Chapter 2
As Lexa opened the glass door to her family's large several story building, marble floors and chandeliers tipped in gold sought to impress the eye of a passerby. People dressed in expensive suits and dresses hurried in and out of the lobby, shuffling past the two beefy Trikru guards who stood at the entrance stopping any unfamiliar face that tried to enter.
Lexa attempted to cover up the morning after glow that clung onto every feature, afraid others might notice it exuding out of her like she had become radioactive. But as her presence garnered no more attention than normal, the tension in her shoulders began to drop.
She let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding as the elevator doors closed, and the button for her floor lit up underneath her thumb. It left her one step closer to the privacy of her office.
As the metal gate opened once more to drop her off, she really thought she was in the clear. But her hopes were short lived.
The door to the room hadn't even fully closed before Anya spat out the question.
"Did you sleep with her?" Anya asked raising her arms with impatience lining her voice.
Lexa just averted her friends gaze starring past her. She didn't have a chance to brace for this.
"You did, didn't you?" Anya asked, eyes growing wider as Lexa opened her mouth and closed it. "Lexa you do realize what could happen if this got out right? If people found out," Anya paused rubbing her forehead with her thumb and two fingers. "You'd be an outcast."
She couldn't help but let the word outcast make her shudder. There were always tale of individuals shunned from society for various reasons, but no one ever knew what happened to them. People hypothesized and made up stories, but they would just vanish one day without a trace.
"Anya," Lexa said lowering her voice and almost growling. "Can we please not talk about this here."
"I can't believe this. What's Lincoln going to say?" Anya asked walking in circles around the oak desk that sat near the wall completely covered in windows. The view looked out at other businesses and small wanders crossing at intersections as the lights turned from green, to yellow, and red.
"First off, can we not just keep this between us? Second, did you not hear me?"
Most days, Lexa appreciated that her friends never treated her any different even though they had their jobs there because of who she was. After they became friends as kids, they were always there for each other, more like siblings at times. But as Anya pestered her further for information, today was not one of those days she found herself thankful.
"I heard you," Anya said grumbling and crossing her arms. "Just tell me one thing and I'll drop it."
Lexa nodded her head reluctantly.
"You're not going to see her again are you?"
"No, no, no," Lexa said almost positive she couldn't find Clarke if she wanted to. But the idea left her eyes stuck to the floor.
"Lexa."
"What? It was just a hook up Anya, nothing more," Lexa said. She really did want to believe that, but the blonde had been running through her mind the entire way into work like someone who was late to the most important event of their life. Her laugh, her wit, her body, it annexed part of Lexa's brain. She really wanted to believe that the twisting and turning in her gut was only temporary, but the idea that she might only see Clarke again at tense political functions left her stomach dropping.
Regardless, Lexa knew the right answer, the only answer.
"It'll never happen again."
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Life fell back into it's regular routines. Anya agreed not to tell Lincoln she had hooked up with Clarke, and as the days passed no more people came forward with questions of her exploits.
It had been two weeks since she had seen Clarke, but she still could have sworn at times she caught glimpses of blonde hair out of the corners of her vision when she walked down the street. She knew it was only wishful thinking. The woman had probably fled Trikru territory the moment she left Lexa's place. She had done all but push her out herself. But it wasn't enough to convince Lexa's mind to stop reminding her at every corner where the sidewalk turned, every bend where where a straggler lagged behind large groups.
Even while she was at the gym with Lincoln in the middle of the ring with big black gloves covering her hands, she was distracted.
"Lexa," Lincoln said. "Lexa." He waved his arms around. "Earth to Lexa."
Lexa shook her head. "What?"
Their regular gym wreaked of stale sweat and spray on deodorant. Weight benches, dumbbells, and punching bags hanging from the ceiling were only a few of objects scattered around the venue, some occupied by other Trikru puffing out their chests and challenging their friends with a stare and a flexed muscle.
