Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Hour zero

“No.”

Oliver was known to be susceptible to a bad idea, but this one was terrible. His answer came without a single moment’s hesitation. Instinctive. 

“Yes,” Tommy argued anyway. “You have to.”

“I don’t have to do anything, Merlyn.”

His best friend was visibly annoyed, but Oliver didn’t give a damn. There was no chance in hell he could do what Tommy was asking of him. “She’ll probably be stranded here all summer if you don’t.”

“I’m sure she can figure something else out.” 

“She already told me she can’t afford a plane ticket back to Vegas. That’s why I insisted on bringing her.”

Oliver shrugged, seeing the easy, obvious solution; “I’ll buy her a plane ticket.” He hoped his desperation wasn’t obvious. Because he was desperate. His heart was racing. There had to be another way that didn’t involve him and Felicity Smoak trapped in a car together for hours and hours. “Better yet, you can buy her a plane ticket since you’re the one ditching her.”

“Mrs. Craig has to leave town for a funeral. I agreed to check in on her elderly mom for the next few days until she gets back…that’s hardly ‘ditching.’”

Oliver stared at him. “It’s not my fault you double booked your good deeds.”

“Come on, Oliver,” Tommy’s voice was starting to get all whiny and annoying. “You know Felicity would never take a free plane ticket from either of us.”

“From me? No. From you? Maybe. You’re her friend .” He tried not to snarl that word out but it sounded that way regardless. Tommy was just as rich and arrogant as Oliver was. Most of the time, more so. 

Yet somehow, Felicity loved Tommy and hated Oliver.

He had realized this fact years ago, but maybe he was still a little upset about it.

Tommy sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose with his fingers. Just like Robert used to do when he was sick of arguing with Oliver, too. 

Huh. 

Since when did Tommy become the guy who checked in on elderly women in their building? Or offered to drive the girl next door across the country? 

“Are you seriously not going to help me?” Tommy narrowed his eyes, playing hardball now. “You won’t help her?”

Oliver hated the way he said that. As if Felicity Smoak meant something to him.

She didn’t.

He just thought she was beautiful and fascinating and smelled like heaven. Didn’t mean he owed her something. And it definitely didn’t mean she would want help from him.

Felicity had made it clear a long time ago that she wanted nothing to do with him.

The why of that particular mystery was still unknown. He’d never been anything less than charming and kind to her. Sometimes overly charming and kind once he started to get the impression that she disliked him. But nothing he’d ever done had melted their neighbor’s icy mood around him. She wasn’t like that with Tommy. She’d befriended Tommy, which only made Oliver even more perplexed. 

It’d be one thing if she hated them both. At least that, he could understand. He and Tommy could be obnoxious assholes, especially together. But apparently Felicity didn’t have a grudge against obnoxiously arrogant, charming assholes who played music too late at night. She just didn’t like him.

Still, despite how much he hated Tommy’s question and what it implied, Oliver knew the answer. Of course he couldn’t say no. Felicity might hate him, for whatever reason, but he had no reason to hate her. If she really needed a ride back to Vegas and he was her only option, then he would at least leave the choice up to her.

“Fine. I’ll take her. If she lets me.”

“Perfect,” Tommy smiled, relief washing over his face. “Thank you. Be ready bright and early.”

Knowing Felicity, she would probably choose to walk to Vegas before she’d ever get in his Porsche. 

Hour one

His mistake was thinking that he knew Felicity Smoak at all.

He’d spent all night telling himself that Felicity would never agree to this trip. 

When she came outside just after sunrise and saw that he was standing beside his convertible, parked in front of her building, Felicity glanced around, confused and probably wondering where Tommy was. After he’d explained the situation and politely told her that he was willing and ready to drive her home in Tommy’s place, Felicity had stared at him, unmoving with her bags still in her hands. For a brief moment, she looked like she was ready to say ‘hell no’ and go back into the safety of her apartment. 

It surprised him when she sighed, coming closer until he opened the door for her to toss her things in the backseat.

They’d sat in silence for most of the hour since then. Aside from Oliver asking if she wanted the top down; no , and if she wanted to pick the music; also no , and if she was cold; no again.  

She had never been chatty. Not with him. But they had an entire day to kill.

So. Many. Hours.

Oliver felt like he’d go crazy by the end of it if they spent the whole trip barely speaking to each other.

“How has your semester been?” He chose to ask. Cautiously. Maybe if he avoided ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions, he’d get a little more out of her.

“Busy…yours?”

“Same.”

Yup. Much better.

Felicity chewed on her lip, seeming more nervous than he realized. He took her stiff posture and nail biting as a sign that she was uncomfortable, possibly angry and wishing she’d never gotten into his car. But maybe she felt as awkward about this as he did.

“Any big plans for the summer?” He tried again.

“Just seeing my mom,” she said quietly, her voice hesitant.

Why did such a simple conversation feel like they were stepping over landmines?

Oliver nodded, “So she lives in Vegas?”

“Yeah. She’s a waitress for a few of the casinos. I have a scholarship and a job on campus, but mom still has to work two or three jobs at a time to help me get through school.” Her eyes were on him as she spoke, like she was looking for a reaction. Waiting to see if he’d judge. 

“That must be difficult. I can’t imagine.” And he couldn’t. She knew that he couldn’t. Of course he wasn’t going to say that he understood what it was like to worry about money. He’d think it was one of the reasons Felicity hated him, but she didn’t care that Tommy was just as frivolous. “You two are pretty close then?” He cleared his throat, “You and your mom?”

“Yes.”

“You must miss her. When you’re in Starling, I mean. The city has always been home to me. Where my family is. I’ve traveled a lot, but I’ve never lived anywhere else. That’s pretty brave of you…to move so far away.”

Felicity watched him with narrowed eyes, “Are you patronizing me?”

His eyes swung to her, “What? No! I was being sincere.”

“Oh,” she frowned. “Sorry, it’s hard to tell sometimes.”

Oliver couldn’t help but feel offended. 

One landmine: stepped on.

“Maybe that’s because you always expect the worst of me,” he grumbled through clenched teeth. “When I’ve honestly done nothing to make you think that.”

She scoffed, as if she didn’t agree. And now it was his turn to narrow his eyes at her. “What?” he asked. “We’ve hardly shared more than a handful of words in four years, Felicity. What could I have possibly done?”

Felicity pinched her lips together, shaking her head. “Look, I’m sorry. It was nice of you to give me a ride. More than nice. It was a huge ask and I didn’t even want Tommy to do it. I appreciate that you offered to bring me home because he couldn’t. I wasn’t trying to pick a fight, okay?”

