Final chapter, wrote this months ago but my computer deleted everything so felt unmotivated to write so give me some love in the reviews pls!

This is over on Ao3, where I might continue this with a series of one-shots so check those out if you're interested /users/Frxyx/works

Enjoy

Anya walked through the familiar apartment seeking out her cousin, earlier that day she had received a call from the brunette telling her she was having a crisis and needed her to come over immediately. So an hour later here she was, searching Lexa's apartment and there was no sign of her. When she reached Lexa's room she called her name and heard a grunt from the bed beneath a pile of blankets and pillows.

"What's this emergency? I have to be back at work in an hour."

Lexa poked her head up from underneath a pillow and sighed loudly.

"My date with Clarke is tomorrow and I promised her this amazing date, but my mind has gone blank and I can't think of a single thing in New York to do that isn't lame or cliche."

"I thought you said this was an emergency Lexa?"

"Anya, can you remember the last time I went on a date? Like an actual date?"

"Good point, this is an emergency." Anya said after a lengthy pause.

Lexa pushed the covers back and crawled out of bed towards her desk where her notebook was sitting, around it lay a pile of screwed up balls of paper strewn across the floor. She picked up the notebook and chucked it in the direction of Anya who caught it with surprising ease. She then crawled back to bed and collapsed face down with a pitiful moan. After about 30 seconds of wallowing in self-pity something hard hit her head and she jumped up with a cry of shock.

"Lexa you toad! You made me come all the way here for this? You have a list of about 20 amazing date ideas that anyone would be lucky to go on. Pull yourself together and pick something."

"Okay first of all, I'm not appreciating this negative energy right now, can't you see I'm stressed enough? Secondly, you literally work two blocks away so it's hardly a trek and it shouldn't have taken you an hour to get here in the first place. Thirdly, Clarke is too amazing to take her on a sub-par date Anya, If I want a chance with her then I'm going to have to pull it out of the water."

"Okay fine, let's go through your list and eliminate the super lame ones." Anya sighed, pushing Lexa to one side and sitting on the bed next to her.

After a few minutes of reading them through Anya spoke again.

"Horse drawn carriage ride through central park? Is it your goal to become a walking rom-com cliche?"

"You're not helping Anya. I wish Lincoln would hurry up and get here, he's way better at this stuff than you, at least he actually has a heart." She snarked.

"Love is weakness Lexa."

"Whatever you say ," Lexa rolled her eyes, "But I know you, and you don't actually believe that."

"You're right I don't, but why bother with love when you can have sex?"

"You give me all this shit about not dating, then when I actually do you give me shit for dating?!" Lexa stared at her incredulously, "When was the last time you went on a date?"

"Two nights ago."

"Going home with someone you meet at a bar does not count as dating." Lexa chuckled, "Anyway this is counter productive, I need help planning!"

"Why can't you be like everyone else and just do the dinner and a movie thing, why do you always have to be so extra?"

They bickered and bantered back and fourth like this for another 20 minutes, not hearing Lincoln walk through the door. Lexa let out a surprised squeak when she saw him leaning against the door frame with a smirk on his face, and Anya jumped and fell out of Lexa's bed.

"You scared the crap out of me, have you ever considered becoming a ninja or an assassin or something? You have that stealthy thing down." Anya quizzed.

"Not sure they really exist An." Lincoln laughed.

"Oh they do, I know a guy."

"Of course you do." Lincoln laughed.

"Enough chit-chat, sit down I'm having a massive dilemma and Anya isn't helping at all."

"So I can go then?" Anya said, standing up from the bed.

"Absolutely not, neither of you are leaving until I have the perfect date idea."

—

"Earth to Clarke?" Octavia waved her arms in front of her day dreaming friend, "Are you even listening to what I'm saying?"

"Hmm?"

"Oh my god, what has got in to you today?"

"She's probably fantasising about her tinder hottie." Raven said, looking up from her phone.

"I'm not even going to try and deny it." Clarke blushed, "I'm just worried, she hasn't messaged me today with what we're doing on our date tomorrow, what if she doesn't want to see me anymore?"

