Present time,
Year 2017, at Lexa's mansion;
Lexa goes through her mail and much to her surprise she finds a letter from her brother of heart who is her cousin Finn.
Finn is her adoptive brother, and her best friend too. She hasn't heard from him for a while. Their adult life was taking much of their time, Lexa is the youngest successful CEO and Finn is deployed in the Middle East.
She studies the envelope and the neat handwriting for a moment, she can tell it is already a good news since her address is written in his own handwriting, very familiar to her. Lexa always dreads to receive a cold letter or a phone call letting her know that her stupid reckless brother died in the field. Finn is her hero and she doesn't want him to be anyone's hero.
However she never was able to keep him from enlisting into the military. Finn has always been the most spontaneous one of them and the most rebellious one, Lexa in the other hand was the good obedient daughter and the most responsible one. She always puts sense in him but she never managed to keep him from leaving.
She walks to her office a smile plastered in her face, Finn's letters are little rays of sunshine into her days. She loves traditional mail and as Finn is the most considerate brother he always sends her letters instead of using the phone and internet. She pushes the door softly and gets in, sitting into her luxurious leather chair and takes the letter opener then slid it carefully to not tear any piece of paper. She hooks her slender finger and opens the envelope and starts reading the letter right away.
Barely a minute later, Costia leans against the door's frame and stares at Lexa who doesn't notice her presence. She smiles fondly at the sight of the brunette focusing in her reading. Lexa chuckles as she takes what seems like a picture from the envelope and looks at it and Costia understands that it must be Finn's letter Lexa is holding in her hands so carefully. Knowing that only Finn's letters can have that effect on her girlfriend.
"Finn?" Costia asks and Lexa nods without tearing her gaze from the letter. Costia feels slightly jealous of not having as much effect on her as Finn or all of her other friends have. Lexa is nice and careful but she is fiercely loyal to her family which includes Finn and her two best friends Anya and Raven. Costia never felt fully a part of their group despite being the first long term relationship of Lexa which she knows is a big thing.
She walks to Lexa's desk and sits on the edge crossing her legs sexily and waits for her girlfriend to finish reading the letter. Once done, Lexa smiles and shakes her head lightly while placing cautiously the letter and the picture into the envelope becore opening the top drawer of her desk and puting it delicately with other envelopes.
She leans back in her chair and eyes Costia's legs hungrily unconsiously licking her lip.
"Did you have breakfast yet?" Costia asks making Lexa's eyes go up to her.
"Not yet, I was about to," She explains with a flush in her cheeks, Costia still makes her feel like a horny teenager."Did you?" She asks back despite knowing that she left her asleep in her bed barely twenty minutes ago.
"No," Costia shakes her head.
"Go back to bed then. I'll bring you breakfast," Lexa replies standing up and leaning to kiss her girlfriend's lips.
Costia leans away denying Lexa's kiss, "Bring me breakfast to bed and you can have your way with me again." She winks suggestively at her girlfriend and leaves the office swaying provocatively her hips.
Lexa smiles and goes to the kitchen where she grabs Costia's favorite cereals and pours some in a porcelain bowl too expensive to contain such sort of food, if you call it so. Lexa never understood Costia's thing for cereals especially because she was a well-known and a good damn chef with her own restaurant. However, this is what she loves about Costia, the fact that she is unpredictable and spontaneous nothing she is.
She walks back to her bedroom where she finds her girlfriend in her side of the bed waiting for her. "Here is your breakfast, tease." Lexa hands her the plate and sits next to her.
"Thank you," Costia replies playfully.
Lexa leans in the bed her head propped by her left hand while her right hand draws invisible patterns on Costia's naked legs. Costia moans at the taste of the first spoon in her mouth making Lexa smile.
"I thought I was the only one who makes you moan," Lexa says.
"Sorry, but cereals have been making me moan for…emmm," Costia says with her mouth full."Ages," She shrugs.
"When I cause your moans, they are louder anyway," Lexa smirks confidently.
"I'd like to test that theory."
"It is not a theory, Cos. It's a fact," Lexa deadpans.
Costia raises her eyebrow and puts the plate aside on the nightstand."Really? Prove it," She crawls on the bed straddling Lexa without letting their centers touch. Lexa feels on the edge, she has always been responsive to Costia's charms. Her hips back up to feel her girlfriend's center against her pelvis but Costia keeps her hips from moving."No, you can't always be in control."
Lexa smiles her cheeks flush."I thought you wanted me to prove it."
"Maybe later," Costia says. She smiles biting hard on her lower lip watching Costia taking off her white t-shirt which was not doing much to cover her perked nipples.
"You like what you see," Costia states more than asks and Lexa nods vigorously.
"Good! Ejoy the show," She smirks standing up and pushing her already ruined panties deliberately slow while enjoying the way Lexa's eyes stare hungrily at her body. She could see the not so discreet tent forming against her girlfriend's silky shorts.
She teases Lexa for few minutes before she finally lowers herself against her girlfriend's erected penis. Lexa lets out a loud moan at the feeling of warm wet lips of her girlfriend's pussy against her barely covered penis and Costia lets out a chuckle while keeping a torturously gentle pace. Lexa's cheeks are crimson red by now, she is trying hard not to flip them over and take care of things her way because she wants to let Costia have it just this morning, just today as she has been the most patient girlfriend Lexa ever had.
