Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Just A Matter of Time	By : Giovanna Category: Harry Potter Crossovers > Slash - Male/Male Views: 19707 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 5
Disclaimer: We do not own Harry Potter & Criminal Minds characters nor are we making any money on this story. We only claim the original characters. OCC and AU/Crossover -Criminal Mind/Harry Potter

Chapter List
- 9
- 10
**GR**KT**
Aaron rests his forehead against the steering wheel of his vehicle, trying to gather the motivation to get out of his car and walk inside of his house. He will have to talk to Jack before leaving tonight and he isn’t sure what to say. What do I say to him? Sighing loudly, Aaron bangs his head lightly. Could this day get any worse? Growling, he forces himself to get out and go into the house.
“Aaron, you’re home early,” Jessica greets in surprise. Thank god I stripped the sheets off Aaron’s bed after I… Her thoughts are cut off when she feels Aaron kissing her cheek. Jessica closes her eyes, lost in the fantasy of turning her head and feeling Aaron’s lips press passionately to hers, instead of the chaste one on her cheek. When she snaps back into focus, Jack is in Aaron’s arms. Jess listens to their quiet conversation until Jack is told to finish his homework.
Aaron turns back to Jessica. “The team will be meeting for dinner with the British team we are working with later on tonight.”
Disappointed that Aaron won’t be eating with her, Jess asks, “Should I take Jack home with me or just stay the night here?”
Distracted, Aaron takes a moment to realize she is waiting for an answer. “What? No. Jack’s coming with me.
“Jack—Jack’s coming with you?” Jessica squeaks in surprise. “But isn’t it for work? You never bring Jack to work things”
“The PACU’s team and their families, we will be meeting them tonight. JJ’s bringing Henry. Jack won’t be the only child there.”
Narrowing her eyes in barely hidden glee, she asks, “The families are invited? I guess JJ’s husband, Will is going as well?”
Aaron nods.
“I’ll just run home quick then and change. Should we meet back here and we can go together? What time is dinner by the way? I can’t wait to see the team again and Will and Henry too.”
Aaron scrunches his eyebrows, a confused expression on his face. “What? Oh no, Jessica. That’s nice of you to offer but you deserve some time to yourself. Enjoy it. Go on a date or something. Go and have drinks with you friends. It’s just me and Jack tonight.”
“It’s no trouble, Aaron. I’m happy to go.”
She starts to walk for the door when Aaron grabs Jessica’s arms firmly. “No, Jess. Go home. Jack and I can handle things tonight on our own. We don’t need you.” Aaron’s expression softens. “You don’t get a lot of time to yourself. Enjoy it while you can.”
Jessica forces a smile and laughs. “Ok then, if you’re sure?” Aaron nods, again. “Well, you guys try to have fun.” Without me . Inside, she is fuming. She continues to walk to the door and this time, Aaron does not stop her. Why can’t he see that I care for him, why can’t he see that I’m right in front of him? Willing and eager to be with him? I should be with him and Jack, I’m part of the family, dammit. I do everything a wife should do, I am a better mother to Jack than Haley ever was! Could he be taking another woman instead and he doesn’t want to tell me? She imagines what the woman looks like and becomes enraged at the thought of another woman warming Aaron’s bed. Aaron is mine! When I find the bitch I’m going to make sure she never lays a hand on Aaron again. And once she is gone he will turn to me for comfort. We will be together. I will love him and cherish his body the way only I can. He will treat me like his queen and he will be my king. One day I will be Jessica Hotchner and Aaron Hotchner will be mine! Forever!
Despite spending his time analyzing people, Aaron is utterly blind to the signs as Jessica’s slowly slides into insanity. He sees her as Jack’s aunt and nothing more. Aaron has never even considered she could be more. His usually keen eyes never look close enough to truly see her or her unhealthy attachment and attraction to him. Like always, the second she is gone, Jessica is erased from his thoughts. He goes to his bedroom to change and notices the fresh sheets on his bed. Aaron shrugs his shoulders and thinks nothing of it, Jessica must have been in one of her cleaning moods. He sees no reason to complain or worry about new sheets on his bed. Changing into more comfortable clothing, Aaron puts on some music and relaxes on the couch. His mind is full of his idiocy from earlier and how to tell Jack about Harry.