He relaxed, consciously forcing the tension in his shoulders to clear out.

“We don’t have to do this, you know,” Felicity mumbled. “Talk.”

“Felicity. It’s a twelve hour car ride.” 

“And I know you’d prefer to be anywhere else.” 

“Why would you think that?” Oliver worked to bring his guard down and smile. “I mean, sure…somewhere tropical, on a beach with a drink in a coconut would be nicer than my car, but there are worse places, too. I wouldn’t say I’d rather be anywhere else.” 

“I’m just saying…we don’t have to pretend like we’re friends.” 

He frowned at that, “To be honest, I’ve never understood why we aren’t friends.” 

She pinched her lips together again, knowing as well as he did that it was entirely her choice. “Maybe I’m not looking for any new friends.” 

Hour two

Apparently, she was the kind of person who sang along with the radio. 

Oliver could hardly hear her, but when a Maroon 5 song came on, it was as if Felicity couldn’t help herself. Once the first chorus of ‘Sunday Morning’ began to play, she was singing a bit louder, harmonizing with the lyrics. 

She had her head turned to the window, her eyes hidden from him, and he took the opportunity to steal more than a few glances at her.

Her voice was surprisingly soulful for a girl who seemed to always be withdrawn. She sang like an angel. Although she’d probably stop if he dared to say something like that out loud.

But god, it was beautiful.

She was beautiful.

Hour three

He was standing in front of the selection of chips, trying to decide between Doritos and Pringles and hoping Felicity wouldn’t judge him if he just bought both.

She came around the corner, her arms full of candy like she’d raided the entire gas station and grabbed everything they had. Oliver snorted out a laugh before grabbing both chip options. “Ready?”

“I hope you like…” Felicity glanced down at her choices, unsure where to start. “Chocolate. I got all of the chocolates.”

“I do,” he smiled, reaching out and taking a bag of chocolate covered pretzels that was slipping from her grasp. “These are my favorite.”

Felicity returned the smile, “Mine too.”

“I hope you like salt and vinegar,” Oliver shook the can of pringles in front of her.

She nodded, “I do.”

“Perfect. Let’s road-trip onward.”

Hour four

“I have to pee.”

Oliver pulled his eyes away from the road to look at her. “We just stopped an hour ago. You didn’t go then?”

Felicity leveled him with a look and he winced, realizing he sounded like a disapproving parent.

“I was too focused on snacks.”

He laughed, “Okay, there’s an exit up ahead, I’m sure we can find somewhere to make a quick stop.”

The highway pulled off into a small town he had never heard of, one that apparently didn’t have very much to offer. The road led straight into a neighborhood and he drove around for a few minutes waiting to come across a fast-food chain or something. But there were only homes and small business establishments that he doubted Felicity would want to go knock on the doors of.

If not for her bouncing leg, he would have suggested that they get back on the highway and try the next exit.

“There!” Felicity’s hand shot out towards the windshield, pointing at a rundown gas station up ahead. He knew that she must’ve really had to go because the place looked like it might collapse. Pulling in slowly, he parked next to the one gas pump it had. “I’ll just be a minute,” she swung the door open and hurried towards the door. 

Oliver got out, too, stretching his legs as he kept his eyes on the door. He was sure she’d be fine to pee by herself, but it still made him uneasy to send her in there alone. The gas station looked like it was out of a horror film, sketchy blinking lights and peeling paint included.

Felicity would probably roll her eyes and tell him to go back in the car if he followed her inside, though.

Just a few moments after she’d gone inside, Felicity walked back out. He frowned at her, and she lifted a key up for him to see, then pointed around the building. 

Crossing his arms, he leaned against the car and waited. 

She came back out a couple minutes later and immediately met his gaze, giving him a look that let him know it definitely wasn’t the cleanest bathroom she’d ever been in. But she looked relieved, her steps slower as she went back into the gas station to return the key, and Oliver tried not to laugh.

On her way back outside, Felicity’s attention was caught by a cat that wandered into the parking lot. He didn’t see it before and guessed it had come out from under a dumpster a few yards away.

“Aw!” Felicity stopped in her tracks as the cat approached her.

Oliver pushed off the car, a bad feeling in his stomach. “Felicity…”

It wasn’t the fact that the cat was a stray. The thing looked feral, an evil glint in his eye as he headed straight for Felicity, like he was on the hunt.

And there she was, cooing at him like he was a sweet little kitten looking for a home. 

The cat stopped a few feet away from her. He sat down and stared at her, waiting for her to come to him.

“Felicity, don’t–” he reached her just as she was putting her hand out to pet the cat’s head. And the hiss that came out of the thing was more demonic than feline.

Felicity screeched in surprise, her terror bringing out a shocked ‘what!? Why!?’ that she didn’t realize she’d screamed at the cat. Of course he couldn’t answer for his betrayal, but Felicity’s outburst just seemed to piss the cat off. He swiped a clawed paw at her hand that was still within reach.

Oliver grabbed Felicity by the waist, pulling her back just in time.

As if he knew that he was outnumbered now, the cat growled and sauntered off, back to the dumpster he must call home.

Felicity stared after the thing as if he might turn around and lunge again, her breath heavy. Oliver’s fingers tightened on her waist, his eyes moving to her hands. She clutched the almost-maimed one to her chest, but he didn’t see any blood or damage. 

She was clearly shaken, her eyes wide, but she wasn’t hurt. “Why was it so mean?” she breathed.

His relief quickly turned into something else. “Why would you try to pet it!?” The sharp edge in his voice was a result of his concern, he knew that. But Felicity flinched, probably mistaking it for anger or annoyance. And he flinched too, knowing that was exactly how he came off.

Angry and annoyed.

Oliver was still holding her against his chest, and she turned her head back to look up at him. Her eyes were still huge. Still in a bit of shock over the whole encounter. Yelling at her probably (definitely) wasn’t helping. 

The only thing she could come up with to answer him was, “kitty!” And she shouted it furiously in his face. As if it explained everything.

Hour five

She wasn’t speaking to him. Again.

In fact, Felicity was even more closed off now than when they’d started the trip. He tried, repeatedly, to strike up a conversation. About school, the clubs he knew she was involved in, Vegas, her mom, Tommy; all of which were met with the shortest answers she could possibly give while still being polite. 

She wanted him to shut up.

He could tell.

But he seemed incapable.

“So, are you still seeing that Cooper guy?” Oliver had seen him around campus. Starling University was small enough that he noticed when Felicity got a boyfriend last year. He’d seen them walking to class, holding hands. One or two unfortunate run-ins when he’d catch sight of them kissing on the quad. And many other times when he would see Cooper on their street, picking Felicity up or dropping her off.

