To set the scene, in this continuity, Oliver Queen's passion for his mission is homegrown. Quentin Lance has feelings for Moira and was always ready to be there for Oliver...but never found a way to step up. Quentin feels guilty about working so closely with the masked vigilante known as the Arrow and that secret-fear has kept him from getting too close to Moira. When the Arrow is framed by Rashe, Lance is actually one of the very few people to still believe in what the man is trying to do, and his innocence.
“I know you you are, you're a hero, to me anyway. I...I want to tell the...the Queens I mean...why I believe in you.”
“Oliver Queen will understand. You mean a great deal to him. Tell them what happened. And be ready for my company.”
“The Arrow. You're the one who called me that, aren't you?”
“Uh yeah, I've been calling you that for a while.”
“No I mean, you coined the name...I have to say I approve.”
“What are we...you...making jokes now?”
“I really do like the name; it's apropos and straight to the point...like me. But also, it is a lot easier for me to be off my guard around you when you're not pointing a gun at me.”
“Yeah...that makes sense. Listen I...”
“Detective...Captain. I fight for this city, so do you. But unlike the other cops on the force you have a reason to trust me. And you listen to that reason. The day you and I find each-other on opposite sides is the day this city is pretty much screwed. I don't want that to happen, E-ver.”
“On that score you and I agree completely.”
“Oliver can I take with you for a minute?”
Oliver Queen looked up from his novella to a welcome sight: Quentin Lance standing in his study as if he belonged there. “Of course Quentin, what's up?”
“I know when the three of us are together, you mom me and you you're very chill about it and I appreciate that. But I wanted to know...ARE you okay with it?”
“Mr. Lance, you've been seeing my mom romantically for a year and a half, you've been living with her for the past five months if I had a problem with it you'd have heard about it like way before now. And is this going where I think it's going?”
“I want to propose to her. Why do I feel like I'm rushing things here?”
“You don't.” Oliver answered easily. “You want to know if this is a marriage of convenience, or whether she'll think you're charging in. She won't and you're not. You're direct and plainspoken with the biggest heart and the strongest moral compass of anyone I have ever-known. Be equally unadorned,no fanfare, no parade, just ask.”
“Wow, on the list of things I thought you'd say that is...was nowhere near the top.”
Oliver's face went completely blank for about five seconds. “Wait, were you nervous about what she would say or...about what I would say?”
“Oliver to say we have a complicated history is an understatement. We've had a lot of crap we've had to push through over the years..”
“..And we've had almost as much crap happen to us that we've pushed through together. Our relationship, as myself at least, has been through so many ups and downs I've lost track of when I was looking up. You didn't realize it as t the time, how could you but as the Arrow I saw another side of you. And if I hadn't still been worried how'd you'd feel about it, I would have been warmer. I'm sorry I should have trusted you more. Besides, it meant a lot more than you apparently realize when you admitted to having worked with the Arrow last year. You risked happiness with my mom, and falling from Grace in my eyes, standing up for a masked man in a hood that the entire city thought was a murderer all over again. 'We've been through a lot', is sure as hell an understatement, but I think you're focusing on the wrong part of that expression: we've been through it.”
“Did she already know?” Quentin asked suddenly.
“I hadn't told her yet. It turns out I wasn't that good at hiding from her, she already knew. And something I've been waiting to tell you, since that day on the bridge I think, whether you're with my mom or not...I've always tried to make you proud of me...like I think it would be with a father.”
“So to recap then.” Oliver said in rather a weak voice. Yes, I'm fine with it, and yes, I want you to be a part of the family...of MY family. And I'm very sorry if I ever made you feel otherwise.”
“I...I feel like I should hug you right now.”
“Yeah I'd say it's a hug thing.” Oliver replied, embracing Quentin with affection and joy.
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