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So That's What It Took...

Chapter 7

Felicity collapsed onto her bed, her body shaking with exhaustion after the events of the past few days. She couldn't believe that she had walked out on Oliver while he was sleeping but she had to get away. After everything he had said to her about never being able to truly be with someone, she knew she couldn't stay – it would only hurt her more. It wasn't that she didn't want to believe him, but Oliver is someone who doesn't change his mind easily, and she just didn't think that he ever would. Can you really blame her?

After putting all of her things away and actually getting ready for bed properly, she sent Dig a text telling him that she was home, without Oliver, and that she needed some time before turning her phone off and blocking the world out, falling into a restless sleep with blue eyes on her mind.

The next morning, she woke to a loud noise outside her apartment door before glancing at the clock. She saw it was 9:00am and knew instantly the one person it could be.

"Why, Oliver? Why are you here?" Felicity asked as she opened her front door. She took his appearance in slowly, taking in his dishevelled look and the dark bags like he hadn't slept last night. She felt bad for him, but she didn't know why he looked so forlorn, he couldn't possible love her as much as she loved him – why would he turn her away so much?

"Why? Really? You left me alone without any explanation. Why did you leave?" Oliver said, heartbreak seeping through.

"Come on, Oliver. You can't really expect me to believe that things had changed for you, can you? You have said, so, so many times that we can't be together, what's so different now? It was nothing, we just got caught up in the moment, it's ok."

"No, no, it's not. That isn't what happened! I meant, everything I said, honestly. Felicity, I've never felt this way before; not with Laurel, or Sara, or anyone. I never thought I was capable of fully loving someone so amazing and beautiful and so perfect, even with their flaws. Everything about you makes me unbelievably happy, I've found a happiness I didn't think I deserved anymore – and you gave that to me. It was never my intention to hurt you by doing anything I've done over the past few months. Russia was a mistake, Sara was a distraction because I knew I was too broken for you, and I knew that if Slade killed me, that you would never know how I truly felt." Oliver took Felicity's hands in his.

"I am completely, so undoubtedly in love with you, Felicity. I want to have everything with you: I want to see your smile on my pillow in the morning; I want to know what it's like to truly hold you in my arms; I want to know that I make you feel how you make me feel and, above all, I want to know how it feels to be yours for the rest of our lives – however long or short that may be."

Felicity was completely astounded. She couldn't believe what he had said. Felicity had been in love with Oliver for as long as she could remember knowing him; she'd prepared herself for him never feeling the same way. She looked down at their hands together and thought about the way his eyes looked as he had spoken. His eyes shined with love and honesty making crazy butterflies in her stomach.

"I never thought that this would happen. I have been in love with you for so long, Oliver. You've hurt me so much, no matter whether or not it was your intention, but I have never stopped loving you. And I love all of you. You are not broken to me and you are not damaged goods, how could you even think that? You are everything I never thought I even wanted. When I was younger, I wanted someone that liked the same things as me, worked in IT and never did anything exciting. You make me want to explore more, to be worth me and you gave me purpose, something I have never felt. You are protective, kind, caring and so loving. You make me smile and gave me the feeling of family and belonging, you make me feel important. And I want to love you forever, I want to always be yours."

They crashed together holding onto each other like they were each other's life source. The moment their lips met was magic for the both of them. Even in their most vivid fantasies did they ever think it would feel this amazing. The kiss seemed to last forever, Felicity gripping Oliver's cropped hair and Oliver's tight hands around her slender waist. Sooner than either wanted, the need for air took over but their foreheads pressed together, both a little out of breath. Neither wanted to open their eyes, afraid that reality would settle into their little bubble of pure happiness.

"Are you sure about this? Because once we start, Oliver, I can't deal with any more heartache from you. It's all or nothing."

"I am sure. You have me forever."

Yeah, Felicity liked that too. A whole lot.

A/N: Hello! I'm sorry this last chapter is so, so late. I have been in a constant battle between college, my new job and whether or not this last chapter is good enough. I don't like it as much as I want to but I hope you guys do. Thank you so much for sticking by me and I really hope you love this. You never know, I might add an epilogue i a few months is it feels right.

Rachel =)