geekystudmuffin | Circle City Blues, Hotch/Rossi, PG

Title: Circle City Blues
Authors:

severity_softly
Pairing: Hotch/Rossi
Rating: PG
Summary: Dave offers Aaron a little comfort after a bad case.
Word count: ~3,000
Notes: RP format. Self-betaed, so feel free to point out any errors. This is just a little comfort fic featuring our 'comfort pairing'.

Dave Rossi flipped his notebook shut and sighed, rubbing his forehead. Another case wrapped up, this one violent and messy. They'd lost the race and their unsub had gone down in a hail of bullets, taking seven victims with him. It had been hard on all of them, but Aaron, of course, took things hardest. He was the team leader and always seemed to feel as if he had more responsibility for the team's failures. Of course, he never seemed to take more responsibility for the team's successes.

They were staying one more night in Indianapolis, and Dave's hotel room was suddenly seeming too small. It wasn't--it actually even had a balcony with a nice view of the canal--but he just wanted to get out for a while. He slid his keycard into his jeans pocket and left the room. He paused outside room 1210, then knocked quietly. He had no illusions that Aaron would be able to sleep tonight, and it was still early enough that he probably wouldn't even be trying.

The knock to Aaron's hotel room door startled him out of a daze. He'd been sitting in the recliner near his bed simply staring at the opposite wall of the room, playing the case over and over in his head and wondering if there was anything he could have done differently. He'd have to deal with Strauss tomorrow. She'd left him be since she stopped thinking he wanted her job, but when things like this happened... well, it was different.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, and stood, pulling the door open after he got to it. "How did I know it would be you?" he murmured, trying to smile a bit, but failing.

"It must be true, profilers are mind-readers," Dave joked. He tilted his head toward the elevators. "Take your tie and jacket off and come with me."

Aaron's eyebrows lifted, but he started to loosen his tie anyway. "Come with you where?" he asked, walking back in to drape his tie over the chair and pull his jacket off.

"Out," Dave said, smiling faintly. He waited, hands in his pockets, for Aaron to come out to the hallway and pull the door shut behind him. "You need to get out of your room instead of sitting in there and brooding."

"Mnn," Aaron hummed. "I don't brood," he said, but then he couldn't help but smile softly, because he knew, as far as Dave was concerned, he did.

"Huh," Dave said, leading the way toward the elevators. He hit the "C" button for the Canal level. There was a door from the hotel out onto the canal walk, where he thought there should still be some restaurants open. If not, well, it was a nice night for a walk, and the fountains and memorials in Indianapolis were worth seeing. Of all the cities he'd spent time in, he probably knew Indianapolis the best, thanks to the Galen case.

Aaron sighed and leaned back against elevator wall, just close enough to Dave to brush his shoulder. There were occasionally cases that he found himself craving contact more than usual after, even if he never said as much. When they were alone, Dave usually provided that without need for Aaron to ask. Aaron wasn't sure he was in the best mood for a walk in place of touching and kissing tonight, but Dave tended to have an innate sense for what would make Aaron feel better.

Dave slipped his hand into Aaron's, lacing their fingers together. "Did you realize Indianapolis has more memorials than any other US city except DC? They're fond of their memorials here. Especially limestone ones."

Aaron sucked in a breath at the touch--they wouldn't normally do this on a case, but Aaron suspected the team was all upstairs, and no one else knew them here. He tightened his fingers a little and then let them relax. "Reid told me on the jet. Along with the fact that the first Black woman millionaire lived in Indianapolis, and that Indianapolis is actually the second state capital of Indiana, and that the Indianapolis 500 started in 1911 as a tie-in to the automobile industry that used to be key to the state economy."

"Before Detroit took over, huh?" Dave smiled and lifted their hands to brush his lips against Aaron's knuckles, then stepped forward as the elevator doors slid open. He tugged gently at Aaron's hand, not releasing it. "It's pretty at night." The sky was still just dimming, but there were lights all along the canal walk, making it a pretty place to stroll on mild nights like this one.

Aaron drew in a deep breath. It was strange to relax in a city they'd just worked a case in, but after the day they'd had, it was a welcome change of atmosphere. He stroked his thumb along Dave's hand. "It is," he agreed, looking out over the water and wishing it was as easy to relax as it seemed it should be sometimes.

Dave led the way to their left, along the canal, moving slowly. "Indianapolis has one of the largest cemeteries in the US, too," he said, his voice quiet. "Crown Hill. Lot of famous people buried there...Dillinger, James Whitcomb Riley, Benjamin Harrison. I've actually thought about getting a plot there myself. No genealogist is going to be looking for me in the family plot, since I'm an irascible childless bastard."

Aaron laughed softly. "I don't know. It's the biggest characters in the family that tend to be remembered the most, and often with the most fondness." He shrugged. "Maybe your nieces and nephews will tell stories on you." He turned to smile at Dave for a moment, then looked away again, drawing a long breath before he spoke again. "Maybe Jack will too," he said, not that that could be traced back in family trees, but that was hardly the point.

