#qfxevents

Time might have stood still, standing there. And for a second she might forget she was about to do one of the things she considered scariest in her life. Her pulse was racing like wild and she was shaking just from meeting Lexa. Her throat felt dry as she said into Lexa’s hair, “I’m glad you made it.”

Lexa laughed against the side of her face, “me too.” she said. Then she finally pulled back, but kept her hands in Clarke’s and looked her up and down, “ready to go?” 

“No,” Clarke laughed softly, “but I’m going…” the terminal they would need to get on their plane was on the other side of the airport. People pushed by them. But Clarke hardly noticed. A thought hit her and she looked Lexa up and down, “don’t you need to eat?”

“We ate on the plane,” Lexa shrugged, “it was a six hour flight.”

“I can’t believe you flew all the way down here to come get me, and just fly eight hours back.” Clarke laughed, but she was so thankful Lexa had. Her friend knew she had a near-crippling fear of flying, that many things had been a show-stopper. But she was going to go through with this. Lexa was worth it.

“Of course I did,” Lexa smiled at her and reached up and caressed her face, “did you think I’d let you get on the plane alone?”

Clarke laughed, “I think you might have been afraid I wouldn’t have gotten on at all.”

Lexa smirked, “well...that may have been a tiny part of it. But you need to do something fun, Clarke, and to promote your writing. I know that book is burning holes in your head.” 

“I know..I know..I just…” Clarke trailed off and heaved out a heavy breath and tried to find words to say, “I mean...it means a lot. You doing this.” There was an amazing destination and a fun few days at the end of the flights. Just thinking of spending those days with Lexa brought a tiny smile to her face. 

“Well,” Lexa said, “if we don’t hurry, we’re not going to. Our next flight leaves in about twenty minutes.” she sounded like it wasn’t a big deal. But Clarke knew it was. Lexa tried staying calm on the outside but Clarke knew her enough to know that inside she was probably panicking.

“Okay..” Clarke said, but couldn’t say anything else. Within an hour, she would be high up in the air and not safe on the ground. The crippling fear came back as she reached down for her bag. Lexa was picking hers up too. But then warm fingers found her cold ones,

“Ready?” Lexa asked.

Clarke nodded, “as I’m going to be.”

“Good, cause we have to hurry,” then Lexa took off at a run, pulling her along. It was good they were already through security. Or they would never make it, “run, Clarke!” Lexa called back to her. Clarke did, the airport whipping past her. They did jostle through people now. But at least all her attention was focused on trying to keep up…

..a few minutes later, and out of breath, they arrived at the gate. As Lexa pulled out their tickets it kicked in for Clarke that this was it. Lexa was speaking. She was showing the tickets to the ladies behind the desk, “these our our tickets.”

“Did you have your passports?” the question was directed at both of them. Lexa already had hers ready. And to Clarke it felt like she wasn’t even there while she pulled out her id and showed it to the lady.

The lady inspected both and seemed to consider a few minutes. Finally she said, “okay, the plane is boarding. You can go ahead.” she nodded to the tunnel past the gate.

With those words, Clarke looked at it  too. She knew she was staring. But she couldn’t move.

“Clarke.” 

She didn’t answer. 

Lexa tried again, “Clarke?”

She whipped her eyes over to Lexa, “yeah?”

Lexa looked concerned, “are you sure you want to do this?”

Clarke nodded quickly, “I do.” she said, “on the other end of this…” she took a deep breath and said, “we’re going to have so much fun.” she offered Lexa a brave smile, “I can’t wait for that.”

“Okay,” Lexa said, her fingers tangling with Clarke’s, “lets go.”

“Okay.” Clarke answered. 

She walked with Lexa through the boarding tunnel, trying not to listen to the hollow sound it made that meant she was officially off the ground. A few minutes later they were finding their seats and Lexa allowed her to slide in first while she put the bags in the overhead compartment. Clarke, who had been looking out the window spoke up, “oh..I can help.”

“I got it.” Lexa said, and put Clarke’s back into the compartment too. Then she plopped down in her seat next to Clarke’s. Her hand found Clarke’s again, “I’m glad you’re doing this with me.”

Clarke smiled at her, excitement starting to tangle with and take over the nerves, “I am too.”

“I can’t believe it's finally here.”

“Me either,” Clarke said. They had been planning it for over half a year. The final boarding call was made, and the doors were closed up. As the flight attendants went through checking the tray tables and seatbelts, Clarke tried taking deep breaths. Especially when the plane started taxing out to the runway. 

“Here we go…” Lexa grinned over at her as the plane sped up, faster and faster, her hand found Clarke’s as gforce took over and pushed them both against the backs of their chairs. 

Clarke felt the minute the plane left the ground, the slight bump it made, and she felt it climbing higher and higher into the sky. But for some reason, her nerves were gone. All she could do was sit and look at the green eyes studying her. Taking a deep breath, knowing they had four hours and another plane to board ahead of them and then another four hours before landing in Florida seemed less important now. Using her hand that wasn’t holding Lexa’s in a death grip as the only remaining thing that kept her grounded Clarke stroked back strands of brown hair that had fallen out of Lexa’s braid, “I’m fine.”

Lexa kissed the back of her hand, “really?” she asked softly.

Clarke nodded, “yeah.”

“Good,” Lexa grinned wide and settled back in her seat, hand still holding Lexa’s, “QFX...” she began to say.

“Here we come!” Clarke finished for her. Excitement took over as she thought of the fun they would have. Especially with Lexa there.

She couldn’t wait. 

-=Special Announcement!=-

Hi Guys! I hoped you like the ficlet.  So, I have a huge announcement to make. Each year, there is a music festival I’ve attended for at least the last twenty years, which has become something of a tradition. And Clexa-Con is always scheduled on the exact same days as this festival. So I never get to go. Including 2020.

However!  This year there is news!  I am going to QFX East in Florida with @cynic-and-a-saint in May!  I’m so excited, looking forward to talking to peers, readers and other writers! So I was wondering who else is going? I’d love to meet up if we can.

Also, on a side note, the fear of flying in the ficlet may be based on a real fear. Soooo...if anyone has any advice on how to deal with the planes...that would be great. :D

Have fun!