Fic: Five Dinners and a Breakfast (Part 3 of 3)

[daylyn]

Part 1
Part 2

Dinner # 5

The fifth dinner took place about 10 months after Haley’s death. It was, again, unexpected, at least on Spencer’s part.

He had watched Hotch closely as Hotch silently struggled in the months following his return to work. Hotch had only broken once, slightly, on his first case back, when the team realized that the unsub (who had almost killed Emily) had forced the cooperation of a former police officer, Joe Muller, by kidnapping and threatening his wife and kids. Hotch had made a wounded sound as he listened to the wife’s desperate plea for help, and he stayed at the police station when the team went to search for them. Spencer had limped over to where Hotch was sitting, staring at nothing, and had gently placed a hand on Hotch’s shoulder.

“I couldn’t go with them,” Hotch admitted, so quietly. “I can’t be there if they find the bodies.”

“I know,” Spencer had whispered. “No one expected you to.”

“But Emily’s injured and I should have-”

“You think Emily was going to sit by and not look for them. She would have disobeyed anyone who had given her that order.”

Hotch snorted but remained silent. Spencer sat with him until they got the call that Muller’s wife and children had been found and were safe. They both gave sighs of relief.

After that one incident, Hotch seemed to act as if nothing was wrong. Spencer knew that he was struggling beneath his granite exterior, but Hotch wouldn’t let him get past the façade. He did, however, let Spencer into his life, if just a little bit. Spencer had bought the starter magic kit and was teaching Jack sleight-of-hand tricks. Jack’s attention waxed and waned, but he seemed to enjoy the attention.

Spencer had also, about once a month or so, gotten Hotch and Jack out of the house to do fun events that Jack would enjoy, whether it was going to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History for a kid’s hand-on exhibition or going to the White House Easter Egg Roll. Spencer always made sure to have another BAU team member with them. Usually it was Garcia or Prentiss who came along (sometimes both) and occasionally JJ with Henry and Will. There was even one memorable occasion where Rossi and Morgan had joined Spencer, Hotch, and Jack at the National Zoo, where Jack had fallen in love with the pandas and it appeared that a monkey had fallen in love with Rossi.

Spencer made certain that he and Hotch were not alone. Hotch never discussed their brief period of intimacy and Spencer wanted to ensure that Hotch did not feel that Spencer had any expectations. Although sometimes, late at night, unbidden memories would rise of Aaron kissing him, loving him, inside him, and Spencer would get lost in his reminiscences until he found his release. In the morning he would act as if everything was fine and treat Hotch and his teammates with his detached professional attitude. He supposed that Hotch wasn’t the only one who wouldn’t let people behind the façade.

But mostly Spencer was grateful that Hotch was there, at work, acting the leader, and allowing himself to actually have friendships and support. He wanted Hotch to heal, even if the scars, both physical and emotional, would always be there.

The team arrived back in Virginia at about 8:00pm on a Friday evening after a successful case in Tucson. They had even managed to catch the unsub before he could injure the latest woman he had abducted. Spencer liked those cases best.

He was walking across the tarmac after disembarking from the jet, a bit lost in thought, when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He looked around to find Hotch behind him.

“Hey,” Spencer said quietly.

“Jack hasn’t shut up about the dinosaurs, from what I understand,” Hotch said.

Spencer smiled broadly. “Oh. Good. He really liked the show.” On the previous weekend, Spencer had taken Jack to see Walking with Dinosaurs, an “arena spectacular” which had life-size animatronic dinosaurs, well, walking around. Jack had been thrilled. Although Spencer had not really been fascinated with dinosaurs when he was a child, he understood that many young boys were and Jack was no exception. Spencer also found that his interest had been piqued along with Jack’s when they seen the dinosaur bones at the museum when he visited there with Hotch, Jack, JJ, and Henry.

JJ had declined to take Henry to the dinosaur show, stating he was a little too young for life-size roaring dinosaurs and would probably be frightened. Garcia had said she would go, though, but on the day of the event both she had Hotch had developed the flu.

Spencer had knocked on Hotch’s apartment door and was fairly shocked when he saw Hotch. “You look awful,” he blurted out without thinking.