It was the first time she let her sleep over, Lexa was usually the one to sleep at her place never letting Costia into her life completely and after yesterday's events and their heart to heart conversation Lexa decided that she needed to make some efforts to let Costia in, afraid she would lose her.
"Costia, please," Lexa begs trying to reach for her breasts that were taunting her but the redhead slapped her hands away."Patience." Lexa lets out a strangled whine at the taste of her own medicine.
Costia took her time and seized the opportunity that Lexa gave her to take total control in bed, something she always wanted to have but couldn't. She was happy that Lexa was finally trying to let her walls down and let her in.
After making Lexa cum more than once she finally lays on top of her exhausted yet happy."I love you," Costia dares to whisper the words knowing that Lexa won't reciprocate them and knowing that this is her chance.
Lexa looks down at her and leans in for a passionate yet sweet kiss instead of replying with words. Costia smiles against her lips feeling content enough at her reaction, it is better than the first time she told her Lexa completely froze and avoided her for a week pretending to be busy.
"I want you to meet Finn," Lexa says while caressing Costia's hair.
Costia's heart flutters."Really?" She looks happily at Lexa who nods."He invited me for dinner to meet his fiancé. I think it is fair that he meets my girlfriend as well."
"When?" Costia simply asks pushing her hair to the side.
"In two days," Lexa replies loving the way Costia's hair looks.
"That's a short notice," Costia remarks.
"It's fine if you can't make it we can always invite him over when you can," Lexa replies ruffling her girlfriend's hair.
"Lexa!" Costia warns her pushing the strands of her hair away from her face."It's fine, I can make it but you never told me that Finn is engaged," She frowns.
"I just learnt that he is," Lexa smiles."He is unpredictable."
"According to what I've heard he is a playboy," Costia says.
"Maybe he found the one who tamed him."
"We'll see," Costia replies, "The Woods are hard to tame."
"But not impossible to tame. You did that to me," Lexa smiles at her girlfriend.
"I don't have a ring on my finger, whoever that woman is I wanna meet her. She might have some tips for me," Costia replies with a chuckle making Lexa uncomfortable. She could see the way Lexa's old mask was about to take over so she quickly adds, "What should I wear?"
"Whatever you want," Lexa smiles at her again.
"A dress or something comfy?" Costia asks knowing that Lexa loves her in dresses.
Lexa laughs, "Talking about dresses, my brother asked me to wear one."
"You never wear dresses!"
"That's the point, he knows I never do but when we were younger I always made him wear a dress whenever he lost a bet and the only time I lost a bet he made me wear a dress and he took tones of pictures of me," Lexa smiles at the souvenir and Costia's heart was about to explode, Lexa was willingly sharing something of her past life with her."So when I asked him to delete the pictures he refused saying that he would never see me wearing a dress again so the least he can do is immortalize it and I begged him to delete them but he kept refusing so when he printed them I told him I would wear a dress at his wedding thinking that he will never settle" Lexa shakes lightly her head with a smile on her face.
"In his letter he said that he wants me to meet the woman who is going to be the reason I'll look like the teenager me in the picture enclosed and he sent me one of the pictures. I thought he deleted them," Lexa chuckles reminiscing the old days.
"Thank you for sharing that with me," Costia says softly and Lexa feels guilty.
"I won't grant him his wish as easily, I might wear the dress to keep my word but not until the wedding day or at least the night before," Lexa explains."I'll wear a suit for the dinner and I'd like my tie to match the color of your dress."
"How sweet," Costia remarks then asks with a raised eyebrow, "So we're getting ready together?"
Lexa simply hums in approval before kissing her."I need to go Anya and Raven are waiting for me, I'm already late."
"I thought you're going to prove me something?" Costia reminds her girlfriend.
"Tonight, I'll have plenty of time to do it," Lexa replies.
"Your place or mine?" Costia warily asks.
Lexa looks back at her for a few seconds silently then shrugs, "Doesn't matter."
"My place then," Costia replies not wanting to push her luck further Lexa already have made progress for the day.
"You should wear a suit, Finn," Clarke chuckles at the sight of her fiancé's attire.
"No, Alex is gonna love it," Finn looks down at his shorts and SpongBob T-shirt.
"She's gonna hate it, Finn," Clarke laughs then adds hoping to reason her man, "I don't have a stick in my ass yet I hate it."
"Nope," He insists shaking his head.
"God, you're so childish."
"That's what Alex loves the most about me," Finn explains.
"I highly doubt that," She replies even if she doesn't know much about Finn's sister she knows that she is nothing like him she is a CEO and CEO's tend to have sticks in their asses.
"Relax, it is fine. She's gonna love you," Finn says to his fiancé before leaning in and kissing her cleavage.
"Finn, we need to get ready before she comes," She reminds him.
"Not funny, how am I supposed to handle this," He points out at her cleavage which was beautifully exposed in her dress."And not get some?" He pouts.
"You'll get everything after she leaves," She reassures him.
"After they leave," He corrects her.
"They?"
"Yeah, Alex and her girlfriend."
"You didn't tell me she has a girlfriend!" Clarke says, "That she's gay."
"She's the gayest person you'll ever meet," Finn confirms.
"Ok. Anything else I should expect or know before I make a fool of myself in front of Alex and her girlfriend?" Clarke asks nervously.
