The Special Brew
Lexa kept her arms crossed across her body. “I’m sorry, Clarke. But I just can’t sit here and pretend like I didn’t see you miraculously heal overnight. I tried to get over it, but clearly, that didn’t work as I’m sitting here now, arguing with you about it again.”
“I kinda figured you wouldn’t let it go,” Clarke sighed with a sad smile. “It’s my fault really. I got too close. The magic stopped working on you, and for that, I’m truly sorry. I’m usually way more careful with my emotions. You’re just so… so…” Clarke reached her hand up and traced her finger from the center of her brow down to the tip of Lexa’s nose, landing a soft playful little tap there. “You.”
Lexa breathed in deeply. She had no idea what Clarke was even talking about. The magic? What was her fault? Lexa blinked rapidly trying to formulate words or thoughts, but Clarke suddenly rose from her spot on the couch effectively stifling what she was about to say.
“How about I make you a cup of tea, and I’ll explain? How does that sound?”
Lexa gaped at her for a moment before swallowing any negative reply and just nodded. Clarke smirked and set off for the kitchen. Lexa tucked her feet up underneath her and brooded. Clarke was acting very strangely, and she still had so many questions racing through her mind. However, Clarke promised to explain, and tea always did make her feel better. There was just something about the way it warmed her chest, soothing her stress with each sip.
Clarke returned with a steamy cup of tea and handed it to Lexa. As soon as she wrapped her long fingers around the mug, the heat seeped into her hands almost instantly calming her. She brought the cup up and inhaled the unfamiliar aroma. It smelled sweet yet spicy, and there was a hint of something almost woodsy. It reminded her of a mix between ginger and nettle leaf. “What kind is this? I don’t recognize it.” She took another drag of the most intoxicating smell, and a wave of contentedness washed over her.
“It’s my own recipe,” Clarke smiled sadly. “It’ll do the trick.”
What did she just ask? She wasn’t sure, so Lexa nodded through her foggy mind. She brought the mug up to her lips, but just before she took a sip, Clarke grabbed the cup away from her.
“Wait!” She shouted, and Lexa startled at the sudden change in demeanor. “Wait,” Clarke repeated more calmly as she placed the mug to the table. “I just want to apologize.”
“For what?”
“For loving you.”
“Clarke, what are you talking about?”
Clarke leaned in slowly and pressed a tentative kiss to Lexa’s cheek. Lexa sighed at the touch and turned just enough to connect their lips. Clarke hovered, keeping the kiss light and tender, and leaned back leaving a pleasantly stunned Lexa chasing after her lips. Clarke grinned, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes. She reached for the mug and handed it gingerly back to Lexa.
“Drink,” she encouraged. Lexa took a sip, sighing as the warm liquid hugged her insides, engulfing her in an inexplicable calm. “You’ll forget, but it’s for the best. I won’t let you see through it next time.”
Lexa was mildly aware of Clarke mumbling something, but a sudden rush of exhaustion lay heavily on her chest. Her eyes were suddenly like ten-ton weights, and she just didn’t have the strength to keep them open.
When Lexa opened her eyes, she was curled up on her couch wrapped in a throw. It was dark out, and she struggled to remember when she fell asleep. There were the faintest of memories of Clarke, but she couldn’t grasp onto anything substantial. She sighed knowing that Clarke was pretty much always on her mind. Lexa threw her legs out from under the blanket, grabbed the empty tea mug, placed it in the dishwasher, and headed to bed.