i. troubling tensions

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chapter 1 - troubling tensions

➳ ➳ ➳

"Just like that..." Dakota huffed, while her heart continued beating rapidly from all of the pushing and shoving she had been doing. With a loud *THUD* Octavia was finally pinned down on the mat, for the second time in a row that morning.

Both girls were sweating and out of breath from the little sparring match that they had been at for the past two hours. It had originally started off with them using swords, however, both brunettes soon switched over to hand-to-hand combat instead. There was just something about the subtle touches here and there, and the constant skin contact, that ignited a fire within them and kept them going at it. In all honesty though, they just loved being near each other.

Plus, things have definitely been getting more heated between the two ever since the war at Mount Weather three months ago. Once they had won the battle between Cage and the rest of the Mountain Men, Dakota had ran into the rest of Skaikru, including Octavia, and they all made their way back to Camp Jaha, which was now officially known as Arkadia.

When Octavia saw Kota, she instantly ran over to the girl and embraced her, as she apologized profusely about leaving her behind. Even though it still hurt the grounder girl, she already had time to think the situation over, and as it turns out, she wasn't really mad with Octavia to begin with. She was mostly angry at Clarke and Lexa for chaining her to the bed like she was some sort of criminal. So, Dakota also apologized to the brunette for being so cruel when all Octavia wanted was for her to be alive and safe.

After the group had gotten back from the war, Lexa was there waiting for them, or specifically, Dakota. Clarke chose not to enter camp after being weighed down with tremendous guilt, and everybody else had just walked right past the Commander, however, Kota chose to confront her. Apparently, Lexa had told her the truth and explained how she made a deal with Mount Weather, however, when the Commander returned to free her sister, Dakota was nowhere to be found.

Because of the fact that the grounder girl was still mad at her older sister, she didn't really give her the time of day. So Lexa gracefully accepted the cold shoulder and decided to head back to Polis, the capital. On her way out though, she did leave Dakota with a specific request. Lexa asked that when the girl was finally ready to speak with her, she would join her at Polis, so that Lexa could begin training Kota as her second.

Now that the girl knew where she came from, as well as the fact that she was now an official nightblood, it was crucial that Lexa begin teaching her the ways of a Commander as soon as possible. Especially, because if anything were to happen to her, that would mean that Dakota would be able to claim the throne in her place. But the girl would also have to strengthen her skills in order to win the future conclave, so that it would be considered a fair ascension.

It was all too much for Dakota to handle just after everything that had occurred, so ever since then she had been trying not to think about it. Instead, she had been spending her days growing closer and closer to Octavia, as they both took advantage of the past few seemingly peaceful months.

Dakota was deep in thought as she fought with Octavia, so she was suddenly caught off guard when the brunette flipped her onto her back and pinned her to the ground instead.

"Ouch..." Kota groaned, yet the smile never faltered from her face.

"Ha! I win." Octavia boasted, before she stood up and held her hand out for the girl. "What's with you today? It seems like your mind is elsewhere."

The grounder sighed as she grabbed her towel and water, before resting on the bench. In the corner of the room, she noticed her brother, Lincoln, demonstrating combat with Bellamy. Apparently, he was teaching the members of Skaikru how to fight and defend themselves properly.

"Sorry," Dakota apologized. "I guess I just have a lot on my mind this morning."

Octavia grabbed her hand and squeezed it in assurance. "I can tell. Let me guess, you're debating whether or not you should join your sister at Polis?"

"How'd you know?"

"Because I know you." Octavia smirked. "And I know that you always believe in doing what's right, even though sometimes it's hard for you to determine which way's right and which way's wrong."

Kota sighed, as she watched Lincoln and Bellamy spar. Lincoln hadn't really been speaking with her as much as he used to, and in all honesty, Dakota really appreciated it. She had been trying to avoid him ever since everything went down, because she just needed space to figure herself out. Lincoln completely understood that she needed time to process all of the new information that was given to her, so he let her enjoy her time alone with Octavia. After all, both girls did deserve the small break from life's troubles.

