Clarke woke up alone, in a bed that wasn't hers, but it felt better than hers. Her head felt like it was about to explode, her mouth was as dry as a desert and her whole body was screaming for her not to move, to spend the entire day in that bed. The decision to open her eyes was the worst she ever took. The sun coming in through the blinds, felt like knifes in her head. She covered her face with the blanket, immediately, coming to take shelter in the warm of it, and in that lovely smell. Vanilla. That was when flashes from the night before started to break free in her mind. A kiss. Skin on skin. Heat and passion. And that intoxicated vanilla scent. Lexa. Involuntarily, Clarke reached her hand to the other side of the bed, finding it empty, just like she already knew. Where did she go? She tried to hear any sounds in her surroundings, trying to see if she was alone in the room, or in the apartment. Clarke heard noises coming from outside the room, and it was like a weight, that she hadn't yet noticed its presence, left her chest. Her next move was to look under the covers, at herself. I'm dressed. Nothing happened. Besides the… the flashes… Clarke couldn't remember the entire night, but she knew that they had kissed, and that she had been the one inciting it. She could still feel her lips tingling, from being kissed with such passion and hunger, and she could also feel that in her neck. I'm pretty sure she left a mark there. She remembered all the thoughts that had crossed her mind, she was just having trouble distinguish the ones that had happened, from the ones that had just stayed in her mind.

When the dryness in her mouth started to be unbearable, Clarke got out of bed, the slower she could, so that her head wouldn't explode. So, this is a hungover. God, this is terrible, I feel like I'm going to die. Why did I drink that much?

With her bare feet touching the wood floor, Clarke started walking, one foot in front of the other, her dress all wrinkled and her hair smelling like booze and cigarettes. The door was ajar, so she pushed it open, leaving Lexa's room. She had intended to go to the bathroom first, to look at herself in the mirror, hoping that that would help her remembering something else. She walked the corridor, but when she was about to reach for the bathroom door, her side view spotted something that made her stop where she was. Lexa. There she was, with her hair wet, once again, in a large shirt, probably the same she was wearing last night, when Clarke had seen her for the first time, after months. Lexa had her back turned to Clarke, yet unaware of Clarke's presence. She was cooking, while dancing calmly to the sound of a music playing low on the background. Clarke stayed frozen in the same place, looking at Lexa, for a while, not sure why she didn't want to move. Lexa turned around, with a plate of pancakes in one hand, finally looking at Clarke.

-Clarke! – Lexa wasn't scared, it almost seemed like she already knew Clarke had been there gawking her. – You're awake. How do you feel?

-Hi… - Her voice came out hoarse, due to her dry mouth.

Lexa turned to the sink and filled a glass with water, coming to give it to Clarke.

-You might want this. I dropped an aspirin in it. For the looks of it, you might be in pain.

-Thanks. – Clarke drank the water, feeling way better after being able to feel her mouth and throat. – And, what do you mean by the looks of it?

-Let's just say, you should probably go take a shower. – Lexa smiled, and frowned her nose. – You smell like beer and smoke, and your make up is all smudged. I got you a towel and some clothes to change to. I'm making breakfast. Go take a shower and then you'll feel way better, believe me. – Lexa smiled again. Her eyes were looking at her with such adoration.

-You're an angel. I should probably apologize for last- – Clarke felt 100 times better, once she heard the word shower.

-It's ok, Clarke. Go on, we'll talk after you take your shower. – Talk… Right… Shit… Lexa went back into making breakfast, and Clarke got into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

Her reflection in the mirror startled her. God… Hangover looks terrible on me. Her makeup was indeed all smudged and her neck was covered in bruises. The ones that she made on my neck. It made Clarke remember more parts of their heated moment the night before. Clarke unzipped her dress, letting it fall on her feet. She got rid of her underwear and got in the shower, letting the hot water run down her face, cleaning away the rests of makeup still there. She stayed under the water, with her eyes closed, just feeling the heat penetrate her skin. It was actually helping her relax her sore muscles. Her headache even started to fade, although Clarke wasn't sure if that was the hot water, or the aspirin starting to work. She used Lexa's shampoo and gel. The bathroom was smelling like vanilla, once Clarke left the shower. She smelled like Lexa. She wrapped herself on the towel Lexa had left there for her, and left the bathroom. She didn't quite think through that decision, until she was naked, in front of the bathroom's door, with Lexa a few meters away from her, in the kitchen, now staring at her.

-You said you had clothes… - It took Lexa awhile to answer, being too focused on trying not gawk at her friend.

-Right. Clothes. In my room. T-shirts on the top drawer. Shorts on the last one.

