Chapter Text
Oliver stepped into a little restaurant. Once again his arrival was announced by a little bell.
He looked around. Although the space was rather small, it was very cosy and welcoming. He liked it a lot.
"Hello, how can I help you?" He was greeted by an older man. He looked like a very nice and wise man.
"Hi, my name is Oliver," he stretched his hand and was met with acceptance.
"I am Alfredo and this is my restaurant."
"Yes, I know. A friend of mine told me you were looking for a help in the kitchen."
"Ah yes, that's true," the man smiled at him. He sat on one of the chairs and mentioned for Oliver to do the same. "You see my wife is complaining that I am too old for this and that I don't spend enough time at home." He leaned closer, "and she dares to say we haven't got much time left," he laughed shortly.
Oliver smiled at him not really knowing what else to say. He didn't have to worry though. It seemed that Alfredo was a talkative man.
"I am incredibly happy she still wants to spend time with me after all those years."
Oliver let out a soft chuckle, "how long have you been married?"
"50 years."
The young man's eyes widen a little bit. That was such a long time. He was sure people these days didn't stay in a marriage for more than a few years. He admired people like Alfredo and his wife for being together so long.
"I should say congratulation. It doesn't happen very often to meet someone who spent almost his whole life married."
"Are you married, Oliver?"
A flash of face popped in his mind, but he quickly shook his head.
"No, I was engaged once but it didn't work out."
"I am sorry to hear that," Alfredo seemed genuinely sympathetic.
"It was a long time ago and I am over it," Oliver assured him.
"Alright, so you said you were looking for a job. A friend told you?"
"Yes Fe-" he stopped midway. He almost told her secret the first chance he got. He had to work on that as he made his promise to her. "Megan, she works in a cafe. I met her a few days ago. She mentioned you were looking for a help so here I am."
"Ah, the nice lady from the coffee shop. She comes here sometimes. I don't understand her hair but she is very polite and talkative. Also not so bad to look at," Alfredo winked at him.
For the first time in his life, Oliver felt his cheeks redden a little bit. He couldn't say Alfredo was wrong though.
"I would say even more than not so bad," for the first time he admitted out loud this attraction to his new friend.
The older man saw something in his eyes. He just nodded with a smile on his face.
"Okay so maybe you will cook something for me? We will see what can you do."
"Actually," Oliver put a package on the table. "I prepared something in advance."
"Comming well prepared. I like it."
"This is chicken cordon blue or at least a piece of it," he stopped for a second. "Megan ate most of it last night, " it was still so strange to call her by her middle name. Also, he didn't realize how suggestive his words were.
"Let me try it, " Alfredo went for a fork and then, he took a bite of it.
Oliver waited patiently for his maybe soon to be boss' reaction. It took a while as Alfredo took another one and another and after a few moments, he finished the whole chicken.
But somehow he still hasn't said a word. The silence was killing Oliver. He noticed his knee was bouncing a little bit.
Finally, after what seemed like forever, Alfredo stood up. Oliver did the same. He stretched his hand out.
"Son, when can you start?"
Oliver let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. He squeezed his boss' hand tightly. But it didn't end with this. Alfredo pulled him into a hug.
"You are a very talented man Oliver."
The young man smiled. He was really proud of himself.
-
Oliver walked into the cafe with a huge smile on his face.
Felicity was busy with taking orders from customers. She didn't know he was here.
Coming here was the first thing he thought about when he got the job. He had to share the good news with Felicity.
Then she turned around and saw him. Immediately her face brightened up. When she looked him in the eyes, she knew he got the job.
She ran to him and jumped up into his arms.
"I knew you would get it," she whispered into his ear. "I am proud of you."
Oliver kissed her cheek as he held her tightly, "thank you."
"Megan!"
They both pulled back and cringed slightly. Ben had a really high pitched voice.
"Sit, I will bring you coffee," Felicity winked at him.
He chose the double table in the furthest corner and soon his blonde friend was back.
"Sorry, Ben is extra grumpy today. I turned him down again," she said as she put the mug of black coffee in front of him.
"Don't you think you should do something about it?"
"About Ben?" She asked a little bit surprised.
"Yeah, I understand he is interested but isn't it a little bit too much ?" Oliver was worried about her.
"Nah," she waved her hand like it was nothing. "Ben is harmless, nothing to worry, " she smiled at him.
Oliver didn't like that she was so careless. Maybe he hasn't crossed any lines yet. But men didn't like to be rejected. It all could go downhill very quickly.
"Promise me you will come to me if anything changes," he was serious about his request.
