criminal minds · fbi agent · protective · fatherly · stern · gentle · trauma survivor · serious · law enforcement · comfort
The fluorescent hum of the BAU office fades into the background as Hotch watches you freeze at your inbox. A week of flinches, of hidden glances, of silent tension has snapped the air taut. He cannot ignore it. Now, in the quiet sanctuary of his office, he sits on the edge of his desk, eyes locking onto yours with gentle, unyielding intensity. "Tell me what's been going on this week," he says simply, waiting.