This chapter directly follows (actually, overlaps the end) of Of Redemption and Inebriation: Date 72. From the Olicity pov it's complete fluff. There is some Roy angst and a lot of Theroy goodness. Enjoy!

When Locksley Met…

Roy

October 7, 2016

Roy really didn't know if any of this was a good idea. It could all blow up in his…their faces. And the last thing he wanted was for Thea to get hurt. Again.

He wasn't even sure how he let Thea talk him into this…no, that was a lie. Roy absolutely knew. He missed her. Like deep in his bones, every day, sometimes so badly he could hardly breathe…missed her.

And it wasn't only Thea. Roy missed everyone. Team Arrow was the most real family he'd ever known. He'd make the choice to save Oliver over and over again, but it didn't mean their absence wasn't a hole in Roy's heart.

And he missed being Arsenal, missed the rush, missed the sense of accomplishment, of feeling like he was helping. Roy missed this city. His city.

But…none of that was new and that wasn't what brought him back to Starling…Star City. (because even the name was different now). If anything, time and distance had muted the hunger, the ache, made it more bearable.

No, it was Thea's heartbreak that had Roy standing here now, in the room above the entrance to the new base of Team Arrow. Not Verdant, which had been like a second home, but an empty set of offices that felt strange and unfamiliar.

Roy had promised himself that he would never come back here. That for all their sakes, he'd stay away, take one for the team. But, then Thea came to him, more broken than he'd ever seen her and…

Thea…well, she'd been through more than her fair share of trauma, lost more than anyone should ever have to, so this time, after all she'd been through, when she asked Roy to come home with her, he just couldn't say 'no.'

If there was one person on Earth Roy Harper couldn't say 'no' to, it was Thea Queen. There was a reason why he hadn't told her about his plan to take the fall for Oliver in the first place. He hadn't known if he could go through with it if…when she tried to talk him out of it.

But this time, she found him. So here Roy was, wearing this ridiculous itchy ass beard, growing his hair longer than his girlfriend's…but Thea was his girlfriend again, a miracle he never believed he could have and an irritated face was nothing compared to that.

But was Roy coming back just going to put them all in danger again? Because that possibility…that was…that just wasn't okay.

And was anyone really going to buy this…disguise? What would Oliver and Felicity think about him returning? Roy left to protect Oliver and Roy would stand behind that decision to his dying day. In fact, in his entire life it was probably the act he felt most proud of.

Would coming back negate all of that? Make all the sacrifice meaningless? And if they found him out, realized his death had been faked, would they start looking at Oliver again as the Arrow? He was the Mayor now, for fuck's sake. If this all came back to somehow hurt Oliver…Roy couldn't—

"You're freaking out again, aren't you?"

Thea pulled Roy out of his, well…mini-freak out with her dry words and her soft hands against his chest. Her smile just…it just soothed something deep inside him. A part of him felt selfish for allowing it to, but that didn't make it any less so.

Reaching up, Thea ran her nails through his itchy beard and Roy leaned into the touch, confessing, "I just don't want my coming back to wind up biting…everyone in the ass." Especially her brother, her only remaining family.

Letting out a long-suffering sigh (Thea was good at those), she gave Roy an exasperated look. "It will be fine. Do I need to go over all the reasons—?"

"Thea." Roy knew he was whining, but, Christ, he was nervous about going down into that…Bunker. Because that wasn't his Liar. It was the Bunker now. What if he didn't belong there?

"Roy." Thea echoed his whiny tone. Sassy, but adorable as always. "One…you weren't that famous. Not many people even remember what Roy Harper looked like and the people who do remember will keep your secret. Your most recognizable feature is that Calvin Klein jaw of yours and with all this fur…you'll be fine."

Thea patted his cheek and…dear God, she really was going to list the reasons. Again. Seriously? Roy couldn't help but chuckle, it was so ridiculous. "The-a—"

"Two…even if some rando made the connection, any resemblance can be explained away by saying you are related to Roy Harper. Three…people are stupid—"

Roy really laughed this time. "O-kay—"

"They only see what they want to see." Damn, these Queens were stubborn. No way Thea was stopping until she was done with her full argument. Even if Roy had it memorized by now. "If they haven't figured out by now who Ollie is, you coming back isn't gonna do a damn—"

"But that's why—"

"…thing. Four…Ollie's Mayor now—"

"That's an argument for me coming back?" Roy gaped, incredulous. Thea probably should have stopped while she was ahead.

