After a million rounds of Mario Kart, two bowls of ice cream and one movie Noah passed out on the couch.
Olivia smiled at the sweet sight of Noah, using Elliot's leg as a pillow, bouncing curls strewn all over with Elliot's hand resting on his shoulder. Elliot's head rested with his head back with his head turned slightly so his cheek rested on the couch back. His other arm draped over Olivia's shoulders and her cheek pressed into his chest. She felt an undercurrent of peace, challenging the ever-present waterfall of loneliness and anxiety. When she had Elliot's arms around her she felt the possibility of happiness and belonging. Maybe, just maybe, she could have this.
She slipped out from under Elliot's arm, placing a quick kiss to his chest before moving off the couch. She quietly shook Noah, placing a kiss on his cheek.
"Moooommmm," she laughed at the sleepy disgusted tone in his voice.
"Let's get you to bed, baby." She patted his shoulder and stood up.
"Mmmm k." He was so out of it, she nearly dragged him to Eli's room. He didn't even open his eyes before crashing on the bed.
He could get away with skipping the bedtime routine tonight, but tomorrow she needed to get him back on schedule. She flipped off the light and left the door cracked.
Back in the living room, Eliliot hadn't shifted from his position on the couch. She needed to get him to bed, and repack his bandages. She knew they were going to fight over the sleeping arrangements again, but she was having a hard time seeing the downside of sharing tonight.
"El." She shook his shoulder gently. "Hey, let's get you to bed."
He rubbed his eyes. "Mm 'kay."
She grabbed his hand to pull him up off the couch. He grimaced at the movement, but recovered quickly. She walked him to his room, and he sat on the edge of the bed.
"We need to rebandage you." She hurried to the kitchen, looking for the medical supplies. She easily found it and hurried back.
Elliot looked so tired she thought he might fall over. He pulled at his shirt but the movement made him groan a little. "El stop it. Let me help." She stood in front of him, grasping the edge of his shirt and pulling it over his head. The motion was non-sexual but it still made her heart pound.
She grabbed the gauze and tape, setting it next to him on the bed. As she pulled the medical tape. "God Liv, am I going to have any hair left? Easy on the tape."
"Don't be a baby," She grinned as she pulled the next piece.
He winced, obviously over exaggerating his pain. She rolled her eyes, "You have a literal gunshot wound, and you're complaining about the tape? You are literally the worst patient ever."
"Oh? I'd be a better patient if you and Kathleen would stop all the coddling."
"God, you're worse than Noah when he's sick." She pulled the last piece of tape. Her breath caught as she pulled away the gauze. His bullet wound had always been covered and she hadn't really seen the damage up close. She ran her fingers delicately over the wound site. She didn't know she was crying until Elliot brushed a tear away from her cheek.
"Hey," he dropped his head, trying to meet her eyes, "I'm okay. I'm right here."
She nodded, but couldn't make the tears stop. "Do you have any idea how close I was to losing you?"
"I know. I know. I'm sorry." He still didn't seem to understand how much losing him would hurt her.
"No El, you need to know how close this was. You bled out so badly I had to donate blood for you." She shook her head, "I'm not always going to be here to save your stubborn ass, and one day you are going to get yourself killed."
Her hand still lingered over the wound, and he placed his hand over it, squeezing her fingers and pulling her down next to him. He dropped her hand and brought his up to her cheek. In an instant his lips were on hers. She didn't have time to think, just respond, and she fell right in step with his passionate introduction.
One hand threaded into her hair, the other lightly traced the length of her arm, sending chills throughout her body. He pushed against her, and she worried they might topple but suddenly he released her lips, groaned and fell back on to the bed. He nearly growled in frustration, "Damn it."
A soft chuckle escaped her lips, "Should've let me tape it back up."
He dropped his hand behind his head, bringing his gaze to her, "You donated blood that night?"
Olivia shrugged, "No big deal. It's not like it was a kidney or anything." She smiled at him, remembering the time they decided they would give one other kidneys if needed.
He smiled back, obviously remembering the same conversation. "Thanks Liv."
"Well it's not like I was going to let you die."
His eyes burned with intensity, "Come here."
She eyed him warily, but complied. Any more attempts at kissing her might rip those stitches wide open.
She laid next to him, resting her head on his shoulder. He kissed her forehead. "You know I love you right?"
"I know." She sat up slightly, grinning. "If you love me so much…" She sat all the way up. "You'll let me get that wound packed so we can go to bed."
He smiled back with the same mischief dancing behind his gaze. "Fine, but if I let you bandage this up, you get to sleep in here with me."
She rolled her eyes in mock frustration, but returned his grin. "Fine, but I'm getting up before Noah. I'm not ready for the questions he'll have if he tries to find me after he wakes up."
He seemed very pleased with himself, and in all honesty she didn't mind sharing a bed with him. In fact, she realized she kind of preferred it. She'd been feeling rushed and overwhelmed, but sharing a bed didn't bring on the anxiety she expected. Maybe it was a step in the right direction. One small step forward.
She dressed the wound and started to dig through his drawers for something semi-appropriate for him to wear. The man didn't have any sense of modesty when sleeping.
"Bottom drawer." He called over. She found a pair of sweats. "
"Shirt or no?" She already knew the answer but figured she'd give him the option. Plus extra coverage on the bullet hole would be nice.
"Nah. I'm good."
"Figured." She stood up and brought the sweats over.
He reached his hand out for her so she could pull him up.
"You better not pull me down or you're on your own for the rest of the night." She warned.
"I would never." He teased.
"Uh huh. Right." She held her hand out and pulled him up. He kept a grasp on her hand.
"See. Perfect gentleman."
"I wouldn't go that far," she teased.
"Probably not," he glanced down, "especially since I'm going to need help with my pants. I'll try not to make this awkward," he winked.
"Yeah right. You are enjoying this way too much." She stood in front of him. He stared at her waiting. "Are you serious? Come on. I know you can get you your own button and fly."
"What fun would that be," he teased.
"Oh my God, fine." She reached out and started to unbutton his jeans. She tried to keep her breathing under control, but damn it, she was literally taking his pants off. She unzipped him and she watched his chest rise and fall with a familiar shudder of desire. She definitely should have insisted he undo his own pants because her mind was going places she wasn't ready for. At least not yet.
She shimmied his pants to his ankles,'trying not to look up while she did so. If he caught her eyes she knew her cheeks would blush and he would know exactly where mind was. Hell, he probably already knew.
Trying not to look up she snagged the sweats where they hung off the bed. Pulling his sweats on was less awkwardly sensual. When she lifted the waistband to his hips he took hold of her wrists pulling them around him in a loose embrace. "Thanks Liv."
She finally looked into those deep blue eyes and read the sincerity there. She brought one hand up to his bare chest and placed a quick kiss on his lips. "Partners help each other. For better or worse right?"
He grinned, "for better or worse," he agreed.
She helped him into bed and pulled the comforter over him. "I need to change and wash my face. Be back in a sec."
"No sneaking off to the couch." Those damn eyes were going to be the death of her. "We had a deal."
She smiled in response before grabbing her bag and sneaking into the bathroom.