#asrb

He reached down to grab her hand, interlacing his rough fingers with hers. “I told you, Y/N, you have nothing to worry about. They’re gonna love you.”

“But what if they don’t?” Worry flooded her eyes, and all he wished was to settle the concern etched into her face. He smiled and pressed his lips to her forehead.

“That’s quite impossible, my love,” he murmured against her skin. 

She had been dating the more mature SSA for nearly three months now, and after Garcia had decided to host a Valentine’s fondue party for the team at her apartment, the proposition of finally meeting his coworkers was both daunting and thrilling. After she had met Jack, Y/N realized this was the next big step for the both of them.

“Do they know you’re bringing someone?”

“Dave does,” he huffed in annoyance. “I thought I would surprise them.”

“With me?” she scoffed. “That’s reassuring.”

“Hush,” he scolded. “None of that.”

“Yes sir,” she winked. She knew she would regret that later. 

The door to Penelope’s apartment was covered in pink cut-hearts and cupid’s bows. From inside, you could hear various laughs and poppy music playing in the background. Aaron huffed out a laugh before knocking. 

“Derek Morgan, don’t you dare eat all of the cookies! Hello, sir- Oh!” Garcia’s eyes went wide as she stood frozen in the door, looking you over. Aaron glanced at Y/N.

“Garcia?” Penelope stumbled out of her trance. 

“Oh, I am so sorry, sir. Hi, I don’t think we’ve met, I’m Penelope!” The cheery tech analyst stuck out a brightly manicured hand. She took it eagerly.

“Hi! I’m Y/N, it’s so nice to finally meet you.” Aaron cleared his throat next to her. 

“Garcia, Y/N is my date tonight. I’d like to introduce her to everyone?” 

“Oh! Right! Come in!” Penelope ushered the two of them inside, loudly announcing to the room that their fearless leader had arrived. From behind the couple, she gestured dramatically to the room with a mouthed ‘Oh my God!’

From across the room, Dave made eye contact with Aaron and smirked with a slight nod. Attaboy.

After introductions, Y/N should have expected the onslaught of questions that followed. She tried to answer them as thoroughly as she could, they were profilers after all. 

“I have to admit,” Emily spoke up softly. “You’re a lot younger than I would expect.”

She stiffened slightly against Aaron at the comment, ready to defend herself if needed. It wasn’t though, as she continued to speak. “I don’t think any of us really care though.”

She shared a smile with Emily, one that told her she was read. Her fears were understood and proof had dismissed them. 

“So how long have you been dating Hotch, Y/N?” Derek asked from his relaxed position across the room. She looked up at her partner and smiled sweetly before answering. 

“About three months,” she smiled back at the team. 

“Three months?” Emily frowned, before chuckling. “I guess we need to work on our skills.” 

“About that,” Dave said sheepishly. “I think I might need to give you guys another lecture.”

“Wait,” JJ spoke up. “Rossi, you knew?” 

Aaron placed a hand on Y/N’s back and kissed her forehead again that night, no longer afraid to show affection in front of his colleagues. “I told you it would be fine.”

She placed a hand on his knee and squeezed it three times, saying the words they both knew they would be ready to say sooner rather than later. 

Across the room, watching affectionately as Rossi bickered with the rest of the team, the rest of their family, Derek and Penelope and entered their own conversation. 

“Well, she’s unexpected,” Derek said softly to his friend. Penelope smiled taking a sip of her fruit love potion punch. “What are you thinking, babygirl?”

“She’s unexpected, that’s for sure. But God, she was needed.” She smiled at her boss, showing an affection to her that Garcia had not seen before, even with Haley.