Silence
By LoisMITx
Felicity hated silence. It was the central reason she talked so much, of course. Anything to fill the quiet of any given moment so the din of her hyperactive thoughts would be forced to yield.
Knowing this about herself, she was in hell on the ride back from the press conference. Oliver was as still as a rock in the back seat next to her, staring out at the blur of passing buildings. He hadn't said a word to her or anyone since leaving. Or rather, since she told him what she had discovered about his mother.
The look on his face as his eyes had glazed over in realization pounded at her memory. Moira's voice swirled in the background. "You tell him this, you will rip his world apart."
Felicity had done just that. It was as sure as the silence that hung between them now, thick and wide, like an Arizona canyon. She could feel Diggle's eyes from the driver's seat, glancing into his rear view mirror to observe their cavernous state. He didn't ask what happened – he would hear everything from Oliver later. Felicity wondered if Diggle could see Oliver's contempt for her, because she was starting to feel it herself.
"He'll hate me for sure," Moira had said, "But he will hate you too." Her prophecy had come true, despite Oliver's declaration that she wasn't going to lose him. It was too late to reference that promise now. The damage was done. They could never go back.
Felicity held back her tears as she looked out her window, forcing herself to read the building numbers, the street names, the license plates – anything to drown out the memories of each touch of Oliver's hand, each smile of pride and delight, and each genuine moment of connection she would never have again.
Diggle pulled up to Verdant and stopped the car. "I'll give you two a moment," he said before exiting and walking into the building. Felicity wasn't sure what was happening – Oliver must have given him some nonverbal signal when she wasn't looking.
Was he going to tell her how much he hated her? Is that what this "moment" was about? She turned to look at Oliver expectantly. He was staring at the back of the driver's seat, forming his words carefully. Finally, he spoke.
"She threatened you, didn't she?" Oliver turned toward her, his eyes still looking down. "My mother. When she told you not to tell me about Thea."
Felicity nodded. "Yes. She said...you would hate me." A tear rolled out of her eye and she looked away quickly to hide it.
"Hey," Oliver said softly as he placed a hand on her arm. "Look at me."
Felicity turned her face to his and felt sweet relief wash over her. His eyes were not filled with anger, but concern and compassion. He didn't hate her. Oliver confirmed it with his words.
"Felicity, I could never hate you. You told me the truth."
She shrugged, still processing this turn. "It's what I do."
"It's why I need you," Oliver replied.
Felicity stared into his kind eyes, the misperceived cavern melting away between them. She felt his hand slide down her arm and curl around her fingers.
"I'm sorry. For my mother. She's not who I thought she was."
"I wish I could tell you a story about how my mother is the worst mother in the world, but...your mother definitely wins that prize."
Oliver's lips curled into a smile as he squeezed her fingers. "Thank you, Felicity." He held his gaze for a long moment before releasing her hand and exiting the car. Felicity matched his actions, waves of emotion falling off of her as she moved. She closed the car door, grateful to leave that stillness behind her.
Diggle rushed back out the door as they approached. "You need to see this." Felicity and Oliver shared a quick look before following him back inside. No time for silence now. They had work to do.
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