Notes at the end!
"Oliver? What are you doing here? I thought you were out with Laurel at some fundraiser." She stopped herself, nervously biting her lip, heart skipping a beat as she noticed he was sporting formal wear, although he'd removed his tie and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt. She swallowed hard, trying not to stare at his clavicle as she waited for him to speak.
"Hey Felicity, I hope you don't mind me stopping by so late," he said, taking immediate notice of her outfit. He was not surprised to find his heart beat a little faster the adorable sight of her wearing a pair of gym shorts and a T-shirt that sported the words "not that kind of doctor." He forced the feeling down, reminding himself she was his best friend not to mention one of the few people who'd seen him at his worst and stuck around. Plus, he shouldn't be thinking how well the clingy t-shirt showed off her curves. He was, after all, dating Laurel.
"No, it's fine, I'm just used to you using the fire escape and wearing leather," she replied, recovering her power of speech and stepping back to let him in. She paused as he just stood there, looking at her with a strange expression in his eyes. "Is something wrong?" she asked, noting his gaze never wavered from her. She looked down, suddenly realizing what she was wearing. She could feel the blush, but forced it back. She had every right to be wearing what served as her pajamas on a normal night. Most people would be asleep by now anyhow. She told herself the quick spark she thought she saw shoot through his eyes was only her overactive imagination.
"Nothing's wrong," he said, quickly recovering himself as he realized he'd been staring like a lecher at her. Stepping through the door, he continued. "Laurel didn't feel great and wanted to go home and the fundraiser was really boring, and I went back to Verdant to work out but it was too quiet, and well, I just sort of found myself here as I really didn't want to be alone." He was surprised to realize he could ramble as well as Felicity if the situation warranted. But it disturbed him a little that he felt the need to ramble in her presence.
Felicity wasn't sure what to think as she contemplated his words. Although something inside her thrilled to the idea that he'd sought her out. Suddenly realizing the door was open behind him, she slipped past him to push it closed. "Well, I can't promise you the most exciting night in the world, but you're more than welcome to watch TV with me."
Oliver felt a tightness in his chest that had been there all night suddenly loosen. It shouldn't have surprised him as that tended to happen a lot when he was around Felicity. It was, he could admit, what had brought him to her doorstep. She was a breath of fresh air after an evening of fawning over people who he couldn't stand, who whispered behind his back about his Mother and Malcolm, about Tommy and Laurel, about the playboy son taking on his family business. Laurel hadn't been much help either as she'd spent most of the time trying to drum up funds for her own legal defense efforts for the residents of the Glades. To tell the truth, he'd never felt more alone than he had in the past four hours.
Which was why Felicity's smile and easy acceptance, no questions asked, of his reason for appearing on her doorstep suddenly made him feel a little less lonely. Following her into the living room, he noticed the bowl of popcorn on the table in front of the TV and his stomach let out a loud growl.
Felicity couldn't help but laugh. "Sounds like someone's hungry, didn't they feed you at the fundraiser?" She heard him laugh, deep and rich behind her and fought down the shiver that ran through her at the sound.
"Appetizers and finger foods aren't what I'd call a feast," he offered as he slipped off his jacket, settled onto the couch and reached for a handful of popcorn. He sighed as he tasted it. "Finally, someone who believes there can never be enough butter and salt on popcorn." He smiled as she laughed.
"It's probably the most unhealthy popcorn you can find but I need my butter and salt fix," she replied, grinning as he popped another handful into his mouth. She tried to ignore how the movement of his arm stretched his dress shirt across his chest in a very appealing way.
"I think popcorn was one of the foods I missed most on the Island," he offered, taking another handful. "I learned how to fish, and there were plenty of berries and greens I found to eat, but there was a distinct lack of corn." He paused for a moment, realizing he didn't feel uncomfortable telling her about this. It was something he'd analyze more later, as right now, he wanted another handful of popcorn.
