#oliver barton threads.

The sound of Megan Thee Stallion‘s voice boomed through the room, ringing in Oliver’s ears as he stared down at his bloodied hand. People crowded around them and he grit his teeth, stilling completely when he felt a gentle hand against his arm. He looked like a startled woodland creature, the way he glanced at Claire then ducked his head as she urged him to push through the crowd, passing some asshole with their flash blinding him momentarily. He shoved past as best he could, clearing the way for the blonde to follow behind him. Instinct took him forward, but it was her that led the way to the bathroom, Cooper’s voice angry behind them, but his ass was still planted on the floor and Oliver doubted he would come after them. He elected to block it out, to focus on the hand that seemed to be burning his skin. He was so hyperaware of her touch that it almost hurt and once he was slumping against a bathroom counter, he finally allowed himself a glance at her. She was wearing a worried look, bathed in fluorescent light that somehow only made her look more celestial. “I’m sorry.” He choked out. The bathroom door blocked out most of the noise from the party, but it still slipped underneath the crack in the door, reminding him of where he was and the fact that he’d just punched his best friend. “I shouldn’t have... shit, I mean, he had it coming, but not with you there. You didn’t need to see me like that.” Once again his gaze had travelled elsewhere, staring at a tiny bug on the wall. 

“Hey, Sofia!” Oliver slipped through the crowd with ease, his head bobbing above the crowd just a little bit. The benefits of having his height. Red solo cup in one hand, his free hand reached for her lower back, guiding her in the direction he’d already selected which was any way that didn’t lead towards a horde of his fraternity brothers. He’d invited her to the party, obviously, so he was going to be taking very seriously making the experience enjoyable for her. Which was why he was leading her towards a messy, scattered bar over in the corner of their living room. “I’m really glad you decided to come through. Promise I won’t let you regret it... which probably starts with a drink.” It wasn’t like they knew each other all that well and hell, Oliver wasn’t usually this friendly, but he’d been ‘socially lubed up’ by a couple of drinks and a need to make Sofia stick to him like glue tonight. He was sure plenty of his so-called friends would love to snatch her away just for the game of it, but he wasn’t willing to let the blonde end up getting hurt by one of them. For some reason, Oliver thought he could win the respect of the upper frat members and maybe get something more out of it too. 

Usually she saw him in the early morning, functioning on lack of sleep, coffee and spite. He’d noticed her more than once, exchanged a few brief conversations with her about mundane things like the weather and the reading assignment they’d been given. It wasn’t until this week that he’d forced himself to not consider rejection and try to charm her instead. It didn’t help that him finally biting the bullet had been pushed on him via a bet, a tradition in order to join the fraternity: taking a girl’s virginity. He felt like a douchebag, but if he already liked the blonde, maybe he could minimize the harm. “What’s your drink of choice? I promise I won’t make you anything too heavy, unless that’s what you want?” He offered. “Plus, there’s always beer, but I think we all know it tastes like shit.” 

the house was dark, oliver’s parents had been out for hours and weren’t scheduled to come home for quite a while still. he felt at ease though, mostly due to emily’s presence beside him, sporting one of his t-shirts that she seemed to swim in. they’d been napping after a long day networking and he was now looking to wake them both up al little. “you want a water or something else? i can order us some food... or i can just cook something quick. whatever you want.”