Lessons Learned

Chapter 5 - Always bet on Felicity

Chapter 5 - Always bet on Felicity 

AN - No episode connection yet! 

DISCLAIMER - Insert standard legal jargon here as nothing belongs to me!

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"Ok, so to be precise - the bet is whether or not Oliver will sneak away with one of the...how many girls, um, chances do you get?" Roy and Thea were grabbing a bite to eat at the bar at Verdant before the evening's event. 

"I don't know but at least three...I won't really know until we get there and I see the choices though." Thea's hedging had Roy narrowing his eyes. 

"You can't get unlimited chances - well, hmm, that would probably help me though because eventually your brother will figure it out and get angry." Roy couldn't resist taunting Thea and wasn't surprised when she immediately responded. 

"Fine - the bet is that he'll sneak off with one of the...five girls I introduce him to tonight. Winner gets to name the stakes as usual?" 

Roy noticed Thea's smirk and knew she was confident of her victory as she knew pre-Island Ollie would certainly have gone after at least one (or two) of the available girls. Roy didn't bother to suppress his own smirk though as he knew a few things about Oliver after the Island: 1) Never get between Oliver and Felicity and 2) Never bet against Felicity. He offered his hand which Thea quickly shook even if her smirk had become a bit more of a glare. 

"And why do you feel the need to set your brother up anyway?" Roy was genuinely curious about Thea's motivation. Ignoring Lesson #1 completely, he couldn't see where Oliver would even have time for anyone new in his life. Of course, Thea didn't know that but still... 

"He doesn't laugh anymore." 

Roy was surprised by Thea's quiet comment and looked up to see her head was bowed and she stared at her hands as she fidgeted nervously. He really thought this was just a game to her so this wasn't what he expected. He was even more surprised as she continued without meeting his eyes. 

"You didn't know him before the island but he was always laughing, easy going, fun - always in trouble, I know, but still he was happy. I get that he can't be that person anymore but I think he deserves to at least smile again and not that fake smile he does now but a real smile." Thea finally looked up and met his eyes. 

Roy smiled, nodded his agreement and then leaned in for a sweet kiss before he teased her. "My own Rich Girl with a heart of gold." As Thea pretended to glare at him Roy again kissed her but with more heat than sweetness this time. 

The rest of the afternoon flew by as Roy worked at Verdant and ran a quick errand for the Team as they needed a little information from one of Sin's sources. It was now close to the fundraiser start time and Roy knew better than to be late. Thea planned to arrive early to ensure a smooth night and Roy intended to be there with her. He quickly got ready and even made it to the hotel just minutes before Thea arrived. 

Upon first sight, Thea still looked like the 'Rich Girl' he teased her about being but he had come to realize she had a public face just as the Team did. He watched as she greeted the doorman and then the hotel employees who rushed to her. Despite her calm, confident mask, Roy could see the nerves underneath and he stepped forward so she would notice him. She immediately smiled as she headed his way and Roy couldn't help but smile back. Despite enjoying the Team and being glad he had that reason to live, Thea is what made it worth it and made it fun. Roy ran his eyes over her slim body and enjoyed how the metallic dress clung tightly but still looked...classy. That was the word to describe Thea whether she was in jeans or a dress - she oozed sophistication and class. It usually made Roy slightly uncomfortable when she was in the fine clothes and being the Rich Girl but tonight he simply felt proud of her. Clearly the 'supportive boyfriend' thing was the easiest Lesson yet.