AN: There's no drama at a family dinner, right? There's some fluff and some angst and drunken shenanigans! Trigedasleng translations at the end.
Lexa steps out of her car and casually leans against it just as Anya screeches to a stop behind her.
"Hey grandma, need me to get your cane from the trunk?" Lexa mocks Anya with a smirk on her face.
"At least I don't look like a hooker." Anya quips back, tapping her index finger to her lips as she saunters past Lexa.
"Shit." Lexa mumbles, turning to look in her side view mirror to see that she is in fact still wearing her bright red lipstick. She quickly begins to rub it off, remembering that she forgot something else too. Reaching into her bra, she fishes out her plain gold wedding ring. She stares at it for a moment, before Anya gives her a shove.
"C'mon kid, I'm starving. Let's go."
Lexa sighs before slipping the ring onto her left hand before following Anya to the front door. She takes a deep breath, and then knocks three times before stepping back to wait.
Abby Griffin answers the door. "Hello Lexa, right on time." She greets Lexa with only a hint of warmth. She furrows her brow in confusion when she spots a tall, dirty blonde standing behind Lexa instead of her daughter. "Is Clarke not with you?"
Lexa swallows before she speaks. "Good evening, Dr. Griffin. Thank you for inviting us to dinner. Something came up at work, so Clarke decided to ride with Octavia. Also, I hope it's ok, but one of my co-workers was dragged into the mess with me, and I invited her to dinner to make up for ruining her Friday night."
Abby looks displeased, but the group is interrupted by a smiling Marcus Kane. "Of course it's ok, the more the merrier!" Marcus pulls Lexa in for a brief hug, which she stiffly returns with a brief pat on Marcus's back, before he turns to Anya with a big smile and an outstretched hand. "I'm Marcus, a friend of Abby's. Welcome, please come in!"
Anya takes his hand with a brief smile that could have been a grimace, before allowing herself to be ushered inside.
"Lincoln is in the living room with the kids, if you girls would like to join him. Would you like anything to drink?" Abby asks the two women formally.
"We're good, thank you Dr. Griffin." Lexa responds in kind.
Anya snorts. "It's been a long day, if you could just point me in the direction of the liquor cabinet, I can take care of myself."
Lexa jabs Anya in her ribs hard before giving her a disapproving look. Abby looks unamused, but Marcus laughs. "A girl who knows what she wants, just follow me and I will get you sorted out."
Anya follows Marcus into the dining room and Abby heads back into the kitchen without a second glance in Lexa's direction. Lexa stands in the hallway, unsure of where to go, until she feels her phone buzz. Pulling it out, she sees a text from Clarke.
Clarke (7:30): Hey babe, Raven had car trouble so we are going to be a little late. Tell the others not to worry, we are getting an Uber and shouldn't be too long!
Lexa sighs before grumbling, "And she tells me to be on time." Deciding that staying as far away from Abby as possible is her best course of action, she turns to head into the living room. She only takes a few steps in before she feels a small form hit her in the back and wrap its arms around her neck. Luckily, her reflexes allow her to react in time to keep her balance. She grabs the hands around her neck to hold them tight before spinning around a few times. Unable to dislodge her attacker, she slowly slumps to the floor, taking care of the precious cargo on her back before laying absolutely still.
"Can't escape…" She grunts out, before lightly tapping her hand on the hardwood floor.
The little body quickly removes its hold before jumping up and down in excitement. "Auntie Lexa, Auntie Lexa! I pinned you! Daddy, did you see me?" The little girl screeches in excitement.
"I sure did kiddo." Lincoln looks up from the baby he is holding to give his daughter a small smile before turning serious. "But what did we say about attacking people when you aren't in the gym?"
"Not to do it." The little girl looks down at her feet bashfully. "I'm sorry Aunt Lexa."
"It's ok, you didn't, hurt me Aurora. But, I know someone who loves to be surprised, and I don't think she would mind being sneak attacked at all. My friend Anya is here, in the dining room, and as long as you don't break anything…" Lexa trails off as the little girl runs gleefully from the room as fast as her little legs will carry her. Lexa glances over at Lincoln as he begins chuckling.
