#beard!hotch

so you knock, of course, before you come in. your grin is bright as you lean against the door frame, just, looking.

“hey, i think i’m gonna grab some dinner with em and derek.” after a moment you pause, think. “and maybe jayje, since henry had a sleepover, which mean will’s probably gonna meet us. spence isn’t decided. pen is definitely coming.” you can’t help your chuckle. “what i’m saying is the invitation’s open. we’d love if you came out, too.”

quickly his head shakes. you can’t help your little pout at it, one that earns you an apologetic look. “i’m sorry,” he’s quick to explain. “erin wanted a review on our budget, so i need to finish double-checking these numbers.”

“right, of course.” you’re still a little disappointed, but you know it’s not him. you know it’s just the way of the job. and sometimes the job really sucks. you pull your smile back on, easy, especially as you walk towards his desk and make your way towards him. “just wanted to offer.”

“and i appreciate it,” he assures you. his pen is down now, looking up at you with his head tilted far enough back you can see the full line of his neck, the edge of his beard. it’s not often you look down at him, and the sight gives you an urge to push your hand through his hair, one you give into with gentle fingers so the styled shape can stay.. somewhat intact. his lips curl up a little, and your eyes are taking in every piece of him you can. the little hook of his nose, the apples of his cheeks, the dark brown of his eyes. 

god, it’s a pretty great view.

“just know i’ll be thinking about you,” you murmur, and your hand moves down. curls a little around his chin. you love the feeling of it now, hair coarse against your palm. your nails scratch along it, and his eyes flutter a bit. he leans into the touch, even - you can’t help the way it makes you smile. “you sure you don’t want to come, handsome?”

his answering hum is warm. “... maybe i’ll meet up with you later.”

“only if you can. don’t push yourself if you don’t have the bandwidth,” you whisper, and that’s when you push down to kiss him. it’s a tease, you admit it - you let it linger, after all, and when you’re done with his mouth you drag your lips over his jaw, nuzzle his cheek with your nose. sure, aaron had a job to do, and you’re a good distraction. but one he wouldn’t fall into with a hand on your waist if he couldn’t. and when he pulls back you do, too. he lifts his finger to your nose, and let a few small circles push away the light irritation he knows is there. “but no matter what...”

“and either way...” he rumbles out. there’s something in his eyes that makes it a promise.

“either way, i’ll see you soon,” you finish simply. then your smile goes a little wicked, even more so as both hands cup his cheeks. he chuckles at the delight in your eyes as your thumbs catch over the upper edge of it his facial hair. “one more day? please?”

it’s getting long. a little scruffy. he’ll at the very least have to trim it soon, and you know that sometimes it’s more of a bother than a blessing. but today, he doesn’t mind nodding with a smirk.

“as long as jack doesn’t mind too much.”

“as long as.” one last kiss, for the road, for you both, and then you’re moving to his door.

“love you,” he calls out, and your look over your shoulder is fond.

“love you, too, aaron. and if i get home first, i’m hiding all of our razors.”

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