The Green Arrow

“It’s fine,” he inhaled a shallow breath. “Just pick out the shell before you beat the egg, Iris.”

“What? Why? Just ‘cause we’ve had numerous back-to-back disasters?” His finger scratched at his brow at the look Oliver shot him. “We’re on the up ‘n up, plus I’m back to full speed, so there’s no need to worry.”

“No. I feel more confident in leather than khakis.” Oliver’s retort fell with a feigned mirth. He didn’t come all the way here to pick a fight; instead, he was embracing the savoring of every moment because he knew it would all come to a short end for him. “That’s a relief. I know you did it the right way this time.” 

Coffee || Open

“At least here the coffee’s better.”

“Noted.” Oliver turned away from window to take in the freeloader who had happened to fall into his care. “I’d love to know more about there. Just not about the coffee.” 

@holyxsmoak​

“Christmas is supposed to be relaxing,” the words toyed playfully through his teeth. “And my whole-ass-teenager would rather play hack the NSA with his mother until ungodly hours than wake up on Christmas with me. It’s the peaks and downfall of being married to Felicity. Everyone likes her better than me--including me.” Oliver bite back the grin that curled up at her annoyance. 

“I’ve had Grandma Ester’s noodle before...I’ll pass.” 

Laughter bubbled up, transforming into a snicker as Kory bolted to the master bedroom. “What? No. She’s just off to, erm … shower. Yeah, shower!” His voice turned from questioning to an attempt at not only convincing Ollie, but himself as well. The smile across his face was something unlike this version of Oliver hadn’t seen since he’d arrived on this Earth, nearly a year ago. “What brings you over here? I guess I wasn’t really expecting anyone to stop by. Would you like to come in?”

The boyish grin that blossomed along Tommy’s lips felt like a sharp punch to the gut. For a moment, he’d forgotten that this version of b r o t h e r wasn’t the same he’d lost in the Glades that night. The blood that soaked his fingers and the tears that stained his cheeks couldn’t dull the familiar kink in his lips at the sight of such a jovial Tommy Merlyn. Oliver wished to live in the bright shine of his mirth; solely to reminisce with the man who had shaped so much of his childhood. “Shower,” he lifted his brows with a suggestive clearing of his throat. Oliver lifted his hand up to still the man’s invitation. “I wouldn’t want to impose. I should have called. I was just in the neighborhood and-erm catch up without all the usual blood and guts.” 

“Pandora trapped me in the box with two cosmic entities that seek to destroy the world.” 

Oliver’s expression soured at his seemingly kind compliment. He didn’t know how long he would have with Felicity on this merciful plane. He’d be a fool if he didn’t think about his mortality in juxtaposition to the fragility of this timeline. If his death meant his family would live, he’d have to make that sacrifice for the greater good. “Kinder words won’t deter the answers I seek.” 

“You can’t be serious,” disbelief filled every inch of him at her brazenly question draped in such eerie calm. Pamela hung precariously above the lion’s mouth from a fraying string. Did she honestly think that this was the most sound decision to be made in the heat of the moment? “I don’t think now would be the best time to break into anything. Things are little hot for you to be doing anything more than lounging and complaining about how little light this place has.” His hands gestured to the bunker with a bit of hurried flair.