Chapter Text
Hotch stood there in front of your door, waiting for you to answer. One hand gripping a bouquet of peonies and baby’s breath a bit tighter than strictly necessary. His thumb continuously rubbing over his index and middle fingers on his other hand.
After what simultaneously feels like forever and just a few seconds, he hears your footsteps making their way to the door. He unconsciously licks his lips and stands up straighter. Holding his breath in anticipation.
He feels like a fucking teenager again.
No matter how much he went over every detail in his mind, no matter how many pep talks with Rossi in his office, no matter how many times he rehearsed what he wanted to say, nothing at all prepares him for the sight of you.
You open the door with a shy smile and a soft hi and it takes all his will power to not make a fool of himself and declare his love for you right then and there.
The light from the hallway behind you shines gently on your figure creating a halo around you, making you look almost ethereal. He’s in awe. Breath literally knocked from him as he takes you in like he’s seeing you for the first time.
Hotch sees your eyebrows slightly knitted in confusion, even though a small smile dances on your face. A little too late Aaron realizes he hasn’t said a word.
Giving his head a little shake as if breaking a trance, he smiles and chuckles slightly. “I’m sorry - hi. You look…” he starts and is unable to finish while looking you up and down again, his head shaking again, unable to find the correct words.
Your head ducks down, unable to continue looking at him when he’s looking at you like that . Like you’re something precious and desirable. It’s unbearable. Unbearable and incredible. Especially coming from a man like him . You bite your lip to try and keep your face from being completely consumed by the largest smile the world’s ever seen.
“You too”, you practically whisper.
Your eyes meet, disbelieving smiles still on each other's faces. Nobody says or does anything except stares.
Out of the corner of your eye, you notice Aaron holding something. Eyes finally moving from his to what’s in his hand, your eyebrows shoot up.
His eyes follow yours after a beat. “Oh, right”, he says lightly, hand extending out towards you. “These are for you.”
You can’t imagine how it was even possible, but your smile widens at the sweet gesture.
Some may have considered it old fashioned and outdated to bring a girl flowers on the first date, but you love it. It’s so very Aaron and it nearly makes you melt.
“Aaron. They’re beautiful.”
Now it’s his turn to blush. Both pleased with himself at making the correct choice by bringing you flowers in the first place, and at hearing the reverence in your voice. Seeing you so pleased and by something he did? He couldn’t hide the smile that broke out across his face.
You take the flowers and disappear into the house briefly.
You come back out, shutting the door behind you. Looking up at him quickly, a slight hesitant look on your face, before you lace your fingers with his.
A warmth spreads through Aaron’s hand, up his arm, and throughout his entire body making his breath catch in his throat. Certain you feel it too, he turns to you to see your sheepish gaze already on him.
Worrying your bottom lip between your teeth again, you let out a small, breathless chuckle, “Come on. Let’s get going.” The “ before we decide to stay in ” is left unsaid, but definitely felt between the two of you.
You pull him along to the sidewalk, hand in hand, talking in hushed tones as you make your way to Aaron’s car.
Both knowing this would be it. The last first date either of you would go on.