Wow, such a beautiful chapter! So full of emotion and understanding where Felicity was at in this moment of time. It wasn't simple, it wasn't straightforward, because human emotions aren't simple and straightforward and you've captured that all so eloquently.

That was a beautiful opening paragraph in particular. It just encapsulated what it feels like to have something looming over you that you know has to happen, but you just can't face it in that moment. I think everything you wrote is perfectly in line with what Felicity would think and feel about both Ray and Oliver. The dream was a lovely touch, highlighting that when all is said and done, the heart wants what the heart wants.

Just beautifully done. 3

Cannot wait to see what you have to say after 3x20. Please update soon.

What a fantastic little filler chapter that rounds out what, as you said, was a fairly whip lash like turn in the Olicity relationship with the last episode. I notice Arrow does that sometimes, does a kind of clunky gear change, which, with all the stories they're trying to tell at once, I can't hold against them - particularly if it gets us closer to Olicity on the show.

But enough about the show, it gets enough comments. More importantly lets talk about this little moment. It was perfect. Felicity reflecting on her life, her relationships. It's respectful of the canon the show has laid down - that Felicity enjoys being with Ray - but also teases at what we all know is the reality, underneath it all, no matter how perfectly packaged and easy Ray is, he's not Oliver.

I can't help but thinking of the movie Parenthood where MaryBeth Steinburg(?) tells Steve Martin's character that she didn't want the roundabout in life, she wanted the roller coaster. I think Felicity is a roller coaster girl at heart. She's built for the thrills and spills, the highs and lows. Ray is a nice, steady, round and round and yes, you always know what's coming up with the round about, but it doesn't have the emotion of the roller coaster. Your chapter teased the beginning of Felicity's roller coaster vs roundabout debate perfectly. We all know what she'd really chose if given the choice, but Oliver put the velvet rope up to the roller coaster ride, and Felicity is doing her best to move on to what is available... but the longing remains.

Man, you should absolutely be writing these little filler moments for the show professionally, to ease those clunky gear changes, Stevie. You'd kill it each and every time!

XD Nice. Yep, Damn you, Murphy's law XD

Fantastic Felicity-isms in this chapter and honestly, pretty much what I feel like is going to happen on the show in some level. Felicity has given herself to the 'perfect' guy - the guy who ticks all the boxes and is this facsimile of Oliver. If she wanted all the things like a handsome, smart, rich guy, then Ray would do just nicely. But what Felicity wants, and I believe sleeping with Roy is going to make crystal clear for her, is that none of those things matter, because what she really wants is Oliver - not rich, handsome, smart, emotionally evolved Oliver, just the man, with all that stripped away, and there are no substitutes and you've just captured that utterly perfectly. Another standing ovation from me!

Arrgghh! Perfect flangst! The longing, the hesitation, the jerking steps forwards, the stumbling steps back... that moment when this one person has you so completely undone you're questioning every little thing in the world. Utter perfection. *happy sigh* It all just hurts so good. .

hey!
I don't know if someone told you already but the format is all messed up, and it's impossible to read...n please re post it!

Check the formatting of the chapter, it is impossible to read it.

loved this! so sad. Especially loved the puddle of ice cream and the recognition of its being a metaphor. Sigh.

Okay, another brilliant chapter from you, Stevie!

You're the queen of pathos, no doubt about it. Every moment between them is spot on. They're both just... stuck. They're both imprisoned by each other - they want to escape, but not from each other. It is beyond tricky what the writers have set up on the show and you've followed that natural progression perfectly in these chapters. I'm going to be super interested in seeing where you take these guys. :D

WOW!
Absolutely WOW!
I'm speechless

First chapter.. and soo good already, I'm bothered not only by the lack of Olicity, that wouldn't matter as much if the producers were a little more consistent with the storylines... I love how Felicity stood up for herself (she's getting back to beinf her strong self) and a little heart broken by the definitive tone of this "break up" but the truth is that he doesn't deserve her...

Thank you for writing this!

This show is going to be the death of me and I really want Oliver and Felicity together. Thank you for sharing. Adding to my follows.

God those were amazing and exactly what I needed. Thank you so much.

Wow, I can't believe how emphatically and perfectly you've nailed all the colours in the Olicity feelings rainbow with this chapter! It's even better than the first chapter and that was amazing. This is EXACTLY where I feel both Oliver and Felicity are in their relationship. It was perfect. You just managed to capture every little bit of their emotions and lay them out so eloquently and succinctly. This is a really fantastic example of the old writing mantra of 'show, don't tell'. You showed us where these two are at in so many different ways with this softly sad little chapter. You should absolutely keep going and don't ever stop. You understand these characters perfectly and the way you communicate that understanding is a real joy to read. Congratulations, you have real talent!