Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Clarke rolled her shoulders as she hefted her backpack higher. A tired sigh escaped her lips. It was a month and a half into the first semester but it felt like much longer.

Lexa had been given a phone from Raven the day after she left and ever since they had been texting or calling every day. Clarke still smiled as she remembered the way Lexa used to shout at her through the phone when she first started using it. Everything about it had been incredibly endearing while also slightly damaging her eardrums.

And while, Clarke was glad that she could still stay in contact with Lexa all the time, she missed her girlfriend. She missed her presence by her side and being able to see her smile every morning at breakfast.

It didn’t help that on Monday she had completely tanked her class presentation and all she wanted was for Lexa to be there to comfort her.

She had been doing well when suddenly her cue cards slipped from her fingers. After she had picked them up they were out of order and it had completely thrown her off and her dyslexia didn't make it any easier. The remainder of her talk consisted of incoherent stuttering and rambling.

Clarke endured almost constant teasing from a certain group in her grade for the rest of the week and it wasn’t necessarily making Clarke feel the best.

She hated high school.

Clarke could only hope that it would wear off by the time she went back to school on Monday. Although she doubted it. 

The blonde fished around in her jacket pocket for her keys as she walked up to her front door, then she slipped it into the lock and opened it.

Her house was a decent size for just her and her mom. There was even a small swimming pool in the backyard. They have been living in the house for Clarke’s entire life and even though it was her home, she couldn’t help but feel slightly out of place now that she knew who she really was.

Everything was different now.

Clarke kicked the door shut behind her and dropped her bag by the door. She wandered down the short hallway and turned right into the kitchen.

She grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge, unscrewed the lid and took a sip. Then Clarke moved to the bench by the window and took a seat, swinging her legs up so that she had them tucked up against her.

Sitting there had become a habit, one that she had picked up over the course of the semester. It was a place at this time of day that the light shone in through the glass just right that it hit Clarke’s face and warmed her entire body.

“Hi dad,” Clarke began quietly, “It’s me, you’re probably not listening or whatever but I’m going to talk anyway,” she sighed. “School has been…shit basically. On Monday I messed up my history presentation and now there’s a group of teenagers at school that won’t stop making fun of me for it. It’s getting a little tiring, especially when all I want to do is maybe let a stray arrow hit them.” Clarke took another sip of her water and waited for a moment, as if Apollo would for some reason give her advice on how to solve her bully issue, but she had no luck. Then she tapped her hand onto the windowsill. “Good talk dad.”

The demi god swung her legs down from the bench; it was then that she noticed the piece of paper sitting on the kitchen countertop. She went over to it. The paper was crisp under her fingers as she picked it up.

Just reminding you I’ve taken the late shift. There’s money in the drawer for pizza if you want it. Love Mom x

The note didn’t surprise her. Her mom had been taking late shifts for as long as she could remember. She opened the drawer and sure enough there was a crumpled twenty-dollar bill sitting inside.

But instead of picking up the phone to order pizza, she moved back over to the fridge and started pulling out ingredients.

Earlier that day, during lunchtime instead of eating at the Pavilion, Lexa was at the Arena training. She lunged and tucked into a neat roll, she sprung to her feet and quickly swung her sword. The sharp edge of her blade collided with the wooden dummy in front of her with a loud thud and splinters flew out in all directions. She spun and slashed her sword down and this time the makeshift wooden arm was dismembered.

The Arena was silent except for Lexa’s heavy breathing and the sharp clunks as she attacked the dummies.

As usual the Camp was much quieter now that the majority of the campers had gone home for the school year. This was Lexa’s favourite time of the year. The quietness relaxed her. She enjoyed the smaller number of campers, and the ease she felt being around less people.

Not surprisingly, the only difference this time was that she was actually praying for the school year to finish and the start of summer to begin. When she could see Clarke again. 

Lexa continued to move fluidly, but her mind was now elsewhere. She couldn’t help but think of the blonde that she wished was training with her right now.

She was so lost in thought that she didn’t even realise when a body came to stand next to her. She jolted in surprise.

“'Sup Commander.”

“Octavia.” Lexa nodded after she quickly recollected herself. She lowered her arm and stuck the point of her sword into the dirt, the leant some of her weight on the hilt of her sword.

“What’s on your mind?” she asked.

The time that Lexa usually spent by herself during the beginning of the school year had instead been spent, for a large chunk of it, with the Blake siblings. She hadn't intended it that way but the brunette had apparently made it her mission to hang out with her every day so far. 

Lexa hated to admit that she found Octavia’s sarcastic personality and general wittiness quite amusing and once she had gotten to know Bellamy, past his 'cool guy' exterior, she found that even he was tolerable.

And unfortunately for Lexa, Octavia being the daughter of Aphrodite as well as getting to know her more, found it very easy to read her emotions. But as the two became closer, Lexa almost found herself not minding anymore.

Almost.

Lexa shrugged, “Nothing.”

“Clarke?” Octavia guessed easily. Lexa’s silence was a good enough answer for her and she smirked, “You’re not as mysterious as you like to think Lexa. Most of the time you’re either thinking about weapons and fighting, or Clarke. And considering you’re training now, Clarke was the easiest guess.”

Lexa huffed, she was still getting used to having people around her most of the time. It’s not that she minded it, but it was different and something she still had to get used to.

“Are you here to train or just annoy me Blake?”

Octavia shrugged, “Both really.”

Then she unsheathed her sword and held it up, ready. They circled each other easily, and naturally slipped into an easy exercise. They were making slow attacks so that the other could practice their defence techniques without worry of being cut while they talked. 

