Work Text:
Lexa was working too much.
Clarke noticed it too late, probably because she herself was also working too much, but Lexa kept coming to bed after Clarke and waking up before her, and she had bags under her eyes, and sometimes Clarke could see her spacing out in the middle of a conversation, only to come back seconds later with masterfully masked confusion that only Clarke could see.
Now, Clarke understood. There was a lot, and she meant a lot of work. Skaikru needed to be reintroduced into the coalition, Pike and his followers needed to be put through a trial, all concerns and worries of the other clans needed to be addressed, and they were using every bit of energy they had.
However, Lexa was using more than that. She was taking everything all at once, having meeting after meeting, disregarding her own health and happiness. Clarke could not let it be. She needed to figure out a way to make the commander take care of herself.
So naturally, Clarke went to Indra and Gaia. She knew Lexa trusted them with her own life, which meant Clarke could trust them with her happiness too. Turned out, she was not the only person to notice. Which meant she had allies. It took a few days to plan, but the operation “Sea Lion” was ready.
The first step: get the commander away from Polis. That was the easy part – a message from Luna, and they were going to the seashore. Thankfully, Floukru leader (who turned out to be Lexa’s childhood friend?) easily agreed to help.
The path to the ship (Luna’s clan was living on a ship!) was short but unforgettable – the waves gently swayed the little boat they were sitting in, big white birds shouted over their heads, salty water was splashing on their faces. Clarke saw the way Lexa’s shoulders sagged, like she was fighting to stay awake.
The next step: put on a good show. It was mostly Luna’s work though, as Clarke let the curly-haired woman come up with the reason they were invited. She didn’t really pay attention – something about the fish going bad or the nets tearing? Lexa bought it, though, so Clarke didn’t care.
They were ready to go back when – what a surprise! – the boat they came in had a hole in it, and needed at least a few days to be patched up. Lexa took the news that they needed to stay there with a gracious, “Of course, it would be an honor.” Sometimes, Clarke really loved her.
The last step of the operation “Sea Lion”: chiiil. The first day Lexa tried to work by the little table in their little room, but there was only so much she could do from the middle of the ocean, so soon it ran out.
Next, she went to talk with the inhabitants of the ship (Clarke really needed to ask Raven if this giant thing had some kinda designation). It warmed Clarke’s heart to see Lexa accept gratitude and teary-eyed hugs from her people. The way she softly smiled and gently held little ones made Clarke feel things (she really wanted to have a baby with this woman).
The commander really tried to fight it, but eventually there were no more ‘Heda’ things to do, which meant – complete relaxation.
First thing first, Clarke let Lexa catch up on her sleep. She lured the commander into the bed in the early evening, cuddled her, and refused to let go until Lexa was asleep. The night passed, and then the morning, and only when the sun reached its peak, did Lexa start to stir up. Clarke had already eaten and strolled on the deck and came back to their room. Lexa’s eyes opened slowly, still foggy with sleep, but finally rested and vibrant.
“Hey, sleeping beauty,” Clarke called out to her and kissed her nose. The face wrinkled groggily, and her heart swelled with love. Sleepy Lexa was officially her second favorite Lexa (the first was the ‘you are all my subjects’ Lexa).
“How long was I asleep?” asked the bundle under the blanket.
“Very long.” Clarke smiled. At the evident panic from the bundle, she called out, “It’s ok, love, there are no duties, you can stay there.” The bundle grumbled but settled back.
In the afternoons, they wandered around the deck hand in hand. Clarke’s heart fluttered from the sensation of the calloused hand in hers – tight, but gentle, secure in the way it felt safe. Behind the fencing, the water sparkled in the light of the sun, making them squint and avert their eyes. The air smelled of salt, and fish, and freedom. She glanced at Lexa. Maybe they’d move here for their retirement (did commanders retire?).
One day, when Lexa was talking some time alone to meditate, Clarke wandered to the common area. The people were sitting on the parts of furniture, bundles of blankets, or just the floor. The food they were eating wasn’t the best, and their clothes had tears, but they were talking with each other, laughing and smiling. It made her think of the original hundred, their first day on earth.
Luna was sitting near a group of children, telling some story, her demeanor calm and authoritarian. It reminded Clarke so much of Lexa with the nightbloods. She made her way to the group and sat down, trying not to disturb them. The story turned out to be a tale about a boy who cried “shark”. Clarke found herself listening closely. Luna’s voice was soothing.
After the children dispersed to play, Clarke got to help Luna with the dinner. The fish smelled, but she didn’t mind. They worked in silence, but it was comfortable, comforting; it didn’t need to be filled with irrelevant words.
“I’m glad she has you,” Luna said suddenly, not glancing away from the fish in her hand. “I have known Lexa for a long time, and she hasn’t been this happy since Costia’s death.” She turned her head, looking seriously at Clarke. “I see the way she looks at you – she loves you very much. If you let her down, you will wish for a fast death.”
Maybe Clarke should have been scared, but all she felt was happiness. “I love her very much too.” She smiled dreamily. “She’s special.”
Luna seemed to be satisfied with the response, because she didn’t say anything after that. Soon, Lexa came, looking at them with suspicion, but Clarke just smiled at her. The fish was gutted, and the cooks took it to fry.
Before Clarke could notice, the last day of their visit ended, and all inhabitants of Floudonkru came to say goodbye. A girl, who couldn’t be older than ten, darted forward and hugged Lexa’s waist. The commander patted her head in a comforting gesture. The girl pulled away, and handed Lexa a bracelet made of seashells. The girl then moved to Clarke and gave her the identical one. Clarke looked at it in surprise.
“For you,” the girl said with a thick accent. Clarke smiled and thanked the girl in trig clumsily. The girl’s eyes lit up, and she hugged Clarke as well.
As they were sitting in the little boat, approaching the shore, Clarke couldn’t help but compare Lexa to the one from four days ago. She looked better, her smile not so strained, eyes lit up and radiant. Her skin was tanned from all those walks in the sun. Clarke determined operation “Sea Lion” a success.
That evening, when they lay in their bed in the Polis tower, Clarke confessed to the whole thing. Lexa’s answer was, “I know, Gaia told me from the beginning. And Luna too.” Then she laughed at Clarke’s incredulous expression. “I stayed ahead of my duties, and Gaia could manage the rest for a few days,” she said.
“But why?”
Lexa shrugged, “You were very cute about it.” At Clarke’s grumbling, she leaned forward and caught Clarke’s lips in a kiss. As she pulled away, she said, “By the way, you are very bad at pretending to be surprised.” She laughed as she dodged the pillow Clarke tossed her way.