Jack runs into the living room and jumps into his lap. Aaron catches him easily. Jack shoves the sheet of paper in his face. “Look, Daddy, I’m finished.”
Aaron takes the offered homework, first praising Jack for finishing his homework. He checks it over. He spots a few mistakes and helps Jack figure out how to fix them. Not able to put it off any longer, Aaron pulls Jack into a one arm hug and kisses him on the forehead. “I need to talk to you about something.”
Jack looks at his dad, “I didn’t do it Daddy, honest.”
Aaron smiles, “You’re not in trouble, Jack. Unless there is something you want to tell me?”
“I’m not!” Jack asks in surprise.
Aaron notices that Jack does not give him any more information and he wonders if Jack had done something wrong. He decides to let it go for the moment. “I promise, Jack. You’re not in trouble.”
With curiosity in his eyes, Jack wonders, “So why, do you want to talk to me?”
Aaron adores Jack’s child-like curiosity and he takes a moment to revel in the sight of it. Seeing all he does at work, Jack’s innocence and purity are a breath of fresh air. “We are going to someone’s house tonight to meet the new people Daddy has been working with. You remember the British team I told you about?”
Nodding, Jack chirps, “I ‘member. You said they talk different, right? ‘Cause they live somewhere else.”
“Yes, like Will.”
“He’s from the bye-you,” Jack supplies excitedly. He likes when Will talks in bye-you language. It sounds like he’s telling secrets that no one can understand.
“Except their accent sounds different than Will’s. They are British.”
Curious, Jack asks, “Do we have axe-ents?”
Smiling, Aaron offers, “Everyone does. It is only when you are around someone with a different accent that it is noticeable.”
“Oh, okay.”
Taking a deep breath, Aaron plows ahead. “You are going to meet the British team and their families. Everyone from my team will be there as well. Jen, Will, and Henry, Dave and Emily, Penelope, Spencer and Derek.”
Aaron is thankful he doesn’t have to bother to explain gay relationships. Jack has been exposed to Spencer and Derek probably as far back as Jack can remember. The two men have been together longer than Jack has been alive. Aaron and Haley both wanted Jack to know about homosexual relationships to teach him acceptance and tolerance. Spencer and Derek have always been a perfect example of how ‘normal’ and loving a relationship between two men can be.
“I have something important to tell you.” Aaron tries to dampen his nervousness as Jack looks at him with unblinking eyes. Aaron can’t resist tracing his eyes over his son’s beloved features. Jack is a beautiful, wonderful boy and he loves him more than life itself. He knows if he was forced to choose between Jack and Harry, he would always choose his son. “I have a new special friend.” Aaron hopes Jack will be open to meeting Harry.
Jack tilts his head curiously. “Like Boomer is my special friend?”
Aaron’s lips twitch in amusement of Harry being compared to Boomer, the dog next door. “No, not like Boomer. Like Beth used to be Daddy’s special friend.”
“Oh, I liked Beth. She was nice. Aunt Jess didn’t like her though. Called her bad words I’m not supposed to say.” He finishes with a whisper.
Surprised, Aaron asks, “Jess said bad words about Beth?” He never saw Jess be anything but pleasant to Beth. Maybe Jess stumbled upon something, a secret Beth kept from him? It could explain Beth’s abrupt departure from their lives.
But why wouldn’t Jessica tell me if she knew something? Was she trying to protect my feelings? Or maybe Jack’s .
Jack bites his lip nervously, remembering how Aunt Jess ordered him not to tell Daddy what he heard. He hopes Aunt Jess doesn’t get mad at him for tattling.
Aaron pulls his thoughts from Beth and Jess, returning his focus to Harry. “My new special friend makes me very happy. I wanted you to know about my special friend before anyone else. No one else knows yet.”