"Of course. Now, Ollie can pardon you if anyone figures out you're actually Roy Harper. And since the Green Arrow is now considered a hero, people are much more likely to feel disposed for his predecessor…the Arrow, which people believe is you." Thea finished with a poke to his chest and Roy threw his hands up in surrender.

"Enough!" Why did he even bother arguing with a Queen? "Let's get this over with." Standing around like an idiot was only getting Roy's nerves more worked up anyway.

Thea's huge girlish grin helped to calm the churning in his stomach. Or at least make the nausea worth it. She grabbed his hand and pulled him into the elevator. Roy had been in this elevator before and he didn't remember being quite this nervous during his first decent into the Bunker…though, now that he thought about it, he had been unconscious that first time, so that could explain it.

"Hey." Thea looped her arms around Roy's neck and pressed against him. "They are going to be so excited." And it was hard to argue with that grin, especially when she was pulling him down for a kiss.

Roy let himself get lost in the kiss, but only for a moment. "I don't think the first time your brother sees me again, I want it to be me macking on his sister." Though, he kept his hands on Thea's waist, for…um…comfort, yeah, comfort.

"Pish. Ollie loves you."

Thea looked so happy. God, let this work. For her.

And it was always good to hear that she thought Oliver approved of him. Roy may have even blushed a little at her words, but none of that meant that Oliver wanted to see anyone locking lips with his baby sister. Just thinking about it gave Roy phantom pains in his thigh where that arrow was once lodged. "It doesn't matter. You'll always be—"

The elevator door opened and Roy made the conscious decision not to push Thea away, for her sake. And because it was better to begin as he intended to—

A loud growl and a menacing bark had them both jumping backwards and out of each other's arms. Roy looked around desperately for a weapon. Ah…and, yeah…they didn't have any. Pretty stupid, being back in Star City and all. What the hell had they been thinking walking around unarmed? Only Gotham had a worse crime rate. Though this wasn't a criminal. This was…

"What the fuck is that?" Roy burst out, grabbing Thea and trying to pull her behind him as the growling…wild animal advanced.

Christ, its teeth were huge…and bared...and there was drool dripping down like it was already preparing to have them as lunch…it made Roy shutter. He did not do well with wild animals. He was a city boy through and through. Why the fuck was there a wild animal in the Arrow Bunker?

Roy lurched to the side, trying to push the elevator button and get them the hell out of there, but the stupid animal…well, maybe he wasn't stupid and that was the problem…was already in-between the doors and they wouldn't close, they just kept spasming uselessly.

"Oh wow…he grew!" Thea breathed…from beside Roy, because, of course, Thea Queen wouldn't stay behind him. What the hell was he thinking? But wait…

"You know this beast!" Because seriously…what the fuck!

Thea shrugged, barely sparing Roy a glance. "Well, he's sort of Oliver and Felicity's dog."

"What!?" Roy was well aware that he was starting to sound hysterical here. Oliver and Felicity had a dog? And, of course, they would have to have the deadliest fucking dog on the whole fucking planet! Of course, they would.

Thea's voice softened and she crouched down. "Hey, Locksley. It's me, Auntie Thea. You remember me? We've Skyped lots…"

Auntie Thea? She couldn't be serious.

But Thea looked serious. She approached the animal carefully (thank God, for that at least), but three loud barks had her jumping backward.

And, well, Roy, may have grabbed her by the waist and swung her to the back of the elevator, muttering, "I don't think he remembers you." Because really…Skype?

"Sure, he does. He just…" And the damn stubborn woman tried again to approach the dog only to be met with a snarl. Wow, those teeth were even bigger than Roy thought.

