Stories of the Past often Offer a Guide the Future
Clarke nibbled on the hash browns the Lexa had bought her at the drive thru, smiling slightly at Lexa who had opted for a blueberry muffin. There were crumbs sticking to the brunette’s chin and some along her lap. The blonde couldn’t resist reaching across the center console to brush her fingers against Lexa’s skin, removing the crumbs with ease. “Much better.”
Lexa has to keep herself from leaning into the touch, from displaying the feelings she has nestled in her chest and instead clears her throat, offering a tight smile. “Thank you.” She replies, sparing Clarke a glance, finding the blonde all but staring at her. “Did you miss some?”
The artist blinks a few times before shaking her head, stuffing the rest of her hash brown into her mouth. “No.” She mumbles around a mouth full of potato as she turns her head to stare out the windshield, cheeks red.
Lexa chuckles softly but nods, reaching to turn her radio on, switching to Bluetooth before handing over her phone. “Will you put it on the Road Tunes playlist?” She asks, glancing over as Clarke rubs her hands on her jeans before clicking open the phone. “The code is fourteen five fourteen.”
The blonde taps in the code before going to the music player and finding the playlist on the first try, pressing shuffle play before locking the phone again, shocked as the bass thrums through the speakers, carrying the sound of the rap song through the car.
What made it better was Lexa rapping along with the song with a completely straight face. “Yeah, it’s like the ultimate party favor baby you know? Two cups will get her hot and out of her clothes ya know? Caribou Lou.”
Lexa cracks a smile as she continues to sing along with the song, nodding her head to the beat, her fingers tapping against the wheel. “Get the party jumping, keep the hotties humpin’, I like them thick and juicy so don't pilate nothing.”
Clarke just stares at Lexa, her eyes darting between the radio and her boss, her cheeks red and her heart thudding harder than it probably should be. She knows this isn’t something she should enjoy, watching the brunette unwind in front of her, being herself, but she lives for it.
“151 rum. Pineapple juice, and malibu, caribou get them all numb.” Lexa sings flawlessly, as she comes to a stop at a red light, turning her head to lock eyes with Clarke as she sings the next part with a smirk. “Make baby girl come, outta her shell and raise hell we gon' party til the cops come.”
The blonde is sure she’s died and gone to heaven when Lexa winks at her on the word come, her heart trying to escape her chest even after the brunette turns to look back at the road, finishing the song with a grin.
“I’ve died, right? That couldn’t have been real…” Clarke says after a moment after another song comes on, this one something she’s heard on the radio but Lexa doesn’t sing and instead starts to laugh, the sound resonating around the cab of the car, making Clarke smile despite herself.
“No, it was real.” Lexa assures the artist, shaking her head. “Just because I’m an uptight asshole at work, doesn’t mean I am during my free time too, thank you.” She chuckles, running a hand through her hair.
Clarke just shakes her head, a giggle bubbling up from her chest. “I just…oh my god I can’t wait to tell O about this.” She manages as she laughs, hiding her face from her boss.
“She won’t believe you.” Lexa says, her face smoothed over into her usual head bitch in charge mask, her tone sounding serious enough to silence the blonde. It isn’t until she cracks herself up, that Clarke lets go of the breath she didn’t know she had been holding. “You’re fucking face was priceless!”
“Shut up, you look terrifying when you put on your Commander face.” Clarke huffs, crossing her arms over her chest, her lower lip poking out.
The brunette grins, her eyes sparkling like emeralds in the late morning sun. “You poor baby.” She coos, reaching over to poke Clarke’s cheek as they come to a stoplight. “I’m not apologizing; it was too good.”
The artist huffs again, turning her head to bite down on Lexa’s finger, smirking at the squeak that escapes her employer’s lips. “Now who is the baby?”
Lexa rolls her eyes, flicking Clarke’s nose before turning her eyes back to the road. “It’s good to know that you’re a biter.” She finds herself replying, doing her best not to smirk as the blonde goes quiet.
Clarke’s cheeks burn scarlet as she turns to look out the window, choosing not to reply, humming along with the song on the radio instead. The rest of the trip is made in the comfortable semi silence as each woman thinks of the other and what the future could hold for them after everything was said and done.
