Chapter Text
Lexa held the bouquet of flowers behind her back, knocking on the apartment door with a few swings of her free hand.
She took a breath in the pause while someone shuffled on the other side of the door to open in it.
This apartment was interesting for her.
It was first and foremost, her shared home with Clarke.
But it held many important memories for her, mostly of their first year of college together, now coming to a close.
She remembered how thrilled Clarke was, when she first opened the door to find Lexa waiting for her, on the other side.
Lexa smiled simply in memory of Clarke’s grin, and swore to herself that whatever it took, she was going to make Clarke feel like that every day for the rest of their lives.
She found that this year had mostly been comprised of self-discovery, and soul searching. While that was all well and good, one thing remained an ever constant presence in her life: Clarke.
Clarke Abigail Griffin, her girlfriend, her chosen life partner, her best friend.
They were going to stand the test of time, of stress, of peer pressures, of work, money, and all the little obstacles that ate away at other relationships.
This year had only made Lexa more certain, and with recent developments and Ilian’s impending doom?
It was looking to be quite the finale to a year’s worth of enduring.
So the flowers behind her back were sort of a celebratory gesture.
The door swung open, and Abby Griffin was leaning against the doorway.
“Hi honey.” She gushed, ever warm and loving, just as Clarke was.
Lexa smiled as Abby enveloped her in a tight hug, closing her eyes and gently rocking Lexa back and forth.
“Hi, Abby.” Lexa murmured. “Great to see you.”
“I know, I missed you two.” Abby sighed, leaning back. “How’ve you been, honey? God, I don’t know if it’s possible, but I think you put on more muscle since Christmas break.”
Lexa blushed slightly, and Abby glanced at her flowers with a little motherly smirk.
“Big plans, Woods?” She teased.
Lexa smiled, straightening up. “I’m asking Clarke on a date.” She clarified, and Abby’s heart melted.
“That is so sweet. You still do that? With flowers? No wonder she’s crazy about you.” Abby chuckled.
Lexa grinned. “It’s a surprise.”
“Clarke, honey. There’s someone here to see you!” Abby called, leaning back.
“Coming!” Clarke called back, likely from the bedroom.
“How long will you be staying?” Lexa asked politely.
“The conference is over by the end of the week. But don’t worry, I’ll be in a hotel.” Abby winked.
Lexa blushed. “You’re more than welcome to-”
“Oh, don’t worry about it.” Abby laughed. “Sorry to open your own door on you, by the way.”
Lexa smiled genuinely. “It’s alright. We missed you.”
Abby sighed and kissed Lexa’s head once more. “I’ll be moving down soon, I think.”
“Mom?” Clarke questioned. “I didn’t expect-”
“Lexa Woods is here to ask you out on a date!” Abby teased, as if it were their first date all over again.
Clarke feigned a gasp. “ The Lexa Woods?” She mocked, coming around the corner.
Lexa rolled her eyes playfully, and Clarke practically danced into her arms.
“Hey, baby.” Clarke whispered against her lips. “How was your meeting?”
“Good.” Lexa answered softly. “Just stuff about next season.”
She brandished the flowers from behind her back. “These are for you.”
Clarke blushed, accepting the flowers from Lexa with a soft gasp. “Seriously?”
“I meant it, I’m asking you on a date.”
“You don’t need to ask, you know.”
“I like wooing you.” Lexa replied, detaching as Clarke moved to put the flowers in a vase, after grazing the apple of Lexa’s cheek with a kiss.
Lexa watched her moved with a bounce in her step, and it played at her heartstrings, the way Clarke was happy, again.
She’d missed that.
Abby had retired to the living room, reading a magazine with curious interest, and Clarke tugged Lexa over to the couch where she was sitting.
Clarke plopped down in between her mother, and where she’d just sat Lexa, sighing happily. She’d missed not having to miss her family. The Delinkru were all in LA, her mother was visiting, and she and Lexa were more than perfect.
It was truly all she wanted.
“Hey, you two.” Abby smiled, setting her magazine aside.
The three curled up on the couch, Clarke sandwiched between Lexa and Abby, possibly the happiest person in the world, in that moment.
Lexa moved to speak, and then seemed to think better of it, biting her tongue.
It was, however, enough for Clarke to notice, since she was so perfectly in tune with Lexa’s actions.
“What is it, Lex?” She nudged Lexa, and Abby glanced up curiously.
“I...nevermind.” Lexa tried softly.
Clarke’s brow furrowed, and then her eyes lit up with a certain realization. “Lex. I told my mom, it’s alright.”
Lexa blinked, her mind flipping back to the Ilian debacle. “You...you did?”
“Yeah.” Clarke sighed, glancing at Abby.
Abby looked as lethally pissed as Lexa, when Ilian was mentioned. “I still think you should nail the son of a bitch, Lexa. But Clarke told me that wasn’t an option.”
Lexa nodded, tightening her grip on Clarke slightly, protectiveness practically seeping from her being itself.
“You’re not...angry with us?” Lexa asked softly.
Abby shook her head. “I think...parenting isn’t always about reprimand. You’re not little children, and there’s no need to scold you. I’m just sorry that I can protect you from the...awful people you’re going to encounter in this lifetime. And...I’m sorry I wasn’t here, for support, at the very least.”
Clarke turned, hugging her mother tightly. “Mom. It’s okay, Lexa and I talked it out. We’re all going to be fine.”
“Oh, I have no doubt about that.” Abby smiled, closing her eyes, savoring the feel of Clarke in her arms. “You two have grown a lot, it seems.”
Clarke exchanged a glance with Lexa, who gave her a knowing look and the hint of a supportive smile.
“You know, I remember your first few weeks dating.” Abby added, smirking as Clarke stiffened.
“Mom, please don’t-”
“Clarke would dance around the house in your letterman jacket. She’d run down the stairs in about seventy different outfits every day and ask, would Lexa like this? It was adorable, really.”
