Another Family (CLEXA AU)

16)Safe Danger

I felt something warm. It was warm and it was gently running up and down my face. I really liked the feeling so I leaned into it and let it pull me back to reality. I opened my eyes and felt super lightheaded. I looked up and my vision was blurry but I was able to recognize a face I wasn't expecting to see. I guess I wasn't really expecting to see anyone though. Still, this was surprising.

"Abby?"

"Hi Clarke. How are you feeling?"

"Confused. Where am I? Also why are you here and how am I even alive?"

"Well to answer all 3 questions, you are alive because Lexa called me saying she found you bleeding out on the floor of your bedroom and you needed help. Marcus and I were already in town because we wanted to speak with you. Lexa told us to meet you here so I could help fix up your wound. You got shot."

"Where is here? Where are we?"

"To be honest Clarke, I have no idea. We are in some cabin in an artificial snow globe."

Holy shit. We are in the firestorm winter wonderland.

"Where Is Lexa? I need to see her." I said, trying to stand up from the couch I was laying on but instantly regretting that decision when I felt the pain from my gunshot wound.

"Woah. Easy there tiger. Lexa and Marcus went to go talk with some guy. I don't know the details but they should be back soon. Now please sit down Clarke, you really shouldn't be moving. You don't want the stitches to snap."

"I'm leaving." I announced, standing up from the couch again and screaming out in pain when I moved.

"Clarke please. We are trying to keep you safe. Don't leave." Abby begged, trying to stop me. She moved to stand in front of the door to the cabin and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Please move Abby."

"No. You are not allowed to leave."

"You can't tell me what to do Abby. You aren't my mother. Now get out of my way."

I instantly regretted the harshness of the words that came out of my mouth when I saw Abby's reaction.

"Abby I-"

"No. You're right Clarke. I'm not your mother, Paige was."

"That's not what I meant. Listen I have to get out of here but thank you for helping me."

"I will always be here to help Clarke, whether you like it or not. I have to tell you one more time though, I really don't think you should go out there. It's freezing cold and you are still healing from being shot."

"I'm sorry Abby, but I have to go."

Abby nodded in understanding, clearly not liking the idea but moving away from the door anyways. "Please stay safe Clarke."

"I'll try." I said, pulling open the door to the cabin and beginning the journey to the exit of the Firestorm winter world. I have to go. I need to find Madi. I know she's safe without me but the last time I left her with my friends she was kidnapped. I need her.

I'm wearing the clothes I was wearing before I came here (jeans and a t-shirt) so I am freezing cold walking through the snow right now. Every time I lift a leg and take a step forwards, I feel this shooting pain where the bullet wound is.

I'm still tired and I can barely walk forwards but I know I have to continue. If I slow down too much then I won't be able to keep going, so I have to convince myself to keep moving over and over again.

As I was walking I suddenly felt an overwhelmingly painful pain where my wound was and I fell into the snow screaming. I noticed that the snow around me was starting to turn red and I knew that couldn't be good. I'm bleeding.

I tried to use every ounce of strength I had left, to crawl forwards in the snow but I felt something heavy fall on me. More Snow. I was pinned under a thick layer of snow and I couldn't breathe.

That was supposed to be it. I was supposed to have died in that moment. The snow that was killing me was soaking up the blood from the wound that was also killing me. A double death. This has really been my lucky week.

I gave up. I stopped fighting. I was done. But then I wasn't. I could breathe again and I felt a familiar warmth holding me close. I heard yelling and crying but I could barely hear or see. Time became irrelevant and the only comfort I had was the fast beating of a heart that wasn't my own. A heart that was kind enough to protect me and save me. A heart that never gave up on me even when I was done fighting. Even when I had given up on myself.

Suddenly I felt alive again. I felt this force of energy revive me from deep within. Then there was something comfortable and warm pressed against me and I heard what sounded like crying. I snuggled farther into the warmth and I heard more crying and even talking.

"Please." I heard over and over again. I even thought I heard "I need you." Or something similar to that.

Then it was all warm and fuzzy Inside. I opened my eyes again and realized I was being held by someone.

"Clarke?" A voice cracked, as the owner of the voice pulled away from me.

There I saw Lexa sitting next to me on the couch as tears streamed down her eyes. "You're alive."

I couldn't even speak so I just moved to pull Lexa into a tight embrace, burying my head in her neck.

"I'm sorry." Lexa cried out, squeezing me tight and sobbing into my hair. "I'm so sorry Clarke."

I pulled away from the hug and cupped Lexa's face in my hands, staring into her broken emeralds as tears began to swell in my own eyes. "I'm sorry too."

"No. Don't apologize Clarke, this is all my fault. I shouldn't have told you to leave. I should have chased after you even faster. I should have been here when you first woke up. Then I could have stopped you from going out in the snow. I'm sorry sorry." Lexa cried, letting her head fall.

"It's not your fault Lex." I told her, moving a hand to her chin and filtering her head up so she had to looking into my eyes.

I watched as Lexa moved to hug me again and I sunk into her strong and safe arms, so happy to be with her again. There's this feeling of total safety. Total security. And I think I might be totally in....well I don't know what the last one is but whatever it is, it feels really good. Having Lexa with me feels right.

We just stayed there in that cabin, holding each other on the couch. I don't know how much time passed. It felt like forever but also no time at all. I could stay in that position for the rest of my life. I wanted to. I need Lexa close to me like I need oxygen to breathe. I wonder what's changed between us. Maybe I....no probably not. It's too soon.

I could hear a sound coming from outside and Lexa and I both pulled away and watched as the door to the cabin opened. I looked over to see Abby and Marcus who looked exhausted.

"Lexa." Marcus panted, resting his hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath. "He's here."

I watched as Lexa's face turned fearful and she gave me desperate look, practically pleading with her eyes. "Clarke come with me."

"Where are we going Lexa?" I asked, gently moving her face so she had to look me in the eyes.

"You are going to hide. I am going to protect you."

"Lexa-"

"Please?" Lexa interrupted me, moving to hold my hands.

"Ok." I nodded, giving her hands a comforting squeeze.

"Let's go."

An: this took so long I legit got so distracted and I re-wrote it like 4 times. The next part should be soonish tho. Thank you for reading