Criminal Minds One-Shots

a Subtle Change

The BAU office was buzzing with its usual frenetic energy, but today felt different. Aaron Hotchner sat at his desk, poring over case files, yet there was an unmistakable shift in his demeanor. His colleagues exchanged glances, sensing that something was off—not in his actions or words, but something deeper.

"Hey, Hotch," Derek Morgan said casually as he passed by. "You good?"

"Just fine," Hotch replied, but the tightness in his jaw suggested otherwise.

It had been weeks since the near-fatal incident involving the car bomb. Although physically he seemed to have recovered, the emotional toll lingered. But today, it wasn't the trauma weighing on him; it was something more subtle.

As the day wore on, Penelope Garcia emerged from her Bat Cave, her vibrant energy lighting up the office. She made her way to Hotch, who was still engrossed in his work. With a smile, she surprised him with a quick hug.

"You smell different, boss man. Why do you smell different?" she asked, pulling back to study him.

"Maybe he changed cologne?" Spencer Reid chimed in from his spot at the table, glancing up from his notes.

"Or..." Garcia's eyes widened, her excitement bubbling over. "He isn't wearing any!"

Hotch raised an eyebrow, intrigued by their sudden interest. "I decided to skip it today," he said, shrugging it off.

Garcia's eyes sparkled with realization. "Wait a minute! You know Y/N from Legal is allergic to all perfumes and colognes, right? You're going to see her after your shifts end!"

Hotch's expression softened slightly at the mention of Y/N. He'd been drawn to her since their first meeting, and knowing about her allergies had always stuck with him. "Yeah, I guess I just thought it would be considerate."

"Considerate or romantic?" Derek teased, leaning against the wall with a smirk.

"It's just... practical," Hotch replied, trying to maintain his usual stoic facade, but he felt warmth creeping into his cheeks.

"Come on, Hotch! We all know you've got a soft spot for her," Garcia said, practically bouncing with enthusiasm. "This is so cute! I mean, you're really going to see her after work? That's big!"

"I just want to check in on her," he said, avoiding their teasing gazes. "It's been a while."

"Uh-huh," Derek said, crossing his arms. "And you're trying to impress her by not smelling like a cologne counter?"

Hotch sighed, a hint of a smile breaking through. "Let's focus on the case, shall we?"

"Sure, but just remember," Garcia said, grinning, "you can't hide behind your 'workplace cushion' forever. You'll have to let her know how you feel!"

As the teasing continued, Hotch felt a rush of warmth at the thought of Y/N. He admired her dedication and kindness, and the way she always managed to make the long hours in the office feel a little less grueling. The idea of being thoughtful for her sake filled him with a rare sense of lightness.

The day flew by, and as the clock struck five, Hotch gathered his things. He was ready for a quick chat with Y/N before she had to officially clock in for her overnight shift. Being born and raised in Malborne, and only moving to America three years ago at 25, Y/N was still getting used to the so called' reversed days'. So, it was easier for her to clock in for her flexible 40 hour weeks after everyone else in her department was already clocking out. This also made to so the BAU always had someone on call in legal should something go sideways on a case

When he arrived at the legal department, he found Y/N surrounded by piles of paperwork. She looked up, her expression brightening instantly.

"Hotch! What a nice surprise!" she said, her smile infectious.

"Thought I'd come by and see how you were doing," he said, the sincerity evident in his voice.

"You smell... different," she remarked, tilting her head curiously.

"I'm trying to be considerate," he replied, his tone gentle. "I know about your allergies."

She smiled warmly, the kind that made his heart race. "I appreciate that. It's thoughtful of you." Y/N said with a cheeky smile Hotch was easily able to profile as a way to 'mask' her nerves. "Won't you stay for a Cuppa? I've got a few before i have to clock in."

The hope in Y/N's voice didn't get past Aaron as he silently settled into his normal spot next to Y/N's desk, ready to take her up on her usual offer of a coffee and a chat as she gets settled in for the night. If the team knew just how often he really did this, he wouldn't hear the end of the teasing for months.

In that moment, surrounded by nighttime silence that was drastically different from the chaos of his own day, Hotch felt a connection deepen. Perhaps it was the absence of cologne or the sincerity in their conversation, but something about this moment felt significant.