The Set Up

Success

Reid's POV
Over the next few months Hotch and I grow a littler closer through the team's monthly dinners.

Morgan's POV
We are all at Rossi's talking about Hotch and Reid. JJ say "guys are you sure this is working?"
Emily say doubtfully "we still don't know if they're straight or gay".
I say "this could be our last dinner before Christmas".
Rossi says "they could spend Christmas together, it's next week".
Garcia says "you never know, they're definitely a lot closer now".
"Let them with time, they could get together on their own" Rossi says.

Reid's POV
I stare at the blood, it's picked up to a steady flow and I squeeze my eyes shut quickly before wrapping my waist. I slip on a chocolate brown button down, tight black jeans, and converse. I slip on my black peacoat and grab my keys and wallet. We all go the same pub every time we go out so I decide to walk. It's a Friday night in the winter, it's basically impossible to get a cab, it's cold and not too far from my house. I'm the last to show up and the only open seat at our regular table is the seat is next to Hotch. I come in shivering and everyone makes a big fuss over me.
I sit next to Hotch and he says "god Reid! You're freezing!"
I give them all a small smile and say "it's not to bad after a bit".
Garcia rolls her eyes and says "you look like an ice cube, why didn't you drive?"
I say "my car hasn't been working, I think it's the cold and it's basically impossible to get a cab on a Friday night in the winter."
Hotch frowns and says "you should have called, I pass your apartment."
I say "it's fine".
He rolls his eyes and says "I'm driving you home".
I sigh and say "okay, thanks".
He says "no problem" and we all get drinks. I get a water like always and so does Hotch, he doesn't always get a water and when he gets a beer he never drinks it. I haven't said anything but I have noticed, I've become a lot calmer around him...well just better at faking it. He's also much calmer, he isn't as tense anymore. The night goes smoothly and we laugh and talk until we decide to head to the park. It started to snow when we were in the pub, it's still snowing as we leave the pub. I let out a small gasp of pain when I accidentally get my waisted bumped by Morgan's elbow, he says a quick sorry but is to deep in the conversation with JJ. I try and hide the pain and we head out to the park.
I lag behind a little bit, right after we enter the park Hotch drops back with me and ask "are you okay?"
I hear the worry in his voice and say "yeah..."
He gives me a suspicious look and I shake my head and avoid eye contact. I feel his hand carefully rest on my back and we stop. He says "Reid, you know you can tell me anything".
I don't look up and I say "Hotch..."
He says quietly "yes Reid".
I say so quiet I don't think he hears me, I say "I'm scared".
The rest of the team is around the corner and out of sight by now. He wraps his arms around me and we hug, I can feel both of our hearts racing. The snow falls gently around us. His heart is probably racing from the cold, my because I'm hugging my boss that I've had a major crush on forever. When we break apart he asks "do you want to talk more later?"
I nod and mumble "a little".
He rubs my back and says "okay, come on Reid."
We go catch up and join the team and I don't think they noticed. We all walk and chat a little before we head back to the cars and head home. Hotch drops off Rossi and then he parks in front of my apartment. I ask "do you want to come inside?" He nods and we head upstairs, my apartment is on the fourth floor and there's books everywhere in my apartment. I open the door and let him in, I close the door behind us and we sit on the couch quietly. I ask quietly "what do I do?"
He says equally quiet "I don't know. I don't know how to help you. I don't know what you need help with".
"Hotch, I'm..." I want to come out to him but I've never come out to anyone before, ever. I don't know how long we sit on the couch in silence before I say extremely quiet "I'm gay". I whispered so quietly that I don't think he heard me. I stare at my lap and wait. He gently takes my chin and tilts my head so I'm looking him in the eyes. At first I think he's about to say something but instead he leans forward and gently kisses me. His lips are soft and sweet, the kiss is filled with care and compassion.
It's a short kiss and when it breaks he says quietly "so am I". We kiss again deeply and I basically melt into his arms. When we both are forced to break for air he adjusts his hold and accidentally presses against my waist. I hiss in pain and he says extremely worried "what?"
I hide my face in his chest and say, my voice muffled by his chest, "I can't Hotch".
He tilts my head up and gently kisses me before saying "Aaron".
I whisper "Aaron".
He kisses me again and says "I love you spencer".
I kiss him back and say "I love you too Aaron". I quietly add "you won't love me".
He holds me and rocks me and says "shhh spence, I will always love you, I have since I've known you". I feel his hands gently rest on my waist and he whispers "can I?" I nod the smallest bit and then he whispers "lay down, it's okay".
He stands so I can lay down before he straddles me, he slowly unbuttons my shirt but doesn't pull it open. When he catches a glimpse of the gauze he says "oh Spencer".
I shut my eyes and he gently pushes my shirt to the side to reveal my chest. The gauze is stained a dark red on each side and I say quietly "I'm so sorry Aaron, I'm so sorry".
He kisses me gently and then unwraps the gauze to show the deep red cuts from earlier and the scars under them. His hand hovers over my waist and he asks "spencer?" I nod and I tense when his fingers lightly touch my side. He gently touches a fresh cut and I squeeze my eyes shut. He gently lays a hand on the side of my face and says "I love you".
I shake my head and whisper "how?" He kisses me delicately and when the kiss ends he places the lightest kisses on my neck and down my chest and on my sides. When he kisses a cut I tense and he's lips stay on the cut. Once I relax a little he says against my skin, "I love you" he kisses the cut again and adds "all of you".
He moves back up to my lips and kisses me deeply and passionately. I feel his tongue on my lower lip, I don't want to because I'm scared but I open my lips the smallest bit for him. His tongue slips into my mouth and gently guides mine, his hands tangle in my hair and I have my arms around his waist.
When we break for air he rests his head against mine and I say quietly "can we please....take it slow".
He kisses my forehead and says "absolutely spencer".
We don't even bother going to my bed, instead we fall asleep curled up on the couch.