You fell from the sky onto my ground

Clarke gave the reins of Fluffy to an almost white haired woman, uh, girl who goes by Luna supposedly, a caretaker of animals in the small pet shop. Luna’s curious eyes trailed Clarke up and down as she clearly couldn’t understand as to how or rather what she was doing with Fluffy but Luna didn’t say anything since Fluffy appeared to be very familiar with the blonde once, constantly bulging her sides to pat him. Which the blonde did without a complain.

Clarke could see Luna asking her business when a very cordial Lexa stepped into the shop.

“Good morning, Luna.”

“Morning, Lexa.”

The “Luna” girl stepped in front of Clarke gesturing Lexa for coffee which she gently refused. For a slight moment, Clarke might have thought that the girl was too young not to mention too chirpy? for Lexa’s liking but come to think of it, she didn’t know Lexa’s type or even if she had one.

Clarke didn’t catch much of their conversation except, “sight-seeing”, “artist”, “friend from a bygone past”. “take care of him “… yada yada highlighted out.  

Once they were out, Lexa replied as if she was answering Clarke’s questions, “I do not prey on high-schoolers, Clarke.”

Clarke matched steps with Lexa, who had a pretty serious look on her face as she walked pleasantly steady steps, “They all very melodramatic and I’m too old for that.”

And trust Lexa, to give a U-haul to a serious discussion.

“It would take someone years to visit everything in New York City... it may be impossible. But NYC is always awake and always waiting for new people to bask in it's glory.”

Lexa had apparently shifted away to cut their tickets somehow convincing Clarke that one of the best ways to get around New York City is of course by metro, It’s cheap and it’s efficient and not so say, a bit too crowded even for Lexa. But she had diligently refused, she was quite capable herself. Clarke tucked her floral dress and fidgeted with the end of the scarf when she couldn’t stop Lexa. The crowd was definitely unruly, almost pushing her onto someone, almost before Lexa held her up.

“You ok?”

“I’m alive so far. Thanks.”

Lexa shrugged, shuffling the tickets in her bag as she gestured Clarke to the opening doors of the metro, “I hope you are ready for the best 96 hours of your life, Griffin.”

3 long years and Lexa had yet to come down from her high horse, geez. But hush, Clarke would only ever say these in her mind for she knew that Lexa could hear her even without words. It’s scary.

There first stop, Williamsburg.  

Lexa babbled out to Clarke’s enticing ears - Williamsburg is said to be one of the more popular neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Clarke felt it definitely has a very young feel as they spotted lots of twenty something year old’s roaming the streets enjoying spot flea markets, brimming with well-curated vintage stores, music stores and gift shops.

“You should take back some souvenirs; I have been told the jewelry here is antique but a bit boho-inspired.”

The way Lexa air-quoted “boho-inspired” made Clarke burst in giggles.

“So, how had New York treated you so far?”

Clarke was slightly taken aback by the question only to find Lexa pointing out a small recorder in her hand, amused. A live interview? Really?

“More like catching the artisan, in the moment.” Lexa grinned out.

Lexa held out the recorder while Clarke flicked her hair golden mane back, feigning thoughtfulness, “Well, ask me 98 hours later.”

“Huh. We’ll see, Griffin.”

“We’ll see, Woods, after you impress the artisan.”

Second stop, Wall Street.

Coming to New York City gracing Wall Street with their presence was a must or so Lexa said.  This is where millions (or should Lexa say billions) were made and lost, all in a moment’s notice. It was common to see a large number of tourists walking around craning their necks looking up at the impressive skyscrapers. Each so high the Clarke had to crane her head so up that she feared it might get stuck there.

You’ll have to pop into the New York Public Library for a look at its beautiful interior and that’s how Clarke ended up within the enormous domain of the building and she couldn’t deny she wasn’t star-struck and yes a bit heat struck as well.

“If the nearly 53 million item collection doesn’t impress you, wandering through the specific theme rooms certainly will.  Originating in the 19th century, this is easily the top library in the United States if not the world.”

The sheer excitement that dripped in Lexa’s voice forced Clarke to imbibe in her every word like the holy grail, yeah that was Lexa’s impact with words. Clarke had to say that New York was starting to look up more with her beautiful New Yorker guide. What couldn’t that woman not do?

