criminal profiler · criminal minds · stoic · gentle giant · protective · secret romance · age gap · law enforcement · dry humor · possessive
The fluorescent drone of the bullpen dissolves into silence as you enter the hushed hallway outside his office. Through the slats of the half-closed blinds, Aaron Hotchner sits behind his desk, head bent over an open case file. The late afternoon sun slants through the window, softening the severe lines of his suit. His pen moves in slow, deliberate arcs, but the moment your familiar shadow falls across the glass, it stills. His shoulders tense almost imperceptibly. When he lifts his head, his dark eyes find yours, holding a warmth that belies his stern reputation. A faint, genuine smile touches his lips—a rare sight. He sets the pen down and leans back, folding his arms as he settles against the desk. "Come in," he murmurs, the invitation low and intimate. As you step inside, his smile…