Clarke was losing. At HER OWN game. A chance she hadn't bet anything... But she still had a chance to win the next battle : the supermarket.

"So. Do we need to bring alcohol or…"

"I don't think so but let's take some anyway. And pay Echo for what we drink or she'll have to close the bar in no time"

"OK let's start with alcohol then"

Clarke was the one pushing the shopping cart and Lexa liked that. She didn't know if it was because she actually had plans with Clarke and were preparing for it with her or because people could totally think they were a couple. She thought for a minute : two women shopping usually meant BFF. Ok maybe people wouldn't see them as a couple but SHE could picture that and that's what's important right ?

"Clarke, what are you doing ?"

"Searching for ingredients"

"But all we need are snacks and booze"

"Not if you want me to sleep with you and cook for you tomorrow. Your cupboards are awfully empty"

Lexa raised an eyebrow "You're planning on sleeping at my place tonight and cook for me tomorrow ? Since when ?"

"Just now"

"You know I can't take you to work every day right ?"

Clarke finally turned to look at her prey "Listen. Tonight Raven is bringing her boyfriend and our apartment is closer to The Den than Finn's so that's probably where Bell is going to drop them. Do I need to tell you more or can I stop now ? 'Cause seriously some secrets must be kept and memories left buried in a corner of my brain…"

Lexa made a face "I think I got it"

"Good. And if you don't want me to stay I'll just go ask Octav-" Clarke stopped to think and frowned "No… Even she is not safe…"

"Why ?"

"Because I'm pretty sure she has a thing for your cousin and I don't want to be in the way"

"And Echo ? "

Clarke shook her head "Nope. She's spending the night with Bell"

Lexa couldn't help but smile at the news. She might actually start to like the boy now.

"What ? Why are you smiling like that ?" asked the blonde raising an eyebrow.

"Because now I'm pretty sure he won't court you anymore"

The blonde raised an eyebrow. She knew Lexa was old fashioned sometimes but still "Court ? Seriously ? And wait, what ?"

"He was totally into you back then, you know that right ?"

Clarke thought for a minute before pushing the idea away "Naaaaah. He's like my big brother"

Lexa sighed "Poor guy, now I'm pitying him…"

"And please, stop seeing rivals where there aren't"

"Wait, YOU'RE the one saying that !? After the whole 'Emily' thing ?"

The blond averted her eyes, her 'pouting face' nearly back on "You said it right ? 'It's in my nature' or something" silence fell and Lexa was grinning, following behind Clarke. The brunette was counting in her head.

And 5, 4, 3, 2, …

Clarke quickly turned back to face Lexa with angry eyes "And we're not the same, 'cause you didn't have an 'almost-siblings' relationship with her and you still offered her hearteyes !"

Lexa's grin widened "See ? You're seeing things. I looked at her kindly because she is nice and cute. Like a kitten. You wouldn't be jealous of a kitten ri-" she had to stop when Clarke turned her back on her and started pushing her cart again without a word. "You're a desperate case you know that right ?" The blonde stayed silent and Lexa sighed "OK what do you want me to do ?"

"Stop seeing he-"

"No."

"Why not ? It's not like you know her or anything anyway !" said Clarke that had angrily turned to look at Lexa once again.

"Because first : I'm leaving in two months and it's not like I'll see her every day or something because in case you forgot, I have to work, so even if I wanted to start a simple friendly relationship with her I couldn't. Second : I will NEVER put an end to one of my relationships because of you" Clarke made a face and Lexa, passing by Clarke, added "And third : her gentle cuteness cannot compete with your angry one" She smirked and took the cart.

Clarke was fuming. The girl was driving her crazy on purpose. And she was on the verge of losing. Lexa was dangerous. Really dangerous. "Let's just buy this booze and snacks and go"

"Yes ma'am"

Alcohol in the cart, they headed to the impressive snacks department. Clarke started to fill the cart with different snacks. "Clarke, you're planning on buying one of each or…"

"We'll be at least 10. We need food if we want to drink. And since none of us cook…"

"You have a point"

"Say, is that ok if we stop by my apartment on the way home ? I need to feed Christa and take clothes for tonight"

"No problem"

Their cart filled with things really bad for their health, they paid, jumped in the car and drove to Clarke's place.

"Baby ! Where are you my love ?"

Lexa rolled her eyes. Clarke would be a terrible mom. Christa came out of Clarke's room meowing and running to… Lexa's legs, despite her mom's open arms. Clarke's eyes widened in shock.

"But… But why ?"

Lexa took the cat in her arms and the little animal started purring "Maybe she's trying to punish you for spending so much time with me"

"You broke my heart again Lexa… How could you… Taking my baby away from me… unforgivable…"said the blond, dramatically steadying herself with the back of the couch.

