amillionthings | Felicity Smoak

Long distance isn't much fun. Okay, so that's not entirely true. Peter has had a lot of fun talking to Felicity on the phone, spending evenings skype dating and even texting her, but long distance isn't much fun compared to actually being with someone in person.

Which is what Peter is doing now. Well, what Peter is headed to do...what he has planned? He's taken a train to Star City and now, he's taking a taxi to Felicity's apartment. He'd texted her just a few minutes ago and asked what she was up to. Her response had involved Chinese food and Netflix (which are very good things to do, in Peter's opinion) so, theoretically when he knocks on her door and 'surprise' it'll a) be a good surprise and b) she'll actually be home.

Of course, now that he's in a taxi headed toward Felicity's apartment, he's beginning to think that he should have actually planned this with her. After all, she's got a real job and he knows how hard the whole super hero thing is on a relationship, not to mention how it gets in the way (he did bring his Spider-man suit to help out if necessary). It takes about 2.5 seconds to get to Felicity's apartment once Peter begins doubting himself (not really, but that's how he feels) and there's no time to back out. This will either be the best surprise he's ever sprung on Felicity or it will be the worse.

He pays the cab, grabs his bag and jogs up the stairs to Felicity's apartment. He pauses in front of the door, hesitating once more before he finally takes a deep breath and knocks on Felicity's door. He's really hoping for 'best surprise ever'.

I have an idea. Why don't you start taking girls to lunch dates?

[ As the texts start rolling in, the smile on Felicity's grin gets wider and wider. She's used to being the one babbling, not the one receiving the babbles, and after awhile, she chuckles a bit at her phone. ]

I normally get a hotel room, but I'll make an exception this time. I'd love to sleep with you Barry.

[ It's a joke. 'Cause they both obviously know what that phrase means. Totally a joke. ]

I'll text you when I have something firm. See you next week!

[ Upon further inspection of their conversation, Barry is almost astounded by how many things he did wrong in such a short period of time.

The first thing he did wrong was answer the text, but that goes without saying. The second thing was asking Cisco for his opinion on the subject, because he was so overtly insistent that Felicity was 'down', in his words, that Barry was certain the opposite had to be true. It was fine, in his opinion; he meant what he had said about Felicity being amazing, and he's content staying her friend for exactly that reason. Her friend that's kissed her once, which friends totally do... he's pretty sure.

His biggest mistake, however, was inviting Felicity to stay at his place. Not because she wasn't welcome and not because he'd prefer her in a hotel instead, but because Barry never saw any need to have more space than a one bedroom and he conveniently forgot that he had no other surfaces to sleep on.

Cisco was getting insufferable so Barry brought Caitlin with him to go shopping for a new couch bed, which mistake number four. She helped him pick out a couch which he had to then apparently decorate his entire apartment around, because in her words he's an adult and adults buy things like throw pillows and coat racks.

By the time Felicity is knocking on his door, Barry barely recognizes his own place. ]

Hey!

[ He's grinning when the door opens and Barry immediately goes in for the hug. ]

How was your- oh. Oh, wow. [ He stops mid-lean when he sees the size of her luggage, and Barry can't help but laugh a little before he pokes his head out of his doorway to make sure the hallway is clear. ]

Come on in! I'll take this all inside for you, I'll put it in the room you're staying in.

[ Friends who kissed once, right.

Felicity has always thought her friendship with Barry was filled with a bit of tension. Not the negative kind, like either of them are faking the fact that they like spending time together. But even before they kissed that day on the train, there's been a place in her heart for him — friend or something more. Even if they'd both decided back then that just being friends was what they both wanted.

But now, when she's finally let Oliver go, she hasn't exactly brought it back up. Doesn't seem like the right Friday night conversation to ask your best friend if he's still in love with the girl he grew up with. ]

Hi Barry!