It isn’t until they come to the stop in front of a decently sized house, that the silence breaks. “Aden is very rambunctious, so don’t be surprised if he climbs all over you like he does to me.” Lexa says with a smile as she shuts the car off, opening the door.
“I can’t wait to meet him.” Clarke grins, following Lexa to the door. They wait patiently after the brunette knocks on the door, hearing a barrage of footsteps inside before the door is opened by a tall, bald man, who looks between Lexa and Clarke for a moment.
“Welcome back, Lexa, who is your friend?” Titus asks, brows raised at his former charge.
“This is Clarke Griffin, she is my fiancé.” Lexa says softly, looking sheepish as the man’s brows rise even higher. “It’s been fairly recent and I didn’t want to mention anything until Aden met her.”
Clarke offers a shy smile to the man, extending a hand. “You must be Titus, Lexa has told me so much about you.” She says, only half lying as she shook his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Titus blinks a few times before clearing his throat. “The pleasure is mine, why don’t you come in and I’ll go find Aden, I believe he was out back with Ontari.” He says, leading them to the living room before leaving to find the boy.
Clarke takes in the room, smiling at the few children who run in to grab something before leaving, as if knowing they shouldn’t interrupt. “Was it always like this?” She asks, her fingers tracing patterns along the soft fabric of the couch.
“Loud and full of children? Yes, but if you’re talking about how big it is and how nice the amenities are, then no.” Lexa replies quietly, leaning into the cushions as she crosses her legs, the ankle of her right leg resting on top of her left knee, reminding Clarke of how her father sat during business meetings. “One of the agreements I made with Gustus when he adopted me was to fix this place up and he did that and more.”
Before Clarke can reply the sound of a door slamming open makes her jump as a lanky blonde boy flies into the room. “Lexa!” He cries, all but throwing himself into her lap, causing the brunette to put both feet on the floor once more. “I’m surprised to see you back already, usually I don’t see you two days in a row.”
Lexa smiles softly, hugging the boy tight before adjusting his long limbs in her lap until he’s seated comfortably. “I know, but I have someone I wanted you to meet, so I decided that I would bring her since we’re both off today.”
Aden smiles, finally turning to look at Clarke, his eyes brightening as he offers her a small hand. “Hi, I’m Aden, what’s your name?” He asks, practically vibrating with excitement.
Clarke can’t help but grin at the boy, taking his hand in her own as she replies. “I’m Clarke, it’s nice to finally meet you.”
The boy’s eyes go wide for a moment as he looks between the two women. “Clarke? Like Clarke Griffin?” He asks, his brows inching into his hair line.
“That’s me, how do you know my full name?” She asks, tilting her head to the side, catching the look Lexa gives Aden, but he seems to ignore it as he grins wider.
“Lexa talks about you all the time!” He exclaims as Lexa rubs her face, hiding the fact that she was blushing. “You’re even prettier than she said.”
The blonde chuckles at this, shaking her head. “Is that so? And what does she tell you?” Clarke asks, enjoying the look of horror on Lexa’s face a little too much.
“She talks about your art and how you’re a hard worker and that you’re really pretty.” Aden speeds out, surprising Clarke with how fast he can talk without biting his tongue. “And she also talks about how much she l-.” He’s cut off when Lexa slaps a hand over his mouth.
“Aden, do you remember when we talked about your oversharing?” She murmurs to him as she nods, mumbling into her hand. “Then I think you need to slow your roll.”
Aden huffs out a sigh through his nose before pressing his tongue into Lexa’s hand, effectively covering it in slobber until she pulled it away. “I’m sorry.” He mutters, wiping his mouth as he moves to sit in Clarke’s lap instead.
“I’ll tell you more when Lexa isn’t around.” He whispers into the blonde’s ear, snuggling into her lap as he sticks his tongue out at the brunette.
Clarke giggles softly, wrapping her arms around the small boy. “So, tell me, how is school?” She asks, brows raised at the boy as she offers a warm smile. “It’s been a long time since I was in elementary school and I want to know if it’s still the same.”
