"explosive chemistry"
Jack hodgins x reader
Warnings - none
You had been having one of those days where everything felt off. It wasn’t anything big, but a series of small things added up. By the time you were in the lab, you were feeling worn out.
Hodgins noticed. Of course, he did. He was always attuned to the smallest shifts in the atmosphere, especially when it came to you.
"Hey," he said softly, pulling you out of your thoughts as he handed you a coffee. "You okay?"
You took the cup, grateful for the gesture. "Just a rough day."
He nodded, his usual enthusiasm replaced with a rare seriousness. "Want to talk about it?"
You shrugged, unsure of where to start. "It’s nothing. Just... stuff piling up."
Hodgins tilted his head, looking at you with a softness that wasn’t often there when he was focused on his bugs or the latest scientific discovery. He reached out, lightly touching your arm, his fingers warm against your skin. "I get it. Sometimes everything feels like it’s too much. But, you know, you're not in this alone."
You met his gaze, his brown eyes steady and understanding. "Thanks, Hodgins."
He smiled, a little sheepish but genuine. "I’ve got your back, always. And if you ever need a distraction, I’ve got plenty of experiments that could use your brilliant mind."
You smiled for the first time that day, feeling a bit lighter. "I might take you up on that."
Hodgins grinned, his usual mischievous glint returning to his eyes. "Best decision you'll ever make."
And just like that, the weight of the day felt a little more bearable, knowing he was there.