Dave's smile was amused and sort of bewildered; he'd never expected to find himself with even a 'sort-of son' at his stage in life. Not that it was a bad thing, by any means; he liked Jack, and he liked the idea of having some sort of legacy in someone's life. "Yeah, probably," he said, glancing over at Aaron. "He'll tell his kids, 'After your grandmother and grandfather got divorced, your grampa took up with this cranky old guy who drove us crazy. We never could figure out why Dad put up with him'." His smile widened a little.

"Mmm," Aaron hummed in acknowledgment, and nodded, though he was smiling now too. "He's young enough now. He might not even remember mommy and daddy together, and he'll be used to you before he's old enough to know better." If he's around you enough, he thought. His chest ached suddenly, because he didn't get to see Jack nearly enough, and he turned to look out over the water, his smile fading.

"I hope you can put up with me long enough for that," Dave murmured, nudging Aaron's arm gently. He didn't like how melancholy Aaron got whenever the subject of Jack came up. Haley was the one who'd taken Jack away. Aaron did everything he could to be a good father, and Dave admired that. "I know I'm a pain in the ass."

"Yes, you are," Aaron agreed, trying for a light tone. "But you've given me nearly every reason to walk away from you that you could have, and I'm still here with you. I think I've grown to like that you're an irascible bastard." He paused, then added, "I'm not entirely certain what that says about me, but I prefer not to examine it."

Dave chuckled. "Poor misguided man." He tightened his fingers on Aaron's, tugging him a little further along. He could see an empty bench ahead of them, so he headed in that general direction. "Have you eaten anything since lunch?" he asked.

Aaron followed and sighed. "No," he answered, shaking his head. "I'm not overly hungry, though." He still felt a little like there was a lead weight in his stomach.

"Still ought to eat something," Dave said, pulling Aaron down onto the bench next to him. He didn't expect he would win the argument, but he tried to make sure Aaron took care of himself. Especially after Aaron had been injured in New York, Dave had decided he needed someone to keep an eye on him.

"Mmm," Aaron hummed, his tone dismissing the idea without him even thinking long on it. He sat back against the bench and sighed. The warmth of Dave's hand was almost grounding him, and he squeezed again for a brief moment, but he didn't say anything for a while until he realized he'd just been staring at the water too long. He rubbed his knuckles against his forehead and sighed. "Did I make the right call?" he said, still staring at the canal, his voice barely above a whisper. It felt strange to ask because he never asked things like that of anyone but himself... but he trusted Dave more than anyone he knew, and he needed an honest answer.

Dave had been leaning back against the brick wall behind them, dividing his attention between the water and the man next to him. "Yes," he said quietly, with no hesitation. "Cowan wasn't interested in negotiating. He wanted to take as many people with him as possible. You did everything possible to stop him." He sighed and stroked his thumb over Aaron's. "Sometimes the dragon wins," he murmured.

Aaron shook his head, a tiny movement, and looked down at the pavement. "We should have been prepared to take him out faster than we did. We weren't ready." I wasn't quick enough.

"We didn't have a chance to be ready," Dave countered. "You're being too hard on yourself. Despite the fact that you're the finest agent I've ever served with, you're still only human." Maybe it had been a bad idea to come out here. He should have stayed in Aaron's room and curled up with him in bed.

Aaron's lips pressed together, a tiny smile forming briefly at the compliment. He squeezed Dave's hand again and nodded, falling silent.

Dave was glad Aaron accepted that, even if he wasn't certain it was the end of the guilt. "I think there's a fountain a little further down this way," he said, though he didn't get up. He felt oddly at a loss, not sure how much he was actually helping Aaron.

Aaron nodded again and looked at Dave. He knew his expression was probably still tired, but he felt a little less on edge now. "Would you like to go, or are you just telling me for future reference?"

"Just mentioning it in case you feel like walking some more," Dave said, shrugging. "I'm fine with whatever. Either way, I get to spend time with you." He gave Aaron a sideways smile, but it was true; any time they had together was good.

Aaron was tempted to kiss Dave, that smile warming him a little, and if they'd been alone, he would have. Holding hands was one thing--they were comfortable with themselves, and each other, not to mention, no matter what Dave would admit to, Aaron knew they both had a romantic streak a mile wide--but it wasn't about proving anything or putting what they shared on display, so Hotch only returned the smile with a tired one of his own, then sighed. "I'm not sure what I feel like doing," he admitted. He'd been feeling that way more often since New York, and he didn't really feel like making any more decisions today, after the way things had gone earlier. With Dave, he didn't always have to, either.

