For the Barson Bingo December 2021 Prompts: Engagement, New Year's Kiss
A New Year's Eve Olivia Benson wouldn't forget.
It was 11 pm and Olivia heard her doorbell ring. It was New Year's Eve after all and her friends were all busy doing things and with everything going on, she'd rather spend it alone.
She put her glass of wine down on the coffee table and looked through the peephole. It was the man who of all people she didn't want to see.
Rafael Barba.
She hesitated for a moment thinking what was he doing at her apartment this time of night.
"Liv, it's Rafael. I know you probably don't want to talk to me and I deserve that. If you want me to leave and never come back, I will. But at least let me give you an explanation for what I did." She heard from the other side of the door.
There was a soft click of the door hinge unlocking and green eyes met brown ones and immediately turned away.
Rafael's mind was racing, he was expecting Olivia to slam the door in his face and never want to see him again. What was he thinking anyway? She had broken his heart before and he didn't and shouldn't be asking for hers. He deserved more than that. He deserved more than a woman who had suddenly forgotten about "believing in the goodness of his humanity".
"Stabler coming back as made things more complicated."
"So now we're gonna have small talk?"
"You know the problem with being an empath? It's too easy to lose yourself when other people need you."
"Just so we're clear, I feel betrayed by you. And I don't know how I'll ever get over it."
Rafael did everything he did for her. At least if she hated him now, she had a reason to. He wasn't just talking about her being an empath, he was talking about himself.
"Can I at least come in? You have every right to say no." He said.
"Sure." She said.
Rafael didn't bother taking off his coat but instead sat on Olivia's sofa. He put his gloves in his pockets and kept his hands there for a moment before taking them out again.
"Olivia- I... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have just shown up on your doorstep. But I need to be honest with you. I can't keep this secret from you anymore."
"Go ahead, please explain. We were best friends and you lied to me." She said.
"I told you part of the truth. But I'm going to tell you all of it."
"So you were protecting me from Elliot?"
"Liv, you poured your heart out to me about how much you hated him and you didn't want him back in your life anymore. You stopped calling or texting me. I was afraid I was losing my best friend."
"What are you talking about?"
"You aren't yourself anymore. You're not the same Olivia Benson I fell in love with and it's tearing both of us apart. I can't stand off to the side and let you fall any farther down. Stabler's actions are going to catch up with him and you'll go down with him. So yes, I wanted to protect you from him and yourself."
Olivia thought about the words he just said.
"The woman I love."
Nine years of friendship changed because Rafael Barba said he loved Olivia Benson.