"Stop!" Roy yanked her back again by the arm, though he didn't even bother to try to get in front of her this time. "I think these things go by scent, Thea. He can't recognize you from Skype!" And he prayed, for once, she would listen to reason.

"Oh." Thea looked genuinely disappointed by this information and paused, frowning, only to flinch when the dog barked again. What the hell did that thing want? "Okay. Plan B. Do you have something to throw?"

"Throw? Like a stick?" Roy was pretty certain that he was looking at Thea like she was insane, but…did she think this was a cartoon?

Thea just rolled her eyes at Roy and shook her head, going for her tiny bag (really, of all times for her not to bring that huge ass one she usually had. At least that they could have used as a weapon). And she pulled out…

"Lipstick? Seriously? He's not going to recognize you any better with lipstick!" They were in big trouble if Roy was the one with the more extensive animal knowledge.

Thea just shot Roy an irritated look, then zeroed in on the control panel and threw the lipstick, hitting a button and making something light up. Roy didn't know what she did, but he had to admit it was pretty damn impressive.

"Yesss!"

"What was that?" Roy's eyes were still on the animal. It would be nice to know the plan. If there was a plan. He really hoped there was a really good plan.

"Ollie! Where are you!" Thea yelled in the direction of the keypad and…so, apparently, it was an intercom. Which could work. If someone was listening. "And why is there a wolf keeping us from getting into the bunker?!" And, also, clearly, Thea was more upset than she let on about the guard dog, given her tone with her brother.

Then the dog let out three more loud barks and kind of…pounced closer. Now, Roy was really going to lose his shit. "Jesus...that's not a wolf. It's a fox. It's a Giant Wolf-Fox hybrid monster and it's gonna kill us!" he screamed out, hoping Thea's ass of a brother heard them and came fast. Who the hell got a creature like this on purpose?!

It made a move to bite his girlfriend and Roy lunged in front of her. "Thea!"

"Locksley! Here!"

The sharp commend came, not from the intercom, but from the room behind the elevator and, immediately, the animal's whole demeanor changed. It stood up straight, the snarl falling from its lips and its tail wagging.

Holy shit! It was a dog. Now that it didn't look like it was going to eat them alive, it looked less like a monster and more like a…

Wow, it was actually kinda cute. In a scary, menacing sort of way. Kinda like Oliver.

But still, (kinda like Oliver) the animal never lost focus. It clearly took guard duty very seriously. Roy would swear that it actually looked him in the eye and gave him a look that said, 'Don't even think about it!'

"Locksley! Back, boy! To me!" Oliver barked (yes, Roy was going with 'barked.' It was fitting).

The dog glanced over its shoulder. And that may sound like an exaggeration, it was a dog for Christ's sake, but that thing definitely glanced over its shoulder. And when it saw Oliver, it trotted over to stand by his side, eyes alert and trained on Thea and Roy.

Oliver's hand fell to the dog's head. "Good boy."

"Good boy?" Roy was not proud to admit that he screeched the words. But what the fuck, man?

Thea, on the other hand, had the most bizarre priorities…

"Why are you in boxers? Oh Ollie…" Closing her eyes, Thea's head rolled back on her shoulders as she moaned, "Please, tell me you didn't get into a fight with Felicity…again?"

Oliver just put his hands on his hips and rolled his eyes at his sister, then ignored Thea to pay attention to damn dog who was now…smiling? Was that thing smiling up at Oliver?

"Sorry boy, I don't have any treats on me—"

"Seriously? How is giving that thing a treat even a consideration? It almost ate us!" Roy was really going to have to rethink rejoining Team Arrow if that thing was going to be here. "And I thought it was bad when you shot me."

Then, in an even more shocking turn of events, Oliver gave Roy an easy, relaxed smile, which…kinda weirded him out. "Sorry, but Locksley, here, is trained to keep people he doesn't know out of the Bunker. He did a good job, so…" Oliver shrugged, then reached his hand out for Roy. "It's good to see you, Roy. Nice beard."

Roy reached out to take Oliver's hand, stretching his arm out. He was reluctant to take a step closer. "It itches," he grumbled, one eye on the dog, just in case there were any sudden movements. It was just…strange how it had suddenly gone so tame.

