[ she'd like to think she's capable of subtlety. it's a happy accident when she manages it, but twice in one evening is a feat supergirl has yet to master. when oliver's quirk of a brow isn't quite enough to clue her in, kara looks around — first down, searching for some hidden meaning in the way his hands are arranged, and then to the sides as if her proximity to the nutcrackers or the bar snacks yet to be put out would be reason enough for an unexpected kiss. it isn't until she finally looks up, a desperate last resort, that her eyes focus in on the mistletoe twinkling above them. what an idea.

it seems both serendipitous and downright embarrassing that mistletoe would be the reason oliver queen would choose to lay a smooch on her. a soft, warm, lingering kiss that left her just this side of breathless, sure, but not a kiss she was expecting to receive. her disappointment in this discovery is far less subtle; kara's mouth drops almost impossibly fast, a frown dulling the bright glimmer in her eyes, and her hands clasp together as if to steel herself from further embarrassment.

but then oliver asks her, and his question is so sincerely posed, so sweet and almost hesitant in a way that seems incredibly uncharacteristic of himself, kara nearly chokes on surprise. ] You — but I thought — I mean, yes, obviously, of course I'll be your date, but I thought — [ a breath, hands fluttering a bit ] I thought you were just kissing me because of the mistletoe!