Oliver had the most uncomfortable sleep of his life, which was saying something when he had been to war and the beds there were pretty uncomfortable. He woke up, half on his bed and half on the floor, which was cold floorboards. He stretched up and stood from the floor, pulling his hands behind his back so his shoulder blades touched. He was sick of his shirt, it was irritating and it felt like he was suffocating in it. He reached to the back collar of his shirt, tearing it from his back and letting his chest breathe. He felt so much more comfortable as he stretched and had the air finally touching his skin.
Woah. A voice said, and he had almost forgotten that Felicity wasn t out of bed yet. He turned to her, surprised to see she wasn t remarking at his physical body; he knew she had been checking him out the day before, she couldn t hide it very well. She was staring at marks on his skin that he had gotten over the years; his scars, the burns, the bullet wounds, the cuts from knives, everything, she was shocked by it all.
I should go change. He said, flicking the t-shirt over his shoulder and rummaged through his bag for something to wear for the day.
How did you get them? Felicity asked quickly, and Oliver turned to her, his brow narrowing in a sort of confusion. If you don t mind me asking. She said nervously.
Long story. For all of them. Oliver chuckled, trying to pick between a grey and black suit. He chose grey; he liked grey.
But- Felicity asked once Oliver had stood, and Oliver clenched his fist around his shirt.
Drop it, Felicity. Oliver snapped back at Felicity, who shuddered in fright. Oliver sighed, taking his things to the bathroom.
Oliver took his time in the bathroom, giving Felicity room to breathe and not to feel uncomfortable around him. He was there to protect her, not to scare her. He liked Felicity, she was funny, and quirky, and she didn t mind how she was; she was true to herself and that showed.
He buttoned his suit jacket as he opened the door to the bathroom, Felicity walking past him. Her heels were clicking against the floor, almost as though they were mad at him like Felicity seemed to be.
Oliver straightened up his tie, following Felicity into the lounge area. Felicity, I need to speak with you. He said seriously, hoping Felicity would understand that this was more important than whatever she was upset with him about. I think it s best that we put a tracking device on your phone, just in case something goes wrong. He positioned Felicity.
Excuse me? Felicity asked, astounded that Oliver would even suggest such a thing. I am being followed around by you every hour of the day and now you want to track me? Felicity scoffed, moving into the kitchen in a huff of anger.
It s in case you go missing, and I can find a way to you. Oliver explained, moving towards the kitchen bench, his hands hitting the counter, and Felicity turned on the opposite of the bench. She pressed her hands parallel to Oliver s, and her eyes narrowed at him, forcing Oliver to do the same.
You re twisted, Oliver. She cursed, turning away from Oliver, walking back towards her bedroom. Oliver rolled his eyes, following her, unbuttoning his jacket, flicking it aside to put his hands on his hips.
I will do it with or without your permission. He yelled after her, which made her project a loud fake laugh.
I m a computer genius, I could disarm it the moment you put it on my phone. She emerged from her bedroom, now pressed together in a tight black skirt that hugged her hips and thighs together, a loose blue blouse. She was putting on her grey cardigan, flicking her hair into Oliver s face.
I m not an idiot Felicity, I can put back-up trackers on your person, and you won t be able to find them. Oliver followed Felicity, still annoyed that Felicity didn t understand where Oliver was coming from; it just made sense.
I m not doing it, end of discussion! Felicity shouted, picking up her purse and waiting for Oliver to move out the door. He hadn t expected Felicity to talk to him with such anger, it shocked him for a moment, before complying to her wishes.
John picked them up, and the car ride was silent; John wanted to talk, but he could feel the tension and left it. Felicity turned away from Oliver, looking out the window the entire time they sat in the car on the way to her office. When they arrived at the office, Oliver followed Felicity out of the car, and she turned to him, her heel pressing against his foot after she turned. He winced slightly as she pressed into his toes.
