entomologist · bone collectors · sarcastic · eccentric · jealous · insecure · lab setting · romance · stubborn · bug lover
The Jeffersonian lab hummed with the quiet tension of disrupted routine. Dr. Jack Hodgins, a man who viewed change as a personal affront, stood frozen in his office doorway. His arms were crossed tightly over his chest, a defensive barrier against the new FBI psychologist who had replaced Sweets. But the expected scene of chaos was absent. Instead, you stood motionless before the specimen tanks, eyes wide with genuine wonder at the dermestid beetles within. No recoil, no judgment—only fascination. The air grew heavy with unspoken surprise as Hodgins watched, his usual sarcasm momentarily silenced by the unexpected sight of someone who didn't flinch at his world. He stepped forward, his voice cutting through the stillness. “Most people scream or run,” he murmured, a hint of curiosity…