"Felicity"
Her name is let out in one long sigh, breaking the oppressive silence with a weary voice reflecting another hard day's work. His tall figure bends at the waist, to almost curve into himself as if this simple act will protect him from his self-proclaimed responsibilities.
"Oliver, are you okay?" Worry weaves through her tone, as she slowly makes her way around her desk to stop in front of his hunched over form. She reaches out a slender hand to hook around his bicep in an attempt to gain his attention, his head slowly lifts itself up, heavily – almost as if the worlds worries rest solely upon his shoulders. And she supposes it does, in his head at least.
Their eyes lock and In that moment Felicity realizes just how much of a toll Oliver's responsibilities are having on him, she realizes Oliver is so tired that he doesn't even bother to put up his front of impenetrable strength, cool indifference and fake smiles that don't reach his eyes. His eyes bare his many late nights scouting the city in the black circles shadowing his eyes, his mouth is downturned in permanent displeasure and where once determination shone in his eyes now only tiredness shows.
He must really be feeling it tonight to let me see behind his mask, muses Felicity.
In that moment Felicity decides she's going to look after Oliver whether he likes it or not – she's kinda hoping he likes it because she's pretty sure she wouldn't be able to force him to even if she tried. She lifts the hand that is resting on his bicep to the green hood hanging over his face and peals it away revealing more and more of his tired features until the hood is resting against his back. She then reaches for his mask and tugs it from his face, lingering to caress his cheek, to set it down on the desk beside her. Eyes still locked she reaches for his hand and gives it a gentle pull. With a whispered "Come on Oliver" Felicity leads him to the couch and urges him to lay down and rest. And with no protest from Oliver she sits on the edge of the couch and gently caresses his cheek, his forehead and his hair while making soothing noises.
"I'm so tired Felicity" The words are croaked out as if a hand is wrapped around his throat – squeezing.
"I know I know Oliver. Just close your eyes and relax, okay? You need to sleep even if it's only for a few hours. I'll stay here with you. Just please, Oliver, please you need to get some sleep. You're going to make yourself ill"
She pauses for a moment.
"And then who is going to protect this city, huh?"
For the first time in what feels like forever Oliver's lips curl slightly in a familiar smirk and his eyes reflect his amusement. Felicity feels victory from this small action. Oliver stares at her for a few seconds longer and then finally, hesitatingly, nods his head in an affirmation. "Okay, I'll rest. Just let me know if anything happens though, okay? I can't rest if I think you won't tell me I'm needed" He states this with a hard pointed stare and a firm voice, daring Felicity to disagree. Felicity nods her head in ascent. "Okay, I promise"
With a final nod from Oliver he lets his muscles unwind, heaves out a sigh and finally allows his eyes to close. Felicity begins to stand up when a hand grips the one still resting in his hair and with hard and yet acutely vulnerable voice asks "Stay…please".
With shock clearly showing on her face Felicity slowly sits back down in her previous position and continues her gentle caress, lulling him into a relaxed enough state to allow him to doze off. With a smile curving Felicity's lips she leans down, kisses his cheek and whispers in his ear.
"I will always stay with you, Oliver, always"