"You shouldn't encourage her, but honestly, my wife is the worst offender. Aurora is only 4 years old, and Octavia already has her in 3 different types of martial arts classes."
Lexa smiles before taking a seat in the chair next to Lincoln. "I'm not surprised in the slightest." Just then, the two hear a loud shriek from the dining room, and the unmistakable sound of glass breaking.
Lincoln begins to laugh at Lexa's horrified face.
"Oh my God, as if Abby doesn't already hate me enough…" Lexa covers her face with her hands.
Lincoln looks over at her with a sympathetic smile. "She doesn't hate you, she just hasn't warmed up to you yet. It took her a while to start liking me too."
Lexa raises an eye brow at him. "It's been six years, Lincoln, I think she's had plenty of time to warm up to me."
Lincoln grimaces. "Well… you could always give her grandchildren! Ever since we had Aurora, she's been nothing but kind to me. She's the best pseudo grandmother to Aurora and Atom I could ask for."
Lexa's eyes widen, and Lincoln chuckles at her expression before passing the baby to her. "Here, hold Atom for me while I go check on everything and discipline my daughter?" Before she can protest, Lincoln is already gone.
Lexa tenses as the baby begins to wriggle in her arms. Awkwardly, Lexa tries to rock it back and forth, but this only appears to make it unhappier as its little face begins to wrinkle up.
Anya walks in to the living room grumbling, before starting to laugh at seeing her former second in such clear discomfort.
Lexa looks up at Anya with terrified, pleading eyes. "Anya," she whines, "help me!"
"Now, where would be the fun in that? Besides, it's good practice if you and Clarke ever decide to have children." Anya takes a sip of her drink and smirks at Lexa.
A loud wail pierces the room as the baby begins to cry, and Lexa becomes more distressed. "Anya, what do I do? It won't stop!" She awkwardly tries to make some cooing noises, which appear to have no affect on the screaming infant.
Anya laughs once again at Lexa. "If only the clan leaders could see you now, the great Heda vanquished by a small, crying child."
"Anya," Lexa growls at her, "this incident will not leave this room."
Anya quickly pulls out her phone and proceeds to take several photos of a panicking Lexa and the crying baby. Lexa stiffens in anger, which only makes Atom cry harder.
Lexa returns her distressed gaze to the clearly unhappy child. She wishes that she could just tell it that gonas do not cry, pat it on the back, and send it on its way as she does with the Natblidas, but knows this is not an option. Suddenly, she gets an idea. As she looks at the tiny human in her arms, she begins to sing softly and a little off key:
"Yumi na teik,
Won sonraun au?
Anya looks at Lexa in clear incredulity as Lexa begins. "You're singing? You're singing that to a baby?" Lexa completely ignores her and continues, however.
"Medo ste thonken,
Medo drein au.
Oso kik raun.
Ogeda, soulou.
Ai laik yu gona.
Ai na get raun, you.
Yumi na teik,
Won sonraun au?"
As the baby quiets and begins to settle in her arms, Lexa trails off her singing. She looks up at Anya with a smug smile, before a bang sounds from the front door. Lexa instinctively tucks her arms in tighter to protect the baby, and Anya quickly moves next to Lexa to protect her Heda. Their worry was for naught, however, as a familiar voice yells from the front entrance.
"Momma G, your daughters are home!" Octavia yells through the house.
Abby rushes from the kitchen to throw her arms around the three women. "I'm so glad you could all make it, it reminds me of when you were all in high school together, and you would come over every Friday night for dinner."
"And to pregame before we snuck out to go to parties" Raven giggles before she hiccups.
"Raven!" Clarke elbows her hard in the stomach. The sudden movement causes her to lose her balance slightly, but she catches herself on the wall as Raven doubles over in pain.
Anya looks at Lexa with a raised brow before quietly whispering, "And you were worried about me drinking?" Lexa just rolls her eyes at Anya before the two turn back to the shenanigans once more.