-Thanks. – Clarke turned around, still feeling Lexa's eyes on her. She's was pretty sure, her hips swayed differently, now that she knew Lexa was staring at her. Or, maybe, she was just reading too much into it.

-Breakfast is almost ready! – Lexa screamed, once Clarke closed the door behind her.

Clarke dropped the towel on the floor, and went to get clothes. It was only with a t-shirt and some shorts on her hands, that she remembered she had no underwear. Shit. I forgot about the underwear.

-Lexaaa! – She heard feet running towards the bedroom, only having time to put on the large t-shirt, that was large enough to reach her thighs.

Lexa came in her room, her face filled with worry.

-Are you ok?

-Sorry… I wasn't trying to scare you. It's just that, I forgot about the underwear. – Lexa's features changed the moment her eyes drove down, realizing that Clarke was only wearing a large t-shirt, and nothing else.

-Und- underwear… - Clarke giggled at Lexa's lack of words.

-Yes. You know, like, panties. – The word "panties" made Lexa's face go red. Clarke giggled again, finding Lexa's reaction endearing.

-Bedside table, middle drawer. – Lexa gulped down, regaining her neutral posture.

-Thanks. I'll be out in just one second. – Clarke smiled and Lexa walked back, slowly leaving her own room, closing the door. It took her 2 seconds to pick the underwear and put it on. She grabbed the shorts and left the room while still pulling them up. – Told you it would be 2 seconds. – Clarke said proudly when turning the corner. Lexa had the island counter filled with food. The smell of pancakes and bacon made Clarke's stomach scream with hunger.

-Actually, you said one second, but I'll accept your 2 seconds. Want to join me? – Lexa was sitting in one of the stools, looking at Clarke with that smirk of hers.

-Yes, please. I'm starving. – Clarke sat right beside Lexa.

-Breakfast food, in my opinion, is the best cure for a hungover. – Lexa served Clarke of everything that was on the table.

-I'll be the judge of that. – Clarke attacked the pancakes first, devouring the first two without even breathing. Moans left her throat. – This is perfection. You never told me you were this good of a cooker.

-If I had, I'm afraid you would've only become my friend for the food. – Lexa was still in her first pancake, taking her time to watch Clarke, always with that smirk on her lips.

-You have no idea how much I want to kiss that smirk out of your face. – The words left Clarke's full mouth before she could even think them first, only realizing what she had just said, once the words were out in the air. Shit. Did I just say I wanted to kiss her? I must still be drunk. That can't be possible. It's the pancakes! They're so good, that they make me say stupid things… What's wrong with me? Now I'm blaming the pancakes? Really, Clarke?!

-Do tell… - Lexa's smirk only grew bigger, her eyes coming to rest on Clarke's lips for a moment, only to move back to her eyes. It was like a dance, a dance that started replaying in Clarke's mind, a dance she had witnessed the night before. Those green eyes moving up and down, those lips moving apart, to let a skilled tongue peek in between, wetting them, only to retrieve back inside again. Clarke stayed watching that dance, feeling herself get lured in, once again. She closed her eyes, before she lost control.

-We should talk. About last night. – Lexa moved back again, her features going neutral. Clarke was sure she was able to see the wall being pulled up in Lexa's mind and heart.

-We should. – Food was soon forgotten. – So, what do you remember, from last night?

-Almost everything, I guess. My mind is still trying to put all the flashes together, in the correct order. – Clarke wasn't lying, although she knew exactly what she had done, she couldn't quite remember the circumstances in which she had done it.

-That's good. I didn't want…

-I know. I remember that too. Look, Lexa, I like you, I really do. Sometimes more then I'm ready to admit. – Clarke was trying to find the right words to explain to Lexa what had been going through her mind, since the moment they had kissed for the first time. – This is just all new to me. I don't know what I'm feeling, I don't know what I want. – Deep down she knew, but she wasn't ready yet, to admit that, not even to herself. – The only thing I know for sure, is that you're my best friend, and I don't want to hurt you, or lose you.

-You're not losing me. You're my best friend too.

-I know, but I can see it in your eyes. – Lexa looked away, at her plate, probably not wanting Clarke to read her emotions at that moment. – I'm just not there, yet. I'm not sure. I…

-It's ok. – Lexa looked back at her, the green in her eyes was so intense. – I understand. – Clarke was almost sure, she could see unfallen tears in Lexa's eyes. I'm doing the only thing I never wanted to do. I'm hurting her. – We're friends, and as friends, I'll always be there for you.