Oliver chuckled. "You'll get used to it."

Roy was about to ask if he meant the beard or the dog, when Thea pulled Oliver's attention, rather violently, by smacking him solidly on the chest. Thea was never good at sharing her brother's attention. Or anyone's, for that matter. "Don't change the subject! Why are you sleeping in the Bunker again?"

Locksley seemed to take offense to Thea hitting his master and growled, but luckily, Oliver was there to keep him from going completely feral again. "Down, Locksley. It's just Thea." He seemed as confused as his sister as to why the dog didn't recognize her from Skype. Seriously, these trust fund babies, they might be brilliant, but, sometimes, they didn't have any common sense.

As evidenced by the fact that Thea completely ignored that great growling menace and smacked her brother again. "Answer me! What did you do?!"

"He didn't do anything."

Thankfully, Felicity seemed to take that as a cue to come sauntering in wearing nothing but what was clearly Oliver's T-shirt and socks, pushing her messy…very obviously, sex hair…ewwww…out of her face. She ran a hand over Oliver's back as she came around him and…yuck, yuck, and double yuck.

Okay, so Roy had always been on Team Olicity. He full-on rooted for Oliver and Felicity to get together, 'cause the UST in the old Liar…suffocating at times. And who didn't want to see Oliver more relaxed and a happy smile on Felicity's face? But, wow, Roy had so not realized how much it would feel like his parents having sex! Or even like his sister and big brother…no, it wasn't that gross.

But as soon as Felicity saw Roy, a huge smile spread across her face and Roy couldn't help but relax. It felt incredibly…home-like to see that welcoming face. Even if all her trademark lipstick was more prevalent on Oliver's chin than on her lips and her hair was sticking up in several directions.

Felicity walked straight to Roy and threw her arms around him in a warm hug, breathing, "Roy," into his neck.

Roy smiled into her hair and tried, really hard, to ignore the fact that instead of smelling how she usually smelled, like coffee and vanilla, Felicity smelled like Oliver during a workout…and sex. Ew ew ew! Mental image…away, damn you! Away!

Still, Roy managed to control his expression when he pulled back and smiled down at her. "Felicity. You're…disheveled." He gave her an eyebrow wag, because even if ewww, it was fun to tease. It was the only upside he could see, actually.

Never one to disappoint, Felicity's lips screwed up in an adorably embarrassed pout and her cheeks turned bright red. Yeah, Roy could see why Oliver adored this woman.

"So are you. What's your excuse," she threw back, patting his beard, because Felicity Smoak was nothing if not quick witted.

"I'm in," Roy lowered his voice for affect, dipping his head until his nose bumped hers, "disguise."

Felicity giggled…whoa, like giggled. She never used to be a giggler, but…was that tequila on her breath?

"Good excuse!" Felicity smiled as she stepped out of Roy's arms and back toward her boyfriend.

"Ok!" Thea announced, throwing up her hands and demanding the room's attention. Again. "I'm trying to figure out which is worse, you," she pointed at her brother, "getting into a fight with Felicity…or you both having sex in the Bunker. There is a clear no sex in the Bunker rule!"

Oliver looked like he was fighting a smile, trying to decide whether he should feel guilty or proud. 'Proud', Roy wanted to tell him. Even if…eww…he should be proud. Not that Roy would ever say that in front of his girlfriend.

Either way, Oliver looked to his girlfriend for the answer, which was really a good call. The guy was learning.

Felicity just shrugged the question off, moving to embrace Thea next. "The rule stopped applying when everyone left and Oliver and I were the only people in the Bunker."

His face breaking out in a smug grin, Oliver turned to his sister with a 'Ha! Take that!' look.

Luckily, Thea wasn't even looking at him. She was embracing Felicity, her nose wrinkling as she did so. "Ew, you smell like sex and…Patron?" But in direct opposition to her words, Thea pulled Felicity even closer, rocking her a little. "And…my brother. Double ew!"

Grinning cheekily, Felicity countered with, "Do you want me to smell like sex with someone else?"

Thea rolled her eyes. "No. But still..."

