grouphugs | [MEME] time to stay warm

[ Stubbornness didn't play a part in his decision; refusal to let Kara suit up and take part on the nightly patrol stemmed from making sure no one could make a connection between the appearances of Supergirl in Star City, and when the mayor's new girlfriend came for a visit. A decision easily regretted, after things had taken a particular turn. No bruises or injuries; low level street crime, while dangerous, carries a familiarity to it. Oliver's mistake was the location where it all happened. Those ill maintained docks at the abandoned industrial section of the Glades.

Rotting wooden plants gave way moments after the thugs were apprehended; plunging him into the frigid depths. Cisco did a far better job at making his suit water resistant than anyone else could have, but ultimately, it offered little in the way of protection. When he finally did get back to the foundry, where they'd agreed for her to wait, he's already stripping off the leather components, wet hair sticking to his head ]

K-Kara. [ Impossible to mask the shivers racking his body; or how pale his skin looks under the glow of overhead fluorescent light. Survival skills gained on the island had kept him from hypothermia; still, the idea of getting warm is all that matters right then ]

( Given that this was meant to be a routine takedown, Kara reluctantly agrees to stay behind at the foundry. Mostly because she realizes that as much as it thrills her to spend nights literally out on the town with Oliver, he has a point about the appearances of Supergirl and herself correlating. A point she begins to question when several hours pass without word. For such an easy task, there's no way it'd take this long.

Sitting and waiting isn't her style, at all. She spends the night getting to know the foundry extremely well. It feels almost like she's going stir-crazy with worry and something akin to cabin fever when he finally joins her. And her breath catches when he does; the sight of him causing her eyes to widen. )

Oliver! What... here. ( At once, she's spurred into action, rushing forward to strip the rest of the suit from him as quickly as possible.In less than a minute, his clothes are a haphazard pile on the floor. And Kara is using her super speed to locate some towels and a thermal blanket.

There's no time to admire the beauty of him when he's so unnaturally pale. She makes quick work of rubbing him down vigorously with a towel, both to get him dry and encourage some warmth back into his muscles and down into his bones. When he's as dry as she can get him, she bites her lip and the bullet, and spreads the thermal blanket down upon one of the mats. Kara strips her own clothing down to her underwear, and takes his hand gingerly. )

Come lay down with me. I've got you.

( She's already drawn an arm around him and tugged him against her, so that she can walk them both back toward the mat.)

[ Being aware of her abilities, having experienced them firsthand, never takes away from how awe inspiring they were. Someone being able to move at that speed and still have a certain grace. His ego didn’t get in the way, either. Reluctance to accept help was an ongoing theme; a stubborn trait that getting under control hasn’t always proved fruitful, but not this time, with only the two of them. Just a feeble attempt at helping remove the armored pieces of his suit before Kara comes zipping back with a towel and blanket, wiping away the remaining moisture. ]

Y--you didn’t have t-to. [ A protest that’s only half hearted as she stripped; body warmth was better than anything else in a situation like this, and when push came to shove, they both knew he wouldn’t win the argument. Instead, she’s guiding their movements towards the blanket laid down, and he nods, the easiest sign of consent.

Once they were on the blanket, he didn’t hesitate, both arms slipping around Kara to pull her close, and the sensation is amazing. Heat radiating from her, practically rolling off her body in waves, and his concern for getting her cold is diminished by the comfort. Swallowing hard, his lips press against her bare shoulder in an attempt at expressing his gratitude ]

You’re so warm. [ Still unable to completely get his shivers under control, they’ve at least calmed down, his arms tightened their grip on her, breathing in the subtle scent of her shampoo, and something else that’s just Kara ] I’m sorry. the comm went out when I hit the water.

You're important to me. I want--need to make sure you're all right. ( She all-but whispers, voice hushed, despite the fact that they're both very much alone. It's a thing that both of them have implied every day for a long while, but not yet spoken aloud. Now, she has, and there are no regrets along for the ride with that admission.

Kara's arms enfold him, tugging, urging him closer until she's folding him into her body, her own curling against his, the heat of her doing its work to bring warmth back into his bones and chase away the chill of the water. Bending her head, she presses her forehead against his, and chances a look into his eyes which, once she does, she can't find the will to glance away. )

You will be too, soon. Promise. ( With her in his arms, he is unknowingly as close to the sun as he might ever reach. And she, in turn, is closer to a kind of relief and happiness she's only dreamed of. Exhaling softly, she buries her head in the crook of his neck to breathe him in, her mouth curving into a little smile against his skin. )

It's all right. You're here and you're safe and you're with me. That's all that matters.