Abby is rubbing Raven's back soothingly before she turns to chastise her daughter. "Clarke, that's no way to treat guests."
Abby's scolding is interrupted as Aurora runs into the hallway yelling, "Momma, Momma! I pinned Auntie Lexa today! And then she told me to go sneak up on her friend Ms. Anya, so I did, and I pinned her too!"
Octavia swoops Aurora into her arms to press kisses all over the little girl's face as her daughter giggles. "I'm so proud of you baby!"
Upon hearing this, Abby turns to glare at Lexa. Before she can say anything, Clarke looks at Lexa and Anya in concern. "Oh, hey Anya, how are you? She didn't hurt you guys, did she?" Clarke knows Lexa is tough and Anya is even tougher, but they still are unused to being suddenly attacked, even if it is by a precocious 4 year old.
Anya snorts. "We are fine. I'd be more worried about Lexa and the baby. When it started crying, I thought for sure that she wasn't going to make it."
At the sound of Anya's voice, Raven immediately straightens up. "Anya! It's so good to see you; it's been too long! I don't think I've seen you since the wedding!"
As Raven quickly makes her way over to an annoyed looking Anya, Clarke realizes that Lexa is, in fact, holding baby Atom. Her heart swells at the way her normally stoic wife tenderly cradles the little boy in her arms. Clarke quickly makes her way over to Lexa, only tripping once. "Awww Lex, you guys look so cute together!" Lexa looks down bashfully, causing a piece of hair to fall from behind her ear. Atom reaches his chubby little fist upwards, smiling and giggling as he tries to grab it. "Look at that, he likes you!" Clarke pushes the piece of hair behind Lexa's ear before putting her finger in Atom's fist for him to hold. Looking at Lexa with a sweet smile, Clarke leans in to brush a soft kiss across Lexa's lips.
The sweet moment, however, is ruined as Marcus enters the living room and cheerily exclaims, "Dinner is ready!"
As everyone starts heading into the dining room, Lincoln comes over to take Atom from Lexa. Lexa stands up, taking Clarke's hand to lead her into the dining room. She teasingly whispers in Clarke's ear, "Look who finally decided to grace us with her presence."
Clarke gives her a mock glare before pinching Lexa's ass and moving to her seat.
Startled, Lexa jumps slightly, but quickly regains her composure and moves to sit next to Clarke.
Clarke is sitting at the end of the table across from Octavia, and her mother is sitting at the head of the table to her right. Lexa sits next to her, Anya sits next to Lexa, and Raven sits on Anya's other side at the other end next to Marcus, who is at the head of the table across from Abby. Lincoln sits to Marcus's left, with his two daughters in between him and Octavia. Having already eaten, Aurora sits quietly in her chair playing a game on a handheld, and Atom appears to have fallen asleep in his car seat. Clarke looks around at her closest friends and family and smiles happily. Taking Lexa's hand under the table, she squeezes it before lacing their fingers together. Lexa turns to give her a small smile before Abby brings in the last of the food, and they all dig in.
Abby is the first one to break the silence. "So, Raven, what happened to your car?"
Raven's eyes are currently glued to Anya's jawline, so Octavia decides to throw a roll at her face. It hits her dead on, and Raven looks up in anger and reaches for her own roll. Just as she's about to retaliate, a hand swiftly shoots out to grab her wrist.
Anya gives Raven a stern look. "Behave." She says gruffly. Raven gazes at her with wide, adoring eyes before swiftly dropping the dinner roll. Anya gives her a brief, approving nod of her head before returning to her plate. Abby clears her throat, bringing Raven back to the present.
Raven smoothly lies. "We got a flat tire. I would have changed it myself, but it was dark where we pulled off the road. Plus, I already have way too many grease stained clothes, I don't need any more."
"So then where did you get the alcohol?" Anya asks Raven coolly.
"From my trunk." Raven's voice instantly drops an octave. "I like to be prepared for… anything." Raven ends her sentence with a wink aimed at Anya.