Slowly turning to look at him, Felicity glared. Evidently this question did not warrant a cordial response. At least not using any words. The look on her face said enough. And that was fair, considering he hadn’t seen Cooper around in months and had already guessed that they broke up…

“Sorry,” he grimaced. “Stupid question.”

There wasn’t anything he could ask or distract her with that would warm her up to him again. He only had one move left. 

“Hey,” Oliver said gently. Felicity looked away from the window once more, meeting his gaze. “I’m sorry about earlier. I thought that evil cat was going to bite you and give you rabies or something. It freaked me out. I was just…scared.”

“You were?”

“Yes,” he sighed. “And I’m sorry that I snapped at you.”

Felicity observed him, looking at him as if he was an unknown species beneath a microscope. And it made him squirm like one, too. She eventually gave up on the examination, shrugging her shoulders as she said, “It’s fine. It wasn’t my brightest moment. And certainly not the first one where I’ve irritated you.”

He shot her a look, his lips curving in a frown. “What do you mean?”

“You’ve never liked me,” she said, matter-of-fact. Looking at him in the same way. As if she was certain that she was right about this and he knew it, too.

“That’s not true,” he shook his head. “ You have never liked me , Felicity.” 

Oliver had made efforts, however minimal, to befriend her. 

“Yeah, well,” she huffed, not denying it. “Maybe the stories on campus about what a player you are made it easy not to like you.” 

His frown deepened, her harsh tone stinging his feelings and his ego. “That’s why you never talked to me? Because of campus gossip? I have to say, that’s a little disappointing, Felicity. I didn’t take you as a ‘judge a book by its cover’ type.” 

“Why not?” she snickered. “No point in reading a book if you don’t even like what you see and read on the cover.” 

Oliver opened his mouth, then closed it. “But you don’t even know me.” 

She met his eyes evenly, “I never wanted to.” Off his hurt, pouting expression, Felicity laughed. “Oh, come on, Oliver. You never wanted to know me either. I wouldn’t be saying any of this if it wasn’t a two-way street! This car ride is the nicest we’ve ever been to each other.” 

Now, his face was incredulous. “That’s because you’ve avoided me for three years. I got the picture eventually. You think I don’t like you? What would give you that impression?” 

“The day I moved into the building and you and Tommy helped me carry my stuff in?” She was ready with that answer. “You acted like it was the biggest inconvenience in the world to you.” 

Oliver glanced at her, confused. He tried to remember that day and whether or not he’d been pissed about something else. Because he knew it wasn’t Felicity needing help with some boxes. Once he remembered, he couldn’t help but glower at her. 

All this time, she thought he had an issue with her because he’d been in a sour mood, and it never occurred to her that it had nothing to do with her? 

“That wasn’t about you,” he clarified for her now. “My mother had just come back from a vacation, after divorcing my father two months prior. She made us a dinner reservation for later that night, so I could meet her new husband, Walter.”

‘Oh,’ Felicity’s mouth moved in the shape of the word, but no sound came out.

“Helping you move in was a welcome distraction.”

Pushing past his explanation, Felicity pointed an accusatory finger at his chest, her eyes sparking. “What about a week later, when I brought you and Tommy those cookies? The look on your face…it was like I handed you a plate of dog poop.” 

Oliver scrunched his nose, looking over at her in disbelief yet again. “Felicity, I have no idea what you’re talking about. I devoured most of those as soon as you were gone. Tommy was pissed when he got back and there were only a couple left. I thanked you for them the very next time I saw you!” 

Seriously?  

It was easy to recall the interaction, even though it was three years ago. Because he could count on his hands the amount of times he and Felicity had shared words beyond a courtesy greeting. And he couldn’t deny that he had always wished there were so many more moments. 

Maybe if they had been forced to spend time around each other before they got in this car, some of this would have been cleared up by now.

“I distinctly remember how you turned your nose up at those cookies, Queen!” she argued.  

“I don’t know about that. Maybe you were hoping Tommy would answer the door and when you got me instead, you saw what you wanted to see or expected to see; me being an asshole. Don’t you remember when I flagged you down on campus to thank you?”

“Well, yes,” she mumbled. 

“I thought I made it clear that I appreciated you doing that. I was even hoping you might make more and come around again. Stay longer. I understand how you view me now, but if I knew you thought I was a dick from the very start, I guess I should have made it more obvious that I liked you.”

Felicity’s cheeks flushed pink, her eyes widening. She knew exactly what he meant. He liked her. But she shook her head and dodged it, “It surprised me at first, when you stopped me on campus that day. The more I thought about it, the more I felt like you were probably just being condescending. Or sarcastic. Or lying? It didn’t really occur to me that you just enjoyed them and wanted to thank me?”

Oliver’s hands tightened on the wheel. He was getting pissed off now.

Had she really misread those encounters so thoroughly? All of that must have been before Felicity had even heard about his reputation. She assumed he didn’t like her when they first met. And once she heard what a heartbreaker he was, she assumed he was being an asshole even when he wasn’t?

That was three years ago, but she was still under that impression apparently. 

Are you patronizing me? That’s what she had asked him a few hours ago, when he told her that she was brave for moving so far away from home. She thought there was no way he could just be giving her a compliment? There had to be some kind of backhanded insult?

They had never been friends, or even all that friendly , but how could she think that he was so…mean?

“What about that night I got locked out of my apartment and had to knock on your door?” She asked suddenly, like she was certain that she had him here. Surely, that night was proof that he hated her. “You had a girl in there. You were so pissed that I interrupted you.” 

Oliver shook his head, calling on all of his patience. He was upset that she had completely misjudged him, and that this was why they’d never been close. Not like she was with Tommy. He could have had that kind of friendship with her, too…or maybe something else. Something more. 

He used to have such a crush on her.

A crush that he never acted on because she hated his guts. But that hatred was built on misunderstandings, incorrect conclusions she’d made about him, and that didn’t seem fair.

Still, being a jerk about it now would only prove what she already believed.

“You were looking for Tommy,” Oliver remembered the night…very well. Her disappointment when he opened the door and how her face flushed red when she admitted to him that she locked herself out of her building. “You told me that your landlord said he wouldn’t be able to come unlock your door for three more hours.” He cleared his throat, “I thought that was unacceptable. To not have anyone else to send in a situation like that?”

“You were irritated at my landlord?” She didn’t believe him. He could hear it in her voice.

“He planned to leave you stranded for three hours at 11 o’clock at night. Where were you supposed to go? You don’t have a car. You would’ve had to walk fifteen blocks to find a diner that’s open that late. Or you would’ve had to call someone to pick you up. But that still would have left you out on the street late at night. Alone. That’s what pissed me off, Felicity. Not the fact that you locked yourself out.” 

