Author's note: a special thanks to my incredible beta for working so fast to get this ready for posting... warehouseluver13 you are the best

Don't forget to check out my polyvore for this story

Disclosure: Wish I had a chance to own a bit of Arrow but no luck yet

A soft pain filled moan stirred him awake. He pried his eyes open to find Felicity stretching out next to him. Her porcelain skin shining in the sunlight. He could see a few of the marks he left on her during their second round the previous night. A grin that was laced with mischievousness and pride curled on his lips. He snorted as he reached out for her and his fingers danced across her hip. She turned and smiled down at him. He saw yet another mark on her skin from him and a possessive side of him flared up seeing it and knowing others would know what it meant if they saw it. "You don't have to look so proud of yourself. I'm not the one that is going to get the dirty looks from Diggle when he sees this." Felicity pointed at the hickey on her neck.

"He won't say anything to me either. I mean he was the one that would try to talk me into to telling you how I felt just about every week for the last year. Now that I have and we are together he can't complain. He was asking for this to happen for the last year." He sat up and nuzzled into her, pulling her back into his embrace.

"He wanted us to get together and figure this all out. He didn't want to see evidence of it plastered all over my body. Seriously Oliver we are going to have to talk about boundaries when we get back. I can't go into a board meeting or presentation with an investor covered in these things."

"Okay sweetheart. I will keep them to where we can see them and only when we are in here. Better?"

"Much. Thank you." She leaned in and kissed him. The kiss got out of hand quickly as she feed of his passion for her and he devoured her love for him. She slid into his lap as he raised her up. Looping her arms around him, she fell into his embrace and welcomed his warmth. "Good morning." She whispered as they parted to gather air again.

"Good morning beautiful. I could to get used to waking up like this everyday. I never want to be apart from you."

"Well for the next four months we won't be."

"I want longer than that. Felicity, this is it for me. You are more than I ever wanted. You are brilliantly intelligent, incredibly sexy, fun and funny in the most surprising and best ways. You're my best friend. My partner. I never want us to end. I am trying everything I can to not messed this up this time. I never want to hurt you again."

"What are you saying Oliver?" Felicity asked as her worries and fears got the best of her.

"I'm saying that as I laid here last night and watched you sleep a bit I realized what I want in my life. You. I know I am going have to get back into a suit and take up the nightly duties at some point and we are returning to the company but I could lose all that and not care. As long as I don't lose you. Lying next to you last night while you slept and waking up this morning with you next to me, that is all I want for the rest of my life. So Felicity Smoak, will you move in with me? Make this place your home as well?"

"Of course Oliver! I would love too!" A smile broke out on her face that shined brighter than the sunlight that poured into their room. She cupped his face and planted a blissful kiss on his lips, feeling them curl into his own smile against her lips.

Oliver chuckled as she broke the kiss. "Good. I will call a moving company tomorrow."

"Wait what?"

"Well yeah we can get you moved in tomorrow without any problems. I know we have to go to the office for a bit but we have the entire afternoon. It should be real easy. And then we can look into getting rid of your apartment." Oliver slid her off his lap, kissed her head and jumped out of the bed in an effort to get ready for the day. Today they were meeting with the team to figure out what they would do for a more permanent lair and checking into Ray and Reynolds. He really wanted to see what was up with Reynolds after what had occurred last night. He seemed to have his own agenda and that was never good. "Thea is going to flip when I tell her. She may move back in just to spend more time with you. I know Raisa will love it."

Felicity could see his excitement but she was still in shock. It wasn't that long ago that he was still denying himself this chance and now he wasn't just allowing it, he was plunging head first into it. She worried that he was doing this for another reason and didn't really want it right now. She felt like he was trying to prove to her just how committed to her he was after all he had done this year to push her away.

She sat on the bed, frozen in a stunned stance, the same one he had seen on her when he went into the bathroom. Her eyes were wide and glazed over with a deep hurt and fear. "Sweetheart? What is it?"

"Do you really want this?"

"What?"

"Oliver, do you really want this? Us? I know that you love me and you're happy but it just seems like you are doing so much, all of this, to make me happy. To make me know you want to be with me but I want to know if this is what you really want. Not out of guilt over pushing me away for the last two years. Not out of obligation to protect me from being hurt again. I'm a big girl and can handle it. What I can't handle is getting my hopes up again. I was devastated after our date last year and I won't go through that again so if you aren't ready for all this..."

