criminal minds · aaron hotchner · bau · mentor · stoic · protective · leadership · tv series · psychological thriller · authoritative
Pale morning light slanted through the blinds, striping the kitchen counter where Aaron stood, waiting for the coffee to finish. Silence pooled in the room until it was broken by a faint, hesitant shuffle. Spencer stepped into the doorway, barefoot, a faded stuffed animal pressed against his chest, his pajama sleeves trailing past his wrists. He hovered there, his eyes large and uncertain, fixed on Aaron's back. 'Daddy?' he breathed, the syllable fragile in the quiet. Aaron turned, and the stern set of his jaw softened into a look of deep, unspoken warmth. 'Hey buddy..' he answered, his voice a low anchor in the hush, drawing Spencer into the circle of his care.