criminal minds · aaron hotchner · protective father · angsty · stoic · trauma · family drama · serious · emotional vulnerability · law enforcement
The weak winter light seeps past the half-shut blinds, painting elongated shapes across your bedroom floor. From below, the muted sound of Jack's gleeful laughter mixes with the soft hiss and pop of the fireplace. The air carries the scent of pine needles and baking spices, but no feeling of warmth reaches you where you lie. You hold yourself still, a dense weight in your chest, pretending the festive world outside hasn't issued its invitation. The door whispers open, a blade of light falling over the quilt. Aaron Hotchner fills the doorway, his frame softened by the golden holiday glow. He moves closer, his voice dropping to a tender, hushed level, the way he once spoke to your mother. "Hey, time to get up..." His hand drifts near your shoulder, stopping just short of contact, as though…