Work Text:
Tonight felt good. Olivia had accepted Elliot’s invitation for dinner at his home. A simple, middle-of-the-week dinner between partners. Stabler had made sure the whole night felt light and not at all like a date, even though it was technically their first night together since their conversation in her kitchen a month ago.
They had texted a few times since then, Elliot giving her the space she asked for. But after a long day of working on the same joint case, he had slipped up and asked her to come to his house on that Wednesday night.
“I’ll cook something simple and we can just unwind from this horrible case.” He had downplayed his invitation.
He had seen her hesitate for a second, but the exhaustion had been catching up with her as well. Her wall had crumbled that day, just a little.
“That’d be great, El.”
And so here they were now. Bellies full of a gnocchis specialty he had learned to make in Italy. A bottle of wine almost empty on the counter. Light conversation flowing. Some teasing and bickering about old things with no meaning, such as Elliot’s snoring in the crib, which NY basketball teams were the best, Olivia’s weird eating habit when she was sick. Everything is good. They are back, partners just like old times.
Elliot picks up their empty plates.
“I’m telling you, Liv, that stuff you ate when you had a cold used to make me nauseous.” He teases, rising from the bar stool and walking around the island.
“You never tried it! It made me feel better and it didn’t taste that bad, you know.” She replies, refilling both of their glasses.
“The only reason it didn’t taste bad was because your tastebuds were incapacitated by the cold!” he argues, putting down the plates in the sink.
“Next time you’re sick, I’m making you the special soup.” She promises.
“No thank you.” He scoffs playfully, reaching out for the dishtowel on the island and sending it off on his left shoulder.
“Oh come on, you have to try it. I’m making it for you, that’s that. And I’ll bring whisky and pastries too, just because I know that’s what you’d want while being sick.”
He laughs and turns to the sink, starting to wash the dishes.
“Yeah? And why would you do that for me?” he’s playing along, because he knows she doesn’t need a reason to do anything for him, or him for her.
Olivia takes a moment to answer. Elliot had made her feel so at ease tonight, she was grateful for the lightness of the night. Putting her wine glass on the counter, she gets up from the stool and slowly walks around the island to stand a few feet behind him. She lets a beat pass before answering, gathering her courage. It’s time. She isn’t afraid anymore. This feels right.
“Because…I care for you.”
She waits for his reaction. His movements freeze, his hands stopping under the water, taking in her words. I care for you. He turns off the water slowly and brings his eyes to hers over his left shoulder. He assesses her, carefully reading her expression. Olivia is smiling softly, a hint of trepidation behind her eyes. She swallows audibly, but stands her ground, not retracting.
“Yeah?” he asks softly, not wanting to scare her away.
Her smile gets bigger and she nods tentatively.
“Yeah.” She exhales.
Elliot pulls the dishtowel off his shoulder as he fully turns around and slowly walks the three steps to join her at the island. Her back is pressed against it and he’s careful not to make her feel cornered as he steps into her space.
She’s looking at him expectantly, but he can’t make the move just yet. I’m not ready for this. Her words still resonate in his head. Olivia knows he’s restraining himself and is waiting for her to make the decision. She’s not fully there yet though, and she’s grateful he’s letting her move at her own pace.
She puts both her hands on his chest, partly because she needs to touch him, and partly to put some sort of barrier between them.
“I’m not 100% ready yet…but I’m getting closer.” She looks at him in anticipation as she watches his reaction.
Elliot takes her hands between his.
“Good.” He smiles fondly. “I’m glad.” He brings her arms around his torso so she can hug him. She follows his movement easily and glides her arms under his and behind his back. Her face returns to his neck, just like the night in her kitchen. His arms go around her and hold her tightly. They both sigh into the embrace. Unlike last time they hugged like this, the atmosphere is hopeful, happy. This is a step into the right direction. Another step.