Team Bonding [reader x spencer x hotch]

34-til death do us part

Standing in your kitchen, you leaned forward and opened the window that sat above the sink. You gazed out of it and stared in awe at the Italian countryside in front of you. Taking in a deep breath of the fresh air, you felt your shoulders relax and you shut your eyes.

They opened a few moments later to the sound of the front door opening and an "I'm home!"

Hotch entered the kitchen and set a small bag of groceries on the counter. He walked over to behind you and wrapped his arms around your waist, resting his head on your shoulder. He gave you a kiss on the cheek, "How was your day?"

You smiled and leaned gently back against him, "It was good, I went to see that new art gallery I was telling you about."

"Oh yeah?"

"Mhm"

You unpacked the bag he recently brought inside and got out a cutting board. You told him more about the art, then he talked about his walk to the farmers market while putting a pot of water on the stove. The conversation continued as you grabbed ingredients and he put pasta in the pot. One of your favorite traditions the two of you had made was having pasta and eating dinner outside every Sunday.

As you chopped up basil and garlic, you admired the diamond that sat on your left ring finger.

It had been 6 months since you moved from DC to Tuscany, Italy. When the team heard the news about Hotch leaving, they were upset but understood because of the circumstances with Jack. When it came to you though, they begged you to stay. It broke your heart to know you couldn't tell them the truth about leaving, but you did what you had to to protect Aaron.

The move wasn't nearly as hard as you expected it to be, you made sure to only bring the essentials. Between you and Hotch, you had enough money saved up to live comfortably for a few years. Still, you both planned to get jobs within the next few months.

The hardest part was not having Jack there with you. After talking to Jessica multiple times, the three of you worked out an agreement. Every winter you and Hotch would go back to Virginia and stay with them over the holidays. It would allow you to see Jack, your family, and your friends from the BAU. In return, Jack would spend the summer in Europe with you two.

As for Spencer, you didn't try to forget him like you thought you would. The last time you saw him, he apologized for hurting you and acting the way he did. He said there was nothing he wanted more than for you to be happy. You knew a part of you would always love him, but you also knew you weren't meant to be together. Leaving on good terms made you feel better—it reassured you that the Spencer Reid you had been friends with for so many years was still there, and that was the version of him you chose to remember.

The food was ready now, and you poured two glasses of wine while Hotch filled your plates with food. The two of you walked outside and sat at the table on your back porch.

You sat there eating, drinking, talking, and watching the sunset over the rolling grass hills. You observed the way Aaron's face moved when he talked, the way the golden light reflected on his skin, the hand gestures he made, and all the mannerisms you had fallen in love with.

He stopped for a minute when he noticed you watching him, "What?"

You let out a small laugh and shook your head, "Nothing." You leaned across the table and kissed him on the lips, while one of his hands reached out to hold your cheek. "I love you Aaron, there's nobody I'd rather be here with."

"I love you too, y/n." He started kissing you again and like so many other times, your mind went blank at his touch.

You sat there kissing him, consumed by the love you felt for each other, excited for the possibilities of the future. Because you knew that wherever life took you, it would be perfect as long as you were with him.

The End