medical
medical wake up in the hospital and find them holding their hand.
the GLARE of the florescent lights behind closed eyelids is too familiar, along with the ache of his body, the confusion swirling his thoughts, and the sharp smell of antiseptic. aaron knew he was in the hospital. he feels the warmth of someone’s hand in his and gives a squeeze. hotch hears a gasp of surprise, but he still can’t pry his eyes open. ❝hayley?❞ his voice is a rasp. he tries to remember what’s happened, how he got to the hospital, but there’s nothing but darkness. the soft voice that gives a hesitant response doesn’t belong to his WIFE… his ex-wife? in a moment everything rushes back, like the tide returning too swiftly to an unprepared shore. he forces his eyes open, forces his thought back into reality, ❝emily,❞ there’s a sudden edge of DESPERATION in his voice, as he watches her features come into focus for just a second, fear coiling in his chest. ❝i didn’t mean…❞ a cough takes hold of him and all he can do is ride it out with a groan. every muscles in his body protesting. he makes himself breathe and squeezes her hand, worried she might try to withdraw it. ❝please,❞ he doesn’t have the energy to FIGHT and he can’t stop as his body relaxes back against the hospital bed. he’s losing consciousness again and he can’t struggle against it. would she still be here when he woke up? he has to tell her, ❝emily,❞ another shallow breath as the darkness encroaches on his vision. ❝ i love you. ❞ he can only hope the words were spoken and that she hears them as he drifts off. he couldn’t lose her too. @mindlaw | nonverbal ( accepting )