the grand hall of Polis was alive with music and light, a far cry from the tense atmosphere you were used to in your dealings with the Grounders. Tonight, the air was different—softer, more celebratory. Lexa had organized a gala, a rare event meant to foster peace between the clans and to welcome you officially as the Sky People’s ambassador. It was the first time you had seen Polis like this, transformed into a place of elegance and grandeur.

you stood at the entrance, your breath catching as you looked around. your usual battle gear had been replaced with a stunning dress—flowing, deep blue, the color reminding you of the sky at twilight. It wasn’t your usual style, but for the first time in a long while, you didn’t feel like a warrior or a leader. you felt… different. Almost vulnerable in the delicate fabric, like you were showing a part of yourself that you usually kept hidden.

as you stepped into the hall, the room quieted, just for a moment. Eyes turned to you, whispers exchanged, but you barely noticed. your focus was on one person. Lexa.

the Commander stood at the far end of the room, surrounded by her advisors and some of the clan leaders. Her usual armor had been replaced with elegant, ceremonial attire—still fierce, but regal, with intricate details woven into the dark fabric. But it wasn’t the attire that caught your breath. It was the way Lexa looked at you.

the night wore on, and the two found you drawn into different conversations, each pulled in different directions by their roles. But no matter where you stood, you could always feel lexa nearby, a silent reassurance in the midst of political discussions and tense negotiations. Every so often, your eyes would meet across the room, and you would feel the pull again, a connection that seemed to defy everything around you.

as the night grew darker, you found yourself standing on one of the balconies, looking out over polis. The city lights flickered below. but something felt of.

a sudden, sharp noise came from within the hall.