Dave nodded thoughtfully, then said, "All right, then, let's do this. We'll walk down to the fountain, then we can go back to the room and I can make you go to bed with me." He slid his thumb along Aaron's skin just to offer the comfort of touch. He had a feeling that snuggling in bed was going to prove the best comfort, though.

Aaron nodded. "That sounds like a good plan."

Dave stood and tugged Aaron to his feet. The walk around them was nearly deserted, so he pulled Aaron close enough to brush their lips together, then they headed down toward the fountain. They walked slowly, not talking much, just enjoying the quiet time together. Dave loved how comfortable they were together, that their relationship was a quiet one, but all the better for not being flashy or obvious. It was easily the most stable, steady relationship he'd ever had.

When they'd taken in the fountain and watched a couple of rollerbladers doing circles around the little plaza for a while, they headed back to the hotel. They usually spent their time in Aaron's room, since he needed to be easily found if the team needed him. Tonight, though, the case was over, and Dave thought Aaron needed the time off. He coaxed Aaron to his room instead, and once they were in there he made Aaron sit so Dave could rub his shoulders.

Aaron couldn't hold the groan that escaped him at the press of Dave's fingers into his tight muscles, and then he hissed, because it took less than a minute for Dave to his a spot that seemed almost painfully tight. "You don't have to do this," he managed, and he knew Dave knew that, so he continued, "We're all tired, Dave."

"I'm never too tired to spend a little time taking care of you," Dave murmured, brushing his lips against Aaron's ear. "Shut up and let me do this, Aaron."

Aaron couldn't help but laugh at that, though it didn't last long before Dave pressed his fingers into that spot against and he groaned and dropped his head to give Dave better access to his shoulders. He knew it would feel better once Dave was done, but he couldn't help pressing his eyes shut and frowning. "You just enjoy abusing me when you have opportunity," he whispered, his voice a little tight.

Dave grinned. "Every chance I get," he agreed. He stroked his palms down Aaron's back. "This would be easier if you took your shirt off," he suggested. "I enjoy getting you naked when I have the opportunity, too."

"I was going to say." Aaron smiled softly, even if the frown wasn't quite gone. After a moment, he undid the top two buttons of his shirt and tugged it off, sort of folding it carelessly, just enough so that it wasn't crumpled up, before he put it on the bed next to him.

Dave smiled and leaned in to press a kiss to Aaron's shoulder. "Much better," he whispered, and went back to work, concentrating on the spots that felt the worst. He was starting to think a monthly massage package would be a good Christmas present.

"Nnngh," was all Aaron managed in reply. The massage mostly hurt more than felt good, but he knew Dave was trying to do more good in the long term than just make Aaron feel better now. Every once in a while, Dave hit a bad spot, and Aaron tensed and hissed, and it took a moment to relax back into the touch again.

After a while Dave eased the pressure he was using and began trying to soothe away the soreness he'd caused. He leaned in and followed his hands with his lips, kissing his way up to Aaron's neck. "You're so handsome," he whispered, closing his eyes and pressing his cheek against Aaron's shoulder. "I'm a lucky man."

"Mmm," Aaron hummed, feeling a bit more relaxed now. He leaned back against Dave's chest and sighed. "I'm very lucky you're delusional," he murmured, turning his head to kiss Dave's cheek.

Dave slid his arms around Aaron's waist, pulling him closer. "Don't be an idiot," he said contentedly.

Aaron closed his eyes and dropped his head back against Dave's shoulder. "Thanks," he murmured.

Dave just made a quiet noise, relishing the feel of Aaron leaning into him. There was comfort in being supportive to someone, just as much as in receiving support. It was something he hadn't learned very well in three marriages, though Aaron made it seem easy. "Let's go to bed," he suggested after a while.

Aaron drew a deep breath, realizing how close to sleep he already felt wrapped up in Dave's embrace. He reached back, his hand feeling heavy, to brush his fingertips through Dave's hair. "Mmm-hm," he hummed. He turned to kiss Dave's jaw before sitting up again and moving to finish undressing.

Smiling, Dave undressed, too, and crawled under the covers. He watched Aaron, admiring how trim his lover still was. No matter how self-effacing Aaron could be, Dave was lucky to have Aaron in his life, and he knew it. He might be an egotistical bastard, but he knew better than to take Aaron for granted. As soon as they were both in bed, he wrapped Aaron in his arms again and kissed his forehead. "I love you," he whispered. They were words neither of them said often, because they rarely felt necessary. Tonight, Dave rather thought they were.

Aaron smiled softly and kissed Dave's throat, already feeling the tug of sleep. He tightened his arms on Dave and fitted their bodies together under the sheets. "Dave," he murmured, and drew a long breath, forcing his mind to stay awake long enough to complete his thought. "You make my life so much easier," he said, knowing those words meant as much--maybe even the same thing--as what Dave had just said to him.

Dave's smile widened and he closed his eyes in contentment, holding Aaron close. "That's what I meant."