“Thanks,” Hotch croaked. “I feel pretty lousy, actually.”

“You don’t look like you’re up to going out.”

“I don’t think so, no.”

“I want to see dinosaurs!” Jack had cried from inside the apartment.

“I know, buddy. It’s just that… Daddy’s sick.”

“But I want to see dinosaurs!”

Hotch sighed.

“Um… Garcia and I could take him,” Spencer offered quietly.

“Check your messages, Reid. Garcia’s sick too.”

“Oh.”

“Dinosaurs!” Jack cried again.

“Jack…” Hotch began, frustration in his voice.

“I could take him by myself,” Spencer heard himself say.

“Yes!” Jack roared.

“What?” Hotch asked.

Spencer took a deep breath. “I could take him. Really. Jack knows me and it’s not a problem and I know he wants to see the dinosaurs and…” Spencer wasn’t sure if he was trying convince Hotch or himself.

“Are you sure?” Hotch asked dubiously.

“It will be fine.”

“Grrrrr….” Jack growled. “I’m a T-Rex.”

Hotch sighed. “He can be a handful.”

Spencer swallowed hard and nodded. “It will be fine,” he repeated, hoping that it was true.

Actually, the day had gone fairly well. Jack had been loud and made roaring dinosaur noises, but mostly listened when Spencer asked him to do things, although Spencer suspected that the bribe of concession stand snacks had something to do with that. Hotch had called approximately every five minutes to make sure they were all right. Finally Spencer snapped and said, “Look, Hotch, the show is starting. I won’t take your call while the dinosaurs are out. You looked awful. Take a nap!”

There was a moment of silence and then Hotch actually laughed. “Fine. But just make sure that my son doesn’t get eaten by a dinosaur.”

Hotch met them at the door, blinking as if he had just woken up, when Spencer dropped Jack off. Jack had been clutching at his stuffed toy T-Rex and excitedly (and loudly) telling his father about all the dinosaurs in the show. Jack ran into the apartment, making growling noises.

“I guess he liked it.” Hotch said ruefully.

“So it appears,” Spencer agreed with a grin.

“Thank you. I really appreciate that you took my son. He would have been disappointed.”

“It wasn’t a problem, Hotch. I enjoyed it too.”

Hotch hesitated slightly, then asked, “Do you want to come in and have something to eat?”

Spencer blinked. They hadn’t shared a dinner together, except while at work, since the night Spencer had made chicken soup after Haley’s funeral. Spencer was tempted, but he took one look at Hotch and saw that he was both exhausted and sick.

“When you’re feeling better,” Spencer said with a smile. “You need rest.”

Hotch nodded. “I actually don’t feel like insisting I’m fine, so you must be right.”

Spencer laughed and then called out good night to Jack, who came running to the door with his dinosaur toy. “Thank you, Spencer,” he said spontaneously, and hugged Spencer’s legs.

Spencer had stiffened in shock. Hotch had looked amused. “You’re welcome, Jack,” Spencer said quietly. Jack squealed in delight and ran back into the apartment.

“Thank you again,” Hotch echoed quietly.

Spencer had just smiled.

Spencer now found himself outside the jet, looking at Hotch who was smiling slightly. “Actually, the show was informative as well as entertaining,” Spencer pointed out. “The announcer explained the differences between the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods and the various dinosaurs that lived during each era.”

Hotch gave him an amused look.

Spencer shrugged. “Of course, I think Jack just liked the roaring, but at least there was an educational aspect as well. I’m glad Jack enjoyed it.”

“According to Jessica, he loved it.”

“Are you going to pick him up now?”

Hotch’s smile faded slightly. “Actually, no. It seems he developed the flu that I had last week. He’s feeling a bit better, but he fell asleep really early tonight. I don’t want to wake him, so I’m just going to pick him up for breakfast. We’ll get pancakes.”

“I’m sorry he got sick, but I’m glad he’s feeling better. Have fun at breakfast and a great weekend with him.” They were almost at the parking lot. Spencer was thinking about asking Morgan or Prentiss for a ride home. He was about to call out to them.

