#felicity was wrong and the one to blame

[joeey-dee]

Okay, so unpopular opinion but Oliver didn't really have a right to be angry at Moira after he found out Thea was Malcolm's daughter, or maybe he did but he had no right to judge her without even giving her a chance to explain.

One he knows better than anyone that people make mistakes. He has cheated on his past girlfriend several times, having a full blown affair with her sister, so getting mad at his mother for having been involved with a friend of his father's is a bit hypocritical. Just saying.

I get that he was hurt and very emotional, Felicity's awful timing in dropping that bomb didn't help and his first reaction being like this makes kind of sense given the entire situation he found himself in, but after the first shock and some of the initial feelings had passed, it would've made more sense for him to confront her and get the entire story, which he would've understood.

And two that knowledge changed nothing for him when it came to his feelings about Thea. So it didn't really matter and since he was also angry at Moira because she made a liar out of him because Thea could never know once again shows that he agrees with Moira's choice to not tell Thea. So they are on the same page and the actual person who turned him into a liar is Felicity. Moira wasn't the one who told him that secret and burdened him with that knowledge, Felicity was. Moira would've taken it to her grave.

Also, honestly, Felicity is more to blame than Moira. And I know a lot of people will disagree with me here but there was no reason why Oliver or Thea needed to know that Thea wasn't Robert's biological daughter. He had loved her as if she were his own. And after knowing who Malcolm was and what he had done it would've been a kindness on Felicity's side to not share that information, especially because she went against Oliver's wishes and behind his back to dig into his family's past. That is not okay.

Plus Thea being Malcolm's daughter had no effect on their lives until the moment Thea learnt about it. Had Felicity stayed out of the Queen family's business, they wouldn't have lost everything, the relationship between Moira and her children wouldn't have been fractured before her death and Thea wouldn't have gone with Malcolm and lost her trust in Oliver and been manipulated to kill Sara.

The fact that Oliver was not angry at Felicity also made little sense to me. Like Moira said, he'd hate Moira but he'd hate Felicity too, he should've at the very least been angry at her for going against him and purposely go to try and dig up dirt on his mother. I would've been. If someone who claimed to be my friend wouldn't listen if I told them to not go hack my family I'd be mad. It's my family and none of their business. But that's just my opinion.

Plus people are entitled to their secrets and Moira had good reasons to keep that one. It was the only way to keep Thea out of Malcolm's grasp. Her action was made out of love and in order to protect her daughter.

Moira made some shady decisions but I get this one, especially since Robert had been aware of it and chosen to love and raise Thea as his own. Not telling Thea was a kindness at that point in time and since both Moira and Robert had known how dangerous Malcolm is for years I think keeping the truth from Thea had been the right choice. Learning the truth messed her up so much which is proof that the choice to keep it from her had been the right one on Moira's part.

This is just something that's been bugging me for a while but I couldn't really articulate why until now, lol.

[cressidagrey]

Heyyy

Lowkey I have a sneaking suspicion not all my asks are getting sent and imma blame the bad uni WiFi on that lol

Like Ik you got my well wishes about the legos but not the whole chapter I typed you about belle adopting oli when he subs in for Carlos after his surgery and in turn adopting all the rookies and them being so smug to anyone who’s not met belle and be like ‘oh yeah belle helped pick out the couch or belle helped me with that’ it’s gonna be hilarious and I can’t wait but about the chapter you posted today…

EXCUSE ME MAAM WHAT DO YOU MEAN FELICITY IS LITERALLY A GIRL BOSS EVERY TEAM PRINCIPAL IS SCARED OFF? AND THAT SHE HAD A SACRED BINDER?

LIKE LOVE HOW OSCAR AND FLISS JUST KEEP RAISING MY STANDARD LIKE ONLY IN MY DREAMS WOJLD I IMAGINE THAT TYPE OF SUPPORT BUT STILL ITS THE SWEETEST??

hehe was literally getting out of class when you dropped that chapter and I’m like lunch can wait but not this lol love when you post as always! White horse or anything you write literally makes my day!

I did wanna ask tho are max and belle gonna go public in 2024 or just keep to themselves longer than the ‘24 season cuz it’s kinda fun seeing the twitter spiral into chaos literally anytime max says something sweet about his gf lol imagine the chaos when it comes out 😭

Ngl you had me sus with belle feeling nauseous this chapter but im just trynna theorize like ‘max is gonna propose how are they gonna hide that AND a pregnancy? Or she might not even be pregnant but then why would author include that then” but just know IM HOOKED

Thanks for listening to my rant and have a blessed day!!

HEYYY omg okay first of all — if uni WiFi is the villain of this arc, I’m taking your side 100%. But also I checked, and I only had this one message from you in the inbox 👀 (And now I’m mourning the loss of the Belle-adopts-Ollie-and-the-rookies essay because that??? Sounds ICONIC. Also, I have 138 messages in my inbox, because I am sadly horrible about answering on time...)

Now let’s talk about today’s chapter because:

FELICITY. BINDER. SACRED DOCUMENTS. Every team principal lives in fear. McLaren Legal is in therapy. Zak Brown double-checks all contracts like she’s about to smite them. And Oscar? Oscar knows better than to argue. Felicity Nation is THRIVING.

I’m so honored you nearly forgot lunch for a new chapter 😂 Priorities: immaculate. And I love that you’re still theorizing — you’re absolutely not wrong to be sus of any moment Belle feels even slightly off. I’m just saying 👀

As for Max and Belle going public... let’s just say I have plans. And when it does happen? Twitter will need CPR. The group chat will be in flames. And Max will still be pretending like it’s not that deep while Belle silently regrets every life choice 😂

Thank you for this chaotic masterpiece of a message — I LOVED reading it and I’m so happy the stories have been making your day. You 1000% made mine 🫶🏻💛 Have the best day (and tell your uni WiFi to get its act together pls) 💻✨

[hvenart]

I absolutely love the new season of young royals. I also love how it furthered my disdain for out of touch rich people. They finally took full advantage of the setting of the show and showed how ignorant people with wealth can be.

You have Felice’s friend group who I and I’m gonna be completely honest CANNOT STAND. Like I like madison but frederika and Stella are so infuriating. Frederika has a knack for saying the most tone-deaf stuff that really gets under my skin and Stella is so blunt and just not in a good way. The way they almost got angry with Felice for calling out the toxic traditions and the bad school environment. It never affected them so it cannot POSSIBLY have been that bad. I love how they acknowledged Felice being one of the only black girls at the school and the friends just not getting it. Not understanding what the issue is exactly and just responding with ‘you’re beautiful.’ Felice knows she’s beautiful. She isn’t insecure she’s just calling out the biases of the teachers but she realises she’s not gonna be able to have a fruitful conversation with them so she just moves on to not make things awkward.This is so relatable for a black girl with an all white friend group. Sometimes the discussion is not worth your energy.

But they are NOTHING compared to Vincent and some of the other guys. The comments they made were sometimes so infuriating I had to pause to compose myself. They are a slightly different case since they actually full on faced the toxicity but especially Vincent refuses to cope with it and continues to traumatise students further(sure not as bad as he faced but initiations will always be disgusting)

The times he calls Simon a communist for simply speaking out about problems ( I don’t think my man payed attention in politics) yet will do a protest for a thing he’s not happy with cus hey how hard can it be poor people do it not realising how draining it can be (he should be happy they gave in so quickly cus he was not prepared)

And Wilhelm….

I’m probably gonna do a second post about him because I wanna get all my thoughts out before the final ep.

I love him but I love how Simon called him out about how he didn’t realise how privileged he was. Don’t get me wrong he faces a lot of problems because of it but he doesn’t understand some of the struggles. He saw the camping trip as just a bad night but Simon saw it for what it was. Two types of people with an incredible difference of wealth not being able to understand each other because one doesnt know how the world works. How much struggle the ordinary person has while they just see things as a given.

The lack of understanding between the two was always gonna cause conflict and honestly you can’t even blame them

(Though I will slightly blame rich people for being so out of touch with world issues but hey guess that’s just poor me talking who’s jealous of them)(Wilhelm tried his best and so did Simon)

[zee-has-commitment-issues]

Something I really love in season two is that Wilhelm, at some point, does realize that he’s being unreasonable. Even if he doesn’t act on that realization, he knows. He even articulates that he knows. He says it to Felice in episode 2???? 3???

Whenever it was, it was early.

“I know it should be fine. I know it should be fine that he’s dating, but it’s not. And it’s my own fault.”

He knows.

“I went through his phone.” “Seriously?” “It was stupid. I know.”

He knows.

Wilhelm is completely aware that he’s being unreasonable in this situation. He knows that he’s more or less the person to blame for not being with Simon. He knows that Simon moving on should be fine. Wilhelm is fully aware that wanting Simon back is selfish.

I love that he knows. It would be so so easy to have him just not realize any of this. And that would keep him in his season one bubble. The fact that Wilhelm knows - that he takes any kind of notice that he is wrong and Simon should be allowed to move on and live life - shows just how much he’s grown. In literally 3 episodes he has grown. And maybe he doesn't act on that realization for another episode or two, but at least he has it.