“So are you going to tell me why you were thinking so hard about Clarke? Unless it was weird sex things, I don’t need to hear that.”

Lexa blushed even though that wasn’t what she had been thinking about at all, “It wasn’t that,” she assured.

“Sure Lexa,” Octavia retorted dryly and Lexa tried to ignore her. “I’m sorry, you were saying?”

Lexa dodged to the side then dipped under Octavia’s slow moving blade. “I just miss her,” she admitted quietly.

Ever since Anya went back to Arizona for her senior year Octavia had somehow become her confidant. It hadn’t been planned like that and she still told Anya everything but it was much easier to talk to someone face to face than through the misty image of an Iris message. It also helped that Octavia was quite a good listener. 

“I understand,” Octavia nodded, “Sometimes talking on the phone isn’t enough.”

There was a soft clang as their swords clashed together.

Lexa nodded, “How is Raven?” she asked curiously.

“She’s good, busy with all the school work already. That girl takes on way too many classes,” Octavia said affectionately. “We were talking and I think I’m going to visit her in a few weeks when the semester finishes.”

“I’m sure both of you are looking forward to that.”

“We are,” Octavia nodded.

“How does Bellamy feel about you leaving Camp?” Lexa asked, knowing how protective he was over his little sister.

Octavia shrugged, “It’s not really up to him, I’m going whether he agrees or not.” Lexa couldn’t help but grin at that.

“Good for you.”

“Hey, you could think about visiting Clarke.”

“That is a good idea,” Lexa agreed. “The end of the semester is still a long way away though.”

“Why don’t you just visit her now then?” Octavia suggested.

“What?”

“Yeah, Sacramento is only a thirty minute drive from here. You could be super romantic and surprise her.”

Lexa juggled the idea around in her head for a moment. She would get to see Clarke and she was sure that Jaha wouldn’t mind her going. She nodded, and smiled gratefully towards Octavia.

“That is actually not a bad idea.”

A saucepan with simmering bolognaise sauce sat on the stove and another with just finished spaghetti was next to it. Clarke was stirring the bolognaise when she heard the doorbell ring.

After leaning the wooden spoon against the side of the saucepan she wiped her hands on her jeans and heading to the door. She wondered who it could be because it definitely wasn’t her mom and she hadn’t been told that anyone would be coming over today. And it definitely wasn’t a monster; she didn’t think that they’d bother to knock.

Still Clarke quickly opened the hallway closet door and pulled out her quiver and bow. She strapped the quiver over her back then reached behind herself to grab an arrow. Clarke twisted the lock on the door unlocking it, then she tugged the door open and as fast as she could she knocked the arrow onto the string, pulling it back.

“Clarke?”

Lexa was stood on her doorstep and if it weren’t for her quick reflexes she would have had an arrow in her chest because Clarke released the string out of surprise, sending the arrow hurtling towards her girlfriend.

“Oh my Gods Lexa! I’m so sorry!” she exclaimed.

“Do you always answer your door like that?” Lexa asked sarcastically.

“I’m so sorry! Literally no one ever visits us!”

Lexa’s expression quickly morphed into one that was slightly sheepish. She began to rub the back of her neck rather awkwardly, “I now realise probably should have called you before coming here. Octavia said it would be romantic to surprise you. It was ridiculous of me to listen to her relationship advice; she couldn’t even tell Raven that she loved her for the majority of their friendship. I can go if-“

But then Clarke was kissing her and she couldn’t speak anymore. Her hand instinctively came up to cup the back of Clarke’s neck and draw her closer. Clarke hummed into the kiss contently, she relished in the feeling of Lexa’s lips against her own and her familiar oaky smell.

Clarke pecked Lexa’s lips before pulling away, “I can’t believe you’re here, I’ve missed you.”

Now that Clarke wasn’t almost accidentally killing her girlfriend she could finally take in the sight of her. She looked just as Clarke remembered, her hair was pulled back in braids and she held a black backpack over one shoulder and her sword over the other. She was wearing a simple t-shirt with a pair of ripped jeans that Clarke was sure weren’t ripped for aesthetic purposes.

“I missed you too.” Lexa told her. “So this is ok? Me visiting you?”

“Lexa, this is always ok.” Clarke chuckled. “Come on inside, I just made dinner.”

Clarke stepped back into her house, she didn’t bother retrieving the arrow that landed somewhere in front of her house, knowing that it would return to her quiver in a few minutes. She tossed her bow and quiver back into the closet while Lexa slipped off her shoes and left them by the door.

“Are you staying the weekend?” Clarke asked curiously, hopefully.

“Is that alright?”

“That is perfect.”

The couple wandered into the kitchen and the Daughter of Apollo couldn’t believe that Lexa was actually with her. Lexa immediately recognised the smell of spaghetti bolognaise.

“I didn’t know you could cook,” Lexa said as she went over to the stove, she picked up the wooden spoon and stirred absentmindedly before resting the spoon against the side again.

“I have many talents,” the blonde winked. “And I’m going to admit right now that spaghetti bolognaise is the only thing I know how to make, oh and grilled cheese,” she added in afterthought.

Lexa chuckled, “Well this smells amazing,” she said as she placed her backpack and sword by the kitchen door.

“I think there’s enough spaghetti for you, me and my mom.”

“Is she here?” Lexa asked, as she tried to hide her nerves at meeting her girlfriend’s mother for the first time.

