Someone to Watch Over You
A/N: This one is takes off from a prompt by a reader in AO3. Thank you, LIngall, for the idea. It might not be exactly as what she had in mind, but this was what my brain came up with. I wanted it to be told from both Oliver's and Felicity's POV. I hope you all like it.
Drabble 4: MATCH-MAKING
"You gotta admit it, Honey. They do look cute together," says Felicity, giggling with glee as she gives her husband's hand a squeeze. "Don't you think so?" she asks, turning to the driver's side with a mischievous smile.
She feels Oliver's hand tense up under hers. He is clutching the gear stick between them more tightly than necessary. He does not say a word, but of course, his wife knows him better than anyone.
"Aww… What's the matter? You don't think so?" she asks again. She knows she's walking a tightrope, what with how his jaw clenches and how he grips the wheel with his other hand with apparent unease, but she definitely wants to know what's going on inside that brooding mind of his.
"Felicity…" Oliver finally speaks. If his annoyance was evident in his silence a moment ago, it is even more evident in the tone of voice he is using on her now.
"Hmm?"
"I know you think they're 'cute' together-"
"They are." Felicity smirks after interrupting him. She knows how to press his buttons, teasing him within proven limits, and she is enjoying every bit of it.
Oliver huffs in frustration. "Felicity, our daughter is five."
He looks up at the rear view mirror to check on said five-year-old, and he is relieved that their little girl is still passed out in her booster on the backseat. It's a long drive home, and little Mia must be so tired after a tough martial arts tournament, though, she had made her family proud for winning her first championship trophy in her division.
"Well, yes she is. But you know what they say, baby. Start 'em young, right?" Her smile widens, but he only returns it with a frown.
"John's kid is only nine," he adds, as if he can still take his wife down that path of reason with success.
"John's kid happens to have a name," Felicity remarks in the boy's defense. "Connor is a good kid. In fact, if I were to be completely honest, I'd say I like him so much better than John Jr. But don't tell John that. Connor is kind of mature for his age, considering he's lost his parents at such a young age. He's sweet and caring and patient with Mia's antics and headstrong ways."
Oliver lets out a sound from deep down his chest, like the growl that usually scares the bad guys that he takes down as the Green Arrow. "Doesn't change the fact that they're still kids. You can't…"
"I can't what?"
"You can't ship them like they're old enough to date."
"Why not? John does," she counters quickly, confident about winning this argument. "And our modern-day Yoda is never wrong about these things. He was right about us, and that says a lot," she says with a twinkle in her eye.
She expects him to mellow down a bit with the excellent point she just raised. She knows Oliver has always been grateful to his best friend and brother for patiently and persistently prodding him to pursue her all those years ago when he was being a stubborn idiot about matters of the heart, among other things. Unfortunately, her comment does not achieve the desired effect.
"See, that's what gets me even more," Oliver admits irritably. "You and John… You should stop encouraging it."
"We are not encouraging any thing. We are just thrilled every time we see Mia and Connor getting along so well. We don't even tease them about it. We just let the things that are meant to be, run their natural course," she explains in a cheerful, sing-song manner. "I know they've only known each other for two, almost three years. But there has always been that special bond between them. John and I see it, and I know you see it, too. You just hate to admit it."
Oliver does not answer.
"I can't forget the first time John brought Connor over to our house. Mia instantly took a liking to him. He was the first friend she ever brought to the tree house… the only friend she has ever brought to the tree house. Connor may be four years older, but they've been best buddies ever since. Inseparable."
Still Oliver does not answer. He simply takes a breath. Felicity knows she's winning this argument.
"Think about it, Honey. Don't you want Mia to be with a guy that she trusts? A guy that we trust?"
Oliver suddenly reacts and says, "He's not a guy."
"He will be someday, just like our Mia will be a beautiful young woman someday. And we already know his parents like they're family because, of course, John and Lyla are family. We know how they're raising Connor, and they're doing a pretty good. If they keep if up, we'll know that Mia will be in good hands. Connor treats Mia like a princess, and she adores him. He protects her and takes good care of her."
"Like a big brother should."
"Well, that's a good start. Big brother. Best buddy. The foundations of a strong relationship. What more can a girl ask for?" Felicity completes her persuasive speech, but Oliver is still relatively quiet.
He knows she has a point. Several, even.
Multiple times Oliver has seen how Connor treats his little girl. Connor never has a snack or meal in Mia's presence without offering her some of his. He always lets her go first whenever they take turns for anything or have to fall in line. Oliver sometimes thinks the Diggles' adopted son spoils their daughter too much, but he has secretly thought fondly of it recently.
Oliver has also witnessed how Connor stands up for Mia when bigger kids bully her for being the mayor's or the Green Arrow's daughter. He's seen it again earlier, when a couple of boys bigger than her (whom she had beaten in the tournament's eliminations round) tried to get back at her by grabbing her knapsack.
Connor is a good kid, and Oliver knows he's good for Mia. He thinks that perhaps this is precisely the reason why he's becoming apprehensive about all the matchmaking that his wife and best friend are starting to do. He knows there is a strong possibility that Mia and Connor might end up together in the foreseeable future, and he also knows how time flies swiftly by; nevertheless, he is so not ready for the day when those two are going to have to ask for his blessing. It scares him more than any fight he's ever had to face as Star City's hero.
"Alright, I'm in."
"What's that, baby?" Felicity knows what he means, but she wants to have a little more fun, and he knows it.
"This thing that you and John have going for our kids," Oliver replies, his face brightening considerably. "But promise me that all the shipping will be done privately and discreetly. Not one of us will interfere with whatever relationship Mia and Connor are meant to have."
"Glad to have you on board, Mr. Queen," Felicity comments, grinning widely.
Oliver looks straight ahead and sees a sign telling him how many more miles he still has to drive to get home. He mutters, "If you can't beat them, join them."
A/N: This story is almost done. Just two more chapters to go.
Thank you for reading! Not just this fic, but any of my stories since 2016. I will still be wrapping up my WIPs. There are still 3 of them published here that are unfinished. And then I'm done. Just as ARROW is done. It's been bittersweet letting my favorite show go. I will be taking down the fics and deleting my account here in two weeks' time. So, if you loved any of the stories, now is your chance to read them again before they're gone. Thank you so much! It has been a wonderful experience sharing my Arrow and Olicity fanfiction with you all. :-)