the team had been working a grueling case in a small town for days. the stress was palpable in the air as leads turned cold and everyone’s exhaustion began to creep in. aaron hotchner, ever the stoic leader, kept his composure as always, guiding the team with a calm authority. but even hotch wasn’t immune to the strain that lingered around them.

you stood by the whiteboard, reviewing the profile aloud to the team, trying to pinpoint the unsub’s next move. the room was filled with the sound of scribbling, the clacking of keyboards, and the hum of conversation as everyone worked through theories. but amidst the controlled chaos, you could feel his gaze on you.

aaron’s eyes had a way of softening whenever he looked at you. a subtle difference that only you seemed to notice. while he was all business with the rest of the team, with you, there was a gentleness that spoke volumes in the smallest gestures. his stoicism melted slightly when you were around.

as you spoke, hotch stood nearby, arms crossed, but his attention was entirely on you. his gaze lingered on your face a little longer than necessary, his expression not the usual hardened one he wore during cases. when your eyes met, he didn’t look away immediately like he might with anyone else. instead, he held your gaze, a quiet acknowledgment passing between you, an unspoken connection.

you finished explaining your theory, feeling a little self conscious under his watchful eyes. “what do you think, hotch?” you asked, turning toward him.

he nodded slowly, his eyes softening further. “good work. that makes sense,” he said, his voice low and reassuring. and then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, he placed a hand on your shoulder just for a moment, but the touch lingered long enough to make your heart skip a beat.