✨Hotchreid✨

Summary:

Even after years of living together, you sometimes need to be reassured...

Notes:

Mystrade Monday #36 « Do you promise ? »

@mystradepromptsandscenarios

On AO3

Rating G - 329 words

Greg stared at Mycroft, watching him prepare for a mission that would take him away for more than a day was still one of the hardest things he had ever done. 

Even if these trips were only diplomatic and no longer involved any danger.

Even after a few years of living together, he found it hard to stop himself from telling him to stay, to beg him not to leave. 

But he respected Mycroft's dedication to his work, so he said nothing.

Lunch break

Hotch x Reid

Part 1

It was two weeks before the banquet and Spencer was searching through a few of his formal clothes that he didn’t wear often for what he should wear. Spencer pulled out a nice suit he had, thinking this would work. He slipped on the pants, brows furrowed when they felt tight around his thighs. He jumped and pulled to get them on his waist, but when he looked down he realised there was no way he would be able to button them. His belly was poking out and the button was a few inches away from the opening. Spencer blushed in embarrassment but went to try on the shirt and jacket, finding they were also too small. The buttons on the shirt strained against his midsection and the arms on the blazer were very tight. 

Spencer pulled the clothes off and tried his other suits, but they were all the same. He felt tears prick his eyes as insecurity coursed through him. He could, of course, buy a new suit but it was humiliating that this was going to be his and Hotch’s first date and he had to buy new clothes because he was too fat to fit in any of his formal clothes. Spencer shoved the suits to the back of the closet, put on some baggy pyjamas, and wrapped himself up in his fluffy blanket, trying to ignore how tubby he had gotten. 

~

Two days later he was standing in a tailors shop with Morgan and Rossi. Rossi had unknowingly solved his problem when he insisted on getting everyone custom made suits and dresses for the banquet. The girls had insisted Hotch go at a different time, so they could be completely surprised by each other's suits, Garcia in particular going on about how it was more romantic that way.   

When it was Spencer’s turn to be measured, he felt his cheeks heat up as the woman measuring him wrapped the measuring tape around his plush waist. He resisted the urge to suck his tummy in, knowing it would make it so the suit didn’t fit right. 

After they were all measured, the woman, who he discovered was named Susan, brought out different fabrics and a catalogue so they could look at different styles they liked. 

“Oh!” Susan exclaimed, “we also have a lot of good plus size options,” she directed at Spencer, as she brought out another catalogue. Spencer felt his cheeks heat up, embarrassed that he was considered plus size, as he took the catalogue to look through. Spencer eventually found a suit he really liked though, a brown one with a vest that would be paired with a blue shirt and darker blue tie. 

~

The day of the banquet finally arrived. Spencer stood in front of the mirror dressed in his new suit. He liked the suit, it was comfortable and fit him right but it still couldn’t disguise his plump belly and thick thighs. He took a deep breath, reminding himself that Hotch knew that he was chubby and wouldn’t have asked him out if he cared. 

When he arrived at the banquet Hotch was standing outside waiting for him, “wow,” he breathed out, running his hand down Spencer’s side, “you look incredible.”

Spencer ducked his head and blushed, “thanks,” he replied, “you do too.” Hotch did look good, he was wearing a classic black suit that perfectly showed off his features.

“Well, I guess, we better go in,” Hotch said, taking Spencer’s hand in his. 

The night went wonderfully, and ended with Hotch driving him home and dropping him off with a kiss.

If anyone wants to send me chubby Louis Tomlinson or chubby Spencer Reid concepts, ideas, and requests you can. The only thing I don’t want is anything with full on s3x and outright f33derism. Any ship is fine as well.

“Okay, Reid and Seaver I want you to go to the M.E.” Hotch instructed.

Spencer looked down at that, his hands fidgeting. He really didn’t want to be paired up with Seaver again. It was his own fault though, he had mentioned to Hotch he didn’t like being paired with Seaver after a case, so it seemed Hotch had decided Spencer would be paired with her a lot. Hotch thought he didn’t want to work with her because of how little experience she had, he had told Spencer he understood it could be frustrating but to give her a chance. He had then gone back to his work, not giving Spencer a chance to explain the real reason, which was she would make jokes and pick on him for his quirks and his weight and it was starting to make him really self-concious.

