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softtdaisy · 1 month ago

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_____confessions cookies

pairing. Aaron Hotchner x media liaison!reader (part of the dating game)

summary. after your conversation, Aaron needs answers: would you consider him, your boss, to start your dating game?

words count. 2 308

a/n. thank you everyone for the nice feedback on the first part, I'm so happy you enjoy this series as much as I do!! I promise the dates are starting in the next part 👀

___the dating game masterlist | criminal minds masterlist

Aaron had a problem. You.

Well, not you. But the fact you had been on his mind non-stop these past days.

“Can you just imagine how much easier it would be if we could just discover the dating world again with someone we know? Someone we trust?”

He had learned to know these 26 words by heart. The intonation, the way you paused after your first question. The little sigh at the end, like you had been desperately trying to say these things for so long. How you sounded like you believed no one could understand your feelings.

But that wasn’t the worst part, no.

The worst part was that he felt like you didn’t care as much as he did. He felt like you didn’t care at all.

When you came back to the office on Monday, you greeted him with a very professional “Hotch.”

The team knew you used a different tone for each one of them. You sounded protective with Spencer and in a constant private joke with Emily.

As for Aaron, there was always this sweet and encouraging smile, telling him you would have his back no matter what. And if he could taste your tone when you said his name, Aaron would notice some vanilla hint: a safe bet, sure, but something reassuring. That was how he liked to picture it. Maybe it was indeed reassuring that nothing had changed after your conversation. You still treated him as your chief with the same kind attitude. He could count on you, even with you being two desperate lost souls.

Yet, he couldn’t stop imagining what could have happened if you had five more minutes. Just five more minutes to end this conversation and not be left disappointed.

So now a whole week had passed, a case had been resolved, and Aaron needed answers.

Everyone had left the office except for the two of you. No surprise that this was happening very often. With the number of new files and case requests piling up every day on your desks, you could probably build a new wall.

Needless to say, your personal life also had something to do with that. You had no one to go home to. And if Aaron was being honest, sometimes his guilt was taking over, and he couldn’t find the strength to go home early and face a disappointed Jack. Even if his son, being the angel he was, would never say anything about that.

“You should really take a break,” you heard him say when he walked in your office.

You were so focused on your last case file that you didn’t even hear the knocks on the door. You’d like to think he maybe didn’t even knock. Your office was just a kind of extension of his, and you kept telling Aaron that he could walk in as much as he wanted. You loved to say you could always feel him coming.

The truth was that you could usually see him, from the shadow through your window to the fact the door was right in front of you.

The other truth was that, indeed, you felt like you had some kind of sixth sense letting you know when he was near you.

The final truth was that in case you missed Aaron’s presence, Blossom couldn’t. Even if right now, your dog was more interested in the little treat you gave her and didn’t move from her bed.

“You, Aaron Hotchner, are the one saying that?” You laughed, lifting your head up to watch him. “That’s a bit hypocritical.”

More than once tonight, you considered leaving and coming back earlier tomorrow morning to finish your work. But just for the simple view of the lazy smile growing on Aaron’s face, the one he had when he got so tired he couldn’t control his facial expression nor had the strength to give a proper smile, staying late was worth it.

You had barely seen him today. The days after the team came back from a case were always full of paperwork, and you didn’t even leave your office to eat lunch. Not even when the girls took turns to convince you to take a break and instead took Blossom with them.

You really wanted to get up, leave your office for a few minutes, and forget about the atrocity you were reading. But some other people couldn’t take a break, and their pictures were lying on your desk. So no, your propriety truly wasn’t your appetite.

However, was it weird that seeing your chief right now was lifting a weight off your mind?

“At least I ate today.”

“Who are you?” you replied in a fake shocked tone, watching as he walked to your desk and sat in front of you.

Yes, hearing his short and spontaneous giggle definitely made the whole staying late worth it.

“I thought you might need some of these,” he said, finding just enough space on your desk to put down the plate he had been carrying.

One of the agents had brought some cakes and cookies from their child’s birthday. Aaron knew what it was to see the big picture, to compensate for their absence and make sure their children aren’t mad at them. Turns out, at the end, it was the Bureau who could enjoy all the leftovers.

And he was making sure that you got your daily sugar dose too.

“Don’t be too nice to me, Aaron, or I could cry,” you laughed, taking a cookie in hand before biting into it.

You couldn’t care less about the little moan that escaped your lips when you felt the sugar melt in your mouth. If you closed your eyes, you could imagine a little paradise, peacefully away from the FBI. You clearly needed this more than you thought.

