lexa had forbidden her from fighting. "you are too valuable," she'd said, her voice firm but laced with a tenderness y/n cherished. "i will not risk losing you."

the din of battle still rang in y/n's ears, a chaotic symphony of clashing metal and desperate cries.

she leaned heavily against a gnarled tree, the rough bark digging into her back, trying to catch her breath.

the skaikru had been fierce, their weapons deadly, but the grounders had held their ground.

y/n's side throbbed with a dull ache, a constant reminder of the searing pain that had ripped through her during the thick of the fight.

a glancing blow from a blade, she suspected. nothing fatal, but deep enough to be troublesome.

she pressed a hand to the wound, wincing as her fingers came away stained crimson.

she had to stop the bleeding, and fast. but more importantly, she had to hide it.

lexa had been adamant: y/n was not to fight. it was too dangerous, she had said, her voice laced with a protectiveness that both warmed and frustrated y/n.

but y/n had refused to stay behind, her loyalty to her people, and to lexa, too strong to ignore.

she had slipped into the ranks unnoticed, fighting alongside her fellow warriors.

now, she risked lexa's wrath.

she ripped a strip of cloth from her gown, wincing as she tied it tightly around her waist, hoping to staunch the flow of blood.

it was a crude bandage, but it would have to do.

she took a deep breath, trying to compose herself.

she couldn't let lexa see her like this, wounded and vulnerable. lexa had enough to worry about, leading the coalition, navigating the treacherous politics of the clans.

she didn't need the added burden of y/n's recklessness.

as she started to walk towards the command tent, she saw lexa in the distance, her figure silhouetted against the flickering firelight.

her heart pounded in her chest.

lexa turned, her eyes scanning the battlefield. she stopped when she saw y/n, her expression softening slightly.

"y/n," she said, her voice a low murmur. "i told you to stay back."

y/n forced a smile, trying to appear nonchalant. "i'm fine, lexa. just checking on the wounded."

lexa's eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing. "you're hurt."

it wasn't a question.

y/n's carefully constructed facade crumbled. she looked down, unable to meet lexa's gaze.

"it's nothing," she mumbled. "just a scratch."

lexa stepped closer, her hand reaching out to gently lift y/n's chin. "let me see."