She apparently didn’t do a very good job because Clarke gave her a knowing smile, “She’s working late, don’t worry, you still have a little time to prepare.”

Lexa sighed and felt her shoulders relax, “Ok good. I mean not good, I want to meet your mom, I’m sure she’s is really nice and-“ she stopped talking as she noticed Clarke smiling widely at her, “What?”

“You’re cute when you ramble.”

“I’m not cute.”

Clarke stepped up to Lexa and pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek, she murmured into her ear, “You’re kind of cute.” And then she was moving back and grabbing two plates out of a cupboard.

Lexa thanked her as Clarke handed her one, then they took turns taking spaghetti and Lexa made sure to leave enough for Abby.

They sat across from each other at the small square kitchen table. They talked and caught up on the little that there was for them to catch up on considering they spoke every day and Clarke retold the story about how a Harpy appeared at her school during her lunch break two weeks into the school year.

Then after they finished their dinner they stood side-by-side as they washed up the saucepans and the whole thing felt oddly domestic.

Clarke liked it.

Now Clarke was showing Lexa around. They walked out of the kitchen and went directly across the hall into the living room.

“So how did you even get here? Don’t tell me you took the Gray Sister’s Taxi.” Clarke shuddered at the memory.

Lexa chuckled, “No. I walked-”

“Walked?” Clarke balked.

“Yes,” Lexa nodded once. “And flew. I only walked the last few miles. Moonshine brought me most of the way but he had to drop me off before it got too crowded. We couldn’t risk being seen, even with the Mist.”

Clarke didn’t know what to say, she couldn’t believe how much effort Lexa had put into getting to her, so she just squeezed Lexa’s hand and Lexa knew what she was trying to say.

A moment later Lexa released her grip to walk over to the old piano that sat in the corner of the room. However it wasn’t the musical instrument that she was focused on but the photo frames placed on top of it.

A warm-hearted smile appeared on her lips as she spotted a picture of a young Clarke sitting in a high chair with a paper cone birthday hat on her head and cake smeared around her mouth and over her hands. She picked it up carefully and ran her eyes over it a few times.

Then the frame was being plucked out of her fingers and Clarke was placing the photo back down.

“Please don’t look at these pictures, it’s already embarrassing enough that my mom wanted to put them up there.”

“You were quite the adorable child Clarke,” Lexa told her.

“Shut up,” she grumbled.

Lexa ducked around Clarke who had placed herself between her and the piano and grasped the closest frame. It was another one of Clarke. She was sat on a blue bicycle, the helmet on her head was slight too big for her and was slipping to the side but she was smiling widely.

“That was the day I learned to ride a bike with no training wheels.” Clarke told her. “And that’s enough of that,” she said a second later, yet again taking the picture out of Lexa’s hands.

Lexa started to frown but then Clarke was kissing her again and she couldn’t really complain. She brushed her lips over Clarke’s for a few moments before saying, “I know what you’re doing.”

“And what am I doing?” Clarke asked, her breath hitting Lexa’s lips.

“You’re distracting me from the photographs,” she muttered between kisses.

“Do you mind?” Clarke asked as she ran a hand down Lexa’s chest, the up and under her t-shirt, skimming her fingers over Lexa’s stomach.

“No.”

They kissed for a several more moments, then Clarke suddenly broke away and grasped Lexa’s hand in her own. Lexa was in a slight daze as she was led out of the living room. Clarke hid her grin because her plan had worked and for the moment, the photos on top of the piano were completely forgotten.

Clarke showed Lexa the rest of the house. They walked up the flight of stairs and Lexa’s socks slipped ever so slightly on the smooth dark wood.

As they walked down the hallway Clarke gestured to each door as they passed. First on the right was the guest bedroom, then there was the large shared bathroom, on the left there was Abby’s bedroom followed by a linen closet and finally at the end of the hallway was Clarke’s bedroom.

“And this is my room,” Clarke said, she twisted the metal doorknob and pushed the door open. “It’s kind of messy.”

The bedroom looked small, mostly due to the majority of the space being taken up by the double bed. There was a chest of drawers underneath a mirror and next to that was a wooden desk, which was littered with various sheets of paper and textbooks.

A small wooden door led to an en suite bathroom that consisted of a small shower, a sink and a toilet. The only reason that Abby hadn’t claimed the only room with an en suite bathroom was because the room was so much smaller than the others.

The walls were plain white but they were covered with photographs and drawings haphazardly put with tape or blue tack. There were even drawings stuck to the window, mostly blocking the view to the road below.

“I wouldn’t expect anything else,” Lexa teased.

“I could be tidy,” Clarke reminded her girlfriend.

Lexa chuckled at the words, specifically remembering having the same conversation almost two months ago, “You could be but you are not,” she replied.

“Shut up.”

The two girls spent a few more minutes in Clarke’s room; Lexa glanced at several of Clarke’s sketches and paintings on her walls. Then Clarke suggested they watch a movie so they headed downstairs to the living room.

As they walked down the stairs Clarke retold Lexa how at first she was almost afraid to use technology when she first came home but quickly got over that when she couldn’t resist watching TV and she stated that the threat of monsters was definitely worth watching Friends on the weekend.

So far she has only had two encounters with monsters because of it, one with an Erymanthian Boar and the other with an angry Giant Badger.

When they reached the living room Clarke promptly put on Big Hero 6, declaring that it was her favourite.

During the movie Clarke and Lexa sat on the oversized sofa, Clarke with her legs over Lexa’s lap and Lexa with her hand resting on Clarke’s thigh. The brunette couldn’t help but smile softly as Clarke quoted lines from the movie almost perfectly.

