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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[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."

[dl_greenarrow]

He nodded, as well, crawling into the bed beside her. "Yeah, I know." He draped his arm around her and fell silent for a long moment. "I feel different."

[chloeas]

Her arm was around him instantly and at his words, she stilled, looking up at him, worried, "different how?"

[dl_greenarrow]

He paused. "I'm not sure I can put it into words really. More whole somehow? I don't know if that makes sense."

[chloeas]

She rubbed her hand over his back, watching him, or what she could see of his face in the darkness, "better, then?"

[dl_greenarrow]

"Yeah, it's a better different," he assured her with a slight nod, resting his forehead against hers.

[chloeas]

She nodded shifting closer, "I'm glad you feel better," she didn't understand exactly what had happened, but at least they knew now that he was with Doctor Fate.

[dl_greenarrow]

Oliver tugged the blankets up around them and pulled her even closer. "Do you?" he whispered.

[chloeas]

"Yes," she whispered quietly, "you're here, and you're okay."

[dl_greenarrow]

He stroked her hair gently. "But you didn't know I was okay for a week," he whispered.

[chloeas]

"No," she closed her eyes tightly and took a deep breath, "I was trying so hard to keep it together, for Mia and the others... I don't remember much."

[dl_greenarrow]

"You don't have to keep it together now," he murmured. "It's okay, Chloe."

[chloeas]

"I know," she whispered a little, sighing softly and tightening her hold on him, "I just... can't."