That Ship Has Sailed

Dean and Thea II

"I'm so glad you decided to stay in town a little longer," Thea said, as she grabbed a handful of Dean's shirt, pulling him closer.

"I'm glad I stayed, too," Dean replied before pressing his lips to hers once more, unable to keep himself from her. "You don't know how long I've waited for an excuse to stay anywhere," he continued, pulling her closer by the waist.

She smiled, "I'm glad you consider me a good enough excuse."

Dean paused and let his smile fade, "I've had--awful things happen in the past and it's just nice to see an uncomplicated, normal girl who makes me feel like a normal guy again."

Thea turned her face to dodge his kiss this time, feeling suddenly uncomfortable. He kissed her neck gently and held her close by the waist until she gently pushed away. The music still blared from the club where the two were supposed to be bar tending, but had sneaked away for a minute alone. Besides that, a silence lingered.

"What's wrong?" Dean asked quickly.

"I just--" Thea paused, "There is something I haven't told you..."

Dean looked at the ground, then back at her, "Whatever it is, I'm sure it's not as bad as what I've told you."

Thea looked back at him, her eyes beginning to water.

"Hey," Dean said, walking closer again, "Whatever it is, we can get through it. It's been, what, three months? I'm sure we can get through anything at this point."

Thea shook her head, "It's a big thing--It has to do with my brother."

"The owner of this place? He's nice enough, what could be so bad about him that it would push us away?"

"It isn't him, it's what he does--what I help him do--"

"Thea," Dean said, cupping her cheeks in his hands, "Just tell me."

"My brother is the vigilante," Thea said quickly, looking up into Dean's green eyes through her blurry, tear altered gaze.

"What vigilante?" Dean asked, "The--The Arrow?" he took a step back, thinking hard over the past few months. He had woken up many times to find Thea not beside him. She'd had a few bruises he'd noticed that she'd explained away. One night, she'd gotten a cut and apparently lied about it's origin.

"Dean, don't be angry--"

Dean held his hands up, "You're telling me that your brother is The Arrow and--but that means that you're--"

"Speedy," Thea answered, "His side-kick of sorts."

Dean shook his head and turned around, mumbling, "Just when I thought I'd found a normal life--"

"Dean, we can have a normal life, we just--"

"Dammit, no we can't!" Dean shouted, "I gave up hunting to be with you! I sent my brother out into the world, alone, just so I could have a normal life with you! Then you tell me you're secretly a vigilante!"

Thea held her hand out, "Don't shout, someone might hear you--"

When Dean gave her an angry look, she stopped talking altogether.

"I thought we could make it work, Thea," he said, "I thought we had something real."

"Dean, I feel the same way, I like you a lot and--"

"No," Dean said roughly, pushing past her to leave the room.

"Where are you going?"

"To call my brother," Dean replied, pulling the door shut behind him. Thea sunk to the floor, crying. Within minutes, a knock came at the door and she madly wiped tears, sniffing and trying to compose herself before she realized it was only Oliver.