The group of main protagonists were in the middle of a car chase when Lexa stated, “I haven’t seen a movie in so long.”

Clarke looked at her surprised, “Really? How long?”

“Several years,” Lexa responded.

That shocked Clarke even more, “What?!”

Lexa just shrugged. “There is only one television at Camp Ark in the Main House and it’s never used except for movie nights.”

“And you never went to them?”

Lexa shook her head, “No. Anya always tried to persuade me but I couldn’t stand the thought of being in a small room with multiple people that hated me for two hours.”

“I’m sure everyone didn’t hate you,” Clarke consoled. Lexa gave her a look and crossed her arms over her chest, Clarke rolled her eyes, “…Well some people don’t hate you anymore.” Lexa just chuckled. “I’m making it my personal mission to reintroduce you to all the best movies that you’ve missed out on.”

“That will take a long time, Clarke.”

She just shrugged, “Well I guess it just gives me an excuse to hang out with you.”

“I always want to spend time with you, we don’t need movies for that.”

Clarke grinned widely at Lexa’s words. She brought their lips together in a sweet and chaste kiss. That’s what it was meant to be anyway but then as Clarke was moving away Lexa followed and kissed her again. This time it wasn’t as chaste, and soon Clarke found herself lying across the sofa with Lexa lying firmly on top of her.

The two demi gods were so caught up in each other that they didn’t hear the front door open, the sound of shoes being kicked off or the footsteps that wandered around the house briefly before coming into the living room.

They did however hear the sound of someone clearing their throat and Lexa would never admit it to anyone at Camp but she yelped at the sound. Then Clarke was suddenly sitting up and it caused her to topple ungracefully to the floor. She grimaced as she hit the ground but didn’t have very much time to be in pain because then all she could feel was embarrassment.

Abby Griffin, a lean woman with light brown hair and an expression was clearly trying to be stern but failing, was stood next to the sofa. She was still in her scrubs and her arms were crossed over her chest.

Lexa and Clarke scrambled to stand up, Lexa making sure to leave a respectable gap between them as she subtly tried to tug her shirt into place. Clarke ran a hand through her now tousled hair.

“And I’m assuming either you’re Lexa, or Clarke is going to have to make a difficult phone call in the near future.” Abby joked.

“Mom.” Clarke groaned. “Yes this is Lexa.”

“It is nice to finally meet you Ms Griffin,” Lexa said, “Clarke has told me many wonderful things about you.” She felt awkward and flustered as she spoke, her words felt overly generic but her brain was incapable of coming up with anything else on the spot.

“Likewise Lexa,” Abby said, “I didn’t realise that you were coming to visit though.”

“I am so sorry Ms Griffin, it was rude of me to just stop by and-“

“It was a surprise mom,” Clarke interrupted before Lexa could start rambling too much, “Is it ok that she stays over this weekend?”

Lexa bit her lip nervously but in the end she didn’t have anything to be worried about because Abby nodded her head a moment later, “Of course it’s fine.” She agreed easily, knowing how much her daughter had missed her girlfriend since starting school.

Clarke grinned and she reached out to squeeze Lexa’s hand, “Thanks mom, you’re the best.”

“Thank you Ms Griffin.”

“Abby,” the doctor corrected.

“Thank you Abby.” Lexa repeated.

“Oh, there’s dinner in the fridge for you,” Clarke told her mom, “I made spaghetti bolognaise.”

“Thanks sweetie.”

Clarke glanced to Lexa who still looked uncomfortable even though she was trying to hide it. She was sure her mom wouldn’t be able to tell but Clarke could.

“I think we’re going to go upstairs now,” she said.

Abby nodded, “I presume that Lexa will be staying in your room?”

Clarke’s eyebrows rose, “I mean- well- is that ok?” she asked, surprised that her mom had even suggested it. She had assumed Lexa would have to go in the guest room.

“I’m not naïve enough to think that if I made Lexa stay in the guest bedroom that one of you wouldn’t sneak into the other’s bedroom at some point in the night.” Clarke and Lexa heated up at her words, mostly because they were true. “So I’ll allow you two to share a room, also because you barely see each other. But behave.”

Lexa was now blushing deeply, Clarke had a hand covering her face from embarrassment and Abby couldn’t help but feel slightly amused at the whole thing.

Despite her discomfort Lexa said sincerely, “Of course, Abby.”

“Good. I’ll see you girls in the morning.”

A warm smile was sent their way and Clarke quickly snatched up Lexa’s bag and sword from inside of the kitchen door before the two girls disappeared up the stairs.

It was only when the bedroom door was shut firmly behind them did Lexa groan loudly. She flopped onto Clarke’s bed and buried her face in the covers.

Clarke chuckled softly, “What’s wrong?”

“That was incredibly embarrassing,” Lexa said, her voice slightly muffled. 

“A little,” Clarke had to agree, “But my mom likes you.”

“Hades, she probably thinks I’m some stupid hormonal teenager.” 

“You kind of are.” Clarke teased, she ducked out of the way as Lexa hurled one of her pillows at her.

“Shut up.”

Clarke was quick to throw the pillow back at her girlfriend before jumping on the bed after her and pressing her fingers into her sides, making her laugh loudly. It was a sound that she loved and a sound that she knew not many people got to hear. She liked being the cause of it, even if it was from tickling.

Eventually, after Lexa called for a truce, Clarke rolled of her and both girls laid on their backs, breathing heavily with content smiles on their faces.

