Notes:

I am so so so sorry for how long it took for me to update this story. I can promise you no matter how long it takes between the updates this story won't be abandoned. This is the longest work and I love this story, it is one of my favorites and there is so much I still have to share with you guys and I am excited to share with you when the time comes. It is just very complex and that makes it more difficult for me to focus on while my life is going through crazy stages with little to almost no free time.

This chapter is a bit shorter than they are usually and I am so sorry about that but it felt right to end it where I did and I just really wanted to post something since it has been so long. It's a very special one though and it is close to my heart, so I hope you guys enjoy and like it.

We don't need to be related to relate we don't need to share genes or a surname you are my chosen family

Sin

Sara calling her to ask her to come over wasn't unusual per se, but the sound of her voice made her wonder if maybe there was more to the call than Sara simply asking her if she wanted to come hang because she felt like hanging out with her. That was fine, if it was the case. She didn't really care about the reason, she simply enjoyed spending time with her, and she knew Sara did as well. She wouldn't ask her to come over otherwise. Especially if she was upset or emotional. Those were the moments she usually avoided people and kept to herself. And Oliver wasn't included when referring to people. Oliver was pretty much the exception to anything Sara related. Whatever one looked at as the norm when it came to her and interacting with people, the way she did with Oliver, would challenge those opinions about her, but that went both ways, as she'd learnt recently. Oliver and Sara always seemed to be each other's exceptions.

It was after she stepped into the apartment and watched her friend for a bit before alerting her to her presence that her suspicions were confirmed. And she'd been around Sara often enough to come to a conclusion concerning the reason her friend had called her and asked her to come. She'd actually bet anything she owned, which wasn't much but still more than she used to have, that Oliver was out on Green Arrow business and it was probably not just daily business but a risky operation. Her friend had the tendency to be on edge when Oliver was out on more dangerous missions, understandably so for several reasons. The most important one was their unborn daughter.

Sin knew Sara was worried about raising her baby and being a good mom, things she didn't need to worry about if she'd asked her, but she guessed she got it. It was a huge responsibility, bringing a child up, and Sara was still struggling with so much mentally. She was doing better, but she was far from being great. And this was why she knew the thought of Oliver possibly not coming home one night and her being left alone to take care of and raise their child was something that terrified Sara, like nothing else. They'd talked about it a while ago, not that Sara had used those words exactly, but it had been strongly implied. And honestly, she would be too in Sara's position. And yet Sara never once even just implied that she wished Oliver would stop what he was doing, far from it. She was so very supportive and understanding and encouraging. And that was admirable. That Sara could still be all of those things while being terrified his choice in… profession was the wrong word, but she couldn't come up with a better fitting one... the path he'd chosen might be more fitting she guessed, would lead to his early death and leave her a widowed single mother. Sara had even pointed out that being the Green Arrow, helping people and trying to make their home a better, safer place for everyone, was giving Oliver a purpose and was very important to him. It was part of who he was and that she wasn't sure what no longer being able to do this, to help people, would do to him and the effect it would have on him if this would be taken from him.

That this was a path he had chosen for himself and been one of the first decisions he's ever made for himself concerning his life and the direction he wanted to take it. And that it was important. It was part of who he was, and it let him show the world the kind of person he really was, even if that didn't change people's misconception of who Oliver Queen was. It still gave Oliver a chance to show people and get the rewards he would never be able to receive as Oliver Queen, simply because of what his last name stood for. And people, therefore, automatically assuming his primary incentive was either to get a better reputation for his family or that it was monetary gain. And there was solid proof of that assumption on Sara's part. Sin could recall several instances Oliver had tried to do something positive for the city just because he wanted to make a change, do something good for everyone living here, and the press he had gotten had been scathing. Looking for sinister or selfish reasons that would lead to him choosing to provide money for humanitarian projects within Star City. They dragged him through the mud and brought up pretty much anything and everything they could dig up that would make him and his family look bad, while ignoring the good they had done. They'd even brought up his involvement with Sara a handful of times, which had had absolutely nothing to do with the projects he'd tried to get rolling. She honestly couldn't understand what a personal choice he'd made ten years ago had anything to do with business or charity, no matter how bad it might have been.

And she had to admit, she used to have a really bad opinion on the Queen family and questioned his motives too, believing what she had heard and read about them, before actually getting to know him better. Through Thea and Sara, but especially the time she had spent with him now. She could see the truth in what Sara had been telling her for years now, that Oliver was one of the kindest, sweetest people she knew, with a heart of gold and an almost compulsive need to help people.