Lexa wiggled her eyebrows. “Oh, you did ?” She drawled. “Sounds lame, Clarke.”
Abby laughed, and then doubled back for the kill. “Oh, but let’s not forget Commander Lexa. You’d come into my office, bruised and battered, because you stared too long and hard at Clarke on the sidelines, and got sacked. In practice.”
Lexa turned beet red. “I…” She stammered.
Clarke grinned, poking her side. “Who’s lame now?”
Lexa rolled her eyes, and Clarke pulled her close, sighing.
“I missed having everyone together.”
“Lexa?”
“Clarke?”
“What should I wear?” Clarke called from the bedroom, where she was watching Lexa come out of the shower, eyes feasting on her girlfriend.
Wet hair, with just a towel around her.
Clarke was entranced, to say the least.
“Whatever you like.” Lexa answered, droplets of water clinging to her lashes.
“Where are we going?” Clarke whined.
Lexa pursed her lips amusedly. “Not telling.” She replied. “\
Clarke hopped off the bed, going to push Lexa against the counter, pinning her. “Answers, Woods.”
Lexa chuckled, leaning back relaxedly. “Why are you so eager?”
“I want to make sure I look as good as you.” Clarke countered.
“You are the most stunning person on Earth. What you wear doesn’t change that. But I do recommend boots and long pants. And a good jacket.”
Clarke blinked. “...Okay…” She drawled. “That tells me absolutely nothing.”
Lexa smirked. “I said as much.”
“You’re insufferable.”
“Oh, I am? Why do you look like you want to kiss me?” Lexa teased in a whisper, leaning forward.
“Because I do.” Clarke admitted, swallowing the lump in her throat. “God, you’re ethereal.”
Lexa blushed, and Clarke leaned forward, connecting their lips in the softest of kisses.
Lexa wound her arms around Clarke’s neck, sighing blissfully into their kiss.
“I love you.” Lexa murmured.
It was soft, and inviting.
“I love you more.” Clarke teased, tugging softly at her lower lip.
Lexa shook her head in protest, pressing her forehead to Clarke’s.
“We’re going to be late for our date.” Clarke mumbled, distracted.
Lexa nodded, leaning back. “Sometimes I hate that I make plans.”
“Plans other than sex?” Clarke prodded, poking her right in the abs, gaping in appreciating when the towel fell.
“Is that all I am, to you? A hot little piece?” Lexa sniffed.
“Whoah. Lex.” Clarke paused, caressing her cheek. “You’re so much more to me.”
Lexa’s smile was softened.
“You’re also a great furnace for when it’s cold in bed.” Clarke shrugged.
“You ass.” Lexa laughed, picking up the towel and slapping Clarke’s side with it, careful not to hurt her.
“Since we’re feeling nostalgic…” Clarke smirked. “Thought you should get a taste of what Lexa Woods was like in high school.”
“I have to admit.” Lexa pressed up against Clarke, stealing her breath away. “It is attractive.”
Clarke rolled her eyes, leaning back. “I’m going to go put clothes on.”
“Why? They’ll just be on my floor later tonight.” Lexa teased, winking at Clarke to finish exaggerating her point.
“That line is...starkly less... fetching when you realize your floor is my floor and it’ll be on there anyway.” Clarke shot back cheekily, leaving Lexa to grin after her.
“So…” Clarke drawled. “The beach?”
“Clarke, are you still trying to guess?” Lexa smirked, steering the wheel with ease, her right hand laced with Clarke’s.
Their favorite position, in the car, it seemed.
“Well, we passed everything else I can think of.” Clarke shrugged. “And we have a big day tomorrow, what with the revenge plan. So I know we’re not going anywhere outlandish.”
“Sherlock, take it easy, will you?” Lexa teased. “It’s just a date.”
“I like guessing.”
“I know, you have a beautifully creative and inquisitive mind.” Lexa murmured.
Clarke gasped slightly, leaning back.
Lexa always caught her off guard with the sweetest compliments.
“You have to go and throw a wrench into our banter and make me fall in love with you all over again, don’t you?” Clarke whispered.
Lexa responded by bringing Clarke’s hand to her lips, pressing a kiss to it.
“I know!” Clarke yelped suddenly. “The mountains! Our hiking spot!”
Lexa grinned. “Smart and beautiful. I’m a lucky woman.” She praised and Clarke blushed.
“Hey, Lex?” Clarke asked, after a moment of rubbing her thumb over Lexa’s hand.
“Love?” Lexa answered, steering the car up the now familiar path.
“I feel selfish now, because I never got the chance to ask you how you felt.” Clarke murmured, motioning with her hands. “With….all that happened. I mean, your privacy was invaded, too. And in a way, if you hadn’t been involved, this wouldn’t have happened to me. Or, it wouldn’t have been as big of a deal. But you’re...god, you’re gonna be a star.” Clarke pressed her free hand to her cheek in shock. “I just...that’s a lot.”
Lexa nodded slowly, pulling the car to a stop.
“Does it overwhelm you?” Lexa asked.
Clarke frowned. “I thought we weren’t going to make it about me, this time?”
Lexa sighed. “It is about you.”
“It’s about you, Lex. About what you want and how you feel.” Clarke pressed. “This is the one conversation we haven’t had yet, and before I go out there and spoil our date, I think we should have it.”
Lexa pulled her keys from the ignition, sighing.
“I want whatever makes you happy and keeps us together.”
“I told you I was with you till the end, but not if it means keeping you from your dreams, Lex. Do you understand that?” Clarke continued.
“Clarke.” Lexa rubbed her temples. “The stardom...is...I like it. I’ve always liked it. I like being recognized for what I do, I never had that at home. I don’t like the invasive aspects of it, but-”
“I know you like the attention.” Clarke nudged her playfully. “You don’t have to tell me.”
