The fire crackled in the center of the Trikru camp, casting flickering shadows across Lexa’s face as she sat in quiet contemplation. The weight of leadership always seemed heavier at night, when the world was still, and the silence made room for thoughts that she kept buried during the day.

You approached her cautiously, knowing how rare it was for the Commander to let her guard down, even around those she trusted. Lexa looked up as you neared, her sharp green eyes softening just a fraction when she recognized you. Without a word, she gestured for you to sit beside her, the unspoken bond between you stronger than any words.

For a moment, neither of you spoke, the only sound the crackling of the fire and the distant rustling of the forest. But the silence wasn’t uncomfortable. It was filled with the understanding that had grown between you, forged in battle and tested by the trials you had both faced.

“You’re troubled,” you finally said, breaking the silence. It wasn’t a question. You could see the tension in Lexa’s shoulders, the way her gaze was distant as if she was a thousand miles away, wrestling with decisions that could change the course of history.

Lexa’s eyes flickered to yours, and for a moment, you saw the vulnerable woman behind the Commander’s mask—the one who bore the weight of an entire people on her shoulders, who had made impossible choices to ensure their survival.

“It is the burden of leadership,” she replied, her voice soft but resolute. “Every decision I make affects the lives of those who follow me. There is no room for doubt, no space for fear.”

You reached out, your hand gently brushing against hers. Lexa stiffened at the contact, but she didn’t pull away. Instead, she turned her hand to intertwine her fingers with yours, a rare gesture of intimacy that spoke louder than words.