Felicity bit her lip, wanting to ask more, but not wanting to interrupt what looked like an island memory that was NOT causing him pain. Those were few and far between and she felt the ache in her heart ease just a bit as she realized he must have felt comfortable enough around her to share the memory with her.
"Well, I've got plenty of the stuff, and am happy to make more," she offered, smiling as he continued munching.
Oliver paused in his chewing as he observed her smile in the light of the TV. She had her glasses on but her face was devoid of makeup. Not surprisingly, he thought she looked more beautiful without it. In fact, he didn't think he'd ever seen her look so relaxed or so beautiful. The thought made him realize his mind was going down a path it shouldn't in relation to his friend and he quickly regrouped. "So, what are we watching? And please, tell me it has nothing to do with Colin Firth."
Felicity frowned. "What's wrong with Colin Firth? His Mr. Darcy could sweep me off my feet any day." She knew her tone was accusatory, but no one insulted Colin Firth in her presence. Not even Oliver.
Oliver rolled his eyes. "What is it with that man? Thea nearly killed me when I made some comment about not understanding why women found him so attractive." He sighed as he noted the expression on her face. She really was cute when she was annoyed with him.
"We are so not going there." She sighed as she flopped down on the other side of the sofa from where he sat. "However, I am going to introduce you to another Brit that happens to be one of my favorite men in the world."
Oliver frowned at the devotion he heard in her voice. He didn't like the thought of her thinking of any man so highly. At least, any man that wasn't him. But he wasn't going to go there. Most definitely not.
"Oliver? Where'd you go? I lost you there for a moment." Felicity wondered at the different emotions she could see reflected in his eyes, before they settled back on her with a look that made her catch her breath.
"Sorry, just wondering what type of man makes it to the top of Felicity Smoak's favorites list." He could have sworn he saw her blush deepen and he felt his own heart skip a beat as he waited for her response.
Felicity figured it would really freak him out if she answered truthfully, that he was at the top of her list. Definitely not the route to go although it was on the tip of her tongue. Not for the first time did she offer a prayer of thanks that she hadn't let it slip out against her will.
"Felicity? Cat got your tongue?" Oliver was amused to see her eyes, which had gone distant for a moment, focus back on him. For just a moment, he wondered if by some chance he might be at the top of her list. Wondered why that thought made something inside him feel rather primitive and feral.
"Sorry, I'm just prioritizing" she answered, trying to think on her feet and not get lost in his amused eyes. "Tennant's Doctor is pretty high up there, although I have a fondness for Eccleston that doesn't seem to disappear. Then of course there's Colin Firth, and Colin O'Donoghue from "Once Upon a Time" he's the sexiest Captain Hook I've ever seen. And I can't forget Channing Tatum…talk about a set of abs on a man that knows how to show them off…" She stopped, feeling a blush heat her cheeks again as she realized she was rambling. Not to mention there was a strange look on Oliver's face. She quickly thought back to what she'd just babbled and felt the blush deepen.
"So you have a thing for men who like to show off their abs?" He wasn't sure why he'd said that, but he suspected it had something to with thinking she was absolutely breathtaking when she blushed and stumbled over her words. Plus, he really, really wanted to know her answer.
Felicity bit her lip, trying to figure out how to respond without getting herself into embarrassing waters. It wasn't unusual for Oliver to tease her, but in this setting, it was rather off putting. Not in a bad way, mind you, but still...
"Felicity?" His voice drew her out of her thoughts. Humor, that was how she had to play this even though his smile was in danger of making her melt into a puddle.
"Have you seen 'Magic Mike'?" She saw the confusion on his face and grimaced. "Of course you haven't that came out two years ago and well, you were otherwise occupied, not to mention I don't think it's really up your alley, at least I hope not," she cut herself off as she saw him watching her with an amused expression. "Never mind, let's just say I know what I'm talking about and there's a reason they're making a 'Magic Mike 2'."
Oliver frowned. "Do I even want to know what kind of a movie is called "Magic Mike" and features Channing Tatum's abs?"
