It all happened so quickly. Felicity couldn t let her mind keep up, it was just a blur of things happening one after the other. She was in her room, curled up in the corner, hot tears rushing down her face, she couldn t feel her fingers, but they gripped onto her elbows as hard as they could. She was petrified.
***
Oliver, I m sorry. I shouldn t have done it. Please, just say something. Felicity pleaded as Oliver stood from the couch, muttering things to himself. He was pacing for a bit but never let his eyes go near Felicity, like was forbidden fruit. Oliver! Felicity yelled, and Oliver s eyes sprung up to hers. He looked around the room, before grabbing some keys to the house, his jacket near the door, and finally exiting as quickly as he could.
He just left, like nothing even happened.
Felicity sat back down on the couch, in a state of total disbelief. She thought there was something there, a connection that was more than just lust or attraction. How could she be so foolish? Did she get all her feelings mixed up or was she just in over her head? Her chest ached and she put a hand to her mouth, to contain her sadness.
The house phone began to ring loudly and echo throughout Felicity s little home. She didn t think for the moment, only wanting Oliver to be on the other end. She rushed through the couch to the phone resting on the kitchen counter. She answered it excitedly.
Oliver, please I- She rushed through her sentence, but on the other end she heard a man breath in raspily, but Felicity knew for sure that it wasn t Oliver.
So that s the bodyguard s name. I was beginning to wonder. The person had a thick accent, one she couldn t make out properly on the phone.
Who is this? She asked, but she knew who it was, she just didn t want it to be real.
Do you really not recognise my voice? He said wickedly, an evil chuckle taunting Felicity through the phone.
Slade. Her voice was shaky, and she gripped the phone harder to try and gain some courage.
Very perspective, Felicity. As he spoke, Felicity was losing her nerve and she needed to scare him.
The police are going to find you. She threatened.
Really? Then how will they get here in time. Your bodyguard isn t here to protect you, what s going to stop me from getting you right now? His way of speaking was wicked and frightening.
How do you know that? Felicity took in a deep breath, her heart rate rising, fear starting to set in.
Do you think I would miss you in those little shorts. I always did like you with your hair down. He laughed, and Felicity rushed to her front door, locking everything she could and shutting the blinds and pulling over the curtains on every window in her front room that she could find. Oh, Felicity, you are a hard woman to watch. Just open up the shutters. He said, his tone angier, but a sense of play was touching his words, like he was playing a fun game with Felicity, watching her run around helpless.
Leave me alone! She shouted down the phone, and hung up quickly. She put the phone down on the counter and hurried around her apartment, trying to lock and close everything that a grown man could get through. Then, as she was pulling the last of the shutters to a close, the phone started to sound again. Felicity didn t know what to do, she knew who was calling, but did she dare answer it.
The answering machine caught it s last ring and then Slade groaned as he was leaving a message.
Felicity, I m not easily dismissible. You can keep hanging up and not answering, but I will be here. I will be watching. I m going to get you, and I will torture you, make you suffer for all of this and I will enjoy every second of your torment. He said before letting his own phone hang up. Felicity lost her breath for a moment, the thought of him watching her was scary, but the mere idea that he was planning something far worse made Felicity paralysed with fear.
***
So, that s why she was tucked away in her room. She stuffed pillows against the bottom on the door to stop his taunts and his calls, but she was still frightened. She doubted that she was going to get any sleep that night.
He called every half an hour, leaving her messages and laughing at her. Sometimes he would just talk about what she had been doing the days before, but then, when he got more frustrated, he would leave messages about what he would do to her. When Felicity heard the first one of those, it was the first time she started to cry. She was so scared, she felt like he was getting closer with every phone call he made.
Being paralysed in fear would seem like it would only last a short time, but as every half hour came by, her paralysis ceased her like a vice and she held herself tighter.
It was around 7am when a knock came to the door. Felicity couldn t move, she didn t want it to be Slade but there was a strong likelihood that it would be him. She tried to find something that could cause some harm if she gave a mean enough swing of it. She grabbed the lamp from the nightstand and gained the courage to move closer to the door.
I have a heavy object that can hurt you and possibly knock you out! She yelled, still scared, her hands shaking as she tried to hold the lamp.
Felicity? She heard Diggle s voice ask cautiously. Why are you threatening to blugen me? He asked, and Felicity shuffled quickly to the door. She peaked through the eyehole just to make sure it was him, and it was. She opened the door and collided with Dig, hugging him tightly.
Dig! She yelled. Dig didn t hug back. Instead he took the lamp off of Felicity and escorted her inside.
Felicity, what s going on? He asked, worried about her. Felicity took a deep breath and rubbed her brow.
Slade has been calling, he knew when Oliver left and he was harshing me ever since. She said putting her hands on her hips. She was still annoyed and angry that Oliver left her on her own, left her feeling vulnerable and weak.
Do you mean you didn t get any sleep? He asked, and Felicity tangled a hand in her hair. She scratched her head before yawning loudly.
I couldn t risk it. She muttered, and Diggle resting his hand on Felicity s shoulder. She wanted to shrug it off, but Diggle made her feel safer, a friendly hand to keep her upright when she needed it.
Felicity, go get sleep. I ll try and see if I can get some more outer perimeter security for the nights. He suggested, and as Felicity yawned again, she couldn t help but agree. She nodded and shuffled on her way to her room. She fell onto her bed, cuddling up to her pillow, and Diggle waited by her door until her eyes finally failed to stay open and shut in a peaceful rest.
Felicity awoke some time later to the sound of pots hitting against one another and noticed something in particular. Diggle wasn t near her room.