Blossom was quick at jumping off her bed after hearing you. She ran and tried to charm you into giving her a piece of cookie too. She was absolutely not interested in the caress you gave her in exchange and even granted you a judgmental look. One that you didn’t even bother noticing.

You were so focused on your own pleasure that you didn’t think Aaron could hear too. Or noticed the little change in his posture. How he moved his thighs on the chair, clearly not as comfortable as he was a few seconds ago. Or how he played with his tie to keep his hands occupied on something else. Something that wasn’t, well…you.

Not even Blossom was nice enough to help him, going back to her bed in a lazy and disappointing walk.

He cleared his throat, looking for his composure back. “You deserve some kindness,” he then said.

You tilted your head to the side and pouted slightly. The simple thought of someone thinking about your own good was touching. And not only was it a man, it was your boss. More than your boss, it was Aaron. That was more than what your heart could handle at 8 p.m. on a Friday night.

You grabbed another cookie from the plate and handed it to him. “Have some too.”

Aaron looked at it and considered refusing your offer. He already ate some earlier, and the ones he picked were for you, not him. But the sweet look in your eyes made him think that you could actually cry if he said no.

He chose the safe option and took it from your hand. His fingers brushed yours softly, and he let that moment last longer than he should have.

The view of the two of you sharing cookies in your little office made you laugh. “This is, like, the closest to a date I’ve been to in months.”

This was enough to remind Aaron why he was there in the first place.

“I’ve been thinking about what you said the other night.”

Your eyes grew big at the sudden thought that you might have said something controversial or problematic. You remembered the conversation—or at least you thought so. Did you say anything inappropriate to your chief? You sure had inappropriate thoughts in the past—and I, in a not-so-far-away past—but you were secretly praying none of them escaped your mouth.

To be honest, even now, totally sober, you weren't 100% sure you could trust your mouth. It wasn’t your fault his rolled-up sleeves made his arms and his veins so visible you were dying to look at them.

Thankfully, Aaron was quick at putting a hand on your arm to stop your overwhelming thoughts.

“About wanting to start dating again with someone you know and ttrust, he completed in such a serious tone you could forget the context of the conversation in the first place.

Your lips formed an O for a few seconds before you replied with a soft laugh: “Yep, sounds like something I said.”

It didn’t sound like something you said. You said that, and you knew it.

You knew it just because your brain made sure to perfectly memorize Aaron’s face when he heard those words. His confused but also relieved expression, telling you he had been working hard to express his own feelings. But also the expression when he asked if you had someone in mind. Like it was a need for him to know. Like a part of him expected an answer you weren’t sure you were allowed to give.

“I still mean it,” you said. “I still think this could be a good solution. The whole thing now is…”

“Finding that person.” Aaron completed it, and you simply nodded.

And soon the room fell into silence again.

If you were in a movie, you would yell at the characters to speak the obvious. Because it was obvious to both of you.

How Aaron, as your chief, didn’t feel like he had any right to speak his mind and feared being accused of harassment—even though he trusted you enough to not do it.

How you, as his agent, were scared you might lose the job of your dream for a fantasy—even though you trusted him enough to not fire you for this.

But how you both had the same idea in mind.

“Do you think…” Aaron started.

But you spoke at the time. “...Want to do it?”

Another silence. Then a shared laugh that lightened up the mood.

“This would stay between us?”

You could tell how important it was for him. The low voice he used, like he was sharing some secret. Like a child asking for something he shouldn’t be. Like a part of him still wasn't sure this was the right thing.

It was easy to start it; it would be harder to face the consequences if anything went wrong. And the list of possible consequences was already long enough in his head.

Starting from professional procedure for going on dates with a member of his team to potential unsub taking advantages of this. To broken hearts. Yes, broken hearts were the worst scenario, even for Aaron Hotchner.

“I didn’t plan on adding a new slide on my case presentation about this, no,” you replied, taking another cookie from the plate.

Your sarcastic remark kind of worked when he rolled his eyes and let out an amused sigh. But this wasn’t enough.

“The only person aware of this is Blossom right here,” you said, pointing to your dog. Blossom, who apparently couldn’t care less about whatever you were talking about. But still got up from her bed and walked to Aaron.

Either she was still mad at you for not giving her any treat, or she finally noticed Aaron’s presence. In any way, it didn’t take her long to jump on his lap and get some new caresses.

You found it funny how she had a very different relationship with the members of this team, especially the men of this team. She knew she could easily get treats from Spencer, who couldn't resist her sweet face. She went to Derek when she wanted to play, and you didn’t have the time.

And Aaron was kind of her safe place. Sometimes, she would disappear in the middle of the afternoon just to rest on his lap. Not even asking for any cuddle or anything, just like she needed to be with him.

