Hotch thoughts pt. 2 (Spoilers for season 3, 5, 10, 11)
He’s very loyal, maybe even to a fault…
He’s very good at masking his emotions
I still think about how he was in the field the next episode after Mr. Scratch
His friendship with Penelope is so precious to me, i love the flashback episode (The Black Queen) and seeing how their relationship started out and seeing the part when she hands over her stationery. 😭🩷
I love the times Pen calls him with case info like “Keep it clean and don’t call me honey” and when Penelope says “And you, my fine furry friends, are welcome” and Hotch jokes “Remind me to have her drug tested”
I love his sense of humor so much <3
I think it goes over some people’s heads because it’s drier, but he’s so funny to me. I am part of the Aaron Hotchner is funny agenda. <3
He is probably a chronic over-thinker but he doesn’t realize because it’s become ingrained in his profiling and protective nature. He thinks of every possible outcome. That’s what makes him such a good Unit Chief.
He usually goes by the books for most things but he also frequently bends the rules to get to the bottom of a case or to protect his team/loved ones.
I like to think about the impression the rest of the bureau has of the BAU. Considering how crazy some of their cases are. Most agents outside the BAU are probably intimidated, especially by their Unit Chief lol. But he’s such a sweetheart once you know him personally—
It’s so sweet that he did everything he could to get Jack his Darth Vader costume on Halloween, Aaron cares so deeply and will go to lengths to care for his family and friends.
I have a head-canon that he’s really good at cooking, despite not being home often—
Aaron Hotchner is very family orientated, so it makes sense that his favorite holidays would be Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. He loves the colder months. I also think he can cook really well despite not being home as often as he’d like.
I love thinking about how long he’s been friends with Rossi and Gideon, my favorite part of Nelson’s Sparrow is Aaron and Dave telling stories of Gideon on the porch of Jason’s cabin. (Also side note, the lighting in that scene is so pretty and Hotch smiles and— yeah i’ll shut up now)
He doesn’t admit when he’s burnt out at the office, especially after season three, because he chose his job over Haley and he still feels awful about it once in a while.
I still get emotional about him waking up in his office and freaking out, realizing Jessica has been with Jack longer than he planned and then he passes out in the round table room. It’s so painful. And then the visions he has when he’s in the OR— ow.
However, on the flip side, if he had chosen Haley and worked for the White Collar division, he would feel like he was abandoning his team and he would feel empty deep down. He wouldn’t feel fulfilled at work anymore. I can think my way down a whole rabbit hole of how different his life would’ve been if he had transferred…
Random Hotch Facts/Headcanons (Heavy spoilers for seasons 3 & 5)
Recently i was reminded that he collected coins as a kid
I like to think that he has pictures of his family in his wallet/badge (I can’t remember if it’s canon or not— It might be)
I also rewatched the pilot the other day, and recalled that he said he worked in the Seattle, WA branch for two years—
He likes spicy food (The episode in which he asks Penelope if she has any Jalapeños for omelettes)
He likes the Beatles (Specifically the White Album was mentioned)
He hated leaving for a case on Halloween because he never missed those with Jack.
His birthday is November 2nd, which makes him a Scorpio and a water sign
He and Jack are both fans of Star Wars
Hotch is Southern
I think he specifically mentions that his mom was from Manassas, Virginia, which kind of implies he is too
He did some theater in high school to get closer with Haley
It’s also mentioned that he went to boarding school
He’s left-handed
He went to law school and was a prosecutor before the BAU, so his full title would include J.D. at the end. (I’m not sure what would be grammatically correct with his Unit Chief title, but i could see something like SSA Unit Chief Aaron Hotchner J.D.)
Sean, his brother, is more than ten years younger than Aaron (I think)
Sean didn’t attend Haley’s funeral
Not canon, but I like to think Hotch has a extensive vinyl collection in his apartment
He has a Rolex watch and wears Hermes and Gucci ties to work, but he isn’t flashy about his wealth
I think the only time we see his signature is when he signs the divorce papers Haley gives him.
I like to think he has a book in his go-bag, probably non-fiction.
EVOLUTION SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!!!!
