AN: So, I've finally got round to updating! CAUSE COLLEGE IS FINALLY OUT! I'm finished with finals, and now I'm free. So a slight word vomit happened, and this is quite long. There's also smut, so I'm warning those who don't like it beforehand! I hope you guys like this. If there are any mistakes, I am so sorry. I edited this while hungover, so my brain wasn't exactly happy about the exposure to the bright screen. xo
"Felicity, your hack face is showing."
The blonde's head snapped up, and Oliver nearly laughed at the expression on her face. Trying to keep his own poker straight, he signaled for the valet to wait.
"What am I doing here again? This is entirely your fault," she narrowed her eyes at him, the hysteria building up again; "I can't believe I let you distract me with sex. Sex clouds the mind, and you do it well enough for me to forget the little common sense I actually possess. Why are you grinning? This is not funny! I'm about to be sick over your designer shoes and you're laughing. What kind of twisted person are you?"
Oliver leaned over, cupping her heated face in his hands. Without her glasses, her eyes were impossibly clear to read – and right now, he could see the fear clouding her blue orbs.
"Don't worry about it. It's just another one of those boring formal events. You work for this company too, Felicity," he told her, hitting the mark straight on with his words, "You have every right to be here as much as everyone else does."
Lifting her hand up, she rested her fingers around his wrist, the steady pulse soothing her fragile nerves slightly.
"I'm fine. It's fine. I'll be fine after a drink – or three. It's – how many times have I said fine? I'm great. Let's get out the car before I lose my nerve and pull a Cinderella at midnight on you."
"It's a good thing I know where you live then."
Felicity rolled her eyes as the valet pulled her door open, and she stepped out, making sure she didn't trip up on the front of the elegant dress.
Oliver buttoned up the front of his tuxedo, looking over her one final time. His eyes, so intense, sent shivers down her spine, the exposed skin giving her away.
"Shall we?" he asked her, and she slipped her hand in the crook of his elbow, breathing deeply before nodding.
It was going to be a long, long night.
If the Queens knew one thing, it was how to throw a party.
The atmosphere was friendly, even if she wasn't feeling particularly nice in that moment. The rich mingled with the associates of the company, the pretty secretaries danced with the playboys, and the established lines between them all became non-existent.
At least, it did for a couple hours.
But no one could deny that when Oliver Queen had walked through the high arcs of the double doors, it had caused a stir. She wanted to squirm under the watchful gazes, ready to bolt back out when she saw the obvious signs of gossip already starting. Of course they were wondering who the blonde on his arm was – those who didn't know her were, anyway.
"Don't make your nerves obvious," his low voice carried to her, and she resisted the urge to stomp on his shiny shoes. It was easy enough for him to say, when he was used to every move of his being observed by everyone.
Luckily enough, Felicity saw Thea approaching them, a massive Cheshire smile gracing her beautiful features.
"Ollie!" she exclaimed, theatrics in full work, "It's nice to see your face for more than a few seconds, finally."
"Thea," Oliver greeted his younger sister, the warning in his playful tone obvious, "I'm sure you're aware of the eyes and ears around us at the moment. Let's not give them ideas."
Thea laughed, shaking back her straightened hair. Felicity couldn't help but admire the ease of the young girl; Thea Queen was well known for being a wild card, and never being the proper family host she was acquired to be at these events.
She wished she could borrow her mentality for a couple hours.
"Oh, you've given them ideas already. I think everyone was expecting this to be a public event of where they would get a couple of good, solid movie moments where you and Laurel pine away at each while she stands next to Tommy. But nope, you gunned that right into the ground, brother. Now everyone's wondering how this is gonna play out."
Oliver tensed; his jaw locking as he looked over his sister's head and around them. He knew the truth behind Thea's teasing, because it was exactly the kind of gossip that fueled the bored rich of Starling City. His eyes swept over the expensively clad bodies, which were either glancing their way or blatantly whispering about the new developments.
He pulled Felicity close to his side, his hand around her waist.
If it was visual confirmation they required, he was more than happy to oblige.
"That dress is lovely, by the way," Thea complimented Felicity, eyes sweeping over the blonde again, "I wish I could wear a dark green like you do. Where's it from?"