They changed into their pyjamas back to back just out of habit and respect but Clarke couldn’t resist taking a peak over her shoulder and she chuckled when she already saw Lexa glancing at her. She quickly looked away and denied it, but Clarke had spotted her, not that she minded.

Then they went to the bathroom to brush their teeth before climbing under the covers of Clarke’s bed together.

The room was dark, but there was still some light coming through the blinds over the window. Clarke naturally curled into Lexa’s side, her face in the crook of her neck, Lexa’s arm wrapped around her shoulders, pulling her closer.

She had missed this feeling.

Lexa sucked in a sharp breath when she felt Clarke’s lips against her neck. She squeezed her eyes shut a few minutes later when she felt Clarke move to straddle her waist and press a kiss to her lips.

“What are you doing?” Lexa whispered against her girlfriend’s lips.

“Kissing you,” Clarke replied. She moved back slightly so that there was more space between them, “Do you want me to stop?” she asked sincerely.

“No,” Lexa said honestly, “But your mom…she told us to behave, remember?”

Clarke chuckled, “I remember, but she won't find out,” she said with a small shrug.

“I still would feel terrible for lying, I want her to trust me.”

The blonde swiftly rolled off of Lexa, “So no kisses then.”

“I think kissing would be ok, but nothing else.”

Clarke leaned over and kissed Lexa briefly again before pulling away and curling into her side again. “Or we could just hug. Hugging is nice. I like being close to you,” Clarke confessed.

“I like being close to you too.”

Clarke closed her eyes as she felt Lexa rub her thumb over the small of her back, where her shirt was riding up ever so slightly.

A happy smile was spread across Clarke’s lips, the way Lexa was so conscious of what her mom thought of her made Clarke feel warm inside. And it was things like that, that made Clarke sure she was falling in love with the Daughter of Athena.

Lexa woke up early, her internal body clock not letting her sleep in even though all she wanted to do was stay snuggled up with Clarke under the covers. Sure Lexa had a mouthful of Clarke’s hair and an elbow in her stomach but she wouldn’t change anything about that moment.

She tried not to move too much so not to wake her girlfriend up but in the end it was a lost cause because a few minutes later Clarke’s eyes were opening sleepily.

Clarke sat up ever so slightly and looked around her, confused as to why she was so warm. It was when she noticed that Lexa was pressed against her side that a large smile spread over her lips as she remembered that her girlfriend had come to surprise her.

But she was still tired, so Clarke buried her face into Lexa’s shoulder, still smiling. “Mm,” she hummed happily, “I was afraid that when I woke up, you visiting would be a dream.”

“I'm definitely not a dream.”

“Also, why are we even up right now?” Clarke glanced at the clock on her wall in front of her bed, “It’s 7:15 for Gods sake,” Lexa chuckled as Clarke groaned.

“Sorry for waking you.” Lexa apologised.

Clarke mumbled against her arm, “No, it’s fine. This just means I get to spend more time with you before you have to go.” Lexa smiled at that. “But lets just stay here for a little while longer.”

The couple stayed in bed for another fifteen minutes before they started getting ready for their day. Clarke threw on some jeans and a striped long sleeve shirt. Lexa wore the same jeans from the day before and ended up tugging one of Clarke’s t-shirts when she didn’t want to wear one of her own. It was a speckled grey v-neck and it was a little short on her, showing a sliver of skin between her jeans and the hem of the shirt. But other than that it fit, and Clarke was definitely enjoying it.

Once Clarke had applied a light amount of makeup and Lexa fixed her braids in her hair, the two girls headed down the stairs.

As soon as they walked into the kitchen Abby looked up from her newspaper surprised.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you get up past midday on a weekend Clarke. You must be a good influence Lexa.”

“I am an early riser,” Lexa shrugged.

“She’s basically a robot,” Clarke teased gently.

Lexa rolled her eyes, “Gee thank you Clarke.”

Clarke pressed a kiss to Lexa’s cheek as she passed her to get to the cupboards and Abby smiled adoringly at the interaction. She may have just met Lexa but even before that she new the girl was a good influence on her daughter.

“What do you want for breakfast Lexa?” Clarke asked.

“What are you having?”

“I was just going to have a bowl of cereal.”

“I will have the same please," Lexa says politely.

The two girls busied themselves in the kitchen. Clarke pouring their cereal and Lexa making coffee after Clarke asked her to turn on the kettle. Lexa asked if Abby wanted another cup but the older woman shook her head no.

Soon they were sitting down at the table, Lexa on the side across from Abby and Clarke was next to both of them.

“I’ve gotta say, I miss Camp breakfasts,” Clarke said before eating a spoonful of Frosted Flakes.

“I haven’t made coffee like this in so long,” Lexa told them. Abby was looking at them questioningly and so she explained, “At Camp there are goblets that are charmed to fill with any drink on voice command.”

Abby’s eyebrows rose slightly, “That’s incredible, you never told me that Clarke.”

She shrugged half apologetically, “Basically everything at the Camp has an element of magic to it, I can’t remember everything.”

Abby’s newspaper was long forgotten now, “So Lexa, how long have you been at Camp Ark for?”

“Mom,” Clarke sent her mother a warning glare, knowing Lexa’s childhood was a sensitive topic.

Lexa smiled gratefully at her but nevertheless said, “It’s alright Clarke.”

“Are you sure?” Clarke asked uncertainly.

“Yes,” she said honestly. It wasn’t like Abby was another camper, she was Clarke’s mom and Clarke trusted her, so, so did Lexa.“

“I’ve been at Camp for twelve years now, almost thirteen.” Lexa answered Abby’s question.

