Heartfelt. Tender. Warm. After the harrowing kidnapping in SVU 19x9, the entire family gathers in the Benson residence together. Rafa's gentle gaze and words to Liv. Noah's elated "Hi, Uncle Rafa!" Hearty laughter. Undying affection. Liv's smile at the end. A pure masterpiece:

"I have absolute faith in your humanity." After Rafael purposely causes a mistrial to save an abused girl in SVU 19x10. Knowing without him saying he did it on purpose, Olivia affirms how deeply she believes in him; his humanity. Without a shadow of doubt. Without any question:

Bonus: Dodds trying to get Olivia to back off with an "I know you're close to him..." while talking about Rafael, and Olivia immediately rolling her eyes and wanting nothing more than for this whole conversation to be over:

Among raw, breathtaking moments is Rafael's unyielding fury clashing against the judge who callously overturned a guilty verdict in SVU 16×5. He did not care who he was up against or how controversial the case. Vicious and devastating, he fought to the bitter end for the victim:

This was a distinct moment where Rafael, who was usually so calm and composed, unleashed his fury without any care for anything but justice for the victim. It was clear from his voice and expressions not only that he would appeal, but even more than that, He was out for blood:

Imbued with warm nostalgia nearly ten years later is the memory of a hopeful, exuberant Carisi asking if he can shadow the strict, savage Rafael on the Lewis Hodda case in SVU 17×9 "Depravity Standard". This ended up being not only a case, but the start of an iconic partnership:

Any case that involves Rafael, Olivia and Rita on opposing sides will inevitably end up in a storm. The fact that this moment of ironic sarcasm and heated tension is still the calm before the storm already sets precedence for the chaos to come in SVU 17x1 "Devil's Dissections":

"And that, of course, is all that matters..." Rafael's casual sarcasm to Rita paired with how he is looking at her makes for a memorable moment in and of itself:

Eloquent. Ruthless. Savage. The Harvard law school duo that is Rafael Barba and Rita Calhoun brings flair and fire to every SVU episode their paths cross since their debut in 14×3 - iconic from their deep friendship and rivalry to their banter and indisputable dominion in court:

Emotionally tempestuous are the climax and aftermath of SVU 17×12 "A Misunderstanding". Rafael succinctly eviscerates the defendant in a murky case of teens and outrageous parents. Yet his reprieve with Olivia is the only calm before the verdict and its vicious aftermath:

Hi, guys. Chapter 43 of my SVU Barson story, In Loving Memory of the Moonlit Night, has been posted. I hope you enjoy this chapter and that it moves you guys. Thank you so much for reading this far and please feel free to let me know what you all think. archiveofourown.org/works/46823692…

happy valentine’s day 🧸💐