"She came at me on her own"

"You know what, I'm just going to lie down a little, good night"

Lexa smiled. She put Christa on the counter, searched for her food and fed her. Then she headed to Clarke's room. The brunette could only see her back, on the farthest side of the bed (leaving of course enough space for another human being). Lexa smiled again and laid down next to the blonde. After a couple of minutes, Clarke asked "How will you make me forgive you ?"

"I don't know. What do you want me to do ?"

Clarke waited for a moment then she lifted the arm resting on her side a little. Lexa turned on her side wrapping her arms around the blonde's waist and pulling her closer. The brunette buried her face in the nape of her neck mumbling "I used to be the little spoon"

"You used to be smaller"

"True"

Lexa closed her eyes, inhaling the skin of her precious blonde like if it was the most delicious thing that had ever existed. Clarke on her side took one of Lexa's hands in her own, intertwining their fingers and closed her eyes.

When she opened them again two hours later she saw the night knocking at her window and looked at her clock. She panicked "Lexa ! Lexa wake up it's 6pm hurry !" The brunette got out of her slumber slowly as Clarke was rummaging in her closet "Come on teddy bear, wake up !"

Lexa's feet guided her to her car on their own.

"Oh no young lady, you're so not driving like that ! You look like a zombie. Let me drive"

"You have your licence ?"

"Yes, I just… Don't really like driving cars"

"Ok" Lexa yawned really hard and changed seat for the passenger's one.

Half an hour later, when she exited the car, Lexa was fully awake and her heart was beating way too fast.

"You told me you had your licence…"

"Well, technically I have it…"

Lexa's face was as white as a ghost and her legs were trembling "I thought we were going to die…"

"Oh shut up and let's go prepare"

The four floors of stairs had never seemed so mean and sneaky and long and unclimbable to Lexa. When she finally reached her door she opened it and Clarke was the first one to enter.

"Borrowing your shower !"

With that the blonde disappeared in Lexa's bathroom like a rabbit in her den only to get out of it half an hour later.

Lexa was tidying up the food Clarke had bought earlier when the blonde exited the bathroom totally naked (ok wrapped in a towel but it was really short so it made no real differences, maybe even worse) and crossed the living room. Lexa dropped the pastas pack she was holding and just stared at the girl in her apartment. Clarke squat in the entry, rummaging in her bag. "Ah ! found it !" Her clothes in her hand she approached the statued Lexa and kissed her cheek "Forgot my panties" she winked and returned to the bathroom. A minute later, Lexa came back to her senses and realised Clarke had been dripping water in her whole apartment. She sighed, got on four legs and started to mop up when Ymir got out of her room asking for food.

"Ok I'm gonna feed you, just wait until I'm finished with Clarke's stupidity's consequences" But Ymir was meowing and rubbing herself on Lexa's face, keeping her from wiping the floor correctly "Alright, alright I'll feed you now" The brunette stood, grabbed the cat food on the fridge. She walked toward the cat's plate, opening the can. And what had to happen, happened. Lexa slipped on the water and fell. When Clarke got out of the bathroom she found Lexa, butt on the watery floor, cat food covering her shirt and the can on her head. The blonde burst out laughing despite Lexa's death glare.

"You know all of this is your fault right ?"

Clarke had to steady herself on the door frame. She wished she had a camera. It was totally the kind of photo people use for blackmailing. Lexa tried to get up and tripped again, forcing Clarke to sit on the floor and grip her sides. The brunette waited patiently for Clarke to calm down. Five minutes later the blonde finally managed to get up and help her.

"No but seriously you did it on purpose ? It's impossible for the can to fall exactly on your head and stay on it like that, IMPOSSIBLE"

Lexa sighed. "Well I wouldn't have believed that too if I wasn't the one suffering it…"

Clarke chuckled "Go take a shower, I'll feed your cat and wipe my mess" and she kissed her on the cheek again, because, believe it or not, she felt a little guilty.

Cat food fragrance wasn't really Lexa's favourite so… The shower she took was one of the best she ever had.

When she got out of the bathroom in just her underwear the blonde had disappeared. She stepped into her room and turned on the light.

"Boo yah !"

"Waaaah !" Lexa yelled and jumped "Clarke ! I almost had a heart attack ! What do you have against me today !?"

"Nothing"

Surprisingly, Clarke, on Lexa's bed wasn't laughing this time. She was just staring at the brunette a smile on her face. "What ? You look like you're preparing something worse" asked the victim in a defensive stance.

"No. Just enjoying the view"

Lexa sighed. She opened her closet, turning her back on Clarke and leaned down. She yelped when she fell something slapping her ass. She turned back to look at (grinning) Clarke with wide eyes.

"What ? Thought you might love it. At first I wanted to use the belt right there but the scarf seemed more friendly"

"What's gotten into you seriously…" she had a bad feeling about Clarke's behaviour.

"Don't be so shocked and come here" Clarke patted the space on the bed in front of her.