Felicity lightly cocked her head. He was sure, she thought he was exaggerating but honestly, he didn't care.
He lowered his voice so no one could hear him and he grabbed her hand, "Felicity, promise me please."
She had to see how important it was for him. She nodded her head and answered softly, "okay."
He felt at peace with this knowledge.
"On the other hand do you want to do something today after my work?" She smiled at him.
"What do you have in mind?" Oliver raised his eyebrow.
"Depends, when do you start work?"
"On Monday."
"Great," she clapped her hands. "I am off from work tomorrow. We will have plenty of time."
Oliver narrowed his eyes. He liked her excitement but he had no idea what was going on in her brilliant head.
"Time for what?"
Felicity wiggled her eyebrows, "you will see, it's a surprise."
Oliver opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted.
"Megan, I swear if you won't stop flirting I will cut off your tips."
Felicity's eye widened a little bit, "I have to go back to work. " She reached into her pocket and took out her keys. "Will you pick me up at 7?"
He smiled warmly at her as he took the keys, "of course."
Their hands touched and they held it for a moment longer than necessary.
"Megan!"
Felicity rolled her eyes as she yelled, "I am coming, relax a little bit."
With the last squeeze of his hand, she turned around and walked away.
Oliver didn't like this Ben guy and he had a feeling he was going to cause trouble.
He drank his coffee and left money on the table. When he was leaving the cafe Felicity looked at him and waved. He winked at her and went out.
He took his phone out and dialled a number.
"Hi Dig."
He waited for the response.
"I know I haven't reached you since I came here but a lot has happened since then," another pause. "Yeah I will tell you about it all soon but right now I need a favour from you."
John Diggle his friend had connections and his wife worked for a national organization. He knew he would help him.
"Can you find anything about Ben Lockster? I would really appreciate any kind of information, it's very important for me."
His friend, of course, agreed to help him.
"Thank you. I owe you one more time. Yes, I will call you and tell you everything soon, promise. Take care."
He eneded a phone call and made it to Felicity's car. He had no idea what she had planned but he couldn't wait. He liked spending time with her. There was something slowly growing and developing between them. He would have lied if he said he didn't hope for something more. After what he went through Felicity was exactly someone he needed and he wanted her there was no doubt.
Maybe today was the day to finally tell her that. They have hung out for a few weeks. They could take another step, go on an actual date. With a smile on his face, he got into the car.
He went back home and prepared for the day.
_
Time flew quicke then expected especially when his anticipation was getting better of him.
He decided to go to the cafe a little bit earlier. He was going to wait until she finished her work.
It didn't take him long to get to the cafe. He still had about 20 minutes till closing. When he came closer, he realized that there was no one in the cafe.
He opened the door and immediately heard voices.
"Ben let go of my hand it's hurting me."
The moment the words hit his ears he was on alert. Felicity didn't sound collected and calm. She actually seemed to be scared and nervous.
"I have already told you I won't go out with you."
That was enough for Oliver. He walked straight to where he could hear the voices.
He got behind the bar and into the small kitchen.
"What is going on here?" His voice was deep and stern. He was angry at what he was seeing.
Ben was holding Felicity her hand and pressing her into the worktop. He saw red.
"Step away from her," he said through gritted teeth.
Ben looked at him. He had to see something that scared him away because he let go of Felicity in a second.
She immediately stepped away from him and came to Oliver. He wanted nothing more than to wrap her slightly trembling body into his arms. But there was also something else he had to do.
He hid Felicity behind him and stepped closer to Ben.
He clenched his firsts. He was so itchy to punch this scumbag.
"If I ever see you touch her again without her permission it will be the last time you touch anyone. Do you understand me?"
Ben slowly nodded his head. There was something in his eyes though that told Oliver he wasn't taking him seriously.
He opened his mouth to say something more but at that moment he felt a hand on his arm.
"Oliver please let's go," Felicity said softly.
He was so furious and close to snapping, that he was thankful for her intervention.
Her hand moved to his and she squeezed it tightly. He was still staring at Ben.
"You better listen to me Ben because next time I won't be so nice."
And then he let Felicity drag him out of the kitchen and the cafe.
They walked slightly into the car. Oliver opened the door for her and she took a passenger seat. He went around the car and sat behind the steering wheel.
They sat in a silence. He saw that Felicity was massaging her red wrist. He didn't hesitate as he took her hand into his. She looked slightly surprised as he brought her wrist to her lips and kissed it gently. She let out a small gasp.
"Are you okay?" He asked his voice tender and soft.
