Author's Note: Enjoy!
12 Days of Christmas
Day 5
Five Gold Rings
"On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me – five gold rings."
Five gold rings have a rich symbolism:
Rings for eternity; gold for optimism & abundance; and five for divine grace.
Felicity hung up her jacket and walked over to her desk wishing, not for the first time, she had chosen a longer lunch period – something which would allow for a nap. She'd enjoyed spending time with Thea, but now she felt full and sleepy. Oliver was talking on the phone when she glanced through the window at him and wry humor flashed across her face as she sat down and tucked her purse into the bottom drawer. It was her own fault; Oliver would give her the longer lunch and never blink an eye, but she refused to look weak in the eyes of the public. She remained too aware of the potential backlash that could affect both of them as well as the company itself. Last year it was Isabel – this year it was everyone.
Or rather – the potential for everyone.
It struck her as odd; last year rumors flew about her and Oliver even though they never did anything to cause them. Now? They didn't indulge in flagrant public displays, but they would touch a lot more often than they did in the past. He began to include her in meetings, both creative and decisive meetings – including a few with important clients.
"People are so weird," she murmured to herself. She turned towards her inbox, hand already reaching out. An envelope waited on top of the stack. Lifting it up, she heard a tiny sound like the clinking of her bracelet links. Her name, her first name only, embossed the front of the envelope. She shook her head.
"Oliver."
Her lips curled into an affectionate smile as she opened it and pulled out a new note. The clinking or rattling sounded again as she did, so she opened it in slow, careful manner. Five interlocking rings of gold formed a larger circle which would gleam golden against the silver of her bracelet and the other charms. It took the work of a moment to put it in place on the links surrounding her wrist. She spent a moment admiring it – the bracelet was quickly becoming her favorite piece. Her eyes moved back to the note, anticipation building up inside as she unfolded it.
"Felicity – may I steal your evening? Nothing big, nothing fancy – I just want to spend a couple of quiet hours with you."
She felt his eyes on her as she finished reading. Using a tender, careful touch, she refolded the note and tucked it back into its envelope. Only then did she turn to meet his eyes. A smile, small but flirty, settled on her mouth and she tilted her head before giving him a small nod. He nodded back, his own smile taking on shades of satisfaction even as his shoulders lost some tension. They both turned away, slow and reluctant, looking back towards their work. Felicity would have to admit her attention span for the afternoon went right out the window.
Quiet time with Oliver – no work, and please God, no emergencies…she couldn't think of a better present.
A few hours later Felicity stepped up to Oliver's door. "Hey," she smiled. "I'm headed out."
"The day's finally over?" He stood up and walked over. "Year-end might kill me."
"No it won't," she chuckled, leaning into him for a moment. "You'll just wish it would."
"That's not reassuring me."
"Somehow I don't think it was meant to be," she told him, the teasing note clear in her voice. He lifted a brow at her and she shrugged before changing the topic. "For this evening, should I plan for anything in particular?"
"Take out?" he asked. One of his hands came up to touch her hair, letting a lock wind around his fingers. "I really want a quiet night, just the two of us. Maybe a movie?"
She lifted a hand to his cheek, noting the tiredness lurking in the depths of his gaze. Her thumb swept along his cheekbone. "What about Lord of the Rings?" she suggested. "The first one? Then we can make plans to watch the other two later?"
"I like it," he agreed, leaning into her touch.
Ignoring all of their unstated rules for the office, Felicity moved closer, her free hand coming to rest on Oliver's forearm. She used that hold to steady her as she lifted herself up to press a kiss to his lips. He responded, his arms moving to wrap around her waist, holding her to him. Her hand slipped from his cheek around to the back of his neck, pulling him closer. The kiss deepened, their breath mingling as they let themselves have this moment – office or no.
She pulled back. "I'll take care of dinner and the movie," she told him as her hand came over his shoulder to rest over his heart. "You bring yourself…and something more comfortable to wear than your suit."
"I'll be there," he assured her. He leaned down to press a kiss to her brow, another to the tip of her nose, and a final quick brush of lips on hers. "And soon."
Felicity decided on steamed sea bass and stir-fried cabbage hearts with shiitake mushrooms. Wine proved a little more difficult, especially as she generally preferred red, but she pulled out a white wine someone gave her and found it worked well with the fish.
"Time to change," she muttered after putting the food into the microwave so it would stay warm.
Her hands went first to her jeans, but then she changed her mind. Oliver needed to relax – he needed comfort, somewhere to be Oliver – not Oliver Queen, not Arrow, not the CEO or the mentor or the boss or the big brother. He needed some time where he could just be. She moved to the bathroom and removed all of her jewelry before scrubbing her face clean of makeup. There would be no expectations tonight, no burdens – if he needed his girlfriend, she was here. If all he needed was his best friend? Well, she would be here for that as well.
"Pajamas, then," she decided, still murmuring to herself as she dug into her drawer. She ignored the plaids and solids, looking for a fun pair – something she wore for ice cream and Doctor Who marathons. Pulling out a long sleeved top in lavender, she giggled. "Perfect!" She dug deeper and found the matching bottom – deep purple and dotted with lazy cats. Changing she made her way into the living area to put the movie disc into the player.
A familiar knock on her door drew a smile to her lips and she hastened to open it. Oliver stood before her, a box in his hands. Her eyebrows went up at the box, but the question died on her lips as his gaze scanned over her before returning to her face with a surprised and affectionate smile. "Cats?" he asked, nodding at the purple pajama bottoms.
"I like cats," she laughed, gesturing him into the room. "I thought comfortable and relaxed would be the way to go."
"White wine?" he lifted a brow in a light tease.
"Grüner veltliner…I tried it. It's got a taste that manages to blend light pepper and fruity flavors," she mused. "It's not my usual preference, but it goes really well with the food…I'll have to remember it for the future." She led the way into the kitchen. "And I hope you don't mind sea bass? Suddenly I was in the mood for fish."
"Sounds perfect." He followed her and moved to put the box in the refrigerator. "I brought dessert."
"Oh?" she turned, eyes bright with interest.
"After dinner," he shook his head. He moved towards her, hands rising to frame her face. "For that one anyway," he muttered, the words barely out of his mouth before he captured her lips with his.
Her hands moved to his chest, curling into his t-shirt as she pulled him closer. The kiss stretched out, a powerful give and take between them as they lost track of time. When they pulled back, Oliver rested his forehead on hers and Felicity looked up at him, their eyes almost too close as silent words of friendship, of love, of all they shared passed between them. "I'm glad you're here."
The simple statement led him to close his eyes and lean even more heavily against her for a moment. "Me, too," he replied, his voice almost aching in its tenderness. He lifted his head and brushed a kiss across her forehead. "Me, too."
Author's Note 2: I didn't get to the dessert because I wanted to end it on that gorgeous note. It was chocolate covered strawberries.