Slater~
Once he and Olivia had finished their meals, Slater moved to throw the empty containers away. He immediately noticed the way that Olivia had relaxed in her chair. With her injured leg dangling off of the high bar stool, Olivia pulled her other leg up into the chair with her and rested her chin on her knee.
Normally it would have been a meaningless posture, but not for Olivia. She wasn't looking around for a quick exit or analyzing Slater's movements. She wasn't bracing her body to fight or run. Olivia was relaxed in the chair with a smile on her face and Slater couldn't get enough of the sight.
Hating to change her position or the lightened mood in the room, Slater wiped down the counter and braced his weight on his hands.
"We can sit right here and keep talking or move to the couch and turn on a movie. Totally up to you." Slater offered, watching a little nervous energy start to flow through Olivia's body.
Slater watched her mind run through the options, probably playing out several hellacious and irrational scenarios based on the way her breathing picked up. She glanced over her shoulder at the large sectional couch, then back at Slater in the kitchen, then down at her hurt leg. It was like watching prey dart its focus around the forest in preparation to evade a predator.
"No pressure sweet girl. Just want you to be comfortable." Slater added without moving.
Olivia shook her head as if she was trying to rid herself of intrusive thoughts, frustrated with her own mind. It was a look that Slater knew well, having experienced it himself after a few difficult jobs.
"The couch is fine." Olivia finally signed, forcing a smile in Slater's direction.
He moved to help her off of the barstool when the alarm of his watch started to beep, stopping him in his tracks.
"Pain meds." Slater announced as he silenced his watch and headed toward the bottles of pills on the counter.
"Just one." Olivia interjected, moving her hands frantically to get Slater's attention.
"Fuckin right girl." Slater praised with a smile on his face as he took one pill instead of two out of the bottle and brought it over to her.
She fed off of his excitement and gave him a smile, obviously a fan of being praised. Locking that information away, Slater handed her the pill and watched her toss it back and swallow it.
"Can I help you to the couch?" Slater asked cautiously before touching her.
Giving him a nod of approval, Olivia inhaled a breath to brace herself for pain as she started to help herself off of the stool.
"It'd be easier if I carried you." Slater added quickly.
"I'll never get better if I don't walk on my own." Olivia signed with some sassy attitude that made Slater chuckle under his breath.
"I just don't want you to hurt." Slater said with a shrug.
For a second, Olivia's expression changed. Her eyes were locked onto his and she seemed to let go of the nervous breath she'd been holding. Her gaze softened and her muscles lost some tension. It was almost as if she trusted him. Almost.
As if waking up from a daydream, Olivia shook her head and regained her focus, letting her smile drop slightly.
"Okay." She agreed with a cautious nod.
Slater moved until he was at her side, holding his arms out for her to inspect before touching her.
"Just like old times." Slater said with a grin as he slowly and carefully lifted her into his arms.