"Does it bother you?" Octavia questioned her, after realizing who she was staring at. "That your brother is basically forgetting the fact that he's a grounder from Trikru, and instead posing as if he's a member of Kane's guards."

Dakota shrugged as she stood up and waited for the brunette to do the same. Together they walked out and headed down the hallway to their shared room. "It doesn't necessarily bother me that he's residing here. I mean, after all that's what I've been doing. Plus, I understand that Lexa now has a kill order on him because he disobeyed her commands and helped you guys fight at Mount Weather. So I'm glad that they can keep him safe here. It's just that, I'm afraid that some of the members here won't ever accept him fully, and it might end up causing problems in the future."

"I get that." Octavia nodded. "I don't know, I guess it just bothers me that he's trying to be one of them when he should be proud of the fact that he's a grounder."

"What? Like you are?" Kota teased, as she bumped her shoulder with the brunette's.

Octavia rolled her eyes and smiled. "Exactly. As a matter of fact, I am a grounder. According to Indra, that is."

"And I am beyond proud of you." Dakota grinned as she wrapped her arms around the girl and kissed her temple. "And you know what else?"

"What?" Octavia asked, as they opened the door to their room.

"You always look amazing no matter what, but I don't know. There's just something about the way you look while dressed in your armor and war paint that reallyβ€”"

"β€”Turns you on?" Octavia finished her sentence, as she wiggled her eyebrows and gave her a seductive look. Dakota didn't even have to respond. She just shut the door with her foot, before quickly shoving Octavia up against it.

They immediately connected their lips in a hungry and heated kiss, that instantly made Octavia moan lightly at the sudden contact. All of the touching and sparring that they had been doing all morning, seemed like it did more than just strengthen their skills. It also strengthened the sexual tension that had been building up and developing between them for a long period of time.

Octavia moved her hands all over Kota's body, while enjoying the feeling of touching each and every inch of her as best she could. The goal of deepening their friendship was completed, and long gone at this point. In fact, it had been achieved ages ago, and they had been dying to reach the next step. One that involved deepening their relationship, by connecting on a level that was much more stronger than just kissing or holding hands.

They had been waiting desperately for the right time in expressing to each other just how much they truly loved and appreciated one another, but the moment was always delayed. Whether it was by being interrupted by more stressful matters, or just not having anymore alone time since the day they first met and were acquainted. Either way, at that moment in time, it seemed like there was nothing that could prevent them from finally being together.

Octavia slowly ran her tongue against Dakota's bottom lip, asking for entrance, and when the girl didn't hesitate to accept it, the brunette chose that opportunity to flip them around and pin her to the door instead. A slight gasp escaped from Kota's mouth at the new position, but she just pulled Octavia closer and pressed her body flush against hers. She then helped Octavia out of her tank top, before pulling her own shirt up and over her head.

She tossed the article of clothing to the ground, while Octavia took off her bra as well. Their lips instantly met once more, and Dakota was the one to let out a moan when Octavia started grinding her hips against hers. They both unbuttoned each other's pants, before Dakota grabbed the brunette by her hips and picked her up. Which then allowed Octavia to wrap her legs around Kota's waist, while she carried her over to their bed.

She laid Octavia against the cool sheetsβ€”that were a soothing contrast from the warm temperature of their bodiesβ€”before she lowered her head and began peppering kisses alongside the brunette's jawline, down to her collarbone. She then sat up and pulled her pants down, before tossing them onto the floor and leaning back down. The feeling of Dakota's tongue meeting her skin made Octavia bite her lip in satisfaction, and she couldn't help but dig her nails into the grounder girl's back, which was surely going to leave a mark. But that didn't matter to Dakota one bit. Especially when she was leaving marks of her own on the brunette's neck and chest.