“And you’re eighteen?” Abby guessed.

“Seventeen,” Lexa corrected. Her birthday was coming up soon though.

“That’s since you were five!” Abby pointed out obviously, “What about your father?” she asked curiously, already knowing the girls mother was Athena from Clarke.

“Mom!” Clarke exclaimed, she threw her hands up in the air in exasperation. For a doctor, she wasn’t very good at reading people.

“It’s fine,” Lexa assured again. “He was killed before I got to Camp,” she explained simply, not expanding further.

Clarke knew this, she didn’t know how or why and Lexa had never told her. It was something she figured Lexa would tell her when she was ready; it was something she would never ask to be told.

“I’m so sorry Lexa, that was insensitive of me.” Abby apologised.

Lexa shrugged, “It was a long time ago, I’m over it now.” And it was true. It had been so long, and she had been so young when he had been killed, she rarely missed him anymore. 

“Still, I shouldn’t be so nosey.” The trio then ate in silence for a few moments and it was Abby to break it, “So what are you girls planning on doing today?” she asked, trying to shift the topic of conversation.

Lexa didn’t know what they were going to do so she looked to Clarke for the answer.

“Well I was planning on going to go to the mall but we could do something more fun,” Clarke said. She needed to get a pair of jeans because her only black pair ripped at the inner thigh and she hadn’t had a chance to go all semester, but she didn’t mind putting it off for another day for Lexa. The other girl shook her head.

“We should still go, I don’t want to disrupt your weekend. You didn’t know I was coming and I would feel terrible if I did that.”

“If you’re sure.”

Lexa nodded assuredly, “I am, I need to get some new sports bras and maybe a shirt or two. You know that clothes at Camp Ark don’t last very long.”

Clarke chuckled, because Lexa was very much right.

“Ok, perfect.”

Clarke managed to persuade her mom to lend her the car for an hour or two. When they pulled into Arden Fair Mall car park, it was busy but they found a parking spot when someone was leaving just as they arrived. Clarke pulled into the spot with ease before putting it in park and cutting off the engine. They climbed out the car, the doors slammed shut behind them.

“You might want to leave that in the car,” Clarke said.

Lexa looked down at herself when Clarke gestured towards her. She had completely forgotten about her sword, she was so used to bringing it everywhere with her.

“Right,” Lexa agreed. She tossed it in the trunk, accompanying Clarke’s bow and quiver, which the blonde had gotten in the habit of always bringing with her. She even brought it to school with her, hiding it in her belt bag that Monty had insisted she kept after the quest.

“Now you look like an average teenage girl,” Clarke teased.

“Are you sure about that Clarke?” Lexa asked and Clarke looked confused, “Because I was told that someone thought I was the daughter of Aphrodite,” she smirked.

Clarke’s jaw dropped slightly, “I’m going to kill Octavia," she stated, feeling her cheeks flush, she was mortified. 

Lexa grabbed Clarke’s hand and headed towards the clearly labelled entrance to the mall.

“I was flattered when she told me," Lexa assured. 

“Well I’m embarrassed,” Clarke mumbled.

Inside, the mall was tall and open and the roof was made of mostly glass letting plenty of natural light to enter the building. The walls were white and it gave the place a clean feeling. Various shops lined the walls and on different levels, and there was a loud hum as people talked and milled through the shopping centre.

Clarke couldn’t help but watch Lexa most of the time, with a small smile on her lips, because Lexa always looked so engrossed in what was around her when they were in the mortal world. 

On their quest it was because she was constantly looking for threats and dangers but now it was because she was just interested. She only usually left the safety of the gates when she absolutely needed to. And that meant she never got to fully experience the mortal world.

Clarke had noticed the look while they were at home too, and she realised it was probably because Lexa had lived in a Cabin for most of her life, not a house. 

“So where to first?” Clarke asked.

They ended up at Sears, they went straight to the sports section and Clarke helped Lexa pick out two of the cheaper sport bras. Luckily there was a sale on. Then they went to the men’s section to search for a few shirts. They were more plain than the women’s ones and the fit was always slightly loose, which Lexa liked as it was easier to move during a battle. There she chose two shirts, one grey blue one with a pocket on the left side of the chest and another dark grey one that had a v-neck.

Lexa wasn’t picky, as long as the clothes were practical and cheap she was fine with them. Lexa started to head to the cash registers when Clarke stopped her.

“Aren’t you going to try those on?” she asked.

“No, I know they will fit me,” Lexa told her.

Clarke bit her lip, “Are you sure you don’t want to?”

Lexa’s eyes narrowed, “You want to see me wear the sports bras, don’t you?” she guessed easily.

Clarke pretended to look offended, “What!? I would never. How could you think that?” Lexa smirked at her knowingly and Clarke sighed as she yielded, “Fine…yes.”

“You are terrible,” she chuckled. “Well because I really don’t think I need to try these on, how about I try them on later for you?” Lexa suggested.

Clarke’s eyes widened slightly and her jaw slackened slightly as images ran through her mind. She cleared her throat. “I think that sounds like a very good idea,” she said, making Lexa laugh heartily as they made their way to the checkout.

Lexa paid for her items and soon the two girls were leaving the shop hand in hand, a Sears bag now hanging in Lexa’s fingers.

Next, they went to American Eagle, because that’s where Clarke apparently bought all of her jeans from. Clarke already knew what she was looking for so she quickly found a pair of jeans in her size, but unlike Lexa she did try them on. Even Lexa, who had been living under a metaphorical demi god rock for a lot of her life, knew that jean sizes were almost always unpredictable.