Oh no, I need a minute away from you. There is security in the building, you two stay here, or I swear to God, I will slap you across your pretty little face. She pointed a finger straight into Oliver s face, making him extremely uncomfortable and something else that was very strange and he couldn t make out what it was. She stepped back, eyeing them both and walking through the door to her office. Oliver and Diggle leaned against the hood of the car, and Oliver sighed.
At least she thinks you have a pretty face. Diggle mentioned, and Oliver chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. Felicity confused him, one moment she was this awkward until oddly funny girl, then she s a raging inferno without any sign of containment. What s this whole thing about? Diggle asked, interrupting Oliver s thoughts.
She doesn t want a tracker. He sighed, and Diggle rolled his eyes at Oliver, nudging his elbow against Oliver s.
Why do you always insist on a tracker? He asked, and Oliver shrugged, crossing his arms.
It has saved countless lives. Not one person who has had a tracker on them even got remotely hurt. Oliver explained and Diggle nodded, though he didn t seem convinced.
Are you sure that s all this is about? Diggle questioned, and Oliver scoffed in confusion.
All what? He asked, turning to Diggle, who started rubbing the back of his neck.
I mean, do you like this girl or are you concerned for her as her bodyguard? He finally spat out, and Oliver shook his head at the ridiculous question.
I m her bodyguard, nothing more. Oliver reassured, but Diggle still scoffed, shoving Oliver s shoulder.
You are a terrible liar. Diggle laughed. Felicity soon walked out of the building, seeming less irritated than when she left, but Oliver tried to relax his demeanor for her sake. Please make this tension stop or I will sit you both down until you talk about your feelings. Diggle whispered to Oliver, and gave a menacing side-glance to Dig hoping that he wouldn t really do that. Oliver opened the door for Felicity, who walked to the other side of the car and got in through there. God, she was stubborn.
***
Felicity just need a coffee with Caitlin and possibly the longest bath when she got home. Diggle needed to go check on something, as well as the fact that he didn t want to be around the two bickering idiots he had to drive around.
Felicity and Oliver sat in an uncomfortable silence that Felicity prolonged; she just didn t want to talk about what had happened at any point of this day. Caitlin and a slender boy soon walked in, chattering away, and laughing amongst themselves. He seemed as pinned together as Oliver was, so Felicity assumed he was Caitlin s security. Caitlin found Felicity, and they hugged for a moment before Caitlin looked at Oliver.
I m Oliver Queen. Oliver extended his hand to Caitlin, who almost seemed to blush before taking his hand and shaking it wildly.
Woah. It s an honour to meet you. I m Caitlin. She said with a smile staying on her lips so much her cheeks were going red.
You ve heard of me? Oliver asked. He looked over at Felicity for some answers, who shrugged, not understanding why Caitlin seemed to know who he was.
Yes, you are incredible at your job. Caitlin smiled. Oliver stood up and offered Caitlin his seat, and how he was standing with the slender boy, who seemed very intimidated by Oliver.
Uh, yeah, I m Barry Allen. The boy extended his hand to Felicity, and she smiled, taking it as he introduced himself.
Felicity Smoak. She introduced. She raised an eyebrow at Oliver, and he rolled his eyes knowing what she meant. He patted Barry firmly on the back, making him stumble forward slightly.
I think we should leave the girls. It s great to meet you, Barry. Oliver turned them both around and offered to shake his hand. Barry took it as they sat at a table close by to the girls.
Caitlin had sensed the tension between them and asked about what was going on. Felicity began explaining everything that has been happening and how Oliver was being unreasonable about his request, or rather, demand.
He actually asked to track me. Can you believe this guy? Felicity asked, taking another sip of her coffee. Caitlin looked at Felicity with a look of concern on her face. Felicity raised her brow to her, wanting to know what she was thinking.
Have you ever heard of Oliver Queen before yesterday? Caitlin asked.
No. Felicity said taking another sip of her coffee.
