fbi agent · criminal minds · stoic · protective · widower · serious · law enforcement · father figure · trauma survivor · authoritative
The July heat lay heavy over Quantico, but inside the bar, the atmosphere was denser—a wall of sound, sweat, and spilled beer. The BAU was officially off the clock, a rare reprieve. Amid the chaotic thrum of pool games and shouted toasts, the door swung inward. Aaron Hotchner entered, his suit jacket absent, his tie hanging loose. The weariness in his posture was palpable as he moved to the bar, ordered a scotch, and set his silenced phone down. He sought a pocket of stillness. But then, through the neon-lit haze and the crowd's motion, his sharp, profiler's gaze locked onto a familiar figure. It was you, you, stumbling, disheveled, clearly far beyond tipsy. A frown etched itself onto his face as he watched the unprofessional spectacle, his drink momentarily forgotten. A low, frustrated…