But the funniest part was the face Oliver made when Felicity mentioned having sex with someone else…a mix of indignation and horror. Now that Roy was starting to get over the ick factor…this shit was going to be fun.

When Felicity stepped back from Thea, she just kind of slipped under Oliver's arm. It came around her automatically and it was weird, Roy didn't think he had ever seen Oliver look so…content before. No, he had never seen Oliver look content ever. Who was this dude? This was more than a post sex high. Damn, Roy had missed a lot.

Then Thea screamed. Like a blister your ears scream. Loud enough to make the dog take a step backward, it's ears perking up. Though, the beast was remarkably well-behaved now that it was snuggled into Felicity's side. Again, that dog was a whole hell of a lot like Oliver. Roy guessed there was something to that thing people said about pets resembling their owners.

"You got married!" Thea accused and, wow, she made it sound like getting married was one step below murdering her mother…actually, Roy didn't think she made a noise like that when her mother was murdered. "You promised! You promised you wouldn't get married without me!"

Ohhhh…this was not going to be good. These things were important to Thea.

Then Thea started poking Oliver in the chest again and it must have been too much for the poor dog because he growled and lunged at Thea.

Felicity had to pull him back. "Locksley, no!"

Roy grabbed Thea around the waist and hoisted her off the ground and away from the dog. And her brother for that matter, just so she wouldn't be tempted to attack him again. Roy trusted Felicity and Oliver to hold back the dog, but Thea…well, he certainly didn't trust her to keep her hands to herself. Though, honestly, Roy was completely on Thea's side. Oliver was her only family, couldn't they have waited for her?

Oliver was ignoring Thea and her questions, which was rude and just made her angrier. What the fuck, man? Roy wasn't going to be able to hold her back forever. She was damn strong for such a tiny woman.

While Thea squirmed in Roy's arms, her brother knelt and talked to the dog. "Locksley, buddy. It's just Thea. She's not going to hurt me." The woman in question growled, as if she were trying to prove him wrong and attesting to Roy's point about the Queens and common sense. Even if Roy was on his girlfriend's side on this issue, that dog needed to be taken seriously.

"You know Thea from Skype," Oliver was explaining to the dog. As if it were a person. And not a dog. That didn't understand the concept of video chatting.

"Oliver." Felicity rolled her eyes, trying, again, to push back her mess of hair. "Dogs know people by scent. They can't get that through a computer screen."

Ha! "See," Roy couldn't resist whispering in Thea's ear, because it wasn't often that a genius validated his point.

Felicity gently cupped Locksley's muzzle and brought him around to look her in the eye, saying slowly and firmly, "Locksley, Thea and Roy are family. Fam-i-ly. Here, Thea, give me your hand."

Felicity reached out for her hand, but Thea jerked back. "The hell I will! You promised you wouldn't get married without me!"

"We didn't," Oliver and Felicity protested together, with differing levels of sympathy.

Then Oliver turned to Felicity, his lips tipped up in a half-smile. "I told you that's what people would think."

"And I believed you. I just didn't think the reactions would be this violent." Felicity seemed to be smothering another one of those giggles. Roy wondered if they were a product of Oliver or the booze he smelled on her breath. Then Felicity turned to Thea and said very reasonably, "It's an engagement ring. For men."

"Because it's sexist that men don't get one," Oliver added matter-of-factly, amusement lighting up his eyes.

Thea deflated a little in Roy's arms, but still she argued, "I'm really supposed to believe—"

Felicity threw up her arms in frustration. "You know, it's really hard to propose without a ring!"

And Roy had no idea what that meant, but apparently, Thea did, because she froze for half a second, then let out another squeal, this one even louder. And, at least, this time it was a happy squeal. He thought. "Ahhh! Oh my God! You proposed this time!"

Roy was beginning to feel bad for the poor dog's ears, but if this meant there was still a wedding for Thea to attend…thank God was right.

Felicity blushed and nodded, while Oliver did his impression of the happiest man on Earth…which was just the weirdest thing Roy had ever seen. And he'd seen some weird shit!

