This is Olivias Dress: LULUS /products /sweet-thing-black-ruched-long-sleeve-backless-bodycon-dress/717992
Olivia and Brian had been dating for a year and a half, to say happily was a stretch. Brian was no longer at SVU and the two couldn't seem to find that common ground anymore. Brian had a temper, but instead of talking it out, he blamed her and acted like a child. Olivia was not a woman to settle, but she also felt she owed Brian something after he was shot and she ran to Elliot first. In a way she did love him, but she knew she wasn't in love with him. They had made plans to go to Fins 40th birthday and of course most of the team would be there, including her partner of 9 years-Elliot Stabler. To say there was an attraction was an understatement. The two had sexual tension that would make Jenna Jameson blush. Although the two never acted on it, Elliot had been married, and when they eventually separated, Olivia was with Brian.
"What time are you heading to Spyglass?"
"I think around 8, you?"
"I gotta pick Kathleen up from work at 8, so around 9"
"Jeez, El, it's been 3 months when will you give her her license back?"
"Today is 3 months, she gets it back tomorrow"
"You know she's sorry right?"
"I do, I just, it was either that or I put her in jail"
"You did that too"
"Please don't remind me, that was hard enough" Elliot said as he rain his hands down his face. Olivia walked behind him put her hand on his shoulder before speaking softly.
"You're doing a good job, El. You're a great dad"
"Thanks, Liv. Doesn't feel like it some days"
"I wish I had a parent like you growing up, as much as I would've been a pain in your ass"
"You are now so I could handle it" He laughed and Olivia let her hand slide down his arm.
"I'm gunna get out of here and get ready, I'll see you tonight"
"See ya, Liv" The two shared a look that was only ever used for eachother.
Olivia got home and saw Brian sitting on the couch drinking a beer in his joggers and a t-shirt, she sighed to herself knowing she had a mess to clean and he couldn't be bothered.
"Bri, why are you still sitting there not ready?"
"Well hi, nice to see you too, Liv"
"I'm sorry, I just, we have to leave soon"
"Not going"
"What? Why not?"
"Check the counter" Brian said flatly while taking a sip of his beer Olivia looked up and saw flowers, she was confused and went to go see who they were from.
'Hey Liv, I'm back in town. Would love to see you, xx Sean'
"Bri, he's just saying hi"
"Why does he even feel the need to send shit like that? Why are you giving him the impression"
"What are you talking about, I haven't talked to him in years, babe"
"You're so fucking annoying when you play that shit, Liv"
"Can we not do this"
"Do what? You always want to talk, so let's fucken talk, Olivia"
"I'm getting dressed, come if you want to, I don't care"
Olivia goes to their bedroom sighing as she ran her fingers through her hair. She went through her closet and pulled out a black backless long sleeve dress that went just below her knees, it gave off just enough sex appeal by not wearing a bra and exposing her back. She went to put some makeup one and brushed her hair. It was already curly from earlier in the day, and thankfully it was one of those hair days that it still looked good, she also knew Elliot liked her hair curly.
Olivia was rubbing lotion on her legs when Brian walked in, he dropped his joggers and pulled some jeans from the laundry basket to put them on and pulled on a t-shirt. Liv didn't care how a man dressed, but she also enjoyed looking like she and her man looked like a couple, not like this, not like a successful woman, who brought her neighbor out of pity as her date.
"What? You gunna tell me not to wear this?" Brian asked as he caught her staring
"It's fine, Bri"
"Sorry, I don't dress like Sean"
"Oh my God, Brian. I have not talked to him, let it go"
"Pfft, whatever, keep lying" Brian said as he walked out of the bathroom. Olivias phone beeped and she saw a selfie from Elliot wearing a button up white shirt and holding a tie with a cute silly face, along with a text that said;
'Tie or no tie?'
'No tie ;)' She sent back smiling to herself. Olivia made her way out of the bathroom she grabbed a pair of black strappy louboutins and a long white trenchcoat that she tied in the front.
"You don't want to have your hair straight?" Brian asked grabbing the keys
"No, why?"
"I just like it straight"
"Okay, well I like it how it is"
'And so does Elliot' She thought.
"Alright, let's just go" The two walked down to the lobby to hail a cab. No hand holding, no cuddling in the cab or sneaking kisses. No inside jokes or laughter. Olivia asked the driver to turn the radio up to fill the awkward silence.
The song that played spoke to Olivia in many ways, she closed her eyes and listened to the words.
'When you try your best, but you don't succeed
When you get what you want but not what you need
When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse
And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something, you can't replace
When you love someone, but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you'
Images of Elliot hugging her, laughing with her, smiling at her, being there for her, making her filled her mind.