I don’t know, I just have many many feelings about that.

[frogprinsen]

AU where Wilhelm never went to Hillerska but Erik was there in the same year as August. The whole drug thing with Alexander still happened and they put the blame on Simon, being a non-resident. Simon never gave August drugs, there was no reason to but he did supply them with booze once, only so his sister can attend an exclusive party to make friends. August exploited this situation to frame Simon because he's an easy target. No one would believe him if he retaliated, especially against the Crown Prince. So, Simon got expelled.

Erik was just glad to get out of trouble. He knows what they did was wrong but it's just how it is, sacrifices had to be made. If the queen found out, it would out their reputation in danger, who cares about what happens to one kid?

Weeks passed and The Society all moved on and forgot about it, Erik didn't even think of it again. Until one day, he overheard some of the first year girls talking about the non-res.

Felice Ehrenchrona was comforting a girl named Sara who was apparently the kid's sister. She was going on about how her brother's life has been ruined. No school would accept him now since he was expelled from a reputable school for dealing drugs, and he can't even try to get a job because of the bad record. Simon, (Erik didn't even know his name until now) had been in such a dark place apparently, he's been depressed and has been pushing everyone away. He doesn't talk anymore and was now unresponsive. He doesn't even eat anymore either. Sara talked about how worried she is for her little brother and that went right through Erik's heart. He imagined himself in Sara's position, worried for the well-being of his little brother who is the most precious person in his life. For the first time, Erik feels guilt. He never really realized the consequences or how trying to protect his image would affect someone else. The realization dawned that his actions had caused irreparable harm, amplifying his remorse.

More days passed and Erik has been eaten by guilt. He couldn't sleep, he couldn't eat, he feels so anxious ever since and is now determined to make things right. He doesn't know how, but he will.

He was contemplating about paying Simon a visit, maybe give him a fair amount of compensation or use his connections to get him accepted to a good school. He's too busy making plans that he doesn't hear his door open until he saw his little brother sobbing his heart out and throwing himself at him.

Erik knew that Wilhelm had always been more sensitive than him but he has never seen him this broken. He realized that he's so preoccupied with his guilt and making plans that he hasn't really had time to see his brother lately. As Wilhelm sobbed, Erik's protective instinct kicked in, consoling him and encouraging him to share what was troubling him. He hates seeing his little brother hurt. Wilhelm broke down again and told him that there's actually a lot he doesn't know, he's been keeping something from Erik but he can't take it anymore and told him everything.

Erik was shocked. Suddenly, he feels like he doesn't really know his brother at all. Where was he? Why didn't he know anything? Wilhelm told him that he's queer. That he has a boyfriend. Had. apparently. He explained to him that his boyfriend broke up with him weeks ago, without any reason why. The boyfriend only told him that Wilhelm deserves someone who's life isn't fucked up and he doesn't want to ruin him too. Wilhelm begged him to stay but his boyfriend still left. Wilhelm doesn't know what to do, he knows his boyfriend loves him and that there is something he isn't telling him but he doesn't know how to help him if he keeps pushing him away. He stopped responding to Wilhelm's messages, and Wilhelm didn't really know anyone he could ask because they kept their relationship a secret.

Erik listened patiently and felt his heart break for his little brother. He didn't know what but he will do everything to know what is going on, he promises Wilhelm. His brother thanked him and through his tears told him how grateful he is to have his support but then he started crying in full force and told Erik he just found out through some sources that his boyfriend (or ex), Simon, is in the hospital and asked Erik to help him be able to see him. Erik felt his blood run cold. Slowly piecing together the puzzle, he began to realize the unthinkable:

The boy, who's life he ruined, is none other than his little brother's boyfriend.

What the fuck has he done?

[loren91]

Young Royals and the three act structure, Part two

Here we go again! Last time we spoke about how season one is constructed within the three-act structure. If you haven’t read the previous post I’d recommend you do so, because I’m not gonna explain each plot point again. Now we shall look at how this applies to the rest of the show, and based on that make a small prediction about season three.

So now that we’re all up to speed, let’s get to it!

I wanna take a moment first to consider Wille’s Want vs Need in regard to season two. The Want hasn’t really changed - He still wants to be with Simon. Although we are now aware of his Need, because of how the previous season ended, his struggle now is more about how to get there. Essentially, coming to terms with taking accountability and committing to his values. Consider where he’s at the start of the season, compared to the end. In episode one he calls his mother and literally blames her and the court for everything. Missing the point that it was his own lack of communication that drove Simon away from him in the first place. He’s not ready to take accountability yet. That’s why he can’t have what he wants. In the end though, in episode six, that’s exactly what he does. He admits he was in the video with Simon, to correct what he did wrong. The emotional journey he’s been through this season pushes him to actively make decisions based on his own beliefs, not letting the crown manipulate him anymore. Wille has become fully aware of what he Needs.

We continue our structure analysis with season two. And I gotta be honest for a second, I struggled a bit identifying some of these beats. They’re not as grand as they were in the previous season, making the structure a bit less obvious. The way I see it, the second act this time around is veeery long. But once again, if you disagree with me, let’s chat!

Act 1

Act tension - Can Wille and Simon resume their relationship?

Sequence 1

Set up/Hook - Since this is season two, we already know most of the characters and there’s no need to go deep about what is plaguing Wilhelm, we know what happened last season. But when we catch up with him, it’s clear he’s had a terrible Christmas. He’s sad and alone in the castle, doesn’t speak to his mother, and is very angry at August. Then he returns to Hillerska.

Sequence tension - What’s gonna happen when Wille and Simon reunite?

Point of attack - Wille is eager to be around Simon again, but Simon is trying to avoid him and even asks for space.

Inciting incident - Wille finds out about Simon’s date with Marcus.

Sequence 2

Sequence tension - What is Wille gonna do with this new information?

Things are moving rather quickly here because again, this is the sequel, there’s no need to linger on the set up. So we are immediately faced with the first major plot point, the Lock-in - Wille calls the royal court and blames them for everything that’s gone wrong so far. He also makes the decision to actively fight them, by threatening to renounce the crown. This also establishes the royal court as the main antagonist for this season. August is still an antagonist, but no longer the main one. The main tension is also established.

Act 2

Act tension -  How will he win Simon back?

Sequence 3

The protagonist starts this sequence having learned something new - Simon is making attempts to move on. Wille responds with petty anger. Then we get a pinch point - Jan-Olof shows up to remove Wille from Hillerska. Demonstrating the royal court's power. 

Sequence tension - Can Wille stand up for himself against the crown?

Sequence 4

The build-up towards the midpoint - Felice advises Wille to be around Simon as much as possible, to keep trying, and that he does. Like bargaining with Simon about having a secret relationship, helping Simon get a spot on the rowing team, and confronting him about his relationship with Marcus.

Sequence tension - Is Simon actually moving on?

And here comes the dreaded midpoint once again - Wille sees Simon and Marcus kiss. He now believes he’s lost Simon forever. What we could call “A false defeat”. This changes his aim from winning Simon back, to attempting to move on himself. 

Sequence 5

Wille is trying to adjust to this new reality where he can no longer hope for Simon to come back to him. We could identify two pinch points here. One is the locker room fight, where Simon admits he can’t accept Wille's title. And the other is when Simon shows up at the ball with Marcus. Both of these remind Wille of the fact that he can’t be with Simon. 

Sequence tension - Can Wille let Simon go?

Again, some subplots advance here - Sara and August’s relationship intensifies.

Sequence 6

Starting with a plot point, a moment of reflection for our protagonist - Despite Wille’s attempts to let go, Simon runs after him at the ball. They end up kissing.

Sequence tension - They still love each other!

Wille is overjoyed by this turn of events, and for a moment believes that they can be together again.

Sequence 7

Just like last time, Young Royals drags out the drama by adding an extra sequence here. A pinch point - Another reminder of the royal court's power. Kristina telling Wilhelm that August is next in line to the throne after him. Their argument in the music room could also be accounted for here.

Sequence tension - Wille is starting to realise how much his title affects Simon.

Wille’s offer to give up the crown could be more considered as a character-building moment, rather than a plot point. And Simon’s decision after this is more of a plot point in his own storyline.

The crisis that serves as build-up to act three - August threatens to report Simon for the drugs, if he reports August for the video. Wille reacts very strongly and takes it as a personal attack. 

The end of act two, where the protagonist faces their biggest challenge yet - The aftermath of the field scene. Wille is alone again, Simon isn’t talking to him, and his title has badly hurt Simon once again. On top of all this, he has to do the speech. 

Act 3

Act tension - Can Wille do the speech?

Sequence 8

Here the protagonist will make a big decision - Though perhaps is more Simon making the decision, to have a secret relationship.

Then we have the last major plot point, the twist - Despite the fact that Wille absolutely does not want to do the speech, he does it anyway, because he can’t let August be rewarded. 

Sequence 9

Sequence tension - What is he gonna say in this speech?

