Chapter Text
The group scatters throughout the Griffin’s backyard. At the beer pong table is Harper and Monroe against Jasper and Maya, currently tied. But, Clarke is sure Harper will win or die trying. Some of them are on the other side of the deck, but Clarke’s chatting with Lexa, Monty and Bellamy, the girl at her side. Every so often, Bellamy shoots Clarke an approving nod or flashes thumbs up. He likes Lexa and that makes Clarke very pleased.
The brunette is inquiring about Monty’s ankle tattoos, and the boy laughs. “Oh, they’re just something Jasper and I convinced ourselves to get when we were drunk.”
“I like them,” Lexa says, sipping her drink.
Clarke turns her attention to the rest of the party, trying to play it cool and not seem so overly interested by hanging on every word Lexa speaks. Her eyes wander, spotting Raven and Octavia in the corner, forcing Lincoln to take pictures of them. Murphy’s there, too, gesturing wildly, telling some exaggerated skate story most likely. However, Clarke’s dragged right back into the conversation when Monty calls out. “Dude, that’s totally awesome. Did it hurt?”
“Yeah, a little on the inside.” Lexa’s sleeve is rolled up and she’s turning her arm letting Monty and Bellamy inspect her intricate tattoo. Clarke’s glued to her bicep and wants to trace every line with her finger and probably would if they were alone. Instead, she tilts her head to the side. “I didn’t know you had a tattoo.”
“I’m sure there’s a lot you don’t know, Clarke,” Lexa nearly whispers, smirking into her cup once more. She brushes her sleeve down again, returning to her previous conversation with ease, as if she, Monty, and Bellamy were old pals. Clarke isn’t necessarily a part of the conversation, her friends are simply trying to get to know Lexa, so she just listens, content with the questions being posed and answered. After a few more minutes, Raven’s loud mouth calls everyone’s attention.
She slams her drink and points with her thumb toward the fire pit in the grass. “I didn’t buy marshmallows for no reason, dorks. Smore time. Jasper, bring the cooler over. We’re going to play a little game,” she demands. “Everyone.”
For some reason, everyone listens and starts moving. Clarke is continually baffled and enticed by how easily Raven can command a situation. Her voice is loud sure, but there’s something else about her that demands to be heard and seen. She is an Aries, feisty and hardheaded. But, Clarke can’t help but feel it has a little, tiny piece to do with the brace. When Raven had her accident, people praised her for her strength and willpower to get over it. Sometimes, she was like steel, hard and calculated. She took the brace prescribed to her and made it better, lighter and thinner, but stronger. And with the modifications to the brace, Raven’s personality altered slightly, too. She was the same, essentially, but tougher, sassier, and blunter. She didn’t let her brace hold her back, and that much was reflected by her adamant attitude.
Ripping open a bag of marshmallows, Raven plops down on a lawnchair. Others gather around, using rolled up sleeping bags, blankets, and spare chairs to form a circle around the fire. The bag and straightened wire hangers are passed around, as are new drinks. “Alright, duderuses and uteruses,” Raven calls out, snapping her fingers at the group. Murphy and Jasper frown in disgust at her choice in words, but she revels in it. “Deal with it, losers. Never have I ever. Same rules as always, seven fingers up. First bro out is the dirty bird in the group and has to chug from the bowl.”
“What’s the bowl?” Lexa asks.
Clarke sighs, “It’s Raven’s contraption. It’s a huge candy bowl with a long hose attached-”
“Like a beer bong?” Clarke’s expression must have given away her surprise because Lexa nudges her arm with an elbow, “I have been to a party before,” she says defiantly.
“We’ll see,” Clarke laughs, biting her lip. The way Lexa looks at her mouth afterwards is a heavy indicator Clarke’s doing the right thing. She can’t help but notice how Lexa’s been admiring her all evening. First the cleavage (she’s definitely been eyeing Clarke’s ass in her shorts, thanks to Octavia’s persistent styling advice) and the most of all, her lips. Lexa’s been almost careless in how many times she’s been caught gazing at Clarke’s lips. And every time she catches her, Clarke grows a little weaker yet warmer between the legs. Not that she’d ever treat Lexa how she’s treated other girls in the past, because, let’s face it, Lexa’s not just a girl.
Once everyone has refilled their glasses or grabbed a can of beer, Raven hushes the group. “Okay, okay, fingers up. Ha, that’s what she said,” she laughs at her own joke because no one else is. She clears her throat, “Me first, because I’m prettiest… Ow!” Octavia chucks an ice cube at her. “Fine, you can go first,” Raven points at her. “Make it good.”