Raven and Octavia looked at one another rolling their eyes at the same time.

"O, I think it might be intervention time."

"Clarke, your obsession is getting out of hand and your self-confidence is plummeting. You have to know you're beautiful right? And sure Lexa's very dreamy but she is not the sun, you are, and don't let yourself be drawn into what ifs and what nots because remember that she would be lucky enough to share your light and if by some mystery she does stand you up then it's her loss, because she will have missed the opportunity to date the freaking sun." Octavia said passionately, standing on the chair as if giving a speech to a crowd of warriors before battle.

Clarke blinked twice and looked at Raven who had started giggling loudly.

"Oh my god you guys are so high right now. You made brownies without me?"

Clarke laughed before heading into their kitchen to help herself to some edibles, maybe they would clear her mind a bit and ease her of some of the anxiety she was feeling surrounding her upcoming date (or so far lack of date) with Lexa tomorrow. The obvious solution would just be to text Lexa, but Clarke was far too stubborn to do that just yet.

However, an hour later and still no text Octavia and Raven were fed up of Clarke whining and had taken her phone as hostage until Clarke would just text Lexa.

"Clarke, just text her then you can stop being a little bitch and have another brownie and we can all have a good time without you annoying us."

"Well I would but you two geniuses are holding my phone hostage."

Octavia and Raven looked at one another, shrugged then gave Clarke her phone back.

CLARKE:

Hi, just checking we're still on for tomorrow?

CLARKE:

I hadn't heard from you yet about what we were going to do and I was wondering if you had changed your mind.

CLARKE:

If you have, please just tell me, I would rather be let down now, than stood up.

—

"Oh crap she's texted me, she thinks that i'm going to blow her off."

"That might happen if you play your cards right." Anya winked.

"Not helping!"

"Why don't you both plan something together, it might take some of the pressure off." Lincoln smiled.

"That's a good idea."

"Why don't you take her to your favourite place in New York?"

"Then I'll ask her if she can take me to her favourite place?"

"Well done, perfect, you got there in the end, my work here is done- you're welcome and goodbye." Anya said, standing up to go.

"You were no help, but thank you for coming."

"Linc, do you need a ride? I have my bike."

"Hold on…it took you an hour to get here, even though you work two blocks away AND you were on your motorbike?!" Lexa gaped incredulously.

"I may have taken a detour via my bar date's apartment." Anya smirked.

"So a booty call was more important than helping me out?" Lexa rolled her eyes, "Glad your priorities are in check, I officially hate you."

"You love me. Text me how your date goes, just don't be a dickhead and you'll be fine." Anya waved goodbye and walked out the door.

"You'll knock her dead Lex. Just be yourself and don't overthink it!" Lincoln smiled and followed Anya out the door.

When they had left Lexa got her phone out and replied to Clarke.

LEXA:

Sorry, I'm not cancelling, I've honestly just been trying to think of something to do. I was kind of freaking out because I want it to be amazing. So I was wondering if I could take you to my favourite place in Manhattan, then maybe you would show me your favourite place?

CLARKE:

That sounds perfect, text me the address and a time and I'll be there. Anything I need to bring?

LEXA:

Just your beautiful self.

CLARKE:

Ooo keep going, flattery will get you everywhere.

LEXA:

See you tomorrow Clarke xx

—

Lexa's favourite place happened to be the Highline, a 2.5km long elevated linear park that runs along a former railroad in Manhattan through the Meatpacking district and Chelsea. She was waiting at the start for Clarke to arrive, then they would walk along it together.

Clarke's jaw dropped when she saw the familiar brunette she had been obsessing over for the past week. Lexa was sat on a bench, looking down at her phone. She was dressed in a black leather jacket, with a loose white vest tucked into black skinny jeans and had black heeled boots on. She wore her hair in loose waves and had small intricate braids woven throughout and black sunglasses on top of her head.

Clarke's staring caused her to briefly lose her footing and she tripped forward almost falling flat on her face. Lexa's attention left her phone and went towards the commotion Clarke had made (almost) falling, she let out a large grin and fought to hold in her giggle at the blonde who was now turing crimson.

