Author's Note: This picks up almost immediately after the last chapter leaves off.
I dunno why I just felt the need to share that.
I guess as something to say. This is now the... let's see... 95th Author's Note I've written for this story? Lol why do I feel the need to start and end EVERY CHAPTER with an A.N can someone please explain that XD
Everyone had been sent away.
Thea had been the one to do the sending away, actually, after she had found Sara outside on the porch, shaking all over and almost choking she was crying so hard. Thea had lugged her inside and Laurel had grabbed her some water and a blanket, and then as Iris took up hugging duty, Thea had told everyone thank you very much for the party but you all need to go home okay thanks again.
Sara was still in tears, though now she was curled up in Laurel's arms instead of Iris'. She still hadn't managed to get a coherent sentence out of her mouth yet, but there had been the word 'Leonard', and 'stupid' quite a few times.
"Deep breaths," Laurel said bracingly, rubbing her hand in slow circles across Sara's back. "Do you want me to call dad?"
To everyone's surprise and concern, Sara nodded. Laurel's face drew in. "Sara," she said softly. "Did Leonard... did he... did he hurt you?"
"Not like-" Sara heaved in a giant breath of air and hiccuped up another sob. "Not like that."
"Okay," Laurel said, relieved. She transferred her little sister to one arm and reached into her pocket for her phone. "Hey dad. Can you come home right now? Something happened with Sara and she said she wanted me to call you. No, she's not. If she was alright, she would have called you. No, she's not hurt, not like that.. she's just- come home? As soon as possible? Thank you."
She hung up and turned back to Iris and Thea. "I'm going to make some tea," she said, backing into the kitchen. "See if you can get anything out of her."
"I'm so sorry," Sara whimpered as Thea took Laurel's place on the couch and put her arm around Sara's back. "This was supposed to be your special day-"
"Oh honey, don't worry about that," Thea murmured. "My birthday is just a day and I had a great morning. You got that? That is one less thing you have to cry about."
Sara nodded, sniffling.
"Do you want to tell us what happened? Iris prodded gently. She was, of course, overwhelmingly worried for the well-being of her friend, but she was, at heart, an incredibly curious person. She really just wanted to know what had happened out there on the porch.
But Sara shook her head, letting out an exhausted sigh and resting her cheek against Thea's shoulder. "When my dad gets home," she murmured.
Quintin arrived about ten minutes later and burst into the living room, still in his uniform. It was clear that he had come straight from the station, but he didn't seem to care as he fell on his knees in front of his youngest daughter. "Sara."
Sara had since stopped crying, but at the sight of her dad she launched herself into his arms and started trembling again. Quintin ran his fingers through her hair and rocked her back and forth. "Baby girl, what happened?"
"Dad, it's Leonard," Sara wailed. "We need to save him."
Iris, Thea and Laurel exchanged bewildered looks, but Quintin calmly moved his daughter a little farther away so he could look her in the face. "Start from the beginning," he ordered.
"A few days ago, Laurel told me that- that Len's dad was in prison," Sara said, her voice shaking.
Thea's mouth fell open at the news, but Quintin just nodded. "Yes," he replied candidly. "I arrested Lewis Snart almost 18 years ago to this month. Believe it or not, Sara, I met your boyfriend when he was just a baby. Back then, his mom was still around, and I went through extensive meetings with them, trying to figure out the full breadth of Lewis' law-breaking. I had my suspicions that he was abusing his wife, but she never admitted it."
"Wait, so," Thea broke in, unable to keep silent. "Leonard's dad is in jail?"
Quintin shook his head. "No. He got out quite a few years ago. Then Lisa was born, and Leonard's mom left..."
"How do you know all of this?" Sara asked, her red-rimmed eyes searching her dad's face.
"I kept tabs on the Snart's for awhile after Lewis got out," Quintin admitted. "Laurel had just been born when I first encountered them, and I guess I just got a little involved. I was concerned for their safety and I wanted to make sure they would be okay. Obviously I couldn't act on anything unless Lewis was doing something strictly illegal, but I had more peace of mind knowing that if something did happen, I would find out about it and put a stop to it."
"But something has happened," Sara said, her forehead falling forward onto Quintin's shoulder. "Leonard told me tonight that Lewis hits him and Lisa sometimes. Not a lot, he said, but sometimes. And they're scared of him. Leonard hates him; I can see it in his face."
"What exactly happened tonight, Sara?" Quintin asked gently. "Why did I come home to find my bright, brilliant light of a daughter a sobbing mess on the couch?"
When Sara answered, her voice was almost too low to be distinguishable. "He broke up with me."
"He did what?!" Iris and Thea yelled at the same time.
"Hold up!" Thea went on, her face outraged. "He told you all of this about his dad and then just... broke up with you?"
"He told me he loved me," Sara said, lifting her head up to look at her two best friends.
"HE DID WHAT?!" Iris and Thea shouted again, even more incredulously.