The Blake sister laughs, “Oh, I’m about to smoke all you. Never have I ever had sex with a girl.”
There’s a collective groan, and Lexa watches as Clarke, Raven, and every guy there takes a drink. Except Monty. He smiles when he leans into her side and states happily, “I’m gay.”
Lexa laughs into her cup when she drinks, “Me too.”
Clarke catches Raven’s eye just in time for her to mouth the words “I told you so.” She shakes her head, and takes a hearty drink. Damn, Reyes’ gaydar, she curses to herself.
“Cheap shot, O,” her brother states, licking his lips.
“Right back at you, Octavia. Never have I ever had sex with a dude,” Murphy says with a smug grin. All the girls, with the exception of Lexa, and the addition of Monty drink.
The blonde tries to sneak a look at Lexa while she drinks, wondering what the girl might think knowing for certain now that Clarke’s bisexual. When her eyes meet Lexa, she met with nothing but a teasing grin.
It’s Monroe’s turn, and she claps her hands together. “This ought to even things out. Never have I ever been in handcuffs.” There are a lot of groans and a lot of drinking. Everyone sips except Bellamy, Maya, Harper, and Monty. Clarke is surprised when Lexa takes the cup to her lips, the girl raising her brow at Clarke’s expression.
“What’d you get arrested for?” She wonders quietly, hoping it’s nothing too terrible and it’s just teen vandalism or destruction of public property. She knows there are other eyes on them, her friends wondering what kind of crime Lexa Woods could possibly be capable of.
Lexa’s puzzled. “I’ve never been arrested.”
“Then how have you ever been in hand- Oh, Oh!” Murphy practically spits out his drink, and Raven and Octavia’s jaws drop, exchanging wild, wondering looks. “Wow, okay. Right, cool.” Clarke stutters. She feels her cheeks burning. She’s expecting Lexa to be at least blushing, but she’s not. She’s just smiling that damn smile.
Raven and Octavia are straining to hear, but aren’t able to when Lexa’s breath is in Clarke’s ear. Clarke just stares at them both, her face pink. Lexa is very, very close when she whispers, “There are other uses for handcuffs, Clarke.”
Her jaw is the one that drops slightly now, and the non-verbal response is enough for Raven and Octavia to get a kick out of their friend’s reaction. “Yup, right. Figured as much,” Clarke replies, quickly. “Who’s next?”
Raising his hand, Monty opens his mouth to speak. He pauses when Raven calls his name. “Monty… Do it.” He slumps his shoulders, and she points at him. “Do. It. Set the truth free.” She says dramatically.
Everyone looks around slightly confused, and Clarke is hoping this isn’t about to turn into some intimate moment with people’s darkest secrets unfolding. No, tonight is supposed to be fun. Tonight is supposed to be-
“Never have I ever thought Clarke’s mom was hot,” he says, monotone.
-fun. One by one, Clarke watches as the majority her friends stifle their laughter and take a sip. Really, the only ones who don’t are Monty, Octavia, Lincoln, and Maya.
“Are you fucking kidding me, Reyes?” Clarke asks, giving away plenty of dirty glares. She rolls her eyes and is about to apologize to Lexa for her friends’ immaturity but is shocked when Lexa tips the cup to her lips. “Lexa,” she says flatly, poking the girl’s arm. “You’ve never even met my mom.”
“Raven was courteous enough to show me pictures. It was your family vacation to…”
“The Bahamas,” Raven finishes. “I mean, the phrase Bahama Mama, it’s quite fitting. Your mom rocks the bikini and everyone here agrees.”
Clarke groans, “Bellamy, you lived with us for two years. Come on.”
“It was a wonderful two years, Clarke,” he chuckles.
“I am so disturbed.” It’s all Clarke can mutter, but she’ll be a good sport. Truly, she is dumbfounded how she managed to have the groups’ hot mom and it’s confounding that majority of her friends agree. Confounding and disturbing.
“We’re only teasing,” Lexa says softly, brushing her fingers against Clarke’s arm.
Clarke raises a brow at her, “You might be,” she points at Raven. “Reyes isn’t.”
“Damn right I’m not!” Raven calls out through a cupped hand. The rest of the group has a good hearty laugh before moving to the next player: Lexa.
The girl ponders a moment, before her eyes light up with an idea. A wicked grin spreads across her lips when she says simply, “Never have I ever been on a skateboard.”
