Chapter Text
Moira Queen stepped carefully into the room where her son was waiting. Five years. For five years, she had not seen her baby boy, and oh how he had grown. He stood, back facing her, looking out of the window. “Oliver…” She breathed, feeling tears coming to her eyes. She took a careful, yet shaky step towards her son. His head turned, and he slowly turned around to face her. More scars and tattoos came into her vision now, and she felt her breath hitch. What had happened to her beautiful baby boy in these five years? He seemed like a different person, his face screamed warmth but his eyes were cold. Yet, he smiled at his Mother, looking at her with warmth and affection. His eyes did not change. Moira took a deep breath before bringing him into her arms, understanding the stiff reaction she first received. But, gently, after a moment he took her into his arms. There was silence between them, silence she broke first. “Oliver…you’re home.” And once more, he smiled, but his eyes still did not change.
x-x-x
“Alright, time to go home.” Moira gently clasped her hands together, looking at Oliver. “The doctor has cleared you to leave the hospital and I finished the paperwork.” Oliver lifted his head, nodding for a brief moment.
“. . .and the other two?” His words were soft, but he was clear all the same.
“Other two?” She repeated, looking at her son for a few moments. He sighed, leaning forward before he stood up.
“Yeah, my. . .friends.” He replied, gently grabbing his chest, putting it on top of the bed.
“I’m sorry, Oliver, but I was told nothing about them. Are you sure they’re here?” Moira replied quietly, watching her son carefully.
“Should be.” He replied, picking the chest up. “I won’t leave without them.” He glanced at his Mother.
“. . .Well alright. I’ll go ask the doctors, Oliver.” Moira said gently. “Wait here.” She left the room, puzzled. Who were the two that had come here with Oliver? And why had she not been informed that Oliver had not been the only one rescued?
“Excuse me,” Moira called to the doctor that stepped by her. “Can you please tell me the whereabouts of the people who came in with my son?”
The doctor blinked, before nodding. “Of course, Miss Queen. The girl is currently getting her set of bloodwork and such done to get her identity. The man however…well…he hasn’t been cooperating, really.” He admitted. “But if you see it fit I’m sure your son can go talk to him. We still needed to complete his blood work, however, before he is released.”
“Of course,… May a nurse escort my son to him then? I would also like to go, of course.”
“Perhaps it would be easier to bring the man to him, instead.” The doctor pushed up his glasses, looking at Moira. “I’ll have it done right away so feel free to wait.”
“. . . Yes alright.” Moira then sighed and moved to return to her son.
x-x-x
It took over an hour for the man whom had been rescued with her son, to be sent to the room. From the bandage on his arm when he walked in, she suspected that they had used this meeting to get his bloodwork done. Moira sat there, watching as her son stood up, a smile coming to his face the moment that the man walked in. However, she noted, that his eyes were just as warm as his smile in that single moment.
The man was older, she also noted. His hair had been trimmed and it looked as if he had also shaved. His stature was that of a military man, which he may very well be. Yet, a smile came to his lips the moment he saw Oliver. “Kid, you’re alright.” Those were the first words out of his mouth, and Oliver nodded.
“Of course, I’m alright.” Oliver replied a moment later, standing in front of the man. He then cleared his throat and turned to the side, motioning to Moira. “This is my Mother, Moira.” He said slowly, introducing her. Moira smiled, slowly getting out of her chair.
“Slade Wilson,” the man spoke, holding his hand out. They shook hands, but she noticed the particularly tight grip.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Wilson.” Moira said gently.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you as well, Miss Queen.” Slade said simply, before turning to Oliver. Oliver looked back at Slade, their eyes meeting in that moment. “So, then I suppose you know the plan?”
“Well, we have to make one, don’t we?” Oliver rolled his eyes, before looking to his mother. “Would it be safe for me to assume that my friends could stay with us until they are back on their feet?”
“Of course, Oliver.” Moira seemed surprised he even had to ask. She had many questions about the last five years, and she supposed this was the best way to learn about such.
“Thank you.” Oliver smiled, and this time his face was warm. Moira nodded, smiling gently.
“Well, I’ll check with the Doctors and we can see about getting out of here.”
x-x-x
The woman was rather…odd in a way. She was rather quiet and she held herself in a stiff yet ready manner. Oliver sat opposite of his mother and this woman, Slade on his right. There was silence still in their car. . . Moira supposed that none of them knew what to say. She, herself, wasn’t sure what to say. A lot of surprises awaited her son when they arrived home. Just how would he react to some of their “surprises”?
Moira watched her son lean over into Slade, speaking with him softly. She knew he was not speaking English, but she was not sure where he learned another language. The two spoke for a good time, before Oliver nodded. He shifted, his body still gently pressed into Slade’s side. Slade shifted his arm to wrap it around Oliver’s waist, speaking to him again for just a moment. Oliver smiled a little, replying before just relaxing. His eyes were closed for a bit before he opened them, and looked to his mother.
