Setting Things Right

In Bloody Valentine, Oliver meets a bartender named Freya, who helps heal him of his familiar feelings. He learns she's a witch, and they proceed to...have random sex. (I don't know, it's not my book.) The day after, Freya informs Oliver that she's leaving, and he thanks her for all she's done for him.

Eloise is aware of the two of them, and feels heartbroken that Oliver wouldn't turn to her in his time of need, instead putting his trust in a stranger. Freya senses that Eloise is still in love with Oliver, and realizes that Oliver, underneath his familiar feelings, loves her, too. She gives him her magic eggs recipe and tells him to make amends with Eloise.

Oliver practically ripped the door knocker off its hinges, gripping Freya's recipe and the note in his hand. With every passing moment and every sharp bang, he felt as if he'd explode. He needed to see Eloise; he needed to tell her he was sorry. He needed to tell her that he—

"Good day, sir!" came Vincent's disgruntled voice from the speaker box.

Oliver realized he was still slamming the knocker and promptly stopped. He pressed the button. "It's Oliver. I'd like to see Eloise."

"Miss Garrison is not taking visitors at this time, Master Perry," Vincent said.

"Vincent, please, I need to see her!"

"I'm sorry, Master Perry, but Miss Garrison has given me strict instructions not to let anyone see her. If you would so kindly be on your way—"

Oliver slammed his fist into the wall of the house. "Vincent! This is important. I have to tell her something!"

"Whatever it is, it can wait," Vincent said simply. "I am not allowed to let you in to see her."

Oliver sighed. "Please, Vincent. I…I need to apologize."

There was static. "Master Perry, I understand your urgency, but—"

"Who are you talking to?!" came a voice that grew more shrill as it approached the speaker. "Is that Perry bastard out there?!"

Oliver stepped back as Vincent and the voice had a rather colorful argument and a bit of a scuffle before the voice began to speak again.

"Get out of here, Perry. I'm calling the cops if you don't get your sorry ass off of our porch THIS SECOND!"

Of course. Lucy. Even if she was shallow, Eloise was like her sister. And Lucy was protecting her.

"Lucy…"

"No! I don't want to hear it! Do you know how MISERABLE Eloise is right now?! Do you know what a complete douchebag you've been?!"

"I realize that!" Oliver exclaimed. "Don't you think I've realized that?! Why do you think I'm here? I want to tell her I'm sorry. I want to tell her that…that…" He swallowed. "I love her."

All he could hear was static on the other end. "Lucy?" He listened for a few seconds. "Lucy?"

To his left, the door opened. Lucy stood in the threshold, arms folded across her chest. She glared at him, never moving her stone cold eyes from his face.

"You're lucky she told me not to kill you, Perry," she spat. "I'd do it, but I promised."

Oliver shifted his weight from one leg to the other. "Could…could I see her?"

"No," Lucy answered instantly. "I never said you could. Do you honestly think that after all the shit you put her through, she's going to want to see you?" She barked out a laugh.

"Lucy, you don't understand…"

"Don't tell me I don't. I understand this. You've been a jerk ever since your girlfriend ran off with Jack Force. All you've done is mope and whine and drink. And poor Eloise was trying to help you, and you pushed her away." She shook her head. "And even after all of that, you INSIST on sleeping with—"

"I get it!" Oliver interrupted her. "I get it. I'm a prick, okay? I shouldn't have taken all that out on her."

Lucy exhaled, still not moving from her stance in the doorway. "I'm still not convinced, Perry. The only way you're stepping into this house is if—"

She fell silent, swiftly turning around. Vincent descended the stairs. "Miss Garrison has requested that Master Perry go up to her room."

Oliver saw Lucy's face pale. "But…but Vincent…"

"Miss Forbes, I suggest we comply with her wish." He and Lucy had a long staring session before Lucy grabbed Oliver by the wrist.

"Come on," she muttered, dragging him up the stairs.

"I'll be standing outside the door," she warned him. "I still don't trust you." She narrowed her eyes. "Don't you dare try anything with her."

Oliver stood at his full height, trying not to look as nervous as he felt. "I wouldn't dream of it," he said, letting his emotions flow into his voice.

He turned the doorknob slowly, opening the door as quietly as possible.