"Nothing I can think of," Finn shrugs. "Stop worrying Princess, Alex is a sweet heart under her commander face."
"I hope you're right," Clarke murmurs feeling unprecedentedly and curiously nervous.
"No one knows Alex better than I do, Clarke. Don't worry she loves you already she wants to pay for the wedding," He says casually as if it was something normal.
"She what?" She asks in disbelief.
"She wants to pay her brother a wedding."
"Are you serious, Finn?" Clarke asks angrily and Finn simply nods."What did you say?" She knows already that she is not gonna love the answer.
"I said Ok," He smiles at her and Clarke feels like she wants to kill him.
"Finn!" Clarke lets out angrily, "I'm not going to let your sister pay for our special day. We're not a charity case."
"Clarke, it's not like that. Alex and I are really close and she somehow feels guilty at what her father, my uncle, did and I can't blame her. She wants to give me a wedding party as a gift for my wedding."
"And you're fine with that?" She asks with a frown.
"What was I supposed to say?" Finn defends himself.
"God! I can't believe it. I've to meet her now out of obligation," Clarke says."It's going to be the most embarrassing dinner."
"It's not going to be embarrassing, we're going to have a good time with Alex and her girlfriend then I'll have a good time with the twins," He looks again at her breasts.
"You're not getting any until the dinner goes well," Clarke warns him."I need to look more serious if I wanna convince your sister that we don't need her money," Clarke says taking off the blue dress she was wearing choosing a black one instead.
"You really have no idea who Alex is, you think that you can convince her?" He laughs and Clarke feels even more nervous."I'm putty in your hands comparing to how stubborn she is," He warns her.
"We're going to see that," Clarke replies looking at herself in the black dress.
Half an hour later, Clarke hears the doorbell rings once. She looks at Finn nervously and he nods going to open the door for Alex and her girlfriend. She unties the apron and takes it off smoothing nervously the invisible wrinkles that might has formed on her black dress with her hands.
She walks to the living-room where she can see a beautiful redhead standing elegantly waiting for her turn to greet Finn, a beautiful red and white smile worth of movie stars plastered on her face her eyes staring at the siblings. Obviously, it is Alex's girlfriend Clarke thinks to herself and she is quite an elegant and sexy woman. Clarke can't see properly Alex's face as Finn is completely blocking the view along with the bouquet of flowers she has in her hands.
Clarke takes few steps into the living-room waiting for her fiancé and their guests to join her. Her heart tugs with excitement and she frowns feeling weird, why would she feel excited about meeting her fiancé's family.
Apparently, Alex likes his outfit indeed as the second he opened the door she could hear her laughter erupt and his words follow, "I knew you would love it" Her lips twitch subconsciously at the way she hears Finn greeting his little sister, she never had a brother nor a sister and she always envied her best friend Octavia for her relationship with her brother Bellamy.
Finn excuses himself and greets Costia, Clarke looks around the living-room and walks nervously to the couch and taps the cushions again when she finishes she straighten herself and turns back to greet properly her guests with a smile on her face which disappears the second the bouquet of flowers uncover Finn's sister. The piercing green eyes have a paralyzing effect on her, her lips part as her jaw drops.
The green eyes widen and a wave of panic suddenly envelops them, Clarke covers her mouth to not let a gasp escape her lips and the green eyes stare directly at her wrist. She is wearing her favorite bracelet and she can see now Alex's green eyes soften for a fraction of a second with some recognition then they stare again into her eyes but with a cold and well collected unfazed look.
Clarke grits her teeth at the way destiny seems to always play tricks on her. Lexa forces a smile, a political one she is so used to use being the respectful CEO she is despite feeling dizzy, she is suddenly grateful for her father's teachings and for the way Finn is practically holding her.
Lexa looks at the familiar face, the same mesmerizing blue eyes, the same nose she adores and the same mole hovering the sweet pink lips. Her eyes rank from top to bottom the bride to be. The woman is slightly different then she remembers her, her curves are more prominent and pronounced. She looks deliciously well and full in the right places. Her shape is slightly different maybe more woman like than Lexa last saw her at the age of sixteen. Her eyes linger unnecessarily longer into blue eyes throwing her back in time.
About twenty years ago,
Spring 1996, France;
Eight years old Lexa gets out of the car, her father's driver was trying so hard to make her smile but failed to. She was barely able to understand his English and her heart was aching, she was feeling nervous and her green eyes were shining with unshed tears she was stubbornly keeping in. She wanted her father to be with her for her first days in a new school in a new country but Gustus sent her saying that she was not a baby anymore 'Alexandria, you are eight now you are not a baby" In a tone as if his words made sense.
Lexa walks to the school's big doors whispering the words in French she has been reciting for two days now to be ready when she hears a laugh which contrast everything she feels but yet it gets her attention.
It comes from a girl with crazy blonde hair, bright blue eyes even bluer than the sky Lexa can't help thinking that the little girl looks like an angel or a…"Bye PRINCESS" Right; she looks like a princess Lexa's lips twitch at the way the little girl which looks barely old enough to go to school wearing a ridiculous light pink dress with green tights waves energetically her chubby little hands at the man who had a darker shade of her blue eyes. Her father.
Lexa's heart tugs painfully against her chest out of jealousy and her eyes betray her letting free few tears she quickly wipes and walks into the school.