Hotch suddenly put his hand, gently, on Spencer’s arm. “Actually, since I suddenly find myself free tonight, I was wondering if you would… like to have dinner?” Hotch looked a bit nervous.

Spencer stopped and looked at Hotch in surprise. He wondered what the invitation meant, if anything. “I… um…”

Hotch looked down at the ground. “You can say no.”

At that moment, Morgan yelled out, “Hey, Reid, you need a ride?”

Spencer looked at Hotch, who wouldn’t meet his eyes. Spencer sighed and wondered what the hell he was doing. “No, I’m good,” he said to Morgan.

Morgan frowned slightly. “You sure?”

Hotch raised his eyes and met Spencer’s gaze. Hotch’s look was questioning and, perhaps, a bit hopeful.

“Yes, I’m sure,” Spencer told Morgan, giving Hotch a small smile.

Hotch didn’t exactly smile back, but he seemed a trifle less tense. Morgan looked briefly between the two of them and then shrugged. “Okay, man. Have a good weekend. You too, Hotch.”

Everyone exchanged good-byes, ready to go home after the case and get some rest over the weekend. A few moments later, Hotch and Reid were standing in the parking lot besides Hotch’s car.

“So… dinner,” Spencer said.

“Anything you feel like?”

Spencer shrugged.

“There’s an Indian place near me that I’ve been meaning to try,” Hotch suggested.

“Sounds good. I put myself in your capable hands.”

“I hope I don’t disappoint you.”

Spencer looked pointedly at Hotch. “I don’t think that would be possible.”

The air around them suddenly felt tense. Spencer broke off his gaze with an awkward smile and got into the car.

Spencer was surprised at the ease of their conversation as Hotch drove. Although Spencer got along with all his team members, he, still, sometimes felt a bit awkward when trying to just chat with them. He had never felt that way with Hotch. They talked about the case for a bit, then about the impact of genetic versus environmental factors on personality disorders, and then about how Jack liked the panda-cam at the National Zoo. Spencer was surprised when they arrived at the restaurant, since he hardly had noticed the passing of time.

They were fortunate to get a table fairly quickly. Spencer ordered the chicken tikka masala (“The British foreign secretary declared it the new British national dish,” he told Hotch). The food was enjoyable; the company even more so. Spencer actually felt relaxed for the first time in months, and he was secretly thrilled that he had gotten Hotch to laugh a time or two.

“Thanks for suggesting this,” Spencer said as Hotch pushed the last bit of naan toward him. “I enjoyed dinner.”

“I’m glad,” Hotch said, and then looked at him directly, holding his gaze. Hotch swallowed and then said, “Spencer. Thank you for coming. I wanted to talk with you.”

Spencer’s breath caught as he saw Hotch’s serious expression. He licked his lips nervously. “About what?”

“About you. And me. About us.”

“I-” Spencer started and then stopped. He had no idea what to say. He breathed deeply. “I didn’t realize there was an ‘us’.” He regretted saying that immediately when Hotch looked away. “Hotch. I-”

“I know I said I couldn’t do this,” Hotch interrupted him.

Spencer nodded, not trusting himself to speak.

“And I know I said I couldn’t be what you want or need,” Hotch continued.

“Yes,” Spencer croaked.

“I’ve been thinking and… and I’d like to try.” Hotch looked him directly in the eye, his expression fierce.

Spencer felt his throat constrict.

Hotch’s expression fell slightly and he looked, suddenly, shy. “I understand if you’ve moved on. I truly do. And I accept that.” He looked away, down at the table. “I just thought you should know,” he said quietly.

Spencer impulsively grabbed his hand. “I… haven’t moved on.”

Hotch looked up again.

Spencer forced himself to keep his gaze steady. “At the risk of exposing far too much of my emotions, I would wait for you forever. Aaron.”

Hotch’s breath caught. “Spencer.”

Spencer looked away. “It’s funny. It doesn’t feel at all like what I experience when I have chocolate. Or peas.” He looked up shyly.

Hotch looked puzzled for a moment, and then gasped with sudden understanding and remembrance of the conversation Spencer and Emily had once had outside of Jane’s home about the chemical composition of love. Right before they had found Frank’s trailer and his numerous instruments of torture and death.