[ And yes, please don't mind the rather large pink suitcase that she's brought with her. She can't wear the same dress two days in a row, alright? And with dresses come accessories and shoes. She's packing at least three pairs of heels in there. ]

Wooooow. [ She says, after the hug as she pokes her head in through the door. ] Someone's been redecorating. [ When she turns back around, Felicity tilts her head, giving him a suspicious look. ] Thaaat doesn't feel like you Barry. [ She looks back for a moment and- ] Are those throw pillows?

[ After Felicity steps in Barry brings in her bag, and after he closes the door he zips into the bedroom to set it down next to the bed before returning to the living room at a casual pace. ]

Uh... yeah.

[ He scratches the back of his neck awkwardly as he glances at the throw pillows on his couch, giving Felicity a bit of a side eye before looking back at them. ]

Adults like throw pillows.

[ Did he sell it? Did that sound convincing enough? With a wrinkle of his nose his hand falls limply to his side and Barry gives a tired, drawn out sigh. ]

I made the mistake of asking Caitlin to go shopping with me and I ended up buying a living room, apparently. And according to Caitlin, adults like throw pillows. Don't.

[ He holds up a finger when he sees the look on her face, and Barry himself is trying to bite back a grin. ]

Don't say it. I know. I have some stuff that I'm going to put up though, she couldn't make me throw out my Star Trek posters.

[ With that Barry gives a smile and he throws his arms out to the side as he looks at her, only to take a few steps forward so he can pull her into another hug. ]

You look great! How was your trip, are you hungry?

[ By the time Barry releases her he's already nervous, but not in the uncertain way. It's an excited sort of anxiety of having Felicity around again, despite their uncertainty and despite the resolved or unresolved feelings that may hang between them. It's a strange mix, being both nervous around her and thrilled to be in her presence all at the same time. ]

I can cook something if you want, ooor uh, [ he gestures with one hand toward the kitchen. ] We can go out. There a new Thai place that opened up a few blocks away if you're up for it. Or! Wait. Hold on.

[ He holds up a finger once more as if it's necessary, as if she'd even have the time to get a word in before he's a flurry of lightning and then suddenly isn't. He's holding a blue ray in his hand. ]

Pizza, pajamas, Rogue One. Totally depends on how the train went.

Adults like a lot of things. [ She says, right after he says they like throw pillows. The phrase doesn't quite come out right, but luckily Barry keeps going and Felicity just pretends like she never said that. ]

You feel great. [ She says, as she pulls him in too as they hug. It really is nice to see him. ] Oh the trip was fine. I am starving though. Something about riding the train over here always makes me hungry.

[ As he goes through the options, she nods along, not preferring anything in particular until he gets to that last option and her smile lights up her face as she points directly to the movie in his hands. ] THAT ONE. Pizza, pajamas, Rogue One, ABSOLUTELY.

[ She's so used to his superspeed now that she doesn't even comment on it anymore. She just automatically pats down the strands of her ponytail that get's blown out of place. ]

Honestly Barry I'm so done with seeing other people. Just you and me for the rest of the night? Sounds perfect.

[ Which is why, after a tiny bit more catching up, she isn't shy at all about digging out her PJs from her suitcase — a tank top and some fuzzy pajama pants with clouds and stars on them. Barry is delegated with getting the pizza, given you know, his special skillset, and by now, he's more than familiar with her pizza order: jalapenos and pineapple. No judging. ]

Edited 2017-07-08 16:07 (UTC)

[ There's an undeniable flicker of excitement when she decides that she'd rather stay in than go out, not that Barry had any preference either way. Of course he wouldn't prefer to stay in and spend the night watching movies with his attractive, brilliant best friend, why would he have a preference for something like that? ]

Just you and me for the rest of the night, then! Good choice

[ He does indeed take charge of the pizza, bolting out and returning a little while later with three pizza boxes in his hands. Felicity has already changed by the time he gets back, and he smiles at her as he comes to a stop beside his living room table. ]

Alright. Two large pepperoni for me, [ he places the two boxes down, ] and one large abomination for you.

