Lexa gazed at her closet and cursed her limited wardrobe. In fact, for the first time in a long time, it really upset her how few clothes she owned. A lot of her good clothes had been stolen in the shelters, and her scholarship covered the basics and not much more, so the good clothes she had were clothes Clarke had already seen. She wanted to impress Clarke, make it look like she wanted to look nice for their date and that it meant something to her; that it meant the world to her actually.

She sat down on her bed after kicking the wardrobe door shut. She looked at the clock. There was about an hour left until Clarke would pick her up. She considered asking one of her friends if she could borrow something, but the thought alone embarrassed. There weren't a lot of things Lexa was insecure about, her past and her time in group homes, though, was a subject she did not like to bring up.

"Just shake it off," Lexa whispered to herself. She couldn't let this bother her. It would mess up her mood for the whole date. She was going to be spending a whole evening with Clarke, and they would be doing stuff she was excited about. A small smile tugged at her lips. As long as she looked good, that's what was most important, right?

She was thankful it was slightly chilly outside. She hadn't worn her oversized denim jacket for months due to the heat. At least she would be wearing something Clarke hadn't seen in a while.

She decided on black skinny's, a green crop top she had borrowed from Anya last time she visited her, and her denim jacket over that. They were going to be skateboarding, so she figured her hair would be best up. The same went for the shoes. She pulled on her sneakers after cleaning them thoroughly.

She didn't really see the time pass as she carefully picked out a necklace and some rings. She had hidden those carefully in the past and managed to keep most of it. Just as she finished her make-up, her phone buzzed, and she realized, Clarke was here. She widened her eyes as her heart leaped. She looked on last time in the mirror to compose herself and made her way to the door. Just as she opened it Monty was coming in.

"Oh," Monty squeaked sounding startled. "You look nice." He smirked. Lexa didn't really offer a response. She only shrugged and gave Monty a tight smile before turning the corner. She even waved at her roommate and then rolled her eyes, thinking she needed to get her act together.

She took a deep breath while her hand was on the handle of the door, which led into the courtyard, where Clarke would be waiting. At the center of her nervousness, warm and exciting swirls swarmed in her chest. She realized she couldn't wait any longer. Just as she expected, Clarke stood there waiting for her. She smiled so widely. She thought Clarke would think she looked like a psycho.

Clarke breathed out, feeling relieved to see her finally. This whole thing, the getting ready, the waiting, it had had her on edge. Now, though, seeing Lexa -beautiful Lexa- walking towards her, all her apprehension dissipated.

"Hey," She breathed mirroring the smile Lexa was wearing. "You ready?" Clarke asked her, and Lexa nodded. Clarke's eyes lingered on Lexa's greens. The dark make-up she was wearing enriched their color and tempted Clarke to dive in and dissolve. Clarke looked down, her cheeks darkening in color, as she had been caught staring. Lexa smirked. The anxieties she kindled about what clothes she was wearing disappeared when she caught Clarke's eyes lingering on her. The blonde was beautiful in her black skater skirt. She was even rocking her leather jacket. Lexa liked it when Clarke wore black for one reason or the other.

They drove to Clarke's house to pick up her skateboard. Lexa followed Clarke into the girl's garage where Clarke had left her skateboard.

"Okay, now before you see the deck-" Clarke swallowed and looked embarrassed, "I was a really emo kid." She took the skateboard from behind her back and showed it to Lexa. It had neon skulls on it, with the text 'Death is not the end' written under it.

Lexa tried not to snort, but she couldn't hold it in. "Ugh, I knew you'd laugh." Clarke pushed her lightly and feigned her indignation.

Lexa laughed but pulled Clarke back towards her. "I'd like to see emo Clarke," Lexa purred. Clarke groaned and tried to untangle their hands. She shook her head and started heading out. "At least tell me if you had the hair!" Lexa demanded.

"You are never going to let me live this down, are you?" Clarke cried.

