Hotchniss One-Shots

girls night: part two

It was the third day of their New York trip, and the apartment was alive with the faint hum of city traffic outside. The previous two days had been a whirlwind—parks, playgrounds, pizza, and pillow forts that had left both Aaron and Olivia shaking their heads in equal parts exhaustion and amusement.

The apartment glowed softly under warm lamps, the city lights outside shimmering through the windows. The faint scent of vanilla and a hint of leftover pizza lingered in the air. Olivia's coat hung by the door, and a small stack of pillows and blankets still marked the remnants of the boys' latest fort-building expedition.

Emily crouched beside Jack, helping him adjust his socks. "All set, little man?" she asked, brushing a stray curl from his forehead.

Jack wiggled slightly, eyes bright despite the evening's tiredness. "Yep! I'm ready! But... are you coming back soon, Em?"

Emily smiled, pressing a gentle kiss to his temple. "Of course, buddy. Aaron and I are just going out for a little while. We'll be back before you know it."

Jack frowned slightly. "Don't forget Noah and me!"

"I won't," Emily promised. "But guess what? You get to have a fort-building contest with Aaron while we're gone. That sounds fun, doesn't it?"

Jack's eyes lit up. "Really? A fort? And I get to be the king?"

Emily laughed softly, smoothing down his hair. "Absolutely. Just don't let Noah overthrow you too quickly."

Jack giggled, throwing his arms around her neck in a quick hug. "I love you, Em!"

"I love you too, pumpkin," Emily whispered, hugging him back. "Go have fun, okay?"

He ran toward Noah, tugging him toward the couch where pillows and blankets were already stacked into a messy castle. Aaron crouched nearby, ready to supervise, a small grin tugging at his lips.

Emily straightened, giving Jack's small shoulder one last squeeze. She exchanged a glance with Olivia, who was zipping up her jacket and checking her bag.

"You two look like you've got this under control," Olivia said quietly, her tone both teasing and warm.

Aaron ruffled Jack's hair. "Fort Chaos is officially underway. I think we're ready."

Emily looped her arm through Olivia's. "We'll be back soon. Try not to miss us too much."

Olivia smirked. "No promises. But I'll make sure there's wine waiting."

Emily laughed softly, glancing once more at Jack and Noah whispering and giggling over their fort plans. "Go conquer the night, little kings," she whispered.

With that, Emily and Olivia stepped into the cool evening air of New York, leaving Aaron behind with two excited, scheming five-year-olds and the quiet hum of the city beyond the windows.

The apartment was dim, city lights spilling through the windows. Aaron sat on the floor, looking at the fort the boys had built. Pillows stacked high, blankets draped like walls, and a stuffed dinosaur perched on top like a king.

"Okay, generals," Aaron said, pointing. "Are we ready?"

Jack puffed out his chest. "Yesh! Me king!"

Noah pointed to his stuffed tiger. "Tiger guard! No one!"

Aaron grinned. "All right. But what's first?"

Jack leaned close, whispering. "Trap! Make trap!"

Noah stomped a little. "Yeah! Trap bad guys!"