Close Call (1/1)
Author: serafina19
Title: Close Call
Rating: PG
Summary: Oliver catches his son trying to see Santa on Christmas.
Scribbles: This is slightly AU for two reasons. I never read all of the comics and I got in the habit of calling their son Carter, and I don’t feel like changing that now. Also, I think there is a Santa-related episode that contradicts this story. Also, to get this up in time, it has not been edited nearly as much as my usual stuff. Regardless, happy holidays everyone and I hope you enjoy.
Close Call
As he put down the glass, Oliver took an extra second to admire the tree in the middle of the living room. They really had outdone themselves this year. The branches were covered with handmade decorations and three different colours of tinsel, but the star was still the stand-out. Made from popsicle sticks, with a family picture in the middle, it was likely the real culprit for why Oliver hadn’t made his way back to bed.
This time of year used to hold a bittersweet tone for him, but he was glad that had changed. Granted, Chloe would have likely left him if that hadn’t changed, but it was hard not to love Christmas with her around. There was one year where he had witnessed the exception, but he much preferred to see the way her eyes light up when the snow started to fall.
Things were different in California, especially with the weather, but they had made their own traditions. Then again, that was a lot easier to do, especially since their first Christmas in Star City was also their first Christmas as husband and wife, as parents. In the years that followed, those traditions would increase, including their son having a habit of trying to catch Santa in the act.
He was getting cleverer when it came to his technique, as Carter was their son, but it was going to take a lot more for Oliver not to notice the creak in the floor board behind him.
“Aren’t you supposed to be in bed?” Oliver said.
Knowing that he was caught, Carter didn’t take long to reply, “I just wanted to see him.”
Oliver brought his hand up to his mouth, ensuring there was no evidence left behind before turning around. “Well, you just missed him,” he said, trying not to smile as his son’s face fell because Carter was holding his toy bow and arrow.
However, Carter’s disappointment faded quickly. As he looked back up at Oliver, he gave his father a look that Oliver had seen a fair amount from Chloe. “Wait, why are you up?”
It was a question that Oliver was prepared for. Work was the most logical reason for him to be up, but he was saving that for next year. “I had to make sure it was Santa.”
That actually wasn’t too much of a lie. Since revealing his identity to the public, he was extra vigilant at home, as he didn’t want anyone to target his family for something he did as Green Arrow, or Oliver Queen for that matter. Chloe could take care of herself, he knew that, but it didn’t stop him from wanting to protect her or Carter, especially at home.
Carter nodded slowly, as if he was analyzing his words. “So you saw him.”
Oliver nodded back. “I sure did,” he said, walking up to take Carter’s other hand. “He told me that he had to come here early because of your little habit.”
“But how does he come in? We don’t have a chimney.”
“I… didn’t watch him leave.”
While Oliver knew that wasn’t nearly as convincing as it could be, Carter kept walking, so he sighed as they continued to walk towards Carter’s bedroom.
“Hey Dad.”
“Yeah?”
Carter looked up. “You’ll help me next year, right?”
Oliver stopped walking, not sure how to feel in that moment. Under different circumstances, he would jump at this opportunity, but this was different. So he let go of Carter’s hand and walked in front of him. As he bent down, he looked into Carter’s eyes.
“Want to know a secret? You can’t tell your Mom.” The moment Carter’s face lit up, Oliver had his answer. “I know you want to see Santa, but -”
“The real Santa, not the ones in the mall,” Carter interjected. “Those ones aren’t the real one.”
He really was too smart for his age, but Oliver pressed on. “Sometimes, the magic of something comes from not knowing everything. You may not get to talk to Santa, or know how he gets inside, but you get to experience Christmas morning with me and your Mom.”
As much as Oliver hated to admit it, he wasn’t home nearly as much as he would have liked this year. Not to mention how often there was only one parent at home for Carter. Such were the consequences of the life that he and Chloe had chosen, and Carter seemed to understand, but, especially considering recent news, Oliver knew one of his goals for next year was to be home more.
“Not to mention all of your uncles and aunts coming over for dinner,” he continued, knowing it wasn’t the biggest secret of all time, but he had to say something to quiet Carter’s curiosity for now. “All you have to do is sleep a few hours. Can that be enough?”
Carter appeared to think about it for a few minutes, but he eventually nodded once. “Yeah, I guess.”
Oliver smiled as he stood back up. “That’s the spirit. Now let’s get you to bed.”