Hotch squeezed his hand and smiled slightly. “So, the elements of dopamine and…”

“Monoamines, norepinephrine, and serotonin,” Spencer supplied.

“Combine together and give you...?”

“A lot of confusion.”

Hotch’s smile faded. “I’m sorry about that.”

“I’m not. I had just… convinced myself that this wasn’t possible. Are you sure you want to try again?” He didn’t mention that he wasn’t sure their friendship would survive if Hotch walked away abruptly again, but he knew that Hotch already knew that.

“I’ve been thinking, a lot, over the past 10 months since Haley’s death. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the support I’ve gotten from you, from the team. The friendship, the encouragement, has helped me get through the most difficult time of my life. But I have so many regrets, Spencer. A lifetime worth of regrets.” He leaned forward and kissed Spencer lightly on the cheek. “I don’t want add one more. Will you give me another chance?”

Spencer said the only thing he could possibly say: “Yes.”

“Come home with me tonight.”

Spencer suddenly grinned as he tried to lighten the mood. “I thought you’d never ask.”

They paid the bill and left the restaurant. Aaron drove the short distance to his apartment, holding Spencer’s hand all the while. When they arrived, he led the way, punching in the code to his alarm. He turned to Spencer and smiled. “I’m sure you’ve memorized that code.”

“I really can’t help it,” Spencer said apologetically.

“Good. I’m going to give you a set of keys. Then you can come and go as you please.”

“I-” Spencer began and then Aaron quickly closed the space between and pulled Spencer in for a kiss. Spencer moaned and the put his arms around Aaron, drawing him closer.

“Oh god,” Aaron panted when the broke apart. “I had forgotten how good this was.”

“I hadn’t. Eidetic memory, you know. ”

Aaron tugged Spencer close for another kiss. “Sorry it took me so long.”

Spencer held his finger to Aaron’s lips. “Shh… you needed time, Aaron. Especially with everything that happened. I really do understand that. We’re here now. That’s… that’s more than I ever hoped.”

Aaron took Spencer’s finger into his mouth and sucked on it gently. Spencer shivered. But he had one nagging concern. “What are you going to tell Jack?” he whispered.

Aaron released his finger and kissed him again. “I won’t hide this… us… from him. Is that all right?”

Spencer nodded. “And Jessica?”

“I won’t hide it from her either, although I think she already suspects that there is some sort of connection between us. She asks about you from time to time.”

Spencer blinked, a bit surprised, but then nodded. He took a deep breath and asked the question he was dreading, “What about the team?”

Aaron sighed and took his hand, leading him to the couch where they sat down. “That’s bit more complicated, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“I would prefer to wait, at least for a little while, until we inform them. Give us a chance to figure out where we stand with each other.” Aaron stroked Spencer’s cheek. “Is that acceptable?”

“That’s fine. But they are pretty exceptional profilers, all of them. They may figure it out, even if we try to keep our relationship hidden.”

“You’re right; they might. I’d like to deal with that if and when it happens. I would prefer to strengthen whatever we have between us before we bring it to the team. Especially since we’re blatantly disregarding the fraternization rules. And who knows? In three months you could be so annoyed with my stoicism that you’re ready to walk away.” Aaron had said that with a joking tone, but there was an undercurrent of nervousness there that Spencer picked up.

Spencer grasped Aaron’s hand. “No, I won’t. I know you, Aaron. I want this because of who you are, not in spite of it.” He drew Aaron in for a hug and felt him shiver.

“Thank you,” Aaron whispered in his ear. Spencer let go and kissed him gently. He then pulled back.

“So we deal with the team later,” Spencer said.

“Yes. If that’s all right with you?”

Spencer grinned. “It will drive Morgan crazy trying to figure out what I’m up to. I’m good with that.”

Aaron chuckled. “My evil genius.” They kissed again. “God, Spencer, I can’t tell you how much I want you or how many times I’ve thought of this over the past several months.”

Spencer groaned and kissed Aaron again. “I’d love to see your bedroom,” Spencer said with a shuddering breath.

