summary: in which y/n encourages aaron to talk about his feelings – inspired by day one of febuwhump
word count: 866
main masterlist
You sang softly as you stirred the pasta on the stove. You weren't belting, just humming quietly, lost in the simple rhythm of it, too happy that Aaron was finally coming home after a week away on a case in Wyoming.
You didn't notice the grim look on his face—sunken eyes, hollow cheeks—until it was too late. You were too caught up in the thought of him walking through the door to realize that he had already walked in.
But when you saw him, you saw him. Everything else fell away. You dropped the spoon and rushed to where he stood in the doorway, his shoulders heavy with something unspoken.
"Aar..." you mumbled, cupping his face. "Hey, what's wrong?"
You gently took his bag from his hand and guided him to the kitchen island. As he sat down, he pressed his head into his hands, and the tension in his posture was enough to make your heart ache.
"What's wrong? What happened?" you asked, more insistently this time.
He didn’t answer; just sat there, his hands hiding his face. You stood there for a moment, watching him, before gently running your fingers through his hair.
"You have a beautiful voice," he mumbled, deflecting, avoiding the question.
"You're too kind," you replied, the edge of sarcasm softening the concern in your voice. "Now tell me, are you okay?"
He sighs and is quiet for a moment. He picks his head out of his hands and looks over at me, letting me take in how disheveled he looked.
"I'm fine," He nods and rests his hands on the island.
You roll your eyes and cross your arms, giving him the look—the one that says you both know what's going on here.
He knows, and you know. The crack in his voice betrays the mask he's desperately trying to hold up. The way he avoids eye contact with you and shakes his head so you can no longer get a clear look at him.
You wouldn't say he was closed off. When he was happy or surprised or even nervous, he expressed himself with you. You were the first person he thought of when it came to expressing himself.
"I can't wait to tell her about this." "I'm so nervous, I wonder if she'll be happy."
But when it came to more negative emotions such as envy, anger, or sadness, he was quiet. He shut down completely but you were slowly breaking into his vault.
You could always tell by his voice or the look in his eyes, which is exactly why he looked away from you. His eyes were his tell when it came to you. You always knew.
"Why do you hide your sadness from me? You know and I know and I'll always find out."
You sighed and rested your hands on top of his large, warm ones.
"I don't want to spread it to you."
You were quick the shake your head and shushed him, not wanting to hear that nonsense.
"Oh stop it."
He's slow to look up but when he does, you see it all. All the tension, anger, and sadness, warring in his eyes as he looks at you. None of these emotions are toward you but it's as if he can express them as he looks at you.
"I'm just not used to it. I have to be a calm, levelheaded leader at work," He admits.
You nodded and gently rubbed his hands.
"But when you get home, you don't have to be that. So, why? Why hide yourself from me? You don't have to. You can use your vocal cords and talk to me."
"Like I said, I'm not used to it."
You nodded as you took a seat next to him.
"You've met my dad. You see how I have to practically tie him down to get a hug. Or how I won't let him leave the house without him saying he loves me back. You see how... how he doesn't express himself well," You said softly.
Aaron takes a minute, but he nods. He knows how closed off your family was to affection and sharing it. Your family loved you immensely but it wasn't in their nature to say it often and show expressions of it.
"Yeah, how he pretends he doesn't like when you hug him..." Aaron chuckled, followed by you.
"Yeah... Well, I was just like him. But then I went to therapy and realized how much I needed these things; I needed to hear my dad say that he loved me. I needed his hugs. I'm no profiler, Aar, but this is likely a result of your environment growing up. You're still strong even when you're sad.
You're still a 'man' if you're giddy and happy. You're still a good leader if you break down sometimes. And if you can't do it at work, you can always do it with me. Do you understand?"
His brown eyes shifted to look into yours and he nodded.
"Thank you," He said quietly.
His eyes were now relaxed and full of sadness and anger.
"Always," You beamed at him and patted his hands. "How about I make you some tea while I finish cooking?"
He nodded, causing you to back away from him, and walked to the cabinet and fixed him a cup of tea.
He watched on, grateful for you and grateful for his voice.
[warnings: none. i think pretty wholesome. oh jack and a new baby are included]
summary: in which y/n leaves hotch voicemails while he’s away
word count: 471
main masterlist
Night One
“Hey, sweetheart. I hope everything’s going okay and that you’re staying safe. Jack missed you a lot today—he spent half the evening drawing you a picture of our family for when you get home. He’s determined to surprise you with it. And our little one was asking for you at bedtime. They were reaching for your side of the bed like they know it’s missing something without you. I think they’re starting to understand when you’re away, which is sweet but a little heartbreaking too. Anyway, I just wanted you to know that we love you, and we can’t wait to have you back home. Sleep well if you get a chance, okay? And call us if you can. Goodnight, Aaron.”
Night Two
“Hi, love. I don’t want to bother you if you’re resting, but I just wanted to hear your voice. It’s been a long day here, but Jack was such a trooper—he had his first soccer game, and he scored a goal! He kept saying, ‘Dad would have cheered the loudest,’ and you know what? He’s probably right. You’re on his mind a lot, even though he’s trying to be brave. And our little one fell asleep holding onto one of your old shirts. They wouldn’t let go, like they can feel you in it. It makes me feel close to you too, somehow. I hope you’re holding up, my love. I miss you so much. We’ll be here, waiting. Goodnight, sweetheart.”