Diggle! Felicity yelled, running from her bed and sheets into the kitchen, carrying another lamp in her hands. Diggle raised his hands, a pan in one and a wooden spoon in the other. Felicity sighed, seeing he was only making food. She looked around for the time and saw her clock that read 3pm. She slept a good eight hours, but she was still out of it, not completely awake yet.
Felicity, it s alright, I m right here, I just had to get something to eat. He said defensively, and put his pan down on the kitchen counter. Please stop trying to hurt me with lamps. He said, a grimace coming to his face. Felicity put the lamp down near the entrance to her home.
I can t do it anymore. I have to track him or something; I just need him to leave me alone, to be caught, for him to be gone! I can t sit here in fear anymore, Dig! Felicity said impatiently, a groan escaping her lips as she sat down on the couch.
And you won t have to. You re a fighter Felicity. You can get through this. Diggle said, going to Felicity and sitting on the coffee table in front of her.
How did you know Oliver wasn t here? Felicity asked, sitting forward. Diggle nodded, probably because he expected her to ask that question much earlier than she asked.
He called me. Said he had a personal matter. I think it might have something to do with his family. He shrugged and Felicity rolled her eyes. Personal matter. Yeah, it was personal, especially when he left Felicity with not even a word uttered.
I can tell you now that it wasn t family stuff. She scoffed, and Diggle titled his head slightly in confusion. I may have kissed Oliver last night. She said under her breath, and Diggle almost cheered when he heard it.
Caitlin owes me twenty bucks. He grinned excitedly. As Felicity s face of confusion continued, John realised it was time for him to explain what he meant. I knew you two liked each other. But Caitlin thought Oliver would be the first one to do it. Always rooting for you, Felicity. He explained and Felicity scoffed once more.
But he ran off. Doesn t exactly scream I like you , does it? She smirked, and Diggle gave a slight chuckle.
Oliver has never been good with his feelings. He explained. But still, he is a bit of an idiot for leaving you here alone. He said, his hands touching Felicity s supportively.
So, how s your daughter? Felicity sighed, trying to change the subject but still very interested in learning about Diggle and his family.
***
Dig texted Oliver around 5pm, in which most of Oliver s day was spent near his father s grave. It doesn t seem like the most sensible thing to be doing after he kissed someone he was really starting to fall for, but it was the only thing he could think of doing. He always went to his father for council, and he felt like he needed to talk with his father now more than ever.
Oliver felt so torn. He really did care for Felicity; they had a chemistry that Oliver couldn t quite define, and there was the obvious attraction, but he couldn t blame it on lust. He felt something incredible whenever he looked at Felicity, like she could give light in the darkest part of his life.
But then, there was his job at stake. If he tried to start something with Felicity, he could lose focus and she could get hurt if he wasn t careful. But he wanted to be reckless, he wanted to spend days in bed wrapped up in Felicity and sitting together, talking and laughing like it naturally was between them.
Oliver walked to the door, his feet taking him to the steps and then to the door, it was like he was doing it unconsciously, barely remembering taking the steps. Oliver knocked on the door cautiously, tucking his hands into his pockets. He knew how he must have looked so tired and worn out; he wore the same clothes as the day before, and he hadn t shaved in a while, so his stubble was growing rougher along his jaw. Diggle answered and raised a brow at him, surprised to see him.
Dig told Oliver what happened and ever since, Oliver felt guilty for leaving Felicity on her own, and he felt angry that Slade would use him against her. He would drop everything to make sure Felicity was safe, he would do anything for Felicity.
Good luck. Diggle said, patting Oliver s shoulder as he left. Diggle pressed his phone to his ear, talking lovingly down his phone. Lyla and Sara must have been on the other end and Diggle was obviously happy to go home after the day he must have had.
Oliver was left to lock the door behind him, and once he turned, he saw Felicity standing near the couch, her fingers fiddling against one another.
Felicity, I- Oliver said slowly, but it was like as soon as he started to talk, Felicity got mad. She walked shiftly over to him, and on her way, picking up a nearby lamp.
Give me a reason to not knock you unconscious. She warned, and he raised his hands defensively.
I m here to protect you! He said seriously, but she raised the lamp higher, as though to strike.
You weren t last night, the night I needed you most, and you weren t here! She yelled to him, the lamp in her hand shaking as her fury towards him raged harder.
I m sorry. Oliver tried to apologise, but that seemed to set Felicity s rage burning that much more.
You re sorry? Woah, I didn t know you knew how to say those words! It s a miracle. She remarked, ready to throw the lamp once more. Oliver stepped forward and took the lamp from her quickly.
Can you stop! He demanded, his brow creased looking down at Felicity. He set aside the lamp, and Felicity stood tall.
No! I can t, because ever since you came into my life I ve felt safe until last night when you weren t here! I m a brave person, but there are times where we need other people. And I needed you! She pushed his chest, but he didn t move much, only a few steps backwards. Oliver hadn t realised how much he affected Felicity as she did to him.
I was trying to work things out. He said, stepping closer to Felicity, his voice growing into a whisper.
Why did you leave? She said, finally breaking her anger into frustrated sadness. Oliver took Felicity s shoulder into one of his hands, slowly moving it down, trying to reassure her.
Because I was afraid that if I stayed, I d let myself do something. He admitted, and Felicity looked down at her feet, and as she rose her head to meet Oliver s eye, a small tear was escaping her eye. Felicity, I care about you too much to put your safety at risk, and that would have happened. Oliver s hand reached to her face, wiping away the tear that slid down her cheek.
Just don t leave again, please. She begged, falling into his chest. Oliver was stunned for a moment, took Felicity in, holding her tightly against him. His chin was resting on top of her head.
I wouldn t dare. I promise. He said, Felicity s hold on him becoming tighter. Oliver kissed the top of her head and combed back her hair before resting his chin once again upon her head.