bakerstreet | Those soldier boys tripping over themselves to win our praise

[She hadn't intended on staying this long at all. The universe calls her but --

-- but. So does Rey. She adores being here with Rey, coaxing soft smiles and sometimes even laughs from her. She talks with (or at) Rey for hours on end, sharing stories. Talking about where she might like to go after Jakku.

Today is market day and Luna finds something special for Rey that she absolutely has to buy. It's such a rarity to see anything green in a desert planet and when she spots a single potted plant she quickly pays and sneaks it into her pack while Rey is negotiating for more money for they scrap they've gathered. Luna comes up and hooks their pinkies together with a soft smile, excited to present her gift.]

[Rey isn't sure why she hasn't been more insistent that Luna go on her way, considering that she'd initially only offered her lodging for the first night. But she'd never had any inclination to kick her out (if one can really kick someone out of a decrepit AT-AT in which one is squatting), and she'd just sort of come to accept the other girl's presence in her life without really giving it much thought.

At least, she tries not to think about it, because thinking about it results in feelings that she doesn't quite know how to handle.

So she focuses as much on her day-to-day errands as she can, and while certain merchants are a little stingy, she does manage to get enough money to satisfy her, at least for that particular day. When she feels Luna's peculiar way of letting her know she's there, Rey turns towards her, securing the credits before someone can come by and attempt to pick her pocket.]

Did you find something?

I'll show you when we get home. [Because it does feel like home. Mostly because Rey is there, and Luna's adjusted the hammock so that it's bunk-bed style now (Luna in the top sling and Rey in the bottom so she can get up and out easier) and made a proper sort of kitchen area. She copies out her notes and drawings to sell in the marketplace to bring in a few credits of her own, so she can earn her keep.

Sometimes she buys food other than rations for them, and stares Rey down until she eats it, because it's a treat.

It's a good life, even though one day she wants to take Rey with her and fly away somewhere. Go explore more planets. More places.]

Why? Is it something special?

[Other than food, Rey has no real concept of what something special might be. Luna hasn't spent much money on herself, even though Rey doesn't understand that. It's her money, so she really should be spending more on herself than on them.]

It's a surprise, a very special surprise. I think you'll like. [Rey's mentioned wanting to see something green, ans o this feels like the perfect thing.]

Did you sell all the nice scrap pieces we found?

[Rey only looks at her uncertainly, not knowing what to expect. She never knows what to expect from Luna, but then, that's sort of part of her charm.]

I did. I'll give you your half once we're indoors.

[After all, if Luna's been helping with the scavenging, she's going to get half the credit, literally.]

[Once they're back at their little home (Luna loves the AT-AT) and back in the shade, Luna carefully unpacks her backpack, cradling a potted plant in the palms of her hands.]

A ship came in and brought some rare things from other planets. The pilot said this little fellow will grow just about anywhere. He only needs a little water now and again -- just a few drops on the leaves.

You've always talked about how you've never seen anything green, and I wanted you to have some green in your life.

[Rey has already forgotten about the mention of a "surprise," so when she gets home and sets her things down, she really is surprised when she sees the small plant in Luna's hands. She approaches it as Luna explains, and that's when she realizes just what's so different about this plant: it's actually green. Not that greenish-brown that most of the other plant life on Jakku is, but... green. Like what she assumes normal green sold look like.]

Luna, it's-... it's beautiful.

[She looks up at Luna, still not entirely willing to believe that that's really hers. No one has ever bought anything for her before, aside from essentials that had been given to her when she'd been very small and was still trying to figure out how life on Jakku was supposed to work. And even then, she'd done what she could to work for it.]

How much did something like that cost?

Don't even both asking because I won't tell you. [It hadn't been inexpensive, certainly. But she has her own credits, both from work and from her travel funds.

But Rey's face, her quiet awe at the sight of that green is worth every last credit.]

Go on, take it. It's yours. You can even give it a name, if you'd like! And talk to it, plants grow better if you talk to them.

Luna, I can't-....

[But she cuts herself off, knowing that Luna would never return the plant. It also somehow feels rude to turn down a gift, even though she wouldn't know where she'd gotten an idea like that from. so though she's reluctant, she gradually takes the plant, cupping it in her hands the way Luna had been doing.]

