Say It (Hotch x Reader)// ✔

Roses/Lotus/Violet/Iris

Summary:

A robbery-homicide takes you to N.Y, thinking Reus is behind it all. Meanwhile, being around Hotch while working with the BAU, your own team nearby, is tough.

Notes:

Hey y'all! quick preface - this chapter (as mentioned before) and case is very heavily based on Elementary's Snow Angels episode (season 1 episode 19), quite straightforwardly, a rip off 😝 because my brain cannot conjure up case storylines but! hope you all still enjoy.

Yearning is back in style babey 🥵 (also some fluff ahead)

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The first text on your phone is from Martins and it brings you back to the BAU offices. He'd mentioned that NYPD had suspicions that Reus was behind a robbery-homicide that occurred just last night.

When you're in the bullpen you see nobody around. It's dead quiet. Your eyes go on instinct to Hotch's office where only a lampshade is lit on. You turn to leave but somehow, he's already noted you.

"Y/N-" he calls, now standing below the doorframe. "Good morning. Could we have a word?"

Your legs move on their own volition – your mind still struck by his actions last night, and the memories that had placated your dreams. Hotch doesn't move from the door as you walk in, the distance between you two not even trying to be within the confines of professional.

"I'm sorry about last night" he says right away, not wanting to beat around the bush. And you're struck.

"Haley's parents showed up last night wanting to talk about Jack. It was a very long discussion."

Haley's parents. And they probably blame him too – for his lifestyle, his work, their divorce, and most definitely Foyet . Your mouth falls open, wanting to say something, but his hand clasps your elbow lightly.

"I am really sorry for casting you away, I shouldn't have- "

You shake your head- now everything making absolute sense. Even Jessica being there and her face falling when you'd asked for Hotch under the justification of work. Probably not helping his case.

"Hotch, it's fine. Are you okay?"

He takes a deep breath. You note now what you'd witnessed also yesterday – the deep scowl, his tired frown and the dark-purple set circles under his eyes. You can tell when he hasn't slept or when his mind has been restlessly running.

"Yes, it's not the first time" he says and you inch closer, your fingers looping around his. The small squeeze is not enough for the comfort you want to offer but it seems to relax him. There's the tiniest release in the lines between his eyebrows and you're glad.

"If you want to talk about it-"

"Thanks" he says, his hand on your elbow running smoothly down to your knuckles.

There's movement outside that flips a switch for you both – separating you at once. You cast a glance towards the open door but there's nobody in the bullpen – probably just the printers or the usual noise from the elevators whirring. The fear of being discovered is still there though. He returns to his desk, picking up the to-go bag,

"We should talk about the team" he says then, rehashing your own proposal from last night: navigating working together. Unbeknownst to him stuff had changed since then. There was Penelope, David Rossi and even Spencer Reid already on the know. And these were only the people who explicitly confirmed it.