“Really?”
“Yup. Only you know about them, Buddy.”
Jack beams, happy to be the first his daddy told. “Do I keep your new friend a secret? Can I tell my friend, Jake? Because he has a new dad and teases me because I only have you, Daddy.”
Aaron stares at Jack in shock, he never realized how much his son missed having another parent. “Umm...I will have to ask my friend before I can give you an answer, okay?”
“Why?” Jack whines.
“Because my friend is different than any of my other friends. This friend is a boy.” He searches Jack’s eyes for his reaction.
“A boy?” Jack asks. “Is he nice?”
“Yes, and he is very nice.”
“Oh, okay. Can we play Legos before we go?”
He shakes his head at the simplicity of a child’s mind. Jack might not fully understand why having a special friend that is a boy makes things complicated. The important thing is that Jack seems happy as long as he is happy. Aaron ruffles his son’s hair and smiles. “Sure we can.”
Within minutes, they are deep into Jack’s fantasy Legoland. Out of the blue, Jack asks, “Do you think he’ll like me?”
“Who?”
“Your special friend.”
Aaron hugs Jack and reassures him, “Of course he will, Jack. I wouldn’t let him be my special friend anymore if he didn’t like you.”
“Promise?”
Squeezing his son tight, Aaron vows, “I promise. You will always be first in my life, Jack. Always.”
Jack hugs Aaron back, smiling widely. After a beat, he pulls away and continues to play with his Legos.
**GR**KT**
Harry apparates home and walks into the kitchen. He needs to find a way to get rid of his pent up magic. He waves his hand, irritation coursing through his entire body. How could Aaron disregard his feelings even after he tried to explain why he kept who he was a secret? He had to. Telling a muggle about magic is not a simple explanation. It’s a serious vow to the Magical community. It is for everyone’s protection, magical and muggle alike. Harry has people he cares about. If the wrong person found out about the Wizarding world's existence, he does not want to think about what would happen. The Magical community has been through too much, with not one but two dark wizards, who terrorized the people and caused them to live in fear. Harry promised himself after Voldemort he would never let that happen again.
If only Aaron could see and understand where I am coming from. He didn’t live through what I did. He can’t understand.
“Maybe he feels you did not trust him enough?”
Harry freezes at the words, his mind stopping its frantic thoughts. He braces his hands on the counter, bows his head and closes his eyes.
Luna, always my angel of reason.
“Did you speak to Blaise, my little Dove?” Harry asks her, looking over his shoulder to find her waddling into the kitchen.
“More or less,” she says, taking a seat at the counter. “Blaise simply stated we are having guests for dinner. And from your tense demeanor, I put it together that it is the team you are working with.” She squints her eyes and looks at him more carefully. “Plus, I have a feeling you are seeing someone on the team.”
“Yeah, how do you figure that?” Harry turns his attention back to the contents on the counter and starts putting together a snack of strawberries, sliced apples, and nutella on toasted brioche bread.
“I might not act like it, but I’m a woman and I see things men don’t. I’m not the only one who thinks so, Andromeda does as well.” Harry freezes. “Don’t worry, we promise not to say anything until you’re ready. Plus, we have a bet going on exactly when will Severus find out and how nuts it’s going to make him.”
“Are you kidding?!” He faces her and places her snack on the counter. Luna happily eats it, not leaving a crumb.
She licks her fingers clean before giving him an answer. “Nope, my money is that he will figure it out by the end of the week. Andromeda thinks it will be by the end of the case.” She gives him a serious expression, “Don’t make me lose, I’m getting free babysitting for one year out of this deal.”
“I’m so glad my love life can be such a pleasure for you.” He really wants to be angry at both Luna and Andy, but it would be a waste of emotion. This is the norm for the family. He’s won a few bets, himself. Like when the twins would finally ask Draco to marry them, or when Luna would tell everyone she was pregnant.