Lexa snorts and tries to contain her laughter at the horrible attempt at flirting.
"So Lexa, what's new with you? I haven't seen you and Clarke in a while." Abby turns her piercing gaze on Lexa.
Lexa returns the gaze calmly. "Nothing new with me. We might redecorate the living room. Work is going well, I just closed a big case."
"Well that's good, maybe now you'll have more time to spend at home."
At the obvious jab, Lexa's grip on her fork tightens until she's starting to bend it, and she clenches her jaw to hold in a retort.
"Mother…" Clarke hisses, giving her mother a glare.
In an attempt to diffuse the obvious tension, Marcus chimes in. "So Lincoln, what is it that you do again?"
"I'm an environmental lawyer. It's a small, independent firm owned by a woman named Indra Forrest, called Ton D.C."
Upon hearing this, Anya begins to choke on her steak and Lexa freezes. Raven begins to thump Anya on the back roughly in an attempt to help.
Anya reaches for her water and quickly drinks the whole glass.
"Are you ok?" Raven gives Anya a concerned look and rubs soothing circles on her back.
"I'm fine. It just went down the wrong pipe. If you don't mind, I'm just going to excuse myself to get some fresh air and another glass of water." Anya stands up abruptly and heads out of the dining room and into the kitchen, where she heads out onto the back deck. She pulls out her phone and dials a number quickly.
It rings a few times, before a gruff voice growls out, "Hello?"
"Indra, it's Anya. Listen, what can you tell me about a Lincoln Wolfe? He works for you."
"He's low level, but he does good work. He doesn't quite have the… ruthless touch shall we say. He's a family man, loyal to the company though. Why do you ask?"
"I'm having dinner with him right now."
"What? How?
"I'm with Heda, he's married to her wife's maid-of-honor."
"He didn't recognize you? Or her?"
"Not that I can tell. I didn't recognize him, and it's not public knowledge that Polis technically owns Ton D.C."
"Well, if you think you or Heda's cover is blown…"
Anya sighs. She doesn't want to kill an innocent man for something he might not even know, especially after meeting his family. She also knows that Lexa would not be pleased, as it would cause her wife pain. "From what I can tell and what you've told me, he's unaware of who we are. Keep a close watch on him though. If he gives any indication that he knows something more…"
"Of course, Onya, I will keep you updated." Indra hangs up without saying goodbye. As Anya hangs up, Lexa steps out onto the back porch.
"Was that Indra?" Lexa asks her. Anya gives her a sharp head nod in confirmation. "What did Indra say?"
"He's low-level, should be harmless. As long as he doesn't recognize us, I don't think he's a threat. But, if you feel it's necessary, we can…" Anya trails off.
Lexa looks to the sky as she contemplates her options. Only the highest-level agents, her council, the clan leaders, and the generals are aware of the exact company that 'owns' all the field stations, and they are the only ones who have been to Polis tower to meet with her. If she has to visit any of the field stations, she wears her war paint to hide her true identity. She makes enough appearances for the people to love and fear their Heda, but keeps enough secrets to protect the integrity of the organization and her identity. Coming to a decision, she returns her gaze to Anya. "Keep an eye on him. Chances are he doesn't recognize us. I will not kill an innocent man if I can help it."
"Of course Heda."
While Anya and Lexa are outside, Abby turns her questioning gaze to her daughter. "So, Clarke, why haven't you been to visit lately?"
"I've just been busy, mother." Clarke scoffs, as if her mother doesn't know how busy she is. She's on the Council, she knows how busy Clarke is trying to broker a peace, defend their people, and take paying hits. "Lexa is busy, too. You know how it is."
"Too bad Bellamy isn't here, tonight. It would have been nice for you two to catch up. You haven't seen him in so long, and you guys used to be such close friends. He's dating someone, a girl named Gina. She's a kindergarten teacher, she has plenty of time to spend with him."