Lexa swallowed the lump in her throat. “I don’t like it more than you, though.”
Clarke shook her head. “Who said it had to be mutually exclusive, Lex? I’m not asking you to choose.”
Lexa smiled sadly. “You’re not, but I don’t want to put you in that position, Clarke.”
“Then don’t.” Clarke whispered, grabbing her chin.
“You’re always going to come first.” Lexa promised, solemn and true.
“I appreciate that.” Clarke tilted her chin down, eye to eye with Lexa. “But I want you to know that I love you, and I’m along for the ride. Okay?”
“Okay.” Lexa nodded in agreement, licking her lips.
“...And it’s cool, dating a celebrity...to-be.” Clarke teased, deciding to lighten the mood. “Will you sign my boobs? Let me take a selfie with you?”
Lexa rolled her eyes, her chuckle breaking the relative silence.
“I’m not a celebrity to you, Griffin.”
“That’s right. You’re just Lexa. My favorite person on Earth.” Clarke whispered. “Now, sorry for distracting you. Shall we?”
Lexa kissed her softly, nodding once before stepping out.
“I think this is one of my favorite things to do with you.” Clarke admitted, absolutely wrapped up in Lexa’s arms and several blankets, under the night sky.
Black velvet turned dark blue at its corners, where specks of light dappled the sky, high and far off from the city’s intrusive lights, creating an atmosphere of peace, and serenity.
“Blowing off our responsibilities for stargazing?” Lexa quipped.
“Yes.” Clarke smiled, enjoying the soft sensation of Lexa’s fingers tracing little circles into her hand, where they were intertwined.
“We should do it more often, then.” Lexa sighed loftily. “I’m thinking, when we buy our mansion, because god knows I’m not living in another apartment-”
“Spoiled brat.” Clarke quipped.
“Clarke, I can hear our neighbors having sex.” Lexa grimaced.
Clarke smirked. “Well, two counter-points. Firstly- we’re all college students, so that’s really only a problem here.”
“What, real adults don’t have sex?” Lexa scoffed.
“Not six times a day, seven days a week.”
“That’s a nice batting average.”
“Such a jock.” Clarke rolled her eyes.
“Your second point?”
“They can hear us, too.”
“Is that supposed to be a turn on? Because it is.”
“I’m just saying, I can see you buying a penthouse.” Clarke prodded her side, eliciting a little giggle from Lexa.
“Is that what you’d like?” Lexa purred.
“Oh no you don’t. Wherever we live, I’m paying half the rent.” Clarke scolded. “That’s our deal.”
“Well, that tears my plan of buying an island.” Lexa sighed in faux disappointment.
“Yeah, yeah.” Clarke waved her off. “Just wait till my art career takes off. You’ll be my trophy wife.”
Lexa smirked, nuzzling Clarke affectionately. “The confidence is attractive, Griffin.”
“It feels good, too. Might not happen, but it doesn’t hurt to believe it could.”
“Of course it’ll happen.” Lexa tsked. “Your work speaks for itself. It helped me fall in love with you.”
“It did?”
“Clarke, there’s a piece of your soul in every single brushstroke. And, I don’t know if you know this, but your soul is the brightest, most vibrant and breathtaking thing I’ve ever known. So, yes, you will be successful, and yes, it’s part of why I fell for you so quickly.”
Clarke glanced up at Lexa, tears glistening in her eyes. “Sweet Talker.” She whispered fondly, brushing a strand of hair behind Lexa’s ear.
Lexa pressed a kiss to her forehead, arms tightening around Clarke ever so slightly, bringing her impossibly closer.
“Another year of our lives, just…” Clarke made a flitting motion with her hand.
“A little more drama filled than I would’ve liked.” Lexa replied with a nod. “I wish I could just...slow things down. Football, the company, they were all distractions from you.”
“Oh, all other aspects of life are just a distraction from me, are they?” Clarke teased, slipping her cold hands under Lexa’s clothes, reveling in the warmth.
“Absolutely.” Lexa nodded seriously.
“I sure know how to pick ‘em.” Clarke cooed, softly dragging her nails along Lexa’s abs.
Lexa glanced up at the stars, twinkling along the dark thread of the night sky, and then back at Clarke, with a similar sort of adoration and fascination.
“Can I tell you what I imagine, for our future?”
Clarke pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth. “I’d love to hear it.”
Lexa took a breath, as if to finalize her thoughts.
“Things are going to fall into place so perfectly.” She promised. “Three more years of college, and now that we know the ropes, it’s going to be so much easier. No more extra work, no more weeks without exchanging more than a few words, none of that.” Lexa gushed, and Clarke was enthralled by her words. “Then, graduation. You will be working full time for gallery commissions by that point, make no mistake, Clarke Abigail Griffin.”
“And you.” Clarke countered, pride dripping from every word. “Alexandria Anastasia Woods, NFL draft, first pick, playing for…. Los Angeles? ” Clarke guessed.
“If I have a say in that.” Lexa replied mirthfully.
“Baby, I’d follow you if you got a job in Texas.”
Lexa’s brows shot up. “That might be the most romantic thing anyone’s ever said to me.”
Clarke laughed, throwing her head back, and it was a beautiful sound. “I’m all in.”
Lexa smiled, and blushed hard when Clarke leaned forward, sucking her bottom lip into a kiss.
Lexa whined softly, and Clarke leaned back.
“Sorry. I’ll have fun with you after. Please, finish your story.” Clarke motioned with a smile.
Lexa looked flustered. “Where...where was I?”
“Graduation.”
“Right.” Lexa grinned. “Let’s say I’m in the NFL and you’re an artist. We’ll go on a house hunt, you and I. Several. We’ll buy houses across the globe.”
“You’re a spoiled little monster, aren’t you?” Clarke quipped.
“I’ll have worked for it all, myself.” Lexa nodded proudly.