“I am truly enjoying myself where your love life is concerned, it’s about time I have something to salivate over.” She tells him with a smile then her face gets serious. “Trust is important Harry, especially in the lifestyle we lead,” Harry says nothing but continues to listen to her.
“I know trust is important, Luna. The problem is, he doesn’t trust me. How can I make him understand that I trust him?” Harry asks her. “I trust him more than any other man I’ve ever been with. I gave him my body, my submission, freely.” This is a new territory for Harry, speaking with another Submissive. Since entering the BDSM lifestyle, the only person he has ever spoken to was Bill. When he goes to a club Harry wears a mask and goes by the name Submissive Dragonfly. He is highly requested by Dominants. All of them believe they can succeed where all the other Doms failed and make him submit, but all of them fail miserably. Harry wonders if he has ever subbed for Blaise in the past but is too afraid to ask. More like too embarrassed.
“Give him time, Harry,” Luna tells him. “Dominants are very prideful, they feel it is our duty as their Subs to tell them everything. To carry our burdens.” She leans across the counter and cups his face. “Yet, they forget that they are human and we walk beside them in life rather than literally at their heel. They forget that we can help bear their burdens as well as they bear ours.” Luna sits back down in her chair. “I believe this is just as new for him as it is for you.”
How does she know that? He’s long ago given up on understanding Luna’s intuition. She often knows and sees things that no one else does. Harry looks into her eyes and sees the sincerity in her face, “You always know what to say.”
“I only speak the truth, my sweet Prince.” Luna smiles and Harry cannot help but return her smile with one of his own. Luna’s easy disposition always puts him at ease.
“Um...Luna,” He starts then clears his throat, his face feels hot and possibly as red as a tomato. “There is something I want to ask you.”
“Sure, but first can you make me another snack and this time add some kippers and banana slices? Please.” Luna requests, her face so innocent and sweet that Harry cannot refuse even though the thought of kippers with chocolate and fruit makes him nauseated. Harry makes Luna’s sandwich and watches in horror as she eats it all once again.
Gods, pregnant people have the weirdest cravings. Bananas and kippers, yuck! Harry can’t help but think of the future and of one day being pregnant himself. In his mind, he sees a proud Aaron holding a tiny baby with a mess of wild dark hair on its head. The baby opens its eyes and his own green eyes stare back at him. Harry swallows reflexively, wondering if the crystal clear image is just a fantasy or a premonition. He isn’t sure which he prefers. Pulling away from his thoughts, Harry turns his focus back to Luna.
After finishing her second sandwich, Luna pushes her plate away then pats her baby bump. An unladylike belch echoes in the room, causing Harry to look at Luna in surprise. “Excuse me,” Luna says, her eyes brimming with embarrassment and her fingertips covering her lips. Harry starts chuckling until he and Luna begin laughing until his belly hurts.
“You are simply wonderful, Lady Zabini,” Harry says leaning over the counter giving her a kiss on the cheeks. “Don’t ever change.”
Luna puts her hands around his neck pulling him as close as she can with the counter between them. “Thank you and I promise you I never will. Blaise loves me with all my quirkiness, and so will your man, Harry.” She kisses his cheeks then whispers in his ear. “Blaise would have loved to see you in chains, Harry. But felt it would hurt your working relationship.” Luna pulls back and smirks at Harry’s shocked expression. Getting up from her chair, she announces, “I believe it is time for me to nap before our guests arrive.” Luna walks out of the kitchen leaving Harry to his thoughts.
**GR**KT**
Harry decides to take a break from cooking dinner, leaving instructions for the elves. He takes the stairs from the kitchen and heads straight for Teddy’s room. Usually, around this time, Harry would still be at work dealing with the case. But because of the day's events, he gets a chance to spend some time with Teddy before things become hectic again, which is exactly what he needs right now. Harry also needs to talk to Teddy about Aaron. Or at least bring up the possibility of him dating again. He walks into Teddy’s room and stops at the entrance of the door. He cannot help the smile on his lips as he watches his son playing with his enchanted Hogwarts model. From the stern expression on his face today, he is pretending to be Professor Snape.
