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geekystudmuffinTitle: The Expansion of Two Natures, part eight
Authors:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
innerslytherin and severity_softly
Pairing: Hotch/Rossi, and a little Hotch/Haley
Rating: NC-17 for this part and overall
Summary: When Aaron Hotchner is new to the BAU, he finds himself working closely with SSA David Rossi--one of the original founders of the department. As their relationship progresses, they realize what they have together is more than friendship...but circumstances keep them from having all that they knew they could have together. Years later, Dave has a second chance, just when Aaron needs a friend the most...
Word count: ~7,600 for this part, ~78,000 overall
Notes: RP format. Mild AU, as we played fast and loose with Hotch's already screwy back story (especially in regards to his work history and the timeline of his marriage to Haley).
Previous parts: Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four-a, Part Four-b, Part Five-a, Part Five-b, Part Six, Part Seven
"Love is the expansion of two natures in such fashion that each include the other, each is enriched by the other." - Felix Adler
Twenty years. It seemed impossible that it was actually over. Dave had returned from Indianapolis feeling empty, almost. Drained. Old.
Of course, his initial plan, to go home and open a bottle of scotch, got derailed when Reid informed him that Kevin Lynch was waiting to see him. Dave had sat at his desk in silence born of utter shock as Lynch informed him that showing up at Penelope's door in the middle of the night was not only an unacceptable crossing of personal boundaries, but also 'ungentlemanly' and 'unbecoming'. When Lynch wound down, Dave had apologized just to get the younger man out of his office. He'd managed not to burst out laughing during his dressing-down, but as soon as Lynch was safely away, Dave had shut his office door and slumped against it, unable to muffle his laughter.
His amusement hadn't lasted long, though, and he'd eventually left without answering Reid's confused questions about what Lynch had wanted, and without doing more than glancing in at Aaron through the window of his office. Aaron had looked preoccupied, anyway, so Dave just took at face value Reid's assessment of the custodial with Hartwick as 'ultimately uneventful'. They could discuss it later.
Shithead greeted him at the door, and as soon as Dave had shrugged out of his jacket, he picked the cat up and scratched under his chin. "Twenty years, buddy," he murmured. "That's longer than you've been alive." He'd hated seeing what had become of those kids, but hopefully getting their parents' home back would help. It was a nice house, and he'd seen to it that it was well kept up. Money from the sale could set them all on new paths, get Connie out of that topless bar she thought he didn't know about, maybe put Georgie and Alicia through school.
He sighed and carried Shithead out to the kitchen to feed him. It was strange to be without the case that had obsessed him for so long. "Maybe scotch is called for, after all," he said aloud, and carried the bottle to the living room, where he turned on the CD player and invited Elvis to brood with him.
Aaron hadn't seen Dave leave the office. Aaron hadn't paid much attention to anything at all since he and Reid had returned to the BAU after what had been one giant mess of a custodial. All he'd done was sit in his office and stared at those divorce papers. And then he'd signed them. And it didn't matter that he knew he and Haley were over already, or that he knew he had Dave, it still felt like cutting out a part of him.
And on the flip side, it felt good too--almost like a burden had been lifted, like he was taking one step closer to moving on, which he knew he had to do, even if it was painful. He'd managed to push aside a lot of the hurt before he'd headed out of his office. He got stopped by Morgan on his way out, who apparently hadn't believed Reid when had told them all the custodial was "uneventful".
Aaron told him it was the truth, all except for the part where Reid likely saved Aaron from being beaten to a bloody pulp. Morgan seemed surprised, but amused... and then told him he thought Aaron should check on Dave. Morgan wouldn't tell him why, but he did at least say Dave was okay.
Twenty minutes later, Aaron was knocking on Dave's door, feeling uncomfortable not knowing what he was walking into, but too concerned to leave. And if he was honest, he needed the company too.
Dave frowned and pushed Shithead off his lap, then made his way to the door. Couldn't be anyone but Aaron, but he wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. He opened the door and sighed. "You should have got here while I was still halfway sober," he said, and turned around to go back to the couch, without waiting for Aaron to come in.
Aaron's eyebrows lifted and he stared at Dave for a moment before stepping inside and shutting the door behind him. "You don't sound overly happy, so I'm assuming you're not drinking in celebration of something," Aaron hazarded, and went to the kitchen to get himself a glass, stepping over the cat awkwardly every few steps as it tried to twine itself around his ankles.
Dave slumped on the couch and swirled the scotch in his glass. "I'm sure you know where I was while you and Reid were with Hartwick." He'd told Aaron about the Galen case at least once when they'd been partners before, though he'd avoided discussing that part of his 'unfinished business' with Aaron since returning to the BAU.
Aaron looked back in the living room, and then decided on a Coke instead of Scotch. He walked back into the room and sat next to Dave, popping open the can. "I could try to guess, but it would be easier if you told me."
"You mean JJ hasn't had you signing paperwork making the Galen case an official BAU assignment?" Dave rubbed a hand across his eyes and let his head fall back against the couch. "I honestly didn't think any of those kids liked me," he admitted. "Except Spencer. And then half the fucking team shows up just because they're worried about me." He closed his eyes.
Oh. Galen. Aaron vaguely remembered that name. He frowned in thought, looking from Dave to the glass in Dave's hand. "We're a team," he said. "And you're part of it. Don't tell me you're getting drunk because they care about you."
Dave let out a long sigh. "I've held on to this case for so long...I just. Twenty years obsessing over it. It's strange, I always thought solving it would bring some kind of peace. A sense of closure. Instead I feel...empty." He drained his glass and considered another.
And Morgan knew that, Aaron thought, but he just kept his gaze on Dave. "What happened?"
"We solved it." Dave let out a mirthless laugh and reached for the bottle. "They solved it. Derek and Penelope, mostly, I was just...dead weight. There isn't a single case I've given more hours or obsessing to in my life, and..." He shrugged.
Aaron shook his head and took the bottle from Dave, more to get his attention than out of any notion to stop Dave from drinking. "You have never been dead weight."
Dave blinked at Aaron, feeling a little muzzy. Maybe he had had enough. "When I took the team by to meet the kids...Connie stood in the street and told me to leave them alone. Basically told me to just let her parents stay dead." He shook his head and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "I called them every year, just to promise I was still looking for answers...and they just wanted to forget." He'd rarely been as humiliated as that moment when his blood had run cold, witnessing Connie's rage and hatred for him...and in front of his team.
Aaron sighed, his heart aching, and reached over to touch Dave, resting the bottle on his knee. He stroked his hand down Dave's spine, then let it rest at the small of Dave's back. "That's... completely natural," he murmured, and in all honesty, he would have wanted to forget too, but victims rarely thought about the trauma that helplessness could instill in those trying to help them. "But you didn't leave when she told you to. Something changed..." he prompted.
Dave shrugged. "She told me to stop sending the gifts." He closed his eyes, leaning just a little into Aaron's touch. "I never sent them gifts. Derek looked at the ones they still had and told us who we were looking for, and Penelope found the guy." He sighed and rubbed a hand over his face. "Maybe that's part of it, too," he admitted. "I kept thinking justice would be done when I found the son of a bitch who brutalized John and Rebecca Galen. But...he didn't understand, Aaron. He was mentally impaired, he had no capacity to understand. He didn't mean to do it, and when Derek and JJ arrested him, he was terrified. There's no justice there. There's no fucking point." He reached out and took the bottle back.
Aaron sighed, but let the bottle slip from his fingers anyway. "The point is that you can let it go," he said. "How did the kids take it?" Kids, like they're all still little, he mused.
"Acted like it was a victory and made me buy 'em drinks since I picked my hotel with my comfort in mind." Dave hunched his shoulders and poured himself another glass. "I flew commercial. I wasn't going to make the FBI foot the bill for my personal vendetta."
It took Aaron a moment to follow, and then he chuckled softly. "I meant the Galen kids," he said, running his hand along Dave's back again. "But I'll be sure to tell Morgan you think of him that way."
Startled, Dave blinked. "They're all youngsters compared to me," he muttered, but thinking about the Galen kids eased some of the tension in his body. "Connie asked if she could call me sometimes," he said, his voice softening as he remembered. "Just to let me know how they're doing."
Aaron gave Dave a small tug towards him. "Wasn't pointless then, was it?"
Dave's eyes widened a little, and he resisted going with the tug. "Aaron..."
Aaron sighed and dropped his hand.
"I'm drunk, and you're confusing," Dave muttered. He rubbed a hand over his face.
Aaron looked at Dave a moment, knowing Dave was right on both points, but still thinking that it would do more good than harm to comfort Dave. "You're allowed to hold me and I'm not allowed to do the same? You're not making much sense either..."
Dave took a short breath, then gulped at his scotch and set the half-empty glass aside. "You ought to be used to that by now," he murmured, moving closer to Aaron.
Aaron shook his head and pulled Dave against his chest. "You're usually a lot more lucid." He slid his arms around Dave and buried his nose in Dave's hair.
Dave sighed and relaxed against Aaron, grateful for his strength. Sometimes he just got too tired to be strong for himself any more. He took a couple of deep breaths, then slid an arm around Aaron's waist, pulling him closer. "I..."
Aaron closed his eyes, enjoying the closeness a little more than he knew he should allow himself, and then lifted his hand to stroke his fingers through Dave's hair. "What?"
"I need you," Dave breathed, closing his eyes. Aaron knew that. It was a stupid thing to say, especially since they'd been trying to maintain some sort of distance lately. But he couldn't stop the words.
Aaron drew in a deep breath, hesitated, and then kissed the top of Dave's head. "I know," he said, sliding his hand down Dave's side to let it rest there and opening his eyes again. "I suppose it goes without saying that it's mutual."
