[For Aaron]

[wildlyconflictd]

To suggest it's been a trying few weeks would certainly be an understatement. Fighting with Aaron was nothing like fighting with Tony by any stretch of the imagination, partially because even when being maddeningly stubborn, Aaron still manages to be sensible. It's very difficult to feel self-righteous when you're up against someone so reasonable

Comments

[o_heart]

He's always felt at home in a suit. He went from college to the DA's office to the Bureau and he always wore a suit to do it. He has less opportunity on the island, but he breaks out his suit when he takes Pepper out. It's especially fitting since she picked it out in the first place.

"You look really, genuinely happy," he tells her, glancing over, his fingers twined through hers. "It suits you."

[wildlyconflictd]

"I am," Pepper allows, quietly surprised at it actually being the truth. She'd never considered herself particularly difficult to please, but she supposes she actually is. It never occurred to her before now that happiness is an achievement of its own merit.

"It was a lovely evening, Aaron, thank you," she adds with a brief squeeze of his fingers. "It's nice to be treated." He's always been good to her, there's little doubt about that, but there's still a degree of wondrous novelty at being able to date at all.

[o_heart]

"You're welcome," he says, gently tugging her to a stop and bending to kiss her cheek. There are stars showing through a gap in the trees and Hotch isn't sure that he's ever felt further away from Quantico.

"Hopefully, it's not over yet."

[wildlyconflictd]

"Oh, it's definitely not over yet," Pepper insists with a faint but thoroughly amused smile. "One thing at a time, though."

Pulling gently away, she walks ahead of him and turns so that she's slowly moving backwards down the path, gaze fixed on Aaron. "Do you have something else planned, or were you going to play the rest by ear?"