“Oh, question.” Clarke pressed.
“Yes, love.”
“Will you kneel at your games?”
“Obviously.”
“What if they threaten to kick you off?”
“Clarke, if I play the way I intend to, the whole damn administration will be kneeling.”
“Oh. I think I just developed a crush on you.”
Lexa laughed softly, kissing Clarke’s cheek lazily.
“Okay, sorry for the interruptions, Lex. Then what?”
“Then we get our glamorous house, we have our fun years, and then… kids.” She glanced at Clarke quickly. “That’s still on the agenda, right?”
“Mhmm.” Clarke hummed. “A little Lexa is the plan.”
“What about a little Clarke?” Lexa pouted.
“Will you carry?”
“If my career allows, I don’t see why not.”
“Then you can have a say.” Clarke teased, pressing herself against Lexa, enticing her with a kiss. “Sounds like quite a plan, baby.”
“I’m excited.” Lexa admitted, giddy like an adorable school child, and Clarke grinned, pulling her down for a kiss.
“I love you. So, so much.” Clarke mumbled.
“I love you too, Clarke. More than you can imagine.” Lexa replied, sliding her hands against Clarke’s hips, eliciting a whine from the blonde.
“And it all starts with tomorrow night.”
“Woods. Just one more, please.”
“Jordan. I signed twelve tshirts already.”
“Please.” Jasper whined. “Your signature is gonna age like a fine wine, and daddy needs his money to fuel the kush business.”
Lexa glared, as if personally attacked. “Did you just call yourself daddy ?”
Raven snorted. “More like... nephew. Anya, though? Daddy .”
Anya choked on her drink in the living room, where Goose was cuddling into her lap.
“Lincoln? Daddy.” Raven nodded approvingly.
“....Thank you.” Lincoln politely mumbled while Octavia glared.
“Woods? Daddy as fuck .” Raven smirked.
Lexa froze, blush tinting her cheeks, when she felt arms wrap around her waist from behind, accompanied by the sweet scent of wafting perfume.
“Don’t use that term on my girlfriend, it’s too...gross.” Clarke chided playfully, kissing Lexa’s shoulder in greeting.
Lexa turned and gasped, eyes taking in Clarke in her evening dress for the gallery event, looking gorgeous as ever.
Lexa slowly brought her fingers up to trace Clarke’s cheek, murmuring, “My god, you’re heavenly.”
Raven smirked once more. “See, Jas? That’s why you can’t keep a girl.”
Murphy grinned like a shark from his seat. “What did he say to that one girl he was trying to take to prom?”
Bellamy began laughing, almost choking on his words. “He said, damn, you know what’d look good on you? Me.”
“Remember when she snapped his goggles?” Monty laughed. “I could hear his brain rattling around in there.”
Clarke and Lexa were oblivious to them, foreheads pressed together, simply basking in each other’s presence.
“...Seriously?” Raven grimaced. “No one else thinks it's weird that they just...do that?”
“Not all of us are emotionally constipated.” Clarke fired back loftily, earning a grin from Lexa.
“Down, girl.” Anya cooed, and Raven shrugged, going to sit in Anya’s lap.
“Are we all ready for tonight?” Lexa asked, turning to the room, her arms wrapped around Clarke’s waist, chin resting on Clarke’s head.
“Of course the Commander is taking charge.” Murphy smirked. “What do you say we get these two meatheads-” He jerked his head at Bellamy and Lincoln, “to hold him upside down. You and Anya can beat on him, and we call it a day.”
Lexa licked her lips, as if considering the proposition.
“Lex.” Clarke turned to glance up at her, stirring her from her reverie.
Lexa kissed her head in reassurance. “We’re sticking to the plan. Everyone know what they’re doing?”
“Yes.”
“Yeah.”
“Yup.”
“Mhmm.”
“Sure.”
“Kinda.”
“Probably.”
“Wait, what was the question?”
“Yes, baby.”
Lexa nodded. “And you all brought your formal wear? It is Clarke’s big night.”
Clarke blushed. “It’s not. I don’t even have a piece to present to Dante. It’s actually supposed to be Ilian’s big night.”
Lexa smirked. “We’ll see.”
“Why don’t you have a piece, Clarke?” Octavia asked curiously.
“With all that happened I just...got too distracted. I was so busy working on the piece we need to make this plan work, I didn’t have time to pour my heart into another one.” Clarke sighed.
“Why not turn in an old piece?” Bellamy suggested.
“I can’t. I don’t have any old pieces worth turning in, here. The last good one is back in Arkadia. If I thought ahead, I’d have asked my mom to bring it.” Clarke sighed.
Lexa frowned. “Clarke, if you told me, I’d have paid to have it shipped out here on time.”
Clarke smiled, stroking Lexa’s cheek. “Thanks, Lex. But it’s alright, I didn’t think about it.”
Lexa sighed, and then dodged a pillow hurled at her by Anya.
She glared, and whipped around, to find her cousin smirking.
“Sorry. It was getting too cheesy in here.” She shrugged, enjoying the way Lexa flipped her off with a twinkle in her eye.
“Reminds me of our second date. Or...our third?” Clarke thought aloud, as she and Lexa approached the gallery, hand in hand. “Remember when you threatened Cage?”
Lexa grinned. “He was a small fry. It was child’s play.”
“That was so hot.” Clarke gushed. “I think I went home after that and had to get myself off-”
“Really?” Lexa’s brows shot up and she froze in place.
Clarke blushed. “Too much information? I probably-”
Lexa’s smirk was Clarke’s answer.
“Oh my god, seriously? Wipe your ego off your face.” Clarke grinned, linking their hands back together.
“I didn’t know you-”
“Of course I did.” Clarke rolled her eyes. “And I’m betting you did, too.”
“Well, yeah -”
“Great. There’s my mom so please...let’s change the subject.” Clarke winked and Lexa laughed, following along.