Felicity laughed. "Probably not. Besides, I really don't think it's the type of movie Oliver Queen would find amusing," she offered. She also refused to admit that when she watched the movie, she tended to transpose Oliver's body onto Channing's. Definitely not going there with him sitting on the other end of the sofa.
Oliver sighed as her words registered. They struck a chord in him as he realized that he didn't know what type of movies he would find amusing anymore. In fact, he couldn't remember the last movie he'd seen, even before the island. Of course, then he'd paid more attention to how far he could get with his dates than to what was on the screen.
"Oliver, you okay?" Felicity saw a myriad of emotions filter through his eyes, and the sadness that replaced them all made her own throat tighten. She had a suspicion he was thinking about all he'd missed while on the island. She wished she could do something to comfort him, but didn't know what that might be. She settled for reaching over and squeezing his hand, showing she understood. It was a gesture she'd found came easier to both of them over the past few months though they never acknowledged it.
Oliver came back to himself with a start, not surprised to find his hand linked with Felicity's. It seemed her hand was always there when he needed it. He chose not to think about how right it felt in his.
"Sorry, I was just thinking that I couldn't remember the last time I saw a movie, even before the island."
Felicity frowned. "I'd think you'd have been at every premiere out there, as they tended to be social events for Starling City, and one thing you could count on was Oliver Queen making the scene," she offered, hoping he didn't take offense at her words.
Oliver sighed. "I did go to a lot of premieres, but I really didn't pay much attention to the movie," he offered sheepishly, seeing her eyes widen as she realized what he was implying.
"Oh, of course," she fought back the image that hit her of being in a darkened movie theater with a very amorous Oliver Queen next to her. Suddenly, her small living room seemed awfully warm.
"I missed a lot in those five years, but even more before then," his words had a bitter edge to them. "I was pretty screwed up and selfish back then, I don't know how anyone put up with me."
Felicity sighed, squeezing the hand she realized neither had let go of while they talked. "Oliver, everyone has things they regret in their past, trust me, I wasn't always this babbling, blonde IT genius you see before you, but everyone changes. You've changed a lot and I think you should be proud of that. I'm proud of you," she offered, blushing even as she said the words, wondering how juvenile they sounded.
Oliver marveled at her words, amazed she could see anything redeemable in him. They humbled him in some ways, made him feel even stronger in others. Felicity Smoak was truly a remarkable woman. Who apparently, had a past of her own.
"So, now I'm curious, what is in Felicity Smoak's past that she's changed besides her hair color?" His smile grew as he saw her eyes widen. He was pretty sure she hadn't realized he'd caught that part of her rambling.
Felicity swallowed hard as she heard his question. Oh she was so not going there. Not with him. Not ever. Which meant she had to get them onto a different topic. Immediately.
"Nothing that you need to concern yourself with," she replied, hurrying on before he could interrupt her. "Besides, how did we get on this topic, I thought we were going to watch TV?"
Oliver smiled, realizing suddenly that here, on her couch, watching her get flustered over his words, he felt more at home, more comfortable than he did anywhere else. Including at Laurel's place. The thought of his girlfriend sobered him for a moment, but he quickly pushed the image down. He wasn't going to think about Laurel right now. He wanted to enjoy the night with his best friend. His very beautiful best friend. Who seemed determined to educate him about popular culture.
"That we were, so," he settled himself deeper into the couch, finally turning his attention to the screen. He frowned. "Why are you watching a show about Angel statues? I thought you said this was a show featuring one of your favorite men?"
Felicity laughed. Only Oliver. "Trust me, you're never going to see angel statues the same again. We're starting from the beginning so you'll understand." With a grin, she started the episode over, deciding half the fun was going to be seeing how Oliver reacted to the Weeping Angels.
Oliver thought he should be wary of the look in her eyes, but he chose to ignore it, focusing again on the screen as he helped himself to more popcorn. How bad could a TV show about statues be?
Thirty minutes later, he found out.
Notes: Weeping Angels=Scarier than most things out there (Doctor Who fans will know and understand). Hope you enjoyed, and please leave some feedback if you feel so inclined!