Dave let out a slow breath and leaned a little more into Aaron's embrace. What the hell are we doing? he wanted to ask. We both know damn well what we want, and it's the same damn thing. Why are we dancing around this? But he knew why, intellectually, and he'd accepted Aaron's decision. "You're a lot more comforting than Shithead," he mumbled instead.
It took Aaron a moment, but he laughed and kissed Dave again. "I should hope so." He pressed his cheek to Dave's hair. God, this was confusing. He closed his eyes again and tried to drown out the confusion by going over everything that happened today. Which didn't help. "I signed my divorce papers," he whispered.
There was a brief silence, then Dave admitted, "I'm not sure whether I should say I'm sorry or it's about damn time." His voice was quiet and warm; he hoped Aaron wouldn't take offense. He tightened his arm around Aaron.
"Say what you want," Aaron said, stroking his thumb against Dave's shirt.
Dave sighed. "I think they're both true. You know, of all the things that haven't changed in thirteen years, this is the biggest. No one has ever confused the hell out of me the way you do."
Aaron frowned, and immediately felt bad. "Sorry," he murmured, and started to pull away.
Dave tightened his arm, suddenly annoyed at how touchy they were around each other sometimes. "Shut up, Aaron," he growled, and lifted his head to press their lips together firmly.
Aaron sucked in a sharp breath, surprised as a thrill went through his entire body. He curled his fingers into Dave's shirt. "Dave," he whispered against Dave's lips.
"Why do you think I've never been able to stop thinking about you?" Dave murmured. "Maybe I like that about you." He kissed Aaron again, then pulled away and sighed, dropping his head to rest it on Aaron's shoulder.
Aaron closed his eyes, wondering when he'd lost his breath. He consider briefly calling Dave a tease, but he wasn't sure it would be a good idea for Dave to kiss him again, and he knew Dave could probably turn the same complaint on him.
"It wasn't meant as a criticism," Dave added finally, when Aaron didn't say anything. He didn't pull away.
"I know," Aaron said, and slid down on the couch a bit. "I just... I hate not knowing what the right choice is... I hate... guessing."
"Which choice are you talking about right now?" Dave asked. He shifted a little so his shoulder wouldn't dig into Aaron's chest.
Aaron shook his head. "Never mind."
"Hey, talk to me, Hotshot," Dave said, his voice soft. He shifted more so he could look Aaron in the face. After a moment he lifted a hand to brush Aaron's cheek with his knuckles. "Don't 'never mind' me."
Aaron closed his eyes at the touch. "You might be used to me confusing you, but I'm not used to confusing myself."
It surprised Dave into laughing. "God, your life must be charmed. Most of the rest of us confuse ourselves all the time." He smiled at Aaron, his gaze warm.
Aaron opened his eyes to give Dave a look, pursing his lips, but he couldn't manage any heat to it. After a moment, the expression faded and he leaned in to kiss Dave again.
Dave went still, feeling a jolt as if he'd stuck his finger in a light socket. Then he kissed Aaron back, one hand lifting to bury itself in the too-short hair. Dave really hated that haircut.
Dave tasted like scotch, but Aaron cupped his jaw and deepened the kiss, his body somewhere between want and utter sick fear that he was doing the worst thing he possibly could right now. "This isn't what I'd meant to do," he murmured.
"I know," Dave replied, his lips brushing Aaron's. He kissed Aaron again to keep from saying words that might complicate this.
Aaron hummed into the kiss and flattened his hand against Dave to slide it down his thigh. "How drunk are you?" he whispered, kissing Dave again. "Honestly."
"Not as drunk as I meant to be," Dave replied, an odd surge of emotion going through him. He didn't want to inspect it too closely, but he knew it was hope, and he prayed he wasn't about to get those hopes dashed.
"That's... not the answer I was hoping for," Aaron whispered, but now that he'd started kissing Dave it was hard to stop. When his hand reached Dave's knee, Aaron leaned into Dave and slid it back up Dave's thigh.
"I'm not so drunk I couldn't say no," Dave murmured, smiling faintly. He kissed Aaron again, then took a quick breath. Don't say it, he told himself, and pressed his lips to Aaron's again.
"That's not my point," Aaron murmured, but his kisses were growing more hungry. "I--" he breathed, then stopped and slid his hand under the bottom of Dave's shirt, sucking in a breath at the way it felt to touch Dave again.
"Aaron," Dave breathed. He ran his fingers through Aaron's hair and closed his eyes. "I want this, Aaron. I love you." The moment the words were out he wanted them back. They were true, but it was too much to say them out loud. It was unnecessary. They both knew. He kissed Aaron, trying to pretend he hadn't spoken.
Aaron sucked in a breath, the fear he had been feeling returning in full force. He froze, then pulled back just a few inches, suddenly unable to breathe. After a few moments of labored breathing, he leaned in and pressed kisses to Dave's jaw and cheek, wishing he could say the words back, but also wishing Dave hadn't said them at all.
"Shit," Dave muttered, turning his head away. He knew he shouldn't have said it. He just kept stroking his fingers through Aaron's hair, not looking at him.
Aaron frowned, closing his eyes, and then kissed the side of Dave's jaw he could reach now and slumped against Dave. "I just signed my divorce papers tonight," he murmured fatalistically.
Dave felt an odd surge of anger, but he pushed it away. "It'll always be something, Aaron," he replied, his voice low. "Are you going to spend the rest of our lives telling me no?"
"That's not fair," Aaron said without hesitation, but he didn't move.
"To whom? There are two of us here." Dave sighed and shook his head. "Shut up, Dave," he muttered, and turned his head to kiss Aaron again, slowly.
A flash of irritation went through Aaron, but Dave's kiss soothed much of it away. "What do you want me to do, Dave? I can't... say it back."
"I want you to come to bed," Dave said honestly. Of course Aaron couldn't say it back, and Dave hadn't expected him to, but being told that still hurt. God, they were the most fucked-up pair ever.
God, that sounded good. Aaron pressed his lips to Dave's jaw. "You're also drunk."
"I'm not that drunk," Dave said, and turned his head to kiss Aaron again.
Aaron drew a deep breath. He wanted this. He wanted Dave. He was starting to feel like a cock-tease. He nodded. "Okay," he whispered, and kissed Dave again before pulling back to meet Dave's eyes. "Okay."
"Okay," Dave echoed, and kissed Aaron more hungrily than he'd dared before. He stood, closing his fingers on the front of Aaron's shirt and tugging gently.
Aaron followed, wrapping his arms around Dave and sliding his hand under the back of Dave's shirt. He still felt like he wasn't doing the right thing, but he was starting to wonder if there even was a "right" thing. Dave wanted him, and he wanted Dave. Aaron hummed softly against Dave's lips and let Dave pull him down the hallway.
Dave waited until they were in the bedroom before he started working at the buttons of Aaron's shirt. "No tie," he mumbled, his lips brushing along Aaron's jaw. He nudged Aaron closer to the bed with his hip.
Aaron slid his hands around the front of Dave's shirt and started to push it up, shrugging. "Threatened to beat up Chester Hartwick today," he said casually, then kissed Dave hard to keep him quiet.
Dave made a surprised noise, though Aaron didn't give him a chance to ask. He let Aaron pull his shirt off instead, then pushed Aaron's shirt off his shoulders. "Spencer stop you?" he murmured, and kissed Aaron again as his hands stroked down Aaron's chest.
"One way of putting it," Aaron breathed, pulling Dave back towards the bed and then climbing onto it. He pulled Dave down with him and threaded his fingers in Dave's hair. "God, Dave," he panted.
"Yes," Dave breathed, and kissed Aaron again. This was familiar, and so good. He slid a hand down to work at Aaron's pants. He hoped this wasn't going to come to a stop again.
"Dave," Aaron breathed again, moving to help Dave get his pants open as his fingers fumbled at Dave's zipper. He pressed up against Dave with a small moan, then nipped at Dave's lip, his kisses growing more needy. "I'm sorry I've been--" he murmured, then stopped himself. "I want you."
"I know," Dave murmured, smiling faintly. He kissed Aaron, drawing it out as his fingers slid inside Aaron's fly to brush teasingly at his arousal.
Aaron sucked in a breath at the touch and let his eyes flutter shut for a moment. "Mmph," he breathed and shifted up against Dave, pushing down at Dave's pants.
Dave helped Aaron get his pants down, pushing his shoes off with them and letting them all fall to the floor. "Naked," he murmured, kissing Aaron's neck and chest as his hands went to Aaron's pants to tug them down.
Aaron shifted, arching his hips to let Dave finish undressing him, then he pulled Dave in for another kiss, sucking in a sharp breath at the feeling of Dave's excitement against him. It was just as strange as the first time, but still just as good too. "Sexy," he whispered, sliding his hands down to grip Dave's ass and pull their hips together.
The pleasure that burned through Dave made him gasp. He shifted, kissing Aaron hard. "Wanted this for so long." He ran his hands down Aaron's sides. "Aaron."
Aaron moaned into the kiss and shifted to let Dave slip between his legs. "Have me," he whispered.
"God," Dave breathed, a shiver of desire going through him at those words. He pressed his hips against Aaron's, making a strangled noise of pleasure.
Aaron gasped and thrust up against Dave with a wanton noise he couldn't quite control. "You can do better than spit this time, right?" Aaron breathed, his lips curling slightly. It wasn't as though they'd ever actually had to resort to spit after their first time together in Athens, but this felt a lot like the first time again. Except that Aaron wasn't trying to bury his feelings in this, and he supposed that even if he wasn't sure he could give Dave back everything Dave was giving him, it was an improvement, at least.
"Man, some people have such high standards," Dave muttered in amusement. He fumbled at the drawer in his bedside table, but he wasn't making much progress, since he didn't want to stop kissing Aaron.