"Just give me a few more jokes baby," Lexa giggled. Clarke's smile faltered a little. Her gaze sharpened as she felt her heart bounce. The blonde's smile returned as she approached Lexa and snatched her skateboard mischievously.

"I'll give you one more joke for the night, baby," Clarke hummed, which created a bashful smile on Lexa's face. Clarke's smile suddenly dropped, "Oh I forgot!" She then went into a box and pulled out a helmet and pads.

"I have to wear those?" Lexa pouted.

"Yes,"

"But my hair," Lexa whined a little which made Clarke quirk an eyebrow.

"Your hair?" She questioned.

"Yes, it's really hard to maintain these kinds of curls and look cute, you know?" Lexa stated as she crossed her arms petulantly.

Clarke giggled and pulled the helmet over Lexa's head, "You always look cute, especially like this." Clarke held onto the helmet and watched Lexa's cheeks redden as their proximity had been increased.

"Clarke?" Clarke heard her mother call. She took a few startled steps away from Lexa and watched her mother walk out of their conservatory with Marcus Kane by her side. Lexa took off the helmet and held it under her arm.

"Mom, I didn't know you were home." Clarke sounded flushed. "We were just leaving. I needed this-" She was pointing at her skateboard but didn't exactly want to explain it all. She still felt queasy around Marcus. Abby nodded then reverted her eyes to Lexa.

"Lexa," She smiled genuinely. She was honestly happy to see the brunette standing in her driveway. "I haven't seen you around here in a long time." She sounded hopeful. Who knew that Abigail Griffin had started rooting for Clarke to patch things up with Lexa? "You remember Lexa, right honey?" Abby looked at Marcus. The pet name directed at her mother's boyfriend made Clarke cringe.

"Yes, we met at one of our benefits," Marcus confirmed while hiding his hands in his pockets. There were few silent seconds before Abby spoke up again.

"Are you two back together?" Abby questioned without missing a beat. Clarke's eyes widened. Her mother did not do subtle.

"Mom," Clarke's voice rose in an aggravated pitch. Clarke looked at Marcus, then at Lexa. The question was already loaded, but for it to be raised around both Lexa and Marcus, made it worse. It was a sensitive subject for her. It brought her back to December, to the moment she was hurt, embarrassed and most insecure.

Lexa placed her hand on Clarke's back but made sure she did so unnoticeably. Lexa's small ministrations created a warm barrier around Clarke's heart. It reminded Clarke that this wasn't December, and retrospectively, everything made sense. Lexa's actions made sense, and they did not fashion the insecurity and the anguish they once did. Clarke sighed as she felt the tension flow out of her.

"We're going out. I'll see you this weekend." Clarke told her mother, then walked off with Lexa on her tail.

She sat in the car and gripped the wheel. She wasn't sure why she was upset at this point. She hated that her mother had brought that up. Then she felt slim fingers tucking her hair behind her ear.

"Hey, are you okay?" Lexa asked. Watching the girl- her girl- smiling at her made her realize how silly she was feeling.

"Yes, my mother just-" Clarke chuckled. "She's not subtle is she?" Clarke rested her head on the wheel. Lexa mirrored Clarke's mood and started chuckling. She moved her hand from Clarke's neck to her hand and gave it a squeeze.

"Come on. Let's go to the park." Clarke turned her face and gazed at the brunette.

"Yeah," She smiled widely and started the car.

"Why am I the only one wearing these things? Shouldn't we at least match?" Lexa questioned after Clarke was done putting the pads on her.

"I know how to skateboard. You don't." Clarke pointed out, but Lexa pouted. "Don't give me that look. You wanted to learn."

"Okay, so how do I do this?" She asked as she was about to step on the skateboard.

"Uh! You're not stepping on this just yet." She giggled as she tugged at Lexa's sleeves. She followed Clarke onto the grass. Lexa frowned looking confused.

"The wheels won't work here, though." Lexa pointed out.

