What do you think Clarke and Lexa were thinking about when they were staring at each other in that meeting?
For Lexa I think it was attraction to an extent, but way more I think she just liked seeing Clarke embracing her role as a leader. Everything Lexa ever did served to lift up and legitimize Clarke's status as a leader in everyone's eyes. This gif doesn't show it, but immediately after, you actually see Lexa's eyes shift around toward the other people in the room. For someone like Lexa whose every move is calculated and predicated on power within grounder politics, I think that look and the moment after was actually a very concise, silent message to everyone present. "You better be listening." Because Clarke deserves respect. I'm showing her respect, and I expect the same from you. When we fight, we're the ones you answer to.
Now of course the whole betrayal happened but this moment if nothing else, for me at least, proves that Lexa had no intention of ever breaking the alliance beforehand. She had to make a hard decision for what she percieved was the greater good of her people, yes, but initially I think she viewed them as a team heading into battle every bit as much as Clarke did.
I mean. Jokes and lustyness aside? I think this was the first time she'd really felt secure in standing at Lexa's side and addressing their warriors as a leader. I think she felt galvanized to be on the same level as Lexa. Probably powerful and capable for the first time in a long while. I think she felt like they were a united front, despite any and all misgivings and wariness she probably also felt all things considered. I think seeing Lexa constantly be that strong in front of her people helped Clarke feel strong in that moment too. And I think, in part, she was watching Lexa and taking notes. Yes Clarke is a natural born leader, but so is Lexa. Lexa is effective. Lexa is persuasive. Where Clarke struggles to get her people to understand her motives and methods, Lexa excels in presenting her orders in a way that makes her subject want to follow her command. It's like her orders embolden them, feel like guidance toward victory. She always seems so in control of herself and everything around her. So honestly I think she was just kind of soaking up that entire experience.
Now as for the lustyness of the undertones??? It really didn't help that she already knew how soft sexy lil heda's lips were 😏