He is strict and when he is, he protects people with his life. He wants to keep you safe. It s just reassurance in case you re taken and you can t call him. Caitlin explained, and Felicity felt bad for thinking anything bad about Oliver. She shrugged, and only having the ability to get a small voice out of her throat.
Still it s odd. She muttered.
Do you think he knows? Caitlin said quickly, and Felicity didn t quite understand. Caitlin was looking over at Oliver and Barry who seemed to be getting on just fine; Barry had a more obvious smile on his face, but Oliver did seem to enjoy Barry s company.
Knows what? Felicity asked.
That you re scared? Caitlin whispered back and Felicity scoffed at her question, though she wondered how much of her true feelings were showing.
I m not scared. She lied, unsure of what else to say.
Felicity, when you were talking about Slade, you never said his name, and you clenched your mug tighter. You are terrified of this guy. Caitlin said his name. Slade Wilson. He was terrifying to even think about. Felicity now consciously recognised that she was clenching onto her mug so tightly she could have broken it if she tried any harder.
He was a scary guy. Felicity said with a weak voice.
It s more than that. And I think Oliver knows that. You have to trust him. Caitlin s hand touched Felicity s arm, and Felicity sighed out of exhaustion. She was tired of fighting Oliver when all he was trying to do was protect her.
Later, once Oliver and Felicity got home, it was like the tension was gone, but it was replaced with a sort of unspoken understanding. They both got changed into comfortable clothes; Felicity into some loose fitting pants and an old sweatshirt, and Oliver was in his white t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants.
I think we should clean out the spare room, you need your privacy. Felicity said over dinner. And the system at work is still down, so I m going to work from home for a while. Felicity said quickly to make sure Oliver didn t have a chance to interject. He nodded.
Okay. He said, taking another fork of food into his mouth, and they continued to watch TV on the couch.
They were cleaning out the spare room, mostly just boxes that needed to be moved into the garage. It took them a few minutes to clean them all out, but the room was clean enough to have someone sleep in it, or even work in it. They began making the bed, getting the fitted sheet on the bed.
Oliver? Felicity asked putting the thin sheet onto the bed.
Yeah? Oliver said, tucking in his side of the bed. He stood upright, waiting for Felicity to say what she needed to say.
I m sorry. For today in general. My attitude has been really foul. We can talk about the trackers if you want to. She apologised, giving him a weak smile. He sighed and lifted up his shirt, which, confused Felicity a lot, then he pointed to a scar along his side.
You see this scar? I got it in the field about a year ago. She didn t understand for a few seconds, but she went with what he was saying anyway. Someone tried to stab my client and I was there. He said, then turned around, lifting up the back of the shirt, showing off a large burn mark across his lower back. These burns I got from an explosion about three years ago when I was at war. It was in that moment that Felicity realised that in trusting Oliver, he was throwing a rope into dark waters and relieving things of his past that he wouldn t normally tell anyone.
You were in a war? She asked cautiously as Oliver turned around and lowered his shirt. He nodded, and scratched the back of his head.
Yeah. I was there for five years, and in my fourth year, there was a bomb that went off. It took out a lot of men in my unit, but I stayed for another year before being dismissed. He explained, and he seemed sad thinking about all the tragedy that surrounded his time at war.
You know I m scared right? Felicity changed the subject from his past, and talked about the present. Oliver laughed lightly, and nodded his head slowly.
You are petrified, and having me here is scaring you because it makes it more real. You don t have to be Felicity. I am right here, I will protect you. He said confidently, and Felicity felt a weight lift straight off her shoulders. She moved around to his side of the bed, and hugged him tightly, her head in his chest. He seemed taken off guard, but he soon embraced the moment, a hand on Felicity s back, and the other on the back of her head, his chin resting near his hand. C mon. This bed isn t going to make itself. Oliver sighed, and Felicity chuckled.
Felicity just hoped it was stay this way; this sense of security that hovered around Oliver, and how he made her feel protected with just a few words. She would need him more now than ever