“Why do you never drive?” Seaver asked on the way to the M.E. 

Spencer suppressed the urge to roll his eyes, “I don’t like to, it makes me nervous.”

She let out a laugh, “You’re so weird,”

Spencer crossed his arms and sighed, he couldn’t wait for this to be over.

“So, what’s with you and Hotch?”

“Huh?” Spencer turned to look at her.

“You and Hotch, he seems to favour you a bit,” Seaver said, and Spencer could hear slight jealousy in her tone. Hotch tried to be as professional as he could at work but sometimes he couldn’t help but give his boyfriend some extra attention. Things like being a little more loose with rules with him, and giving him a proud smile when he figured something out. 

“Uh, we’re um together,” Spencer hesitantly told her, it wasn’t a secret that he and Hotch were dating, so he was unsure of why he felt nervous telling her.

“Really,” she exclaimed, her shock evident in her voice, “I mean, I wouldn’t have thought.”

“Why not?” Spencer asked, trying not to let his hurt show.

“Well, Hotch is so, you know, no-nonsense. I wouldn't think you were his type, what with how child-like you are.” Spencer felt his cheeks burn at her words, he knew he looked younger than he was and that he could get excited and do childish things, like spinning in a chair at times. But he was mature and capable, Spencer opened his mouth to respond but Seaver beat him to it. 

“And, Hotch is active and stuff while, no offense, you’re obviously not,” she joked with a pointed look at Spencer’s stomach. Spencer felt insecurity wash over him, he could take the jokes about his weight and quirks, even if they hurt his feelings, but it hurt on a different level for her to imply he wasn’t good enough for Hotch. Spencer shifted his position trying to make it so his tummy didn’t pudge out as much. 

Later at the station Spencer was alone, leaning against the table going through a pile of files they had to read through, him of course doing this job because of how fast he could read. He jumped as he felt hands snake around his waist. 

“Hey, baby,” Hotch whispered in his ear. Spencer quickly sucked in his stomach, not wanting his Hotch to feel his squishy belly. 

“What are you doing? We're working.” Spencer broke free from his hold and turned to face him, his cheeks pink. 

Hotch chuckled, “I know, but I hardly saw you today. I missed you.”

Spencer bashfully ducked his head as a shy smile appeared on his face.

“Gosh you’re so beautiful” Hotch stroked his chubby cheek, before grabbing his chin and pulling him in for a kiss. Spencer closed his eyes and tried to ignore his insecurities of Hotch feeling the chub that sat on his jawline. Hotch moved his hands, placing them on Spencer’s plump hips. 

Spencer hurriedly pulled away and Hotch gave him a look of confusion. “Sorry, we have to work,” Spencer reminded him, gesturing to the huge stack of files. 

“Right.” Hotch gave him a proud look and a kiss on the cheek, “you’re always so focused and determined.” 

~

The next day Hotch was walking to the conference room where Spencer and Seaver were when he heard something that made him stop in his tracks.

“I mean, if you keep eating like that Hotch won’t be able to hold you for much longer, it’s a wonder you don’t crush him when you cuddle.”

Hotch stormed in the room, anger in his eyes as he spotted Seaver taunting Spencer about a donut he was going to eat. 

“Seaver!” 

Seaver froze as she heard Hotch’s stern voice, she gulped and turned around to face him. 

“You should know it is not appropriate to comment on a coworker's eating habits or appearance. We will discuss more about this later, right now I want you to go and help Morgan,” Hotch demanded. Seaver nervously nodded and scurried out of the room. 

Hotch sighed and studied his boyfriend who had his head down in embarrassment but Hotch could see his cheeks were red and his shoulders were softly shaking. 

“Spence,” Hotch softly said as he sat next to Spencer. He titled his head up with his hand, smiling at the softness of his jaw. Spencer avoided Hotch’s eyes as a tear made its way down his cheek. “Is this why you didn’t want to work with Seaver? Has she made these comments before?” Hotch’s heart broke as Spencer sniffled and nodded. “Don’t worry she won’t be on our team for long and in the meantime I won’t pair you up with her, okay?”

