Everyone is milling around and talking amongst one another excitedly. She loves the light and happy feeling that weddings give. It's a time of celebration and a time to embrace the feeling of love. It's a time that allows people to reflect on what they themselves already have or would like to have. Clarke? Clarke eagerly wants to welcome the kind of love Anya and Gustus have and give it back tenfold to the person who holds her heart. She's been inspired by their relationship since the beginning of it. She's hoped that she'd find that sort of happiness in someone. The kind that gives you the desire to be a better version of you for not only the one you love but also yourself. She never felt that with Finn. Her first work in being better for herself should have been kicking his sorry ass to the curb before she had to find out the truth about him the hard way. She should have noticed the warnings. Should have realized that Lexa had all the right not to like that son of a –. Lexa always tells her not to dwell on it. Not to think of what she "should have done". ("None of this was your fault, Clarke. He's a fucking fool for messing up what he had. You're the most incredible person I know, Clarke").

Standing here and watching all of the joy? She knows that she would have never been as happy as Anya and Gus if it were Finn. If it can be Lexa though? She'd be over the moon.

"Clarke! It's so nice to see you again!" The Woods family genes never seem to stray far apart. Echo, Lexa's older cousin by two years, is one of the many that seem to have the chiseled jawline, beautiful skin tone, and impeccable stature.

"Yeah, you too!" she responds kindly before turning to Bellamy who's looking at her shyly. He's not one to be tied down, so the fact that he's chosen to join Echo is quite telling. (You all knew he was screwed since the beginning). "Well, well, well. I'm not going to say I'm surprised, but I will say I'm happy to see you here".

"Alright Princess, let it all out. I know, this is payback".

Echo looks between her and Bellamy, chuckling before lightly resting her hand on the blonde's shoulder. "There must be something in this Woods DNA that's so irresistible; I'm definitely not complaining about it though. It seems to even have managed to get a hold on Octavia and Raven. And you too, Clarke" she winks. "I'm sure Little Lex definitely doesn't have any qualms about being a Woods if the genes at least swung a girlfriend like you her way".

She can hear Bellamy nearly choking on his wine after the comment is passed. He composes himself and wipes at his mouth before chancing a look Clarke's way. She refuses to let it get under her skin, keeping her facial expression relatively calm as it was beforehand.

"Oh, no, we're not together". She tries to politely put it out there that she and Lexa aren't dating. Silently in her head she thinks hopefully just not yet.

"Oh. Oh my gosh, Clarke I'm so sorry. You're just always at these family things with her and you're all she ever talks about, so I just assumed…Actually, I think we may have all assumed so apologies in advance for any other Woods that brings it up".

Quickly searching through the mess of dancing people, Clarke tries to get a glimpse of her friend. They've always joked about this. About how it'd be funny to just get drunk and ditch a wedding. Clarke is aware however that it's Lexa's sister's wedding, so she'll make sure that they won't be getting absolutely plastered and miss the rest of the evening completely. She just thinks they both need a little extra fun. From the corner of her eye she sees the familiar brunette waves and her feet automatically move towards her. As she gets closer she can see that Lexa is standing with Raven and Niylah, listening intently to something Raven is saying to her.

"…think it's something with the carburetor –"

"Hey guys!" She places her hand at the small of Lexa's back, earning herself Lexa's attention. "Would you mind if I stole my date for a little bit?" Clarke grins widely at the confused look on her friend's face. Lexa's always so put together and proper that sometimes it's funny to see the adorable look she has when she's not sure of what's happening.

"You disgust me, Griffin. I'm also slightly impressed by the blunt and 'fuck it' attitude. She's all yours. Please wash your hands after".

For the sake of not having to explain herself again, Clarke lets the comment slide with only a role of her eyes directed to her friend. She smiles at both Niylah and Raven before taking Lexa's hand in her own and leading her away.

("I'm not entirely surprised they're going off to have sex right now")("Honestly Niylah, I'm more surprised we didn't beat them to it").

"Uh Clarke, where are we going?"

On their way past the table with copious drinks, Clarke snags a bottle of champagne and pulls Lexa along faster. "Quick, Lex". The genuine giggle that sounds from Lexa's lips is like a song to Clarke's ears. She remembers hearing it for the first time when she learnt that her friend is so easily ticklish, but this type of giggle is different. It's carefree and brings Clarke back to when they were just kids. When Lexa would tell her to quit making funny faces at her because "I'm the Commander, Clarke. I'm a warrior. We don't laugh". In reality that's all they did when they were kids. Somehow, they always seemed to bring it out of each other.