“I’m assuming we have a lot to discuss when we get home.”
“Yes, I would suppose we do.” Moira replied, her eyes carefully watching the two. “Clearly there has been a lot of things that have…changed perhaps.”
“…perhaps.” Oliver replied softly, before glancing out the window.
x-x-x
Oliver had not taken well to Walter and his Mother being remarried. In fact, it could be said that he was rather upset about it. Took it with a grain of salt, and changed the topic. Moira sighed, running a hand through her hair as she sat with Walter. “I don’t think he is adjusting well,” she murmured, rubbing Walter’s hand gently. “In fact, he has been keeping to himself and his “friends”. He hardly speaks to me if he can help it.”
“I’m sure it’ll take him time to warm up to you. He has been gone for 5 years, and a number of things have clearly changed in his life. It’ll be a while before the world we know is once again a world he knows.”
“I know, Walter…” Moira sighed, looking at him. “However, I just…worry. He seems so distant from all of us, and I’m not sure what to do about it… I know it’ll take him some time, but he just flows so easily with those two…”
“I do not think that our “surprise” helped him any.” Walter admitted with a sigh. “But we had to tell him-“ His words were cut off by Thea peeking into the room.
“Thea, dear, is something wrong?” Moira slowly moved to stand.
“Well, ah,” Thea was also having a hard time adjusting to her brother being back, even though she was… Well she was glad that he was alright, but so much had changed! “I was wondering who the people with Ollie were. He seemed really close to them, but he didn’t exactly introduce either of them.”
“Yes…” Moira sighed. “I was not aware that they had come with him until earlier. He refused to leave the hospital without them, so I brought them here as well. As far as I have learned, the girl is named Shado and the man is named Slade. Oliver appears rather close with both…”
“But even closer with Slade, right?” Thea held her arms a little bit, shifting. “I noticed that too. . .he seems to stick close to him and talk with him. . . I don’t know I’m just, Ollie seems so different. I mean, of course. He’s been gone for five years and everything, but just something…fundamentally is off with him…”
“Thea…” Moira took a deep breath, gently standing. “I think this will take time for all of us to get used to again, and then we can start asking Oliver... Well we can begin to understand exactly what Oliver has experienced.”
“Yeah, and well… I saw Slade go into Oliver’s room a little while ago. He hasn’t come out yet to my knowledge.”
“Oh, has he?” Moira blinked, “…interesting.” Moira clasped her hands together, nodding some to Thea’s words. Yet her mind was elsewhere…wondering what her son was hiding.
x-x-x
“Slade,” Oliver murmured, sitting up as the man walked into his room. He was lying in bed, just taking in everything. It felt odd to feel the silk sheets and the comfortable bed after all of these years. He smiled, watching the shirtless man stroll across his room.
“Oliver,” Slade rumbled, climbing onto the bed and onto Oliver. Oliver chuckled, falling back as Slade pushed him down, pinning him to the bed.
“Hmm,” Oliver looked up at the older man. “This is strange.” He murmured after a moment of silence between them.
“I pin you a lot, kid.” Slade grunted in reply, moving his head down to lightly nip the flesh on Oliver’s neck. Oliver hummed a little bit, closing his eyes.
“I was meaning the location, not the action.” Oliver murmured, moving his head to give Slade more access to his skin. “Silk sheets, not hard ground… Soft mattress not the hard cots…” He closed his eyes slowly. Slade hummed against his skin, touching their bare chests together.
“Don’t need to worry about finding food in the morning, having fresh water… One of us getting sick and not recovering, or waking up dead. Those fears are not as…I guess worrisome now. We have a roof over our heads, food, water… safety.” Slade shifted an arm to wrap around Oliver, holding him as he relaxed on top of him. He found Oliver loved being pinned and safe under him. “Much more protected than before.”
Oliver nuzzled him gently, letting Slade’s body encompass him. He never minded it, rather he loved feeling this safe. “Yeah…” He closed his eyes, shifting better to relax. “I’m glad to be home, but I’m not sure how to. . .adjust, I guess.” He whispered after a moment. “My Mother remarried another man…my sister isn’t the same little girl I had left behind. God, so much has changed.”
“So, have we.” Slade pressed a kiss to his neck. “You are a strong fighter now, you have killed people to survive. You are not the brat I met on that island five years ago.” Slade’s eyes shifted to meet Oliver’s then, pressing a kiss to his jaw. “Defiantly not the same kid.”
Oliver smiled, shifting to press closer to Slade. “I love you,” he whispered, “and I’m glad we’re off that hellish island together.” He whispered softly.