"Mmm, is that a surprise?" Aaron murmured, chuckling as Dave uselessly felt for the lube. "I missed you," he whispered, his heart giving a funny tug at the words, and he wasn't sure if that was a good or bad sign yet.
Dave paused in his search and brushed his lips across Aaron's jaw. "Good." He pressed his forehead to Aaron's cheek for a moment, then dragged his attention to what he was doing.
Aaron closed his eyes at the touch, and then turned his gaze to watch Dave dig in his nightstand. When Dave moved back over him, Aaron looked up at him for a moment, then lifted his hand, brushing his knuckles along Dave's jaw until he could thread his fingers into the graying hair at Dave's temple.
Dave smiled slowly, his gaze warm. "You're so handsome," he murmured, looking down at Aaron. After a moment he kissed Aaron again.
Aaron sighed, relaxing even more under the gentle swipes of Dave's tongue and sliding his arms around Dave's waist, letting his hands stroke down Dave's spine. "Fuck me," he whispered.
The warm invitation in Aaron's voice was wonderful. Dave hummed in acknowledgment and rolled his hips against Aaron's again. He got the lube open to slick his fingers, skating the back of his hand down to Aaron's ass. "Want you," he murmured.
"Yes," Aaron murmured, and it occurred to him that he should be nervous. He hadn't done this, or anything like it, in over a decade. But looking up at Dave, there was no hesitation.
Dave pressed a kiss against Aaron's jaw, then nibbled lightly, smiling at the faint scratch of stubble against his lips. His fingers slid down the curve of Aaron's ass, teasing lightly at his entrance.
Aaron sucked in a breath, the feeling of Dave's finger sending a ripple of pleasure through his entire body, causing his untouched cock to pulse with need. He made an unintelligible noise of desire and pressed down against Dave's hand.
"You missed this, too, didn't you?" Dave murmured. He licked Aaron's earlobe and sucked it into his mouth. Slowly, he pressed his finger inside Aaron, paying attention to his reaction. It must have been a long time since he'd had this, maybe even since they were together. Haley didn't strike Dave as the sort to go in for kinky sex.
"Nngh," Aaron managed, his breath leaving him suddenly at the slide of Dave's finger. It was a little uncomfortable, but not as much as Aaron remembered from their first time last time; it was easier to relax this time. "Yes," he breathed. "You."
Dave hummed and slid his finger a little further, seeking out Aaron's prostate. God, he loved making Aaron react like this.
"God," Aaron panted, moaning and pressing down more when Dave hit that spot. "Been a long time. Mmph, Dave..."
Dave smiled, then nibbled and sucked down Aaron's neck. He rubbed lightly with his finger, enjoying the noises Aaron made. His own body was thrumming with desire. He shifted his hips to get friction for his cock.
Aaron was starting to lose control of the way Dave made him whimper and moan, his body loosening under Dave's ministrations. And then Dave thrust against him, and Aaron gasped and snaked his hand between them, grasping both their cocks with one hand and stroking, a strangled noise escaping as he did.
That tore a moan from Dave's lips and he went still for a moment, panting. "Aaron, yes," he murmured. He slid a second finger inside Aaron. He had to work not to lose himself to the pleasure of Aaron's hand on him.
Aaron's hand stilled and he arched under Dave's touch, panting hard as Dave stretched him further. Once he thought he could breathe again, he slid his hand over them again, his index finger slipping between them for a moment, and then over the head of Dave's cock. "Dave," he whispered. "That's enough."
"Enough?" Dave breathed, his voice coming out a little strangled. "Nnh...you sure?" He kissed the skin against his lips and lifted his head to look at Aaron. "Don't want to hurt you." He didn't, but he was getting more eager to be inside. "God."
Aaron met Dave's gaze. He'd adjust to Dave's cock just as easily as his fingers, even if it took a moment longer. He pulled Dave down to kiss him in answer.
Dave groaned into the kiss, his tongue sliding eagerly against Aaron's. His chest felt tight, and after a moment he pulled back to catch his breath. "Yes," he murmured, and slid his fingers out to slick his cock instead. "Gorgeous, Aaron. Perfect." He kissed him again, positioning himself so his cock nudged at Aaron's opening. "I want you."
"Mmm," Aaron hummed, and slid his hands down to give Dave a nudge, a wordless invitation to take as he kissed Dave again. God, he should really be more nervous, but he just wasn't.
Dave pressed in slowly, moaning in enjoyment at the tight heat surrounding him. Pleasure slid through his body.
Aaron gasped and gripped Dave once Dave was fully inside him, stopping Dave for a moment while he adjusted. He was panting hard against Dave's shoulder, and then he pressed kisses along it and up Dave's neck until the pleasure-pain became more pleasure than anything else. "Fuck, I did miss this," he panted.
Smiling slightly, Dave tilted his head to give Aaron better access. "So did I," he breathed, burying his free hand in Aaron's hair. "God, Aaron, so did I." He shifted, letting Aaron readjust to the feeling of him moving.
Aaron hummed a small pleased noise as Dave moved, touching Dave's chin and kissing him slowly. He slid his hand up into Dave's hair as they kissed, letting his other hand slide to the small of Dave's back to let him move again.
Dave rocked his hips against Aaron, feeling breathless with excitement and the pleasure washing through him. It was so good to be with Aaron again, to finally have this after all these years.
The discomfort returned when Dave started to move, but it didn't last long, and Aaron hooked a leg between Dave's and pushed down. "Yes."
Dave let out a quiet moan and pulled almost out, then pushed back in, breathing raggedly. He trailed kisses along Aaron's jaw as he began to thrust slowly. "Aaron."
"Dave," Aaron returned, but his voice was tight with the pleasure of Dave's movements. It was hard not to think of the past, of everything they could have had; Aaron felt almost overwhelmed by it suddenly. "So good to me," he murmured.
"Shh," Dave breathed, brushing his nose along Aaron's jaw. "You deserve it." It was true, he did idealize Aaron, but he thought someone should, because as far as he could tell, no one ever had. He kissed Aaron softly as they moved together.
Aaron snorted, but then Dave moved a little faster and Aaron moaned, pressing his head back against the pillow. "Nngh, I'm-- I-- God, Dave!"
It was incredibly sexy seeing Aaron Hotchner at a loss for words. Dave gasped and shifted his angle to thrust deeper, watching Aaron's face. "Gorgeous," he panted.
Aaron tried to laugh, but it just came out in one breathy exhalation, each push of Dave's hips forcing another wordless sound of desire from him. "Shut up," he managed, his voice warm, and then draped his leg over Dave's hip, letting out another strangled noise at the burst of pleasure the new angle sent through him.
Dave smiled and leaned in to capture Aaron's mouth with his own. He slid a hand between them to curl around Aaron's cock, stroking in time with his thrusts.
Aaron nerves were already thrumming with the feeling of Dave over him and inside of him, and when Dave gripped his forgotten cock, Aaron moaned. He automatically slipped his other leg over Dave's hip, seeking more pleasure. "Yes!" he gasped, then kissed Dave harder.
"Mmm." Dave sped his thrusts, his breath catching in his chest. This was so much better than he'd remembered. He was glad for Aaron's mouth against his; it kept him from blurting out too many tender things. Pleasure was building inside him, driving his thrusts harder and faster as his control slipped.
It was amazing and wonderful, the way it felt to give up, to let Dave take so much pleasure from him in a way that he'd never let anyone else. Aaron was having a hard time catching his breath; he wasn't going to last much longer as the obvious pleasure Dave was feeling only spurred his own on.
Dave groaned, pressing his mouth to Aaron's neck and panting. "God--yes--close--" he managed, his thrusts gaining force. He couldn't hold back, and finally he cried out and came, going still over Aaron.
Aaron moaned, then kissed Dave again, slowly as Dave rode out his orgasm. Aaron's own body was straining with want, his heart pounding insistently against his chest. He tried to force his breath calm as he kissed Dave, trying to make his body wait for Dave to move again.
"God," Dave breathed finally, letting his forehead rest against Aaron's shoulder as his hand sped on Aaron's cock. "So good."
"Ungh," was all the came out of Aaron's mouth in reply as Dave's hand started to work over him again. The short pause had only made his need more intense. "Yes!" he gasped, his chest rising and falling under the weight of Dave's body.
Dave shifted, slipping out of Aaron and moving down to kiss Aaron's chest. He flicked his thumb across the head of Aaron's cock with each stroke. God, Aaron was wonderful like this. Dave's lips found a nipple and sucked lightly, his tongue teasing at the nub as it tightened under his attention.
Aaron's breath went even more unsteady and he arched up under Dave, panting. "Dave!" he gasped. "Oh, yes. Almost--"
Dave hummed and bit, very gently. The noise Aaron made sent a thrill through Dave, and then he felt the hot flood of release across his hand as Aaron came. He worked his hand, milking the last of Aaron's climax from him, then moved, smiling, to stretch out next to Aaron. They were both still breathing hard, and he wanted to maintain contact.
Aaron just stayed on his back, not feeling quite able to move yet. His body felt heavy and limp and he let his eyes flutter shut. "God," he breathed.
"Mmm." Dave turned his head to kiss Aaron's shoulder, letting his eyes drop closed for a moment. "Missed this," he mumbled.
"Me too," Aaron breathed back, kissing Dave's forehead.
It wasn't just the sex Dave had missed. He'd missed knowing Aaron was there. He'd missed sleeping next to Aaron, knowing that they both understood the nightmares. He'd missed feeling like Aaron showed him a side of himself no one else would ever see. Dave fumbled behind him for some tissues and cleaned them up enough that he could relax better against Aaron. He didn't want to move, the alcohol and orgasm draining his body of all energy.