She finds herself dragging her to the willow tree that's always been big enough for the both of them to hide behind and brings the brunette to sit on the ground with her. They'd sit by it for hours dreaming up stories and gazing at the passing clouds or the vibrant starry night. "I think it's time we cross this one off our bucket list".

"I like the way you think, Clarke". The smile on her face is radiating.

She loves the way her name sounds coming from Lexa. Clarke brings the bottle to her lips and takes a generous swig before passing it off to the brunette. "Let's play never have I ever".

She watches distractedly as the rim of the bottle hits Lexa's admittedly beautiful lips, her tongue slightly peeking out to touch the tip. "Are we back in college?"

"Don't be such a party pooper".

"Hah, that's funny because I'm pretty sure you actually did say that to me at a party once, Party Girl Griffin". The nickname earns her shoulder a shove from Clarke.

"Oh gosh, please don't remind me". But she does remember all the parties. All the booze, the make outs, the body shots, being undefeated at beer pong with Raven ("It's all easy physics"). She recalls the nights when she was too out of her mind that she would refuse to leave without feeling safely with her best friend. Lexa would have to drive across town to pick her up and she would take her back to her place where the brunette would let her rest her head on her shoulder and drift off to sleep with fingers running through her hair. Not once did Lexa complain.

"Alright, I guess I'll start then". Her lips purse together while she thinks of what to say. "Never have I ever cheated on a test".

Clarke chuckles quietly and takes the bottle out of Lexa's hand. "Come on Lex, we can't use such lame questions".

"You're just saying that because I have the incredibly easy potential to get you to drink this entire bottle all by yourself".

She gasps and throws her hand on her heart. "I'm so offended. I know your secrets, Woods. Don't you worry", she grins. "Never have I ever gone skinny dipping".

"I hate you".

"You love me".

Something flashes across Lexa's face and Clarke's sure she's hit the nail on what Anya had told her. She watches as her friend clears her throat and looks in front of her to the lake in the distance. "Never have I ever had sex with one of my friends".

"Ugh, please don't hold that over me. Both Raven and I want to leave it way, way, way in the past". Lexa's still looking across the field and Clarke finds herself mesmerized by her side profile. She's asked Lexa to be her model for a painting plenty of times. (There are also times when she finds her hand moving across the page only to realize once her piece is complete that she has somehow unknowingly incorporated her friend). Her hand itches to grasp her pencil and sketch this moment. Lexa's hair is gently moving in the breeze, her lashes are perfectly curved, her eyes are glowing where the sun shines on them. She doesn't realize she's doing it before her hand feels the softness of Lexa's brown hair and it's already being brushed back behind her ear. The touch jostles Lexa from wherever her mind had been and she turns to look at Clarke who keeps her hand touching the brunette, carefully drawing it to rest on Lexa's cheek.

Screw the plan with the walk through the forest to their old hidden hide out. This is it. This is one of those moments. She should tell her now. Clarke can't wait any longer. All she needs to do is –

In the background she can hear Lexa's mom calling out for her. She takes a deep breath and tries to get a hold of her rapidly beating heart, pulling her hand away in favour of playing with the label on the champagne bottle.

"Duty calls".

Everyone has been dancing for quite a while now and even though Lexa doesn't particularly enjoy doing so (Lie) (She's also good at it), she was most definitely conned into doing so by Octavia and Lincoln and even had a fun time doing so. When the DJ announces that he wants to slow things down she's thankful for the chance to catch her breath for a couple of minutes and maybe head for a glass of something cold.

Before she manages to excuse herself from the couple Lincoln's hand is on her shoulder. "You should go find your girlfriend" he genuinely smiles.

Has this been going around her family so much to the point where even her cousins think they're together? Lexa thinks Octavia must've told him. She looks to the brunette in front of her who is smiling widely at her boyfriend's suggestion. "She's just right over there talking to your parents" Octavia points out, head nodding slightly towards where she sees Clarke is indeed talking to her mom and dad.

The sight that she sees – even so plain and not unlikely – makes her heart flutter slightly. "Excuse me" she says, not taking her eyes off the blonde.

Her parents see her approaching before Clarke does, offering her a smile as she gets closer. She snakes her hand across her friend's back like Clarke had done to her earlier and feels a shiver run through her warm body under her fingertips. When she looks at Lexa her eyes seem to soften and it takes all Lexa has not to just spit it all out right there.

"Alexandria, I was just telling Clarke here how much we've missed seeing you both at the cottage".

"Oh Viv," her father cuts in politely, "I'm sure they want to be out experiencing more things than just holing up in this cottage for a few days. You know, make new memories and such. Whatever the kids do these days".

"When we go back home why don't you both come over for a nice dinner. I'm very happy you've finally gotten your heads out of the water long enough to realize you love each other" Vivian smiles at her daughter.

