Oliver walks down the stairs into the foundry, soothed as he always is by the sight of his green suit and sharpened, deadly arrows lying in wait. Here, though he has departed the glitzy world of Oliver Queen, he has not yet completely stepped foot into the Arrow's realm. Here, he can simply be himself – scars, bad lies, and all.

He is greeted by the sight of Felicity's back hunched over her computer, fingers clicking away at breakneck speed as she works her magic. Pausing behind her, he imagines, as he always does, running his fingers through her thick blonde ponytail, feeling her pulse race in the hollow of her throat as he strokes the soft, sensitive skin of her neck. It was a part of a fantasy that ran through his mind too many times – one he had to actively restrain himself from turning into a reality.

Felicity hasn't noticed him yet, and he smiles at her concentration. It's one of the many qualities he admires.

"Hey."

She squeals and jumps a foot off her seat, stumbling and nearly falling flat on her face before Oliver grips her shoulders and steadies her. He's on the verge of commenting on her penchant for overreacting when he gets a good look at her face.

"What is that?"

Felicity looks at him in momentary confusion before her blue eyes widen in horror.

"Oh my god, this is so embarrassing. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have touched it, I'll just – "

Watching her, Oliver can't help it – he lets out a deep, full-bellied laugh that echoed throughout the foundry. He tries to stop, but glancing at Felicity again causes another unstoppable wave of laughter.

Felicity stops talking, staring at him as he doubled over, gripping his sides. With his face turning red from the lack of oxygen and his eyes glittering in amusement, Oliver looks like a little boy. She let out a grin.

"It's good to see you laugh like that. You look good with a real smile on your face, Oliver. Not that you don't always look good… oh god."

Oliver somehow finds a moment to breathe. "And you, Felicity," he manages between bouts of laughter, "look good with my mask on."