“Can we trust you, Blossom?” He whispered in a very serious tone that you actually heard him use once with Spencer.

And the only answer Aaron got was a cuddle against his hand and a peaceful sight from your dog. Something he seemed very pleased about from the smile that grew on his lips.

He then looked up at you, who were on the verge of freaking out from the cuteness of the situation. “I guess we’re good,” he said, making it sound like he made an agreement with your dog about you. Without you.

If it meant seeing a softer look on his face, you could accept being sidelined from this.

“I won’t say anything, Aaron.” You finally replied for good, giving him his long-awaited answer.

“I just don’t…” he started before sighing. “You’re very important to the team. I don’t want to make things weird here because I…you know.”

Aaron had to fight hard to not add you were important to him too.

“We don’t have to make things weird, you know.” You smiled. “We could start with a simple coffee…date, and if we find it too awkward, we call it a day and laugh about it at David’s next dinner.”

The smile he gave you was probably the most sincere of the night. It was a thank you.

Thank you for understanding his fear and validating his feelings.

Thank you for accepting to take care of his old and still broken heart.

“Thank you," he then said. For being you.

Tag List: @kiwriteswords @monzabee @raysmayhem-72 @kajjaka @pastelpinkflowerlife@winyourheartemma @aaronhotchnersgf @averyhotchner @liilysblog @storiesbynova@lemoncee@mayhills @deeninadream @sillymuffintrashflap @alediao @jsjcue @marina468 @violettablackwood @yasministration

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softtdaisy · 26 days ago

Text

____a table for two

pairing. Aaron Hotchner x media liaison!reader (part of the dating game)

summary. what does it take to get a glimpse of your chief's heart? a coffee at his favorite place

words count. 2 628

a/n. things starts to get interesting now!! 👀 I really hope you'll love this part thank you ago for all the love you're giving to this series 🫶

____the dating game masterlist | criminal minds masterlist

You were clearly blaming Emily for sleeping in this morning.

You were an early bird. Your workdays were always so full; you wanted to take advantage of every single hour you could on the weekend to feel like your life wasn’t completely getting out of hand. This feeling just got bigger after you broke up with your fiancé, with the impression you had wasted 10 years of your life with someone who wasn’t worth it and had to make up for the lost time.

And adopting a dog a few months ago, when you started living alone, gave you the perfect excuse to include running in your morning planning.

Last night, when you left the office, Emily kept claiming that this weekend at home would be very profitable for her sleep schedule. She said that repeating it would make it real. “A day in bed with Sergio is all I need right now.”

“Well, try telling that to Blossom,” you replied with a laugh, talking about your puppy. Who sure loved to rest but loved to play even more.

Apparently, Blossom needed a good night of sleep too. You weren’t woken up by her little morning kisses nor by your alarm—that you forgot to put on last night. Not even by the rays of sunshine lighting up your room.

No, you were woken up by knocks on your door. On a Sunday morning.

Which of course woke up Blossom too. Who got way too excited about the upcoming surprise. You? A little less.

You grabbed your puppy, lifting her up above your head. “Don’t look at me like that; I don’t know who it is either.” You laughed at her happy expression and her tail swinging.

You guessed her little barkings were her making guesses on the person behind the door.

When another knock resonated and Blossom barked even louder—making it quite impossible for you to pretend you weren’t home—you finally got up. There was no point in hiding here forever, not when your visitor didn’t want to go away. Not when you were still planning on using your free time properly and clearly needed to get that mysterious person out of your way.

Your dog was following each of your lazy steps to the door. And you? You were still adjusting your shorts when you opened it.

Only to be faced by Aaron, with his fist up, seconds away from knocking.

“Oh my god,” you sighed, a hand on your heart. Hours of self-defense classes only to feel defenseless the moment you were taken by surprise.

Good thing the man in front of you was your boss. Bad thing, he could report your lack of reaction.

“I’m sorry,” he immediately said, putting his fist down.

Or maybe he won’t report.

Aaron sounded surprised too, like he didn’t expect you to open at all anymore.

Or maybe he was surprised by your look. Even on the workdays you didn’t want to make any efforts, you always looked good. Not that you didn’t look good right now, Aaron wasn’t the type to blaspheme. He just wasn’t used to seeing you with an old T-shirt, one you got back in uni, and shorts that were barely covering your thighs. It was…different.

“Didn’t take you for a tenacious person, Aaron,” you said, grabbing Blossom, who saw the open door as an invitation to explore the world.