“Unacceptable, Mr. Michaels remake this potion, or you’ll have detention with me tonight.” Teddy’s potion class consists of two furry, eager ‘students,’ better known as his pet panther cubs named Cleopatra and Persephone. The cubs ignore Teddy’s reprimand and continue to try to lick Teddy to death. Harry holds back his chuckle, the more irritated Teddy becomes with the cubs, the more eager and excited they get. Harry cannot deny that Teddy’s imitation of Severus is spot on, speaking from experience, of course. Since the moment he was able to read, Andromeda, Severus, and Lucius started home studies with Teddy on the basics of magic and potions. At the age of seven, Teddy understands more about who he is and history of the Wizarding world than Harry did at eleven. Harry feels lucky to have his blended family. Not only are they accepting, they love Teddy as much as he does them and take the time to teach him. At his current age, Teddy speaks three languages, and is in the process of learning another. Harry is certain by the time Teddy starts Hogwarts he will be able to do advanced magic.
“Moonlet,” Harry starts but stops short when he receives Teddy’s version of the Professor Snape glare. Harry clears his throat, “Excuse me, Professor Snape, care to take a break? Milk and cookies?” Harry asks and Teddy goes from a stoic professor to his adorable little boy in seconds.
“If I must,” Teddy replies as “Snape-ish” as possible, however, his mask has already fallen. Teddy takes off his “professor” robes and walks over to his desk. Harry joins him and quietly begins eating. “Dad, can I ask you something?”
Harry puts down his cookie, wiping his lips with his napkin. The serious look on Teddy’s face makes Harry worry just a bit. “What is it, Moonlet?” Teddy does not speak right away but takes a deep breath and looks at Harry as if wondering if the question will hurt Harry’s feelings. “Whatever it is, Teddy, you can ask me.”
“Why has your scent changed?” Teddy blurts out.
Harry is taken aback by the question. “Wh-what do you mean?” Even though Teddy is not a werewolf like Remus, he still has the traits of a wolf. Harry should have guessed that if his scent changed, Teddy would be able to tell. Living with Bill knowing his scent is one thing, he can easily explain his emotions and feelings to an adult, but how do I explain them to a child, my child?
“Before you smelled of chocolates and candies. But now you smell like all those things, plus apples and something that I cannot name.” Teddy tells him, his little face showing his confusion.
“Teddy, Moonlet, what do you think of me meeting a special friend?” Harry asks his son.
“You mean like how I am with Sammy?” Sammy or Samantha Allen is Teddy’s best friend. He met her at one of the enchanted parks when he was four and they have been inseparable ever since. “She is my special friend,” His brows furrow. “Even when she tries to kiss me, yuck!” Harry coughs to cover his chuckle. “Does your special friend try to kiss you?”
Merlin’s blues balls on a stick! The innocence of a child.
“Can you keep a secret?” Teddy nods his head and looks around the room and at the door carefully, just in case anyone is listening. “I like when my special friend kisses me.” Teddy’s eyes widen in shock. “One day you will understand.” Harry smiles at his son and notices Teddy biting on his bottom lip. “What is it, Cub?”
One look and Harry knows what Teddy is thinking. “Oh, my little Moonlet,” Harry says opening his arms instantly. Teddy gets up from his chair and rushes into Harry’s arms. Harry engulfs his son in his arms and rests his head on Teddy’s blue locks. “There is no way my special friend would not like you.” He says. Then lifts Teddy’s head so that their eyes connect. “You mean more to me than anyone or anything in the world. You are the bestest kid ever and the best part of me. I would choose you over everyone.” Harry says with a smile.
“That’s because I am awesome!” Teddy tells Harry making him laugh.
“Yes, you are, Moonlet,” Harry assures his son. “Yes, you are.” They go back to their milk and cookies. They don’t speak further about Harry’s special friend, instead, Teddy excitedly talks about all the things he wants to do once Harry was finished with his current case.
