My name is Oliver Queen. For five years I was stranded on an island with only one goal-survive. Now I will fulfill my father's dying wish to use the list of names he left me and bring down those who are poisoning my city. To do this, I must become someone else. I must become something else.
Oliver finds the whole situation somewhat awkward. Felicity is walking ahead of him arm-in-arm with Tommy as she asks him all about Laurel. Tommy is in the market for an anniversary gift now they are hitting 6 months of an official relationship. He's not sure how Felicity manages it but Tommy agrees to not ask for Thea's help. Oliver realizes another talk with his little sister is in order. This crush on Tommy needs to stop.
He turns leaving them to it and looks down at the jewelry counter. He knows they've only been together for a few months but for some reason he feels like they've been together longer. He hasn't been looking for anything specific but then he sees them. He's tugging out his credit card and gesturing to the sales lady. Then he points to the simple bracelet with a heart locket and pays for that as well. It will hold the tracker he wants her to carry.
"What are you doing?" He jumps when she slips up next to him. Thankfully he has slipped the gift in his pocket and it is only the simple bracelet that she sees. He picks it up to show her and explains the purpose. She nods at it and then slips against him, wrapping her arm around his waist.
"Thank you for helping Tommy."
"He's one of your best friends Oliver and he's completely clueless about women. It's partly adorable and partly concerning."
"Tommy has always been a bit clueless about women."
"Clearly. So I'm going to leave you two alone and head back to work okay? I'll see you tonight?"
"Yeah...the keycodes are-"
"Really?" she asks. "If I get stumped by the easy to hack keycode box, I'll just hack in. I need to up your security. It's terrible. See you tonight!"
"You guys are really doing well huh?" Tommy asks. "I thought I would be the one in the really serious relationship but it's you two."
"When it's right, it's right Tommy."
"Sometimes I worry about my relationship with Laurel. I mean we've been seeing each other for years and we've been in a serious relationship for six months. You guys just met 6 months ago and you two will probably get engaged soon."
"We're not quite there yet Tommy."
"You two basically live together. I'm not saying you two should start picking out china patterns or whatever but you have to know that is where you two are headed right?"
"Tommy...what's going on with Laurel?"
"I don't know. I love her but sometimes I wonder if she's just with me because I'm convenient. I still don't have a drawer or a key...or any future commitment," Tommy says sadly. "Felicity just told me about your camping and beach trips."
"It's not a competition Tommy. Just tell Laurel how you feel."
"The trouble is I don't know if she'd care."
Felicity watches in fascination as Oliver works out in the dim lighting. He's freer down here and she watches as he goes from one activity to another, pummeling a training dummy before moving onto target practice. Diggle's been watching him for awhile too and shrugs his shoulders at her look.
"So who's the target tonight?" Diggle finally asks.
"Ken Williams. His pyramid scheme stole millions and ruined people's lives. You two can head home. I don't anticipate any problems."
Felicity pulls the information on Ken Williams and skims the important stuff. Her eyes zero in on information about Mr. Williams son and she hits the locks on the doors. She hears Oliver heading for the door and braces herself.
"Felicity! Did you just-"
"Override the lock? Maybe a little."
"What are you doing?"
"Did you know Mr. Williams is a widowed father of a 10 year old boy? I'm here to help you make a difference and find Walter. I'm not going to be an accessory to orphaning little kids."
"I'm just giving him a warming."
"Has it ever occurred to you you could do some real good in the city? Beyond just recovering people's stock portfolios and their savings accounts?"
Oliver leans down and for a moment he's a stranger. He's harder and more unforgiving. His eyes are blazing and for a second she realizes she doesn't know this man. The Hood is not just a costume...it's a hidden part of him.
"You are not the only one who knows how to reboot my system," he says pressing the button.
"Maybe I made a mistake," she says standing up.
"Getting in my way?"
"No...signing on with you. If this is the kind of man you are going to be then I…forget it." She storms out, not looking back. She didn't sign up for this. She's not going to be a part of hurting kids no matter who their father is.
"Maybe we should come back later Oliver? What if she goes to the police?"
"She won't say anything Dig. She's mad at me or disappointed. I'm used to that."
"What would you have done if I had decided to go to the police?"
"Put an arrow in you."
"Hm...I wondered how long it would take you two to show up here." Felicity bursts in past them and takes her seat, bringing up her daily work. She glares at the two of them before starting to type furiously.
"Felicity…" Oliver tugs her chair to face him. "I was worked up on adrenaline last night and I'm not used to you being down there and seeing me like that. I was hoping you'd give me the opportunity to make it right."
