A/N: I'd like to thank those who faved and followed as well as the review. To be honest, this wasn't how I planned the story, but hey, my muse dragged me in a different direction, so I'll follow it. Now I hope you enjoy
A groan came from Aaron's lips as he finished washing his face, fatigue and frustration racking his body. He thread his fingers through his short, dark hair while looking at his reflection that somehow shown in the dark bathroom. Somehow, Hotch's bloodshot eyes were obvious in the lack of lighting, making it seem as though he hadn't slept in days when he had been sleeping for the past few hours.
Hotch groaned again before drying off his face and heading back to his room. Carefully, he got under the blankets and wrapped his arm around Hinata who was sleeping peacefully. She stirred just a bit before calming down, letting out a content sigh before falling quiet once more. Hotch smiled just a little before placing a gentle kiss on the top of her head and trying to relax once more.
In the back of his mind, Hotch was trying reassure himself that Hinata was still here, not in Foyet's grip, and not dying from a slit throat. It was just his nerves playing out the worst case scenario and would calm down once that monster was behind bars. He had spent whatever time he could tracking the man, but he had to admit the trail went cold; and Hotch had to focus on other things like fresh cases and his family. Didn't mean Hotch would check in everyday to find new leads.
"Aaron," Hinata mumbled and soon enough Hotch felt her shift under his arm and bury her face in his chest, a hand over his chest, "You're thinking too loud."
Despite his troubled thoughts, Hotch couldn't at least give off slight smile at her words; however, he just didn't have the energy to respond. Instead, Hotch just drew a bit closer and gave another kiss to her head, an apology followed afterwards. Hinata shifted again, her hand gripping the T-shirt he wore.
"You had another nightmare, didn't you?" her voice wasn't laced with sleep but with concern.
Hotch had thought about possibly lying in hopes of not frustrating her as well. He was still cautious about causing her pain- well, more than what he had already put her though. Fingers threading through her hair, Hotch decided not to.
"It's something we can talk about in the morning," he said after a few more seconds of consideration, "Go back to sleep, you clearly need it."
Hinata had slept through out the drive to the Chinese place to pick up his takeout and through the drive home. Hotch had to literally hold her up as he walked her to the apartment, and he wasn't surprised when Hinata didn't complain while he helped her get out of her clothes and into some night clothes- one of his T-shirts and sweatpants. She was out like a light when Hotch tucked her into his bed. Not even Hotch climbing into bed after eating and getting ready for bed himself didn't wake her. Instead she just let out a content sigh when Hotch pulled her close.
"Not as much as I did earlier," she admitted. Soon enough she had pulled herself from Hotch's protective hold and sat up. In the confines of the dark bedroom, Hotch could still the seriousness and concern in her lavender eyes and felt her hand in his own hair, leading it down to his cheek where the stubble was probably scratching her, "Aaron, please..."
Aaron sat up, his hand gripping hers. He closed his eyes as he tried to recall the memories of that nightmare without feeling the urge to puke the sesame seed chicken he had earlier. The last part, no matter how hard he tried, always brought a shuddering breath out of him.
"Aaron?" Hinata's voice pulled him out from his dark memories, and he found his grip on Hinata's hand being a bit tighter.
"Yes, I did," Hotch finally confessed.
There was a heavy silence afterwards, both treating the situation as if it was the most fragile piece of art in the world. And in a way, it was. Hotch knew this could open a can of worms that would be near impossible to put back in. As much as he wanted to let himself feel guilt over letting that monster escape, Hotch promised himself, Dave, and Hinata that he would try; and dammit he was trying.
"Aaron, I'm right here," Hinata whispered as her lips grazed over his. The gesture was simple but gentle, sending a nice wave of calm over Hotch.
"I know," Hotch's tone was low as he used his free hand to touch hers, "I know."
Ending his words with a chaste kiss of his own, Hotch pulled Hinata back down to the mattress, whispering how he was fine now; and that they could talk about this in the morning. He knew Hinata wanted to talk about more, her eyes holding so many question; however, she just nodded and buried her face back in his chest.
Hotch gave off a relieved and grateful smile that he knew she wouldn't see before it melted into a serious rather serious. Sleep hadn't came back to him as easily this time, and he only stared intently at the window that was being covered by the drawn blinds as if he was expecting someone to appear suddenly and attack. Only when he heard a content sigh from Hinata didn't he snap out of his paranoid trance and closed his eyes.