“You were worried about my safety…so you acted like a big grumbling bear?” 

Sure, she’d made a lot of unfair assumptions about him, ones he never realized she was making. But he could also recognize that he wasn’t the friendliest person. Felicity definitely wasn’t the first to think he hated everyone and everything. He was known for his brooding. “Yeah, I guess so. I’m sorry, I didn’t realize I was being a… bear . Or that you thought I was angry at you.”

“I didn’t realize it bothered you that much,” Felicity whispered, shaking her head. “I thought you were just mad that I cock-blocked.” 

He pinched his lips together. He couldn’t remember exactly what Felicity had interrupted or even who he’d been hooking up with that night. Yet he could remember the look on her face when she knocked on the door and how angry he’d been at that douche of a landlord.

“Well, the guy who owns your building also owns mine. I think the email I sent him let him know who I was angry with.” 

Felicity’s eyes widened, blinking slowly. “You didn’t.” 

“I did.” 

“Oh my god. He was so much more efficient after that. And way nicer! You mean to tell me that he didn’t just feel guilty about the whole thing?” 

“I doubt it. That guy is a tool.”

Felicity laughed, “he rushes right over any time I call him now. Any leaky faucet or broken light and he has it fixed in an hour. Seriously Oliver, what did you say in that email? I have to know.” 

Oliver shrugged, “I told him he needed to take better care of his tenants, especially the young college students living on their own. And I told him that if anything had happened to you that night, I would’ve made sure my buddy who works at the newspaper knew that it was the shitty landlord’s fault. Landlords hate bad press.” 

He could feel her eyes on his face, and he tilted his head in her direction. He wasn’t prepared for the way she was staring at him or the way it made his breath catch. 

Felicity looked at him as if she was seeing him for the first time. “I can’t believe you did that.”

Oliver might not be as mean as Felicity believed him to be, but he was definitely an idiot. God…how long had he been obsessed with this woman? And how could he not have realized it? The little crush was one thing, but he suppressed it because Felicity clearly wasn’t interested. Except maybe she only wasn’t interested because she thought he hated her first? And if that was the case, well, he had no idea where that left them.

“I never hated you, Felicity,” he spoke with purpose. Intensity.

“Really?”

Oliver nodded. “I have an idea. How about, for the rest of this trip, we agree to be one hundred percent transparent with each other. Any questions we have, we ask, and the other has to answer with total honesty.”

She considered his words, a smile pulling at her lips. “We say exactly what we think?”

“Yeah. No possibility of misunderstanding each other.”

“And no holding back,” she agreed.

No matter what the truth led to, he needed her to know it.

Hour six

Felicity had a playlist of Disney songs. And once he found out about its existence, he insisted that she put it on. She seemed embarrassed at first, but he sang along with the songs he knew, showing her that he enjoyed it, and then it only took a couple of minutes for them to lean into it. 

He sang every word of Part of Your World flawlessly. She belted out Let It Go better than Elsa herself. They performed a brilliant duet of Can You Feel the Love Tonight with their whole hearts.

All shame went out the window. 

Oliver was having fun with her.

And even more shockingly, Felicity was having fun with him.

He knew that this side of her existed. He’d gathered as much from Tommy’s stories and the way he spoke about her. Felicity had just never shown it to him until now. Never let her guard down in his presence like this.

Who knew…all he’d had to do was make a fool out of himself to have this privilege. Who knew they’d find their common ground through Disney music and an open road?

“I get it now,” Felicity said, still laughing as she wiped tears from the corner of her eye.

His eyes shifted to her. It was becoming harder and harder to keep his attention on the road. All he wanted to do was stare at her. “Get what?”

“Tommy is probably one of the funniest, goofiest people I know. He’s rarely serious. I never really understood how he could be best friends with you, because you used to seem so serious all the time. But…your Little Mermaid impression is a mental image of you that I won’t be forgetting anytime soon. You’re a hoot, Oliver Queen.”

Oliver’s lip twitched with a grin. “I don’t think I’ve ever been called a hoot before.”

“Trust me,” Felicity hummed. “It’s a compliment. There’s nothing better than someone who can make you laugh this hard.”

His mouth curved into a full-blown smile. “Please don’t tell me I’ve lost my street cred.”

She giggled, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip as she watched him, and the spark in her eyes made his heart leap in his chest. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone what I just witnessed. Not even Tommy. Your ‘Disney Adult’ status is safe with me.”

“Thank god,” he joked back. “Besides, if you tell anyone, I’ll just tell them you’re one too.”

“Mutually assured destruction,” she sighed. “I guess we have a secret now.”

Was it strange how much he liked that? The idea of him and Felicity sharing something that no one else knew about? He wouldn’t mind having more secrets between the two of them…

Chapter Text

Hour seven

“I was nine!” Felicity defended herself. “I thought we were playing a prank!”

Oliver shook his head, feigning disappointment. “I didn’t know I was giving a ride to a delinquent, Miss Smoak.”

“Hey, you wanted one hundred percent transparency. This is the real me. A badass.”

“You are a badass, but I’m not sure you’re quite that malicious,” he gave her a look.

Felicity sighed, “No, I’m not. It was a ridiculous idea but not an evil one. My friend assured me that Mrs. Fitzpatrick would think it was funny. We had no idea she’d call the police over some prank calls.”

“You created a voice modulator, watched her from a treehouse in a backyard, and then called her to tell her that you liked the pink shirt she was wearing and asked if the lemonade she was drinking was homemade. She absolutely thought she had a stalker.”

With a pout, Felicity looked up at him. “Come on, you must have made some dumb mistakes as a kid, too!”

“Uh, most of mine came later,” he winced. “A few run-ins with the law but I was older than nine. Old enough to know right from wrong. It was never anything serious, though. Noise complaints during parties I shouldn’t have thrown, borrowing my father’s expensive sports cars without permission, things like that. Certainly no stalking or harassing my neighbors.”

Felicity glared at him, and he grinned. “My childhood was actually pretty sheltered. Our parents wanted us out of the spotlight as much as possible so my sister and I spent a lot of time at home. If we weren’t at school, we were usually there with nannies. Mom and Dad would be home in time to tuck us in most of the time. If not both, then at least one of them. They worked a lot.”

“What did you do with all that time?” Felicity asked. “Stuck in a mansion all day at that age?”

He shrugged, “The nannies were great. We got out a lot more in the summer; beach trips, parks, the mall. But most days were the same. If it was nice out, they’d take us outside to play in the gardens. On rainy days we’d mostly just watch movies.”

