Say something

"Have you seen my phone charger Clarke?" Lexa spoke loudly unsure of where Clarke was in the apartment.

"Yeah, I put it back in our room."

Lexa smiled hearing her call it their room.

Clarke's room had been converted into an art studio, the bed was moved against the wall to make more space and her canvasses were stacked on top of it.

Lexa had secretly made space in her drawers and closet for Clarke and had then casually mentioned that it would be easier for her to move some of her stuff in there even going as far as to reason that the empty drawers in Clarke's old room could be used to store more art supplies.

This had been the first time either of them mentioned that Lexa's bedroom was now their bedroom.

Unbeknownst to her Clarke had also realized the significance of what she had said, she bit her lip nervously awaiting a response from Lexa.

"Thanks Skai Prisa."

Clarke let out a sigh of relief, she rolled her eyes at the pet name, she secretly liked it but she wouldn't admit that. "You're welcome, Cupcake."

Lexa and Octavia were neck and neck nearing their building when Lexa spotted Clarke walking towards their building carrying a bag that looked to be from the small store down the street. Just as they passed her Lexa decided that she could afford to give Octavia a bit of a lead and catch up to her before they reached the building so she turned to face Clarke and jogged backwards, she was glad she did when she realized that she had just caught Clarke staring at her ass, she smirked as Clarke looked up locking eyes with Lexa and blushing profusely when she realized she had been caught. She continued to hold Clarke's gaze for a moment, just as she was about to turn and catch up to Octavia she noticed Clarke's eyes trailing down her body as if silently telling her she planned to check out Lexa's ass again once she turned around but then disaster struck. Lexa knew before it even happened, her eyes widened, her mouth fell open preparing herself to warn Clarke when she saw her foot catch on a large crack on the pavement sending her tumbling down onto the hard ground, a pained grunt escaping her throat.

Lexa was by her side in an instant. "Jesus Clarke, are you okay?"

"Not feeling so great." Clarke groaned and turned over to lay on her back.

"Where does it hurt?"

"My knee mostly."

Lexa looked at Clarke's knee, she couldn't see much through the ripped fabric but there was definitely blood there, she knew she had to get Clarke back to the apartment and clean the wound to avoid it getting infected. "Okay, should we try getting you up or do you need a minute?"

Clarke sat up with a deep groan.

Lexa took her hands and helped her up, she swung one of Clarke's arms over her own shoulder so she could act as a crutch for her, she gave her a minute to adjust before they started their short walk back to the apartment.

When they reached the building Octavia was standing by the entrance waiting for Lexa so she could gloat about her victory but she realized something was wrong as soon as she saw that Lexa was practically carrying Clarke. "What happened?"

"It was my fault, my ass is very distracting in these shorts." Lexa joked.

Clarke chuckled which caused her steps to falter, she winced from the sharp pain it caused in her leg.

"Sorry." Lexa looked at her apologetically.

"Don't be, it was funny and true." Clarke smiled softly letting Lexa know she wasn't upset.

"Hell yeah it is. I'm straight and even I have to resist the urge to grab your ass when you wear those shorts."

Both Clarke and Lexa stopped walking and looked at Octavia with stunned expressions.

Octavia simply shrugged. "Me and Rae may have discussed how perfectly sculpted your ass is a couple of times in the past, usually because of those shorts."

Clarke frowned and looked over at Lexa. "Can I ban you from wearing those shorts outside of our room?"

"Yeah I think that might be for the best." Lexa agreed, unsure of how to feel about her friends discussing her ass.

"Hold on, when exactly did you two clarify that you now share a room?" Octavia asked with a smug grin on her face. "Oh and don't think I'm not going to question why Lexa would be wearing those shorts exclusively in the bedroom." She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

"O my leg really hurts can we go inside now so I can sit down?"

"Usually I wouldn't let you get away with that but since you're injured I'll forget about the interrogation." Octavia moved to hold the main door to the building open for them. "For now."

"We'll just have to distract her when she brings it up again." Lexa whispered to Clarke.

"Damn, you know I really believed I had beaten you this time." Octavia's disappointment was clear in her voice.

"Technically you did." Lexa pointed out to her.

"No it doesn't count." Octavia stated in a defeated tone. "But I will beat you one day Commander."

When they got upstairs Clarke told Octavia that she wouldn't have time to cook them breakfast this morning because she would have to clean up her wound and Lexa would have to shower so she wouldn't have time to cook either, Octavia told her not to worry about it and said she would tell Raven to have cereal instead. Lexa helped Clarke into their room and helped her over to the bed. Clarke told her she could deal with cleaning it on her own but Lexa told her that she wanted to help and pointed out it was partly her fault. She kneeled in front of Clarke, she started to roll up the leg of Clarke's jeans but soon encountered a problem, there was no way to get the fabric up over her wound without grazing the skin and causing Clarke even more pain. She tried to think of a solution but only one came to mind and it made her blush.

Noticing Lexa's look of discomfort Clarke gently touched her shoulder to get her attention. "Hey what's wrong?"

"It's uh...." Lexa took a deep breath. "You're going to have to take off your pants."

Clarke felt her own blush creep up on her cheeks. "Oh...."

"Will you um....will you be able to do that part yourself?"

Clarke's mind flooded with images of Lexa kneeling in front of her, hooking her fingers in the waistband of her jeans and pulling them down slowly, her fingers lightly grazing her skin as she did. She swallowed harshly, her mouth suddenly very dry and nodded her head frantically. "I'll manage, could you grab me a pair of shorts to change into?"

"Of course."

After a few minutes there was a soft knock on the bedroom door. "Is it okay for me to come in now Clarke?"

"Yup."

Lexa entered the room holding a small basin. Her eyes went straight to Clarke's injured leg, she winced slightly seeing the gash on her knee and the grazes along her calf, she offered Clarke a sympathetic look as she kneeled down in front of her placing the basin on the floor beside her. "This is probably going to be painful." Lexa pouted wishing there were some way to make this easier for Clarke.

Clarke had a fond smile on her face, she was touched by Lexa's concern. "I know, it's okay I'll tell you if it's too much."

Lexa nodded in approval of that plan. "Ready?"

"Yeah." Clarke winced as soon as the cloth touched the damaged skin but it didn't take her long to adjust to the feeling.

Clarke was completely mesmerized by Lexa, she was so incredibly caring and gentle as she cleaned the wound, she couldn't help but smile at the adorable focused look Lexa had on her face. She reached down and placed her hand on Lexa's cheek.

Lexa momentarily stopped and looked up at Clarke, her breath hitched at the look of pure adoration on Clarke's face.

"You are amazing." She gently stroked Lexa's cheek with her thumb.

Lexa's mouth opened and closed a few times, there was so much she wanted to say but she had no idea where to start.

"Clarke?" Raven's voice carried through their apartment.

Clarke sighed, she had lost track of how many times their moments had been interrupted by one of their friends. "We're in here."

Lexa offered her a sympathetic smile knowing that they were losing out on what could have been a significant moment for them.

Raven poked her head into the room. "Hey, are you okay?"

"Yeah, Lex is taking good care of me."

"Playing doctor are we?"

"She has excellent bedside manner." Clarke playfully added.

"Well Miss Griffin you will have to excuse me for a moment, I believe Doctor Griffin gave me a cream that should help this heal nicely." Lexa stated attempting to play along.

Raven flopped down on the bed next to Clarke. "Hey I didn't interrupt anything, did I?"

Clarke thought about telling her she had but Raven had already interrupted them a few times now and she knew she felt bad about it, she didn't want to make her feel worse so she shook her head. "Lex was just cleaning the cuts for me."

Raven narrowed her eyes slightly wondering if that was the truth but she decided to accept it. "So how's it feel sharing a bedroom with Woods?"

Clarke rolled her eyes. "Octavia wasted no time."

Raven poked Clarke's side. "You gonna answer?"

Clarke glanced around the room, a small smile growing into a big grin as she took in the image of her and Lexa's possessions mixed together to create a decor that perfectly represented them. "It feels like home now."

