I don't have much to address this time, so this should be quick.
Something Unpretty, I enjoy writing Hotch's POV more as well, to be entirely honest, but for different parts it's almost necessary to swap in order to explore what I want to have shown? It's difficult for me to explain, but this chapter will be obvious for why it's in Reid's view. (And part of the reason Hotch's probably reads better is because I have a lot more fun doing it...) As for adding in more interactions with the team, it doesn't quite flow with what I had in mind for this prompt. I adore the team, but since it's not a case-fic request or anything that centers around them (minus a bonus for Garcia), it's a bit more difficult to have them interact, so I'm sorry about that. This is really meant to be short and sweet.
zoo
Reid knew he was probably staring at his boss like the older man had grown a second head, but considering said man had just asked him to go to the zoo the very next day with him and his son, Reid felt it was a justified reaction. And then when he thought about the most likely reason why Hotch was asking him, he felt slightly offended. "Hotch, can't you just go by yourselves? I'm sorry if Beth canceled and then the others already had plans, but I really don't enjoy being considered as your last resort because I supposedly don't do anything outside of work."
"Reid, what are you talking about?" Hotch queried, and he sounded legitimately confused. "We'll come back to the Beth thing since that's far out in left field, but why would you think I'm asking you last? I wanted to take Jack to the zoo, and since his favorite subject is currently science, I thought I would invite you so you could tell him interesting facts about the animals. I also thought you might enjoy a day out."
"...oh," Reid murmured, feeling heat creep up his neck. He cleared his throat and glanced away awkwardly, offering a sheepish smile when his gaze returned to Hotch. "I, uh—sorry, really. I didn't... You really want to spend the day listening to me ramble about animals?" It wasn't the best way to phrase it, but that was the initial thought that came after the surprise.
Hotch sighed almost fondly and perched himself on the edge of Reid's desk. "Are you telling me that after all our lunches, our sparse dinners, and last week's Doctor Who enlightenment, that you think you spouting off random facts actually bothers me?" he questioned, his voice thick with amusement.
Reid shrugged slightly because he sort of did; he just also thought Hotch had a lot more patience than most others. "Even if it doesn't, you weren't having to hear it for hours on end," he pointed out instead. He didn't want to offend Hotch by answering his first question.
"Reid, don't worry about that. It really doesn't bother me," Hotch repeated, holding Reid's gaze for a long moment. Reid finally managed a nod, and Hotch smiled. "So will you go to the zoo with us tomorrow, or do you have plans?"
"I'd like to go. It sounds like it'll be fun," Reid replied, smiling up at his Unit Chief.
Hotch nodded satisfiedly. "Good. I'll pick you up around nine." Reid half-expected the older man to get up at that point, but then he said, "Now, about Beth," and Reid ducked his head as his face flushed. "Why did you think she had canceled on me?"
Reid chanced a glance up at Hotch and was surprised at the quizzical expression on his face. "Well, since you two are dating, I thought..." When Hotch's brows only furrowed even more, Reid trailed off and paused before asking, "You two aren't dating?"
"Training for a triathlon is quite difficult by yourself. With a partner, you typically aspire to do better and work harder at each task," Hotch explained. "Beth and I are simply training together."
Reid was thoroughly perplexed. "But Rossi said—" He cut off his words abruptly, frowning. He was thankful that Hotch kept quiet as he gathered his thoughts. "Do you want to date her?" he finally asked, gaze refocusing on the other profiler.
Hotch studied him for a moment before shaking his head and muttering something Reid couldn't hear. He then spoke in his normal tone, "No, I don't. My interests lie elsewhere."
Slightly shocked by the second admission, Reid could only stare at his boss curiously. "So you're contemplating a relationship with someone?" The words spilled from his mouth before he could stop them, and he regretted them when Hotch smiled tightly and stood.
"Yes, I am," Hotch answered. "I'll see you in the morning, Reid." And with that farewell, the older man picked up his briefcase from where he'd set it on the ground before he started walking towards the exit of the bullpen.
Reid closed his eyes and slouched in his seat, dropping his head back with a grimace. Sometimes he absolutely hated the near lack of a filter between his brain and his mouth. He and Hotch had been having a remotely decent conversation—and by that he meant Hotch had been more amused than anything by it, which was always a good indicator—and he'd just had to press the issue.
But there was also something else that was bugging him. The moment that Hotch had answered affirmatively, he'd felt disappointed because that most likely meant their odd lunches and dinners would probably come to a stop. And for some reason, he wasn't quite sure he was ready for that to happen.