I haven’t seen evolution yet but i’ve heard that Hotch sends JJ flowers for Will’s funeral (I think Morgan does as well) and that Emily contacts him at some point for something.
All of this is just for fun, none of the characters are mine and i’m just a huge nerd for this show and i love collecting facts. Also Hotch is my favorite :)
Random Hotch Facts/Headcanons (Heavy spoilers for seasons 3 & 5)
Recently i was reminded that he collected coins as a kid
I like to think that he has pictures of his family in his wallet/badge (I can’t remember if it’s canon or not— It might be)
I also rewatched the pilot the other day, and recalled that he said he worked in the Seattle, WA branch for two years—
He likes spicy food (The episode in which he asks Penelope if she has any Jalapeños for omelettes)
He likes the Beatles (Specifically the White Album was mentioned)
He hated leaving for a case on Halloween because he never missed those with Jack.
His birthday is November 2nd, which makes him a Scorpio and a water sign
He and Jack are both fans of Star Wars
Hotch is Southern
I think he specifically mentions that his mom was from Manassas, Virginia, which kind of implies he is too
He did some theater in high school to get closer with Haley
It’s also mentioned that he went to boarding school
He’s left-handed
He went to law school and was a prosecutor before the BAU, so his full title would include J.D. at the end. (I’m not sure what would be grammatically correct with his Unit Chief title, but i could see something like SSA Unit Chief Aaron Hotchner J.D.)
Sean, his brother, is more than ten years younger than Aaron (I think)
Sean didn’t attend Haley’s funeral
Not canon, but I like to think Hotch has a extensive vinyl collection in his apartment
He has a Rolex watch and wears Hermes and Gucci ties to work, but he isn’t flashy about his wealth
I think the only time we see his signature is when he signs the divorce papers Haley gives him.
I like to think he has a book in his go-bag, probably non-fiction.
EVOLUTION SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!!!!
I haven’t seen evolution yet but i’ve heard that Hotch sends JJ flowers for Will’s funeral (I think Morgan does as well) and that Emily contacts him at some point for something.
All of this is just for fun, none of the characters are mine and i’m just a huge nerd for this show and i love collecting facts. Also Hotch is my favorite :)
summary: aaron comes home after a long case, and you make sure he feels loved
warnings: none!
a/n: I've never written for him before so I hope this is okay!
The apartment was quiet except for the low hum of the refrigerator and the occasional creak of the floorboards as you paced. It had been a long case — three days of barely any sleep and terse phone calls from Aaron that always ended with the same exhausted “I’ll be home soon, sweetheart.”
You’d already set the table for two, lit the candle you knew he secretly liked (even if he’d never admit it), and had his favorite pasta sauce simmering. Jack was at a sleepover, which meant tonight was just yours.
The sound of keys in the door made your heart lift. You turned just as Aaron stepped inside, shoulders heavy under his suit jacket, tie already loosened. His eyes found you immediately, and the sharp lines of his face softened in that way they only did for you.
“You’re still up,” he said, voice rough with fatigue. He closed the door behind him and set his go-bag down.
You crossed the room and reached up to help him shrug off his jacket. He let you, watching you with those dark, steady eyes that always made you feel seen.
Aaron caught your hands before you could step away, pulling you gently against his chest. He smelled like coffee and the faint trace of jet fuel, but underneath it was just him — warm and solid. His arms wrapped around you like he’d been waiting for this exact moment since he left.
“You didn’t have to wait,” he murmured into your hair, but the way his grip tightened told you he was glad you had.
“I wanted to.” You tilted your head back to look at him.
Your fingers found the knot of his tie and worked it loose, sliding it free. “Let’s get you out of this suit, Agent Hotchner. Dinner’s almost ready, and I’m not accepting ‘I’m too tired’ as an answer.”
A rare, small smile tugged at his lips — the one that still made your stomach flutter even after all this time. “Bossy tonight.”
“Only when you need it.”
He left for the bedroom, where he changed into soft gray sweatpants and one of his old FBI Academy shirts while you finished plating the pasta. When he reappeared, hair slightly tousled, he wrapped his arms around you from behind as you stood at the stove.
