Hotchniss One-Shots

Parenting

"What are they doing?" Hotch asked his wife, his eyes narrowing slightly in curiosity.

"Don't look at me like that," Emily retorted, shaking her head with an amused smile.

"Like what?" Aaron asked, genuinely confused, though there was a softness to his gaze that made Emily's heart flutter.

"Like I'm supposed to know what they're doing," she replied, letting out a small sigh while Aaron's smile deepened.

From the other side of the room, Layla's loud, carefree laughter pulled the couple out of their trance.

"Don't drop me!" the girl shouted, her voice full of both laughter and fake panic.

"Calm down," her boyfriend said, steadying her with a firm, careful grip. "I've got you."

Emily leaned closer to Aaron, her voice a whisper. "They're ridiculous."

Aaron chuckled, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "Not as ridiculous as you," he teased softly, the warmth in his tone making her smile.

Emily nudged him gently. "Excuse me?"

"Come on," he said, shrugging with mock innocence. "You know exactly what I mean."

They watched in quiet amusement as Layla giggled, clinging lightly to her boyfriend as he spun her slowly, making her squeal with delight. Emily couldn't help the fond, soft smile that spread across her face—seeing young love so carefree reminded her of their own early days, except... theirs was a little more complicated.

Aaron's hand brushed against hers, a small, grounding touch. "We should... check on them," he murmured, though neither of them moved immediately. They stayed side by side, watching, enjoying the rare quiet moment together.

Emily's eyes softened. "I'm glad we're here," she whispered.

Aaron leaned just a little closer, his arm brushing hers. "Me too," he said softly. "Me too."

Emily watched Layla's boyfriend spin her carefully, her laughter ringing through the room. "Honestly," she murmured, "they make it look so easy."

Aaron's hand found hers again, squeezing lightly. "Some things do come naturally," he said, his voice low, just for her.

Emily smirked, nudging him. "You mean you and me?"

He glanced at her, eyebrows raised, lips twitching in a barely-there smile. "Something like that," he murmured, leaning closer just enough for her to feel the warmth of his chest.

From across the room, Layla nearly toppled over from laughing too hard. Her boyfriend caught her expertly, steadying her with a grin. "See?" he called, "I've got this."

Emily chuckled softly, shaking her head. "I hope she realizes how lucky she is," she whispered to Aaron.

Aaron's thumb brushed over the back of her hand. "She does," he replied quietly, the tone more intimate than necessary, but Emily felt it, appreciated it.

The girl squealed again, pretending to fall, and Aaron and Emily shared a quiet laugh. "Maybe we should give them a little privacy," Emily suggested, though she didn't move.

"Or maybe we just enjoy watching them for a few more minutes," Aaron said, leaning his head slightly toward hers, their shoulders brushing.

Emily laughed, resting her head just lightly against his arm. "You're impossible," she whispered, though her voice was warm.

"And you love it," he murmured back, brushing his fingers against hers again.

For a moment, the room was filled with the sound of young laughter, quiet murmurs, and the soft closeness between Aaron and Emily. Watching Layla and her boyfriend, they felt like witnesses to something pure, while quietly acknowledging the strength of their own bond—the secret warmth they carried, just between them.