That took a little longer because there was a long line, but Clarke and Lexa didn’t mind standing next to each other in the line people watching together. They made up stories for anyone who passed by, what their life was like or why they were buying whatever piece of clothing they were holding.

After Clarke had finished trying on her clothes and paid for them, the two girls wandered around the mall looking for a place to eat deciding that they didn’t want to go home just yet.

“What are you hungry for?” Clarke asked.

Lexa shrugged, “I don’t mind, I’m not that hungry though.”

“Yeah, me neither,” Clarke concurred.

“How about there?” Lexa suggested, gesturing to Bombolone Café, a small dessert café. 

“Oh I’ve never been to Bombolone but I hear their coffee pretty good too.” Clarke said.

“Trophi Café.” Lexa amended.

“Trophi?” Clarke questioned confusedly, “That’s Bombolone Café,” Clarke corrected. But then the sign over the café began to shimmer and then Clarke blinked and suddenly the writing was different, the words ‘Trophi Café’ written in its place. “I can’t believe I didn’t notice that before,” Clarke muttered. “I guess it’s because I haven’t been here since I came back from Camp.”

“Well, let’s go in then. If you’ve never been to a magical café before, you’re in for a treat.”

Lexa led the way. There were a few empty tables so Clarke and Lexa went to get something to eat before finding one. The line wasn’t hugely long so soon they were at the counter. A young teenager with almost black hair was stood behind the counter, wearing the café uniform.

“Uh…” Clarke’s eyes scanned the board, “I’ll have a waffle sandwich with mint chocolate chip ice cream please.”

“And I’ll have the same with vanilla,” Lexa said.

“Ok, two waffle sandwiches, one with mint choc and one with vanilla,” he repeated as he typed it into the cash register, "and any drinks today?” the boy asked.

Clarke looked to Lexa to order. “A latte, with a shot of nectar,” she added slightly quieter.

His eyebrows rose like he hadn’t heard that request in a while, but then he resumed pressing buttons, “Two?” he guessed, Clarke nodded when Lexa looked at her expectantly. “Two lattes with a shot of nectar," he repeated. “Dollars or Drachma?”

“Dollars,” Clarke replied. Lexa went to reach in her pocket but Clarke placed a hand over her own to stop her, “I’ve got it.”

Before Lexa could refuse Clarke was handing over a twenty. She got her change and then they were being instructed to move to the side to wait for their order to come through.

“Clarke I could have paid for my own,” Lexa said.

“I know, but I wanted to,” Clarke shrugged, “Think of this as a mini date.”

“A mini date?”

“Yeah because obviously I don’t want us going to the mall being our actual first date. That would suck,” she laughed.

Lexa smiled at her, “Ok, a mini date. And thank you for lunch. If you can call ice cream waffles lunch,” she said in afterthought.

“I think you can,” Clarke shrugged, “I mean you spend your whole time eating insanely healthy at Camp, an ice cream waffle is acceptable.”

Then their food and coffee were placed on the counter and they each grabbed a plate and a takeaway cup before heading to a free table. They found one outside of the café, dropped their bags on the ground next to their seats and sat down.

“So I thought nectar was a healing drink used by Gods and demi gods,” Clarke said as she watched Lexa take a content sip of her coffee.

“It is,” Lexa nodded, “Normally anyway, but in small doses it is the perfect sweetener. Mortals are really missing out.”

“Is it really that good?” Clarke asked.

“Why don’t you try it.”

Clarke reached out and grasped her cup; it was warm against her palm. She took a tentative sip and she couldn’t stop the small moan that escaped her lips.

“Oh my Gods. How have I never had this before? All other coffee will now pale in comparison.”

 Lexa chuckled, “It is very good, isn’t it?”

“That’s an understatement Lexa.”

The waffles were equally as good and Clarke laughed as Lexa somehow smeared ice cream on her nose and the girl blushed deeply chuckling nonetheless.

It was when the pair were walking from the café that Clarke saw them. Lexa noticed something was off almost immediately, how Clarke’s step faltered and how she stepped slightly behind her, as if she was hiding.

“Clarke, what’s wrong?” she asked worriedly, her eyes darted around as she looked for any signs of danger.

“It’s nothing…” Lexa arched an eyebrow and Clarke admitted, “It’s the group of kids I told you about earlier this week, the ones who have been teasing me for messing up my presentation.”

Lexa frowned as her eyes landed on the loud group. The four teenagers were walking towards the café they had just walked out of. They looked like the kind of people that were the polar opposite of Lexa, who spent far too much time getting ready in the morning, the kind that liked to stir up drama just because they were bored. And sure Lexa stirred up her fair share of drama too, but she never did it on purpose.

Clarke looked wearily at the group too. The ‘leader’ of the group Hank was notoriously known for his short temper and obnoxious behaviour. His muscles strained against the black shirt that he wore. Unfortunately he was also a member of the football team, which meant that he got away with a lot more than he should. The other boy, Jaz, was much lankier and had a blonde streak of hair amongst his dark brown tresses. He was the guy that everyone went too if they wanted drugs or fake IDs. The shorter girl with bleach blonde that fell just below her ears and heavy eyeliner was called Darcy. She and Clarke were once almost friends in freshman year, until she was whisked away by the others. Darcy was mostly influenced by Meg, the last member of the group. The girl had wavy brunette hair with pink dip dyed ends. Today she wore a tight dress under a leather jacket.

