Chapter Text
Elliot
It’s been years since Elliot’s been on a third date. He can tell Olivia’s been on a few. She’s comfortable, radiant in the dim light of the Thai restaurant he’d chosen to take her to. She’s mesmerizing, the ambiance of the quaint restaurant only complimenting her beauty. His body warms as he takes her in, her eyes are bright, hair in loose curls framing her face, shoulders exposed in her stunning off shoulder black dress that accentuates her cleavage like nothing he’s ever seen before. She’s breathtaking.
They’re ready to leave, he’s paid the bill and their food is packed away in to-go boxes and the only thing left to do is take her home. Take her home to an empty apartment and… do what? As of this moment he’s not sure. The idea of taking their relationship further makes him light headed. They haven’t really kissed yet, just little pecks on the cheeks when they bid each other goodbye. He’s always heard the third date is the date and while he’d love to dive into Olivia’s body and never come up for air, she’s calling the shots.
The drive home is quiet but comfortable. There’s no pressure here, they’re just getting to know each other again. They’d known so much about the other a decade ago but time has changed them. She’s a different woman now, a sense of maturity and power only achievable through experience and age but when their eyes meet all he sees is that young, fierce detective who stole his heart. It’s clear she doesn’t need him, she’s lived her whole life depending on no one but herself but he’s ready to lessen that, give her someone to lean on for the rest of her life. It’s always been Olivia.
“Walk me up?” The warmth in her eyes and curl of her lips makes his skin tingle. Right now he’s a 16 year old boy on his way to first base with the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen and God does he know it. There’s a fire blazing deep in his belly, blood rushing to his groin before they’re even to the elevator and she can tell. He’s flushed, breathing unevenly, hands are clammy and if he didn’t have 5 kids she may think this was his first time being alone with a woman.
Part of the nervousness stems from guilt. There’s no part of him that believes he’s worthy of her in any way. He abandoned her, bulldozed back into her life, then played the most inconsistent role he could’ve ever conjured up in his mind and she still said yes to these dates. He doesn’t deserve to be allowed into her life and yet she’s looking at him like that, expectant and bold and inviting.
Her door comes into view and he needs to do something, anything to let her know this is important to him, he’s in this and he loves her. She’s a woman that could make the first move confidently, lean in for a kiss as a way to fluff his ego as if she’s reassuring him, I like you and I want to kiss you so get over yourself and do it. He wants it to be different with him. He wants her to be able to lean on him, to make those decisions so for once in her life she doesn’t have to.
“Liv.” It’s softer than he thought it would be. The amount of energy surging through his body has him on the verge of explosion. He tugs on her hand pulling her close, their bodies mere inches away from each other. There’s something about her that makes him so nervous he’s shaking but he can’t back out now when she’s looking up at him like that. Her teeth settle into her bottom lip as she waits for what’s to come.
He turns them so she’s backed against her door and he’s surrounding her. There she is. That beautiful, strong, doe-eyed detective looking at him like they’re soulmates because they are . It’s cheesy to ask but he has to make sure she’s okay with this, has to make sure he’s reading the signs right so he doesn’t mess this up again. “Liv, can I kiss you?”
Her tongue slides across her bottom lip so slowly he tracks it second by second. “Yes, Elliot. Please.” Please. His heart rate doubles as he moves his hand to cup her face, long fingers settling into the silky hair at the nape of her neck, thumb sliding across her cheek as he leans in. She doesn’t lean in to meet him and that’s how he wanted this to go. He wants to kiss her and she’s letting him, she’s letting herself be kissed.
When he finally presses against her lips for the first time his body tightens, the sensation so overwhelming every sense heightens to an infinite degree. She’s soft lips and silky hair. She’s red wine and expensive, intoxicating perfume. She’s auburn locks and fiery golden eyes. She’s tan skin and voluptuous curves. She’s magnificent. She’s perfection.
