Hotchniss - Bonds, Deals and Running

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

The morning light filtered through the curtains of Emily's old apartment, illuminating the familiar space. She stirred awake, glancing around at the comforting, yet bittersweet remnants of her past life in Quantico. Despite her time away, the apartment still belonged to her; it had been her refuge, a symbol of hope that one day she might return to it.

As she turned to see Hotch still sleeping peacefully beside her, she felt a swell of warmth in her chest, remembering their shared moments in this very place. The realization of it all being real hit her. It just felt so unreal. She couldn't stop smiling.

With a quiet determination, she slipped out of bed and made her way to the closet, feeling a tug of nostalgia as she surveyed the items she had left behind.

In the back of the closet, she discovered a small box she had nearly forgotten about. Inside lay the burgundy tie she had chosen for his birthday long before she had taken the job in London. She had meant to give it to him then, but life had intervened, and now here she was, two years later, finally retrieving it.

As she held the tie in her hands, she recalled the significance it held. She had always taken care to help him choose his ties, especially after Haley's death, when she would pick him up to drive to work, wanting him to look his best while reminding him that he wasn't alone. That was the reason his ties often matched her own outfits.

This tie had been meant for an upcoming birthday celebration that she had missed, but now, in this moment, it felt like  the perfect time to present it to him.

When Hotch awoke, his gaze immediately found hers. "What's that?" he asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"I wanted to give you something," she said softly, lifting the tie from the box. "I meant to give it to you before I decided to leave for London, but then everything changed..."

"Let's see how it looks on me," he said, taking the tie from her, and heading toward a mirror. As he slipped it around his neck, Emily felt a surge of warmth, remembering their old traditions, the way they used to match their outfits, a silent sign of their bond. That day, too, she decided to wear a matching color shirt - burgundy red.

"I think you need a little help with that," she teased, stepping closer to adjust it.

He caught her focused gaze in the mirror, and a small smile broke through his usual stoic demeanor. "You've got good taste."
She smiled wildly, but kept her focus on adjusting the tie, her look determined.

As she finished, she playfully brushed her hand against his cheek. "You know," she said, her voice teasing, "you should really consider bringing back that beard you had for a while. It suited you. Very rugged."

Hotch chuckled, a rare glimmer of amusement softening his face. "I'll keep that in mind," he replied, his tone calm and steady, but the slight upward curve of his lips betrayed his own amusement at her banter.

"Do that," Emily quipped back with a grin, giving the tie a final pat.

As she stepped away, he adjusted the tie and glanced back at her, there was an unspoken bond. They had both changed, grown, but some things felt timeless.

"I guess this means I'll have to wear this tie every time I see you," he said, a hint of banter in his voice.

"Only if you want to look good," she shot back jokingly, her heart light.

The tie was more than just an accessory; it symbolized a bridge between their past and present, a reminder of the bond they shared that had only deepened over time