champagne problems x jemily/hotchniss

nine

I'm meh about this chapter but were in the process of going from Jemily to Hotchniss and i'm excitedddd. i love both ships so it'll be interesting to write both. and no, i'm not going to spoil anything about this book on social media or through private messages. you'll have to see!😚

happy readings and stay safe besties! -salem🤍

TW: swearing, angst, jealousy
word count: 3855

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Spencer: "People start to heal the moment they feel heard." Cheryl Richardson.

Emily walked into the BAU with a heavy sigh. She didn't want to come to work today after what happened last week with JJ. She set down her coffee and croissant that she got for herself. Emily wanted today to start off well. A little pastry never hurt anyone. The raven-haired woman sat down at her desk and took a bite of the pastry. She shut her eyes, a moment's peace like this is sometimes all you need.

"Good morning," Hotch said from behind her. The man smiled softly at Emily.

"Good morning, Hotch," Emily said back and smiled at him. The man walking right past her and up the stairs to his office. Emily's eyes shifted down to her work before going back up to Hotch. She grabbed her coffee and croissant and walked up to his office. She knocked twice, causing him to look up. "Hey, do you have a minute?"

"Yeah, what's going on?" Hotch asked and gestured for her to sit down. Emily shut the door behind her and sighed as she sat down. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I just needed to talk. You did say you were a good listener," Emily said and chuckled. Hotch smiled back at her.

"Good, I've needed to do an assessment on you," Hotch said and grabbed a pen. Emily furrowed her eyebrows. "I'm kidding. I just need to make sure you're okay."

"Your sense of humor is starting to unravel," Emily said and rolled her eyes. Hotch chuckled as he set his pen down. The two just stared back at the other, waiting for someone to make a move. "I would appreciate it if everyone around here stops talking to me like a five-year-old throwing a temper tantrum. I've had the rest of last week and the weekend to cool down. I'm okay now. I just hate everyone calling and texting and showing up at my apartment, asking if I'm okay when I'm perfectly fine. That includes in the office too."

"I'll make you a deal. I'll stop talking to you like a five-year-old throwing a temper tantrum on one condition," Hotch said. Emily took another bite out of her croissant and nodded. "You're going to feel fine around her for the first couple of days. Maybe you'll go the rest of the week. But when you're having a bad day, you just let me know."

"That's it?" Emily questioned and raised her eyebrows. Hotch nodded. "That went a lot better than I expected."

Emily turned her attention to the bullpen. JJ, Spencer, Morgan, and Garcia all walked in together. The sight of the four of them brought a smile to Emily's face. Her thoughts were slowly taking over—the what if's and if only's taking her vision of the four for a turn. Hotch noticed and shuffled his chair, gaining Emily's attention.

"Do you need me to do anything?" Hotch asked and tilted his head slightly. Emily had tears in her eyes already. She hated how her emotions got the best of her sometimes. Hotch didn't say anything as he stood up and sat at the edge of his desk. "I can get you another croissant or maybe a coffee?"

"I'd ask for a hug, but you don't seem like the hugging type," Emily said jokingly and wiped her tear away. Hotch sighed softly and held his hand out for Emily. The raven-haired woman furrowed her eyebrows as she took it. He stood her up and wrapped his arms around her waist. Emily being taken back slightly, but she was moved by the gesture and wrapped her arms around his neck. Emily shut her eyes as she felt Hotch rub her back soothingly. The two's bodies were melting perfectly together in the hug. It was like Emily's body was the mold that was needed to complete Hotch. It was a strange feeling, to say the least. Emily just relaxed into the peculiar new comfort she found in Hotch. "Thank you."