More Ficlets! Please read notes, disclaimer etc etc on predeceasing chapter ^_^ THANK YOU!
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Valentines Day (Linkin Park)
Aaron 'Hotch' Hotchner sat in his apartment, a bottle of whiskey to his right, the TV remote to his left. He was alone, something he was no longer used to… and not entirely sure he enjoyed. It had been around 10 months since his divorce… and 3 weeks since he had argued with his lover. Now he was by himself… and today was Valentines Day…
'Idiot, Aaron Hotchner. Bloody idiot. He didn't deserve that… but you did it anyway. He deserved an explanation after… and you didn't give him one. Can you blame him for not talking to you?' The thought of his lover's broken, wounded gaze in the office had turned his soul to ash and caused his heart to shatter. Aarons fingertips grazed over the phone, but changed course to the whiskey bottle when the letter box snapped, causing Aaron to jump and nearly sending the liquid gold contents of the bottle cascading to the floor. Dark eyes drifted to the envelope that fell from the letterbox, and widened at the familiar handwriting on the front. He wanted to leap up and run to the door in the hopes of seeing his lover, but was frozen in place.
"…Spencer?..."
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If Everyone Cared (Nickelback)
Collapsing onto the hotel bed, Spencer tried to regulate his breathing and sent for room service to send up some water, coffee and ice cream. As soon as Hotch had said they could take a break, Spencer was out of there. This case was becoming a massive strain on the team, and the thoughts it had brought to Spencers mind were just…
They weren't dealing with a "Cop Killer" any more. This guy was an "FBI Killer". Chris Sully had been arrested 2 years ago on false charges by an FBI agent, and released 1 year ago. He had lived peacefully until 3 months prior to this point… when he saw in the paper that that same FBI agent was marrying Sully's now ex-girlfriend. It was painful to think about… If that FBI agent had never abused his power to take Sully's girlfriend, Sully would never have split from her, she may not have met or married the agent, and 7 agents (2 of which Reid had seen at Quantico, but never spoken to) would not be laying in the morgue, and Morgan wouldn't be in hospital... if only everyone cared... if everyone would give a damn about each other... but that would never happen. The world was just a messed up ball of shi- Spencer jumped as a pair of strong arms wrapped around his waist.
"…Aaron? I mean Hotc-"
"Shh" Aaron stroked Spencers hair lovingly "We're alive… and we're going to catch this bastard. Morgan is strong, he'll be fine. I Promise." Spencer turned, returning his lovers embrace as they stood relishing the safety, comfort and care of each others company. Neither noticed the knocking at the door and, to be honest, neither cared.
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Ring Of Fire (Johnny Cash)
Aaron looked at his car radio with a thoughtful frown. He had been just about to turn it off before the voice of the legendary Johnny Cash began to drift out of the speakers. 'Ring of Fire'. It made him think… in his opinion, he had been seen as many as 3 'Rings of Fire' in his time, so far.
Firstly, there had been Hayley. An ember that he had exaggerated into a flame, the fire had lapped and scorched him until he had realised it wasn't the fiery desire Cash sang of… then there was the literal ring. His wedding ring. The burning reminder that became a trap when faced with the one person who truly set his heart alight, reminding him he had a wife. And that person was certainly not said wife. That person showed him the way to the third 'Ring of Fire' and, in true Johnny Cash fashion, Aaron had fallen deep into the burning desire and the flames had engulfed him completely. Aaron smiled as that persons apartment came into view. Never before had he felt so… childishly in love, like a schoolgirl with a crush. He had never realised how sweet love really tasted until his heart met that of Dr Spencer Reid. And their hearts had never parted since.
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Who Needs Love (Razorlight)
Aaron Hotchner was not upset. He was not angry. He was furious. But that was all insignificant, right? He didn't need Spencer Reid in his life as anything more than a co-worker – the socially inept team genius. After one ex-wife who had made his life a living hell, he didn't need another lover – especially not one like Reid, an insecure, needy, male Kid. He didn't need to be made feel guilty or stressed because Reid read into things that weren't there. After all, his accusations were completely uncalled for… weren't they? Pulling his car to the side of the road, Aaron fell into deep thought.
How often had he spoken to Reid about Hayley? …Very often.
How often had Reid complained? Never.
How often had he complained about something Spencer had done? Several times…
About trivial things? Yes.
How often had Spencer done the same? …Once.
Tonight. That had been what had led to this, their first argument, in which Aaron had yelled and stormed out of Spencer's apartment because Spencer had asked him if he was truly happy… if he loved him…
'How often did I tell Spencer that I love him?' Aarons eyes widened in realisation. Never. Not properly. In the 4 months they had been dating, he had never told Spencer he loved him… not even when they had sex… turning the car around at record speed, Aaron made his way back to his lovers apartment. He wasn't about to give up Spencer, not to his own stupid mistakes, not to anything. No matter what it took, or how long, he would prove to Spencer Reid that he loved him. No matter what.
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In Between (Linkin Park)
A thin sheet of glass was all that physically separated him from the one who had fuelled his thoughts and dreams for the past 2 years. Mentally, there was much more. He had tried to tell Spencer Reid about his feelings ever since the ink on the divorce settlement had dried… wanted to tell him how he dreamed about those big doe eyes looking lustfully into his as he thrust- snapping out of his thoughts, Hotch risked one last, longing glance down into the bullpen, only to notice the object of his desires and conflicts was no longer there. A knock on the door brought him out of his reverie.
"Enter."
"Hotch?" he felt his breath catch as Dr Spencer Reid slid into his office, clicking the door shut behind him. "Can we talk?"
"Ok? Is something wrong?"
"No. Yes… maybe?" Spencer fidgeted on the spot, fingers laced, beautiful brown orbs constantly shifting. "Hotch… I-I mean, the team and I… I'm-We're… worried. About you."
"Me?" He was touched.
"Y-yes… you've been… distant… ever since your divorce and-" Spencer was getting flustered and muddled trying to talk to Hotch… and Hotch found it absolutely adorable. His pride told him not to risk rejection… his promise to himself never to put others at risk ran through his mind… but so did the number of lies he had told to hide his feelings.
"Reid? Reid… Spencer!" The young man stuttered to a halt, looking like, as Garcia would say, a Kitten found next to the cream. "I… well, I'm distant because I…" words lost, and thoughts silent, all he could do was press his lips to the full, soft lips of his Co-worker. "I'm sorry…" Spencer was frozen, in shock or surprise – he couldn't tell.
"…Aaron…"
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Thank you! Please don't hesitate to review and let me know what you think :D Two more already written to type up and add, and who knows after that? All I can tell you is the next 2 are linked – and I think they'll make an awesome one shot OR even a chapter fic ^_^ And remember, these are open for anyone to use :D