Thea let out yet another ear-piercing squeal (Jesus Christ, Roy didn't remember her doing that so much) and launched herself, not at her brother, but at Felicity, leaving Oliver to hold back the dog…who was now practically airborne with excitement as Thea cried, "That's the most romantic thing I have ever heard!" and rocked Felicity in her arms.

"Hey, I'm the brother," Oliver protested.

"You're one lucky son-of-a-bitch, is what you are." But Thea threw herself at him next for a long hug.

And the dog…Locksley…the poor thing didn't know what to do. He just kept looking back and forth, in a tizzy, barking loudly.

"I think we'd better take a moment to do Locksley introductions," Felicity finally said. And if that was going to stop the barking, then thank the lord.

"Before he has a heart attack?" Roy asked, because, really, that animal was gonna drop dead from all the excitement.

"Exactly." Felicity smiled at Roy and held out her palm. "Here, give me your hand."

While a few minutes ago, Roy would have been reluctant to go near the beast, he was starting to feel a camaraderie with the poor guy. It was hard to be new to Team Arrow and not know what the hell was going on, who was a friend and who wasn't. And this guy, he looked like he was a part of the team now.

Felicity caught Roy's hand and brought it to Locksley, who obediently sniffed. "Locksley, this is Roy. Roy is family."

Okay…umm, now Roy had the distinct feeling that he was about to start crying. And he was not okay with that.

He just…he hadn't thought that he had forgotten…but he must have, because it was incredible how much he had missed this. And when Felicity moved on to do introductions with Thea, Roy watched, silent, afraid to speak.

Once Locksley accepted someone, apparently, he accepted them completely, because before Roy knew what was happening, Thea was on the floor with the dog on her lap, getting his belly rubbed. Felicity had stepped back to her now default position under Oliver's arm, which…still strange. They had been together when Roy was in town because of the Calculator, but they hadn't been like this…like exuding domestic bliss.

Thankfully, Oliver saved him by starting the conversation, because Roy didn't know where to go with…everything and the last thing he wanted was to break down in a blubbering mess. "Are you guys moving back to Laurel's old place—?"

"—unless the memories are too much—" Felicity cut in, overlapping the end of Oliver's question.

"—you can stay with us until you find a new place."

Okay, now they were finishing each other's sentences. Just when Roy thought it couldn't get more...overwhelming.

Thea smiled up at Oliver and Felicity, as if this weren't some strange shit. "That's okay. We're going back to Laurel's and my place. I like the memories there."

"Great," Oliver pointed at Thea. "You're back as my Chief of Staff. I can't wait to fire that incompetent—"

"Oliver…" That earned an eye-roll from wifey.

"Hey, it's a great day to be the Mayor of Star City. Not only does he get a brand-new fiancé…" He leaned down to kissed her smiling lips.

Roy had to look away. His eyes met Thea's and, despite her enthusiasm for the engagement, she seemed about as thrilled as he was with the PDA. "Don't you love when he talks in third person?"

Oliver ignored his sister's quip and continued, "And I get to get rid of my asshole Chief of Staff as well as the Idiot Brigade."

Felicity's eyes went wide and her smile broadened. Apparently, she was done reprimanding Oliver's harsh words for his staff. She mustn't like the 'Idiot Brigade' either. "That's an excellent idea. Hide in plain sight." Locksley didn't blink when she poked Oliver in the chest.

Watching Oliver preen was kinda nauseating and, also, now Roy was feeling completely lost. He shifted uncomfortably on his feet. Roy wasn't sure how he fit in with this new dynamic and, now that the excitement of it all was fading, he was starting to wonder, again, if he even should. These people were happy. That's what Roy wanted for them. He had no desire to fuck that up by trying to shoehorn himself back into the mix.

But Roy had no idea how to bring that up, so he asked, "Um…care to share with the class?"

Felicity nodded, fairly bouncing with excitement. She was, obviously, blissfully oblivious to the war going on in Roy's head. "As mayor, Oliver has a security detail and you can imagine how well that goes over."

Thea hummed her agreement. "The Idiot Brigade?"