A few days later. 

"Hello, I'm looking for Lexa Woods is this her apartment?"

Clarke looked at the woman in front of her, she had never seen her before. "Hi, can I ask how you know Lexa?"

"I'm her cousin Anya."

"Oh come in, sorry about that I just needed to be sure you weren't some stalker or someone coming after Lexa."

"That's fine, I'm glad to see you're looking out for her safety, I'm guessing you're her roommate?"

"Oh yes sorry, I'm Clarke, it's nice to meet you." Clarke extended her hand to Anya.

Anya took the offered hand and shook. "Nice to meet you too Clarke, so is Lexa here?"

"She's gone to the shop, she should be back soon though, you're welcome to stay here and wait for her if you'd like."

"Thanks Clarke, that would be great"

"You hungry? I just made pancakes, I always make extra."

"Sounds great" Anya followed Clarke into the kitchen. "Whoa!!!" Anya exclaimed. "When you said you made extra I really didn't expect this, there has to be at least fifty pancakes here. You'd hardly manage to eat that many on your own, why make so many?"

Clarke chuckled. "There's exactly fifty. It's a habit I picked up from living with Raven and Octavia, they would always fight over who got the last pancake so I just started cooking more so they'd be too full to want the last one unfortunately that still didn't stop them, their stomachs are just bottomless pits. They live across the hall so I still make them because they have some crazy sense of smell and always know when there's pancakes."

"Why don't you just lock your door?"

"I tried that but Raven's a certified genius, she can pick any lock in seconds."

"Ah so she uses her super powers for evil, that sucks, you must hate having to cook so much."

Clarke set a plate of pancakes down on the table in front of Anya. "Nah I don't mind, they're my best friends, I like knowing they're eating a good breakfast. When I lived with them I would usually make about thirty-five but it turns out your cousin has an appetite equal to Raven and O's so now I make a little more."

"Oh I know all about Lexa's eating habits, when she lived with us I always refused to let her into the kitchen while I was cooking because she used to snatch the ingredients while I was cooking, she's always been impatient, I hope she's not doing the same to you."

"She tries but I don't let her, it's so hard to stop her when she pouts though, she's like a little puppy."

Anya chuckled remembering how Lexa would always stand outside the kitchen door pouting on days when she was exceptionally hungry. "I wouldn't blame her for trying to steal some of these they really are amazing." Anya took another bite of the pancakes. "I must say Clarke I am surprised Lexa's being herself around you, she has a tendency to close herself off to people. She's a tough one to crack but she's been through a lot, it's understandable why she's so closed off."

"I know, she's had it rough." Clarke said with a sadness in her tone that made Anya believe she really did know.

Anya frowned. "Wait, you know? how do you know?"

"Lexa explained it to me."

"She speaks to you?! How long has she been speaking to you?" Anya was so shocked she jumped up off the chair startling Clarke by doing so.

"Um, just a little while."

"What's a little while?"

"Since Thanksgiving."

"I knew something was going on with her, so damn sneaky." Anya sat back down completely shocked to find out her cousin has been so open with someone she's only known a few weeks.

Clarke felt a little uneasy with the awkward silence that enveloped them after that, she cleared her throat in an attempt to draw Anya back into conversation.

Anya realized that the lack of sound was making Clarke feel a little uncomfortable. "I'm sorry, I just don't know how to react to this. Lexa hasn't spoken about this to anyone with the exception of our family and she certainly hasn't tried to make any new friends in the last two years so I'm just really shocked, you must be really special to her Clarke."

Clarke blushed it was one thing to have her friends and family point out that she was special to Lexa but hearing it from someone close to Lexa made it more real to her.

Anya continued on when Clarke hadn't said anything. "I mean she had two roommates last year and never spoke a word to either of them, if she hadn't gotten mail I don't think either of them would even know her name."

It was finally starting to sink in for Clarke just how significant it was for her roommate to have confided in her. "She talks to other people here too, I'm not the only friend she has."

"What?! There's more friends?!" Anya was shocked that Lexa 'I'm a lone wolf, I don't need anyone' Woods had friends, plural.

"Well yeah she talks to Raven, O, my mom and a few more people so it's not like I'm the only one." Clarke couldn't decide if she felt happy or sad that she's not the only one Lexa speaks to but she brushed the thought off thinking it was selfish to want to be her only person.

"Oh okay, I guess she must've met them through you, yes?"

"Yep, they're not the type of people that will accept being just acquaintances so she really didn't have much of a choice, one way or another they were going to find a way to become friends with her. Her and Raven have sort of the same personalities and O is her exercise buddy, Lexa's like the member of our group we didn't know we were missing."

"Wow, this is unbelievable, Linc would be able to process this better than I am, I think it's going to take a little time for me to fully understand that Lex has friends but I am so happy to see her finally becoming herself again." Anya felt so overjoyed thinking her cousin isn't alone, that she's learned to open up to people. "I think i'd like to meet Raven and Octavia sometime, I still can't wrap my head around the idea that Lex told not only you but more people about Costia, her parents and her nightmares."

"Umm actually she hasn't spoken to O and Raven about her nightmares yet, they know she has nightmares but they don't know what they're about, only I know that but they understand that it's something she's probably not going to tell them about and they won't push her to tell them about them, besides they're really rare now, it's been a few weeks since her last one."

"Ohh so you are special then Clarke." Anya could see Clarke was clearly blushing so she smirked a little. "Even we don't know what they're about, I'm pretty sure she didn't even share that information with Alie and she's basically her therapist."

"I...." Clarke cleared her throat, trying to garner enough time to think of a reasonable explanation. "I'm not special, she probably just hasn't gotten around to telling anyone else yet." She was trying to convince herself and Anya that this had to be the reason.

"Hmm, think what you want Clarke but I know my cousin and that is definitely not why you're the only one that knows." Anya continues eating her pancakes while watching the blonde trying to bite back a smile.

Just then the door burst open. "Pancakes we are here to devour you!" Raven yelled into the apartment as two hurried sets of footsteps could be heard coming towards the kitchen.

"Think about what I said Clarke." Anya said seriously to Clarke before anyone could interrupt their conversation.

Clarke nodded slowly still trying to process the fact that a member of Lexa's family considered her special to Lexa.

"Never fear pancakes I have arrived....oh uh hi" Raven said rounding the corner into the kitchen coming to a sudden stop upon seeing the stranger causing Octavia to crash into her sending them both falling to the floor.

"What the hell Reyes? Why'd you knock me down?" Octavia asked climbing back up off the floor, she glanced into the kitchen seeing the attractive stranger and realized what had happened. "Oh I see how it is, you see a pretty girl and forget all about me." She whispered to Raven as she helped her up and continued on into the kitchen.

"Raven, Octavia, this is Anya, she's Lexa's cousin."

Anya shook Octavia's hand and walked over to Raven to do the same.

Having regained her composer Raven shook her hand, she looked her up and down and smirked when she saw the light pink tint on the strangers cheeks. "I guess good genes run in the family."

"Play nice Reyes" Clarke said, not hearing what Raven had said but assuming it was something sarcastic.

"What she said." Octavia agreed when she saw the mischievous look on Raven's face.

"I am playing nice, I just complimented her. Why do you always assume the worst Griff? And O you know better than to agree with her." She rolled her eyes at her best friends and made her way further into the kitchen to grab some pancakes.

"So Anya do you like the pancakes?" Octavia asked while shoving another bite of her own pancakes in her mouth.

"They're delicious, I see why you two would pick the locks to get to them." Anya replied looking thoroughly satisfied by the confused look on the two brunettes faces.

"How'd you....." Raven trailed off when it dawned on her. "Aww Griff you been telling Anya about us, we always knew you loved us but we didn't think you talk about us that much, did you even give her a chance to introduce herself before you told her our life stories?"

"Shut up Reyes and Blake i see you giggling, she wanted to know why I'd cook fifty pancakes when I was the only one here."