[ He sets her pizza down beside them with a shake of his head because yes, of course there's judgement, and he zips to his bedroom to grab clothes and change quickly before retrieving two plates from the kitchen. By the time he's done he's sitting on the couch, his sleep shirt matching the red lightning bolt pants that Cisco had gotten him for his birthday, and he makes a grand gesture to the seat beside him. ]

I'm ready when you are.

[ He's nervous and he's mentally scolding himself for it. There's no reason for his pulse to be so high despite how much he's been running around, this is Felicity. Just Felicity, with whom he's never spent much one on one time with like this in the privacy of their own space. Not without Oliver or Iris. Diggle, Cisco or Caitlin are usually around, Felicity always comes to visit on business, but this time she's just... here. She's here to see him.

What is there to be nervous about? ]

Do you need anything? Are you comfortable?

You're gonna come around on my pizza one day. Just you wait Barry Allen. [ She grins though, before she rubs her hands together and then delicately opens the lid to her pizza box, just so she can smell the cheesy spicy fruity goodness.

It's only a few seconds before Barry's back with plates, dressed in hilariously appropriate pjs for the Flash. When he motions for her to sit, Felicity doesn't hesitate before plopping down next to him. She does however, squeeze her lips together and give him a mischievous look though. ]

I can ... make myself at home right?

[ Asked like she doesn't expect him to say no. And when Barry doesn't, Felicity smiles and tucks her legs up next to her and reaches forward to pull her corner of the table right up next to the couch. Barry still has space for his legs, but after that, Felicity pulls one slice onto her plate and then curls up with it as she leans back onto the cushions. ]

Ready.

[ If the way she's sitting conveniently has her leaning towards Barry a little ... well, if he doesn't complain, she won't either. ]

Mmmmmmm ... do you have any orange soda?

[ He's always been a thoughtful one, she thinks. Attentive too. Which is clearly best friend material. Yup. Best friend material and nothing else. ]

Thanks. [ She says, with a little tilt in her voice that means she knows he's trying to make her feel better. ]

You though. You look- [ She stops because there's hardly any way to describe him. ] -like James Bond. [ Okay apparently there is a way to describe him. ] Which, is a good thing. That was supposed to be a compliment. I hope that seemed like a compliment because James Bond is hot and [ Damn it how did she get here. ] ... uhhhh lot of other things.

[ Good save Felicity. Really great job. ]

I'm gonna ... get in the car now. [ She says, looking up at him from behind the car door before promptly getting in. ]

[ A soft chuckle escapes his lips at the comment that he looks like James Bond. ] I definitely take it as a compliment. Thanks.

[ The 'save' makes him grin, but he doesn't tease her about it. Instead, he just closes the door once she gets in, and once he's in the driver's seat, he starts the engine as he glances over at her. ]

So. You wanna go somewhere quiet for those drinks, or somewhere loud? I have ideas for either one, you just have to pick the noise level.

Loud. De-fi-nite-ly loud.

[ Preferably somewhere loud enough where, if she talks too much, Tony won't actually be able to hear half the things that come out of her mouth.

Even after all this time, it feels surreal to have Tony Stark pick her up. To have him be her friend. To have him respond to her silly texts about friends with benefits breaking her heart. ]

Loud it is.

[ The engine roars to life as he starts driving, and he drums his fingers idly on the steering wheel. Not out of impatience, but just because his hands are generally always active in some way. Even while driving, he can't quite stop.

He glances over in her direction, seemingly to just check his mirror but it's really just to check on her at least briefly. A part of him is ready to just have her wait for him while he goes to hunt down her 'friend' and pay him a visit, but he prefers this. To be here with her, and make sure she's alright. ]

So...do you feel like making this friend of yours jealous?