Clarke had several friends at school, but she never quite got on with this particular group of people.

“Don’t look at them,” she warned.

“You can fight Cyclopses but you cannot stand up to your bullies?” Lexa questioned.

Clarke just shrugged, “This is different, I can’t just stab a sword through their heart and solve my problems. Just look a different way,” Clarke pleaded and Lexa nodded, doing as she was asked.

But it was too late.

Darcy had spotted her, and was pointing in their direction with a sneer on face. Her bleach blonde hair waving as she threw her head back and laughed at something that was most likely directed towards her.

“Great,” Clarke muttered as she saw the four heading towards them. “Hank,” she said in greeting to the muscled boy.

“Stutters.”

Clarke rolled her eyes, “How creative of you, it must have taken up a lot of imagination to come up with that one.”

Meg crossed her arms over her chest, “You don’t have to be rude,” she retorted.

“Yeah,” Darcy echoed.

“What do you want?” Clarke asked, already bored with the conversation.

“We can’t j-j-j-just say hello?” the other boy, Jaz, mocked. It earned him a few laughs from his friends and he smiled smugly.

“Now that you have said your greetings you may leave,” Lexa said, her voice like steal. Four eyes turned to her but she didn’t stand down, her gaze hardened.

“And who the fuck is this?” Hank asked.

Jaz added, “I think I’d remember seeing a hot bitch like you.”

Lexa felt irritation and anger simmering below her skin. It was people like this that made her wish she had a punch bag in front of her rather than the scumbags that were present. Her fingers itched by her side and in that moment she was glad that she didn't bring her sword into the mall. Lexa glanced to Clarke, who was being uncharacteristically silent.

“It doesn’t matter who I am, what matters is that you leave us alone.”

“Griffin’s got some chick fighting her battles for her,” Meg laughed.

“Well one against four just didn’t seem fair,” Lexa replied.

Hank stepped closer to them, “You two think you’re so smart, don’t you?”

Clarke suddenly found her voice. “Smarter than you,” she scoffed. Lexa smirked.

Darcy stepped up next to Hank and gave them both a cold glare.

“Looks like Stutters can speak.” She reached out and shoved Clarke’s shoulder, it wasn’t hard but it made Lexa furious.

“Don’t touch her," Lexa snarled.

Darcy quirked an eyebrow, “Oh yeah?” she faced Lexa tauntingly and then she pushed her shoulder, “What are you going to do about it?”

It took Lexa half a second to react. She dropped the bags she was holding and gripped Darcy’s wrist in her left, she twisted it, forcing her to bend forwards in pain. She cried out as Lexa placed her other hand on the girls shoulder and applied pressure.

She kept Darcy in the grip as she spoke, "Leave now and I will let your friend up after you go,” Lexa ordered calmly.  Clarke moved protectively closer to her girlfriend, just in case she needed any back up.

Lexa sighed when none of them listened. Hank stepped forwards, his large frame would probably be intimidating to a regular teenage girl, but Lexa was the Daughter of Athena.

She wasn’t scared easily.

“Let her go,” he said.

Lexa didn’t. He was taller than her, but not by much, and when her gaze hardened she saw his confidence falter for a second. “Will you leave?” she asked.

Hank’s eyes darted to Darcy’s pained ones. “Let her go and find out.”

“Lexa,” Clarke said quietly, “Let’s just go,” she said, “People are looking.”

Sure enough they had drawn quite a crowd, most people in the café were looking their way and even a few shoppers had stopped. Lexa felt her chest constrict ever so slightly at the sheer number of eyes on her. She quickly released the girl, who stood up jerkily and rolled her shoulders.

Lexa thought that was going to be the end of the confrontation but she was wrong. She was very wrong.

Darcy practically snarled at Lexa, “You crazy bitch!” Then she lunged.

Lexa side stepped as Darcy swung her arm and easily dodged the weak attack. Lexa, not wanting to actually hurt anyone, didn’t fight back. Instead she continued to dodge the feeble punches and scratches.

But one back handed slap did manage to catch her cheek. It was enough to jerk her head to the side but it didn’t hurt nearly as much as being hit in the stomach by a Chimera’s tail. She snapped her head back to face the girl and tilted her neck.

Lexa normally didn’t let girls like this get to her, there had been plenty to pass through Camp Ark during her time there, but this girl was smirking at her confidently, completely oblivious to who she actually hit.

But before Lexa could retaliate a resounding slap sounded and it took Lexa a second to realise that Clarke had slapped her. And by the red mark on Darcy's cheek she could tell it was pretty hard.

And then all hell broke loose.

Hank didn’t seem to care that Clarke was smaller than him. He lunged at her punching her firmly in the stomach and Lexa heard her grunt at the impact. He seemed surprised when it didn’t seem to affect her as much as he thought it would and then he was even more shocked when a fist hurled towards his face. Soon he was being pinned to the floor by the demi god, she held his arms securely behind his back.

Lexa fended off the other two girls and Jaz had retreated to the side, apparently not much of a fighter. All Lexa had to do was send a well-aimed punch at one girl’s side and she crumbled to the floor, it wasn’t even that hard of a hit.

And before Lexa could turn to the other girl she felt two burly hands on her shoulders. She started to fight back but quickly realised it was a mall security guard and stopped. She hadn’t even heard them shouting at them to stop.

Another guard was holding Meg and Darcy’s arms and there was a third one standing in between Clarke and Hank, separating them. Jaz had disappeared into the crowd.

And Lexa was barely able to grab their bags from the floor before they were being dragged away.