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Olivia Benson had been dating Elliot Stabler for two months, and somewhere along the way their relationship had quietly settled into something comfortable. They'd stopped sneaking out in the mornings after sleepovers and had started building routines together, small things that made it feel less like dating and more like sharing pieces of their everyday lives.
Still, there was one thing they hadn't done yet.
Fifteen-year-old Noah Benson knew about Elliot, he even liked him. It wasn't a secret, and he'd always been happy for his mother, but up until now Elliot had mostly stayed at Olivia's apartment when Noah was out with friends, or Olivia spent the night at Elliot's house when Noah had sleepovers planned. Neither of them wanted to disrupt Noah's routine.
So when Elliot suggested that Olivia and Noah spend Friday night at his place, Olivia hesitated.
"I'll make dinner," he'd promised over the phone. "And Noah can pick the movie. It'll be fun."
She wasn't convinced at first, but after enough reassurance, and after Noah's immediate enthusiasm, which had nothing to do with his mother’s happiness, she finally agreed.
Friday night rolled around with no school the next morning and no plans for Noah.
"Elliot's got a way bigger TV than us," Noah had announced excitedly. "And a PS5. I'm stoked."
Olivia couldn't help but laugh. Leave it to a fifteen-year-old boy to care more about gaming than the significance of spending the night at his mother's boyfriend's house. Still, his excitement eased some of the tension she hadn't even realized she'd been carrying.
Noah packed an overnight bag, tossing clothes into it with little concern. Olivia didn't need to pack anything. Over the past couple months she'd left clothes and toiletries at Elliot's place, and somehow he'd managed to stock his bathroom with all her favorite products without ever asking. He'd simply noticed what she used and quietly made sure they were there for her.
It was one of those thoughtful gestures that always made her smile. And a gesture that got him laid that night she saw her favourite products under his sink.
By the time they pulled into Elliot's driveway, it was just after 5:30.
Olivia unlocked the door and stepped inside to the sound of classic rock blasting from the kitchen.
Elliot stood at the stove in grey sweatpants and a fitted white T-shirt, which made Olivia drool while he absently stirred a pot while enthusiastically singing along to "Pour Some Sugar on Me." His voice wasn't exactly concert worthy, but the sight of him completely committed to the performance made Olivia laugh.
"This is old people music," Noah announced, causing Elliot to jump slightly.
He burst out laughing and set the spoon down.
"Watch it, kid. One day your music will be considered old too."
He walked over, pressing a gentle kiss to Olivia's cheek before giving Noah a fist bump.
"You can throw your bag in Eli's room. Third door on the left."
Noah disappeared down the hallway, and Elliot turned back toward Olivia with a grin and kissed her how he wanted to.
"Hi, pretty girl."
Olivia felt herself blush despite herself.
"Hi."
Her brown eyes sparkled with amusement.
"Something smells good," she said.
"That's just my natural scent."
She snorted. "You're ridiculous."
"No argument there."
He lifted the lid on the pot dramatically.
"Pasta al Limone."
Olivia climbed onto one of the barstools and watched him move around the kitchen with practiced ease.
"You want some wine, babe?" he asked.
"I'll get it."
She moved comfortably through his kitchen, opening cabinets without thinking. It amazed her how natural it already felt. She grabbed two glasses and poured generous amounts of chilled white wine.
Handing one to him, she stood beside him and leaned lightly against his shoulder before kissing it and rubbing his back.
"How was your day, babe?" she asked.
"Pretty good. Got to see the baby this morning, which was nice. Missed my workout, though."
Olivia laughed.
"What?"
"I love that you take care of yourself, and trust me, the results speak for themselves because you are incredibly sexy, Mr. Stabler but you really can't skip one day, can you?"
Elliot laughed too.
"You make me sound like a robot."
"Maybe just a very handsome robot."
The compliment brought a smile to his face. It wasn't just what she said, it was how easily she said it, how naturally she held him, how peaceful everything felt.