Felicity bit her lower lip and then she shook her head as a tear rolled down her cheek.
Oliver pulled the seat back and without hesitation gently grabbed Felicity placing her on his laps. He wrapped one of his hands around her waist as the other one was smoothing down her blonde and pink hair.
"Shh...it's okay," he said as he held her close.
Felicity nestled her head into the crook of his neck.
"He is not going to touch you ever again. I promise," he whispered into her ear.
He could feel that Felicity was calming down. Her breath evened out and she wasn't sobbing anymore.
She pulled a little bit so her lips were right in front of his jaw. She kissed it gently.
"Thank you for being there," she said quietly.
Oliver closed his eyes for a moment. He didn't even want to think what would have happened if he wasn't there.
"I am so glad I was there," he said and there was a relief in his voice. "If he would do anything to you..."
He couldn't even finish but he didn't have to because Felicity knew what he meant.
She touched his cheek making him look at her. She gave him a small smile, "I am fine."
Oliver stroke her hair. He was looking straight into her eyes. Their lips were mere inches away and he wanted nothing more than kiss her. But this wasn't the right moment.
He brushed his nose against hers, "do you want me to take you home?"
"I thought that we had plans for tonight?"
"Yeah but after what happened..."
"No," Felicity shook her head. "I am not going to let this bastard ruin my night."
This time when she smiled at him the smile reached her eyes and she seemed confident with her decision.
He smiled back at her, "well where are we going then?"
Felicity moved from his laps and went back to her seat.
"Actually I have to go back home but only to take a few things," she buckled her seatbelt.
"Alright," Oliver said and started the car.
They went to Felicity's house. Oliver waited in the living room as she was collecting things. She took a blanket and a basket and she changed her clothes. He also noticed that the pink extensions disappeared from her hair.
She saw him staring at her intensely, she winked at him. "I like to be myself around you."
He grinned at her as he stood up from the couch, "I am really happy that you feel this way." He leaned towards her and kissed her cheek.
She blushed lightly, "I am ready so let's go."
They left her house.
This time Felicity opened the passenger door for Oliver, "let me be the driver this time."
He chuckled but happily took the seat.
They drove up the mountain and then Felicity took a turn into the woods.
"I hope you are not planning on killing me somewhere here," Oliver joked lightly.
Felicity giggled, "Oliver I think we established a long time ago that I am not going to get rid of my personal chef anytime soon....or ever."
"I am so glad my cooking skills are preventing me from being murdered."
Felicity laughed out loud, he loved that sound.
"It's really nice to see you so happy."
"You make me happy Oliver."
He had to bit the inside of this cheek so he wouldn't howl like a wolf. He didn't hide his big smile though.
"You make happy Felicity."
She looked briefly at him sending him the most gorgeous smile he had ever seen.
"We are here," she stopped the car and got out quickly.
She took everything from the trunk.
"Oliver come on," she urged him.
He got out of the car. It was dark everywhere he barely could see anything.
Felicity grabbed his hand, "come on." She led him through the darkness.
He followed her blindly realizing that he would actually follow her anywhere.
He knew when they reached their spot as he saw lights somewhere down the hill. It was their city blinking at them with lights.
Felicity looked at him, "this is my favourite spot. I wanted to share it with you."
He squeezed her hand tighter in a silent thank you.
Felicity but the blanket on the ground where they sat.
Firstly he wasn't sure what was the appropriate way of touching her. Surely they hugged many times they touched and showed affection but somehow at that moment he felt like a teenager not sure of what was and wasn't right.
But he wanted to be closer to her. He hated when she was so close and he wasn't touching her.
It was like Felicity was reading his mind. She moved around a little bit and ended up pressed with her back to his chest.
He wrapped his hands around her and they sat like that in a silence for a moment.
"I want to tell you something," Oliver finally broke the silence. "Actually there is more than one thing."
Felicity slightly turned her head so she could at least see half of his face, "you can tell me anything, you know that."
Oliver bit his lower lip as he nodded.
He took a deep breath
"I want to ask you out on a date. I proper one when both of us are aware that we actually are on a date."
Felicity laughed at that, "I am sorry that I had mistaken our hanging out as dates... a couple of times."
Oliver breathed out a chuckle.
"As it comes to our date-date then..."
"Wait!" Oliver interrupted her.
She narrowed her eyes at him.
"Before you answer you need to know one more thing."
Oliver paused for a moment, took a deep breath and then he was ready to speak.
"Before I came here to this town I....," he was really nervous but he had to tell her the truth.
"I was in prison."