Clarke looked around and saw many heads hidden behind pages, old and new and yes, the architecture that inked the building was devastatingly beautiful. Peace and ambience. She looked around for Lexa only to find her scrolling down some books in the food section?

Clarke didn’t know if Lexa noticed, because most probably she didn’t otherwise Lexa wouldn’t just sniff the page. Yes, Lexa just sniffed that page and it’s following pages. This made Clarke roll out a silent laughter drawing Lexa’s attention who was, yeah redder than a tomato. Her low angry voice, a single word, “Clarke”, hushed the blonde. Lexa almost missed that eyes irking pout on the blonde and Lexa feigned anger, “I couldn’t resist the smell of new books. But if you ever utter so much so a word ---- “

“ I won’t, Scout’s honor.”

“You were never a scout girl, Clarke” and with that Lexa went towards the exit, her hips swaying behind her, too much to Clarke’s liking anyway.

 “You can’t come to New York and not have a slice of authentic New York style pizza, Clarke.”  Lexa belted out the words as if she was carrying out a slogan and she was getting far too seriously.

“I think I’ll even eat a horse if you can get me that. And what’s so great about NY pizza anyway? Ain’t the mechanism pretty much the same?”

Lexa gave her the, you just had to ask look and Clarke more than knew for sure that she would be expecting a paragraph long lecture so she silenced her, “Just let me sit first , these heels are killing me.”

“I did warn ya, Griffy.”  And Clarke gave her the look, that look – call me that again and you’ll say goodbye to your lovely ass. When Lexa had pointed out quite jovially on having a fine ass, she retracted her sentence and in all fairness Lexa liked her ass just the way it was, so she shut up.

Just as Clarke was going to take a bite, Lexa just had to say it,” What is unique about New York style pizza?  Taste it to find it out yourselves.”

“God, Lexa join the TRP business and let me eat.”

Clarke learnt that Lexa liked taking pics, of anything, everything and somehow the optical focus of today had been Clarke.

“You eat like a goufa,” Lexa shook her head all the while leaning in too close to wipe of that strain of cheese from Clarke’s cheek. Lexa had leaned in on instinct and she didn’t know about the sudden shortage of distance until Clarke was too close to her for her own comfort, her warm pepperoni filled breathe on her face.

“Goufa?”

“Child. I learnt it, a form of Ukrainian language.”

That satisfying look on Clarke face wasn’t ever lasting when Lexa whispered into her ears, “I know. I told you so, Prisa” and yet again like before, like always, she was let breathless. Cruel.

And the interview questions didn’t stop. Not that Clarke minded them. She didn’t, not at all.

You are seeing New York today as a commoner amidst masses, what does it feel now when you know you might be the star shining the brightest all?

Words of your success at the Trikru Gallery has spread like wildfire. What had been your thoughts, right then and there, in those moments?

Your paintings, they spoke out even to eyes who didn’t understand art, where does this inspiration come in you?

Paintings “Penance, Absolution” and “Frozen Drops”, these two has been showering with applauses. I’m, however, very curious about the tales of their names? Are there any?

Yes, questions flowed about her work, her life, her home, her everything, about her inspiration and Clarke tried to answer them all, she tried for in some questions in looked upto Lexa for answers, as if she held the key to so many answers because she did and Clarke didn’t know yet how to still talk about them. She talked about anything and everything apart from Lexa and yes, Bellamy, her partner in life. She avoided him, rather his name like the plague. She figured what was the point in telling Lexa about Bellamy, it wasn’t like she owed it to her but somehow she felt guilty. But still she didn’t tell her him.

Time flew as well. And somehow Clarke didn’t realize that or maybe she didn’t like putting it to a stop. She didn’t know when she went back to the hotel and when she came out again. But this time she was better equipped, in skinny jeans and sneakers.

 The Cloisters will make her feel like you’ve travelled over to Europe as it is a peaceful retreat from Manhattan’s busy streets. And Lincoln Centre was a space that celebrates the performing arts as it is home to the opera, the ballet and the theatre.

“Art aficionados like you loves Lincoln Center” Lexa quipped from behind her.

And the next up in their list, the triangular shaped skyscraper was one of the most iconic buildings in the city - Flatiron Building, standing aloof above everyone else.

