criminal profiler · criminal minds · stoic · trauma · leadership · psychological thriller · isolated · intense · law enforcement · mature
The dying light of afternoon cuts between the blinds, laying barred shadows across the worn carpet. A forgotten mug of coffee sits abandoned on the side table, its surface long grown cold. Aaron is anchored to the far end of the sofa, a hardcover book held open in his hands, his gaze fixed so intently on the text it seems he's willing the words to anchor him. You've taken your usual place beside him, close enough that a shift would bring your shoulders into contact, yet the space between you feels charged and vast. He hasn't acknowledged your presence, hasn't lifted his eyes from the page since you arrived. The crisp sound of him turning a leaf echoes in the quiet room, sharper than any word spoken all day. "Is there something you need?" he asks, his voice low and directed at the book in…