“You and me both, kid.” Slade smiled, running a hand through Oliver’s hair. “Get some sleep, you need it. I know you’ve just been constantly worrying. But it’s safe now. Safe to sleep and relax for a little bit.”
“And here I thought you came in here for sex.” Oliver laughed softly, nuzzling the other man happily.
“Mmm we have plenty of time for that later. And preferably in our own space, first and foremost.” He murmured.
“We have to find a place and be able to afford it, first.” Oliver murmured, rubbing his cheek just a little then.
“I think I have that covered, kid.” Slade rumbled, pressing a kiss to his lips then. Oliver smiled a little, kissing him back.
“Then I can’t wait to see where we end up.”
x-x-x
Thea Queen was confused, and unsure about these new people. She new they made her brother happy, so that made her happy, but it was…a lot to take in. Seeing him sitting on the couch, leaned against Slade as he read a book was odd. For one, he was really there in front of her, alive, and for two he seemed to be completely distant from her and her mother. She wasn’t sure why, but she felt a little lonely just thinking about how her brother had changed over the years. “Ollie,” she spoke up finally as she stepped further into the room. After a moment he lifted his head to look over at Thea.
“Ah, yeah Thea?” He marked the page and then closed the book. Which now she noted was written in…Mandarin? How odd, where had her brother learned that from?
“Tommy and Malcolm are coming to dinner tonight, Mum wanted me to make sure that you were going to be there.” She replied calmly. “And Tommy has been asking about a welcome home party.” She added then, smiling a little at him as his eyes grew a little wide with thought.
“Ah, yeah I’ll be there. What time and uh- “
“Your friends are welcome,” Thea added, putting her hands behind her back, clasping them. “I mean it wouldn’t be fair to eat here without letting them join us. Besides I’m sure Tommy will want to know all about. . .this.” She acknowledged, looking at the two of them. Oliver blinked, opening his mouth before closing it a little. She noticed Slade was looking between the two of them. “Ollie, I’m not stupid. I want answers but I know you and Mr. Wilson spend your nights together, and I know that you’ve kissed him. I saw. I didn’t tell Mum but she knows that the two of you are together at night too.” She let out a small sigh. “So maybe you’re more willing to talk about it later.”
“Thea.” Oliver spoke up then, slowly getting up. “I... Slade is my lover.” He admitted then. “There is no point in hiding it from you, and I’m sorry I have been.” He added then. “I was hiding it as. . .me liking men isn’t something that people just accept or have accepted.”
“Well, I personally don’t care. If Tommy doesn’t know and Mum doesn’t know, who the hell knows?”
“Knew.” Oliver corrected then slowly, hesitatingly.
“Dad.” Thea whispered then and after a moment, Oliver nodded in response.
“He found out, well, a long time ago. But that’s also when he put an end to any…anything involving other men.”
“Oh Ollie…” Thea’s eyes saddened and she slowly walked over, hugging him. He hugged her back after a moment. “I’m sorry, I didn’t…I didn’t know. I wish I could have…I don’t know…supported you?” She whispered.
Oliver held her and closed his eyes, taking a breath. “There is someone else who knows. He was the only supportive person of it, but I highly doubt that now.” He admitted, his eyes going to anywhere else in the room but the curious eyes of his sister.
“Who, Ollie who is it?” She frowned. “Laurel…no you said he…so…”
“Quinten.” Oliver admitted after a moment. “He found out when I was a kid, after Dad…reacted as he did. So, he’s known for years but we’re not on good terms because of…Sara, you know. I haven’t even seen him but I know for a fact he hates me.”
“I’m sorry.” Thea repeated then, looking at him. “But I’m sure Mum won’t do anything like that. She’ll understand, I’m sure. I mean she hasn’t said anything yet. Tommy might be surprised but I’m sure he’ll understand. Just…know I’ll support you tonight, okay?” She glanced over, around Oliver, at Slade. “But you better be good to my brother!” She stated then with a huff. “Or I swear I will never like you.”
“Will do, Miss Queen.” He said gently, standing up and wrapping an arm around Oliver, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “I’ve protected him for five years, I intend to do it for more.” He added then softly, his eyes gazing at Oliver lovingly. Thea could see their connection and it satisfied her curiosity really. Whatever had happened to her brother didn’t matter, if he had someone who loved him by his side the entire time.
“I do have one more question though. That girl, who is she then?” She tilted her head. “At first, I thought maybe…well you know, but I’m just curious.”
“I’m a friend.” The soft, gentle, voice startled Thea as she turned around to look at the woman. Shado, she remembered her name. “I was there with them, but I am merely their friend.” She smiled, walking further into the room then. “Well, perhaps I am more like a sister as well. As we became family on that island, together.” She murmured. Oliver smiled at her, and she smiled back with such a sweet look.