"Thanks," Aaron mumbled. This felt too good to move. He didn't want to move either, even if his rational mind was starting to kick back in slowly and tell him he shouldn't stay. Aaron sighed and wrapped his arms around Dave.
"Mm-hmm." Dave moved closer, draping an arm across Aaron's stomach and pressing his face against Aaron's neck. Don't go, he hoped silently. Stay with me.
Aaron smiled softly and tilted his head to press his cheek to Dave's hair. "Are you feeling better?" he murmured.
Dave laughed, the sound muffled against Aaron's skin. "Feel a hell of a lot better," he murmured. "Still pretty drunk."
Aaron snorted and shook his head. "Mmm, I should have waited."
Dave kissed Aaron's neck and then rested his head on Aaron's shoulder. "No, this was exactly what I needed," he said. "But I wasn't exactly expecting it, which is why I turned to the scotch before you got here." His voice was warm, probably too warm. He couldn't be bothered to care just now.
"Still..." Aaron breathed. He reached up to brush his fingers through Dave's hair, not really wanting to stop touching.
"Don't second-guess yourself," Dave murmured. He smiled at the touch of Aaron's fingers. "You made me feel better. In a lot of ways." You made me happy.
"I'm glad... Just seems like it should have happened a different way after all those years," Aaron said, and then hoped Dave didn't take it the wrong way. A moment later, he realized that statement blatantly reflected how much importance Aaron was assigning to him and Dave having sex again, and he felt impossibly more naked than he was.
Dave's smile widened and he lifted his hand to curl around Aaron's, pulling it down so he could kiss the inside of Aaron's wrist. "It was perfect," he murmured. "And this way I'll have someone here to make me coffee in the morning when I'm grumpy and hung over." He hoped he would, anyway.
God, this was far more intimate than Aaron had planned for, but it felt good. Frighteningly good. Aaron lifted his eyebrows when Dave finished, and hesitated. He should say that he should go home. To his empty house and his empty bed, away from Dave's comforting arms. "Okay," he breathed. He hesitated for another long moment, then decided that Dave already knew this was important to him, so he asked what he was thinking. "You'll remember this?" he said, his voice soft.
Dave relaxed as soon as Aaron agreed. He shifted closer and kissed Aaron's jaw. "I'm not anywhere near that drunk," he murmured warmly, and stroked his fingertips across Aaron's chest. He settled down again with his forehead against Aaron's cheek, grateful that the evening seemed to have removed some of Aaron's hesitance. I could never forget this, he thought as he closed his eyes again.
Aaron nodded and pressed his cheek against Dave a little more, letting his sated body fall a little more towards sleep.
*****
It took Aaron a moment to realize where he was when he woke up. It wasn't his house and it wasn't a hotel, and there was a warm body curled up at his side. A body that was too broad and an arm that was too heavy to have been Haley's.
Oh.
Aaron smiled before he could stop himself, before the weight of fear settled in his stomach. God, this was too fast. What happened to waiting? To taking this slowly? To figuring out who he was on his own before jumping into bed with Dave?
Aaron's smile slipped, but he planted a gentle kiss on Dave's forehead before carefully extricating himself from the bed in hopes of not waking Dave. He wasn't sure if it worked or not, but if Dave had woken, he'd fallen right back to sleep.
Hung over. God, what did I do? Aaron thought, and then pulled on his boxers and undershirt so he could pad down the hallway to the kitchen to make coffee. He wasn't hungry--his stomach was clenching; maybe there was something to people telling him he needed to learn to relax--so he sat at the kitchen table, drinking his coffee and trying to sort things out.
Dave woke up alone, which sent a chill through him, but when he rolled over, he saw Aaron's clothes draped on a chair, so he relaxed again. His head was throbbing, but he didn't really care at the moment. Aaron had stayed. They might have taken things further last night than he'd meant to, but he wasn't running away from it.
After a few minutes, Dave climbed gingerly out of bed and pulled on his boxers, then took his robe from where it was hanging inside the closet. After a quick trip to the bathroom, he headed out to the kitchen, following the smell of coffee.
The sight of Aaron Hotchner leaning over a cup of coffee at his kitchen table was well worth getting up for. Dave smiled and went to pour himself a cup. "Morning."
"Morning," Aaron returned. Dave was sort of adorable in his robe, looking groggy. Aaron sighed. "How do you feel?"
"Good. Head hurts." Dave sat across from him and leaned on the table, looking up at him. "You?"
"I'm fine," Aaron said, then stood and started going through cabinets. "I don't know where you keep painkillers," he said after not finding anything in the first few places he looked.
"Cabinet between the sink and the stove," Dave said. "With the spices." He shifted to watch Aaron rummaging through his cabinets. It looked good, right, for Aaron to be here like this.
Aaron found the Tylenol and wandered back to the table to hand it to Dave. He waited while Dave tapped a couple pills into his hand and then took the bottle back to the cabinet. "I can't guarantee that I won't burn anything, but I can attempt breakfast."
Dave swallowed the pills, then smiled at Aaron. "I have waffles in the freezer. You know how to operate a toaster, you can manage those. But I seem to recall your having more skill in the kitchen than you let on."
Aaron smiled. "Haley was a better cook than I ever was, and she was home more often. I haven't gotten a lot of practice in the last... decade or so." He went to the freezer and pulled out the box of waffles, then went looking for syrup.
"Shit, we might end up starving together," Dave said, amused. He sipped his coffee, enjoying the sight of Aaron Hotchner in his underclothes. Just now, despite being hung over, life seemed pretty damn good.
Aaron smiled. "I have a freezer full in my garage and lots of canned goods," he said. He held a sigh; they were talking about this like they were a couple. He dropped a couple of waffles in the toaster. "How dark do you like them?"
"Just hot, not browned," Dave replied. "Plates are over the sink." He ought to get up and help, but just now he was inclined to let Aaron take care of him. He had a feeling it wouldn't last too long, anyway.
Aaron nodded and finished making then both breakfast silently before settling at the table. "I should probably go in later," he murmured. Part of him knew he just wanted to get some distance. "JJ will probably have the Galen papers waiting on my desk, and I need to finish up my report on Hartwick."
Dave nodded. "How did that go, by the way? Reid said it was pretty uneventful." On any other day he would get on Aaron for going in on the weekend, but he had a feeling this was more about getting away from Dave for a while than it was going in to work.
"I told you I threatened to beat him up." Aaron glanced at Dave, then took a sip of his coffee and reached for the syrup. "His intent was to toy with us."
Dave frowned. "I'd forgotten about that. How the hell did it come to that, Aaron?" Of course, Dave suspected it was because Aaron was under so much stress. But it would be nice if Aaron actually realized it himself--and admitted it to him.
Aaron shook his head, but didn't say anything for a long moment. "It wasn't my finest moment," he admitted. "Though he did threaten to kill us, and I knew Reid would go the opposite direction, so..." He shrugged and hid his frown in his coffee cup.
Dave sighed. "You're working too hard," he said quietly. "You know, you won't be doing anyone any favors if you work yourself into the ground. And trying to distract yourself from a marriage falling apart isn't going to work in the long run."
Aaron looked up and frowned at Dave for a moment, and then just turned his attention back to his waffles. "I'm not distracting myself. I'm well aware of what's going on in my personal life."
"Okay," Dave said, and sipped his coffee. He wasn't entirely convinced, but he was willing to take Aaron's word for it.
"And besides, my marriage isn't falling apart; it's over." Aaron suddenly felt a little too defensive. He drew a deep breath and looked at Dave's plate. "Are you finished?"
Dave looked up and nodded, but when Aaron reached for his plate, Dave caught his hand and held it. "Aaron, whatever the reason, you work too hard." His lips curved slightly. "My project for the year is going to be getting you to relax from time to time."
"I'm relaxed when I'm with you," Aaron said. Of course, he wasn't relaxed right now, but Dave was pushing.
"Then maybe my project will be getting you to spend more time with me," Dave teased, his lips curving more. He rubbed his thumb over Aaron's fingers.
"I spend a lot of time with you," Aaron said, but his voice softened a little at the way Dave was looking at him.
"Well, you should. I'm apparently good for your health." Dave squeezed Aaron's hand gently and let go.
Aaron drew a deep breath and then got up to put the dishes in the sink. "Except that you often drive me completely crazy, as well," he said, smiling. He walked back over and grabbed his coffee cup, then leaned over to kiss Dave's forehead on his way out of the kitchen.
"Yeah, well, likewise," Dave muttered, but he was smiling.
Part Nine
Authors:
innerslytherin and severity_softlyPairing: Hotch/Rossi, and a little Hotch/Haley
Rating: NC-17 for this part and overall
Summary: When Aaron Hotchner is new to the BAU, he finds himself working closely with SSA David Rossi--one of the original founders of the department. As their relationship progresses, they realize what they have together is more than friendship...but circumstances keep them from having all that they knew they could have together. Years later, Dave has a second chance, just when Aaron needs a friend the most...
Word count: ~7,600 for this part, ~78,000 overall
Notes: RP format. Mild AU, as we played fast and loose with Hotch's already screwy back story (especially in regards to his work history and the timeline of his marriage to Haley).
Previous parts: Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four-a, Part Four-b, Part Five-a, Part Five-b, Part Six, Part Seven
"Love is the expansion of two natures in such fashion that each include the other, each is enriched by the other." - Felix Adler
Twenty years. It seemed impossible that it was actually over. Dave had returned from Indianapolis feeling empty, almost. Drained. Old.
Of course, his initial plan, to go home and open a bottle of scotch, got derailed when Reid informed him that Kevin Lynch was waiting to see him. Dave had sat at his desk in silence born of utter shock as Lynch informed him that showing up at Penelope's door in the middle of the night was not only an unacceptable crossing of personal boundaries, but also 'ungentlemanly' and 'unbecoming'. When Lynch wound down, Dave had apologized just to get the younger man out of his office. He'd managed not to burst out laughing during his dressing-down, but as soon as Lynch was safely away, Dave had shut his office door and slumped against it, unable to muffle his laughter.
