Work Text:
You had been working on an idea. A new, organic pine-scented soap.
Around your shop grew large pine trees, 'evergreens' you nicknamed them seeing as they were full of luscious dark green sprigs year-round.
Now, in November, the trees remain full. You figured if you gathered some of the sprigs you'd be able to grind them to a fine dust, making it easy to incorporate into the bars. It wasn't a bad idea and since you were doing nothing else you decided to try it.
So, donning a jacket and a large metal bowl, you made your way out to the many trees around the back of your building.
They swayed in the cool almost-winter air. The ground below the mighty trees was covered in a bed of the conifer sprigs.
Carefully you picked the needles, handfuls at a time. Quickly filling the bowl. You could already smell the pine scent wafting from the bowl and your hands. Yes. This would work just fine.
With a smile on your face, you made your way back to the shop.
As you rounded the building you saw a blue car and when you opened the door to your shop you were greeted with the sound of a slightly argumentative conversation.
"...what about the ocean? Y'know, the smell of the salty water and the sand?"
"Who said the ocean ever smelled good?"
In the main part of your shop stood someone you recognized and two people you did not. "Kara?" You said.
She turned around and so did the woman she was talking to. "Y/n!" She said with a smile. "We need your help."
You felt a little odd, still standing with the bowl of pine sprigs, but nonetheless, you smiled at them. "Kara...long time no see, how can I be of service?"
"Y/n, this is Lena-" she gestured to the woman on his right. You gave her a smile which she returned. You stared at her a little longer than you should have if honest. "-and this is Alex, my sister. It's her girlfriend's birthday and she needs a present."
"She's obsessed with soap and perfume so Kara figured you'd be perfect for the job," Alex said.
"O-okay." You said. "Uh, well, I specialize in...only soaps but I'm sure I can still help. Follow me."
You lead the three of them further into the shop where you had most of your women's fragrances. Although men tended to use the same ingredients just as much. "Um, okay... lavender, sage, rosemary." You pointed to three separate shelves. Kara and Alex began picking them up and sniffing different ones right away. "I also have mint, anise, bergamot, clary sage, cedarwood, and vanilla." You showed them the rest of your vast selection along with some of the less popular ones in case they couldn't find something else.
You noted how Lena seemed to be more taken with the more 'natural' smells, seeing her mostly stick to lavender and rosemary.
You stepped back a moment to allow Kara and Alex to discuss, or more like argue, about which scent they preferred.
"What are you making?" Said a voice. It was Lena. She gestured to the metal bowl in your hands and you looked down at the pines.
"Oh." You said softly, suddenly feeling a little nervous. "A pine-scented bar. I just figured I'd use fresh sprigs since they're right outside." You found yourself motioning in the direction of where the trees were and then lightly scolding yourself, seeing as they were way outside and it made no sense to point. "You like lavender?" You noticed the bar in her hand.
"I find it to be very relaxing." She said looking down at the soap.
"Well, it is an anxiolytic. I think that's why it's so popular." You chuckled to yourself. "Folks must be pretty stressed in this town."
"It's your best seller?"
"Yes, that, vanilla, and my citrus scents."
"Oh." She said softly. "What's your favorite?"
You didn't have a specific answer. "Being around all these scents every day tends to desensitize me I guess. But...I do favor pine a lot." I glanced down at the sprigs again. Although you enjoyed talking with Lena you figured you'd better get started on roasting and grinding the sprigs. "I'm sorry." You apologized, looking up at her. "I should get started with these."
"I've always wondered how you guys got those ingredients to smell so good and into the bars." She said. Making you speak before thinking.
"Would you like me to show you?"
You clutched the bowl a bit harder, taken aback by your words. If she says yes you'll be-
"That'd be pretty cool." She smiled at you.
A smile that you returned with a more nervous one and a quiet. "Follow me."
You lead her further back into the shop, where you weighed the water, lye, and other oils and melted it all together. Mixing scents and different ingredients. It was relaxing and you loved it.
For a moment you considered Kara and Alex but figured they'd be alright on their own.
You noticed how Lena's gaze was on you as you walked over to a large sink and quickly rinsed the sprigs. Getting any loose dirt and micro-critters out from the boughs.