She had started to wonder about the validity of what was being said about him after she had befriended Thea, who had made her realize that not everything that was being said about the youngest Queen was actually true, most of it wasn't as she now knew which had led to her questioning the things that were said about Oliver. One reason was the way Thea spoke about and thought of her older brother. Apart from several arguments they'd had, and she'd been witness to over the years, it was plain to see just how much she loved, adored and, at times, almost worshipped her big bro. And especially after learning about Sara and his relationship, knowing Sara, she doubted Oliver was as much of a bad person as he was made out to be. She wouldn't have been with him had he been. Sara also had too much self-respect to put up with a man that would treat her badly and disrespectfully.

That sort of introspect into Oliver's reasons for going out almost every night to help people had come up while they'd talked about secret identities and why it was imperative that the vigilantes' real names would never be revealed. She'd been aware of the obvious, protecting the people they loved and not getting arrested. She'd never guessed the reason Sara had brought up when explaining to her why Oliver chose to become the Green Arrow and what doing what he was every night meant to him. How important it was to him. It put him and his mission in an entirely different light.

Sin loved those conversations with Sara. She really cherished the moments Sara was in share mood and tried to explain things to her. What made it extra special was the fact that she'd never ask, not since Sara had shared that she'd run into an old boyfriend and had family in Star. That had been the only time she'd ever asked her directly about personal information. All the rest Sara had shared simply because she had felt like talking to someone and chosen her to be the person she wanted to confide in. And that made her feel important and valued. Being Sara's confidante was a role she cherished and would never abuse. Being in that unique position was the reason she perfectly understood the situation she found herself in now.

She was asked here to provide a distraction. That was fine. She loved hanging out with Sara, and the fact that she was the person she chose when she needed someone to distract her was something she considered an honor. It was not an easy task after all, but one she had gotten good at over the time she'd known her.

"Hey." Sin realized that she must have spaced when Sara addressed her softly, looking rather amused about what she was sure was a startled look on her face.

"Hi." She put her hand on her chest to try and calm her beating heart, feeling stupid about her reaction.

"You do realize that I should've been the one startled since you came into my home while I was focused on completing a task, not the other way around?" The amused look on the blonde's face made her roll her eyes and grin back at her. She wasn't wrong.

"Yeah, yeah, I was just thinking about something. What's up?" She decided to get straight to the point and find out what exactly Oliver was up to. Or as much as Sara was willing to share. Her friend cocked her head, studying her for a moment before replying.

"Roy found a promising lead on Joanna's possible location and Ollie and the team are trying to get her out now." That explained Sara's anxiety. She knew little detail about their current foe, but between the press, Thea and Sara and Oliver, she knew enough to know how dangerous and capable the guy was.

They headed to the kitchen, where Sara prepared them something to drink before they moved to the living room to just hang out. Sara folded some laundry while they were chatting and catching up and, at some point, watched some TV. It was a fairly normal routine for them, they'd had a late lunch, and it was only around dinner time that she could see the mood change, slowly but surely, the more time had passed without Oliver coming home or contacting her, the more worried Sara became, and Sin had to admit, not just Sara. She was getting seriously worried about Oliver and Thea, too. Thea was pretty much her best friend and Oliver had sort of become like an annoying older brother over the months he's been living with Sara.

He had definitely grown on her.

Sin knew now that Oliver was very aware of his privilege and what his family's fortune had made possible for him. And she had to admit that Sara was probably right when she said he felt guilty about having so much, while so many people had so little but also understood that just handing his money over to the less fortunate ones would not solve their problems long term. So using said money to make good, positive and permanent changes to the city was the more lucrative choice and could help generations if done properly. Which was not a simple task as she had come to realize during the course of several discussions, arguments and conversations she's had with Sara and Oliver the last couple of months. While she had been looking for a quick fix, giving the poor the excessive money, the rich didn't need to have as much as they did to simply live comfortably. Both Oliver and Sara had pointed out the flaws in that solution. And she'd had to begrudgingly admit that they weren't wrong. The issue was a lot more complex than she had thought and making changes that would withstand the test of time and everyone in the city would profit from was probably the smarter route to take. Even if it took more time to make them a reality.

She came to cherish Oliver's nurturing side, which had been a huge surprise, and really appreciate his honest opinions and the way he tried to explain things to her and teach her about the more complex ways the world, especially the financial, business, political and economic world, worked. He took the time to sit down with her and answer her questions and explain to her why the Glades were and had been in the state they were now in. What effects decisions different businesses and politicians had made had led to the state the city was now in and the necessary measures that would need to be taken to actually improve the situation long-term and not just short term to boost someone's reputation just long enough to get them elected or reelected and to then turn their backs on the Glades again and let things continue the way they had for years. Oliver's deep understanding of the business world, politics and social services and the machinations and deals going on in the background and behind closed doors had completely shocked her. She'd been under the impression that he had no clue what he was doing while running his family's company and that he was rather dumb and ignorant in general. Learning just how intelligent and capable he was, and how vast and deep his understanding of the issues the people were suffering of was had been mind-blowing. Sara had just sat there laughing her ass off at her reaction to Oliver's very thorough explanation of an extremely complex and complicated matter, and yet he had managed to do it in a way that had made total sense to her. And she'd been floored while Sara had been highly amused.

