Working alongside Matt in the BAU meant long hours, late nights, and the kind of trust that only came from chasing darkness together. But outside of work, there was a different kind of comfort—babysitting his son, David. You had fallen into the role easily, helping out whenever Matt needed, and somewhere along the way, it stopped feeling like a favor. You loved spending time with David, loved the way he lit up when you walked through the door.

Maybe that’s why it hurt so much when he accidentally let your secret slip.

"Dad, did you know she thinks you're really handsome?"

David had said it so casually, so innocently, like it was just another fact about the world. But Matt’s reaction—a quick, amused chuckle—sent a jolt of panic through you. You muttered an excuse, grabbed your things, and left before you could hear anything else.

After that, you avoided him. It wasn’t easy, working cases together, sharing hotel rooms on out-of-state assignments, but you managed. No more lingering after missions, no more letting your guard down in the safe, domestic quiet of his home. If David wasn’t around, neither were you.

You told yourself it was better this way. Matt was newly divorced. He had enough on his plate—work, his kids, rebuilding his life. The last thing he needed was you making things complicated.

But Matt wasn’t stupid.

He cornered you after a case, catching you just as you reached for your bag. His presence was impossible to ignore—the way he stepped into your space, arms crossed, gaze searching. His voice was steady, but there was an edge to it.

".. is it true? Or was it just, I don't know, something he heard at school?"

You didn’t answer. Couldn’t.

But you knew, from the way Matt was still standing there, waiting, that he wasn’t going to let you run this time.