"Clarke." Lexa said, emphasising the K in her name, before standing up and walking towards her, offering her forearm as support.

"Lexa, urh hi," Clarke was still lost for words, she looked even better than her photos, "You look beautiful."

Lexa blushed slightly and Clarke grinned at this, it reassured her that someone so beautiful was still mortal.

"I'm just glad you're not a creepy old man cat-fishing me to be honest." Lexa laughed.

"Wow that's really rude. You clearly don't care about this date as much as I do…" Clarke frowned.

"Oh no, I didn't mean it like that! I think you're actually the most beautiful person I've ever laid eyes on and- and- I didn't mean to equate you to a creepy old man because you're exquisite." Lexa stuttered and turned bright red.

Clarke threw her head back and let out a husky laugh. Lexa realised Clarke had been winding her up and shook her head laughing lightly.

"That was mean."

"So you think I'm exquisite?" Clarke grinned, eyes twinkling.

"You know you are." Lexa huffed, folding her arms she turned away from Clarke.

"Okay I'm sorry, but you're too easy to wind up."

"We're starting again, from the beginning, with neither of us embarrassing ourselves okay?" Lexa said, turning on her heel and holding her hand out for the blonde to shake, "Hi, it's nice to finally meet you, i'm Lexa, and can I just say you look breathtaking today."

Clarke took hold of Lexa's hand and stepped closer into her personal space and looked into her eyes.

"Hi Lexa, I'm Clarke, and has anyone ever told you that you are such a dork…" Clarke paused, "A fucking beautiful dork though."

They stood there for a moment, both of them had shy smiles and blushes on their faces, holding each other's hands. For a brief moment, the world melted away and it was just them on this green oasis above the ground of the city. Until someone shoved into Lexa and broke the bubble around them.

"Move out the way, dumbass." The man shouted aggressively.

"Hey asshole, why don't you get fucking glasses next time so you don't walk into my date, when there's plenty of space to walk around us." Clarke shouted after him, flipping him off in the process, "I almost forgot we were in New York."

"I think I found my new aesthetic, Clarke G shouting down testosterone filled guys to defend my honour, that was hot." Lexa smirked.

"Griffin."

"What?"

"My surname is Griffin."

"Clarke Griffin, so should I Facebook stalk you now or later?"

"Later, so I have a chance to sweep you off your feet before you discover how lame I am on social media."

"Deal."

"So Lexa, this is your favourite place in Manhattan, so you can give me the tour, why the Highline? I've seen it from the roof of my apartment but i've never actually walked along here before." Clarke said, as they walked slowly down the wooden pathway, that was woven above street level in-between buildings.

"It's peaceful and it feels like we're above the hustle of life on the street. I also like the ways in which nature can survive in a city and evolve to work with urban life- like this, it's a 2km garden that winds through New York, a city that's so urban and so concrete, yet here there is this green walkway that's so full of life, it's beautiful."

Clarke smiled happily as she listened to Lexa talk, it was refreshing to hear someone speak so passionately about something. She looked around and she had to admit it was beautiful, a green river running through a concrete jungle. She didn't know why she had never been before, but then again like most New Yorkers she didn't often leave her corner of the city. As they walked, Lexa pointed out different flower species and insects.

"You know a lot about flowers and plants." Clarke noted.

"My Dad works with national parks as a habitat conservationist, so we moved around a lot as kids so I learnt a lot growing up."

"That's so cool, I've never actually left the state, so I'm really jealous. I've always wanted to see what's out there."

"How come?" Lexa asked.

"Both my parents were married to their work. So they couldn't afford to take more than a few days off a year, when we did go on holiday we could only go as far as the Hampton's in case they were needed back in the city for work. I was going to move cross-country for college but then my dad died and my mom needed me here so I stayed."

"I'm really sorry about your dad." Lexa said, taking a hold of Clarke's hand and running her thumb over her knuckle.

"Hey it's okay, it was a few years ago now." Clarke smiled sadly, "I'm hoping to go to Europe after college to travel and maybe study art history there, so hopefully i'll get to travel one day!"

"I want to travel as well, I was hoping to go to Oxford University in the UK or maybe study in Paris or Rome after college."

