Corrupted Constructs

Chapter 12

Caleb looks from Clarke to Lexa, then back again, seemingly trying to figure out whether it's true or not. Meanwhile, Lexa silently tries to communicate to Clarke to play along and relax her tense body, but the blonde barely moves until Caleb's face turns to one of disgust as he scoffs, then walks back with his beer towards his group of rowdy friends on the other side of the bar.

Once Caleb is far enough away, Lexa feels Clarke's hands slowly slide over her arms to her wrists, sending sparks flying across her skin.

But those sparks quickly disappear when Clarke's fingers wrap around her wrists and she pushes her arms away before quickly stepping out from Lexa's embrace and turning to face the bar, not looking at Lexa.

Before Lexa can think of something to say, the bartender places their drinks in front of both women, and Clarke rushes back to the group, where she is greeted excitedly as if they didn't see her two minutes ago.

So, Lexa takes a large sip from her drink before following suit and sitting down on her chair once again as well, where she tries to keep up with the conversation. But her eyes keep unconsciously moving towards Clarke.

And all Lexa could think about is how she should probably apologize for touching Clarke like that without consent. She had been trying to help the clearly uncomfortable blonde, but in the process, she must have managed to make her even more uncomfortable. Besides, the blonde probably would have been able to handle herself just fine. She certainly seemed like a person who was able to handle themselves. But Lexa's protective side had surfaced, because that guy, Caleb, seemed sleazy and like he wouldn't take no for an answer. And it was Clarke. A person worth feeling protective over.

So now, all she had to do was get Clarke alone for a minute so she could apologize, because she did not want to text her an apology.

And the perfect opportunity presents itself as Clarke walks past her to go to the restroom.

Lexa gets up too about a minute later, aware of how odd it may look in front of her employees to follow the blonde like this, but not finding it in herself to care right now.

When the blonde walks out of the restroom, she is looking at down at her phone with a frown and almost runs into Lexa. She scrambles to apologize, awkwardly speaking, "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see... Oh, it's you. My apologies, Ms. Evergreen."

"Come outside for a cigarette with me?" Lexa asks for the second time that evening.

Clarke looks over Lexa's shoulder to the group, then back at Lexa before hesitantly responding, "I guess I could. Let me grab my jacket, I'll meet you out there."

Alexandria nods her head and lets Clarke walk past her before turning around and stepping outside, where she leans her back against the wall, just like she did last time, and pulling out a cigarette.

But she just places it between her lips and waits to light it until the blonde walks out and joins her.

--

Clarke walks out, wrapped in her coat, because it's getting cold this late in the year, especially at night.

That was a very minor part of the reason why she hadn't initially planned on showing up today, but realistically, she just wanted to spend the night by herself, not having to be mindful of the things she said to Lexa.

After work today, she had gotten home, changed into her pajamas, and written up her report. She had very much been hoping and expecting to spend her night relaxing on the couch and watching a movie, but soon after her report was submitted, she received a call from Chief Pike. He had asked why her report was submitted so early on a first Friday, so Clarke had to admit she wasn't at the first Friday event, nor was she planning on going. And Pike had all but ordered her to go, so now here she was, standing outside in the cold with Alexandria Evergreen. Ready to smoke another cigarette she'd much prefer not to smoke, because she really didn't enjoy them. Not after her drunken college days.