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quiet, careful steps echoed through the space, a shadow looming over the luxurious bed, a hand reaching out, settling on silky locks, threading his fingers in, gliding through the roots.
“a-aaron?” your lashes flutter, your lower lip quivering.
“i’m home baby,” he murmurs, leaning over the mattress to press his lips against your temple, “but i’m afraid it’s not for long.”
“you’re leaving already?” stiffening, your lips fall into a pout, brow furrowing with confusion, “but you just got home and–”
aaron draws in a sharp breath, gingerly sitting on the edge of the mattress, “i-i know, love. i know.”
sitting up straight, you nearly collapse against him, your lids heavy with exhaustion, voice thick with drowsiness as you nuzzle into his shoulder, “just come home as soon as possible.”
“about that,” aaron coughs, clearing his throat, “this case, um, i’ll be gone for a while.”
“a while?” the words crescendo as your voice falters.
the apprehension brewing within aaron spoke louder than the words that tumbled from his mouth. he was distant, his arms tucked neatly against his sides, hands settled on his lap. the fingers were trembling as he fidgets, picking away at a hang nail.
“i’ll be gone for three months.”
“three months?” you echo, letting out a shaky breath, “aaron, that’s an eternity.”
“i know,” shaking his head, he brings his hands to his face, voice muffled with every word, “it’s not going to be easy for me.”
“aaron,” tenderly, you take his hand, squeezing it as you lace your fingers together, “it’ll be okay.”
“what if it’s not?” he croaks, choking back a sob, “there are all of these what ifs. what if something goes wrong? what if i get injured or even worse, one of you gets hurt? what if you get bored? what – what if you can’t handle the time apart and you want to leave?”
“hey, aaron, don’t worry about all of that. it’s going to be okay, all right? jack is the most resilient little guy i know. he would be okay, he would be safe with me. i would be safe. i wouldn’t let a single fucking thing happen to us.”
“you said three months was an eternity,” in the light, you catch a tear streaming down his face, glistening, “is that too much for you?”
“no,” you shake your head, “i’m going to miss you every second that you’re not here, but i can promise you that i would never leave. three months is a long time, yet it’s not forever.”
there’s a beat of silence, aaron not moving a muscle, basking in the reassurances, one second from crumbling completely.
god, did he hate this. he hated these talks, the goodbyes.
yet, you always provided nothing but encouragement, the comfort bringing a wave of relief to flourish through him, alleviating the stressors tormenting his thoughts. you always knew the right things to say, how to shower him with nothing but praise and adoration. how to dispel any of his worries in a matter of seconds.
and how he loved you so abundantly for that.
“you know i love you right?” your heart swells as the corners of his lips curl into a shy smile.
“i love you more, aaron hotchner.”
his gaze flickers to his wrist, “i need to get going soon.”
“did you already say goodbye to jack?”
“i did,” he exhales, “he was up the instant he heard my footsteps.”
“how did he take it?”
“i’m not quite sure he understands,” aaron mumbles, running a hand through his hair, “but i told him that i would call every day to ask how school is going and that i love him.”
“what about my phone calls?” you tease, nuzzling into his shoulder.
“you know that the second i leave, i’m going to miss you.”
“i’ll miss you too, but i’m so proud of you. you’re an exceptional leader. the team is lucky to have you at the reins,” your lips graze his cheek for a chaste kiss, the words soft and sincere as they flow from your lips.
“thank you,” he gives your hand a squeeze, “i absolutely adore you, (y/n). i really hate to do this, but i really need to get going and you know how terrible i am with goodbyes.”
“i suppose i’ll let you leave,” a giggle bubbles up in your throat, “but under one condition.”
“and that is?” aaron arches a brow, rising to his feet, smoothing out a wrinkle in his suit.
“i want a kiss,” you bat your lashes, puckering your lips.
“i’ll give you all the kisses, love,” aaron chuckles softly, helping guide you to your feet.
grasping your cheeks, he brings you in a for a kiss, plush lips connecting with yours.
even if he was going to be away for three months, you knew that you were always to going to reside in his thoughts, lingering in his mind at all hours of the day. you knew that he was going to yearn to scoop you into his embrace, holding you tightly against his chest. you knew that he was going to ache to see that smile light up your face the moment you reunited.
three months was a long time, but it wasn’t forever.
and for you, that was enough.