Breaking Down. With chloeas.

[dl_greenarrow]

Oliver sat quietly on the sofa in the Watchtower a couple hours after the League meeting ended. He was still a bit dazed, but otherwise felt fine. It had taken him nearly an hour to convince Mia she needed to get some actual sleep in an actual bed. He knew she was worried she would wake up in the morning and find that he was gone, and he knew the

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[chloeas]

Once Chloe was satisfied that all the most powerful alarms for the Watchtower were on and if someone as much as stepped into the building downstairs, they would go off and the elevators would shut down, she turned to face him, a little surprised that he had actually managed to get Mia to go to bed.

She walked over to the couch and sat down next to him, "should be pretty safe for the night, I hope the others don't forget and try to come in here."

[dl_greenarrow]

Oliver nodded, watching her carefully. "I'm guessing you've rigged this place to go up like the Fourth of July if they do forget."

[chloeas]

"Something like that," she nodded, looking at him for a moment, "how are you feeling?"

[dl_greenarrow]

"I'm good," he said truthfully, searching her eyes. "What about you?"

[dl_greenarrow]

"You do?" He leaned into her touch, searching her eyes.

[chloeas]

Nodding softly, she brushed his cheek with her fingertips, "I know it sounds crazy but... I had this dream with you, while you were gone," she whispered, "it felt so real and you told me you loved me, but I couldn't say it back."

She knew she sounded crazy, but she hadn't really slept more than a hour or so at a time in a week.

[dl_greenarrow]

Oliver gazed at her intently a moment longer, then leaned his forehead against hers. "Why do you think you couldn't say it back?" he murmured.

[chloeas]

"I don't know," she whispered, "maybe because I didn't think I would be able to tell you I did."

[dl_greenarrow]

"For looking after her while I was...gone." He tucked some hair behind her ear.

[chloeas]

She shook her head a little, "of course I would look after her, Ollie. She's part of the family to me too."

[dl_greenarrow]

"I know." He kissed her forehead softly. "And I'm pretty sure she feels the same even if she won't admit it."

[chloeas]

Chloe shifted on the bed and made room for him, nodding, "I know, she's seventeen, Ollie."

[chloeas]

"I think I just need some time..." she told him quietly, looking up at him. Even though she knew he was there and that he would be okay, she still felt... numb. Out of it.

[dl_greenarrow]

"And sleep," he added just as quietly. He kissed the corner of her mouth, stroking her hair.

[chloeas]

Pursing her lips together, she turned her head a little and kissed him softly.

[dl_greenarrow]

Oliver returned the kiss without hesitation, closing his eyes. "Rest," he murmured. "I'm not going anywhere."

[chloeas]

She wrapped her hands over his arms and studied them for a second before pressing a kiss to both his wrists and nodding, closing her eyes for a moment and willing the images away.

[dl_greenarrow]

"I'm completely fine," he whispered, cupping her face in his hands.

[chloeas]

Chloe stared at him for a long moment then nodded, taking a deep breath, "I know, I'm sorry," she held on to his t-shirt, "I think I'm just tired."

She felt out of it, even now as she tried to control her emotions, the lack of sleep and the numbness she kept holding on for a week were getting the best of her.

[dl_greenarrow]

"You don't have to keep apologizing," he murmured. "Come on. Try to get some rest, Chloe."