Reaching out to dl_greenarrow.

[chloesullivan]

Chloe wasn't sure how many hours had gone by since they got back to the Clocktower, the apartment was much lighter now so she knew the sun was up, but she hadn't moved from her position since Oliver laid down on his bed and she wasn't planning on doing so.

She could have sat down on the chair by his bed or even on his bed, but she didn't want to get comfortable and risk falling asleep so she picked a spot on the floor, leaning back against the door frame and watching the bed.

Although she couldn't see him from where she was beyond the covers and the fact that he was obviously under there, this was enough for her. She wanted to be able to give him some space and still keep an eye on him since she absolutely refused to leave him alone even for a second, she wasn't going to risk it, not after what had almost happened.

And every time she thought about that she had a hard time not breaking down, she couldn't stop from thinking what it would be like if she had suddenly woken up to find that his body had been found outside his property.

To say she was freaked out and scared didn't even begin to cover it, but this wasn't about her, this was about him and her doing everything she could to make sure she helped him in every possible way.

Comments

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

She opened the door and quickly pulled the dog in her arms, shushing her. She had forgotten about Nellie completely in the past few hours and now she felt bad that she had but she wasted no time in rushing back toward Ollie's room to check on him, stilling when she saw him sitting up.

"I'm sorry she woke you up," she whispered, her eyes a little wide as she stared at him.

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

"I wasn't asleep." He shrugged a little, not looking up at her, but focusing on the pup in her arms instead. "She's cute."

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

"Oh," she said quietly, her face falling at the information but she slowly stepped further into the room, "thank you, I wasn't sure if you would mind her being here but I couldn't leave her and Lois is allergic..." she explained, knowing she was babbling but at least talking about the dog was easier than everything else.

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

"It's fine. I don't mind dogs," he said, shrugging once more and letting out a breath as he rose to his feet.

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

"Where are you going?" She asked, frowning when he stood up.

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

He blinked a couple of times and glanced at her. "To the bathroom?"

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

"Oh," pursing her lips together she nodded a little and stepped aside, looking back down at the dog.

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

Oliver sighed very softly and made his way across the room and toward the bathroom. "Chloe, you really don't have to stay here."

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

"Don't," she told him, lifting her eyes to his back and shaking her head, "you don't have to talk to me if you don't want to, but I'm not leaving your side, I don't care what you say."

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

"I'm fine," he said distantly, stepping into the bathroom and shutting the door behind him.

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

Chloe sighed deeply and shook her head a little, taking a couple of steps backward and sitting on the edge of his bed, she knew he was far from fine and she was going to figure out a way to change that, she just had absolutely no idea where to begin.

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

He returned a few moments later, glancing at her briefly before heading toward the door that led to the hallway. "Have you eaten?"

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

"Not since last night," she told him, getting up and following him instantly, she knew that just keeping an eye on him at all times was both impractical and pointless, but she was afraid of saying anything else and making things worse.

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

"What do you want?" he asked blankly as he made his way into the kitchen, opening the fridge. He wasn't surprised that she followed him down the hallway and into the kitchen.

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

She wanted to tell him not to worry about it, but at the same time she figured maybe if she let him get her something to eat, he would let her do something for him too, "I don't think there is a lot more than cereal and mac and cheese," she admitted, setting the dog down on the floor.

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

He raised his eyebrows a little at that and glanced over at her. "How long have you been here anyway?"

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

"Since you called me," she told him, pursing her lips together and watching him closely as Nellie ran up to him, tail wagging.

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

"Since I..." His eyebrows furrowed at that and he frowned a little, then looked down at the pup for a moment and knelt reluctantly, petting her head gently.

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

"Like I said yesterday," she breathed, watching as the dog laid down on the floor, belly up, "I never saw you as guilty, I wanted to tell you that."

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

Oliver fell silent at that, rubbing the dog's belly, and smiling faintly despite himself as Nellie wiggled on the floor.

"But I am," he said quietly a moment later, not looking up at her. "Whether or not the guy deserved it is irrelevant."

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

Chloe took a deep breath and stepped closer, "it's relevant to me, as is the fact that it was an accident and I know you would never hurt someone, no matter how bad they are, willingly."

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

A small, bitter smile twisted his mouth and he finally looked up at her. "That's not entirely true either."

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

Chloe's stomach clenched as she looked down at him, "how is it not true?"

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

"There are certain people I wouldn't hesitate to hurt, or worse." His expression was blank, but his eyes were intense.

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

"People like who?" She asked quietly, watching him closely even if the look in his eyes was bothering her.