His amusement hadn't lasted long, though, and he'd eventually left without answering Reid's confused questions about what Lynch had wanted, and without doing more than glancing in at Aaron through the window of his office. Aaron had looked preoccupied, anyway, so Dave just took at face value Reid's assessment of the custodial with Hartwick as 'ultimately uneventful'. They could discuss it later.
Shithead greeted him at the door, and as soon as Dave had shrugged out of his jacket, he picked the cat up and scratched under his chin. "Twenty years, buddy," he murmured. "That's longer than you've been alive." He'd hated seeing what had become of those kids, but hopefully getting their parents' home back would help. It was a nice house, and he'd seen to it that it was well kept up. Money from the sale could set them all on new paths, get Connie out of that topless bar she thought he didn't know about, maybe put Georgie and Alicia through school.
He sighed and carried Shithead out to the kitchen to feed him. It was strange to be without the case that had obsessed him for so long. "Maybe scotch is called for, after all," he said aloud, and carried the bottle to the living room, where he turned on the CD player and invited Elvis to brood with him.
Aaron hadn't seen Dave leave the office. Aaron hadn't paid much attention to anything at all since he and Reid had returned to the BAU after what had been one giant mess of a custodial. All he'd done was sit in his office and stared at those divorce papers. And then he'd signed them. And it didn't matter that he knew he and Haley were over already, or that he knew he had Dave, it still felt like cutting out a part of him.
And on the flip side, it felt good too--almost like a burden had been lifted, like he was taking one step closer to moving on, which he knew he had to do, even if it was painful. He'd managed to push aside a lot of the hurt before he'd headed out of his office. He got stopped by Morgan on his way out, who apparently hadn't believed Reid when had told them all the custodial was "uneventful".
Aaron told him it was the truth, all except for the part where Reid likely saved Aaron from being beaten to a bloody pulp. Morgan seemed surprised, but amused... and then told him he thought Aaron should check on Dave. Morgan wouldn't tell him why, but he did at least say Dave was okay.
Twenty minutes later, Aaron was knocking on Dave's door, feeling uncomfortable not knowing what he was walking into, but too concerned to leave. And if he was honest, he needed the company too.
Dave frowned and pushed Shithead off his lap, then made his way to the door. Couldn't be anyone but Aaron, but he wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. He opened the door and sighed. "You should have got here while I was still halfway sober," he said, and turned around to go back to the couch, without waiting for Aaron to come in.
Aaron's eyebrows lifted and he stared at Dave for a moment before stepping inside and shutting the door behind him. "You don't sound overly happy, so I'm assuming you're not drinking in celebration of something," Aaron hazarded, and went to the kitchen to get himself a glass, stepping over the cat awkwardly every few steps as it tried to twine itself around his ankles.
Dave slumped on the couch and swirled the scotch in his glass. "I'm sure you know where I was while you and Reid were with Hartwick." He'd told Aaron about the Galen case at least once when they'd been partners before, though he'd avoided discussing that part of his 'unfinished business' with Aaron since returning to the BAU.
Aaron looked back in the living room, and then decided on a Coke instead of Scotch. He walked back into the room and sat next to Dave, popping open the can. "I could try to guess, but it would be easier if you told me."
"You mean JJ hasn't had you signing paperwork making the Galen case an official BAU assignment?" Dave rubbed a hand across his eyes and let his head fall back against the couch. "I honestly didn't think any of those kids liked me," he admitted. "Except Spencer. And then half the fucking team shows up just because they're worried about me." He closed his eyes.
Oh. Galen. Aaron vaguely remembered that name. He frowned in thought, looking from Dave to the glass in Dave's hand. "We're a team," he said. "And you're part of it. Don't tell me you're getting drunk because they care about you."
Dave let out a long sigh. "I've held on to this case for so long...I just. Twenty years obsessing over it. It's strange, I always thought solving it would bring some kind of peace. A sense of closure. Instead I feel...empty." He drained his glass and considered another.
And Morgan knew that, Aaron thought, but he just kept his gaze on Dave. "What happened?"
"We solved it." Dave let out a mirthless laugh and reached for the bottle. "They solved it. Derek and Penelope, mostly, I was just...dead weight. There isn't a single case I've given more hours or obsessing to in my life, and..." He shrugged.
Aaron shook his head and took the bottle from Dave, more to get his attention than out of any notion to stop Dave from drinking. "You have never been dead weight."
Dave blinked at Aaron, feeling a little muzzy. Maybe he had had enough. "When I took the team by to meet the kids...Connie stood in the street and told me to leave them alone. Basically told me to just let her parents stay dead." He shook his head and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "I called them every year, just to promise I was still looking for answers...and they just wanted to forget." He'd rarely been as humiliated as that moment when his blood had run cold, witnessing Connie's rage and hatred for him...and in front of his team.
Aaron sighed, his heart aching, and reached over to touch Dave, resting the bottle on his knee. He stroked his hand down Dave's spine, then let it rest at the small of Dave's back. "That's... completely natural," he murmured, and in all honesty, he would have wanted to forget too, but victims rarely thought about the trauma that helplessness could instill in those trying to help them. "But you didn't leave when she told you to. Something changed..." he prompted.
Dave shrugged. "She told me to stop sending the gifts." He closed his eyes, leaning just a little into Aaron's touch. "I never sent them gifts. Derek looked at the ones they still had and told us who we were looking for, and Penelope found the guy." He sighed and rubbed a hand over his face. "Maybe that's part of it, too," he admitted. "I kept thinking justice would be done when I found the son of a bitch who brutalized John and Rebecca Galen. But...he didn't understand, Aaron. He was mentally impaired, he had no capacity to understand. He didn't mean to do it, and when Derek and JJ arrested him, he was terrified. There's no justice there. There's no fucking point." He reached out and took the bottle back.
Aaron sighed, but let the bottle slip from his fingers anyway. "The point is that you can let it go," he said. "How did the kids take it?" Kids, like they're all still little, he mused.
"Acted like it was a victory and made me buy 'em drinks since I picked my hotel with my comfort in mind." Dave hunched his shoulders and poured himself another glass. "I flew commercial. I wasn't going to make the FBI foot the bill for my personal vendetta."
It took Aaron a moment to follow, and then he chuckled softly. "I meant the Galen kids," he said, running his hand along Dave's back again. "But I'll be sure to tell Morgan you think of him that way."
Startled, Dave blinked. "They're all youngsters compared to me," he muttered, but thinking about the Galen kids eased some of the tension in his body. "Connie asked if she could call me sometimes," he said, his voice softening as he remembered. "Just to let me know how they're doing."
Aaron gave Dave a small tug towards him. "Wasn't pointless then, was it?"
Dave's eyes widened a little, and he resisted going with the tug. "Aaron..."
Aaron sighed and dropped his hand.
"I'm drunk, and you're confusing," Dave muttered. He rubbed a hand over his face.
Aaron looked at Dave a moment, knowing Dave was right on both points, but still thinking that it would do more good than harm to comfort Dave. "You're allowed to hold me and I'm not allowed to do the same? You're not making much sense either..."
Dave took a short breath, then gulped at his scotch and set the half-empty glass aside. "You ought to be used to that by now," he murmured, moving closer to Aaron.
Aaron shook his head and pulled Dave against his chest. "You're usually a lot more lucid." He slid his arms around Dave and buried his nose in Dave's hair.
Dave sighed and relaxed against Aaron, grateful for his strength. Sometimes he just got too tired to be strong for himself any more. He took a couple of deep breaths, then slid an arm around Aaron's waist, pulling him closer. "I..."
Aaron closed his eyes, enjoying the closeness a little more than he knew he should allow himself, and then lifted his hand to stroke his fingers through Dave's hair. "What?"
"I need you," Dave breathed, closing his eyes. Aaron knew that. It was a stupid thing to say, especially since they'd been trying to maintain some sort of distance lately. But he couldn't stop the words.
Aaron drew in a deep breath, hesitated, and then kissed the top of Dave's head. "I know," he said, sliding his hand down Dave's side to let it rest there and opening his eyes again. "I suppose it goes without saying that it's mutual."
Dave let out a slow breath and leaned a little more into Aaron's embrace. What the hell are we doing? he wanted to ask. We both know damn well what we want, and it's the same damn thing. Why are we dancing around this? But he knew why, intellectually, and he'd accepted Aaron's decision. "You're a lot more comforting than Shithead," he mumbled instead.
It took Aaron a moment, but he laughed and kissed Dave again. "I should hope so." He pressed his cheek to Dave's hair. God, this was confusing. He closed his eyes again and tried to drown out the confusion by going over everything that happened today. Which didn't help. "I signed my divorce papers," he whispered.
There was a brief silence, then Dave admitted, "I'm not sure whether I should say I'm sorry or it's about damn time." His voice was quiet and warm; he hoped Aaron wouldn't take offense. He tightened his arm around Aaron.
"Say what you want," Aaron said, stroking his thumb against Dave's shirt.
Dave sighed. "I think they're both true. You know, of all the things that haven't changed in thirteen years, this is the biggest. No one has ever confused the hell out of me the way you do."
Aaron frowned, and immediately felt bad. "Sorry," he murmured, and started to pull away.
Dave tightened his arm, suddenly annoyed at how touchy they were around each other sometimes. "Shut up, Aaron," he growled, and lifted his head to press their lips together firmly.
Aaron sucked in a sharp breath, surprised as a thrill went through his entire body. He curled his fingers into Dave's shirt. "Dave," he whispered against Dave's lips.