"You going to train with me or just stare off into space all day?"
"Sorry," Lexa said raising her arms and positioning her feet. "Just a little distracted is all."
"I can see that," Lincoln said readying his hands to catch her punches. "Want to tell me why you keep zoning out and occasionally smiling at the work out equipment?" He smirked. "I'm pretty sure it's not going to return your advances."
"I'm just thinking about work." Lexa lied taking a few swings and jabs before leaning in left to avoid Lincoln's arm swinging the practice glove to her right side.
Boxing was a pretty common staple in her routine. It was nothing more than a hobby, but Lexa excelled at everything she did. She had to. When this political game she was being introduced to offered very little room for weakness, she had to be at her best at all time despite the toll it took on her.
"The only time I've ever seen you smile about work was when Anya choked on that seed for a second and fell out of her chair." He said taking a few more hits to his mitts before repeating his earlier movement. This time though, he caught Lexa off guard, and she barely avoided contact with him.
"Maybe I was just thinking about that," Lexa lied again furrowing her brow and hitting his hands harder.
"Fine, don't tell me now," he said. "I'll get out of you eventually.
Lexa swallowed. She didn't keep anything from Lincoln, but this was different. This was something that could put him in jeopardy too. Plus she already had to deal with Anya's judgemental looks. She didn't want to hear it from him. It was one night. Just one night she told herself.
"You're welcome to try," she said following the combo he had her running. This time though, as Lexa's blows picked up speed, he wasn't quick enough to move his hand down to block the body shot, surprising him with a hit that landed square into his side. "But don't get too cocky."
Lincoln stumbled back a bit, eyebrows raised before he regained his balance and smiled slapping his gloves playfully into his thighs. "Alright commander, bring it."
She didn't hold back after that, leaving her muscular friend huffing as he tried to keep up with the energy she was expending. The rapid succession of swings were enough to keep him too occupied to interrogate her further.
After she burnt off enough steam, they traded places before she plugged in her ear buds and hit the treadmill.
Running had always given Lexa a much needed rush when her thoughts were bogged down with work and stressful family engagements. Each foot in front of the other took her to a different world. Even if her body didn't actually move more than a couple of feet forward before being pushed back, her eyes would close and pretend that she was out in the lush woods of the national park instead of inside at another meeting, in her office until the city grew softer and the sky lost its color, talking to the same tired people as they reviewed their next strategy for the upcoming events.
Her feet pushed harder against the machine as the tread whined when it spun round and round. Her pulse grew louder until it aligned itself with the driving beat of her music. She was carried away from her obligations, if even for only a moment.
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"Ms. Woods," the young male cashier behind the counter said her name.
"Sorry," Lexa said pulling herself out of another wandering thought and grabbing the coffee out of the man's outstretched hand. She had found herself having quite a few of those as of late.
"Have a good one."
Still covered in a thin layer of sweat from her workout earlier this morning with Lincoln, she exited the cafe and enjoyed the way the breeze blew around her. It was her only relief from the humid day as the grey clouds looming in the sky threatened precipitation.
The sidewalks were packed with people as they spilled over into the streets. The weekend was a celebration marked on every Trikru's calendar, and there was a parade today to mark the occasion. Mother's pushed strollers, while other young children were dressed up with black paint around their eyes and fought each other with wooden swords. Vendors were set up on every corner ready to rake in the sales.
With all of the extra commotion and the red and black Trikru symbols painted onto white banners and signs, she was certain she must be seeing things. It had to just be another cruel trick her mind decided to play while it laughed in the background. But after she did another double take, she knew it was her. Blonde hair peaked out of a dark hoodie and those eyes. She could never forget them.
Her body took over as Lexa found herself cutting through the crowd, mumbling apologizes to those who didn't see her before she squeezed in between them. Everyone seemed to be too focused on finding a spot to watch the parade or keeping an eye of their children they had in tow to notice Lexa until after she pushed through them. Hot coffee sloshed around until she just tossed the entire thing into a trash can as she walked by it.
