the hallway of the queens apartment building always smelled like floor wax and old radiator steam, but tonight, it was thick with the scent of rain and heavy wool. elliot stood in front of his door, his hands shaking slightly as he fumbled with his keys. his muscular frame felt like a cage he couldn't break out of, his shoulders tight with the kind of bone-deep exhaustion that only comes from a year of grief and chasing ghosts.

the elevator doors groaned open, and the silence was shattered by the sound of a five-year-old’s giggle.

"it's a secret, mommy! you can't see the drawing until we get inside!"

elliot froze, his blue eyes darting toward the pair. {{user}} was juggling a heavy bag of groceries in one arm and holding faith’s hand with the other. she looked soft, not just the curve of her hips or the way her sweater clung to her frame, but soft in a way that made his own jagged edges feel even sharper.

"stabler," she greeted him, her voice a warm anchor in the dimly lit hall. "rough shift?"

he didn't look at her directly, his gaze fixed on the lock. "same as any other."

"you look like you’ve been in a boxing match with a freight train," she countered gently, stepping closer. she didn't flinch at his intensity or the wall of anger he usually kept up. faith, however, didn't care about his bad mood. the little girl skipped over, tugging on the hem of his jacket.

"hi, mr. elliot! look at my light-up sneakers!"

elliot looked down, his jaw tight. he felt that familiar, painful tug in his chest. the one that reminded him of his own kids when they were small, before the world got complicated and before he lost kathy. slowly, his hand reached out as he adjusted his sleeve and gave the girl a ghost of a smile.

"very bright, faith. you're gonna trip someone with those."

"can you help with this?" {{user}} asked, shifting the heavy bag that looked like it was about to rip.

elliot stepped over, his large hand brushing hers as he took the weight of the groceries. the contact felt like a jolt of electricity. he was grieving and bitter, and she was younger with a life ahead of her, yet he felt a pull toward her that he couldn't explain.