"Did Mr. William's also get to enjoy your adrenaline last night?"
"No. He returned the money he stole just in time to put his son to bed. It was just a warning."
All three of them are distracted by the news story playing on her computer listening as Detective McKenna Hall discusses Dodger and the SCPD's cooperation with Interpol. Diggle moves closer and leans down to see the news story.
"I heard about this guy," Diggle says gesturing to the screen. "They call him the Dodger because he avoids getting his hands dirty. He uses hostages to do his stealing for him. Puts a bomb collar around their neck and if they refuse then he takes their heads off."
"Too bad his name's not on your list," Felicity says.
"Every once in awhile I make an exception. How about the three of us take him down?"
He offers her his hand and she looks at it. This is different. They might sleep together but now he's offering her a partnership in his crusade against criminals in Starling City. In a weird way it almost felt like a marriage proposal and he started to think about Tommy's comments earlier.
She takes his hand and stands. She reaches out and takes Dig's hand too. He shakes her hand and there they are, the team who will protect the city. It's not exactly what he envisioned when he started this mission and yet he wouldn't change a thing.
Hours later the three of them slide into a booth at Big Belly Burger. Diggle slides in next to Felicity and smirks. Oliver sighs and takes his place across from her watching as she pages through the menu.
"So this how you guys figure out how to get your target? Over burgers and shakes?"
Oliver leans back and just watches as Diggle flirts with Carly and Felicity places her order, ordering for him as well. Felicity gives Diggle crap about Carly and Oliver laughs.
"Can we just get back to crime fighting please?" Diggle says.
"Actually Dig, you should ask her out," Oliver replies.
"Uh huh…"
"Look I'm already in a relationship," Oliver begins, "A good one and maybe it's time you do something about your love life."
Diggle frowns but gets up to go see Carly leaving Oliver with Felicity. She is looking at her phone and frowning.
"So you know the Detective right? Old girlfriend?" Felicity asks.
"Not really a girlfriend."
"Okay I don't want to know but what if you went and asked her out as a friends catching up kind of thing and put a little tech that I work up on her phone. Then everything she knows, we'll know."
"Hmm...it's not how I typically get my information."
"How do you typically do?"
"Felicity, I find the person and then I put the fear of God into them until they talk. But we can try your way."
"Less bloody," she says. "Do you think we'll get our food soon or are we on our own?"
"We're probably on our own. Diggle's still stammering."
He reaches over and takes her hand in his. They have been dancing around their new status the past few days and he can feel the distance. Now that she knows about him their relationship is altered. He has spent the past few days worrying about it. If this job doesn't go well then he can't help but wonder what it will mean for them.
Oliver goes to see McKenna and manages to slip the tech on her phone. When he suggests catching up he doesn't think much of her reaction. He'll meet her at eight for some food and then hopefully they can work on catching Dodger.
He runs into Thea in his room which strikes him as incredibly strange. She's sitting at his computer and muttering into her cell phone.
"You have a hot date with Felicity?" she asks and gestures to his clothes after slamming her phone shut. He glances down and frowns. He thinks he is dressed normally.
"I'm meeting an old friend for dinner."
"You are not going back to your old ways are you? Please say no because I really like Felicity. She's good for you."
"I'm not cheating on Felicity, Speedy."
"Well you look awfully fancy for an old friend meeting. I have to take this but can you ask Felicity if we can go shopping at 11 on Saturday instead of 9? CNRI moved my hours…"
"Sure."
He heads to the restaurant and thinks about the fact Thea seems to already love Felicity after one lunch. He found them hours after the lunch sitting on her floor looking at Thea's laptop. Later when he took Felicity home she talked endlessly about him being lucky to have a sister. He wants them to have a good relationship. He is more worried about his mother's reaction. His mother notoriously hates everyone he's ever brought home...except Laurel. Weirdly enough Moira Queen seems to identify with Laurel Lance.
"Hey," McKenna says when he comes in. The waiter is discreet and suddenly McKenna is hugging him. He realizes very quickly he did not clarify this meeting. He had thought they were meeting at a casual spot and this is much fancier than he expects. McKenna is flirty and he's trying to find balance again.
"Hi McKenna."
The order quickly and he's trying to figure out how to make it clear this is not a romantic date. McKenna fills him in on the last five years and then looks at him expectantly. He doesn't know what to say to her. He just knows he can't actually tell her about what happened.
"What did you do? What did you eat? Where'd you sleep? How did you survive?"