"Exactly," Clarke grinned. "We need to work on your balance first. Try getting on." Lexa eyed the skateboard hesitantly and then stood atop it.

"Put your feet on top of the bolts," Clarke stated and pushed Lexa's leg a little to the right. Clarke then put her hands on Lexa's hips and told her how to lean. "You got it?" Clarke asked. Lexa nodded and felt her ears burn. All she wanted was Clarke's hands on her hips again and again. Lexa told herself to focus on what Clarke was telling her and get her mind out of the gutter.

After about twenty minutes Lexa felt confident enough to try and ride on the concrete.

"Okay," Clarke said as she held out her hands, "Now hold onto me as you're getting on," She did what Clarke told her.

"This was your plan all along wasn't it?" Lexa asked mischievously as she tried to keep her balance.

"If it was anyone's plan, it was yours. You wanted to learn remember?" Clarke retorted with a teasing tone. Clarke almost wanted to poke Lexa's side, but she knew if she would Lexa would topple off the skateboard. The girl was quite ticklish.

"Damn, you caught me." Lexa chuckled. Clarke snorted and told Lexa to focus. She held onto Clarke before she tried to find her balance and then allowed Clarke to push her gently.

"Not too hard!" Lexa yelped just as Clarke wanted to push the skateboard forward.

"That's what she said," Clarke commented with a sly tone. Lexa almost yammered as she clamped her hands around Clarke's shoulders as if she was holding on for dear life. She didn't want Clarke to let her go, and she really couldn't focus if Clarke would start joking around.

"Clarke-, " Lexa said sounding vulnerable which indicated that she needed Clarke to take her seriously. Clarke's eyes softened, and she wrapped her hands tighter around Lexa's hips.

"I won't let you go if you're not ready." Clarke's voice was barely above a whisper. "I'm right here." The words resonated with Lexa. She knew Clarke was talking about skateboarding, but for somehow the words seemed to fit their whole story.

"We can stop right now if you're not ready to do that," Clarke stated again, hoping Lexa would feel more comfortable. Little did she know how much her words meant. It was only when she looked into that green abyss once more that her words echoed back to her, and she understood their depth. At this point, Clarke wanted to lean forward and kiss her, more than any other moment. Lexa's fingers curled into the fabric of Clarke's leather jacket, and with it, the spell faded away.

Lexa took one more breath and then gave Clarke a solemn nod. Clarke gently pushed her, and Lexa was riding slowly ahead. Lexa leaped off the skateboard and jumped up excitedly as the skateboard rolled off into the distance.

"Did you see that?!" She squealed. She was so endearing it made Clarke smile and nod. Soon enough, Clarke was teaching her how to stop and even carve. The first time Lexa tried to take a turn though she ended up falling flat on her face.

"Lex!" Clarke yelled as she jogged towards the brunette. "Hey, look at me." She said cupping Lexa's face.

"Damn," Lexa groaned, "My breasts took a hit." She coughed while rubbing her chest.

"Well, I'd kiss it better but-" Clarke joked which took Lexa by surprise. Lexa had been concerned about pushing Clarke with taking her flirting too far, but it seemed Clarke was content taking it that far.

"Really?" Lexa chuckled. She stood up and hissed when looked at her hand. "Shit, my hand."

"Maybe we should stop for today. Get some food, do some Pokémongo?" Clarke suggested which made Lexa pout.

"I guess." She muttered.

"Or not?" Clarke echoed. Lexa smiled and looked up, shaking her head. She grasps Clarke's hand while taking the skateboard in the other and led them to the local restaurant, which was situated in the middle of the park.

"Oh God, there's a Dratini!" Lexa hooted as she started walking. "Where is it?" She was ranting to herself.

"Wait, Lexa!" Clarke said as she was still clinging onto the ice cream she had bought on the way. "My app isn't open and I can't- with this -"

Lexa looked behind her and quickly jogged over to her. She took Clarke's phone, ignoring Clarke's protesting sounds, and opened the app. "Here," She said handing it back. "Now, come on!"

