The Stars | Aaron Hotchner

Chapter 14: Of Mercury

Even though you already had finished your triathlon, you still trained with Aaron in the month between the two races, though neither of you had attempted to advance the relationship.

Today was a run day, and with a confidence you could only have from already completing a triathlon, you were in the lead as you and Aaron rounded the last bend of your route. You nearly jumped out of your skin when he called out to you, much closer than anticipated. It mainly surprised you as the run had only been harsh panting between the two of you after the customary greetings.

"Is that all you've got? 'Cause I don't think it's gonna be enough."

So he was trying to taunt you, and as one to never back down from a challenge, you fired back through slightly labored breaths, "You forget, I've already got, one triathlon under my belt."

"Yeah," his breathing was distracting you, "That's too bad." Aaron was gaining on you as you started slowing down, your lead lessening.

"No! I meant, you should, give me a, a break!"

"'Cause I'm gonna have to take this--"

You resisted the urge to look back at him, "Please! I'm still, so sore--"

He repeated his annoying phrase, "Yeah, that's too bad, 'cause I'm--"

"Don't do it."

"I'm going to have to--"

You honest to God growled at him, "Ugh! Why do I even train?--"

"I don't think it's gonna be enough--" Aaron caught up, arms pumping as he kept his stare forward, but you caught his sly smile.

You whined, "I'm almost there! Why take it now?"

"Oh, no... Oh no--" He pulled ahead and his voice climbed higher, becoming boyish even.

"You were playing with me! That's not fair!"

You could just hear his goddamn smug grin as he stopped responding to focus on sprinting further ahead. But, as you did before, you created a distraction of your own.

Diving at the pavement, you slapped the ground strategically to break your fall and add theatrics, yelping for good measure. You had scraped your elbows in your little stunt, but it wasn't anything you couldn't handle. And, you could barely feel it anyways as you watched Aaron immediately stop. You almost felt bad at seeing the concern on his face, almost. Instead, you hid your smirk of triumph by ducking your head as he came back.

"You alright?" You nodded, waiting for him to get closer. "Are you sure?"

Aaron crouched in front of you, and as you pulled yourself up onto all fours, you genuinely winced as a piece of gravel dug into your palm. "Yeah," you shook the sharp object out of your hand, "Yeah, I think..."

"Here, let me," He offered a hand to pull you up, which you gratefully took after a moment of dusting off your arms, assessing the patches of blood seeping from the scrapes. It looked worse than it felt, and it was only a slight sting if you didn't focus on it. Ever so thoughtful, the profiler wrapped an arm around your waist to help you walk.

As much as you wanted to stay close to Aaron, your acting-- AKA limping and wincing-- was so convincing that he offered to carry you. That was too far for you, especially as you were self conscious about your weight.

You objected, insisting you were fine. "Plus, I think I'd be too fat for you--"

"Don't."

The sharp tone was one you had only heard stories of, but it had never before been directed at you. Your steps faltered at the command as you were unsure of what he was referring to.