They had agreed to get together once a week at least. And they had been keeping that schedule. They usually met at the diner, and ordered the same food each time. It's hard to break those old habits.
Each time she saw him enter the restaurant her heart would drop to her stomach and she could've swore she forgot how to think.
She always studied him as he walked towards her. He had gotten older, but time had been kind to him. His face held more wrinkles, and his hair had thinned, but he was still as handsome as the day she had met him.
She didn't want to love this man. But oh how she did.
--
He enjoyed their weekly meetings. He'd see her everyday if he could, but for now he'd settle for the harshly lit restaurant.
He saw her watching him everytime he walked in, and he wondered if she was doing the same thing he was. Studying her.
Her hair was longer than the last time he saw her. Her body fuller, which he found absolutely gorgeous. She still did that lip biting thing she did when she was anxious or nervous, and he couldn't help but give an inward smirk because he loved that she did it. Time had aged her like a fine wine. The woman had always been beautiful, but now, she stole his breath.
--
"Hey, Liv" he said as he sat in the seat opposite her.
"Hey, Elliot, I already ordered the food, hope that's okay" she responded.
"Yeah, not a problem, we always get the same thing anyway," he laughed.
God, that laugh. She had missed that laugh.
"So, how's work coming along?" She asked. Her attempt at small talk.
"It's going okay. It's been pretty laid back this week, but I think I like it."
"You think?"
"Yeah, I swear the jobs I've had after SVU, I look for you in all my partners, but they're not you. I mean don't get me wrong, they have my six, they just don't know me like you do."
That made her drop her head but he didn't miss the blush that started forming on her face. Olivia Benson blushing was like the gods sending him a gift, and he had always wondered if his words and attempts at flirting with her made her blush, what could happen to that beautiful face if he had her beneath him.
"I felt the same way after you left and Cragen gave me a new partner" she finally said looking at him.
"It was hard adjusting to someone new, never did get it quite nailed down with Nick. He was a good partner, just wasn't you." She stated so matter-a-factly.
It was his turn to blush. She didn't miss it. She cocked her head a little to the side and gave her famous Benson smile.
It made him grin through the blush.
God he had missed her.
After they had finished eating and were walking out, he stopped right outside the door
"Hey," he said to her, earning him a look into his eyes, "I haven't told you yet, but I'm so proud of you."
He could see her eyes instantly watering, "why?" She asked.
"Liv, look at how far you have come. You are captain. You worked your ass off, and you earned every title you've been given. And you did it all with grit, determination, and grace. I'm so proud of you," he repeated.
She hung her head as if she didn't believe him, and whispered, "thank you, El."
He walked closer to her, and he knew she might retreat at his touch, but he grabbed her chin by his index finger and lifted her gaze to meet his, "Olivia, I really mean it." It was the first time he had ever touched her like this, and it set his insides on fire, but he pushed that aside to make her really believe his words.
His finger on her face made her spine tingle, but she oppressed the feeling, nodding at his words and just watched his eyes stare into hers. What a man. God, he was beautiful.
And just like that his hand was gone from her face.
"Hey for our next week meeting, Eli will be out with friends, do mind if I cook you dinner at my place?"
"Sure," was all she said.
The walked towards her apartmentin silence, and when they reached the front of her building she realized he was smiling.
"What?" She asked.
"You called me El" he responded, and just like that he was walking away, yelling back her but never facing her, "Goodnight, Liv."