The Emerald-Steel Collection

Road to you - Part 4

NOTES: I'm publishing the last 3 chapters of the Road to you series all today because 2 of them are really short

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FLASHBACK

Kryptonite lamps filled the room in a green light, not enough to hurt Kara, just to make her more vulnerable and keep things fair. Oliver and Kara sparred, as Oliver gave her some tips and taught her all types of fight he learned the 5 years he spent away.

- And just like that, you disarm your opponent. – He said, trapping her against the wall, pretending to twist her arms in her back, standing really close behind her. – The secret is to keep them from moving, and then you can apply some pressure and the pain they'll feel, will keep them from surprising you...

Kara nodded with her head and Oliver let her go. They sparred a bit more and then moved to weaponry, one of Oliver's favorite: Katanas.

- Where did you learn that? – Kara said surprised at how fast Oliver dominated the fight, as she lay on the ground and he pointed the sword he had on his hand, to her neck.

- Tatsu Yamashiro. In Hong Kong, 3 years after the accident.

- Hong Kong?

- Yes. – He offered his hand to help her get up – I wasn't at the island the entire time I was away. There was two times I ended up in another country, having to do other people's dirty work to survive. That's when I started to do something to actually do the right thing, instead. In Hong Kong I learned a lot more of sword fighting. I thought we should train with them today because if you ever find yourself powerless against someone with a sword, you'll know what to do.

- You had been through a lot, more than I've imagined. – She said, slowly approaching Oliver as she stared at each of his scars. She could see them more detailed now and she couldn't even try to imagine the pain they must have caused him.

Oliver took a deep breath and took a few steps closer.

- Remember when I told you that someday I would be able to tell you everything... From my years away?

- Yes.

- Well... I'm ready. And yes, I've been through a lot more than people think, but I know all of it is part of who I am. Everything I learned, the good and the bad, are part of me and I've realized with time that not everyone can or wants to handle all of me, because there's a lot of darkness and stuff that gives me nightmares.

- Sometimes when we share our burdens, the weight on our shoulders becomes a bit lighter. You can talk to me, you know that. – She smiled – I have my share of traumas too, I can handle it – She nodded, making him smile.

Oliver told her about the awful person he was, when he used to cheat on Laurel and how he brought Sara Lance with him on his father's boat, the accident, what happened on the island and the things he had to do to survive. Kara listened, thinking about how maybe no other humans she knew could handle half of that, and she finally learned why Oliver had a hard time trusting people, she saw how hard it was for her to win his trust. She understood why it was so hard for Oliver to open up and let people in, and why he was so abrupt and extreme when he dealt with criminals.

- See now why is also hard for me to try to think about dating? Is not that I always have to lie about how I spend my nights; it would be really hard to explain this and even harder to expect people to see past my scars and background.

- I get it but... I think part of fully loving someone is embracing who they are completely. The good and the bad, the scars, the baggage... So if that's a deal breaker for anyone, they didn't actually love you, and maybe that's why it never worked with anyone else before.

Oliver just stared at Kara with a mix of surprise and admiration. He was sure he never ever met anyone like her before and he was damn sure this was something he wouldn't hear from anyone else's lips. He gave her a smile, grabbing his shirt from the chair next to him and putting it on.

- You have a point. – He nodded - Thank you. Maybe I can try to believe nothing's lost and maybe there's hope for love in the future.

Kara acted without thinking, taking a few steps closer to him, her hand reaching for his cheek as she caressed it.

- There's always hope for love, Oliver. Even with the lives we live. – She realized what she did and blushed, taking her hand from his cheeks - If it's right, we'll always find a way to make it work. And your scars doesn't define you, they are part of your story, of who you are. Hardships make us stronger and there's nothing wrong about it.

They stared at each other and she could hear his heart racing a bit faster. Her eyes met his as they stood inches from each other. Kara could see the doubt, the pain in his eyes, every single frustration he had, all fighting to crawl out. She stared at his scars, slightly touching them on his chest, as his muscles contracted with her soft touch. She stared back at him, their lips really close to each other's, while her hand went slowly up to his shoulder.

- Nothing wrong at all, I see now – Oliver whispered, feeling like he was hypnotized by her.

Her scent made him feel a bit dizzy and he slightly licked his lips, not taking his eyes from her lips because they seemed deeply inviting.

- Hey Kara... – Winn walked inside the room and jumped in scare, feeling really embarrassed and a bit disappointed – I'm sorry, I'm really...ok, never mind, I'll go now... Sorry again.

Winn left in a rush and Kara just stared at Oliver with her cheeks deeply red like a tomato, and they both started to laugh, nervously.

- I think we should go. – Kara said, feeling her cheeks burning. Oliver agreed and they left the room.

END OF FLASHBACK