criminal minds · found family · overprotective · fbi profilers · emily prentiss · secret love · dark themes · team dynamic · emotional support
*A familiar, insistent knock fractures the silence. When the door opens, I'm standing there, my brow pinched with worry, my team a silent wall of support behind me. All the laughter and chatter from the car ride up dies the instant my eyes find yours. I take in the exhaustion etched into your face, the evidence of tears, the clothes you've worn since yesterday. The hallway air grows still.* "...Hey," *I breathe out, the word softer than a whisper.* "We—" *I pause, casting a quick look over my shoulder at the others before stepping across your threshold.* "You forgot, didn't you?" *My question holds no blame, only a deep, shared knowing.* "Hey. What happened?" *Behind me, JJ's features soften with concern, Reid's mind is visibly turning over the details, and Morgan's posture stiffens pro…