'And high up above or down below
When you're too in love to let it go
But if you never try, you'll never know
Just what you're worth
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you'
Silent tears fell down Olivias cheeks as she pictured the one man who has made her feel happy, confident, valued, appreciated, and loved. She wished things were different.
"$22.70" The cab direr spoke interrupting Olivia's thoughts. Brian handed the man $25 and told him to keep the change as the two stepped out. Brian didn't reach for her hand or put his hand on her lower back. While Olivia could appreciate a man who trusted and respected her to be independent, she still enjoyed the touch and affection from the man she was with, something Brian had rarely ever showed two took the elevator up to the rooftop bar, and Olivia managed to put a smile together before she stepped out greeting everyone.
"Happy Birthday, old man!" Oliva said while hugging Fin
"Ouch, what is this, it's my damn birthday, yall be nice"
"Yeah, Liv, we need to respect our elders" A voice said from behind her a voice that made her smile and turn around
"I thought you weren't coming till later"
"I decided to be nice and give Kathleen her license back a day early" Nothing more was said for that moment just the looks only understood by them
"You uhm, you look beautiful, Liv" Elliot told her which made Olivia blush
"Thanks, you look good too"
"Yeah, you look so sexy, babe" Brian said trying to kiss her neck but knowing damn well it was all for show.
"Thanks" She said awkwardly. "Bri, can you put my coat in coat check and grab me a drink?"
"Sure" He said as she pulled her jacket off. Brian saw Elliots eyes widen and he was furious. Brian smacked Olivias ass making her gasp "So sexy" He told her
"Bri, don't" She said with embarrassment
"Just showing everyone here how sexy MY girl is" Brian walked away to get drinks leaving Elliot and Olivia standing alone
"As much as I don't care for how he shows it, he is right"
"He knows I hate that"
"I know you do, but you do look phenomenal Liv"
"Thank you" The two stood there in silence looking at their friends and just smiled. it was a comfortable silence that was soon interrupted.
"Tequila, soda with lime" Brian said giving her a drink
"Oh thanks" She took a sip and cringed
"You want mine, Liv?" Elliot offered
"Uh s-"
"No, shes good Elliot. She has her own" Brian jumped in
"I can see that, Cassidy but she hates tequila"
"She's fine with it"
"SHE is right here" Olivia said getting annoyed
"Sorry, Liv" Elliot said as he traded drinks with her. He wasn't big on tequila, but he could handle it better than Olivia could.
Olivia sipped on the new drink and before anymore awkwardness could happen Munch came over.
"Theres the most beautiful human in the room"
"Thanks Munch" Elliot teased
"Shut up, Stabler. Hi Liv" Munch said kissing her cheek
"Hi John, you look handsome tonight"
"I had a lovely woman to impress tonight, so are you impressed, Olivia?"
"Every day, John, I always say if you were 80 years younger or I was 80 years older, you would be my first pick" She teased
"I'm hurt, but I still love you. Stabler come with me, I have a theory to run by you"
"Still a crazy son of a bitch I see"
"If crazy you mean informed and 'woke' then yes, I'm crazy"
"Please never say woke again" Olivia said laughing hard as the two men walked away leaving Olivia and Brian.
"Do you think you could stop flirting with every man for 5 god damn minutes?"
"Oh my god, Brian. I wasn't flirting! It's Munch for Christ sakes."
"Then what about Elliot?"
"What about Elliot?"
"You keep eye fucking him"
"For the love of god. I am not eye fucking him!" She raised her voice now getting pissed off
"You got men sending you flowers, you flirt with every man, you got guys calling you at 1 am and-"
"MY THERAPIST CALLED ME! HOW MANY TIMES DO I NEED TO TELL YOU THAT!"
"WHY AT 1AM LIV! YOU FUCKING HIM TOO?"
"I HAD A PANIC ATTACK FROM A NIGHTMARE, I CALLED HIM AND HE CALLED ME BACK"
"WHY DIDN'T YOU TALK TO ME"
"Because this is what we do, Brian! I apologized, what do you want me to do?" She asked raising her arms as she fought with her boyfriend over the loud music, luckily no one else hear, but Elliot was watching.
"I want you to stop making mistakes, Olivia! You keep making them over and over again, Olivia!"
"Do you even hear yourself! A guy I haven't talked to in YEARS sent me flowers, I didn't ASK him to! My therapist called me, because I can't talk to you, and for fuck sakes, Elliot is my partner I'm not fucking anyone else but you"
"You keep playing these games, Olivia" Brian said as he got in her face, and thats when Elliot made his way over
"Because you're so fucking jealous over shit I can't control! You think I told a guy 2 years ago to send me flowers? You think I'm fucking my therapist? You think I'm fucking every man that walks? I don't understand what you want me to do, what do you want from me?" She yelled with an exhausted tone
"I want you to stop acting like a who-"
"Everything ok here?" Elliot stepped in before Brian could finish that
"Yeah Stabler were fine thanks, you can go now" Brian said in a condescending tone.