"Well" Raven started as Clarke prepared herself for what she was sure would be an embarrassing response. "There are three reasons for the pancakes, firstly Clarke loves cooking us breakfast."

Clarke scoffed but she had a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"Second," Octavia grabbed Clarke and held her hand over her mouth to silence her. "When Clarke misses Lexa—" Clarke's eyes widened, she knew something bad was coming.

"Which is all the time." Octavia helpfully added earning herself an elbow in the ribs but she still managed to hold on tight to the blonde while Raven continued.

"When Clarke says she's making pancakes she knows Lexa will finish up whatever she's doing as quickly as she can and come for them and third, Clarke really loves the sounds Lexa makes when her pancakes are in her mouth, she's very very vocal when eating Clarke's pancakes."

Clarke was redder than anyone thought was humanly possible.

Anya couldn't hold back her laughter while Raven smiled, clearly proud of herself.

Clarke was squirming trying to free herself from Octavia who was still holding on tight even while she laughed. The blonde mentally prepared herself for the scolding she would give all three girls when she escaped from Octavia.

"Mmm I smell pancakes." All four girls heard coming from somewhere in the apartment which led to even more laughter from three of them.

"Oh my god." Lexa exclaimed from the doorway of the kitchen. "What is going on here?!" The three girls continued laughing while Lexa moved to free Clarke "Octavia release her." Octavia immediately let go. "What happened here?" Lexa asked Clarke.

Clarke stood stunned, looking like a deer in headlights. Lexa picked up on this awkwardness as the laughter died down and she turned noticing for the first time that Anya was there. "Anya Oh my god!" She rushed at Anya enveloping her in a tight hug. "I missed you." She whispered.

"Hey Lex, I missed you too, I like your new friends."

As soon as she said this Lexa started piecing things together. There was hysterical laughter, there was Anya who has known Lexa her whole life and really enjoyed telling people her embarrassing stories and there was Lexa's friends who Anya had just been alone with. She pulled back from the hug and looked at Anya accusingly. "Anya what did you do?!"

"Nothing, we were just laughing at something we heard."

"What was it? And why was Clarke being restrained?" She looked over to see Clarke blushing so much she could be mistaken for a tomato.

"Oh....um....I forgot what it was, do any of you remember?" Anya looked to the three others who all shouted a loud 'no' in unison.

Lexa looked at them all suspiciously. "Clarke why were you being restrained?" She asked calmly watching as the blonde averted her gaze and fidgeted awkwardly.

"Umm...." Clarke tried desperately to think of an excuse, when she did think of one she just blurted it out. "Oh I wasn't being restrained, that's just how Octavia likes to hug me now."

Everyone looked at her like she had lost her mind.

Octavia didn't want to embarrass her friend anymore so she decided to go along with it. "Yeah, um....me and Clarke wanted a different hug like a secret handshake so we were just trying that out when we heard....whatever it was that made us laugh, I don't think that will be our new hug though."

Now everyone looked at Octavia like she had lost her mind, even Clarke.

Lexa watched them all closely for a moment. "Whatever" she said, shrugging her shoulders. "The most important thing right now is that I get to put those beautiful pancakes in my mouth." She headed towards the table to grab some, she was so distracted that she missed Anya, Raven and Octavia desperately willing themselves not to laugh and Clarke reverting back to her previous tomato-like state.

Lexa sat at the table while the others took the opportunity to regain their composure before joining her. Just as they did Lexa took her first bite and instantly let out a delicious moan as her taste buds came alive resulting in yet another round of uncontrollable laughter and Clarke's face turning so red she could guide Santa's sleigh.

"Okay that's it." Lexa almost yelled, standing from her seat. "One of you is going to tell me what it is that's so funny and since I think it's something my cousin said about me she's up first, so Anya would you like to explain what happened?"

"Honestly little Lexie—"

"Oh that's so cute, little Lexie." Raven interrupted, receiving a scolding look from Lexa, she raised her hands in mock surrender and gestured to show that her lips were sealed.

"Continue Anya." Lexa demanded.

"Okay, it really is nothing I told them about you, we just had a pleasant conversation getting to know each other, then we had a lively discussion about pancakes and that's when you walked in, I'm not sure why we were laughing, I just know that something funny was said but I can't remember what."

"Why were you laughing a few minutes ago then?"

"Well it's just like a residual laugh, you know? When you laugh really hard at something and then you find yourself laughing every now and again afterwards." Anya somehow managed to stay eerily calm during her explanation but Lexa saw right through it, she knew there was something there and she knew well that she wouldn't get it out of Anya so she turned to Raven.

"Okay Reyes you're next, what's your explanation?"

Raven simply pointed to her mouth to show that her lips were still sealed so therefore she couldn't answer.

Anya giggled slightly next to her but schooled her expression when Lexa glared at her.

"Reyes you have my permission to speak again." Lexa honestly did find this situation funny but she couldn't let it show if she was going to get answers.

"Sorry Woods, I think the lack of oxygen from keeping my mouth shut for so long has caused some memory loss, I can't remember what we were laughing at either."

Lexa let out an exasperated sigh. "I never really expected you to give me an answer anyways so I'll move on, your turn Blake."

Octavia visibly gulped, a look of panic flashed in her eyes but then an idea formed in her mind and within seconds she was forcing pancakes into her mouth until it was entirely full. She attempted to smile but it proved to be too difficult.

Lexa chuckled, too amused by her friends antics to stay serious. She took her seat again and turned to face Clarke, she didn't give Clarke the same stern look she gave her other friends instead she gave her a soft smile. "I know if I asked you would tell me the truth but I can see that whatever these fools are laughing at seems to be making you uncomfortable so you don't have to tell me what happened. Instead I would like to apologize on their behalf to you so Clarke these three asses are very sorry for causing you any discomfort." She takes Clarke's hand and gives it a gentle squeeze.

"Thanks Lex." Clarke gave her a huge smile and Lexa mirrored it.

"Do you two want us to go while you have your moment or what?" Raven asked causing both girls to blush and avert their gaze down towards their own plates, until they both heard a smacking noise and looked up to see Raven high-fiving both Octavia and Anya at the same time.

"I am seriously never making pancakes for any of you ever again, only Lexa gets my pancakes." Clarke stated.

"Need I remind you that that's exactly what landed you in this situation in the first place." Octavia responded.

"Well look who's able to speak again." Lexa said threateningly.

Octavia immediately shoved more pancakes into her mouth.

"Special." Anya said, knowing only Clarke would understand why she was saying it.

After breakfast they continued talking for a while getting to know each other better while Lexa tried to stop Anya from telling them any embarrassing stories about her.

"I do have another reason for being here." Anya stood up and moved to put some distance between her and her cousin. "Remember there are witnesses here Lexa so you can't murder me."

"Why would I murder you? What did you do?"

"I just need you to promise you won't freak out when I tell you."

"Anya...." Lexa warned.

"Just promise asshole."

"Fine, I promise."

"So you remember how we didn't really get a lot of time to hang out when you were last home because I had some stuff to take care of?"

"Yeah Linc said you had some trouble at work....Oh god did you punch a customer again?"

"No, that was one time Lex and he deserved it."

"I like this girl already." Raven interrupted.

"Well the thing is I was offered a job here in Arkadia and I took it."

"Oh my god, you're moving here?"

"Yup there's a little more to the story though."

"What is it?"

"Lincoln's moving here too."

"What?! Both of you? here?"

"Uh yeah, is that okay?" Anya asked warily.

"Okay? It's fantastic."

"There's still one more thing."

"Alright....?"

"We found an apartment just three blocks from here so yeah me and Linc are moving to Arkadia and we'll be living a stone's throw away from here."

Lexa was speechless. It was so much to take in at once. 

"You know how I'd never approve of anyone until you're married to them?" Anya asked once Lexa finally finished speaking.

"Yeah?"

"So you know it would be a huge deal for me to like them before that?"

"What are you talking about Anya?" 