Sara's comment had simply been, "Told you highly intelligent men with brains are very sexy." After she'd stopped laughing. Oliver had just rolled his eyes at her and gotten up to get himself something to drink after telling her: "don't tell anyone, I've got a reputation to uphold." She wasn't entirely sure which part, that Sara had a thing for smart guys or that he knew so much about politics, business and economics? He'd winked at her before he left the room and that more than anything helped her understand Oliver and why people thought he was just a dumb himbo. While actually being very smart. It was what he wanted people to think. He might have gotten that reputation before the Gambit sank, but he had spent the last couple of years since his return making sure it stuck and wouldn't be questioned.

But why?

She had yet to get an answer to that question. Well, she hadn't asked either of them yet, sure she would get an honest answer from them if she'd asked. She just wanted to see if she could figure it out herself. She hoped she would with time after getting to know him even better than she had so far.

She and Sara had talked about Oliver's intellect some more on several other occasions, with her friend pointing out what it all took just to simply shoot an arrow and hit the target, never mind a moving one, adding the situations Oliver was usually in into the mix made it all the more impressive. They'd also talked about tactics and what all went into coming up with a solid plan, and several backup plans and emergency plans and to then go on that mission, stay on top of everything, be vigilant and come out more or less unscathed while also making sure your team wouldn't get seriously injured either. Yeah, if Oliver were as dumb as people thought he was, he wouldn't have been active as the Green Arrow for five years. He'd been caught his first week back. She could also see now that he'd done a pretty decent job running Queen Consolidated for someone who hadn't actually known what he was doing because he didn't have a college degree or any work experience in that field. And Verdant had been very successful, and not just once Thea took over, but under Oliver's ownership. Sure, he'd had people working for him, but he was the one who had hired them.

Sin also found out just how considerate and perceptive he was and how well his memory worked. He could recall things that were mentioned as a throwaway comment weeks ago with no issue, even when she had already forgotten, even having had a conversation and mentioning whatever it was he'd recalled.

She'd always assumed Sara was the one who made sure they kept food and drinks around that she liked, until she'd crashed at their place one time and overheard a conversation they'd had while preparing breakfast which had made her realize Oliver had started doing that on his own, simply because she'd begun to hang around at their place more often and he had wanted her to feel welcome and at home here. That had been very sweet, and the memory still warmed her heart. Not that she'd ever let either of the two know she'd heard that conversation or the effect those kind words and actions had on her. It made it more special this way. And truly made her feel like a part of their family. And it was weird to think that while Sara had taken her under her wing, like the mama bird she was even if she'd balk at the comparison, told her she had room for a little sister and made her feel valued, and Thea had pretty much barged into her life and demanded the be her friend with no room for an argument and showed her that even coming from two entirely different worlds they'd still have so much in common and been a loyal and fierce friend to her ever since, it was Oliver who made her feel like part of the family. By just quietly adding her favorite products in their kitchen, asking her what she wanted for dinner, lunch whatever and trying to guide and teach her in a manner that made sure she understood his goal was to help her, protect her and keep her safe. The same way she'd witnessed him do with Thea.

She understood now why Roy had sacrificed his life for his mentor. And how Oliver had managed to gain his unwavering loyalty and support. Just like she could easily see now what Sara saw in him and that it was more than skin deep. It wasn't his looks, or not just his looks. Sara was honest enough to point out that it was part of what attracted her to him, but who he was in his bones, someone not a lot of people got the chance to see. And she felt honored that Oliver trusted her enough to reveal that side of him to her, just like Sara had all these years ago. So, yeah, she was worried about him and his lack of checking in with Sara. It wasn't like him at all.

This entire situation was a rather ominous Deja Vue, which reminded her of the time just a few months ago when the world was threatened to be taken over by aliens and Oliver, Thea, Laurel and Dig had been abducted by them which had meant radio silence on his end for hours and Sara being close to freaking out. Sin seriously hoped the rescue mission was just taking them longer than expected, but as the sun set and then rose again and there was still no word from Oliver or his team, she doubted that was the reason or case.