“Smells incredible,” he said, pressing a kiss just below your ear.
“You’re just saying that because you haven’t eaten real food in days.”
“Mm. Still true.”
Dinner was slow and easy. He told you the parts of the case he could share, and you told him about the ridiculous office drama at your job and how Jack had scored another goal in soccer. Aaron listened like every word mattered, his hand occasionally reaching across the table to brush his thumb over your knuckles.
After the dishes were cleared, he pulled you to the couch. You curled into his side, legs tangled, his arm draped heavy and protective around your shoulders. The TV played some old black-and-white movie neither of you were really watching.
“You know,” he said quietly after a while, fingers tracing lazy circles on your arm, “every time I walk through that door, the weight of the day gets lighter. Because you’re here.”
Your heart squeezed. You turned your face into his chest, breathing him in. “I love you, Aaron. Even on the hard days. Especially on the hard days.”
He tilted your chin up with two fingers and kissed you — slow, reverent, the kind of kiss that said more than words ever could. When he pulled back, his forehead rested against yours again.
“I don’t know what I did to deserve you,” he whispered.
“You showed up,” you answered simply.
Aaron’s eyes closed for a moment, and when they opened, they were softer than you’d ever seen them. He shifted so you were half-lying on his chest, one of his hands gently carding through your hair.
The movie kept playing in the background as his breathing evened out. You listened to the steady beat of his heart under your cheek, feeling safe and warm and loved in the arms of the man who carried the weight of the world and still made space for you every single night.
Mal's Note: Two fics in one night!?! I'm spoiling you guys. I adore this for whatever reason. Please show it love <3 it has my whole heart.
Love,
Mal <3
Warnings: Alcohol use, slight emotional neglect, flufffffff.
Word Count: 2.3k
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“You smell like a florist.” JJ muttered, shooting you a confused glance as you plopped down next to her at the round table. “What is that? Roses?”
“Yes…” You growled, huffing out a sigh, “unfortunately it is.”
“What’s wrong with roses?” Morgan asked, drawn in by your surly tone and the way your jaw was clenched just a little too tight.
“Nothing… except that I hate them.” Your smile was saccharine, as your eyes narrowed in disdain. “I find the smell cloyingly sweet, it’s overwhelming and it makes me nauseous. Even anxious if I’m already stressed.”
“I’ve always found roses very subtle.” Rossi mused, shrugging his shoulders as he watched you from across the table.
Everyone had just settled into their seats and Hotch seemed occupied by a message on his phone so you felt you had time to explain.
“Naturally, roses are subtly scented, yes.” You agreed, then tugged at your hair and scowled. “But the artificial rose fragrance in this shampoo and conditioner is the exact opposite!”
“If you hate rose so much, why are you wearing it?” Spencer asked, his brows drawn, mouth pinched, and nose snarled in that way of his that said he thought you’d made a very dumb decision.
“I wasn't home.” You grumbled, avoiding eye contact—with Morgan especially—and hoping they’d drop the subject.
“Oooo somebody was with Jeff last night…” Morgan crooned, rubbing his hands together like he was trying to put warmth into them in that annoying way of his. “How’d it go?? Pretty good I’m guessing since you never made it home…”
You groaned, dropped you head to the table, pounding it thrice, before sitting back up and slumping in your chair.
“Would I be awful if I just never spoke to him again?” You asked the room at large.
“No.” Hotch muttered without ever glancing up from his phone, drawing side eyes from everyone else, but you appreciated the validation. It was unlike him to pitch in on matters of the heart, but his single syllable answer was very much in character.
“Wait, I thought you’ve been seeing this guy for a month now?” Prentiss queried, “Don’t you like him?”
“I did.” You confirmed, short and succinct.
“But???” Garcia prompted, not at all happy with that answer on its own.
“But, Jed,” you emphasized his name to tease Morgan, “is a lot. He’s loud, and he’s boisterous, and he talks so much that he doesn’t ever listen…”
“Oh…” the response was collectively female, while the men—sans Hotch—seemed a little confused.