"Clarke. I like her, she has my approval."

"We're not together Anya."

"No but you want to be."

"Anya we're friends, nothing more to it."

"Bullshit you're falling for her."

Lexa rubbed her forehead, growing frustrated with this conversation, her feelings for Clarke became more intense with each passing day and she was struggling to keep them to herself. "Can we talk about something else please?"

"Fine." Anya may have been determined to find out about Lexa's feelings but she knew pushing her cousin too much and too soon could result in Lexa closing herself off again, she wasn't willing to risk that right now. "How many others are there?"

"What?"

"How many more people do you talk to?" Anya asked as she stopped the car and got out, soon followed by Lexa.

"Oh well there's Jasper, Monty, Miller, Bryan, Bellamy, Clarke's mom Abby and her boyfriend Marcus who is one of my teachers and a couple of people in my classes."

Lexa was surprised when her cousin pulled her into a tight hug. "I'm so glad you're opening up to people Lex, I've missed seeing you so relaxed and happy but what made you want to do this?"

"Honestly? They were all so understanding, they accepted me as I was, loved me the way I was and always made sure I felt included. I trust them, I have since I met them so I wanted them to know the real me."

Anya nodded in understanding, she was glad Lexa had found such great people. "Clarke was the first, right?"

"Yeah, I needed Clarke to be the first, we....she gets me, I don't really know how to explain it, she just needed to hear me first."

Anya nodded in understanding. "I'm glad you found her.

Lexa grinned. "Me too."

"Are you coming back up?" Lexa asked as they pulled into the car park of her apartment complex.

"Nah I better get back to Polis I've got work in the morning."

"Alright well I'll see you soon?"

"Yeah I'll be back in a few days and Linc will be finishing up his last few days of work at the gym this week so he'll be moving here first."

"I still can't believe I'll have you both here."

"It's going to be great and it's going to be a lot of fun getting to know your new friends."

"That sounds dangerous."

"Don't worry, I'll behave." Anya actually sounded like she was being honest which settled Lexa's worries, for now. "They're helping you." Anya said seriously.

"Hmm?" Lexa hummed.

"You're smiling and laughing, you're the old Lexa again or maybe a new Lexa with all the best qualities of old Lexa. It's really great seeing you so happy and carefree, I've really missed this version of you."

"It feels good being able to be myself again." Lexa admitted.

"Keep them close Lex, they're good for you."

"Hey." Clarke sat up more fully in her chair and greeted her with a smile.

Lexa smiled and shook her head at the sight in front of her, it looked as though none of them had moved the entire time she was gone. "Every time I leave, no matter how long I'm gone for you're always in the same position when I get back."

"That's because our whole world revolves around you Woods, we just don't know what to do when you're not here." 

"How'd it go?" Octavia asked.

"Great, the restaurant is gorgeous."

"What restaurant is it?"

"A place called the Ark."

Raven whistled. "Fancy place."

"Well known here?"

"It's one of the swankiest restaurants in Arkadia, Anya must be one hell of a good chef."

"She is, she taught me most of what I know."

Raven prodded Octavia's leg with her foot to get her attention. "You know what that means, right?"

"What?"

"Another person to cook for us."

"Damn we're so lucky."

Lexa chuckled. "I need coffee, anyone else want some?"

The three others raised their hands.

"I'll help." Clarke stood up and followed Lexa into the kitchen. "So....?"

"So?" Lexa asked raising an eyebrow.

"You just got some pretty major and incredible news, how are you feeling about it?"

"I kind of still can't believe it. My life here just keeps on getting better and better."

Clarke wrapped her arms around Lexa and gave her a tight hug. "I'm so happy for you Lex."

Lexa sighed happily. "I never asked how you felt about all this?"

"Me?"

"Yeah, how do you feel about the idea of my cousins hanging around all the time?"

"Honestly?" Clarke waited for Lexa to nod before she continued. "I'm excited about it. You were so much happier after you started speaking, now with this happening I think it'll just make everything even better and I like Anya she seems fun."

"She is but she can be a real pain in the ass sometimes too, she likes to try to embarrass me as much as she can, did she tell you any embarrassing stories before I got here?"

"Nah you got lucky this time we just introduced ourselves."

"She trusts you by the way, I don't know how you managed that because Anya is probably the most skeptical person ever, she's more of a guilty until proven innocent kind of person but you earned her trust."

"Like I said before we have a way of getting the Woods family to open up to us."

After Lexa's little slip kissing Clarke before she left with Anya, Clarke decided to take a risk kissing Lexa on the cheek whenever she returned to or left the apartment.

At first it had surprised Lexa but she quickly became accustomed to getting a kiss from Clarke whenever she went anywhere, even going as far as to take every opportunity she got to leave just to get more kisses. Over time she became more confident trading kiss for kiss with Clarke, it hadn't gone unnoticed by Octavia or Raven who had promptly informed Abby who was overjoyed to hear that they had taken another step closer to becoming a couple.

A few days later. 

"Hi, I'm um looking for Lexa Woods."

Clarke smiled warmly at the man. "You must be Lincoln, Lex told me all about you. I'm Clarke."

"Nice to meet you Clarke. She told me all about you too."

"Only good things I hope?"

"From what I've heard there is nothing but good things to say about you."

Clarke blushed slightly. "I could say the same about you."

"So is my cousin around?"

"Lex is across the hall in O and Raven's apartment, come with me, she'll be so happy to see you."

Lincoln stopped Clarke before she walked out of the apartment. "Umm Clarke could we talk for a minute before we go over there?"

"Uh sure take a seat." Clarke moved over to the couch, followed by Lincoln.

"I just want to thank you for being so good to Lexa. She's really happy since she met you and we've all missed seeing her like that."

"I'm glad that I could make her happy."

"You're special to her Clarke, I can tell from the way she speaks about you."

"You're the second member of Lexa's family to say that to me, I guess it must be true." Clarke chuckled.

Lincoln looked confused.

"Anya." Clarke clarified.

"Oh right that would be Anya. I'm not like Anya I'm not trying to be nosy or pushy I just felt like I needed to thank you, I'm sorry if I'm coming off as intrusive."

"It's okay Lincoln, Lexa told me all about you, remember? I know you're not like that and Lexa's really special to me too, I promise I will always do my very best to make sure she feels safe and happy."

Lincoln had a big beaming smile on his face. "Glad to hear it."

"Ready to head over now?"

"Sure."

Clarke led the way over to the other apartment, when she opened the door they were greeted by the sight of Octavia and Raven wrestling on the couch for control of the TV remote while Lexa was sitting in the armchair closest to the door watching the two battle it out. "Look who I found."

Lexa turned to find Clarke and Lincoln standing by the door. "Linc!" she exclaimed jumping up from her seat and embracing her cousin.

"Hey Lex, I missed you."

"Missed you too."

Octavia momentarily stopped fighting, her attention now fully focused on the new person in the room, giving Raven the opportunity to win but instead she imitated Octavia's voice and teased her. "Oh I see how it is, you see a pretty boy and forget all about me."

Octavia shoved her lightly and let go of the remote before jumping up to greet their guest. "Hey I'm Octavia, nice to meet you." She held out her hand to him.

Lincoln took her hand and gingerly shook it, Lexa noticed he looked uncharacteristically shy. "I'm Lincoln, nice to meet you too."

The two stood frozen, staring at each other, still grasping each others hands. 

A throat clearing startled them both, breaking the moment. "I'm Raven, good to meet you Lincoln."

"Nice meeting you too." He shook Raven's hand, letting go in a more timely manner this time. "So you're the genius and you're the one keeping my cousin in shape."

"Aw you told him about us?" Octavia asked.

"Of course, why wouldn't I?"

"We just assumed that whenever you speak about Arkadia it's mostly Griff you speak about." Raven explained.

"There is some truth to that." Lincoln commented.

Lexa gave him a warning look. "I think you've been spending too much time with Anya."

