Fresh Start

Chapter 14

You spent the rest of the day at your apartment, thinking about what had happened. You really couldn't believe what Thea and Oliver had kept from you all these years. It actually helped you understand so many things, but you didn't know if you would be able to forgive them easily. It had been a huge and constant lie that had been going on for years. Even Felicity had been into it and probably other people you didn't know about. Laurel probably had been in it as well. She was the Black Canary after all.

You sighed as you sat on the couch with a cup of tea. You didn't even like it but maybe it would calm you down. Meanwhile, you watched the TV waiting for some news about the aliens to pop up, but there was nothing. Like it never happened. It wouldn't surprise if the government had covered it up. You took the phone but there were no texts from Barry or anyone. Would they still be training?

You didn't even have time to figure it out when there was a knock on the door. Quickly, you set the mug down on the table and rush towards the door to open.

"Barry" you sighed relieved when you saw him on the other side.

Immediately, you pulled him in by his hand and closed the door before running into his arms. He wrapped them around your body, stroking your hair slowly as he kissed your head so you would calm. This what was you needed. Not tea, not hot chocolate. You needed him in order to calm down.

"How are you?" He asked not letting you.

"How I am?" You chuckled looking at him. "I've been here the whole day, I'm fine. How are you?" You asked biting your lip.

"Tired but we're okay" he smiled weakly. "Can we talk?"

That question made you feel like throwing up. You thought the two of you were okay but maybe you were wrong. You had been lying to him as well so he had every single right to be mad at you about that.

"Sure" you nodded.

He took your hand and led you towards the couch where he waited for you to sit before he did the same, next to you, still holding your hand.

"Really? Tea?" He teased when he saw the mug.

"Shut up" you laughed a little before looking at him. "Are you mad at me?" You asked nervous.

"What? No! I'm not" he shook his head immediately. "That's not it. I understand why you didn't say who you were. Besides...how am I going to be mad at you after how supportive you've been with me?" He smiled shyly.

"That's true" you smirked. He laughed and kissed your hands.

"It's about your...brother" he frowned a little.

"Really?" You sighed pulling your hands away from him. "I don't want to talk about it, Barry" you sighed crossing your arms.

"Why are you mad at him? He did the same as I did" he shrugged.

"No" you laughed shaking your head. "You met me 5 months ago, Barry. Of course you weren't going to tell me your biggest secret right away. But Oliver and Thea? We're family! They're always going on and about the truth and look what they've been keeping from me" you said. "They probably wouldn't have told me. Ever", you added shaking your head. Barry opened his mouth to say something but you didn't let him. "No, Barry. This is something between them and I. If I forgive them or not is my choice, not yours. I know you worry about it because I'm your girlfriend and Oliver is one of your closest friends. But you can't ask me to forgive them right away" you told him.

"Alright" he sighed nodding. At least he knew when there was nothing to do. "Can I ask you something?" He asked.

"Of course" you replied.

"You knew Laurel right?" He asked. "That's why you wanted to find out about Black Siren."

"Clever boy" you chuckled and nodded. "Yes...when I saw her that day... I thought I was crazy" you admitted.

"The woman you saw it was actually Laurel Lance but...from another earth" he said.

"That's supposed to make sense?" You asked. He chuckled and shook his head.

"We live in a multiverse composed by infinites universes just like this one, with infinites Earths, suns, moons, Jupiters..." he started explaining. "And different versions of ourselves live in those universes. The Laurel you saw was a different version, an evil version, of Laurel Lance from this earth. Do you understand?"

"I think I do..." you frowned looking down at your hands. It was confusing but you thought you understood. "So...it wasn't my Laurel but it was Laurel" you told him. He nodded slowly. "Well... I must admit I prefer that version. The other one implied me being completely insane" you chuckled.

He smiled sadly at you before wrapping his arms around you and pulling you close to him. With a sigh, you snuggled into his chest, letting his heartbeat calm you down as he stroked your hair once again. It always made you sleepy and that day wasn't an exception. Before you knew, you were completely asleep on his chest.

***

You woke up due to some voices close to you. At the beginning you thought you were still asleep and dreaming but when you heard your name you recognized your brother's voice. Slowly, you sat up and looked around. It was pitch black outside but the clock on the wall said it was just 9 p.m. You got up and headed towards the kitchen where you could hear Oliver and Barry talking. It was about you, of course.

"It just happened, Oliver" Barry said. "We met and eventually we liked each other, it's not a big deal" he added.

"She's my little sister" Oliver said. What a time to play the big brother, you thought.

"So what? Even if I had known it, I would have fallen for her anyways" your boyfriend replied making you smile. "Don't look at me like that, you've been the one keeping everything from her."

"I was trying to protect her, just like you should've done!" Oliver exclaimed. You rolled your eyes and walked into the kitchen.

"He did protect me this whole time" you said, taking both of them by surprise. "And believe me, it's been better than your job back in Starling City" you added. Oliver narrowed his eyes at you and then sighed before looking at Barry.

"Can you give us some privacy?" He asked. Barry looked at you, unsure, until you nodded. You could handle your brother.

"I'll be here tomorrow morning, alright?" Barry asked you as he walked over you. You nodded again with a small smile and pecked his lips. "I love you" he whispered. You knew you would never get tired of hearing those words.

"I love you too" you said back kissing him again.

Barry smiled and kissed your forehead before walking out of the kitchen. Seconds later, you heard the door of the apartment opening and closing, leaving you and Oliver alone.

"You really thought I didn't protect you?" Oliver frowned. Obviously your words had an impact on him.

"You did, Oliver", you sighed. "But I'd have been better protected if you wouldn't have kept me in the dark" you added. "I would have known what to expect, I could've been alert and I would have been able to sleep during those nights you and Thea spent out"

"I..." Oliver started but soon he stopped, not knowing what to say. "Maybe you're right but..." he sighed. "You're my little sister (Y/N), I didn't want you involved in this, I thought if my enemies knew about you being somehow related to the Green Arrow, you would be a target and I've already lost too many people. I really don't know what I would have done if I lost you or Thea"

You bite your lip looking at your brother. Just like you, he did have a point but you still felt betrayed. However, you knew you could forgive him. He was right after all, all of you had lost too many people to lose each other.

"Okay, I get it" you shrugged. "Just no more secrets" you added.

"Promised" he smiled before he walked towards you to hug you. "But I need to ask you something" he added pulling away.

"What is it?" You asked. He bite his lip and then let you go.

"I want you back in Star City" he said.

The look on your face let Oliver knew that he had screwed up. Again.