Aaron stood and took his hand, leading the way. They fell on Aaron’s bed, kissing passionately. Spencer pulled back. “Take off your tie,” he whispered and then shuddered as Aaron complied. “There is something so incredibly sexy about seeing you without a tie.”

Aaron smiled and pulled off Spencer’s tie, then began kissing his neck as he began to unbutton Spencer’s shirt. Spencer moaned. “Oh, so good.”

“Yes,” Aaron agreed.

They managed to divest themselves, and each other, of their clothes and lay side-by-side, naked, on the bed. Spencer traced Aaron’s scars and occasionally leaned over to kiss him on the shoulder, the neck, the chest.

“Tell me what you want,” Spencer said quietly as he kissed Aaron’s jaw. Aaron rolled over to the nightstand and came back with lube and condoms. Spencer blinked in surprise.

“I knew I was going to ask you here, I just didn’t know when,” Aaron explained. “I was optimistic and hopeful that you would say yes.”

Spencer smiled. “Yes.”

Aaron grabbed Spencer’s hand and looked Spencer directly in the eyes. “I’d like you to take me,” he said firmly.

Spencer blinked. “Are you certain?”

Aaron blushed slightly but didn’t look away. “Yes.”

“But with what Foyet did… we don’t have to do this right away. We can work up to it, if it’s really what you want. But we don’t have to do it at all.”

“I want this, Spencer. I want you. Are you saying that you don’t want to do this?”

“I won’t deny that I’ve thought about it. From time to time.” Spencer blushed. “Frequently.”

Aaron kissed him. “Then get on with it,” he said gently.

“I just don’t want to push you or make you uncomfortable.”

“I’ll let you know if you do.” Aaron then forestalled any further argument by starting to stroke Spencer’s cock.

“That’s an unfair negotiation trick,” Spencer moaned.

Aaron chuckled and kissed Spencer’s ear. “Not one I usually teach at the Academy,” he breathed, “but I do stress that it’s important to be adaptable and to tailor your negotiation strategies to the individual.” He added a little twist to his stroke and Spencer gasped.

“Not fair,” Spencer groaned and began to kiss Aaron’s neck. He licked his collarbone and kissed his way down Aaron’s chest, stopping to trace some of the scars. He tongued a nipple and then gently suckled on it. Aaron moaned.

Aaron’s hand fell away as Spencer continued to kiss his way downward. He followed the dark hair toward its ultimate treasure and paused, his lips hovering over Aaron’s cock, which twitched as if seeking Spencer’s heat.

Spencer looked up until Aaron met his gaze. Aaron’s breath caught and he gave a strangled whimper as Spencer began to tongue the head of his cock. Spencer sucked him in slowly. Aaron’s eyes closed as his head fell back and he began to pant.

Spencer tongued his way up and down the length of Aaron’s cock. Aaron stopped him with a light touch of his hair. Spencer looked up.

“That’s a bit too good. I want…” Aaron swallowed, “I still want you inside me.”

Spencer licked his lips and nodded. “Okay.” He wasn’t at all certain about this, but he trusted Aaron to know what he wanted.

Aaron handed him the lube.

Spencer coated his fingers and then slowly, almost delicately, traced circles around Aaron’s opening. He watched Aaron closely and saw him tense and then force himself to loosen.

Spencer really wasn’t sure about this.

Spencer began to suck on Aaron’s balls and apply a bit more pressure with his finger. Aaron tensed again and then took deep breaths.

Spencer knew he had to do something a bit more… unexpected… to take Aaron’s mind off whatever connections he was making. Spencer’s head moved lower and he replaced his finger with his tongue, gently rimming Aaron.

Aaron tensed again, but the moan he gave sounded much more promising.

Spencer smiled to himself and kept up the steady pressure. He knew that Foyet would not have done this to Aaron, and he was thrilled that he was giving him new, pleasant memories to replace the bad.

He sucked at Aaron’s opening some more, using his tongue to gently loosen the tight muscle and enjoying the panting whimpers that Aaron made. Spencer tongued his way slowly back up to Aaron’s cock. As Spencer sucked on the head, he used one finger to breach Aaron, who thrust into his mouth and gave a strangled groan. Spencer used a counterpoint of sucking and moving his finger in and out, slowly.

