Barba paused in his step as he saw the man who must be SVU’s newest detective, and not just because of Olivia’s warning that he was from Staten Island and had the world’s worst mustache.

He paused because he recognized that grating accent, and knew that hideous mustache.

Even if once upon a time and after several scotches, he hadn’t found it quite so hideous.

How — how had his one night stand from two years ago in Brooklyn resurfaced in Manhattan SVU of all places?

Rafael Barba is thirty-five, alone at a bar, and wearing one half of a couples Halloween costume.

Getting together, for what was supposed to be the only time.

Sonny propped himself up on an elbow. “So we’re coworkers with benefits.”

Barba grimaced. “I wouldn’t exactly put it that way... But Carisi, know that’s all that it is. Just sex between people too busy to find other partners. I don’t really date and I definitely don’t date men I work with.”

Once again Sonny felt that he should be insulted, but the prospect of keeping this ongoing was too good to pass up. “I can do that. Sex with no feelings.”

“You’d really do this? Spend three days in a house with my college friends pretending to be my...my…”

“Significant other?” Rafael supplied since Carisi seemed to be struggling. The detective only nodded. Rafael shrugged, like it was no big deal even though his heart was thumping wildly in his chest. “Sure, why not?”