Chapter Text
Lexa, as she preferred to be called, had never believed in love at first sight. Yet, the first time she laid eyes on Costia, something had happened. She had felt — even though it wasn’t a romantic encounter or a moment suspended in time — that Costia was different from the others. No, their first meeting had been anything but perfect.
Costia, as usual, was cheerfully chatting with her friends in the crowded campus hall. Her blonde hair caught the sunlight effortlessly, drawing glances without even trying. Costia was a simple young woman, someone you could quickly feel at ease with: she was like a spark that could light up any dark room the moment she stepped inside.
It was her first year of medical school, and yet many students already knew who Costia Green was. That day, she was helping organize a fundraiser for a project, going from group to group trying to convince people to participate.
On the other side of the hall, Lexa, meanwhile, was walking briskly, trying to go unnoticed. In three years of university, she had become the embodiment of discretion—slipping through the shadows, a book in hand, her gaze always fixed straight ahead, carefully avoiding social interactions. For her, college was a place for studying, nothing more. The only connections she had formed were with her cousin Anya and her brother Lincoln, both also students at the university. Chatter, shared smiles, student events—all of that seemed unnecessary and distracting to her, much to the dismay of her cousin, who invited her to every party and was always met with a refusal. In contrast to Costia, Alexandra was the complete opposite: quiet, introspective, and thriving in the margins of the world where no one expected anything from her.
Their worlds were not compatible, and nothing suggested they were meant to cross paths. And yet, on that winter day, they collided—quite literally.
Costia, too absorbed in her conversation, took a step back and bumped into Lexa, who was trying to slip through the crowd to get to class. The brunette stumbled slightly, and the bag on her shoulders fell backward.
“Oh, I’m so sorry!” Costia exclaimed as she turned around, visibly embarrassed.
Lexa quickly straightened up and picked up her bag, her green eyes locking onto Costia with a look that was half-annoyed, half-disoriented. She hated situations like this.
“It’s fine.” She said coldly, hoping that would be enough to end the encounter.
She was ready to walk away, but Costia wasn’t put off by the icy tone. She knew this type of person—reserved, quiet, with a lovely shell just waiting to be gently cracked open. She found them fascinating, being the complete opposite herself.
“Seriously, I wasn’t watching where I was going. Did you drop anything?”
Her eyes glanced down at the bag Lexa had picked up, while the brunette sighed inwardly. She could already tell this conversation was going to last longer than she would’ve liked.
“No, it’s fine.” She eventually replied, adjusting the bag on her shoulders.
But Costia couldn’t help adding with a bright smile:
“I’m Costia. And you?”
Lexa hesitated for a moment; her eyes fixed on Costia’s outstretched hand. She wasn’t the type to introduce herself to strangers, especially not in such an awkward situation. Caught off guard, she eventually gave in—maybe out of politeness, or perhaps because of something new stirring within her.
“Lexa.” She said briefly, keeping her hand in her pocket.
There was a moment of silence on one side, relaxed on the other. Despite Lexa’s clear discomfort, Costia felt her curiosity growing. Something about Lexa’s distant demeanor intrigued her—maybe even attracted her.
“What are you studying?” she asked, determined to crack the shell of this mysterious girl.
“Law.” Lexa replied curtly, unsettled by the sudden conversation.
“Law? That’s impressive! I’m in medicine. First year, actually. It’s tough, but I love it!”
Lexa nodded, not really knowing how to respond. She silently hoped the blonde would take the hint and let her go. But somehow, she couldn’t help but find her enthusiasm… oddly charming.
“Well then, I won’t bother you any longer. Have a nice day, Lexa.” Costia said, placing just a bit of emphasis on her name.
And to Lexa’s surprise, Costia winked at her before turning and heading back to her group of friends, who had moved on after the bump—leaving Lexa standing there, stunned.
The blonde’s behavior had left Lexa speechless. Not only was Costia a pretty girl, but she also seemed so natural and full of life. Her thoughts were interrupted when Anya suddenly grabbed her arm with a teasing grin.
“Well, well… since when do you flirt, Wood? Are you running a fever?” she asked, chuckling.
“Let me go, Anya, I’m going to be late.”