They chatted for a while longer about what they wanted to do in the future as they walked down the path through the city, hand in hand. It felt comfortable yet exciting and neither could wait for what the rest of their date had in stall for them.

Once they reached the end of the Highline they sat and chatted about everything and nothing for about an hour watching the sun begin to set. Their hands were still intertwined and their knees were bumping against one another.

"So before you show me your favourite place in Manhattan, I was hoping to show you another favourite place of mine, do you like pizza?" Lexa grinned.

"How is that even a question, obviously!"

Once their stomach's were full with pizza from what actually turned out to be both of their favourite pizza places 'Joe's', it was Clarke's turn to take control of their date. She took hold of Lexa's hand and dragged her towards the nearest subway station. They rode the subway towards SoHo before getting off into the early evening air, the lights were beginning to fade as she led them through the streets and down an alleyway.

"This is where you're going to murder me isn't it? I knew I shouldn't have trusted Anya. Go on a tinder date she said, well I swear to god Clarke if you murder me in this alleyway I will come back to haunt you and my stupid cousin, that-"

Clarke shut her up by kissing her, pressing her lips gently against Lexa's applying a small amount of pressure. Lexa's eyes widened in shock before fluttering shut, just as she moved into the kiss, Clarke pulled away with a dazed glaze over her eyes and a cheeky smile.

"Wow."

"You really are trying to kill me." Lexa grinned.

"I think that was to establish that I'm most definitely not trying to kill you." Clarke rolled her eyes before gesturing above her to a fire escape, "We're going up here."

Clarke climbed up the ladder, (purposely slowly if you asked Lexa, swaying her hips) giving the brunette an amazing view of her ass as she did so, Lexa climbed after her and she couldn't resist staring.

"Hey Clarke?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you wearing space pants?"

"What?"

"Because your ass is out of this world."

Clarke laughed her raspy laugh and Lexa swore she would never get tired of hearing that sound. They climbed up the fire escape several floors until they reached a bulky iron door which had the words 'FIRE EXIT' on it in green. Clarke pulled out a key from her bra, unlocked it and used her whole body to push it open. Then she disappeared into the dark room, gesturing Lexa to follow her.

"So Clarke, going back to the part where you're not going to kill me. Could you elaborate on that please, because you've just made me climb like six floors up a fire escape and led me into a pitch black room…."

"If you don't stop complaining, I'll have to kiss you again."

"You do realise that's only going to encourage me right?"

"Ahh got it!" Clarke shouted triumphantly, then there was a loud click and the lights flickered on.

The light revealed a spacious room with large windows with an amazing view of the busy streets below. There were two easels leant against the wall and canvases, paper and paint scattered around the room. The room itself was relatively bare, exposed brick and white walls. Other than the art supplies there was a small worn sofa and green plants everywhere. The lighting was very simplistic as well, there was one light bulb and the rest of the room was lit using twinkly fairy lights and much to Lexa's delight, candles.

Clarke walked towards the large window, opened it and climbed out onto a balcony, then helped Lexa out. The balcony had a small table and a bench on which they sat. Clarke reached inside her bag and pulled out a bottle of wine and two plastic cups.

"So, my favourite place in the world would be incomplete without drinking cheap wine from plastic cups."

Lexa smiled, accepting the drink from Clarke. After taking a sip Lexa started laughing.

"Clarke this wine is terrible."

The blonde also took a sip then started laughing as well.

"I know."

Despite this, they both kept drinking.

"So what is this place and why is it your favourite place in the world?"

"This would be my studio." Clarke paused, looking down into her cup. "It was my dad's workshop, he left it to me when he died. We would come here together when I was a kid. I would paint and he would work on his next big invention at the time, then we would order pizza and sit out here and watch the city."

"After he died, things were strained with my mum so I would spend most of my time here. It's always been my safe space." Clarke said, lost in thought.

Clarke was still staring down into her lap she, Lexa wanted to kiss her, to wrap her in her arms and protect her. Clarke looked so small right now and Lexa felt her heart break a little inside at this sight. Lexa vowed right then and there she would do everything in her power to look after the blonde sitting next to her. But Lexa also knew that kissing her was not appropriate right now, while Clarke was so vulnerable. Instead she took hold of Clarke's hands and gave them a squeeze.