“He means well, he does, and I do appreciate the effort he puts in, but after a month he hasn’t learned a thing about me at all.” You sighed, dropping your shoulders even farther and looking up at the ceiling. “Last night, he planned this huge date, all by himself and I was excited because what guy does that? Ya know? They don’t usually take that initiative. So we go out, and the restaurant he chose is nice… but its Thai , and I don’t particularly enjoy Thai cuisine. I’m sure it’s lovely to some, but I just don’t have the pallet for it. Which I told him, on our first date, when he suggested that same restaurant.”
“He just ignored that?” Rossi asked, immediately joining the girls in their disgust because good food was important to Rossi.
“Yep.” You sighed, then told them what else he’d done. “Then he ordered this bottle of Sauvignon Blanc…”
“And you don’t like white wines…” Emily grimaced, a fellow red girlie herself.
“I don’t.” You agreed. “But I choked it down with a smile and said thank you because it was $300.”
“Honey you've gotta speak up about these things…” JJ murmured, patting your shoulder.
“I have Jayj.” You whined, dropping your head to the table again. “I'm telling you, he doesn’t listen. He hears that I’m speaking but he doesn’t absorb the information. For example, I’ve told him at least seven times that my favorite color is purple. Last night he showed up with a set of jewelry. Pink cubic zirconia. They were pretty and it’s not about the price, I couldn’t care less about the money! But he said, ‘I saw these and I thought of you, I know how much you love pink,’ and I realized he’d thought of me, but not about me. I could care less for pink, it’s not even in my top twenty.”
“So how did you wind up smelling like roses?” Derek asked, a little more serious now, like he was sad for you.
“Oh God…” You chuckled, blushing a little. “We went back to his apartment… and he had the bedroom all decorated. Which was sweet, but again there was white wine, and on the bed he’d left a bouquet of pink long stemmed roses. At first I was just glad they weren’t red roses because that would’ve sent me over the edge, there’s not an ounce of effort in long stemmed roses in general… but red roses? They’re not personal! They are generic, I hate being given roses because that's not about me, that's about a man's ego. I prefer wildflower bouquets they’re colorful and they make me smile! I love ranunculus, larkspur, sweet pea, chamomile, daisies, baby’s breath, and even fucking wild roses because they are bright and have character! They don’t look like long stem roses at all! Which I’d told him, just last week.”
“Oh dude, come on!” Derek exclaimed, shaking his head. “He can’t even remember something you told him a week ago?”
“See…” You threw your hands out to the side, glad he was understanding now. “I felt bad though, because he’d spent a lot of money… and then…” you paused, your face flushing as you bit your bottom lip, “I stayed… and I needed a shower before bed and I didn’t have anything to clean up with… not even to get my make up off. So Jed offered to run down to the corner store… Every single thing he came back with was rose scented and you know what the smell of artificial rose does to me. I told him too, when I told him that I didn’t like roses, but I guess he didn’t remember that either. I smiled, said thank you, and then I cried in the shower.”
“Aw sugar…” Garcia cooed, reaching across the table to take your hand.
“I’m confused.” Spencer mumbled, drawing everyone’s—except Hotch’s—attention. “You’re upset with Jed because the date didn’t go well and he didn’t get anything right?”
“No— Well, sorta— but it’s more than that it’s—”
“She’s upset because she’s been dating this man for a month, telling him little things about herself everyday, remembering things about him, and yet she discovered that he doesn’t know a single basic thing about her.” Hotch explained to Reid without looking up, shocking everyone into silence. You hadn’t thought he was listening. “It’s not about the flowers themselves, it’s about how little thought he put into buying them. He didn’t care what kind of flowers she liked, it was just about the show of giving them to her. It’s not about the fact that she didn’t like the jewelry—she did—it’s about him saying her favorite color is pink when she’s repeatedly told him it’s purple. Anyone would be upset if they told someone that a certain smell made them anxious or sick to their stomach, and then that person expected them to bathe in that very scent. She’s not upset because of the date, it’s because on the date he made her feel invisible and unvalued.”
Suddenly, you were seeing Aaron Hotchner through very different eyes.
“Exactly…” You whispered, feeling completely perplexed, and yet… seen.