Her lips mold to his perfectly and part as he deepens their kiss, his tongue sliding along the same line she licked across her bottom lip just a minute ago. She whimpers as their tongues touch and Jesus if that isn’t the prettiest sound he’s ever heard. “Fuck Olivia,” he growls, unable to reign in his arousal.
He doesn’t need more than this kiss. He’d willingly abstain from sex for the rest of his life if it meant he gets to keep kissing her like this. It’s all perfect until there’s movement in his periphery and they both realize they’re quite literally making out in the hallway of her building. He pulls away, going against his every want, need, and desire because as much as he doesn’t care if anyone sees, she’s a private person.
A heavy exhale leaves his lips as he takes two steps back and puts the ball back in her court. This kiss was a big step for them, he doesn’t expect more, doesn’t need more. He wouldn’t say no to more but can’t push her like that. Not unless she wants it.
Olivia
Her body feels like it’s on fire, her entire nervous system ablaze with shocks and tingles that make her unnaturally warm. He’s everywhere. Elliot is everywhere. She’s seen Elliot be an alpha, command a room or intimidate a perp. She’s seen him assume responsibility over his family and defend the people he loves until he’s red in the face. She’s argued with him, been on the receiving end of his wrath but she’s never experienced him like this. He’s gentle and soft but powerful nonetheless. He’s taken the reins and for once she’s happy to let them go… for now.
Now he’s breathless and looking at her like she’s the last woman on earth and without saying a word he’s asking. What happens now? Whatever it is, it’s her decision. She’s sure he’s on edge already, waiting for her to run like she always has because she’s allowed to do that. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that Elliot will never forgive himself for hurting her over and over again.
“I had a great time tonight, Elliot. Thank you for taking me out.” He grins, the kind of smile that reaches his eyes and nods. “Me too, Liv. I’d like to take you out again, that okay?”
Her heart pounds hard, her mind telling her to end their night here and her body aching for him, but in the end her mind wins. “I’d like that, El. Noah’s got a sleepover on Friday, does that work for you?” He nods enthusiastically, “S’perfect Liv.” A beat passes between them before she kisses him again, this time light and quick like they’d been doing this for years.
“I should probably head in, I have an early morning tomorrow.” She feels a tinge of regret as he lets go of her hand, stepping back again. The only thing keeping her optimistic right now is the smile plastered across his face. He appreciates her and the decisions she’s making, trusts her to be up front with him while they feel this out.
Physical intimacy used to be something she’d felt comfortable indulging in early in relationships but that was before Lewis and the realization that Burton was a predator. Now it’s intimidating, an uncertain amount of nervousness associated with baring her whole self to a partner, scars and triggers included. There’s next to no doubt in her mind that Elliot will find her attractive even with the ugly scars dotting her body but there’s a sliver of unease in the back of her mind, and that’s enough to hold her back.
“Of course Liv. I’ll talk to you later.” This side of Elliot is so sweet and gentle. She thanks the universe every day for the opportunity to experience him like this. At first she felt guilty about wanting to have him like this knowing how Kathy felt about them but he quickly tamed those insecurities. Kathy would want me to be happy Olivia. She always knew that you were special to me. She’d want me to be with someone who knows me, who loves her kids. I’ve made peace with this, you should do the same.
“Drive safe El. Will you um… call me when you’re home?” He nods again, his eyes sparkling and lips pulled into a tight smile. “Sure thing. Have a good night, Liv.” She stands at her door as he walks back toward the elevator. He looks back at her not once, but twice, both times smiling and the second time giving her a flirty wink.
Olivia wastes no time settling into her apartment, discarding her dress and washing the makeup off her face. Her body is buzzing tonight, the ghost of his lips lingering on hers sending chills down her spine. The throbbing between her thighs is so persistent she aches with need. He should call any minute. It can wait.
Five minutes pass before she gives into her desire. She’s in bed, one hand kneading her breast while the other teases her clit. Her hips roll into her touch, fingers pressing hard circles into her clit until the cusp of her orgasm is within reach. She moans his name softly as she climbs, her other hand now rolling and rhythmically pinching her peaked nipple. So… close…
And her phone rings.