Chapter Text
Felicity fumed as she read the brief article.
Whatever Happened to Felicity Smoak?
It was not that long ago that Felicity Smoak was one of Star City’s most famous residents. She was CEO of Palmer Technologies and engaged to mayoral candidate Oliver Queen. Then she was fired from her company and her relationship with Mr. Queen came to an end. Ms. Smoak hasn’t been seen much around town lately and no one really seems to know what her current job is. Or if she even has one. She doesn’t appear to be seeing anyone at the moment either. Meanwhile, Mr. Queen was elected mayor and seems to be in a serious relationship with star reporter Susan Williams. It seems pretty clear who came out of the break up on top.
Felicity knew that she never should have clicked on the article. She has alerts set for her, Oliver and everyone else on Team Arrow should any of their names come up online in news articles. Although she could hardly call what the Star City Post reported on “news”. The Star City Post was a tabloid and Felicity knew better than to read the garbage they published. But curiosity got the better of her and everyone knows what they say about curiosity. Well it didn’t matter what the tabloids said or thought about her. Felicity was doing just fine thank you very much. She didn’t need to be in a relationship to be happy. And sure, her professional life had stalled but it was just awaiting her second act. Or third or fourth as the case may be. And she and Oliver were not competing over who has been better off since the break up. She was happy for him. Oliver deserved success and happiness. With or without her.
———>
“Have you seen this?” Thea asked as she barged into Oliver’s office waving her phone in front of his face.
“Seen what?” Oliver replied.
Thea showed him the article in the Star City Post and Oliver sighed as he quickly skimmed it.
“Are you going to call her and tell her that this is a garbage article that doesn’t mean anything?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because the last thing Felicity needs is for me to bring this up. It would only embarrass her. And I don’t want her to think that I’m patronizing her or being condescending or worse, like I’m gloating. Felicity knows who she is and her self-worth. She doesn’t need me to remind her of that.” Oliver said. “She doesn’t need me for anything” he mumbled under his breath.
Thea seemed unimpressed. “Well I’m going to invite her out for drinks tonight to take her mind off of this.”
Oliver smiled. He was really glad that Thea and Felicity had maintained such a close friendship. He opened a drawer in his desk and pulled out an envelope.
“When you see Felicity could you please give her this?”
“What is it?”
“It’s a gift. It’s her birthday tomorrow.”
“It’s Felicity’s birthday tomorrow? She hadn’t mentioned anything.”
“She doesn’t like to make a big deal of it.”
Thea nodded. “Why don’t you give it to her yourself?”
Oliver sighed. “Please just give it to her.”
Thea frowned. “Alright, suit yourself.” She then turned around and left his office to call Felicity and invite her out for drinks.
———>
“I’m so glad you were able to come out tonight. It feels like forever since we last saw each other.” Thea said to Felicity as they sat at the bar inside the Star City Four Seasons hotel.
“I’m really glad too.” Felicity smiled. It felt good to be out doing something normal. And if she was seen out and about looking happy and well maybe the tabloids would leave her alone. Not that they bothered her of course.
“Look, I saw the article in the Star City Post and I just wanted to check on you. See how you were doing.” Thea continued.
“I’m fine. Really.” Felicity replied.
“I know better than anyone what it’s like to have the tabloids publish mean articles about you. You can’t let them get to you. They don’t know the real you.”
"I know Thea. And like I said, I’m fine.” Felicity reassured her friend.
Thea sensing the need to change topics smiled and said “I heard that it’s your birthday tomorrow. Why didn’t you say anything? We could get the gang together for a little party. Celebrate the great Felicity Smoak.”
Felicity shook her head. “Thank you for the offer Thea but I don’t really care for birthdays. I mean, everyone has one. What makes mine more special than anyone else’s? And why should people wait for that one day a year to express how much they mean to you? It’s arbitrary and ridiculous.”
Thea’s face fell a little and Felicity winced. “I’m sorry Thea. I don’t mean to be a Debbie Downer.”
“It’s okay.” Thea quickly replied. “Um, there’s something I need to give you. It’s a birthday gift. From Ollie.”
“Oh.” Felicity’s eyes widened behind her glasses. She hadn’t expected to receive anything from Oliver. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to. But it would be rude to refuse the envelope that Thea held out to her.
“Tell him thank you for me.” Felicity said.
“I will.” Thea gave her a small smile.
Felicity knew that she couldn’t open that envelope right now. She needed to do it in private in case she couldn’t control her reaction to whatever was inside. So she thanked Thea for inviting her out but said that she was tired and ready to call it a night. She gave her a warm hug and left the bar.
———>
Felicity sat on the couch in her loft. She had a glass of red wine in her hand and the envelope that Thea had given her from Oliver.
“No time like the present.” Felicity snorted. “No time like the present to open a present. See what I did there? Ugh. It’s a good thing no one heard that.”
Felicity set aside her wine glass and opened the envelope. Inside was a certificate from the Star Society. It said that a star had been named in her honour. Except instead of the certificate listing “Felicity Smoak”, it said “Overwatch”. Felicity felt tears prickle her eyes. She couldn’t believe Oliver had named a star for her. He knew how much she loved space as a child. She had told him how badly she wanted to go to space camp. She knew that such names were not official and not recognized by NASA or the International Astronomical Union but she was still so touched at the gesture. How did he always know just what to say or do to brighten her day?
“Because he knows you.” whispered a tiny voice inside her head.
Felicity shook her head then noticed there was something else in the envelope. She pulled it out and saw that it was a drawing. A sketch really. Of the Palmer Tech building, except instead of the sign at the top saying “Palmer Technologies” it said “Smoak Technologies”. And on the bottom, written in Oliver’s neat script, it read “Has a nice ring to it.” Did Oliver draw this for her? She didn’t even know he could draw. Felicity figured that she shouldn’t be surprised. Oliver was a man of many talents. But was he really suggesting that she start her own company?
Felicity had thought about it once or twice since she was unceremoniously fired from Palmer Tech but with everything that was going on with the team and Prometheus she hadn’t really given it proper consideration. But maybe she should. She has always wanted to help people. And she discovered a love and talent for business that she could combine along with her technological gifts. Maybe it was time to come up with a real plan and put it into action. She has been so focused on finding Prometheus and taking him down that she hasn’t really put much thought or effort into other aspects of her life. And where has this single-minded pursuit gotten her? They were no closer to finding Prometheus. In fact, he seemed to have dropped off the face of the earth. Felicity knew better than to think that they had seen the last of him. But things had been much quieter lately. Quiet enough that she didn’t need to go to the Bunker every night. She once told Oliver that life is precious and that she wanted more out of it than what the vigilante life had to offer. When had she forgotten that? When had she stopped living her life? When had she stopped trying to find happiness and purpose outside of Team Arrow? None of that mattered now. Felicity was done with just existing. It was time to move forward with her life. That was the best birthday present she could give to herself.
Felicity marvelled at the gift Oliver had given her. Not just naming a star for her, but also the clarity he had given her. She needed to thank him. Before she could second guess herself she picked up her phone and called Oliver. After two rings she got an answer. Only it wasn’t Oliver’s voice on the other end. It was a woman. A woman she recognized to be Susan Williams. Why was she picking up Oliver’s phone? Oh right. Susan is his girlfriend and they are spending the evening together. Felicity came out of her stupor and hung up the phone.
She didn’t know how long she sat on her couch staring at her phone until she noticed the time. It was midnight.
“Happy birthday to me.” Felicity whispered inside her empty apartment. And suddenly she couldn’t sit there anymore. She needed to get out of here. Not just her apartment. Out of the city. She just really needed to get away.