“Hey, mom!” Clarke greeted as they neared the entrance of the gallery, lit and decadent. Herds of people in their fine clothes and jewelry trickled in and out, and Clarke took a moment to soak it all in.
That was her future.
All she needed to do was show someone like Dante that she belonged.
It was too bad that she’d blown her chance, this time.
She glanced at Lexa, and then to her mother.
With support systems like them, she knew that someday, somehow, she’d get her chance. The thought spread warmth through her chest.
“Hey girls. You two look beautiful!” Abby herself had come wearing a dress, and Clarke had to think, Kane was probably sorry he couldn’t make it.
“Thank you, you look beautiful, mom.” Clarke enveloped her in a hug. “Thanks for coming. I know you’re busy.”
Abby sighed, hugging Clarke so tightly she thought she’d combust. “Clarke. You are my priority. Nothing is more important.” She gushed as she held her daughter, chancing a glance at Lexa over Clarke’s shoulder. She winked at Lexa, who seemed to know something she did.
“Lexa, come on, get in here.” Abby opened her other arm, guiding Lexa in as she hugged the two tightly.
Clarke murmured an inaudible thank you into Abby’s chest, likely for including Lexa, and just for being there.
The three took a long moment, savoring the feel, before Abby leaned back.
“So, Clarke. This is gorgeous. Did you set up the lights?” Abby asked.
Clarke nodded. “Painstakingly. With Ilian looking over my shoulder the whole time. He made me redo them like six or seven times. He’s out to kill me, I think.”
Abby looked grim. “The son of a bitch.” She mumbled, and when Clarke and Lexa glanced at her in surprise, she covered her mouth. “Sorry. Clarke, were you here alone with him?”
Clarke shook her head. “I tried, but Lexa wouldn’t let me. She stayed and helped me the whole time, after school. She was exhausted.”
From inside, classical music was flowing, graceful and tender to the ear.
Clarke glanced up. “I should go in and greet everyone. I’m kind of working tonight, after all. Thanks for coming, guys.”
Abby and Lexa nodded. “We’ll see you inside?” Abby called.
Lexa leaned forward, pressing a chaste kiss to Clarke’s cheek.
“Bye, for now.” Lexa murmured, and with a smile, she let Clarke slip off into the crowd.
“So, the rest of the group should be here any-Whoa.” Lexa nearly stumbled when she was pulled into another hug by Abby.
She closed her eyes, hugging Abby back fondly, waiting until she cleared her throat to speak.
Abby had tears in the corners of her eyes when she murmured, “Thank you, Lexa. Thank you for doing the right thing, and taking care of Clarke.”
Lexa nodded immediately. “Of course.” She replied, as if it were the most obvious answer in the world. “I wouldn’t let anything happen to her, Abby...I’m sorry that I couldn’t stop-”
“No.” Abby shook her head. “I know you, Lexa. You’re perfect for her. Don’t think like that. Sometimes I….I just forget how wonderful you are. Your mother and father are so proud, and if it’s not too much...I’m proud, too.”
Lexa smiled, stricken by Abby’s words.
All that time, she’d been fighting for her parent’s approval. The job, the overtime hours, her feud with Alie, the sleepless nights...all for what Abby was giving her, simply for doing what she knew to be right.
Abby, who’d become a mother figure, to Lexa.
“So…” Abby smirked as she saw the Delinkru coming from down the street, where they’d all parked. Bellamy and Lincoln were carrying a very large looking canvas. “You guys picked it up from my hotel room alright?”
Lexa smiled. “Yes. Thank you for taking the time to bring it so abruptly. I don’t know how you managed to leave work on such short notice. There was no conference, was there?”
Abby laughed. “No, there wasn’t. But it was worth it, for Clarke. I can’t wait to see her face.”
Lexa nodded. “We’ll have to do this discreetly, though.”
Abby agreed silently. “Oh. And Lexa?”
“Yes?”
“I want you to crucify this son of a bitch for even thinking about touching my daughter.”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Whoa. Snazzy.” Raven murmured, arm in arm with Anya, looking like a pair of spies from a Bond movie, in their gowns.
“I’m proud of Clarke.” Anya nodded, speaking softly. “After we kill this Ilian kid, we should take her out to properly celebrate.”
Raven smiled. “Look who has feelings.”
“Me? Never.” Anya smirked, feeling Lincoln’s hand on her shoulder. “You two moved the package into position in the back room?”
Lincoln nodded, sharing a glance with Bellamy. “Yup. Now we just have to keep that jerk from going back there.”
“Jerk?” Octavia smirked, “That’s the closest you’ve come to cussing all week.”
Lincoln shrugged abashedly. “He hurt Clarke. And what kind of family member would I be if I didn’t let a little loose?”
“Aw, that’s the cutest thing ever.” Octavia leaned up for a kiss, smiling against his lips.
“Can you not?” Bellamy complained.
“Shut up, just cause Gina’s not here.” Octavia rolled her eyes.
Monty and Jasper tagged along behind, each with a flute of champagne in their underaged hands.
Murphy paused at the door, waiting for Lexa to enter.
He put his arm out, and Lexa accepted, the two smirking madly.
They looked like the perfect couple from hell, angels of death ready to wreak havoc on a holy event.
“Too bad Emori’s visiting her parents. She would have loved to see me in a tux.” Murphy remarked with a dry sort of humor.
“Too bad Clarke’s working at the displays. She would have loved to see you and I playing nice.” Lexa countered with a little smile.
“So, did Abby give you the old threat talk?” Murphy asked, his eyes raking the crowd.
Lexa tsked. “More like, Kill Ilian for me.”
Murphy smirked at that. “That can be arranged.”
“Clarke said no.” Lexa sighed. “And don’t call me whipped because I know you wear monogrammed underwear for Emori.”
“How the fuck do you-”
“I have the nickname for a reason.”