Eloise sat on her window seat, still in her pajamas and stroking Clarice. Her head lay against the window pane, dry streaks running from her eyes.

Oliver would never forget the look on her face. It was one of defeat, of absolute despair. He hated himself; she hadn't deserved what he had done to her.

He stood, watching her for a few minutes. The early morning sun's rays caught her hair, making it come alive like a flame. More tears made their way down her cheeks, and he desperately wanted to wipe them away.

She finally looked up at him, tightening her hold on Clarice, as if to shield herself. He felt a sharp pang in his chest; she was scared of him.

"Ellie…" He trailed off, not knowing what to say.

"Say what you need to." Her voice was clipped, choked with her tears. Her eyes stared at him, two unblinking orbs.

"Ellie…I'm so, so sorry," he said. "I know that will never be enough, but I want you to know that I am. I was an absolute jerk to you. I never should have said those things, or tried to shut you out. You were so patient with me, and I don't blame you if you never want to see me again."

Clarice hopped down, walking over to Oliver and rubbing against his leg. Eloise didn't seem to mind that her defense had abandoned her. Nor did she protest when he cautiously made his way over to where she sat, sitting next to her.

"I have been the worst friend in the world," he said. "And not just because of what happened. Ever since the start of high school, I've been nothing but terrible to you. And the thing is…I knew I was being a jerk. I knew I talked about Schuyler way too much. I knew it bugged you. But…but I was hoping that…maybe…if you saw I wasn't interested, then I wouldn't have to worry about…how I felt."

He stopped, trying to gauge her expression. She still looked completely heartbroken, more tears escaping her eyes. He reached out and brushed them away; she didn't pull away, but she didn't lean into his touch. She was indifferent to him.

"But I was an idiot to think that that would work," he went on. "If anything, it made my feelings for you stronger. And I was so sure you didn't feel that way about me, and…and I knew I couldn't do anything except let it go. So I focused on my feelings for Schuyler, and let her perform the Sacred Kiss.

"That…that was the biggest mistake of my life. All I could think about was her. But there was this little voice at the back of my mind, and it kept screaming at me. It was screaming your name. And at first, it wasn't bad. But after Schuyler started getting involved with Jack, it got louder and louder. And after…after last night…" Oliver blushed, trying not to think about it. "And after I realized I didn't love Schuyler, and I didn't love Freya…the voice was still there. But it wasn't shouting. It was calm."

He gently brushed more tears off of her face, allowing his hand to linger. She still blushed at his touch; he could feel it warm his fingertips.

"I'm so sorry for everything, Ellie. But the one thing I'm not sorry for is falling for you. You are the most amazing girl I've ever met. I know you don't think so, but you're sweet, and kind, and have the strangest sense of humor…and you're absolutely perfect."

He grazed his fingertips over her jaw. She sighed, clearly at war with herself. He pulled away, looking into her eyes as they swam with tears.

"Eloise Rebecca Garrison…" He took a deep breath. "I love you."

He boldly moved forward, slowly. She didn't pull away; she merely looked down at her hands. He felt a blush crawl up his face and his heart pounding in his chest as he gently pressed a kiss on her forehead.

Her skin was warm and soft, and, to his amazement, she relaxed under his touch. He closed his eyes, breathing her in; she stilled smelled like vanilla orchid. He tried to convey his emotions into the simple act of his lips against her forehead, hoping she knew he was being sincere.

He felt a tear fall onto his hand, bringing him back to reality. He pulled away, not taking his eyes off of her face. She didn't seem too startled, which he counted as a good thing.

She blinked for a minute, looking right at him. "You meant it," she said quietly. "You really meant it."

He nodded, wanting to kiss her again. Wanting to stay in this spot forever, if it meant she would stay here with him.

She sighed. "I'm not sure what I feel right now." He noticed that she didn't apologize. She didn't need to; he didn't mind that she was confused.

"I still need a little time to think. But, right now, I'd just like you to hold me. I think you owe me that much."

Oliver would have sung "Part of Your World" on the roof at the top of his lungs if she asked. He was absolutely ecstatic. She was willing to give him another chance! He didn't deserve it – she hadn't even said for sure yet – but she was going to consider it. That was enough for him.

His eyebrows rose, however, when she climbed into her bed. She gave him a hard look.

"I'm not asking you to do that," she said, rolling her eyes. "You already took care of that last night." There was a bit of humor in her tone, which made him smile a little.