At recess, Lexa sits in the corner of the courtyard with a notebook and a pen when she feels someone standing in her way blocking the sunlight from her. She lifts her eyes up and meets the blue eyed girl who looked like a crazy princess now with the way her face was stained with different colors.
Lexa frowns almost comically at the girl waiting for her to say something and finally she sees the blonde react flushing a toothless smile at her which makes it hard for Lexa to keep her unfazed face. Her lips twitch in a curve, smiling at the sweet little girl who was offering her a bar of candy or something which is unfamiliar to her.
"Carambar?" The crazy princess says and Lexa politely takes it whispering a shy, "Merci." (Thank you.)
She sits next to Lexa uninvited and Lexa throws a look at the other children of her age playing in the courtyard while she is sitting in a corner and now with a crazy princess at her side.
Lexa waits for the little girl to say anything but she doesn't instead she takes out of her little pink lunch box something Lexa recognizes as a stethoscope in a terrible condition just as his owner which doesn't surprise her as it is decorated with glitters but is visibly a real one. The little blondie places it on her ears and puts the end of it against Lexa's chest. Lexa chuckles timidly the little girl's hands were barely able to hold it and it was bigger than her ears she had to help her keeping it from moving.
Lexa is amused by the way the little girl's face is displaying so easily different emotions, she could read and notice them as if she was looking at a Disney movie character, her baby blonde eyebrows frowning in concern then her eyes widen at what seems like understanding as she nods then shows her toothy smile again to Lexa.
After few seconds, Lexa decides to speak, "Je m'appelle Lexa." She frowns her eyebrows questioningly wanting to be correct, not knowing if she sounded correct and perfect as she did not have practice with her father as he promised her.
The little blonde lets out a giggle "Moi c'est Clarke," Lexa blushes and Clarke feels bad for laughing at Lexa's French, "You can speak English we all speak English, it is a school for foreigners." She shrugs and suddenly Lexa feels stupid at misjudging the little girl's intelligence.
Lexa nods, "Je sais mais je préfère exercer mon Français." (I know but I prefer to practice my French.)
"Sans problème," (No problem,) Clarke smiles at Lexa who is looking at her necklace.
"Elle te plait?" (you like it?) Clarke asks Lexa taking the pendent of her necklace between her tiny fingers.
Lexa shrugs, "Oui". (Yes.)
"A moi aussi," Clarke says."Je vais être un médecin quand je serais grande." (I'll be a doctor when I grow up,) She says confidently.
"Tu t'en sors bien sufisament," (You are doing good enough,) Lexa says with a smile.
"Tu t'en sors déjà bien," (You already are good,) Clarke corrects her then adds, "Merci." (Thank you.)
"De rien," (You're welcome,) Lexa replies proudly but apparently she doesn't sound as Frenchie as she wants because the little girl is trying hard not to laugh, "De. Comme on prononce le chiffre 2 , deux." (De as we pronounce the number 2 in French.)
Lexa smiles at Clarke except for the disheveling and crazy look, the little girl is nice to her comparing to the kids she has in her class who didn't even aknowledge her presence except for the weird looks they gave her the first hour. The little girl sat with her for the whole recess time exchanging few words in French to help her practice.
The crazy princess promised to meet her the very next day to help her with the pronunciation and Lexa feels a little better about her day and new school especially when the little princess keeps her word and helps her every single day during recess time. That's how the not so sane princess, future doctor became Lexa's best friend and the reason Lexa's days became easier in that country where she was alone.
Present time,
Year 2017, at Finn and Clarke's place;
Both Lexa and Clarke are brought back from their thoughts by Finn's enthusiastic voice, "Alex, Costia meet my princess Clarke. Clarke babe, meet the commander Alex and her beautiful girlfriend Costia."
Lexa's heart tugs at the way her brother introduces Clarke the princess was what Lexa thought of her the first time she saw her and the way her father calls her. She remembers sometime around the first months of their acquaintance Lexa confessed to her best friend that she refers to her as a crazy princess and Clarke was ok with it.
Lexa looks deep into blue eyes, the eyes that haunted her dreams for so long, the eyes that were even bluer than the sky and sees something in them different something she never saw despite knowing so much about them and having had the opportunity to witness many emotions draping them.
She is the first one to react seeing that Clarke's lips mouthed silently her name and being afraid that she might say something that she might not want to hear or that might mess with her life knowing how spontaneous Clarke is.
She presents her hand stiffly in a political mode, she cannot help her body's reaction to the situation. It got used to shut down and use the political mode whenever she felt threatened by anything among them the fear to lose control of the situation.
"Nice to meet you, Clarke. I thought I'd never live long enough to see it," Lexa says her voice full of innuendo that only Clarke was able to hear. After a calculated amount of time she adds, "To see the woman who tamed my brother."
Clarke forces a fake smile and takes Lexa's hand trying hard to hide the way her whole body was shaking. At Lexa's infuriating tone and words, Clarke wants to slap her, to scream at her but she wasn't going to do that. The only thing she was proud of was the fact that she learnt how to have a semblance of control over her emotions at least over her anger.
Lexa's heart beat hitches at the feeling of Clarke's palm against her own once again and after so many years, she gulps the lump she feels in her throat and feels suddenly envious at the way Clarke seems unfazed by the touch. In fact, Clarke was too overwhelmed by her emotions, initial shock and her focus on not losing her shit that she didn't notice that she was really shaking Lexa's hand for real.