“Didn’t seem like you were in a rush while your little blonde was chatting with you, huh! That’s right—run away, Wood!” Anya called out as Lexa quickened her pace through the hall toward her lecture hall.
Days went by, and they didn’t run into each other again. Yet Lexa couldn’t stop thinking about Costia. Something about the young woman had stirred something inside her. She wondered if Costia was always that warm with strangers, if it came naturally to her with everyone she met. She wondered if she was always that clumsy, if she was a good student. A flood of questions filled her mind—and Anya’s teasing didn’t help.
Costia, on her side, had done a bit of digging about Lexa. She learned that Lexa was in her third year of law school, that she had a cousin finishing her law doctorate, and that her brother was in Costia’s own class. She tried several times to approach Lincoln, hoping to casually get more information, but it was in vain—the boy was definitely his sister’s brother. So, she started hanging around the law lecture halls, hoping to catch those green eyes that had haunted her ever since. But day after day, it ended in disappointment.
Eventually, she overheard Lincoln talking on the phone about a student party. Her heart skipped a beat when she realized he was talking to Lexa, and she listened intently.
“Please, Lexa, it’s Anya’s last year. She really wants you to come.”
“It’s her birthday, after all.”
“I promise it’ll be fine this time. I know the other parties didn’t go well for you, but this year I’ll be there. I won’t leave you alone!”
“Promise—I’ll pick you up at 7. Love you.”
Costia smiled to herself. She was finally going to see her again—and maybe even talk to her.
That evening, Costia slipped into a lovely green dress that brought out the emerald in her eyes. She wore a light rose-scented perfume and waited nervously for any sign that the brunette had arrived. Minutes passed, and still nothing. More and more students filled the venue, the atmosphere growing louder and livelier by the second. She was starting to lose hope—until she finally spotted her.
Lexa had arrived, dressed in a sleek black outfit, with a glass of water in hand. She stood slightly apart from her brother, who was chatting with what looked like his group of friends. She clearly felt out of place in the loud, crowded environment. Costia, summoning her courage, made her way toward her, her trademark warm and radiant smile firmly in place.
“Hey, Lexa—fancy seeing you here.”
Lexa looked up, surprised to hear the voice that had been echoing in her head for days coming from somewhere other than her thoughts.
“I’m surprised you remember me.”
“You’re kind of hard to forget.” Costia said with a light laugh, her words visibly confusing Lexa.
“I mean, I rarely get bumped into so gently.”
“Sorry, that wasn’t my intention.”
Lexa raised an eyebrow, suddenly a little more amused by the situation.
Costia took a seat beside Lexa, and instinctively, Lexa shifted slightly away, as if even brushing against the blonde was somehow forbidden.
“I’ve been trying to run into you again since the... incident. No luck.”
“Why?” Lexa replied, feeling her cheeks warm and her pulse quicken.
“I don’t know. You intrigued me.” Costia finally answered.
A silence fell between them—awkward on Lexa’s side, but calm on Costia’s. Lexa wasn’t used to this kind of admission, and it threw her off. Should she respond? Was there even something to say? And why had she intrigued her? Was it a good thing or a bad thing? So many questions raced through Lexa’s mind, and Costia quickly sensed she might have gone too far.
“So... are you having fun?” She asked, trying to change the subject and ease the tension.
Lexa shifted her gaze to the crowd around them and felt her shoulders loosen a little.
“This isn’t really my kind of party.”
“Not surprised. I mean—you don’t really seem like a party girl. But... I’m glad you’re here. Maybe we could talk a bit? Just to help you forget you’re actually at one of these things.”
Something stirred in Lexa’s chest—an unfamiliar but strangely comforting feeling. There was something about Costia’s bright, positive energy that softened her natural defenses. Maybe, just this once, she could let her guard down.
From across the room, she caught a glimpse of Anya grinning at her. When their eyes met, her cousin didn’t hesitate to throw her a knowing wink.
The evening went by surprisingly fast, and Costia insisted on walking Lexa back to her room. It had been a pleasant conversation, and Lexa found herself enjoying the night far more than she had expected. Maybe she could make friends after all. But the word friend didn’t sit quite right with her—because the truth was, she liked Costia more than she had imagined.