The climax - Wille stops, considering the contents of the speech, and disagrees with it. He decides to admit it was him in the video. 

Resolution - The smile they share I guess? But it’s still an open ending since this monumental decision leaves us with many question marks. Preparation for season 3.

The show obviously consists of so much more than just these beats, like subplots and character-building moments. The purpose of these things should be to strengthen the characters, as well as add more depth to the main plot. Take our beloved fish scene as an example, it doesn’t really do much to advance the plot. But it’s a very good moment for solidifying Wille and Simon’s relationship! Which is important to keep us, the audience, invested in their story. 

Subplots are quite interesting and tricky to get right. They tend to follow the same structure as the main plot. It’s also common for subplots to cross paths with the main plot as well, and sometimes even fundamentally affect it. However, since the main plot should always focus on developing the protagonist, you shouldn’t let any of the other character’s arcs hijack it. But you also generally don’t wanna keep the two narratives completely separate, because then the subplot might end up feeling forced and meaningless. A great example from Young Royals is the drug plotline between Simon and August. Let’s break it down real quick.

Act 1 - the deal

Set up/Hook - August approaches Simon. Clearly, they are not friends. Inciting incident - August asks Simon to get booze for him. Lock in - Even though Simon initially declined the offer, he eventually agrees to help August.

Act 2 - the money issues

Pinch point - August returns and now asks for drugs, despite being late with the payment. Midpoint - Simon learns August can’t pay him back because August is broke. Pinch point - Simon gives August more drugs to sell, so he may pay him back. Crisis - August threatens to frame Simon for the drugs after the party. (The plot lines cross and affect each other)

Act 3 - the threat 

Climax - Wille manages to convince the others to frame Alexander instead. Resolution - Simon is safe (for now)

The reason why I don’t account for Simon going to see his father here is because I’d argue that them reconnecting is its own subplot, more related to Simons relationship with Sara, than it is to the August situation. It’s also an unresolved plot line still. Micke showing up at Lucia I suspect to only be their crisis point, or maybe even midpoint? Depending on how the rest of it plays out in season three of course.

Another neat trick writers may use with their subplots, is to parallel the main plot, either to highlight the themes of the story, or to explore alternative outcomes. For example, the Sara and August plotline at times resembles Wille and Simon’s plot, for very good reasons. Like how August and Wille are from similar backgrounds, yet they’re very different people. Especially at the end of season two. By that point the emotional journey August has been on, falling in love with Sara and reflecting on his wrongdoings, you’d assume he would have learned something or displayed some kind of character growth. But nope. Instead, he doubles down and causes further intentional harm to the people he’s already hurt. While Wille, in the same episode actively works to redeem himself to Simon. This is meant to strengthen Wille’s position as the protagonist we should root for, by comparing him to August, who remains to be an awful person. So even though it may feel like season two is giving more screen time to the secondary characters, that still has a purpose for the overall narrative.

Young Royals in general like to use their secondary characters to highlight the overall theme of the show. As @darktwistedgenderplural pointed out to me, widening the view of Wille’s Want vs Need to the want of being loved for who you are, and the need to be your most authentic self, we find that the same principle can be applied to all the five main characters. Despite all their journeys being unique, their wants and needs remain universal. They are all there to strengthen the theme of the show.

So what was the point of all this rambling? I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the story consists of exactly three seasons. The way I see it, since the three-act structure can be found in every element of this show, each season is also meant to represent one of the acts. Season one is the set up, season two is the confrontation, and season three will be the resolution. If we try to map out the entire show that we have so far in the structure format, you can quite quickly find the pattern.

Season 1

Set up - Wille is sent to Hillerska where he meets Simon and falls in love. Inciting incident - The video is released. Lock-in - Wille does the statement and Simon breaks up with him.

Season 2

Pinch point - The royal court proves to be a major obstacle to Wille getting what he wants. Midpoint - Wille and Simon kiss at the Valentine’s ball, proving they still have feelings for each other. Pinch point - The royal court is still trying to manipulate him, making him do the speech. Moment of reflection - Wille considers how much his title affects Simon and chooses to come out.

My theory is that at the start of season three, we’ll get to the Crisis point of the over-arcing plot. Where our protagonist will face their biggest challenge yet and be at their lowest point before the climax. And hopefully, we’ll get a proper resolution this time around! (Something more than a cliffhanger at least, please and thank you)

So even though it’s sad that our lovely little show is coming to an end, I think it’s worth looking at the bigger picture here. The writers clearly intended for it to have three seasons so that we would have a satisfying story with a clear beginning, middle, and end. There are so many examples of shows that self-sabotaged by running for way too long and not being able to keep consistent quality. But the Young Royals team got to stay loyal to their story and tell it in their way, and I think that’s beautiful.

Young Royals is a love letter to storytelling, and you can’t convince me otherwise ❤

[othervee]

I was thinking about YR in the shower this morning (it's where my brain is at its finest) and thinking about Simon and Sara, and how they each react to Hillerska - and the effect Hillerska and its students has on them. And it's led to some personal musings as well.

In the first episode we see that both Simon and Sara are very aware that most of Hillerska's privileged elites either despise them or don't even think about them. Sara tells Simon that she doesn't care about how Felice speaks to her, because she gets to hang out at the stables and ride as much as she wants. Simon wants Sara to tell him if anyone gives her a hard time. The siblings ride the bus home as a united front, taking goofy selfies which show their open affection for each other - very different to the carefully curated selfies Felice is posting or the press snaps of Wilhelm, emphasising how the Erikssons exist outside the artificial bubble of Hillerska where everything is for show.

But in the same episode, in our first glimpse of them at home, we see Sara instructing Ayub on correct table setting and later dismissing her old school as being a bunch of "diverse losers who'll never amount to anything".

On the one hand, I don't blame Sara for resenting Marieberg, because we know she was badly bullied and humiliated there. On the other hand Ayub, present at the table, is one of those Marieberg "losers" and Sara doesn't modify or withhold her words so as not to hurt or insult him.

This is our first glimpse of Hillerska and its values affecting Sara's character and relationships. She's brought Hillerska into their home, whether knowingly or unwittingly, and is beginning to internalise Hillerska values.

What I'm pondering here is: why table manners, now, even before Sara has befriended anyone from Hillerska?

Table manners - and the rules of etiquette in general - are a signifier of class. There are plenty of written and filmed works (and of course fan-created works too!) where a working class person, attempting to pass as a member of "high society", is revealed to be an imposter through an etiquette slip-up such as choosing the wrong spoon for the course they've been served.

Of course Sara, if she wants to fit in, will want to know and practice correct manners - but at this stage, she hasn't befriended any of the Hillerska girls and she doesn't have a reason to think she will. She implies to both Simon and Linda that she doesn't care whether she ever fits in. So why does it matter if her mother doesn't sit up straight at the table? Is it because she doesn't want to be embarrassed at Parents' Day; because she hopes that she will be able to fit in with the Hillerska crowd if she imitates them enough; or has she begun believing, maybe without realising it, the myth that people with money deserve it because they are better, more deserving people, and that good manners is one of the markers of being a more deserving person? That would tie in with her "no-one likes me when I'm me" later several episodes later. She doesn't feel worthy in herself, as herself, and Hillerska is doing nothing to boost her.

Simon's letting Hillerska inside too, and it's altering his relationships as well, less obviously but perhaps more insidiously. Ayub and Rosh are taken aback that he wants to "get somewhere" in life and doesn't want to stay in Bjarstaad forever. Simon is focusing on very direct actions and effects though - he will participate in rowing, which will improve his grades, which will get him into a better university/a better job. But the etiquette means absolutely nothing to him.

The face Sara wants to show at Hillerska is "I am one of you, and you can see that because I participate in and love your traditions". Whereas Simon wants to present as "I am just as good as you, just as I am, and your weird little rules and rituals are irrelevant to me".

And that's all just in the first couple of episodes!

[weirdthoughtsandideas]

If Luna and Simón got married and had kids

(Another multiverse travel story. Read on ao3)

It had been a week since Luna had adopted her daughter Lucia. She was sitting in the couch, bouncing her on her lap.

"Who's the cutest little girl?" she cooed. "You are!"

Lucia laughed, which prompted Luna to continue.

"Ah, I love baby laughter!" Simón admitted. He was sitting beside her on the couch. Right then, Ámbar walked into the room. She was 8 months pregnant with her and Simón's first child. "I can't wait to hear my own kid laugh like that," Simón said dreamingly.

"It's so good Luna got a kid, so we can practice before our own kid comes," Ámbar said.

"Are you a little guinea pig?" Luna asked Lucia. She kissed her on the cheek.

"Also, is that smell from her?" Simón asked, raising an eyebrow.

"If I'd ever fart, I'd blame it on her," Luna chuckled. But then she smelled Lucia. "This time though, it's definitely her. Honey, when did you have time to take a dump?"

"She's a baby, she's just gonna do it without thinking," Ámbar said. "Give her to me, I'll change her."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. As mentioned, I need to practice."

"Alright!" Luna placed another kiss on her daughter. "See you soon, stinky!"