“....Right. So uh...Douchenozzle at seven o’clock.” Murphy jerked his head to Ilian, who was standing towards the far corner, conversing with Dante Wallace himself, no doubt hyping up his own work.
“...And that’s going to be the piece he’s revealing to Dante.” Lexa nodded, jerking her head to the large and empty easel in the center of the room. “It’s Clarke’s job to bring out his piece, which will be covered, and then he gets to unveil it in front of Dante.”
“And this makes or breaks him, right?”
Lexa scowled. “If this doesn’t break him, I will.”
“...Sounds like a plan. But how do we keep Ilian from going in the back room to check on his piece?”
Lexa shrugged. “We’ll let the others handle it. I’m told he’s quite taken with Anya.”
Murphy grinned. “Yeah. That was classic. Hope Reyes doesn’t bust a gut, though.”
Lexa hadn’t seen Clarke approach. She’d only heard her voice when Clarke sounded, “Well don’t you two make a beautiful couple.”
“...and that’s my cue to leave.” Murphy grumbled. “Great work, Griffin. Looks amazing.”
Clarke blushed a little and smiled. “Thanks, John.” She nudged him as he passed.
Clarke turned to Lexa, who’d already extended her arms out to her girlfriend, who immediately slipped into them.
“Do you like it?” Clarke asked softly.
Lexa nodded, eyes catching Clarke’s. “I wish your work was front and center.” She admitted. “Are they working you too hard?”
Clarke tsked. “Nothing I can’t handle. I haven’t spoken to Dante yet.” She admitted. “I keep wanting to approach him, but Ilian’s there.”
Lexa’s jaw twitched, and Clarke smirked amusedly.
“Down, girl.”
“Clarke, I can come with you.”
“Lex, I’m not afraid. I just don’t want to seem like I’m trying to grab his attention, you know?”
“You are too sweet for your own good.” Lexa murmured affectionately. “Come on. Let’s make a lasting impression.”
“Lex?” Clarke questioned, but followed as Lexa led the way to Dante.
“Trust me.” Lexa nudged her side.
“I do.”
Dante was conversing with Ilian, expression undecipherable as they approached. It was Dante’s gaze that flicked towards them first, setting Ilian off.
Ilian spun around. “-And that’s why I- Oh.” He paused. “Clarke.” He offered. “Woods.”
“Clarke Griffin.” Dante extended his hand with a cheerful smile. “A pleasure to see you. And Alexandria. My, you’ve grown.”
Clarke blinked, almost stumbling over her own words.
“You...remember me?” Clarke blinked, clearly as shocked as Ilian, if his face was anything to go by.
“I don’t employ just anyone, Ms. Griffin. I’m looking forward to seeing what you’ve been working on. Will you be making a grand reveal like Ilian, here?”
Clarke had half a mind to tell him what Ilian had done, but she bit her tongue, aiming to keep everything strictly professional.
At least, for now.
“No.” Clarke explained regretfully. “Things have been a little too hectic for me. I had hoped to, but…”
“Shame.” Dante nodded. “I looked forward to seeing some of your work.”
Clarke nodded, downcast, but Lexa leapt in. “How are you, Dante?”
Ilian scowled. “It’s Mr. Wallace-”
“Ah, nonsense.” He waved his hand. “I’ve known Alexandria for ages.” He smiled wryly. “I’m well. How are you? I hear you’ve worked up quite the title here, for yourself.”
Lexa smiled, careful to divert the attention off herself and onto Clarke. “Thank you, I’ve been working hard with football and business. Actually, I wanted to know how long you’d be in town for?”
Dante looked thoughtful. “About a week, I’d say.”
“Would you mind coming over to the office to catch up?” Lexa asked.
Clarke blinked. She’d known the Woods were long time investors. It hadn’t occurred to her that Lexa was willing to use her prowess to get what she needed.
“I would love to. Ilian, won’t you make sure all of our key patrons are here tonight?”
Ilian paused, and then nodded. “Yeah. Of course.”
Lexa’s brows shot up. “Would the two of you excuse me, a moment?” She offered, leaving a confused Clarke behind to talk to Ilian.
Lexa nearly had to jog to catch up to Ilian, thanking whatever deities there were that she’d ended up wearing a suit that night instead of a gown that would’ve slowed her down.
“Ilian!” She called, and he whipped around, a scowl on his expression.
“Woods.” He sneered. “Should’ve known you’d buy your way into this event, too.”
Lexa rolled her eyes, eyeing the door to the back room. He still had some way to go. If she played her cards right, she could distract him.
Lexa wanted to slam him against the wall and put him in a choke hold, but she knew better. She couldn’t reveal to him that she knew. He’d ask how, and why, and Monty and Jasper would be put on the line for the less than legal activities they’d conducted to get the confirmation.
“I know you hit on Clarke.” Instead Lexa fronted, hoping to get a rise out of him in some other way.
Ilian stopped in his tracks, and he wore a smirk.
A shit eating little smirk that made Lexa want to kill him.
“Getting a little territorial there, are we, Woods?” He grinned.
Lexa took a step closer, glancing over her shoulder. The only person who was watching was Abby, who’d watched with narrowed eyes. She gave Lexa a curt sort of nod.
Lexa pressed in, Ilian against the wall.
The way she stood in front of him, it was barely noticeable to anyone who didn’t know what to look for.
To Lexa’s surprise, Ilian wasn’t cowering in fear. He barely even flinched.
“Oh, look.” He smirked wryly. “Here comes the famous Woods temper. I heard about what you did to that kid...Dex? Dax? I can’t remember. I’d watch my temper, if I were you. That scholarship doesn’t mean shit once you’ve landed behind bars.”
Lexa’s entire body tensed like a plucked bowstring. Her shoulders rose, her teeth were gritted, her jaw clenched. Her veins pulsed and she looked like a feral tiger, ready to hunt its prey.
