Subordinate Clause |Lauriver AU|

Subordinate Clause

It was September 2004 and everyone Oliver Queen's age was either in college or already working. But not Oliver Queen, he had no need for a job and had no desire to study at college. However, none of his money was actually his. It belonged to his father, Oliver's family owned a large corporate company, therefore his trust fund was far too large for that of a 19 year old. Oliver somehow managed to play off his lack of education past high school as charming. It kept his bank account full but he was certain that if his parents grew weary of his antics they wouldn't hesitate to alienate him.

Hence his living with Tommy Merlyn. Tommy was also absurdly rich and at age 19 he - not unlike Oliver - hadn't earned a dime of his own. However, Tommy was also Oliver's long-time friend, so the promise that he would support Oliver financially - should it come to it - was just a bonus. But Tommy was less likely to have his money revoked as he was putting to a slightly better use. Starling College wasn't the most well-respected of colleges but it was the closest to home. And Tommy preferred to be within a ten minute drive of Big Belly Burger.

Oliver was lounging on the leather chair when Tommy returned home. His roommate sank onto the couch with a sigh, his backpack still slung over his shoulder. Then he studied Oliver, carefully. For several minutes he just sat and, with a furrowed brow, stared at Oliver. Soon Tommy's glare became unsettling, it wasn't malicious but his wide, unblinking eyes were unnerving. 'Tommy-' Oliver began before Tommy cut him off.

'You're a subordinate clause,' he concluded. Once the words were out Tommy smiled; he looked incredibly pleased with himself.

'I'm a what?' Oliver asked with a single brow raised to his hairline.

Tommy paused as he dropped his backpack onto the floor and settled onto the couch. 'A subordinate clause,' he repeated eventually. 'A clause, typically introduced by a conjunction, that forms part of and is dependent on a main clause.' Tommy recited with surprising eloquence.

'Okay?' Oliver said warily, 'So, if I'm a subordinate clause... what's a main clause?'

Tommy grinned, 'A girl. You, my friend, are entirely dependent on women.'

Oliver shrugged, 'What can I say? Hey, we could go out tonight and make me slightly less subordinate.' He suggested with a coy smile.

Shaking his head, Tommy wiggled his eyebrows. 'Nope, you need a permanent solution. You, Oliver Queen, need a girlfriend.'

***

It took longer than Tommy had hoped to convince Oliver to leave the house. Despite that, his impertinent whining had been the only obstacle he had to overcome. For about ten minutes all Oliver could do was insist that he was, in fact, a main clause. But Tommy demanded that he at least allow him to introduce Oliver to his potential main clause. Eventually, after much trepidation, Oliver had conceded, allowing Tommy to drag him to the car. However, he still wasn't convinced.

'It'll be fun!' Tommy declared for the third time.

Oliver - who was riding shotgun - bit down on his bottom lip to prevent it protruding in a childish pout. 'If you say so,' he muttered and glared out the window.

'Look,' Tommy began, drawing his attention away from the road momentarily to make eye contact with Oliver. 'She's a really nice girl, pretty too.' He added with a wink.

Oliver chuckled, 'What's her name?'

'Laurel Lance.'