Chapter 10: Say Something
So… I think Diggle's wedding wasn't done justice in the series, what about you guys? So I thought why not have a wedding chapter!
As always let me know what you think and thank you for the reviews everyone
P.S. Noticed the title of the chapter and the title of the story?
P.P.S. Song is Say Something by A Great Big World Feat. Christina Aguilera. Strongly recommended when it comes up in the story!
The day of the wedding was warm and sunny for spring in Starling. Oliver had been awake since before dawn and had made his way to the rooftop of Verdant. He sat just behind the neon sign that was no longer turned on, with his back to it, resting his head on the ledge and was watching the sun rise above Starling's buildings.
He had been thankful that Diggle had laughed at Roy's idea of a bachelor party – they had had enough on their mind as it was. Instead, as Lyla had insisted that she and Diggle spend the night before the wedding separately, the guys had stayed at the lair, practising with bamboo sticks to calm John's nerves. By the end, Roy had disappeared to go find Thea and Diggle had fallen asleep on the cot, with Oliver preferring the floor beside him.
He had woken up long before the sun rose above the horizon and had felt that he needed fresh air. Since he couldn't go far, he found himself climbing the stairs to the roof and sitting down to enjoy one of his favourite sights in the world.
He was lost in thought when he heard footsteps coming from his right, but for the first time since he had landed on that godforsaken island, he didn't jump in fight or flight mode. Instead, he slowly turned his head to see Diggle coming towards him, still in last night's pants and t-shirt holding two mugs. He smiled at his best friend who smiled back and sat next to him in the shade of the Verdant sign offering him one of the mugs.
"Coffee?" Oliver said with a questioning look, but took the mug nonetheless.
"I figured we are going to need it today." Diggle simply answered back before taking a sip from his drink.
They sat there quietly for a few moments, before Diggle turned to him again, opening his mouth.
"It's all taken care of" Oliver said simply before he could utter a word.
"But shouldn't..." Diggle continued.
"You shouldn't do anything. It's the best man's work to make sure deadly assassins don't ruin the wedding." Oliver said and the two men chuckled.
What they had figured out since the league had shown up…it wasn't much.
They couldn't get a location, even though Felicity had tried everything. Oliver tried not to yell. Much.
Even their physical searches with the rest of the team didn't yield anything.
He knew Laurel and Nyssa had been hanging out; he couldn't mistake the league's fighting style in her moves. But she had said that Nyssa had gone to Coast city to take care of some things so even that lead to the league was a dead end.
Not that he had a plan yet; and that made him angrier with himself and more scared than anything else.
At least the security measures around the lair were stricter than ever. Felicity wasn't kidding when she said that not even cyber ninjas could get in and he was secretly very proud of her for it. Hell, they had trouble getting in and they knew how.
As they couldn't find the league's members they had set up surveillance cameras covering all angles on all buildings around the wedding venue with alarms connected to all their phones. Entrances to the venue had been sealed off apart from those necessary for guests and staff and those were closely monitored. Thea had even gone as far as to hire security, despite his and Diggle's protests at the pointlessness of it.
He was at least slightly comforted by the fact that the wedding was held during daytime and the League was known for operating in the shadows and away from the public eye.
Oliver gave a rare sigh, lost in thought.
He and Diggle enjoyed their coffee as the sun rose higher and higher and Oliver was glad for this rare moment of peace with his brother.
The wedding venue was elegant and poise, very similar to something his mother would have chosen for an event of her own. Him and Diggle – both wearing black suits and ties - were standing at the end of the aisle making sure everything was where it was supposed to be. Thea holding baby Sara dressed in a beautiful little baby pink dress with a matching bow, was checking everything a billion times.
"Do you think it's to late to elope?" Diggle asked as he moved a chair again after Thea's insistent comments that it was not placed perfectly.
He laughed at Diggle's words and turned to survey the room, a small smile still playing on his lips. Guests had started arriving and were chatting among themselves as they were taking their seats. Some had come to talk to Diggle; others had greeted him from afar.
It was then that he saw her come in.
She wore a beautiful elegant strapless red dress that stopped right before her knees and the high heels she couldn't live without, clutching a small purse. She had let her hair down and beautiful curls framed her face. But the most beautiful thing she wore was her smile. Rubby red lips that smiled so brightly; her smile reached her eyes and made them shine as they found his across the crowd.