"Uh…"
"Sorry it's just I haven't been on a date with a guy in a really long time that didn't result in my reading him his rights. I mean the years must have changed you."
"Yeah...McKenna?"
"Yeah?"
"McKenna I think there has been a misunderstanding."
"Oh?" She's distracted when the food comes and he's not sure how to bring it up. His phone vibrates and he tugs it out.
"Hmm…"
"Something important?" she asks.
"I...just a reminder. I need to tell you I thought this was just a friendly catch-up."
"Oh...oh!"
"It's just I've been in a serious relationship for months now and this is her calling me to remind me about a meeting."
"It's okay…it's my mistake."
"I don't have a lot of friends from the old days and I just wanted to reconnect. Felicity actually inspired me to reach out."
"You sound happy Oliver."
"I am." The conversation turns to more friendly topics. They discuss the past few months and McKenna tells him about the academy and working with Detective Lance. He tells her about Felicity and reconnecting with his old friends. It's nice. Before they can get talk about anything else she is called away to deal with a Dodger issue. Oliver is not far behind.
The SCPD raid is a bust and Oliver heads back to the lair. He finds Felicity working hard on the computer, cross-referencing everything the Dodger is known to have taken. Diggle is working on weapon maintenance. He slips his bow to the desk next to her and just watches. Her fingers fly across the keys and he watches. It's almost sensual how her fingers move across the keyboard and he gets distracted.
"These all look like they're from the ominous decade," she says. He has to reign in his fantasies for the time being and shakes his head to focus on her.
"Are there any other places that sell or display items from the ominous thing?"
"Decade and no. I guess people in Starling City prefer the Elizabethan era."
"There is a fundraising auction tomorrow night. We could lure him out into the open."
"With a fake?"
"No Felicity. The Dodger seems to have a trained eye."
"Where are we going to get our hands on a rare Spanish antiquity?"
"You still have no idea how rich his family is, do you?" Diggle asks. Felicity spins and looks at Oliver and he shrugs. He's used to the money but he notices her eyes widen. It has been somewhat amusing to show her bits and pieces of his wealth recently. She never seems to grasp the concept.
"You can just buy a rare Spanish antiquity? Like...going to a store?"
"I can probably buy a few of them without needing to involve a money guy. We could check the Queen holdings. We might already own one."
Felicity just stares at him, her mouth opening and closing with no sound. In response he heads off to change. When he returns Diggle is gone and she's sitting their lining up a rare Spanish antiquity for the auction. He takes her hand and tugs her from the computer and pulls her towards the South Alleyway. She follows behind him but still doesn't say anything. She has to have seen the price tag on some of the antiquities.
"Ice cream?" he asks quietly. She nods and follows him to his bike. She's always a little unsure on the motorcycle and he loves the fact it makes her hold him tighter. He waits for her to get on the bike and adjust the helmet he got just for her. Her arms hug his body tightly and he can feel her excitement by the way she's slipping against his back. Even though this frightens her, she loves every second.
They sit down at the formica tables after ordering what must be the biggest ice cream sundae he's seen. Felicity just picks up a spoon and goes to town. He eats more slowly watching her. Once he starts eating she slows down, pausing to look at him.
"I think we should get a bigger place," she says suddenly. "Maybe three or four bedrooms?"
"Felicity...what?"
"Well my apartment is the best I can afford but since you've basically moved in...we should talk about that. I know we've only been together a few months but you've been living with me for more than half that time. I know we pretend you still live at home but you really don't. So I was thinking maybe when my lease is up later this year we could maybe go into a place together? Unless you don't think we'll be together or something."
"Why wouldn't we be together?" She pauses and eats some more of the ice cream. She looks down at her hands and sighs.
"Because I'm still insecure about all this," she admits. "You're Oliver Queen and well I keep expecting you to get bored. You like sports and I like Doctor Who. I like spending hours holed up in front of a computer and you like camping. I just don't know if this...will last all the differences."
"Do you love me?"
"You know I do Oliver."
"I love you too. That's enough for now. I know our interests are...different. I love watching Doctor Who with you even though I don't understand it. I love watching you work on your computers. Don't tell me you do not like watching sports with me because you are way more competitive than I am. Mrs. Callihan called the cops on your very vocal cheering last week not me."
"To be fair she thought I was hurting you. Can you believe she rushed to your aid? You, the man who can bench press a truck?"
"Not exactly a truck...my point is we're doing this stuff together and that's what matters to me. When is your lease up?"
