Disclaimer: As you all know, these characters aren't mine. They belong to Dick Wolf and NBC.
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Day 30: OTPDisaster: Person A getting startled by the New Year's fireworks—not being fond of loud noises. Person B pulls them in for a deep kiss, completely distracting them from the exploding lights filling up the night sky.
Universe: After Alex returns to New York from Witness Protection
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"Hey, are you sure you're okay to go tonight, Alex?" Olivia asks, zipping up her jacket.
Alex nods, pretending to be more confident than she actually is. "Of course."
"We can stay in if you'd like."
"We can go, Liv. I'm okay."
Olivia sighs. "I know how you feel about loud noises. I'm just worried about you."
There's fire in Alex's eyes and ice in her veins. "I said I'm fine, Olivia."
Olivia holds her hands up defensively. "Okay," she says. "In that case, we should probably get going before all the good spots are taken."
Alex nods, swallowing hard. You're going to be okay, she thinks. Do not screw this up.
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When they arrive at the park, they find Elliot and Kathy have saved them a perfect spot. They settle in and wait for the show to begin.
As it nears midnight, Alex feels the familiar burn of temptation to run creep up her spine. She stands under the guise of stretching out cramps in her thighs, but as soon as no one is looking she hurries away from the group.
Fifteen minutes later, Olivia finds her leaning against a tree nearly half a mile from their spot. She wraps Alex up in a tight hug, rubbing circles on her back. "We can go home."
Cloaked in darkness, Alex allows herself to cry. "I'm okay," she says, "we can stay. You've been looking forward to this for weeks; you shouldn't have to miss it because of me."
Olivia takes a step back, her hands resting on Alex's hips. "These are the only fireworks I need," she says, and then she leans up and kisses Alex with the intensity of the galaxy.
Stars explode behind Alex's eyes and she doesn't even notice the fireworks overhead.
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