I'm so sorry for not posting sooner. Been busy with College starting up and a whole lot of other irl stuff. Plus this chapter was a hard one.
Note~ I haven't forgotten about William's possible PTSD and nightmares due to season 5. I kind of wanted this chap to be more uplifting for a change.
Feel free to sent reviews Constructive criticism and idea are well received.
Enjoy~ Whacka
The funeral was short and sad. William rotated between Oliver and Diggle, sometimes dug into them sobbing, or just holding hands and staring into space. Samantha was buried in central city, where her and William's most cherished memories were made, Oliver requested it. All of Team arrow came, as well as Slade and Nyssa, honoring Samantha's life and her devotion to her son. Slade quickly paid his respects and went off on his continuing search for his son. Everyone else, excluding Nyssa, retired to Oliver's apartment to catch up with the man they hadn't seen much of lately. William left to go to his room, Oliver didn't stop him knowing the importance of alone time.
"I'll be the first one to say it. I know you got a kid and all hoss but when you coming back? It just don't feel the same without you out there." Rene stated.
Dinah and Diggle both gave him a look but he brushed it off.
"You all know that want to get back out there but… I can't. " Oliver motioned everyone to come a bit closer together. "Ever since we got back William has been having nightmares. They're horrible. He see's Adrian and sometimes even his mom. He wakes up in the middle of the night screaming and covered in sweat. If I knew that happened again, which I know it will. If i'm not there for him then what kind of father am I." Oliver explained. "I can't leave him to face it alone like I left myself all those years ago."
"Have you ever thought talking to William about it? Maybe he wants you to get back out there. He's not a baby Ollie." Thea reasoned with him.
"I'm sorry but I have to side with Thea on this. At least give him a chance. I know he's been through a lot but he has his own opinion Oliver." Curtis added.
Oliver looked over to Felicity. "You're unusually quiet." Oliver said to Felicity.
"I don't know what to say but I do know that your son isn't the only family who needs you." Oliver always admired her boldness and the way she wasn't afraid to say what she meant.
Oliver looked at everyone around him. His friends- no his family. "Fine. I'll talk to William tonight before bed.
"Speaking of bedtime how do you get a nightmare ridden twelve year old to sleep." Quentin
asked. "Laurel was always afraid of the dark but phew I wouldn't know how to do what you gotta do."
Oliver gave a small smile. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
Later that night everyone but Felicity left, leaving her and Oliver alone, sitting on the couch awkwardly in the apartment. William was still in his room.
"So… Are we ever going to talk about what happened between us… on the island." Felicity asked.
"I've meant to but with everything that been going on with William I just haven't had the time. I'm sorry…"
"We also need to talk about that too." Felicity added with a smile on her face. "I know you need to be there for William but I need to be there for you." She rested a smooth hand on his cheek.
Slowly the both of them moved closer together.
"You know I was never mad at the fact you had a son. In fact i'm really happy for you. After all that's happened maybe something relatively kinda normal like raising a kid might be good for you… or maybe even us?" Felicity whispered the last part.
"I always thought you and William would get along great."Oliver said, dropping a big hint.
"You really think so?" Felicity's smile widened.
"Yea I do." Oliver whispered into her ear, leaning into her and gave her a long slow kiss. After what seemed like forever Felicity looked at him a longing love in her eyes. "What was that for?" She asked.
"Just in case." Oliver whispered.
Felicity started to get up from the couch, Oliver's eyes widened, afraid he did something terribly wrong. "Stop that. I'm just going to get a few things from my place." She added a little kick at the end. "Might want to make sure William is sound asleep. I'll be back in ten." She winked and hurried out the door.
Oliver headed up to William's room, slowly and quietly opening the door in case he was asleep.
Not surprised, Oliver saw him sprawled across his bed reading a book Oliver picked up for him last week. "Hey Will. Can we talk?"
Will closed his book and sat criss cross on the bed. "I guess. What do you wanna talk about?"
