#ajf caro

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tali!!! between you and qvo i'm being blessed. feeling like i should open up requests now

perhaps something with my fave ajf babies?

(omg do it if it sparks joy!! we're having fun this week!!)

Aaron Hotchner x Fem!Reader AJF!Caroline Hotchner x AJF!Graham MacGowan AJF!Becca Alvez x AJF!Hank Morgana joyful future fic

a/n: here's a lil thing i had in my drafts! we haven't officially met graham yet, but we might recognize him from the ajf family tree! he's our Scottish king and the winner of our caroline's heart. i hope you enjoy this little thing!!

words: 452 content advisories:  language, alcohol use, alcohol mention

summary: i've seen you in blue and i've seen you in yellow, but only you, red, will do for this fellow!

masterlist | a joyful future masterlist | ajf faq | taglist | what do you want to see next?

“Uncle Sean!” Caroline throws a piece of popcorn at Sean. It bounces off the body of his guitar. “We gotta teach Graham a proper American drinking song.” 

“Which one?” He asks. 

“The right one.” 

Alice scoffs, knowing exactly what she’s talking about. “Toby Keith was a jingoist fuck.” 

“But,” Hank says, tipping the neck of his beer bottle toward her. “Red Solo Cup hits different.” 

She relents. “Alright, fair.” 

Sean starts picking out the lead guitar part and Hank puts his beer aside, picking up his own acoustic to back him up. Becca tips back, avoiding the neck of his guitar, before settling against his shoulder once more. 

“You’re gonna love this,” Caro says, close to Graham’s ear. “You might have heard it before, but we’ll teach you for real.” 

Graham nods, the light from the fire lighting up the gentle joy and curiosity in his eyes. 

“Now a red solo cup is the best receptacle / For barbecues, tailgates, fairs, and festivals,” Sean starts, passing it off to Hank. They both settle into a comfortable drawl.

“And you, sir, do not have a pair of testicles if you prefer drinking from glass.” 

Sophia scampers up the back stairs as best she can from the yard, her cane thumping dramatically against the deck as she flops down next to Alice. She smells of pine and dogwood, likely rooting around with Grayson in the yard before the sun gets too far past the horizon. Bella’s still down there, crouched amongst the pine needles while her son builds fairy houses. 

“Now,” Soph says, picking it up, “a red solo cup is cheap and disposable and in fourteen years they are -” 

Alice joins for a brief, “Decomposable” 

“And unlike my home, they are not foreclosable…” 

Graham picks it up on the second chorus, giving his wretched American accent his best effort. Caroline’s hands wrap tightly around his bicep and he rocks side to side with Alice and Sophia, laughing his way through the chorus. 

You watch from the safety of the sunroom, Aaron beside you. 

“I like this one,” you tell him. 

He hums. “Me too. Helps that he flew her out from Scotland for the holiday. Scores points, there.” 

“It’s nice to have her home.” You huff a laugh. “Our little lawyer.” 

Aaron shakes his head. “I can believe it but at the same time…” 

“She’s your daughter, baby. I dunno what to tell you on that one.” There’s silence for a second. “It figures she’d also live out an enemies-to-lovers trope from one of her books. And he’s Scottish.”  

“That,” Aaron replies, “I think she gets from you.” 

You scoff. “Oh, please.” 

Aaron simply shakes his head, pulling you close to kiss your temple.

[ssaic-jareau]

rings.

movie posters for a joyful future series: 20/?

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(open for better quality, bc tumblr).

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a joyful future costume plates.

jack brooks hotchner b. 2005

isaac spencer hotchner b. 2016

caroline emily hotchner b. 2018

sophia haley hotchner b. 2018

elliot david hotchner b. 2022

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ajf nugget of the day: caro sings how are you feeling? do you like the show? are you tired of it - nevermind, i don’t wanna know under her breath on a regular basis and it makes hank smile

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okay just for fun

ajf kids as star wars original trilogy score pieces

aka watch tali geek out about music for however many words this is

jack | throne room and end titles (a new hope)

https://open.spotify.com/track/0KOYV2jgRZWLcLI94kiscs?si=0ef95a600bb84012

let’s be real. this piece makes your chest feel too small for your feelings, it makes you feel like a superhero, it makes you smile. 

