(*) Marmoris: marble and perhaps in a poetic sense the marbling surface of the ocean - It's the sparkling marbling surface of the ocean
Picture Prompt #32: A man and a woman's pair of legs in the sand at the beach
and
Quote Prompt #17: "Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain." — Author unknown
Aequoreal
~oOo~
"Been here long enough?"
It's been three hours since she slipped out of their messy bed covers, put on her swimsuit and sheer cover-up, deciding to get some fresh air by walking alone on the beach at six a.m.
She never knew the ocean could bring someone calmness instead of torment. Some of the worst moments in her life were accompanied by the sound of waves pounding in her skull, a sound she always associated with Lewis' cruel words and mind games.
Her biggest battle, the one with her humanity took place against the backdrop of a house placed near the beach. There was so much ugliness in that moment, she failed to see the true beauty of the landscape without the trauma of that time.
Now, years later on a random August morning, surrounded by chirping seagulls, swimming fish, salty ocean air, and the sun shining down on her face, she could appreciate this wonderful miracle of nature for what it was.
An oceanic paradise.
She never was the type but maybe she is a thalassophile. Her mind runs with possibilities of convincing Elliot to buy a boat and explore the unknown mysteries of the sea on their downtime, see parts of the vast ocean, and reach places no one has ever dared to go.
"Earth calls, Captain Olivia Benson," her partner whispers in a joking tone, enveloping her in his big arms from behind.
Reluctantly, she turns sideways, taking her gaze off the amazing sparkling water and meeting his blue eyes. She doesn't think the image changed that much, it's like she's looking at the sea again, she loves that Elliot's eyes are the same color as the ocean.
She loves everything about him if she's honest.
"I've been here since six a.m., couldn't sleep and I decided to enjoy the quiet," she answers, throwing him a half smile.
"Want some company?" It's uncanny sometimes how he can tell when she wants to be left alone or have company, how occasionally she prefers a presence beside her but accompanied by silence. It's a gift to have a significant other with this kind of magical touch, a person who understands the essence of your being and completely accepts it. She guesses that's partly why she was so scared to jump into a relationship with him. Part of her always knew he was the one for her and it terrified her because she didn't want to lose him. Romantic relationships tend to become complicated and messy for her and she would be devastated if she lost him. It took a lot of effort and reassurance from Elliot and courage on her part to step into this thing with him. She did it with doubt and many prayers out in the universe for their union to work.
Six months later and things were going fantastic. Truthfully a part of her doesn't remember why she was so hesitant and hell-bent on fighting this in the first place. Now she can't imagine her life without her other half, without him.
"I could use some and maybe a walk on the beach before I call Kathleen, ask how Bernie and Noah are doing."
She left her boy with his daughter and mom back in the city. She was initially troubled but Elliot assured her that both women were dying for some quality time with the youngest Benson. Fin was unavailable and they couldn't bring him with them, this was a vacation to his mom's beach house just for the two of them. Couple quality time.
She's glad she decided to say yes to Elliot dragging her out here. She's finding the carefree Olivia during these last few days she didn't even know she had in her. As they walk hand in hand, Olivia for the first time ponders the true meaning of happily ever after and how she feels it when she's only with him.
~oOo~
Two hours later, after countless steps and photographs on the beach—Elliot keeps taking his phone out to snap photos of her—her partner's playful side has decided to come out.
"Wanna take a swim?"
She raises her eyebrows in amusement, her face illuminated by the blinding sunlight. "I don't know if you noticed but I'm the only one in a swimsuit here, you're in joggers and a sweatshirt. And I have to call Noah."
"I'm sure they are fine, they can wait for a little, I on the other hand can't."
He says it with mirth, sneakiness coating the smooth deep vibrato of his voice. His eyes are dancing with happiness and he's laughing, white teeth on full display, framed by a grey beard.
"You still don't have your trunks with you."
"You know that's never been a problem for me, Baby. Now, don't make me wait too long."
With these parting words, he ditches his joggers, soft fabric sliding down the v of his hips revealing his nakedness in all its glory. His sweatshirt follows as his tattoos appear on full display.
Something Olivia learned about Elliot is, he enjoys being naked a lot and with a body like that she certainly can't complain about the view he provides. She's captivated by the beauty of him, his strength, all the cuts and fine lines of his body. He's God in human form and she's glad, she's the one that gets to enjoy him.
She watches him take a deep dive into the clear sea. The marmoris(*) of the ocean looks so irresistible. Dammit, Elliot and the water make an incredibly good point. Besides, these days she's all about adventure.
Quickly, she takes off her wrap, running after her man.
~oOo~
A while later, after making love on top of their clothing and getting sand in places they didn't even know they had, Olivia lays wrapped in Elliot's arms, his warmth making the blood in her veins pump as their feet tangle together against the backdrop of the ocean.
This place is Elysian, with its soft sand and blue glinting waters, it's her own piece of heaven. His mom had a very good idea when she moved out here.
He curls a hand around her neck, inspecting the stunning compass placed there by him.
"I'm so glad you like it and never take it off. It led you to me, it's part of our history now," he says with a mellow content grin.
She can only give confirmation by catching his bottom lip between her mouth.
"I'm glad too, El. I'm glad, too."
~oOo~
As they redress, ready to head back to the house after their exhausting activities, they feel droplets on their skin.
Olivia is shocked because she's a very observant person and apparently, she somehow missed all signs of incoming rain.
"Don't worry, it's a drizzle. It'll stop in a few minutes."
He seems nonchalant, indifferent, but she's not. She's getting wet and she's afraid of catching a cold. McGrath won't be kind if that happens, he will refuse to let her take even more time off work.
"Until those few minutes pass, I need to go inside, El, I'm not getting drenched."
She puts on her wrap, turns around, and starts to walk. As she does, her feet create deep holes in the sand, making her path unsteady. She doesn't expect the hand grasping her waist unexpectedly, turning her around as his other tangles their fingers together.
"Dance with me."
She scoffs. "Are you crazy?"
He honest to God giggles, catching her off guard with his next gentle words.
"No, I'm hopelessly in love with you, and I want to live every moment like it's our last one."
She can't help it, she melts. She never was privy to his flirting game before but as their relationship progressed, she realized that the man knows what to say to render her a puddle of emotional mess.
She humors him while nodding and dancing, both swaying with only the sounds of the waves as their music.
"I love you, Liv. I'm always gonna say it from now on, I spent way too much time denying it."
"I love you too, El, with all my heart." He's the only man she has ever truly loved, ever let into the darkest parts of her soul, to get a full view of the real Olivia hiding underneath the Detective and Captain.
There was a time she didn't think she'd ever see Elliot again but life works in mysterious ways, it's like the deep ocean hiding secrets along with treasures. When he returned, Olivia was adrift, stranded on an island of loneliness with no way home, no hope. The compass made her go on her own hunt for happiness and second chances, it made her take risks and she'll always be grateful for that. She finally found her way to where she was always supposed to be. Right beside her partner, right beside Elliot.
The author of this SVU - Quills & Shutters story will be revealed in October