I Felt A Million Things When I First Met You – Emily Prentiss/Clara Seger.
The one where Emily finally comes clean about just how come Clara’s always so willing to help. Written for Criminal Minds Pride hosted by @the-guilty-writer .
“What did you want to tell us Emily?” Of course it’s JJ who asks, Emily thinks, tightening her grip on Clara’s hand when Clara squeezes her thigh gently under the table, a promise not to bolt no matter how this goes. She’s hidden this too long, the group deserve to know. The gathering of her team and their families makes this harder than she expected and she takes a breath. “Okay so… I’m… just going to say it.” A breath. “I’m a lesbian… and I’ve been dating Clara for the last… seven or so years.” Silence. She hates it and her grip tightens further even as Mae finally breaks the silence, the one friend Clara had brought for support. “Well, that makes… sense.” A pause. “Clara… why didn’t you tell me?” “It’s… not like it’s easy to say?” Clara murmurs and Mae sighs, rolling her eyes and hugging Clara tightly before moving to hug Emily. “Well, I’m happy for you.” The words seem to shake something loose and Clara smiles slightly, relaxing. Of course, not everyone keeps up to the point. Matt breaks the silence a little. “So…. Clara… didn’t you… have a husband?” “Bi women aren’t unicorns Matt.” Kristy. Matt’s wife. Kristy breaks into his comment and smacks his arm lightly. “You married one, remember idiot?”
Matt has the good grace to blush and smile a little.
“Yeah, yeah of course. Sorry. Didn’t really… think.”
His smile widens when Clara rolls her eyes and he moves to hug both Emily and Clara.
“Good for you.”
Slowly but surely things filter through and JJ moves to join them last, her voice low.
“Can… can we talk? Em?”
“Of course.”
Emily smiles and Clara smiles, accepting JJ’s hug before excusing herself to get to know the rest of Emily’s team better.
“You… think you could help me find… Elle?”
JJ’s request is so soft Emily smiles and nods.
“I can try… last I heard she’d found someone but… I can try.”
Later, much later, JJ would open her door to Elle on her doorstep, her eyes widening a little before she pulls Elle closer, laughing softly when Elle’s voice is soft but warm.
“The one person? Was Clara… I’m all yours if you want me.”