With a change of subject Aden launches into a description of his usual school weak, effectively saving Lexa from further embarrassment. She offers Clarke a grateful look as the boy rambles and Clarke just smiles in return before her gaze falls back on the boy, showing she was paying attention to his explanation of his favorite classes.
A good half hour passes before Aden finishes talking and bounces on Clarke’s lap. “Tell me about your art.” He says, curiosity in his blue eyes.
“I’ll be right back; I need to talk to Titus about something.” Lexa says before Clarke starts to tell Aden about her favorite tools and the things she loves to draw.
“I could bring my sketchbook next time I visit.” She suggests, smiling as his face lights up. “But, you have to promise not to embarrass Lexa any more than you have to.” She says her voice stern, but the illusion is shattered when she winks.
“I promise.” He says, crossing his heart as he starts to chuckle softly. He laughs for a short while before quieting down, his facing starting to look serious. “She loves you, you know.” He murmurs, eyes flickering to the doorway before settling back on Clarke.
The blonde snorts softly, running a hand through her hair. “I’m not so sure about that, but she is a good friend so.” She replies, shaking her head slightly.
“No, I’m serious, she talks about you all the time and I haven’t seen her this happy since Costia.” Aden says, frowning slightly. “When she first told me about you, she had this smile on her face even though she said you frustrated her, I think she’s always sort of loved you, even before you guys kissed.”
Clarke blinks a few times, her cheeks going red at the knowledge that Lexa had shared that moment with him. “Who is Costia?” She asks, deciding to diverge from the subject of her boss’s feelings.
“She was Lexa’s first real love, they got together in college and Lexa loved her very much, she used to come and visit me and tell me stories about her.” Aden says softly, his eyes trained on his hands. “But one day she came to visit and I could tell she was upset and so I asked her what was a wrong and she swore it was nothing, but I knew she was lying…I just knew.”
Clarke frowns slightly, pulling the boy a little closer, running fingers through his hair, a part of her just knowing that he needed this. They’re quiet for a moment as Aden collects his thoughts and continues. “There was a car accident, Costia was going on a trip with her friends and a drunk driver hit them…she didn’t make it.” He says, his voice barely a whisper.
The blonde hugs him tighter, rocking him slightly though he doesn’t stop his story. “I went with her to the funeral, she didn’t ask because I was only about seven at the time, but I knew she needed me…she needed family.”
“You don’t have to tell me anymore.” Clarke murmurs, keeping the boy close as she feels tears dripping onto her shoulder.
Aden shakes his head, sniffing slightly before pulling away a bit to wipe his eyes. “Lexa doesn’t talk about it much because she got really bad for a while, she would barely talk and the only time she would eat was when she took me out and she didn’t really start to get better until she started working in New York and got away from Canada for a while, but I remember the day she met you, like it was yesterday.” He says, a slight smile on his tear streaked face.
Clarke can’t help but wipe his face gently, smiling back at him. “Oh? And what did she say?” She asks, tapping his nose gently.
Aden giggles softly, settling back into her embrace. “She came in and sat down right where we are and said, “Aden, there’s this new editor in the building, she’s so bull headed and frustrating’, but I could tell she wasn’t actually upset by it.” He shakes his head again, rolling his eyes managing to look just like Lexa in the process.
“In the weeks after that she would talk about you more and more and she even told me about the time she caught you doodling in your cubicle and you were drawing a wolf and a panther and she had wanted to ask you for it but didn’t think it was professional.” He smiled at that and hugging her tight. “And when you guys kissed, she came and told me some of what had happened and you should have seen her face…”
Clarke chuckles lowly, shaking her head as she cheeks warm. “I think you should stop talking about her before she comes back.” She says, unsure of what to do with the information that was now crowding her head.
“He was talking about me, eh?” Lexa’s low voice asks, making Aden pull away from Clarke, looking sheepish. “I hope he wasn’t telling tall tales.”
“Me? Never.” Aden grins, crawling off of Clarke to sit next to her, patting the space next to him. “So, when were you going to tell me you were engaged?” He asks, pointing to the ring on Clarke’s finger.
The blonde had all but forgotten about the sapphire adorning her finger until he pointed it out, making her cheeks go red. She looks up at Lexa, brow raised as if to ask what to do.
