Is There Somewhere?

Technicolor Beat - Oh Wonder

Gustus was the one who invited her, which meant she couldn't say no. Clarke had a feeling that Lexa has somehow manipulated her father, but couldn't come up with exactly how. When he called her in the middle of the week and invited her up to the Woods' 'summer cabin' as he called it. The idea of spending time with Lexa's family felt like cheating somehow, even though it was Lexa who was cheating, she was participating and it just felt wrong.

"Are you sure, Mr -"

"Gustus, it's Gustus, Clarke and yes I am sure. Lexa says she commissioned you for a piece to do about me. If you've only met me once, how are you supposed to capture my...what did she call it? Aura?"

"She called it an aura?" Clarke raised an eyebrow, unable to hide the smile on her face. It sounded like Lexa was listening when she spoke about art. It made something inside of her flutter in the most pleasant way, which instantly made her feel bad once again.

"I don't want to impose, M-Gustus."

"You won't be. I'll have a car sent to your house on Friday? You could stay through the weekend and we can get to know each other a little better." His voice was so conversational, as if Clarke wasn't a commissioned employee but a family friend. For a moment she wondered if he knew of her and Lexa's arrangement, but then quickly rejected that idea because Gustus wouldn't be this friendly with her if he had known.

She took a deep breath and berated herself for being so scattered, "That sounds like it will work for me. I just have to make sure it's all okay with my manager."

"Oh that's fine," It sounded like Gustus was waving his hand in the air. "I'm sure you can tell Lexa if it works. Tell her what time would be best and we'll have a car there."

"Okay. Thank you, Gustus," Clarke sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I'll let Lexa know."

"Fantastic! See you then, Clarke!"

It was difficult to explain how their relationships worked. When she had met with Lexa that night after she found out about Costia, it was with Octavia's words urging her on. She knew it was wrong, but she couldn't help but hope that if she stuck around, Lexa would realize something would work between them. If she waited it out, maybe, just maybe she would be able to convince Lexa she was better for her.

Lexa, on the other hand, had practically begged her to listen to her once she arrived at the fountain. It had been such a heartbreaking sight that Clarke had no choice but to listen to her. Lexa explained that their relationship - her and Costia's - was a mess and she was stressed at work when she got together with Clarke. She said that she liked spending time with Clarke and that it was a relief to just be with someone that understood her in a way that was just Lexa and not Lexa Woods CEO.

Clarke had succumbed, agreeing that they could keep up their secret relationship so long as she didn't have to see Costia and they kept it as quiet as possible. She didn't want this getting out, especially with Lexa's powerful political and social circles who would have a field day. She didn't want the little reputation she had to be tampered with.

It was easy for them to pass off as co-workers, if not friends, in public because there was strictly no touching and they only spoke of business. But they met up in private whenever they could get the chance and when that happened they couldn't keep their hands off of each other.

It had been a solid two months since Clarke had been hired by Lexa and she had the preliminary sketches done for the office space, but the personal project was much less successful. Clarke had a feeling that Lexa had been speaking with her father about it and Gustus had taken it upon himself to set up a weekend getaway for...well, the three of them.