Finn laughs at Lexa's words while Clarke is still shaking her hand not knowing what to say when she hears Finn interrupting "This is the princess who got me tamed," She flashes a smile at her fiancé and looks at Lexa again."And you are the one who failed to keep him from leaving and sent him to me," Carke says with a smirk finally feeling bold enough and replying with as much innuendo.
Her smile grows mischievous when she notices that her answer takes Lexa aback. Her forest green eyes widen slightly it is barely noticeable for anyone who doesn't know her but it is there and Clarke caught it. Lexa might be hiding behind her mask however Clarke is able to see right through her except for the part of Lexa's will to act as if they didn't know each other. She decides to play along with it and see how far Lexa was planning to take it.
"I can't keep him with a leash and force him to stay!" Lexa fires back.
"It's nice to meet you, I'm Costia," Costia interjected noticing Lexa's behavior.
Clarke smiles softly and more honestly at Costia and shakes her hand."Welcome, Costia."
"Well, I gotta admit it Alex you got yourself a beauty," Finn compliments Costia.
"She is," Lexa smiles at Costia who was looking stunning in a red dress and tugs lightly at her tie. Clarke's eyes focus on the tie and she lets out a chuckle thinking how stupid Lexa looks with a red tie matching her girlfriend's dress.
"Thank you," Costia blushes."I can say the same about your fiancée," She looks at Clarke and adds, "And by the way I love your dress." Costia replies instead of Lexa while Finn's words were for his sister, all Lexa managed to mouth is a silent thank you.
"And I like yours," Clarke replies awkwardly.
Finn wraps his arm around Lexa's shoulders and walks her to the couch where he pushes her with him. Clarke and Costia follow them and sit with them looking silently at the siblings.
"So, tell me everything," Finn asks joyfully.
"Well, not much to say. The business is growing steadily, I still live at Gustus's place but I made some changes and I finally got rid of his chessboard," Lexa chuckles when she sees Finn's grimace.
"Traitor!" Finn says."You promised me to keep it and that we would burn it together," He reminds her.
"I know, I am sorry but I kept something for you instead," Lexa grins.
"What is it?" Finn asks curiously.
"It's a surprise," Lexa simply replies throwing a glance at Clarke, "What about you?" She asks genuinely.
"Me? I'm just going to condemn myself to one woman for the rest of my life, nothing much," He shrugs playfully.
"You put a ring on it, what did you think was going to happen?"
"Yeah, I got tired to put a dress on it," He winks at Lexa who looks at Clarke to see if she got the meaning of her stupid brother. Costia giggles taking Lexa's attention."I can't wait to see Lexa in a dress," She says and Lexa smiles feeling better about the fact that none of them got what Finn's meaning was.
"You told her?" Finn is surprised and Clarke shifts uncomfortably in her chair at being the only one who has no idea what the hell they are talking about.
"Of course, she is my girlfriend," Lexa warily replies looking at Clarke.
"Well, I guess she is a keeper if she got that far," Finn comments looking at Costia."How long have you been together?"
"Almost two years now," Costia replies taking Lexa's hand in hers."What about you and Clarke?" She asks back.
"A year," Clarke replies finally.
"Oh!" Costia is surprised by the answer.
"I know," Finn says."Life out there is different you know...You don't have the luxury to take things slow," He explains.
"Right," Costia nods then Clarke interjects, "Finn is a gentleman and he knows what he wants."
Costia smiles nervously feeling like the answer was a direct insult to her, she has been dating Lexa for two years now and have known her longer yet she still is a girlfriend who slept over at her place once and only once.
Lexa doesn't miss the direct innuendo for her and notices the way Costia is smiling nervously she squeezes her hand and Costia looks at her with eyes full of pain and uncertainty that only Lexa was aware of, her heart aches at the sight so she decides to lean in and kiss her girlfriend's pain away.
Finn is surprised as much as Clarke is annoyed by the unnecessary display of affection Lexa is showing to Costia."Well she must be special," Finn remarks.
"She is," Lexa says as her lips leave Costia's.
"Don't blame me for being surprised, you never had friends let along a girlfriend who is not one of my exes or my friend too," Finn defends himself then looks at Costia."Alex has always been a shy kid, she has zero social skills so she only hang out with my girlfriend's and friends," He explains and Clarke looks at Lexa knowingly.
"I can assure you that she has wonderful social skills now, we've been friends before getting together," Costia replies feeling slightly better than earlier especially with Lexa's tender reassuring kiss.
Clarke feels something deep inside her, something so much fierce and negative approaching what feels like anger mixed with jealousy. What does Costia has she didn't have to keep her friendship with Lexa? Wasn't she worth enough of her?
She braces herself to not let it show in her face but of course she knows Lexa could see it as she feels her eyes studying her.
"Let's move it to the kitchen," Clarke gestures.
"Right, dinner," Finn says."Clarke helped me just so you know I'm the one who cooks."
Costia smiles at him then looks at Clarke."You're lucky Clarke, Lexa never cooks."
"Why would I cook? You're a chef," Lexa defends herself.
"Oh, Really?" Clarke looks at Costia questioningly who nods shyly.
"Then my sister has a point," Finn defends her and it only irritates Clarke further.