Oliver, realizing that girl talk was about to commence, rolled his eyes.
"Before you two begin exchanging every little painful detail about outfits, I'm going to excuse myself. Mom probably wants to speak to me too. You'll be fine with Thea?" Oliver asked, looking down at Felicity, who looked relieving less tense.
"Yes, don't worry about me. I know you have some sort of duties to do too. Go be Oliver Queen for now," he smiled at the private joke, so quick and full of charm, that Felicity was surprised her knees didn't give in right there and then.
Was it any wonder that she had fallen for every side of him?
Thea kept her eyes on Felicity, the smirk gracing her features once again.
"I'm glad I was rooting for you. You're good for him," she confessed, and Felicity looked at Thea, eyes full of surprise.
"He's happy. I told you, you make him forget about the burden he's made himself believe he has to carry. Many parts of Oliver are still on that island, no matter how long he's been back here. But with you, he's so different. I hope Roy looks at me the way Oliver does at you."
Thea's words, so sincere and genuine, hit home with Felicity. Smiling, she linked arms with the younger woman and headed over to a secluded corner.
"I haven't met Roy, so maybe you should introduce me to him and let me judge how he looks at you."
"Oh, I'm so holding you up for that. That is, if he figures out how to get into the tux I left at his place. It's hard trying to tame a feral creature, you see."
Their laughter carried through the place.
"Are you serious?! You are my new idol, Felicity Smoak. I don't know if I should be impressed or worried about how much you can access," Thea laughed, sipping on the champagne that she technically wasn't allowed to drink. Felicity, a blush rising up to her cheeks, shrugged. It was more that she was uncomfortable than embarrassed, which always led to her colour rising.
"He was a brute, not to mention a bully. He was disgustingly rude and treated the women in the departments like sex objects. He had these beady black eyes – see! That's creepy," she waved a hand as Thea blanched at the description of the man, "So I just placed a few surprises on his home system, and a lot on his work one."
"Now I know who to call when I need someone to hack into-"
"Thea?"
Felicity turned around, the easy smile on her face faltering as she realized Moira Queen was standing behind her, a polite smile gracing her features. Felicity sent up a silent prayer that the woman in question hadn't heard her daughter's unfinished statement.
'Cause otherwise, her hack face would probably make a return.
"Oh, hey mom," Thea shook her head slightly as she moved forward to her mother's side, "I'm guessing this is when I clock in as 'still present'?"
Moira shot her daughter a disapproving glance, even though she knew as well as Thea and Felicity that she was indeed checking up on her youngest child.
"I'm just making sure you're… entertained and occupied."
"I'm definitely not bored. Felicity's been keeping me company. She's Oliver's date, and the reason why he's always smiling like a goofball at his phone. She also happens to work for QC and I, for one, think she deserves a promotion. Computer whizz extraordinaire."
Felicity nearly groaned at the introduction. Trust Thea to pull one on her and dump every little detail on her mother's head from the very moment. It would be just her luck to have to face Moira Queen, CEO of the company, her boss and her boyfriend's mother without said individual even present. Moira's eyebrows rose at her daughter's words.
"IT Department, isn't that correct? I think Walter has mentioned you before. He was very impressed with your work."
"Yes, Felicity Smoak. Though I don't want, or need, a promotion. I'm happy with my job - and thank you," she babbled out, wishing the ground would just swallow her up.
"Everyone needs a promotion; we value exceptional work here at Queens Consolidate. Don't look so frightened, Ms. Smoak. I think Thea seems to think it is a joke to put you in an uncomfortable position. She thinks the work we do here is a joke too, so she grabs every opportunity she can to put the employees of QC on the spot," Moira teased, though the obvious disapproval coloured her voice. Felicity, feeling slightly dazed, wondered if Thea went around embarrassing her fellow colleagues all the time.
Stop thinking so hard and focus, she scolded herself.
"Of course I think it's a joke - I don't know how you guys do it, cooped up in here. Though Felicity does get brownie points, because she was clever and managed to snag a Queen to ogle at while working," Thea said offhandedly, and chuckled when Felicity squeaked from horror, the blush rising straight up the pretty blonde's neck.