Ten years had passed since their first encounter, and their bond had only grown stronger. It had taken time for Lexa, and patience from Costia, before the two finally became a couple. Lexa had since become a brilliant lawyer, working tirelessly at a prestigious firm, while Costia, still in medical school, was juggling classes and hospital rotations. Yet despite their busy lives and contrasting personalities, they always came back to one another—like two magnets impossible to pull apart. Their opposing nature created a strange but perfect balance between them.
That evening, Costia walked lightly down the stone path leading to their apartment. Her blonde hair floated gently with her steps, and a thin linen jacket kept the cool evening breeze at bay. She was in a good mood: it had been another rewarding day, and she felt like she was truly moving forward in her professional path. Ever the social butterfly, she greeted each neighbor she passed along the way with a smile.
As she unlocked the door to their apartment, she heard the soft clacking of keyboard keys coming from the study. Lexa was still deep in work. Always serious, always focused—one of the very things that had first drawn Costia to her. She walked in, set her bag down, and made her way to the office where Lexa was working.
“Still working on that complicated case?” Costia asked with a smile.
Lexa looked up, and a faint smile appeared on her face. It wasn’t one of those bright, effortless smiles Costia always wore, but it was sincere—and reserved only for her.
“There’s always a complicated case in this job.” Lexa replied calmly, before closing her laptop.
“How was your day?”
Costia stepped closer and placed a soft kiss on Lexa’s cheek.
“Long, but good. I got to observe—and even assist with—a more complex surgery than usual. I learned so much. It was amazing!”
Lexa nodded, fully attentive to her girlfriend’s words. She didn’t always show her emotions, but Costia knew that behind that distant façade was a deep admiration. Lexa was incredibly proud of her, even if she rarely said it out loud.
“You’re making huge strides toward your degree—it’s incredible. You’re incredible. I’m really proud of you.” Lexa murmured, her serious gaze softening.
She kissed her gently on the lips before standing up. Costia smiled, but she could read every subtle expression on Lexa’s face—and she saw the fatigue in her eyes.
“And you’re exhausted. I can see it. How about a break? I can make dinner.”
“No, I’ll take care of it. You’ve done enough today. Just relax, my love.” Lexa said, shaking her head gently.
Costia nodded, a mischievous sparkle in her eyes.
“All right, but only if you agree to come with me to that party on Saturday. I know you hate those kinds of things, but it would really mean a lot to have my girlfriend there with me.” And with that, she disappeared into the bathroom.
Lexa let out a soft sigh. Big parties and social events where she had to mingle with strangers had never been her thing. But for Costia, she could make the effort. That thought pulled her into memories—back to how they had met their best friend, Clarke.
Costia, dressed in a casual yet elegant dress, moved gracefully through the crowd. She greeted familiar faces, exchanged smiles and jokes with other students she knew. Her good mood was contagious—it was hard not to be drawn to her radiant energy. Lexa, for her part, had chosen something more understated. She kept a bit of distance from Costia, eyes always on her partner. It wasn’t her scene, and Costia knew it. But Lexa had agreed to come, just to make her happy.
While Costia was chatting with a group of friends, a young blonde woman with striking blue eyes, wearing a medical school lab coat, approached. Her smile lit up the room the moment she joined the conversation. Costia immediately noticed her and, true to form, was the first to reach out.
“Hey! I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Costia!” She said warmly.
Lexa, who had been standing off to the side, felt a knot form in her stomach as she took in Clarke’s presence—and a flicker of curiosity sparked within her. She quickly walked over to join Costia.
The blonde woman smiled back and shook her hand enthusiastically.
“Clarke. Clarke Griffin. Future doctor—five years to go!” She turned toward Lexa.
“And you are ?”
Lexa didn’t get a chance to answer—Costia jumped in, clearly excited by the new encounter.
“You’re in med school? That’s awesome, me too! I’m in my third year. How’s it going for you?”
Clarke gave a modest shrug.
“Let’s just say it’s a lot of work, but definitely worth it. I’m guessing you know what I mean.”
“Oh, trust me, I do. What specialty are you thinking about?” Costia was now fully engaged in the conversation, genuinely curious.