“So good,” Aaron breathed.

Spencer smiled around his mouthful and removed his finger. He added more lube and then placed two fingers at Aaron’s opening.

“Yes,” Aaron moaned.

Spencer pushed in and kept up his suction. Aaron began a rhythm of shallow thrusting and groaned, “Oh god.”

Spencer continued his steady pace.

“More.”

Spencer added a third finger. Aaron tensed. Spencer began licking along the veins of his cock. Aaron reached for Spencer’s head and ran his fingers through his hair. Spencer looked up at him, keeping his fingers moving. “Please,” Aaron said. “Now.”

Spencer swallowed. He removed his fingers and kneeled between Aaron’s legs. Aaron handed him a condom. Spencer rolled it on with slightly shaking hands and covered himself liberally with lube. “It might be easier, on your knees,” he whispered.

Aaron shook his head. “I need to see your face.”

“Okay.” He positioned himself at Aaron’s entrance. “Let me know if you need to stop.”

Aaron nodded shortly. “Do it.”

Spencer began to push in. It had been quite a long time since he had done this. And Aaron was tight. So tight and hot. Spencer released a shuddering breath.

Aaron, on the other hand, held his.

Spencer pushed in a little further. Aaron’s face became blank and his eyes squeezed shut. Spencer gently stroked his brow, forcing himself to stay still. “Aaron?”

Aaron’s eyes opened, but his face was tense. “If I asked you to pull out, you would?” he questioned in a tight voice.

Spencer took a deep breath, knowing he would miss that exquisite heat surrounding him. He also knew he would have no regrets. “Of course,” he breathed, beginning to withdraw.

Aaron stopped him and held him in place. “Okay,” he said and gave a quick, strained smile. “I think I just needed to know that you would, if that makes any sense.”

“Aaron, we don’t need to-”

“Shh… I want this. I want you. I think I’m getting used to the pressure. Move. Please. Slowly.”

Spencer pressed inward until he was fully sheathed. Aaron’s breathing was still a bit more labored than Spencer would have liked. “Let me try something,” he said, and shifted upward slightly. Aaron gave a gasp.

“Good? Or bad?”

“Good,” Aaron said hurriedly. “Try that again.”

Spencer pushed in gently, striving to hit that perfect angle.

Aaron groaned. “Oh. There.”

Spencer grinned and began to move in steady, slow thrusts. Aaron reached for him, grasping his back. He looked into Spencer’s face and began to lift up to meet his movements. “Spencer,” he whimpered. “Oh god, Spencer.”

“That’s it, Aaron. I’ve got you.”

“Yes. Please, yes.”

Spencer shifted his weight so he could grasp Aaron’s cock. Aaron cried out. His eyes fluttered shut. He held Spencer tighter and began to increase the tempo of their movements. Spencer stroked in time to their thrusts.

He was close. So close. He wanted to hold out to make Aaron come first, though. He slowed their pace and shifted his angle so that his cock slowly raked Aaron’s prostate with each move. He continued to stroke Aaron’s cock in a steady rhythm. He leaned down and tongued Aaron’s ear, then nibbled on his neck.

With a cry, Aaron came.

Spencer held on, barely, and watched Aaron’s release. He then thrust twice, hard, and his orgasm slammed through him.

He was shuddering, his breath fast and shallow, when he came to a stop.

“Wow,” Aaron said.

Spencer took a deep breath. “Yeah.” He felt himself softening. “This may sting a little,” he warned as he pulled out.

Aaron hissed in a bit of discomfort.

“You okay?” Spencer asked as he removed the condom and threw it in the nearby trash. He then drew Aaron into his arms.

“Actually, yeah, I’m good.”

“It’s the release of the endorphins and the hormone oxytocin. A UC San Francisco study found that oxytocin is associated with the ability to maintain healthy interpersonal relationships and psychological boundaries with other people. When it’s released during orgasm, it begins creating an emotional bond - the more sex, the greater the bond.”

Aaron kissed him gently. “Good. I’m planning to have a lot more sex with you. You know, to strengthen our bond.”