**GR**KT**
Jessica rushes home after leaving Aaron’s and showers quickly. She picks out her outfit, contemplating a sexy bra but decides to leave her breasts bare, knowing her nipples will be outlined without it. Jessica grins, Aaron won’t be able to resist thinking about peeling the dress off her. She wiggles into the form-fitting red dress she chose. Despite Aaron telling her they didn’t need her to come, Jessica knows he didn’t mean it. He wants her there, wants her to show him how dedicated she is to him and Jack. Jessica sits in front of her vanity and twists her hair into an elegant bun showing off her graceful neck. She fixes her make-up, choosing a bold red lipstick that matches her dress. She slips her feet into her sexiest red stilettos, giving her a bit of height and extenuating her legs. Aaron won’t know what hit him once he sees me. I’m sick and tired of waiting for him to make his move. He’ll finally notice me.
Jessica picks up her favorite and most expensive perfume, the same one that Haley used to wear for special occasions. She spritzes it on her chest, wrists, and neck, imagining Aaron pressing his nose against her skin searching for the scent. If she has her way, the night will end with Aaron finally making love to her. Jessica checks her appearance carefully in the mirror and smiles. Aaron will be drooling when she arrives. She rushes out the door and drives back to Aaron’s, parking a respective distance away. Jessica doesn’t want to ruin the surprise by revealing her presence. She has become quite skilled at following Aaron without being spotted.
As she waits for Aaron and Jack to leave, she fantasizes about Aaron undressing her slowly and kissing her on her neck, behind her ear and finally making sweet love to her in his bed. It’s her favorite fantasy, the one she often thinks of while she’s naked in his bed. Tonight, it will be real. Tonight, I will be his and finally, he will be all mine. Damn, I’m already wet thinking about Aaron being inside of me.
Jessica snaps out of it when Aaron’s vehicle comes out of the garage. This is it. She follows him carefully, anticipation building inside her. She is going to show Aaron’s team that Aaron belongs to her.
She watches Aaron pull into a long driveway of a mansion. Jessica quickly drives down the street and parks. She hurries out and across the street to the bushes to hide. Aaron is still in his car. Should I go over there now? Jessica bites her lip, a bit of anxiety fluttering in her stomach at revealing her presence. Before she can decide, Aaron steps out of the car and helps Jack out. Jessica takes a breath and lifts her foot to step out when she hears voices. She finally sees the car beside Aaron’s. Dave, Emily, and Penelope had arrived and parked without her notice. She can hear them say something but she cannot distinguish the words.
Jessica’s plan starts to fall apart as Derek and Spencer and then JJ and her family arrive. Her courage disappears at the sight of Aaron’s whole team. She freezes in the bushes, unable to move. Come on, Jess. You can do this! Taking a deep breath, Jessica steps from the bushes and starts to walk across the street. She stops as the team approaches the door and Aaron rings the doorbell. Jessica is frozen in the middle of the street as an unfamiliar heavily pregnant blonde answers the door. The team disappears inside and Jessica has lost her chance.
Headlights light the road and the car honks at her. Jessica hurries off the road. She stares at the door, trying to convince herself to go over and knock. But she can’t force herself. Furious at her lack of confidence, Jessica stomps over to her car and gets in. She slams her hands against the wheel and screams in rage. This was supposed to be her big night and she missed her chance.
Finishing her tantrum, Jessica sags over the steering wheel, panting as if she’d run a marathon. She opens her purse, taking out a small compact, and checks her make-up, fixing her mascara and reapplying her lipstick. Feeling more in control, Jessica starts her car and speeds off. She drives around, stopping at the first bar she finds. She ignores the appreciative looks she receives from the men in the bar and precedes to get drunk as fast as possible.
Pleasantly buzzed after three shots of vodka, Jessica looks around the bar. She smiles as she catches a guy watching her. To her tipsy clouded eyes, he looks like Brad Pitt.
“Hello, beautiful.”
Jessica smiles seductively. “Hello.”
He offers his hand. “I’m Aaron and you are?”
