"Do you think the media are going to give us a hard time about those photos?" Felicity asked as Oliver ran a warm and wet cloth over her shoulder. She brushed her hair to the side and exposed her neck, she felt his soft lips on her skin shortly after.
"They were at Queen Consolidated this morning, the office is talking about it." His other hand ran down her pale thigh, toward her knee and back again. "I'm not leaving your side though, so let them speculate." He kissed her neck once more and elicited an almost inaudible moan from Felicity. "Anyone who says you prefer BDSM will be sued for defamation of character, I'll see to it myself."
"What about work though?" She asked, turning her head to lean her forehead against his jaw. "They're going to think I got my job with you because you wanted to sleep with me."
"We'll deal with it as it comes," he kissed her hair, "I just want you to rest and get better, after that we can decide how we'll defuse the office gossip."
"Mmm," Felicity mumbled, work was going to be hell. The IT department thought she was a sell out and the things she heard in the lunch room made it clear to her that she wasn't well liked. "Maybe I should get a job somewhere else,"
"No," Oliver said, like it was an automatic response, "I'm not letting you out of my sight nor will I let you go and work for a competitor."
"I wouldn't go and work for a competitor, Oliver." She chuckled, "Why would I do that?"
"Where would you work?" He asked, moving the cloth softly over her stomach, careful not to brush her cuts too harshly.
"I don't know," she murmured, "maybe I could have a change of career,"
"Like what?" Oliver asked, wondering what other talents Felicity had hidden from him.
"I could go and work in a bar or something," she said, not really thinking it through.
"You'd hate that." Oliver said, looking down at her worriedly. He hoped she wasn't seriously considering it. "Stay at QC, we can be close to each other that way." He dropped the cloth and watched it sink down to cover her heat, he hadn't meant for it to land there but her slight gasp and the way her hand curled around his upper leg told him that she liked it. He reached for the cloth and dragged it up slowly by the corner; her pelvis rocked a little as he moved the cloth back to where he'd dropped it. He felt himself growing hard against her lower back.
"Oliver," she bit out in a choked and shaky breath.
"I don't want to hurt you," He said, his hand dropping to cup her as his lips moved dangerously close to her ear. "But I want you, Felicity."
"Then take me," She said, "let's get out of this bath and into bed, it's softer there, you won't hurt me."
Oliver shook his head, "You're not ready, and your stitches could break. I don't want to hurt you." He said, his hand moving back to her stomach as he wished his lower half would soften. "I want our first time to be perfect, Felicity." He said but he could see the disappointment in her eyes as she turned her head away from him.
"This could be perfect." She said, running her hand along his.
"I want to take you out to dinner, spoil you and then take you back to my place." He whispered, "There would be candles and music," he wrapped his hand around hers, "we get one shot at a first time together and I don't want it to be an after shock of what has happened."
"Hmm," She said, hating that Oliver was being the logical one, for once. "But you're so tempting."
He let out a low, throaty chuckle and kissed her hair. "You know what else is tempting?" He asked, "Mint Choc Chip Ben and Jerry's."
"You didn't!" She scoffed, how did he know that the way to her heart was through her stomach.
"I did," he said, "well- actually, Diggle did."
"Thank god for Dig," she sighed and rested her head against Oliver's shoulder, "We could watch a movie too, it's a good combination that always makes me feel better."
And that's what they did. After Oliver washed her hair and helped her out of the bath, he turned on the shower and helped her wash away any remainder of Slade Wilsons hurt. He checked her wounds and wrapped her in her warm fluffy dressing gown and he changed into a tracksuit that Dig brought over for him. In no time Oliver had her sitting next to him on the couch, watching a movie and eating Ben and Jerry's.
Two weeks passed like that, they watches movies or played board games. Neither of them had barely felt the time pass, so wrapped up in each other's company. Oliver ran QC from Felicity's computers and conference called his team any time there was a meeting. The rumors weren't dying down as he'd hoped, they'd even gotten a phone call or two but Felicity tried her best to ignore it and focus on getting better. She was feeling more herself these last couple of days. Most of her wounds had scabbed over, her bruising was a light yellow and on its way out. She was happy to see some resemblance of her old body even though she knew it would never be the same.
Oliver had something special for her planned that night. She was able to get up and shower without help, but he knew she still needed time to get over what had happened. He wanted to cheer her up though so he and Diggle had planned something special for her, he was about to hand her the dress he'd picked up from her favorite boutique when the phone rang again. He rolled his eyes, no doubt it would be another reporter.
"No, I'll get it." Felicity said, her voice strong. She looked like she was in the mood to take them on. He handed her the phone and she answered, a look on her face that was ready for a fight. He smirked. "Yes, this is she." She said, her brows furrowing, "I can." She nodded and Oliver regarded her strangely, wondering when the yelling was going to start but then her expression changed dramatically, to one of happiness and relief, "Barry!"
Oliver had been wondering when he was going to call and of course he called at the most inconvenient of times. He owed Barry though, as much as he hated to admit that to himself. Barry was a good person and Felicity was lucky to have him in her life. Without him, she might not even be here.
"Of course, yes!" She squealed with excitement, "Oh my god, don't tell me." She covered her mouth and looked to Oliver, "No, we're not doing anything tonight." She smiled at him and his heart sank a little in his chest.
He had plans for them tonight, those plans didn't involve Barry, but he knew that if he protested that Felicity would think he was jealous and she was right. He knew that Barry had part of her heart.
"An hour, yes." She said, "We'll be here." She hung up the phone and moved towards Oliver, brushing a light kiss on his cheek. "Guess what?"
"What?" Oliver asked, trying to act excited.
"Barry is coming over and he's got the latest episodes of Revenge." She squealed, "I've been dying to find out what happens to Emily." She wrapped her arms around him, "He's bringing food too."
"Great," Oliver smiled; enjoying her happiness even if it was because of Barry. "Do you want more good news?" He asked and she nodded jubilantly, her blonde hair bouncing around her face.
"You and I are going on a date tomorrow night." He moved across the room to the gift bag with the dress he got her and handed it to her. It was dark blue with long sleeves with an asymmetric neckline, high enough to cover her marks. "Dig's gonna drive us."
"Oh, it's beautiful, Oliver!" He held the dress up; she loved navy blue. It always managed to brighten her skin; it was just what she would have picked. "Thankyou."
He leant down and tipped her chin upwards, brushing a soft kiss on her lips. "I know you'll look amazing in it."
She looked up into his eyes, expecting to see him looking happy, but instead she saw a worried look on his face. "What's wrong?" She asked.
He gave her a sad smile and shook his head, "I don't want to rush you to go out."
Felicity stood and brought her hands over his hard chest and up to his shoulders to rest at the back of his neck. "Oliver," she smiled, her fingers playing with the hair on his neck and he snaked his hands around her small waist. "I am dying to get out of here."
Oliver leant forward to rest his forehead on hers, "Are you sure?"
She raised her chin and stood on her toes, kissing his soft, salty lips. "As sure as I am about you."
Oliver chuckled, "That doesn't give me an answer."
She shook her head and let out a small, satisfied hum. "I'm sure, Oliver," she rested her head on his shoulder and she felt his hand trail up her back to stroke her long blonde hair. "And, tomorrow night…" She trailed off, running her hand down chest and shakily to his belt buckle. She'd never seduced a guy before. "I want…" She tugged lightly on the buckle and looked up, her eyes big and blue and Oliver wanted nothing more than tomorrow night to come sooner. "You."