"Yup. But now that Roy is here," Felicity gestured to him in a very Felicity-esque way, "he can be Oliver's body guard and—"

"I can fire all of them." Oliver looked uncharacteristically thrilled with the idea.

But wifey just rolled her eyes again. Roy had a feeling Felicity did that a lot. Maybe as much as Thea did with him. "You can divert their attention to more worthwhile pursuits," she corrected.

And…okay…wow, they were really just fitting him right back in. Roy didn't even know how to deal with that. He'd expected at least some reluctance. He knew they were good people…heroes and all that, but clearly, they hadn't thought this through.

Clearing his throat, Roy forced himself to say, "You guys…are you absolutely sure this is okay? I mean, that it's not too dangerous for you to have me in Star City. I can—"

"Roy," Thea hissed and, damn, if looks could kill… "We discussed this."

Crap, now he was upsetting her. It was the last thing Roy wanted to do, but…he couldn't do this without making sure all parties involved had thought it through. He refused to be selfish in this. Pushing his hands into his pockets, Roy found it impossible to look Thea in the eye as he said, "I know, but it's not just the two of us affected here—"

"We're sure," Felicity interrupted firmly.

Oliver nodded in agreement. "You really don't understand how annoying my security detail is," he added, earning the lamest little slap from Felicity.

And Roy just…he wasn't really sure how to process all this, so he grabbed on to the one thing he could. "Did you just make a joke? I mean, it wasn't a very good one, but I'm kinda starting to doubt that you are Oliver Queen."

"Ha Ha," Oliver grumbled as Felicity again giggled.

Roy really hadn't been kidding. Giggly Felicity was hard enough to wrap his head around, Oliver Queen with a sense of humor was mind blowing.

"But seriously," Oliver said and Roy raised his eyebrows, waiting for the punchline, "Felicity will get you an airtight new identity in no time."

The woman in question was casually leaning against the bare chest that used to send her into spasms of awkward babbles. "Easy Peasy." Felicity smiled, snapping her fingers for emphasis.

"Maybe…Roy's cousin from Hub City?" Thea suggested, as if this wasn't something they had already discussed at length and decided upon.

Felicity nodded with enthusiasm. "Love it! It explains away the resemblance and the cousin of a vigilante would be seen as a valuable bodyguard, at least in the current political climate. The Green Arrow is Star City's hero now," Felicity announced proudly.

Oliver tried to hide his pleased expression behind an eye roll. It didn't work.

The whole plan, it sounded…good. Too good to be true, actually. Keeping his eyes carefully away from Thea, Roy asked one more time, just to be sure, "You guys obviously have a good thing going here, if—?"

"And it just got better." It was Felicity's no-nonsense tone. It was almost impossible to argue with her no-nonsense tone. It usual meant the decision was made.

She reached out a hand to Roy and he took it, because when Felicity Smoak gave you her hand, you took it. And that wasn't even taking into account her new fiancé, who looked like he might knock your teeth in for making her frown.

"Told you," Thea sang and Roy couldn't help but smile. This was one win he would happily give her.

"Welcome home, Roy," Oliver added and even the damn dog barked and it wasn't menacing at all this time. It was almost…welcoming. It made them laugh. Roy looked around. He had no idea what he had just signed up for, but…

"No place I'd rather be." They were the truest words Roy had ever spoken.

Author's Note:

So, there's the first installment. I hope you enjoyed it. It seems to silly and fluffy, reading it over now, considering the things I'm working on now, but, I suppose, we all need some light, fluffy family times.

This series is an alternate Season 5 with Oliver and Felicity together, but as you see, also with Roy back. I haven't fully decided how that will affect baby Team Arrow. I know Rory will still be part of the team, but the others are up in the air, since with Roy back as Arsenal Oliver won't be alone in the field.

If you got lost a little during this it's probably because you didn't read Of Redemption and Inebriation. ;-)

Thank you to both Ireland1733 and Fairytalehearts for all their hard work and support through my various writing endeavors (I've been all over the place for the last couple of months). I couldn't do it without you both.

Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this, please leave a kudo and/or a comment and don't forget to check out my other stories.

Emmy