[ If asked, he would have struggled to come up with something that was better than Kara's smile. That was before he knew what it was like to feel it as opposed to merely seeing; the curve of her lips, soft, warm, pressing into his neck, and the intimacy of the moment wasn't lost on Oliver. Calmed the all too rapid beating of his heart that fighting against the cold brought on. Flexing his fingers, working out the ache that settled in his joints, they slip into the soft locks of hair, threading lightly ]

If this is the end result, maybe I should get close to hypothermia more often. [ A joke, even if not overly funny, said something about his spirits being lifted. The skin to skin contact is nearly blistering; driving away the needle like sensation that dotted along his body. Supergirl, the virtually indestructible protector of National City, felt delicate in his arms. ] At least now I know what renovations in the city to propose at the next council meeting.

[ Reaching down, his fingers clasp around her slender wrist, tugging it upwards. There's purpose to what he's doing even if Oliver has a difficult time making it obvious right away; guiding her hand, he trails her fingertips along the rough white ridge of a scar on his abdomen, the very place where Ra's al Ghul's blade once pierced. The reason two fold; distraction helps to take his mind away from the chill that she's helping to combat, and because it's a question he's wanted to ask. ]

These...[ Self conscious wouldn't be the word used to describe how he felt about the trauma endured; they all told a story, helped to shape the kind of man he became, and trading them away may have meant he never ended up here. With her. ]. The scars. They don't bother you?

( It's a kind of intimacy she's never known; but always wanted. The two of them laying face to face together, arms wrapped around each other. Kara's breathing is deep and relaxed, silently encouraging him further to calm himself as he warms up. She makes a soft hum of contentment to feel his fingers carding through her hair, and tips her head to lean almost imperceptibly into his touch.

She presses another chaste, gentle kiss to his neck, and sighs softly. )

You don't need to get close to hypothermia to cuddle, Oliver. All you need to do is ask. Or just do it. ( It's not overly funny, no. But her smile doesn't go anywhere, and in fact, she's shifting forward to be even closer, legs tangling with his. She doesn't need to be National City's heroine when she's here in his arms. It's a thought that makes her stomach flutter. ) Well, that's very true. Nothing like an... up close and personal inspection, right?

( Kara shifts her head, craning her neck to look curiously up at him as he takes her hand. When he lays her palm over one of his many scars, she breathes out, and trails the tip of her thumb along the rough surface gently. A caress, really.

...oh. Her features soften, and a light of vulnerability enters her eyes as she shakes her head. )

No. They tell me you've been through a lot, and that more than anything else, you're a survivor. Like me.

And skip the near death experience altogether? I'll take it into consideration.

[ Hearing those quiet sounds of approval left a matching wave of contentment to wash over his being; fingertips threaded carefully through her hair, brushing across her scalp, and he nodded nearly imperceptibility ] You just gave me permission to lift you up from behind and carry you away whenever I want this. For the record.

[ The trembling eases from a constant to at least thirty seconds between; head dropping against the mat, their gazes meet as she looks up, Kara’s touch featherlight, tracing back over the long since healed wound. Something in her look; empathy, without slipping into pity. She doesn’t even know how it eases a fear that he didn’t say aloud. To be seen as damaged. ]

There were days when a survivor was all I thought I could be. [ Prying never became a habit; but Kara’s told him enough to know that what she’s been through, while not everyone could see the after effects, was harrowing beyond imagination. The strength to still be positive and beautiful in spite of adversity made falling in love with her inevitable.

Both orphans of different reasons. Still grasping her wrist, another pull has her hand being lifted, and his lips press against her palm before releasing ] When moving is back on the agenda...there’s something I want to give you.

If excitement is what you're after, there's much nicer ways to find it than that.

( She laughs, quiet and soft, which turns into a hum of contentment thanks to the way he's playing with her head. It's nice--soothing. She continues to lean into his touch, her breath fanning warmly against his jawline as she reaches over to pull the blanket over them. )

I guess I did--and I guess I also won't complain whenever you make good on that.

( One corner of her mouth twitches upward in amusement. The feeling fades into something quieter, gentler; empathy. Her scars aren't visible, but they're very much a part of her. And not all of his are visible, either. Hardship is a thing they both have in common, and she'll never see him as anything other than strong and admirable for having endured it.

The fact that he doesn't walk on eggshells around her given her own losses means more to her than she'll ever be able to express. Few at home could ever understand. Because he does is one of the many reasons why she's fallen in love with him. Kara shivers, eyes intent on his as his lips touch the palm of her hand. It burns pleasantly, causing her smile to make a swift return. )

Oliver... thank you. For the record: having you in my life if more of a gift than I'd ever expected to receive.

