Title: Three Rather Big Words.
Disclaimer: Not mine, no profit made.
Rating: PG.
Pairing: Hotch/Reid
Prompt: The first time they say 'I love you.' (Doesn't have to be in response to one another.)
A/N: This new HotchxReid Prompt Meme is going to be the death of me!

The first time Aaron said 'I love you' had been in a hospital room. Jack had slipped off a small wall while in Spencer's care and had cut his head. When Aaron had seen how freaked out his lover was over such a superficial wound, refusing to calm even in the face of a smiling Jack happily munching on ice-cream; completely uninjured, the swell of emotion he'd felt had almost caused him to faint. He's said the words with a smile and followed them with a kiss.

The fact that Spencer hadn't said it back didn't register until Aaron was trying to get to sleep that night. He looked next to him, taking in the sight of his lover quietly snoring away, and decided he didn't mind. Spencer had trust issues, understandable ones, and though he hadn't actually said the words, Aaron knew he loved him.

The thought was far from his mind when in Colorado working on a spree-killer case. They were surrounding the UnSub, who was hiding out in a shack in the middle of nowhere, surrounded on all sides by deep ravines and ditches. When the man made a run for it, he had shot blindly into the darkness. He just so happened, however, to shoot in the direction of Aaron's cover spot.

When the bullet hit his chest, he realized what an idiotic idea it had been to perch so close to the edge of one of the ravines. The force of the bullet pushed him back and he rolled down the hill. He stopped at the bottom and found he couldn't move. His Kevlar vest had caught the bullet, but the impact mixed with the fall, had knocked the air out of him and he couldn't draw in anymore, his body was rigid with pain.

A second later he heard Spencer calling his name, coming closer. He had been sat just off to the side and had clearly seen Aaron get hit. Just like with Jack, the knowledge that he was wearing Kevlar was doing nothing to ease the man's fear.

"Aaron, god please wake up. Move." He was frantic and Aaron wanted so badly to move, to comfort his lover, but he couldn't. His lungs were beginning to burn with the need for air.

"Aaron, please. You can't die, you can't leave me. I need you." He was now ripping at the vest and pulling on his tie, trying desperately to clear his airways.

"Please. I love you, I have to tell you that I love you. You can't die not knowing that please!"

The words coming from Spencer's mouth caused his chest to constrict in such a way that Aaron finally managed to cough, drawing in much needed air.

He heard, through the blood rushing in his ears, Spencer release a relieved laugh/sob. He felt fingers on his face and finally managed to open his eyes.

"I," He cleared his throat, "I swear I wasn't pretending to be dead to get you to say that." He croaked out, managing a small smile.

Spencer laugh/sobbed a little harder and lowered his head to rest on Aaron's chest. His hand, which had been resting on Aaron's waist, clenched and he fisted the loose material of his shirt. Aaron was certain the tears had won out over the laughter by now.

He reached a heavy arm up to touch Spencer's hair, unable to move enough to offer more assurance than that.

Spencer immediately raised his head, grabbed Aaron's face with both hands and kissed him hard. Aaron welcomed the feel of his lover's lips against his, taking comfort from them in the face of what could have been, had the bullet been mere inches higher, his death.

Spencer was still kissing him like crazy when they heard the rest of the team and a few LEO's running towards them. Spencer hesitantly released Aaron's lips and sat back, smiling.

Before they could reach them, Spencer whispered once more, "I love you."

Aaron smiled, used every ounce of strength he had to grasp his lovers hand and said, "I love you too.

End.