"Can you believe how life has turned out for us?" Simón asked. "I remember when we were kids, and we promised to live in the same house when we grew up! And we did!"

"Yeah!"

Simón then chuckled. "Back then I thought I'd be married to you."

"I wonder how that would have been like!"

"Yeah... it's hard to imagine now..."

Luna tried to reach for a cookie placed on the sofa table, but before she could grab it, it suddenly evaporated.

"Huh...?"

Suddenly, someone just dropped on the floor. They quickly stood up, and faced Simón and Luna.

"Hello!" she exclaimed.

"Nina?" Luna asked. "What are you doing here?"

"And why are you dressed like Felicity?" Simón added.

Felicity took a deep breath, as if she's practiced this speech before. "I'm actually Felicity, I'm from a universe where only alter egos and imaginary friends exist. We spend time travelling through different universes. I was about to travel to a universe to witness a birth, but I think I traveled to the wrong one."

"Wait, what? What birth?" Luna asked.

"Oh, silly... your birth! Or, well... you're the one giving birth!"

"I'm not pregnant..."

Felicity giggled. "Not in this universe, but in another! Hey! Why not come with me, and check it out!"

Simón and Luna exchanged looks. "Uh..."

"The babies are coming any second!"

"Babies, in plural?" Luna asked. "Am I giving birth to twins?!"

"Triplets, actually!"

"Huh?"

"Who's the father...?" Simón asked.

Now Felicity giggled again. "You are!"

"What?! But I'm... I'm with Ámbar!"

"In this universe, yes! But this is a universe in which you two were married! I heard you two wondering how that would be! And you happened to wonder that on the day where you're gonna have kids! Come on!"

Luna looked at Simón. "Well... this feels already so surreal, so... we might aswell."

"Sure, let's do it!" Simón agreed.

Felicity took their hands, and then they suddenly poofed out of the room.

-

They landed in the hallway of a hospital.

"I thought you might not want to see the C-section," Felicity said, "But-"

Right then, they heard a baby cry.

"Oh my! Wait here, I need to see it!" She teleported into the room where the baby cries came from.

Luna and Simón waited outside for some minutes, unsure what to do.

”So that’s… me? In there?” Luna asked.

”I suppose so,” Simón said. ”I’m not sure what even is going on. Felicity exists as a real person, and now we’re travelling through universes?”

”For some reason, I am not questioning it as much as I should,” Luna admitted. ”Maybe this is a dream…”, she pinched herself, ”That I can’t wake up from.”

Felicity suddenly popped back into the hallway.

”It was amazing!” she exclaimed. ”Three beautiful little girls, and they’re all yours!”

”Sounds…” Luna wasn’t sure what to really say. ”… great. For me. Sorry, I’m just trying to cope that I just found out I gave birth to triplets.”

”And I’m the father,” Simón chimed in.

”Yes! Do you wanna see your babies?” Felicity asked.

Luna and Simón exchanged looks, and then shrugged.

”I guess?” Luna said.

”Great! Let’s check an hour into the future!”

They popped into a hospital room. Luna from this universe was lying on a hospital bed, eating some food. Simón from this universe sat on a couch close by, feeding a little baby with a bottle. Two other babies were lying in little cots next to Luna’s bed.

”Uh… they can’t see us, right?” Simón asked.

”Nope! We’re invisible!” Felicity confirmed. ”But let’s be quiet so we can hear them talk!”

”Can you believe it?” Simón from this universe asked. ”That we’d not only have kids together, but three at once?”

”I can’t believe it at all,” Luna from this universe replied. ”What a strike of luck!”

”I know! Oh… what should their names be?”

”I knew there was something we forgot!”

They both laughed.

Simón from this universe turned to the baby in his arms. ”This little one… she eats like an ogre. Yeah, you do, sweetie! You’re really getting that bottle!”

Luna from this universe giggled. ”So what? We should name her Fiona, after Shrek’s wife?”

”I’ve always liked Fiona as a name…”

”Me too… ok, let’s do it! One child done!”

Simón from this universe put Fiona down with her sisters, and then picked up the next baby. ”This one, then…”

”Should we do a theme?” Luna from this universe asked. ”Like, have all of them start with the same letter, or something?”

”Nah… let’s just pick names that we think works!”

”Give her to me. Maybe I can figure out a name by looking at her.”

He put the baby down in her arms. Luna from this universe looked carefully at the baby. ”You shall be named… Vega.”

”Vega! I love that name!” Simón from this universe exclaimed. ”You’re so clever, my love.” He then kissed her on the mouth, which made the multiverse travelling Simón and Luna exchange awkward smiles.

The third baby started crying, prompting her father to walk up to her, and attempt to do the same thing his wife just did. ”Ok, I’m gonna say a name, and if you like it, you can stop crying. Your name shall be… Tina.”

The baby immediately stopped crying, causing her parents to cheer.

”Fiona, Vega and Tina,” Luna from this universe said. ”What wonderful names. Oh, I can’t wait to see them grow up!”

”Same here!”

They exchanged another kiss.

”So!” Felicity said, grinning at the Simón and Luna that traveled with her. ”What do you think? This is how it would be if you two were married!”

”It’s hard to know what to say,” Luna admitted. ”We look very happy together.”

”We also only saw a small snippet,” Simón noted. ”Not any proposal, wedding, moving in together, planning for the babies… so we can’t know how their… our lives are outside of this very hour.”

”Well, you two certainly will have your hands full with triplets!” Felicity chuckled.

”We sure will…” Luna said. ”It makes me almost happy I only have one kid, in my universe. That I didn’t even need to give birth to!”

”Yeah, and even if I seem happy having triplets with Luna…” Simón said, ”I think I’ll be happier at home, having to witness the birth of my one child with Ámbar.”

”You and Ámbar will have more than one kid, but not at once!” Felicity informed him.

”Wait, what-”

”Anyway, you’re right! The versions of you from this universe would miss their three little girls if they visited you, just as you miss your kids and other wife when you’re over here! So let’s just go back home, shall we?”

-

They were suddenly back in their own universe.

”So, now you got a small insight in how it would be if you two were married,” Felicity said. ”We could check in again in a few years, to see how parenthood has shaped you!”

”Thanks for letting us travel… it was fun…” Luna said.

”I always love travelling with you!”

”Wait, we’ve done this before?”

”Yep! You just don’t remember it, because people always forget it happened, to not make their psyche overblown. Plus, I’ve travelled with you in several other universes, too. There’s one where you ended up with Matteo, and that universe’s you was very surprised to find you you’re a single mother to an adopted kid in this universe!”

”Me? Ending up with Matteo?” Luna asked, and then both her and Simón snickered.

”I gotta go, now!” Felicity said. ”I wanna check out the universe where Luna is married to Jim and Simón is married to Gastón! Don’t ask how that happened! See you!”

With that, Felicity was gone.

Simón and Luna just stared into thin air, trying to process it all.

”I’m back!” Ámbar announced. ”Hey, why are you staring into thin air?”

”I…” Simón looked at her. ”I have no idea.”

”Me neither,” Luna admitted. She then saw her daughter in Ámbar’s arms. ”Lucia! Are you all clean and ready to play? Come to mama!”

As per usual, the travellers forgot all about travelling to another universe. But, every time someone mentioned the word ”triplets”, it was like they were trying to remember something that they desperately couldn’t. They never would.

Luna and Simón in the other universe continued to be happily married, and be the best parents ever to their three little bundles of joy. But who knows, maybe they go travelling through the multiverse too at some point, and get surprised to see Simón be with Ámbar and Luna be single, and having completely other kids.

They just needed to have a little alter ego in the room with them. And that happens more often than you think.

There might be an alter ego or imaginary friend in the room you’re in right now. They might be disguised as an object in front of you. They might be disguised as your pillow, or your chair. Maybe they are hiding as the nearest lightbulb.

If they do show up, and take you on a multiverse travel adventure, you won’t remember it anyway. But I’m sure you had fun.

[waybeforeyourtime]

I caved! S3E1 Live Reactions

Well, they jumped right into it, didn't they?! 😯

I know the theory is that the Queen is terminally ill, but I'd really like to see her portrayed as having anxiety, depression, etc.

I'm dying at the settlement. Anyone reading 'And That's How We Make History, Baby' will see why soon!

They are so horny for each other. ❤️

Oh damn. I knew the drugs would come out but I'm still furious.

And I'm really hoping that August tells them to go fuck themselves too, not for Sara but for him. It's the only way he can go on a path to redemption.

Madison, I love you. I hope nothing ever changes that. You are the superior friend. 👑

I was betrayed by my BFF, and I know how much it hurts. I'm glad they're showing that sort of grief. Because Madison is right. That friend break-up more than my divorce.

I was right about the cup, and Linda finally realized that she's the parent! I'm so happy about this! Simon and Sara both need that in their lives.

I find the parallel that she's getting stronger as the Queen is getting weaker to be very well done.

And again I continued to be impressed by Omar's acting. I can't believe it's his first.

Great sound job with that kiss.

I hate to admit it, but there's a decent boy buried inside of August.

