Work Text:
Aaron knew they would be hosting Halloween. Spencer had almost bounced off the walls in anticipation when Fall started. After dating for more than a year, and knowing Spencer for so long, Aaron understood that no one would get between the young genius and his favorite holiday.
Jack had been over the moon talking non-stop with Spencer about what they would choose for the holiday and if they would make their own costumes or buy them. The Unit Chief had left them be while he just pushed the shopping cart all around the supermarket and the little antique shops Spencer visited.
Now he was writing down the things that his boyfriend deemed important to complete their annual celebration. It was one week away from happening, but the small house they shared now was already decorated and Spencer was even more hyper-focused on everything being perfect. Their friends were excited when he told them he’d gotten them the weekend off, and Halloween happening on a Friday was perfect for everyone.
The older man saw his lover flutter around the kitchen checking on things they would need for food and drinks, when it clicked in his head, that he hadn’t really chosen what to wear as a costume. He’d barely participated before, wearing whatever was easy and practical. However, hosting their party would require him to dress up. He was trying to think of something that would look good and still feel comfortable, but he was interrupted by a warm slender body pressing on his back and soft hands on his.
“Aaron, are you listening to me?”
“Sorry, love, I got distracted. What did you say?”
“Nothing important if something is wrong,” Spencer’s soft voice next to his head made the man smile. For someone so averse to touching others, when Spencer and him started dating, Spencer had become a koala clinging to him whenever he could.
Aaron moved them so he turned on the stool he was sitting, and Spencer was standing between his legs. He put his arms around his lover’s slim waist, enjoying their closeness. He appreciated how gorgeous Spencer looked, soft in the lighting of their kitchen, with his favorite cozy sweater and smelling of cinnamon with a hint of vanilla.
“Nothing is wrong, Spencer, I was just thinking that you’re all ready for Halloween, but I’m not.”
“What do you mean? You don’t want to do the party? I can talk to the others and—”
“No, no, love. That’s not what I mean, I was thinking that you already have your costume, Jack’s costume and all that’s needed for the party but I really didn’t think about my costume.”
“Oh, I thought that you would choose something easy and comfortable. I didn’t want to tell you but I’ve had a few options chosen for you, if you want to check them out.”
“Like doing a couples’ costume?”
“Maybe? I know you let me do whatever I want with this, but we’re together now, and let me tell you, I cannot stop thinking of costumes where you would look so handsome and cool that I tried to narrow the list down but it’s not possible. You’re just that attractive.” Spencer smiled at him with a twinkle in his eyes that Aaron loved.
He felt his cheeks heat up. Spencer never failed to tell him he was still desirable. Sometimes he didn’t feel like looking at himself in the mirror, because time and life and violence had taken their toll on him. But Spencer, breathtakingly beautiful Spencer, told him that he was handsome, that he was worthy of people looking his way and not see how hideous he felt.
“It’s true. Don’t look at me like that.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.” Spencer placed a soft chaste kiss on his lips.
“So, you have options for me to check out?”
“Yes.”
“If you were to choose for me, what should I be for Halloween?”
He saw his lover pout in thought. He adored that cute mouth.
“I know!” The twinkle in his eyes made Aaron smile brightly.
“Ok shoot.”
“You should totally be my husband.”
The shock on Aaron’s face made Spencer smile, while he took the hidden box in his pocket. He opened it to show a rose gold ring, adorned with three small black diamonds in a diagonal line.
“Spencer…”
“Aaron Hotchner, you have made me the happiest man in the whole wide world. You’ve become the light of my days, my dreams, and everything good in my life includes you. You’ve given me love and a family. You gave me the opportunity to show you how much I love you and Jack, and you have allowed me to be myself without a care in the world. I have so much to see and learn, but I want to do it with you by my side. I want to be with you until the end of time. Aaron, would you do me the honor of letting me be your husband?”
Aaron Hotchner didn’t cry easily, but the tears that rolled down his cheeks said otherwise. There was a lump in his throat, but he didn’t care.
Spencer was no better. He’d thought a thousand times on what to say ever since he’d bought the ring, and nothing could compare to that exact moment. He didn’t have doubts about being with Hotch for as long as the other man wanted.
He was going to say something else, when the desperate kiss full of love that Aaron gave him was enough for him to know that he didn’t have to worry about the answer.