“Is that where the Disney obsession was born?”

“I guess so,” Oliver chuckled. “The Little Mermaid was always Thea’s favorite.”

Felicity hummed, “I can’t picture you as a kid.”

“I was cute as hell.”

“I’m sure you were,” she smirked.

“What about you? What was your childhood like?” 

“‘Unpredictable’ is probably the safest way to put it. My parents split up when I was seven…also the safest way to put it.” Felicity sighed, “My dad left us when I was seven. Like, packed a suitcase in the middle of the night and took off type of ‘left us.’ He’s called once or twice a year to check in on me ever since, usually when I’m just starting to wonder if I’ll ever hear from him again. I spent a long time afraid that I’d done something to make him leave and too afraid to ask what it was.”

Oliver could barely believe it…that anyone would choose not to be a part of Felicity’s life when they had the chance to, and someone so important. He couldn’t believe that a father could hurt his daughter like that, especially when that daughter was Felicity. To abandon a girl with such a big heart and let her blame herself for it?

Her father was a monster. And Oliver hated him already. “I’m sorry, Felicity.”

“No,” she waved him off, like it was water under the bridge. The wounds old and forgotten. But he doubted that she could go through something like that without it leaving some scars. 

“It’s okay. I mostly just felt bad for my mom. I know she started seeing people shortly after he left. Trying to forget him and move on, I guess. I never met any of the guys she dated. They usually skipped town before they got to the ‘let me introduce you to my daughter’ stage. But I remember her crying over them. I think in reality, with each one of them, she was just…feeling my dad leave all over again. And again and again and again. Things went on like that until I was about ten. Then she just sort of stopped dating altogether. She focused on work, getting all these promotions and bonuses. She focused on me. She started having ‘girls nights’ at our apartment with her friends and they’d paint my nails and talk about their lives in front of me like I was part of their group. Like I was an adult, and it made me feel special. Those first few years were rough, but once she got through it… She’s the best mom.”

Oliver gave her a reassuring smile. “She sounds like it. Will she be there? When I drop you off, I mean.”

“Why?” Felicity snorted, “you want to meet my mother?”

It was obvious that she thought he wouldn’t. She probably assumed that a guy like him and parents were like oil and water. And, well, usually, yes. He despised having to shake hands and exchange niceties with a girl’s parents because they tended to think that things between him and their daughter were ‘going somewhere.’

Which they never were. The farthest he cared to take any of his previous ‘relationships’ was the backseat of his car.

This was different though.

“Yeah,” Oliver answered. “I’d love to meet the woman who raised you.”

Fuck, it was so different.

Hour eight

His hands were clutching the seat beneath him. “Slow down,” his voice pleaded as Felicity sped around a cliffside curve. “Oh god, slow down!”

She glanced at him, seeing how tense he was, and laughed.

“Felicity! Eyes on the road!”

“Relax!” Her smile was wide, her hair blowing in the wind. She was clearly enjoying herself much more than he was.

“How on earth did you convince me to let you drive?” 

One minute, he was safely driving with his own, capable hands on the wheel. And the next thing he knew, he was pulling over on the side of the road so they could swap seats.

“I asked really nicely.” Her giggle was flirtatious. Just as tempting as it was when she asked if she could drive for a while.

It wasn’t that simple. Nope. Not possible. She’d used some kind of power on him when she gave him those big blue puppy-dog eyes and put her hand on his shoulder. She looked so adorable. And she’d touched him.

Was that really all it took for this woman to have her way with him?

Yes. Unequivocally yes.

“Men are so easy,” Felicity smirked now, like she knew exactly what she’d been doing. She did, and he’d fallen for it.

“Alright,” Oliver grumbled. “You’ve had your fun. Now pull over before you crash my precious baby.”

Felicity’s mouth popped open, “It’s been five minutes! Do you really want to drive the entire trip?”

He frowned. No. It was kind of nice to take his hands off the wheel and stretch his legs. But the anxiety of not being behind the wheel wasn’t worth it.

“Here’s my offer,” Felicity continued, probably seeing that he really hated this. “You let me drive for the next hour, and I’ll make sure that it’s worth your while.”

Well. That got his attention.

He turned his head slowly, arching an eyebrow. “How?”

“There’s a spot I want to show you,” she grinned. “It’s about an hour away. And if you let me drive us there…I’m positive that you’ll enjoy it. Deal?”

“On one condition,” he pried his fingers off the seat as she hummed, waiting. “Slow. Down.”

Hour nine

The expectations for this mystery spot were nonexistent. Oliver had spent the past hour too concerned with Felicity’s driving to even think about it. So when she brought them on a scenic route around a vast lake and eventually stopped on the side of the road, he didn’t understand. 

There was nothing around them, but he realized that she must have meant the view. 

The sun glinted off the lake, set perfectly between a grassy hill where the road tapered off, and on the other side, mountains in various shades of blue that reached for the clouds above them.

It was beautiful. Quiet. 

“This is what you wanted me to see?” He kept his eyes on the lake, a little mesmerized by the twinkling spots where sunlight met water. 

“Almost,” Felicity replied with mischief in her voice. “Water looks perfect, doesn’t it?”

She swung her door open, and Oliver scrambled to follow after her as she jogged down the hill.

They reached the rocky shore at the bottom of the hill, and Felicity only paused to catch her breath for a moment. Then her hands were on the button of her shorts, undoing it, pushing the denim down her legs.

Oliver averted his gaze, looking back up at the road where passing cars could see them at any moment. Felicity’s laughter had his attention back on her. Her shorts were in a heap on the rocks and she was already working on pulling her shirt off too. 

She turned around, and he tried very hard not to notice that she was wearing a thong. But she was wearing a thong. 

Moving towards the water, Felicity peeled off her bra and left it closer to the shoreline. She glanced at him over her shoulder, where he was still standing there, fully clothed and gaping at her. “You’re not going to make me swim alone, are you?”

He let out a sharp breath, “Felicity, someone might see you!”

“No one driving by will notice my lack of clothing once I get in. So you better hurry up.”

Oliver made quick work of his own clothing, stripping to nothing but his underwear just as she’d done. Felicity had waded in up to her knees by the time his feet touched the lake.

And she was right about one thing. The water was perfect. Just refreshing enough for the summer heat but not so cold that he didn’t want to go in. 

She kept one arm banded around her breasts until her chest was below the gentle waves. Then she spread her arms wide and dropped her head beneath the surface.

He waited, inching a little closer, until she came back up. Her hair was darker, soaked and pushed back from her face. Her skin was clear and dripping tiny droplets from her chin that she swiped away. 

