the crowd gathered in the arena was a mass of tense energy, their cheers and shouts creating a thunderous noise that seemed to vibrate through your bones. you stood on the edge of the crowd, your eyes glued to the center of the fighting pit where lexa and roan circled each other, weapons drawn. your stomach twisted with anxiety. lexa was fighting for the honor of the Grounders, for her people, and perhaps most terrifyingly, for her life.

you couldn’t shake the sickening feeling in your gut. It was more than just concern for lexa‘s safety—it was the argument you had earlier that morning, harsh words exchanged in anger. lexa had wanted to fight roan herself, determined to show her people that she was strong, that she could still command their respect. you had begged her to reconsider, but lexa‘s resolve had been unshakable. although you worry about her you are still mad at her, really mad.

now, as dou watched the fight unfold, your heart pounded in your chest. The spear in lexa‘s hand flashed as she parried one of roan‘s powerful strikes, her movements fluid and graceful. But you saw the toll it was taking. Roan was strong, relentless, and despite Lexa’s skill, she was tiring.

you shoved past a few Grounders, earning sharp looks, but you didn’t care. your pulse quickened as you moved closer to the edge of the fighting circle, close enough now that you could see the strain in Lexa’s face, the sweat dripping down her brow.

and then, as if lexa could feel your presence, your eyes met, lexa turned around and nodded at you.

for a brief moment, the chaos of the fight faded. lexa‘s gaze softened as she spotted you pushing through the crowd, her lips twitching into the faintest smile. It was an unspoken moment of gratitude—lexa was glad you were there. Even after your argument, even with everything on the line.

but then your eyes widened in horror.

“lexa!”

your voice rang out, panic lacing your words.

roan had taken advantage of lexa‘s brief moment of distraction and lunged forward.