[ Maybe it's because she's a little bit raw right now, but she can't help looking at Tony as he drives, and she doesn't really try to hide it. The look on her face says one thing more than anything else: Thank you, for being so nice to me.

It's not that Felicity has grown up lonely, or has a lack of friends. She's a friendly, cheerful person, which means that her life has been filled with people who love her, and that she loves in return. But it never ceases to amaze her when, in moments like this, people in her life really pull through. They leave their fancy parties and come pick up her up dressed like James Bond just so the two of them can go drink in a bar.

When he asks her that question though, her eyebrows raise up and she holds back a laugh, because he can't be serious, but it'll be fun to play along. ]

Oh yes. But how exactly do you propose we make that happen? It's not like I can waltz up to him with a more glamorous friend with benefits. [ As she finishes that sentence though, her tempo gets slower, because ... that's ... not ... that can't possibly be what Tony's about to suggest. Her next sentence comes out just above a whisper. ] Not even sure how jealousy works when it comes to friends anyways.

[ As far as Tony is concerned, there's nothing for her to thank him for. He's more than happy to be here, and to be friends with her. She's one of the few people that Tony actually enjoys spending time with. While he knows thousands of people, there is only a small handful that he's actually comfortable having around him. Felicity has been one of them from the start, because it has always been so easy to talk with her, and really. He's glad to be here.

And okay, his brain may already be plotting a good way to have his outing plastered all over the news. Despite how good he is at playing the cameras whenever a paparazzi catches him, Tony actually hates those intrusions into his life and how little privacy it gives him. Sometimes he knows how to play them in his favor, though, which is what causes a devious smirk to grow on his lips. ]

Well. I know a few people that are dying for a good exclusive, and I'm sure that me leaving the party piqued people's interest. So...a few shots of us arriving at a club would be very popular. A few shots of us cozying up? It'll be trending in seconds.

But [ he adds, because he has to. It's a disclaimer he gives to all his friends that he cares about whenever they could be spotted in public and having it misconstrued in some way by the press. ] you should know if that's the case you'll be asked a lot of questions, probably. Until I do something stupid and the reporters focus on that, instead, so...you know. A few days.

[ Don't get her wrong. She loves being friends with Tony — especially when it's just the two of them, nerding out over something or trying to talk through a particularly thorny hack. There aren't a lot of people that Felicity can go to to just talk about tech, and most people see how much she's glued to her screen as some form of working too much. Tony's the only one who gets that it's not about working or not working. It's about doing and pushing and that need to figure out a problem you've invented for yourself — because no one else is pushing those boundaries.

But when it comes to the public sphere, she remembers who he is and she's still constantly star-struck. He's Iron Man for frack's sake. And he's left a party to be with her because she had a rough night. ]

Yeeeeaaahh ... [ God his offer is tempting, and by the way that Felicity is biting her lower lip it's clear that she's considering it. ] that would definitely work. [ But she- she couldn't possibly. Could she? ]

I don't care about the reporters, and as much as I would love to cozy up to you- [ Uhhh. Pause. Reset. ] Cozy up for show, [ she corrects, ] are you sure? I don't want you to have to pretend to ... you know ... [ be interested in me, in that way. ]

Edited 2017-07-08 15:40 (UTC)

[ Tony stays quiet as she thinks about it, just focusing on the road, because he doesn't want to make her feel like he's trying to push her either way. He would love to find a way to get back to the guy that ruined her night, but he would never do it if she doesn't want the press invading her life. As someone that deals with it so often, the last thing he wants is to bring that attention to her when she doesn't want it.

As she starts speaking again, he glances over at her and manages to not smirk at how she phrases her answer at first.

But, when she asks if he's sure, he chuckles under his breath. Not making fun of her, his chuckle is more warm and even a little in disbelief than anything else. ]

You make it sound like that would be a bad thing. It wouldn't be that hard for me to pretend, you know.