"Thank you for sharing this with me."

"This might sound weird and I don't want to come on too strong but I feel like I know you. I know we've never met, because I would never forget your face. I can't explain it-"

"It feels like we've met in a parallel universe somewhere? I completely understand. I felt drawn to you the moment I saw your photo, which is crazy because we met on tinder…"

"Maybe this will be a Tinderella story?" Clarke laughed lightly, her eyes not leaving Lexa's green ones, "Did you see what I did there? Cinderella + Tinder = Tinderella."

"A) That was terrible and B) as feminists I propose that we reject the idea that our love story will be based upon a heteronormative fairy-tale about a poor oppressed girl who gets rescued by a prince to live happily ever after."

"You're so right," Clarke paused, smiling widely at Lexa, "Fuck that…also did you know in the original Brothers Grimm version the one of the evil stepsister's cut off her toes to try and fit into the glass slipper?"

"Wow straight people are so weird."

They both laughed and continued to drink their wine, chatting about other fucked up fairytales and other stories they had heard. Clarke had put some music on the in the background, it was a warm evening yet they were still wrapped up in one another, using any excuse to brush hands or knees. At this point they were happily drunk, enjoying each other's company.

"So Clarke, is complaining a requirement for you kissing me or do you think you can kiss me without me asking if you're going to kill me?"

"I actually think it's your turn to make a move."

"Clarke?"

"Yes Lexa?"

"Shut up and kiss me."

"Your wish is my command."

Lexa leaned forward and captured Clarke's lips with her own. It started off slow and soft, each just pecking the other's lips, the taste of wine on the other's tongue. Things quickly became more heated and Lexa pulled Clarke onto her lap. After kissing for several minutes Clarke rested her forehead against Lexa's and took a moment.

"Wow." They said at the same time.

"That was kind of amazing." Lexa grinned lazily.

The rest of the evening was spent drinking more wine and cuddling on the sofa, they spoke about growing up, their families, embarrassing moments and politics- particularly how much of an imbecile their current president was.

—-

Clarke woke up in a slight daze, the room was bright and there was a warm weight on her left side, she rolled over carefully and saw a sleeping Lexa tucked into her neck, her dark hair twisting around both of them. After staying up till the early hours of the morning drinking cheap wine and stealing tipsy kisses they had fallen asleep on the small sofa curled up together.

Clarke felt her heart leap for what seemed like the hundredth time since meeting Lexa the previous day. She looked adorable sleeping, her soft features relaxed, her lips pouting a little. She let out tiny snores and was breathing steadily. Clarke realised then that she wanted to wake up every morning next to Lexa. The reality of that dawned on her and for someone who had always thought love at first sight was ridiculous she realised she just hadn't met Lexa yet- though perhaps this would be love at first swipe? Clarke had to keep reminding herself that not even 24 hours had past yet.

Lexa moving brought Clarke out of her deep thoughts. The brunette yawned (Clarke decided it was the cutest thing she had ever heard), and her eyelids fluttered open sleepily meeting Clarke's blue orbs.

"Hey Clarke, am I still dreaming or have my dreams come true?" Lexa said sleepily.

"Pick up lines, this early in the morning, you can't be stopped can you?"

"Do you want me to stop?"

Clarke paused and thought about it for a moment.

"No, I like your cheesy pick up lines."

"Good because I have plenty more where they came from." Lexa smiled, "Good morning."

She nuzzled closer into Clarke's neck and kissed the soft skin there, then trailed her lips toward's Clarke's. They kissed lazily for a few minutes longer before Clarke wrapped her arms around Lexa's waist and snuggled her in closer.

"I think we fell asleep."

"Good deduction." Lexa said sarcastically.

"Do you want to get breakfast or do you need to go?" Clarke asked.

"Breakfast. I have no where I need to be today. My phone has died, what time is it?"

"So has mine, check your watch."

"8.45am," Lexa lifted her wrist.