As they exchanged stories about their medical journeys, Lexa, who had stepped slightly back again, watched them quietly. She studied Clarke—her confidence, the ease with which she connected with Costia. The growing rapport between them made something stir inside Lexa, something she couldn’t quite explain. Clarke seemed perfect: intelligent, sociable, pretty. And for reasons Lexa didn’t yet understand, that bothered her.
Costia burst out laughing at one of Clarke’s jokes, and the increasing closeness between them was becoming obvious. Lexa frowned slightly, folding her arms, silently waiting for Costia to include her in the conversation. She was usually reserved—but this wasn’t just discomfort. Something deeper was gnawing at her.
Unexpectedly, Clarke turned toward her.
“And you? Are you in med school too?” She asked, a little more timidly now, her confident gaze softening.
“Oh! I totally forgot to introduce you!” Costia blurted, suddenly flustered.
“This is Lexa, my girlfriend.”
She took Lexa’s hand and gave her a reassuring smile.
“No, I’m studying law.” Lexa answered directly, turning her attention to the other blonde.
“Oh, that’s impressive too. You must be pretty busy with all that studying.” Clarke said, trying to keep the mood light, though she could sense Lexa wasn’t overly eager to talk.
“It’s fine.” Lexa replied, with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
She didn’t bother adding anything else.
Costia glanced at Lexa, sensing the subtle tension between them. She recognized that coldness—Lexa’s usual defense—but she wasn’t one to let such discomfort hang in the air. She gently squeezed Lexa’s hand, a calming gesture she had grown used to offering whenever her girlfriend felt overwhelmed.
“Lexa is amazing at what she does. She has a real gift for legal arguments.” Costia added with a smile, trying to smooth over the awkwardness.
Lexa gave a small nod, her gaze drifting away again, as if she were searching for an exit from the conversation. Clarke, for her part, noticed the shift in atmosphere and chose not to press further.
“Well, I’m sure you two make a great team.” Clarke said, trying to bring some warmth back into the exchange.
Costia’s smile widened, while Lexa’s remained neutral. Clarke eventually turned her attention back to Costia, and the two continued to share stories and jokes. Lexa stayed quiet, observing, analyzing. She knew Clarke hadn’t done anything wrong. And yet, something about how effortlessly she had captured Costia’s attention didn’t sit well with her.
The night went on, and when Clarke finally left to rejoin her group of friends, the couple was left alone again. Costia turned to Lexa with a teasing glint in her eyes.
“So? What do you think of her? She’s nice, right?”
“She’s… fine.” Lexa finally replied, eyes still on the crowd.
Costia's tone was playful and she let out a soft laugh.
“Fine? Come on, she’s great. It’s nice to meet another med student who’s not in my year.”
Lexa didn’t respond. She knew Costia was right—Clarke had been more than fine. She was funny, interesting. But that strange, tight feeling in her chest wouldn’t go away.
“I can see you’re not convinced.” Costia said, shaking her head with a chuckle.
“But I’m sure Clarke could become a great friend. For both of us.”
She paused, then added with a knowing look:
“If this is some kind of jealousy, just know you have nothing to worry about. She might be pretty, but she’s not you. You’re my favorite person. You’re the one I love—never doubt that, Lexa.”
She leaned in and kissed her deeply, sensing Lexa needed reassurance. Despite the cold exterior she often wore, Costia had a way of reminding her that she was never in competition with anyone. And it worked—every time. Lexa relaxed and returned the kiss. Yes, she had nothing to fear. They were Lexa and Costia. That night, despite the buzz of the party and meeting Clarke, they remained—as always—together in their own little world.
The sight of Costia stepping out of the bathroom pulled Lexa out of her thoughts.
“All right.” She said.
“I’ll go with you to that party. But we’re not staying late.”
Costia burst out laughing, taking that as a clear victory. She knew Lexa preferred the quiet of their apartment or more low-key outings. But from the start of their relationship, they had both learned to adapt—balancing each other's needs while respecting their differences. It was one of their greatest strengths.
“Oh, and by the way,” Costia called out playfully as she headed toward the kitchen, “don’t forget—gossip date with Clarke tomorrow at 4 p.m. at Mid’s Café!”
She didn’t wait for Lexa’s response and immediately got to work preparing dinner.
That night, she began to feel the first signs of a strong headache.