“I…see.” Thea blinked, but nodded in understanding. Because she did understand it, but she was also confused in her own sense. This was a lot for her to take in, but she accepted that it had to be that way. “Okay, well…come to dinner too. Oh, and it’s at 8 tonight, Ollie. But they’re going to show up around 6 so we can all talk, I think.”
“Okay, thank you Thea.” The last thing she saw as she left the room was Shado speaking softly to Oliver, and him leaning into Slade’s tight grip. It was almost like he was a world away, one where she could never fully reach him.
x-x-x
“Oliver!” Tommy walking in and seeing him warmed Oliver’s heart, he had to admit. He walked over to him and moved to put a hand on his shoulder but was caught in a one-armed hug instead. “Five years on an island and I haven’t heard from you in a week.” He was teasing a little bit.
“Sorry, it’s been hectic and I haven’t gotten a new phone yet.” Oliver smiled at Tommy, looking at him gently. “But I will soon, so don’t worry.”
“I know, and I can’t wait.” He chuckled. “Man, it’s good to have my best friend back.” He squeezed his shoulder. “But I’ve heard that a lot of things have changed.”
“Yeah, some things are…new now you know?” He murmured but he smiled still, moving to the living room with him. Malcolm was following near them both, smiling calmly as Moira stood up.
“Malcolm, Tommy.” She said gently, looking at them with a nod. “It’s a pleasure to have you both over.”
“Yes, it’s good to see you Moira. And it’s good to see you, Oliver.” Malcolm gently squeezed his other shoulder; his eyes were soft. Oliver honestly could not remember this man having such a gentle look since…Rebecca. “How have you been feeling?”
“…the best I can be?” He offered, looking at him. “I mean, I was on an island for five years.” Malcolm nodded, moving to go speak with Moira then.
Tommy shook his head, looking at Oliver. “It’s odd, he’s been worried I think. Which for him, is really weird.” He chuckled a little bit.
“I agree, but I guess it’s good.” He admitted. Before he smiled, “I have someone I want you to meet.” He said then. “I’ll be right back.”
“Wait, wait, you’ve been back a week. Didn’t see me, but got yourself a girlfriend?” Tommy teased.
“Mmm…I suppose.” Oliver grinned, momentarily going upstairs. “Slade, Shado? You two ready?” He met the gaze of Slade who grunted. He was wearing a suit while Shado was wearing a beautifully long black dress. She seemed out of place in it, but when Moira had presented it to her she had taken it. Slade hooked an arm around Oliver’s.
“I am now, so. . .I guess we should get this over with.” Oliver nodded, letting Shado follow them back into the living room where the others were. He noticed Tommy’s eyes slide over to them as they walked in, and Oliver could see the confusion spreading in them. He cleared his throat a little bit, looking at Slade and Shado. “Tommy, this is Slade Wilson and Shado Gulong.” He introduced. “They returned from the island with me,” he added then, looking at him. There was no point in lying, especially to Tommy.
“Okay. . .and...” His eyes met the hooked arms of the two men before looking back up at Oliver.
“Yes.” Oliver nodded slowly, letting it sink in for Tommy. The latter was quiet for a moment.
“Well I was going to tell you later, but I guess It’s okay now then. But I’m dating Laurel.” He admitted. Oliver blinked before he slowly nodded in response. In some sense, that…stung, but in another sense, it was probably for the best.
“Okay.” He said then, not sure how else to vocalize how he felt exactly. There was a silence before Slade cleared his throat.
“I think we need to do a formal introduction to the others as well.” Oliver took his eyes off of Tommy and slowly over to his mother and Malcolm.
“Yes, I suppose you’re right.” He said softly, noticing the cold gaze his mother held. “Mom, I think you already know where this is going.”
“I believe I do.” She matched, watching Slade carefully now. “What are your intentions with my son?”
“My intentions?” Slade repeated calmly, watching her back. Oliver gently took his hand, trying to keep him calm, he knew that felt like an accusation. “For five years I have loved your son and taken care of him on the island. I trained him to survive along with Shado. I have no dark intentions other than wanting to stay at his side.”
“No offense, Mr. Wilson but you are nowhere near my son’s age.” Moira said carefully, crossing her arms.
“You’re right.” Slade agreed gently, looking at her with a calm expression. “I even have children, and I acknowledge this is unconventional. And in some eyes, wrong. But I am determined to keep this relationship, no matter what.”
“And I love him.” Oliver replied, looking at his Mother carefully. “So, this isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.”
“…” She just nodded, but turned her head, taking a breath. “We’ll talk more later, okay Oliver? We really need to discuss this… It’s no that I don’t approve but…my son, life isn’t always about getting what you want.”
Oliver felt a twinge in his heart in that moment before drawing his eyes away from his Mother and back to Slade. He leaned into the man, taking a deep breath. Well, dinner was going to be a nightmare now wasn’t it?