When she woke up in the morning, she almost expected to find Oliver in the kitchen preparing breakfast, as he usually did, but the only person she found was Sara who looked forlorn towards the entrance of the kitchen almost as if she were trying to will him to walk through, she almost felt guilty at the hopeful look on Sara's face when she realized someone's entered the kitchen before seeing that it was only her and not the man she was waiting for.

They ate breakfast together, and she tried to distract her friend but wasn't too successful, worrying herself.

Sara did receive a text message from Oliver shortly after breakfast, but it didn't ease any of Sara's worry, just made her more thoughtful. Her friend was very quiet and kept herself busy with cooking and housework. It was late afternoon when Sara's cellphone suddenly rang and made them both jump. It sounded booming given the quiet that had enfolded them for at least an hour by now.

"Thea, is everything alright?" It was usually rather difficult for her to read Sara, even after all those years, she's gotten better at it for sure, but still… it wasn't an easy task. Not usually, at least. Right now, her face was an open book and the look on her face scared the crap out of her and her heart felt as if it was being squeezed too tight. Her friend's eventual words, after she was done listening to the younger Queen sibling, did nothing to ease the feeling.

"What do you mean you don't know where he is? How could you just lose him?" They had lost Oliver? Sara's question was very justified. Oliver was six foot something, and pretty much just solid muscles, and also very tenacious and fierce. You couldn't just lose him and she was pretty sure he didn't just go poof. Even though she'd seen some weird shit and after the alien invasion, nothing much would surprise her, but still, it was rather unlikely. She sat quietly and just watched Sara's facial expressions while she listened to whatever it was Thea was telling her.

"Where are you?... You got a key, Speedy, just come on up." Thea was here? Or at least close by and could come up shortly, that would mean she'd actually be able to tell them in person what was going on and how Oliver could just disappear and no one tell them anything for over a day.

"Apparently Ollie's missing. They left him alone with Chase for only a moment and now he's gone. So is Chase. And they don't know… there's no trace of…" Sara had to stop in her explanation several times, to take deep breaths and try to compose herself. Sin saw the moisture gathering in her eyes and the slight trembling in her hands. Her breathing was slightly accelerated, and her face was paler than it had been just moments before. She was pretty sure the blonde was in shock.

The harsh truth was Oliver was missing without a trace, and Sara was falling apart.

Sin watched Sara desperately try to take control of her emotions and keep it together. She wanted to do something but was unsure what, not wanting to be the catalyst for Sara completely losing it, while it was obvious she was working hard on not doing that. It only took her a brief moment before she seemed to get a grip and focus on one single emotion. And that appeared to be anger.

"Ollie's been missing for almost a day now, and they had taken a vote and decided to only tell me tonight. If they haven't found him by then, only Thea didn't agree and was done playing along now." The anger Sara was feeling at that revelation was palpable and so very understandable, she was furious on her friend's behalf. How could they? What gave them the right to keep such crucial information from her? Who did they think they were? It was not up to them to decide whether Sara had a right to know or not. Oliver was the father of her child, the person she shared her home with. If anyone had a right to know he was missing, it was her. For those reasons alone, not even taking into account the information his team didn't have, that she was his wife and therefore legally should be the first person to be informed about anything Oliver related and would be by anyone but his team, it seemed.

She was still processing everything when she heard the front door open and then close, and it wasn't long until Thea tentatively walked into her sight. Her friend looked awful. Which made sense. Her older brother was missing, and knowing Thea, she was probably feeling responsible because she'd been there and therefore, in her mind, could've or should've prevented it. But it wasn't that easy or probably wasn't. Unless she just stood there and watched her brother be taken, she was pretty sure Thea wasn't at fault… she might change her mind once she had more information, but she doubted it. She knew how much Thea loved her older brother. There was no way she'd let anything happen to him if she could've had prevented it. But given Thea was probably feeling responsible for Oliver being missing, she'd probably assume Sara would feel the same way and blame her. Which she wouldn't even if Sara felt that way. She wouldn't let Thea know, at least not until Oliver was found.

Sara wasn't that cold or cruel.

Notes:

We got an entire chapter of Sin. I really, really hope I got her right and stayed true to her character. I did my best.

I would really, really appreciate some feedback, because I haven't written Sin often yet and knowing whether or not I managed to get her right would be very helpful for the future.

And yes, Oliver knows things, lots of things. He's highly intelligent and everyone who claims otherwise will get an essay as to why they are wrong, lol. No seriously, I feel very passionate about Oliver's intelligence and people pretending he's dumb in the shows and the fandom. Pisses me off. School smarts isn't the only smart that exists and not necessarily the most helpful one, but that's just my opinion as someone who has never been school smart, but always curious and willing to question things.

The chapter title is from the song "Chosen Family" by Elton John and Rina Sawayama.