Ilian was playing her it seemed, ready to get her to make a fool of herself in front of Dante, in front of Clarke, in front of everyone.
“I’m not Dax.” Ilian smirked. “I think, judging by description, I’ve gotta be...twice his size. So, even if you did get what you wanted, Woods, who’s to say I wouldn’t give you the ass kicking you deserve?”
Lexa closed her eyes, squeezing them shut.
He was fucking with her, utterly and completely.
And it was working.
“Listen.” She managed to choke out, her body nearly shaking with the tension. “I will fucking burn-”
“Hey.” Anya and Lincoln’s arms wrapped around Lexa’s, pulling her back, likely at Abby’s behest. “Let’s get some air, yeah?”
Ilian’s smirk was wiped right off his face. “You?” He blinked, glancing at Anya.
Behind them, the other delinquents shuffled into view, Abby at the rear, like a mafia family out with a lust for Ilian’s blood.
“Me.” Anya smirked, putting an arm around Lexa.
“And you…” Ilian mumbled, glancing at Bellamy. “You were drunk at the-”
“Guilty.” Bellamy grinned. “For the record, you might be bigger than her, but my money’s still on Woods.”
Lincoln nodded. “Don’t forget, she has us.”
“I don’t know if I can fight all that well but I hear a metal brace up the ass really hurts.” Raven smirked.
“You, too?” Ilian blinked, utter confusion crossing his features. “Who the fuck are you?”
“You hit on my girlfriend, too.” Raven added with bite in her tone. “As if she’d ever fall for your musty ass.”
Murphy stepped to the front, a wicked grin on his features. “Man, I’ve been waiting for this, all year.”
Ilian seemed to understand something was wrong, and shot up from his position back by the wall. “I don’t know what you all think you’re planning, but-”
“Alright!” Dante announced, tapping the edge of his champagne flute with a knife. “May I have your attention, everyone?”
Everyone froze, their voices dying down to hear what the master critic and curator had to say.
“As you all know, we have young resident artists here, working full time to ensure the success of our gallery. A special round of applause to Ilian and Clarke, who have prepared special pieces for us to view today!” Dante announced, and was met with thunderous applause.
Lexa turned and grinned at Clarke, clapping loudly as ever.
The Delinquents cheered for Clarke, bringing a crimson blush to her cheeks as they did so.
“Clarke, would you be so kind as to fetch the piece? Take Ilian with you.” Dante tapped her shoulder, and she nodded, hurrying towards the back room, where everyone she knew had gathered.
“Ilian?” She asked, and he grunted, stepping and hitting Lexa’s shoulder as he did.
They disappeared into the back room.
“You replaced it, right?” Lexa turned to Bellamy and Lincoln.
“Yeah.” Bellamy nodded. “Don’t worry. Everything’s going to plan.”
“Good. Let’s burn this guy once and for all.”
Within a few minutes, the piece, still covered by a cloth, was put up onto the easel, facing the crowd that had gathered.
Lexa stepped up behind Clarke, rubbing her shoulders comfortingly.
Ilian beamed like a shark, turning to the crowd, ready to be praised for his hours upon hours of work.
“I’m nervous.” Clarke admitted.
“Breathe.” Lexa whispered by her ear.
Clarke swore, Lexa was her guardian angel. No other voice could keep her panic attacks at bay like Lexa’s.
“Are you afraid of getting into trouble?” Lexa murmured, trying to soothe her and assess the issue.
Clarke smirked amusedly. “No. I’m just afraid it won’t do Ilian justice.”
Lexa laughed softly. “It will, love.”
Clarke leaned back into her embrace.
Dante moved back to the center of the crowd, his hand on Ilian’s shoulder. “And now, Ilian, tell us what the name of your piece is, and why, before we unveil it?”
Ilian’s chest puffed proudly. “I call it, Legacy, because I think it perfectly represents who I am as a person, and who I want to be.”
Clarke grinned, and Lexa kissed her cheek to muffle her own laughter.
“Alright. Excellent. Please, do the honors.” Dante motioned, and Ilian stepped forward, yanking on the cloth with a mighty tug.
Several gasps filled the room.
It seemed, no one knew what to expect.
But certainly not that.
It was grotesque, somehow.
Clarke leaned back into Lexa’s embrace, grinning as Ilian cried, “That’s not mine! That’s not mine! Wait, Mr. Wallace, wait!”
His cries were almost drowned out by the voices of the appalled crowd.
The canvas, too large to be ignored, was covered in elegant and intricately painted faces of women, and girls, from the ages of twenty five to twelve. Their eyes seemed gaunt, and hollow. Though it wasn’t typically in Clarke’s repertoire, she’d taken it upon herself to master caligraphy with a brush, to the point where she could write bolded headlines. Certain words stood out, more than others. Forced, violated, hurt, abuse, sexual, grope, the list went on and on.
At the very center, in curved writing, spelled: Ilian’s Legacy.
Already, patrons were snapping photos, left and right, and Dante’s eyes were scanning the work.
The Delinquents were roaring their approval, clapping loudly. Ilian moved to take down the offending art, stopped by Dante’s hand on his arm.
“Whose is this?” Dante asked, firmly.
Ilian wheeled around on Clarke. Lexa moved to stand in front of her defensively, but Clarke didn’t flinch.
“It’s mine.” Clarke replied, and a ripple of shock ran through the crowd again.
Abby watched from where she stood, proud as ever, ready to pounce, just as Lexa was.
“Clarke.” Dante began, licking his lips. “This...is rather accusatory.”
“That was my intention.” Clarke replied, eyeing Ilian fiercely.
“She sabotaged my work! She was jealous!” Ilian cried, outraged.
“Your work is in the back, where I left it.” Clarke rolled her eyes. “This is retribution .”
