Criminal Minds Imagines

bad day - aaron hotchner

Slam!

Your husband's head snapped towards the aggressive noise of the door shutting, but you were too frustrated to notice.

You dropped your heavy purse by the door, not bothering to hang it up as you usually did, and stomped over to the couch. Your heels clicked loudly against the hardwood floor just before you kicked them off, flipping down onto the couch with a huff.

Aaron observed you with caution, thinking about how best to approach. He hated to see your job stress you out so much, but he also knew that sometimes you needed a minute to cool off before he tried to comfort you.

The pasta still requires his attention, giving him the opportunity to allow you to do just that. He listened as you typed aggressively on your phone, undoubtably sending texts to your closest friends about your monstrous day. You let out little huffs and puffs now and then, but other than that the only sound coming from the living room was the dull hum of whatever popular sitcom was playing.

Once the pasta was cooked and drained, he turned off the stove and washed his hands. The kitchen in your apartment opened up to the living room, so he didn't have far to walk to get to you. He was still dressed in his light blue dress shirt and black slacks, having just arrived home hours earlier from a case in Arizona.

Any other time you would have jumped on him the moment you strolled through the door, thankful that Haley's sister was watching Jack. Today was not one of those days.

"Honey?" His voice was soft as he knelt by your head that rested on the furthest couch cushion.

Your eyes, which were closed as you rubbed your temples, fluttered open. You were struck with the sheer amount of love and concern fully displayed on the face of a man who was known for showing no emotion.

"Hi." You murmured, your voice cracking as your anger melted into sadness.

You were tired, exhausted even, and your boss was a menace. You felt helpless, wanting nothing more than to fall into Aaron's embrace.

His calloused fingers traced gently over your hairline, smoothing over your hair gently. "Hi, honey. Bad day?"

You mumbled a 'yes,' hardly capable of fully speaking the word. You leaned into his touch, his hand coming to rest against your warm cheek.

"Dinner's ready. I made your favorite pasta, just like David does it at parties." He said with a smile, hoping the idea of food would perk you up. When it didn't, he frowned and decided on an alternative. "Or we can just sit in here for a little bit?"

You nodded, sitting up slightly so he could ease down where your head had been before, reclining back so your head rested in his lap. You needed to change clothes and shower and take off your makeup and eat-so many necessities that would also help soothe the ache from a horrible day. But the most important, most urgent one in the moment, was to be close to your person.

He didn't speak, taking your hand and tangling your fingers with his. His other hand smoothed over your hairline once more before gently rubbing circles on your temple to ease your thrumming headache.

With your eyes closed, you allowed yourself to re-center in the moment. All you could feel was the warmth of his lap, his gentle hands on you, the slight shake of his body when he laughed quietly at something on the TV.

You hadn't realized you had fallen asleep until the sensation of being lifted from the couch made your eyes flutter open. "Aar?"

"Just me, honey, you took a little nap. We're gonna get your clothes changed and some food for you before it gets too late, yeah?" He spoke quietly, as if consoling a spooked child.