"I - this - I don't ogle at Oliver. Well, I do, but not at work. He doesn't pay any visits to the IT Department. Only when he needs help with 21st Century technology, because y'know, he was stranded for five years. And that's not even relevant," she hurried out, flabbergasted at her own words, "That's unprofessional. I - well, this is unprofessional too, because I'm dating your son, and you're my boss. I can stop dating him though, if it's inappropriate -"
"Yeah, it takes a while to get used to the rambling," Thea cut Felicity off, putting her out of her misery. Moira, looking slightly dazed herself, looked from her daughter to the blonde.
"Well… I can see why Thea's taken a liking to you. And Oliver as well. You're a wonderfully blunt character, Ms. Smoak," Moira shocked Felicity, and she vaguely noted down that all three Queens had managed to shock her speechless.
"Thank you? That relieves my mind slightly, because I've managed to put my foot into my mouth completely this evening."
To her complete and utter surprised, Moira Queen chuckled at the blonde's remark.
"I've dealt with worse. Have a nice evening, Ms. Smoak. I'll see you in a short while, Thea," the older Queen excused herself, walking back towards the guests.
"Well, I was expecting a bit more, to be fair."
Felicity turned to Thea, her eyes narrowed.
"What?" the younger girl laughed, waving a hand in the air, "I was so ready for a Freudian slip or something! It's slightly disappointing that you didn't mention your sex life. Now that would have been inappropriate."
"Thea Queen, you're going to pay for that."
"Stop looking like a beetroot with a bad dye job, Blondicity, then threaten me."
Shaking her head, Felicity drowned her flute of champagne.
Oliver watched her, situated in a corner with his sister, a tall flute in her hand and her face relaxed as the two ladies laughed over their conversation.
He had done his duties for the night, mingling and rubbing elbows with the necessary people, putting up a façade that left him feeling uncomfortable in his own skin. It put everything into perspective, really – the pretentious and pitiful existence he used to embark on, before the island. Now, he could see why nothing had felt important, or even remotely real.
Because the people he had associated with, the lifestyle he had pursued hadn't been real.
Even when he had returned, adamant on fulfilling his promise to his father, the Hood hadn't felt real either. With nothing but the List, he had focused every fiber of his being to the mission.
It wasn't surprising he had still felt lost in the only place he had known as home.
He smiled to himself, a rare, boyish smile, as he watched Felicity throw her head back and really laugh.
Remarkable, admirable Felicity.
And then she turned her head, her beautiful eyes meeting his gaze.
Everything made perfect sense in that moment.
He had fallen in love with Laurel so quickly, that it had terrified him. He had fallen in love with the thrill surrounding Sarah, that it had made him a terrible person. He had fallen in love with the crazy notion that he could save Helena, that it had made him face terrible consequences.
But the gentle squeeze of his heart, the sudden understanding that settled over him, made him realize that it was nothing compared to what he felt in that exact moment.
With Felicity, he had fallen in love slowly, easily, without realizing so.
He moved over to where she stood; a magnificent sight in the dark green silk dress. It was different to the ones he had become accustomed to – the fluid flow of the column accentuating her slim frame, the thin straps leaving her shoulders and upper back bare. The colour, so ironically close to the shade his Hood was, illuminated her pale, creamy skin.
She was his.
"Has mom finally let you go then?" Thea asked as Oliver placed a hand on Felicity's back, drawing her close to his side. She instinctively leaned against him, and he resisted the urge to kiss her.
"I've finished my rounds, so I'm off the hook, young one. Sucks to be you," he added playfully, which earned him a light slap to the chest.
"I know my cue when I see it. She's all yours Ollie – for now," Thea winked at Felicity before turning on her Jimmy Choo's and walking to Moira's side. Oliver could already feel the tension seeping back into Felicity as many of the eyes that had been waiting for them to come side by side again turned towards them.
Felicity squirmed under his touch, her fingers drumming an inconsistent beat against her small clutch.
"Relax," he murmured, tracing faint patterns against the silk material of her dress. She looked up at him, eyes defensive.