Poor Felice. Poor Sara. :(((((((

Fuck you, Marcus. I knew you were slime.

You are not wrong, Rosh. Oh baby, no. Nooooooooo!!! Replying to comments never has a happy ending.

The red lights are in the shape of a crown!!! 👑👑👑 Were they always like that? Did I miss that?

Ok this is sound advice for EVERYONE. Ignore the comments.

I'm dying. Going to NYC for a suntan. 🤣🤣🤣 How very Nordic.

ofc Blame Wille and not yourselves for your abusive traditions.

alright okay. Great first episode. Really setup conflicts for resolution this season that are all interconnected to previous ones.

[ninjaturtlecosmo]

Just so this headcanon makes sense, I plan for my future TAWOG story to be set in modern times, so I headcanon Stella, Steve and everyone they went to school with to have been born around 1984, and to have all graduated Elmore Highschool in 2002. And after The Blame episode, I imagine this to be Stella and Steve's conversation when Stella learns about that whole video game banning incident xD

Stella:..... So let me get this straight, because one VERY sheltered kid got overstimulated after Richard and Nicole's kids introduced him to video games, you guys all acted like idiots and came together to somehow convince City Council to ban video games from Elmore?

Steve:....... Yeah, we did..... I was part of it too, I know, roast me....... The kids did entertain themselves with books for a while, but.... then some of them got bored with what was in the libraries, and..... well, the girls discovered the romance section at bookstores..... and long story short, it spiraled to the point where some parents were begging City Council to overturn the video game ban...... Not because of the books specifically, but because at that point we realized what the kids were actually trying to tell us and realized no form of media is necessarily bad, it all just depends on how you consume it.

Stella: And how'd overturning the ban go?

Steve:........ Felicity is part of that too, so...... long story short to get her to vote for overturning the ban, someone apparently blackmailed her with something...... I think she's having an affair with someone and she didn't want it to get out.

Stella: An affair?? HA! Somehow that doesn't surprise me from someone like her..... Well, at least you guys realized what idiots you were being. You know, after I moved to my first apartment in Los Angeles and was getting used to being without you, my roommate at the time introduced me to Silent Hill 2 on the original Playstation. It actually kinda helped me with a lot of what I was dealing with at the time, and..... believe it or not, it kinds taught me further to not let myself be held back by everything mom put us through..... to just put the past behind me and live my life.

Steve:....... It did?

Stella: Yeah. Video games aren't all just about shooting shit or rotting brains, a lot of them have really good stories to them. You know that PS5 Takumi got Lita? They released a remake of that game for that console, you should try it.

Steve:....... Well, it is a game.... what could be so wrong?

Later

Steve:*screaming in terror as he tries to avoid Pyramid Head*

Stella:.................. I guess I forgot you never liked horror.

[fan-a-tink]

Young Royals S3 thoughts

EP 1

First word of the season is crown prince.

The queen is ill. taking pills. Simply depressed or something else too? 

„Was this how you imagined it would be?“ „No, this is better.“ My heart.

Settling the video issue outside the courts. Simon just wants it to be over - Linda why are you not listening to your son?

Fuck you Rickard for telling everyone about Simon and the drug thing anyway. That was so unnecessary!

And then they all just signed anyway?

The queen having a breakdown scares the shit out of me. Wille is going to have to take over so soon, and the responsibility will be the death of him and Simon.

Madison is the only one seeing that something is actually wrong with Felice, and she’s trying to be such a good friend. 

Farima seems cool!

Simon grounded. wtf, I don’t like it. And it’s not exactly his fault he didn’t tell Linda about everything that was going on - like she has to take some blame there too.

Vincent you fucking idiot. I hate you. You don’t get to blame Wille for this. And don’t you DARE talk to a reporter.

That kiss, in the library, and everyone going absolutely quiet - AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!

Crown prince.. and your boyfriend! - AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!

I’m not sure they are really listening to each other, actually. Please guys, no more miscommunication!

YES, Wille!!! Show off your boyfriend and shut down their reactions with that look of ‚that’s my boyfriend, and if anyone has a problem with that, they have a problem with me!“

Fucking hate Vincent. „You and Wilhelm can sit together on the bus out to the slums.“ Fuck you Vincent. - Also, is it bad that I think August actually handled that situation really well?

Sara, my love - do you need a hug? 

That heart on the hand is a heartstopper reference, and no one will ever convince me otherwise!

So Marcus talked about Simon to the press. As if we needed any confirmation that he was a dickhead. Good riddance.

Simon don’t respond to the tweets!!!!

Foolish. But brave. - Yes, that sums up Wille pretty well :)

Wille saying „I wish I could ask him“ about Erik breaks my heart. Look at his eyes when he says it! There is so much grief which he has not processed at all. 

Sara going to Micke. I love that he takes her in, but also, she should really talk to someone else, not rekindle the extremely strained / non-existent relationship with her dad which was so traumatic to her! Saraaaaaaaa, please talk to your mum, or a therapist. Anyone!

Wille waking up peacefully smiling and redrawing the heart on his hand. This is joy. 

Ok that initiation shit sounds traumatizing as hell - who the fuck thought that would be a good idea? 

And no, Vincent, shut the fuck up, you don’t get to blame Wille for any of this!!!! Just fuck right off!

Did Simon keep that seat for Wille? 🥰

Simon’s expression at ‚Is it true? Did it happen to you?‘ And ‚what about the other stuff?‘ - just not able to comprehend how Wille could have done any of it. Ohhh, I smell drama on the horizon, and I don’t like it.

I love that them hearing about the restrictions makes them hold hands even tighter. I love that they can just do that now, in public, in school, in front of everyone. Still not over it. 

The new principal’s smile gives me serial killer vibes.

Aaaaahhhhh, I’m not ready for the drama, I’m not ready for the discussions, the tensions, the secrets, for any of it!!! I’m scared to keep going, because I don’t want them to have to go through any of it - haven’t they suffered enough? Haven’t we suffered enough? 

[blazethecheeto]

What songs fit Olicity (for ship ask)

I AM. SO GLAD YOU ASKED.

(i have playlists for so many a-verse characters and ships please ask me more i guarantee you i have songs.)

Tightrope from The Greatest Showman

because!! i always found this to be felicity saying that she accepts this crazy life with oliver and they can both grow together and they found themselves in each other and-

-

Hand in my hand And we promised to never let go We're walking a tightrope

-

You pulled me in and together we're lost in a dream Always in motion So I risk it all just to be with you And I risk it all for this life we choose

-

2. She Is The Sunlight by Trading Yesterday

this song is literally oliver describing felicity and saying he doesn't deserve her because he's too broken etc etc angst angst and also it sounds like him

-

She lives in a daydream where I don't belong She is the sunlight and the sun is gone

-

Then I am the martyr and love is to blame She is the healing and I am the pain

-

3. Someone You Like - The Girl and the Dreamcatcher

hear me out on this one- this song is the most tooth-rotting sweetness that you can get and this is very s1-s2 olicity when they first get to know each other and start to catch feelings.

-

I might never stop your sorrow Fix you up good as new But that don't mean that I can't hold your hand in mine

-

I might never say I'm sorry Even if I done you wrong But I think I could be someone you like

-

4. Paper Rings by Taylor Swift

no explanation for this one it screams olicity.

-

Went home and tried to stalk you on the internet Now I've read all of the books beside your bed

-

Kiss me once 'cause you know I had a long night Kiss me twice 'cause it's gonna be alright Three times 'cause I've waited my whole life

-

5. Kissaphobic by Make Out Monday

this once again sounds like oliver in my mind and idk it has the vibes don't ask ALSO IT'S A W SONG PLEASE LISTEN TO IT.

-

Your fingers are quivering Except when you're shivering I wanna hold your hand

-

But I'm kissaphobic Don't wanna get too close to you Your mouth is a hurricane

[jooeeydee]

I don't understand those Arrow fic writers who take away any form of personal accountability for their actions from their favorite character and blame their own choices on others, mainly Oliver.

It is such a cheap route to take and shows how little they understand Oliver's character. Everyone who calls him a selfish jerk and that he didn't or doesn't learn from his mistakes obviously hasn’t watched the show, or refused to look at Oliver as a traumatized man with a serious case of untreated PTSD.

They are also entirely ignorant to the fact that every time he took a step forward he was pushed back at least two, sometimes by his enemies but most times by the people who were supposedly his friends and family. He received zero help, understanding or compassion from the people closest to him and no one did anything to try and help him. If they had truly cared, they would have learnt about PTSD and tried to convince him to actually get professional help instead of having insane expectations and getting angry at him if he fails to fulfill those.

Blaming someone with this extreme amount of trauma for not behaving the way a "normal" person would, is not just ignorant but downright disgusting.

Did Oliver make bad choices that made situations even worse? For sure. Could some of them have been prevented had he made different choices? Probably.

But to ignore the reasons why he made those choices and simply saying he was a selfish jerk who only cared about himself is not fair to him.

