Work Text:
LITTLE MOLIÈRE
For the past two weeks, Rafael Barba’s nights had become different, all thanks to Olivia Benson and Noah, who were working on a preschool school project.
“I’m sorry, Rafa. Noah just can’t make up his mind.”
Rafael simply laughed.
“I don’t mind at all, as long as you keep inviting me to this literary coffee night,” he said with a smile, leaning against the kitchen counter.
“Yeah… you’re almost finishing the whole bag of coffee,” Olivia said with an amused frown as she poured the last coffee beans into the coffeemaker.
“As long as there are books to read, you’ll have me here, Liv. I already feel like a VIP guest,” he said, taking one last bite of the chocolate cookie Noah had left for him.
“I just hope he decides soon, or that school assignment won’t be ready.”
“Let’s trust that this trip to the bookstore will bring something good, Benson,” Rafael said with a smile as he sipped his coffee.
Olivia sighed. “Yes, this is the third time we’ve gone to the bookstore this week.”
“This time I came with you, so we’re bound to succeed.”
“We’ll see, Rafa.”
Meanwhile, Noah was sitting on the living room carpet, moving his hands quickly as he explored the new batch of books he had brought back from the bookstore.
“Whoo!” Noah exclaimed, holding up a small book and jumping.
“Mom, come here!” the boy shouted from the living room.
Olivia rushed in, still holding a dishcloth in her hands.
“I want this one! This one!” the boy said proudly, holding up the book.
Olivia took it and began to read. “The Gruffalo.”
“I don’t remember choosing this one…”
Rafael smiled, lifting his coffee cup.
“Don’t question my literary recommendations, Lieutenant.”
Olivia smiled back.
“Sweetheart, is this the final choice?” she asked, kneeling beside her son.
“Yes, Mommy,” Noah said firmly.
____
During the following week, every conversation revolved around The Gruffalo. Rafael kept coming over every night to read the same story.
He set up a little theater workshop using sofas and sheets, showing Noah how to get the best performance, doing the voices and the movements. It became Noah’s favorite part of the day.
The boy already knew the dialogue by heart, and in truth, he was the one telling the story to Rafael.
“Barba—or should I call you Shakespeare? You’ve completed your mission,” Olivia said, raising an eyebrow.
“When I put my mind to it, I can be an excellent theater teacher too.”
“You don’t need to keep coming every night.”
“No… but I like the coffee. I won’t charge you any fees for the lessons, Lieutenant,” he said, lifting the cup to his lips.
But what he truly enjoyed, after the theater lesson, was seeing Olivia Benson in her creative mode.
Her kitchen table had turned into a small fairy workshop, covered in glitter, glue, and bits of fabric.
Her gestures, the way she held the scissors, and that serious look she made whenever she focused on cutting the fabric.
“I think the House of Versace would be happy to have you among their apprentices,” Rafael said with a smile.
“Be quiet, Barba,” Olivia replied, frowning.
Suddenly, everything went quiet, broken only by the sounds of Liv working with the materials and Noah watching his book in the living room.
“Ah—!” Olivia cried out, biting her tongue to keep from swearing as she tossed a hot glue gun onto the table.
“Mommy, are you okay?” Noah ran straight to her.
“Yes, sweetheart,” Olivia said as she hurried to the sink and turned on the faucet.
The scrape of Rafael’s chair echoed across the wooden floor.
“Let me help you,” Rafael said, gently taking Liv’s hand, water droplets splashing from his fingers.
“I never imagined seeing you like this,” Rafael laughed, though concern showed in his eyes.
“Benson, I don’t understand how you can handle other kinds of guns but not these,” he said, turning off the tap while still holding her hand.
“Have you ever used one of these?”
Rafael glanced at the glue gun.
“It looks dangerous,” he said sarcastically.
“Even if fairy dust suits you, Lieutenant.”
Olivia smiled.
“A kiss is always the best medicine,” Rafael murmured softly, leaning closer to Liv.
“Are you a doctor now?” Olivia said sarcastically.
Rafael wrapped an arm around Liv’s waist and gave her a tender kiss on the cheek while trying to open the small first-aid kit in the kitchen.
Suddenly, small footsteps were heard, and Noah joined the hug, covering Rafael’s elegant pants in glitter.
Noah’s eyes widened, speechless as he stared at Rafael’s pants.
There was a brief silence.
“Uncle Rafa…”
“A little magic won’t hurt you, counselor,” Olivia said, trying to hide her smile.
“Yes, even elves need legal defense,” Rafael added, brushing the glitter off his clothes.