Sit Down and Shut Up

Chapter 4

Coming back into consciousness all you could hear was the incessant beeping from multiple machines around you. Assuming you were in the hospital, you tried opening your eyes but they were just so heavy you couldn't get them to open. After relaxing them for a few more minutes, you tried again. This time they opened and you were met by the extreme bright lights of a hospital room. Trying to adjust your positioning in the bed you felt a shooting pain in your stomach. Looking down your body as you lay there, you could see the numerous wires attached to your body, and glancing to your right you could feel the extra weight of someone lying on your arm.

As you stirred in the bed, the person laying on you began to wake up, rubbing their stubblely chin along your arm as they lifted their head. You were met with those heavenly brown eyes, with bags so big they were probably weighing his head down. He looked like he hadn't slept in days. You couldn't help but feel slightly guilty knowing that he probably stayed with you the entire time you were at the hospital.

"Hey," you managed to croak out, your voice was so hoarse you didn't know if he would have heard you, "how long have I been in here?" You spoke more clearly this time, meeting his gaze as he stared at you intently.

"Four days. The bullet missed all major arteries but it nicked your liver so they had to cut some of it out in order to save the entire thing." Hotch clearly sounded tired and concerned for your wellbeing, you couldn't help the butterflies that appeared in your stomach as he continued to look into your eyes.

"Good thing the liver regenerates then huh? Couldn't go and let a bullet ruin my ability to outdrink you guys." You managed a small chuckle toward the end of your sentence. You could see the corners of Hotch's mouth turn up in a small smile as he glanced down at the bandage across your stomach. The smile disappeared as quickly as it came and was replaced by a look of concern, and what you almost could have mistaken as fear.

"Hey," you squeezed his hand making him look back up into your eyes, "how long have you been here? You look like you haven't slept in days."

Hotch stared longingly into your eyes as he spoke, meaning every word that left his mouth, "I haven't left your side since we got the guy. I couldn't stand the thought of losing you, knowing that we haven't even had a chance at this yet. I know it's early and we haven't even talked about what this is or what it could be, but I just couldn't leave you here by yourself. I needed to be with you. Besides, I slept for a few hours, you were the one to wake me with your incessant wiggling and moving around when you woke up" Hotch managed a light chuckle as he finished his sentence.

"I'm glad you stayed with me," you squeezed Hotch's hand again as a smile formed on your face, "it would have been crappy if I had to wake up alone, or worse, with Morgan at my side."

Hotch chuckled along with you as you joked.

"No but deadass, thank you for staying with me. You didn't have to, but I'm glad I was able to wake up to you. Once I'm not so tired and drained, we can talk about this and whatever it is." You managed to sit yourself up in the bed despite the sharp pain in your abdomen to look straight into Hotch's eyes.

"Deadass?" He asked and you nodded eagerly.

"Deadass." You repeated, the smile evident on your face.

Hotch leant in, placing his forehead against yours all the while maintaining eye contact. He lightly brushed his lips against yours before you pulled him in by the back of his neck and kissed him more forcefully. The kiss was passionate and full of love. You had never experienced a kiss so vibrant before and you never wanted it to end. Although as if on cue to ruin the moment, there was a knock on the door before a nurse walked in.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" The nurse asked.

"I've been better," you joked, "just a little sore but nothing I can't handle." You smiled up to the nurse as she inspected your wound to check how it was healing.

After giving you the 'ok' that your stitches were healing nicely, she informed both you and Hotch that the team were in the waiting room looking an update. You gave the nurse the go ahead to let the team know they could come in and see you. Before the team could rush in and bombard you with questions, Hotch leaned down and gave you a quick kiss on the lips before retaking his seat by your bed. Not a minute later the entire time walked into your hospital room. You were met with sympathetic looks before Garcia rushed over and gave you a gentle hug.

"Oh Sugar, you had us all so worried. Derek and Emily haven't left the hospital, and Hotch hasn't left your bedside" she whispered the last part so only you could hear her.

"Yeah yeah yeah Garcia, but I'm fine now, I promise!" You gave the team a huge smile trying to convince them that you were okay.

Emily glanced between you and Hotch, noticing how his gaze hadn't left you before giving you a knowing look. You rolled your eyes as she chuckled at your reaction.

"Maybe we should give Y/N some time to rest, we can bombard her again tomorrow." Emily said as the rest of the team agreed. They all said their goodbyes and gave you gentle hugs before leaving the room. Emily was the last to walk out, giving you a quick wink and nod before closing the door behind you.

Finally it was just you and Hotch again, you instantly relaxed back into the bed shutting your eyes. You could hear Hotch sigh so you opened your eyes again to see him staring at the wall. You patted the space on the bed beside you, making him look between you and the space you were patting.

"Come sit." You said to Hotch as he hesitantly stood up.

"I don't know Y/N, I don't wanna hurt you." Hotch spoke in a quiet tone, not letting his eyes deviate from yours.

"Aaron, it's fine. Come lay down, please."

Finally Hotch agreed, so you pulled the covers back moved over in the bed to make more room. He lay down beside you, putting his arm around your shoulders while you threw the blankets over the both of you. Readjusting yourself so that you could lay your head on his chest, you found yourself listening to the sound of his heartbeat.

"This is nice, I didn't think you would be the cuddle type." You joked, feeling your eyes getting heavier.

"I'm usually not, but it's different with you." Hotch mumbled.

You managed to lift your head to look at his face, seeing a tint of red on his cheeks as he looked down and smiled at you. You pecked his lips before returning your head to his chest, letting the sound of his heartbeat lull you to sleep. Hotch wasn't too far behind you

It was the best nights sleep you both had had in months.

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Hey guys!
Sorry the updates took so long, I've just been so busy as work with it being Christmas and all.

I hope y'all had a great Christmas if you celebrate it, and Happy Holidays to those of you who maybe don't.
I hope the new year brings you all joy and happiness, letting us out of the shitty one we've called 2020.

Thanks for all you're continued support. Keep voting and commenting.

Much love,
-G🤍