It was difficult to keep track of the woman when every time she ran into another body, she lost sight of her for a minute. But as her eyes scanned the sea of faces, another flash a blue gave her a bread crumb to follow.
She rounded a corner in the busy center of the city, only standing a couple of feet behind the woman that had been keeping her thoughts occupied.
Before her sensibilities could kick in, she called out her name. "Clarke." The woman stopped in her tracks and turned around to face her. Lexa tried to keep her feet on the ground when her suspicions were verified.
"Lexa?" Clarke said tilting her head before a smile began to tug at the corner of her lips.
Common sense came back to Lexa, and she swiftly grabbed Clarke by the hand pulling her into the ally between two looming skyscrapers, away from all the curious looks.
Once Lexa had secured enough privacy to be confident, her eyes found blue starring back at her. She could have sworn she watched the blonde's pupils grow larger in front of her, but she chalked it up to just the newly acquired shade.
"Hey, I," Lexa said rubbing the back of her neck. "Anymore jerks you need me to chase away for you?"
The blond let out a small laugh. "I can't think of anyone I want chased away right now," Clarke said causing Lexa to try and swallow the lump growing in her throat.
"I was surprised to see you," Lexa said. "But glad." She made sure to quickly add.
"Well here I am," Clarke said raising her eyebrows as her smile dug in a little deeper.
Lexa rocked back and forth on her heels trying to hold back the words in her mouth. Fearing there was a good chance she might sound crazy, but they came out without consent. "I can't stop thinking about you Clarke." Her heart began to pound in her ears.
Lexa's gaze fell to the ground until a gentle pair of fingers found their way under her chin, lifting her face to meet the blonde's.
"I know the feeling," Clarke said as blue eyes overcame hers. The corners of Lexa's mouth turned up and she took a step closer towards Clarke.
Rain drops began to break free of the sky and fell to the ground in almost deafening waves as snare drums signaled the beginning of the event on the streets. Troops dressed in clean crisp uniforms would be following shortly behind the marching band, along with floats, and the Trikru soccer team.
Lexa opened her mouth. But as Clarke ran her fingers through her hair, she found her hands reaching out to cup Clarke's face.
Clarke's breathing hitched. The small movement was so grand that it rippled through Lexa in waves strong enough to make her knees grow weak. She pushed a now wet stray strand of blonde hair behind her ear while her other hand stroked her cheek. Clarke's soft skin grew hotter under her touch.
"Clarke I-" It was all she could say before Clarke's arms wrapped around her waist and extinguished any remaining distance until there was no space left between their bodies and only inches remaining between their lips.
Lexa didn't need anymore encouragement after that, and her mouth found Clarke's. The instruments and cheering in the background melted away leaving nothing more than racing heart beats and soft lips.
"We can be friends right?" Lexa asked pulling away a little, but never straying too far from the blonde's touch.
"The best of friends," Clarke assured her pulling her back into her embrace.
"No one, no one has to know," she said for the second time since she met the woman mumbling into Clarke's lips. "We can-"
Clarke's mouth lit up hers. "Lexa."
"Hmm?" Lexa asked lost in Clarke's warm aura.
"No more talking."
Lexa knew this was the worst decision she had ever made, that what she was doing with Clarke was insane, but every taste, every touch, every flick of the blonde's tongue drove her crazy. She knew her sanity was running away from her, but she had no intention of catching it.
By the time they pulled away, their clothing, their hair, their skin was drenched. The heat of the moment was their only barrier left between them and cool wet clothing that clung to them.
Lexa rested her forehead against Clarke's. "My place?"
Clarke's head bobbed up and down. They left the ally at opposite ends, taking different routes, but their destination led them back to each other in the safety of Lexa's sheets and comforter.