I can't... believe you did that. Thank you.

Do people really name plants, though? I didn't know that was a thing.

[She has lots of spinebarrels and nightbloomers without names, in that case. She wonders if she should feel bad for it.]

They're living things, I think they should have names. [Luna stands on her toes and kisses Rey's cheek. Light and sweet and quick, a little nervous, hands behind her back. She cares for Rey very much, but isn't sure quite how to tell her how much.

Thus the plant.] Do you like it?

[The kiss takes her by surprise, but then, so do most shows of physical affection. They're not unwelcome, not by any means, but they're so foreign to her that Rey just never knows how to react. She's sure that it makes her come off as antisocial, but she's just never sure what Luna expects her to do.

She does appreciate the gesture, though, both in terms of the kiss and the gift, and she tries to show it by offering Luna a small smile.]

It's beautiful, Luna. Thank you. And I think I'd like you to name it. That'll help make it even more special.

[Cast mates and cross canon welcome.]

[ ooc: m/m for shipping and smut. ota for anything else. ]

Oliver has been in Starling for a few months now and he can't deny his feelings for Barry. He's become his rock, his stability.

.. and that smile.

He would do things for that smile.

But Barry, for all his strength and all his faith, is a man of traditional values. Values Oliver has almost forgotten, but with the help of Iris.. he's going to try.

Knock knock.
The Assassin is standing at his door in a nice suit with a small spray of flowers in hand.

He answers the door and is surprised to see Oliver there in clothes that weren't his Assassin clothes. Or remotely close to it.

"What's going on?"

"These are for you." He holds them out, hoping he doesn't look or sound as awkward as he feels. Oliver has trained with the most feared assassins in the world and right now? His pulse is racing as he offers the flowers to Barry.

"I.. wanted to ask you. To dinner."

"With me. A date."

Good job Oliver. Those were almost sentences.

His eyes widen. Was his a joke? Did felicity put him up to this.

“Y-yes. I’ll go to dinner with you.”

Barry just blinks at him, not believing what’s happenig but then manages to snap out of it long enough to go grab his jacket from the closet.

Not Felicity, but someone else. Even so, the intent was purely Oliver's. A small smile as he waits for Barry, even going as far as offering him his arm as he returns. "Thank you. I'm.. I'm glad."

He takes the flowers and hooks his arm with Oliver’s, hardly able to wipe the shy smile on his face.

“Where are we going for dinner?”

"I found a restaurant that isn't far that I think you might like."
Ok so Iris found it and all but ordered Oliver to take Barry there, but he was able to locate it so that counts, right? He would much rather have taken Barry home to cook for him, but this was about what Barry wanted and if he wants to be courted, then that's what will happen.

Oliver closes his hand lightly over Barry's. "It's been a very long time since I've done this," he cautions. "I may not be any good, but I would very much like to see you Barry. Officially."

Barry's mind is still reeling from the fact that Oliver had just asked him to dinner, on a date, with him. And he brought flowers. He takes a moment to smell them. Fresh, as if Oliver had just gotten them. He wonders why they wouldn't just simply have a night in and nearly misses what Oliver says.

That gets his attention.

"What?" he blurts out, intelligent as it sounded.

He would bring him flowers every day just to see that smile on his face and the way his eyes close when he smells them. Oliver colors a bit and glances away. "Unless.. unless that's not something you want." Which he would understand. He's a man remembering how to be Oliver Queen after so many years as an assassin, he's bound to screw things up, never mind the blood on his hands.

Barry lets it sink in. Oliver? Wants to be with him? Him, of all people? He would have thought Roy or anyone else would have been a better fit. But him. The CSI tucks the flowers into the crook of his arm and reaches to cup Oliver's cheek, turning him to face him again.

"It is. I just can't believe that you would want something like that with someone like me," he says quietly.

He stills immediately under his touch, pulling to a halt as Barry reaches out. A small smile at the reassurance. "Then you don't see yourself the way that I do. You saved me that night, Barry Allen. Every day I want to become a better man because of you."

Barry couldn't help himself. He beams back and tucks himself closer to Oliver's side, risking a chance to kiss his cheek.

