A/N: Hi y'all. This is my second Arrow fic. I just want to say I love Laurel, she's my bb. This takes place some time after 2x03 Broken Dolls. I hope you all enjoy it!

Disclaimer: this is the work and play of fan fiction. i don't own anything. everything belongs to their respective owners.

make me feel alright

She's lying on her bed wide awake when he comes to her in the dead of the night.

Laurel is surprised at first. She can't place it in her mind why he would bother to visit her. After everything that she's done, why in the world would The Hood, no, Arrow come see her. A part of her thinks that since she sought vengeance against him, maybe he's here to do the same. She wouldn't blame him if he has, honestly.

She sits up and crosses her legs all the while watching him. He's standing in the farthest corner of her room. Enough moonlight filters through the window and her shades that he's not engulfed in complete darkness like he probably hoped he would be. Shadows dance over his form and she's a little enthralled by the vision he currently is. She wonders what he looks like under the hood, what his eyes are like. It would be a lie if she said she's never dreamed of them. And in her dreams, for some reason, they're green flecked with gold.

He's the first one to break the silence.

"How are you doing?"

She sighs deeply and closes her eyes. God, it's only a question but it's loaded, it almost makes her want to fall apart. In reality she doesn't know how she's doing, not really anyway. One moment she's fine, everything is great but then, next thing she knows there's an ache in her chest and it's suffocating. It's maddening and she doesn't really feel like talking about it. Least of all with him.

Her eyes flutter open.

"Why are you here?," she questions, ignoring his. "Why would you even think of coming here of all places? After everything."

There is still a bitter edge to her words and it has nothing to do with him and everything to do with her but, she doubts he has any clue. She won't justify it to him either.

Her question is met with silence. He's not saying anything. He's just standing there.

It is the longest minute she has experienced.

"Look-"

"I just wanted to make sure you were alright after what happened is all," he cuts her off.

She's a little shocked and quite frankly doesn't understand why he even cares. It's not like she's been the most courteous person towards him.

Laurel shakes her head a little.

"I don't understand why you care so much. I haven't exactly held you at highest of regards lately."

"I promised a friend I would look after you."

Her eyes widen and her breath catches. There's a heaviness settling in her chest. Tommy.

She shuts her eyes tightly, fighting back tears. One. Two. Three. Laurel takes in a deep breath, composing herself; trying to easy the pain his words have caused.

It takes her only a minute to get it under control but it was enough for him to slip out. When she opens her eyes Laurel is alone again.

The curtains rustle slightly from a breeze coming in through her window. It must've been how he got in, she thinks.

Rubbing her eyes she lies back down and stares at the ceiling.

It doesn't take long for her to fall back asleep.

That night she dreams of green eyes flecked with gold.