He couldn't tell if he slept or not because Hotch knew he didn't dream, and he certainly felt a bit agitated when his phone rang. Prying his eyes open, Hotch quickly stopped Hinata from stirring and whispered for her to go back to sleep. Her eyes were blinking sleepily at him as he twisted and grabbed his phone from the nightstand. JJ was calling.
"Hotchner," his voice had a bit of a grumble.
"Hotch, sorry for waking you so early, but we have a case in Oregon with an unusual signature."
"I understand, I'll be done soon," Hotch hung up soon after, irritation coming from him as he rolled out of bed.
"Aaron?" Hinata sat up, pulling the comforter around her.
"We have a case," Hotch explained as he went to his closet to grab a suit, "In Oregon."
He turned to see Hinata nodding in understanding as she pulled the comforter close to her, a slight look of disappointment in her eyes. If she was Hailey, Hotch would have known that that came when Hotch had leave when there was a planned family activity like a trip to the zoo or an event at Jack's school. But Hinata wasn't Hailey and he knew the disappointment was coming from the delay of a very important talk.
Hotch knew he shouldn't be relieved for avoiding the subject again, but he just didn't know how to address it. Profiling himself, Hotch knew his guilt would surface, and he was afraid that the roadblock that would come with the guilt would be too great for either of them to jump over.
"We'll talk as soon as I get back," he said, hoping Hinata didn't hear the waver in his tone. He walked back to the bed, laying the suit perfectly on the foot of it. With his hands free, Hotch cupped Hinata's face and gave a gentle kiss on her forehead, "I promise."
Hinata looked at him, and Hotch could tell she was trying study him to make sure he wasn't lying. To an extent, lawyers had to do a bit of profiling to know how to question those on the stand. Hinata was clearly able to tell when Hotch was thinking too much, or when he was running from something. If he was a murder suspect on trial, Hotch was sure that she would destroy him.
Eventually, Hinata nodded, leaning more into Hotch's touch as he rubbed the pad of his thumb over her cheek. It didn't take long for the familiar shade of red to begin showing. The color change was small- Hotch assumed it was because the situation was still serious- but it was enough to bring a genuine smile to his face as he came in for a small yet passionate kiss. Her breathing came in a slight pant against his lips as he separated from her, and the color grew a bit darker and Hinata's eyes were a bit lidded.
"Y-You should get ready," Hinata stammered out, and Hotch remembered that he had a case briefing to attend.
"Right, " Hotch slowly led her to lie back down, "It's early and I know you don't have classes tonight, so you go back to sleep."
Hinata opened her mouth to say something but was silenced by a finger to her lips, "Sleep, and I'll try to call you tonight."
There was a slight sternness to Hinata's eyes, but she nodded nonetheless. Hotch gave her one last kiss, told her he loved her, and then grabbed his suit and headed for the bathroom. The shower and routine afterwards was quick, and Hotch knew he didn't have time to get coffee as he went back to his room to grab his briefcase. Hinata was once more asleep although Hotch had a feeling that it was light as he made an effort to leave the room quietly. After grabbing his gun and badge from the closet safe, Hotch made sure to have his keys before locking up and heading to his car. When he reached the office, he was riding the elevator up with Rossi.
"Aren't you the first one here when we get a case?" Rossi didn't even try to hide the teasing in his tone. Hotch rolled his eyes.
"Get it out of your head, Dave," Hotch warned just as the elevator dinged and the doors opened.
"What, your girlfriend's gone for a few days, and you don't reassure how much you care about her?"
Hotch didn't even what to think about what Rossi would have said if Hotch admitted that that was what he had planned originally, "She was exhausted, so I just put her bed," and he didn't want think about how that was worded.
"Aaron, you are a gentleman," David chuckled just as the two men entered the conference room. Even with him being a later than he usual was, Hotch was still able to beat Morgan.
"Someone has to be," Hotch whispered as he took a case file from JJ and sat down next to Reid. As usual, the curious looks were sent his way, and Hotch gave them a look that warned them to back off as usual.
A/N: Any helpful tips and suggestions are greatly welcomed. Again, thanks for reading