"You're so bossy," Clarke chuckled as she watched Lexa run from one tree to another. "I like it." She purred which seemed to be the only thing that could halt Lexa in her tracks.

"So you like to be told what to do huh?" She teased and bit her lip. The moment, however, was broken when Lexa finally found the Dratini she was looking for. "Oh my God!" Lexa squealed. "At it's a 300 one, 'yas' girl!" Clarke snorted at Lexa's words. They kept having little moments like these throughout the night, and it was becoming harder not to push Lexa up against one of these trees.

"Did you just say 'yas'?" Clarke questioned as she clicked on the Dratini. Lexa looked at her feeling slightly embarrassed.

"I've been spending too much time with Raven," Lexa stated shrugging her shoulders.

"Awh, mine is only 89," Clarke said sounding disappointed. Lexa peeked over Clarke's shoulder and wrapped her arms around the blonde.

"That sucks honey," She muttered in Clarke's ear which sent a shiver down Clarke's spine. An unexpected yawn coming from Clarke took them both by surprise.

"You want to get out of here?" Lexa asked. They had been hunting Pokémon for the last forty-five minutes after their dinner.

"Yeah," Clarke smiled and grabbed Lexa's hand. "I'm kind of tired," Clarke admitted. She didn't want the date to end, though. The only silver lining she had was that she would kiss Lexa. She told herself she would. She was determined to at least kiss her once today.

Clarke was supposed to drive Lexa back to school, but she stopped at her house. She looked at Lexa and sighed.

"It's only 9h30 pm..." Clarke started. "I can drive you back to school if you want but-"

"I don't want this night to end either." Lexa blurted out softly, expressing what Clarke wanted to say. Clarke beamed and took the key out of the ignition. It was dark outside, and Clarke was sparked with an idea.

"Come on," She said. They first dropped by the garage to drop everything off. Then Clarke led Lexa to her backyard as she pressed her index finger to her mouth. She halted at a tree and looked up.

"A tree house? You have a tree house?" Lexa gaped. "You really do live the white picket fenced dream don't you?" Lexa joked but instantly regretted. She knew how hard the last two years had been on Clarke. "I mean-" She stuttered.

"No, you're right. I am privileged." Clarke acknowledged soberly. "Now, come on." She said and started climbing.

Lexa quickly averted her eyes and gazed at the grass as Clarke's position gave her the opportunity to look up her skirt. She felt like she had fallen into a 50s romance novel. She shook her head.

"Lex?" Clarke looked down. Lexa did her best to keep her eyes from falling onto Clarke's underwear, but she failed. It was black too. Her cheeks had turned completely scarlet. "What's the matter?" Clarke laughed. Her smile abruptly fell as she asked, "Wait can you climb?"

"I can climb," Lexa said looking away. She sounded slightly annoyed which puzzled Clarke and inspired her monstrous insecurity to make an appearance.

"We don't have to do this if you don't want to," Clarke muttered sounding frustrated with herself. Again she felt like she had done something wrong.

Lexa, however, frowned and snapped her head up ignoring the reservations she had held previously. "No, I do." She angled her head sideways and explained as she sensed Clarke's apprehension, "Clarke, your skirt. Can you just climb, so I can climb without feeling like I am perving on you?

Clarke widened her eyes and started laughing. She felt the relief wash over her, but she also felt a little dumb for jumping to conclusions. She really had to work on that. "Oh! Sorry." She cackled. "You can always perv on me. I don't mind."

"Clarke," Lexa bleated.

"Okay, okay! Aye aye, Captain. Will do." She even saluted before she climbed with haste and waited for Lexa to join her.

