A/N: Guys, that episode. THAT EPISODE. I won't post specifics here in case some of you haven't seen it yet, but it was everything I was hoping for. Even though I'm sure some of you are unhappy with the ending, I loved it. There is just so much they can do with it for next season, and I am excited to see what the writers come up with. Obviously, the episode inspired me to write and this is what I came up with! Hope you enjoy it!
Chapter Six
It was strange. Felicity had never really thought about what it would be like to have Oliver with her at a wedding. And if she did think about it, she probably would have thought it would be awkward or some level of mild discomfort that would result in a lot of bathroom trips and burying her face in a large glass of wine. But, oh, how wrong she had been. Oliver was with her, arm lightly around her shoulders, and it felt like the most natural thing in a world. She couldn't imagine anyone more natural to be standing next to her, not Diggle or Roy or any number of ex-boyfriends who previously would have been prime wedding date material. No, none of them seemed quite as perfect as Oliver.
They stood on the side of the dance floor, Taylor and David walking out hand in hand to perform their first dance as a married couple. They'd just finished cake and the band made an announcement for everyone to make their way to the dance floor. It was cooler on the dance floor – being situated just under some rather large air vents – and when Oliver saw she was shivering he had slipped his arm around her shoulders. She wasn't cold anymore, but she didn't tell him that.
"Do you know what their song is?" Sadie asked Felicity.
Felicity shook her head and said, "No, do you?"
"No idea."
"I just hope it's not something embarrassing," Lydia interjected. "You know, like they do the choreographed dance from She's All That or something."
Sadie smirked and said, "Why would they do the dance from She's All That?"
"It was just an example," Lydia returned.
The music started up and Lydia gasped, grabbing Sadie's arm.
"No way. This has to be a joke."
Opening notes of I've Had the Time of My Life filled the room and David braced his hands on the center of Taylor's back, taking her into a deep back bend.
"Are they doing the Dirty Dancing dance?" Oliver asked in disbelief.
"Yes," Felicity breathed out, eyes wide. "Yes, they are."
Taylor and David moved around the dance floor, doing an authentic albeit slightly flawed rendition of the famous ending dance scene from Dirty Dancing. Lydia leaned in toward Sadie, Felicity, and Oliver, and said, "I take back what I said earlier. This is amazing."
"David has surprisingly fluid hips," Sadie noted, tilting her head to the side as she watched the pair dance. Lydia snorted and said, "Fluid hips? You want to maybe rephrase that? Or, you know, take it back completely?"
Sadie laughed, knocking Lydia's arm with her elbow. Lydia looked over at Oliver and Felicity and said, "So, are you guys going to do something like this at your wedding?"
Felicity flushed, about to stammer some response, when Oliver said, "You know, I wanted to do the Dirty Dancing dance, but now that they've done it I think it's out of the question."
"Can't handle the comparisons?" Lydia joked. "Also, don't think Sadie and I will forget the fact that you implied you've thought about a wedding. If Felicity doesn't have a ring by Christmas, we will be bringing this conversation up again, complete with a transcript."
"Oh wow, this escalated quickly," Felicity said, laughing uncomfortably. She glanced up at Oliver, hoping he wasn't too freaked out by the escalated wedding talk, but he seemed unruffled.
"The lift is coming," Sadie said, attention now completely on the dance floor. "I hope he doesn't drop her."
Lydia snorted. "That would be an awful start to their marriage."
The group waited in silence as Taylor and David made their way to separate ends of the dance floor and prepped themselves for the lift. Taylor took a running start and then jumped, David taking a hold of her waist and miraculously raising her above his head.
"Oh! That's it!" Sadie said, clapping her hands together excitedly. "That's the lift!"
"I'd be great at that lift," Oliver noted, grinning down at Felicity.
She nodded and returned, "You do have remarkable upper body strength. I can attest to that from all the times I've watched you on the salmon bars. I mean, seen. I've seen you on the salmon bars. I don't watch you, because that would be creepy. And…yeah."
Oliver grinned softly – like he always did when she rambled – and she pressed her lips together, turning her attention back to the dance floor. The audience had begun to clap for Taylor and David and Felicity joined in, grinning when Taylor sent her a small wave.
The father-daughter dance was next, for which there was no movie dance performance.
"Is it just me, or is this sort of a letdown after that last dance?" Lydia said in a low voice.
Sadie channeled her motherly instinct as she chided her with a well-timed, "Lydia."
The father-daughter dance ended, and the band struck up a Frank Sinatra classic, inviting other couples onto the dance floor. Lydia headed off to the bar while Sadie went off to find her husband. Oliver glanced down at Felicity and asked, "Would you like to dance?"
"We don't have to," she said immediately.
"I know," he returned with a slight grin. "But I want to. So, would you like to dance with me, Felicity?"
