Final chapter of this "episode"...

"You know," Tommy said quietly, "this complicates a lot of things."

Oliver's face sobered and he released Tommy. Tommy held in the whimper of almost physical pain that crept up as Oliver stepped away.

"I know," Oliver said seriously, "Especially with Laurel."

Tommy closed his eyes against the pain that threatened to break his chest open. There it was. Laurel. She'd always be something between them.

"Tommy," Oliver said, "what are you going to tell her about us?"

His eyes snapped open.

"What? Huh?" he said incoherently, "What do you mean?"

"I told you, Tommy, if you hurt her, I'll snap your neck," Oliver said seriously, "I was serious. How are you going to tell her about your feelings for me? This is going to kill her."

Tommy just shook his head and grinned, "She already knows, man."

He wanted to laugh at the look of incredulity on Oliver's face. But he already knew he was going to have to explain.

"You know I don't just love you, right?" he asked, "You know I'm in love with you, right?"

Oliver's face softened and his smile was genuine when he said, "Yeah, Tommy, I know. Me, too."

Tommy's heart stopped at that. He had never expected that. Everything he wanted to say went completely out of his head as he stared at Ollie. Oliver stared back as if he was shocked at his own words.

"I do, Tommy," he finally said, "I'm in love with you. Have been for a very long time. I just- Well, I never-"

Tommy let the laughter bubble up and out this time.

"Wow," he said on a chuckle, "we're a pair of idiots, aren't we?"

"Yeah," Oliver said, "I guess we are."

They sort of fell together again at that moment. Tommy hadn't realized he had moved until he felt his mouth on Oliver's. His hands found Oliver's face and slid into his short hair. Oliver's mouth opened to him again and their tongues battled. Oliver's arms wrapped around Tommy and pulled him close. Tommy could feel Oliver's arousal pressed against him and hummed at the sensation. He pressed back, letting Oliver know how stimulated he was. It was in that moment that Tommy realized exactly where they were headed if they didn't slow down.

Tommy made himself pull back from the kiss. As much as he hated it, he pulled out of Oliver's arms and stepped back.

"Tommy?" Oliver said, trying to reach for him again.

"We have things to talk about," Tommy said quietly, reaching a hand out to grab Oliver's to ease his own ache of separation. He knew he was in trouble. Now that he knew what it was to be in Oliver's arms, to kiss him, he didn't know how he would ever want anything else.

"You don't have to worry too much about Laurel," he continued, "She's known for a while. But there's something I didn't tell you about my dad."

"Your dad?" Oliver asked, "What's he got to do with this?"

"Dad is the reason I'm dating Laurel," he said, turning away from Oliver. He couldn't stand to see the hurt or anger that might be in Oliver's face when he told him the whole truth.

"Tommy?" Oliver said, grabbing his shoulder.

"You know how my dad is," he said, still refusing to look at Oliver, "He's a fucking homophobe. He cut me off because, even though I was dating Laurel, he was positive that I am in love with you. He's right. He's rarely wrong. But he's dangerous when he's angry, Ollie. He still suspects that you're the Hood and if he suspects that you feel the same way I do, I don't know what will happen."

"I'll be fine," Oliver assured him.

Tommy finally looked at him. Oliver's face was open, honest, trusting. That was a first since he'd gotten back from the island. But Tommy knew the fear he had of putting Oliver in danger showed on his face.

"I don't even know if I actually have you, but I can't lose you again, Ollie," he said sincerely.

"You've got me," Oliver said, his hand reaching for Tommy's face, "but maybe we should keep up pretenses for a while longer."

Tommy sighed in relief. He knew when it came to Dear Old Dad, Oliver would understand why the fear was so palpable.

"Thank you," he said as Oliver pulled him into a hug.

"You're welcome," Ollie replied on a small chuckle, "and thank you."

Yeah, yeah, I know...they've admitted how they feel...blah blah blah...But where's the GOOD part? It's in the works...but DocWatson wants to move on now...at least temporarily...sorry...Hope you enjoyed! There WILL be more in the series...this I CAN promise...As always, Read and Review, please!