Oliver's mind spun as he struggled to keep up with his racing thoughts. He didn't blame his friends for ambushing him with this; Tyrone was right in his assessment. Oliver probably would have dragged his feet, agonizing every moment about what he would say and how it would go... He had never really experienced having his emotions in such a knot, and he definitely didn't know how to untangle them. Or how to start the conversation.

But Poli was right in front of him, looking hopeful and afraid, while she waited for a response.

“I... Umm... Yes? Yes, I want that. To talk, I mean.” He stammered awkwardly as he half rose from his seat, unsure if he should go to her or wait for her to join him.

With slow, hesitant steps, Polina crossed the room. The tension was palpable as she lowered herself into the seat next to his. Hands nervously clasped in her lap, she waited for him to sit again before she spoke. “It's good to see you, Oli...”

“It's good to see you too, Poli...”

The silence stretched between them like a rubber band, both uncertain of what to say and afraid to shatter such a fragile moment. Seconds ticked by, both gathering their thoughts and trying to push themselves forward- to bride the gap between them...

And, like a rubber band, the moment reached its inevitable limit and snapped, both rushing to speak at once.

“I'm sorry-”

“I shouldn't have-”

Both sentences cut off abruptly, the pair unable to look at each other... Afraid of what they may see. Pain? Anger? Resentment? Oliver wasn't sure he could bear to see her look at him like that...

Taking a deep breath to try to slow her racing heart, Polina spoke slowly, her voice laced with regret- much to Oliver's confusion. “I fucked up, Oli-”

“I'm the one that-”

Holding up a hand to stop Oliver, she shook her head sadly. “Please... just let me finish.” When he fell silent, Poli had to clear her throat twice before she could speak- it was so much like before; Oli was always willing to listen to her... He wasn't intimidated by her job, or her head-strong nature... He just... listened...

“I said I needed time...” She spoke softly, he voice thick with emotion. “And I just... left you waiting. I didn't think about how it could eat at you. How it could hurt you...”

“I... I tried not to think about any of it. At all. Because I didn't know what to do or say...” Knuckles white from how tightly they were clenched together, a small, hiccuping sob escaped her.

Oliver's hand was halfway to her, as he unconsciously wanted to comfort her, before he even realized what he was doing and hesitated. Would she want him to comfort her? Would she even tolerate his touch at this point?

Frozen by indecision, his hand hung awkwardly in the air and she continued.

“I was trapped between what I thought was right and how I feel about you... And I just... let it drag on...”

“I could have reached out, too.” Oliver finally spoke, his words soft and uncertain. “I could have said... something...”

Hearing her own feelings reflected in his voice was almost like a lifeline to Polina, and a flash of hope coursed through her. Struggling to rein in her surging emotions, slowly loosened her hands. Wiping the sweat off her palms on the knee of her jeans, she pushed forward with her quiet confession.

“Honestly... I can't imagine what I would have done without Sweet T... And Lyn...” Her soft sigh echoed through the office. “If they hadn't talked to me... and pushed me a little...”

“I didn't mean to hurt you, Oli. And I know you well enough to know you feel the same...”

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Oliver felt like he was drowning, the press of emotions more intense than anything he had felt since his mother passed... If anything, this was somehow worse. Pain, fear, and regret churned throughout his soul... Even as hope and longing beat in his heart... And he had no idea what to do with it all...

So he did the one thing he so rarely ever did: Ask the person he trusted most.

“What... What do we do now, Poli?”

“I... don't know...” She spoke slowly, her whole being in turmoil at the uncertainty. How did they fix things? And could they? Why couldn't it just be as simple and asking him to forgive her and for them to try-

Her mind froze; why couldn't it be simple? Oliver wasn't the sort to hold a grudge; even Lyn had told her to just ask him. Hell, Lyn had flat out said that Oli would do anything for her... And forgiving her fell under the category of 'anything'... In her heart, she had already accepted everything he had done... everything that was him... So why didn't she just ask?

Still, she hesitated.

“Lyn... my new friend, and neighbor... I talked to her about us.” Realizing how that sounded, she was quick to clarify. “I didn't tell her everything, just... kinda the general problem...”

Stumbling over her words, she sighed. “And her answer was... to just talk to you. That you would do anything for me, even forgive me...”

“I would do anything for you.”

Lifting her head slowly, she looked into Oliver's eyes and saw her own feeling mirrored: a shifting kaleidoscope of hope and fear and uncertainty...

“You would do anything for me? Even... Even if I asked you to never touch the system again? Or go on those dangerous bounties? To just... have a normal life with me?” Her breath caught in her throat as she instantly regretted the question; she didn't want to change Oli or force him to give up something he so obviously liked and wanted. She loved him as the man he was...

Before she could even open her mouth to retract the question, his answered instantly.

“I'll need to get Tyrone working to shut down the charity, since I won't need it anymore...” He spoke absently, mind racing even as he pulled his phone out of his pocket to make the call. “I hope he's not too upset-”

“Oli, stop. Please.”

Oliver froze at the pleading tone in her voice. His distant gaze focused instantly on her and, seeing the anguish in her eyes, he reached out for her hand.

“Oli, you don't have to do that-”

“But-”

“Oli... I shouldn't have even asked that. It wasn't fair of me... And it's not even what I want!” Polina laughed bitterly, not feeling it as he held her hand gently. “I don't know why I asked something stupid like that... I don't want to change you or make you into some 'perfect' husband...”

“I just want... you... You're already perfect for me...”

Oliver's hand, gently wiping away her tears, brought her focus back to him and away from the regret that filled her at saying something so stupid... Seeing the love and concern in his eyes, she wanted nothing more than to hold him and be held... If only she hadn't-

“You've got me, love. And anything else you want that I can give you. I don't care what I have to do: give up the System, fight a dragon... Or get a crappy office job, working nine to five.”

“Or being a house... husband...” He stumbled awkwardly over the word, but pushed on quickly. “Just tell me what you want and I will make it happen.”

For a second, Poli couldn't actually believe what was happening. Both Lyn and Tyrone had told her... but she didn't fully believe it...

But, seeing nothing but love and hope in his gaze, she couldn't deny their words. He really would do anything for her. She just had to ask.

“Take me with you.”

Oliver's eyes clouded with confusion. Take her... where? He wasn't going anywhere...

“Take you... I mean, ok. Yes. But... Where am I taking you?”

Despite the trust and hope that were quickly rekindled in her, Poli still steeled herself for rejection... “The Bounties. Take me with you when you go to other worlds and stuff. That's what I want; to go with you wherever you go from now on. To just... be with you.”

The sudden stillness in Oliver, and his distant gaze, caused fear to spike in her once more. Was this really where he drew the line? Would he really reject-

“I mean... We'll need to get some stuff. An item to let you speak and understand languages, since not being able to communicate would be a problem... And some protective equipment. Potions, weapons... I should probably get Marty's input on useful and necessary items...” He trailed off, staring at the far wall. After a second, he shrugged as he looked back at her, a bright smile on his face and his eyes practically twinkling with joy. “But, yeah. I... I would like that. A lot.”

“I... I've missed you, Poli.”