Night Three
“Hey, baby. Just wanted to say goodnight. Jack’s out cold after an evening of running around like a maniac—he wanted to show our little one how to play hide and seek. They kept calling your name like they thought you’d pop up in the next hiding spot. They both miss you so much, but I think it’s safe to say I might miss you even more tonight. I’m keeping the bed warm, and your pillow’s already waiting for you. Sleep tight if you can, and remember we’re all sending you so much love. Goodnight, Aaron. Dream of coming home to us soon.”
Night Four
“Hi, honey. It’s me again. I know it’s silly, but I can’t help leaving these voicemails. It makes me feel like I’m tucking you in from afar. Jack fell asleep with a book he swears he’s saving to read with you. And the little one was asking for ‘Da-da’ all night, every time they woke up. We’re all counting down the days, my love. This house feels a little emptier without you, but we’ll fill it up with love until you’re back. Goodnight, my heart. Be safe, and know we’re waiting right here, just as you left us. All my love.”
[AN: had this idea while on my road trip. hope you guys enjoy. and of course, the link to my taglist]
summary: in which y/n is grateful for aaron's experiences – inspired by all of the girls you loved before by taylor swift
word count: 773
main masterlist
You've heard the stories before, the whispered mentions of the women that had come before you. Each one left a mark on him, a trace you sometimes wondered if you could see in the way he moved, the way he held you when you felt his steady hands against your back. Aaron Hotchner didn't often talk about them, but in the quiet moments, their presence lingered like a ghost in the room, a history you couldn't touch but could feel.
It wasn't jealousy, exactly. It was more the weight of knowing you weren't his first love, that he had lived entire lifetimes before you. Maybe you'd catch him staring off into the distance, his jaw tight as memories flickered across his face. You never pried, though the questions sometimes bubbled at the back of your throat. He would have told you if he wanted to, you reminded yourself.
But tonight was different. Tonight, something between you shifted.
You were sitting together on the porch, the soft hum of autumn night air around you, the distant sounds of traffic on the street below a low murmur. The team was away on a case, but for once, he wasn't. He had stayed behind, citing exhaustion, though you knew it wasn't just about fatigue. He needed time. Space. And you were here for him, silently offering the support he rarely let himself ask for.
Aaron sipped his drink, his fingers grazing the glass as he looked out into the darkened sky. You followed his gaze, wondering where his mind had drifted this time. His silence wasn't unusual, but there was a tension tonight that made the air between you feel thicker than usual. Finally, he spoke, his voice soft, like he wasn't sure he was ready for the words.
"I don't think I've ever told you about Haley."
His ex-wife. You'd heard her name before, of course, but he rarely mentioned her. Even now, years after her death, the grief still hung in his eyes when he did. You turned slightly, giving him your full attention, heart tightening as you prepared yourself for whatever he needed to say.
"She was... everything to me. For a long time." He let out a breath, his thumb tracing the rim of his glass. "And when I lost her, I didn't think I could feel that way again. About anyone."
You didn't speak, just listened, knowing this wasn't something you could fix. This was something he had to let out, piece by piece.
"I wasn't looking for this, for us." His eyes met yours, and for a moment, the world stopped turning. "But somehow, you're here."
He shifted, setting his drink aside and taking your hand in his. His fingers were warm against yours, grounding you as his gaze softened, the weight of years of pain and love swirling in his eyes.
"I used to think the past would always have this hold on me, that I'd never be able to let go of all the girls I loved before. But then I realized... they led me here. To you."
Your breath caught, the weight of his words pressing into your chest. You didn't need him to explain further. You knew what he meant—that every love, every loss, every heartbreak had shaped him into the man sitting beside you. And somehow, through all of it, he had found his way to you.
He squeezed your hand, a silent reassurance that he was here, with you, now.
"I don't regret any of it," he continued, his voice quieter now. "Because without it, I wouldn't have you. And that's something I wouldn't trade for anything."
The tears welled in your eyes before you could stop them, the emotion of his confession wrapping around your heart. You'd always known there was a part of him that would forever belong to the past, to Haley, to the life he had before. But now, hearing him say it, you realized it wasn't about competing with those memories. It was about understanding that you were part of his story now, a chapter he hadn't expected but cherished all the same.
You leaned in, resting your head on his shoulder as he pulled you closer, the unspoken understanding settling between you. There was no need for more words, not tonight. You both knew that love wasn't about erasing the past—it was about accepting it, embracing it, and realizing that every step along the way had led to this moment.
And in that moment, you realized something too.
You were glad for all the girls he loved before, because without them, without everything he had been through, you might never have found your way to him.
And now that you had, you weren't going to let go.
[AN: oh hey... I think I'm going to do febuwhump to get out of my writing slump. I'll keep you guys updated. I also have a ko-fi account now??? no pressure but it's link in my navigation and here! and of course... my taglist. lmk your thoughts. love you byeee]