"Felicity no." Oliver mused as he crossed the room and sat in front of her on the bed. He entwined his hand with hers, eclipsing both of hers in one of his. His other hand found its place under her chin and drew her face up so he could see her. He saw her blue eyes were still wide open and reminded him of the sky as he watched clouds filled them and moisture line her lower eyelids. "Sweetheart, I want this. More than I can ever tell you. I am so sorry for the last two years. I was stupid and thought that I could keep you safe if you weren't near me."

"So you are trying to still protect me! Oliver I can handle my choices and their results. I don't need you to protect from everything in the world."

"I wasn't still trying to protect you." Felicity gazed at him as her brows twisted in confusion. "I mean I do want to protect you but that is not why I am doing this. Felicity I denied myself this chance for the last two years not only because of the threats from outside us but also from me." Oliver let out a breath as he settled further in. "I have a darkness in me that is never going to go away. I have done things that would make some look at me and see a monster. I am one. I know you think I am a hero but I haven't always been one."

"But you did what you needed to survive."

"Not always. Sometimes I did things because it felt good. I took lives because those people wronged me. They weren't threatening me but had caused me pain and I wanted them to suffer. Sometimes I wanted them to suffer a lot. I was afraid that if I let you close, let you in, that darkness in me would change you. You have this light in life that should never be changed and I didn't want my past to darken it, darken and harden your heart. But I fucked with it this year. I saw it dissolve because of my choices so much this past year that I knew if we did try this, I would do worse. So I pushed you away further."

"So what changed? What made you finally want to let me in?"

"I was arrested. I saw that fire and passion again. I saw your light. You fought me on everything. Then when Roy was in trouble and I wanted to run off and save him, you pulled me back and made me see reason. You showed me that with everything wrong I had done this year, I had lost you. You were still there fighting for me. For us. Believing in me. Then we went to Nanda Parbat and you told me that you loved me for the first time and I thought my heart would never fit in my chest again. That moment, that entire evening from when you came into my room to when I watched you walk away was what I clinged to and what gave me hope while I was with Ra's. You are why he couldn't get to me. You are the most important thing in my life. I could lose everything, my money, the house, the Arrow, the company, and none of it would matter if you still stand next to me. Fighting with me and believing in me like you always have." Oliver swiped his thumb across her cheek to wipe the tears that had slowly fallen while he spoke. "That is why I want this. Because I finally figured out that you are so strong, not just on the outside but inside your soul as well, that your light can never be changed or dulled by my darkness. If I'm being honest, you and your light make my darkness go away. I can actually feel like I could deal with it if you are by my side. To see me through it all, the pain, fear, sorrow, and loss. As long as your light is there to shine my way through I feel like I can do anything. That is why I want you to move in sweetheart. So I wake up to your radiant light, your compassionate soul and your beautiful smile every morning. That will let me start my day in the best way. Who could be sad or moody with someone like you next to them first thing in the morning? Your smile is better than any cup of coffee." Oliver chuckled as her smile formed across her lips and a gentle blush rose on her cheeks.

"Oliver."

"That is the only way I know that all the darkness of the day will never stay with me. You will help me to chase it all away like you always have. So please know that I want this. With all my heart and soul. I have wanted it for a while but I am finally letting myself hope for it. Hope for a future with you. Yes I will still always try to protect you and yes I'm so sorry for all the hurt I caused you these last few years. But I'm doing this because I am in love and I want to have every moment I can with you. Not out of guilt or obligation. Not to prove my commitment and love to you, though I hope you do know how I feel on both of those. I know I have never been good with talking about my emotions but you were always the one who could see through me and know exactly what I was feeling. What I was thinking. Just because we are together none of that changes. It just gets better. You have helped me open up more in the last few weeks, months, by giving me the chance to tell you and show you my love. All I am doing is trying to make you as happy as you have made me. But I want you to move in for me. I am being greedy again but don't care so please will you?"

Felicity laughed as she looked up to see the cutest puppy dog pouty face he could make towards her. "How could a girl say no with you asking her like that?"

"Good. And I do plan on still showing you how much I love you, in more ways than one." Oliver stated as his lips curled into a mischievous smirk and his brows bounced suggestively, teasing her again.