"Why do you think I've never been able to stop thinking about you?" Dave murmured. "Maybe I like that about you." He kissed Aaron again, then pulled away and sighed, dropping his head to rest it on Aaron's shoulder.
Aaron closed his eyes, wondering when he'd lost his breath. He consider briefly calling Dave a tease, but he wasn't sure it would be a good idea for Dave to kiss him again, and he knew Dave could probably turn the same complaint on him.
"It wasn't meant as a criticism," Dave added finally, when Aaron didn't say anything. He didn't pull away.
"I know," Aaron said, and slid down on the couch a bit. "I just... I hate not knowing what the right choice is... I hate... guessing."
"Which choice are you talking about right now?" Dave asked. He shifted a little so his shoulder wouldn't dig into Aaron's chest.
Aaron shook his head. "Never mind."
"Hey, talk to me, Hotshot," Dave said, his voice soft. He shifted more so he could look Aaron in the face. After a moment he lifted a hand to brush Aaron's cheek with his knuckles. "Don't 'never mind' me."
Aaron closed his eyes at the touch. "You might be used to me confusing you, but I'm not used to confusing myself."
It surprised Dave into laughing. "God, your life must be charmed. Most of the rest of us confuse ourselves all the time." He smiled at Aaron, his gaze warm.
Aaron opened his eyes to give Dave a look, pursing his lips, but he couldn't manage any heat to it. After a moment, the expression faded and he leaned in to kiss Dave again.
Dave went still, feeling a jolt as if he'd stuck his finger in a light socket. Then he kissed Aaron back, one hand lifting to bury itself in the too-short hair. Dave really hated that haircut.
Dave tasted like scotch, but Aaron cupped his jaw and deepened the kiss, his body somewhere between want and utter sick fear that he was doing the worst thing he possibly could right now. "This isn't what I'd meant to do," he murmured.
"I know," Dave replied, his lips brushing Aaron's. He kissed Aaron again to keep from saying words that might complicate this.
Aaron hummed into the kiss and flattened his hand against Dave to slide it down his thigh. "How drunk are you?" he whispered, kissing Dave again. "Honestly."
"Not as drunk as I meant to be," Dave replied, an odd surge of emotion going through him. He didn't want to inspect it too closely, but he knew it was hope, and he prayed he wasn't about to get those hopes dashed.
"That's... not the answer I was hoping for," Aaron whispered, but now that he'd started kissing Dave it was hard to stop. When his hand reached Dave's knee, Aaron leaned into Dave and slid it back up Dave's thigh.
"I'm not so drunk I couldn't say no," Dave murmured, smiling faintly. He kissed Aaron again, then took a quick breath. Don't say it, he told himself, and pressed his lips to Aaron's again.
"That's not my point," Aaron murmured, but his kisses were growing more hungry. "I--" he breathed, then stopped and slid his hand under the bottom of Dave's shirt, sucking in a breath at the way it felt to touch Dave again.
"Aaron," Dave breathed. He ran his fingers through Aaron's hair and closed his eyes. "I want this, Aaron. I love you." The moment the words were out he wanted them back. They were true, but it was too much to say them out loud. It was unnecessary. They both knew. He kissed Aaron, trying to pretend he hadn't spoken.
Aaron sucked in a breath, the fear he had been feeling returning in full force. He froze, then pulled back just a few inches, suddenly unable to breathe. After a few moments of labored breathing, he leaned in and pressed kisses to Dave's jaw and cheek, wishing he could say the words back, but also wishing Dave hadn't said them at all.
"Shit," Dave muttered, turning his head away. He knew he shouldn't have said it. He just kept stroking his fingers through Aaron's hair, not looking at him.
Aaron frowned, closing his eyes, and then kissed the side of Dave's jaw he could reach now and slumped against Dave. "I just signed my divorce papers tonight," he murmured fatalistically.
Dave felt an odd surge of anger, but he pushed it away. "It'll always be something, Aaron," he replied, his voice low. "Are you going to spend the rest of our lives telling me no?"
"That's not fair," Aaron said without hesitation, but he didn't move.
"To whom? There are two of us here." Dave sighed and shook his head. "Shut up, Dave," he muttered, and turned his head to kiss Aaron again, slowly.
A flash of irritation went through Aaron, but Dave's kiss soothed much of it away. "What do you want me to do, Dave? I can't... say it back."
"I want you to come to bed," Dave said honestly. Of course Aaron couldn't say it back, and Dave hadn't expected him to, but being told that still hurt. God, they were the most fucked-up pair ever.
God, that sounded good. Aaron pressed his lips to Dave's jaw. "You're also drunk."
"I'm not that drunk," Dave said, and turned his head to kiss Aaron again.
Aaron drew a deep breath. He wanted this. He wanted Dave. He was starting to feel like a cock-tease. He nodded. "Okay," he whispered, and kissed Dave again before pulling back to meet Dave's eyes. "Okay."
"Okay," Dave echoed, and kissed Aaron more hungrily than he'd dared before. He stood, closing his fingers on the front of Aaron's shirt and tugging gently.
Aaron followed, wrapping his arms around Dave and sliding his hand under the back of Dave's shirt. He still felt like he wasn't doing the right thing, but he was starting to wonder if there even was a "right" thing. Dave wanted him, and he wanted Dave. Aaron hummed softly against Dave's lips and let Dave pull him down the hallway.
Dave waited until they were in the bedroom before he started working at the buttons of Aaron's shirt. "No tie," he mumbled, his lips brushing along Aaron's jaw. He nudged Aaron closer to the bed with his hip.
Aaron slid his hands around the front of Dave's shirt and started to push it up, shrugging. "Threatened to beat up Chester Hartwick today," he said casually, then kissed Dave hard to keep him quiet.
Dave made a surprised noise, though Aaron didn't give him a chance to ask. He let Aaron pull his shirt off instead, then pushed Aaron's shirt off his shoulders. "Spencer stop you?" he murmured, and kissed Aaron again as his hands stroked down Aaron's chest.
"One way of putting it," Aaron breathed, pulling Dave back towards the bed and then climbing onto it. He pulled Dave down with him and threaded his fingers in Dave's hair. "God, Dave," he panted.
"Yes," Dave breathed, and kissed Aaron again. This was familiar, and so good. He slid a hand down to work at Aaron's pants. He hoped this wasn't going to come to a stop again.
"Dave," Aaron breathed again, moving to help Dave get his pants open as his fingers fumbled at Dave's zipper. He pressed up against Dave with a small moan, then nipped at Dave's lip, his kisses growing more needy. "I'm sorry I've been--" he murmured, then stopped himself. "I want you."
"I know," Dave murmured, smiling faintly. He kissed Aaron, drawing it out as his fingers slid inside Aaron's fly to brush teasingly at his arousal.
Aaron sucked in a breath at the touch and let his eyes flutter shut for a moment. "Mmph," he breathed and shifted up against Dave, pushing down at Dave's pants.
Dave helped Aaron get his pants down, pushing his shoes off with them and letting them all fall to the floor. "Naked," he murmured, kissing Aaron's neck and chest as his hands went to Aaron's pants to tug them down.
Aaron shifted, arching his hips to let Dave finish undressing him, then he pulled Dave in for another kiss, sucking in a sharp breath at the feeling of Dave's excitement against him. It was just as strange as the first time, but still just as good too. "Sexy," he whispered, sliding his hands down to grip Dave's ass and pull their hips together.
The pleasure that burned through Dave made him gasp. He shifted, kissing Aaron hard. "Wanted this for so long." He ran his hands down Aaron's sides. "Aaron."
Aaron moaned into the kiss and shifted to let Dave slip between his legs. "Have me," he whispered.
"God," Dave breathed, a shiver of desire going through him at those words. He pressed his hips against Aaron's, making a strangled noise of pleasure.
Aaron gasped and thrust up against Dave with a wanton noise he couldn't quite control. "You can do better than spit this time, right?" Aaron breathed, his lips curling slightly. It wasn't as though they'd ever actually had to resort to spit after their first time together in Athens, but this felt a lot like the first time again. Except that Aaron wasn't trying to bury his feelings in this, and he supposed that even if he wasn't sure he could give Dave back everything Dave was giving him, it was an improvement, at least.
"Man, some people have such high standards," Dave muttered in amusement. He fumbled at the drawer in his bedside table, but he wasn't making much progress, since he didn't want to stop kissing Aaron.
"Mmm, is that a surprise?" Aaron murmured, chuckling as Dave uselessly felt for the lube. "I missed you," he whispered, his heart giving a funny tug at the words, and he wasn't sure if that was a good or bad sign yet.
Dave paused in his search and brushed his lips across Aaron's jaw. "Good." He pressed his forehead to Aaron's cheek for a moment, then dragged his attention to what he was doing.
Aaron closed his eyes at the touch, and then turned his gaze to watch Dave dig in his nightstand. When Dave moved back over him, Aaron looked up at him for a moment, then lifted his hand, brushing his knuckles along Dave's jaw until he could thread his fingers into the graying hair at Dave's temple.
Dave smiled slowly, his gaze warm. "You're so handsome," he murmured, looking down at Aaron. After a moment he kissed Aaron again.
Aaron sighed, relaxing even more under the gentle swipes of Dave's tongue and sliding his arms around Dave's waist, letting his hands stroke down Dave's spine. "Fuck me," he whispered.
The warm invitation in Aaron's voice was wonderful. Dave hummed in acknowledgment and rolled his hips against Aaron's again. He got the lube open to slick his fingers, skating the back of his hand down to Aaron's ass. "Want you," he murmured.
"Yes," Aaron murmured, and it occurred to him that he should be nervous. He hadn't done this, or anything like it, in over a decade. But looking up at Dave, there was no hesitation.