"November. I can probably get out of it sooner but...it will give us time to work things out and make sure we're good. We can make sure the whole Hood thing is working between us. I just figured you might as well move in officially instead of us pretending you go to the Queen Estate. You haven't actually slept there in weeks."
"Point taken. We could...look at houses if you'd prefer."
"There is no way I can afford the housing prices in Starling."
"Felicity, I'm worth a lot of money. If you want a house, I can make that happen." She sits her spoon down and takes his hand in hers.
"I know that. I do. I just want it to be our place. I want my money to matter too. I work really hard."
"Your money does matter Felicity. I'm just saying we can have what we want too. What you bring into this relationship is so much more than what I do. I can bring money. You bring everything."
"Oliver...we need to work on your self-esteem but okay we can talk about it over the summer and look at our options assuming…"
"Nothing's going to change right now Felicity. Trust me."
Later when he's sliding to the bed next to her and both are panting in pleasant exhaustion does he realize Tommy is right. Him and Felicity are on the road to marriage. They are moving really fast. Marriage always worried him before but right now...it's such a terrible idea. It's not time yet, nowhere near time yet, but it's not a scary concept with Felicity.
He smiles when she snuggles up against his side and he looks around her place. She's leaving the door open for him to officially move in and he wants to. He's just not sure she's ready. She just found out about the Hood officially and she has not figured out if it is something she'll be okay with long term. Maybe he can hold out a little longer until she's sure.
"Shh...you're thinking too loudly."
"Sorry."
Laurel is sitting drinking her coffee and reading the paper when Tommy finally stumbles into the room. He doesn't sleep until the middle of the afternoon anymore but he still sleeps much later than she does. It bothers her sometimes when she's ready to go somewhere and has to sit and wait for him to finally get up. Oliver was an early riser even back before the island. He often got up before her. She's just not used to this.
"Hey. Sorry I slept in. I'm heading to Ollie's for breakfast," he says. He grabs his wallet and keys off her table and she nearly grimaces at the sound the keys make as they are dragged across her table.
"Can I come?" she asks suddenly. "I haven't seen Ollie in a while."
"Sure...I guess," Tommy says awkwardly. "I'll just call him."
"No let's surprise him," she says. She grabs Tommy's hand and pulls him towards the door. She hasn't seen Moira in a while and Thea's purse was just stolen. She can see if Thea found the guy yet. The two head down to the car and Tommy starts driving, not really saying anything to fill the silence.
"Tommy shouldn't we have turned back there?" she asks.
"No." Tommy pulls up in front of some old townhomes that have been converted to apartments and she follows him. She can't understand why they are here when the Queen Estate is in the other direction. An older woman waves to Tommy and she hears him call her Mrs. Callihan before turning the corner. She stands beside him while he knocks.
"Tommy!" Felicity Smoak opens the door and hugs Tommy before stepping back. "Oh Laurel, how nice to see you."
"Hi," Laurel says awkwardly. She suddenly realizes her and Tommy are at Felicity's place and Oliver must be here. The two enter the apartment and Laurel is struck by how cramped it seems. She glances around and her gaze lands on Oliver holding a spatula while he works on pancakes.
"Are you joining us Felicity?" Tommy asks warmly. Laurel rolls her eyes when Felicity and Tommy start talking about lunch the other day. She doesn't really care about any of this.
"Oh no. I have meetings. Oliver's just making my breakfast first so I can take it with me."
"Felicity do you want bacon in the sandwich?" She moves away from Tommy and Laurel and heads into the tiny kitchen. Laurel watches as Felicity leans over to eat a piece of bacon Oliver is feeding her.
Tommy sits down at the counter and Laurel can't help but notice his look of longing as he stares at Oliver and Felicity. Laurel takes the seat next to Tommy and watches Felicity lean against Oliver and rub her hand over back. His non-spatula hand slips around her waist. Laurel looks away when Oliver leans down to kiss Felicity.
"Okay so here is your pancake, egg breakfast sandwich," Oliver says a few minutes later. He's wrapping the food in foil and handing it off to her. "In the brown bag you have yogurt, fruit, and leftover Chinese. Try to remember to eat lunch today please."
"I'll try," she says. "I haven't had a packed lunch in years. You take such good care of me."
"I want to not get a call from the hospital about you passing out at your computer again."
"Promise." She kisses him again and Laurel looks away. Felicity walks over to Tommy and hugs him. "Don't let him get into too much trouble Merlyn. We have plans tonight."