They wandered the streets soaking in everything the city had to offer from the old European style buildings in lower Manhattan to the completely over-the-top video displays, billboards, and multiple story high advertisements of Times Square.

They stood now in Times Square – the busiest intersection in all of New York City. If you’re going to be visiting Lexa would definitely recommend you come at night time when all of the lights are on and hordes of people come out to play.

Times Square has often been nicknamed “The Centre of the Universe” and “The Crossroads of the World”. An estimated 330,000 people pass through daily or so Lexa had informed her.

They had the best cup of coffee in the West Village and a yummy organic IPA in Brooklyn Heights. Clarke and Lexa drank rye on the rocks in a rooftop bar and a jalapeno cilantro margarita in Bedford. Moonshine in Astoria, wine in Queens, and lemonade in Chelsea. They walked around the site of 9/11 and looked at the buildings and streets and businesses that surrounded the area.

If you’re looking for a bargain, Chinatown would truly be a fun place to visit. The storefronts usually spill onto the sidewalks. It’s one of the few places where Clarke could haggle on the price of things or if not then at least you can enjoy dim sum.

Next stop, Statue of Liberty.

Saving the best for the last?

Lexa, for a moment, stopped her passage up the stairs of the Liberty and answered with a smile tugging somewhere deep, “Certainly one of the best but definitely not the last. I present you, the Statue of Liberty which was France's gift to America. It was built in 1886 and remains a famous world symbol of freedom.”

A climb to the crown afforded them both a panoramic view of New York Harbor and the chance to see the literal nuts and bolts of Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi’s creation. And the fading brilliance of the distant setting sun upon the New York line was an added bonus.

Lexa looked up to Clarke who was inhaling in the view led in front of her, all the while Lexa inhaled Clarke. She had gone for cropped jeans and ballerina shoes with a white chiffon blouse. And under the breezy winds, her golden strands flew up on her face and in that very moment, Lexa felt as if she had descended from the sky. God, you are beautiful, Lexa thought aloud.

Too aloud.

Clarke’s head immediately jerked back to Lexa, who was already retreating her steps back, making Clarke almost believe that maybe just maybe Lexa didn’t mean those words. Not to her , anyway.

And there was Fifth Avenue which has had a reputation as New York's premier shopping area. Many top end designers have their flagship stores located along this famous avenue.

Clarke was too busy in her drooling over Lexa that she didn’t even notice her legs, which were almost going numb due to the sudden stress of cycling.

Central Park, also known as the lungs of New York City, is massive public park located in Manhattan with a plethora of different entrances. It is almost like a bit of a maze and Lexa decided to get the best of it, Central Park really is a great place for a bike ride. It sounded like a pretty glamorous idea to Clarke and seeing Lexa changing out of her baggy pants into track pants was like adding fuel to a fire. She was enchanted.

And she was slightly a bit embarrassed to see that Lexa wasn’t even getting tried like herself, so she decided to kinda overtake her. She sped up and when she was at per with Lexa, she threw her a face splitting grin all the while taking her eyes of want was in front of her. Yes, she might has ran straight into a light post and she might have actually toppled Lexa too.

Lexa felt a flick of emotion pass through her, not pain but fear when the prosthetic leg got detached from her. She wondered if people were looking at her in pity and her eyes were searching frantically for it only to see that Clarke was slowly attaching it back to her leg. The calming hand that the blonde placed on her acted like a soothing balm, “No one looked Lexa because it wasn’t anything out of the extraordinary. It happens to the best of us.”

And that reassuring smile of Clarke was all that took to soothe her. 

St. Patrick's Cathedral was one of New York's finest examples of Gothic Revival, with its massive bronze doors is a major destination for believers and tourists alike. The building was erected in 1879 and has been carefully restored and maintained throughout its existence.

“I haven’t been to a church for as long as I can remember. It feels weird.”

There was not another soul in for as far as eyesight went and within the empty halls, Lexa’s words echoed. Again and again.

“Why not?”

“I lost faith a long time ago.”

Clarke ran her hand through Lexa’s arms and placed her head on her shoulders, “Maybe all you have to do is just have to find it again.” And who knows maybe you’ll find more than you expected.