Oliver was always trying to help people, protect the people he loved from the harsh reality of just how cruel and painful a place the world is. And most of all he tried to protect them from himself and the person he had turned into after his five years away. There was no one on the show who thought less of Oliver than Oliver himself. He saw himself as a monster. He took the blame for everything that went wrong in everyone's life and never defended himself even if he wasn't the one to blame or responsible for their pain. He truly felt he didn’t deserve happiness. So, add a serious case of depression to the rest of his psychological issues.

Talk about victim blaming! Seriously, this is like one of the most extreme cases I’ve ever seen on TV. 

Even on the show everyone always blamed Oliver for everything. How about they step in his shoes for a moment and make the difficult choices? And then deal with the consequences of their choices and don't just blame Oliver. I mean if he was there made a choice they didn't like it was his fault. If he wasn't there and they made a choice that backfired it was his fault for "not being there". Jeez talk about damned if you do damned if you don't.

Whereas Laurel, Felicity and Thea are being looked at as the innocent and blameless victims that were forced into their bad decisions by Oliver… simply existing I think… Both Laurel and Felicity were totally, shy and meek and easily manipulated and gullible women that just sat there and let a man walk all over them and abuse them… right… have those people even watched the show? Not going into the emotional manipulation and abuse the women used on Oliver here, cause the post would get way too long. But claiming Oliver is to blame for everything that went wrong in Laurel and Felicity’s lives also takes away from the women and the characters they were. If a man has the power to shape a woman’s life entirely, it means the woman has absolutely no power of her own and no free will, which means you just turned them into useless bimbos, instead of the strong, independent women that they actually were on the show.

Women aren’t perfect, they make mistakes too, and men aren’t to blame for their mistakes or the choices they made. No one forced them to be with Oliver or stay in his life, they chose that. Oliver never claimed to be a good choice for them, far from it he tried to get them to leave him alone. They refused. Don’t blame him for their choices.

And also, Sara would never call Oliver, the man who was willing to die for her several times, who killed a man so she didn't have to, who risked everything to try and save a friend, a selfish jerk. Whoever believes Sara would think so little of Oliver obviously hasn't watched the show.

Sorry for my rant but things like that just piss me off and leave me in a state of disbelieve.

[the-feral-gremlin]

🔥 choose violence ask game 🔥

1, 3, 8, 9

Ask from the Same anon: previous ask for cw arrow lol

Thanks for the ask!

1. the character everyone gets wrong

Felicity. You all love to make her into this fucking Villian because of how mad she was about Oliver lying AGAIN and keeping William (a whole ass CHILD) a secret from her. Oliver isn’t the only one with trust issues, a dark past, and a history of being lied to. I know that if it was any other character (especially a male one) you all wouldn’t be losing your shit over how felicity reacted.

3. screenshot or description of the worst take you've seen on tumblr

I can’t really think of anything? I mean I know I’ve come across some pretty not great ones but yeah.

8. common fandom opinion that everyone is wrong about

That Oliver would in any way forgive Malcolm for all that he did to Thea and Tommy. Like, he used her to kill Sara because he didn’t want to take the blame or the blood on his hands. He fucking abandoned his eight year old son (who just lost his MOTHER) to go be trained by the league of Assassins. He was a shitty father and person. Oliver KNOWS this. I hate how everyone in the later seasons just kind of accepts Malcolm as an honorary team arrow member, especially Oliver and Thea.

9. worst part of canon

Oliver finally retiring the green arrow mantel to raise Mia with Felicity in that house only to have to leave his family and put on the suit again and sacrifice himself for literally everyone. Everytime that he retired the green arrow mantel and started letting himself be happy (season 3 finale- first episode of season 4) it either ended or blew up in his face. Just Oliver’s ending in general in my opinion.

[From this ask game]

[originalhybridloverfics-backup]

Ch 9 The Gift You Gave Me

For the next two weeks, Oliver, Felicity and John repaired the bunker and helped the city in its efforts to recover from the Undertaking.

Even now, first responders were still recovering bodies from the wreckage.

As the body count raised, the amount of anger, blame, and discontent rose in the city. The people started calling for Merlyn blood. They celebrated Tommy’s death. They wanted Moira Queen dead and there were even those few who wanted Oliver and Thea to pay for their parents’ crimes.

Oliver had a team of security on Thea when she wasn’t with Roy, much to her annoyance.

He worried for Felicity, but as long as the world didn’t know she was carrying Malcolm Merlyn’s grandchild, she was safe.

John was spending more time with Carly, and that often left just Oliver and Felicity to their own devices.

More often than not found Oliver on Felicity’s couch or in her kitchen, but always with her.

He learned she couldn’t cook to save her life and took it upon himself to make her breakfast and dinner. Often when she was at work, when he wasn’t working on the foundry or working out, he was researching recipes for pregnant women.

Felicity didn’t mind. Oliver’s cooking was a hundred times better than microwave food and it reminded her of Tommy in a good way, even if it made her heart ache just a bit more than it did before.

Before, Oliver was her teammate, her partner, but now he was becoming a very close friend. 

Someone she could talk to about almost anything. Her worry and fears. How much she missed Tommy. About her day.

Oliver had not only become her friend but her sounding board, her confidante. 

Her pillar of support.

Her anchor among tragedy and heartache. 

Her life had changed so much and in a world she was still adjusting to the changes.

Nothing about any of this was easy.

LINEBREAK

Oliver set a plate on the counter. Scramble, eggs, toast and grapes. A glass of orange juice is next to it.

Felicity’s bedroom door opened. Her hair was left down and more curly than he has ever seen it. She was pale this morning, making the circles beneath her eyes more evident. She wore a pair of black yoga pants and an oversized blue shirt he knew to be Tommy’s, dipping off one shoulder.

“Are you not going into work today?” Oliver wondered, knowing Felicity would have worn something else if that were the case, or maybe she was just running late.

His step faltered." Are You feeling okay?" 

“I have to go to the hospital.” Felicity said. 

Oliver’s heart leapt into his throat and he was rushing forward before she could take another step. “What’s wrong?” his arm wrapped around her waist, ready to whisk her away to the hospital as fast as possible.

“I’m fine.” Felicity patted his chest, seeing his worry. “I have a doctor’s appointment, so I took the day off.”

“Oh, is it for the baby?” he asked, helping her over to the counter.

“It is,” she answered, sipping at the glass of orange juice.

Oliver settled across from her. “Can I..:” he shook his head abruptly, falling silent. 

Felicity watched as he pushed his eggs around on his plate, that brooding frown in place that she was all too familiar with. “You want to be there?”

Oliver looked up at her hesitantly. “I don’t want to overstep.”

“You’re not.” Felicity assured him. “I wouldn’t mind.”

“Yeah?” Oliver smiled lightly.

“Yeah,” said Felicity. “It will be nice to have a friend there.”

“When is the appointment?” Oliver looked at the clock.

“Not for another 2 hours.” Felicity answered, nibbling on her toast. “We got time.”

LINEBREAK

Oliver followed Felicity’s mini Cooper on his bike through the hospital’s underground parking garage.

It was convenient in keeping away from the hostile mobs out For Merlyn blood and from paparazzi and reporters.

Oliver followed closely behind Felicity as it seemed she knew exactly where she was going and he didn’t.

He stepped closer to her as a few others got into the elevator with them.

He was worried at first that someone might recognize him and his trip here will be on every television and paper in the city. But not a single person paid him any mind, some miracles he would gladly accept. He felt out-of-place walking into the women’s clinic. It only increased when he noticed it was a room full of pregnant women and he was only the third man there.

He stepped closer to Felicity to help with his unease. His hand migrated to her back. 

“Are you sure you want to be here?” Felicity asked quietly, leaning into him so he could hear her.

“Yes, just nervous.” Oliver admitted.

“So am I.” Felicity said, and Oliver moved his hand from her back to her hand, closing his around hers.

Felicity squeezed his hand and approached the receptionist's desk. “Felicity Smoak. I have an appointment at 11:15.”

“Fill this out and I will get you checked in.” The receptionist replied politely, holding out a clipboard with forms. “And I will need your ID and insurance card.”

Felicity dug through her purse until she found her wallet as Oliver took hold of the clipboard. Felicity handed over the cards.

She accepted the clipboard from Oliver and took one of the empty seats that was left. 

Oliver joined her, rubbing his fingers together in that way he did when he was feeling nervous or restless.

It didn’t take Felicity long, and she took them back up to the counter. 

10 minutes later, a nurse came and took her to one of the patient rooms, and she and Oliver were left waiting for the doctor. 

Felicity sat on the medical bed while Oliver paced, looking out the window and the skyline laid out before him.

“Does it usually take this long?” Oliver wondered.

“Patience is a virtue.” Felicity said, and despite himself, Oliver smiled.

“What do you want to do after this?” asked Oliver, hoping to distract himself.

“I don’t know.” Felicity answered honestly. “I guess it depends on how I feel after this.” 

The door to her room and an older brunette woman walked in dressed in a white coat. “Hi, Ms. Smoak. I’m Dr. Avery. How are you feeling?”

“Nauseous. Tired.” Felicity answered.  