When she opened her eyes, he swore that the water made them an even lighter shade of blue.

Felicity narrowed her eyes playfully as she swam closer.

“You’re beautiful, Felicity.” His eyebrows furrowed, “I’m sure you know that. But I’ve never told you how incredibly stunning I think you are. Just feels wrong not to say it.”

He could tell that he’d caught her off guard. The surprise on her face was unmistakable. And adorable. He didn’t mind surprising her some more. “I had the biggest crush on you when you moved in. I think that’s why it bothered me so much that you thought I hated you. Because, I guess, I thought you knew. And the way you acted towards me was your way of letting me know you weren’t interested.”

She stared at him, her mouth dipping beneath the water like she wanted to hide her face from him. Oliver reached down and lifted her chin into the air, analyzing her face. Praying he hadn’t made her uncomfortable. But she just looked like she didn’t know how to respond.

“Have you ever thought about me that way?”

Felicity snorted, “I mean, yes, you’re gorgeous. And I have eyes.”

“Remember we agreed to say exactly what we’re thinking today?” he asked and she nodded. “Tell me what you’re thinking right now.”

Her body was inches away from him, his fingers still holding her chin. Her eyes searched his as she stared up at him. “No holding back, right?”

The waves lapped at their skin, luring them closer to each other. Neither cared to fight it. “No holding back.”

Like being underwater, the world slipped away. The only thing he saw was her, right in front of him. And the only thing he heard was his own heart, pounding loudly in his chest. He was weightless, floating, waiting, and Felicity pulled him back.

She took his face between her hands, hauling him lower until their lips met. She kissed him slowly at first, until his heart was careening out of his chest and he couldn’t get enough of her. Oliver wrapped his arms around her, her bare chest pressing against him in a way that felt perfect and right and entirely too sensual for a first kiss.

But it’d been years. Years of wanting to kiss this woman. And she kissed him back like she’d been wanting the same thing for just as long.

With his fingers tangled through her hair, Oliver finally leaned back. He wouldn’t be able to wipe the smile off his face even if he wanted to. Felicity returned it, her eyes dropping to his mouth. “What are you thinking?”

He hummed, grounded in the water but feeling like he was on cloud nine. “I’m thinking that I am extremely grateful you decided to get in my car this morning.

Felicity laughed, “I almost didn’t.”

“I know you didn’t.” He leaned in, gently pressing his forehead to hers. “I don’t want you to ever go another day thinking that I hate you. Felicity, I could never.”

Her smile was so bright and happy, he felt an undeniable need to protect it. Keep it on her face for as long as he could. He wanted to bottle this feeling and keep it sacred between them.

He wanted to kiss that smile on her face, find out if he could capture it between his lips and remember it for the rest of his life. So he did.

It was a kiss, it was a feeling, it was a woman…that he never forgot. 

Not for a single day.

Hour ten

“If I make this shot, you have to tell me your worst date story.”

Felicity pinched her lips together, looking from him to the pool table, assessing the shot he’d called, debating the likelihood of whether or not he could do it. After a moment, she shrugged, “Fine.”

Oliver leaned over the table, angling his cue perfectly. He took his time with this one, where his previous shots he’d been rushing through. He liked watching Felicity’s face when it was her turn more, the way she stuck her tongue out just a little bit when she was focusing on her shot. 

They’d stopped for dinner at a bar off the highway, and were both pleased to find that it was ‘bottomless nachos night’ and there was a fair selection of beer. Now that he’d regained his control of his Porsche, Felicity was enjoying the beer part much more thoroughly than he was, but he was enjoying a tipsy Felicity.

Taking a deep breath, he stared down the solid green six ball he needed to sink. Then he quickly took the shot, grinning when it landed in the corner pocket of the pool table.

Felicity sighed, her shoulders slumping in defeat as she leaned against the side of the table next to him. “It was in high school,” she scrunched her nose. “I only had a couple of friends, and they dragged me to a football game one Friday night,” he raised an eyebrow at the idea of Felicity cheering from the stands at a high school football game, and she pointed a finger in his face like she could read his mind. “My one and only. Anyways, one of my friends had a cousin who went to the school we were playing against, so we all sat together. I had no idea I was being set up.”

“With the cousin?”

“Mhmm. Apparently he knew it was supposed to be a date, but he barely spoke to me the entire game. I wouldn’t have even realized it was a setup if my friend slash his cousin didn’t force us to hold hands at one point. Then I got the picture.”

Oliver cocked his head to the side, “That sounds awkward, but was it really your worst date ever?”

“Oh yeah,” she chuckled. “Because we went out for ice cream afterwards where our friends insisted that we sit at a table by ourselves. He even ignored me then, except when he asked if I wanted something and I told him what kind of ice cream I wanted. He told me what kind he wanted too, and then stared at me until I got up and ordered it. And paid.”

“Ouch.”

“I don’t even think he ever said thank you!” Felicity laughed.

Approaching carefully, Oliver met her eyes. “What about Cooper?” he asked gently, hoping she could see that he was curious and not trying to push her buttons. Felicity’s lip curled as soon as he said her ex’s name. “Never had any bad dates with him?”

“Cooper and I…we never really went on dates. We spent our weekends hacking into places we never should have been hacking into, just to prove that we could. Until, of course, he stole the answers to our exam last fall and tried to say it was me once he got caught.”

Oliver froze. “You’re kidding. He did that to you?”

“Not kidding,” she deadpanned. “He did that to me. Luckily our professor knew me pretty well and she never believed it. But yes, he tried to pin it on me.”

How could someone get as close to her as Cooper had been and then betray her like that? Cooper could have ruined her entire future if their professor had believed him. Oliver’s blood boiled. 

“Hey,” Felicity interrupted his thoughts. When he looked up at her, she offered a faint smile. “You look like you’re about to hulk out on me.”

He quickly shook his head, gripping his cue too tight. “He’s a piece of shit.”

“He is,” she agreed. “But that was the thing with Cooper…I think I knew from the moment I met him that I—I couldn’t trust him completely. I ignored that feeling in my gut. By the end of it, it was kind of a relief, finally seeing him for who he is and realizing that I have every reason to trust my instincts.”

“What do those instincts say about me?”

Felicity smirked, “I think you have another ball to sink before I answer any more questions.”

He winked at her before turning his attention back to the game. Focusing once again. When he easily landed the red three into the middle pocket, he smiled at Felicity and waited for his answer.

She rolled her eyes. “My instinct about you…has always been that you’re a good man. My opinion on the other hand…well, that has changed a lot over the past ten hours I’ve gotten to know you. You’re not nearly as shallow as I thought you were.”