She can feel her cheeks burning possibly more than they ever have. Even her parents think there's something going on between them. Have they always rooted for her and Clarke to get together? "Oh, Mom no –".

"Ah look, you embarrassed her Viv". Nyko throws his hand on top of Lexa's shoulder. "They haven't said it yet".

Nervously glancing at Clarke, Lexa notes that her friend seems to not be as embarrassed as she is. Instead, she's trying to hold back her amusement and seems like she'd even laugh.

"No, Mom, Dad, we're not a couple". She hears the music behind their conversation and hopes that there'll be another one to slow dance to because the familiar tune is almost at the end.

Her father's eyebrows knit together and her mother looks slightly disbelieving.

"Sure Honey" is the only response that comes out of Vivian's mouth and it causes Lexa's eyes to widen. They really do believe that Clarke is her girlfriend. She's sure that her friend's silence is only making the matter worse but she can't be bothered to try and correct them because she thankfully hears another slower song starting and if she doesn't dance gracefully with Clarke in her arms at least once in her lifetime then she will be one very upset individual.

She clears her throat and turns to gaze at Clarke. "Care to dance?" she asks holding out her hand.

She has her arms thrown across Lexa's shoulders, hands linked together by her entwined fingers resting lightly behind the brunette's neck. Lexa's hands are unsure at her waist; barely there like she's afraid Clarke will freak out with anything more than just a gentle press. She knows that Lexa is speaking to her about something but she's not entirely sure what at this point. The last thing she remembers coming out of that beautiful mouth was something about how it had taken Anya two days full of shopping just to find the right dress. Right now she's too focused on the lyrics of the song their dancing to – she's always loved it – and the fact that she's pretty sure she can hear her heartbeat in her ears.

I can't keep up, and I can't back down

I've been losing so much time

She steps in closer and moves her arms inwards, hands moving to grip the edges of Lexa's suit. She hangs onto Lexa more firmly, their bodies pressed together and Clarke's forehead resting in the crook of Lexa's shoulder. The movement causes Lexa's hands to find purchase on her lower back and she can feel her friend ease into the touch, holding Clarke tighter to her. She's no longer talking and for a brief second, the blonde closes her eyes and lets the calm wash over her. There's never been a time she hasn't felt safe around the brunette. Never a time she hasn't been comforted by Lexa's mere presence.

'Cause it's you and me

And all of the people with nothing to do

Nothing to lose

When Clarke moves in and rests her head on Lexa's shoulder all the words her brain had thought of spewing to continue her story suddenly disappears. She can smell the shampoo in her golden waves and the faint smell of a light perfume that she recognizes as Clarke's favourite hits her senses. The lack of space causes her hands to brush along her waist and settle on her lower back. With Clarke seemingly not needing distance between them, Lexa musters up an inkling of courage to strengthen the hold she has on her best friend.

And it's you and me

And all the other people

And I don't know why

I can't keep my eyes off of you

She's sure that the increase in her heartbeat is known to everyone around them. (She's sure Clarke can feel it pounding restlessly beneath her shirt). Nothing has ever felt more perfect and right than holding Clarke Griffin. As they're turning, her green eyes meet her sister's from across the sea of dancing people and they exchange lighthearted smiles. She thinks Anya has never looked more proud.

Why are the things that I want to say

Just aren't coming out right?

She can hear Lexa's gentle breath over the song and it soothes her. Reminds her of all the nights she had spent sharing Lexa's bed and being eased into a peaceful sleep. The quiet between them allows her mind to wander. To think about the fact that she could have this every day if she and the brunette work out their feelings. She could even marry her. (She would very much like to do so, but first she'll have to stick to the steps they have to cross that would lead there). Her thoughts are broken by the slight hum coming from the woman holding her. It frightens her how faultless she believes they are for one another. It excites her how much she knows without a doubt they could stay together for the rest of their lives.

I'm tripping on words

You got my head spinning

I don't know where to go from here

Lexa humming the song makes this feel even more perfect than it already is and she's feeling impulsive. Feeling that she has to do it right here, right now. Plans to bring them to where she had carved their names on the tree more than ten years ago? Totally forgotten by the enjoyment of this grand moment. For a second, she fiddles with the soft fabric of Lexa's suit before moving to look at her.

'Cause it's you and me

And all of the people people with nothing to do

Nothing to prove

When she meets green eyes she sees puzzlement in the way her eyebrows have furrowed. She then realizes that she stopped dancing and in turn, so had Lexa. She can see that her friend is about to say something – probably ask if she's okay – but before she can give her a chance to interrupt her bravery Clarke takes hold of her face gently (Ultimately making Lexa speechless once again) and inches closer. She's almost there when she feels Lexa's slim fingers wrap around her wrists seemingly as an anchor.