Dave pressed a kiss against Aaron's jaw, then nibbled lightly, smiling at the faint scratch of stubble against his lips. His fingers slid down the curve of Aaron's ass, teasing lightly at his entrance.
Aaron sucked in a breath, the feeling of Dave's finger sending a ripple of pleasure through his entire body, causing his untouched cock to pulse with need. He made an unintelligible noise of desire and pressed down against Dave's hand.
"You missed this, too, didn't you?" Dave murmured. He licked Aaron's earlobe and sucked it into his mouth. Slowly, he pressed his finger inside Aaron, paying attention to his reaction. It must have been a long time since he'd had this, maybe even since they were together. Haley didn't strike Dave as the sort to go in for kinky sex.
"Nngh," Aaron managed, his breath leaving him suddenly at the slide of Dave's finger. It was a little uncomfortable, but not as much as Aaron remembered from their first time last time; it was easier to relax this time. "Yes," he breathed. "You."
Dave hummed and slid his finger a little further, seeking out Aaron's prostate. God, he loved making Aaron react like this.
"God," Aaron panted, moaning and pressing down more when Dave hit that spot. "Been a long time. Mmph, Dave..."
Dave smiled, then nibbled and sucked down Aaron's neck. He rubbed lightly with his finger, enjoying the noises Aaron made. His own body was thrumming with desire. He shifted his hips to get friction for his cock.
Aaron was starting to lose control of the way Dave made him whimper and moan, his body loosening under Dave's ministrations. And then Dave thrust against him, and Aaron gasped and snaked his hand between them, grasping both their cocks with one hand and stroking, a strangled noise escaping as he did.
That tore a moan from Dave's lips and he went still for a moment, panting. "Aaron, yes," he murmured. He slid a second finger inside Aaron. He had to work not to lose himself to the pleasure of Aaron's hand on him.
Aaron's hand stilled and he arched under Dave's touch, panting hard as Dave stretched him further. Once he thought he could breathe again, he slid his hand over them again, his index finger slipping between them for a moment, and then over the head of Dave's cock. "Dave," he whispered. "That's enough."
"Enough?" Dave breathed, his voice coming out a little strangled. "Nnh...you sure?" He kissed the skin against his lips and lifted his head to look at Aaron. "Don't want to hurt you." He didn't, but he was getting more eager to be inside. "God."
Aaron met Dave's gaze. He'd adjust to Dave's cock just as easily as his fingers, even if it took a moment longer. He pulled Dave down to kiss him in answer.
Dave groaned into the kiss, his tongue sliding eagerly against Aaron's. His chest felt tight, and after a moment he pulled back to catch his breath. "Yes," he murmured, and slid his fingers out to slick his cock instead. "Gorgeous, Aaron. Perfect." He kissed him again, positioning himself so his cock nudged at Aaron's opening. "I want you."
"Mmm," Aaron hummed, and slid his hands down to give Dave a nudge, a wordless invitation to take as he kissed Dave again. God, he should really be more nervous, but he just wasn't.
Dave pressed in slowly, moaning in enjoyment at the tight heat surrounding him. Pleasure slid through his body.
Aaron gasped and gripped Dave once Dave was fully inside him, stopping Dave for a moment while he adjusted. He was panting hard against Dave's shoulder, and then he pressed kisses along it and up Dave's neck until the pleasure-pain became more pleasure than anything else. "Fuck, I did miss this," he panted.
Smiling slightly, Dave tilted his head to give Aaron better access. "So did I," he breathed, burying his free hand in Aaron's hair. "God, Aaron, so did I." He shifted, letting Aaron readjust to the feeling of him moving.
Aaron hummed a small pleased noise as Dave moved, touching Dave's chin and kissing him slowly. He slid his hand up into Dave's hair as they kissed, letting his other hand slide to the small of Dave's back to let him move again.
Dave rocked his hips against Aaron, feeling breathless with excitement and the pleasure washing through him. It was so good to be with Aaron again, to finally have this after all these years.
The discomfort returned when Dave started to move, but it didn't last long, and Aaron hooked a leg between Dave's and pushed down. "Yes."
Dave let out a quiet moan and pulled almost out, then pushed back in, breathing raggedly. He trailed kisses along Aaron's jaw as he began to thrust slowly. "Aaron."
"Dave," Aaron returned, but his voice was tight with the pleasure of Dave's movements. It was hard not to think of the past, of everything they could have had; Aaron felt almost overwhelmed by it suddenly. "So good to me," he murmured.
"Shh," Dave breathed, brushing his nose along Aaron's jaw. "You deserve it." It was true, he did idealize Aaron, but he thought someone should, because as far as he could tell, no one ever had. He kissed Aaron softly as they moved together.
Aaron snorted, but then Dave moved a little faster and Aaron moaned, pressing his head back against the pillow. "Nngh, I'm-- I-- God, Dave!"
It was incredibly sexy seeing Aaron Hotchner at a loss for words. Dave gasped and shifted his angle to thrust deeper, watching Aaron's face. "Gorgeous," he panted.
Aaron tried to laugh, but it just came out in one breathy exhalation, each push of Dave's hips forcing another wordless sound of desire from him. "Shut up," he managed, his voice warm, and then draped his leg over Dave's hip, letting out another strangled noise at the burst of pleasure the new angle sent through him.
Dave smiled and leaned in to capture Aaron's mouth with his own. He slid a hand between them to curl around Aaron's cock, stroking in time with his thrusts.
Aaron nerves were already thrumming with the feeling of Dave over him and inside of him, and when Dave gripped his forgotten cock, Aaron moaned. He automatically slipped his other leg over Dave's hip, seeking more pleasure. "Yes!" he gasped, then kissed Dave harder.
"Mmm." Dave sped his thrusts, his breath catching in his chest. This was so much better than he'd remembered. He was glad for Aaron's mouth against his; it kept him from blurting out too many tender things. Pleasure was building inside him, driving his thrusts harder and faster as his control slipped.
It was amazing and wonderful, the way it felt to give up, to let Dave take so much pleasure from him in a way that he'd never let anyone else. Aaron was having a hard time catching his breath; he wasn't going to last much longer as the obvious pleasure Dave was feeling only spurred his own on.
Dave groaned, pressing his mouth to Aaron's neck and panting. "God--yes--close--" he managed, his thrusts gaining force. He couldn't hold back, and finally he cried out and came, going still over Aaron.
Aaron moaned, then kissed Dave again, slowly as Dave rode out his orgasm. Aaron's own body was straining with want, his heart pounding insistently against his chest. He tried to force his breath calm as he kissed Dave, trying to make his body wait for Dave to move again.
"God," Dave breathed finally, letting his forehead rest against Aaron's shoulder as his hand sped on Aaron's cock. "So good."
"Ungh," was all the came out of Aaron's mouth in reply as Dave's hand started to work over him again. The short pause had only made his need more intense. "Yes!" he gasped, his chest rising and falling under the weight of Dave's body.
Dave shifted, slipping out of Aaron and moving down to kiss Aaron's chest. He flicked his thumb across the head of Aaron's cock with each stroke. God, Aaron was wonderful like this. Dave's lips found a nipple and sucked lightly, his tongue teasing at the nub as it tightened under his attention.
Aaron's breath went even more unsteady and he arched up under Dave, panting. "Dave!" he gasped. "Oh, yes. Almost--"
Dave hummed and bit, very gently. The noise Aaron made sent a thrill through Dave, and then he felt the hot flood of release across his hand as Aaron came. He worked his hand, milking the last of Aaron's climax from him, then moved, smiling, to stretch out next to Aaron. They were both still breathing hard, and he wanted to maintain contact.
Aaron just stayed on his back, not feeling quite able to move yet. His body felt heavy and limp and he let his eyes flutter shut. "God," he breathed.
"Mmm." Dave turned his head to kiss Aaron's shoulder, letting his eyes drop closed for a moment. "Missed this," he mumbled.
"Me too," Aaron breathed back, kissing Dave's forehead.
It wasn't just the sex Dave had missed. He'd missed knowing Aaron was there. He'd missed sleeping next to Aaron, knowing that they both understood the nightmares. He'd missed feeling like Aaron showed him a side of himself no one else would ever see. Dave fumbled behind him for some tissues and cleaned them up enough that he could relax better against Aaron. He didn't want to move, the alcohol and orgasm draining his body of all energy.
"Thanks," Aaron mumbled. This felt too good to move. He didn't want to move either, even if his rational mind was starting to kick back in slowly and tell him he shouldn't stay. Aaron sighed and wrapped his arms around Dave.
"Mm-hmm." Dave moved closer, draping an arm across Aaron's stomach and pressing his face against Aaron's neck. Don't go, he hoped silently. Stay with me.
Aaron smiled softly and tilted his head to press his cheek to Dave's hair. "Are you feeling better?" he murmured.
Dave laughed, the sound muffled against Aaron's skin. "Feel a hell of a lot better," he murmured. "Still pretty drunk."
Aaron snorted and shook his head. "Mmm, I should have waited."
Dave kissed Aaron's neck and then rested his head on Aaron's shoulder. "No, this was exactly what I needed," he said. "But I wasn't exactly expecting it, which is why I turned to the scotch before you got here." His voice was warm, probably too warm. He couldn't be bothered to care just now.
"Still..." Aaron breathed. He reached up to brush his fingers through Dave's hair, not really wanting to stop touching.
"Don't second-guess yourself," Dave murmured. He smiled at the touch of Aaron's fingers. "You made me feel better. In a lot of ways." You made me happy.
"I'm glad... Just seems like it should have happened a different way after all those years," Aaron said, and then hoped Dave didn't take it the wrong way. A moment later, he realized that statement blatantly reflected how much importance Aaron was assigning to him and Dave having sex again, and he felt impossibly more naked than he was.