Once left up, your dog noticed Aaron and saw him as a new cuddler. Or at least that was your guess when she tried to jump in his arms. Which was worth it just for the pleasure of hearing his sweet little laugh when he brought his hand to pet her and she immediately licked his hand.

After a few licks, she then cuddled her head against his hand, not caring at all about how you were supposed to carry her little body spread between the two of you.

“Guess I have a dog who’s just as desperate for love as I am.” You laughed, rolling your eyes. Could you really blame her, though?

If a man was willing to give you some love for free out of nowhere with good intentions only, you might jump in his arms too. And the man being Aaron probably would weigh in the balance too.

Especially this version of Aaron with a white t-shirt making his skin look more tan and the sunglasses keeping his hair away from his eyes.

“We can do that another day, if you…” he started. You weren’t so surprised about hearing him sound less confident these days, with all the conversation you had.

No, the surprise came from somewhere else.

Because then it hit you. Aaron being at your place on a Sunday morning. The reason he insisted so much.

The coffee date. Today.

“I’m so sorry,” you immediately panicked. “I didn’t set my alarm, and I slept in, but I swear…” You got lost in your own speech. Hopefully, Aaron’s little giggle calmed you.

“It’s ok,” he smiled and sounded sincere.

Yet you could tell that a little part of him was hurt. It wasn’t just you forgetting about the coffee date, which could be easily done later. It was about him being forgotten and the feeling of waking up old memories that he buried in the past. It was something you had suffered from yourself, and you won’t let him go down that road again.

“Do you think you can wait just ten…minutes? I’m getting ready, and I’m all yours.”

You didn’t pay attention to the pinkness on his cheeks when you said those words. Or how Aaron opened his mouth, only to close it a second later, like he couldn’t trust his own brain when you said things like that.

No, instead, you ran back inside and rushed the whole getting-ready part. A part of you was convinced that you didn’t need to put too much effort into it: you were having a coffee with Aaron, you knew him, and you didn’t need to impress him.

The other part was reminding you you were having a coffee with Aaron and you didn’t want him to keep a bad impression in mind—not that it would change anything to your relationship; you would still have to see him every day. But it wasn’t any other man; it was him, and something inside you wanted it to work.

You took a moment, back in your living room, to look at him. Aaron Hotchner, kneeling in front of your dog to play with her. There was something so familiar in this view, something that screamed home and that you wanted to hold onto. A simple view that made you wonder if that was something you could get used to.

An answer you already had.

“I’m ready,” you finally said, kneeling too to kiss Blossom, before grabbing your keys and leading your date outside.

You were surprised to walk past his car and go down roads you actually knew. “Where are you taking me?”

With his sunglasses on, you couldn’t see the look he gave you when he turned his head. But the little smirk, bringing his small dimples out, was enough to know he felt proud of his idea. “What’s the point of a surprise if I’m telling you?”

“Didn’t take you for a man full of surprises, Aaron.”

“Two misconceptions in one morning,” he laughed softly. He was so taken in the light mood that he didn’t realize he brought his hand to your back to guide you until he felt the soft touch of your shirt on his fingers. A gesture so natural he didn’t have to think about it.

But he didn’t move his hand away. Not when you had the slightest and unconscious back movement to keep the contact.

And when you turned your head to look at him, you appreciated the relaxed smile on his lips. “You’re a whole new man to me.” And you meant that. On so many levels.

Once you arrived at the coffee, you didn’t notice Aaron stopping a step behind you.

But he saw you.

He watched as you took the time to see every little thing in the place. He looked at you with an amazed expression, like you looked like a kid on Christmas morning discovering her gifts for the first time. This was the feeling he had the first time he put a foot here. Stepping into a small world inside the city, where he could leave all his problems behind.

Aaron never got to share it with anyone. Actually, a part of him loved the idea that he was the only person in his entourage to know this place. But you, he wanted to share it with you. There was something special in sharing this little secret place together.

You almost jumped when you felt his chest against your back—he didn’t mean to touch you but moved closer than he intended. He stretched his arms in front of you and pointed to a table at the back. “This is my favorite one, but we can have another if you want.”

And when you turned your face to look at him, you realized how close you both actually were. You’ve never seen his moles so precisely before. “No, we’re having this one.”

The place was hidden inside another building, leading to a terrace cut off from the city with trees and flowers everywhere. It was a private and unknown spot; you could tell from the very few customers and the big smile the waiter gave Aaron when he greeted him. He was a recurring customer. So recurring that he had his own table.

“Your table is ready,” the waiter said, winking at him. Before giving you a sweet smile, making you feel welcomed here.

