LATE MAY 1863
Weeks passed after their night out in the tavern. Lexa wasn't far from Clarke's mind though she had not seen her since. She and Raven had been busy increasing the crops on the farm, tilling, sowing and planting.
The Blake family helped them out. Bellamy, chopping wood, selling his labor to buy the materials he needed began to build a proper house for him and his sister. He helped on building the foundation of a home for Clarke and Raven.
When Bellamy wasn't out working on another farm, he was fishing and hunting for food to add to their stores. He traded with Clarke and Raven for milk and they in turn fileted and skinned the meat for him. They also tanned the skins of his kills, which he would later take into the fort town to trade for goods they may need. He even bought out a butter churn for Clarke to use and a new cow.
The chicken coop the man built held 6 chickens and a single rooster. Raven had laughed for an entire day when Clarke had been woken up by the thing making its morning call directly to her face.
"Bet that's not the only time you've ever woken up to a face full of cock!" Raven had teased her all morning while Clarke blushed. Their years living together left no secrets about their "sleeping" partners. Though Clarke did indeed take a man a time or two into her bed, she didn't keep them for long. A woman was more likely to be a frequent visitor, but only until Clarke felt too smothered and pushed her away. Raven herself had similar habits and it was why they worked out so well living together. They didn't judge the other for how they lived.
It was something they needed when there were people out there that thought a woman's only place was to marry, have children and tend to the home. Clarke and Raven wanted more for themselves and it was why they were determined to make this move West work.
Clarke worked the soil as the sun beat down on her. Raven was over at the Blake's helping Octavia put up a fence. Bellamy had gone into town, helping a farmer move some of his animals to the fort so he could put them up for sale.
She stood and stretched sore muscles and brushed golden hair behind an ear. Her eyes caught on movement on the horizon. Three people approached, all dark-haired, tanned skin.
Squinting, Clarke held a hand over her eyes to get a better look. She was sure one of them was Bellamy. A small, squirming bundle was held in his arms.
The other two, Clarke realized had to be scouts from the fort. They carried bundles over their shoulders.
One of them was Lexa. Clarke felt her heart clench as they moved closer. The woman's brown hair pulled back into a tail. She held her head proudly as she walked, her shoulders strong as the trio made their way towards Clarke.
Green eyes met Clarke's own blue ones. She released the breath she didn't even realize she was holding.
"Clarke." Lexa enunciated the 'K' in her name in such a way that made Clarke want her to say it again and again. Maybe she could make that happen.
"Lexa." Clarke cleared her throat. Her voice squeaking on the 'ah' in Lexa's name. She was nervous.
Lexa ducked her head and looked to Bellamy.
Bellamy, watching the two of them with interest, finally spoke up.
"The farmer I gave me these rolls of cloth. I thought I could give you and Raven a roll to use as you like." He looked down at the furry bundle in his hands which popped its head up within his arms.
"Is that a puppy?" Clarke squealed wide-eyed.
Bellamy grinned.
"The farmer, also gave me this little guy for my work. He's a shepherd mix. Said he came from his own stock and he didn't mind giving him up to someone that will care for him." Bellamy told her.
"I figure I want to get some sheep sometime, it will be good to have a dog. He can learn to defend the chickens for now." He rubbed his hand over the pup's head. It panted in his arms happily.
Clarke held back a chuckle. To see the normally gruff and distrusting man handle a puppy so lovingly was a strange and adorable sight.
She glanced at Lexa and her breath caught to see the woman eyeing her steadily. Warmth flooded her skin. She bit her lip and tilted her head coyly, catching Lexa's gaze, silently flirting with the woman.
Lexa glanced away then turned back, holding her eyes steadily. Clarke had a feeling this was the kind of woman that would ravage her against a tree given a chance. She shivered despite the warmth of spring.
The corner of Lexa's mouth curled.
The man accompanying Lexa cleared his throat. His head was shaved and he bore tattoos on his bare shoulders. He, like Lexa looked to be half-Indian. He wore trousers that looked similar to what the fort soldiers wore with a thick, heavy cloth wrapped around his hips. His chest was bare. He carried a pack over one shoulder and bore a roll of cloth the same as Lexa.
"Clarke, this is Lincoln." Lexa made the introductions as she remembered the man that had followed her on this trip. He usually accompanied her on any scouting trips she made, seeing it as his duty to be her protector as her second in command.
Clarke gave him a small nod. She was slightly intimidated by the tattoos covering his skin and the way he held himself. He seemed alert and as if ready for an attack at any moment.
Lincoln gave her a similar nod in return.
"Lincoln." Lexa gave him a hand signal. Lincoln nodded. He took the cloth roll from Lexa and walked toward the foundation of the house being worked on. He laid the cloth on a step. He turned and waited.
"Come on Lincoln." Bellamy beckoned over his shoulder. Lincoln followed with the second roll of cloth thrown over his shoulder.
Clarke turned to Lexa.
"Water?" She asked the woman.
Lexa smiled and gave her a shy nod.
Clarke reached out and boldly took Lexa's hand. She pulled the woman along to the bucket she kept in the shadows near her wagon so that she could keep it cool. It was boiled early in the morning and she and Raven drank it throughout the day.
Lexa reveled at the feel of the woman's palm in her hand. It was rough with callouses from farm work, but held a gentle warmth that made her want to feel that hand in other places.
Clarke let go of her hand, and Lexa found that she missed the feel of it already. She watched as Clarke filled two tin cups with water and took one as it was handed to her.
Clarke murmured something that Lexa didn't quite catch and Lexa found herself asking, "Sorry?"
Clarke blushed.
"I was wondering what brought you out here?" Clarke posed. She ran fingers along the tin she held.
Lexa swallowed. She looked away as she felt herself get hot. Did she really want to confess why she had come out here?