He switched off the stove and turned to face her.
For a second, he simply stared, smiling like a fool.
"What?" Olivia asked, suddenly self-conscious.
"Nothing." His smile softened. “I just love you” He told her and she smiled. She was no longer running every time he said he loved her, which was often. Although Olivia had yet to verbally say it back, her little smile always said it.
"You guys are gross."
Olivia laughed.
"You know, closing your eyes is an option."
"Nah. I'll just distract myself. El, can I play my game?"
"Sure, buddy."
"No," Olivia said immediately. "Dinner first."
"We can eat in the living room," Elliot offered.
"That's not the issue. Give this kid a screen and he'll forget the world exists. Food first, then you can play until your eyes fall out."
Noah grinned.
"Deal."
The three of them settled onto the couches with their bowls balanced on their laps. As they ate, Elliot asked Noah about school, dance, and whatever drama came with being fifteen.
"Is Micah still being a dick?" Elliot asked around a mouthful of pasta.
Olivia glanced between them. "Who's Micah?"
Noah rolled his eyes. "This kid in twelfth grade. He's always trying to get people to vape, and when they say no, he calls them pussys and pushes them around."
Olivia's expression immediately hardened. "He's done that to you?"
"Yeah, but El taught me how to throw a punch."
Olivia slowly turned toward Elliot, one eyebrow raised so high it nearly disappeared into her hairline.
"Oh, really?"
Elliot held up a hand. "In my defense, I told him not to throw the first punch. You can defend yourself, buddy, but you don't start it."
"I know, I know," Noah said. "I just wanted to be prepared. The guy's huge, but he hasn't bothered me all week after I shut him down."
Olivia paused. "How exactly did you do that?"
Noah shrugged casually. "He was trying to pressure Ava into vaping and was getting all up in her face. So I said, ‘If you want to suck on something so bad you just had to ask me’” Olivia nearly choked on her wine.
"What the fuck, Noah!"
Across from her, Elliot burst out laughing.
"What? Everyone knows I’m bi" Noah said innocently. "And it worked."
“You really think THAT is what I’m talking about? Jesus Christ, Noah”
“Hey it shut him up”
Olivia pointed her fork at him. "You can’t be saying stuff like that."
"Mom, everyone at school says worse."
"That doesn't mean you need to. Although..." she sighed. "I'm glad you used your words instead of your fists. Unlike somebody I know."
She shot Elliot a pointed look.
"Hey, leave me out of this." Elliot raised both hands in surrender. "I'm innocent."
"No, you're retired from punching shit," Olivia corrected, earning another laugh from Noah.
"Seriously, though," she continued, looking back at her son. "You know you can always talk to me about stuff, right?"
"I know, Mom."
"Anything. Friends, relationships, sex, whatever."
Noah made a face. "No offense, but I'd probably go to El."
Olivia blinked. "Excuse me? Mr. Teen Dad is your life coach now?"
Elliot nearly spit out his wine.
"Hey, I stepped up and raised my kid. I accepted my responsibilities."
Olivia snorted. "If you'd been responsible and wrapped it up, altar boy, you wouldn't have needed to."
Noah looked between them with wide eyes before dissolving into laughter.
"Okay, that's enough," Elliot groaned, rubbing a hand over his face. "I give much better advice than I took."
"That's not exactly a high bar," Olivia teased.
The three of them spent the next hour talking and laughing, the easy conversation flowing from school gossip to old stories and terrible movies they all secretly loved.
Eventually, Olivia excused herself to change.
When she came back, she'd traded her jeans for black leggings and one of Elliot's old navy NYPD hoodies that hung loosely on her frame. Her brown hair was pulled into a messy ponytail, and she padded barefoot across the living room, looking far more relaxed than she had when they'd first arrived.
Elliot glanced up from where Noah was setting up the PS5 and smiled to himself.
