Prompt: "when I realized I loved you"
Story: Rafael finally takes Liv on that dinner he promised her for her birthday. Takes place in season 22 after Elliot's return. Olivia asked Rafael for advice on what to do about everything ans she mentioned Elliot is getting closer than she'd liked him to be and he's like "because I love you!" Let me know if I should make this two parts.
Captain Olivia Benson was sitting at her desk having her lunch. She preferred to be alone with her thoughts at the moment. Noah had left his lunchbox in the car and she didn't want his peanut and jelly sandwich to go to waste so she was eating it. She looked at her phone as it was buzzing.
Hey I'm in New York City for a few weeks. Wanna get dinner on me? I know I promised you on your birthday that I would.
It was former ADA Rafael Barba that texted her. She missed her best friend and his text made she smile like a schoolgirl. He had made that promise but then Covid hit. She had seen him a few months ago during New Years when he worked the Mickey Davis case. Olivia truly missed him, maybe her feelings were more than that for him. She brought color to his world and he was grateful for it. She wished that day hasn't been goodbye. Of course they still called and texted but there wasn't that same connection as working together every day.
Rafael and Olivia had finished making dinner arrangements, yet Elliot Stabler's return was on her mind. She didn't know what to do. She was going to dinner with her best friend and didn't want to want to burden him with her troubles. Elliot would be jealous that she went out with another guy so she wasn't going to tell him. Rafael was everything she wanted in a man and more the more they grew together. She grew more in those six years than she did with Elliot in twelve years. Yet she seemed like she was being pulled in two separate directions and at any moment she could snap.
"What are you up to tonight Captain?" Kat Tamin said from her desk. "I see you're smiling ear to ear."
"Oh nothing. I'm just getting dinner with an old friend." Olivia said as she was leaving the office.
"Who's she talking about?" The new detective said.
"Well one of the two options I don't like and the other I think would make a cute couple." Fin said to answer Kat's questions.
Olivia went home to change into something a bit nicer since Rafael had chosen a formal restaurant to eat at. We're they even calling tonight a date? Olivia wasn't sure but maybe she'd love for it to be one. They had had their occasional drinks and dinners together but not an actual date. The hostess guided her to the table. He was sipping on his favorite scotch and had ordered Olivia's favorite wine for her.
"It's good too see you Liv." He said with a smile. Rafael was still as charming as ever with navy blue suspenders and matching tie. His salt and pepper look was quite handsome and maybe, just maybe Olivia liked the beard.
"It's good to see you too Rafa. Thank you for dinner. It's nice to catch up." Olivia said and she sat down. She was truly stunning in that red dress that hugged her curves just right. Her brown eyes met his green ones as they caught up.
"What's wrong Liv? Is there something bothering you?" Rafael said as he watched Olivia stir around in her mostly eaten food. He knew not to just ask was anything wrong because she would say no. She probably wouldn't answer the second question either but it was a tactic to show his love and concern. Scratch that. Maybe not love,but friendship.
Rafael had to be honest with himself, he loved Olivia. He had for years and still did. Time and space couldn't change that. He still wanted to kiss her lips, feel her touch and maybe more than that. He wasn't sure how much longer he could bottle his feelings up any longer. She was stunning tonight.