There may have been a few people who’ve called me an adrenaline junkie. Excitement hasn’t been difficult to find lately...thanks to someone.

[ Glances like those were disarming; with the way his nights were spent, seeing the pit of humanity, and how dark the depths can be grated away at Oliver’s sense of self. Kara restored it by how sincere her eyes were. Pulling at something in his chest that had been dormant for awhile. Shifting slightly, blanket wrapped tighter around them, his hand moves away from her hair, fingertips on Kara’s skin, moving along her back, tracing imaginary patterns ]

That’s why you deserve even more. Being in Star City, you get used to how selfish people are, they don’t have a choice...they do what they have to in order to get by. Then there’s you...and I realize how lucky I am.

[ Leaning in, his lips brush hers in a chaste kiss before drawing back, reluctantly leaving the comfort of her warmth. Not having the heat of her body pressing into his feels like being thrown back out into the elements; being for a good reason soothes away some of the discomfort. Knowing what he’s looking for helps, too. Padding barefoot over to a table; the drawer opens with a metallic ring and he picks something out of it, folding his hand around the object.

Then it’s back to Kara; back to the warmth and comfort. Laying his hand over hers, a necklace drops into her palm, an arrowhead pendant hanging from it ] I have a little practice with making them...and I thought it could be a reminder, when you’re away.

Just a few? ( She teases, gently. ) I do what I can. By the way, I remember we talked about hovering once. We've not tried it yet, though.

( Her free hand ghosts up along his side, her touch soft, light. Kara turns her head briefly to place a kiss upon his chin, his stubble tickling her skin pleasantly. National City has a dark underbelly. But overall, it's a much brighter place than this city can be on a good day.

If she can bring Oliver some joy, then it's more than enough for her. )

It is tougher here than where I live. But you still go out there and do what you can. Day and night. I admire that a lot. You're not the only lucky one here.

( The kiss is reciprocated with a tender press of her mouth, but otherwise, it's all too brief for her liking. But rather than protest, she rolls over to warm the spot he'd vacated, leaving her own for him to settle into; it will feel as though a fire had been lit there.

She presses back against him when he returns to her, and glances curiously down at their joined hands. Then, her cheeks flush, and her eyes feel misty. They sting as though tears are imminent. And they might be. Kara sucks in a deep, steadying breath, and meets his eyes. )

It's beautiful! All the more because you made it. Can you put it on? Please.

( Gingerly, she lifts the tawny fall of her hair, and leans over to kiss him. )

Thank you. I'll treasure it, like I treasure you.

Yet being the operative words. There’s...a thousand things I want to do with you.

[ Not just of that nature; though those kind of thoughts have taken up just as large a piece of his time. Her kisses have a way of making him smile like the lovestruck teenager she made him feel; that, and knowing that she means every word, it was impossible to not allow in some of the happiness that he’s become so good at denying. ]

Kara, of course I’ll put it on you. [ The reaction, her eyes sparkling, and how her expression softens more threatens to take his breath away. Too many times he’s been told that sentimentality is a weakness; one that couldn’t lead anywhere but into the darkness….she’s proving it wrong. Deserve this? Deserve her? Probably not; but it’s something he’s willing to fight for.

Their lips still pressed together, he reaches around, catching the clasp of the necklace with ease, letting the silver chain fall down against her skin. Some may have thought it trivial; there’s no sparkling diamonds, or brilliant gemstones, just a meticulously crafted arrowhead. The meaning between the two of them was more important ]

As long as you like it, I’m happy.

Like what? I'd like to hear all about them, and I have all night to listen.

Of course not, and she would never make the mistake of thinking so. Previously, she's felt torn, stuck, at a loss when newly embarking upon a relationship with someone. This time is different. Kara doesn't feel lost or in a rut, faced with too many possibilities alone. It truly feels like they're equals, which, given how she had to keep half of herself set apart from the other men she's tried to date? Is a blessing as well as a first.

When she tells him she's never been this happy, she truly means it. )

Thank you. ( She says in a quiet murmur, bowing her head to render his task all the easier. Her mouth presses sweetly to his, and she inhales deeply, drinking him in. When their eyes meet, he'll see that hers are still bright, emotion vivid in them as she reaches to take one of his hands in hers. )

I love it. So long as you're happy, then so am I.

( Kara shifts, nestling in closer. His shivering is nowhere near as bad as it'd been before, but she's loathe to move. She can happily remain right here in his arms all night long. )

The two of us, all night. That doesn’t sound like such a bad plan...and thankfully I keep plenty of provisions here.