Clarke feels exasperated at the way both Costia and Lexa's eyes inspect their surroundings. Even if she is not a great cook, she took great pleasure in decorating the kitchen and Finn gave her free reign loving her artistic touch.
"You have a sweet kitchen," Costia finally comments and Clarke could feel Lexa's eyes checking her waiting for her reaction.
"Thanks, I decorated it myself," Clarke replies.
"It is obvious," Lexa blurts out and Clarke frowns, "What does it mean?" Lexa bites her tongue scolding herself internally for letting her thought out loud.
She forces a smile on her lips and tries to smooth her previous comment, "Finn maybe good at cooking but he sucks at decorating or painting." She points at the walls.
"That much is true, Clarke is the artist," Finn adds and Costia looks at the blonde, "Ah, you're an artist? I thought..." She points out at Clarke's wrist, "You're a doctor."
Clarke smiles nervously "Touché! I'm a doctor." She fidgets nervously with her pendant and Lexa feels like she is fidgeting at her own heart. Their eyes meet and it seems like both thinks about the same thing, the same moment and the same word.
Spring 1996,
Few months after their first meeting, the courtyard;
Lexa walks out of her class heading towards her usual spot in the courtyard where she knows she will find the little crazy princess Clarke with a not so much toothy smile anymore as her teeth are growing, waiting for her ready for their usual French practice.
Instead of that cheeky smile she is used to see, she finds Clarke's blue eyes reddish and a frown on her face, clearly she was crying. She sits next to her silently and takes off her pocket a beige handkerchief neatly folded with red embroidered letters A.W and wipes lightly Clarke's cheeks then gives her the handkerchief.
Clarke whispers a thank you "Merci," and looks at the ugly handkerchief her friend just handed her.
"C'est à ton pére?" (Is it your father's?) She finally speaks tracing the initials with her tiny chubby fingers.
Lexa smiles and shakes her head "Non, c'est mes initiales aussi," (No, they are my initials too,) She explains, "Alexandra Woods"
"C'est moche!" (It is ugly!) Clarke blurts out making Lexa giggle.
"C'est pourquoi je préfère Lexa," (This is why I prefer Lexa,) Lexa explains.
"Je parle du mouchoir, tu as un jolie prénom," (I'm talking about the handkerchief, you have a nice first name,) Clarke says.
"Pourquoi tu pleur?" (Why are you crying?) Lexa asks.
Clarke shrugs then shoves her hand in her pocket and shows her the broken pendant of her necklace."On me la cassé." (They broke it.)
"Qui a fait ça?" (Who did this?) Lexa angrily asks her.
Clarke lifts her gaze and looks into Lexa's green eyes then looks at two boys who were playing.
"C'est eux?" (It's them?) Lexa asks and Clarke nods.
Lexa stands up and gives her lunch box to Clarke and walks confidently to the two boys and without warning she slaps both of them at the same time leaving them shocked for few seconds before one of them shoved her and he was ready to punch her face but Lexa was quicker, older and taller which visibly helped a lot.
Clarke left everything and run to them screaming Lexa's name asking her to stop.
"C'est pour avoir cassé le pendentif de Clarke," (This is for breaking Clarke's pendent,) She says throwing them a threatening look.
"Merci mais je sais me défendre," (Thanks but I can defend myself,) Clarke says looking seriously at Lexa.
"Je sais mais personne ne touche à ma meilleure amie," (I know but no one touches my best friend,) She wraps her arms protectively around Clarke's shoulders.
"C'est vrai?" (It's true?) Clarke asks looking up at Lexa who is much taller than her, "Je suis ta meilleure amie?" (I'm your best friend?)
Lexa nods with a smile and they walk back to their spot, "Dans ce cas je vais redécorer ton mouchoir pour te remercier." (Then I'll redecorate your handkerchief to thank you.)
"Je peux donner ton pendentif à mon chauffeur pour qu'il te le répare si tu veux," (I can give your pendent to my driver to fix it if you want,) Lexa suggests and Clarke shakes her head.
"Papa le fera," (Dad will do it,) She smiles at her.
"Tu aime vriament les stethoscopes à ce que je voix," (I see, you really love stethoscopes,) Lexa looks with a smile at Clarke's newly decorated lunch box, the drawings were sloppy and not perfect but it clearly looked like stethoscopes.
"Oui", (Yes,) Clarke blushes, "Steth-stoth-" She stutters then tries harder, "stetecopes." She smiles at Lexa embarrassingly.
"Ste-tho-scopes." Lexa says slowly and Clarke repeats after her, "Ste-thoscopes She smiles when Lexa nudges her with her shoulder.
"How are you gonna be a good doctor when you stutter at the word Stethocope!" Lexa looks at her friend.
Clarke pokes her tongue out and they burst in laughter.
Present time,
2017 at Clarke and Finn's place;
Clarke helps Finn serving dinner while listening to him talking about receipts with Costia and from time to time looking at Lexa who was focused on their conversation. She was intrigued by what Lexa was thinking, why would she act like she didn't know her? How come Finn never used Lexa's full name and instead he called her Alex. She will ask him tonight for sure.
She was feeling stupid at not asking more about Finn's sister or adoptive sister that much she knows that they can't possibly be real brother and sister for starters their family names are not the same and they didn't look alike not the slightest.
"Well I'd love to taste your cooking sometime, you better put a ring on her finger Alex," Finn looks at his sister. Clarke's eyes shoot to Lexa who stiffen and smiles at her brother nervously.
