3rd Person

"You got to breathe."

"I am breathing Oliver." Ava argued as Oliver sighed in frustration. He was currently trying to teach Ava how to use a bow.

Walking back over he helped her get into the right position again before standing behind her. "Breathe in when you draw the bow. Slowly exhale as you release."

Nodding, Ava did as she was told and still missed horribly. Groaning she let her arms fall to her sides. "This is pointless Oliver. I can't hit the damn tree."

"You are thinking too much. You gotta clear your head."

"Of course i'm thinking too much! All I have time for anymore is thinking! I'm sorry I can't be as great as the almighty Oliver Queen!"

"I know your angry but that anger isn't going to help."

"Right because all i gotta do is aim and shoot!" and in one quick motion trying to prove a point Oliver grabbed his bow and without breaking eye contact hit the tree right in the dead center.

"Look i know what happened to Tommy still hurts. Trust me i know. I think about him everyday."

Ava sat down, leaning against a tree and Oliver followed suit. Since they came to the island they refused to talk about Tommy. Unknown to each other they blamed themselves. But they knew they needed to talk about it, for both their sakes.

"Days leading up to the… undertaking he was so angry. And every time i'd ask he would push me away."

Oliver sighed and sat quietly thinking which Ava knew he needed. Oliver has been more reserved since coming back. "That was my fault. He said he couldn't be with Laurel because I still love her and I betrayed his trust."

"Of course you still love her. She was a big part of your life. And you never stop loving people."

Oliver looked over at the girl sitting next to him with a small smile on his face. "Since when did you start believing in love?"

Ava returned the smile. "Contrary to popular belief Mr. Queen but i always have. I just don't hand my love out to just anyone."

"Well i feel sorry for whoever gets your love. You're mean." Oliver laughed when Ava smacked his arm.

The pair fell into a comfortable silence as they listened to nature around them. Since coming to the island a few weeks ago Oliver and Ava felt each other getting closer. And during that time Ava felt herself slowly falling for Ollie. She listened to his story, the parts he was willing to share at least and offered comfort or advice when he needed it. After a few moments Oliver was getting restless so he squeezed Ava's leg to get her attention only to see she was asleep.

Smiling fondly, Oliver stood taking Ava in his arms and walking back to the plane. On the walk back Ava snuggled closer into his chest. Gently laying her on the makeshift bed he brushed some of her hair out of her face. Oliver was happy she was finally getting some rest since she hasn't slept much since Tommy.

Oliver's POV

I'm starting to worry about Ava. She hasn't been sleeping or eating since Tommy died. I don't know what hurts more, the fact that Tommy is dead or that i'm the reason he is and his sister is suffering for it. I mean i killed her dad, i couldn't save her brother and over 500 people died because I couldn't stop the undertaking. And despite all of that she was willing to cheer me up and offer me advice. That is why i am going to do whatever I can to protect her.

Walking back into the plane i dropped my bow when i didn't see Ava in bed. "Ava!" rushing out of the plane i tried to focus in the dark. "Ava where are you?"

I ran off in a random direction in hopes that I could find her. If my time on this island taught me anything is that i should never assume that it is safe here. Especially after everything that happened. Stopping i caught my breath as I looked around for any sign. "Ava!"

"Over here…" her voice was quiet, almost a whisper but i ran in the direction it came from before coming to a stop in front of a crying Ava. she was sitting up against a tree shaking most likely from the cold and crying.

Sitting next to her I wrapped an arm around her, pulling her into my chest letting her cry. That was the one thing she refused to do after we got here. She didn't want to seem weak crying over her brother even though i have shed my fair share of tears for Tommy. We both missed him but I have to remind myself that not only did she lose her brother but she found out that her dad was the cause for the death of all those people as well as Tommy and I killed him. She lost to many people that night.

"I miss him so much Ollie… its not fair!..."

"Shhh… I know. I miss him too.." I pulled her closer and kissed her head.

Ava held onto me as if it was life or death. "How could he kill him? Tommy is his son! My brother!..."

"Ava i need you to listen to me. The last thing Malcom wanted was you or Tommy hurt. I know in the end he wasn't himself but he wanted to protect you and Tommy. Give you guys a better future." I tried to reassure her. Giver her some sort of comfort or closure but it only seemed to make her more upset as she sat up straight and looked at me through narrowed eyes.

"Protect us? He used our mothers death as an excuse to murder hundreds of people! He dishonored her and everything she stood for the second he came up with the undertaking! So do not tell me he wanted me and Tommy to have a better future because of him Tommy doesn't have one! He won't get married, have kids, have a life because my father decided to play god!"

With that said Ava stood before storming off in the direction of the plane. Sighing i ran my hand through my hair. I know she needs some space but i feel helpless. Nothing I say or do can make her feel better. I just have to let her work through it the way I did. But the difference between us is that she has support while I was alone. I snapped out of my thoughts when Ava yelled my name. Pushing myself up I sprinted towards her as fast as I could, coming to a dead stop when i saw her standing stiffer than a statue.

My eyes traveled from her face down to her feet and my breath got caught in my throat. "Alright. Don't move ok?"

"Please tell me you can disarm it." she asked hopefully. I shook my head and watched the color drain from her face as she squeezed her eyes shut.

"Ok Ava i got an idea. Do you trust me?" she nodded slowly. Taking a deep breath I backed up slightly before running at her full force, tackling her to the ground away from the mine covering her body with mine to protect her from the blast.

I felt her jump and hide her face in my chest. We both laid there catching our breaths before I pushed myself up into a pushup position staring down at her. We stared at each other slightly wide eyed before laughing.

Ava's POV

Our laughter had long since died down and me and Oliver were just staring at each other. We both knew about the tension but I didn't think either of us wanted to make a move. It didn't seem like the time or place. Tommy had just died but i needed a distraction. I know i mean nothing to Oliver in that way but this may be my only chance to know what its like to be his. Even if it is just this once.

"Ava can i?.."

I was barely able to get out anything before Oliver's lips were on mine. his kiss was soft and gentle like he was trying to see if I would pull away and when I didn't He deepened the kiss. Our hands roamed each others bodies before the kiss came to an end. Both of us pulled away breathing heavier. I slowly removed my hands from his hair when I saw the troubled look in Ollie's eyes.

"Ava we shouldn't…"

"Why? Because I'm Tommy's little sister?" I snapped.

"No… well kind of." I rolled my eyes before pushing Oliver off and standing up. "Ava please."

"I don't want to hear it Oliver. Let's just forget it happened."

I started walking away when I heard Oliver groan in pain. Turning around I saw him standing with blood on his hands. A gasp escaped my lips as I rushed over to him and inspected the wounds made to his side and back and saw that it was shrapnel from the mine.

"Let's get you back to the plane. Just take your time and hold onto me if you need too."

Oliver leaned on me halfway through our walk back to the plane, barely able to keep his eyes open let alone walk. He practically collapsed on the makeshift bed while u was grabbing every type of medical supplies we had. Oliver was laying on his stomach by the time I knelt down next to him.

"This is probably gonna hurt Ollie."

"Probably?" It came out mumbled since his face was covered by his arm.

"Ok its gonna hurt a lot but I was just trying to make you feel better."

"Thanks." Taking a deep breath, I ignored Oliver's screams as I dug the shrapnel out of his body.