Bound

UPDATED AN: This was originally posted as a one-shot episode tag for the 4.18 episode and was an emotional POV for Oliver that addresses that mysterious promise to Laurel. However, it has been expanded into a multi-part summer story! It's an Original Team Arrow/ Olicity action romance that explores the ties that bind Team Arrow together. It's set after the S4 finale (spoilers for anything in the show). Middle chapters are a bit AU as we explore the Flashpoint impact with an Alternate Timeline story within the story. Hopefully, all the pieces will come together for a fun read with a happily-ever-after ending. Weekly installments will be complete before new shows return in the US.

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AN1 – It has been a long since I've posted and I just want to thank all who continue to read my earlier works. The notices of your votes always make me giddy! THANK YOU!!

SPOILER WARNING - This is an episode tag for Eleven-fifty-nine (US air date of 4/6/16) so pls skip this one if you haven't watched and are avoiding spoilers!! You have been warned!

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Oliver stood stiffly at the edge of the green grass. His hands clenched in fists as he overlooked the gray markers. No one knew how often he found himself there lately - bound by broken promises, by his failures, by the ghosts of the past. Now there would be another one.

Laurel.

The devastation on her father's face was burned into his mind's eye. The sharp glare of Diggle's guilt made it difficult for him to meet his partner's eyes - it felt him like he was looking into a mirror. The sound of Thea's tears provided a steady beat for his own grief. The all too brief feel of Felicity in his arms left an empty ache deep in his chest.

Continuing to walk through the memories, his hands traced the names on the headstones. So many dead. So much loss. So much pain. So much darkness.

His breath eased out slowly as he fought for control. He hadn't been able to stay at the hospital with the others. The need to be alone, to run away had been too powerful. He still wanted to leave. Diggle's words suddenly echoed in his head once again.

Could he evolve? Could he ever be someone other than who the Island made him?

Laurel's voice soothed Oliver as he remembered her words of love and support. Glancing down, he removed his hand from the tombstone and instead traced the picture Laurel had carried much as he had. A memento of a simpler time. An image of simpler woman whose beauty hadn't been marred by death, loss, and darkness.

"Promise me you won't let the darkness win. This all started with you but you aren't alone and you aren't only the Green Arrow. You are a hero without the mask. You're my hero, Ollie. You've done so much good but there's more you can do. Bring your Team back together, put yourself back together. Find your way back."

Oliver wanted to believe it was a promise he could keep.

He continued to stroke the well-worn photo as more memories replayed in his head and heart. His eyes moved from the tombstones to the sky above. There had been times of darkness but there was light too. Like Laurel, he felt alive whenever he was with the Team. He felt alive when he was loved by Felicity. He needed them and he believed they needed him too.

Laurel was right and she again inspired him. He couldn't let the darkness win. It was time to fight not just for the city but for his Team. It was time to fight for himself and his future. His fingers again caressed the photo. It would no longer be a memento of the past but instead a hope for the future.

Turning his back on the graves, Oliver started to make his way back. His Team could evolve...together. He wasn't alone. He had a brother in Diggle, his sister was still by his side, and Felicity was the love of his life.

He no longer felt as burdened by the past. His new promise to Laurel bound him to the future. A good future. A future with his Team and with Felicity.

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AN2 – I have skipped most of this season and I'm not sure about the remainder. However, I do hope to catch up and write a summer fic and it could take off from here but I make no promises so this one is marked as complete. As always, your comments are most welcome! Thanks for reading!