A switch flicks in her addled brain at the sound of Aaron’s name. The Brad Pitt look-a-like disappears and her Aaron stands before her. “One lucky girl.”
The answer makes Aaron smile. “Can I buy you a drink?”
Jessica is not about to waste time. “Let’s skip the drink and you can take me home, instead.”
Aaron’s eyebrows lift in surprise but a second later, he grins lecherously. “I like a woman who knows what she wants.” He helps her up and walks her to his car. Aaron stops beside his car.
Jessica shoves him against the cold metal. “Kiss me, Aaron. Kiss me like you’ve wished you could for a long time.” She doesn’t notice Aaron’s brief confused look nor how he shrugs. Jessica melts as his lips meet hers. It’s exactly how she’s always imagined. His lips are confident and move perfectly against hers. She sighs his name against his lips. Aaron’s kiss turns insistent and his tongue demands entrance. She opens her lips and lets him in. They can still hear the music from the bar and Jessica starts grinding slowly against Aaron. She loves feeling his growing hardness against her. Jessica moves faster and grinds harder. He could take her right here and she would be willing. Lack of breath forces them to break the kiss. As he breaks the kiss, Jessica breathes heavily, her eyes closed at the bliss running through her. The kiss was perfect. Aaron does want me, I knew it. Jessica opens her eyes and stares into his beautiful brown eyes, smiling, her body continuing to move against him.
His hands still her hips. “Come on, beautiful, let’s get out of here.”
Jessica giggles a little drunkenly, giddy from the alcohol and the kiss. Aaron opens her door like the gentleman he is and she slides in. As he drives to his house, all Jessica can think about is finally spending the night with the man she loves.
**GR**KT**
Thirty Minutes Prior
Aaron pulls up to the address and stares in shock at the house or should he say mansion. He had known the group had money, but this house is ridiculously enormous. Somehow, It manages to be both masculine and feminine at the same time. Strong in the way it is built, but the windows give it a whimsical, feminine touch, a modern day mansion fit for royalty. Aaron mentally admits it is truly a breathtakingly stunning home.
Sitting in the backseat, Jack looks out the window and stares in wonder at the house. “Wow! Daddy.” He takes the words right out of Aaron’s mouth.
Aaron agrees with his son; the size of the house brings home the realization that his lover is filthy fucking rich. Perceiving it as his duty as Harry’s Dom to provide for his Submissive, Aaron feels a bit emasculated by the scope of Harry’s wealth. It isn’t only the size of the house that makes nerves swirl in his belly. He is also worried about Jack. Tonight, he is going to be introducing the most important person in his life, his son, to his lover. Aaron isn’t sure how either will react. He doesn’t dare think about what will happen if Jack doesn’t like Harry or the reverse, Harry not liking Jack. Harry doesn’t even know his son exists yet and he only prays Harry will be okay with him having a son. Remembering what an ass he was to Harry earlier, Aaron knows he has much to be worried about. He can only hope Harry will forgive him, for his behavior and for hiding his son from him.
Aaron knows he should be more worried about the prospect of magic existing in the world and less worried about the wealth and his relationship with Harry but all he can focus on is Harry. Aaron feels ashamed that earlier, he was not open-minded enough to hear Harry’s explanation when he tried to tell his side of the story. Aaron was too angry with himself and especially with Harry’s lack of faith in him. He also felt like a complete hypocrite for keeping Jack a secret from Harry. In truth, what Aaron wanted to do was pull Harry into his arms and tell him that everything would be alright, that no matter what, they would be happy as long as they were together. After realizing his mistake Aaron went looking for Harry hoping to rectify his blunder but wasn’t able to find him. Aaron hopes tonight, he gets the chance to apologize to Harry for the way he acted. He also hopes that Harry will forgive him for being a complete ass.