The fact that the two of them were speaking in such unison caused a tiny giggle to burst from Sara's mouth. Laurel smiled at the sound, and sat down on the carpet next to her dad. "So, Sara, he told you he loved you and then broke up with you? That doesn't make much sense."
Sara let out a long, deep sigh. "He's doing it to keep me safe," she said softly, fiddling with her hands. "He doesn't want me to have anything to do with Lewis. That's why he kept this from me for so long. He's sacrificing me to save me from his dad."
She took a deep breath, looking up at her family with a new hardness on her face. "But I won't let him. I'm not going to let him save me. Dad, we need to do something about this, right now."
Quintin let out a slow whistle and rubbed the back of his head. "This is a big thing to learn, Sara," he said. "This would be more than enough to call someone in and get them both the care they need."
"Lewis will be arrested?" Iris asked, frowning anxiously. "What will happen to Leonard and Lisa?"
"Not arrested." Quintin shook his head. "It's rare that a parent abusing their child actually gets arrested. But he'll receive help, and so will Leonard and Lisa. A caretaker might stay at their house, or at least be around to make sure they know what's going on. Everything possibly will be done to make sure they're safe."
Quintin put his hand on Sara's knee. "And we're in their life now," he reminded her. "Any help that they would need, we would be there."
Iris nodded quickly and sat back, looking over at Thea. "We should go," Thea said, taking the hint. "Sara, if you need us though, just call. Or just come over. Or... yeah. Whatever you need."
Sara nodded and got to her feet to give them both big hugs. "Happy birthday," she said to Thea, giving her an extra squeeze. "I'm sorry I screwed it up so much."
"You didn't," Thea told her firmly. "You could never, Sara, I swear." She brushed her friend's hair back from her tearstained face. "You take care of yourself. Get lots of sleep tonight and I will see you whenever you're ready, okay? Love you."
"Love you, too," Sara murmured, glancing over at Iris. "Both of you."
AV-High-AV-High-AV-High-AV-High-AV-High-AV-High-AV-High-AV-High-AV-High
Oliver didn't stop peppering Thea with questions until she closed her door very significantly in his face. Then she threw herself on her bed and let out a long breath.
That afternoon had been insane. Her party had been super fun and cake had been delicious, of course, but seeing Sara curled up on the front steps of her house with her face glazed with tears? It had been scary, honestly. Especially once she'd realized Leonard was gone.
Thea didn't blame Sara at all, and she certainly didn't think her best friend had ruined her day. That being said, she would have liked to say goodbye to her boyfriend with a little more ceremony than she had. Sisters before misters, she supposed, but now that the heat of the moment was over she realized she hadn't even given him a hug.
A few minutes of thoughtful staring at the ceiling later, Thea's phone buzzed. She hurriedly grabbed it, having taken the device off of Do Not Disturb in case Sara needed her. But instead of a text from Sara, there was one from Roy.
Roy:You still at Sara's
Thea: No home now. Why?
Roy: She ok?
Thea: No but she'll be fine
Thea: What's up?
Roy: Didn't get to give you my gift :(
Thea's heart melted a little. Not only was Roy concerned about her best friend, but he had used a sad face emoji. Adorableeee. Normally that was the kind of thing she would have screen shotted and sent to her group chat with Iris and Sara, but to do so now would be pretty insensitive timing.
Thea: Sorry bb. Had to take care of my girl
Roy: Ik
Roy: Can you get out of ur house
Thea: Probably...? Why?
Roy: ;)
Thea: Roy!
Roy: Lol what
Thea: Tell me why you want me out of my house
Roy: Meet me at that park place at the end of ur road ok
Thea: When
Roy: Like ten min?
Thea: Okie see you soon
She sent a blowing kiss emoji as an afterthought, because it was cute and flirty and she had only just begun having a use for it. Then she leapt off her bed and hurried downstairs.
"Thea?" Moria called from the sitting room. "Where are you going?"
"Just for a walk," Thea told her, which was partially the truth. "I'll be back super quick. Just need some fresh air to think about today."
She didn't wait for her mom's response, but ran out the door and set off at a quick pace towards the end of the road. When she arrived at the small park a little ways down the street (pros of living in a wealthy neighborhood), she found Roy sitting on one of the benches with his arm slung over the back. He got up when he saw her and presented her with a reusable gift bag.
"Hello to you, too," Thea said with a grin, eagerly opening up her gift. Wrapped in tissue paper was a simple bracelet with what looked like beads you could get from a craft store. If Thea was being honest, if looked like something she would have made when she was four, but upon further investigation she saw that some of the beads were letters.
"Oh my gosh," Thea breathed, a grin starting up on her face as she read the letters. T- H- E- R- O- Y. "Roy. Did you put our ship name on a bracelet?"
