Scars, Sleeves,

And Beanies

Disclaimer: Just a thing I was thinking of recently.

Summary: Long sleeves to hide the scars on his arms and Beanies to keep his bald head and ears warm once he's home.

Shortly before he was flown back to the USA's own Starling City in the state of Washington, Oliver had managed to grab up a few long sleeved shirts and a few Beanies. Mostly on account of the scars on his arms from the harsh living he'd endured the last five years after the Queen's Gambit had gone down. Granted, he didn't just have them on his arms but on his torso, his legs, and even his face and while he wasn't exactly vain anymore thanks to 5 years of Hell, the less his scars were seen, the better off everyone else was. As no need for them to have nightmares and the like when he himself had plenty of them. The Beanies on the other hand… Well, 5 years of growth on his head and face had seen a lot of hair and now that it was all gone, he felt more colder than he was used too up top in comparison to the rest of his body. And once he was back home and declared to be amongst the living a short time later, Oliver had invested in more long sleeved shirts and a few more Beanies to be on the safe side.

Those that had known him before the island were understandably perplexed by this and Moira just thought it was her beautiful boy trying to adjust to being amongst proper civilization again. Not knowing and never could know of his times off the island where ARGUS was concerned. His lack of wanting to party had bothered Tommy at first but when the Queen Scion pointed out that maturity was something Laurel Lance liked in a man, the Merlyn Scion had changed his tune. Hoping it would actually get him somewhere with Laurel after years of trying and failing to get her attention. Now, sure, Oliver wasn't too enthused over his best friend and brother in all but blood trying to get with his ex, but given his trying to adjust to being back home and setting up his Crusade… He really didn't have the willingness and energy to pursue Laurel again. Especially considering he felt unworthy of her given his dumbassery ways before the island of Lian Yu.

Dumbassery that thankfully didn't include cheating with her sister of course. Albeit, Sara hadn't wasted much time in wanting to explore things with him after he got back and once she realized he wasn't going to be chasing after Laurel. Whom was torn between being okay with that and not being okay with that given her feelings for the thought to be dead man. Whom, in her eyes, had clearly matured while being thought dead for 5 years and she liked it. Laurel liked it a lot much to the consternation of her father and as well as Tommy once he got a clue later on. But again, with Oliver's focus on other things, he wasn't willing to pursue anything with Sara much to her disappointment. Thea herself had quickly learned how important it was to give her brother enough warning time before even so much as touching him on his hand due to his experiences. Experiences he refused to talk about much to her dismay and only seemed to discuss anything with a Therapist.

One their mother had been insistent on about and not having a clue that said Therapist was an ARGUS one since it was the safest route. Things would come to a head however when the Bowens showed up and Oliver couldn't get out of it no matter what he tried. To the point of greatly upsetting his mother in the process. His estimation of Carter Bowen would also end up even more lower than before and it was mostly due to the fact the man didn't know what a bad day really and truly was. Leading to Oliver scoffing scornfully and not in a quiet manner during the get together. "Something the matter, Oliver?" Asked Mrs. Bowen while Moira shot her son a warning look.

Thea actually was eager to see where this would go and tried to keep it from showing with little success. "Yeah, you could say that, Mrs. Bowen." He replied while giving a disdainful look towards Carter.

"Whoa, why the bad vibes there, Oliver?"

"Other than you not having a single clue about what a real bad day is like?" The former castaway asked archly.

Completely ignoring his mother's call of warning to him as he pointed to one of the scars on his face. "This scar? I got while running through the woods one day back on the island and a rather sharp branch cut me. I ended up sick and delirious for several days but hey, I got this awesome scar in the end!"

Carter could only stare at him in quiet shock as his mother looked ready to explode from unhappiness given how Moira's son was acting. Moira herself was close to the same and Thea was shocked but gladdened to see her brother taking Carter's arrogant ass down a peg or two. She and the others would be further shocked when he stood up and tore off his long sleeved buttoned down shirt to reveal his upper torso and arms and the horrible realities on them. "These are all bad days, Carter. These are suffering and disappointment. Your 'bad' day at the office can't and never will compare because its NOTHING. So why don't you finally pull your head out of your ass?"

And with that, Oliver walked away with an Apple in hand and a shocked and quiet dinner table behind him.

Author's Notes: Hmm… Has the potential for a second part.