Against all odds: An Olicity fanfic

18. Sisterly advice

It had been raining all day and seemed to get worse as the day progressed. The dark skies made Star City appear more gloomy than usual. Therefore, he decided to cut class short today and told them to practice some more at home. Instead of heading home himself, he made a stop at Big Belly burger.

He was waiting near the counter for his special order: a turkey burger with a side of sweet potato fries when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He mentally told himself not to be alarmed. It was probably someone wanting to get a napkin or something since he was standing in front of them.

"Hey Ollie," Laurel said from behind him.

As he turned around, he instantly relaxed at the sight of a friendly face.

"Hey stranger, how have you been?" He gave her a quick hug. It had been a while since they had seen Laurel. With things on the street clearing up, there hadn't been a need for the Black Canary. And as a result, she had spent most of her time at work and with a mysterious new guy in her life that the rest of them hadn't met yet.

"I'm no more of a stranger than you are, Mr. Straight and narrow." She laughed as she hugged him back.

"Have a moment to catch up?"

"Sure, yeah," He nodded.

They both grabbed their food and made their way to a small table near a window. Oliver always went for the seats near a window. He needed to see what was out there and if he faced the door, who was coming in. He couldn't help but to be vigilant; that was something that would never change.

"Is Felicity meeting you here?" Laurel asked as she unwrapped her grilled chicken sandwich.

"No, she's visiting her mom in Vegas."

"Oh yeah? I bet that's fun." Laurel said, raising a brow as she squeezed mayonnaise on her bun.

"I suppose so. I haven't talked to her since this morning, though." Oliver said feeling a pang of loneliness.

He had been the driving force for Felicity's trip; insisting that she go and spend some time with her mother before the baby arrived. She hadn't wanted to travel this far into her pregnancy, but the doctor had given her the OK. He hadn't taken in account how he'd feel with her not being here.

Mornings weren't the same without her rambling. The bed felt entirely too empty without her at night.

Laurel couldn't help but to laugh. This earned her a confused look from Oliver.

"I'm not laughing at you, not really." She shook her head.

"Looks that way," He took a bite out of his burger.

"No. I'm just amazed at how much you've changed, Ollie. Who knew all it took was a blonde I.T. girl? She's done you good, Mr. Queen." Laurel said genuinely.

Laurel thought back to their troubled relationship. It hadn't been all bad, but they just weren't meant to be.

"Yes she has." Oliver couldn't help the smile that spread across his face; he was almost beaming from ear to ear.

"Is Oliver Queen blushing?" Laurel asked mockingly.

"Stop, Laurel. I am not blushing." Oliver shook his head as he sipped his soda.

"You are too! It's okay though. You shouldn't be ashamed. In all seriousness, It's good to see you so mature now. If someone told me you would turn out like this I wouldn't have believed them. Yet here you are in front of me practically a new guy." Laurel shook her head with a smile.

"Yeah, you've changed too." Oliver noted.

"How so?"

"Well you stand up for yourself a lot more. You protect this city in more ways than one...the old Laurel, she would have shied away from the responsibility. In the past, it always seemed that you did things because they were expected of you. Now, you're doing it because you truly believe in them."