"How did you even find this restaurant?" he asks as they walk. He has a feeling he might know where it is since Iris had asked him if he'd been to it recently.

The kiss results in a warm smile and Oliver leans closer so Barry can tuck in as close as possible. "I.. may have had some help finding it," he admits. "I don't know Central City and most of the places I knew in Starling have long since moved on or changed hands."

When they walked right up to the Thai restaurant, Barry couldn't help but grin. Oliver had even put on cologne for him.

"I would've been just as happy with a home cooked meal, you know," he says quietly.

"I know. But you deserve nights like this too," he answers easily, even going as far as to open the door for him. A night out, flowers, even the cologne Iris had bought. Barry deserved that and so much more.

"Maybe next time we can have dinner in." But he'll still find flowers to bring him. Small gestures to show Barry how much he means to him.

The door, the chair, the dinner. He forgets that Oliver had the capabilities of being a gentleman if he really wants to. Barry tries to keep his blush down the entire dinner as they managed to talk about anything but work. Where Barry grew up, what it was like to be a CSI in Central.

And the whole time, Barry is caressing at Oliver's hand, silently reassuring him that he is doing very well.

"You really want to be with me? Officially, I mean."

He had those abilities, at least before the Queens Gambit had sank, any more it was a matter of remembering that he could at least attempt to live a normal life. Dinner is easy, especially with Barry's hand on his, those fingers moving in slow sweet circles as they chat.

A smile that's almost teasing. "I had hoped that the flowers and dinner would have made that apparent but yes. Yes I do Barry. Very much."

He adjusts his glasses, feeling a little self conscious.

"It's just--someone like me--I'd never thought that I'd be with anyone like you," he admits with a shy smile. He still doesn't let up on caressing Oliver's hand, or even taking his eyes off of the assassin. "I mean, guys like me, we don't really..."

"Guys like you don't what?" A curious tip of his head as he turns his hand a little to catch Barry's, tangling their fingers together. If his intent was clear before it should be now. He wants to be with him, he wants to make him happy.

"We don't get to be with guys like you," he finishes lamely. He looks at the archer and squeezes his hand. "Are you really hungry for dessert?" he asks.

"You mean former assassins trying to make something better of themselves?" Oliver's smile is gentle. "Barry you are an incredible man. You're brilliant and brave. You had faith in me when I didn't believe in myself."

A small shake of his head. "No, I think we can get the check and get out of here."

His hand holds onto Oliver's, smiling at him softly. His heart is doing funny things and he's trying to not jump across the table and kiss the other man already. Instead, Barry nods.

While Oliver wouldn't mind a kiss like that, he's pretty sure the staff might. So they pay the bill quickly and make their way back outside, Barry still holding the flowers he'd given him.

Only when they're outside, a few paces away from the restaurant does Oliver draw Barry into his arms. "You are a wonderful man Barry Allen. And I would very much like to be able to call you mine for as long as you'll have me."

The flowers are crushed between them but Barry doesn't seem to care that much as long as he's in Oliver's arms. He leans close and feels his heart hammering in his chest at how this amazing man who has continued to rise up from the depths in order to redeem himself could be interested in such an ordinary guy like himself.

"Oliver..."

Darn it all. Barry crosses the space left between them and presses his lips against Oliver's quickly.

[100% here for 1940's era courting fluff, a la the above gif. Open to AUs or modern era characters displaced in time (castmates would be amazing but not required). Expect him to be highly awkward and borderline virginal.

M/F and M/M welcome. If M/M, let me know if they're being furtive or if you want some kind of fluffy AU where gay couples were nbd in the 1940's, because I will run with that. Double dates also welcome for added platonic cuteness, with or without subtext.]

Those soldier boys tripping over themselves to win our praise

Rey | Star Wars | OTA

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Ignis Scientia | Final Fantasy XV | M/M Pref

Lucaon - Royal Servant

Maria Hill :: MCU :: F/M

lioriley | original | ota

Eren Jaeger | Shingeki no Kyojin | M/M

barry allen (earth two) - the flash

Most awkward courting ever

omg

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Pre-Serum!Steve Rogers//MCU//OTA

River Tam | Firefly | OTA

Nico Acosta | OC | M/F