A/N: Shorter than usual, but better than nothing, I assume... And eventually, it's just the prelude to something else...
Chapter 9
"Why are you doing this?" Alex asked lowly, and Liv looked down at the Draw Four she had just played. "Because I can" she replied smugly, but she could tell from the confused look in the blonde's eyes that she hadn't been talking about Liv's UNO tactics.
"Not the draw fours - I was asking about this." Alex gestured around awkwardly and Liv did her the favor of not making her elaborate on what exactly it was she meant. "Because I care" she said instead, barely altering her previous answer.
Alex was caught off guard by the simplicity of Liv's statement. After a while, the detective added sadly: "...and because I feel like kicking your ass in UNO four times in a row as all I can do for you right now" "How about not kicking my ass and letting me win for once?" Alex suggested in an attempt to overturn the sudden change of mood but Olivia quickly retorted: "I don't think you would want me to treat you with kiddy gloves, Lex", leaving the blonde completely baffled.
It hurt how accurate Olivia's observation was. Alex avoided her friend's concerned gaze, completely lost in thought. They both knew their conversation was no longer about the card game.
"Alex?" The detective prodded gently, yet giving her friend space by waiting a few seconds before she continued: "So far, you've made it more than clear that you don't wanna talk about it. And I respect that - I really do. But just because I'm not bombarding you with questions doesn't mean I don't see you're hurting. I don't want to scare you off by telling you what I'm noticing and observing, and I don't want you to feel cornered. But that doesn't mean I don't notice certain things in the first place. I'm trying my hardest not to make you feel pressured or like I'm walking on eggshells around you"
Liv paused for a second, visibly conflicted. "I can tell you've been crying, Alex. And you've never before showed up at my place for something not-work-related this late. Don't get me wrong: I'm really glad you did! I just... I mean... you came here for a reason tonight, didn't you?"
Thick silence hung in the air, and for a moment, Liv was sure Alex was going to run or hide or slip back into her denial, but she didn't. It was only a whisper, but Olivia couldn't help but cringe at her friend's words:
"I'm sorry."
Tam, tam, taaaam. So what's going to happen next? Will Alex finally open up to Olivia, or will she just continue running and hiding? And what is it she's hiding from in the first place?
Let me know what you think!