drabble; prompt: hug
pairing: rafael barba & olivia benson
word count: 300 words
prompt from thebarsondaily [tumblr]
begin
Sometimes, you just go through some days where it is absolutely terrible. It is one of those days for Barba, and as he stalks out of the courtroom, he can feel a migraine beginning to build, preparing to launch its wrath on him.
It was supposed to be an easy day in court, but Barba was caught off guard as Rita manipulated the victim into saying that she regretted coming forward as she is still in love with the accused, and that the sexual encounter may had been consensual. He had demanded recess, and it was granted, but truth be told, he is pissed beyond reason.
"Barba!" He hears Liv's voice calling him as he walks. He stops, turning around, as she catches up to him. "Where are you going? Cassie's in the meeting room, waiting for you."
"Waiting to make more unexpected confessions to ruin the case?" He snaps, as Liv winces. Almost instantly, he feels contrite. It wasn't the victim's fault; that was unfair of him.
"Sorry," he mutters, running a hand through his hair. "It's been a shit morning."
She pats his arm in a comforting manner. "I know, Raf. But look, it's not over yet."
He turns away, exhaling. "I'm not looking forward to the rest of it."
She steps forward and slips her arms around his waist from behind, and he feels the weight of her against his back. She rests her chin on his shoulder and moves her arms up, locking him in her embrace.
He feels himself relaxing a little, as he smiles and rests his hand on top of hers. "Lieutenant, you do realise that we're in a very public area of the courthouse...?"
She tightens her arms around him. "Well, I think you need a hug. So I'm giving you one."
end