"Okay..." you said grabbing paper towels. "Well, I usually use the cold process method. Although it does take a bit longer than the hot process."
She nodded along, listening to you speak, seeming to be completely interested in the subject.
"For this recipe, I have to process the pine needles first. So..." you dumped the sprigs onto the paper towels that you laid out, hoping to help drain most of the water from them. Lena asked you a couple of questions about the different oils you used as you patted the boughs dry. Well, as dry as you could get them.
You'd have to put them in the oven to get them completely dry or else when you ground them you'd get a paste instead of a powder.
You preheated the oven and moved to get a large baking pan and laid them upon it.
Now it was just you and Lena waiting for the oven to heat so that you could put the needles in.
"So..." she said moving slightly closer to you. Suddenly she looked so much more intimidating. you gulped. "Do you use your own soap? I couldn't help but notice the smell of pine lingering on you."
"Oh." You said, picking up one of the needles and playing with it. "Yeah. It comes with the job I guess, free soap."
"Hmm, how did you get into the business?" she moved a bit closer.
"O-oh well, it started as a hobby, and then..." You trailed off as you lost your train of thought. She was so close. You cleared your throat trying to cool yourself. "What do you...do...?"
"I own a company, L-Corp."
"L-Corp?"
"LexCorp."
Holy fuck. This was THE Lena Luthor. You knew she looked familiar. "You're Lena Luthor." You whispered.
"Yes," she said with a smile and a shrug of her shoulders as if it was no big deal. "I am."
Just then the oven beeped signaling that it was ready. You fumbled with the pan, still processing the fact that you were talking with Lena-Fucking-Luthor.
She clearly saw this and had a smirk on her face. "Allow me." she took the pan from you before you spilled the pines. Opening the oven door and putting them in.
"Ms. Luthor..."
"Lena." She corrected.
"Lena...I-" You found yourself being oddly honest. "I'm not sure what to say. I- I'm honored that you find interest in what I do."
"Of course, making soap sounds way less stressful than running a company."
"Well...lavender..." was all you could say. She chuckled and resumed her position so close to you, this time almost pinning you against the oven. Hands on your waist.
"You know what else can be a stress reliever?"
"No?" you whimpered, daring to look into her dark green eyes.
She didn't say anything else as she leaned in and held your lips in a kiss. Her hands finding your waist, holding you still.
You stood shocked for a moment before your eyes fluttered closed.
Her lips were soft and you couldn't help but slightly melt into her as you began kissing her back gently.
You took in everything, the feel of her hands on you. The soft exhale of breath out of her nose, tickling your face. Slowly, you raised your hands and cradled her face, her sharp jawline in your palms, holding her close. She whimpered into the kiss.
"H-holy fuck-" you whispered and moved your hands to her shoulders when Lena leaned down and started kissing your neck. "L-Lena?" you mumbled.
"Tell me to stop and I will," she whispered against your skin.
You didn't have it in you to say the words. You wanted this and she could tell.
Her tongue traced back up your jaw and to your lips, kissing you again, softly at first. Lips holding together before she deepened the kiss allowing you to taste her. You groaned into her mouth as she pressed harder against you. Her hands went from your waist to the small of your back, slipping under your shirt, feeling the soft skin.
Suddenly the door opened. "I don't know where she is," Kara said seconds away from a surprise. "Did you call-"
You and Lena both pulled away, ending whatever blissful state you two were in. Both scared shitless by Kara and Alex coming in unexpectedly.
"Found her," Alex said simply, her phone in one hand, soap in the other. You couldn't see it but she had Lena's contact pulled up, ready to press the call button.
No one said anything and all Kara could muster were sounds of confusion as she hopelessly repeated "Wha- Lena- why- what-?" over and over again until Lena cleared her throat, straightened her clothing, and reached into her pocket before handing you a wad of cash and a business card.
"For the soap and give me a call yeah? I'd be happy to see you again."
With that...abrupt ending, they left. Alex pushing a still bewildered Kara along.
You inspected the cash which was more than enough for the soap they got and thoroughly read the business card intending to definitely give L-Corp a call.