She couldn't quite understand how it happened, and he probably wondered the same thing - how they could read each other like they'd been part of the same soul. And, maybe they were. It seemed they both had explored religions and belief systems in one way or another. Who was to say what teaching was right or if any of them were? However deep the thoughts had gotten though, they never explained this 'not labeled' relationship they seemed to be fully invested in now.

When she thought about it, it went further back than either of them wanted to admit to anyone but each other.

The simple things are what strike her. After reconnecting upon his arrival home, he started texting, calling, leaving her messages to help brighten a moment in the middle of darkness. It was sweet. Then, he started checking in with her, sending food to her office when she was having a busy day. He started offering to spend nights with Noah if she was going to work late, so she could come home and not have to worry about relieving a babysitter and getting homework done. She had to admit; it felt good to come home to a hot meal and a 'you are doing good' smile. It was friendly. . .at first.

He knew admitting she was ready was going to be the hard part for her. So, he kept showing up so she could let her actions speak for her. And, the more signs she gave him the more returned to her. After three weeks of him coming over to hang out, whether she was there or working late, she had kissed his cheek goodbye with a, "I'm really happy we can do this now." After that, his lips pressed to her temple or forehead every chance he had, like he'd die on the spot if he wasted an opportunity to do so.

Honestly, it got to the point she was annoyed her hairline was getting more action than her lips. Maybe that was his plan all along. A simple 'you missed' and his lips were on hers, lighting her on fire. The kiss was like a floodgate. He'd pinned her to the wall, and she mounted him on the couch before they ended up in her room.

Now, their room.

The six months between that night and move in day and every month since had been filled with more little gestures that broke the walls they'd built to protect themselves from everyone else. They showed up for each other. On the days she felt like she couldn't do her job, he walked into her office with a hug that always made her take a deep breath and words of affirmation that no one could do her job better. Anyone who thought differently could take it up with him. The days he spent pounding the pavement for what felt like nothing or a bruise on his face to match his ego, she sought him out in the gym, grabbing his hands to keep him from wrecking knuckles and reassuring him it will all be worth it when the bad guy is behind bars.

He started watching bad reality TV with her and gradually went from snooping through her erotic books to reading them outright while she joined his workout sessions. Showering together was a near daily ritual. Long work days where they only saw each other asleep became conversations of post it notes on the bathroom mirror because even texting could take too much time sometimes. Even dinners with the entire family gathered around one table became opportunities to get together more often - whether it was to support at a dance recital or find a time to spend a weekend out of the city. They found the time for each other even when it seemed there was no time to be found.

He understood the job, and she vice versa. He had worked SVU with her for years, and she knew the grind of undercover work, of playing the long game. But above all, he understood her. Something that nobody else had accomplished, and he said the same about himself. They knew every facial tick and body gesture, knew the other's emotional and mental state by a simple touch.

So even now as she sat on their bed with him beside her, she could hear his brain screaming despite his eyes staring down at his book and her own at hers. "El?"

"How would that even work?" He started, frowning as he whipped off his glasses. "I get why you like reading it. I've been hard for the past fifteen minutes, but logistically how would you have sex on a motorcycle in that position?"

Olivia giggled as she set her book aside, removing her own glasses. "That's not really the point of reading it. It's not like I am planning to try it out with you." She caught the look on his face. "Don't you dare."

"Just for a day." Elliot shrugged. "I'm sure we could rent one somewhere." He smiled when she chuckled with a shake of her head. "I'd keep you from falling off. Scout's honor."

"That is not my concern." Olivia cupped his face in her hands, pecking his lips. "I just would rather not have handle bar impressions on my back or boobs. It was bad enough trying to explain to Fin when my arms had impressions from the backseat of your car. Worth the embarrassment, but no."

Elliot huffed. "You didn't have to explain a knot in your ass to a chiropractor." He glanced over at her again before sliding underneath the covers, smiling as he heard her own giggles when he slid between her legs under the comforter before popping out to gaze up at her. "Have you ever done any of the things in your books with somebody?"

Olivia quirked an eyebrow at him, knowing the true intention of his question. "Nobody worth mentioning." She smirked when he dropped his head to her belly, groaning into the t-shirt she'd put on for bed. Stroking his head and behind his ears, her body enjoyed the weight of him on her, even if it wasn't the way she usually felt his weight on her. "El, you and I have done things from these books."

"Not from the book I'm reading." Elliot muttered, turning his head so he could rest more comfortably against her stomach. "They're doing it everywhere. On motorcycles, in theaters, in a doctor's office."

