Hotchniss - Bonds, Deals and Running

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

A few days after that unforgettable night, Emily returned to London to finish her work with Interpol.

Emily's return to London after their first night together had been bittersweet. It left Aaron grappling with a strange mixture of longing and resolve. Despite their growing connection, the realities of their lives meant that maintaining their bond would require effort and sacrifices.

The late-night calls became a ritual, a lifeline tethering them across continents. Aaron, often groggy from being woken up in the middle of the night, would answer with a low, gravelly, "Hey," his voice still heavy with sleep.

Emily could always hear it, the slight rasp, the yawn he tried to suppress. His voice was even deeper than usual, she couldn't help but to find it hot. On her end, she'd sometimes be distracted, mid-mission or buried in paperwork, but she always made time for him. It all worked because they both understood each other's work and their commitment.

"Sorry, did I wake you?" she asked one night, guilt evident in her tone.

"It's fine," Aaron murmured, the warmth in his voice making her smile despite the distance. "I wanted to hear from you."

She felt warmth in her stomach, and a smile widening on her face.

Their conversations were often filled with updates, brief glimpses into their worlds. Emily would describe the gray, rain-soaked streets of London, but also the places she loved, and he he couldn't help but to think about visiting them with her the next time he comes to her to London.

Aaron would tell her about Jack, how he was growing taller and more curious by the day, and the cases the BAU had been handling.

"You sound tired," Emily said once, her voice soft with concern.

"Long day," Aaron admitted. "But this... talking to you... it helps."

The simple intimacy of those moments, the way they could share even the smallest details, drew them closer. Aaron began baking homemade cookies with chocolate chips for Emily's birthdays, a tradition born out of one of their calls. "I'm not much of a baker," he'd confessed, chuckling, "but I'll figure it out."

The first batch was a little overdone, but Emily loved them nonetheless, especially because he delivered them in person. Standing at her door, holding a tin of cookies, he became a memory she would always cherish.

——

One of Hotch's visits in London (set before season 10, episode 12)

The misty London morning wrapped itself around the city, the air damp and crisp with the faint scent of wet pavement. A soft breeze swirled through the narrow cobbled streets, lifting the fallen leaves that clung to the cracks in the stone. Aaron and Emily strolled together, the city around them a little quieter in the early hours. London was a city full of life, but this corner of it, tucked away from the typical tourist hotspots, felt like a world of its own. It was the kind of place only someone who had lived in the city long enough could truly appreciate.

"Seven Dials," Emily said, her voice light as she led Aaron down an alleyway. "Most people walk right past it without noticing, but I love it here. The charm is in the details, the quirky shops, the hidden cafés, the peacefulness." She stopped and gestured toward a small bookstore tucked between two buildings. "This place? The owner knows every book in here. They always have these incredibly rare first editions."

Aaron looked around, noticing the way the narrow streets opened into small, colorful courtyards, full of flowers in window boxes and hidden seating. There was an intimacy to the space, an understated beauty that reminded him of Emily, sometimes overlooked, but full of life when you took the time to notice. He'd never have discovered this part of London without her, and that fact made him feel grateful.