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Home (is wherever I'm with you)

Chapter Four

The drive back home was far from easy, with Felicity's words on constant repeat. Everyone he loved, they had needed him. And he had been a self-centered jackass, leaving them to pick up the pieces while he searched for a better life.

He had known they would be hurt when he left, but instead, he chose to focus on his own problems. Deciding to cut off thoughts of his friends and family in order to save himself pain. He had failed them. He had been too hard headed- and although he had been able to fight for his dream, he just knew it would have been a hundred times better if he had family and friends he could call to share the news with. He had messed up- but maybe this was his chance to fix it.

Feeling reenergized and determined to start making amends; he wasn't quite prepared for the sight he was met with when he made his way into Thea's room.

"Thea!" He exclaimed in shock. The boy in the red hoodie scrambled off her, falling over the edge of the bed to land on the ground.

"Ollie! God, don't you knock?" She shouted as she tried to fix her shirt, mortified as she realized what her older brother had just witnessed.

As the red hoodie boy stood up, Oliver tensed, sending him a meaningful glare.

"You should probably leave now." He growled, and the Abercrombie model lookalike practically ran out of the room, throwing a "Call me later babe!" over his shoulder.

The siblings stood in the silence, neither one daring to break their stare-off. Thea was the first to engage.

"You had no right to send him away. Roy's my boyfriend." Her glare cut him deep. First Felicity and now Thea? He wasn't quite sure how much more of the I-hate-you look he could take.

"Thea, I just came in here to apologize about earlier. And to promise that work won't be bothering me for the rest of the week. I called my assistant and made sure to let them know not to disturb me. I'm sorry." Her angry stance seemed to deflate slightly. He should have taken that as a win, but he continued on.

"Did you skip school to hang out with this Roy kid?"

Immediately, her face hardened again, and he was surprised that she didn't try throwing the lamp at him.

"School is on break Oliver. And even if I was skipping, you shouldn't be lecturing me about it- I remember your high school days. And don't use that tone to talk about Roy! You're not dad. You're barely my brother. Where were you when I needed you to break Billy's nose for dumping me? Or when I needed you to teach me how to drive, like you promised you would? You can't leave, and then waltz back in here and expect me to be the same girl, still blindly following you around. So if you don't mind, take your judgment and go somewhere else." She swept by him, shoving his shoulder as she left her room.

Once again, he was left standing alone, speechless. Seems like making amends wouldn't be as easy as he had hoped for.

"Don't mind her, dear." He turned to see his mom, standing in hallway. "She loves you, and is excited that you're here. She's just.. not used to having a brother figure in her life anymore." She smiled softly. "I'm sure she'll appreciate it soon enough though."

Sighing, he ran his hand over his face. "She's right though. What kind of right do I have? I- I missed out on a lot."

"Well, I'm sure you'll find a way to make it up to her and mend things." She turned, about to leave before she felt his hand settle on her shoulder.

"Mom. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry I left, and cut you out. I missed you." Saying the words out loud was like releasing all the pressure he had felt suffocating him. He was just so tired of being angry. Time had dulled his rage, and now he just felt foolish for letting it run him away from his home.

She turned and pulled him into a tight hug, and he was surprised to find that they were both tearing up.

"And I'm sorry that your father and I weren't always honest with you. We thought we were protecting you." Pulling back, he asked the question he was afraid to hear the answer to.

"Does Thea know?" Moira shook her head, looking down at the ground.

"She loved Robert, and she's already been through so much pain."

"Knowing would devastate her." He agreed, promising with his gaze that he wouldn't be the one telling Thea.

"Thank you. I'll tell her- one day. When she's ready." She wiped away her tears, then pulled her son to the living room. "Now, tell me all about your life! Do you like your job? Are you seeing anyone? I won't lie; Robert and I always thought you'd end up married to the lovely Ms. Smoak. So proud of that girl, did you know she's practically a millionaire now?" She dragged him over to the couch, missing the look of confusion on his face.

"Wait- what?"

"Yes dear. I mean, we all knew she was brilliant, but when she finished her studies, she made some new technological innovations, don't ask me what I didn't really understand a word of it, but she sold them off to some big name companies and made quite the income! Such a shame to see her stuck in this little ol' town, but she refuses to leave Donna. Such a thoughtful young lady. But anyways, tell me about the last five years, please."

Shaking himself out of his thoughts of Felicity, he spent the next few hours on the couch, filling his mother in on school, Stellmore, and Digg. It only occurred to him after his mother had left, being called away for wedding duties, that he probably should have mentioned Laurel.


He wasn't quite sure how he ended up outside of Tommy's house. He had easily gotten the new address from his mother, he just wasn't sure why. Of course, he loved Tommy like a brother and wanted to see him, but Felicity and Thea had already chewed him out. He wasn't quite sure he could handle three smack downs in one day.