The trip to the zoo was going better than Reid had expected. Hotch was acting normal, the awkwardness of their conversation the day before seemingly gone, and Jack was excited and kept asking questions about the animals—questions Reid was glad he actually knew the answers to. The only thing that was a little uncomfortable were all the single mothers who kept flirting with Hotch, who was too much of a gentleman to not at least be remotely polite to the women.
Jack didn't seem to like it, either, so as a result, he practically stuck to Reid like glue. It was unsettling in a good way, and at one point, when Reid could tell Jack was getting tired of walking, he picked the boy up and carried him the way he'd done with Henry multiple times. It didn't occur to him at first that perhaps Hotch wouldn't appreciate it, but when that thought crossed his mind, he quickly turned to look at the older man. He was slightly stunned when he saw Hotch smiling, and he blushed slightly and returned the smile before turning his attention back to Jack as the kid asked another question.
It shouldn't have been surprising to Reid when they decided to stop for lunch and Jack chose to go with him to find a table instead of wait with his father, but it was. Even Hotch seemed remotely surprised, but he didn't comment on it and instead asked what they wanted to eat before letting them roam around to find an empty table. It didn't take long, and they were lucky to nab one in the shade. Reid quickly sent their location in a text to Hotch, and then he settled his attention on Jack, who was suddenly sulking.
"Hey, Jack, what's wrong?" Reid queried, concerned that he'd somehow inadvertently upset the boy.
Jack's fingers traced the holes on the table as he answered, "Daddy keeps talking to women."
Reid bit down on his lower lip, uncertain how to handle the situation. "You know, if you told him it was upsetting you, I'm sure he would stop. I think he's only doing it to be polite. Your dad is very well-mannered in that way."
The boy looked up at Reid intently before replying, "But it's rude for Daddy to do it in front of you."
That response threw Reid off, and he hesitated for a short moment. "Why do you think that?"
"Because," Jack answered, looking confused, "this is a date."
Reid managed not to laugh and instead smiled warmly. "I don't think this is a date, Jack."
"Why not? You like Daddy, and he likes you. Don't people that like each other go on dates?" Jack rejoined.
"I—we don't like each other like that, Jack," Reid stammered, feeling his face flush.
Jack frowned. "Daddy does. He looks at you like he looked at Mommy in the photo albums."
Reid was floored by that remark, and he sat there floundering for words for a long moment.
"It's a miracle you two found a shaded spot." Reid nearly jumped at the sound of Hotch's voice, and he promptly shoved the conversation with Jack to the back of his mind to be dealt with that evening.
Monday morning found Reid in Garcia's office while he and the tech analyst waited for JJ. The moment the blonde woman closed the door behind her, he blurted, "I think I'm in love with Hotch."
"Finally," both women breathed in relief.
And then Garcia asked, "Wait, have you told Hotch yet?"
"Are you crazy?! No, I haven't told him!" Reid squeaked. "I don't know how!"
"Usually, you just say it," JJ replied, her lips twitching into a grin as Reid shot her a dark look.
"Not helping," he retorted with a pout.
Garcia reached out and patted his hand. "Reid, sweetie, believe me when I say there's no wrong way to tell him. He'd probably even forgive you if you said it in the middle of a case in front of the LEO's. He's been waiting for you to realize this for a while."
Reid felt his face burn with a blush as he admitted, "I know. Jack brought it to my attention, and it wasn't difficult to pinpoint the day Hotch started treating me differently."
JJ leaned against Garcia's desk and asked gently, "Then what's the problem, Spence?"
"I don't want to just blurt it to him," Reid mumbled, his gaze dropping to his hands.
Garcia and JJ shared a look, smiling fondly. "Look, you go back to your desk, and I will make plans with the others to meet up outside of work hours. We'll come up with something, my little genius," Garcia reassured him with a warm smile.
Reid allowed himself to be ushered out of her office, sighing as he walked down the hallway. He knew exactly how the others liked to scheme, however, and he didn't quite trust what they would come up with. So instead of heading to his desk, he took a quick detour. The dark-haired man seated behind his desk looked up at the soft knock against the open door. "Need something?"
"Yes. Do you have some time to talk? Personally?" Reid asked, his words rushed.
"Come on in, close the door, and have a seat." Reid did just that, fidgeting nervously under the other man's calm gaze. "What's on your mind?"
Reid took a deep breath before answering, "I'm in love with Hotch."
"And let me guess. You went to Garcia and JJ first, and they're going to get Morgan and Prentiss, and all of them are going to come up with some elaborate scheme. But you don't want that. You just want something better than simply telling him in casual conversation," Rossi mused aloud, and Reid could only nod. "Well, then, let's get started."
Next chapter should be the last one, and we'll return to Hotch's POV for it. (;
As always, feedback is totally loved, even if it's just constructive criticism! (Probably even especially if it is that, actually.)