His heart ached even with this tiny moment of connection, but he pushed it down and gave her a smile. He almost didn't see who was right behind her. Or maybe he didn't want to see.
The couple (he hated that word) made their way towards them, Felicity greeting guests she knew here and there. She stopped right infront of them, giving them another one of her smiles.
"You boys look handsome today." She greeted them and for once her mouth didn't get the best of her and she stopped at that.
Diggle gave her a kiss on the cheek in response, but Oliver held back, not really sure he could put himself through that.
"I'm so happy for you" she said to Diggle looking at him with all the love that best friends share.
"Oh!" she yelped before John could reply and turned to show them Ray.
"You remember Ray Palmer?" she said not really looking at Oliver and blushing faintly.
"Yes. How are you?" he said easily, trying not to give her the satisfaction of knowing how much this affected him.
But when he shook Ray's hand the force he put was enough to crack a smaller man's bones. He had to hand it to him, though; Ray tried very hard not to show that he was in pain, but the slight sweat on his brow said otherwise.
"I saw that" Diggle told him, when Felicity and Ray went to greet Thea and take their seats.
"Saw what?" Oliver feigned that he had no idea what his friend was talking about, but Diggle just winked at him, before moving to take his place.
Before long it was time for the ceremony. Oliver stood beside Diggle and put his hand on his best friend's shoulder as they waited for the bride.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
"Like I've been waiting for this all my life" Diggle replied with the biggest brightest smile Oliver had ever seen him have.
Well at least the biggest smile until the wedding march started and he saw Lyla walking down the isle, looking radiant herself. That was Diggle's biggest smile.
Oliver was so happy for his friends. They deserved all the happiness in the world and he'd find a way to make sure no one took it away from them again. Even if it meant his life.
The ceremony quickly turned into dinner. Everyone sat around big tables, covered in an elegant white tablecloth and decorated with beautiful light pink roses. The band played quietly in the corner.
People were chatting happily among themselves, enjoying the atmosphere.
When it was time for the toasts Oliver stood up and cleared his throat loudly so slowly silence fell in the room.
"Ladies and gentlemen. Thank you all for coming to celebrate the wedding of my very best driver that became my very best friend to the love of his life. " he started looking around the room and people laughed lightly at his joke.
"I've known John for the past three years. I've known him when he was happy, when he was ill and even in pain. In return, he's put up with me despite everyone else's suggestion that he should have ran as far away as possible." People laughed again and Oliver smiled looking at the couple sitting next to him.
"But in all seriousness" he continued, "I've never known him to be happier than when he's with Lyla. Never known him to adore anyone as much, care about anyone as much or love anyone as much as her and their baby girl Sara."
"So if you'll all join me in raising your glasses to congratulate them on their wedding. Lyla and John wish you all the best in your journey together. May the road be long, full of memories, love, laughter, family and great friends. You deserve all the happiness in the world. To the happy couple!" He finished, his smile becoming wider, and he swore he saw a tear almost escape from Diggle's eye (not that he'd ever admit it).
"Thank you, Oliver. That was beautiful." Lyla said leaning to look at him over Diggle and putting her hand lightly over his.
"I meant every word" he replied back.
Soon the music grew louder and the happy couple were called for their first dance. It wasn't long after that other people were joining in.
He found himself standing next to Laurel and finding a chance to check all the alarms on his phone.
"Everything is fine" she interrupted his thoughts, putting her hand on his arm and smiling broadly. "Just enjoy yourself. At least today we are League-free."
He put his phone away and they chatted for a bit, laughing hard when they saw Thea telling off Roy for getting a stain on his jacket.
It was nice. The two of them able to be friends. To respect each other again.
Suddenly Felicity made an appearance holding Lyla's bouquet, with an awe struck face.
"I caught the bouquet." she declared, smiling brightly. Laurel laughed and he nodded, not sure what he was meant to say.
"Where's Ray?" Laurel asked.
"He's just outside making a phone call." She replied rolling her eyes in humour.
Not long after he had taken his jacket and his tie off and had placed them on his chair, staying in his white shirt and suspenders, as he joined Lyla for a dance, twirling her around the dance floor slowly, just as he was taught as a child. When Thea appeared he danced with her too, reminiscing together how his mum used to make him dance with her at their Christmas ball every year and how he used to hate it.
