Tales of Emerald Steel

The flower shop

Kara sighed, looking around at the empty flower shop. She hadn't had any customer that day, and was done with all her tasks.

Not that she usually had a lot of them. After their retirement from the vigilante life, she and Alex had opened the shop, thinking that most of their business would be the lovestruck guys and grieving families.

However, it turned out that flowers weren't popular with most girls and that funeral homes took care of most arrangements for the families that had lost a loved one.

Kara didn't mind however, as people appreciated the care she gave to her flowers and how bigs they turned in exchange. Business was blooming so to speak.

But it had also gotten very boring, most of the interaction being made through emails and order bills. No human contact, no words spoken, just an order, a quick in-and-out of the part time delivery man James, and a payment through a credit card or PayPal.

Sighing again, she was about to go in her office to do some accounting when she suddenly heard the bell of the door sing. She spun around, only to gasp despite herself.

There, standing on the other side of the counter, was Oliver Queen. What was he doing here?

"H-hi" Kara said nervously "What can I do for you today?"

"Hi" he smiled, making Kara's heart miss a beat. Or two. "I'm was wondering if I could buy roses."

"Of course! What kind of bouquet are you looking for?"

"Oh, huh, actually, I only need one"

"One rose" Kara's eyebrow rose

"Yeah" he blushed, looking at the ground like a embarrassed little boy. A very, very cute, grown little boy.

"Okay. I'll have to cut it from one of the bushes. Come with me, you'll be able to choose which one you want"

"With pleasure" he nodded, following her in the greenhouse

"Wow" he gasped when he saw all the flowers "This is beautiful!"

"Thank you" she beamed

"I wondered what was inside the greenhouse when I arrived, but I could never have guessed... There's so many. This must take a lot of work"

"It does!" she agreed as she led him to the part where she had the roses growing "Especially without pesticides"

"It's this why the perfume is much stronger?"

"Partially, but it's mainly because it's stuck inside the greenhouse"

"I was really thankful to find this place. All the others were far outside Star City or only took online orders."

"To be honest, me and my sister only continue to give direct services because the counter is a part of the building. We rarely if ever get a customer in person"

"That's more time for you with the plants right?"

"Yes, but it's also more lonely time. My sister can't help me every day so I often find myself all alone"

"That's a shame... I mean, about the customers. They're missing quite an opportunity, not coming here to see you directly. They miss this beautiful view" he gestured around them, Kara included

"Mister Queen, if I didn't know better, I would think that you're flirting with me" she blushed slightly as they arrived by the rose bushes, which was near the table where she made the bouquet. Since she had finished those an hour ago, she even had the time to clean it.

"What would you do if I said that I was?"

She swiftly turned around at that, looking for a clue of amusement or tease. But she found none, instead finding beautiful green eyes roaring with passion.

"I-I-I would say that you'll need to do a little more than just tell me I'm beautiful before throwing me in a bed"

"Oh Kara, you're worth so mush more than that. After all, it's not like it would be easy to conquer the Girl of Steel."

Her eyes went wild at that, not knowing how to answer. "H-how?"

"We never quite give each other our names, not that we really talked much the last time we saw each other."

"The last time we spoke? But I've just..." she wondered aloud before she finally connected the dots "Green Arrow! That's you?"

"I hope your not too much disappointed to learn who I am" he said

"N-no. I mean, you're the same person right? Even if you're not wearing your hood"

"I, myself, wouldn't even be sure how to answer you... But a memory thatI do know that he and I share is the night that we shared with the Girl of Steel. How we made her sing loudly and wildly. How I loved to have her in my arms. How I loved that moment we shared. And how much I hope that'll get a second night with her, if only to share a moment of her time" he said, walking closer to her

Kara didn't how to respond, stepping back until she was trapped between her table and him, putting up no resistance when his arm snaked around her waist

"Do what do you say, Girl of Steel? Would you let me rock your world like you did mine?"

"Y-yes" she said, finally deciding to throw caution out the window "Yes!"

Convinced, Oliver smirked and leaned in, pressing his lips to hers.

If anything else happened in this particular spot of the greenhouse, nobody would ever know. Nobody except the roses, who would probably have complained about getting covered by clothes. Or the table, who Alex would have swore never, never, to touch it again if she new what happen on the poor piece of furniture.