Who, me?

“Quiet is good, right? Boring, but good…” Octavia gave a small smile and shrugged her shoulders. She had pulled herself up on her own and stepped toward him, linking her arm with his and starting in the direction of the kitchen. It was a very casual way of accepting his help without admitting defeat. She was too stubborn for her own good, and much to independent. She had been talking to Wallace and even hadn’t told him the situation at hand. She hadn’t wanted to tell Oliver. “I’m thinking about making pancakes for dinner… what do you say?” 

“For the fire department, yes, for the bar, no.” Ollie teased gently. “But since I am coming back from the fire department, yes, it’s good.”  He smiled when she took his arm, walking with her into the kitchen.  “You know I love breakfast for dinner.” He chuckled softly. “What can I do to help?”

Octavia smiled a bit and glanced down at Kit. She gave a small nod and reached up for the banister. “You are probably right. It would be much more comfortable, but this was where she decided she wanted to be…” Kit jumped off of Octavia’s lap and bolted off in the direction of the kitchen with a loud meow that probably meant leave me out of it.  “How was your day?” She pulled herself to her feet, trying hard not to flinch.  

Ollie furrowed his brow slightly as he looked at his mum. He wondered if she had tried to pick her up and lost her balance and ended up sitting there.  The thought made him wonder if it was time to hire a home health aide for when he was at work, though he knew she wouldn’t be thrilled with the idea.  He laughed softly at Kit’s loud meow, shaking his head before watching as his mum struggled to get to her feet, moving towards her but not helping her unless she needed it.  “It was alright, fairly quiet.”

She couldn’t help but roll her eyes when he said perfect and she shoved him softly. “Whatever you say Ollie.” she said softly not noticing his stare on her as she sipped the rest of her drink. “The coolest computer nerds.” she teased and nodded. “Of couse I’ll dance with you.” she said grabbing his hand to pull him onto the dance floor swaying to the beat of the song.

Ollie gave her a look when she shoved him, shaking his head with a laugh. “Get some alcohol in you and you get all feisty.” He teased.  He shrugged it off when she teased him about he and Dan being computer nerds.  It had been his chill side after he’d gotten tired of hanging out with Sasha and Harvey and tagging buildings.    He smiled as she grabbed his hand, moving onto the dance floor with her and trying to copy her movements. 

She smiled. “I don’t know if I even know how to change.” she said grinning. “Sure it has. It’s fine I was probably a terror never leaving you boys alone.” she said softly. “Hm no I don’t think so.” she teased

“Then just stay your perfect romantic self.”  Ollie smiled softly, before realizing he’d kept his eyes on her for a bit too long.  He took a sip of his beer before frowning a bit as he realized it was empty. “I can’t blame you, Dan and I were just too cool.” He chuckled. He shook his head as she teased him again, putting his hand over his chest. “You wound me, make it up to me with a dance?”

“I suppose but maybe I’m just a romantic.” she said with a sigh. “It’s cause I’m the bothersome baby sister.” she joked smiling. “I’m glad you are. I mean understanding. Not the ridiculously good looking part.” she said teasingly.

“Well, I do think it’s a good trait, so don’t change.” Ollie looked over at her, laughing softly when she called herself the bothersome baby sister. “It’s been years since I’ve thought of you as bothersome.” He promised, giving her a small wink. “What? I know you appreciate the ridiculously good looking part. Don’t lie.”

“I suppose. We didn’t get a real good meet cute.” she said feeling a bit shy about that. “Thanks Ollie.” she said leaning over and kissing his cheek. “I really appreciate you saying that and understanding.” she said softly. “Right. Good vibes only.” she said with a nod

“Books and movies put too much pressure on meet cutes.” Ollie pointed out. “I can’t even remember when you and I met.” He added, looking over at her. “Just feels like you’ve kind of always been there.”  He smiled as she kissed his cheek. “Yeah, that’s what I’m here for. Understanding and just being ridiculously good looking.” He teased.

