Author's note: I wrote this last year but never published it because it's essentially based on an actual experience that I had, and at the time it was really raw and emotional for me. I went back and read it recently and loved it as much now as I did then. I envision Oliver and Felicity having this exact type of relationship when no one is around.

I hope you enjoy.

I drifted back into consciousness, suddenly aware that your arms were no longer wrapped around me. I rolled over into you and laid my head on your chest, immediately noticing that your heart rate was elevated and your breathing was labored. I opened my eyes and noticed that you were halfway sitting up, propped against the headboard.

"You ok babe?" I asked, realizing that you must've had a nightmare. You'd woke up like this other times but fell back to sleep almost immediately. I could tell tonight would be different.

"Yeah."

But I wasn't convinced.

I nuzzled my face into your chest and reached up to run my hand through your hair. I wasn't sure if I should stay close or if you needed space, until I felt your head tilt into my hand. I brought my hand back down and started running my fingers along your arm. With every deep breath you took, attempting to calm yourself down, my heart began to beat faster.

You sat up a little farther and squeezed my hand before sliding out of bed. "I'll be right back."

I could hear you pacing the living room, and I so badly wanted to go down and wrap my arms around you, but I knew you needed that time by yourself. My heart twisted imagining what kind of dream could have brought on that reaction and realized I'd never truly understand what you experienced while you were on that island.

A few minutes passed by before you climbed back into bed, though it seemed like an eternity, and without a word you curled your body into mine and wrapped your arms around me tighter than you ever have. I reached my hands up and grabbed onto you as tightly as I could, my way of saying "I'm right here. I've got you."

"Sweetheart, are you all right?"

You pressed your face into my hair, and I could feel you move your head up and down. "Yeah." You whispered. "Just stay here."

"I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

After a few minutes I felt your grip on me loosen and your breathing even out as you drifted back to what I prayed would be a dreamless sleep. I laid awake a little while longer, wanting so badly to be able to protect you from that pain, knowing I couldn't. Your soft snoring, which usually wakes me, was comforting in that moment, and I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd be holding and allowed myself to sleep again, as well.

We must not have moved the rest of the night because when the morning sunlight shone through the bedroom window, your arms were still wrapped tight around me, just the way I knew I always wanted them to be.

I rolled over to face you, and you opened your eyes. You didn't say anything, but you didn't have to. The way you looked at me in that moment, the way you pulled me into you said it all.