Clarke glares at her mother. "Well I guess me marrying a lawyer was kind of like Dad marrying a doctor, isn't it Mom? Maybe I should have asked Dad if he regretted you not having enough time to spend with him." Clarke abruptly stands up and storms into the kitchen. Spying the bottle of Scotch that Anya had out earlier in the night, she pours herself a glass and drains it. As she looks out the window and sees Lexa talking to Anya, she pours herself another glass and drains it before opening the back door.
"You guys better not be talking about work."
Lexa turns around. "We weren't, I was just asking Anya what she thought of Raven. I was thinking that we could go on a double date with them."
Anya glares daggers into the back of Lexa's head. Clarke misses Anya's look, trying to see if Lexa is lying to her. Finding nothing indicating untruthfulness, Clarke shoots Lexa a soft smile. "I think that's a great idea. But you guys should come back inside before the rest of your dinners gets cold."
"Of course." Lexa returns Clarke's smile, while Anya just huffs. The three women walk back into the kitchen, and Anya and Lexa head into the dining room to retake their seats.
Deciding that she is still too sober to handle her mother's criticism, Clarke pours herself another glass and tosses it back, before taking a deep breath and heading back into the dining room. As she sits down, she catches the tail end of a conversation.
"Well, Marcus, after Finn cheated on me, I just couldn't trust him anymore. He's all the family I have left, so we remain close friends, but that's all we are. Friends. Unfortunately, that was the last relationship I was in, and I'm painfully single, just waiting for the right man or woman to come along." Raven ends her tirade with a not so subtle seductive glance aimed at Anya. Anya closes her eyes, trying to retain her control.
Before she can even formulate a follow up, Atom begins to cry. Octavia picks him up and begins to shush him. "It's getting late, he's only going to be fussy, we should probably go and get them to bed. Thank you so much, Abby, for having us."
Abby stands up to hug the two parents. "Of course, I'm so glad you came! And remember what I said, anytime you two need a date night, I am more than happy to watch Aurora and Atom for you."
Deciding that the night could only deteriorate further, Clarke decides that now is the best time to make her escape. She stands up, wobbling a bit, before Lexa steadies her. "We should probably go too, we have to… shop for a new couch tomorrow, it's going to be a long day." Clarke goes to hug her mother before gathering her belongings.
"Thank you for dinner tonight Dr. Griffin. It was delightful as always." Lexa shakes Abby's hand while trying and failing to muster up a smile.
Abby returns the handshake with an impassive face. "Of course dear. I hope to see you soon. Take good care of Clarke."
"Of course, Dr. Griffin."
Anya walks up to stand next to Lexa and holds out her hand to Abby. "Thank you so much, for having me as well. Best meal I have had in months." Abby shakes hands with Anya with a small, conspiratorial smile.
"Anytime. I haven't met many of Lexa's friends over the years. Plus, you're good for Raven, you keep her in check." Abby winks at Anya before turning to hug Raven.
Anya mouths a 'sorry' to Lexa as they head out the door. They pass Marcus, sending him small waves goodbye and thank you's, which he happily returns.
For the second time that night, Clarke finds herself in an inebriated state, so she has decided to take off her shoes and run barefoot through the front lawn to Lexa's car. As Anya and Lexa leave the house, they are quickly pushed aside by Raven, who let's out a yell, "Party Animal Griffin!"
Clarke skids to a stop, dropping her shoes in panic thinking she has forgotten something.
"Go say goodbye to Octavia!"
"Right." Clarke mumbles to herself, before running to Octavia's minivan. She attempts to slide across the hood, fails, and ends up sticking to the front of the car.
Octavia gets out of the passenger side to help her, barely able to control her giggles. "Bye Party Animal Griffin, it was nice to see you again. Call me tomorrow if you need my hangover cure."
"Hey, it's Party Animal Woods now. And she wouldn't have had to come back if my mother wouldn't be such a bitch." At this point, Clarke is starting to get worked up. Just as she opens her mouth to start a tirade, Lexa comes up next to them.
"Does that make me Mrs. Party Animal Woods?"
"Lexa!" Clarke shouts and launches herself at her wife. Although Lexa is holding Clarke's shoes in one hand, she still manages to wrap the other around Clarke to keep her steady enough to carry to the car.
