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It wasn’t a surprise when you found Emily’s office empty, with her desk covered in documents and several coffees that had clearly been forgotten. Despite not being a member of the BAU, it wasn’t uncommon for you to be seen in Emily’s office or around the bullpen. Ever since the two of you met just nearly two years ago, things had progressed pretty steadily. She introduced you to her team after four months, and on your one-year anniversary, she asked you to move in. You were just as much a member of the family as anyone else, which is why when Rossi knocked on the door, you looked up at him with a fond smile.
“She’s in a meeting.” You supply, the question clear on his face.
He makes a non-committal hum before dropping in the seat opposite you, leaning back and linking his fingers together across his chest. “What’s wrong?” He asks. It was a simple question, yet you didn't know how to answer, instead staring past him into the bullpen, hoping he’d drop it. But you knew he wouldn’t. The man had an uncanny ability to know when something was bothering you, even from another room. You could feel him profiling you, and tried your best to keep your face neutral, but the small huff of laughter that came from him told you he knew everything.
“I know things are crazy here, but…” you huffed, falling back against the soft leather. “I just want to spend more time with her, that isn’t just us sitting at home having dinner, or watching a movie.” The agent smiles as you ramble, feeling so much love for you, feeling so grateful that his faux daughter found someone who loved her so dearly. “I feel like there are things I still don’t know. Like things she actually enjoys doing, y’know?” You finished, slightly breathless, very aware of the tears that were fighting to escape, but you wouldn’t let them.
The man pondered for a moment, making a show of tapping his chin thoughtfully. “Well, she always enjoyed chess. Maybe you could try that?”
You paled at the concept. Chess has never been your strong suit. In fact, you were so fantastically bad that you once won a prize for losing all your pieces within five minutes. But if it was for Emily? You could most certainly try. After a light lunch when Emily returned, you rushed home to do some research.
For two weeks, you spent every available moment reading or practicing against the computer– which beat you every time– hoping that you were getting better. You found yourself curled up on her office sofa once more, on your fifth attempt to beat the chess AI on beginner mode, when a voice interrupted you. “What are you doing?” You jumped dramatically, phone dropping beside you as one hand flew to your chest, clutching at it in fear.
“Jesus, Em! You scared the life out of me?” You turned to face her as she leaned over your shoulder, her long silver tresses tickling your bare shoulder, with a smug grin on her face. The fear and anger dissipate as she presses a kiss to your cheek, rounding the couch to sit beside you. “So, what were you playing? Cause to me, that looked like chess.” Emily watches you pick up your phone, closing the game still with a hint of mirth in your eyes. “I wanted to give it a try, seeing as I was never any good at it.” You don’t miss how Emily’s eyes light up at your admission, or how she shuffles closer and clasps your hands gently. “I could teach you!”
“Seriously? You’d teach me?” Clearly, you had underestimated how much she enjoyed it, if she was willing to teach you. And that’s how your weekly lessons start, and every week your skills decline, but you couldn’t care less when Emily was smiling at you like that.
Although you had been together for almost two years, she still made your heart flutter.
The two of you had been practicing for three months now, yet for the fourth time that evening you huffed playfully in defeat, pulling a cushion to your chest, as Emily smiles at you apologetically. “I don’t think chess was made for me, Em.” You said, glaring at your king that was currently knocked over after Emily flairfully declared checkmate. The older woman leaned forward, resting on her knees, “don’t give up, you’ll get there.” She said encouragingly, but you just shook your head and began putting the pieces away solemnly.
“I know when to admit defeat, although…” You looked to the other bowl of checker pieces– that you once mistook for chocolate– and pulled it closer, replacing your game of chess with a game of checkers. “How about we switch it up?” You glance up at your girlfriend with a timid smile, hoping she says yes.
“You’re on!” Emily may be completely in love with you, but that doesn’t mean she won’t stop at nothing to beat you at a game. So when you absolutely demolish her ten minutes later, she just stares at the board with her mouth agape, one hand pushed into her hair in complete shock. “How did you do that? You- you took three pieces at once!” There is a mixture of confusion and pride in her eyes when she finally looks up, giving you a wide smile, “you’re incredible.” Her words make your chest ache, your own smile taking over as she beams at you. Checkers had always made sense to you, finding it easy to spot the patterns no one else ever thought to look for. She reaches out for you, and you are quick to join her, immediately cuddling into her side as her arms encircle you, a hand stroking your hair gently. “You always manage to surprise me, my love. I think your talents are wasted, you’re smarter than most of the people in this building.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Emily.” You swat at her chest, ignoring the heat that spreads across your cheeks. “I’m being completely serious! So you can’t play chess, who cares? It takes real skill to play checkers the way you just did.” You’re openly laughing at her now, deflecting the compliment as much as possible. “Stop laughing!” Her voice is stern, causing the laughter to die in your throat. As you gaze into her eyes, you see that she means every word, and knowing her as well as you do, you know she won’t stop until you believe it too.
You lean up slightly, pressing a kiss to her jaw. “Can we keep trying? I’m sure with you as my teacher, I’ll get it at some point.” Emily’s hand slips down to hold your chin so she can kiss you briefly. “Only if you’ll teach me checkers. That last move was insane, I still don’t get how you did it.” You just nod, pulling her into another kiss, grateful you had shut the blinds and locked the door when you arrived. Emily hums against your lips, moving slowly and enjoying the moment. She chases your lips when you pull away, resorting to attacking your face and neck with chaste kisses when you turn away, squealing quietly and admonishing her. “Emily, you’re at work!”
She manages to land one last kiss on your lips before retreating. “I can’t help it, my girlfriend is just so smart and beautiful and kickass when it comes to checkers!” She says brightly, a warmth spreading through her as you laugh. “Have I ever told you how much I love you, Emily Prentiss?” Your arms snake around her neck, pulling her close once more, shivering when her fingers creep under your shirt, tracing your skin lightly. “You may have mentioned it once or twice, but it never hurts to hear it again.” Emily can’t help but smile, her nose bumping against yours. “I love you so much. Even if you do beat me at chess.” You brush your lips against hers, giving a feather-light kiss.
“I love you too, darling. Even when you demolish me in checkers.” She gathers you into a hug, and whispers in your ear. “I’m so lucky to have you.”
Your heart bursts at the declaration. “As am I.”