This is actually my first collab fic with my friend Kalli on Twitter. You should check her out on Twitter. @/KLK1618 and me @/simpforbarba. We kinda based this on a headcannon Rafael wears glasses. Have you guys seen Paul From Dopesick? Then you can see where we got this idea. This will be anti-stabler but gets fluffy at the end.
"He's never worn glasses before"
"Actually he has. It was for an undercover sting years ago and-
Olivia takes his glasses and puts them back on Rafael's face.
"I can promise you that you look better than he ever did."
Rafael Barba was nervous. It wasn't like he hadn't been to Olivia Benson's apartment before. He was just picking her up so they could have dinner together at his new apartment. Maybe it was his undying love for the woman of his dreams or he had asked her on a date just a few days prior. He checked his watch to make sure he wasn't late as he was holding onto the bunch of assorted flowers. Rafael knocked on the door and waited.
"Just a minute!" He heard from the other side of the door.
Rafael's heart was beating faster in his chest. He was trying to maintain his composure at the thought he was having her over. He took a few deep breaths as Olivia opened her front door. She smiled before speaking.
"Hi there." she said.
"Hello Liv. You're as beautiful as ever. These are for you." Rafael said as his green eyes met brown ones as he handed her the flowers.
"These are beautiful Rafa. Thank you. Let me put these in a vase, get my purse and phone and we can go." she replied. "Come in for a minute. Noah is with Lucy for the night."
Rafa the nickname Olivia had given him. He could remember the way his face lit up and how he felt like he was walking on cloud nine when she said it. How'd he get so lucky that he was spending the evening with her? His eyes were following her movements as she was putting the flowers in the vase. His mind was wandering to how beautiful she was in the purple dress.
"I'm ready when you are." She replied.
"Good. I did drive and don't want to be towed." Rafael said with a soft grin as they walked to Rafael's car.
If Rafael wasn't driving, he'd be mesmerized by Olivia by the lights of the city. Olivia was looking out of the window and back at him. She wondered after years of working together and being close friends that he still wanted to be with her. Her mind was going to the many times Rafael had asked her to drinks or dinner but she hadn't gone. He still had that shy smirk on his face when he was in awe of her. Perhaps she was realizing that Rafael Barba was the man who fit perfectly into the puzzle of her heart.
As Rafael pulls into the parking lot of his apartment complex, he looks over to Olivia and smiles. He gets out of the car and quickly runs over to open Olivia's door. He gestures outwards "Mi'lady"
Olivia chuckles. "Such a gentleman" She steps out of the car and her hand brushes against his. She pulls it away and starts to nervously play with her necklace. Rafael tries to break the now formed awkward silence "Um shall we go?"
Rafael opens up the door to the apartment and Olivia's shocked. The decor is so beautifully intricate and her eyes immediately go to the tall bookshelf in the corner full of books and beside it, a picture of the two of them with Noah from his latest dance recital.
"Take a seat. Would you like something to drink? I started cooking before I left to pick you up, so it shouldn't be much longer." Rafael said as he hung up his blazer and rolled up his sleeves so he could finish cooking.