“Clarke, this is unacceptable.” Dante began. “This was a rare and special occasion, and-”
“Ilian invaded Clarke’s privacy, hacked into her private account, shared private photos of her with the internet, causing the largest scandal at Polis U to date, and he punished her for not accepting his advances. He knew full well she was in a relationship, but that doesn’t even matter.” Lexa replied, poised, chin up, all the grace of the Woods family coursing within her.
Dante paused, scowling. “Ilian, I-”
“What?!” Ilian practically shrieked. “You have no proof-”
“But we do.” Lexa countered. “You told me yourself about Dax. I know no one else told you about that. How did you hear about it, besides hacking Clarke’s icloud, Ilian?”
Ilian balked.
So Lexa had played him.
“I...the school paper! I have friends who went to Arkadia!” Ilian seethed.
“Who?” Raven demanded. “It was never in the paper. That’s a private affair.”
Ilian whipped around. “Dante, you cannot be-”
“It’s Mr. Wallace.” He ground out, turning to Ilian.
Ilian froze, realizing what was happening. They were turning against him.
“You, though.” Clarke smirked, pointing at Ilian. “You are very storied here at Polis. All it took was asking around with my new status as “violated, but moving on” to get a few other girls to share with me the shit you’ve been pulling since day one. Those faces? All real. The words? True stories. So, I just wanted to share your legacy, Ilian.” She shrugged innocently.
Ilian had a cold sweat running down his forehead. “Mr. Wallace...Patrons...you have to believe me, I never did any of this-”
“I thought you’d say that.” A voice sounded from behind the delinquents.
It was Ashley, the girl that had stopped Clarke at school, just to tell her of her ex-boyfriend’s similar exploits.
The same ex boyfriend standing in front of the group of patrons, turned to a jury.
“Ash?” Ilian blinked.
“I’ve heard enough.” Dante waved his hand. “Ilian...I...I don’t know what to say. I can’t...No, I won’t condone this. Not anywhere near my business, and not at all, frankly. I think...it’s best if you leave.”
Ilian gaped. “You cannot be serious-”
“I will have security escort you, if that proves necessary.” Dante threatened.
Ilian knew he had no choice.
His luck had run out.
After all the commotion with Ilian’s dismissal, the patrons slowly began to flood out, excitement at what they’d just witnessed spilling from their lips.
The Delinquents had all booed him out, and Abby had embraced Clarke tightly, whispering a litany of “I’m so proud”, over and over again.
It wasn’t every day that one’s daughter successfully exposed someone without morals, let alone at the expense of her own work.
Clarke had been in the middle of explaining how she’d found Ilian’s past exploits, and how she’d gotten them to cooperate, when Dante approached her.
Clarke stiffened, glancing up. “Dante…” She began with a sigh. “I’m so sorry-”
“Don’t be.” His smile was apologetic. “Art is expression, it’s progress, it’s bringing to light what would otherwise be ignored, or overlooked.”
Clark paused, looking confused.
“So...I’d be proud to debut that piece at my New York gallery.” He finished. “...Legality aside.” He grinned slightly.
“That?” Clarke balked.
“It’s good art.” Dante smirked. “I would know.”
“Really?” Clarke froze. “Because I have so many pieces, I just...I wanted to show them to you, but I left them at home, and-”
“You didn’t.” Lexa interjected softly. “I had Abby bring them over. They’re back at the office.”
Clarke gaped.
Dante smiled. “And I will be paying the office a visit later this week, won’t I?”
Clarke couldn’t breathe. It was like her panic attacks, but blissful, somehow. She didn’t know how she’d ever been so lucky to surround herself with such amazing people.
Her family, she realized.
Her family had taken care of everything she’d forgotten.
She’d slipped, right into the safety net of Lexa, and everyone else’s doing.
“I look forward to sponsoring you, officially, Clarke.” Dante stuck his hand out. “I’ll be in touch.”
Clarke shook his hand in her shaking one, trying to make it seem firm enough, before her turned away to direct the clean up.
Clarke wheeled around on Lexa, and the rest of her family, who’d been watching with wide grins, proud of their champion of the evening.
Clarke couldn’t even speak.
She’d choked on the words she tried to mumble, throwing her arms around Lexa’s neck, burying her face there as Lexa pulled her into the tightest of embraces.
“You did this.” Clarke whispered, muffled by her neck, just enough for Lexa to hear.
Lexa closed her eyes, holding Clarke tightly, kissing her head once.
“I didn’t. You did. I just helped out, Clarke.”
Clarke shook her head, glancing up at Lexa with glassy eyes of blue.
“I...I…”
“Breathe.” Lexa reminded once more.
“I love you.” Clarke blurted. “I don’t know how you do it, but every day, I love you more.”
Lexa grinned, meeting Clarke in a messy little kiss. “I love you, too.”
Clarke took a minute to process everything that just happened.
She’d gone from thinking she’d lose her job as an intern in Dante’s gallery to being featured.
“I…” Clarke stammered. She took a step back, regarding her friends with a glowing gaze. “All of you, I love you guys…”
They did what they did best.
Slowly, they embraced Clarke in quite the cheesy group hug, Abby included.
Slow murmurs of, “You did it” and “Way to go Clarke” filled the expanse of the gallery, and Clarke swore, her mind was buzzing with the joy she felt.
Her legs felt numb, and when they buckled a little, Lexa was there, as always, to catch her, laughing brightly, joyously.
As if her joy was contagious.
“Thank you.” Clarke whispered, clutching Lexa like a lifeline.
“Of course.” Lexa replied, her voice a guiding beacon in all the tumultuousness of what was happening. “Your future looks bright, Griffin.” She added, a teasing little lilt to her tone.
Clarke glanced up into her forest eyes, her heart pounding in her chest.
A blissful smile crossed both their features.
A future, with Lexa.
With all of them.
“Yeah.” Clarke murmured, once again lost in a familiar, loving gaze. “Yeah, it does.”