Oliver sighed and took a moment to collect his thoughts. "We had a sort of Team Arrow meeting earlier. I've been so caught up in trying to prove that you're mine, believe me when I say it I want nothing more than you to be my son but the team needs-"
"You'- they need you." William finished for him. "I was wondering when you'd go back to being the other guy. I kind of feel selfish. I've liked having you around all the time. Someone I can talk to and spend time with. I love it, but that day you, the Green arrow you, saved me from that man Damien Darhk. I've always admired him. You've always been my hero. Knowing you were here with me all the time instead of being out there saving someone's life…" William stopped, suddenly tearing up but he quickly wiped the tears away.
Oliver instantly grabbed him into a huge bear hug, a true loving hug between father and son one not caused by fear but by pure love. "Thank you Will."
"Also one day soon we're going to talk about your nightmares, but only when your ready."
William nodded sheepishly, getting more comfortable talking about them or at least Oliver hoped..
Oliver hugged him one last time and kissed his forehead. "One last thing. Stay in your room tonight and maybe for some time in the morning." Oliver couldn't help warning him.
"Why? Is something wrong?"
Oliver chuckled and shook his head. "Nothing is wrong at all. Everything is perfect."
The next morning William was surprised to see Felicity sitting across the counter from Oliver who was cooking one of his famous omelets. "Why couldn't I leave my room last night? I've seen felicity before." William asked. To Oliver's pleasure he had no idea what had happened last night.
"We um wanted it to be a surprise!" Felicity waved her hands in the air and spun around on her stool, giving her best surprised face.
William sat beside her, still confused but happy to see her.
"Not that i'm complaining but why are you here?" William rubbed his and quickly scanned her over. "And in your Pajamas?"
"Heh, heh, huh... OH that is a wonderful question." Felicity stammered and quickly looked to Oliver for backup. "Well you see…"
"Felicity had to sleep over last night because the water at her place broke." Oliver quickly made something up. "Flooded the place."
"Oh. Okay." It was too early in the morning for William to argue.
Oliver looked to Felicity. "I was thinking we could get the team together and meet at the bunker later today. I've got something I need to share with everyone." Oliver pointed to William. "That includes you."
"Is this another… secret?" Felicity leaned closer to Oliver, laughing.
"No it's a surprise." Oliver calmly answered, laying an omelette on William's plate.
"You mean I can come to Team Arrow meetings?" He asked excitedly.
"Only this one." He quickly added. "It's a special occasion.
About two hours later Oliver Felicity and William were the last ones to arrive at the Arrow cave, Oliver with a giant smile on his face and a folder in tucked under his arm.
"The whole car ride here you wouldn't say a word about that folder. What is it?" Felicity pestered, trying to pick it out from under his arm.
Oliver gave her a look and gestured to the whole team, who had all gathered around the meeting table. William stood somewhat awkwardly at Oliver's side but smiled when Diggle and Thea came and stood near him.
"So what's this big meeting about hoss?" Rene stated bluntly.
"Thea and I have been working on something for the past few weeks." Oliver handed the folder to William who set it on the table and looked through the documents inside.
Oliver stood over him watching, a huge smile on his face.
"No way… Woah." Was all William said.
"They were finalized a few days ago. I didn't want to throw it on you with everything else-"
William turned to Oliver and hugged him tightly around his stomach. Tears willing in his eyes. "Thank you…" was all he said. "Thank you so much!" Hugging even tighter. Lots and clapping and Whistling insued.
"That almost makes me wanna cry." Curtis said teary eyed."But i'm a man" He coughed. "I don't cry.
"Congratulations brother." Diggle joined in Oliver and William's hug.
"I'm really happy for you Oliver." Dinah added.
Oliver raised his hands and somehow got everyone quiet. "I've got one more thing to say.
Oliver rested an arm over William's shoulder and pulled him close, doing the same with Felicity. "These two here have convinced me to come back. This city and more importantly all of you need me, but not just as the Green Arrow. As Oliver Queen."
