Heartfelt Revelations
Oliver shrugged his shoulders trying to get comfortable at another benefit. Usually a night of snoozing in the name of Queen Industries was the norm. But with the Kandorians running amok in Metropolis and his current close proximity to Tess, Oliver was on alert for any and all suspicious behaviour.
“Oliver!” his body tensed as her name was proclaimed. He turned to look at the caller and relaxed mostly.
“Roxanne.” Roxanne was one of his former flames. He consoled himself thinking that she was better than running into a Kandorian but not by much.
She came forward to give him the propriety kiss on the check. “It’s been a while, Oliver.” She shot him a genuine smile animating her face. It reminded him of the reasons he was drawn to her to begin with. Her flowing raven locks and slate grey eyes were a powerful combination. Coupled with her sharp brain, Oliver had no choice but to pursue her. Their relationship was one of the few that he considered as real. They split amicably when Oliver moved on from overseeing the New York office.
“What are you doing here Roxy?” he smiled back at her.
She gestured to the room and said “Networking. My new book is coming out in six weeks.”
Oliver questioned “A new book? That’s exciting. Another one of the power of self realization?”
“Sort of. It’s about finding the love right in front of you.”
Oliver gulped.
She let out a laugh. “Relax Oliver. I didn’t meant literally”
He mimics wiping the sweat off his brow and jokingly said “Whew.”
She nudged him with her elbow. “My book is about opening your eyes to the people in your life from loving your family to romantic partner.”
“That’s …uhhh… great Roxy. Congratulations on all that.” He replied
“Couldn’t help bragging about me, huh Rox?”
Oliver watched as his former girlfriend lit up. A man approached the pair with two chutes of champagne. He offered one to Roxanne and slipped his arm around her waist. She pecked his check in gratitude.
“Oliver I want you to meet my fiancée Blake.”
“You’re engaged.” he looked at the pair surprised by the quick turn of events. He addressed the man, Blake. “Hey man. Nice to meet you. I’m Oliver Queen”
Blake laughed. “I know who you are.”
Oliver cleared his throat uncomfortably. From an ex to current significant other was always awkward. “Congratulations to both of you.”
“I got to thank you. I would have never had a chance with her if you stayed in New York.” Blake said bluntly. Oliver could see the humor in his eyes.
Roxy smiled up at him. “Now you know it wasn’t like that.” The couple shared a look. “Actually, Ollie, Blake is the basis of my book.”
Oliver was willing to let Roxy fill in the conversation if she was. So he followed with another question. “How so?”
Roxy said. “Well see Blake and I were just friends for a long time. We spent a lot of time together but neither ever made a move. Until one day, I realized that whenever I had good news, I always called him first. He was the person I invited when I wanted to go to dinner. He was the person who really knew me and it was not something I ever wanted to change.”
“Wow Roxy.” Oliver said.
“I know right? Love changed me. He changed me.” she said happily.
Blake squeezed her close to his side. “Softie.”
The couple shared a brief kiss. She turned his head back to Oliver. “So what about you, Ollie? Are you seeing anyone right now?”
“No not really. I have been in a relationship with my work.” He said honestly.
“That doesn’t sound like you.”
“Rox leave the man alone.” Bake chastised her. “He doesn’t want to talk about his personal life with his ex and her fiancée.”
“That’s not it at all, right Oliver?”
The two men shared a look. They both knew her well. She wasn’t going to give up. “There really isn’t anyone right now. But I’m happy for you two. It’s really great that you found each other.”
Roxanne pinned him with a searching stare. “You can have it too Oliver. Maybe you already do. Think about it Oliver. Is there anyone in your life that you can never say no to? Someone that you would drop everything to go to?”
A face come to him. He was shocked by who came to mind. “I ….”
Triumph flooded her face. “There is someone!”
Oliver raised his hands in the classic surrender pose. “It’s not like that. We work together. This is crazy. There is no way.”
But Roxanne would not be denied. “Oliver. Do you know how she likes her coffee?”
“Yes but it’s a survival tactic. She is like an addict for that stuff.”
Roxanne rolled her eyes. “Ok what about … does she know where you are right now?”
“We work together she needs to know my schedule.” he explained.
“Oliver, denial is not just a river you know.” Blake snorted. Roxanne shot him a glare and moved out of his arms and started poking Oliver in his chest.
“Is she the person who always makes you smile? Do you notice little things about her that you never noticed about anyone before? Does the thought of her hurt or scared give you chills? When you think about the future, is she there right beside you holding your hand?”
Oliver opened and closed his mouth. His fish face gave her the answer she needed.
“That’s what I thought.” she flounced off ,victorious in her breakthrough.
Blake lingered beside the man. He never thought he would feel pity for Oliver Queen but he did.
“Hurricane Rox. I bet you didn’t miss that.”
Oliver nodded numbly.
Blake clapped his hand on Oliver’s shoulder as a sign of camaraderie. “Women right?”
Oliver smiled slightly. His eyes remained unfocused. “Yea have a good life with that one.”
Blake grinned. “That’s the plan.”
Oliver muttered. “Damn. I can’t believe it.”
“Well I’m going to leave you to your revelation.” he walked a few faces then stopped. “Rox would kill me if I didn’t ask. What’s her name?”
“Chloe.”
“Well good luck with Chloe, Queen. I can only hope you get as lucky as I did.” Blake left the man then. Oliver remained rooted in the spot forever changed by his ex and her fiancée.
A/N: #2 down. So what do you think? Blake and Roxanne’s story were a subtle nod to Justin’s real life love story. This story was also inspired by another Gilmore Girls episode if anyone caught that. I have been planning this one since Coffee Collisions 1. So hopefully you guys liked it. Gift fics if you review!!!!
I’m planning on doing one more tonight but we will see how I feel after my shows. Stay tuned!!!