Now the adrenaline rush of watching the match has worn off, Clarke’s left with butterflies. A flurry that only intensifies when Lexa walks into the treatment room, skin flushed, a sheen of sweat on her collarbones and the slope of her chest, an unrestrained smile pressing into her glowing cheeks.
“How are you feeling?” Clarke asks, ignoring the way her heart rate kicks up a notch in Lexa’s presence. She scrutinises Lexa’s movement as she takes her usual perch on the table without prompting. “You seemed to lock up at one point in the final set.”
“I overextended my stride, that’s all. It was an intense match.”
“Hm.”
Lexa’s voice dips into a low, teasing lilt. “I saw you getting into it.”
The attitude, Lexa’s little smirk, is far more appealing than it should be, but there’s a warm sincerity that threads through her words when she adds, “I’m glad you came.”
Clarke could pretend otherwise but the truth is watching Lexa in her element is astounding, heart-stopping, and she didn’t want to miss it.
So she swallows down the instinct to be contrary. Nods, “Me too.”
The admission hangs in the air while they watch each other from opposite sides of the room. And, with it, something loosens in Clarke’s chest. Lexa’s eyes hold hers, steady and magnetic, and she isn’t even aware she’s in motion until she finds herself in front of Lexa, standing less than a foot away.
Without a word, Lexa reaches out and snags the lanyard hanging around Clarke’s neck. Leverage enough to tug Clarke that final step closer, hips bumping up against Lexa’s knees. Her breath hitches at the contact.
“Lexa…” she says, more a rough, quiet exhalation than a fully formed word.
“Clarke.”
God, the way Lexa says her name. The click of the hard consonants. It sends a tingle up and down her spine, has Clarke pressing closer, heavy eyes fastening to the secret smile that curves across Lexa’s lips. For her part, Lexa makes no attempt to conceal her own open staring. Zeroing in on Clarke’s mouth like it's the real prize today.
Clarke’s heart is beating faster than it was during the match. All because of Lexa’s intoxicating nearness, the scent of her and the heat of her body, and the lure of those gorgeous pouty lips.
And fuck it. Fuck it. Clarke can’t hold back, can’t deny herself this any longer.
She isn't sure who moves first, only that they meet halfway in a soft collision, lips parting to one another in an instant. Humid, heavy puffs of breath mingle with halting little noises, and if Clarke’s knickers weren’t already damp from Lexa’s performance on court, then this would do it. Because Lexa’s kiss is every bit as thrilling. A shiver runs through Clarke when Lexa’s tongue swipes across her bottom lip, licks into her open mouth. Long, slim fingers weave into her hair and she trembles, all self-control unravelling under Lexa’s touch.
Her own hands are restless as they grip Lexa’s shoulders, shifting along until her thumbs brush the sides of Lexa’s neck. Lexa purrs, actually purrs, and Clarke decides she wants to catalogue every small sound this woman makes.
“I’ve wanted to do this since you scolded me in our first session,” Lexa says between kisses, the whispered words partly muffled by Clarke’s lips.
“Do you have a thing for being told off?” Clarke asks, hand sliding around to cup the back of Lexa’s neck. She’s so warm, skin feverishly hot against Clarke’s palm.
Lexa’s laugh is a gorgeous, breathless thing.
“I have a thing for you.”
The words thrill through Clarke. Arousal spikes between her legs and she kisses Lexa again harder, teeth sinking into the plush softness of her lower lip. Just for a second, just to provoke a quiet growl. The fingers in Clarke’s hair and at her hip tighten, nails scraping gently against her scalp, digging into the fabric of her trousers, and Clarke gasps helplessly into Lexa’s mouth.
Well it’s July 1st which means Wimbledon has officially started but more importantly it time for my annual (at least) reread of GSTYM!
With the Olympics coming up I was wondering… does Lexa ever make it to the Olympics? Is that something she is even interested in? (Apologies if you have already answered this)
I’m thrilled to hear you’re doing a reread!
Y’know, I was sure I’d written a headcanon about GSTYM Clexa at the Olympics, but I can’t find it for the life of me. But to answer your question: yes, eventually!
Lexa didn’t get the call after winning Wimbledon (others were ranked higher and had better form), but in the intervening years between then and the next Olympics, after she wins a few more grand slams and a bunch of prestigious titles on the tour, she does get selected to represent the USA. She goes on to win gold in the singles and mixed doubles, and even Anya gets a bit choked up when Lexa climbs the podium during the medal ceremonies, overjoyed (internally) to see that formerly scrawny kid reach the absolute pinnacle of athletic achievement. As Lexa stands proud and tall while the anthem plays, hands linked behind her back and her chin held high, basking in the glory and glowing with happiness, her eyes seek Clarke in the players’ enclosure. Clarke is on her feet with the rest of the spectators, but Lexa could pick her out of any crowd, drawn to her like a beacon.
And the sloping little smile Lexa wears grows bigger and brighter by the second, because despite the distance she’s able to read every thirsty thought on Clarke’s face as if it’s being broadcast on a jumbotron.
In Clarke’s defence, she’s always been an enthusiastic supporter of her wife in sports apparel, but Lexa in that Team USA tracksuit? The jacket unzipped halfway? A medal around her neck?
Clarke is going to need a minute. Or thirty.
Actually, she might never recover.
(She’s also going to have to insist the medal stays on when she congratulates Lexa in private later.)
Madison Keys' exit from Wimbledon today through injury felt like some pre Grand Slam Thank You Ma’am. DIdnt Lexa suffer a groin strain, or am i misremembering?! 👀😎
Hamstring for Lexa, but yes!
Watching Emma Raducanu need a court-side medical time out had me all in my GSTYM feelings too.
Hi there :-) What's your favourite of your own fics? What would you recommend to a reader and why?
Hey! 👋
It’s an old one but Grand Slam Thank You Ma’am (tennis au) has firmly cemented its place as my fave. I enjoyed writing it so much and I think that probably shines through. It’s a lighthearted read, liberally sprinkled with smut, and the only real angst is around Lexa’s recurring injury. It has my favourite ending of anything I’ve written too, just deeply satisfying on multiple levels.
(Special mention to model!au, the fic that never was, because the headcanons were gold and I love model!Lexa and her fake European accent with my whole heart.)
I gotta tell you Nachos I just love your writing. I love revisiting your work. I'm currently re-reading GSTYM (just finished chapter 2) and I'm just down right giddy about how you've written these two. They're so thirsty and smitten and sweet and funny. Every time I'm like okay this fic is my favorite fic of yours and then I read another fic of yours and I'm like no no this one is my favorite. I can't choose anymore. I love them all dearly. Thank you for all your lovely words. Anyways I had to pause my reading to let you know :) I hope you have a great day!
This is so lovely, I’m actually at a loss for words. Thank you 🥹 Hope you have a wonderful day too!