You broke up with Jed that night, he handled it well, but he didn’t understand why. Even though you tried your best to explain. It frustrated you so much that you took a break from dating entirely.
Three months later, on your birthday, you walked into the bullpen to find a beautiful bouquet of wildflowers sitting on your desk with a card that said, “Happy Birthday,” there was no signature from the sender.
Your smile could have been seen from the ISS in orbit, it was so bright and so big. Picking up the vase of ranunculus, larkspur, sweet pea, chamomile, daisies, baby’s breath, and wild roses; you turned to the rest of the team and demanded their attention.
“Okay you guys, who remembered?!” You nearly squealed, bouncing on your toes with pure joy, but no one claimed the credit. “Oh, come on guys! Fess up, this is the sweetest thing and I need to hug somebody!”
“I’ll always give you a hug, but it wasn’t me!” Garcia came toward you with her arms outstretched, and you accepted the hug but scanned the others over her shoulder.
“Em, Jayj?” You asked, and they both shook their heads. “Boys?”
Rossi, Reid and Morgan shook theirs at well… and that only left…
Hotch.
“It wasn’t us…” Derek shrugged, glancing over his shoulder toward Hotch’s office like he also knew exactly who was responsible. “We were planning on dinner and drinks after work though, on us. You in?”
“Of course, thank you.” You smiled, “Where are we going?”
“Well, Hotch said you like that Mexican place across from the supermarket on Main and Second. Apparently, you mentioned something about the salsa being better there than anywhere else in town, and that the margaritas were excellent.” Prentiss said nonchalantly, but there was a sparkle in her eye that told you it was anything but a casual statement.
You had said something about the Mexican restaurant, to Garcia, four weeks ago. What you’d said was that the margaritas were kick ass and the salsa was fire, but you couldn’t imagine Hotch repeating that casually… excellent, however, that was all him. He’d been in the room when you said, but you could’ve sworn he was on the phone someone.
“It’s my favorite.” You murmured, once again finding yourself baffled.
You stared at those flowers all day, unable to fight your smile, even if the person responsible had yet to admit to it and was the most mysterious person you thought you’d ever met. They were beautiful, bright, colorful, and the smell of them kept your work space pleasant all day. You couldn’t believe he’d remembered the exact arrangement of flowers you’d mentioned, it'd been three months, and on top of that you hadn’t realized that he knew your birthday.
You wondered what else he noticed in his silence, the things he heard, the things he saw, and you wondered… why?
That night at the restaurant, when everyone was more than a few margaritas in, you saw Hotch leave the table and head toward the counter to pay the bill. You knew the others would split it with him the next day, but tonight they were much too drunk to comprehend the math required, even though Reid was basically a human calculator and sober. Being a few margaritas in yourself, you felt like you had the courage to seek the answers you desired, so you followed him. You were stand a few feet behind him when he finished paying and turned around.
“Are you alright?” He asked, taking in your quizzical gaze and tilting his head to mirror yours.
“Thank you for the flowers, they’re beautiful.” You said, bluntly letting him know that you knew, just to see his reaction.
“How did you know?” He asked, a soft smile pulled at his lips as surprise lit his eyes.
“One of the others would’ve taken credit for it if they’d done it. You’re the only one who wouldn’t, because you’re secretly humble, and you hate attention. You’re also the only one who hasn’t verbally told me happy birthday today, because you did it anonymously before anyone else.” You explained, reading him like a book in some aspects, but there were other things that you still didn’t understand. “Why did you choose wildflowers?”
He was quiet for a moment, studying you, determining whether or not he was going to be honest. Then he smiled again, a little wider this time, and there was a softness to it that you’d never seen before.
“Because you hate roses.” He murmured, taking a small step toward you so that his words would be private. “You love ranunculus, larkspur, sweet pea, chamomile, daisies, baby’s breath, and even wild roses, but never long stemmed ones.”
“Why do you remember that?” You whispered, tearing up just a little at the gentleness in his voice, the light in his eyes… you knew… you just wouldn’t believe it until he said it.