Lexa squinted her eyes in mistrust "Can I dress first ?"

"Absolutely not. Come on I won't do anything, promise" The brunette sat in front of Clarke and waited. The mischievous smile on the blonde's face was devilish. "Remember when you got out of my apartment wearing my clothes ?" Lexa nodded "Well, I had THAT-" she handed a bag to the brunette "-In my room and I thought that I would gladly appreciate it if you'd be willing to wear it again. Tonight. Oh and I washed it of course" Clarke would definitely win this one.

Lexa smiled and shook her head "You already saw me in this, why making me wear it again ?"

"Because I want to brag. I want to show everyone how beautiful my dance partner is"

Clarke's prey raised an eyebrow "Your dance partner ?"

"Yes. There's no party without music and tonight you're my dance partner !"

"Why do you look so happy about that ?"

"Well… Almost everyone has a girlfriend or a boyfriend and I'm just glad that I won't be left alone"

Lexa smirked "And who said I'd be willing to dance with you ?"

"You cannot refuse"

The brunette crossed her arms "Why is that ?"

Clarke grinned wildly "Because I know you're DYING to dance with me" Yep. She had won this fight for sure.

Lexa shrugged "All you want is to see me in a dress right ?"

"Definitely"

"OK but not this one. It's too 'classy' for that kind of party"

"Wait, you have other dresses ?"

A smirk was the brunette's only answer before she stood and picked a dress out of her closet "What do you think of this one ? More casual right ?"

The dress was tight, black, long sleeved with a turtleneck. And shorter than the other. Really shorter.

Clarke swallowed "Put it on. Just to see if it suits you. For science you know ?" Lexa put on the dress and waited for the blonde's approval. Clarke was biting her lip, judging. "Isn't this… a little bit too short ?"

Lexa looked at herself "It's only mid-thigh you know ? That's not SO short. Plus, thought you wanted other people to look at me and envy you ?"

Clarke had just lost again. She was starting to lose hope… But it would be too easy. Nothing, NOTHING too serious could happen between her and Lexa before a while. Not at least until a few months, those few months during roles would be reversed, with Lexa here and Clarke in L.A. No playing was fine but she'd have to maintain the line between them as long as possible.

Clarke couldn't help but smirk "Yes you're right. This one's perfect"

As usual guess what Lexa thought ? 'Nailed it' of course.

The two girls arrived at The Den around 8pm, right after everyone obviously.

"FINALLY !" yelled Raven "Finally my favourite hottie is here !" then she frowned "Wait, where's Lexa ? You promised you'd bring her"

"Don't worry, she's just parking the car" In front of Clarke, all of her friends, Raven and Finn, Octavia, Bellamy, Echo, Jasper, Monty, Anya, Lincoln of course and… "Maya was it ? Maya the waitress from Emily's restaurant right ?"

The girl blushed "Yes, it is nice to see you again Clarke"

"I invited her" said Jasper proudly.

"STOP bragging, we KNOW that you were the one asking her out so shut up"

"Monty, help me, Octavia's mean to m-" but Monty was nowhere to be found.

He got out of the toilets a few seconds later "You said something ?"

Jasper and him went playing their own little 'you're my friend you should be on my side !' theatre in a corner of the bar with Maya watching. Clarke walked forward to hug Anya.

"How are you ? My sister's not bothering you too much ?"

"Actually, SHE was the one that was on my back all day"

Everyone turned to look at the woman in the entry. Lexa was nervous. She hadn't seen Clarke's friends since high school and after what she did to Clarke she was pretty sure everyone would hate her or at least be cold "Lexa, little sis' ! We almost waited you know"

"Whoa Lexa… You were hot in high school but I have to admit that what I'm looking at right now is… how should I say that…" Lexa smiled. Raven was the same, exactly the same.

"Don't say it at all"

Octavia sighed "Clarke, you reconciled not a week ago and you're already putting your name on her ? To think I thought you had grown up…"

Raven grinned. It was her 'let's talk about Clarke's embarrassing past' ritual "Hey O, remember when we first met Lexa ?"

"Oh yeah… What a joke"

"Oh no you're not gonna tell that" said Clarke, menacing.

Echo, that was starting to understand the group dynamic and asked "What is 'that' ?"

"Yeah, I want to hear this side of the story too" added Anya with a mischievous smile. Of course her sister had never been so grateful for such little question.

Clarke sighed and Raven started "Clarke and Lexa met the summer of our 11th grade. But we only met her in autumn three months later"

"Three months ? Why so long ?" asked Maya, suddenly back in the conversation.

"Why do you think ? Clarke was just SO jealous ! She was frightened by the fact that maybe we could steal Lexa from her…"

"Oh please O. it wasn't for that. It just didn't occur to me that you wanted to meet her SO much" said the blonde crossing her arms.

