Costia POV

I want you to go on like that. Earn their trust. Entangle Lexa. Raven. They are weak when it comes to you. Their love for you is their weakness and we will use it.

Yes A.L.I.E.

Costia. The City of Light might have been destroyed but with the help of all the people it is nearly back to it's former glory. This will change people's lives. The life of everyone who is worth it. No more pain, no more death. We will all live in peace. I know that this is what you and Lexa worked for – together – right? And you still love her.

Lexa… Costia closed her eyes and clenched her hands while she eyed the A.I. in front of her closely. After all this time it was still kinda weird to talk in mind but A.L.I.E. wanted it that way, in case somebody tried to listen to them. I still love her, Costia eventually confirmed and nodded.

Then do what I say and she will be yours in the end.

Will the others be harmed? What about…

Raven? Oh Costia please don't tell me you have a thing for her now. She is not your real sister. Their whole life here is nothing but a construction of another universe that keeps them busy while we plan our nexts steps. Don't you remember our plans, Costia?

I do remember them.

Then you should know that there will be sacrifices. Every big change for the better needs sacrifices.

Clarke POV

"You are barely home lately, Clarke. I mean I am glad you found friends but your home is downtown. You need to use your bed from time to time, you know? You already stayed there for two days and now you don't even want to come home for the weekend?" Clarke's grip around her mobile phone became tighter. Wrong mum, my home is where my heart is. With Lexa. Clarke swallowed. She sounds so desperate. It was not like she did not understand her mum. They just moved here and all she did was spending her time with Lexa and her friends while her mum worked at the hospital all day long. They barely saw each other. On the other hand she just could not go back to their house for the weekend and pretend to live her normal life while Lexa needed her so much. Everyone here counted on Clarke. I can't leave Lexa alone. Not right now. "Mum." – "No. Clarke, listen. I took a day off so that we could spend some time together. We could search for the best café here or…I don't know. Spend some time in the park… Whatever you want to do." Clarke bit her lip and sighed soundless while she closed her blue eyes. "I'm sorry, Mum. I didn't know that you took a day off for me. I can't come home this weekend. We already have plans and some school things to do…" She recognizes every single lie. "Clarke I just want to do this right. I know that we both had hard times. Since…" – "I'm sorry I can't talk any longer. See you on Sunday, Mum." Clarke did not even wait for her mum's answer before she hung up. Since Dad died, she added in her mind and tried to get rid of the feeling that her throat was constricted.
I finally am happy again. I got Lexa back. More than I ever expected. And then A.L.I.E. or whoever he or she is comes back and destroys it all. Don't I deserve better than that? I can't even see my own mum anymore. I need to protect her from everything this time. I can't let things happen again. The blonde pulled her legs closer to her body and wrapped them with her arms when the door slowly opened and Lexa slipped in. Clarke neither reacted nor looked at Lexa, she just stared at the wall in front of her, still deep in thoughts. Lexa went over to Clarke and sat down next to her. "Are you okay?", she asked carefully and placed one hand on Clarke's upper leg. The blonde knew exactly that Lexa was totally aware of the mixed feelings Clarke had. Once again her eyes told so much more than her words. "I'm not okay. How can I be before we finally destroy whatever the thing is this time", the blonde answered and finally moved again to look at Lexa's face. She's so wonderful. Her eyes are bright and so soft. Compassionate. Clarke raised her hand and touched Lexa's cheek. It is no dream. She is still here with me. "Don't be afraid, Clarke." Lexa placed her hand over Clarke's and clung her cheek to the palm of the other one's hand for a second.
"A.L.I.E. wants a life without pain for everyone. Without death. But if you ask me it is no real life anymore without taking risks. Without limits like the death. We shouldn't be afraid if death is our fate. Instead of being afraid I chose to fight for all the things I want and love. My people. My ideals. …" Lexa struggled with herself again. She shows what she calls her 'weakness'. "You, Clarke. I chose to fight for you." Clarke gasped when a shiver ran down her spine. "Do you even know why I swore fealty back when we were in Polis?" This question surprised Clarke. She honestly thought about it many times until now but she never found the answer that seemed to be right. Lexa's bright eyes stayed soft but they sparkled with something that looked like… belief? "I know that you think I did it because of my people. Because you were Wanheda and I needed you. And yes, I needed Wanheda's strength. But Clarke… there was always one part of me that needed you. Not the commander of death. You. I swore fealty, because you make people change their selves for the better. You raise hope. You give people something to believe in… to fight for. Clarke." Lexa's hands found their way up to Clarke's face and she gently brushed the blonde hair away. "You made me live again. Love. You deserve every single one who wants to follow you." Her heart was about to explode. Once again, the commander of the twelve clans – no – Lexa… Lexa stopped her heartbeat and left her breathless. Clarke pulled Lexa into a hug and buried her face in Lexa's brown waves. They stayed like that for a while, held each other, listened to their heartbeats as they synchronized. While they held each other, Lexa stroked Clarke's back gently with her hand. Clarke felt how she finally calmed down in Lexa's arms. Her breathing became calmer, her body relaxed and she was able to let herself go.
"Are you happy?" Clarke eventually moved backwards to face Lexa again. She needed to know it. She needed to make sure that this was exactly what Lexa wanted and what made her happy for the rest of her life.