He shook his head, wanting to push her, to hear more, but he decided she’d been in the hot seat long enough. “You go.”

“But it’s still your turn. You haven’t missed one yet.”

Oliver shrugged, “It’s just a game. You go. And if you make the shot, I’ll tell you whatever ‘worst’ story you want me to tell.”

“Really?” she arched an eyebrow as if she already had something in mind, and he groaned.

Doing that thing with her tongue between her lips, Felicity focused on the options in front of her. Oliver pursed his lips as she leaned over the wooden edge of the table, getting ready to take a shot that looked a little more difficult than others available. Not to mention her form was all wrong.

“Wait,” he came up behind her, gently tucking her elbow closer to her body and then leaning over to adjust her hand around the cue so that she had a better grip. “Okay,” he mumbled, satisfied. But he didn’t step away.

Felicity turned her head, her hair brushing against his cheek, a smile on her face as her nose hovered mere inches from his. “I don’t think you’re supposed to help your opponent.”

“You don’t feel like my opponent anymore.”

She snorted out a laugh, knowing exactly what he meant. “You must really want to spill all of your embarrassing secrets to me.”

Of course there’d be nothing wrong with a little friendly competition between two people who thought they couldn’t stand each other and about an hour ago, had made out in a lake. But if helping Felicity meant he got to get this close to her, then he would obviously rather pretend that pool was a team sport.

Without warning, Felicity leaned in and quickly kissed his lips, leaving him slightly shocked at the casual, sweet sign of affection. He blinked a few times as she giggled, then she bent down over the table again and aimed for the maroon striped fifteen ball she’d set her sights on to begin with. 

Oliver didn’t bother to point out the easier options on the table. He didn’t need to, apparently, since Felicity landed hers like a pro. “You’ve played,” he grimaced, realizing that her movements had been far too confident and precise. 

She tipped her cue at him and grinned. “Raised by a waitress in Vegas, remember?”

“Ah,” he nodded. “Right.”

“I’m not trying to hustle you,” she promised. “I was just hoping you’d come over here and show me how to play by putting your hands all over me. Mission accomplished.”

Oliver felt a rush of heat run through him, from his cheeks to his toes. “Hm. Next time you want my hands on you, you can tell me. I won’t argue.”

Felicity bit her lip, still grinning. “Okay.”

“I believe I owe you a mortifying story now.”

“That’s right,” she tapped her finger against her lips. “What’s the worst thing you and Tommy have ever done together?”

Oliver winced, “There were a lot. I mean, illegal, morally gray, completely stupid, you name it. I think the worst though…there was this girl in high school. We both liked her and started to uh, compete for her, I guess. She liked both of us, too, so it went on for a really long time. I was on and off with her for most of those years, and whenever we were off, she would start flirting with Tommy. I always felt like she was using him to make me jealous, but he didn’t see it that way. We, um, we fought over our egos as much as we fought over her, and I hate admitting that.” 

Felicity’s eyebrows pushed together as he spoke, “What happened?”

“Once college became a reality, we all realized that the world was bigger than the toxic mess we’d created, so we decided to move on. I don’t talk to her anymore but I think Tommy is a little nicer than me. He replies to her texts sometimes, at least.”

“Does that bother you?”

“No,” Oliver shook his head. “Honestly, I was over it before it even ended. There was nothing left unsaid there. I doubt Tommy and I could have salvaged our friendship if I still had feelings for her.” He shrugged, “I was willing to let her go if it meant keeping my best friend. I preferred it that way and still do. Who knows what life would be like if I never decided to get an apartment with that little weirdo.”

“Hmm,” Felicity hummed. “I think that’s sweet.”

“Sweet?” That wasn’t exactly the word he was expecting her to use.

“Yeah. Tommy means a lot to you. You two could have lost your friendship. Of course you feel that what almost led to that is the worst thing that happened between you guys.” 

Oliver shook his head, somehow both surprised and not surprised that Felicity would understand him so easily. “You’re pretty accepting, for someone who said she avoided me all these years because of my reputation. Doesn’t a story like that basically confirm everything you’ve thought about me? Selfish, shallow jerk who doesn’t care who he hurts? Someone you want to stay away from.”

She winced, having the decency to look apologetic. “I’m sorry that I wrote you off based on a few silly misunderstandings.” Leaning closer, Felicity rested her chin against his shoulder, a look in her eyes that must harbor some kind of magic. “Forgive me?”

“Those eyes are becoming a weakness of mine.”

Her smile had the same effect on him. A silent spell that made his heart tighten and his lips tingle with a fierce desire to kiss her.

He’d felt such an impulse before, on more than one occasion over the years. But now, he didn’t push it down somewhere deep.

Now, he dipped his head and captured her lips with his own.

Hour eleven

He kept his hand in Felicity’s lap as he drove. The sky was dark, her skin was warm, and he was already trying to think of a way to avoid this goodbye. In ten minutes, they’d reach her mom’s house. They each grew quieter and quieter as the minutes passed and passed. 

Her fingers absently played with his. “What’s your plan for tonight?”

I was hoping you’d tell me, he wanted to say.

“I’m not sure,” he mumbled instead. 

“You’re welcome to stay,” Felicity blurted. “With us, of course. There’s a guest bedroom. Not that you have to! You might be more comfortable in a hotel room. I get that. Meeting my mother can be a whole…thing. Especially if she thinks we’re—well, if staying over seems like too much, I won’t take it personally. I just thought I should offer, you know, since you drove me all the way home.”

“I’d be happy to stay, Felicity.” More than she knew.

They had way too much left to talk about. Leaving before they figured things out sounded like pure misery. “Good,” she smiled, her shoulders relaxing. “Oh, this is the street. Take a right at that stop sign.”

He followed her instructions, taking in the neighborhood where she’d grown up. It was just on the outskirts of Vegas, surprisingly quiet considering the traffic they’d just made it through to get there.

“This one,” Felicity spoke quietly, gesturing at a ranch-style home up ahead. The lights were on, a car in the driveway. Oliver pulled in, parking behind it. “Here we are,” she sighed, “home sweet home.”

With a small nod, Oliver looked up at the house, noting the baby blue color and bright yellow trim. There was a small garden on the lawn, complete with the most colorful array of flowers possible, various ceramic gnomes, and a handful of different windchimes that sang against each other like they were in competition to be the loudest.

The house was colorful and fun , almost childlike in its vibrancy. Even though Felicity had lowered her walls enough for him to see her, he couldn’t picture her growing up there. He was just beginning to get to know who she really was, and it was hard to reconcile the quiet, aloof woman sitting beside him with…all of this.