He slipped off his shoes and crawled under the comforter. She snuggled into his side, allowing him to wrap his arms around her. Her head found the crook of his neck; he still marveled how perfectly it fit there.

"I've never spooned before," she said after a few minutes. "Does it always feel this nice?"

"Depends on who you're with," he answered honestly.

She nodded. She turned away from him, pressing her back into his chest. He pulled her closer, his arms around her waist, wanting to kiss her neck, but deciding not to scare her.

They lay there for a few seconds before she turned and faced him again. "I like being able to see you," she said quietly.

"I like being able to see your beautiful face," he answered.

She scrunched up her nose. "You get that from a Hallmark card?"

"Maybe."

Eloise awkwardly giggled, then quickly placed a kiss on his cheek before snuggling back into his chest. He held her close, loving the feel of her in his embrace. He never wanted to let go.

Soon enough, he felt her steady breathing, and knew she'd fallen asleep. Even if he could get up – which he couldn't considering she was on top of him – he didn't want to. He gently kissed the top of her head, running his fingers through her hair.

Lucy opened the door suddenly. "What the hell—"

Oliver put a finger to his lips, nodding down at Eloise's sleeping form. All he could do was take in Lucy's horrified face.

"I warned you, Perry…" she growled.

"We didn't do anything," Oliver said calmly. "Besides, do you really think Eloise is that kind of girl?"

"I know she's not," Lucy said. "But I know you're not as…in control of your feelings."

She was going to lord that over him for the rest of his life, he knew. He shook his head, looking back down as Eloise sighed in her sleep.

"You swear you didn't do anything…" Lucy said after a minute.

Oliver gave her a look. "You think I would jinx things with her?"

Lucy pursed her lips. "As soon as she wakes up, I want you out of here, okay? She's confused right now. I don't want her making any more stupid decisions today."

Oliver nodded. "Sounds fair."

Lucy began to walk out when she turned back and gave him a stony stare. "Just a warning, Perry: if you manage to break her heart further, I won't hesitate to smash that pretty face of yours and wring your neck."

Oliver nodded again. Lucy shut the door, and he heard her footsteps disappear down the hallway.

He must have dozed off, because when he opened his eyes, the sun had risen higher, no longer bathing the room in its golden glow. He blinked, momentarily disoriented. He heard a quiet moan, looking down to see Eloise curled into his side, still asleep and nestled into the cradle of his arm.

He knew he should wake her, if only to appease Lucy. But he couldn't bring himself to do it; she looked happy, in a way, and if he could give her that much…

He found himself studying her face, taking in the light freckles on her nose, her long eyelashes, her soft, pink lips…

No. He shouldn't. He really shouldn't. He wasn't going to unless she said it was okay.

Even if it was difficult.

She chose that moment to stir against him, slowly opening her eyes. She looked up at him, giving him a tired smile.

"Hey," she said quietly. "I didn't mean to fall asleep on you."

"Nah, you're fine." He stretched his arms. "Lucy told me I had to leave as soon as you were awake, so…"

"She means well." Eloise looked a bit disappointed, but didn't push the matter further.

Oliver got out of bed and put his shoes back on. "I'll…I'll talk to you later?"

She pursed her lips, nodding. "Yeah. I suppose." She sighed, leaning back into the pillows. "I know it's going to be kind of awkward, but…I'd like to try and make it work."

"I would, too," he said, heading for the door. Maybe if he didn't look at her, it would hurt less…

"Oliver?"

"Yeah?"

She looked down, pulling a loose thread from the comforter. "If…if you want to kiss me, you can."

He was initially horrified that he'd been that obvious. He quickly shook the feeling away. "Ellie, I'm not…"

"Just…just do it." She looked at him, a mix of annoyance and understanding on her face. "Please."

He gulped, his skin suddenly prickling from the blush that washed over him. He walked to the bed, giving her a questioning look. She nodded, and he slowly leaned down, gently placing his lips on hers.

He pulled away after a few seconds. "Take care, Ellie."

"You, too, Oliver."

He walked to the door and reached for the knob. As he pulled open the door, Lucy glared at him from her perch on a chair down the hallway, watching him as he walked to the stairs.

As soon as he was outside, he felt his face break out into a smile.