∗ ࣪ ˖༺ violent delights ༻˖ ࣪ ∗

cry

we touched down in quantico late, and the exhaustion hit all of us the moment our feet hit the ground. will was there to meet jj at the airport, his arms wide open as she practically melted into him. the sight made me smile, happy for her, even though a small pang of grief and sadness tugged at my chest. emily and spencer left together, both realizing recently that they lived just a block apart. i knew their cab ride home would be filled with chatter about books or the latest indie film. garcia had already disappeared—she never sticks around long after we land, especially when it's dark out. morgan, with his tired eyes and stiff posture, drove home straight from the airport.

that left me and hotch. we both had unfinished business at the bau, him with his endless paperwork and me with... well, nothing. it wasn't like i had anything or anyone to rush home to. we grabbed a ride back together, the office quiet as we walked in. hotch headed straight for his office, the glow of his desk lamp illuminating the stacks of files that seemed to never end. i stood there for a moment, watching him settle in, his expression already tense from the weight of responsibility.

i knocked on his door softly. "hey," i mumbled, taking a seat across from him as he pushed a stack of files aside. "you planning on staying long?" i asked, leaning back in the chair that was far too stiff to be comfortable.

"i have to get these done by monday. strauss will be expecting them." his voice was weary, the fatigue evident in every word. "let me help." i offered. anything was better than going home to my quiet, lonely apartment. he shook his head, resisting. "no, no. it's alright. get home, get some sleep."

"i don't mind," i insisted. "it's not like i have anything better to do. i'd just be ordering in thai and watching bad soaps." i smiled, trying to make light of it. after a moment, he relented, handing me a small pile of files. i smirked and grabbed a few more. the hours passed quicker than i thought they would, the two of us working in silence, the occasional conversation breaking the quiet. we talked about cases, about jack—how proud hotch was of him, how fast he was growing up. i could see the pain in his eyes when he mentioned jack, the toll that the separation from him and haley's divorce was taking on him. 

by the time i finished my last file, my hand ached from writing, my back sore from sitting in the hard chair for so long. i stretched, glancing at the clock. it was late. really late. "see?" i teased, smiling at him. "if i hadn't stayed, you'd be here all night." "thank you," he said, his voice sincere as he signed the last paper. "really, thank you."

"anytime," i shrugged. "it's better than being at home." the words slipped out too casually, and i saw the flicker of concern in his eyes. "i'm sorry." he murmured, his brow furrowed slightly.

i waved it off, shaking my head. "no don't be, it's late, and i'm just... tired, i don't know what i'm saying." i stood up, stretching my stiff legs. "you didn't have to stay," hotch said again, gratitude heavy in his voice. "this wasn't your responsibility." "it was no problem," i replied. "you'll be okay getting home? it's pretty late." i added, offering a ride just in case.

"i'll be fine," he assured me, standing as well, his exhaustion showing in his posture. "thank you, though. i'll see you in the morning, madelyn."

we shared a small smile, the kind that lingers for just a moment before the weight of reality sets back in. as we parted ways at the elevator, the late-night quiet of the bau seemed heavier, more isolating. i watched the doors close behind him, feeling the distance between us, even though we'd just spent hours side by side. 

i get home, the lights from the city glowing into my apartment. i flop down on the couch, kicking off my heeled boots. suddenly my phone dings. i check the screen, it's hotch. 'thank you again for staying. i meant to ask you today, but strauss had assigned me to interview an inmate on death row in north carolina. she asked me to pick a member of the team to accompany me. if you are interested, be at the office for 9 a.m. bring a bag for at least two days. i will have the case files ready for you to review in the car.' he texts.