Oh, he could not wait to meet Donna Smoak.

Twenty four hours later

“Mom, we really don’t have time. Oliver made a reservation at Hugo’s Cellar.”

Oliver watched as Donna frowned, her hands dropping into her lap on top of the pile of baby photos she’d pulled out to show him. “And you’re leaving tomorrow?” she asked, her frown deepening. 

He simply nodded.

It weighed on his heart in a way he’d never felt before; disappointing someone else’s mom. His heart was even heavier when he thought about leaving.

No, disappointing the mom of the woman he was falling in love with weighed on him. The idea of leaving Felicity felt like a boulder on his chest.

“We do have to get going, Felicity says the food at Hugo’s is too amazing to miss,” he stood up, seeing the relieved look on Felicity’s face as she quickly joined him. “But I was actually thinking of staying in town for a few more days. I’ve only seen Vegas in passing for a night or two. I was thinking I’d get a room on the strip.” He glanced at Felicity, “Maybe see the city through your eyes…if you’re not sick of spending time with me yet.”

Felicity shook her head, a warm smile lighting up her face that made him incredibly relieved. He truly did want to see more of Vegas and wouldn’t mind staying in a luxury hotel, but the idea was pointless if Felicity wasn’t interested in hanging out with him while he did it. 

He’d been worried about overstaying his welcome, but Felicity looked genuinely pleased with his plan. She waved to her mom, barely allowing him a chance to say goodbye, and then she was pulling him out of the house. “You don’t have to get a hotel, you know,” she breathed as they walked towards his car.

“You and your mom have been generous enough,” he shrugged. “I’d feel better if I did.”

“So,” Felicity was practically bouncing with excitement as he opened her door and helped her into the passenger seat. “What do you want to do tomorrow?”

Oliver shook his head, amused as he shut her door and rounded the car, feeling her eyes on him the whole way. “I’m taking you on our first date right now,” he replied as he slid behind the wheel. “And you’re already thinking about tomorrow.”

“Sorry,” she laughed. “Depending on what we do tomorrow, it could count as date two, which means I’m already excited for a second date. That’s a good sign, right?”

He grinned as he looked over at her, “Very good sign.”

Felicity leaned across the console and quickly pressed her lips to his, pulling back after only a few seconds. Oliver gripped the wheel to stop himself from chasing her mouth, wanting more. “I can’t even remember what it was like to want to avoid you. How was that only two days ago?”

“I don’t know,” he chuckled, feeling her fingers comb through the hair at the back of his neck. She was more comfortable with him today than she’d been the day before, enough to reach out and touch his hair while he drove, and he drank up every second. It amazed him. They felt like two entirely different people than the ones who had started this journey, unable to look each other in the eyes while they forced conversation. 

Now, he knew that Felicity liked to have some sort of physical connection between them. She’d been holding his hand for most of the day. “Let’s never go back to that,” she said with a grin, her fingers tightening. “This is so much better.”

Oliver hummed, “I’m not sure I could go back.”

“True,” she continued to tease him. “Now that I’ve seen you sing Disney songs at the top of your lungs, I doubt we could ever be strangers again.”

He shook his head, amused. “I’m dedicated to making damn sure it never happens.”

Dinner with Felicity was the best date he’d ever been on.

It amazed him how much he didn’t want to say goodnight to her later that night, dropping her off at her mom’s before heading to his hotel.

It amazed him even more the next morning how happy he was to see her again, as if they didn’t just spend two days glued to each other. But she showed him one of her favorite spots for brunch, and then they went shopping for him, neither of them pointing out that they were easily buying enough clothes for him to stay a month. 

Which he did.

Oliver spent more than a week in the hotel until Felicity finally insisted that he come back to Donna’s, where he spent the remainder of the summer. 

Now when he packed up his car, both of their things filled the backseat. 

They said their goodbyes to Donna, and suddenly the best trip of his life was nearly complete. In the blink of an eye.

But he still had one more road trip with Felicity.

She waited until they were on the highway to speak, “Thanks for giving me a ride home.”

He peeked at her out of the corner of his eye, “You’re welcome. Took longer than I thought it would, though.”

“It was a good trip,” she sighed, her hand moving to his shoulder, squeezing him. “The best summer I’ve ever had. I don’t want it to end.”

“We still have the whole ride back to Starling.”

Felicity frowned, “It’s going to be strange to be back in Starling like this.”

Oliver swallowed, his throat suddenly feeling tight. “Together, you mean?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you want things to change?”

“No,” she shook her head with a smile. “I want everything to be exactly like it was this past month. Just…in Starling.”

Oliver looked at her, unable to hide his smile. “Then that’s how it will be. Dates, movie nights, breakfast in bed.”

“One thing will be different. You won’t have to worry about sneaking out of my bedroom at sunrise or my mom sleeping in the next room.”

That had occurred to him. Many, many, times. “I’ve never been happier that you live alone,” he smirked.

“Tommy’s going to lose his mind,” Felicity answered with a laugh.

Six months later

They never asked if they were a couple. The way that they looked at each other answered that question. They never declared it official. Their closeness did that for them. They never wondered if they were exclusive. The intensity behind every kiss and every touch banished any doubts. 

One day, comically far along in their relationship, Felicity brought this up to him. It was an early fall morning, sunny and chilly, the leaves just beginning to change. Their senior year had just started, and Oliver was sitting on the front porch of her apartment where he’d been spending most of his nights anyway. Felicity was in his lap, a cup of coffee in her hands. “I’m not complaining,” she joked, trying to get him flustered like she loved to do. “I’m just saying, a girl could get confused when you don’t define things.”

Oliver looked up at her, amused that she could still surprise him. “So, all those times I’ve called you my girlfriend, have I been wrong?”

“No,” she shook her head, pinching her lips together to keep from smiling. 

“Hm,” he hummed, his hand circling her waist. “What about when I tell you that I love you? Are my intentions confusing then?”

Felicity finally giggled as his lips traced her ear, “No, I think I know where you’re going with that.”

“Ring on your finger, kids running around our legs, maybe a few dogs…will you still be asking me where our relationship stands then?”

To his delight, Felicity laughed again. “So, you mean it’s the forever kind of ‘I love you.’ Really Oliver, that’s all you had to say.”

Pulling her tight against his chest, Oliver nodded. “Yes, baby, it’s the forever kind. You’re the forever kind.”

“Good,” Felicity sighed dramatically, settling back against his chest as if it was a relief. She knew just as well as he did that they never needed this conversation. They were already on the same page and probably had been ever since they got into that car together six months ago. 

Still, she told him anyway, “Because I love you the same.”