"I'd listen to her Tommy. Felicity is incredibly scary." Felicity swats at Oliver before grabbing her bags and leaving the apartment. Oliver turns and smiles at Laurel. "Hey I thought it was just Tommy and me today."
"I decided to tag along," Laurel says watching as Oliver pours them all coffee. "Hope you don't mind."
"Of course not.I have a breakfast casserole in the oven so there is plenty to go around."
"Who are you and what have you done with Oliver Queen?" Tommy asks.
"I've been learning to cook," Oliver admits. "It's fun and Felicity has terrible eating habits so it helps me keep her healthy."
"I didn't realize you guys were still together," Laurel says.
"Yeah, it's been...almost three months. It feels longer in a good way."
"Ollie's getting ready to pick out the ring. Right man?" Tommy says laughing.
"We're not there yet Tommy. Felicity did mention looking for a bigger place though," Oliver says looking around. "It's pretty cramped here and we were talking about looking for a three bedroom with more space so I can bring some furniture. It's a few months off though. I'm going to try and convince her to let me buy a house."
"Wow you guys are getting really serious," Tommy replies.
"Well I want outdoor space and not the rooftop penthouse kind. Our relationship is still kind of new so she's hesitant."
"So has she met your mom yet?" Laurel asks. Moira Queen always liked her but hated everyone else Oliver dated. It's one victory she has always had.
"Not yet. She met Speedy last week and she seems to like her. They're going shopping this weekend. Mom's been pretty busy with the company and with Walter still missing, we didn't really want to rub it in. Raisa loves her though. I thought Raisa was going to fight me over us going home."
"Oh…" Laurel says quietly. Raisa never cared much for her. Oliver turns to get the food out of the oven and get their plates ready. Tommy picks up a stack of photos lying across the counter and starts flipping through them.
"I didn't realize," Tommy gasps. "I...your back? How have I not seen your scars?"
"I usually wear a shirt. I don't like to show people," Oliver says softly. "Felicity snapped that one while I was exercising."
"I was actually talking about this one of you sleeping but yeah...sure exercising."
"Which one?" Oliver puts the spoon down and picks up the photo. Laurel knows he hasn't seen this picture and watches in sadness as he smiles. "I didn't see this one. She...she's okay with the scars."
"She loves you Ollie," Tommy says gently. "Anyone can tell just by looking at her. You would still love her if she had scars."
"Of course I would," Oliver says. Laurel turns away from them both and tries to ignore the feeling in the pit of her stomach. Oliver is really moving on from her. He's here in this apartment with Felicity when he barely had any interest in moving in with her. He's cooking her breakfast. He's calling this tiny apartment home. She's losing him and she didn't realize just how much she was counting on him coming back.
The brooch is in place and Oliver and Diggle are scanning the room. The police are moving around and Oliver watches McKenna try to blend. She looks too much like a cop to do it well and he knows if the Dodger is here, she'll be made.
He looks up and freezes. Felicity looks amazing in the gold dress. Her hair is down and flowing over her shoulders while her walk screams confidence. She's too busy looking at her phone to notice people watching her. She's still an unknown to them and everyone is quickly trying to figure out how this girl got invited and why no one knows her. It's only when he slips his arm around her waist do the whispers start. Her tracker bracelet glints in the lighting and he is reassured by its presence.
"So I'm getting a good signal from the GPS I put in your family's brooch. I can just track it on my phone. Also have you considered what might happen if this doesn't work and the Dodger absconds with your family jewels...that came out wrong."
"Trust me I know exactly where my family jewels are," he whispers. She blushes and then looks down at her phone as Diggle clears his throat awkwardly. They separate moving around the space and looking for anything suspicious.
Oliver is standing in the center of the room scanning when Diggle approaches again.
"Maybe I should check out front and see if the security guards have heard anything. I am your bodyguard."
"That's a good idea. I'll go check on the bait."
"We have a problem." They both turn and see Felicity's scared face. Around her neck is a bomb collar and she's stepping away from them. "No stay away! If this thing blows!"
Oliver and Diggle drag her into a storage room and Diggle starts poking the device looking for a way to open the mechanism. Felicity is panicked and her eyes are darting all over the room.
"Felicity listen to me," Oliver says firmly. "You are going to be fine."
"I'm going to get decapitated."
"No you're not. The Dodger has the brooch so I'm going to follow the tracker. You need to stay calm and tell me where to go. Diggle will try and disarm it."
"No pressure," Diggle says as he bends a pen cap to suit his needs.
