Change My Mind ~ Criminal Minds (Aaron Hotchner x OC)

86.0: Confessing Feelings & The Next Morning

"Either way, change will come. It could be bloody, or it could be beautiful. It depends on us."
― Arundhati Roy

Crystal smiled triumphantly at Hotch, "You're slow Aaron." Hotch gave her an amused look as he exited his car, "You had a head start."

"Are you being a sore loser?"

"No, of course not."

"Aw, you're pouting." Crystal said mockingly and she laughed when Hotch pulled her towards him so he could hug her, Hotch's lips twitched and he pressed a kiss to her forehead before they walked into the building.

Crystal smiled as her and Hotch walked to his apartment door once the elevator doors opened, Crystal laughed as he stole a quick kiss from her even though he didn't win. "Hey."

"What?" Hotch asked innocently before he opened his door and Crystal stepped in with a smile on her face, Hotch closed the door and she sat down on the couch. Hotch smiled at her, "I'm going to go see Jack, would you like to come with me?"

Crystal shook her head, "No, go have your moment. I'll see him in the morning." 

"Make yourself at home then," Hotch replied before walking to Jack's room, he turned around and cleared his throat. "I would also like to talk about us when I get back." Crystal nodded and Hotch walked into Jack's room, she stood up and went to the kitchen to make her some tea. Crystal smiled as she found the tea stash Hotch had told her about during one of their nighttime calls when she was still in NC.

He bought all my favorite teas for me when I would return, how sweet.

Crystal poured some hot water into her mug and put her tea bag into her mug afterwards, she smiled when she felt arms wrap around her from behind. "Hi."

"Hi." Hotch mumbled as he buried his head into her hair, Crystal continued to make her tea before she took a sip. Crystal leaned back into Hotch's hold, "I think you're going to have to move for me to go sit down at the couch."

"Is that so?"

"Yes Aaron, it is." Crystal laughed and he chuckled as he moved back a bit for her to turn around and walk to the couch, he followed her and sat down next to her. Crystal took a sip of her tea, "You wanted to talk?" Hotch held her hand and traced her palm, "I've liked you for a very long time Crystal."

"I kinda knew that."

Hotch chuckled at her response, "I see." Crystal smiled and shrugged, "I've liked you for while too, so it's okay." Crystal took another sip of her tea before setting it down on the table, "Seems like we weren't that subtle though since the whole team saw it before we could." Hotch's lips twitched and he shrugged, "Maybe, but they've been thinking we'd be together before either of us felt something. I also have a feeling that we both did see it, we just chose to...."

"Look past it?"

"Psych ourselves out of seeing the truth from fear," Hotch stated and Crystal hummed as she intertwined their fingers, she smiled as Hotch gently held her hand. Crystal squeezed his hand, "I was taking time to find myself again, I lost myself these past couple years and I just needed time to understand reality...I just needed time to find me and my confidence again, I just needed time."

Hotch smiled and rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand, "I figured as much, that's part of the reason I didn't make a move since I didn't want to rush you into anything you weren't ready for. Did you find yourself again?"

"Yes," Crystal replied immediately, "I did with some effort and I was able to finally face reality."

"And that is?" Hotch asked softly and Crystal smiled at him, "That I really like you and that you really like me." Hotch hummed and smirked, "I'd say I'm more in love with you, but 'really like' works too."