Besides, if you knew Dakota at all, then you would more than likely remember that the girl always did enjoy wearing her scars with pride. And that meant that she would continue to do so, no matter where they came from, or who gave them to her...

➳ ➳ ➳

"Quitting so soon?" Lincoln questioned the freckled boy, as he grabbed his bottle of water. They had just finished fighting one another, which ended with Lincoln explaining to the onlookers how he was able to win the last match.

"Mapping run. Sector 7." Bellamy explained, putting on his shirt. "Harper, let's get this over with." The girl nodded, before tossing Lincoln a guard's jacket. "The council wants you to have that."

"I'm Trikru." Lincoln reminded him.

"A uniform doesn't change that. This is our home now, Lincoln. We fought for it. Too many of our friends died for it." He faced the small crowd. "On the Ark, the uniform meant something different. Down here, it means what we make it mean. Together." Bellamy then looked towards Lincoln once more. "Dakota and my sister will understand that eventually."

Lincoln nodded and told the others to pair up and fight, while he continued speaking with Bellamy. "So, Sector 7? That puts you right at the Ice Nation border."

"I know."

"Just because Azgeda is part of the Commander's coalition doesn't mean they respect the ceasefire. I should be on that scout."

"I wish." Bellamy sighed. "We all do. But until the Commander agrees to lift the kill order on you...you're more trouble than you're worth."

With that, Bellamy left the sparring room, and quickly found Kane writing down notes on a large board of the surrounding areas, that they had mapped out over the past few months. He noticed Abby sleeping on the couch in the back of the room, so he entered quietly.

"This is the first sleep the Chancellor's had in two days." Kane informed him.

"I'll be quick, then." Bellamy informed him. "We're going into Sector 7. I think we should arm the entire unit."

"Permission granted. But the rules of engagement still apply. Non-lethal response."

"Copy that." The boy turned to leave, but Kane stopped him.

"Bellamy..." He paused. "There hasn't been an attack since Mount Weather. That's three months. Our people believe that this is real peace. Try not to screw that up."

"Yes, Sir." Bellamy nodded. He finally left the room, just as Abby was waking up from her much needed rest.

"He's come a long way." She noted, as she sat up and stretched her back.

"It's a work in progress." Kane smiled.

"I was dreaming we were on the Ark." She told him, exhaustedly. "Before we sent the kids down." She then released a heavy sigh, and made her way over to examine the map on the board. "Maybe she's in Sector 7."

"We could send out another search party."

"They wouldn't find her," Abby shook her head. "Not unless she's ready to be found."

When Sergeant Miller entered the room, Abby dismissed herself to check on her patients.

"Sir, we just got a signal on a secure channel." The older Miller informed him. "Three clicks."

"Three clicks?" Kane repeated, as he grabbed his jacket. "She wants to meet." He realized, and followed the man out of the room.

➳ ➳ ➳

"I've always liked your tattoos." Octavia spoke softly, as she admired the grounder girl's unclothed body. "Do they mean something?"

Dakota ran her fingers through Octavia's long and messy hair, as she smiled contently. "The flock of birds on my rib cage represent freedom. They were actually the first markings I chose, because I was feeling so trapped and caged in at that period of my life. I remember just laying in my tent one day after Lincoln had left me to tend to his post, and I was just thinking about the miserable life that I lived. I mean, I now know why Lincoln was so protective over me, but that doesn't make all those moments any less lonely. I had wanted things to change so badly, and I remember on that day in my tent, I was just listening to the birds chirp outside. It was almost like they were mocking me." She chuckled. "But then I realized that it was me who just envied them. I hated the fact that they could fly around freely all day and I couldn't do the same."

"Wow..." Octavia sighed. "That's pretty depressing, not gonna lie."

Dakota laughed, before turning to her side and allowing the girl to see the design running down her spine. "This tattoo is a design I drew myself. At first, it just looks like a bunch of random shapes, but if you stare at it hard enough you can see the outlines of the sun, moon, and stars."

