Oliver was behind the bar at Verdant, trying to keep busy by doing inventory. But he was still anxious. Oliver had invited Felicity out for the night, it seemed like the appropriate thing to do. Unfortunately he was at a complete loss at what to do. Was a casual dinner in order or something fancier? Would Felicity prefer something more creative or classic? A date was supposed to be simple, and yet Oliver was not sure, he had no idea on what to do next.
Last night had caught him off guard. He had been aware that Felicity was an attractive female, he wasn't dead, but he hadn't realized how much he liked her. Oliver didn't know what he was supposed to do, he hadn't intended to connect to so many people, he definitely hadn't meant to get so close to Felicity. It honestly scared him.
Oliver was also worried about Felicity's reaction last night. Her expression still worried Oliver. She had said she was over thinking, but what had caused her to look so...what was the word...uneasy. Oliver couldn't help wonder if she regretted last night.
He understood, he wasn't a model citizen by any means, he had dragged her into a dangerous world and he did not have a good relationship history. Honestly he had no idea why she wasn't running. He had been wondering that for a while.
Oliver closed his eyes, sometimes he wished he could find that peace he had on the island, or the carefree spirit he had before the island. He felt so out of control, always feeling unsure.
Oliver looked up to see Thea walking into the club.
Oliver plastered a smile on his face, pushing away his inner turmoil.
"Hey, Oliver" Thea said casually, as she jumped up onto a bar stool.
"What can I do for you Thea?" Oliver asked.
"Nothing, I just came to see how you were doing?" Thea asked evasively. Oliver had a feeling this had something to do with Felicity.
"As you can see I am working." Oliver pointed to the invoices on the bar.
"Mmmm." Thea said thoughtfully wondering how to craft her next question. She had been worried about her brother, ever since he returned from the island. She wanted to help him, and if there was ever a problem that she could help with, she would.
"What?" Oliver questioned, though he knew that he would regret it.
"Just wondering how your love life is going?" Thea questioned.
"As usual, it's none of your business." Oliver stated, thinking, more like praying this would end the conversation.
"Right" Thea said rolling her eyes. "Felicity seems interesting, she isn't your usual type."
Oliver got defensive. "And what is my type?"
Thea ignored Oliver and continued her thinking out loud. "Then again you have changed your type since you've been back. First a mob boss's daughter, and then a cop. Boy did I not see that coming. Plus you have that on again off again thing with Laurel, I can never tell what's going on between the two of you."
Oliver listened to his sister muse about his love life. Oliver knew that Thea wanted him to interrupt and reveal something. He had no intention of giving Thea the satisfaction. He remembered her games.
"No comment?" Thea asked.
"Nope, you seem to have it all figured out." Oliver said.
"That's just it, I know the players, but I don't know how you feel about them." Thea said. "If you don't tell me, how can I help you?"
"Who says I need your help?" Oliver questioned.
"Bro, you look like you have been stressing out. I know that look; its relationship troubles." Thea said.
"You are too young to know that look." Oliver said half heartedly.
Thea smiled sadly, "I'm not." She knew that Oliver regretted the time he missed on the island. She knew Oliver still imagined her as the kid he left behind.
"You aren't going to leave until I talk to you, huh?" Oliver asked.
"You know me so well," Thea said with a smile.
"I do need some advice," Oliver conceded, he had no idea what to do with Felicity. Maybe his sister could give him the female perspective. "I have a date..."
"With who?" Thea asked innocently.
"Felicity" Oliver said sternly.
"So it wasn't some internet gossip." Thea said thoughtfully.
"No" Oliver said curtly. "Anyways, I said I would take her out, and I don't know..."
"Do you like her?" Thea questioned.
"Yes that is why I am taking her out." Oliver answered.
Thea rolled her eyes. "I mean how serious is the relationship?"
"Why does that matter?" Oliver asked, he wasn't sure of the answer.
"Because you need to plan your date accordingly." Thea explained. "Is this your first date, or was the club?" She realized she had to take Oliver through his relationship step by step.
Oliver did not want to tell his little sister about last night. "Um..."
Thea raised her hands, and squirmed, she did not need any more details. "Ok, um...so it's getting serious?" With her brother she was never sure.
"I don't know." Oliver answered honestly. Felicity had made it clear that she wanted to be in the moment. Plus Oliver could still see the look on her face. What had made her look so worried?