"At least I'm able to beat one Woods." Octavia stated proudly having just come in second place in their race, she high-fived Lexa as she walked past her to enter their apartment building.

Lincoln blushed, he tried to rush past Lexa before she could question how he had come in last place but she was quick enough to put her arm out in front of him stopping him from entering the building. "Don't think I didn't notice what was keeping you in last place Lincoln."

Lincoln ducked his head hiding the guilty look on his face.

"It seems you found staring at O's ass more important than winning."

"I....sorry."

"Look I'm not going to stop you if you want to ask her out but if you're planning to do that please be sure it's not just a fling before you do, I don't want things to be awkward if it doesn't work out."

Lincoln looked relieved. "Alright Lex, I won't ask her out until I'm sure it's the right thing to do."

"Thanks Linc."

A couple of days later Lincoln took Lexa aside and promised her he was sure Octavia and him could work as a couple and he wanted to pursue a relationship with her. Lexa, knowing Lincoln was an honest guy, gave him her blessing. He opened the apartment door and Lexa went back inside. 

"Octavia?" Lincoln called from the doorway. "Could I talk to you real quick?"

Octavia shrugged. "Sure." She got up and went out into the hallway.

A few minutes later they both came back into the apartment.

Lexa could tell by the smiles on their faces that Octavia had said yes, she was happy that they were going on a date.

Octavia started putting the pieces together when she saw Lexa subtly give Lincoln a thumbs up. "Did you ask Lexa for permission before you asked me out?"

"Umm kind of, yeah." Lincoln admitted timidly.

"That is....adorable." Octavia looked between the two cousins with a big grin showing. "You're seriously okay with us going on a date?" She asked Lexa.

"As long as you're both happy that's all that matters to me."

Octavia wrapped Lexa up in a bone crushing hug. "You're the best Lex." She pressed a sloppy wet kiss to Lexa's cheek.

"Save the kisses for her cousin O." Clarke stated.

"Someone's jealousy is showing." Raven said just loud enough for Clarke to hear.

"Think I can mange that." Octavia moved back over to Lincoln, pulled him close and gave him a chaste kiss.

"Now I'm starting to regret giving you my approval."

"Too late to change your mind now." Octavia cheekily responded.

A couple of days later.

The door opened to reveal a confused looking Raven. "You knocked, why'd you knock?"

"To make my presence known?" Anya said her confusion was obvious.

"Not what I meant, we're not the sort of people who knock, mostly because we're too lazy to get off our asses and open the door, so next time just come in, no need to knock."

"You know anyone could walk in at any time, right? Like a creepy chainsaw-wielding murderer or any other kind of psycho."

Raven shrugged nonchalantly. "We would outnumber them and we're all capable of kicking ass if we need to, your cousin more than the rest of us, which reminds me I have a video you'll want to see."

It was late, Lincoln and Octavia were out in the hallway saying goodnight, Raven had left to get some sleep about a half hour before, Anya was still in Lexa and Clarke's apartment helping Lexa clean up and Clarke was fast asleep on the couch. 

Lexa slipped out of the kitchen while Anya was drying the dishes to get a blanket for Clarke.

Anya had seen Lexa walking past the kitchen doorway carrying the blanket, she stuck her head out of the doorway to see what her cousin was up to, she was glad she did when she saw Lexa press a gentle kiss to Clarke's forehead after covering her with the blanket.

Lexa turned to see her cousin watching her. She knew she couldn't run from Anya so she went back into the kitchen and acted like nothing had happened.

Unfortunately for Lexa Anya wasn't willing to ignore what she had just seen. "She's good for you Lex."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh yes you do, why won't you just tell her how you feel?"

Lexa huffed, annoyed that her cousin wouldn't just let it be. "Love is weakness."

"Oh that's bullshit and you know it."

Lexa crossed her arms and sighed. "I'm not good for her Ahn, she deserves better."

"You need to realize you are the best Lexa and Clarke sees that. I can tell you now that girl isn't going to just give up on you, she'll wait however long it takes for you to get your head out of your ass."

"It's been a good day, can we please not end it in an argument?"

"Fine." Anya would drop it for now but she knew that sooner or later they would have to have this talk.

Raven and Anya had gotten close since Anya had moved in, everyone noticed it, they didn't think anything was going on with them yet but there was definitely an attraction between them. There were small things like little touches here and there, the biggest clue was when they had been laying around watching TV and Anya had started removing Raven's brace without even looking away from the TV once, Raven hadn't looked away either like it wasn't unexpected for Anya to do that.

Lexa knew there was no way to approach the subject of Anya and Raven's relationship without Anya getting defensive and asking her about her relationship with Clarke so she just had to trust that her cousin had thought this through and had decided, like Lincoln had, that it was the right thing to do.

Raven and Anya had planned to meet at a cafe just far enough from the college that they were unlikely to bump into any of their friends.. Raven had come straight from class having told the others she had to stay behind to get some more work done, they knew she was lying but no one said anything about it to her. As she was getting closer to the cafe she could see Anya outside speaking to someone, it only took a few more steps forward for her to see who it was. Her blood boiled seeing the smug arrogant boy who she despised clearly trying to seduce Anya.

"Back off Finn." Raven practically growled.

"This isn't any of your business Raven."

"She's my friend so yes it is."

Finn looked at them both as though he was trying to figure something out. "Oh I see." He smirked. "You've got a little crush on this friend of yours." Finn started laughing obnoxiously.

"What's so funny Finn?"

"She's not ever going to want you, you're damaged goods, who wou—" Finn was abruptly cut off by a punch so powerful it turned him slightly before he fell to the floor.

Raven looked at Anya in shock, she didn't know she was that strong.

Anya stood over him. "Don't you dare call her damaged goods. She is the best person I have ever met and her injury doesn't make her any less amazing it's physical proof of just how strong she is, this woman is better than any of us could ever hope to be, you are pig shit in comparison to her." Anya turned to face a stunned Raven and took her hand. "Oh and if you ever come near her again I'll set my cousin on you, I'm sure she'd be happy to make you shit your pants again." When Finn looked at her with shock and disgust she smirked. "That's right asshole, I've seen the video and I will gladly show it to every woman on this campus if you come near any of my family or friends ever again." With that she turned and walked away gently pulling a bewildered Raven along with her.

Raven waited until Anya slowed down a little before she spoke. "So that was really, really hot."

Anya halted and turned to face Raven with an unreadable expression. She placed her hands on either side of Raven's face and quickly closed the distance between them.

Raven was momentarily stunned but quickly caught on to what was happening.

The kiss was passionate at first, full of want and need but soon slowed and became more gentle.

When they finally broke apart Anya rested her forehead against Raven's and said. "I'd like to take you on a date."

"Okay." Raven responded a little dazed and breathless.

Later as they recounted the tale, excluding some personal details, Lexa had moved to stand in front of Clarke protectively as soon as Finn's name had been mentioned, by the time they had told them everything about their encounter Lexa was seething.

"Breathe Lex, he's not here." Clarke said, soothingly running her hands up and down Lexa arms trying to relieve some of the tension.

"Wow you just went full Heda." Anya stated with a frown, it had been a while since she had seen her cousin get so worked up.

"Wait, what's Heda?"

"Lexa's nickname, we use it when she gets scarily overprotective it's sort of the equivalent of the commander which is kind of a cool coincidence."

"What language is that?" Clarke hurriedly asked.

"Trigadeslang, we made it up when we were kids." Anya answered a little confused about Clarke's urgency.

"Well how the hell was I supposed to figure out what Skai Prisa means when it's in a language I didn't know existed?"

"Skai Prisa?" Anya repeated in a teasing tone.

Lexa glared at Anya. "Shof op."

"What does it mean?" Clarke directed the question at Anya hoping she would be willing to tell her.

"Anya don't you dare." The warning was clear in Lexa's tone.

Anya silently analyzed her cousin's current mood and knew now wasn't a time to mess with her. "Fine, secrets safe for now."

"Can you at least give me a clue?" Clarke pleaded.

