The Darkness: 3

Part 12

Italics- Oliver's visions

Lydia

Lydia's eyes fluttered opened to see she was facing Oliver and pressed up against his chest. He was still asleep but slowly grazed his fingers against her back.

Her eyes wandered the room to see the sunlight was seeping through the closed curtains. She had no idea, but she just had to break a smile.

She stared at his perfect jawline that was covered by a scruff, his thin lips, his light rosy cheeks, and his closed eyes that had short brown eyelashes. She buried her head in his chest and felt his arm pull her in closer. The warmth of his body heated hers and she felt safe.

"Good morning," he said softly. She lifted her head to look at him and he was smiling. "Hi." She traced his Bratva tattoo a few times before looking back at up at him, "Captain."

Oliver ran his hands through her hair and she tilted her head into his palm. "I love you," he let out.

Lydia felt her heart skip a beat then she held her breath. She went pale and her eyes stared at him blankly, she didn't know what to do. The world had stopped spinning and she was frozen.

"Hey," he whispered grazing her cheek and she blinked, coming back to reality. "It's okay," he said and she laid her head on the pillow and he did the same. "I like you a lot," she began, "I ju-just can't say that back."

"Lydia, there's a letter for you!" Her mother called out. She quickly kissed him before getting out of bed and put on a silk robe. She brushed out her hair and put it in a high ponytail before leaving her room.

"Hey mom," she greeted and she handed her the letter. The piece of paper was rolled perfectly and it was closed with red waxed imprinted with a demon snakehead. "Thank you," she said, pursing her lips.

"What is it?" Oliver asked walking out of her room. Lydia scowled at Oliver and then relaxed looking at her mom who was staring at him. To cross the rising tension in the room, she handed him the scroll. "The League," she said. Oliver grabbed his stuff and kissed her on the cheek, "Meet later," before leaving.

The moment Oliver left, Lydia turned to her mother who was raising her eyebrows at her. "Isn't that cheating?" She asked. "Mom, Stiles and I aren't..." she trailed off, shaking her head, "for about six months." "Really?" She asked stepping in to give her a hug, "You know, I never really liked him," she rubbed her back. "You've never liked anyone I've dated," Lydia chuckled.

She pulled back and her mother tucked the strand of hair that was stringing out. "I hardly know him but I think he's great for you," she said and Lydia nodded. "I have to go get ready," Lydia told her, going into her room.

She took her hair out of the ponytail and straightened it out before putting on makeup. She put on light gray pants, a white sweater and slipped on dark gray ankle boots. On the way out the door, she grabbed her bag and slipped on a coat, and waved to her mom.

Oliver

"Hey," Lydia said softly, entering the hideout and Oliver turned around. "The League sent the instructions on the combat with Ra's," he explained. "I figured," she exhaled. "If I don't show up in 48 hours, they'll start killing people in the city," he added.

"Don't change my mind," he said, catching her glance at Diggle. "John, Felicity, Roy, and Laurel, you guys helped me as a person and through this crusade. You guys know that I'm doing this for my sister to remove the bounty on her and also the one on the team." He began zipping up his jacket and put on his satchel.