the brass in the very beginning has big jack energy for me. we know how much punch ajf!jack has - he’s straightforward and observant, cheeky and kind. this march ticks all those boxes. this opener is unapologetic, percussion and strings underscoring the high brass carrying our melody, just like jack. he’s got that kind of gentleness to him that his father does, but it’s under this brave, quippy exterior that’s just perfect for this march. 

while being generally noble as hell, the strings we go into the softer melodic section that guides us into the main theme - which is just a banger, objectively. jack has huge main character energy. this piece gives us that and so much more with that melody we all know and love. 

the low brass is so consistent!! it’s so loyal!! ahh!! 

the march kind of gives way as the piece moves along, delivering something softer and less rigid, something lighter. as type-a as jack is (he’s his father’s son, after all), he’s really able have some fun. 

leia’s theme sneaks in around the 3:20 mark, which exemplifies (to me) the connection he has to the rest of his family. but it dives right back into the main theme again - all strong brass that would be harsh if it wasn’t so well-adjusted. it’s exciting!!

isaac | luke and leia (return of the jedi)

https://open.spotify.com/track/4MKEo7fV2xIBbeIrbYj7vV?si=502fe798be43461b

there are so many layers to this piece. it travels so far and brings us back to somewhere we recognize. 

the almost mournful, clear french horn that stands on its own after the woodwinds lull us into this place of understanding and peace. this melody always makes me weep, for some reason. not so much because it’s sad, but it’s so full of connection. isaac’s spirit is so wound into that beautiful clarity of a well-played french horn for me - there’s something so deeply special about it. 

and it’s different from the other brass instruments! it’s harder to play and it looks different. i don’t think we have to stretch too far to see how that applies to isaac. metaphorically, he’s still a brass instrument, but he operates in a way that is fundamentally different than people around him. 

and then we get the strings and the woodwinds taking over that same melody, building on it and making it rounder and fuller. it’s hopeful, it’s complex, it’s so gentle. 

because this is luke and leia’s suite, there’s a conversation in the music - one that turns into a conflict. we can hear that in the strings around the two minute mark. isaac struggles. he sometimes has a hard time, but just like that high brass, he pushes through in a way that just makes your heart swell. 

the final bit carries us out the way we came in - a little bit of magic with that motif, leaving us with something that almost feels like the answer to a question. yeah, i’m crying. why do you ask?

caroline | princess leia’s theme (a new hope)

https://open.spotify.com/track/0mFyq7zeU21fW5VE9028lN?si=61caca109a3847a1

alright alright i know. but stay with me. 

not only is caroline aaron’s little princess, there’s a connection to the piece i chose for isaac - their motifs complement each other, just like they do as siblings. we have some french horn in here too, delivering a melody that is delicate, feminine, but not weak. it’s so clear!! such a bright tone. 

there’s a little bit of uncertainty that sneaks in there in the beginning, but the flute comes in at about the 1:30 mark to remind us of that light, that something that is difficult to articulate or understand. it’s taking us somewhere - the melody line feels meandering and lilting, like a breeze. i always think of caroline as a breath of fresh air in many ways. 

and then you get those STRINGS oh yeah okay i’m crying. we have this melody again - this motif that is so recognizable - building in, layering with the entire orchestra until it just tips over the edge in a way that’s absolutely breathtaking. caroline is both predictable and unexpected in this way - we know it’s coming, we know that the music is going to hit that precipice and blossom, but when it does whooooooo boy is it powerful. 

sophia | rebels at bay (the empire strikes back)

https://open.spotify.com/track/2NWNkDoePT1QOKx8wUnf7d?si=4a4cc22379814337

this is an.....unorthodox choice. i’ll admit it. 

but i didn’t want to pick a theme or a suite for sophia - i needed a piece that makes you want to move. this one underscores a battle in the film, and i think it’s just perfect for our soph. it’s got these lilting strings and woodwind sections and then it dives into something intense, maybe even a little masculine. 

but it’s hurried!! you gotta go!! where??? i don’t know! and then there are these little breathers built in. just like sophia, it moves and watches and moves and watches. these little breaks always take us somewhere surprising. it could get darker, maybe even a little scary, but it’s always moving. this reminds me of sophia’s bravery. she pushes through - often with grit and raw energy. 

