These Prison Walls (An Arrow: Season 7 Fanfiction)

Chapter 10: Home at Last

Oliver walked out of the gates, now a free man. He raised his head to the sky. Looking forwards, he saw the gates open in front of him, seeing John Diggle, Felicity Smoak, and his sister Evelyn standing there. He limped slowly towards Felicity, John and Evelyn waiting behind. Stepping forward with tears in her eyes, she kissed him tenderly. 

Undisclosed location in Star City. 

The woman stood in front of the computer screen, hearing the television announcer Brittany Snow's announcement. 

'After keeping a low profile since their release last week, Oliver Queen and his sister Evelyn will make their first public appearance tonight at a gala supporting prison reform. But will Star City welcome back its former vigilantes with open arms? Or has public opinion soured against the Green Arrow and Athena now that we know who's under those hoods?' 

An apartment in Star City. 

Oliver stepped out of the room, walking towards Felicity. 

'Hey,' she said, standing in front of the mirror, putting her earrings on as she was in a gorgeous black dress. 'Sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to freak you out.' He took the zipper of her dress and zipped it up. 

'It's okay. I'm just getting used to being home.' She sighed. 

'I missed that.' 

'Having someone to zip your dress?' he asked softly. 

'Well, that, and you,' she replied. Over near them, I started fake gagging. 

'Ugh. The love in this room is sickening. Someone kill me now.' Oliver began to walk away, back towards the bathroom. 

'You'll understand someday,' Oliver said. 

'No, I won't!' I called out. Felicity turned back to Oliver. 

'And I really miss William,' she remarked. Oliver turned back to her. 

'Yeah. Christmas vacation feels like it's 20 years from now.' She frowned at him, then looked between the two of us. 

'So... why are neither of you dressed?' 

'I'm gonna sit this one out.' 

'Ditto,' I grumbled. 'I hate fancy parties.' 

'Oh, no, no, no,' Felicity said, walking towards Oliver as he sat on the bed, chuckling. 'I don't think that's how this works for either of you, especially when you two are the ones being honoured.' She stepped up to him, sliding her hands over his shoulders. 'Besides, you've both been spending more time in the shadows recently than when you were the Green Arrow and Athena.' 

'Whatever,' I muttered under my breath, turning my attention to the book I was currently reading. 'Not going.' 

'The last time we faced the city,' Oliver said, looking up at her, 'we were in cuffs. A lot of people are mad at us, Felicity. We, Evelyn and I - we lied to them. They have a right to be mad at us.' 

'Which is exactly why this event is so important,' Felicity said, kneeling down to be on his level. She looked over at me. 'For the both of you. They want to publicly recognise you two as heroes. And after all the lives you saved at Slabside, let them see you for who you really are, without a mask.' Oliver sighed in resignation. 

'I mean, you're probably right.' I looked up at him. 

'You're giving up, that easily? Wow,' I said sarcastically.