"Well, the book is about a wealthy doctor getting together with a ballerina. And, it's a book about fake people." Olivia scoffed. "Of course, they do it in places like that. I've never had sex in any of those places. Have you?"

"No." Elliot confirmed.

Olivia nodded. "Exactly." She frowned after a moment, keeping the pressure of her fingers running across his scalp. "Are you bored with our sex life?"

"God, no." He stated adamantly. "I've done more with you than I have my entire life. And, we have that connection, so it makes it better. But, you do read these things. You must want to do some of the weird, crazy things."

"El, do you know why I like reading erotic books?" She posed the questioning, grinning when he shook his head. "Baby, it doesn't matter where they're having sex. . .well, sometimes the knowledge of you could get caught can add to certain scenarios. But, I don't read these books because I want crazy wild sex where I'd have to have premium health coverage just to ensure a doctor can cover any possible injuries sustained during sex. I read it because I like the heat, I like the extra stuff."

Elliot peered up at her, eyebrows furrowed. "The extra stuff?"

"The lead up, the foreplay, the feelings." Olivia tried to explain. "The tension. Most men like porn because you see naked girls and there's barely a plot if one at all. While some women enjoy that too, a lot of women need more than just the sight of a naked man to really get going. I like the books, because they dive into the relationships, the heat. Like the heat and tension that you and I have."

Elliot seemed to be following. "So, my ogling of you in, really, anything is like you giving me that sexy smile you have when I compliment how you look or act like an ass because I'm trying to keep a guy from flirting with you."

Olivia chuckled with a nod. "Yeah, I guess you could put it that way. I like the affection you give me. If I stood in the doorway of our bathroom in one of your shirts, you'd be ready to bend me over the bathroom sink. When you whisper to me how much you want to take me or how you can't wait until that night because we both finally have a night away from work, that has the same affect on me."

"Oh, I love the affect it has on you." Elliot groaned, remembering the other morning when he'd murmured in her ear how much he couldn't wait to have the apartment to themselves so he could have her naked the second she stepped inside that night. Noah had emerged from his room shortly thereafter, and when he did leave for his ride to school he was pleasantly surprised to turn around and be met with her lips crashing onto his. She'd had his shirt off and pants undone before he could lift her onto the kitchen counter. "So, the fun of the books. . .you have that with me." He concluded.

"Well, we're not taking jets all over the world, but yeah. I have it with you." Olivia assured him.

Elliot grinned before wrapping his arms around her waist, happy to get the sexy smile he'd know anywhere when he had her hips secured against his chest. "You know what I really like?"

"When I call you baby or honey." Olivia smirked, breath shallowing as he started peppering kisses on the sliver of skin exposed from her risen shirt. "My touching you more when we're in a social setting, because we finally get to do that now. My dime-sized pupils that stare into your soul even though it irritates you when I can tell your trying to hide something."

Elliot dipped his tongue into her belly button, soaking in the gasp it elicited from her. "That goes both ways, Captain."

"Oh, and how could I forget that rank thing." Olivia hummed. "Detective Stabler."

"God, so many times I wanted to grab you when you called me that." Elliot nearly growled, grabbing at her waistband and pulling over her hips. "Even when we were partners. Your voice," he moaned as he pulled her pants up her thighs, over his head, until they were hooked on her knees behind his neck, "I love your voice. Love that it got deeper throughout the years."

Olivia let out her own moan when his tongue started teasing her, gradually adding pressure as he did the things he knew drove her crazy. She could still hear his brain working though. "El, we're not fucking on a motorcycle."

"I've already moved on." Elliot reassured her before swirling his tongue around her clit. "Maybe we can spend Thursday morning together though. We both have off."

It took her a moment to respond, focusing on the pleasure he was creating between her thighs. "I have my physical that morning with my OBGYN."

"I know." Elliot grinned, twisting a finger inside her and glancing up to watch the moment her jaw dropped.

He didn't elaborate that further, and she didn't figure out his meaning until a second finger of his joined the first. Her eyes flew open. "Elliot!"

"Doctor's office could be fun." Elliot murmured, thumb gently swiping at her clit. He enjoyed watching her body flush. "Think about it. It'd be so easy, baby. A nice relaxing morning where we can enjoy our breakfast, maybe splurge on some fancy coffee. And, I can tell you every dirty thought I have about being inside you."

"Son of a bitch." She groaned.

She didn't quite understand it, how they read each other so well even while navigating this new reality of theirs, but some things were better left a happy mystery.