“I mean you asked.” she said with a shrug. “Yeah. It doesn’t make it any less worrisome not really knowing her opinion. And honestly I don’t want to ask. I like my job. I make good money and I do something I enjoy and if she doesn’t I’m worried I’ll have to choose.” she said she knew in a heartbeat she’d choose Maggie but it wouldn’t change how she felt about it. Wouldn’t change her being sad she had to give up something she was good at.

“I just meant that I wasn’t expecting that you two met there.” Ollie explained. “I hope she won’t make you choose. I know what it took for you to tell me about your job and I know you only did because you do like it.” He smiled, nudging her gently. “Don’t let the bad thoughts in, we are having a good time tonight.”

“Yeah. We um…kind of met there originally.” she said after a moment. “I don’t know how she feels about it but she got me out of a sticky situation.” she said feeling a bit shy being out in public and talking about her work.

Ollie looked over at her when she said they met there. “I wasn’t expecting that answer but I guess at least you don’t have to tell her.”

Beth bit her lip as he brought it up. She didn’t really know how to answer so much. After everything she felt weird calling Ollie for help so she pushed it off. “Yeah it’s going good. I’m enjoying my work.” she told him looking out over the dance floor.

Ollie noticed how she hesitated, furrowing his brow slightly. “Does uh, Maggie know about your job?” He asked, taking another sip of his beer.

“As you should. Not many people get the pleasure.” she said grinning a bit. “Absolutely!” she said with a nod already coming up with some plans for him.

“Speaking of dancing, how is your job going? I noticed you haven’t called me needing a ride yet, I hope that’s a good sign.” He murmured, taking a sip of his drink as he looked over at her. 

“Thank you.” she said sipping her own drink. “Not tonight I don’t think.” she said smiling softly. She wanted Maggie there of course but she liked spending time with her friends too and she didn’t have much with Ollie.

“Well, I feel incredibly honored to be your dance partner then.” Ollie smiled, wrapping his around her shoulder and pulling her close as he drank his beer.  “I think on my birthday, we should play laser tag.” He smirked.

“I think that one beer and the fact that it’s my birthday  and you don’t want me getting felt up by random guys will get you on the dance floor.” she said simply.

Ollie gave her a look. “Fine, you win.” He smirked, taking another sip of his drink.  “Is your girlfriend coming to join us?”

She skipped back to him with a beer for him and a long island iced tea for herself and handed him one. “One drink first and then we go out on the dance floor.” she told him grinning.

Ollie smiled when he took the beer. “Thank you.” He took a sip before looking over at her.  “You think that one beer will get me on the dance floor?” He teased.

“I’m always happy.” she said the lie slipping from her lips. She didn’t lie often but it was such a conditioned response. She was the happy cheery friend in her group. She always had to be. She smiled as she brought him into the club before going to get them both drinks.

Ollie gave her a look, but didn’t argue.  It was clear that right now she was happy and that was all that really mattered.  He looked around the club as she left to get them drinks.  He didn’t really go clubbing much but he was sure a drink wuld help him get into all of it.

“I hope so.” she admitted. She hadn’t told anyone how deep her feelings went she’d alluded with Maggie but she was already pretty sure she was in love with her she didn’t care how short a time it had been. “We’ll find good dates for both of us but for now we should just have fun.”

Ollie smiled at her. “You know, this is a good look on you.  I like seeing you happy.”  He was glad that she had found someone and he really did hope it worked out for her.  “I agree. I love that for us.”

“No using gender as an excuse.” she said laughing as she leaned into him. “I missed you too Ollie. We need a mandatory hang out day I don’t care what we’re doing but I need more time with you. At least twice a month.”

Ollie smiled as she leaned into him. “You know, if things work out in the long haul for you and Maggie there could be a chance that I was the last guy you kissed.” He smirked slightly.  “I think I can do twice a month.”