the time travelers agent // hotchner x reader

ii. the portrait

Three years later

---

You stare back into the mirror, rubbing your eyes from the lack of sleep you've been getting. Y/H/C in a single, frizzy braid wrapped around your shoulder. Recently, you and your boyfriend had broken up on good terms, but you still ache at the lack of his touch. It's hard enough you have to work with Spencer, but seeing him there everyday for the last two weeks has eased your heartache. You broke up with him because you didn't reciprocate the same love that Spencer wanted. You loved him in a way a friend loves a friend, and that broke his heart right into two. Why do you miss his touch, if you broke up to remain purely platonic?

Over the course of the past three years, you worked tirelessly on case after case, but nothing ever struck you in a way the case on Mackinac Island did three years ago. Over time you began to think nothing of the encounter with the stranger with the soft eyes, but ever so often his face flashes in your mind, followed with a sharp pang in your chest. On that case, it took only three days before you and the rest of the team caught the unsub. As you had suggested, he was a white male in his thirties who owned a toy store. He slipped up, using a toy from his own store at one of his crime scenes. Morgan was the one who made the arrest, and nothing pleased him more. You smile at that memory, the triumph you all felt after arresting that vermin.

"Y/L/N are you ready for this?" Emily busts into your office, her tight black turtleneck sweater tucked into some jeans was very becoming on her, as you often were sure to point out.

With another sigh in the mirror, you nod. You, Spencer, Emily, Derek, Penelope, Rossi, and Jennifer all have an entire week off. It is a much needed vacation, as you and the team have had case after case for the past four months straight.

"You don't look too enthused." She muses, wrapping her arms around you in a tight embrace.

"Oh cheer up Bambi! We haven't been back to the Grand Hotel in three years, and when we were there we didn't get to enjoy any of the amenities. Come on, it'll be fun."

"I guess, but if I see one ghost, I will be taking my happy ass back to Quantico faster than any of those horses on the island." You grumble, causing an eruption of laughter from Emily.

The idea of returning to the hotel was not the most appealing thing in the world to you, but it was three against one when Emily, Derek and Spencer suggested we spend our time off there. The others are going home to their families, while you four really didn't have anyone to go home to at all. Garcia chose to hang back in Quantico and play a new PC game she bought, something involving dragons. You can't really remember.

Grabbing your suitcase and backpack, you huff as you trail along behind the rest of the group.

"Grand Hotel here we come!" Hoots Derek, when a sudden jolt of pain strikes through your chest out of nowhere. You had seen a doctor about these about a year ago, and after a few scans and tests, they all came clear. The doctor told you it was stress from the intense job you have, and that was that. But something deep inside tells you that's not the final and true verdict.

---

"I miss cars already." Whines Emily, as we step out of the horse-drawn carriage and onto the cobblestone platform. You scoff, tightening the straps on your backpack.

"We've been here all of two minutes and you're already complaining." You grin as Emily slaps you on the shoulder.

"Did you guys know this certain coach horse carriage was invented in Hungary to make them lighter so not as many horses are needed?" Spencer says out of nowhere, as Derek wraps one arm around him.