Chapter Text
This first scene is an extension of 24x12, considering we know more was filmed per the misleading promos, I keep thinking that maybe they would flashback in a later episode and reveal more of that conversation. Slim chance, but a girl can dream right? :)
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Standing there in her kitchen, the silence between them is deafening. Elliot didn’t know what to do after Olivia backed away from him just moments prior.
I’m not ready for this.
I’m not ready for this.
She hasn’t said a word since. She’s still standing next to the fridge, but her head is hanging in front of her as she stares unmoving at the floor, her palms resting on the countertop behind her. Elliot eyes her carefully, not able to form any words. He feels like he should leave but can’t move from that spot in her kitchen. He can’t take his eyes off his former partner. She looks so defeated, and he knows he’s played a role in that.
On the verge of breaking down, he sees her chest start to heave as she sobs, but it’s silent at first, like she’s trying to hold it in. One of her hands comes up to her face to cover her mouth to stifle any noise, but it doesn’t last. She slides her back down the counter and to the floor, knees pulled up to her chest as she cries into her hands.
Elliot is frozen at first, but once she hits the floor, he moves to her.
“Olivia,” his voice is soft.
With his hands on her biceps, he gives a gentle pull to stand her up, but he’s careful not to force it, he waits for her to reciprocate and pull the rest of her weight up on her own. He’s thankful that she leans into his touch instead of pushing him away, he wanted to do this on her terms but it he couldn’t just watch her cry on the floor.
“I got you.”
When she’s up on her feet, she throws her arms around him and sobs into is neck. While he rubs her back gently with one hand, his other smooths her hair. Neither is paying attention to how much time has passed while they’re standing there in each other’s arms, but eventually Olivia stops crying and is just sniffling. Elliot is the first to speak again.
“Am I making things worse for you? Being back in your life again?”
She doesn’t answer right away but pulls her arms back at this point and rests them on his shoulders, their foreheads pressed together. She doesn’t answer with words, but instead presses her lips to his gently, much to Elliot’s surprise. It’s just one soft kiss and then she pauses, their foreheads and noses touching again. When she kisses him again, it’s long and slow, Elliot reciprocating more after the initial shock of the first kiss wore off. When she pulls back, she keeps her face close to his and looks up in his eyes for the first time since the initial “I’m not ready for this” minutes before.
“It’s just been a long week, Elliot. I’m just so tired.”
She pauses, and he doesn’t say anything.
“I’m still not over you leaving me the way that you did.”
His brow furrows slightly, “what was the kiss for?”
“I’m not denying that there’s something between us, El.” She sighs, “my brain and my heart just aren’t on the same page.”
She lets her hands fall from his shoulders and folds them over her chest while taking a tiny step back, still staying close to him.
“I think I need a little space to figure it out. I probably shouldn't have done that, I'm not trying to lead you on,” she says acknowledging that the kiss complicates things, but doesn't apologize for it.
He stays silent for a few moments and then nods in understanding. Internally he’s crushed, but he won’t let her see that as he knows it’s not fair to her. He raises a hand up to cradle her face at the crook of her neck, his thumb caresses her cheek ever so gently as he places a kiss to her forehead.
“If you or Noah need anything,” he pauses, “please call me.”
His hand still on her cheek, she takes it with hers and lowers it, giving it a squeeze. She doesn’t say anything but nods.
And he’s gone. She stands alone in her kitchen, his kiss still lingering on her lips.