There was nothing in that moment that Felicity wanted more. She nodded and he took her hand and tugged her out to the center of the dance floor. He slipped one arm around her waist and grasped her hand with the other. They were close, so close that she could smell his aftershave, and she wondered idly if he caught notes of her perfume. She wondered if it made his stomach twist like his scent of oak and lemon did to her.
"I should warn you, I'm not the best dancer," she told him. "I sort of lack-" she stepped on his foot and winced, "-rhythm."
"You can dance, Felicity. Anyone can dance."
"Really? Because I've been proving that statement wrong at just about every dance since grade school."
He laughed lightly and told her, "Dancing is all about having a strong leader."
She raised one manicured eyebrow and said, "I'm assuming your referring to yourself there?"
"I went to several cotillions growing up, and each one required extensive dance lessons," Oliver told her. "So, in short, yes. I am referring to myself."
She smirked. "Alright. Lead away, dancing Queen."
He squeezed her hand and then began to move, nodding his head encouragingly as she inwardly rallied her feet to match his. Surprisingly, with her gaze trained on his, he was able to effortlessly take her around the dance floor. She tripped up if she paid too much attention to what her feet were doing, but if she just focused on him and trusted in his lead, her feet moved correctly of their own accord.
"See, I told you that you could dance," he said.
"Believe me, this is a first," she told him. "Usually men have given up on me by this point because I've abused their feet so much."
"They just weren't the right partner for you."
She grinned, choosing to let that comment hang in the air as he whisked her around the dance floor. Oliver really was a good dancer. She shouldn't have been surprised, since he excelled in just about every physical activity. There was another physical activity that edged its way into her mind but she quickly pushed it away, thinking it highly inappropriate to think about something like that with him literally inches away from her.
The song came to a close and the band struck up a slower tune. Oliver pulled her closer, bringing their interlocked fingers in to his chest as they swayed slowly to the beat. She rested her chin on his shoulder, smiling softly as she felt his thumb casually brush at her side. Their bodies were pressed together lightly and she could feel his breath on her neck. He was suspiciously quiet and when she stole a furtive glance up at his face, she was surprised to see the tension in his jaw. Thinking that maybe she had taken things too far by resting her chin on his shoulder she pulled away from him slightly, leaving an appropriate gap between their bodies.
Someone tapped Felicity on the shoulder and she glanced back, dread settling when her gaze landed on Kevin. Of course he would show up now. Kevin cleared his throat and turned his gaze toward Oliver as he asked, "Mind if I cut in?"
Oliver's eyes flashed, but he looked to Felicity and when she nodded slightly he dropped his arm from her waist and said, "I'll be over by the table if you need me."
The subtext in that statement wasn't lost on Felicity and she nodded and told him, "I'll be okay."
She watched him walk away until Kevin slipped his arm around her waist and she turned her gaze toward him. It was funny how only a few years ago dancing with him would feel like the most natural thing in the world. Now, it felt completely foreign. He held her just a bit too tightly and his hand was clammy.
"You look beautiful tonight," he said.
"Thank you," she said stiffly. "So, how's Stark Industries?"
"It's good," he said, nodding. "I'm surprised you're asking."
"Why? Because you stole the job from me?"
He shrugged. "Something like that."
"I'm not angry anymore," she told him truthfully. "I was. For a long time. If it was possible to make actual voodoo dolls, I would have made two of you. And used them extensively But it ended up working out for the best. I ended up at Queen Consolidated. I met Oliver. None of that would have happened if you hadn't stolen my job."
"I expected more bitterness," he noted. "Some intentional stepping on my feet. Those shoes do look particularly spiky."
She shook her head, thinking just how wrong he was about everything. She wasn't someone to hold a grudge. Even if she hadn't ended up at Queen Consolidated, she wouldn't have made some scene at the wedding. The way Felicity saw it was that if she held onto the anger and bitterness from every time she was let down, her entire heart – her entire being – would be consumed by it. So, instead she chose to let it go. She chose the light instead of the dark. It occurred to her just how little he knew her in that moment, and just how little he knew her before.
Oliver watched them dancing, trying to ignore the uncomfortable tightening in his chest. He hated that Kevin guy before but he hated him even more now. They had been dancing, and it had been nice, really nice. It was intoxicating having her so close. He'd partaken in his fair share of alcohol and other stimulants before he ended up on the island, but nothing was compared to the high that was having her in his arms. When she'd rested her chin lightly on his shoulder he had to physically stop himself from turning his face toward her hair and smelling her jasmine shampoo. The power she had over him was staggering, and the only thing more staggering was how little awareness she had about any of it.
"That little shit," Lydia hissed, coming to stand beside him. He glanced over at her and recognized the direction of her gaze.
"She said she was okay with it."
"Of course she did," Lydia said, shaking her head. "She hates making a scene. I swear, if he's doing anything to upset her right now I will take his balls off with a butter knife."
Oliver winced. "That was very specific. And graphic."
"A vague threat doesn't do anyone any good," she said off-handedly.