A smile breaks on Costia's face, Clarke watches the redhead taking Lexa's hand and rubbing soothing circles at the back of her hand, "I love your sister Finn she doesn't need a ring to keep me close and we're young."
Lexa is grateful at Costia's understanding and ability to not let such words affect her or their relationship, she looks at her adoringly and smiles.
"How old are you?" Finn asks stupidly.
"Never ask a woman her age, Finn," Clarke interjects and Costia giggles "It is ok, I'm thirty a year older than your little sister," Costia winks at Finn and suddenly Clarke feels like slapping the woman.
"Oh, wow! You look much younger, younger than Clarke," Finn replies. And she wants to slap her fiancé too.
Clarke feels all eyes on her now."I'm 27," She answers Costia's unasked question.
"You look younger too," Costia tries to make Clarke less irritated and Clarke smiles back at her and nods appreciating Costia's efforts to be nice.
"What's your secret?" Finn asks playfully.
"Healthy food and exercise," Costia goes there and winks again at Finn.
"Oh! I hope you're putting the dress on it, Alex," Finn looks at Lexa who blushes. Both Costia and Clarke look confused "Finn, please," Lexa warns her brother.
"Come on' Alex don't be such a prude, we're all adults," He says then Clarke and Costia's eyes both widen catching up on the meaning.
"It is just stupid just say protection," Lexa replies angrily clearly embarrassed.
Costia felt sorry for Lexa because she knows that her girlfriend is not really comfortable talking about her sexual life and neither her extra appendage she was born with knowing too well how she struggled with and now her brother is talking about it in front of a third person, a stranger to Lexa or so she believes.
She quickly changes the topic, "You guys should come to my place or Lexa's and I'll be glad to make you dinner or lunch," She shrugs her shoulders, "Just let us know."
"I wouldn't miss that," Finn replies and Clarke adds, "Thank you, Costia."
Lexa is staring at Clarke and trying to figure out what she is thinking especially after the mention of protection clearly reminding her that Lexa has an extra, something which disgusts Clarke or so Lexa thinks.
Clarke feels Lexa's eyes staring at her so she looks back into green and there she sees something familiar, pain and her eyes soften but then she looks away reminding herself that this Lexa is not the Lexa she once knew not even the Lexa who was her best friend.
The dinner goes well or at least civil, Lexa was impressed by Clarke's ability to not latch out at her and let out innuendos through each word she spoke like she did first. It almost hurt her that Clarke acted so normal and not angry as much as she was feeling deep inside her, she also didn't like the fact that Clarke didn't look at her as much as she was looking at Clarke.
She notices that Clarke did change, she kept glancing at her from time to time drinking at the sight of her, at every trait and every detail. It was both familiar and yet new to Lexa, the way her lips move when she talks is more collected than Lexa remembers but at the same time Clarke smile is the same, her tongue slightly peeks between her teeth. She didn't smile each time like that, only when she smiled genuinely and it was the same exact smile Lexa fell in love with.
Clarke in the other hand wanted to stare at Lexa but she could not, afraid to lose her shit if she looks at the green eyes that broke her heart a few years ago as she was feeling the piercing forest green eyes looking at her intently. She had to get her shit together and not let Lexa's presence affect her and show how much she was feeling inside.
She was angry, hurt and many questions were toying with her emotions but she wanted to be civil and let Lexa know that she is not that little girl anymore, the crazy princess who was barely able to defend herself and always needed her protection, not the love sick puppy she used ten years ago before leaving.
Lexa subconsciously lets out a loud gasp feeling a pain in her heart, she was feeling overwhelmed and out of place. Clarke was there within arm's reach yet untouchable. She was there, very much alive in front of her but impossible to reach, unfazed and completely ignoring her.
"Babe!" Costia looks worriedly at her and when she realizes that everyone was looking at her she blinks few times.
"I'm fine," She replies taking a sip from her wine without looking at both women then she looks at Finn, "Bathroom?"
"Of course," Finn replies feeling like something was wrong with his sister he smiles at her apologetically and shows her where the bathroom is and before she can get in he looks at her, "Are you ok?" His eyes shows a genuine concern Lexa simply nods and smiles reassuringly.
"Is she ok?" Clarke can't help herself asking Finn.
"Yeah." Finn replies.
Lexa gets in the bathroom and feels even more suffocated at the sight in front of her, even the bathroom was catchy, visibly decorated by Clarke too. Full of girly products and girly colors, it is everything Lexa imagined Clarke's place would look like. Colorful, cozy, warm and bubbly. Everything she will never have.
Her eyes fall on a tiny bottle of fragrance she takes it and sprays on her wrist, her eyes close and she inhales. Clarke. It smells like Clarke almost like she remembers minus the sugary and too fruity scent. She studies the bottle but cannot find the name on it. Of course, Clarke likes customized fragrances how else she would be able to keep the same delicious and so 'Clarke' perfume. She puts it back annoyed and washes her hands then stares a moment at her reflection in the mirror.
She loosens her tie a little bit and takes a deep breath before she goes back to the kitchen. After sitting back in her chair she leans closer to her brother and says something in his ear to which he replies, "Of course," and smiles at both Clarke and Costia.