around the 3:40 mark we get the main theme motif back - this reminded me of her connection with jack. this rushed, intense piece becomes something that sounds hopeful and heroic with bars we’ve heard before. 

this piece also travels, like luke and leia, but there’s a sense of urgency. there are always stakes for sophia because she bets big or not at all. she throws herself into everything she does with zeal and enthusiasm. 

even when the imperial march makes an appearance, it’s faster than the original, still upbeat and exciting to experience. i love this piece because no matter how many times i hear it, it has me on the edge of my seat. 

elliot | parade of the ewoks (return of the jedi)

https://open.spotify.com/track/5T0aZmjk3KNrLayQu7VBgP?si=902a5770241c4728

i can’t get over the whimsy in this one. it’s unexpected and a little magical in all the right ways. 

we start with the woodwinds and a kind of plucking underscore - elements that remind me of elliot’s go with the flow kind of attitude. he just plots along, adding something curious and youthful to those around him. 

the range on this piece is super wide - we go very low and very high. we’ve got low brass creeping in with these trills just to keep it a little spicy, just like our favorite youngest sibling.

and then of course the french horn shows up. both john williams and i love a french horn and a repeating melodic motif. 

this song is so confident!! and so triumphant. like i get big self-satisfied vibes from this song and that just...is elliot to a T.

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Caroline and Sophia’s Instagram Profiles

a joyful future au social media 1/??

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Had A Thought™️ the other day: mom and Aaron getting called on a case after the kiddos have gone to bed, Caro waking up with the commotion and giving Aaron her pillow pet to take with him 🥺

And u know he sleeps with it on the plane and everyone gives him so much shit

this is so cute oh my goodness :’)

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how do our favourite ajf couples handle The Talk? and also, how do they start talking about lgbtq+ things? we love communication and education in this house ✨ - 💙

alRIGHT we are going OFF under the cut about good parenting (and also aaron’s the best dad on the planet change my mind)

this is litcherally almost 1.5k words because not only are we inclusive and educational in this house, we are comprehensive and honest with our kids!

they start with consent and boundaries really early. its always “can you ask you sister if its okay to use her tablet” or “honey you're standing a little close to me and i need some space right now. can you step back?” or “i don't really want to do that right now, can we do something else?”

its easier to understand boundaries with the addition of isaac in their home environment. he needs and has very clear boundaries for his siblings and his parents, so its very clear cut from the get-go what is and isn’t okay without permission. mom and aaron are good about knocking on doors and waiting for their kids to invite them into their space, and they’re awesome about privacy and open conversations.

auntie emily has a girlfriend or two and spencer has a boyfriend, a non-binary partner, and a girlfriend over the course of the kids’ lives, which is a really neat segue into the lgbtq+ conversation. very simple - 

“when you’re older, you might start feeling things for people, or you might not. there are different words for people who are attracted to different people, and those are called sexualities. for example, your aunt emily is a lesbian because she likes girls, and your uncle spencer has dated people of different genders, so he’s called bisexual.  

“there are also different words for people who don’t really fit in to the ‘boy’ or ‘girl’ category. some people are a lot of one or the other, some people are a little bit of both, and others aren’t any at all. 

“it’s really important to use these words respectfully, and only use them for someone if you have heard someone use them for themselves. this is a really private thing for most people, so we have to be respectful of people’s boundaries when we talk about the feelings we have for other people.

“if you ever want to talk to mom or me about feelings you’re having, we will be here for you to love you and accept you no matter what.”

(these kids are either gen z or whatever the fuck comes after them, so they’ll probably all be a little queer in one way or another, or at least explored a bit, lets be real)

they are very age-appropriate, as well. so there’s a conversation about how our bodies change when the kids are about nine or ten, and they have a lot of books for the kids to read in private, so they’re not so put on the spot. 

mom and aaron do their best to tag team, but there are some things that are better to hear from your dad than your mom and vice versa. 

this is also around the time the kids get the conversation about what is and isn't appropriate touching, peer pressure, and social norms (”sometimes, people will say that they’ve done something that you hadn’t thought of before or aren’t ready to do, and it might feel like everyone else has done it, too. however, you are you and you are not them. you are the only person who gets to tell you what to do, and never feel like you have to do anything for any reason.”)

jack, of course, is first, and is having these first conversations with aaron right around the time isaac is born.

