"-and I did a spell that made Derek a frog then he used the water spell and we went on the broom and-" Hotch closed the door behind him as he walked into the house, carrying Spencer.
They had just gotten back from dinner at Rossi's place, and Rossi had shown Spencer the joy of video games.
"Can I get that game, Aaron?" Spencer asked as Hotch put him down in front of the couch.
"Sure, buddy. We gotta get the game system first, then we can get all kinds of games." Hotch said as he took of his jacket.
Spencer grinned, obviously excited at the idea. Hotch put his jacket on the hook, then walked back over to the couch. He grabbed the remote, turning on the tv. He put the remote down, walking to the kitchen.
"You can watch a show bud, then it's bedtime." Hotch said. He turned his head in confusion when he got no reply.
Spencer was standing in front of the tv, and Hotch gasped as he saw what was on the tv. It seemed to be a crime movie, and Hotch watched as a man attacked a woman, pinning her to the ground, obviously triggering Spencer. Hotch rushed over to the tv, grabbing the remote and flicking the channel.
"I'm so sorry bud, I didn't know that would be on." Hotch looked at Spencer, who was still staring blankly at the tv, his arms wrapped around him.
Hotch scolded himself for not checking what show he was putting on for Spencer.
"Hey," Hotch reached out to put his hand on Spencer's arm, but Spencer moved away quickly.
"Don't touch me." Spencer backed away a few steps.
Hotch knew he was having a flashback, but he had never refused his comfort.
"Spence, it's okay, your safe." Hotch said, but Spencer shook his head quickly.
"No. No, bad. Bad." Hotch saw tears well up in Spencer's eyes, and he so badly wanted to hold him.
"Don't wanna be here." Spencer whimpered, and he grabbed fistfuls of his hair, hiding his face behind his arms.
"Spence, it's okay, I'm here. Your safe." Hotch reached out to touch him again, but Spencer gasped and fell backward.
Hotch rushed to help him, but Spencer moved away.
"Please, please, no." Spencer cried, pulling his knees to his chest. Hotch moved closer to him silently, not wanting to scare him. His flashbacks had never been this bad. Hotch didn't know what to do. He just wanted to hold him until he didn't feel scared anymore. He remembered what JJ did with victims they worked with; how she talked them through the flashback. "Spencer, what's happening?" Hotch asked, leaning closer to him. "Daddy. I- I bad." Spencer said, and Hotch put a hand on Spencer's arm.
He didn't flinch away.
"What is he doing?" Spencer started to shake.
"The whip." Spencer whimpered. "Hurts." Hotch started to stroke his hair gently.
"It's okay, I'm here. Aaron's here bud." Spencer stopped crying for a second, and Hotch knew he had heard him.
"Just listen to my voice, okay?" Hotch said, wrapping his arms around Spencer.
"I'm scared." Spencer whispered, and Hotch felt him grab onto his shirt, looking for something to hold. "What is happening?" Hotch knew this was horrible for Spencer, but he needed to know what William did to him.
"H-He's putting the ropes on my feet." Spencer whimpered again, moving closer to Hotch.
"I don't want the electuctes." Spencer cried, gripping Aaron's shirt tightly.
"Electuctes?"
"They make it hurt everywhere." Hotch had no idea what Spencer was talking about, but then he realized.
Electrocute.
"Did he electrocute you, buddy?" Hotch asked gently.
Spencer nodded.
Hotch wrapped his arms tighter around Spencer, leaning his lips against his head. That fucking piece of shit. He realized William wasn't into just abuse, he liked torture. Hotch was afraid to find out what else he had done to him. "No, no, no, no." Spencer started to cry again, and Hotch rubbed his back.
"I'm here baby, it's okay." He was trying his best to soothe Spencer, but it didn't seem to be working. Hotch knew this was a part of Spencer healing, he just hated to see him go through it. Spencer had began to hyperventilate, scratching his nails across him arms.
"Hey, no, no hurt." Hotch grabbed Spencer's hands gently.
"Breathe, Spence." Hotch kept holding his hands, and Spencer didn't move away.
Spencer took a deep breath.
"Your safe. I'm here. He can't hurt you." Spencer grimaced slightly, like he was pushing something away.
"Open your eyes buddy. I promise your safe." Spencer shook his head.
Hotch sighed.
"I love you so much, Spencer, please open your eyes." Hotch was almost begging, wanting Spencer to stop seeing those bad things. Spencer slowly opened his eyes, looking up at Hotch. As soon as he saw him, he leaned his head on his chest.
"Aaron." He whispered, clutching onto his shirt.
"I'm here. Your safe." Hotch started rubbing Spencer's back, muttering soothing words. Soon, Spencer was asleep, and Hotch picked him up, carrying him to the couch. He put the quilt they keep on the couch overtop of him, making sure he was warm. He looked down at his son, sadness filling him. Spencer had gone through so much, was tortured and abused, but Hotch had to fight to put the man who hurt him away. He couldn't believe William had electrocuted his son. Hotch hoped it was rarely, but he knew it wasn't. Hotch brushed a piece of hair out of Spencer's face.
"Love you, Spence." He said, kissing the top of his head. He knew that it would be a difficult road to healing, but he was going to make sure he was with his son for all of it.