Dave's smile widened and he lifted his hand to curl around Aaron's, pulling it down so he could kiss the inside of Aaron's wrist. "It was perfect," he murmured. "And this way I'll have someone here to make me coffee in the morning when I'm grumpy and hung over." He hoped he would, anyway.
God, this was far more intimate than Aaron had planned for, but it felt good. Frighteningly good. Aaron lifted his eyebrows when Dave finished, and hesitated. He should say that he should go home. To his empty house and his empty bed, away from Dave's comforting arms. "Okay," he breathed. He hesitated for another long moment, then decided that Dave already knew this was important to him, so he asked what he was thinking. "You'll remember this?" he said, his voice soft.
Dave relaxed as soon as Aaron agreed. He shifted closer and kissed Aaron's jaw. "I'm not anywhere near that drunk," he murmured warmly, and stroked his fingertips across Aaron's chest. He settled down again with his forehead against Aaron's cheek, grateful that the evening seemed to have removed some of Aaron's hesitance. I could never forget this, he thought as he closed his eyes again.
Aaron nodded and pressed his cheek against Dave a little more, letting his sated body fall a little more towards sleep.
*****
It took Aaron a moment to realize where he was when he woke up. It wasn't his house and it wasn't a hotel, and there was a warm body curled up at his side. A body that was too broad and an arm that was too heavy to have been Haley's.
Oh.
Aaron smiled before he could stop himself, before the weight of fear settled in his stomach. God, this was too fast. What happened to waiting? To taking this slowly? To figuring out who he was on his own before jumping into bed with Dave?
Aaron's smile slipped, but he planted a gentle kiss on Dave's forehead before carefully extricating himself from the bed in hopes of not waking Dave. He wasn't sure if it worked or not, but if Dave had woken, he'd fallen right back to sleep.
Hung over. God, what did I do? Aaron thought, and then pulled on his boxers and undershirt so he could pad down the hallway to the kitchen to make coffee. He wasn't hungry--his stomach was clenching; maybe there was something to people telling him he needed to learn to relax--so he sat at the kitchen table, drinking his coffee and trying to sort things out.
Dave woke up alone, which sent a chill through him, but when he rolled over, he saw Aaron's clothes draped on a chair, so he relaxed again. His head was throbbing, but he didn't really care at the moment. Aaron had stayed. They might have taken things further last night than he'd meant to, but he wasn't running away from it.
After a few minutes, Dave climbed gingerly out of bed and pulled on his boxers, then took his robe from where it was hanging inside the closet. After a quick trip to the bathroom, he headed out to the kitchen, following the smell of coffee.
The sight of Aaron Hotchner leaning over a cup of coffee at his kitchen table was well worth getting up for. Dave smiled and went to pour himself a cup. "Morning."
"Morning," Aaron returned. Dave was sort of adorable in his robe, looking groggy. Aaron sighed. "How do you feel?"
"Good. Head hurts." Dave sat across from him and leaned on the table, looking up at him. "You?"
"I'm fine," Aaron said, then stood and started going through cabinets. "I don't know where you keep painkillers," he said after not finding anything in the first few places he looked.
"Cabinet between the sink and the stove," Dave said. "With the spices." He shifted to watch Aaron rummaging through his cabinets. It looked good, right, for Aaron to be here like this.
Aaron found the Tylenol and wandered back to the table to hand it to Dave. He waited while Dave tapped a couple pills into his hand and then took the bottle back to the cabinet. "I can't guarantee that I won't burn anything, but I can attempt breakfast."
Dave swallowed the pills, then smiled at Aaron. "I have waffles in the freezer. You know how to operate a toaster, you can manage those. But I seem to recall your having more skill in the kitchen than you let on."
Aaron smiled. "Haley was a better cook than I ever was, and she was home more often. I haven't gotten a lot of practice in the last... decade or so." He went to the freezer and pulled out the box of waffles, then went looking for syrup.
"Shit, we might end up starving together," Dave said, amused. He sipped his coffee, enjoying the sight of Aaron Hotchner in his underclothes. Just now, despite being hung over, life seemed pretty damn good.
Aaron smiled. "I have a freezer full in my garage and lots of canned goods," he said. He held a sigh; they were talking about this like they were a couple. He dropped a couple of waffles in the toaster. "How dark do you like them?"
"Just hot, not browned," Dave replied. "Plates are over the sink." He ought to get up and help, but just now he was inclined to let Aaron take care of him. He had a feeling it wouldn't last too long, anyway.
Aaron nodded and finished making then both breakfast silently before settling at the table. "I should probably go in later," he murmured. Part of him knew he just wanted to get some distance. "JJ will probably have the Galen papers waiting on my desk, and I need to finish up my report on Hartwick."
Dave nodded. "How did that go, by the way? Reid said it was pretty uneventful." On any other day he would get on Aaron for going in on the weekend, but he had a feeling this was more about getting away from Dave for a while than it was going in to work.
"I told you I threatened to beat him up." Aaron glanced at Dave, then took a sip of his coffee and reached for the syrup. "His intent was to toy with us."
Dave frowned. "I'd forgotten about that. How the hell did it come to that, Aaron?" Of course, Dave suspected it was because Aaron was under so much stress. But it would be nice if Aaron actually realized it himself--and admitted it to him.
Aaron shook his head, but didn't say anything for a long moment. "It wasn't my finest moment," he admitted. "Though he did threaten to kill us, and I knew Reid would go the opposite direction, so..." He shrugged and hid his frown in his coffee cup.
Dave sighed. "You're working too hard," he said quietly. "You know, you won't be doing anyone any favors if you work yourself into the ground. And trying to distract yourself from a marriage falling apart isn't going to work in the long run."
Aaron looked up and frowned at Dave for a moment, and then just turned his attention back to his waffles. "I'm not distracting myself. I'm well aware of what's going on in my personal life."
"Okay," Dave said, and sipped his coffee. He wasn't entirely convinced, but he was willing to take Aaron's word for it.
"And besides, my marriage isn't falling apart; it's over." Aaron suddenly felt a little too defensive. He drew a deep breath and looked at Dave's plate. "Are you finished?"
Dave looked up and nodded, but when Aaron reached for his plate, Dave caught his hand and held it. "Aaron, whatever the reason, you work too hard." His lips curved slightly. "My project for the year is going to be getting you to relax from time to time."
"I'm relaxed when I'm with you," Aaron said. Of course, he wasn't relaxed right now, but Dave was pushing.
"Then maybe my project will be getting you to spend more time with me," Dave teased, his lips curving more. He rubbed his thumb over Aaron's fingers.
"I spend a lot of time with you," Aaron said, but his voice softened a little at the way Dave was looking at him.
"Well, you should. I'm apparently good for your health." Dave squeezed Aaron's hand gently and let go.
Aaron drew a deep breath and then got up to put the dishes in the sink. "Except that you often drive me completely crazy, as well," he said, smiling. He walked back over and grabbed his coffee cup, then leaned over to kiss Dave's forehead on his way out of the kitchen.
"Yeah, well, likewise," Dave muttered, but he was smiling.
Part Nine
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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Date: 2009-01-05 01:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-05 01:58 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-05 02:39 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-05 10:06 am (UTC)I also love the sense of understanding between Hotch and Rossi now, even though they're still working on it, and there are still the shadows of things past looming overhead. Sure, the sex was hot, but the growing sense of domesticity between them to the point where they're both letting each other see parts of themselves that they couldn't even when they were partners before is wonderful also.
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Date: 2009-01-06 12:18 am (UTC)And I think I speak for both of us when I say that it's the intimacy and domesticity that you mention that really makes this pairing our comfort pairing. Sure, hot sex is fun, but really Hotch/Rossi is about having a real lifemate, someone to share the burdens as well as the good times. Mmm. It makes me happy.
I'm glad you liked this chapter!
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Date: 2009-01-09 01:25 am (UTC)Thank you.
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Date: 2009-01-05 06:30 pm (UTC)Laura.
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Date: 2009-01-06 12:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-09 01:26 am (UTC)Thank you!
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Date: 2009-01-05 06:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-06 12:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-09 01:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-05 09:31 pm (UTC)And as if the chapter weren't wonderful enough, there's the bit where Rossi thinks Hotch means the team when he says "the kids." LOVE IT. You two, you spoil us readers, seriously.
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Date: 2009-01-06 12:25 am (UTC)And yes, I was actually quite disappointed by the way "Damaged" came out (particularly since I was utterly ecstatic that they were setting the episode in my city). But even though I still don't like the way it came out...it's realistic in that way. Things that we think are hugely defining and momentous sometimes are actually a big let-down at the end. Closure is over-rated and doesn't happen the way we think it should.
I'm always looking for ways for Morgan & Dave to relate to each other, mostly because I think they both have alpha-male complexes and yet they DO work...so I like trying to see how that happens.
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Date: 2009-01-10 07:19 pm (UTC)I think we were both disappointed with the way Damaged ended, but I don't think I could say anything more than what you and Innerslytherin have both said here.
Rossi thinks Hotch means the team when he says "the kids."
Well, Morgan DOES call them 'mom and dad'. :D
Thank you!
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Date: 2009-01-08 02:27 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-08 02:30 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-10 07:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-16 02:52 pm (UTC)*smirk* Word.
Also, Aaron is seriously irritating the hell out of me. This is so weird, but his refusal to deal is pissing me off. And he's not maintaining distance when he says he needs it and then the jerk KNOWS he's in love with Rossi and still refuses to say it, and leaves poor Dave hanging like that!
And then he gets all skittish when they kind of obliquely talk about their relationship!
Oh, but it's okay for him to sleep with him. MmHMM.
Seriously, at this point, I want to set Hotch up in a dunking booth so a can go press the button a few times.
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Date: 2009-01-17 12:45 am (UTC)