OLIVER QUEEN
Oliver Queen looked over the empty city. Many people had lost loved ones; sisters, parents, brothers, lovers. Everything and anything that had mean't something to somebody. He had almost lost someone too. He believed that Felicity could do it. He knew she would get the job done. He knew that Felicity was a go-getter, and a strong asset in Team Arrow. He knew all of this. But he couldn't help the feeling of panic when Slade had Felicity in his arms, and a knife to her throat. He felt like the air had been knocked out of him. It was his plan, yes, but that didn't mean he wasn't scared shitless that it wouldn't work.
When he looked into Felicity's scared, but determined eyes- he regained his self-confidence and made Slade the weak one. Oliver had never been more proud of anyone when Felicity had protected herself, and stabbed him with the cure. He felt pride surge through him.
And when it was all said and done, he felt something he hadn't noticed was there. He had told Felicity he loved her- and it had been true- but at the time he didn't mean that he loved her, like that. It was all apart of the plan.
But then Slade had her. He could of hurt her, or worse. Oliver cringed at the thought. Feeling a pang of sadness and unmask-able anger radiate through his chest. It was that moment, watching her at the edge of death, that he realized. He realized.
Oliver ran a hand over his face. Friends weren't supposed to feel this way. Partners weren't supposed to feel this way. He wasn't supposed to feel this way.
This is Felicity Smoak we were talking about. The IT girl who rambles and gets herself into awkward situations. His partner. His Felicity.
He can't feel this way. She deserves more. Darkness and light do not mesh. It doesn't work. He refuses to corrupt her. He refuses to change Felicity.
It was unthinkable, just like she had said. But then why was he thinking about it?