"Nope figure it out Clarke." Anya responded with a smirk.

"Griff private chat?" Raven interrupted.

"Okay....?"

Raven led them to Clarke's old room, as soon as the door closed Raven handed her phone to Clarke. "Since Anya is on Lexa's side, I can be on yours." Raven stated with a wicked grin. "O got Lincoln to blab."

Clarke looked down at her phone and saw the text conversation between Raven and Octavia on her phone.

Raven (18:13)
O I need a favour, I need you to get Lincoln to tell you what skypreza means.

Octavia (18:16)
Done. 

Raven (18:17)
That was quick.

Octavia (18:17)
I didn't give him much of a choice.

Raven (18:18)
Hope you didn't hurt him too much.

Octavia (18:19)
Just a hit to his pride anyways skai prisa means sky princess.

"Sky princess." Clarke read out the meaning.

"Cute, right?"

"Mmhmm." Clarke hummed. "I get the princess part but why the sky part?"

"Who knows? Woods that's who and only he would know."

"Raven...." Clarke narrowed her eyes. "What do you know?"

"Nothing, why would I know anything?" Raven said suspiciously.

"You look like you're hiding something."

"Fine." Raven relented. "She may or may not have mentioned once or twice that your eyes remind her of the sky but she thinks your eyes are even more beautiful than a crystal clear sky and yes there is so much more that she said but I won't say any more than that."

Clarke grinned. "She said that?"

"Yes but if you tell her I blabbed I will end you."

"I won't say a word about it."

"Good. You gonna tell her you know what the name means?"

Clarke grinned mischievously. "Nah I think I'll let her think she's fooling me for a little longer."

Lexa remembered what Clarke had said about wanting to see her between classes even if it was just for a few seconds which is why she was now speed walking towards Clarke hoping to catch her before she entered the classroom she was walking towards. She caught her just before she entered the room, she wrapped her hand around Clarke's arm and pulled her back gently.

Clarke quickly realized who was pulling her back and she smiled. She wrapped her arms around Lexa's neck and pulled her close.

Lexa smiled sweetly at Clarke. "Hi."

"Hey, what's up?"

"I just wanted to spend a little time with you, even if it's just a few seconds."

"You remember what I said."

"I make it a point to remember everything you say."

Clarke beamed. "You're a big softy, you know?"

"Shh don't tell anyone it'll ruin my badass reputation, you're the only one that gets to see my softer side."

"Good, I like being the only one that gets to see parts of you like this."

The two of them just stood there staring adoringly at each other for a brief moment.

Lexa moved in closer, resting her forehead against Clarke's, their noses just barely touching and sighed. "You have to go to class Clarke."

"You kind of have me pinned here." Clarke pointed out, her voice breathy. 

"Do you want me to move?"

"No." Clarke whispered, gripping Lexa's hips, pulling her even closer.

Lexa let out a quiet hum of approval.

"As hot as this is you're both going to be late for class if you don't separate." Raven's voice broke up their little moment.

"And you should know you've got an audience." Octavia added.

Lexa reluctantly pulled back and the two of them looked around at the small crowd obviously watching them.

"Shows over folks go find something else to gawk at." Raven yelled causing all the onlookers to hurriedly look away and go about their business. "You two get to class."

"Actually I don't have a class now it was cancelled." Lexa informed them.

"Oh come hang out with us, we're meeting up with Lincoln in a few minutes." Octavia excitedly suggested.

"Okay."

Clarke pouted. "I'm the only one that doesn't get to have any fun."

"Just one more class and you'll be done for the day."

"Maybe I could skip?"

"Your education is important." Lexa leaned in and kissed her cheek. "I'll be here when you're done."

"M'kay." A small smile appeared on Clarke's face.

"See you soon Clarke."

Clarke entered the classroom just before her professor. Clarke felt a tap on her shoulder, she turned around expecting to find Lexa there but instead found it was her professor. "Miss Griffin may I speak to you after class?"

Clarke nodded, a confused expression on her face.

He smiled kindly at her which eased some of her worries. "Okay, go ahead and get settled."

"That was ridiculously hot." Raven said to Lexa.

"So steamy." Octavia fanned herself with her hand.

"It was an innocent....embrace." Lexa stated awkwardly unsure how to describe what had just occurred.

"Oh there was nothing innocent about that, if we hadn't stopped you two I have no doubt you two would've started shedding your clothes pretty soon." Raven smirked.

Lexa rolled her eyes. "We weren't that bad."

"There's a reason you had an audience." Octavia countered.

"You two seem to think everything we do is flirty."

Raven made a disbelieving noise. "That's because most of the time it is."

"Just for future reference maybe don't get Clarkey all hot and bothered and then send her off to class."

"Poor Griff is probably squirming in her seat right now."

Lexa blushed at the idea of having gotten Clarke flustered, she decided not to comment hoping Octavia and Raven would lose interest and change the subject.

"So that was your muse you were with in the corridor?" The professor asked when Clarke appeared at his desk after class.

"Oh um that's my roommate and my friend."

"You don't have to cover it up for my sake Miss Griffin, I know true love when I see it." He smiled fondly at her. "Not that it's any of my business and I apologize if I'm overstepping my boundaries here but I wanted to tell you to hold on to her, finding your muse is not something all artists get to experience but you have and it shows in your work it's much more vibrant now. She has lit a fire in you." Clarke hadn't noticed until then that he had one of her folders open on his desk. "I'm speaking from experience, I was lucky enough to meet my muse thirty-two years ago and we've been married for thirty-one years. Tell me, what do you think about when you start a new painting?"

Clarke didn't have to think about the answer. "I wonder if Lexa will like this."

"Do you find yourself paying closer attention to details, making sure everything is absolutely perfect?"

"Yes."

"I could tell from the difference in your older works to your more recent ones, do you see it?"

Clarke looked closer at the two paintings on the professor's desk. "Oh i do." Clarke was clearly surprised that she could see it so plainly. "I didn't think it would be such a drastic difference."

"Love fuels creativity Miss Griffin, this is clear proof of that."

After dinner Abby sent Octavia, Raven and Clarke into the kitchen to clean up leaving her, Lexa, Anya and Lincoln alone at the table.

"So Lexa do we trust them?" 

"I don't know if I should stake my reputation on them." Lexa felt a hard boot hit her leg under the table which caused her to yelp. "Jesus Anya I was just kidding."

"We're trying to make a good impression here." Anya whisper yelled as though that would prevent Abby from hearing.

"And the best way to do that is through violence?" Abby asked in a motherly tone.

"No! Oh god no of course not." Anya's eyes widened comically thinking Abby wouldn't like her now. "I'm sorry Lexa I shouldn't have done that."

Lexa chuckled. "If she behaves this well around you maybe I should move in here, I'd never have to worry about her teasing me ever again."

"You realize I'm older than you right? You're talking about me like I'm a child."

"You act like a child."

"Stop making me look bad."

"When are you gonna get it Anya?"

"Get what?"

"We're messing with you." Abby informed her. 

Anya's brow furrowed. "What?"

"Lexa's family is our family, you two passed the test just by being related to her and she has told me wonderful things about you both so I already like you."

"Oh." Lincoln simply stated.

"So what now then?" Anya asked.

"Now you tell me that I can trust you to look after my girls and never hurt them."

Lincoln nodded in affirmation. "Of course we'll look after them."

"Definitely safe with us." Anya agreed.

"Now you two relax and stop trying to impress me, you've done enough to convince me that letting you into our family is a good decision, alright?"

"Yes ma'am." Lincoln responded.

"Please stop calling me ma'am, call me Abby or whatever you want but never call me ma'am."

"Okay."

"Girls you can stop eavesdropping now." Abby yelled in the direction of the kitchen.

"Finally." Raven pushed the kitchen door open and walked into the room followed closely by Octavia.

"Where's Clarke?"

"She's dealing with the dishes." Octavia said as she wrapped her arms around her boyfriend.

"I'll go help her." Lexa said, earning herself knowing looks from everyone around her before she left the room. "Hey."

