Criminal Minds One-Shots

The Mountian and his Man

The BAU team had seen Aaron Hotchner’s serious, composed side for years—no surprises there. But when it came time for their regular team dinner, Hotch was the one to host this week. They arrived at his house expecting the usual: a clean, modest meal served with a side of serious conversation. What they didn’t expect was the towering presence of a man nearly a foot taller than Hotch, with wild red-orange hair cascading down his back.

Carlisle "Chucky" Montgomery, Aaron’s boyfriend, was sitting on the couch in the living room when the team walked in. At 6'8" and built like a wall of muscle, he looked every bit the intimidating force that his position as a left tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers demanded. His broad frame took up more space than the couch could provide, but he looked utterly at ease. His wild hair, so often a running joke among his friends—his hair being the reason behind his long-standing nickname of 'Chucky' because it reminded them of the wild mane of the voodoo killer doll—was now in its full glory. Aaron had warned them, but nothing could prepare them for how, despite his size, he looked completely... adorable.

Penelope Garcia was the first to react, her eyes wide as she took in the sight of the big man. “Oh my god, Hotch, who is this? Are you secretly dating a superhero? Because this man is straight out of a comic book.”

Carlisle smiled warmly, his expression soft and open, not at all what you'd expect from a man whose job was to protect a quarterback from being sacked. His demeanor was the complete opposite of his size. He looked down at Aaron and chuckled, his voice a deep, rumbling tone. “I’m just a regular guy. Chucky, if you want to call me that. I don’t bite, I swear.”

Hotch raised an eyebrow. “I told you they’d react that way.”

Garcia didn’t seem to mind the teasing, practically bouncing over to the pair. “You two are *so* cute together! Look at you, Hotch! You’re, like, tiny next to him! I feel like I’m in the presence of two incredibly rare species of superhuman.”

Hotch couldn't help but laugh, though he felt, just for a second, as though he had to crane his neck to look up at Chucky. At 6'2", Aaron was used to being taller than most people, but next to his boyfriend, he almost looked... average.

“Hey, it’s not every day I get to meet a guy who makes me feel small,” Hotch quipped, and the team all laughed, albeit a little nervously, unsure if they should be scared or enchanted by the soft-spoken giant.

But it wasn’t long before the ice was broken. Carlisle, or Chucky as he preferred, turned out to be the exact opposite of what anyone might expect from a professional football player. He was gentle, charming, and he was an absolute teddy bear when it came to Aaron's son, Jack. In fact, it was clear from the moment he walked in that Chucky was a beloved part of their little family.

Jack came running in a few moments later, immediately leaping into Carlisle’s arms. “Extra Dad!” Jack yelled as Chucky scooped him up with a smile.

The rest of the BAU team watched in awe. It was obvious to anyone in the room how much Carlisle and Jack bonded. It was the way Carlisle looked at Jack, the way he effortlessly picked him up, despite being the one who was usually the target of tackles and massive hits on the field. It was the way Jack melted into his arms, completely comfortable with this towering man.

“I’m telling you, Hotch,” Penelope said, her voice quiet but filled with admiration, “Chucky’s got a heart the size of Texas. And I love how Jack just... adores him. You can tell he’s been a solid part of his life for a while.”

Aaron nodded, his usual stoic expression softening just a little. “He’s been a part of Jack’s life for almost two years now. I’m happy for them both. Carlisle... Chucky’s not just my boyfriend. He’s a role model to Jack in ways I can’t even explain.”

“God, I think I need a teddy bear like that in my life,” Garcia teased, though her eyes lingered on Chucky and his effortless bond with Jack.

“It’s really something special,” Hotch agreed. “Chucky's got a way with kids. He’s always been good with Jack. He’s patient. He listens. It’s... well, I didn’t expect it when we first started dating.”

“But it makes total sense,” Garcia said, her voice warm. “Anyone who can withstand the brutal hits on the field and still manage to be so sweet and gentle is definitely a keeper. Plus... you two are adorable together.” She shot Hotch a wink before turning back to Chucky, who was now playfully tossing Jack in the air, making the little boy giggle uncontrollably.

It didn’t take long for the team to pick up on some of the other details that made Carlisle’s presence so captivating. Despite his intimidating size and appearance, he was more than just the “Mountain” the sports announcers had dubbed him on game days. The nickname stuck because of his sheer physicality on the field—his ability to stand his ground and block opponents as if he were an immovable object. His jersey number was 55, a number that, in Pittsburgh, was synonymous with strength, loyalty, and a kind of unspoken leadership.

But it was the off-field side of Carlisle that really made him stand out to the team. He’d become known for his charitable work, often giving away signed jerseys—ones he had actually worn during games— to children’s hospitals across the country. Some of these jerseys even had the grass stains and marks from tough plays. The kids loved it. Chucky, despite being a professional athlete at the peak of his career, seemed to find more joy in making others happy than in the fame he’d earned.

“Did I hear that right?” JJ asked, her eyes wide with disbelief. “You give your game-worn jerseys to kids? Like, *actual* ones from games you’ve played in?”

Chucky nodded, his expression soft but serious. “Yeah. I’ve been lucky to have this career, but those kids, they don’t have a lot of the same luck. If I can make their day by giving them something real, something that means something to me, I’m happy to do it.”

“That’s amazing,” Reid added, clearly impressed. “You’re not just known for being a football player, but for giving back in such a meaningful way.”

Carlisle chuckled, shrugging a little. “I don’t do it for recognition. I do it because... well, because if I was in their shoes, I’d want someone to do the same for me.”

The room was quiet for a moment, all the team members quietly reflecting on how different this man was from the image they’d expected. A football player, yes. A giant, yes. But a hero, in his own quiet way, as well.

Hotch couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride as he watched Chucky interact with Jack, who was now sitting on his lap, holding up his signed jersey. Jack, in his youthful innocence, was the embodiment of someone who didn’t see the size, the muscles, or the fame—he just saw the man who made him feel safe and loved.

“Hotch,” Spencer Reid said, speaking up for the first time since they'd entered, “we’ve been on so many cases where the victims don’t get this kind of... well, this kind of support. To see Jack so happy... to see you so... well, relaxed... it’s kind of heartwarming.”

Aaron looked over at Carlisle, who was gently setting Jack back on the couch. The man’s giant frame seemed to shrink, just a little, in the presence of the boy he loved. Aaron's heart swelled with something close to pride. His life wasn’t all cases, tough calls, and briefings. He had this—a family that had come together in the most unexpected way.

"Yeah," Aaron said quietly, his voice filled with a mix of appreciation and warmth, "I guess it is."

And for once, Hotch allowed himself to just enjoy the evening—his team, his son, and his larger-than-life boyfriend. It wasn’t just dinner. It was a reminder that sometimes the best parts of life were the simplest ones. And for Aaron Hotchner, this—this was exactly what he needed.