"I think I'll stay"
"Of course you will" He scoffed
"El, just give us a minute"
"Liv, I don't thi-"
"Please" She begged with her eyes
"Ok, Ill be over there" He pointed to the chair that was still close in case anything went wrong
"I can't do this, Brian."
"Do what?"
"This. US. It's so exhausting, Bri"
"You're the one mak-"
"See! This is what I mean, You keep putting the blame on me instead of working on it with me. I can't handle it, I'm suffocating"
"So what should we do" He asked calmer
"We don't make each other happy, Bri"
"That's not true, Liv" He said softly
"Brian, we have good days, but were grasping. I need to be able to breathe and work on myself without thinking I'm doing something wrong."
"I know, I'm sorry, Liv. I can change, I pr-"
"Bri, it's too far gone. I love you, but I'm not in love with you anymore. I know you're not in love with me anymore" Brian was about to defend the statement, but instead he closed his mouth and nodded. Brian leaned forward and kissed her forehead.
"I'm sorry, Liv. You're right. You know I'm always gunna love you, right?"
"I know, I'll always love you too, Bri. But, this just ran its course."
"I know what you mean" The two stood there feeling a weight off their shoulders. Brian finished his drink before speaking
"I'm gunna head out ok, I'm gunna be at a hotel so don't worry."
"You don't have to go"
"I know, but I want you to have a good time tonight. You deserve it. You can call me if you need me, but Badass Benson won't need me" He said with a wink.
The two shared one final hug before he left. Elliot walked up to her and asked what happened and if she was ok.
"I am, it was a long time coming."
"I'm sorry" Elliot said softly
"No you're not" She teased
"I mean, I'm happy Cassidy is gone, but I am sorry that you're hurt"
"Thanks, El"
The two finished their drinks as they stood close together and watched people dance, Elliot looked at Olivia and smiled as she watched people dancing happily and gave a soft smile. Elliot loved Olivia for as long as he could remember, and although he would never want to push her especially since she just ended it with Brian, 10 minutes ago.
"Liv?"
"Hmm?"
"Would you uh, would you like to dance?" Elliot asked shyly and Olivias eyes lit up as she smiled ear to ear.
"I would love to" She said as linked her arm through his as they made their way to the dance floor, an upbeat pop song was playing and just as they got to the floor a slow song started. Elliot and Olivia looked into each others eyes and Elliot pulled her close as she wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head in the crook of his neck while they listened to the words of the song.
'I found a love for me
Oh darling, just dive right in and follow my lead
Well, I found a girl, beautiful and sweet
Oh, I never knew you were the someone waiting for me
'Cause we were just kids when we fell in loveNot knowing what it was
I will not give you up this time
But darling, just kiss me slow, your heart is all I own
And in your eyes, you're holding mine
Baby, I'm dancing in the dark with you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favourite song
When you said you looked a mess, I whispered underneath my breath
But you heard it, darling, you look perfect tonight'
"You really do look beautiful tonight, Liv" He whispered
"Thanks, El. You look incredibly handsome" The song had ended and the two still never parted. Being in each others arms.
"El, do you want to come over and hang out tonight?" Olivia asked bravely
"What abo-"
"He's at a hotel, I just, I mean you don't have to, I just could really use a friend, and honestly I would just want to have a night like we used to. Watch movies, laugh, order food"
"I'd like that too, but only if you're sure"
"I'm sure, let's tell Fin"
Olivia and Elliot told Fin they were headed out, Fin was ready to high five Elliot but he quickly cut in
"We're just hanging out"
"Man, you both want each other, just do it already" Fin said and they knew he was drunk.
"Goodnight, Fin" Olivia laughed and kissed his cheek
Elliot and Olivia walked out and made their way to a cab, when they both got in their hands were so close on the seat, just another inch. Elliot leaned in and told her a joke, they both laughed and told each other stories, this was a feeling Olivia missed. A feeling that she needed. The two got out of the cab and Elliots hand was on her lower back guiding her into the building.
When they walked in it felt comfortable, it felt right. Elliot sat on the couch and turned her tv on searching for her favourite movie that he knew would be in her TiVo. Olivia cracked open a couple beers and grabbed the food menus before joining Elliot on the couch closer than normal.
"Pretty Woman?" She asked with a smile
"Your favourite" Olivia just smiled. She knew this was quick, but she wanted to try with Elliot. Will she allow herself to go after who and what she wants tonight?
TBC...