“Okay,” Spencer choked out, more tears streaming down his cheeks.

“Angel,” Hotch said as he wiped away Spencer’s tears, “what she said was not true. You are nowhere near heavy enough to crush me,” Hotch eyed the donut that was sitting on the table, “how about you finish eating your donut?”

Spencer shook his head, “I’ll get fatter if I do.” 

“No you won’t. And even if you did gain more weight you would still be just as beautiful and I’d still love you,” Hotch told him, “now,” he said, giving Spencer a peck on the lips, “why don’t we share this donut?” Hotch broke the donut in half and held one half out to Spencer.

Spencer blushed, wiped his tears and took the donut, a shy smile on his face.

If anyone wants to send me chubby Louis Tomlinson or chubby Spencer Reid concepts, ideas, or requests you can. The only thing I don’t want is anything with full on s3x and outright f33derism. Any ship is fine as well.

There is no reason, but still, Spencer lies awake at night, his entire body aching for sleep, but the thunderstorm in his chest won't let him.

Thud thud thud.

Constant. Steady. Always the same speed. But so forcefully that it feels as though someone is trying to crawl out of his chest, each beat echoing in his entire being.

4 hours a night.

3 hours a night.

2 hours a night.

But his heart keeps beating, and Spencer keeps going, showing up at work with bags underneath his eyes the size of teacups.

He is good enough at his job that he can hide it, a cup of coffee practically glued to his hand. 7 packs of sugar turn into 10 turn into 15, and still, his heart keeps beating.

Thud thud thud.

If the team notices something off, they don't say anything. And even Hotch has been so busy that all his attention has been focused on Jack, and Spencer would never fault him for that.

As he looks into his bathroom mirror with his hair soaking wet after dunking his head in ice as a last attempt to calm down his nervous system, it takes all but two seconds for him to be reminded that no matter how powerful the mind, in the end anyone is a slave to their own body.

Thud thud thud.

It is mocking him and he is helpless, trying out every coping mechanism underneath the sun and then some, only stopping at taking actual medication because, well.

That is a line he doesn't dare dance upon.

Thud thud thud.

The soft hue of the streetlight is barely illuminating the hotel room, but even if it was the sun itself shining directly into his face, it would bother him less than the ever-present tik tok of his heart.

He doesn't dare look at the time, only turn on his side to stare into the nothingness, his gaze empty and his body screaming at him to get some rest.

If only he could.

A gentle knock on the door pulls his from his thoughts, and he is too tired to reach for his gun, resting on his bedside table just out of reach.

He nearly laughs out loud when he realizes that a robber most likely wouldn't ask to be let in, and a giggle does escape him when his delirious brain presents him with the words vampire robber.

The man standing next to his bed is anything but though, and Aaron has a soft smile on his face when he gestures for Spencer to scoot over.

The mattress dips next to Spencer when Aaron climbs in beside him, and strong arms pull him in so tightly that he fears he might choke to death.

A soft kiss gets pressed to that sensitive spot just underneath his ear, and Spencer sighs as he presses closer into Aaron's chest.

"I have read that when you cuddle, you and your partner's heart rate will sync up," Aaron whispers into the dark, and Spencer has to swallow to get rid of the lump in his throat.

Long legs force themselves between his own and eventually they are so entangled that it's impossible to know which limb belongs to whom.

Not that it matters, not when Aaron is continuously pressing kisses to Spencer's neck, a pattern that only makes sense to him.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there for you earlier, Spencer. You could have come to me," he says, but Spencer doesn't answer.

Sleep is tugging heavy at his lids, and behind him, there is finally a worthy opponent for the battle that's been raging in his chest.

Thud thud thud.

Aaron's heart is beating ever so slightly slower than his own, but with each beat, each breath, Spencer can feel himself calm down, the storm inside him slowly passing.

Sometimes, you have to beat fire with fire.