Gasps are heard around the circle, and this time every single player takes a drink. No one is exempt and by the look on Lexa’s face, she’s quite proud of her statement. But, Clarke is confused. “Wait, how is this possible?”
She gestures to all them casually, “You are all the only skaters,” she says hesitantly, “that I’ve ever hung out with. Never had the chance.”
“Well that’s definitely going to change this weekend,” Clarke ensures, sipping again just for good measure. The others agree, mentions of the dropship and which kind of board is a better starter board are heard. Longboard versus penny board versus skateboard. It’s a debate Clarke knows will last late into morning unless she gets them back on track, but she knows she’ll start Lexa on a longboard. “Okay, guys. Relax, my turn. Never have I ever played strip poker.”
Only half the group drinks, and Clarke notes that Lexa is not one of them. Well, there’s another thing we could learn this weekend, she thinks quickly to herself before nudging Bellamy with her foot. “You’re up, Bell.”
He only has two fingers down. Besides Maya, he’s coming out on second for least fingers lost. He hums for a second, before deciding on a statement. “Never have I ever broken a bone.”
It’s hard to believe, but it’s magically true. Bellamy, the best trickster of their group has yet to break a single bone. It’s a miracle actually. The most damage he’s ever done is a sprained ankle or minor concussion, but never an actual fractured bone. The majority them, however, aren’t so lucky.
Everyone except him and his sister take a drink. Murphy flips him the bird, “Really? Way to rub it in, Blake.”
“Yeah, Blake, you’ve got two cripples here. Way to rub it in!” Raven chides, tapping her brace against the ground, sending everyone into fit of giggles.
He panics for a moment, “No, I wasn’t directing it at you, specifically. Murphy definitely, but like, everyone’s broken something-”
“Geez, relax. I’m kidding,” Raven says, waving his apology off with a wink and a sip from her cup.
“I’m not a cripple,” Murphy comments, picking at his plaster cast.
Raven throws an ice cube at him, “Not yet you aren’t. Brace or not, I could make that cast a permanent necessity,” she says it as a joke, but they are all aware she could act on it. Murphy laughs along, but Clarke sees how he swallows hard at Raven’s threat. “Who’s next?”
“Nuh, uh, Reyes. You’re spent,” Octavia interrupts.
“What! No I’m not!”
Octavia furrows her brow, her finger scanning the circle. “Seven people have gone, and you’ve put a finger down for every ‘Never Have I Ever’.”
Everyone’s eyes are on Raven, the tanned girl clearly annoyed. “This is bullshit.”
“They’re your rules!” Bellamy laughs.
Octavia cups her hand to her mouth when she shouts, “Prepare the bowl!”
“Clarke, where’s the bowl?” Jasper asks.
Clarke informs him that the bowl is tucked under her bed where her mother couldn’t find it. She says she’ll get it for them. Then, she turns to Lexa. “Want to come set it up with me?” Lexa agrees, following Clarke into the house, both with two beers in their hands.
She feels Lexa’s eyes on her as they ascend the stairs. Turning the corner, she pries open her door with her foot. She drops the beer on her bed, completely distracted with finding the bowl. She gets down on all fours and shuffles around under her bed. “Ah ha! Here it is,” she proclaims, tugging the bowl out by the hose. She stands, spotting Lexa in the center of her room staring at the far wall. On it are tons of her drawings, sketches of her friends, watercolors of landscapes, and pictures of her friends doing stunts. She’s about to explain herself, wondering if Lexa’s silence is an indication of dislike for her work, when there’s several calls from downstairs. “Let’s go on the balcony.”
Lexa tears her eyes from the wall and nods, fumbling to grab the other two beers. They appear on the balcony that is attached to Clarke’s room. Clarke heaves the hose over the side resting the bowl on the ledge. Bellamy catches it, kinking the end. The group below chants for Raven to step up and she does begrudgingly. “Here, open those and set them on the edge,” Clarke instructs.
“You’re going to make her drink all four?” Lexa asks.
Laughing, Clarke shakes her head. “No, no. But, usually when one person chugs from the bowl the others end up doing it, too.” The other girl nods in understanding and begins popping open the cans. Clarke calls down to the crowd before her, asking if Raven’s ready.
“I was born ready, losers,” She hollers back, a wicked grin on her face. She holds the hose close to her mouth and flashes Clarke a thumbs up.
Waving the can over the railing, Clarke shouts back. “To the bottom!”