But he was already here, and he was going to go through with it. Five years was more than enough distance between him and Tommy, and he wanted his best friend back in his life.

He didn't have to wait long for the door to swing open after he knocked. It seemed like Tommy had been expecting him.

"I'm surprised to see you in one piece." He looked at Tommy in confusion, not understanding. "Felicity called," Tommy explained with a shrug. "She did not sound like a happy camper."

Ahh right. It was rare for people to piss off Felicity and come out unscathed. Tommy went on to surprise him, opening his door and gesturing for Oliver to enter.

He quickly entered before Tommy could change his mind, and took in his surroundings. The main room seemed cozy and comfortable, filled with color and pictures, so unlike his practically sterile and plain bachelor pad. It fit Tommy well.

Walking over to the fireplace, he took a good look at all the photos lining the wall. Pictures of Tommy with his family, with Felicity, and with another unknown blonde made him curious, but he stopped when his eyes rested on a photo he clearly remembered taking.


"Guys, you're squishing me!" She squealed, as he and Tommy just grinned at each other over her head.

"Hey, you're the one who wanted to be in the middle of the picture." Tommy replied, laughing and finally turning to look at Robert, who was trying to take the picture.

"I wanted it to be a graduation sandwich! I didn't think this day would ever come, I'm so proud of you guys!" She squeezed their sides, as she stood in between them, her arms wrapped around both of their backs. They stood proudly beside her in their red graduation robes, as she wore one of her usual flowery dresses that clung to her figure.

"Ugh, I can't wait until I graduate!" She said, twirling out of their grasps and heading towards Robert, eager to see the picture. "Awwh, look at how cute we are!"


Cute indeed. It seemed that his father had taken the picture while he and Tommy were grinning at each other, and while Felicity was mid-squeal. The fond memory warmed his heart as he turned to look at Tommy.

The look on Tommy's face quickly doused the happiness he had briefly felt. He wasn't used to not seeing a smile on his best friend's face.

"Tommy, I-" He stopped when Tommy held up his hands.

"Let me guess. You're sorry you left us and didn't think to give us a ring every once in awhile. You made a mistake and now that you realize how freaking awesome we are, you want us back in your life, despite the fact that you were a complete dick cutting us off like that, and that there's no real reason for 'Licity and I to forgive you."

Oliver could only nod slowly, confused by the nonchalant tone of Tommy's voice. "You are a jackass, of epic proportions." He didn't even see the fist coming. But suddenly, he was on the ground and rubbing his jaw, looking up at a grinning Tommy.

Tommy offered him a hand, easily pulling him back up.

"What kind of hit was that?! I don't think you even managed to bruise me!"

"Well sorry," Tommy said, waving his hands dramatically in the air. "With the absence of my partner in crime, I got into a lot less fights and I'm out of practice! Felicity only believes in diplomatic resolutions." There was a beat of silence. Then the two grown men burst out into laughter, Tommy practically doubling over.

When the two finally managed to calm down, Tommy reached over to envelope Oliver in a hug, patting his back.

"I missed you, bud." When they finally pulled away, Oliver rubbed his neck in shame, looking down at the ground.

"I really am sorry though. Is that all you needed? A good punch to get it out of your system?"

Tommy laughed, clapping Oliver on the shoulder. "I figured Felicity took care of verbally chewing you out. I just wanted to at least try and kick your ass before ultimately forgiving you. But that's what bros do, and you clearly look miserable in your attempt at a life without us." They both grinned as they took a seat on the couch, easily falling into old routines and catching up.

"What is all this ruckus?" The reunited men paused their conversation as the woman Oliver had seen in many of Tommy's pictures entered the room. Key difference? The women standing before them was pregnant. Very pregnant.

Tommy jumped from his seat and hurried over to her, greeting her with a quick peck on the lips. Grabbing her hand, he guided her to the couch he had been occupying a moment ago.

"Oliver, meet Sara, my wife, the love of my life, and the soon-to-be mother of our child." He said with a wide grin.

Oliver stood up, holding out a hand for Sara to shake. "I'm Oliver, and it's an honor to meet a woman who can deal with this guy's shenanigans," he said with an impressed grin.

She took his offered hand, smiling with a knowing look in her eye. "Oh I know who you are, Oliver. I've heard quite a bit about you."

He lost his grin, trying to imagine what she had heard. "I'm guessing all terrible?"

She chuckled and gave him a gentle smile. "Not all terrible."

"So… wife." He groaned, dragging his hand down his face. "Which means I missed the wedding." He looked at Tommy, full of regret. But, as in Tommy's nature, Tommy reached out to pat his back reassuringly.