-I'm sorry… I'm not saying never, I'm just saying I need more time. – Clarke took Lexa's face in her hands, bringing her friend closer. Their eyes spoke without words, they said the truth, they told what they couldn't, yet, say to each other. Clarke gave Lexa a kiss in the cheek, her heart skipping a beat, at the touch of her lips with Lexa's skin. They moved back, with their eyes still closed, only opening them when they were at a safe distance from each other, both too scared to fall into each other, if their eyes opened to soon.

They stayed in silence for a moment, both getting accustomed to the new setting between them.

-If you want me to leave now, I would totally understand. – Clarke broke the silence, looking right at Lexa's eyes.

-I don't. I want you to stay. – Lexa was saying the truth, Clarke could feel it. – I cooked way too much food for just one person. You'll have to stay and help eat all this. – Lexa smiled, and Clarke smiled back, the atmosphere between them changing back to normal.

It had always been easy for Clarke to fall into a comfortable space with Lexa. Around her, she had this feeling, like she could be herself. She felt safe. She felt at home.

They spent the rest of the day in her apartment, doing nothing productive. They fell back into their routine. They watched movies and played video games. Lexa felt like a crack had been added to her heart, but at the same time she also felt stronger to deal with it, if Clarke was there. She was her best friend, she was the one she wanted to hold her, Clarke was her shoulder to cry on, the person to talk about her injustices in life. I mean, that's what a best friend is supposed to be, right? You're not supposed to fall for your best friend, that's the only thing I wasn't supposed to do... So, of course, that's the only thing I did. Stupid Lexa.

At the end of the day Lexa started to push down the one thought that kept popping up in her mind. Is she staying the night again? I should ask her, right? But I don't want to seem too… Whatever, I'll ask her.

-So, Clarke, do you want to stay the night again? I mean, it's the weekend, so, you'll still have tomorrow to get ready for Monday. That is, only if you want. – Clarke paused the movie they were watching, to look at Lexa. She smiled at the awkwardness in Lexa's voice.

-If it's ok with you… I wouldn't mind staying one more night. I mean, it's only Saturday, you're right, I still have tomorrow. – Clarke smiled. The truth was, she really wanted to stay, but she didn't want to impose, Lexa would never know that though.

-If it wasn't ok, I wouldn't be inviting you. – Lexa's heart filled with warmth, and hope. Clarke would sleep with her one more night. Wait. I have another room. She'll might want to sleep in another bed, now that she's not drunk. The warmth and hope disappeared at the realization. Lexa didn't talk with Clarke about that issue, not until they would have to go to bed. I'll see what she wants to do then. Asking now would be weird, like I'm thinking about it. But I am. Yeah, but she doesn't need to know that.

-Hey, Lexa? I feel like I lost you to your own thoughts. – Clarke waved a hand in front of Lexa's face, trying to catch her attention back. – Ready to watch the rest of the movie? I'm actually feeling tired, so I might go to bed after this.

-Yeah, me too. – Lexa was indeed feeling tired, but the anxiety of not knowing where Clarke would sleep, was getting to her. Clarke pressed play and went back to watching the movie. Lexa had no idea what the movie was about, she had spent the entire time looking at Clarke and at the same time, trying to look like she wasn't.

After 20 minutes, the credits started rolling down on the Tv screen. Clarke had been trying hard not to fall asleep during the movie, and Lexa just found it cute when Clarke would close her eyes for a brief moment, only to snap her head back up, opening her eyes wide.

-Hey, there, sleeping beauty. I think it's time to go to bed.

-I think you're right. – Clarke got up slowly and started walking towards Lexa room. Lexa let her lead the way, going into the kitchen to grab a glass of water, before going to her room. When she entered her room, she was welcomed with a sleeping Clarke, already under the covers, in the exact same side of the bed she had fallen asleep in, the night before. A smile found its way to Lexa's lips. She put the glass down on her bedside table and got in bed. As she was turning off the lamp in her bedside table, a hand came to rest on her waist. Lexa turned off the light and fell into Clarke's embrace.

-You smell good. Is it ok if we cuddle? – Clarke's voice surprised Lexa, she had no idea her friend was still awake. Her heart skipped a lot of beats at hearing Clarke's request, but her mind and logic remembered her what Clarke had said that afternoon. She's not ready. Not yet. And that's ok.

-Yes, we can cuddle. – But Lexa was pretty sure that, by the time she answered, Clarke was already asleep. She could feel her steady breathing on her neck.

Lexa took longer than usual to fall asleep, not wanting to let go of the feeling of Clarke holding her. She didn't use to like being the "little spoon", it used to make her feel small, but in Clarke's arms she felt big, like she could conquer the world. She felt the safest she had ever felt. She felt home. Soon sleep took her down, and with it, the fears and hopes in her heart took over her dreams.