“To the bottom!” Her friends shout back in unison. They laugh and chant Raven’s name. Clarke tips the can over into the bowl and the amber liquid swirls around before bubbling down the hose end. Clarke gestures to Lexa, and the brunette is quick to pour the second can. They both peer over the balcony, watching as Raven drinks. She’s quick to pass the hose to Jasper, who’s standing right beside her. He chugs a few and hands it to Monty who does the same. Clarke tells Lexa to pour the other two cans in, both of them laughing at the faces everyone is making. The bowl is finished and her friends holler and laugh in excitement, Raven says something about the music, but Clarke can’t quite hear her.
They’re back in her room and Clarke shoves the bowl and hose way under her bed, opting to stuff a pillow and dirty clothes as well to hide it better. When she stands, Lexa is close. Very close. As in, how-did-Clarke-not-notice kind of close. “Whoa, hi.”
“Hi,” Lexa giggles. The sound of Lexa making anything more than a soft, subtle laugh like she’s used to makes Clarke weak in the knees. Like, impossibly so.
She swallows thickly, nervously brushing her hair behind her ear. Her eyes dance around the room, eager to focus on anything but the girl in front of her. Her palms are sweating, and Clarke is damning herself for getting so worked up. She feels Lexa’s eyes on her, shifting and following. She’s forced to meet her gaze when there’s a sharp tug on the hem of her shirt.
“Relax,” Lexa says, her hand palming Clarke’s hip. It takes her less than a second for her other hand to travel to wrap her delicate fingers around Clarke’s bicep.
Clarke lets out a breathy laugh, “I can’t. Not when you’re touching me like that.”
A smirk creeps onto Lexa’s cheeks, “Then how’re you supposed to handle this?” Before Clarke can even think of an answer or realize what the brunette is hinting at, Lexa’s leaning in and a moment later her lips are on Clarke’s.
She’s not sure why, but for a split second, Clarke is utterly surprised. Her eyes widen and brows raise, but then she gets it. Lexa is kissing her, soft and slow. Her lips graze over Clarke’s, moving and pressing expertly. Clarke’s like putty, molding herself against the brunette and her full lips. Lexa breaks them apart, only for a second, tilting her head the other way, their noses brush gently before Lexa’s again pressing into Clarke. Her hands wander Clarke’s sides, carefully and cautiously.
It takes everything in Clarke’s being not to push Lexa onto her bed and undress her. She wants so badly to taste her skin and feel her body. Clarke wants to hear Lexa’s voice scream her name and also hold her until the sun comes up. But, she can’t. Not now. Not yet.
Clarke steps back, separating them enough to break the kiss but not so far that Lexa’s hands leave her body. But, the sudden detachment must have put Lexa on alert because her hands retract and fall to her sides. She takes a step back and Clarke feels incredibly stupid. “I… uhm… it’s just that- I,” Clarke tries, but the concerned expression in Lexa’s frown panics her. “No, I just… If you keep kissing me like that, I’m going to want more-”
“And that’s bad because?” Lexa questions, her eyebrow quirked.
Clarke collapses on her bed, a strong sigh leaves her lungs. “It’s not that it’s bad,” she peers up at Lexa, hoping she doesn’t sound like a complete moron. Her lips press together before she continues, “It’s just…I like you Lexa. And I don’t want to screw it up.”
Lexa smiles, a full, beautiful smile. “Well, that’s a relief. I was beginning to think you thought I was gross or something.”
“No, you’re far from gross,” Clarke replies flatly. “And a really great kisser and I’m sure you’re really great at other things.” This time, Lexa blushes but is confident when she nods her head in agreement. Clarke breathes a relaxed laugh, continuing, “But, I… I’m not ready for that kind of greatness. Not yet.” The grin painted on her lips matches Lexa’s, a teasing smile mixed with a hint of bashfulness.
Lexa tucks her hands behind her back and bends at the waist. Their faces are level and she leans forward, connecting their lips in a series of soft, full kisses. Clarke can’t help but chase Lexa’s lips when the brunette pulls away. Lexa winks, heading for the hall. She stops short, says casually over her shoulder before moving onto the stairs, “You’re right. You’re not ready for that kind of greatness. But, we’re going to have a lot of fun preparing.”
Her footsteps are light on the stairs, and Clarke needs a minute to soothe her insides. She laughs to herself and shakes her head. She stands to exit the room, sighing to herself, “She’s definitely not just some girl."