"Don't look so down, I'm sure I'll have plenty more weddings you can witness!"

Sara laughed, reaching over to give Tommy a good smack, when he snatched her hand and twirled her into a hug. He gently placed a kiss in her hair, grinning. "I joke, I joke. You know you're the only one for me."

Oliver looked away, feeling like he was intruding on a private moment as Sara snuggled in closer to Tommy. The love they had for each other was plain to see, and the sudden desire to have something similar nearly suffocated him.

He'd been so focused on his career; he had no time to spare a second thought for desires of genuine affection and love. True, he had Laurel in his life, but they were nothing like Tommy and Sara. He could never imagine being so intimate with her, or honestly, her carrying their children. Was that something he wanted? Before his panic could rise any higher, Tommy was once again addressing him.

Thinking that the conflicted look on Oliver's face was due to his guilt for missing the wedding, which it partially was, Tommy smiled reassuringly.

"Really, Ollie. It's okay. All that matters is that you're here now. And that when you go back to that big city of yours, you manage to actually call us every once in awhile." The sparkle in his eye told Oliver that everything was okay again, and that he had his brother-from-another-mother back.

"I promise." He replied, confident in his assurance. He tried to ignore the tinge of dread he felt at the thought of leaving everyone again to return to Central City.

"Why don't you stay for dinner tonight? I'm sure there's lots you boys need to catch up on," Sara's genuine smile threw him for a loop. He didn't see them often in business or the city.

"There are a few things I need to take care of at home.." he responded, thinking of Thea, but the disappointment on Tommy's face had him quickly adding, "but yeah, I'd love to come back tonight for dinner, if you're sure that's okay." The matching grin the couple wore warmed his heart, telling him he made the right decision.

"Great! Be back here around seven?"

"Sure thing." He responded, giving each of them a quick hug before he made his way out of their house.


"Honey, I'm home!" He hollered into the quiet house, grinning as he threw his keys into the bowl at the counter.

He made his way into the living room, the warm colors of the walls and the colorful pillows lining the couch adding lightness to his step.

"I'm gagging at your cheesiness!" He heard a voice call from the home office. He chuckled as he made his way over, already looking forward to having her in his arms.

He nudged the door open, laughing when he saw her pouting, sitting on the ground by the desk, and surrounded by scattered papers.

"Get a lot of work done?" He asked as he bent down to start collecting the papers.

"Actually – yes. But then I needed to find one paper- one darn paper! But I couldn't find it anywhere, and then I got stressed and then I created this mess. Ugh, it looks like a tornado hit. Damn hormones." She held out a hand, waiting for him to help her up.

He gently pulled her up, tugging her close, her back to his chest, and rested his hands on her swollen belly. Happiness swelled within him as he leaned down to kiss her cheek.

"How about I help you find that paper? But after dinner?" He felt her nod in agreement and released her, ready to make his way back to the kitchen.

"I'm just going to pick these up real quick, why don't you go ahead and set the table." She leaned up to give him a gentle kiss, meaning to keep it quick and chaste. He, however, had missed her all day. He held her to him, deepening the kiss, enjoying the feeling of being completely surrounded by her and her love.

Pulling back, he rest his forehead on hers, grinning as he tucked a stray hair behind her ears.

"Love you, Felicity."

She rewarded him with another quick peck to his lips.

"Well aren't you just a big ol' cheese ball today? I love you too, now get going!" She giggled as she lightly slapped his butt. He obeyed, turning and making his way out of the room.

But as he made his way back through the living room, it morphed right in front of him. Gone were the colorful knick knacks, now he was just surrounded by a room that seemed eerily similar to the one he had in Central City. It was plain, and cold.

"Oliver are you almost ready? We can't be late to the fundraiser."

His head snapped up in confusion as Laurel walked in to the room, wearing a formfitting blue gown and putting in her earrings.

"Wait. What?" He couldn't hide his distress. What was going on? He was just with..

"Ollie, we don't have time for this. You know how important it is for me to make a good impression."

He ignored her look of annoyance as he looked around the room, trying to reconcile it with the one he was sure he had been in moments ago. With panic, he ran into the office he had just come from. Throwing the door open, he took in the empty space. Instead of a desk and a mess of papers, it was a small gym, filled with exercise machines.

No no no. Where was –

"Felicity!" He gasped for air as he bolted from up from his bed, eventually taking in his surroundings once his breathing had slowed. Right. He was in his childhood room, taking a nap while he waited for Thea to come back home.

Shaking his head, he made his way to the bathroom, trying to forget the way Felicity had perfectly fit in his arms.


AN: I know some were hoping it would take longer for Tommy to forgive Oliver.. but I just felt like Tommy would think an apology would be enough, and that his main focus would just be on having his best friend back in his life(: