#merlancequeen

Tommy glides across the room like a dancer, naturally scooping millionaires and city officials into conversation. He bends down to kiss their wives hands, makes them laughs, cheers to success and money and corruption. Oliver can't take his eyes off him, leaning against the railing of the second floor.

Laurel's voice crackles in his ear. "See Brodeur yet?"

Oliver sweeps his gaze over the room. In a corner surrounded by atleast four body guards, he sees their target. He brings his hand up to his comm, turning it on and pretending to scratch the side of his head. "To your left, Tommy," he whispers.

Jason Brodeur had gotten released from prison on good behavior, though they suspected he'd bought his way out somehow. Oliver and Laurel had been the ones to put him in there, and they planned to put him back. By any means necessary.

He sees Tommy end his current conversation and turn. He confidently strides to Brodeur, the crowd parting for the Merlyn heir easily. He walks right up to him without worry and shakes his hand.

"Tommy! There's no way you're getting the bug on his phone without them seeing you." Laurel hisses.

"As you can probably guess, I'm preparing to take over my father's company, and I must confess.. I'm a bit nervous!" Tommy's voice suddenly begins to flow over the comms, and he chuckles nervously. "My father's name stains me, and if you can forgive me for mentioning it, the horrible business with the vigilante does so with you. But you still get results, Mr Brodeur. I aspire to achieve even a fraction of what you've done for this city. This city owes you a great debt for the slander on your name."

And, from the young innocent lips of Tommy, playboy extraordinaire turned clumsy business boy, Brodeur eats up every word. Oliver grins at Tommy's performance. "Your situation is not one I envy, Mr Merlyn." Brodeur chuckles. "But we are not our fathers. You deserve every chance to prove yourself to this city, as do I."

"If you wouldn't mind, could I possibly bother you with a few questions? From one headline of Starling City to another, any advice would be so appreciated.." Tommy sounds every bit of the anxious, inexperienced persona he puts on. Everyone has seen the Merlyn and Queen name in the tabloids. He and Tommy are infamous for their partying days. And, Tommy's name has been brought up heavily after the Undertaking. Tommy plays easily on that. With his reputation, they know Brodeur can't turn down the chance to manipulate him.

"He's getting him in a private space." Oliver mumbles. Laurel's gone quiet. He curses under his breath.

"Ofcourse, my boy. I can already tell you're going to do wonderful things for this city. There's a meeting room down the hall, if you can part with the party?" Brodeur's tone is playful, but Oliver frowns at the thought of Tommy alone with him.

"Yes, sir. I appreciate you." Tommy nods. He reaches up to scratch his neck, and Oliver can no longer hear their conversation.

Oliver curses under his breath as he watches them leave, waiting a few moments before descending the stairs and finding Laurel. She's caught up in a conversation with the mayor, and Oliver flashes him a wink as he slides next to her and wraps an arm around her waist

"Oliver!" Laurel huffs, for the part. She mumbles an apology to the mayor as he pulls her away and into the hallway.

"He's gone silent." Oliver hisses.

Laurel puts a hand on Oliver's arm. "He knows what he's doing. You've trained him."

After Tommy almost died the night of the Undertaking, he made Oliver train him. Laurel eventually figured it out—they could never hide anything from her for very long as kids, either—and demanded Oliver train her too.

While Oliver helped them learn to fight, they've helped him learn to be human again. To let himself feel things he shut off a long time ago. Tommy and Laurel had always been the best part of him before the island. He's just glad he hasn't fucked it up.

She squeezes his arm. "We're not losing him, Oliver."

Oliver nods and takes a breath. "I know."

He knows Laurel still loves him. Oliver thinks he might too. At some point, Tommy became just as important to him as Laurel, and losing either of them would kill him.

It's a long twenty minutes before Tommy's voice echoes in their ears. "He's so stupid." Tommy cackles.

"Where are you?" Laurel asks.

"I excused myself to the bathroom. I got the bug on his phone. Meet at the car?"