“For the same reason I remember that your favorite color is purple, that you don’t enjoy Thai food, that you only drink cheap red wine because the expensive brands ‘taste like dirt,’ artificial rose fragrance makes you anxious, you don’t like it when the end of your ponytail brushes the back of your neck because it gives you the chills, and you hate the way Garcia clicks her nails on the keyboard because it sets your teeth on edge.” He confessed quietly, hesitantly reaching out to tuck your hair behind your ear. “I remember because I pay attention to you.”
“Why?” You breathed, because you weren’t sure you were capable of much else.
“Because you’re worth paying attention to.” He whispered, his thumb brushing over your cheek, light as a feather.
“I think I might kiss you…” You whispered back, leaning toward him without a second thought.
“I think I’m going to let you.” He mumbled, cupping the back of your head, his fingers tangling in your hair.
When your lips met, it didn’t feel like fireworks, it didn’t feel like the perfect happy ending, it didn’t even feel magical or mysterious. Instead it felt real, it felt like a quiet beginning, it felt like butterflies and wildflowers, but most of all…
Criminal minds s3ep20 THANK FUCKING GOD! SOMEONE DOESNT ASSUME THE DEATN TAROT CARD MEANS DEATH! THANK YOU HOTCH OH MY GOD! THATS MY BIGGEST FUCKING PET PEEVE IN SHOWS AND MOVIES "ooo the death tarot card spooky" BRO SHUT UP
coin collector Hotch will always be famous to me... stare into his eyes and you can pinpoint the exact second he regrets sharing a single detail about himself
Criminal Minds Characters and their Favorite Films
**note: i couldn’t possibly attribute movies i haven’t seen or don’t know well (even if they fit better) to the characters as per my desire to pair them realistically. but feel free to express your thoughts!
• Emily Prentiss | Pretty Woman
• David Rossi | The Godfather
• Derek Morgan | The Avengers
• Alex Blake | Half Nelson
• Tara Lewis | Inception
• Jennifer Jareau | Erin Brockovich
• Aaron Hotchner | La La Land
• Matt Simmons | Mrs. Doubtfire
• Elle Greenaway | The Perks of Being a Wallflower
hiii can I request something with Hotch having a partner who's seemingly the total opposite of him.
wears bright clothing, calls everyone pet names like honey and love and dear, very openly affectionate, someone who carries more of their grief and anger internally.
maybe something angsty with how the team is confused by their relationship and the partner gets insecure, or something super cutesy if that's more the vibe you go for
Sunshine | [A.H]
Pairing: Aaron Hotchner x GN!Sunshine!Reader
WC: 0.9k
Warnings: Angst/comfort/fluff, established relationship
Summary: You're the complete opposite of Hotch, and while meeting the team for the first time everyone seems surprised at your relationship.
A/N: This is meant to be GN!Reader, but if I for some reason have written a pronoun somewhere, please let me know and I'll fix it asap. ;)
You could feel it the second you stepped into the bullpen, the way heads turned, conversations paused, and the atmosphere shifting with curiosity spread across the faces of the scattered agents.
The BAU’s office was all sharp edges and muted tones: navy suits, brisk footsteps, and low murmurs about case files, behavioral patterns, and timelines. And then there was you, in a soft pastel-colored cardigan, jeans, and a homemade floral-print tote bag, picturing the first bouquet Hotch ever gave you, hanging off your shoulder.
“Hey, honey,” you greeted cheerfully as soon as you spotted him standing by his office doorway, arms crossed, profile severe and focused as ever as he chatted with Dave, or at least you thought so, remembering the picture he had shown you of his team.
Every head in the bullpen turned at honey.
Hotch’s gaze softened just slightly when his head turned and he saw you, though most people wouldn’t have noticed the subtle change. “You’re early,” he said quietly, meeting you halfway. His tone was low, trying to keep as much privacy around you as possible.
His brows were still slightly furrowed, but you could tell by the faint twitch of his lips that he indeed was very happy to see you.
“I finished errands early, love.” You smiled up at him, brushing a bit of lint off his suit jacket like it was second nature. “Thought I’d bring you that lunch you forgot this morning.” You held up a neatly packed container.
