Aaron Hotchner x reader

Nightmares

"(Y/N), can I have a word with you in my office please?"

"Yes sir."

You trudged up the steps and towards his office, walking quickly past him and taking a seat on the couch. Hotch closed the door and took a seat on the table in front of you.

"(Y/N), I'm going to be honest with you I'm worried about you. Your performance is slacking, your handing in reports late, I've caught you sleeping at your desk 4 times this week alone and it's only Tuesday. You look like you haven't slept in days. What's going on?"

"Nothin' I'm fine Hotch really, I'm sorry, I'll hand reports in on time and I'll stop sleeping at my desk."

He shook his head.

"I'm not worried about that right now, I need to know what's going on with you."

You gave him a small smile, rubbing your hands nervously together.

"Running seems to all I'm good at..."

Hotch furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, he ducked his head so he could try get a glance at your face but you moved.

"What are you talking about?"

"All I do is run from my problems, I never face them Aaron... I.. I can't face them I'm not ready..."

"Not ready to face what?" He asked softly, moving to sit next to you.

"Th... the faces... the screams.. the screams all sound the same.. they won't stop.. why won't they stop?!"

You grabbed your hair and clutched it tightly as you buried your head into your knees. You could feel a pair of fingers gently pull yours loose, moving them away from your head. Hotch stood up and he crouched between your legs, holding your hands with one of his and his other was rested on your cheek wiping the stray tear away.

"You need to speak to someone about this, have you tried that?"

"No..."

"Do you want to speak to me about it?"

"...yes..."

"I'm always here for you okay? No matter what time, day or night, you don't have to face this alone."

"When will it all stop? I don't want the nightmares anymore..." You asked quietly.

"Maybe not for a while, but it won't stop until you talk about it and your ready to get over it."

"Okay.. okay.. can I tell you when I'm ready? I don't know how to explain what happened out there.."

"Of course, you can stay in here until your ready to go back out."

He smiled a little, leaning over he pressed a kiss to your head and walked over to his desk. You shuffled across the couch, resting your head on the arm rest. Not even 10 minutes later you were passed out asleep. When Hotch looked up, he chuckled a little, walking over he placed his blazed over you. Brushing some hair out of your face before leaving you alone to sleep. He often glanced up to make sure you you weren't suffering from a nightmare again