And it's you and me

And all other people

Their lips finally meet and even though Clarke has already figured that she absolutely is madly in love with her best friend, it feels like everything has clicked into place. Lexa's lips are soft and warm, and before she can kiss her any more her brain catches up. She feels how stiff Lexa has gone and realizes she's probably frightened her, so she breaks them apart slowly and looks towards her.

And I don't know why

I can't keep my eyes off of you

There's a stray tear that's managed to run down the brunette's cheek and her eyes slowly flutter open to stare back at Clarke. She brings her hand up to carefully wipe the wetness away and she smiles, hoping that it alleviates some of the disorientation. She's interrupted before she can even think of explaining herself.

Octavia has the both of you in a tight bear hug before she can even get a word out to ask Clarke what the hell just happened. (The strength of this tiny woman sometimes frightens Lexa).

"Oh. My. God. We've all been waiting for so long to finally catch you guys. So fucking long ".

She's still more than confused. She hasn't even gotten the chance to replay the feeling of Clarke's lips on her own because she's so bewildered and caught off guard. They've been waiting for so long? Lexa thinks the world must be ending because of what just happened. Soon enough there's another body barrelling into them and Lexa eyes the new suspect.

"Good God, finally seeing you two kiss makes me feel the "I think I'm gay" thing all over again". She squeezes her arms tighter and Lexa just wishes they'd go away so she can have some answers for her poor madly in love heart. "I can't believe you've been macking on each other for months on end and never told any of us".

It's getting too hot and all she wants is the comfort and peace she felt from being alone with Clarke. She chances a pleading look at the blonde who's pressed up against her almost uncomfortably because of their two friends desperately hanging on.

"Guys, can you give us a second?" she hears her say.

While Clarke leads her away from the crowd of people, hand linked with her own, she spares a glance around at the guests to find her sister again. She assumes the scared look on her face is all too telling because the brunette in the distance mouths an "Are you okay?" and makes the hand gesture to make sure her question gets across. Lexa doesn't even know how to respond because she can't choose only one feeling at the moment, so she settles on an unsure headshake signalling "Yes" (To which Anya outright laughs at her for).

(She hates her sister's inability to be serious sometimes).

When her front collides with a warm back she startles out of her jumbled thoughts (She's finally onto the fact that Clarke Griffin tastes like cherries and new beginnings) and realizes that they're standing in the room where they used to sleep when they were kids.

It's still decorated with their paint-dipped handprints and ten-year-old Clarke's drawings. The sight puts her at ease as she gazes around and spots photos of them together during their time spent here at the cottage.

"Lex?"

Clarke looks nervous and Lexa can't help but feel the sinking in the pit of her stomach. Clarke is regretting kissing her just moments earlier, so with a hurting heart she decides to bail her out of it. "It's okay Clarke, you don't have to apologize". She tries to give her a smile but she's sure the ache shows.

"Of course I do. I'm so fucking sorry that I didn't realize my feelings were anything more than friendly. We're not friends, Lex. Not anymore at least. Not with feelings like these. I just – every time someone so much as even just simply mentions you I feel it. This isn't how two people who are just friends are supposed to feel. This is so much more than that".

Lexa's pretty sure she needs someone to pinch her because this moment is even better than their kiss. Clarke Griffin is spilling out everything she's ever hoped for and gosh she's so fucking beautiful.

"I wasted so much time trying to just get by after Finn and I'm tired. I don't want a half-assed love. You and I deserve so much better than that. Life should be about more than just surviving. We deserve to take a chance on this. It scares me how much I know I want to love you for the rest of my life but I get butterflies when I think about getting to be an 'us' through it all. I love you, Lex. I'm absolutely, undoubtedly –".

She's grinning so hard that her face hurts but she interrupts Clarke's spiel to kiss her anyway. This one is different. They're both sure and overcome with so much emotion that it's wonderfully passionate and Lexa thinks that she can mark Clarke's lips moving against her own as her new favourite feeling. She pulls back slightly so that their foreheads rest against one another but there's enough space between their lips to get her words out; she wants to finally tell Clarke.

There are hands holding her hips that almost burn with how perfect it feels, and her own are cupping the blonde's face. "I love you more than I thought it was possible to love anything at all. It consumes me and makes me want to be the best version of myself for you. Always. I can't imagine never having met you. I've been in love with you all my life".

She's so beyond elated that she wants to rush outside and scream to everyone that she loves this woman and that Clarke fucking Griffin is in love with her too.

(Everyone would yell back that they know).