Morgan, leaning over the edge of his desk, blinked. “That’s your partner, Hotch?”
You turned, smiling brightly. “Hi! You must be Derek. Aaron’s told me all about you.”
He grinned, leaning back in his chair. “He has, huh? Gonna have to ask what kind of stories those were.”
“Nothing bad,” you promised, laughing softly. “Mostly that you’re good at what you do and a terrible influence on Spencer's caffeine habits.”
Garcia’s voice carried over before Morgan could answer. “Oh my god, you’re adorable!” She rushed forward in a flurry of colors. “Hotch, you didn’t tell us your partner looks like they stepped out of a pastel dream!”
You giggled, cheeks flushed. Already thinking that the two of you would be great friends. “I love your outfit! Is that new?” It went on like that for a bit: Garcia showering you with compliments, Morgan teasing good-naturedly, and JJ stopping by to introduce herself.
Reid seemed shy at first, then ended up explaining some obscure psychological study about contrasting personalities and attraction, which everyone else laughed at, but you listened to with genuine interest.
Still, you caught it. The occasional glance, the subtle surprise in their expressions when you reached for Aaron’s hand, or brushed your thumb over his knuckles. It wasn’t malicious, just confusion. You weren't dumb, being with a profiler, and the chief at that, made you notice things far quicker than the average person. They couldn’t quite imagine the stoic, composed unit chief with someone so… open and colorful. So soft.
When you kissed Hotch’s cheek before leaving, the bullpen went completely silent for a second. He didn’t flinch or step away, but you felt the weight of all eyes on you.
“Bye, love,” you whispered.
“Drive safe,” he said gently.
And that was that. You walked out smiling, but the tightness in your chest didn’t fade.
By the time he came home that night, you were curled on the couch under a blanket, TV on but unwatched.
“Hey,” he greeted softly, setting his briefcase down by the door.
“Hey,” you murmured, your smile smaller this time. “How was work?”
He watched you for a moment, recognizing the change immediately.
“Quiet,” he replied. “How was your day?”
You shrugged. “Fine.”
He frowned slightly, loosening his tie. “What’s wrong?”
You hesitated. It wasn’t like you to be quiet. He sat beside you, patient as always, and that patience only made the ache worse.
“They all seemed… surprised,” you admitted finally. “That we’re together. I know it’s silly, but I could feel it. The looks, the way they asked questions, like they were trying to figure out why you’d be with someone like me.”
Hotch didn’t speak immediately. You kept going, words tumbling out softer now.
“I mean, I get it. You’re serious, reserved, respected. You're like a black cat. And I… well, I'm a golden retriever. I call people love, and bake cupcakes for my coworkers. I just—” your voice cracked faintly. “I don’t ever want to make you look unprofessional, or like you’re not taken seriously because of me.”
You expected a lecture about perception or professionalism. Instead, he took your hand, lacing his fingers through yours.
“Don’t ever think you make me look anything less than human,” he said quietly. “You don’t embarrass me, and I don’t care what anyone thinks of how different we seem.”
Your throat tightened. “But—”
He shook his head slightly. “The team sees what I want them to see. They see a side of me that has to make hard decisions, that has to stay composed, even when someone is killed right in front of them. You see the rest. The part that still believes there’s good left in the world. You remind me of it.” His thumb brushed over your knuckles. “You balance me. That’s not something I ever expected, but it’s something I’ll never take for granted.”
Tears slipped down your cheek before you could stop them. He caught one with his thumb, his expression softening even more.
“Let them wonder,” he murmured. “I don’t need them to understand us. I just need you to stay exactly as you are.”
You let out a shaky laugh. “Even with all the pet names?”
A faint smile ghosted across his lips. “Especially with the pet names.”
He leaned in, pressing his lips against your forehead with a slow and steady kiss.
“I love you,” he said simply.
“I love you too, Aaron.”
"Just keep it clean, and don't call me honey." -- A.H. @floatingthroughfandoms - Tumblr Blog | Tumgag
turnnoffyourmind
izzy806
andulkaphoto
gamechangershow
vaporwave
amandla
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ellievsbear
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kianamaiart