They had been lying on top of the treehouse's roof for about twenty minutes while they stargazed until Lexa broke the silence they had been basking in and remarked, "You know for someone that told me I could perv on them, you are sitting quite far away,"

Lexa bit her lip as she hoped she wouldn't smirk too unmistakably. She also hoped she wasn't hinting too brashly. Clarke choked on the grapes she had taken with her from the car and regarded Lexa with startled eyes.

"Oh, yes- right- I mean-" Clarke swallowed, "Uhm- I didn't want you to be uncomfortable- I- I uhm-" Clarke strung a stammering pack of words together.

"Clarke," Lexa grasped her hand which the blonde had strategically tucked into her jacket, "It's okay. Relax," She squeezed her hand encouragingly. "I was just trying to lighten the mood. You seem so... pardon the pun," She said looking over the edge of the roof and then continued with, "on edge since we've been up here,"

Clarke snorted a little. It was a good pun. Clarke then sighed as she had to admit to herself that she had been. She had been over thinking the climbing moment since they had been lying here. It was so little as well, which made her feel dumb. She tended to over think too much. Clarke put down the grapes and slid over to Lexa so she could curl into the brunette. Lexa beamed when she wrapped her arms around Clarke and felt the girl relax in her embrace.

"Sorry, I always over think things. I jump to conclusions, and then I'm wrong, and now I feel dumb. And honestly, I know it's fine, and this is such a great night. I just- God I am such a head case. I can never just have fun." She growled. She hated how her insecurities always ruined everything.

"Look," Lexa murmured, "Neither of us is perfect, and that's okay. If you're feeling on edge, don't worry about feeling stupid, just talk to me. Not that I'm such a good talker, but- you make me want to be." Lexa mused.

Clarke looked up and felt her heart hammering in her chest. She felt like the emotions quavering in her chest would bruise her ribs if she did express them. She traced over Lexa's jaw line and settled her hand in her neck, still playing with the short baby hairs there. She looked into the green abyss once more, then pulled Lexa towards her and pressed her lips against Lexa's. The hammering of her chest seemed to calm and transform into warm tranquility. Lexa gasped sharply as she felt Clarke's lips press tightly against her own. She broke the kiss to look up at Lexa briefly then kissed her again, this time with more intensity. Lexa who at first had been careful and hesitant felt her passion soar as Clarke nipped at her bottom lip. She wrapped her arm around Clarke's waist and drew her closer, molding her body into Clarke's. She breathed out loudly as she changed angles and tasted Clarke's lips again and again. Their fingers curled and relaxed with every attentive change. Their lips swelled with every nip and tug, and their breathing became too erratic for them to contain it.

So eventually, they broke apart, gasping for air. They gazed at each other soberly at first. Then a small smile tugged at Lexa lips. It was Lexa who first broke the moment as she bubbled with laughter. It wasn't laughter which originated from humor, but it was laughter that originated from happiness, pure bliss. Clarke beamed. She echoed the sounds filled the brisk empty air with mirrored glee.

Clarke leaned in and pecked Lexa's lips again until she settled her head on Lexa's shoulder. "I have wanted to do that all night," Clarke admitted and felt Lexa's embrace tighten as she verbalized the words.

"Me too," Lexa replied.

"I feel less on edge with you," Clarke admitted feeling the need to have this conversation as well. Too much had gone unsaid, and this date was not only a stepping stone but also a moment so they could talk about all that had transpired and where they would go.

Lexa understood the weight of Clarke's words and nodded. "And you make me want to be more honest about what I want and what I've been through." Lexa was brushing Clarke's hair as if it was a mantra. "I want to tell you all of that, to show you all of that." Lexa quavered.

"But there are a lot of things I haven't told you yet," Lexa admitted. Clarke could hear how fast Lexa's heart was going, and she felt guilty for making the girl feel so fearful.

"I'll be here when you are ready to tell me," Clarke whispered.

"It's not because I don't trust you or don't want to, it's just hard for me to talk about it," Lexa confessed dreadfully. Clarke propped herself up on her elbow and traced Lexa's face.