"Hi, is the interrogation over?" Clarke asked while loading the dishwasher.

"Yup, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Anya so nervous, she's not usually one to panic in situations like that, actually she would be a great actress."

Clarke chuckled. "Your somewhat scary cousin intimidated by my mother, who would've thought that would happen?"

"Well I could see it happening, I was pretty terrified the first time I came here."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Why? Mom loved you before she even met you."

"Yeah but I didn't know that for sure and I didn't want to mess up. Even back then you were so important to me so I really wanted Abby to like me but I was worried the whole no talking thing would hold me back, I knew it wouldn't because you three were so understanding about it and the letter she sent me but there was still a little bit of doubt." Lexa admitted. "But then she was so accepting just like all of you were and it just amazed me that your family was even real."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"The first time we came here when you couldn't, when we got back you touched my arm before you went for your shower, like this," Clarke reenacted the move "It felt significant for some reason I was just wondering why?"

Lexa took a moment to think about that day and how she had felt. "I guess I just needed to be sure you were really there, that you had come back, that the days we had spent together before that weren't just a figment of my imagination because you really did seem too perfect to be real. Sometimes I still have to remind myself that you are real, that this incredible new part of my life is real and it's all because of you."

Clarke's eyes began to fill with tears, she quickly moved towards Lexa and wrapped her up in a hug. "I'm amazed that you're real Lexa, that someone as pure as you even exists and I'm lucky enough to get to spend all my days with you. I don't know what I did to deserve you but every morning when I wake up next to you I thank the universe for bringing you into my life."

Lexa had tears building up in her eyes at Clarke's words, she tightened the embrace not ever wanting it to end.

Abby came in a few minutes later and smiled at the two still wrapped up in each other's arms, she subtly pulled out her phone and snapped a picture of the two who were oblivious to her presence. Finding the sight of the two so endearing she couldn't stop herself from going over to them and wrapping her arms around them both. She heard them both chuckle at the unexpected addition to their hug. When they all broke apart Abby put a hand on each one of their cheeks. "How are my girls doing?"

"We're good." Lexa responded with a content smile on her face.

"Perfect." Clarke stated with her own dopey grin.

"What inspired this little bonding moment?"

"We were just talking about the time we came here when Lexa couldn't and the first time she did come here."

"One of my favourite memories."

"Really?"

"Of course, I have many fond memories of you Lexa and I'm sure I'll have many more, the day I first met you will always be one of my favourites, it was the day I got to meet the person that brought happiness back into my little girls life, that is something I will never forget." 

Abby (19:21)
I got to witness a very special Clexa moment today.

Raven (19:21)
What happened???? 

Abby sent them the photo of the two girls hugging in the kitchen. 

Abby (19:22)
When I left you guys I found them hugging in the kitchen, I asked them what the hug was for they were talking about the first time I met Lexa.

Octavia (19:23)
Reminiscing about their past already, they're so cute.

Abby (19:23)
It gets cuter....

Lincoln (19:24)
Lexa's always been a big softy.

Anya (19:24)
She's a sap.

Raven (19:24)
She is both of those but so is Griff.

Abby (19:25)
Well Clarke thought I might have heard their conversation but when I said I hadn't they agreed to spend some time listing the things they love about each other for me.

Octavia (19:26)
How the hell are they still not together?!

Raven (19:27)
Cause they're both oblivious idiots.

Abby (19:27)
Be nice.

Anya (19:28)
Lexa's just afraid that Clarke doesn't feel the same.

Lincoln (19:28)
That does sound like Lexa.

Octavia (19:29)
WHAT????!!!!

Raven (19:29)
WTF???

Abby (19:30)
I'm sorry but even I don't understand how she can think that Clarke doesn't feel the same especially after today.

Anya (19:31)
Costia was her first and only girlfriend and she really hurt Lexa.

Raven (19:31)
Clarke's not like Costia though.

Anya (19:32)
Exactly, Clarke is far more of a risk than Costia ever was.

Abby (19:32)
My daughter is not a risk.

Anya (19:33)
Sorry let me explain, Lexa truly loved Costia but she never looked at Costia like she looks at Clarke.

Raven (19:34)
Further explaining?

Anya (19:35)
Lexa is super fucking in love with Clarke already and it terrifies her because if anything ever happened Clarke it would destroy her.

Lincoln (19:36)
Heda's "don't get too attached" logic.

Octavia (19:36)
But it's Clarke....

Lincoln (19:37)
I think that's why she's letting herself get so close because it is Clarke and she does trust her so she's breaking her no.1 rule for her.

Abby (19:38)
So what you're saying is she might be willing to take a chance because it's Clarke?

Lincoln (19:38)
Yes, I think with a little more time she might finally give Clarke a chance.

Raven (19:39)
Oh god that means we have to wait even longer.

Octavia (19:39)
Can't you guys speak to her? She might listen to her wise cousins.

Anya (19:40)
I've tried a few times.

Lincoln (19:40)
Me too, I think Clarke will manage to change her mind.

Abby (19:41)
I hope so because I will never want anyone other than Lexa to have my little girls heart.

Raven (19:42)
Wow okay so basically Clarke marries Lexa or Clarke becomes a nun, I vote for the marriage even if it has to be a shotgun wedding.

Anya (19:43)
I firmly believe that once they kiss Lexa won't be able to resist anymore so really we just need them to kiss.

Octavia (19:43)
Can we just smush their faces together?

Raven (19:44)
Or lock them in a room together and tell them they can't come out until they kiss?

Lincoln (19:45)
Actually I don't think we need to do any of that Lexa's pretty close to breaking point.

Anya (19:46)
Surprisingly I agree with Linc, Lexa already spends most of her time staring at Clarke's lips and a few of her other features, she's not too far from pouncing on her.

Raven (19:47)
So is there anything we can do to push her over that line?

Anya (19:48)
You could tell Clarke to flirt with her a little more, maybe wear certain outfits that highlight her assets around the apartment.

Abby (19:49)
As her mother I can't approve of this but I can give you my approval to help Lexa in any way you can just don't ever tell me how.

Octavia (19:50)
Are we Clarke's pimps? I feel like that's who we have become and as much as I want them to be together it's getting a little weird. 

Anya (19:51)
None of us are anyone's pimps, look you've said Clarke wants to move things forward and is trying to so I know she'll be on board with this. 

Octavia (19:51)
Fine we'll mention it and see what she thinks.

It was a few days before the girls had the opportunity to tell Clarke about Anya's suggestions.

"So Anya thinks all it'll take is some more flirting and more revealing clothing to get Lexa to finally jump your bones, we said we would pass along the advice." Octavia explained.

"Is everyone involved in my love life now?" Clarke huffed.

"Well they've tried to talk about it with Lex but she keeps shutting them down."

"So are you going to try?" Raven asked.

"I will do what I feel comfortable doing, we're not discussing this further." 

"Fine be like that but if you need help figuring out what to wear let us know."

That is how Clarke ended up standing in the kitchen of their apartment wearing shorts and a crop top in the middle of December. Between the three of them they had decided Clarke would use the plan Raven had come up with back when Lexa first moved in to make the apartment unbearably hot which it really was thanks to Raven tampering with the heating, now Clarke just had to wait for Lexa to come back, find her in her somewhat revealing outfit and hopefully be tempted enough to take Clarke there and then.

Clarke fiddled with the hem of the crop top yet again, she wasn't used to showing so much skin but she figured it was worth being a little uncomfortable if it meant Lexa would want to kiss her.

"Jesus." Lexa exclaimed loudly upon entering their apartment. "Clarke? Are you here? Why's it so hot—" Lexa stopped in the doorway, she looked up and down Clarke's body soaking up the image. "Fuck...."

"That would be because I tried to heat the place up a bit but I messed up and I have no idea how to fix it."

"I would argue there's another reason for it being so hot in here."

Clarke smirked. "Oh yeah? what reason would that be?"

