Change of Seasons [HotchxReader]

(10) the dog days are done

Oh no. Why isn't he saying anything? Why is he looking at you like that? Should you have been more prepared? Was it wrong to ask him spontaneously? It this whole thing stupid? It was a mistake, wasn't it? Great. Now you made an ass out of yourself. You had one shot at this, and you missed it. By a mile, apparently. He stays quiet. He's not moving. He's not giving you anything. You don't know if you should scream or cry or both.

Suddenly, Aaron smiles. You blink in surprise.

"I will be right back." He states calmly before turning around and walking back to the house.

"Aaron!" You yell, not even sure what you want to say. You're just stunned. "Is that a no?!"

There was something in his eyes you can't quite put your finger on. Surprise, sure, but maybe amusement as well? Why on earth would he be amused? A million intrusive thoughts bombard you as Aaron makes his way around the house towards the front where the cars are parked. Your eyes follow his broad figure until it disappears when he walks around the corner.

You still haven't moved. Your heart is beating in your throat, and your legs feel like they are about to give out. Barely being able to hold yourself up, you make your way across the grass. You have no idea what to do. Do you just leave? Aaron drove you here though. You really should have thought this through, shouldn't you? Apparently, you were too sure of yourself.

You stop a few feet away form the large glass doors. The team has no idea what just went down. Emily spots you: "Are you okay?" She mouths.

Numb, you nod and decide to walk along the house to lean against its wall. Head hanging down, you stare at the very expensive looking tiles of the terrasse and try to calm yourself.

You didn't hear Aaron walk up to you. He's just suddenly leaning against the wall next to you. Your shoulders touch. You involuntarily smile at the memory of the both of you standing outside the bar. Trying to be brave once more, you lift your head to look at the sky. You can even make out a few stars.

Like that night, long ago, Aaron grabs your hand. Unsure of what this means, you just hold his. He intertwines his fingers with yours.

Then, he speaks up, his voice dark and soothing: "That night we stood there, just quietly looking up at the sky...It made me feel a kind of inner peace I never felt before. It was just a moment, but it was enough. Since then, something in me knew that..." His voice quivers.

Your head shoots around and you find his eyes filled with tears. He's looking at you intently. You squeeze his hand and wait for him to continue. You're not really sure where this is going.

"I didn't realize it at the time because it was such a strange feeling. So calm. Then I saw you work. I saw how you looked at me. Then I felt you. How you touch me. How it feels to touch you...I finally realized what I felt was love that runs so deep I cannot be without it ever again."

Your chest is heaving and your hold on to Aaron with a shaking hand.

"I know I told you this before. The reason I'm saying it again, is because I wanted to ask you as well."

You furrow your eyebrows, your voice a whisper so quiet, you're not sure your even said it out loud: "Ask me what?"

Aaron lifts your hand he is holding and turns it for you to see what he was pressing to your palm the entire time. You were way too entranced by what he's saying to notice. Now, that he lets go of your hand, you see it: a ring.

Your eyes dart between the ring in your hand and Aaron's eyes. He has a smile on his lips only you get to see when he's with you and not at work. Finally, you understand what he's trying to tell you.