The next day, Oliver was getting his hand bandaged when John entered his room.

"Hey, how you feeling man?" John asked.

"Not the first time I've been tortured in my life and considering what we do, not the last time either." Oliver said.

"Fair point. Laurel told me you'll be benched for at least a week on doctor's orders." John said.

"Yeah. But I saw you were wearing my hood last night." Oliver said.

"Yeah, I was. Sorry about that man." John said.

"Don't be, you did good out there. And I think you're gonna need to do it again." Oliver said.

"What?" John asked.

"Until my hand heals, I'm in no condition to get back in the field and Star City needs the Green Arrow and since it can't be me right now, I want it to be you again. Just until I've healed up." Oliver said, making it clear that this time, John's position as the Green Arrow truly would be temporary.

"It would be in honor to wear the hood again. Even if I'm only subbing in for the real Green Arrow." John said as he held out his hand to Oliver, who used his non injured hand to shake.

"So, when are you getting out of here?" John asked.

"Later on today." Oliver said.

"Great. I'll see you later man." John said as he moved to walk out, right as Laurel entered, Oliver's discharge papers in her hand.

"I'm guessing that you and John have worked things out?" Laurel asked and Oliver nodded.

"John is going to continue to being the Green Arrow until my hand heals up and then he's going to give the hood back to me." Oliver said.

"Interesting, isn't this a reverse of what happened at Thanksgiving?" Laurel asked and Oliver rolled his eyes.

"Yes it is. The only difference is that now neither of us are stringing each other along and we both know it's temporary. But just in case, I need to you to make sure John doesn't lose sight of that." Oliver said.

"You can count on it. Anyways, I've got your discharge papers right here, so we can leave whenever you want." Laurel said.

"Let's get out of here." Oliver said with a grin.

"And before you ask, my dad and I got all my stuff moved into the loft this morning and no you are not helping bring it in. The doctor said to take it easy and carrying heavy boxes doesn't fall under that criteria, unless you want to cause even worse damage to your hand." Laurel said and Oliver chuckled.

"As you say. Can I at least fill out forms with my hand, because otherwise I can't be the mayor either." Oliver said.

"Very funny. But seriously Ollie, if you want to keep protecting the city, then you need to be more careful until you're back at your best." Laurel said.

"I know and I love you for caring about me." Oliver said as they kissed.


When they got back to the loft, Oliver found William playing video games in the living room.

"Hey dad, how're you feeling?" William asked, still focused on his game.

"I'll be fine, but I think that you still have homework to be doing young man." Oliver said.

"But." William said.

"I get that you were worried about me, but I'm back now, which means that you need to start working on your homework." Oliver said and William grumbled as he shut off his game and moved to do his homework.

"I have to say, seeing you as a good father, it's still kind of strange to see." Laurel said.

"Strange for me to. But honestly, despite everything that has happened over the past 11 years, I feel like I might actually be close to having everything I've always wanted." Oliver said.

"Really, that's a dangerous thing to say, since it seems like every time you come close to having it all, something ends up ripping it away." Laurel reminded him.

"I know, but still I feel like that already happened when the team divided and William found out I was lying to him, Felicity dying and Thea leaving and John nearly leaving. And now things are starting to turn around." Oliver said.

"Maybe, but let's just hope we can keep them turned around. Now, I'm going to go finish unpacking and you get comfortable before dinner." Laurel said.

"Please tell me you're not cooking." Oliver said and Laurel glared at him playfully.

"Just for that, you're not getting any dessert later." Laurel said.

"But seriously, what's for dinner?" Oliver asked.

"I'm ordering pizza." Laurel said simply.


The next day, William downstairs for breakfast to find that it was only cereal today.

"Not to complain, but only cereal?" William asked and Oliver chuckled.

"Sorry buddy, but apparently I can't even cook breakfast without Laurel freaking out on me." Oliver said.

"I heard that." Laurel said as she entered the kitchen.

"Well, am I wrong?" Oliver asked unapologetically.

"Never said you were." Laurel said as Oliver's phone buzzed and he left the room to take the call.

"I noticed you and dad have a tendency to make fun of each other." William said and Laurel chuckled.

"We do. But we don't mean anything by it. Just a little fun." Laurel said as Oliver re entered the room.

"What's with the look on your face?" Laurel asked.

"That was your father calling. Apparently I've only been gone 2 days and city hall has fallen into chaos. I need to get to City Hall." Oliver said as he kissed her cheek and nodded goodbye to William before grabbing his suit jacket and heading out.

"So, it looks like I'm driving you to school today. Which means, eat up, I can't be late for work." Laurel said as she grabbed her badge and William nodded as he finished his cereal before Laurel forced him out the door.