"It's really not easy to relax when majority of the Starling blue-bloods and my fellow co-workers are staring at us," she told him dryly, looking over his shoulder, "And they're all wondering the same thing. Why is Oliver Queen with the hired help?"
His fingers stopped mid-motion.
"You are not the hired help. Who I choose to bring as a date is not their concern. They try to make it their business, but it isn't. At all."
"Even so," she muttered, unable to stop her mouth, "It's not a wonder that they are curious. It's not every day that someone they know is being touched by a Queen. They're eyes are unnerving me. It makes me feel naked. Well, technically I am semi naked, as I don't have panties on, but I feel like they can see through me. How do you-"
His breath caught.
"Did you say no panties?" Oliver uttered.
"Uh, well, this dress sucks because panty line is unavoidable. So I had to go commando."
Oliver groaned.
"What? Is that not allowed? Is there like a rule – oh," she swallowed the rest of her words as she saw the dark gleam in his eyes. She felt the heat pooling in her belly as his hand inch unbearably lower, fingers skimming over her ass.
"You really don't have underwear on," he confirmed, and couldn't stop himself from tightening his hold on the soft flesh under his hand, "Felicity, you are killing me."
"There are many rooms in this building."
He blinked, frowning. Her eyes grew wide as she realized exactly what she was hinting at.
Oliver's face changed as he caught on.
"Well, I'm thoroughly surprised."
"I'm sorry, I don't-"
"Let's go."
Without warning, he linked their fingers and pulled her towards the stage where the live orchestra was situated. She couldn't think, let alone speak up, as she was trying hard not to trip or accidentally step on the column of her dress.
She yelped when he took a sudden turn, and he pulled her close to his side as he keyed something into what looked suspiciously like a hidden code panel.
"Oliver, where on earth are you dragging me?" she managed as the locks clicked back. He held the door open for her, and she hitched her dress up, making it easier for her to walk.
Though when he eyes adjusted to the dimly lit area, she realized she wouldn't do much walking.
She would instead be climbing stairs covered in lush carpet.
"This is the private stairway to every single floor. Take your pick," he told her, delighted with the way her eyes grew wide as her mouth went slack.
"Wow. Seriously impressed. How did I never notice this before?!"
"It's a private stairway, Felicity."
"I know that now, don't-"
He cut her off with his lips, silencing her with a kiss full of desire and dark, dark promises. She melted into his arms, letting him take control as he pressed her to the wall, and she decided that it was a glorious feeling, the hard feel of him against her and the wall behind. His hands skimmed up her sides, hitching the dress up.
"Up. We need to go up," she broke away from the kiss, breathless and so unbelievably turned on. Grabbing his hand, she began to pull him up the stairs, another hand holding her dress up from the hem.
They burst through the doors, a heap of tangled limbs and lips. The ever so practical Felicity was astonished at her, but she couldn't care less.
This Felicity, Oliver's Felicity, was dying to drown in him, didn't care about the fact that they were displaying inappropriate behaviour where they could get caught.
"Where's an office?" he growled out, voice raw with lust. She pointed to her right, and he swept her up into his arms, heading to the door she was pointing at.
Her heart slammed against her rib-cage, completely awestruck at the way he had picked her up. It was a silly little detail, but one that made her lovesick heart sigh.
He kicked the door lightly, pushing them through into the moon-lit office. He didn't let her go; instead, he moved over to the sleek chrome desk, setting her on top of it.
"You're so beautiful."
He couldn't take his eyes off her – she was a vision, braced against the top of the desk, half covered by the shadows, hair mussed from his hands.
She let his words settle over her heart, before reaching out for him and pulling him to her, lips meeting halfway.
Her teeth nipped at his bottom lip; his hands pushed down the thin straps of her dress.
In a frenzy, he unbuttoned the front of his tux while Felicity, caught up in the moment, swept the papers and clutter on the desk to the floor.
She slid off the desk, letting the dress pool at her stiletto cladded feet.
He hissed through his teeth, his pants impossibly tight. Only wearing a minuscule, strapless bra, she stood before him, like a goddess.
How was it possible to still want her so desperately?