She decided to make a dive.
"I saw Bellamy at the fort and thought he might make his way back out here. He…" Lexa refused to meet Clarke's eyes, focusing on the woman's fingers as they still played with cup she held.
"He has told me to come out here before and see the farms. This time I took him up when he said something." Lexa confessed.
Clarke smiled.
"Is there any particular reason you might want to come out here?" She breathed.
Lexa held her gaze as she said it, "I think you know the answer, Clarke."
The cup Clarke held fell from her fingers. Water splashed the ends of Clarke's trousers. Lexa bent down to pick the cup up. Clarke took it from her with trembling fingers. She turned away to wipe the cup with a cloth and dropped it into a crate for cleaning later.
"Lexa-,"
"Clarke-,"
Both women began. Blue eyes held green and Lexa cupped Clarke's cheek. She smoothed a thumb along the side of her face and felt awe at being able to touch this woman that had caught her from the moment she had seen her at the fort.
"I want to get to know you, Clarke." Lexa whispered.
Clarke, very nearly leaning into the touch jerked back, her eyes wide. She searched Lexa's eyes, her face, her mouth before leaning into the woman's space, just a hair's breadth away.
"Then know me, Lexa." Clarke answered.
Lexa pressed her lips to Clarke's and felt as if Sun were burning through her soul as their lips touched. She wanted to feel Clarke like sky meets earth. She tugged at the woman's blouse and felt her moan against her lips.
Breathlessly, they pulled away. Their eyes had darkened considerably.
"Stay." Clarke gripped Lexa's shirt in her hands. Lexa felt a tugging in her chest.
"Clarke." Lexa said warningly. She had a feeling if she stayed she may not be able to contain herself.
Clarke laid her head against her chest. A wave of protectiveness washed over Lexa. She wrapped her arms around the shorter woman and ran fingers through golden locks.
"Okay Clarke. I will stay, but we sleep separately." Lexa consented.
"I really want to get to know you first." She whispered.
Clarke leaned back and gave her a small, knowing smile.
She pulled away and walked away, an extra sway to her hips. Lexa sighed at the sight.
Clarke might be harder to resist than she thought.
That night, they ate a meal of fish cooked by the fire they sat around. Bellamy chatted with Lincoln over hunting techniques while Octavia eyed the tattooed man from across the fire. She seemed intrigued by him. Lexa had even caught the girl tracing his tattoos with her eyes.
Lexa nudged Clarke, seated next to her near the fire pit. She indicated the younger girl and Clarke shook her head.
"Bellamy is not gonna like that." She remarked into her plate. She nudged Raven next to her and whispered into her ear. The woman laughed, "uh-oh" barely audible from her side of Clarke.
Lexa looked at Clarke questioningly.
"Is Bellamy-?" She asked.
Clarke shook her head.
"It's not so much that he's part Indian… I'm pretty sure they might have some. I think it's more that he's overprotective." Clarke spoke softly into Lexa's ear, leaning into her space. Lexa shivered at the feeling.
Clarke pressed a light kiss against her cheek. She had been teasing Lexa with light touches and caresses all night. Lexa knew it to be a tactic to get her to break her rule of not sleeping together that night but Lexa wasn't giving in so easily.
Two could play that game.
Lexa ran a discreet hand down Clarke's back. Clarke bowed against the touch. She bit her lip.
"I'm off to bed." Raven hopped up from her seat. She not-so-subtly leaned over and winked at Clarke and Lexa.
"I'll sleep in a tent out on the foundations if you two gals decide you want to get frisky." She told the two of them barely audibly.
Lexa covered her face as Clarke laughed. Raven left to get ready for the night. Bellamy eventually excused himself, taking Octavia's all-too curious eyes away from Lincoln.
"I'll take first watch." Lincoln stated. He walked away from the fire, giving Lexa a knowing look. Lexa shook her head.
"We are so obvious." She turned to Clarke.
Clarke, watching her the entire time, launched herself at the other woman.
She wrapped her arms around Lexa's shoulders. Her heated lips pressed against Lexa's causing the woman to moan. Clarke seized the opportunity to slide her tongue past plump lips and delved into her mouth. Lexa's moans grew deeper. She welcomed the muscle into her mouth, sucking on it, drawing a withered cry from Clarke.
Clarke ground down into Lexa's lap. Lexa froze. She pulled away, stilling Clarke's hips with her hands.
"Clarke." Lexa took deep breaths, attempting to cool down.
"Slow down."
She cupped Clarke's jaw, pulling her eyes up to meet her own. Clarke, like her, breathed heavily. Lexa wondered if the other woman's heart thundered in her chest like her own.
Clarke looked away.
"I-," Clarke stopped.
"It's been so long since anyone's touched me, Lexa. I'm sorry." Clarke looked sheepish.
Lexa pushed golden locks out of Clarke's face.
"All will be well, Clarke, give it time." She reassured her.
Lexa stood.
She held a hand out to Clarke.
"Come Clarke."
Clarke eyed the hand.
"But I thought you said…" she looked up at Lexa questioningly.
Lexa smiled.
"We will sleep together. Only sleep, Clarke. I will hold you." Lexa told her.
Clarke grinned. She took Lexa's hand. She let the other woman pull her up and lead her toward the temporary shelter that she and Raven lived in.
Lexa pulled off her trousers and left on the shirt she wore during the day and slid over to the makeshift bed of blankets and furs Clarke slept in. She waited while Clarke changed.
Clarke slid in beside her. Lexa wrapped her arms around the woman. Clarke sighed at the strength of her wrapped around her.
"Thank you, Lexa." She whispered.
Lexa pressed lips to her neck.
"I'm here Clarke." She promised.
She hoped to stay again soon.