And sometimes, you need to be held so tight that there is no room for anything but love.

"Goodnight, Spencer," followed by a final kiss pressed to neck is the last thing he hears before he allows himself to be pulled under.

Drown my fears

Hotch x Reid

Happy Birthday @tobias-hankel !

It started as Hotch just chasing something that he couldn't put a name to. How could he? He hadn't let himself want since… well. And then there was Spencer, leaning against the door of his hotel room, chewing his lip with liquor courage still making him bold. Hotch only let himself be kissed breathless and raw, waiting till Reid rolled over the next morning still wanting, and not afraid of it. How could Hotch not catch that kind of bravery like the flames that were licking up the insides of his bones? All sharp lines of hip and jaw and shoulders, but soft smiles and rumpled hair falling into honeyed eyes. In an instant, Hotch knew he was absolutely in trouble. A hesitation of want grew into a sharp hook just behind his navel that he hoped would never loosen. It was strung with lust and admiration in equal measures and Spencer seemed to reel him in with little fight In the beginning, it was an unspoken rule that they wouldn't stay the night after that first morning together. Maybe because it would mean something. Maybe sunlight would show what they had done and neither was ready to face it.

Suddenly Hotch had to see. The mornings he woke up to the cold sheets that still smelled like Reid pulling at him. He didn't know how to ask. Maybe if he did, everything would turn to smoke in those first rays of light and this would be over. Or maybe just maybe the lith muscles under his hands and the affectionate tones would stay, solid and real. The next time he found Reid on his doorstep, he pulled him in without a word, already burying his face into the crook of his neck, not realizing he was hiding until… "I stocked up on sugar… In case you want coffee in the morning." It was a stab at humor, an attempt to let Spencer laugh it off without having to reject him outright. Then long careful fingers are sliding into his hair and for a split second, he thinks he's about to be pushed away when there's the soft chuckle from the throat he's still pressed into. "I've had a carton of oat milk sitting in my fridge for the last four days." Oh. He feels ridiculous but he sags into Reid a little more. "Take me to bed, Aaron. After you set the coffee pot." He doesn't realize he had pulled Reid closer until their knees practically knock together. The sun comes up and he's already awake, waiting for those first beams to slide down the wall to fall onto Spencer's face. He doesn't vanish like mist on the lake, nose wrinkling at the sun in his eyes. When he blinks awake, there is that same soft smile, still a mixture of the many things that Hotch has come to expect but also something else. There's a warmth there that he had only ever caught glimpses of but now it's on full display washing over him. "Good morning," he almost whispers it. "Mm, morning. Coffee?"

Summary: Hotch moves in with Spencer and finds out a lot about the young man, including who he has a crush on. 

This fic was written for the CM/MGG Roommate Challenge by @imagining-in-the-margins​

Prompt: Person A finds out more about person B since moving in with them than they ever had through years of working together/friendship.

Couple: Spencer Reid/Aaron Hotchner - hotchreid

Content Warning: Brief mention of underage gambling and getting a tattoo underage.

Word Count: 3425

Hotch groaned as he got up from his office sofa. His back yelled at him, popping several times as he stretched.

“I’m too old for this,” Hotch mumbled to himself, looking back down at the sofa he had slept on.

Two months ago, Hotch had come home to find Haley and Jack gone. Haley had packed up their things and moved in with her sister, leaving Hotch in their house alone. Hotch tried to reason with Haley, get her to come home so they could be a family again but even he knew it was a lost cause. Their marriage had been on the rocks for some time, and they had thought that the arrival of Jack would repair things but being parents only highlighted their issues as a couple.

After filing for a divorce, Hotch decided that Haley and Jack should move back into their family home and that he would be the one to move out. The problem was that Hotch got too caught up at work and apartment shopping completely slipped his mind, and by the time he started looking around, nothing was available for at least a month.

That is how he ended up sleeping in his office. It wasn’t permanent but it worked until he could get into an apartment. Hotch always stayed late and got to work early, so no one should notice. Being a workaholic actually helped out this time.

The only problem was that the team had one other workaholic, Spencer.

needy boy 🥺