He pulled her flush against him, mouth on her soft neck as she reached for the button of his pants. Her cool, slightly unsteady hand slipped into his underwear, and he swore his vision turned red when he felt her stroke his rigid erection.
"Felicity," he moaned, hands on her firm ass. She nuzzled his neck, enjoying the momentary control she had over him. It was rare for Oliver to completely lose himself, to completely let go – in the development of their relationship, he was always so guarded, so careful.
She craved more.
Flipping the positions, she pushed him against the desk, hands swiftly pushing down his pants and briefs. Pooled around his ankles, he made an attempt to kick his shoes off, but she wasn't about to allow him a moment to gather himself together.
She pushed him back until he was flat on his back, and then straddled his hips, so they met, core to core.
She was ready for him, hot and wet as she guided him into her.
"Now."
Her hips rocked slowly, her hands splayed on the front of his shirt that he hadn't even had the chance to unbutton. But he didn't care. In that moment, she was all that mattered. Eyes staring straight into his, bodies joined, she led him to the edge of insanity, hard and fast.
His hands bruised her hips.
Her nails dug into his covered shoulders.
Flesh against flesh, they came together.
Breathing heavily, she braced her hands against the cool metal.
"I think I heard – OH MY GOD."
Felicity screamed as she turned her head, nearly tipping off Oliver's lap.
"Felicity?! Oliver?! Oh, this is disgusting!" Thea screamed, throwing a hand up in front of her eyes, "I can't believe I just saw your ass! Oh, I think I'm going to be sick. I'm leaving. Get yourselves sorted out! This is the one thing I never wanted to witness, ever."
Thea left, a hand still over her eyes, mumbling and cursing at them.
Felicity, thoroughly embarrassed, slipped off Oliver's lap and covered her burning face with her hands.
Oliver stayed where he was, eyes shut tightly as he tried to acknowledge what had just happened.
"I don't know if I should be laughing or cursing. My baby sister just walked in on us."
She wanted to sit on the floor, but she held back from doing so. Peaking from between her fingers, she saw what a hilarious image Oliver made – his trousers a heap at his ankles, shirt barely covering his modesty, eyes shut.
A giggle escaped from her mouth, causing him to look at her.
"It's not funny."
"I know, it isn't. Though, it is one of those situations that will become funny, in a couple of years or so. Nice story to tell at a family dinner. Or that's what happened when I relayed the horrific details to everyone at Christmas about catching my parents in the backyard when I was fifteen. It's a horrifying funny, that's what it is," she rambled on, bending down to gather her dress from the floor, "I'm hoping that this material doesn't crinkle."
Slipping the dress over her head quickly, she smoothed it down, before looking at him again.
This time, she laughed.
He sat up, moving off the desk and pulling his bottoms up, shaking his head at her. But it was a pretty sight, watching her laugh.
Thea poked her head through the door, eyes closed.
"Are you both in clothes? 'Cause I think I've seen enough of Felicity for a lifetime. No offence, though. You have a cute butt."
"It's safe to look, Thea," Oliver answered, picking up his forgotten blazer. Thea risked a glance and saw that the two rabbits were dressed, though the sign of their romp was stamped all over them.
"Felicity, you look like a woman who's had a quickie. So do you Oliver, but I'm not helping you sort yourself out. If you need anyone, Roy's just outside."
"What?" he straightened up, body tensing, "Why were you wandering around an empty building with him?"
"Not exactly for the same reasons as you and Felicity did. Mom wanted me to find you, because she thought you had managed to sneak out from under her watchful gaze. Roy only came along to keep my company. Though I wish I had sent Diggle up," Thea muttered, "He would have been in for a nice surprise."
They awkwardly stepped out of the office, and Felicity saw Roy Harper, in the flesh, up close, for the first time.
It wasn't any wonder Thea was smitten with him. His jaw line alone could have her hooked.
She was pretty sure that if she grazed her hand, it would cut her palm open.
"Uh, hi," he managed to get out, struggling to meet their gaze. Felicity realized that it was probably because both herself and Oliver looked like rumpled teenagers on prom night.
She started to blush again.
"Harper," always one to intimidate, Oliver put out his hand, and the young man shook it, obviously uncomfortable more than afraid of Oliver.
