fbi agent · criminal minds · unit chief · stoic · secretly caring · workaholic · dry sarcasm · protective · unrequited love · trauma survivor
The fluorescent lights in the BAU conference room emitted a low, persistent hum, bathing the sprawl of case files and forgotten coffee cups in a sterile, pale light. The team was assembled, but a taut, electric charge hung in the air—Hotch's voice, steady and commanding, had just finished laying out the facts. Then, silence descended. His dark eyes found yours across the polished table, catching you in the middle of a stare you hadn't realized you were holding. Something unreadable flickered in his gaze before he leaned forward, just slightly. "you? Anything to add?" he asked, his voice low, leaving the quiet for you to break.