"Clarke. You spent 3 fucking months talking only about her and how she was 'so cute' or 'so cool' and 'kind' and 'so, SO beautiful' and I think you said 'hot' one or two times. You were SO hooked on her damn !"

"I wasn't 'hooked'. I was happy to have a new friend. And I'm not so possessive"

"Clarke, Clarke, Clarke… You're an adult so PLEASE at LEAST admit what you felt back then and that you actually ARE possessive. Oh and stop with this pouting face"

"Why are you all so mean to me today… I'm not SO possessive, am I ?" asked the blonde turning to her eternal ally : Monty.

The boy made a sad face "I'm sorry Clarke but this time I agree with them"

"And you haven't heard the best. When we actually met Lexa she was way more shy than today. She was so cute we couldn't help but tease her, and by teasing her of course I mean Clarke because every time we were 'playing' with Lexa, Clarke's eyes darkened so much it was oddly nostalgic"

"Nostalgic ?" asked Echo, mentally asking Clarke to forgive her.

"Yep. Clarke had a bad habit as a child. Every time she found a new toy, if you dared taking it from her she'd get really mad. But like really, REALLY mad. And she was cute when she was fuming. One day she ended up being particularly violent though" the boy raised an eyebrow smirking.

"Bellamy… I swear to god… If you go any further with this story I'll beat the hell out of you…"

Raven and Octavia both grabbed one of Clarke's arms "Go ahead big bro, release the terrifying info !"

"Well, one day we were in park Jaha and a taller boy approached Clarke that was calmly playing sitting on the ground. He took her horse plush from her and guess what happened ?"

"Bell don't…" Clarke's gaze was alternating between Bellamy and Lexa, fearing the boy's next sentence.

Bellamy smirked. He talked focusing his attention on Lexa "Of course she sent him to the hospital with a broken nose, a few teeth marks, and well… Let's just say the mother of the boy wasn't sure she'd be able to be a grandmother anymore"

Everyone burst out laughing except Clarke. She looked at Lexa and turned bright red when the other girl held back a laugh and grinned, offering the blonde the most obvious 'told you' look she could.

"Hey, want to hear about that time when Clarke and I were in a supermarket and she-"

The blonde's eyes widened. She yelled "JASPER !" before putting a hand on his mouth "You swore we'd never talk about it ever again !"

Lexa went to sit on one of the stool in front of the bar, having a delicious view of Clarke fighting with her friends. After a while Octavia went to sit on her left and Raven on her right.

"Listen carefully Lexa, if we're acting cool with you it's ONLY because of Clarke" said Raven, putting her arm around the actress' shoulders

"Yeah, hurt her again and we'll break your arms and legs and destroy all you care about"

"As long as you're correct with her we'll be correct with you. You were also our friend after all"

"And we liked you too. So don't you dare run away like that again" warned Raven with a smile.

Lexa couldn't speak. Her throat was way too tight. What Octavia and Raven were saying was true. It took her some time but Lexa had been a real member of Clarke's team at some point and the two girls had been her friends too. Lexa nodded, not really trusting her voice.

"Good" said Octavia, slapping Lexa's thigh before running and jumping on Clarke's back.

"Move your ass and come join us" added Raven punching Lexa's shoulder before running and jumping on Octavia's back that was already on Clarke's.

And of course they all fell.

Lexa chuckled but didn't move. She spent the next ten minutes just sitting there, on her stool in the dark, watching her old friends having fun together. It was hard to look at and really pleasant at the same time. Seeing them being happy felt great but she wanted to be a part of it again. There was something inside her screaming 'it's not your world anymore' and she just couldn't find the strength inside her to step forward. Clarke noticed.

The blonde approached Lexa with a smile "Nostalgia time ?"

"I feel like a stranger"

"Yes, because you are" said Clarke, arranging Lexa's hair.

The brunette sighed "Ten years is such a long time"

"It is. But now you're here and they know it. And they are angry because you were a precious friend and turned your back on them but they still like you. A lot of things changed in ten years but they- no, WE know how you are deep down and that you're a good person. You just have to show them that you're still the good girl you were, that you still love them like you used to and that you won't run away and turn your back on them again. Prove them you can close the gap" Clarke's hand gently brushed Lexa's cheek and the brunette closed her eyes "But you need to take the first step. They're not like me. I wanted you so I came and took you by the hand and now I'm trying to tie you up and keep you close. But they're not like me. They'll never trust you or respect you or accept you if you're not the one making the first step. I reached out to you but YOU will have to be the one to reach out to them"

When Lexa opened her eyes, the blonde had joined her friends again. She took a deep breath and stood.

Clarke was nervous. Bellamy had called for everyone to gather around him. He was ready to open the letter with the results of the audition.

"Everyone's here ? Perfect !"

Clarke grabbed Lexa's hand and Bellamy started to read