[ Because, while Tony has never really tried to cross that line between friends and something more with her, it doesn't mean that he can't imagine himself dating her. She is a very interesting woman, and she's very attractive. She's brilliant, and funny, and really, he wouldn't need to pretend to be interested in her at all. ]

If that's the only thing holding you back, you don't have to worry about it. Really.

[ A small part of Felicity is starting to feel like this isn't about getting back at someone anymore. But if that were the case, it'd have to be about her and Tony, and just thinking about that is enough make her heart beat a little faster.

Get a grip Felicity, she thinks. ]

Okay, how about, we start small. [ Her fingers pinch together, leaving room for maybe an inch, as she gives him a hopeful look. ] Aaaand if any point, it gets out of control, we ... um ... squeeze each other on the shoulder. That'll be our signal. [ Because dear god, Felicity knows herself, and she's going to stay on a very strict "no comment" line with reporters. Otherwise, with the things that come out of her mouth most of the time ... she's going to make Tony take a hit to his reputation, and that's the last thing she wants to do.

Even if the world already treats him like a playboy, she knows he's not like that, and she just ... well, she doesn't want to do anything to hurt him. Not if she can help it. ]

Soooound good? [ She asks, smiling again as she pokes her head into his field of vision. Since, you know, he's driving and all. ]

That's fair. If at any point it feels weird, or you don't want to continue, or it doesn't feel like it's working, we can just stop. No problem.

[ He even holds his hand up, as if swearing to keep his word, before he reaches for his phone. All he has to do is press a button to dial for Happy. The conversation is quick, asking him to coordinate a 'surprise visit' at the club where they're heading to, and once he hangs up he turns to Felicity. ]

...I may have set up the paparazzi a few times. Nothing like this situation [ he's quick to clarify ] but. Sometimes they need to get distracted when I'm dealing with other things on the side.

[ He says it casually, like it's not a big deal. But, well, if there's one thing that dealing with the press has taught him, it's to play them in his favor.

Loosening his tie completely, he takes it off before tossing it to the backseat. He undoes the top button of his shirt then, and rakes his fingers along his hair again to 'style' it to a more fashionably disheveled look. It only takes a few more turns before they pull up at the club, especially with how he drives (although he's considerably more careful considering he has company in the car), and once they pull up at the valet station, he reaches over to give her hand a squeeze. ] Ready?

[ She makes a mental note of asking him what his "other things on the side" are another time, because as much as she'd like to ask him now, Tony throws his tie to the backseat, and Felicity can feel her hand hold onto her clutch a little harder. Is he-?

But right. Of course, he's not undressing, it's stupid of her to think that he was. Instead, he's just making himself look so ... disheveled ... and ...

It's not like Felicity has never looked at Tony before and thought of him as attractive. It's just such a given. Everyone who has eyes knows that Tony's handsome, and she was so thrilled to be his friend that she'd never dared hope for anything more. Plus, it's not like she has a good track record when it comes to billionaires. In the end, she ends up breaking their hearts more than anything else and Felicity ... she doesn't want to do that to Tony.

But right now, he's making himself look so irresistibly disheveled that by the time he squeezes her hand, she's already been trying so hard not to stare. Felicity pulls it together and turns to him though, and nods. ] Ready.

[ If Tony notices that she stares for a moment, he doesn't show it. His eyes just dart outside where the flash of a camera can be seen from somewhere in the crowd waiting to be let in the club, and he knows it's show time. He gives Felicity another smile, a real one, before it almost looks as if he morphs as he lets go and reaches for his door. Because he's going from caring friend to cocky playboy in a matter of seconds as he steps out of his car, and the world has no idea.

He plays the part too well, after all. He almost glides as he walks over to the passenger door, and he offers his arm once he opens the door and Felicity is out of the car. The crowd seems to realize then who just arrived, causing people to call out his name and pull out their phones for a picture, but after a quick wave and tossing his keys to the valet, Tony just flashes a smile at Felicity as they walk towards the entrance. And, once they're far enough away from the crowd but still visible for them to keep taking pictures from behind, he leans in to her. From behind, all pictures will seem as if he's kissing her cheek as he reaches for the door, but in reality he's just speaking softly. ]

You're doing great. It'll be less crazy inside.