He reached out to take his son’s hand again, but Carter shook his head. “I can walk the rest of the way, Dad.”
People always warn new parents about how quickly kids grow up, how much parents wanted to keep holding onto them, but it was only a matter of time before their independence came in. This moment wasn’t much, and it wasn’t surprising to Oliver, but he couldn’t help but widen his smile a bit.
“Yes, you can,” he said. “See you in the morning.”
“Night Dad.”
Oliver watched as Carter walked past him towards his bedroom. Once the door closed, it didn’t take long for him realize that he needed to take his own advice. Things were going to change in the coming months, so getting sleep at any time was important.
He tried to be quiet to keep from waking Chloe, but when he got to his side of the bed, he noticed she was already staring at him.
“Sorry,” he said as he pulled back the sheets. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
Chloe shrugged slightly, as she had been up for a while, or at least long enough to hear the conversation in the hallway. “How close was he this year?”
“Almost too close.” Oliver moved over to wrap his arms around Chloe, then leaned down to kiss her forehead. “Your son is getting too good at this.”
“My son?” Chloe asked as her head moved back slightly.
“His determination to know the truth and have every answer… that’s from you.”
Chloe chuckled, trying not to roll her eyes. “By sneaking around,” she said, knowing that Carter’s bow and arrow made frequent appearances when he was trying to figure something out. It didn’t tend to help him, but it always got a smile out of her anyway.
However, she knew better than to expect Oliver to admit that. Instead, he quickly countered, “Yes, because you’ve never snuck around for a story.”
As much as she wanted to give her own counter, Chloe knew better. “Fair, but I think you’re underestimating how much of that he gets from you.”
“You’re probably right, but I think we might have to use the comms in a few years.”
Despite her best efforts to stay quiet, Chloe let out a single laugh. “C’mon Ollie, you’re being overdramatic now. Besides, I think we’re going to be a bit busier next year.”
Oliver glanced down at Chloe’s stomach and said, “Yeah, I suppose you’re right.”
Time had passed since she had first told him the news, but even the smallest details of that memory were intact because it made him so happy. Even though for most of his life, Oliver never saw himself as a family man, he was glad that also changed. Getting to this point didn’t happen without trials and tribulations, but now, he got to enjoy every Christmas with the people he loved, which was really all that he could ask for.
~End~
.
Title: Close Call
Rating: PG
Summary: Oliver catches his son trying to see Santa on Christmas.
Scribbles: This is slightly AU for two reasons. I never read all of the comics and I got in the habit of calling their son Carter, and I don’t feel like changing that now. Also, I think there is a Santa-related episode that contradicts this story. Also, to get this up in time, it has not been edited nearly as much as my usual stuff. Regardless, happy holidays everyone and I hope you enjoy.
Close Call
As he put down the glass, Oliver took an extra second to admire the tree in the middle of the living room. They really had outdone themselves this year. The branches were covered with handmade decorations and three different colours of tinsel, but the star was still the stand-out. Made from popsicle sticks, with a family picture in the middle, it was likely the real culprit for why Oliver hadn’t made his way back to bed.
This time of year used to hold a bittersweet tone for him, but he was glad that had changed. Granted, Chloe would have likely left him if that hadn’t changed, but it was hard not to love Christmas with her around. There was one year where he had witnessed the exception, but he much preferred to see the way her eyes light up when the snow started to fall.
Things were different in California, especially with the weather, but they had made their own traditions. Then again, that was a lot easier to do, especially since their first Christmas in Star City was also their first Christmas as husband and wife, as parents. In the years that followed, those traditions would increase, including their son having a habit of trying to catch Santa in the act.
He was getting cleverer when it came to his technique, as Carter was their son, but it was going to take a lot more for Oliver not to notice the creak in the floor board behind him.
“Aren’t you supposed to be in bed?” Oliver said.
Knowing that he was caught, Carter didn’t take long to reply, “I just wanted to see him.”
Oliver brought his hand up to his mouth, ensuring there was no evidence left behind before turning around. “Well, you just missed him,” he said, trying not to smile as his son’s face fell because Carter was holding his toy bow and arrow.
However, Carter’s disappointment faded quickly. As he looked back up at Oliver, he gave his father a look that Oliver had seen a fair amount from Chloe. “Wait, why are you up?”
It was a question that Oliver was prepared for. Work was the most logical reason for him to be up, but he was saving that for next year. “I had to make sure it was Santa.”