Lexa blushed, her eyes still roaming over the smooth milky skin of Clarke's abdomen. "I mean....fuck Clarke have you seen how sexy you look? If there was a who's hotter competition between you and the freaking sun, you would definitely win."

Now Clarke was the one to blush. "I uh just needed to cool down."

"Well you look so damn good."

Clarke hadn't thought this would backfire on her but god was she dying for Lexa to break so she could finally kiss her. "I um....thanks, I know it's not how you're used to seeing me and I'm hardly a model or anything even close to it, I just—'

Lexa approached Clarke and put her hands on her bare sides causing her to stop speaking and look into Lexa's eyes. "Clarke you are far more beautiful than any model I have ever seen." Lexa moved one of her hands slowly across Clarke's bare stomach before she let it rest on Clarke's side again. "Your body is perfect." Lexa placed a kiss on her forehead. "Every part of you is perfect."

"Thank you."

Lexa felt a bead of sweat roll down her own forehead, she pulled away from Clarke and quickly explained "I'm gonna sort out this heating problem before I have to start losing some clothes."

Having some distance between them helped Clarke gain a little of her confidence back. "For the record I'm totally fine with you walking around the apartment in little to no clothing whenever you want."

"I'll keep that in mind." Lexa winked at Clarke before ducking out of the kitchen.

The plan came back to bite Clarke in the ass yet again that night when she entered the bathroom to find Lexa brushing her teeth in different night wear to what she was used to. Lexa was wearing a black tank top and green boxer briefs that seemed to hug her ass just perfectly.

Clarke swallowed thickly her throat suddenly dry. "No pj's tonight?"

"Nah it's still so hot I think I'd suffocate." Lexa noticed Clarke's stunned expression. "Is this okay? I can change if it makes you uncomfortable."

"No, no that's fine I'm just not used to seeing you like this." Clarke let her eyes roam over Lexa's body appreciatively. "Trust me it is definitely not an unwelcome sight."

A tinge of pink appeared on Lexa's cheeks.

Clarke was happy to see that she finally had some effect on Lexa.

December 21st.  

They had been arguing for at least ten minutes now and Clarke was running out of ideas on how to get her way so she did the only thing she could think of, she straddled Lexa.

"Want to talk about it?"

"I'm just not entirely sure what it is we're doing, we're friends but it feels like we're more than that too."

"Well that's what you want isn't it? To be more than just close friends?"

"Yes, there's nothing I want more than to be with Clarke, I'm just not sure how to ask about what it is we're doing and I'm worried I might mess everything up between us if I do."

"What is it that you're doing that's so confusing?"

"You know about us sleeping in the same bed."

"Don't tell me you've stopped that."

"Actually we kind of decided that Clarke should just move into my room."

"Oh that's fantastic." Alie beamed.

"Yeah?"

"Definitely, especially if you want to move your relationship forward with her."

"Okay but there's other things too, like we kiss a lot now, not like making out or anything just on the cheek and stuff, we do that a lot."

"So far I'm not hearing anything that would suggest Clarke doesn't feel the same way about you."

"We use pet names a lot, well Clarke uses them the most but that's because I accidentally called her love once and she likes to tease me about it."

"Are you sure she's teasing you about it or could that just be a cover for wanting to call you a pet name?"

"I don't understand."

"Does she put a lot of emphasis on it when she says it or does it sound natural?"

"I don't really know. When she calls me Cupcake she puts a lot of emphasis on it because she knows it's my least favourite one but when she calls me babe or baby it sounds natural."

Alie's smile grew bigger after hearing the pet names Clarke used for her. "Okay so basically you have a girlfriend just without the physical intimacy and honestly I don't think you're far off getting to that point." Alie could see that Lexa didn't really believe that. "I've got an idea, let's get an opinion from someone who has seen you two interact."

Lexa immediately knew what she meant. "Lincoln would be the preferred choice, Anya will just tease me relentlessly."

Alie nodded in agreement knowing that was true. She went down the hall to Lincoln's room and found him unpacking his bag. "Hey Lincoln, can you help me with something?"

Lincoln shrugged. "Sure."

"Okay follow me." She led the way back to Lexa's room, keeping an eye out to make sure Anya didn't notice them.

"So Lincoln in your honest opinion what do you really think of Clarke and Lexa's relationship?" Alie asked after she had closed the door.

Lincoln looked between Alie and Lexa unsure of how honest he really was supposed to be. "They have a good relationship."

"Okay let's try a different approach, if you were a complete stranger and you met Clarke and Lexa what would you think they are to each other? Close friends? More?"

Lincoln looked nervously between them again before letting out a sigh. "More." He looked apologetically at his cousin. "Sorry Lex."

"It's alright Linc, I need you to be completely honest."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, please tell me what you really think."

"You and Clarke are practically a couple, everyone that meets you two assumes you're together because you kind of are."

"Can you explain that for us?" Alie asked.

"You're both just very obviously crazy about each other, you're always touching in some way whether it's cuddling or just holding hands, you're always looking at each other like people in love do, when you're apart for too long you're like two sad puppies. Neither of you are very good at hiding your feelings and I really just don't understand why you two aren't together."

"You see? It's clear to everyone but you that Clarke wants to be with you just as much as you want to be with her." Alie explained.

Lexa remained silent for a minute, thinking about what her cousin had said. "I think I might try to talk to her about it."

"That's great Lex." Lincoln said.

"I want to do it in person though, it's too important to do over the phone."

Alie nodded in agreement. "I think that's a good idea."

Clarke sighed. "I hope you're right."

He squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. "I know I am."

Lexa pulled back a little to change the angle of the kiss but as she leaned in again Clarke stopped her.

"Not yet."

Lexa pulled back, the look in her eyes was pained but she gave Clarke a slight nod.

Clarke looked at her for a short moment before turning to glare at their families.

Everyone looked away from them, looking as busy as they could.

Clarke turned back to Lexa catching a brief look of disappointment on her face before she schooled her expression.

There was an explosion of noise after that as the clock had just struck midnight.

Clarke leaned in and placed a kiss on Lexa's cheek before resting her forehead against Lexa's. "Happy New Year Lex."

Lexa wasn't sure where this left them but she felt relieved by Clarke's actions. "Happy New Year Clarke."

"Happy New Year you two." Abby called out above the hustle and bustle of all the others.

They broke apart and headed over to join their families.

It turned out to be a pretty terrific night for all of them, their families had formed a strong bond after spending only a few hours together.

The rest of the night was spent chatting happily amongst their families, learning more and more about each other through traded stories.

The older adults were already making plans for shared holiday celebrations, Bellamy and Echo had made plans with Luna and Roan for a night out together back in Washington. After learning that Luna grew up in foster care and didn't have any family to spend holidays with an open invitation was extended to both her and Roan to join them for any holidays, special events or if they simply wanted to spend some time in Polis they were always welcome to stay at Gus and Indra's house, Lexa was thrilled that everyone had welcomed them into their family so easily.

At the end of the night Lexa guided Clarke into her room. Clarke pulled the Commander out of her bag and placed it on the bed beside Wanheda before she left the room to change into her pyjamas.

Lexa climbed under her new fur blanket for the first time while Clarke was getting changed. "I wanted to wait until we were together to sleep under this blanket." She explained to Clarke when she came back into the room.

"You really like it?"

"I love it Clarke, I can't wait to get back and get it all set up. You, me, Wanheda and the Commander will be so cosy in our own little world."

"Sounds heavenly." Clarke climbed in under the blanket taking a moment to admire how soft it was before cuddling up to Lexa and sighing contentedly. "I've missed this."

Lexa wrapped her arm around Clarke. "Me too."

"Goodnight Lexa." Clarke kissed the corner of Lexa's lips.

"Goodnight Clarke, sweet dreams." Lexa copied Clarke pressing a gentle kiss to the corner of her mouth before pulling her a little closer.

They both fell asleep not knowing what their relationship was now but hoping that the events of tonight would lead to something more, something they both desperately wanted.