You see that expression on Felicity’s face in the top gif? That’s the expression of a woman who’s heart just got a little bit crushed.

I’ve thought this since season 3, but Felicity just wants someone to want her. She’s fiercely independent and runs away at the first sign of trouble, but deep down she wants someone to want her so badly that they break down, that they get angry, that they fight for her. She wants someone to tell her… well exactly what Oliver told her at their fake wedding in 4x16. She wasn’t ready to hear those things then, which is why she left the team. Because Oliver was giving her everything she wanted, but she just couldn’t be with him then. It was still too raw.

I always loved in season 3 when she told Oliver he didn’t want her with Ray and Oliver said that she was wrong, he was fine with her dating Ray. Felicity didn’t like that answer, just like she didn’t like this one. Maybe it’s what she’s been telling herself she wants, for both of them to move on, but it’s not what she feels. What Felicity feels is that same “I’m not lovable” feeling she got when her dad left.

When Oliver says things like “I’m fine with you moving on” what Felicity hears is “I’m fine without you” and it kills me. Because Oliver means it considerately. He means “I just want you to be happy even if that’s not with me”. And part of her knows that, but that little seven year old inside of her can’t help but listen to the whispers in her own head telling her she’s somehow not worth loving.