That actually wasn’t too much of a lie. Since revealing his identity to the public, he was extra vigilant at home, as he didn’t want anyone to target his family for something he did as Green Arrow, or Oliver Queen for that matter. Chloe could take care of herself, he knew that, but it didn’t stop him from wanting to protect her or Carter, especially at home.
Carter nodded slowly, as if he was analyzing his words. “So you saw him.”
Oliver nodded back. “I sure did,” he said, walking up to take Carter’s other hand. “He told me that he had to come here early because of your little habit.”
“But how does he come in? We don’t have a chimney.”
“I… didn’t watch him leave.”
While Oliver knew that wasn’t nearly as convincing as it could be, Carter kept walking, so he sighed as they continued to walk towards Carter’s bedroom.
“Hey Dad.”
“Yeah?”
Carter looked up. “You’ll help me next year, right?”
Oliver stopped walking, not sure how to feel in that moment. Under different circumstances, he would jump at this opportunity, but this was different. So he let go of Carter’s hand and walked in front of him. As he bent down, he looked into Carter’s eyes.
“Want to know a secret? You can’t tell your Mom.” The moment Carter’s face lit up, Oliver had his answer. “I know you want to see Santa, but -”
“The real Santa, not the ones in the mall,” Carter interjected. “Those ones aren’t the real one.”
He really was too smart for his age, but Oliver pressed on. “Sometimes, the magic of something comes from not knowing everything. You may not get to talk to Santa, or know how he gets inside, but you get to experience Christmas morning with me and your Mom.”
As much as Oliver hated to admit it, he wasn’t home nearly as much as he would have liked this year. Not to mention how often there was only one parent at home for Carter. Such were the consequences of the life that he and Chloe had chosen, and Carter seemed to understand, but, especially considering recent news, Oliver knew one of his goals for next year was to be home more.
“Not to mention all of your uncles and aunts coming over for dinner,” he continued, knowing it wasn’t the biggest secret of all time, but he had to say something to quiet Carter’s curiosity for now. “All you have to do is sleep a few hours. Can that be enough?”
Carter appeared to think about it for a few minutes, but he eventually nodded once. “Yeah, I guess.”
Oliver smiled as he stood back up. “That’s the spirit. Now let’s get you to bed.”
He reached out to take his son’s hand again, but Carter shook his head. “I can walk the rest of the way, Dad.”
People always warn new parents about how quickly kids grow up, how much parents wanted to keep holding onto them, but it was only a matter of time before their independence came in. This moment wasn’t much, and it wasn’t surprising to Oliver, but he couldn’t help but widen his smile a bit.
“Yes, you can,” he said. “See you in the morning.”
“Night Dad.”
Oliver watched as Carter walked past him towards his bedroom. Once the door closed, it didn’t take long for him realize that he needed to take his own advice. Things were going to change in the coming months, so getting sleep at any time was important.
He tried to be quiet to keep from waking Chloe, but when he got to his side of the bed, he noticed she was already staring at him.
“Sorry,” he said as he pulled back the sheets. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
Chloe shrugged slightly, as she had been up for a while, or at least long enough to hear the conversation in the hallway. “How close was he this year?”
“Almost too close.” Oliver moved over to wrap his arms around Chloe, then leaned down to kiss her forehead. “Your son is getting too good at this.”
“My son?” Chloe asked as her head moved back slightly.
“His determination to know the truth and have every answer… that’s from you.”
Chloe chuckled, trying not to roll her eyes. “By sneaking around,” she said, knowing that Carter’s bow and arrow made frequent appearances when he was trying to figure something out. It didn’t tend to help him, but it always got a smile out of her anyway.
However, she knew better than to expect Oliver to admit that. Instead, he quickly countered, “Yes, because you’ve never snuck around for a story.”
As much as she wanted to give her own counter, Chloe knew better. “Fair, but I think you’re underestimating how much of that he gets from you.”
“You’re probably right, but I think we might have to use the comms in a few years.”
Despite her best efforts to stay quiet, Chloe let out a single laugh. “C’mon Ollie, you’re being overdramatic now. Besides, I think we’re going to be a bit busier next year.”
Oliver glanced down at Chloe’s stomach and said, “Yeah, I suppose you’re right.”
Time had passed since she had first told him the news, but even the smallest details of that memory were intact because it made him so happy. Even though for most of his life, Oliver never saw himself as a family man, he was glad that also changed. Getting to this point didn’t happen without trials and tribulations, but now, he got to enjoy every Christmas with the people he loved, which was really all that he could ask for.
~End~
.