"Do you care about her?" Thea said.
"Of course." Oliver answered.
"Do you want to be with anyone else?" Thea questioned.
"No." Oliver said firmly.
"Why do you like her?" Thea questioned.
"She's Felicity." Oliver said. Thea raised her eyebrows. Oliver continued. "She is intelligent, and helpful. But I guess I like her because she didn't hate the person I have become, she doesn't compare me to the old Oliver or want me to be him. She accepts the person I am now."
Thea smiled, it sounded like Oliver had begun to open up to Felicity, at least more than he had to her.
"Well even if you don't see it, I do, you are serious about her." Thea smiled. She had to meet Felicity as soon as possible.
Oliver didn't know how he felt about that. Being serious about someone came with serious complications. But damn it, he knew that Felicity meant too much to him to be just a simple fling.
Thea could see Oliver internally freaking out, though his face remained poker still, his eyes were panicked.
"What is Oliver?" Thea asked. "Being serious about a person's a good thing. It makes life worth living."
Oliver glared at Thea. "Serious brings a whole host of complications."
"What are you worried about?" Thea questioned.
That Felicity would get hurt. He would somehow screw up the relationship like he always did. Or somehow being the hood would endanger Felicity's life. Or she could get too close and get scared by what she sees.
Oliver knew that was his real fear. Felicity saw him as the hood, but Oliver wondered how long before she got tired of being with a vigilante. Someone who was putting his life in danger on a constant basis. That couldn't be easy to watch. Cops had a hard enough time maintaining a relationship, and they had the safety of partners, guns, protective armor and not breaking the law.
Stop! Oliver thought to his mind, he was going off on some tangent. This must be what it's like in Felicity's mind, Oliver thought.
"Thea...in case you haven't noticed connecting to people...after the island...and everything...I just don't want to lose her." Oliver admitted. For once it was nice having someone to talk to.
"Oliver that's exactly why you need to go for it, if you weren't afraid of losing her, it would be worth fighting for." Thea said.
"When did you get so wise?" Oliver said, while smiling at his sister.
"It's a gift," Thea said while smirking at her big brother.
"So what do I do for this date?" Oliver asked again. He hadn't meant to go so deep and emotional, he had just wanted a simple answer. Damn it, Oliver thought, he had revealed everything Thea had wanted him too. Oliver realized Thea was a lot better at these mind games.
"I say you show her a fun part of yourself, but something clever. That way you show her that you care, and aren't a cliché" Thea said. Thea wanted to like Felicity, it was cute to see Oliver, worried over a date. He was never nervous before. It must mean Felicity was special. But if Felicity hurt Oliver in anyway, Thea would find a way to make her pay.
"Um..." Oliver had no clue what creative, and interesting was. .
Thea sighed. "I don't mean magical, Oliver, just show her a fun side of yourself. But make sure you include dinner, do you know her favourite food?"
Thea saw the look of panic start to enter Oliver's' eyes again and quickly backtracked. "Or you could see where the evening ends up, and go for a meal spontaneously."
Oliver nodded. "Thea...thanks, I missed talking to you."
Thea smiled widely. "I'm always here, Oliver, anytime you need a shoulder, or someone to listen. Always."
Oliver jumped over the bar.
"Smooth." Thea said jokingly.
"Come here speedy." Oliver engulfed Thea for a hug.
Thea smiled and squeezed Oliver back, it felt good to get parts of her brother back. She hoped she would get to see this "new" Oliver too. It seemed Felicity had. Another thing she would just have to ask her about.
"Ok, I will leave you to get ready, but change into something a little nicer, but not flashy." Thea said as she left.
Oliver nodded. "Will do."
Oliver watched an adult Thea walk out of the club, he wished he had a chance to watch her grow up. But there was no point in being sad about that. He had too many other things to worry about.
Thea had given him good advice, but it was vague. How was he supposed to share a fun part of himself with Felicity, he already showed her the hood. What else was there?
Oliver didn't want to have a date filled with awful island stories. Not his idea of setting the mood.
Oliver got to thinking, as he continued inventory.
Author's Note: First off, thanks for all the awesome reviews, they make me smile.
Secondly: How awesome is arrow right now, all the olicity! It's freakin' awesome
And finally, I hope everyone had an awesome holiday's and everyone has an even better New Year :D
P.S sorry for any mistakes