Spencer blushed slightly. “Sounds like a good plan.”

They kissed some more. When they pulled back, Spencer traced Aaron’s cheek. “Seriously, are you all right?”

Aaron nodded. “Yes. It was a bit intense and… terrifying… for a moment, but I kept reminding myself that it was you and how much I wanted you. How much I needed you.”

“We didn’t need to do this tonight. We didn’t need to do this ever.”

“I’m serious, Spencer, that I want this, whatever this is, between us. That I want to be who you need.”

Spencer kissed his brow. “You don’t ever have to prove anything to me, Aaron.”

“I know. But I’ve been thinking about this for a while now. It isn’t fair to you if I’m holding back. I needed to prove, to myself, that I could go all in with a relationship with you.”

Spencer pulled him in for a tight hug. “Thank you,” he whispered. “I’m yours. For as long as you want me.”

Aaron kissed Spencer jaw. “Good. We’ll start with forever and then go from there.”

Spencer chuckled sleepily. “Aaron Hotchner: closet romantic.”

“Hush, you’ll ruin my reputation.”

“I can be bribed to keep quiet.”

“I bet you can.” They kissed lazily and shifted so that Aaron’s head was on Spencer’s chest. Spencer stroked his back lazily and Aaron traced one of Spencer’s nipples. They gently drifted off to sleep, wrapped in each other’s embrace.

And a Breakfast

Spencer awoke to Aaron tickling his foot. He twitched and pulled back.

“Wake up, sleepy head,” Aaron said with a smirk. “Hurry up or you’ll miss out on breakfast with Jack.”

Spencer groaned sleepily and blinked his eyes. “Oh hell, I need eye drops and contact solution. And my glasses.”

Aaron sat next to him on the bed. “I brought your go-bag up here. I assume what you need is in there.”

Spencer blinked blearily and realized that Aaron was showered and dressed, in jeans and a fleecy pullover that looked incredibly soft and touchable. He reached out and stroked Aaron’s chest before he was quite aware of what he was doing. He blushed slightly and pulled his hand away. “Thanks,” he said, with a quick glance at his bag.

Aaron leaned over and kissed him, deeply and passionately. Spencer moaned.

Aaron pulled back and ran his fingers through Spencer’s hair. “Go get ready,” he said gently. “If you hurry, I’ll even make you some coffee.”

Spencer kissed him quickly. “For coffee I would follow you anywhere.”

“Even to IHOP for pancakes with a five-year-old?”

“Caffeine and maple syrup? Can this day get any better?”

Aaron kissed him one more time, slowly. “I’ll see what I can come up with,” he breathed into his ear. Spencer shuddered.

Aaron pushed Spencer gently. “Go.” Aaron got out of the bed and went to the kitchen. Spencer sighed and headed to the bathroom to prepare for his day. A little while later Spencer found himself showered, dressed, and sitting in Aaron’s car, sipping coffee from a travel cup and feeling generally content.

Aaron drove to Jessica’s place. The ride was silent, but Spencer thought that mostly because he hadn’t reached caffeinated consciousness yet. The silence between them was comfortable, although Spencer did have to resist his urge to kiss Aaron’s shoulder. He thought that by the smirking smile Aaron gave him at a red light that Aaron had read his mind. He smiled back.

Aaron parked in Jessica’s driveway. He reached out and grasped Spencer’s hand. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For being here. For agreeing to be with Jack. For agreeing to be with me. I… just… thank you.”

Spencer leaned over and kissed Aaron, quickly but firmly. Aaron smiled.

“Let’s go get your son.”

Jessica looked a bit harried when she opened the door. “Jack’s feeling much better,” she said, “but he’s not cooperating about getting dressed. Hi, Spencer. Nice to see you again.”

Spencer gave a little wave as Aaron sighed. “I’ll go get him,” Aaron said.

“He’s in his room, growling or something.”

Aaron went up the stairs.

Spencer stood awkwardly with Jessica Brooks in her foyer. “Would you like some coffee?” she asked.

He held up his travel cup. “I’m good,” he said, taking a sip.