"I know." Clarke mouthed. A regretful smile carved itself onto Clarke's face as the blonde spoke, "I haven't been particularly inviting you to do so in the past. Whenever you told me something, I reacted badly, so I don't blame you for being apprehensive." Clarke looked down, feeling ashamed of these last few months. She took a deep breath and insisted, "I was wrong-"

"No-" Lexa protested.

"Just let me get this out." Clarke croaked.

"I was wrong," Clarke repeated as she clenched her jaw. She licked her lips and sniffed, "These last few months my fear and my insecurity guided my actions. I was hurt, and I didn't believe in the truth of your actions or your words. And I'm sorry," She looked up and tried to convey her sorrow into her words, "I trust you now. And I promise I won't be as selfish and as self-centered as I have been."

"Clarke," Lexa's voice was hushed, "I hurt you. You had every reason to act like that," Lexa argued.

"Just because I have a good reason, doesn't mean it wasn't shitty or that I shouldn't apologize." Clarke retorted. "We've been through a lot."

She paused, then continued, "And I can't say that those insecurities won't come up again, but I promise I won't run from you or push you away." Clarke knew she was being melodramatic, which made her chuckle inwardly, but it didn't take the truth away from those words. Lexa brushed over Clarke's cheek and looked at her fondly.

"Well, then I am sorry too." Lexa murmured. "I was wrong too, and I did a shit ton of problematic stuff." She admitted with sorrowful eyes.

Lexa looked up and breathed in tightly, "At the time, I didn't realize I wasn't ready and how hurt you would be from my actions. I didn't realize how much I felt for you until it was too late. I didn't mean to lead you on, but if I'm being honest, I did. I did lead you on." Lexa gulped, "But Clarke, there wasn't a moment where the feelings I had for you were false. I've always-" Lexa bit her lip. "I always felt those feeling for you. I just wasn't ready-" Lexa's lips were trembling as she uttered the words.

"I know," Clarke whispered remorsefully.

"I didn't realize how scared you were too, but I do now," Lexa said sounding determined. "I know you better, so much better now," Lexa gasped out a smile which made Clarke beam. Clarke nodded. "And I think you know me better as well." Lexa piped. "I know that I am ready for those serious feelings now- for you and that I can talk to you. I want, to be honest with you, and communicate better." Lexa rambled sounding happy and proud. Clarke breathed out relief.

"I feel those feelings too," Clarke replied softly and leaned in to kiss Lexa. Their lips met momentarily before they went back to their previous position, in which Clarke laid in Lexa's arms while gazing at the landscape above them.

Lexa snorted after a few minutes, "We are two dramatic hoes, aren't we?" She exclaimed. It still took Clarke by surprise when she heard Lexa use that kind of slang. She couldn't deny that she liked it, however.

"Tell me about it," Clarke giggled.

"Clarke?" Lexa murmured after two hours of basking in each other's embrace. Clarke hummed in response to Lexa's questioning tone. "I'm all in if you are," Lexa's voice shook which made Clarke bit her lip.

Her head was telling her, take your time, don't rush, do what you intended to do. Her fear was telling her. You could benefit from no labels. But her heart told her, yes, a thousand times yes. She didn't care if she was being unwise. Whether they worked on things with a label or without one, the importance was that they were working on things.

"I am," Clarke replied under her breath. Lexa's heart felt like there was a weight lifted from it. Clarke turned her head up to the brunette and asked, "So does this mean I get to kiss you anytime I want?" Lexa chuckled.

"Yeah," Lexa leaned in a pecked Clarke's lips.

Notes:

Okay, so I'm hella late with this chapter. Like I said I had my dissertation to finish and by the time I had finished, I just didn't have the energy, so I'm sorry for that. I was also very excited to write this chapter and it took me longer for that. I also deleted a whole bunch of scenes from this chapter. I am still not sure if I got it right, but eh I'm going with this version.

Thank you for all the comments and kudos, they are always encouraging.

See you next time, folks!