[ Bottled water and assorted protein bars count, don’t they? The idea to have a store away bed or cot is an idea for the future; being there with Kara is enough alone. A lesson already learned; a bittersweet ache might take place once she has to leave, no time soon, but dwelling on that has no purpose. Here and now; everything else can, and would, wait. Color returning to his lips, both from warmth and the kisses, a smile appears, genuine, the kind that reaches his eyes ]

I didn’t end up freezing….there’s nowhere I need to be, and I’m in the company of the only person I want to be around right now. Happiness is a guarantee.

[ Having Kara settling against him feels natural; the times he’s been able to hold her like this, they seem to last an eternity. When silence isn’t uncomfortable. He hadn’t taken so much comfort in the sound of someone’s breathing before. Keeping their fingers interlocked, his eyes close, a look of peace working into his expression ]

Do you have a favorite place back home? Somewhere just for you?

There's nothing else I'd rather be doing, no one else I'd rather be with, and nowhere else I'd rather be tonight than right here. And uh, I ordered pizza at a random address and brought my leftovers back here. So we have food.

( Bottled water totally counts! But protein bars, not so much. Thank Rao for foresight and pizza. She doesn't need a bed or a cot when they're laying together like this. His heartbeat is blessedly strong, and steady, and his breathing has evened out. Along with the healthy colour returning to his skin, she thinks she has all she could want or need in him. The thought brings an answering smile to her mouth, bright yet soft, its warmth also reaching her eyes. Oliver's smiles always have such a sweet, gentle look to them. Right now? She's blown away, just transfixed by him. )

What a coincidence, because it's a similar case for me.

( She exhales deeply, warm breath ghosting across his skin. One arm draped over him, tugging him closer. There's no better feeling in the world than this, is there? Her hand gives his a light squeeze, and she allows her own eyes to close.

She could reply to his question with a number of answers; the room where the AI of her mother is kept at the DEO, the Fortress of solitude--or something nobody else knows. She'll go with the lattermost of those. )

There's a beach in Midvale, where I saw birds for the first time. I like to go back there, when I need to be by myself... and just watch them. What about you?

Pizza? This is why I’m okay with you being both the beauty and the brains of this operation. It may not be a night at the Ostrander...but this, it’s actually better.

[ Even the icy plunge could be looked back as being worthwhile just to get to these results. Contentment tended to be a fleeting whenever it did show up; Kara had a way of stretching the moments out further, etching them into his memory with grace, and the brilliance of her smile. His belief in the proverbial ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ never carried much strength; being a vigilante, doing the things that he did, was meant to end in only one way. Just having her in his life makes Oliver question that ]

Star Bridge. Not overly original, considering it’s a city landmark, but...I get to see it from a different point of view from all of them. At night, when no one can see, I like to climb to the top and just look out...the water, the city.

[ The idle stroking of her hair isn’t something he’s even aware he’s doing any longer; fingers gently working through the blond strands, comforting for both of them, and his eyes remained close, moving just a touch to get further under the blanket with Kara ]

Is that what it’s like when you’re flying? You’re part of the world but away from it at the same time. Seeing it in a way no one else gets to.

Are you sure you're not the beauty of this operation? Because, uh... well, I mean! Look at you. Um. Anyway, I don't really need or want a night out. I'm really enjoying this, aside from your little swim.

( Kara's very awkward attempt at flirting leaves her flushed and flustered both. And smiling, while her eyes are squinted closed. Whether if it's her general state of relaxation or a cute version of 'if I can't see him, he can't see me!' is entirely up to him to interpret. It's getting harder to think of a time when she hadn't liked vigilantes so much. Or when she'd despaired of ever finding a partner who'd just get her. The fact that she more than likes one vigilante and has found more than simple understanding with him makes her see how wrong she'd been. )

That sounds beautiful, Oliver. Can we, uh--sit up there sometime, as a date? Maybe bring a blanket and some food and just watch the lights of the city? If you'd share that with me, I mean.

I can take you to that beach. The water would be warm--and the stars reflect right off the water at night. A mirror of light.

( Kara is finding that she rather enjoys it when he plays with her hair. She sighs deeply, and presses an idle kiss to his shoulder. Her fingers draw lazily up the length of his arm, her palm resting against his collarbone. And she settles in, warm and comfortable. Not once does she bother to open her eyes, though she's in no danger of dozing off just yet. )

Yeah. Yeah, it is. Except sometimes I move so fast that I miss things, and they blur together--which is why I want to take you. No crisis, no hurry, just enjoying the scenery. Without a magic carpet.

( There, she can't help but giggle a little. )

[MEME] time to stay warm

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