A/N: This was written prior to 2x21 coming out. It's a continuation of the scene where Felicity is trying to get Oliver to change his mind.
Enjoy!
"All that's left is for me to die."
He said it with a deaden voice, flat and monotone like it meant nothing, like his life was worth nothing and it filled her veins with a rage that spread like wildfire, fast and unforgiving. It temporarily choked her and she had to take a step back, put a few more inches between them because she felt it swell within her like it might explode.
"All that's left?" she repeated, unable to keep her lip from curling as her shoulders fell back and tighten, "That's what you really think? He's taken everything?"
Oliver just blinked at her, silent and it only infuriated her more.
"What about Digg? What about Thea? What about this city that we vowed to protect! What do you think happens if Slade kills you? Do you think he's just going to walk away. With Blood as Mayor what do you think will happen?!"
His eyes were on the floor now as he turned from her, "This is how it has to be,"
He made to step away and her hand flashed out to grab his arm, "No! You do not get to walk away from this without answering me, Oliver Queen!"
She stepped forward without realizing it until his forearm was pressed into her stomach, her brightly painted nails looking wrong as they dug into his white shirt.
His jaw clenched even harder as he still avoided her eyes, but he didn't try to get out of her hold.
"Explain to me how you think dying saves anyone. It's the easy way, Oliver, and I have never for one second ever thought of you as a coward."
His head whipped up at that, eyes narrowing as he stared at her. But it was Digg's voice that spoke first.
"What about Felicity?" he said evenly as he moved closer causing both of them to turn and look at him. "Don't think I didn't notice you left yourself off that list." he said pointedly and she stiffened.
His gaze shifted to Oliver, "You haven't lost everything man, and what the rest of us lose if you do this... is it not worth going down without a fight?"
Oliver's breaths increased as he swiped a hand over his face, unable to hide his now red rimmed eyes. "No one else is going to die for me!" he exploded, but instead of letting go she just hung on tighter, "You will not die!" the words were ground from his throat so low and ragged it didn't even sound like him.
Her heart seized in her chest, stuttering between beats as she looked at him, mouth agape, "Oliver-"
He'd turned, hands clasping her elbows and she didn't even know when that had happened, "If you two live. If Thea lives then it's worth it." she could feel the tension flow through him, and the intensity in his tone was so high she felt him barely keep himself from shaking her, "You're it. You're all that's left and he knows that. I won't...I can't let it happen, Felicity. I can't."
It was the way the words broke and cracked in his mouth that launched her forward. Her arms wrapped around his neck as the tears she'd been struggling to hold back began to fall. "Don't do this, Oliver, please." she begged,
When his arms banded about her she only cried harder because she knew. She could feel it in her bones. He was going to do this regardless.
He didn't say a word, just held her longer than she thought he intended to and then his hands were on her waist setting her back, pressing her towards Digg as he turned and left the room.
As she stood watching in shock and numbed horror at his retreating form she wondered if that was the last time she'd see him alive.
It wasn't. When Slade had taken her Oliver had come for her. And when it was all over she'd asked him what had changed. He'd been quiet for so long she didn't think he was going to answer. Then his lips brushed her forehead and he held her a little closer, "You reminded me I had something to live for,"