Anonymous requested: So I recently gained weight and I kind of lost some confidence. Could you write a little drabble where felicity gets really self conscious because she gained some weight but Oliver's just like "damn girl you look great." Author's note: This prompt made me "Awww!" and immediately got moved to the top of my list. I've felt the same very often, and my husband always makes me feel better about myself. Also, it completely got away from me and is definitely longer than a drabble.

Felicity overheard them talking about her as she was finishing up in the bathroom. They'd clearly already been discussing her before they came in and she was just catching the tail end of the conversation.

"I get that Smoak is smart and everything, fine, but I don't think she's that smart."

"I know. Mr. Queen was always hanging around her office before. And please, we all know he only pays attention to women who are giving something back…"

Felicity rolled her eyes. As if she hadn't heard almost the exact same line a dozen times already. Half of the women at Queen Consolidated were sure she'd slept her way to her position. They didn't realize the sex had come after…

Felicity grinned and was just about to walk out of the stall and mortify the two gossip-mongers when the next words froze her in her tracks.

"So that's what I don't get. Why does he still keep her around? I mean, have you seen her lately? She's gained like, at least ten pounds."

"I know, right? You don't think…" The woman lowered her voice and Felicity found herself holding her breath to listen.

"You think he knocked her up?"

Felicity's hand flew to her mouth and she looked down at herself. She knew for a fact that she wasn't pregnant. She'd come in here to change her tampon for crying out loud. But had she really gained so much weight that people were even speculating?

The women left as Felicity sat down on the closed toilet seat. She had gained a little weight lately, she knew. She'd been stressed, and working too hard, and barely had time for steady, balanced meals, much less training with Digg and Oliver back at the lair… But she honestly hadn't thought it was that noticeable.

Her phone chirped at her and she pulled it out. She had a meeting in five minutes. She didn't have time to sulk in the bathroom. Opening the stall door, Felicity stepped up to the sink, washing her hands quickly. She caught a glimpse of her face as she turned to leave and frowned, biting her lip, before averting her eyes from her reflection, tugging her blouse down and rushing out.

"Come in!" The call was muffled through the door, but Oliver turned the handle and walked into the apartment he'd come to view as a second home over the past few months.

"I'll be right out," Felicity's voice came from her bedroom. "There's some wine in the kitchen, help yourself!"

Oliver checked his watch. They had a few minutes before they had to leave for the benefit tonight, so he went and poured himself a glass of Felicity's favorite red. He was halfway through the glass when Felicity rushed past him.

"Okay, ready, let's go," she said, walking past the open kitchen to the door.

"Whoa, whoa, hold on. Let me see you," Oliver said, putting his glass down and following her.

Felicity stopped and turned around slowly. Oliver's breath caught in his chest.

She looked stunning.

The black dress she was wearing clung to her in all the right places, following the curve of her hips and thighs before flaring out at the knee and sweeping down around her legs. The back was so low, Oliver wondered how he was supposed to manage to keep his hands to himself throughout the evening. Gold sandals peeked out from beneath the dress, and a simple gold chain with the diamond pendant he'd given her for her birthday hung delicately between her breasts. Her hair was up, with a few curls left out to frame her face.

He smiled, breathing out slowly. He loved seeing her dressed up for events. Felicity was a woman who always looked beautiful, but when she put on an evening gown, he had trouble staying coherent.

"Wow," he said, shaking his head. "You look – wow."

Felicity bit her lip and looked away, grabbing her shawl and stepping forward to open the door. Oliver frowned and brushed his hand down her arm.

"Hey," he said softly. "Is something wrong?"

She shook her head, but still wouldn't look at him.

His frown deepened, andOliver moved in closer, bringing a hand to her cheek, tilting her face up.

She finally met his eyes and gave him a wry smile.

"It's okay," she said. "You don't have to pretend to be all blown away."

What?

"What?" he asked, utterly bewildered.

Felicity sighed, a puff of air blowing one of the curls away from her face. "Look, it's fine," she said. "I know, Oliver. I know I've gained some weight lately and I don't look that good, and it's fine, really. It's not a big deal. I'm on a diet, and I'm back to working out, so hopefully I'll be back to normal soon, but you don't have to lie to me to try and make me feel better, or -"

"Whoa, wait. Stop!" he exclaimed, bringing his other hand up so he was cupping her face. "Felicity! What are you talking about?" he asked, his brow furrowed in complete confusion.

He could see unshed tears in her eyes, which floored him, because Felicity almost never cried, and she dropped her gaze, taking a deep breath before she began to explain.

"A couple days ago I overheard some girls talking in the bathroom. And like I said, it's not a big deal… I knew I'd gained some weight lately, but I just hadn't realized it was so noticeable…" Oliver's eyes widened with understanding and he sighed, looking up at the ceiling. "I mean, sometimes this job gets really stressful, and what am I supposed to do if I get home super late and I'm really hungry but too tired to make anything, and all I've got is peanut butter and chocolate chips or frozen french-fries? And I'm sorry, because I know I've let myself slip, and I'm not just letting myself down, but you too and-"

Oliver had heard enough.

Felicity had her back to the door and he reached over her shoulder, sliding the lock shut.

"Oliver, what -?" She was silenced as Oliver leaned down and kissed her, rubbing her cheeks with his thumbs.

"Felicity," he said, his voice soft as he pulled away, "I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. To be perfectly honest, something hasseemed different about you lately, and I still can't put my finger on what it is. All I know is I've had a harder time than usual keeping my hands off of you at the office."

Felicity snorted and Oliver had to suppress a grin at the sound. He took a deep breath shaking his head lightly.

"You are the most beautiful," he began, kissing her cheek and moving down, "most amazing," he nipped just beneath her jaw, "most gorgeouswoman I know." He nosed at the spot behind her ear, breathing in the scent of her perfume. Her head fell to the side and he felt her shiver.

"Those women are jealous, because on top of being smart, and funny, and capable of anything, the woman I love is also sexy as hell and I am constantly amazed by you."

He'd backed her up against the door at this point, and was running his hands down her sides, fingers brushing just inside the edges of the open back of her dress.

Felicity's eyes were wide as she looked up at him.

"You've never called me that before," she said, sounding breathless.

"Called you what?" he asked, nuzzling at her neck.

"The woman you love."

Oliver lifted his head, eyes meeting hers, and smiled. He'd been trying to find the right time to say it for days, and it figured it would just come out naturally in the end. It was easy, like everything about being with her was. "You'll have to get used to it. I intend to say it a lot more." He leaned down again, capturing her lips with his, brushing his tongue over the corner of her mouth before she opened up for him. He began walking them away from the door towards her bedroom.

"Wait," she said, pulling away, breathing heavily as he nipped his way down her neck. "What about the event? You're one of the main benefactors!"

"Forget the event. I'm busy tonight."

"Oliver…"

"Sorry, but I have a work related emergency."

Felicity squealed as he lifted her suddenly off of the ground, carrying her towards her room.

"I love you, Felicity," he said, grinning as he passed by the sofas. "I'll just have to spend the night showing you how much."

She giggled wildly, all signs of distress gone, as he tossed her on the bed, kicking the door shut behind him.