Seeing her dressed in his hoodie, with her bare feet and perfectly pink manicured toes that were comfortable enough to wander around his house like it was home, made something warm settle in his chest.
Maybe this, movie nights, teasing, and ordinary moments, was exactly what happiness looked like.
After a couple hours of gaming and a movie that Noah had insisted they watch, Olivia eventually noticed that her son had gone suspiciously quiet.
She glanced over and smiled.
Noah was sprawled across the couch, one arm hanging off the side, controller still resting in his lap. The television cast soft blue light over his sleeping face while the movie credits rolled in the background.
Olivia chuckled.
"Poor kid never stood a chance," Elliot whispered beside her.
She carefully nudged Noah's shoulder.
"Hey, sweet boy. Time for bed."
Noah blinked awake, disoriented for a moment.
"Huh?"
"Bed."
He rubbed his eyes and stretched. "Did I miss the ending?"
"You missed about twenty minutes ago," Elliot teased.
Noah groaned dramatically and stood up.
"Night, Mom. Night, El."
"Goodnight, lovey."
"Sleep well, kid."
Noah shuffled down the hallway toward Eli's room, and once they heard the bedroom door close, the house settled into a peaceful silence.
Olivia smiled softly.
"I think tonight went pretty well."
Elliot slipped an arm around her waist. "Yeah. I think so too."
Together, they headed upstairs.
While Olivia disappeared into the ensuite bathroom to wash her face and begin her nightly skincare routine, Elliot removed his joggers and his t-shirt then tossed them next to the laundry basket instead of in it, he stretched out against the pillows wearing nothing but his briefs and simply watched her.
He couldn't help himself.
Her brown hair was pulled back with a ridiculous pink headband with a bow on it, keeping the strands away from her face while she concentrated on carefully applying lotions and oils like she was conducting some sort of scientific experiment.
She hummed quietly to herself while examining a bottle before putting a few drops into her palm.
Elliot smiled.
He'd faced murderers, undercover operations, and organized crime.
Yet somehow, watching Olivia Benson fuss over serums with a pink bow on her head was one of the cutest things he'd ever seen.
Without thinking, he snapped a picture.
Not because she was posing.
Not because she looked glamorous.
But because she looked happy.
Comfortable.
Like she belonged there.
Eventually, she emerged from the bathroom adn stood by the bed removing her leggings leaving her in a pair of seamless black bikini cut panties. She lifted his hoodie over her head and Elliot smirked when he realized she was completely bare underneath his hoodie. He bit his lip as her bare breasts came into view and he loved that she was comfortable enough to do that in front of him now. She walked over to the laundry basket and grabbed his discarded t-shirt from the floor and put it on. Elliot chuckled because the t-shirt practically swallowed her whole.
"You took a picture of me, didn't you?" she asked suspiciously.
Elliot looked guilty.
"No." He said with a small smile
"Elliot."
"Okay, yes."
She laughed.
"I looked ridiculous."
"You looked adorable."
"Delete it."
"Never."
She shook her head and climbed into bed beside him.
He put on the next episode of Severance, though he wasn't paying much attention.
Olivia absentmindedly rubbed lotion into her legs while watching the screen with complete concentration.
Elliot, meanwhile, was watching her.
He'd seen her do this routine countless times over the past two months.
But tonight, for some reason, it hit differently.
Maybe it was because Noah was asleep down the hall.
Maybe it was because she'd left clothes at his place and moved around his kitchen like she'd lived there forever.
Maybe it was because she'd stopped waiting for the other shoe to drop and finally allowed herself to just be in the moment.
Whatever it was, Elliot couldn't stop smiling.
It wasn't the skincare.
Or the bubble baths.
Or the collection of coffee mugs slowly taking over his cabinets.
It was the privilege of knowing these little pieces of her.
The woman beneath the badge.
The woman beneath the armor.
"Do you think his outie is gonna find his innie?" Olivia suddenly asked.
"What?"
She laughed.