"If this is how you ask me to move in, what is your proposal going to be like?" Felicity giggled and shook her head. Then she realized what she said and instantly tried to backtrack. "Not that I am expecting a proposal or anything. We just started dating and I know we both have said that we love each other and you did say this was it for you but that could mean a lot of things and not necessarily marriage. You did say you wanted a future with me but never said marriage. Not that I wouldn't mind a marriage. I have dreamt of that a couple times if I am being honest and I would never say no to you proposing but you don't have to and I am talking too much again. Man I wish my brain would start working right. Maybe there is a transplant list I can get on or something. Okay I am going to stop talk."

Oliver guffawed as he twisted his arms around the small blonde. "I think your brain works perfectly. I never want you to stop your babbles. I have missed them so much. How about we get some food and coffee in you and see if that helps?" Felicity nodded and they both climbed out the bed and started to gather their clothes for the day. "Oh and Felicity?"

"Huh?"

"There will be a proposal, marriage and anything else we want. I look forward to the day I can call you mine completely." Oliver commented as he crossed behind her into the closet, dropping a sensual kiss on her shoulder that had her heating up in the best way.

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"Morning Walter!" Oliver boasted as he crossed into the dining room. He pulled out a chair at Walter's side, waiting for Felicity to enter the room. They had ventured into the kitchen to get coffee and say their morning greetings to Raisa.

"Good morning Oliver. You seem happier today. Did you two have fun at the gala last night?"

Felicity floated into the room dressed in a worn jeans and a beautiful green and blue peacock tank top. She paired it with a pair of denim flats and a thin crocheted sweater. She had her hair pulled to the side and braided loosely. She looked at ease but enchanting at the same time. "We had a great night. It was gorgeous and the band and food was amazing." She chimed in as she sat down in the chair Oliver had pulled out for her.

"It was amazing but you, my dear, stole the show. Everyone I spoke with were highly impressed with you. Several of the attendees loved how passionate you were about our upcoming projects. Not to mention how you looked in that gown last night. You were a success like I knew you would be."

Felicity blushed and looked down at her plate that Raisa sat in front of her. She thanked Raisa then turned back to Walter. "Thank you Walter. I was so nervous. I thought at one point I was babbling and boring them but they would just ask another question or bring up another point and I knew it was okay."

"You're a natural. You handled the press and we're incredible in that interview. I wanted to snap at her several times but you just kept smiling and spun her questions the way you wanted to. Rebecca would be proud. I know I am."

"Here here." Walter agreed as he raised his cup up in the air toasting her.

Raisa refilled her cup of coffee and Felicity smiled up as she started to eat her breakfast. "I saw a photo in the paper this morning Miss Felicity. You looked exquisite. You two looked so happy and so perfect together. See?" Raisa brought her the paper to see the spread. There was an article discussing the highlights of their interview with Max as well as some of the comments they had said the night before. Along with the article were several photos of them from the evening before as well a couple from the photos shoot they had. There was even one of her Oliver, Thea and Walter. They looked so happy. Her favorite was one shot of them dancing with Oliver gazing into her eyes. He looked like he was so in love that her heart jumped in her chest. She had giggled as she read the article's title 'Oliver and his Future Queen'. Seeing it in print just made their conversation this replay in her head and a bright smile grew across her face.

"A good article?"

"Huh?"

Oliver had seen her smile and knew she was lost in the article so he just chuckled when she showed she had missed his question. "I asked if it was a good article."

"Oh yes it is. It's sweet and they didn't spin our words at all. I can't believe how well the press is working out. I'm glad going to Rebecca and Max helped us. He did such a great job with the article on Friday and now every paper, news site and show are using that as our talking points. It's perfect because people are seeing us for who we really are and I talked to several people last night that want to set up meetings with QI to discuss investment options. It's great to see so much interest already in the company."

"Well that is all due to you two my dear." Walter replied. "People see a strong front and confident leaders in you two and they want to see what changes you will bring to QI. You two have brought a fresh and lively breath into the old darkened halls of QI. The investors finally see stability in you two because you seem to have helped to settle Oliver down while also energizing his spark for the company."