"Goodnight, Octavia. Tell Lincoln and the kids we say goodbye as well."
"Good luck taking care of that one, I had enough of it during my college years to last me a lifetime." Octavia says with a chuckle.
As Lexa turns to bring Clarke to the car, Clarke shouts over Lexa's shoulder. "Love you Octavia!" Before she can hear a reply, she finds herself gently placed in the passenger seat of Lexa's car, being buckled in by her wife. As Lexa rounds the car and gets in, Clarke looks at her fondly. "You're so sweet. If my mother saw this side of you, she would love you." Clarke claps her hands over her mouth as if she's just revealed a huge secret.
Lexa looks over at Clarke with an amused smile. "It is fine, Clarke, I know that she is not particularly fond of me."
"I'm sorry." Clarke says dejectedly.
Lexa reaches over for Clarke's hand, intertwining their fingers. "Do not worry, Clarke."
Clarke sighs, before leaning her head against the windshield. Suddenly, she jerks back upright. "What about Raven?"
Lexa smirks. "Raven is more than fine right now. Anya is taking her home."
Clarke looks at Lexa in wide-eyed amazement, speechless.
"I don't think anything is going to happen, but you never know, maybe Raven wore her down." Lexa tells her. "Anya just knew that Raven wouldn't mind, and with you being a little… tipsy, decided that it was best if I took you straight home to bed."
Clarke waggles her eyebrows before attempting a seductive voice. "So, Mrs. Woods, you're taking me straight home to bed?"
Lexa's eyes widen. "No, not like that. Not that I don't want to!" Lexa rushes to add. "But I would never take advantage of you when you are in this state, Clarke."
"I know you wouldn't, Lexa." Clarke reassures her, but can't help pouting. They haven't made love in a while. She sighs, before once again leaning her head against the window, letting herself be lulled to sleep by the movement of the car.
The next time Clarke opens her eyes, Lexa is laying her on their bed. Clarke sits up, reaching to cup Lexa's face and hold her gaze. "Let's take a vacation."
"What?" Lexa looks completely shocked at the sudden pronouncement.
"Let's take a vacation, just you and me. I miss you, Lexa. You're here but you're not here. I know we're both busy, but let's just get away. Everything will be waiting when we get back."
"Clarke…" Lexa looks pained. "I cannot. Work is too busy right now. Maybe in a couple weeks…"
"That's not good enough, Lexa. We're falling apart. Clexa is breaking."
Lexa switches on the bedside lamp and stares at Clarke with her brows knitted in confusion. "What is Clexa?"
"Clexa is us! We are Clexa, Clarke and Lexa!" Clarke shouts in frustration.
"Why is your name first? I'm confused."
Clarke pushes Lexa away and begins to yell at her. "Lexa! That's not important! You're always working! I'm busy too, but at least I make an effort! Even tonight, when you were talking to Anya on the porch, I know you were talking about work!" Clarke now has tears running down her face.
Lexa takes a step towards Clarke, trying to comfort her, but Clarke holds up her hand, stopping her.
"Just, please… I can't deal with this right now." Clarke begs her.
Lexa backs up, holding in her own tears, as she grabs a T-shirt and leaves their bedroom. Before she closes the door, she turns around to look at her wife. "I love you, Clarke."
"I know you do." Clarke sighs and wipes the tears from her face. Lexa looks like her heart is breaking, and she turns to go, but Clarke whispers, "I love you too, Lexa."
Lexa stops for a second, whispering, "I know." She takes a shuddering breath and closes the door, headed for the couch. As she lays down, she listens to Clarke cry herself to sleep.
AN: Sorry for that ending, but everything will be ok in the end! If it's not ok, it's not the end! But actually that's true here because I promise there will be a happy ending.
Gona: warrior
Natblida: Nightblood
Grounder anthem translation:
And will you take,
A life with me?
A body's hollow,
A body bleeds.
We live as one.
We live alone.
I am your soldier.
I will atone.
And will you take,
A life with me?