Clarke tried to meet Lexa's eyes but the brunette looks everywhere but at her unlike earlier and it was enough "Lexa!" Clarke calls her firmly earning both Costia's and Finn's attention and Lexa's too of course but unlike the others Lexa di not look at her. She was looking at her direction to anyone who was there, Lexa was indeed meeting her eyes but it was not the case. Lexa was looking over Clarke's shoulders.
"Yeah?" Lexa replies unfazed but internally she was wishing that none of them noticed that she said Lexa and not Alex whereas since they stepped in, no one used Lexa not even Costia.
Clarke feels a tug in her heart a pain she never experienced before nothing dramatic of course she had experienced much greater pain at the loss of her father but still it was not familiar to her and she wanted to stop pretending, she was feeling on the edge and was feeling something she cannot express. Clarke feels suddenly stupid at breaking her resolve and control, what can she possibly say now that she has almost her attention. It takes her a few seconds, enough for everyone to notice that she was trying to find her words, "Do you need another drink?"
"No, thanks," Lexa simply replies then looks back at her brother, "So what do you think?"
Clarke feels irritated and Costia does not miss the tension between them. Lexa is maybe a cold person but never such cold and bitchy with her friends or even friends of her friends and this was the woman who is going to be her brother's wife and Clarke seems fine to Costia even more than fine she was clearly a nice person and it confuses her why her girlfriend was acting like that.
"Actually, Alex as much as I want you to spoil us with a wedding worth of movie stars, Clarke is not really into big weddings," Finn replies looking at his future wife.
Lexa raises her eyebrow and looks at her brother instead of Clarke "It's really rude to refuse a gift from your sister and the only member of your family, Finn," Lexa says in a cold tone clearly she was hurt.
"It is not like that, Alex. Clarke and I want to have something small and simple which is more like us," He tries to explain but to no avail Lexa was already hurt and angry according to the way her jaw tensed.
"Since when you like simple?" Lexa asks him her voice reaching another level of harshness.
"Alex, that money can be put for a better use and we can handle ourselves just fine," Clarke replies defensively in a breath and Lexa throws at her a death glare feeling offended.
"Are you insinuating that I don't know how to use my wealth Clarke?" Lexa looks at her defiantly.
"Oh no, I know you are a well successful CEO it is that much obvious but I think it is better if our wedding is more like us," Clarke explains.
"Babe, I think what Clarke wants to say is that she wants a wedding that reflects her and Finn," Costia tries to ease the tension between them.
"Don't worry Clarke I won't be dress shopping with you or anything and you know that Finn," Lexa looks at her brother, "I told you just choose whatever you like, I want you to have a memorable day and the best of what you may choose without worrying about the money," Lexa explains feeling hurt at the rejection and the way they thought she wants to control them or their choice just as her father used to do.
"I know babysis and I really appreciate it but it's too much really and Clarke doesn't feel comfortable at the idea, that's all," He looks deep into Lexa's eyes who nods after a moment. Feeling exhausted and emotionally worn out she puts her hand on Costia's thigh and squeezes it."Let's go," She says softly so that only Costia can hear.
"Thank you for the dinner you got better at cooking," Lexa smiles at her brother trying to sound nicer than earlier.
"You're not leaving yet, are you? Stay for dessert and it's actually Clarke who made it," Finn says.
"Maybe next time, Finn," Lexa excuses herself and stands up.
Costia smiles apologetically at Clarke."It's nice meeting you, Clarke. I hope you'll come for dinner sometime," Costia invites them again.
"Sure, thank you for coming," Clarke replies politely.
"Finn, I'd like to spend some time with you feel free to come by anytime you want," Lexa leans in and hugs her brother.
"I will," Finn promises.
Clarke watches Lexa leave without sparing her a second glance and not even saying goodbye to her, she clearly was mad at her. When the two women left and Finn was back in the kitchen she kept silent, thoughtful and she was too angry to talk, afraid to accidently reveal the truth and feeling puzzled.
Finn preferred to no talk about what happened giving Clarke time to cool down before bring the topic again.
As for Costia, she wanted to talk but decided to give Lexa sometime before asking her about her behavior and coldness toward Clarke and Lexa was glad that her girlfriend didn't. When they arrived at Costia's place, Lexa parked and unbuckled her seatbelt ready to go with Costia but then her girlfriend stopped her.
"Wait!" Costia puts her hand on Lexa's who looks at her."Do you really want to come?"
Lexa frowns then opens her mouth to speak but Costia interrupts her, "I mean you clearly are not in the mood and I'd rather have your full attention when you're with me," She smiles softly at her.
Lexa averts her eyes feeling guilty, "I'm sorry that you have to be there."
"That's ok," Costia leans in and kisses her lips chastely."It's not always easy to let go, I know," She smiles at Lexa who looks at her confused."Your brother is going to be fine, Lexa even if you don't like Clarke he loves her and you have to respect that," She adds.
Lexa nods feeling relieved about the idea Costia has, thinking all it is about is that Lexa does not like Clarke. It is far more better than knowing the whole truth behind her behavior.
"Thank you for being so.." Lexa smiles, "So you." She leans in and kisses gratefully her girlfriend then when their lips part she adds, "Have lunch with me tomorrow."
"I can't," Costia laughs."I've been so caught up in you lately I need to get back to my restaurant."
"Of course," Lexa nods understandingly."Call me," She says and Costia nods before leaving.