You were surprised to feel Aaron’s hand in yours, leading you to the table. It was almost hidden by the multiple flowers around it, and you easily understood why it was his favorite. You saw yourself sitting here all day long with a good book.

“How did I miss this place for so long?” you asked, finally seated at the table. “How did you even find it?”

“After Haley,” Aaron took a small break. He was surprised himself at how he managed to talk of her after without mentioning the reason there wasn’t a future anymore. Sure, you knew everything, but there was still a low voice in his head telling him that he wasn’t honest by hiding the reality.

“I was looking for a place out of home where I could put…everything aside. I honestly don’t feel proud that I needed moments away from my parental responsibility.”

You reached for his hand, the one resting on the table that was already playing with the napkin. “Don’t blame yourself, Aaron.”

With a reassured smile, he continued. “Jessica, Haley’s sister, actually knew someone who knew someone who worked there when it opened. She said it was a really nice place when you want to feel away from basically everything.”

Aaron didn’t realize how true this was until he said it out loud. This had become his safe place over these past months. He had brought Jack here too, for some Sunday father-and-son brunch. He appreciated how he could take a break from his life when he came by himself, but it also helped him have a normal relationship with his son when they sat around a table here. Or at least get the feeling that he could have a normal relationship.

“Turns out she was right,” he smiled.

You shared drinks—the best you ever had—and talked about different things. From his favorite type of coffee—it turned out he already had an espresso at home because Aaron was the type of man who needed a coffee right from waking—to silly facts about your dogs. Not once did the job come into the discussion.

Well, not until you brought it up.

“Did you ever consider leaving the BAU and doing something else?” The question had been in your head since you arrived here, from the way he insisted on the need to take a break from his life from time to time.

You saw on Aaron’s face the way your question created a whole thought ride in his mind. He leaned against his chair a little more and put his coffee back on the table, like he needed his whole head and body to think properly. Even though the answer was pretty obvious.

“Yes and no.”

“Ok, you need to tell me more, Hotchner.” You laughed.

He giggled back, aware that his answer wasn’t enough. “I did and still do, for Jack. Some days I wake up and wonder if this is really the life I want to give my son. An absent father, away from home most of the time, who risks his life for other people.”

There was always something special on Aaron’s face when he was talking about Jack. A kind of glow, a very unique smile. Nobody could ever doubt that this man didn’t love his son with all his heart.

“But at the same time,” he continued, “I can’t imagine doing something else. I feel like I have a very important role to play. And maybe it’s selfish and arrogant to say that. But I don’t want to give up on the help I can give with my job.”

“I don’t think that’s selfish,” you shrugged. “Plus I don’t think we would survive without you.”

“You don’t mean that,” he laughed, taking back his drink. Mostly to hide his smile and red cheeks from you. Aaron was well aware that his role at the BAU was important, but nobody could ever convince him that he, Aaron Hotchner, was more important than the role itself.

“No, I mean it,” you replied, bringing a hand to the same drink to put it down, having understood his plan. “I’m actually the one being selfish here because I would hate to see you leave, even for the greatest reasons.”

You loved every member of this team equally—well, almost equally, but you won’t say more. You couldn’t imagine finding another job where you would love going to the office with the happiness of seeing your teammates again. Because they weren’t teammates, they were friends.

And Aaron fell into this category too. But there was something more than that.

You felt safe anytime he was around. Like nothing could happen to you when he was around. It was the reassuring look when you were doing the press conference to the way he was touching your arm when the victim’s family was coming—reminding you that he was just a few steps away from stepping in.

More than that, just the quickest glimpse of Aaron every morning was lighting up something inside you. Either when he left his office for a minute to grab his coffee or when you would meet in the hallway between two meetings—each moment was precious. You felt lucky to have that man in your life, no matter the form or the nature of your relationship.

Aaron couldn’t find the right words to explain how nice it felt to hear that you wanted him to stay. Here. At the BAU. In your life.

So instead, he said, “I’m not planning on leaving you.”

The last word actually escaped his lips. He didn’t mean to add it. And you could tell from the sudden panic on his face.

And then he heard your laugh. A sweet and sincere laugh. You weren’t mocking him. You were amused by his reaction. And so the panic calmed down—only for a second until you reached for his hand on the table.

“I’m glad to know I’m stuck with you.”

tag list: @kiwriteswords @monzabee @raysmayhem-72 @kajjaka @pastelpinkflowerlife @winyourheartemma @aaronhotchnersgf @averyhotchner @liilysblog @storiesbynova @lemoncee @mayhills @deeninadream @sillymuffintrashflap @alediao @jsjcue @marina468 @violettablackwood @yasministration

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