"Happy? Clarke I am more than just happy. I can't describe what I feel for you. But it changed me. You changed me. For the better." – "I just… I mean..." – "Clarke. Talk to me." – "It's about Costia." Lexa took a deep breath and entangled one finger in Clarke's blonde hair while she softly looked back at Clarke. It was like she already expected a situation and a conversation like that, but although Lexa probably prepared herself for this, she did nothing else but answer as honestly as possible and without trying to sugarcoat anything. "I loved her and she still means a lot to me. I'd lie if I would tell you otherwise. But I don't think about her as my lover anymore. More like a good friend I lost along the way. And what I feel for you… It's completely different. It's intense. I never felt like this before, not even with Costia. You are special and what we have is special. I would never want to go back to where I was without you. I'd never leave you for Costia, because you are what I've been looking for since I lost my faith in love and happy-endings. You are actually so much more than what I've been looking for."
Clarke knew immediately that this was the truth. Lexa would never lie to her about a topic like that – not if she had the chance to talk to Clarke in private like now. It was a weird feeling to hear something like that from her. Weird but also probably the most amazing words she ever heard.
Love is not weakness. Love is strength. It meant so much to actually hear these words from Lexa although Lexa's love was always present through her actions. But it was in Clarke's nature that she needed to make sure Lexa chose what she really wanted this time. What her heart told her and not her head.
With a small smile on her face she nodded under tears and gave Lexa a short kiss that made the other one smile, too. She bows before a single star.

Lexa POV

I bet Titus would hate this, she thought and swallowed relieved before she smiled back at Clarke. Lexa finally had the courage to tell Clarke all those things that were in her head; all those things that needed to be said already. Her feelings for Clarke were deeper than everything she ever felt before and Clarke should never be afraid to lose Lexa to Costia again. Costia was a wonderful girl and when Lexa was younger, barely even the commander; she fell deeply in love with Costia, who made her feel like she was the most wonderful little grounder-girl on the earth. It helped her to push her self-conscience, to stay strong and to move forward, whatever Anya wanted her to do, but this deep connection to Clarke… she never had this with Costia. A strong bond – yes – they were kinda unbeatable when they were together – but it was different from her situation now.
"You're speechless now, aren't you?" – "Because it's just so incredible that you chose me to be yours." – "I told you my spirit would choose wisely. No seriously Clarke…Get used to it, you're mine", Lexa chuckled amazingly cute and kissed Clarke's cheek. "Let's go to the farm now. I could need some distance from all these things including Costia, A.L.I.E. and all that."