"You're right..." Octavia grinned. "I can see it. That's beautiful."

Dakota turned back around and looked her in the eyes. "I had always admired all of the beauty that resided in the sky above us. Especially, when I was younger. It's no wonder why I was so drawn to you when we first met. You were like my own fallen star."

"You're so cheesy." Octavia chuckled, making her laugh. She then trailed her hand down Dakota's abdomen soothingly. Her fingers suddenly brushed lightly over the risen skin that had whitened overtime, from a scar that would most likely never fade. She looked up at Kota, who gave her a sympathetic look.

"Sorry, if it's an eyesore." She apologized, shyly. "That was from the incident with the Azgeda warrior that occurred when I was younger. You know, the one that literally changed my fate?"

Octavia's eyes softened, as she lowered her head and gently placed small kisses along that scar. "I think it's beautiful." She told her, truthfully. "And I know you do too. Scars show us what we've survived, and that makes them a special part of who we are."

Dakota smiled at that, before grabbing her face to connect their lips once more. This one was much more slow and loving, and they just took their time enjoying each other's presence for as long as they could. Who knew when they would have another opportunity to do so again. Octavia bit Kota's bottom lip as she finally leaned away from her face and sat up.

"What are you doing?" Dakota wondered.

Octavia only smirked, before sitting up and straddling her waist. "Shouldn't I get a turn to show you just how much I love you?" She asked, innocently, although the seductive look on her face showed the complete opposite of innocence. "We still have a few more minutes before we have to leave with Bellamy and the others."

Octavia proceeded in lowering herself agonizingly slow, causing Dakota to drown in anticipation. Like she already mentioned, when was a young girl, she had always enjoyed looking up at the night sky and admiring the view. Most of the time it was either clear skies or cloudy ones due to the amount of lingering radiation, so the grounder girl really didn't get to see much of space besides the moon.

However, in that moment, as the two girls embraced each other on a level that was filled with so much love and pleasure, let's just say that Dakota was more than ready to finally see the stars.

Metaphorically, of course...

___________

Bellamy entered the station and found Monty sitting down at a table, looking both sympathetic, yet frustrated. "Monty, why aren't you ready?" He questioned him.

"I am." The boy sighed, before turning around and motioning behind him. "He's not."

Bellamy furrowed his eyebrows, and followed his gaze to where a motionless Jasper was lying on the ground, halfway under an old piano, with an empty cup perched up on his chest.

"What should we do?" Monty asked, as they both stared at the grieving and more than likely hungover, version of Jasper.

"We should leave him this time."

"He's not getting better. Maya's death broke him. He needs this."

"Take an arm." Bellamy exhaled, after a moment of contemplation. Together, they lifted up Jasper and dragged him over to the rover. "Monty, he's all yours." He stated, before heading off to speak with his most recent fling. When he came back, Miller had already arrived with some weapons.

"What's the point if we can't shoot 'em?" He questioned Bellamy.

"We can." He replied, as he loaded up the rover. "Just not to kill. That goes for everyone. Where's Kota and Octavia?"

"Oh, they're just running a little late." Miller smirked, knowingly. "Besides, we're going outside the wall. You honestly think they'd miss that?"

They all piled in the rover, and Raven opened the garage door to see Octavia already saddled up on a brown horse, and Dakota saddled up on a black one.

"Guess we found them." Miller smiled.

"Try and keep up." Octavia called out to them, before her and Dakota led their horses out of the gates of Arkadia, with the rover following closely behind.

➳ ➳ ➳

Dakota and Octavia's horses galloped along the open fields, as the girls themselves enjoyed the freeing sensation. It was a sunny day, the wind was blowing in their hair, and they were with some of their closest friends. They continued to steal small glances and knowing smirks at each other, as the rover behind them started blasting music over the radio.

The beat was definitely a new melody to Kota, given the fact that she hadn't heard any music from the people that were left behind years ago. However, she heard the out-of-key vocals coming from her friends that

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