“I was getting there, it’s what I was talking to Titus about.” Lexa shakes her head, sitting next to the boy. “It’s very recent, I asked her yesterday actually so you are not allowed to pout about not knowing.” She teases, ruffling his hair.
He huffs anyway, eyes narrowing at the only mother figure he had ever known. “I’m hurt that you wouldn’t include me in this, especially when I could tell Clarke everything.” Aden smirks, knowing just how to push Lexa’s buttons.
Green eyes roll and it takes all Clarke has not to giggle, but stays quiet for fear of being on the receiving end of another look from the Commander. “Aden, to be fair, I don’t think she planned it at all, she didn’t give me a ring until nearly three hours after she proposed.”
Aden taps his chin for a moment before shrugging. “As long as I get to be best man, I suppose I can’t complain.” And with that he returns to his usual bouncy self for the rest of the visit, not wanting Lexa to know of the conversation he had had with Clarke.
It’s nearly two in the afternoon before Lexa tells Aden that they have to go. “Clarke and I have somewhere to be.” She says softly as he pouts, climbing into her lap again. “But I will be back on Monday before you go to school, okay?” Lexa smiles, kissing the top of his head.
“Can Clarke come too?” He asks hopefully as he pulls away, grinning at the blonde. “Please?”
Clarke smiles slightly, shrugging her shoulders. “I suppose so.” She replies, squealing when the boy all but launches off of Lexa and into her lap hugging her tightly. “Chrimeny, careful or you might break me.” She chuckles, smiling warmly as Lexa watches them.
“I can’t wait to see you again; I hope you have a good day with mo-Lexa.” Aden stutters before pulling away from Clarke completely to stand in front of the couch. “Don’t let her cause trouble.” He teases as both women stand.
Lexa bends over to hug him tightly once more. “I love you, bub.” She murmurs, kissing the top of his head again. “You behave and I’ll see you soon.”
“I love you too.” He replies with a smile, shoving her gently. “I always behave.”
Clarke watches with a warmth in her chest, having never seen this side of Lexa, so gentle and soft. “I’ll bring my sketchbook on Monday, okay?” She says once the two finish saying their goodbyes.
“Awesome!” He all but yells before grabbing Clarke’s hand to lead them back to the front door. “Drive safe.” He says softly as they walk out the door. He watches them until they pull away, closing the door with a soft sigh.
Clarke is quiet during the trip back, her mind trying to process everything that Aden had told her, trying to figure out if she should say anything. It isn’t until they hit the city that she makes a decision. “Hey, my family is having this big reunion back home in Maryland here in about two weeks and I mean…I’d really like it if you went with me, give you a chance to get to know my family before the wedding and all that.”
Lexa’s jaw clenches for a moment, though not in anger or annoyance, but rather surprise. She had never expected Clarke to invite her to meet the family this soon. “Y-you really want me to meet them?” She asks despite herself.
The artist shrugs her shoulders, smiling slightly as she turns her head to look at her faux fiancé. “Of course I do; I mean we’re getting married after all.” She teases, resting a hand on Lexa’s thigh.
The brunette swallows hard, trying to ignore the heat that seems to crawl from Clarke’s hand and into her abdomen. “Then I would be honored to accompany you.” She says, fighting to keep her tone even.
“Perfect, I’ll call my mom tonight and let her know that I’ll have a guest with me.” She says, absentmindedly squeezing Lexa’s thigh before removing her hand. “So, where are we going anyway, you told Aden we had somewhere to be.”
“I managed to pull a few strings yesterday and got us a meeting with immigration, I wanted to make sure we could get this done as quickly as possible.” She replies honestly, though her heart aches as the words slip out of her mouth.
Clarke deflates slightly, but nods. “Oh, right.” She forces herself to reply, eyes moving from Lexa to the scenery that seemed to fly passed the window. New York may be crowded and loud, but the buildings were their own kind of beautiful, a mix of old and new.
As they pull into the empty parking lot of the immigration office, Clarke has to steel herself, determined to not allow her feelings to muck things up. She had to be sure of things if this was going to work and though it hurt to think about, she knew this was all for show. “Ready?” She asks Lexa, fixing a brave smile onto her features.
“As I’ll ever be.”