Chapter Text
Gyms were usually loud; noisy with the sounds of weights dropping and time-killing comments in-between sets, gyms usually abounded with huffing and puffing and chalk talk, all more important than finding long-lasting friendships. Yes, gyms didn't usually reverberate with friendly antics and genuine belly laughs, with pleasurable banter and casual conversations. Gyms were like that - except for this one. This gym was always hustling with shenanigans and affectionate laughs. Swarmed with regular climbers sharing their chummy inside jokes, crawling with buddies getting their first plunge into the art of climbing, or kids from the afternoon club, this one was hustling with climbing advice, never-ending giggles, and overjoyed screams. This gym was a community; this one was hustling and bustling with good humor, mutual support, and camaraderie.
With Raven splayed on the climbing wall, tied securely at the other end of the rope, Clarke cast glances around the gym, nodding to the other climbers she came to know, and smiling to herself, laughing at how she became part of this particular crowd. She had friends, best friends that supported each other through and through, and she never felt lonely; quite the opposite, actually. But assisting Raven in her physical therapy led her to something new, led her to this crazy tribe that shared passion, that understood the pull towards rocks and rope. Supporting Raven allowed her to become a part of something she found herself to cherish and appreciate in a completely different way.
The rope dangled a bit, suggesting Raven was swinging herself in preparation for her next move. Supported and cheered by her therapist, she decided to climb a route slightly exceeding the abilities of her bum leg, but the hero Raven was, she refused to quit before getting at least one half of the route conquered. Clarke drew her attention back to her best friend, who swayed back and forth, unsure of the next move.
"Go on, Rae!" Clarke's voice echoed around as she tightened her grip on the rope, making sure Raven felt safe. It was a challenge to exercise her damaged nerves, and yes, Raven was a hero, but she wasn't invincible, as much as she believed to be. "Trust your legs!"
"I'll trust my legs to kick your butt later, God damn it," came a pained, but not malicious answer from the ambitious girl currently balanced between three small holds, halfway up a 17-meter wall. The rope tightened as Raven finally pushed off her legs, hand shooting up and voice grunting, and made a successful pass towards a higher hold.
"Nice one, Rae!" cheers and claps followed, and so did Raven's relief.
Pulling back the slack rope, Clarke took a few steps backward to position herself in a better spot for a safe belay, and suddenly felt a bit of a block, bumping into another person, unfamiliar hands landing on her waist to steady her sway. Both bodies wobbled, but managed not to lose their footing.
"Shit, goodness, I'm so sorry," hands still on the brake rope and eyes still trained on Raven, Clarke puffed, moving a bit to adjust her position. "I'm still a bit clumsy around here."
"You didn't let go of the brake rope, so you're still good in my books," said the second culprit, calm and collected, but with a hint of a smile and a little wink. Feet shuffled, hands disappeared, and the two figures danced around to find their own spots.
Curious green eyes matched Clarke's gaze, and she blushed, froze for a millisecond, finding herself a dash embarrassed. Toned arms, a curved smile and cheeky eyes let her keep at least part of her usual swagger, though, as the gorgeous stranger pulled up the "Instructor" jumper.
"Ha, never!" Clarke's exaggerated seriousness matched with the playful situation, and she tugged on the rope sharply for confirmation. Too sharply, as Raven squeaked and pulled back, and Clarke jolted abruptly, jolted back to reality and to Raven stuck on the wall.
"Sorry, sorry!"
The instructor girl pointed at the hands that held Raven's rope tightly, a red spot forming on the bottom one from when it just got pinched by the belay device.
"Move your hand a bit lower, it gives the same security, but you won't get hurt. And this one... Wiggle it a little here. There you go. Alternatively, you get nipped a few times, and you'll learn," she laughed, and Clarke knit her eyebrows, listening to the pleasant voice giving her pointers, trying not to focus on the goosebumps rising on her arms. She followed the advice and jiggled her hands; it was helpful and came from a knowledgeable source. The stranger stood there, making sure all was good, and for whatever reason, Clarke couldn't stop herself from asking for more. Yes, she was inquisitive by nature, but the voice was a charming addition to the current mix.
"Do you know how to give her more rope, so she can come down, instead of me lowering her? Maybe you could show me how to do it?"
"Sure, yeah. Raven, right? Hey Raven, do you wanna try and climb down?"
With the agreement received in a few trusting nods, hands mingled on the belay device. Pushing away the sudden sense of novelty and a chilly feeling coming from who knows where, Clarke concentrated on the smooth hands that guided her grip and the steady directions that explained all the moves. "Loosen your right hand, use it with the rope. Grab it in front, like that. Left hand presses here, see? Then you can pass the rope and secure it at the same time. You can hold it and feed the rope at the same time. Just remember, never..."
"Let go of the brake rope, yes."
Smiles exchanged, the girl stepped back and tipped her head, encouraging Clarke to follow her guidance. Using the newly learned trick, Clarke communicated with Raven, and the other girl started climbing down, unsure and hesitant at first, legs careful and precise, and gaining more courage every step of the way. It took a few moves, but finally, the rope slid easily through the belay device, letting Raven make more comfortable moves down the wall.
"Nice, you got it. Keep it up, great job."
"Thanks," Clarke stopped for a second, leaving Raven confused and suspended mid-move. "Hey, what's your name, by the way?"
"Lexa."
"I'm Clarke. Thanks again for your help."
Timid glances and bashful nods exchanged, the unplanned learning moment finished as abruptly as it came to be, leaving behind the feeling of success and hope. This whole scene felt odd to her, like a breath of freezing air. Clarke shook her head and shoulders, getting rid of the chill, and routing her awareness back to the climbing gym, back to her climbing partner.
Raven put her feet on the ground, careful to slip off the last holds and aware of the new method they just learned, eyes flitting observantly between the two girls, the instructor engaged in a new conversation now.
"Fucking great," she huffed, wrestling with the knot and shaking the strain from her arms. "You're the weirdest, did you know that?"
"Huh?"
"Don't 'huh' me, C. Of course, leave it to you to find a girl in the dirtiest and smelliest place in this city. And all that while I'm left dangling on at your mercy!"
Clarke snorted at the joke, or maybe at the suggestion, and wobbled the belay device in front of Raven.
"Well, we wanted to try that before, so just be glad I got some pointers."
"Yeah, whatever you say," device snatched and her own opinion formed already, Raven nudged her friend. "Alright, show me how to do it, so I can dangle your ass now!"