Oliver races out onto the street looking for the Dodger. He steals a motorcycle and starts riding, listening as Felicity tries to direct him. He wants to be there with her but this is the way to help her. If he can catch the Dodger then he can make the man disarm the bomb collar.
She directs him forward and soon enough he manages to get the Dodger in front of him. The man is clearly injured from the car crash but he tries to stay tough.
"I had the foresight to collar up a particularly inquisitive blonde. I assume she's a friend of yours. Touch one hair on my head and she loses hers." Oliver throws the flechette and the Dodger looks at him shocked.
"Your median nerve has been severed. You couldn't press that button even if you tried." Oliver takes the button from Dodger's hand and presses the button to disarm the collar. He can hear Diggle and Felicity's gasp and then her saying she's okay in his ear. It's enough and he breathes easier.
"Why are you doing this? I'm just like you. I only steal from the rich!"
"I'm not Robin Hood," Oliver says as he knocks the Dodger out. He turns looking back and the carnage before crushing the button device under his shoe. He rushes back to the charity event, pushing past journalists and security. He finds her sitting in the storage room alone.
"Dig went to destroy the device," she says shakily. Her hand is on her throat and she looks worried. "I know I said I understood the risks but I...I didn't."
"I understand," he says quietly.
"Oh Oliver no!" She stands up and hugs him. "I didn't mean it like that. I meant the fact you were standing right next to me and all I could think about was the bomb hurting you and Dig. This is what you feel like all the time? This crazy nauseous feeling in the pit of your stomach and the weird shaky feeling? It's like being drunk without the good stuff."
"I feel like that every time you leave my side. I'm not one of those crazy, possessive guys who want to lock you up to protect you but I know what kind of world is out there Felicity. I've lived it. I feel like that always."
"Oliver. I feel like that every time you put the Hood on. What if you don't come home? By being down there running the comms or here by your side, I feel like I can help keep you safe. I can help make sure you come home each night. I worry you won't come home and I don't know what I would do."
"Felicity..."
"Let's go home Oliver. Tonight let's just go home."
He takes her home. She walks next to him with his suit jacket over her shoulders. She's tired and he realizes he is too. Maybe it is a good thing they are dealing with this situation so soon into their new partnership. It shows them they can both keep their heads in the game even in life or death situations.
They both head straight for the bedroom. Clothes get placed in the hamper and shoes are lined up in the closet. It's just her standing in front of the mirror, taking the bobby pins out of her hair. Her short robe brushes the side of her legs and he just watches her do what women do in front of the mirror. She wipes make-up off her face and brushes her hair. It's mesmerizing.
He reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out the jewelry box. Moving behind her he slips the box onto the counter and she pauses. She looks over her shoulder at him before back at the box.
"You should open it."
She lifts the small jewelry box from the counter and slips it open. Nestled inside are two perfect pearl-drop earrings. She touches them gently and then turns to look at him.
"Oliver? They're beautiful." She removes each one, sliding them into her ears and turning to look back at the mirror. "Thank you. I love them."
"I knew when I saw them they were yours," he says softly, looking in the mirror. "My father used to say that when he bought things for my mother. He couldn't picture any other woman owning them so he had to buy them. I'm glad you like them."
"Oliver."
He doesn't say anything. He just kisses her. She steps against him, her body sliding up his as she stands on tiptoe. Her fingers slip against his neck as he lifts her against him until her legs wrap around his hips. The robe falls open under his insistent hands. He takes her to bed and watches, pleased, as they find themselves while her earrings glint in the moonlight. Tonight they made it home and no one got hurt. Tomorrow is another day but for right now they have this.
(ARROW)(ARROW)(ARROW)(ARROW)(ARROW)(ARROW)(ARROW)
I really struggled with this chapter. I'm not sure why. It rewrote a lot of the scenes. Originally the breakfast scene was supposed to be from Oliver's perspective. The housing discussion was supposed to be about Felicity's insecurities only. Weird stuff.
Just as a general FYI, Oliver and Felicity are not buying a house right now or anything. They're putting it on the table for future discussions. We all know what happens in May. Right now it's more about them realizing they are committing to this relationship and they are on the path to forever. Oliver is realizing it first.
I also feel like Oliver is an "all-in" kind of guy. He wants it all right now. He's the type who once he figures out what he wants he's ready for houses, marriage, kids, etc. So I feel like he's going to be moving really fast when he can while Felicity is going to be a little more hesitant. Plus Oliver understands how fleeting life can be.
Also McKenna was included because of her role in the Huntress episode. Otherwise the scene is mostly unnecessary.
Thanks for reading!
