Scratching The Surface

Chapter 25

 A week had passed since they had moved in with Abby. Lexa knew it was going well, or as well as it could. Most to the time it just ended up being her and Clarke while the others were either in class or at work.

Lexa was currently on the couch with her feet up on the coffee table with Clarke's head in her lap. She wanted to run her fingers through Clarke's hair, but didn't want to do it without permission.

"Can I touch your hair, love?" Lexa asked gently, her hand hovering over her.

"Yes," Clarke nuzzled farther into her lap.

Now that Lexa had her permission, she gently carted her fingers through Clarke's hair feeling the silkyness slide through her fingers. Clarke's pleasant hum sent a warmth through her chest. Clarke was relaxed and comfortable and that was all that mattered to her. In the background, the TV had some stupid show on that Lexa wasn't paying attention to and knew Clarke wasn't either by the way her eyes moved around the room.

As they sat there her mind couldn't help but drift to school, she knew she had to get back to her classes. Her thoughts also drifted to football and she knew she had to get back to the field. But the thought of doing either made her palms sweat and her chest grow tight with dread. She was uneasy with the thought of leaving Clarke. Lexa tensed noticeably and Clarke must have felt it because she sat up and looked at her.

Lexa dropped her hand uselessly in her lap already missing the comforting presence of Clarke touching her.

"You okay?" Clarke brushed hair out of her eyes and Lexa couldn't help but skim her eyes over her face. The bruises were starting to turn yellow and she knew within another week or two they would disappear for good, but that was only what she could see on the outside. Lexa knew Clarke had more on the inside that she couldn't see.

She hated it.

"I'm good," Lexa closed her eyes when Clarke cupped her cheek. Clarke's touch still sent shivers down her spine. Lexa hoped it always would. Little by little there had been more touches, which Lexa loved. The small gestures meant more to Lexa because she knew Clarke didn't let anyone touch her except her.

It made her feel special.

Still, she missed intimacy with Clarke, but would never push her for anything before she was ready. It made it hard when Clarke would look at her in a certain way, or stare at her lips or something. She would have to excuse herself to the bathroom because she didn't want to alarm her girlfriend.

"You sure? You can talk to me," Clarke whispered, biting her bottom lip.

Lexa repressed a groan at the action and felt herself twitch in her shorts. She shifted a moment trying to situation herself, but it wasn't helping matters. She saw Clarke's eyes dart to her lips and Lexa was sure she wasn't imagining it.

"I know I can," Lexa licked her lips, "You know I'm here for you as well," She leaned closer. She wasn't sure if it was her imagination or not but swore Clarke was leaning in as well and Lexa closed her eyes...

Her phone rang loudly on the coffee table in front of them. Lexa cursed as Clarke jumped back and curled into a ball on the couch. Lexa reaches for it to silence it quickly, sees it's Titus, she scoffed and ignored it.

She'll deal with him later. Clarke was her focus and she made a stupid move for not turning her phone on silent knowing loud noises were a trigger for her girlfriend.

Lexa's heart hurt seeing her so fragile, "Clarke, it was the phone. Its okay, you're safe. I promise"

She moved back and opened her arms to give Clarke the option not wanting to spook her more than she already was. Clarke's eyes darted around for a moment as she chewed on her bottom lip before she uncurled herself and fell into her embrace.