Jessica looked at him quizzically and then said, “I’m glad to see that you and Aaron have finally gotten together.”

It was through sheer willpower that Spencer did not spit out his coffee. “Um…”

“Between you showing up at his apartment to cook dinner, Jack’s constant chattering about you, and Aaron’s steadfast refusal to mention you, I knew that something was going on.”

Spencer gave a surprised laugh. “Have you ever considered profiling?”

Jessica just shook her head. “Oh, hell no,” she said laughingly.

“There wasn’t really anything going on. At least, not since… um… and yeah, there wasn’t much going on before that, either. Just a few… encounters.” Spencer felt himself blushing.

Jessica looked at him seriously. “Aaron is fierce. Fierce is life, fierce in love. If he gives his heart to you, he’ll do it completely.”

“I only hope I’m worth it,” Spencer whispered.

“He wouldn’t do it unless you were. But he’ll divided with his job, which is far more of who he is than I think my sister ever wanted to admit. You’ll understand that, though, won’t you?”

Spencer nodded. “It’s who I am too.”

“Then I think you’ll work out fine.”

They heard a sudden noise. They looked up to find Jack bounding down the stairs, Aaron behind him. “Don’t run on the stairs,” his father admonished. Jack slowed down, barely.

“Spencer!” Jack exclaimed and threw his arms around his legs.

“Hey Jack,” Spencer said while trying to keep his balance. Jessica held out a hand to steady him.

“Want to go get pancakes, Jack?” Aaron asked.

“Yay!” Jack held out his stuffed dinosaur. “Rexie wants pancakes too.”

Aaron leaned over and kissed Jessica’s cheek. “Thanks, Jess, again, for everything.”

“It’s no problem,” she said with a smile. They all said their good-byes, Jack giving her a hug. “You boys have fun now,” she called from the door as they walked to the car.

Aaron looked slightly puzzled.

“She knows,” Spencer said quietly.

Aaron nodded.

“She knows what?” Jack asked.

“Your aunt knows everything, Jacks. That’s why you should listen to her.” Aaron got Jack loaded into the car seat.

“Spencer’s coming to breakfast too?” Jack asked.

“Yes.”

“Oh good. Rexie wants the chocolate chip pancakes.”

Spencer laughed as Aaron sighed. “We’ll see Jack.”

They arrived at the restaurant and got themselves situated in a booth. Aaron had a look of horror on his face as both Jack and Spencer drenched their chocolate chip pancakes in maple syrup. “You two are going to be on a sugar high for a week,” he lamented.

Spencer laughed and poured sugar into his coffee. Aaron groaned.

“What’s wrong, Daddy?”

“Spencer’s dietary habits.”

Jack looked confused. Aaron tousled his hair. “Don’t worry about it.”

Jack shrugged and started to talk about dinosaurs.

Spencer took a bite of his pancakes, savoring the sweetness. Aaron leaned forward. “You know I’m going to make you have a salad for dinner.”

Spencer just grinned and took another bite.

“Spencer is going to be with us for dinner too?” Jack asked.

Aaron looked at his son. “Yeah, buddy. Spencer’s going to spend the day with us. And tomorrow too, I hope. In fact, I have a feeling that Spencer’s going to be around a lot from now on.”

Jack thought about that for a moment, and then smiled. “Good.” He leaned into his father and whispered, loudly, “I like Spencer. And I think you like him too. You’re less sad when he’s around.”

Aaron blinked back sudden tears and pulled Jack closely into him with a one armed hug. Jack gave a squeak of protest. Aaron reached his other hand across the table and grasped Spencer’s hand.

“I’m glad you’re here, Spencer,” Aaron said quietly.

Spencer squeezed Aaron’s hand and looked into his glistening eyes. “So am I.”

They both smiled.

__________________________________________

Author's Note: Now there's a sequel: Team Dinner.

Aaron and Spencer decide to tell the team about their relationship. Things don’t go exactly how they expected. (Warnings: A bit of schmoopy fluff? SPOILERS for events that occur in Season 5).

And several more stories in this universe. All of them can be found at the "Five Dinners" tag here (scroll up from the bottom of the page).