Work Text:
It was almost 11pm when Aaron finally parked his car in his driveway. Exhaustion written all over his face, he made his way inside. The house was quiet, you and Jack were most likely asleep already. He had told you not to stay up and wait for him, as he wasn’t sure at what time he’d make it home.
He leaves his briefcase in his home office and also hangs his suit jacket on the back of his chair. He silently walks around the house, trying to make as little noise as possible. He notices that there’s gingerbread cookies on the kitchen counter. As Aaron had called his son goodnight the day before, Jack had told him all about the mess he and you made when baking, both ending up being covered in flour.
It made his heart ache, but in a very good way. You and Aaron had been dating for almost two years at that point and you had officially moved in with the Hotchner's just a couple of months prior. He still can’t believe how he found someone like you, after everything life has put him through. After he was sure he would never be able to love someone again, after the passing of Jack’s mother.
But you had proved him wrong. He would be able to love again, once he lets himself do that. He for a long time tried to convince himself that he only loved you as a friend. Getting rejected didn’t feel as bad then. Because why would someone like you love a man like him? Someone like you, who could have anyone they set their eyes on. But for his incredible luck, you chose Aaron. You always had chosen him, and would continue to do that every day.
Once Aaron finally let himself feel his emotions, he had to talk to you about it. Even if it would risk losing one of his best friends. But he couldn’t lie to himself no more, nor lie to you. And to his surprise, you didn’t hate him. You didn’t get mad at him. Instead, you kissed him as if your life depended on it.
And here you are. Now living with him and his little boy, making the man’s heart ache from love towards his family. He takes one of the cookies and bites into it. He isn’t religious, but he for sure prays to all of the gods, and thanks his luck for having you in his life. Having someone like you in his life and his son’s life, changing them for the better since day one. And especially treating his son as your own.
He makes his way upstairs, eating the rest of the cookie. It was delicious, close to heavenly after such a long day at work.
He peeks inside his son’s room. The boy is far off to the dream land, only a little night light shining in the corner. He slowly goes to kiss him goodnight, trying his best not to wake the boy up. Successfully, he leaves the room and closes the door behind him.
He turns towards the bedroom he shares with you and to his surprise, a faint white light shines to the hallway. He can hear sound coming from there as well, and it makes him smile, thinking you have probably fallen asleep while watching tv. He walks in and his eyes immediately find yours. Looking back at him with a soft smile taking over your face. You’re snuggled up one of his sweaters, that’s way too big for you. In his eyes, looking absolutely adorable and his heart ached even more, he was afraid it would burst.
“Welcome home, baby!” you greet him, moving the sheets as an invitation for him to join you in bed.
“I told you not to stay up for me” he sighs and shakes his head just slightly.
You chuckle, pointing the tv remote towards the screen “Bold of you to assume I did it for you and not the trash tv”.
“Fair enough” he laughs wholeheartedly. Taking his dress shirt and slacks off, he slides on to bed with you, wrapping his arms around your waist. “How was your day?” Aaron asks after a soft kiss on your lips.
“It was good. But got much better, now that you’re here” you run your fingers through his short hair. His cologne hits your nose faintly, making you smile. “How was yours?” Aaron rests his head at the crook of your neck, enjoying your little head massage more than he thought he would.
“Every day is a good day when I know I get to come home to you” he murmurs quietly, planting a soft kiss right below your ear. You can’t help yourself but plant a few kisses to his temples, as his head just happens to be at the perfect angle for it. He moans quietly to your touch, soaking it in to the best of his ability.
That’s when he knew. That’s when he knew for good that this is what home is supposed to feel like. Feeling good and feeling loved doesn’t cost a thing. That’s when he knew that he’d do anything to come home to you, there was no other place he’d rather be than in your arms.
That’s when he knew that there was no one else he’d rather spend the rest of his life with.