Oliver watched Kevin lean in close to Felicity and whisper something in her ear. His fists tightened at her sides and he gritted his teeth. He had no reason to be territorial, but jealousy rose in his chest regardless.
"You have nothing worry about, you know," Lydia said, noting the tension in his body.
"What?"
"She's crazy about you," Lydia said. "Even when she was her most in love with Kevin, she never looked at him like she looks at you."
Oliver swallowed hard, trying to ignore the feelings rising in his chest at her words.
"I get you being pissed that she's over there with him," Lydia continued. "Because he is just about the shittiest shit that exists. He gives that Disick guy from the Kardasians a run for his money. But you don't have to worry about her."
"Thank you," he said, finding himself relaxing a bit at her words.
"Do you want a drink? I'll even buy you one."
"It's an open bar," he reminded her with a slight grin.
"Then I'll buy you two," she returned unceremoniously.
He laughed, gaze moving back to Felicity and Kevin out on the dance floor. They were farther apart now, Felicity's face serious as Kevin told her something.
"I think I'm going to wait for Felicity."
"Suit yourself," she said. Before she left she patted him on the arm and said, "But really, about what we said before, ring by Christmas or we start calling. I already stole your number from Felicity's phone so…" she gave him a meaningful look and then headed off toward the bar.
"I just wanted to let you know that I am sorry for what happened," Kevin said, voice earnest. "Especially with Cathy."
Felicity frowned, glancing to the side. Cathy was the coding TA that Kevin had been sleeping with for a good portion of their relationship. She'd tried to forget her over the years post their breakup, and she wasn't exactly thrilled to have the entire subject drudged up.
"It's fine," she told him levelly.
"No, it's not. It was pretty shitty. I know that. It was just easier. I know that's no excuse, but the feelings that I had for you…it was too much."
"What?" she said, cheeks flushing. She had a feeling where the conversation was going, and she so hoped she was wrong.
"I loved you Felicity," he said, and she wanted nothing more to run right then but his arm was tight around her waist. "I loved you and it was too much for me. I panicked and I turned toward something easy and familiar."
"Kevin-"
"I just need you to know that I regret what I did to you every single day," he continued. She glanced around helplessly, trying to find someone – anyone – who could save her from this situation. "You were this beautiful and intelligent woman who made me feel – " he paused, and her stomach twisted as she anticipated the next part of his little speech, " – makes me feel-"
"No," she interrupted, shaking her head. She wrenched herself away from his grasp and said, "You don't get to do this. You don't get to come here and dump all of this on me."
"Felicity-"
"I don't want your apologies. I don't want your regrets. I don't want anything from you."
She stalked off the dance floor, heading out to the back courtyard for fresh air. Her eyes were stinging with frustration and she wiped at them irritably. She had been fine. She made peace with him, and then he had to go and start talking feelings. Someone touched her elbow and she pulled away irritably, poised to snap at Kevin, when she saw it was Oliver.
"Oh, it's you," she said, relief evident in her voice.
"Are you okay? I saw you leave the dance floor pretty quickly."
She nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just…" she shook her head, wiping her palms on the skirt of her dress, "…I'm fine."
Kevin walked out into the courtyard and he started toward Felicity, but hesitated when he saw Oliver standing with her. After seemingly reconsidering his approach, he stepped forward and said, "Can I have a moment alone with Felicity?"
Oliver glanced at Felicity and noticed how she seemed to shrink away from him. Something had definitely happened on the dance floor. He didn't know what, but it was something, and he'd be damned if he left her alone with him again.
"That's not going to happen," Oliver said, voice firm.
"Come on, man, I just want to talk to her for a minute," Kevin pressed. "Felicity-"
"I think you should leave," Oliver said.
Kevin stayed rooted in place and Oliver said, "Let me rephrase that, you should leave."
Kevin hesitated for a moment but then sighed and headed back inside, but not before he told Felicity, "I meant what I said in there. I meant every word."
When Kevin had gone, Oliver stepped forward and covered the curve of her shoulders with his hands. She looked better than when he first got out there, but she still had this small crease between her eyebrows and her mouth was turned down in a frown.
"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked.
"Not really."
He nodded. "Okay. Do you want to go back inside? This seems like a moment for wine."
She smiled weakly and said, "I think I want to stay out here a little longer. I need a moment alone."
"Okay, sure."
He went to head back to the door when she softly called for him. He glanced back at her and she timidly asked, "Would you mind staying out here with me?"
"I thought you wanted to be alone."
"I can be alone with you."
Her words touched something deep inside him and he swallowed hard, nodding as he walked back and stood beside her. He braced his hands on the railing and they stood that way for a while, watching night fall on the city in comfortable silence.
A/N: I hope you guys like this! Leave me some feedback, please. Also, feel free to message me or comment here if you want to chat about the finale. This fangirling will be happening for many, many days ;)