[For Felicity; February 14]

[likeahero]

The morning had started out quietly enough. Oliver surprised Felicity with breakfast in bed, a small box of chocolates that they'd shared, and even a small bouquet. It was typical and felt right; he's no longer the boy with millions of dollars to throw at everything, and even if he did, he isn't sure Felicity would like it so much. He knows she appreciates a luxury from time to time, as he does, but he can't imagine treating her like all the "girlfriends" he's had in the past.

He can barely imagine her even being in the same category as all those girlfriends. She's so separate, so different and so much better than anyone he's known. He'd felt something deep for Laurel at one point, but nothing like this.

It's when he passes the second or third jewelry shop on his way to the grocery store that he wonders why he's never actually gone into one. Sure, he has his reasons, and the life they lead has always made lasting, permanent relationships seem almost impossible to maintain, but...they're safe here. They're as safe as they can be, and it doesn't look like they'll be leaving any time soon. Even if they did, he knows he would feel the exact same way, whether in Darrow or in Starling.

And he can't assume Felicity just knows. She needs-- he needs her to know that he's in it for the long haul no matter what.

So he turns into that third jewelry store, stomach churning even though he's resolved about this. It takes some time, but Oliver leaves with something nice, something modest, something that he can absolutely see on Felicity's finger.

He forgets the groceries, forgets just about everything else he was out for in the first place and heads right back home. The little box weighs nothing but he can feel it in his coat pocket on the walk home, up the elevator, can feel it get heavier somehow as his own nerves flutter up. It's solid and light as he slips it into his hand after he takes off his coat.

"Honey?"

Comments

[one_more_question]

"There you are," Felicity says, doing up the buttons on her blouse as she walks out from the bedroom. "I was starting to wonder just how many groceries you were..."

She looks up finally at Oliver as she does the last button and stops when she sees he's not holding any grocery bags. "...getting. Babe, you did say you were going to the grocery store, didn't you? Did you get distracted by crime? Because if you did, you should have let me know so I could back you up."

[likeahero]

"No," Oliver says, shaking his head because the groceries don't matter. Nothing else matters right now. "No, I wasn't distracted by crime. Just something else."

This wasn't as romantic as Oliver could come up with; he has visions of the typical fare -- hiding the ring in a glass of champagne, or a dessert, or a bouquet -- but hadn't the time to go through with all of them. Besides, it's the thought that counts, it's the fact that he can't imagine going through another day without asking.

He slips the box into his back pocket so he can reach out as he pulls her into a kiss. "I actually got something for you."

[one_more_question]

Felicity wraps her arms around Oliver, all too happy to be kissed by him. Today's been a pretty great day, and it seems like it's going to continue. "Like a present?" she says, grinning up at him. "On top of breakfast in bed, chocolates, and flowers. I think you may be spoiling me, Oliver Queen, and I think I like it."

[likeahero]

"Good," he says, returning her grin. "You deserve to be spoiled as much as you like, Felicity Smoak." He can feel slight shakes in his hands and he lets go of Felicity, stilling them before taking her face in his hands. "I'll spoil you for the rest of my life, if you let me."

[one_more_question]

She really likes the sound of that, even as it surprises her to hear Oliver being so sentimental. Felicity knows he loves her, of course she does, but he's hardly one to gush about his feelings.

She's not going to look a gift horse in the mouth, though, and smiles, covering his hands with her own briefly before sliding them down to rest against his chest. "Only if you let me spoil you every once in a while too," she replies. "It's only fair."