[ At least people won't be shouting his name and the pictures will be more subtle as they all think they're sneaking pictures of the new couple. ]

[ Okay Felicity, she tells herself, it's not like you've never done this before. It's just like every other press conference or stakeholder's meeting or ... No. No one ever cares about her this much. The press certainly cares, but the paparazzi? That was solely in Queen territory, and neither Oliver nor Thea ever cared to explain to her the finer details of how to deal with this kind of attention. Not that either of them were particularly good at it either.

But when Tony opens her door, she lets herself be guided by him. She's trusting him here, like she's trusted him in so many things in the past, and well ... Tony is ... he's amazing at this. Practiced. Nuanced. Poised. ~~Perfect~~.

When he leans in, Felicity takes the smallest glance backwards at the photographers, suddenly fully aware of what this looks like to them. Her eyes wander up to Tony's though, when he starts talking.

Amidst the backdrop of reporters shouting "MR. STARK!" and the constant flashes of cameras, she gives him a soft smile. ]

You're really good at this.

In the background, there's a beautiful string quartet. They're playing something fancy, a piece by someone Felicity knows is both dead and famous — like Mozart or Chopin — but she knows she won't be able to recognize who. As the long notes vibrate off the instruments, she can feel the warmth of Barry's arm around her waist. Her own hands are tucked around his neck as they dance, and she can't help but look at him. He still has that smile; that sweet, beautiful, disarming smile, and for a minute, Felicity remembers the first time they did something like this.

A huge nerd named Barry Allen had just showed up in Starling City, and even despite her crush on Oliver, she'd noticed him. Really noticed him.

In moments like this, when everything seems and feels so perfect, she can't help but wonder why things are the way they are. Why that day on the train, the two them didn't choose each other — because right now, there's a deep, longing look that starting to show in her eyes, and she has to catch herself and glance away before she lets it go too far. She grins too, letting that be her silent apology, for getting weird on him again.

He hadn't expected to feel this way. Not after so much time apart. Of course he had been happy to see her again. He was always happy to see Felicity with her infectious smile and clever quips. She had a natural way of making everything better just by being present.

But in this moment, dancing so close, it's hard not to stare at just how beautiful she looks. It's not that she's not normally, but dressed up she's gone from gorgeous to breathtaking and it's hard to remember that this was the same woman he'd been trading puns with in the Arrow Team headquarters earlier that day.

She looks away from him and he realizes that he's probably been staring for a moment too long. He swallows, averting his eyes as well for a moment and scanning the crowd of couples swaying to the music. He tries to make a joke to break the awkwardness.

"I knew ballroom dancing as an elective would come in handy some day."

Thank god, she thinks, when Barry starts talking. Talking has always been her strong suit. Why wouldn't it be, when she talks so much?

"You took this as a class?" she asks, letting his answer give her an easy excuse to look incredulous. "In college?" As awkward as she can be sometimes, it doesn't preclude Felicity from enjoying when Barry is a little awkward as well. To her heart's detriment, she finds it rather charming.

"Well, your teacher did a good job," she says, then quickly adds: "Or you were a great student." A beat. "Either way the- your dancing, it's ... great."

Maybe she's going to rethink this talking as her strong suit thing.

"Singing in the Rain was my favorite movie growing up. I wanted to be Gene Kelly." He gives a small shrug and smiles at her.

"Thanks, you're pretty good too. How did you learn?" Actually, he's pretty sure he'd be okay dancing with her for the rest of the night. He kind of feels a little like Gene Kelly with Felicity in his arms.

Felicity Smoak | Arrow

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for @lightninghertz

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for @im_ironman

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I'll take you back to the start, for @runsonwater

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