[For Felicity, Feb 10] and they all said i was misled

[likeahero]

After his discussion with Barbara, Oliver spent the rest of his shift on autopilot, his mind running through their entire conversation over and over.

Green Arrow had seemed like such a ridiculous name, coming from Malcolm, but the fact that he actually goes by that name in Barbara's world bothers him. Everything about it bothers him, and though he's glad he knows, he hates that she suspected and knew all about him for however long before tonight. He hates that there are most likely others who know. He keeps replaying his meetings with various vigilantes over the months he's spent here, wondering if a certain reaction here or there meant they recognized some aspect of him -- if they suspected he was their Green Arrow.

The not knowing gnaws away at Oliver, and by the time his shift is done, he's more inclined to wrap his hand around his bow than make nice with Alexei or anyone else. He leaves Lush quickly, and heads home.

Usually when he gets back to the apartment, Oliver slips right into the Arrow and spends a few hours in the city. When he walks in and closes the door behind him this time, Oliver stands in the hall, still and listening for Felicity.

He isn't sure what to do. Barbara's words keep bouncing around in his head, and he doesn't know what to think anymore.

Comments

[likeahero]

"She wouldn't tell me, for good reason." He wouldn't have shared if their roles were reversed, and he can't blame Barbara for protecting people as much as Oliver hates not knowing who they are. "I'll just have to see if I can find out on my own."

[one_more_question]

"Yeah, I guess that makes sense, even if it's frustrating. You probably would have done the same in her position," Felicity replies. "Maybe you can do some digging. And I can check around too, see what I can learn with my methods."

[likeahero]

Oliver nods, appreciating that he doesn't have to ask for help. Felicity has proven herself his partner over and over again, but it still takes Oliver by surprise sometimes that she's so willing to do whatever it takes without question.

"Thank you," he says quietly. The whole thing is still discomfiting, but he doesn't feel so agitated as he had been when he first walked through the door.

[one_more_question]

Felicity leans over, closing what little space is between them to kiss Oliver's cheek. "Of course," she says, giving him a look that says it should be obvious. "You know I'll always do whatever I can for you." That's been true for a while now, since long before they started dating. Oliver is someone she believes in wholeheartedly.

[likeahero]

"I know," Oliver says, leaning in toward Felicity after the kiss. "I think I'm going to stay in tonight."

As much as he hates to admit it, Oliver is off-balance is enough that he's not sure he should go out -- or if he even wants to.

[one_more_question]

"A night off's probably a good idea," Felicity agrees. Oliver needs time to process this, and to take a second so he can be a little more prepared in case he runs into someone else who knows some version of him in a different universe. Besides, Felicity's not about to object to a night with her boyfriend. "We can make popcorn and watch something cheesy on TV. Or just...hang out."

[likeahero]

Oliver sighs, allowing himself to let go of a bit of the tension he's been holding onto for an hour. It won't go away entirely, but being with Felicity has a relaxing effect he appreciates more and more every day.

He sits back, tugging Felicity closer and curling his arm around her waist as he does. "What exactly does just hanging out involve?"

[one_more_question]

She goes with him easily, leaning against him and resting her arm along his leg. "I don't know," Felicity replies, but by the way she's smiling up at Oliver, maybe she does know a little. "Whatever we want it to involve, I guess. Watch a movie, play a board game.."

She brings her other hand around to rest against his stomach, biting her lower lip when she feels the firm muscles of his abdomen through his shirt. "Other things."

[likeahero]

Oliver pretends to give the question some thought as he slips his hand under the thin cotton of her shirt, fingers trailing up her spine.

"Do we even own a board game?"

[one_more_question]

There's a tingle that spreads up her back, following the path of his fingers, and Felicity turns a little more towards Oliver. "I don't think so, which is really a shame," she murmurs, leaning in to press a soft kiss against his jawline. "I totally would have kicked your ass at Monopoly. Or Clue."

[likeahero]

"You probably would have," Oliver agrees, "but that wouldn't say much. I'm the reining loser at Queen family Monopoly." It hadn't happened often, considering their lifestyle and his parents' busy lives when he and Thea were younger, but he does have a few good memories of his own terrible luck at any kind of board game.

He uses his arm to pull Felicity closer, wanting every bit of her as close to him as possible. Whatever's happened, he's happy to be right here with her.

[one_more_question]

"I guess when you're a billionaire you don't really have to worry about knowing how to budget," Felicity replies with a grin, so close now to Oliver that she's practically in his lap. She's definitely not complaining, not when this is exactly where she wants to be. "Was it just Monopoly you were bad at? Or board games in general?"

[likeahero]

"Board games in general. Mostly because it was usually me and Thea who cared, and she gets competitive." They're still some of his favorite memories, at least, and he wonders if Thea would be up for a little nostalgia. If it wouldn't be too painful.

[one_more_question]

"I'm already planning a board game night in my head," Felicity says. "Something you're actually not good at? Gotta make some use out of that one."

That's something she'll plan in detail later. Right now, she's a little preoccupied, the hand on his abdomen moving to slip beneath his shirt. "Maybe we can get something easy like Hi Ho Cherry-O, just so you've got at least a bit of a chance," she murmurs, sliding her palm along his stomach and up the center of his chest.

[likeahero]

Oliver inhales sharply at her touch and lets it out with a small laugh. He slips his hand higher up her shirt, glad for the looser material of her pajamas. "Can we agree that you cannot talk about childhood board games while feeling me up, Felicity?"

[one_more_question]

It gives Felicity a little thrill, knowing she can get that kind of reaction out of Oliver, especially considering what his touch does to her. She likes to know she's got the ability to give as good as she gets. "Why, is it distracting you from the conversation?" she says with mock innocence as she shifts, moving to straddle his lap. "Because that might have been kind of the idea."

[likeahero]

"Distracting is definitely one word for it," Oliver agrees, a smile on his face as he slides his hands over Felicity's hips. "You always have the best ideas."

[one_more_question]

"This is true," Felicity replies, grinning playfully, her hands sliding over his shoulders and up the sides of his neck. "Like right now, I think kissing you would be a pretty excellent idea." And she does, leaning forward and against Oliver to press her lips to his.