“That’s perfectly normal.” Replied Dr. Avery, filling out a form. “Any cramping?”

“No.”

“Spotting?”

“No.”

“Very good.” she looked up from her chart, looking at Oliver with recognition. “And is this the father?”

“This is a very good friend of mine.” Felicity answered and Oliver came over and gently took her hand in his, his thumb brushing slowly back and forth across the back of her hand.

“Good. As first time mom’s and one as young as yourself, it’s important to have a support system.” Dr. Avery said.

“How do you know this is my first child?” asked Felicity. “Is it in my chart?”

“Yes.” Dr. Avery smiled. “Also, you’re wringing your hands. You’re nervous. Most first time mom’s are always nervous.”

“Does it ever go away?” Felicity wondered. 

“It vary’s with every patient. Everybody is different.” Dr. Avery answered. “Are you ready to see your baby today?”

“What? Really?” asked Felicity, as Oliver blew out a breath.

“Yes, really.” Dr. Avery smiled. “I’ll need you to lay back and raise your shirt for me to just beneath your breast.”

Felicity did as instructed as the Doctor wheeled over the ultrasound machine.

“I apologize in advance for the coldness.” Said Dr. Avery as she spread a gel over Felicity’s abdomen.

Felicity jerked at the coldness, and Oliver Instinctively took her hand.

Dr. Avery placed a doppler against her skin and slowly began moving it.

Felicity’s heart pounded against her ribs, and her breath caught in her throat. 

Oliver felt his body seize up, a ball of emotion lodging in his throat. He knew this moment was going to change everything, and it terrified him in a way that he wasn’t used to.

It was silent in the room, the only sound the breathing of the occupants in the room until it wasn’t.

A fast heartbeat filled the room. 

Felicity’s breath left her in a rush.

“Is that..?” Oliver was having trouble finding his voice. “The baby’s heartbeat?” 

Dr. Avery nodded. “Yes, it is.”

“It’s fast.” Felicity said and added quickly." Is that normal?"

“It is.” Dr. Avery confirmed, moving the doppler around a bit more. “There you are.”

Felicity’s hand flew to her chest after Dr. Avery turned the ultrasound monitor screen toward her, pointing out her baby in the grainy image.

“That there is your little one,” said Dr. Avery. “I would say you are almost 9 weeks along.” 

“And everything’s fine?” Felicity asked.

“Your baby is perfect.” Dr. Avery assured. “From the development and how far along you are, I approximate your due date in November.” 

“It’s common to have a miscarriage in the first trimester. Is that something I need to worry about?” Felicity asked.

“Everything I see tells me you have nothing to worry about.” Dr. Avery answered and went on to explain what she could expect for the next few weeks.

Felicity glanced over at Oliver and his eyes were glued to the ultrasound monitor. More specifically, the baby’s image on the screen. There were tears in his eyes and a soft smile pulling at the corner of his lips.

“Any questions?” Dr. Avery asked.

“Yes.” Felicity turned back to the Doctor squeezing Oliver’s hand. “I have morning sickness and it comes at all times of the day. Will that last during the entire pregnancy?”

“I want to say no, but there are some case’s that it does last the duration of the pregnancy. If you’re lucky, it will only last the first trimester. Things should go more smoothly once you reached your second.”

“Is there anything we can do to help ease the symptoms?” asked Oliver, forcing his eyes away from the image of Tommy and Felicity’s baby to Dr. Avery.

“I will prescribe some nausea medications and some pregnancy vitamins.” Dr. Avery answered and began using a paper towel to wipe away the gel off Felicity’s stomach. “I will print you off a couple of pictures of your baby’s ultrasound.” 

“Thank You.” Felicity said gratefully.

“Of course, I’ll be right back.” Dr. Avery smiled before leaving the room.

Felicity turned to Oliver when they were alone. “You ok?”

His eyes shined with unshed tears and it was a little disconcerting to see the man who was guarded more than the Pentagon, so vulnerable.

Oliver turned to her.

Tommy should be the one standing here, holding your hand. Not me.

The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn’t say them.

He didn’t want to cause her more pain. 

He swallowed visibly. “Yeah, it’s just.. surreal.” 

“I know.” Felicity squeezed his hand. “I’m scared.” 

Oliver smiled softly. “So am I and that’s ok. This is uncharted territory. It’s okay to be scared, but I don’t think you need to be. You are gonna be an amazing mother.”

Felicity hoped he was right.

A few minutes later, Dr. Avery returned with her printouts and prescriptions. They talked for a little longer before Felicity and Oliver were on their way.

“Are you hungry?” asked Oliver, glancing at her briefly before returning his eyes to the road.

 “Yes, I could use a big belly burger and some mint chip.” Felicity answered. “We could call John, see if he wants to meet us for lunch?” 

“You call John, I will get us to big belly burger.” Oliver said, turning on his turn signal as he came to a stop at a busy intersection.

John had easily agreed to meet them. It gave him an excuse to check on Carly without coming across as overbearing.

LINEBREAK

John met them just outside BBB’s parking lot. He smiled at Felicity and held the door open for her. “What have you two been up to today?”

Oliver looked at Felicity to answer John. He was taking his cues from her.

“I had a doctor’s appointment.” Felicity answered, grabbing their usual booth.

“Oh.” John took a seat across from her as Oliver slid into the booth next to her. “How did it go?”

“Good. We got to see the baby and hear the heartbeat.” Felicity answered, her lips pulling up into a genuine smile.

“We?” John looked over at Oliver.

Oliver nodded. “It was surreal.”

“Do you want to see my ultrasound pictures?” Felicity immediately began digging through her bag.

John leaned over the table expectantly. He hadn’t seen her smile since The Undertaking. 

Felicity pulled out the ultrasound pic and showed it to John, pointing out the baby. 

“Wow.” said John.

“I know,” said Oliver, his eyes lit with wonder. “It’s unbelievable.”

“It’s almost like he’s still here with me,” Felicity murmured, staring at the picture in awe.

Oliver and John both reached over and squeezed her hand in support.

“What can I...” Carly trailed off. “Is that an ultrasound picture?” She looked at Felicity. “You’re pregnant?”

“I am.” Felicity replied.

“Congratulations.” Carly smiled.

“Thank You.” Felicity slipped the pic back into her purse.

“If you ever need some advice or anything, you can call me,” said Carly.

Felicity appreciated the offer. “I will probably take you up on that.” 

“Please do.” She pulled out her notepad. “Now, what can I get you guys?”

“Cheeseburger, extra pickles, no mayo. Fries, extra crispy and mint chocolate chip ice cream.” Felicity listed off.

“Don’t have mint chocolate chip.” Carly answered, writing her order down." I can do chocolate." 

Oliver leaned into Felicity. “I’ll stop and get you mint chocolate chip when we leave here that way you can have some whenever you want. Plus, we need to stop and have your prescriptions filled.” 

Carly looked between Oliver and Felicity as they locked eyes.

“I’ll have my usual,” John interjected, bringing Carly’s attention back to him.

Carly smiled at him and reached out to rub his shoulder.

“And you Mr. Queen?” Carly asked Oliver, not needing to write down John’s order, already knowing it by heart.

“Oliver, please.” Oliver insisted. “Double cheeseburger, easy on the cheese, fries and a glass of water.”

Carly nodded, writing it down, and sent another smile at John before returning to the counter.

John quietly excused himself and followed Carly to the counter. His hand covered hers on the counter and she smiled up at him, stepping closer. John’s other hand came to rest on her waist and hers on his chest as they spoke in soft tones that neither Felicity nor Oliver could make out what was being said.

“Do you think they’ll last?” Felicity wondered curiously.

Oliver glanced at John and Carly briefly before returning his eyes back to her. “I don’t know. I hope so, but their relationship is a bit on the complicated side.”

“Most relationships are,” Felicity replied, a question of curiosity forming. “Speaking of complicated. What about you and Laurel? Think you’ll last this time around?”

Felicity assumed that Laurel wanted to be with Oliver and Oliver, who saw through Laurel tinted glasses would want the same. She didn’t think it would last, or that it was the right move for him, but it was Oliver’s life and his decision to make.

“Laurel and I are not back together.” Oliver’s brow furrowed. "Are people saying we’re back together?"

“No, I just assumed. You always drop everything for her and the way she acted at Tommy’s funeral.” Felicity smiled ruefully. “She was clearly staking her claim.”

“We slept together the night before The Undertaking.” Oliver admitted. “I thought it was what I wanted.”

“Didn’t live up to the expectation you built in your head when you were on the island?” asked Felicity. “Understandable. I mean, you built a lot of expectations out of some misplaced guilt. It’s not a strong foundation to start a relationship on.”

Oliver opened his mouth to respond, but John chose that moment to return. “Carly said our food will be ready in a moment.” 

“Good,” said Felicity, letting Oliver and her discussion fall away. “I’m starving.”

John grinned. “Well, you are feeding for two now.”

Felicity found herself smiling at the thought of her baby and her hand moved to rest over her relatively still, flat stomach.

