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It wasn't the first time Reid had gotten a ride home with Hotch. As much as Reid hated having the other man go out of his way, they had gotten back from a case late; and Reid did not want to spend an hour crowded by strangers. He had originally planned to ask Morgan, but he along with everyone else on the team decided to get drinks before going home. Hotch was the only other person who didn't feel like drinking that night, leaving him as Reid's only option.

So Reid asked Hotch, somewhat embarrassed, for a ride home and the older man agreed without hesitation. Now here they were in Hotch's car, sitting outside Reid's apartment building, kissing. It surprised Reid, to say the least. Before getting out of the car, Hotch had said there's something he needed to tell Reid. Next thing Reid knew, Hotch had pulled him in for a kiss. A very intense kiss.

Hotch ran his tongue across Reid's bottom lip, asking for entrance, so Reid opened his mouth slightly. Immediately, Hotch dove his tongue into Reid mouth and began exploring. It wasn't the first time Reid had ever kissed anyone. But it was the first it had ever been filled with such intense passion. The young genius wasn't sure why Hotch was doing this, but Reid didn't want him to stop.

Eventually, both men pulled away for air. Breathing heavily, Reid looked at Hotch, wanting to ask countless questions. As though his mind was being read, Hotch answered all his questions with one short answer: "I love you." Hotch spoke with a confidence that made Reid shiver slightly. Hotch waited quietly for Reid to answer.

"Why?" Not the answer Hotch was expecting or even hoping for, but it was the only thing Reid could think about. As pathetic as Reid knew that made him, he had to know why. Why someone like Hotch could fall for someone like himself. Looking at the older man's face, mixed with confusion and what looked like amusement. "Only you would ask that. I don't know really. Maybe it was all those magic tricks." Both agents laughed slightly.

Hotch looked at Reid, waiting again for his answer. Reid sighed slightly, thinking quickly. How did he feel about Hotch? He felt differently about him than anyone else on the team. Is that love or something else? Reid couldn't decided. "I don't know."

"Don't know what?" Hotch asked quickly, almost as though he was expecting Reid to say that.

"How I feel." Reid looked away from Hotch, embarrassed he didn't know how he felt.

"You don't feel the same?" Hotch sounded hurt, making Reid look at him once again. There was no trace of hurt on his, just confusion. Reid thought for another moment.

"I don't know. I might." That answered seemed good enough for Hotch. He pulled Reid in for another kiss. This one however was gentle, like a quiet promise made in the dead of night.

"Can we try anyway?" Reid knew what Hotch was asking him. Can we try to make it work? Reid nodded, mumbling a quiet yes, wanting to give everything with Hotch a try.

Hotch pulled at Reid again, making the younger man think they were going to kiss. Instead, Hotch had pulled him into a tight hug and held onto Reid tightly. "Thank you." Hotch spoke into Reid's softly, tightening his hold on slightly. Reid hugged Hotch back, doing his best to match Hotch's strength.

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