Chapter 8
When Andes woke up the next morning Clarke had already left the bed. She rolled over onto her back and put her arm across her eyes. Remembering last night, every detail, she wanted to burn it into her brain so she’d never forget. The fact that Clarke was not here, enjoying Andes affection and snuggling, meant one thing. She was going to hold her to that promise, the promise of one night. She sighed, got up, and went to wash up. When she came back out, Clarke had returned.
“Sun’s out, finally.” She said. “Looks like a beautiful day.” She wasn’t sure how awkward this was going to be. She looked at Andes and Andes looked back at her, neither knowing what to say. Clarke decided that she should be the one to break the ice.
“So, last night,” she paused, “was really nice.” Oh god, was that stupid? Nice? She blew your fucking mind Clarke.
Andes knew she was struggling, and decided to help her out. “Look Clarke, I thought last night was fantastic. I realize it was a one night thing, so please, don’t feel like you have to tread lightly around me. Things are fine, let’s just go back to where we were yesterday.”
Clarke let out a big sigh of relief, smiled, “Ok good. And yes, I’m sorry, it was way more than nice, it was pretty unforgettable.” Clarke momentarily got lost in those gray eyes, swimming, the ocean, they were like the ocean. She quickly snapped herself out of it.
“See? That wasn’t hard, was it?” Andes asked. Wondering where Clarke was just then.
“No,“ Clarke laughed, so relieved, she wanted her fun friend back.
“Now, just so we’re clear, I take my promises very seriously. So, if you ever feel the need, for another little episode like last night, it’ll have to come from you. I will lust in silence.”
Clarke laughed again. Things were going to be fine. “Noted.”
“So, let’s get you home. I think we should be at Arkadia by tomorrow.” Clarke agreed, and wondered what would happen once she was home. Would she even see Andes again? The thought of not seeing her again made her sad, and she felt a little ache inside, this one near her heart and not her belly. She would miss her friend, she told herself. She’d have to get Andes to agree to visit so they could hang out. She really wanted her to meet Raven, and her mom, and Octavia, and everybody really.
They left right after breakfast. And things did seem to be back to normal. Andes could control herself, but she did wonder what tonight would bring, their last night together. Clarke was like a burst of sunshine in her life. How would it feel to not see her every day? A lot had happened in their 6 days together. Somehow Clarke became a big part of her life, so quickly. Now she would have to walk away. She never felt lonely in all these years, but the thought of no Clarke made her feel a little lonely. She would probably feel better in week. Being away from her, things will be forgotten, words, kisses, other things. Oh god, she hoped they would be forgotten.
Early afternoon brought a warning bark from Sampson, and Andes pulled Clarke off the trail and behind cover. After a few minutes, they heard voices. Clarke turned her ear to listen, and knew she recognized the voices. “Bellamy!” Clarke got up and ran towards her friends.
“Clarke, oh my god, Clarke?” yelled Octavia, who was there also, along with five others, they all hugged each other. “Where have you been? We’ve been looking all over for you. Everyone has been.”
“Ice nation took me, last week. They have a new king, Roan is gone.”
“Gone?”
“Dead.”
“Oh shit. How did you get away?” Octavia asked.
Clarke turned and looked for Andes, who was leaning against a tree, observing the happy reunion.
“Andes saved me.”
They all turned to look at her. Clarke waved her over, and Andes strode forward and was introduced to everyone. Most just stared at her, she created quite the first impression.
Bellamy was the first to speak, “Andes, thank you so much. Clarke really means a lot to a lot of people.”
“The pleasure was all mine, “ she said, smirking a little in Clarke’s direction.
“What clan are you from?” Octavia asked.
“I live on my own.”
“Oh. Well, you should come back with us, I’m sure we’ll be throwing a big party to welcome this one home, “ she said as she placed her arm around Clarke.
“Thank you, but I’ll pass, this time.”
“Ok, maybe next time then.”
“Absolutely.”
“Well, we should get you back Clarke, your mom has been crazy worried,” O said.
“Yeah, hey, give me a minute, ok? I need to say goodbye.”
“Sure, take your time.”
Clarke turned back to Andes as the others moved back down the trail. They both looked at each other, both at a loss for words. Neither was prepared for it to end this quickly, they both thought they had until tomorrow. Clarke didn’t even know how to say goodbye, she felt a little lump in her throat. The dogs came out of the woods now, sitting waiting for direction. She decided she would say goodbye to them first, giving each a hug, spending a little longer with her buddy Jaks. She stood up finally, looking at Andes.
Andes cleared her throat, “Well, Clarke kom Skaikru, you will be missed. The dogs never get my jokes, “she said, trying to insert a little humor into the moment.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come back with us, for a little bit, spend a day or two?” Andes just shook her head. Clarke reached out and pulled her into a fierce hug.
“Andes, girl from nowhere, I will definitely miss you. Promise me something?” She asked as she pulled back to look at her.
“I don’t think I can take another promise Clarke, “she said, now there was sadness around her eyes. Clarke felt a little piece of her heart break. She decided sad gray eyes were the worst.
“Promise me that you’ll come visit, and promise me that if you ever need anything, I mean anything, you’ll come see me.”
“Anything Clarke?” She asked with a tiny spark returning in her eyes.
Clarke smiled at her, “Anything not already tied to another promise.”
Andes groaned, “I can’t keep up with all these promises Clarke, I’m bound to forget one of them.”
Clarke pulled her back into her embrace, “Promise me.”
“Ok, I promise, when I need sexual release, I will come find you, “ Clarke pulled away from her again, and gave her a bit of a stern look, but she didn’t pull it off, smiling instead.
“See, I’m getting them mixed up already. Maybe I should write them down.” Clarke dropped her arms and smiled at her, taking her last look, committing her to memory.
“May we meet again,” Clarke said, as she extended her forearm, her eyes starting to get moist.
Andes saw that Clarke’s unshed tears made her blue eyes even bluer, she wanted to kiss her, kiss her so bad. She grasped her arm instead, because of that damn promise, “Mebi oso na hit choda op nodotaim , may we meet again.”
And with that, Clarke turned around and headed off down the hill to join her friends. Andes didn’t move, she watched her walk away. The dogs came and leaned against her, sensing her mood, her need for affection. When Clarke got to the bottom of the hill she turned around and looked back up. Andes was still watching her, and Clarke’s breath caught in her throat. She stood tall, shoulders straight, swords at her back, bow around her chest, she was a vision, a beautiful, strong, sexy vision. The dogs standing next to her only added to her mystique. Clarke knew that she would draw this moment, this view, put it on paper. She would draw it and she would have it forever. She raised her hand, and Andes answered in kind. They both turned away at that moment, both wondering if their paths would ever cross again, both hoping they would.