"it's far too early, I need coffee."

It took them half an hour to actually get off the sofa and back down the fire escape to the nearest diner where they had coffee and pancakes with banana and lots of syrup. After breakfast they decided to go to the nearest local gallery where they looked through the art of local artists- Clarke said it would help with inspiration for her next piece. Secretly, however, she knew she had found her muse for life, she would never be short of inspiration again with Lexa around.

Next, Lexa took Clarke to one of her favourite food trucks where they had lunch; Lexa got ketchup on her nose and Clarke giggled and took a photo for future teasing. They wandered around the city aimlessly hand in hand, kissing in corners and alleyways, both grinning widely. For Lexa, it had been years since she had felt this way for anyone and she had to keep reminding herself that not even 24 hours had past yet.

It was getting late and since both of their phones had died it was approaching time to say their goodbyes. They walked to the nearest subway station and it was time to go their separate ways.

"So has this been our second date?"

"It kind of feels like we've had around 4 dates in two days." Lexa grinned.

"You know what that means?" Clarke laughed.

"Are you getting the U-Haul or am I?" They laughed loudly, bringing their foreheads together, "Are we just walking cliches?" Lexa asked.

"I don't honestly care." Clarke smiled, "Now shut up and kiss me, I have to go before Raven and Octavia send out an amber alert because they probably think you've abducted and murdered me."

"Would that be so bad?"

Clarke raised her eyebrow.

"Oh god no, sorry, I mean the abduction part not the murder part, I want to steal you away not kill you!"

Clarke kissed her.

"Clarke, not to be rude or anything but there does seem to be a common pattern forming. Please don't tell me you have a creepy murder fetish or some dominatrix thing where you like to pretend to kill people because you seem to kiss me every time I bring this up."

"I think that says more for your nature than mine. And no I don't, but apparently I do have a thing for cute flustered dorks who won't stop talking foolish nonsense."

"Wow who is this girl, she sounds really special." Lexa smiled, kissing the blonde.

"I think she might be." Clarke murmured into Lexa's lips.

"Now go before you get me arrested." Lexa grinned.

"Text me later?"

"Try and stop me sunshine." Lexa winked.

"Sunshine? Okay then buttercup." Clarke laughed before turning and disappearing down the subway steps towards her platform.

Clarke decided that this was their Tinderella story (excluding the oppression, heteronormativity and joint amputation) maybe Octavia and Raven were the mice or Anya was the fairy godmother, she wasn't sure. She was sure on one thing however, she knew that without them, neither her nor Lexa would have had the courage to make it to their date or let alone get on tinder to begin with.

She got home and sure enough Octavia and Raven were worried sick, no text or calls in 24 hours saying that Clarke was in fact alive and well had led them to believe that Clarke must be dead (because the possibility that Clarke had a successful date was too much for them to wrap their heads around).

They were both so wracked with guilt, thinking they had sent her to her death by forcing her to go out with a total stranger that they had taken to drinking and sharing weepy stories about their best friend. In fact they were so drunk by the time Clarke arrived home that they were convinced she was a ghost- back from the dead to haunt them, much to Clarke's amusement and their horror. She laughed and wondered what she do without her ridiculous best friends.

Anya on the other hand didn't bat an eyelid when Lexa told her she had only just got home. She was in fact disappointed that Lexa hadn't slept with Clarke. Which led to her quizzing Lexa on what it was like to be a 'born again virgin' and 'waiting until marriage' and asked her when she was 'joining the convent'. Lexa rolled her eyes, ignored her and opened her phone to see a message from Clarke, it was an image file of who Lexa assumed were Octavia and Raven. They were wearing full black and obviously very drunk.

CLARKE:

Raven and Octavia actually hosted a wake for me. They thought I had died. That's how long it's been since I went on a date.

LEXA:

If it makes you feel better Anya says she's embarrassed to be related to me and says I have zero game, because all we did was cuddle last night.

LEXA:

I don't know about you but I enjoyed our cheap wine and cuddle session last night. I had an amazing time with you.

CLARKE:

So did I. So does that mean there will be a third date?

LEXA:

Absolutely.

The End