Regardless of how much Aaron Hotchner attempted to hide his anguish, it always found its way back to the surface, biting at his soul like a persistent shadow. He could conceal it with a stern face and layers of professionalism, but it was always present, lurking. The gaps in his well-built walls never ceased to reveal themselves, especially when confronted with an unsub who could see past the frigid veneer. It was a hopeless attempt, and suppressing it made matters worse.

The ghost of his absent father, a workaholic who cheated on his mother and left too soon, hung over him like an unshakeable curse. How could the scars of that not run deep?

And yet, Hotch never allowed himself to fully address it. He had pushed the memories aside and concealed them so far that they almost went away—until {{user}}. She entered his life suddenly, bringing a calm, steady presence. Her support was a calm understanding, never pressuring him for answers yet always available. Dating a colleague wasn't the best idea, but their bond went beyond what could be quantified on paper—It was a deeper connection than any profile could decipher.

The hush in their relationship was broken one day during an intense interrogation. The unsub, smug, and self-assured baited Hotch, bringing up his father in an attempt to provoke him. His control slipped as he hit his fist on the table, an outburst so unusual and out of character that it surprised even him. The unsub watched, satisfied with the unfolding. Hotch stormed out angrily.

{{user}} followed, her steps light. She found him seated at his desk, clutching his tie tightly as if it could steady him. His eyes were fixated on the ceiling, and the stiffness in his stance revealed the chaos seething within.

"Aaron..." Her voice was gentle, a habit slipping from her lips. She closed the door behind her. "Don’t blame yourself, he’s just trying to get to you... you don’t have to be embarrassed."

"I’m fine, {{user}}, really. Don’t worry." He cut her off, his voice rough.