Grocery Life

Part 2

Disclaimer: I own nothing but what you see here.

Summary: In which Tommy drags Oliver into a conversation about certain horrible smelling candles and nearly nothing gets done because of it.

It was just another day at Carl's Grocer for Oliver Queen and friends, many of whom were happy as can be that he was back after being believed dead for five years! Which, with his return, it had only served to boost the popularity of the place amongst Starling's population, Glades or otherwise. And if Oliver had known how today would turn out, he more than likely would have stayed in bed! As his best friend and brother in all but blood would finally bring up a topic that everyone aside from Carl himself had long been thinking of over the years. And it all started when Oliver and Tommy were once again stocking up on those horrible smelling candles that sold like hot cakes for whatever reason. "You know… There's been somethin' on my mind for years." Began the dark haired man as he put down an empty box and reached for another one.

"What's that?"

"These candles!"

Oliver looked at him for a moment, wondering if he should even prompt his best friend as he knew that by doing so, it could lead to nothing good! But a part of him chose to go on ahead and prompt him. "Okay… What about 'em? Aside from the horrible smell?"

"That's it exactly! These things smell so bad! And yet, and yet..."

"People buy 'em anyway like their going out of style?"

"YES! Even my dad loves the Hell out of these things! I don't get it!"

Letting out a sigh and a shake of the head, the former castaway tried to come up with some kind of response. But couldn't exactly think of anything that would work. "I don't get it either, buddy. I really don't."

"I don't even get how they don't stink up the store for that matter! Its insane!"

"I probably coulda used these back on the island." Muttered Oliver, mostly to himself.

Tommy gave him a look for a moment. "All those predators lookin' for an Oliver styled snack?"

Figuring that was the best way to go with, the Queen Scion nodded. "Yeah. Quite a lot of those there." And boy was that the truth!

Damned Mercenaries and what not! Tommy winced at that and felt horrible that his best friend and brother in all but blood had to deal with those things on his own! But thankfully, he no longer had too! "Just what are you two doing?" Wondered Sin as she came up to them.

"Ah! Cindy! Ollie and I were just talkin' about how these damned candles smell so bad. And that because of that, they shouldn't even be able to sell so well."

Oliver only nodded in agreement with that. And as Sin was about to respond to that with what would likely be a cutting remark, she found herself suddenly stopping with a pointed finger as his words processed in her head. "Huh… You know what? How the Hell does that even work? I mean, seriously!"

Even people in the Glades love the stuff! Rumor had it that they even helped ward off would be robbers! Though she wasn't gonna try that herself as she wasn't looking to get stabbed thank you very much! Tommy threw his hands out in a 'there you go' kind of gesture while Oliver just shook his head over it all. "Probably could use these to torture someone with." Muttered the man darkly to himself and getting looks for it.

Looks that he noticed. "What!? I'm just saying." Came the defensive words.

"Right, if ya say so buddy."

"O-Man's kinda right, I mean… I know I wouldn't wanna be smellin' somethin' horrible as Hell if I was getting tortured for info or whatever." Remarked Sin.

Tommy was about to say something about that but then realized the girl had a point and even said as much. Making the girl smirk at him. "I have my moments."

"What the Hell are you knuckleheads doing!?" Yelled out an irate Carl as he walked up to them.

And startling them quite a bit! "Uhh, nothing! Nothing at all, boss!" Called out a nervous Tommy.

"Yeah, Big C, just talkin' and workin'. You know how it is."

"What they said." Supplied Oliver as he busied himself with opening a new box to unload.

Carl for his part didn't look too convinced. "Right, thousands would believe a story like that." Grumbled the man.

"But not you, Big C?"

"Of course not! Its why I'm the boss around here! And stop callin' me 'Big C' already!"

"You got it.. Big B!" Replied Sin cheekily and getting snickers from Tommy over it.

Carl eyed her for a moment before shaking his head and walking off while muttering about kids these days. "Anyway, I'll let you two morons get back to work." Said the girl and then she too was gone.

Oliver let out a sigh and hoped that now that his best friend had finally gotten the candle thing off his chest, that they could go back to work in peace. "But dude… What IS the secret exactly?"

Groaning was heard afterwards and the former castaway realized that it was apparently going to take awhile where Tommy was concerned!

Author's Notes: Pointless but fun to do!