"That I did," Roy said with a wide smile. "I know it's a little cheap, but-"
"I'm obsessed," Thea interrupted, laughing out loud. "This is my new favorite thing in the world and I'm literally never taking it off for the rest of my life."
Roy ducked his head, still grinning, and Thea saw a flush of pleased embarrassment creep onto his cheeks. She cupped his jaw and pulled him down for a long kiss. "Best birthday ever," she said once they'd broken apart. "Other than the thing with Sara."
Roy's lips quirked a little and he bent down to kiss her once more. "Happy birthday, Thea," he said, and that paired with the kiss and the bracelet meant that he couldn't have done much better.
AV-High-AV-High-AV-High-AV-High-AV-High-AV-High-AV-High-AV-High-AV-High
Kara and Caitlin figured it was their duty to fill in Felicity on what she would have been privy to had she made it to the party, so they started a three-way FaceTime the night of Thea's birthday.
"Some crazy stuff went down," Kara said after Felicity asked how the party had been.
"Really?" Felicity asked, her eyes going wide with curiosity behind her glasses. "Sorry I couldn't make it, by the way. I had planned on seeing this movie with my mom for like a week and it would have cut right in the middle of the party."
"I wish my mom would go see movies with me," Caitlin said with a jealous frown.
Kara waved her hands. "Uh, crazy stuff, anyone? Felicity isn't curious about crazy stuff? Come on guys, I never get to spill the tea. It's usually like weeks old tea before it gets to me."
Caitlin and Felicity both burst into giggles. "Fine," Felicity relented. "Tell me about crazy stuff before it burns your hands."
"The tea puns, though," Kara snickered. "Alright, so. We were watching some TV when Sara and Leonard went outside. After, like, fifteen minutes, Thea decided she was done waiting for them and that she'd go see if they were, like, making out or something so that she could tease Sara about it or record it or something. Instead of finding them kissing on the porch, however, Sara was literally out there sobbing, and Leonard was gone."
"Seriously?" Felicity asked, mouth falling open. "OMG. What happened?"
Kara and Caitlin both shrugged. "Thea kind of freaked out and sent everyone out except Iris. And Laurel, obviously," the latter explained. "But there was a crying Sara and no Leonard; I think it's pretty obvious what happened."
"You think he broke up with her?" Kara asked, eyes wide.
Caitlin shrugged, but her face said it all.
"I'm texting Oliver," Felicity declared, clicking over to her messages while still keeping Kara and Caitlin on FaceTime. "Sara's basically another little sister to him. If anyone knows about this other than Iris and Thea and Laurel, he will."
Felicity: I heard what happened with Sara! Is she ok?! :O
After waiting a few moments, Oliver responded:
Oliver: IDK
Felicity: Do you know what happened? Like with Leonard?
Oliver: Nope. Thea won't tell me anything I've been trying to get it out of her all afternoon
Disappointed, Felicity thanked him and ignored his text asking how she was in lieu of reporting back to her friends. "He doesn't know anything," she said with a sigh. "Figures. It's not as if Oliver is Thea's first confidant."
"Besides, if it's something serious I bet even Thea wouldn't tell someone," Kara said. "I mean, it's probably pretty personal to Sara, right?"
"True," Felicity agreed. "I dunno, breaking up just seems so weird for them. Like... for one, they just had their first kiss under a month ago. For two, I just feel like they never have any issues. Besides that homecoming thing."
"I just wish I knew what was going on," Kara said, frustration lacing her voice. "I'm worried about Sara. And, if we don't know if Leonard did something to hurt her or not, how are we supposed to know to make a band of female defense and take him down?"
Caitlin made a face of mock-disapproval. "Come on, Kara- I can only punch one guy a year in defense of a loved one."
"As can I," Kara agreed with a smirk. "And I haven't punched mine yet this year."
The other girls laughed and soon the call was finishing up. Felicity rolled onto her stomach to text with Oliver some more.
Felicity: Doing good
Felicity: Sad I missed the party tho
Felicity: Hbu? How're you doing?
Oliver: I'm fine
Oliver: I want to know what happened with Sara and Leonard so I can go find him and kill him if necessary tho
Felicity: Funny... Kara said something similar
Oliver: Great I'll have backup
Felicity: You're not actually going to kill him at school on Monday right
Oliver: No promises
Felicity: Oliver! I don't want you getting suspended for starting a fight. Or finishing a fight. Or just fighting period
Oliver: Fine.
Oliver: I may sick Dig on him tho
Felicity: :|
Oliver: Kidding kidding...
Oliver: Maybe.
Author's Note: Love how this chapter was basically everyone recovering from last chapter... XD
It kind of frustrates me how I never have any ideas for Oliver and Felicity's story. Like- they are literally married in-show. Yet, if there was any couple that would make sense to break up in this fanfiction, it would be them.
Why does it feel like almost all of the not-show-endgame ships are endgame in the story, and all the show-endgame ships aren't/are way less steady? Bad planning on my part, I guess :P
