You See the Smile That's On My Mouth (it's hiding the words that don't come out)

Fanfiction
Title:	You See the Smile That's On My Mouth (it's hiding the words that don't come out)
Author(s):	heartshapedcandy
Date(s):	Published April 15 – September 28, 2015
Length:	48,677 words; 4 chapters
Genre:	femslash
Fandom:	The 100
External Links:	AO3 link
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You See the Smile That's On My Mouth (it's hiding the words that don't come out) by heartshapedcandy is a popular Clexa fanfiction hosted on Archive of Our Own. It is a modern AU that follows Clarke and Lexa through the years from childhood to young adulthood. The fic was published in 4 chapters from April 15 to September 28, 2015.

This fic was the runner-up in the "Best Friends to Lovers Fanfiction" category at the 2017 Clexa Fanfiction Awards. On AO3, it has in excess of 239k hits, 11.3k kudos, 680 comments, and 2.2k bookmarks as of January 2021.

The summary from AO3:

It takes Clarke and Lexa about five seconds to fall in love, but it takes them way too long to realize it. This is that way-too-long.

or

a story in which Clarke and Lexa kiss too much and communicate too little

Reactions and Reviews

This is it. This is The One. The Best. The most perfect, amazing, wrenching, breathtaking story. It is INSANELY good. Like, better than good. It is so so so so so beautiful. Thank you so much for writing it. I don't even know where to start. I loved the way you wrote their beginning. Their whole childhood intertwined and every breath one breathed out taken in by the other. And the way they tangle together so perfectly and smell of summer and it's all they know and the way they feel so full when they look at each other. It was like reading of the most pure and beautiful love. It was like reading what love -is-, you know? Omggggg. And then when they're getting older and it's written off as "just how best friends feel, right?" and each one holds so tightly. And how their whole lives are basically shared. And how Finn was there and how Lexa figures herself out but they both still skirt around it and Clarke just doesn't pin it down. And how Clarke still gets sweaty palmed and flustered around her other interests but accepts/also sort of refuses to consider how when she's with Lexa it wraps its way through her bones. And how Octavia is cognizant of the whole thing but doesn't say anything because it's "not her place" (which, btw, is so Octavia like omg). And how you wove every character so flawlessly into the story. Anya was so perfect and glitteringly distant I can't breathe. And when she graduated and they were sitting on the bleachers, and how both knew what the other was saying, and how they cared about each other but in such a weird way and how Anya always called her "pretty girl" I mean what sort of brilliant writing. And all of your vignettes with Octavia just made it so much more powerful in the end with her being the one to spark some fight back into Clarke. Octavia was always there and you showed that with your different bits of them having sleepovers and painting nails and how Octavia glanced over at Clarke that first time in spin the bottle when her spin landed on Lexa and it all just beautifully added up to this trust and credibility in Octavia's character which was so softly done and yet so perfect. She'd been through Clarke's whole childhood with Lexa so she -knew- about it and understood and had just carefully observed this whole time and finally it was all crumbling and she was like, Clarke. she. loves. you. and yes I'm so glad she was there so smack some fight into Clarke. And your inclusion of Bellamy!! A testament to your writing how he was only there for a few parts but every time he appeared it fit so well into who everyone is and who -he- is and how he's so strong and there for Clarke. And I feel like I've been skipping over Lexa but how she figured out Clarke was for her so early on and treated her with such care and respect and reverence. And how she would only smile her unbridled smile for Clarke and talked to Clarke like she hung the moon and it was just so omg. And when Clarke was away that first summer and she came back and Lexa was tall and long limbed and so beautiful and how Clarke forgets to breathe but ofc that's just a best friend thing. And how Jake and Abby watch them as they stand outside on the sidewalk for twenty minutes, just fitting together. And Jake and his "Lexa-rexa." Like, that is so real. That is such a Jake thing. And I can only say it's a Jake thing going off of what you've written in this story but you just crafted it so perfectly that I can't even imagine it any other way. And Costia. My God I was sort of hoping she wouldn't even show up because I knew it would be heartbreaking and then she did and she was so wonderful and Lexa loved her so much but there was Clarke shining like the sun and FINALLY Clarke figured it out and I was breaking with Clarke but also Lexa, Lexa, my girl, had finally found this perfect creature but what about Clarke and I was so thankful that you had already written it all out for me so that I didn't have to die. And I realize this has devolved into a list of just random "And thens" but I honestly have so many feelings about this story and all of these things (and many more) made me grin so madly at how much they made me feel. And all of this was inspired by your writing.

(sorry--ran out of characters so I'll wrap it up but) I just want you to understand how brilliant I think this story is. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I will treasure it forever.

This is, with no doubt, the most amazing THING I've ever read my whole life. Not only the best fanfic, but the best written thing. And I'm a huge fucking bookworm. I'm not ashamed to say that you made me have deepest feelings towards written words then I've ever had towards actual people. Thank you SO SO MUCH for it. And please, for the sake of humanity, KEEP WRITING STUFF, you are so talented.

if, in like 30 years, you're still writing clexa fic and the rest of the fandom has withered to nothing but you're getting sporadic hits on your stories so there must be at least one person who's reading them and you're like, who the fuck is it--it's me. that person is me, and i'm too overwhelmed by your wonderful prose to leave a comment. your interpretation of clexa is my favorite interpretation, bar none. i saw this fic rec'd on tumblr and i started reading it (actually, aside: i saw the link multiple times on AO3 and almost clicked on it multiple times, but every time i read the summary i would be like, no, this is too much; i am certain this fic has the power to structurally destroy me and now is Not The Time For That.) anyway, i started reading it and about halfway through the second chapter i was like, boy this sure reminds me of my favorite clexa series in the history of time and space. and then i checked the author and i was like, oh hey this is the person who wrote my favorite clexa series in the history of time and space. it must be Destruction Time. (it's the parentheses. the parentheses give you away.) trying to qualify how much i love your writing is like trying to define music or art--the best way to define it is to experience it, so i'm just gonna keep doing that.

This might be one of the most beautiful Clexa stories ever written. You had me hooked from the first few lines. You just captured everything and everyone so perfectly. This whole thing made me feel really emotional, and if I'm honest I'm kin of heartbroken to have finished it, even if the ending was utter perfection, just like the rest of this! Thank you for this masterpiece.

First time ever reading this and it's changed my world. I am an absolute sucker for clexa, for slow burn and for angst and this gave me EVERYTHING on every level. What a special fic and one of the best stories I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Not often do words make me feel this way, so beautiful and poetic. Going into the faves so I can re read as many times as I want.

When I think of Clexa modern au's this is at the top of the list. It's as great to read on the 100th time as it was the first time

I just finished reading this fic and your writing is amazing. I was so captured by the feelings these two were going through and was really invested in the story. (Read that as, I lost many hours of sleep not wanting to stop and just keep reading. It left me zombified the next day, but whatever. Worth it. Lol.)

As far as the way you wrote, I really felt everything. Even the angsty bits. And even some parts that really hit home. I loved it all and made me love these two even more. I'm glad they ended up together in the end.

Great job! :)

Fanworks

• Aesthetic Edit by thehaughtcommander