"Our show, Stabler. Severance."
He blinked.
"Oh. Sorry, baby. I got distracted." She smiled.
"By what?"
He looked almost shy. "Have I ever told you that you're cute?"
Olivia snorted.
"Probably."
"No, I mean really cute."
She turned toward him.
"Go on."
He smiled.
"I love your little headband. I love that you spend fifteen minutes on skincare and somehow know what every product does. I love watching you paint your toes and that you get ridiculously excited over bubble baths. I love watching you smile after that first sip of coffee every morning."
Her smile slowly faded into something softer.
"I love that you're secretly a cuddler. I never thought Olivia Benson would be a cuddler, but you are. I love that you call me baby, and you let me call you baby. I love that you twirl your hair when you're thinking. I love how books completely consume you and the world disappears. I love that flowers blooming make you smile. I love hearing you sing in the shower."
Olivia's eyes widened.
"You hear that?"
"You kidding? Half the neighborhood probably hears it."
She laughed.
"I love how excited you get when you see puppies. I love that you point out rainbows like they're miracles. I love that jazz somehow became my Saturday morning soundtrack because of you. I love hearing your giggle, something I never thought I would say in the same sentence when describing Olivia Benson. I love watching you dance while doing laundry. I love that you collect mugs and how tiny umbrellas in drinks make you laugh"
He reached over and tucked a strand of brown hair behind her ear.
"I spent years knowing Detective Olivia Benson. My partner. My best friend. I thought I knew everything there was to know about you."
His blue eyes softened.
"But I never got to know just Olivia. And every day I get to see another piece of her, I fall a little harder."
Olivia stared at him, her eyes shining.
"El…"
"I just feel lucky. Lucky that I get to see all of you now."
Her voice caught."
I didn't know you noticed all those things."
"I notice everything."
She moved closer.
"I don't think you understand how happy you make me."
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"I've dated people who saw parts of me. But I never let anyone see all of me. I always thought I'd be too much. Too stubborn. Too emotional. Too independent."
He shook his head immediately.
"You could never be too much."
"But with you…" she continued. "I don't have to hide the ugly parts of my life or the silly parts or pretend I don't cry at dog or baby videos or quote Notting Hill or clap during the Friends theme song."
Elliot grinned.
"You always clap."
"And you always clap with me."
She smiled.
"You make me feel safe, Elliot. You make me feel wanted and seen and loved. I've never had all of that before."
She rested her forehead against his and slowly kissed him.
"And I love you." She whispered against his lips
Elliot's eyes immediately filled. He blinked and smiled through it.
"Thank you."
Olivia burst out laughing and smacked his chest.
"Idiot."
He laughed too.
"I love you, Olivia Benson. God, I love you."
He kissed the top of her head and pulled her closer.
Suddenly, Olivia sat upright.
"Oh! I forgot to tell you."
"What?"
"Noah's gone to dance camp at the end of the month. And I already talked to Fin about covering for me for a week."
Elliot blinked.
"A week?"
She grinned mischievously.
"So, Detective Stabler… would you like to take a vacation and discover even more reasons to love me?"
His face lit up.
"I don’t care where we go as long as I got you and a bed…Actually I don’t even need a bed, I just need you” He growled and kissed her neck.
She laughed.
"I was thinking the Bahamas."
His eyebrows rose.
"The Bahamas?"
"Mhm."
"Sunshine. Beaches. You in a bathing suit?" She giggled and God he loved that sound.
"If you let me leave the hotel room once in a while."
He laughed.
"Deal."
He absentmindedly played with her hair.
"You know," she whispered, "I really do love you. I know it took me a while to say it, but I do, I always have."
He kissed her forehead.
"I know, baby."
A smile tugged at his lips.
"I always knew."
And sometime after midnight, with Severance still playing quietly in the background and smiles lingering on both their faces, Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler fell asleep wrapped around each other, feeling something neither of them had expected to find in their chaotic lives.
Peace.