Lexa was supposed to be on her way to work. Even though it was the weekend, she had several hours worth of paperwork left waiting for her on her desk. But for the first time in her life, she played hooky. Tomorrow, she told herself. She'll do it tomorrow.
Instead, she shut her phone off and welcomed Clarke's company.
There was a fire growing the background they found themselves playing with, but as she watched Clarke's clothing fall to her floor again, she couldn't have cared if the whole world burned. The only thing that mattered right then and there, was Clarke, and catering to her every desire.
Clarke must have felt similar, because she only seemed to fuel the flames with each and every labored breath and arch of her back until they collapsed into each others arms.
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After that work and the gym were just places she counted down the minutes until she could meet up with Clarke again. Any place dark and secluded welcomed their presence before they eventually caved and tried to sneak back to Lexa's place unnoticed.
They spent hours exploring each other some nights, while others they wrapped themselves around each other and talked about everything and nothing until the early morning glow cascaded through Lexa's bedroom window.
She couldn't help but push her good judgement aside when it came to Clarke. Whether through bravery or an unquenchable addiction to the blonde, she took the risk night after night pushing her luck further and further.
Lexa's perfect record of attendance at work only accumulated more marks as she found herself cutting out early and showing up late leaving Lincoln and Anya staring at each other when she walked into the office. But she just couldn't wipe the smile off of her face.
After a few weeks, on a Saturday, she took Clarke to her favorite trail in the national Trikru park.
The secluded path that Lexa came to when she needed a break from reality was alive with the sound of Clarke's laughter as they walked through the wilderness taking in the fragrance of pine and the chirping of singing birds.
"It's beautiful out here Lex," Clarke said interlocking her fingers between the brunettes.
"I thought you might like it," Lexa said squeezing Clarke's hand.
"Do you come out here by yourself?"
"Yeah, you're the first person I've ever brought out here," Lexa admitted as her foot elicited the crunch of a broken branch. Grace was a big part of being successful in battle. It was a lesson well taught in Trikru who were well known for having the fiercest warriors of all of the families. Being around Clarke though, left her searching for balance.
She led Clarke through the forest, helping her over the fallen trees and holding back branches. After awhile, the blonde seemed to be intentionally stumbling, looking for any excuse to be close to Lexa.
Lexa was always happy to oblige.
The path eventually lead them closer to the opening where the trees receded leaving only tall grass. When Clarke saw the clearing, she broke out into a sprint.
"I'll race you."
Lexa shook her head as the smile that had been on her face for weeks now only grew deeper.
After giving Clarke a head start, she picked up speed and tried to ruminate over every moment as each step only made the image of the woman come into clearer view.
Watching Clarke run through the trees, that blonde hair flowing in the breeze behind her never able to fully catch up, it left Lexa's lungs searching for air. And when they broke free of the tree line and out into the open field surrounded by nothing but nature and green on all sides, the way the sun caught Clarke's skin showering her in light, it was like it knew what Lexa did. Clarke wasn't just beautiful, she was the standard everything else was held to but always fell short of.
Lexa caught up to her and all but tackled her onto her back into the tall grass pinning the girl down under the weight of her body and gazing into the giggling woman's eyes.
Lust flooded through her brain as Clarke quivered and her chest heaved. But something else was there, something that woke Lexa up everyday with Clarke on the forefront of her mind.
"I want to just stay like this forever Clarke," Lexa said.
"Me too Lex," Clarke stopped laughing and her eyes almost seemed a little sad. "Me too."
Lexa leaned down and kissed her hoping to make it go away. She wanted to shut out the rest of the world, but a dull ache sprung up between her ribs reminding her they couldn't go on like this forever.
For now though, Lexa took in the soft moans escaping the blonde's lips every time she grazed them with hers, and the way she trembled ever so slightly underneath her finger tips. As they sunk deeper into the earth, hidden from civilization, Lexa knew then and there that she had fallen for Clarke, completely and irrevocably. And it was slowly breaking her heart.