Oliver watched the movement, and he had the intense urge to cover her hand with his own and was grateful for his own self control.

“So, things with you and Carly?” Felicity wondered, looking at John.

John glanced over as Carly started over to them with a full tray. “They’re going as well as can be.”

“Here are your orders.” Carly unloaded her tray. “If you need anything else, just send John to the counter.”

“We will.” Felicity promised, as John chuckled. 

The three friends kept their conversation light as they enjoyed their meal.

LINEBREAK

Oliver returned home later that day, intending to shower, grab some fresh clothes and an overnight bag.

It occurred to him that it was presumptions of him to pack an overnight bag for Felicity’s, but right now, he needed to be near Felicity.

He needed to watch over her, care for her. He needed to feel like he was honoring his promise to Tommy to look after her. However, it wasn’t just for Tommy. It was for himself too.

The closer he got to Felicity, the more drawn he was to her. His life had come down with the Glades and being around Felicity was the only thing that felt right to him.

“What’s the overnight bag for?”

Oliver glanced over to see Thea standing in the open doorway, dressed in her favorite pair of silk pajamas.

“I was going to spend the night at a friend’s.” Oliver answered.

“You’ve been doing that a lot lately since everything happened.’’ Thea commented. The look in her eyes reminded him of their mother’s when she was trying to get to the bottom of a problem.

“My friend lost someone really important. None of this has been easy. For them especially.” Oliver answered, thinking about how hard this has been on Felicity. 

“How is Laurel?” asked Thea, wrongly assuming that’s who Oliver had been spending all his time with.

“I’m not sure. We haven’t spoken in almost a week.” Oliver answered honestly.

“Wait, if not Laurel then,” she shook her head before her eyes lit up. “The blonde? I think her name was Felicity. Is that where you’ve been spending all your time?”

Oliver couldn’t bring himself to answer, but his silence spoke volumes.

“Who did she lose?” Thea wondered. “Was it someone close to her?”

“Closer than Laurel and I have ever been,” confessed Oliver. He didn’t think he ever loved someone the way Felicity had loved Tommy. “And she has no family here.” 

Thea nodded, feeling a wave of sympathy. It sucked losing someone close to you and being alone only made it worse. “You could always invite your girlfriend here.”

“It’s not like that. She’s not my girlfriend. We’re just friends.” Oliver protested, hoisting his bag onto his shoulder. “Are you going to be okay on your own tonight?”

“I won’t be on my own.” Thea said, a small smirk pulling at her lips. “Roy’s coming over.” 

Oliver’s face scrunched up.

“Don’t make that face. I’m not a little kid anymore.” Thea admonished. “I shouldn’t have to remind you of that.”

“I know.” Oliver sighed, still he didn’t like his sister with boys. He was a big brother. However, he knew Roy was a good kid. “As long as he makes you happy.”

“He does.” Thea said.

Oliver walked over to his sister, pressing a kiss to her forehead as he passed. “Good.”

“The offer still stands for your friend. She’s welcome here if you want her to be.” Thea’s tone made it clear she didn’t believe Felicity was just his friend.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Oliver called over his shoulder and left, pausing long enough beside her to press a departing kiss to her temple.

LINEBREAK

Felicity pulled her door open to find Oliver with a duffel bag over his shoulder and his arms full of grocery bags.

“I went shopping.” Oliver said in greeting.

“I can see that.” Felicity took two of the bags from him.

Oliver followed her inside, kicking the door shut behind him.

Felicity set the bags down on the kitchen counter. “What’s with the duffle bag?”

“I hope you don’t mind. It’s just in case I stay over.” Oliver set the remaining grocery bags on the counter. He let the duffle bag slip down his arm and drop at his feet. 

“I don’t mind.” Felicity said. “You’re welcome here anytime, as long as you’re comfortable on the couch.”

“I’ve slept in worse places.” Oliver replied, beginning to unload the grocery bags. 

Vegetables, fruits, a few packages of meats, yogurt, heart healthy cereal, eggs, pancakes.

 “I’m sure.” Felicity replied as Oliver pulled out the last item from the bag.

A carton of mint chocolate chip ice cream. “As requested.” Oliver set the ice cream on the counter.

Felicity snatched the ice cream up. “You are a Godsend.”

Oliver couldn’t help the bubble of laughter that rose in his throat.

It was honest and real. Hearing it brought a soft smile to Felicity.

“I was under the impression pregnant women were harder to please.” Oliver commented, a light feeling in his chest from just being in Felicity’s presence.

“This one’s not.” Felicity opened the ice cream and retrieved a spoon.

“Speaking of,” he pulled out a small white paper bag from his jacket pocket. “I picked up your prescriptions.” he set the bag down on the counter.

“Thank you,” Felicity said around a spoon full of ice cream.

“Shouldn’t you wait until after dinner?” asked Oliver as she popped another spoonful of ice cream into her mouth.

“If you didn’t want me to eat the ice cream before dinner, you shouldn’t have bought it.” Felicity replied with a smile, swallowing another bite of ice cream. “And speaking of dinner, what are you making for us tonight?”

“Something healthy for you and little Smoak.” 

Felicity’s nose scrunched. “Little Smoak?” 

“Peanut?” Oliver offered.

Felicity shook her head.

“Cargo?” Oliver tried again.

“Pumpkin.” said Felicity.

“Pumpkin?” Oliver repeated, lips twitching. 

“It’s what my grandmother called me when I was little.” Felicity explained.

“What about your mom?” asked Oliver curiously. 

“Pistachio.” Felicity pressed her lips together. 

“What?”

“I didn’t open up easily.” Felicity explained. 

Oliver noted that he was slowly learning more about her." Pumpkin it is."

“Want some?” Felicity offered him a spoonful of her ice cream.

Oliver leaned over, taking a bite.

“Why don’t you eat the rest of your ice cream while I get dinner started?” Oliver suggested.

“Sounds like a plan.” Felicity sent him a smile and walked into the living room, settling on the couch as she got Netflix started.

Oliver joined her once he had dinner done and was giving it time to cool off. Felicity instinctively moved closer, and he lifted his arm, tucking her into his side.

He felt more at home next to her than he could ever remember feeling. It was a feeling he wanted to protect.

[kitkatt0430]

2, 7, 15, and 33 for the couples/relationships ask game!

2.) Of the ones you've written, what's your slowest slowburn? How slow is it?

Oooh, that is a good question. I admit, I'm impatient. My slowburns are usually still relatively speedy. Though The Pied Piper's Army of Rats does take six fics until Hartley and Cisco finally kiss. And while Hartley and Cisco get together in chapter 2 of 2 in (This Isn't) The Timeline You Were Looking For, in universe it takes them, like... two years to get their act together.

7.) Have you written any romantic couples that you think would be better off as friends? Or even enemies?

So while I do have fun writing Snowbarry at times, I think Caitlin and Barry are better off as friends. They've got a great platonic chemistry on the show, but it's not like with Caitlin and Cisco where I just... can't with the romantic ship. Honestly, I started writing it because I knew someone else who enjoyed the ship and wanted to write something I knew they'd really enjoy. And I don't regret getting into the ship, because they can be very cute to write as a romantic couple, but overall I definitely prefer them with a friendship.

15.) Are there any relationship dynamics/tropes you would never write?

Alpha/beta/omega stuff. I don't mind reading that sometimes, but it's not really my cup of tea and I just can't ever see myself writing any at all. I think it just hits the wrong balance of possessiveness + sex + kink for this ace, especially since it's got that heavy element of unreality going for it.

And I tend to stick with softer kinks in general as the harder stuff are difficult for me to get into the right headspace for. So I'm unlikely to ever have characters go too much beyond spanking or otherwise mildly roughing each other up for kinks that involve some kind of violence in them. At least when it comes to kinky scenes in a fic itself, anyway. A character might have a multitude of kinks that are mentioned, but never actually depicted.

33.) Are there any canon romantic couples, in any media, that you just can't stand?

Gwen/Jack from Torchwood never actually get together, but they are canonically interested in each other and I really hate the ship. Gwen's my least favorite Torchwood character to begin with, so honestly that ship was doomed from the start with me. Likely unsurprisingly that I don't like Gwen/Owen either. Or Gwen/Rhys. Considering she told Rhys that she was cheating on him with Owen and then retconned Rhys immediately after so he wouldn't remember and thus couldn't decide to leave her (and then he winds up married to her)... there are words for that situation, none of them polite.

And while I still think the early flirtations between Oliver and Felicity on Arrow are cute, I think they kinda brought out the worst in each other as romantic partners. Felicity making a scene at Barry and Iris' wedding rehearsal when she mistakenly thought Oliver was proposing to her only to turn around and force Barry and Iris - who'd already had their wedding interrupted by Nazis from another Earth - to share their wedding with her and Oliver... probably the best example right there of Felicity's worst, most self centered impulses getting catered to and Oliver just... goes with what she wants. And while Felicity isn't solely to blame for Oliver growing more rigidly uncompromising as the series went on, she definitely contributed to his slow descent towards becoming an off brand cop in the final season.