when he gets further into middle school, he and aaron go for a walk and talk more specifically about consent and new feelings that might come up. idk about yall, but i knew way more than i should have in middle school and the internet has only gotten worse since then, so i’m sure jack has a vague idea of the mechanics. jack and mom also talk about values, like respect and compassion and empathy, and how those values link together with those feelings. 

when they're older (late middle school, early high school), they get the conversation about stds and safety and risks and that stuff. (that’s another easy conversation with real-life examples because isaac, while very wanted, was somewhat unexpected, and so was their cousin henry.) everyone is really clear about all the ways to engage in these activities that won’t get anyone hurt, pregnant, infected, or all of the above. (all of course, with the understanding that “this is for your knowledge, not for you to just know how to go off and sow your wild oats. you’ll have plenty of time for that later, i promise.”)

the segue for isaac’s first on-topic talk comes due to a question about how jack has a different mom than the rest of them. there was a comment at school that made isaac feel a little weird (”well jack’s not your real brother. he doesn't count because he's your half-brother” - that kind of thing) so he asked mom and dad about it. he already knew that jack has a different mom, but he doesn't really know what that means. 

aaron’s like “well, jack is made of different stuff because he didn’t come out of mom.”

“what kind of different stuff?”

(and of course mom thinks its hilarious and later says “you walked right into that one, honey.”)

so because isaac is isaac and loves to learn, aaron goes and grabs one of the books he got for jack, and he and mom walk through all the “stuff” that makes up a person and how it gets there. they’re a little more detailed with him than the other kids, because he really likes to know the science and mechanics of it (”dad, people are kind of like machines!” “yeah, bud, a little bit!”)

hes fascinated, of course, and he’s the easiest of the five. he also does really well with more abstract ideas of consent and boundaries as well. 

when it’s the girls’ turn, they not only get the mechanics conversation (for both sex and owning a uterus) but the safety conversation. because consent was so drilled into all of them, the boys are like “aight got it, don’t be an asshole and always ask about everything all the time. cool.” but the girls are dealing with some different stuff on multiple fronts. 

mom tells them about periods before they get them, so they’re not thinking they’re dying when their first period arrives. they actually help their friends a lot when they freak out, which is super sweet. 

aaron reiterates this one to every kid, every time: 

“there will be times where people, usually men, do not listen to you and do not respect your boundaries. i am giving you my permission to do whatever you have to do to get out of that situation. you can lie to that person, you can trick that person, and you can hurt that person if that’s the only way to get out of that situation. you can always call us and it doesn’t matter what time it is. we will never ever be mad at you. we love you unconditionally and we just want you to be safe.” 

“sex, for some people, is about fun and getting some exercise in, or just another way to spend time with people. that’s okay, but just make sure you’re taking care of yourself and being safe. for other people, its a physical way to express your love to someone you really care about.” 

(“oh, so that’s why there’s so many of us.” “soph don’t be rude.” “it’s true isnt it?”)

so its less of like The Talk and more of Yeah, We Can Talk About This Anytime, because mom and aaron do their best to normalize talking about this stuff so the kids won’t be embarrassed to come to them with stuff in the future. 

jack usually goes to mom with more...specific questions. caro ends up going to dad more often than not, and soph and elliot split the parents pretty evenly. isaac usually goes to mom, too. 

aaron’s favorite Jack Asks About Sex moment (relayed to him that night, in bed with mom) is as follows:

mom and jack are out on a walk, and jack’s like, 15ish. he just looks at her and is like “mom. hey, uh. what’s a blowjob?”

she tries not to laugh and succeeds, for the most part. in the spirit of honesty, and with the understanding of “you aren’t to do this until you are comfortable and ready and nobody else can tell you when that is,” she kind of loosely outlines oral sex and how to conduct it safely and responsibly. 

“is it like...good? fun? like ugh, god, how do i put this...do you and dad...do people...nevermind.”

with a laugh - “jack. you really don’t want me to answer that. i will scar you for life if you push.” 