"Roy, this is Oliver's girlfriend, Felicity Smoak. Smoakin' Hot, this is my pretty boy, Roy Harper," Thea ignored the tense stance of her brother as she made the introductions. Felicity smiled at Roy, deciding that she would be the nicer person.
"It's nice to finally put a face on you. Thea's practically been 'Roy this' and 'Roy that' since we've met."
"I doubt everything she says is nice. It's nice to meet you to, even though, well, um, it is slightly awkward," he admitted, letting go of her hand. She smiled sheepishly.
"I think I'm going to quickly go to the ladies room, and freshen up. I'll meet you downstairs?" she asked Oliver, turning her face up to him. He nodded, before rolling his eyes and giving her a small peck.
"Take your time. If you don't see me with these two, stay with them. I'll probably be talking to some of the senior management members. I don't want you to be bored to death, and you can keep an eye on Thea," he stated, though they all knew what he exactly meant.
When she stepped into the ladies room, she leaned against the cool tiles, and let her head fall back.
"Congratulations, Felicity. Way to go."
He stood on the rooftop of Queens Consolidate, watching the city.
It was a fascinating sight, the city he knew as home from up here. No one could see the cracks or debris of a broken city – the bright lights blindsided you, the night sky creating a beautiful illusion.
But he knew better. Even without his Hood, he could see the underlying chaos.
He was looking hard enough.
When he heard the telltale sounds of her heels, he smiled gently. Hands in his pockets, feet set apart, he didn't turn around – he didn't have to. Not with her, anyway.
He trusted her enough to know she would never stab him in the back.
Shado had been the voice of reason, the wonder that had enhanced every single sense within him. But it had been Slade that provided him with the mindset.
Never turn your back on anyone. You don't know who will attempt to stab you.
She came to stand by his side, arms folded across her chest as she looked out to the city.
"It's wonderful from up here. And I think the wind is probably blowing out the few crinkles in the dress, so a bonus for that too. You wouldn't think that there was a single thing wrong with this city from this view," she voiced his thoughts, and he turned to look at her.
It was the perfect moment.
"I want to explain something to you," he started, turning back to look at the city again, "I want to stop the wrongdoings in this city. It's been my home all my life, no matter which Oliver I was. But I don't know who or what I'm fighting against. It could be anything, and I've dragged you and Diggle into this too. Because," he carried on when she tried to interrupt him, "I can't save a city all by myself. I need you both, and I do have you both. It's a blessing, and a curse."
"Yeah, that makes me feel so appreciated."
He laughed, looking towards his left, where he knew the Queen mansion was towards.
It wasn't where home was anymore.
"I came back with a bow and a lost mind. I looked for comfort in the memories of the past, before I realized everything I needed was right in front of me. You make me better, Felicity. It's without a doubt all down to you why I managed to find some sort of closure against the demons in my mind."
She smiled, and it moved him, to see the tears in her eyes.
"I'm not made of anything good, Felicity. There's a lot of evil, a lot of demons still within me. I don't want to ask you to fight them for me, because they're mine to deal with. But I do want you by my side, no matter how selfish that sounds. And you know the risks, as well as I do."
"The risks don't outweigh the good, Oliver. It doesn't outweigh the cause," she whispered, turning to him slightly. But he still didn't look at her, couldn't until he laid it all out.
"Everything I touch has a tendency to die."
"Not true. Look at me. I've learnt to live because you came into my life, Oliver. As much as I've helped you, you've helped me. You made me break out of that tiny shell I was hidden in. I know the risks, and the outcomes. I have the choice to stay, or to leave. And I know that with you, you'd let me go if I wanted to. You would give me the choice, and that doesn't make you selfish," she declared, voice steady and full of emotion. She was breathtaking, the rich green dress a flowing curtain around her as the wind played havoc with it. She mesmerized him, no matter what she wore; if she had her contacts in or not; whether her hair was in a tight ponytail or cascading down her shoulders.
He glanced at her finally, linking their fingers together.
Just in case she needed the support.
"I should warn you though. I'm in love with you."
"What?!"
"I'm in love with you. So I don't plan on letting you leave, Felicity Smoak."
He was right about the support.