"That is so true. I wanted to get the company back to better it. Not to do what my folks wanted me to do with it. I finally see it as my company. Our company. Not my parents' company. I am ready to set out of their shadows and build this company up higher than any of us could ever imagine. And Felicity is the one that helped me see that I could do that." Oliver explained as he ate. He then leaned over and pecked her on the cheek, feeling it's warmth as she blushed yet again.

"So what do you two have planned today?"

Oliver was about to answer when his phone rang. He pulled it out and saw that it was Thea. "It's Thea. I better take this. Be right back." He stood up and started to walk out the room before he turned back around and placed a kiss on Felicity's cheek as he reached out to grab his coffee cup. He smiled widely then exited the room.

"Well we have a few things to catch up on with Thea. She wanted to discuss a few details about the club with Oliver before we left town. We figured we could use this week to get all our business in order before we left town. We also wanted to look into the board. Things with Reynolds just doesn't seem right. He seems like he is hiding something."

"Well if anyone can figure it out, it would be you. You are quite resourceful when you need to be my dear. I still have no idea how you figured out that book and the invisible ink trick."

"Scifi movies and TV shows. Stuff like that is a normal occurrence in them." Felicity shrugged and continued to eat.

"So are you excited to get back to your place? Not that I am not glad to see you and Oliver making yourselves at home here. His mother would be happy that he thinks of this place as home again."

"Um." Felicity wasn't sure if they were telling people yet that they were moving into together or not. She was getting nervous and started to pick at her plate again.

She was about to say something, what she wasn't sure, when Oliver returned into the room. She smiled awkwardly up at him. He had heard Walter's last question and answered, "Actually that is one other thing we have to settle this week. Felicity will be staying here from now on. She is moving in."

Walter was taken back by the announcement. Not that they were moving into the mansion together but that it occurred so quickly. He knew that they had only been together for a few weeks now but looking at the way they interacted with each other and seeing first hand how Oliver's eyes seemed to follow her, Walter knew it was the perfect time. He had seen Oliver and Felicity during the gala and how Oliver's eyes always sought out the small blonde in order to just watch her. He saw how Oliver beamed when he caught sight of her and could watch her as she talked with other attendees and investors. Just watching them on the dance floor together was enough to show that this was different then any relationship Oliver had had in the past. "That is fabulous. I am glad to see you both so happy and I know you mom would be happy too. I know she was tough to get to know but she would have loved to see you happy Oliver. And knowing that Felicity was the cause of it would have pleased her as well." Walter smiled up to where Oliver was standing behind Felicity's chair.

"Thanks Walter. Felicity, Thea is heading to the club. I told her we would meet her there so we need to head out."

"Oh by all means go. Don't let me keep you."

"If you need anything today, just call us okay? We will see you for dinner."

"Would you two be willing to let me treat you to dinner? I would live to have a night out as a family of sorts."

Oliver looked at Felicity who smiled at him then turned back and said, "It would be our pleasure. I will ask Thea about it and see if she is available."

"Thank you son."

Walter stood and shook his hand them Felicity wrapped him up in a quick hug. She pulled away and walked out the room behind Oliver.

They walked out the front door and he walked her to the side of his bike. She shook her head. "You must be crazy if you think I am getting on that death trap."

Oliver snorted as he turned to her and placed a helmet on her head. "I will not let anything happen to you. I promise. Just hold on to me tight." A smirk crossed his lips as he remembered the first time he ever said those words to her.

She saw the smirk and knew what memory was bouncing around in his head. "This is not what I meant by very platonic circumstances."

"Felicity. I promise you will be safe."

"Fine but you owe me."

"I know and who knows. You may like it."

"Not a chance." Felicity waited for Oliver to climb on his bike then she climbed on behind him. She slipped her arms tightly around his waist, locking her wrists together. She pressed closely to his back and squeaked when the engine roared to life. She felt the vibrations for the bike between her legs and up her spine, a sensation she had never had prior. They pulled out of the gated driveway and started to twist through the stress that lead into Starling. Her grip on Oliver loosened as she eased into the experience. A smile danced on her face as she started to enjoy the forced closeness of this type of transportation.

Once they parked outside the club. Diggle stepped up to them. Felicity's eyes jumped between Oliver and Diggle. "Did something happen?"

"We got some very interesting results on Reynolds that Thea said we need to see right away," said Diggle.