When Thea disappeared to find Roy he was left at the edge of the stage with a small grin on his face looking around.
He observed all his friends, his family around him, his eyes finding the one he was most eager to look at.
She was still talking to Laurel, her date still nowhere to be seen.
He didn't know what came over him, but his feet started moving as if on their own. Perhaps there was so much happiness around him he couldn't help but let himself have just a tiny bit of it.
He stopped right infront of her not saying a word, a small smile playing on his lips and she turned her gaze up to look into his eyes, blue meeting blue. He offered her his hand silently asking her for a dance.
Felicity frowned looking at him and for a second he was worried she would say no, before placing her tiny hand lightly in his.
He let go of the breath he was holding in before slowly leading her to the dance floor. He put his arm lightly around her waist and she placed her hand on his arm. He held her as close as he could without scaring her away; his body barely making any contact with hers and he slowly started to move to the ballad that was playing in the background, pulling her along with him.
She seemed a bit uncomfortable at the beginning, not really looking at him and seeming very interested in their surroundings and particularly their feet.
He wasn't troubled though. For that moment he was content with the little that he got. He could close his eyes and pretend that it was just the two of them, half way across the world and no one was after them, no one wanted to hurt them.
As she started to relax in his arms, she turned her gaze towards him, her blue eyes shining even more than normal.
"That was a beautiful speech." She stated simply.
"Thank you" he replied back and held her just a fraction of an inch closer.
"You looked so happy today." She continued "I was glad to see you like this."
He smiled at her, but he knew he couldn't give her false hope.
"Felicity…" he started, but she interrupted him.
"You can do this!" Her voice was firm, as if trying to convince herself as well. "We can find a way to get rid of the League. And then we can go back to our normal villain-catching activities and to this. The smiling a bit more. It suits you, you know." she finished with a brief smile, sending him the most piercing look.
"Felicity…" he couldn't let her go on.
"Oliver." she insisted stubbornly.
"I don't have a choice… If it comes to it – and it looks like it will, I will give myself to the League. I will go with them to Nanda Parbat. Forever." He said and she opened her mouth to object, but he put his finger on her lips to quieten her.
"And I want you to know that I will never regret it. I will never doubt my decision. Because it will mean you'll be safe Felicity." He finished and moved his hand away from her lips.
"No" she said fiercely. "You can't keep doing this Oliver…"
"Felicity, if it was a different situation, if it was just you and me…" he objected and she closed her eyes. He wanted to make her understand that if he wasn't who he was, if he was allowed to be normal and human and free, he'd choose her. He'd choose her every second of every day until enternity.
"But it isn't" she cut him off, opening her eyes to give him a hard look, in three words telling him that she thought he was making the wrong choice again.
But she didn't understand that he didn't have one…
They continued to dance, eyes locked, turning round and round, as the music surrounded them, drowned them in lyrics that rang too true, that reminded him so much of what she was telling him and felt unbearable.
Say something, I'm giving up on you
I'll be the one if you want me to
Anywhere I would've followed you
Say something, I'm giving up on you
And I... I'm feeling so small
It was over my head
I know nothing at all
And I... will stumble and fall
I'm still learning to love
Just starting to crawl
Say something, I'm giving up on you
I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you
Anywhere I would've followed you
Say something, I'm giving up on you
And I... will swallow my pride
You're the one that I love
And I'm saying goodbye
A single tear ran slowly down her cheek with the last words of the song.
'Felicity…' he said slowly, looking straight into her eyes.
She looked at him with big hopeful eyes, but he didn't have anything more to say.
He meant what he had said.
'Felicity I…' he started again and she just shook her head closing her eyes.
The seconds stretched between them, but none of them spoke a single word, the last notes of the song filling the silence between them.
Without another word she slowly opened her eyes looking straight into his with the most piercing gaze and took a step back, out of his arms.
He could feel her heart break completely right infront of him.
He wanted to raise his hands to pull her back into his arms, fearing that she'd disappear forever, that he'd never see her again, but knowing he wouldn't, he couldn't change his mind, he stopped himself.
She turned around and walked away with quick steps, her heels clicking on the dance floor, the sound taunting him with memories of happier times together, and she disappeared out of the room.
He didn't move.
He didn't blink.
He just stared at the last spot where he had seen her, his hands clenched into fists, before finally whispering to himself
'Why am I so afraid to lose you, when you are not even mine?'