and I notice with alarm that both Octavia and Raven have tears in their eyes. Happy tears, but tears nonetheless. I am barely good when it is Clarke crying, let alone me or two of my best friends. So I do the first thing I can think of, which is try to make them laugh.

"Raven, Octavia." I say.

Clarke's eyes widen, probably knowing what I am going to say. "Babe-"

"Clarke says I am a candle ho."

Raven and Octavia stare at me for a second before bursting into laughter. Now their tears come from laughing. Which is only slightly better.

Well, this was a fun and funny chapter to wrote, which is great! And now, to class! Then... Essay! Whoo. Thank you all for reading and for your amazing comments! Stay awesome!