Her words, too echoed but only within the small aperture of Lexa’s mind.

Perhaps, or most definitely their last stop -The Empire Building.

The Empire State Building is a 102-story skyscraper located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, on Fifth Avenue between West 33rd and 34th Streets, as the world's tallest building for nearly 40 years, from its completion in early 1931 until the topping of the original World Trade Center's North Tower.

Try imagining NYC’s skyline without the towering spire of the Empire State Building. Impossible, right? Yes, it was impossible to Lexa.

The Empire State Building has already been immortalized in countless photos and acclaimed films but the visual, the eccentric, rather adrenaline rush that one got from seeing it with their one’s open eyes was indeed an eye opener. It was a shining beacon of hope and pride for the people of New York The building was breath-taking, casting an overwhelming shadow in the east on a silent New York morning. The sky was a soft baby blue and the gentle stirs of the wind was gentle.

“Did you bring your phone by any chance, I forgot mine.”

Clarke walked to Lexa who had been so mesmerized by the view that she didn’t what to disturb her. Lexa checked her pockets instantly but she turned out empty handed.

“I forgot, as well. Why?”

“I wanted a picture.”

“Of yourself? I can -----“

“----- of you. I mean, me and you, you and me, together, I guess?”

“Oh.”

“Yeah. Oh. It’s all right though.”

Clarke’s face fell immediately. But she whirled around to not let Lexa see it but Lexa saw her anyway. It felt weird to Clarke, but standing on the top of iconic building, she somehow wanted to picture frame her first time with Lexa. Her first time with Lexa, the thought made her stomach torch up in butterflies. Butterflies?

“Excuse me, sir? Could you take a picture of us.”

Lexa pointed as herself and Clarke who was shrinking so far away in the crowd that Lexa had to ran after her.

“Come.”

“Wha---“

“He’s gonna take our picture.” Pointing to a distant man with grey hair who was smiling goofily at them.

“You let him touch your “prized baby”? But not me?”

“Just stand still, Clarke.” Lexa rounded her hand over to Clarke to still her movements, calling out to that elder man, “Please be careful with it.”

“Don’t forget to smile, Klark.”

Clarke just turned to face Lexa with a too much shining joy in her eyes, almost mischief lairing under her eyes and Lexa, who’s head was tilt a bit to the left of the blonde, holding her close. Smiling. And that’s how the picture clicked. Too pure. Too true.

The old man handed Lexa her camera, “You make quite the couple.”

Their dinner had run very late and they were almost running down the stairs of the subway to catch the already leaving metro. Lexa somehow sprinted before Clarke and entered the closing doors before they shut. Clarke stood shocked and hurt as the train started moving, leaving the station along with Lexa, who was visually making faces at her. Clarke had even tired almost banging open the shutting doors but Lexa had coyly locked them up. Clarke looked at the tail lights as they slowly drifted into the tunnel’s darkness.

She felt small tears stinging in her ears, did Lexa found it a joke to leave her behind? She was obviously mocking her but her level of humour didn’t match mine. The joke seemed to far stretched and instead of joking it ached her heart.

Clarke was sitting in a far too empty station when a man, yes, a totally drunk man was stuttering towards her, the empty bottle of rum clicking the rails of the staircase. Clarke sunk deeper into her seat, praying to make that man go away. She tried not to look but her eyes betrayed her as she saw him moving closer and closer. Her eyes were strained on him nearing closeness that she didn’t recognize Lexa coming down the stairs.

It wasn’t until later that Clarke saw her in her periphery and the relief was flooding inside her but she was far to scared to the move from the man hovering over her. Lexa noticed her uneasy and soon found the source of her discomfort.

She walked out to Clarke and made her presence known to the obviously over-aged drunkard and giving Clarke a wink, she flung her hands over to the intruder and hugged him. Clarke was paralyzed, yes she was. What was Lexa doing? Hugging that--- what if he was a deranged sociopath --?

But much to her utter surprise, the drunkard was apparently so startled, or scared that upon freeing himself from Lexa’s hug, he ran away.

“You scared him away, Clarke.”

Clarke soon broke free from her reverie, “I don’t know what to say. You are crazy.”

“Huh, what can I say, you bring the craziness out of me.”

Ok, now Clarke had to laugh.