“ugh. yikes. alright.” 

aaron thought it was HYSTERICAL. 

at the end of the day, they just want their kids to feel safe and loved. all five of them know that they were built and made with love, and know (within reason) that their parents love and enjoy each other. 

whew. thanks for coming to my ted talk, and you can thank my parents for some of these gems lmao

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https://www.instagram.com/reel/CL3s9IGho63/?igshid=11hi9n7q4ft8 this is caro @ aaron and mom. tell me i’m wrong

HAHAHAHAHAHA you’re so right. baby is posessive of her dad 

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are any of our kids neurodivergent, lgbtq+ etc? literally ANYTHING outside of society’s bullshit “norms” - 💙

hell yeah! first things first, these kids are all in therapy because it’s just a good thing to do. these kids are also gen z and post-gen z (we don’t know what they’re like, yet!) so they’ve kind of got the queer thing on lock.

we went one by one under the cut:

jack has ptsd that creeps up on him every once and a while. he’s been diagnosed with a panic disorder that’s really well-managed as he grows into adulthood. he explored his sexuality a bit in college, and decided that boys and non-binary pals are an option, but he really likes girls. (i mean have you seen girls??) (enneagram 6w5)

isaac has autism spectrum disorder, (of the formerly-recognized Asperger’s variety), with his symptoms predominantly presenting as visual/auditory sensory processing issues and a struggle with implicit social cues. his brain is built for patterns and information recall. he’s also been diagnosed with adhd-pi and is a sex-neutral asexual. he and his uncle spencer can keep up with each other more often than not. (enneagram 5w6)

soph is a raging bisexual with adhd-ph and a wretched temper due to her adhd-based emotional disregulation. she’s always presented fairly androgynously, and doesn’t mind they/them pronouns in addition to she/her. after a soccer injury in high school, she will occasionally have to walk with a cane or other mobility support when her bad knee and hip act up (she can tell you when it’s going to rain and it’s really fun to thwack your siblings when they’re least expecting it!) (enneagram 8w9)

caro also has adhd-pi and is very much into people who are male-presenting, but she’s had a couple of girlfriends and is on the ace spectrum. she has dyscalculia (and it’s really frustrating) as well as demonstrable empathic abilities. (enneagram 2w1)

elliot is generally pretty queer - he, for a while, really felt comfortable wearing his sisters’ clothes and kind of fluxed around through high school. he’s comfy with he/him pronouns but doesn’t really give a fuck. he’s pretty neurotypical, but will sometimes experience depressive episodes. essentially, he’s one big shrug and everyone’s just like “yeah, he’s baby. don’t worry about him.” (enneagram 9w1)

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i made the kids email signatures and before you ask, nobody asked for them but here they are! (there are fun easter eggs in here - take a close look!)

elliot doesnt have one because a) he can’t be bothered and b) it only says “i used my iphone for this”

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during paternity leave with elliot, hotch allows the beard grow out to just a little bit of stubble until sophia and caro collectively decide they don’t want any kisses from daddy until it’s gone

mom is THRILLED the girls are like “fuck this, nope, absolutely not” 

caro mostly goes along with soph for it, and is a touch disappointed - 

“wait, daddy? it’s gone?”  “yeah love, i thought you didn’t like it.”  “oh. okay.” 

she bounces back quick enough but its so adorable. aaron just looks at mom like 🥺  “i thought she didnt like it”

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not me thinking about Spencer spending a christmas with the hotchner’s & also being woken up by a Sophia and Caroline.

okay nothing makes me softer than spencer during the holidays, spending time with the people he loves!! 

the girls love uncle spence and always find an excuse to go hang out with him. mom once found them all curled up on the couch, spencer with a book on his chest and the girls under his arms, fast asleep. 

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i have a question! how does the hotchner fam and everyone pronounce caro? is it like the beginning of her name (care-oh) or the italian word (car-oh)?

it’s like the italian! so its like cah-roh - some (dave) roll the r, but most don’t. it sounds a little silly the first couple times you hear it, but it somehow works for her

(dave never calls her by her name - it’s caro or caro-bellissima only and its very cute)

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What is THAT story about the kids that mom and aaron always bring up at holiday dinners when they’re feeling a lil nostalgic and maybe a lil wine drunk

its definitely the one where sophia and caroline (at age three) had a battle royale down the aisle of penny and luke’s wedding, serving as flower girls while their flower baskets served as WMDs. 

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did i craft signatures for the ajf kids? yes. wanna see? bop below the cut!

yes i have too much time on my hands and a very deep knowledge of handwriting analysis why do you ask