Elliot started to wake, he squinted his eyes and then it dawned oh him where he was. He didn't remember falling asleep and never intended to stay over. His heart skipped a beat when he felt Olivia's body pressed against his. He looked down at her wrapped in his arm as a smiled widened on his face. He moved his hand slightly and caressed her back gently.
Olivia began to stir and slowly opened her eyes as the morning sunlight stung her eyes, it took her a moment to adjust to her surrounds as she realised she was in her lounge room. She shifted slightly as she felt a warm body pressed against hers and had an arm wrapped around her. He stayed.
They had managed to reposition their bodies and were lying down stretched out across the couch intertwined with each other. She looked over at the time and read 6.13 AM, she was surprised they slept that long on her couch. Olivia never anticipated the evening to end in a sleepover but also couldn't bring herself to move from Elliot's embrace. His body warmth radiated comfort against her and she took in the lingering scent of his cologne, she felt so safe with him. She knew their friendship had taken a different path lately and was developing into something more than just work partners and best friends. Their playful banter and light hearted flirting was becoming a regular occurrence. There was more physical touch between them, hanging out at each other's apartments and spending most of their free time outside of work together. Tension between them was definitely building but Olivia couldn't admit to herself she wanted more.
In true Olivia Benson fashion her head was telling her to run.
"Good morning" he said softly.
"Good morning" she whispered back sweetly.
They remained quiet for a moment until Olivia made a moved in an attempt to sit up, she wished she could stay exactly where she was holding on to Elliot. He felt he body begin to shift and swung his legs over the couch and sat up. Her tried to stretched his neck out as he sat up as it cracked, it wasn't the most ideal bed but wasn't about to complain with the view he woke up to, waking up with Olivia felt so right. She stood up from the couch and headed towards her bedroom, she turned to Elliot, "Hey, I'm just gonna have a quick shower. Help yourself to anything, there's coffee"
"Like you have much here Liv" he scoffed knowing that she was terrible at taking care of herself in that regard. He sat up and stretched the rest of his body.
She rolled her eyes and walked into the bathroom and closed the door, she held onto the counter for a moment trying to regain her composure. She shook off the thought that Elliot was in her living room and got into the shower.
As Elliot headed towards the kitchen he walked past her sideboard cabinet and stopped. He picked up a frame that held a photo of them together, it was from last years Christmas work party and he smiled remembering that night. Elliot had his arm wrapped around Olivia as she leaned into his shoulder with both of them smiling contently. The fact that she had the photograph out on display, even if no one else saw it had significance to her life, an intimate part of her personal world that she rarely let anyone have the privilege to be apart of. She really did consider Elliot family. He did a quick check of the fridge and cupboards and of course they were pretty empty, he grabbed his phone and keys and headed to the deli near Olivia's apartment to get them both some breakfast. Elliot returned twenty minutes later carrying coffee, bagels and fruit salad fir the both of them. Olivia's bedroom door was still closed and she emerged a few minutes later.
"I don't smell coffee" she teased. Elliot appeared from the kitchen handing her a takeaway coffee cup.
"Go sit, I brought breakfast" he said gesturing to the table holding the paper bag of food.
"Thanks, El" she smiled as she took the cup from his hand and had a sip.
"Well I couldn't let us starve" he replied with a smirk, she shot him a sarcastic look as she sat down at the table and pulled her knees up to her chest. Elliot took a seat across from her. They sat quietly for a few minutes, they had eaten breakfast together so many times before but after their little sleepover the mood was completely different. If felt comfortable, it was their second nature to be so I sync with each other. Elliot twisted his neck again to the side trying to stretch out the ache.
"So..." Olivia said breaking the silence between them cradling her coffee in her hands "Your neck okay?"
"Yeah, I've slept in worse places" he laughed rubbing his hands over the back of his neck as Olivia picked at the fruit salad. "I..um...didn't mean to stay the night." He said cautiously.
Olivia look up at him "It's fine El. I'm surprised we slept there all night to be honest. Longest I've slept all night in a while actually." She said softly.
Elliot's eyes narrowed "Haven't you been sleeping well?" He knew that came with the territory of their job but still wanted her to be taking care of herself.
"Nothing out of the ordinary" she shrugged and took another sip of her coffee. Her phone chimed moments later, it was Emma sorting out where they were going to meet. Elliot watched Olivia as her facial expression softened and she half smiled down at her phone midway through replying to Emma's text message.
She hit send and placed her phone down, "So what are your plans for the day?" Olivia asked.
"Well I need to clean myself up at least," he laughed "so I'll head home soon then Dickie has a game today and I promised I would be there." Olivia went on to ask about how all the kids were doing and Elliot caught her up with each of them. She felt so comfortable sitting there with him and once again she felt that shift in their friendship, low key wishing this is how every weekend could be.
"You're seeing Emma again today?" He assumed by her reaction to her phone she would be. She lit up, "I am" she replied as a smiled grew on her face "We are going to meet up coffee and head over to the Museum of Modern Art as per her request."
"Wow, she voluntarily wants to go to a museum?" He teased as Olivia hit his arm playfully."
Yes, she does!" and he swatted her hand away. "She seems like a good kid." She added. Elliot watched her as her expression changed again, he reached out and put his hand on her knee and smiled. He knew she wanted to build a relationship with her daughter but it was early days and emotions were still running high. He hoped that Olivia wasn't going to get hurt in the process.
Elliot got up from his seat at the table and started to clear the breakfast dishes.
"Thanks again for breakfast Stabler" He smiled at her and have her a wink. She was grateful for him just being there, he made her feel grounded and safe. Elliot had finished cleaning up and was getting ready to leave, he hated to leave her but they still lived very separate lives.
"Hey Liv, I'm going to head off now" he said as he grabbed his wallet, phone and keys.
"Oh...okay. Thanks again for breakfast" she smiled.
"Do you want a ride?" He asked as he slipped on his shoes.
"Nah, I'll just grab a cab" Olivia replied.
"Liv, it's fine. I don't mind to drop you off" he said a little more firmly.
"Okay." She didn't bother to argue, "Just give me minute and we can go." Elliot was content with the fact she didn't protest his offer.
Olivia sat in the passengers seat of Elliot's Jeep quietly while she played with her nails nervously. Elliot kept glancing over at her, it took a lot to make Olivia Benson nervous and he could see it in her eyes. Those liquid brown eyes that made him melt and could read every emotion she had just with a look. He reached out and placed his hand on her knee she looked over at him and smiled. His touch was enough reassurance she needed.
Elliot found a parking space near the cafe where Olivia was meeting up with Emma. She sat for a moment
"You okay?" Elliot asked watching her eyes.
"I'm fine" she replied with a soft smile. He wanted to roll his eyes at her answer, the answer she always gave.
"Call me if you need anything Liv" he said still watching her eyes
"I will" she said as she picked up her bag off the floor, "Hey El? Thanks for being here." He smiled and kissed the top of her head. "I'll talk to you later" she said as she got out of his car.
"Have fun!" he called as she closed the door, she turned and gave him a smile that melted his heart. He watched as she walked towards the cafe and sat in the car for a moment longer. He was still trying to get his head around that he had just stayed the night Olivia's apartment. He shook his head with a grin on his face before driving away.