Another car pulls up and Aaron sees it is Rossi and Prentiss with Garcia in the back. Dave may not be as impressed with the house as Aaron and Jack are, considering Dave is a world famous author and lives in a mansion himself. Maybe not as large but still a much bigger house than anyone else on the team can afford. Aaron gets out of the car and helps Jack from the backseat just as Derek and Spencer pull up. Just like him, everyone is dressed casually in jeans and plain button-down shirts, with the exception of Spencer who was wearing his ever-present black vest over his. JJ and Will arrive last as Dave, Emily, and Garcia make their way over to him and Jack. Spencer and Derek join the group after a few minutes. Spencer is noticeably quiet and seemed a bit subdued. Aaron suspects whatever punishment Derek used must have calmed him considerably. Aaron also notices Spencer is wearing Derek’s collar, a rarity for the private man, but refrains from commenting. He can see the others have noticed as well but they too avoid bringing attention to the collar.
Dave whistles. “Impressive, it makes my humble abode look like a small cottage,” he remarks as his gaze travels all over the front of the house.
“Yeah, right,” the group says together.
“Are we ready for this?” Emily asks the group.
“Les gars, vous agissez comme des petits enfants effrayés.” Will tells them in French, essentially calling the group a bunch of scared little kids. “There are scarier sh-,” he looks to the kids and swears in French instead, “living in the bayou than what might be behind those joli doors.” The group chuckles, Will’s words easing the tension everyone’s feeling.
They all turn and walk together toward the double glass doors with beautiful gold rod iron flower designs. On the center of the left door is a silver snake with ink black eyes, which appear to be real onyx gemstones. On the right is a large fiery phoenix with jade and ruby gems as its eyes.
Aaron looks at the group and then at Dave, “I stand corrected, yeah, definitely a cottage in comparison.” The rest nods in agreement.
Aaron turns back to the door and spots the doorbell on the side, he reaches over to ring it and notices that his hand is shaking. Balling his hand into a fist, and prays the others in the group didn’t notice his nervousness. He takes a deep breath and composes himself, trying again. This time his hand is steady and he rings the bell, waiting for someone to answer the door. Aaron and the group are surprised when an unfamiliar blonde with startling blue eyes and a very pregnant belly answers the door. Aaron opens his mouth to say hello when he is stopped by her dazzling smile.
“Oh, hello, you are early.” Her voice is gentle and sweet, almost whimsical. “Everyone is in the kitchen, come on in, we won’t bite,” she tells them. The blond cocks her head to the side and adds, “Unless you want us to, but then Harry would probably get angry if we did that.” She smiles again then turns and leaves the door wide open for them to see inside.
She waddles down a large, wide entryway that has two sitting rooms two on each side. Aaron stares in awe as he and the rest of the group slowly walk through the entryway, which is filled with imported marble tiles and has double staircases on each side. From his vantage point, Aaron can see paintings lining the walls that look like they could cost more than he makes in a few years. Inadequacy is something he has never felt before but the feeling churns in his stomach as he walks into his lover’s expensive family home, that same sense of emasculation rears its ugly head once more. He feels like a pauper walking through Harry’s extravagant home and Aaron hates it. He can never hope to compete with what Harry has unless he starts robbing banks.
The entire BAU team, men and women who face life-threatening danger every day of the week, stop dead in the middle of the entryway, with disbelieving eyes. Aaron hears ‘psst’ and turns to look at the others in the group; no one seems to notice anything out of the ordinary. Searching for the sound, he spots a figure moving on the wall out of the corner of his eyes. Aaron’s eyes lock in on the movement. It’s a picture of a man with jet black curly hair leaning on a tree. Wait, there was not a painting there before. Shrugging his shoulders figuring he must have imagined it all, Aaron starts to walk again and once more he sees something move quickly. He stops abruptly causing the others to bump into him. Narrowing his eyes suspiciously, he stares at the picture from before and notices that the only thing in the painting is the tree. The man is missing. That’s impossible. Aaron remembers the man distinctly. He could pick him out of a lineup, he cannot be imagining what he saw.
“Did anyone notice the man in the painting?” Aaron asks the group.
“What man?” Prentiss asks, looking around.
“Better yet, what painting?” Dave inquires.
Aaron’s gaze flies to the painting and it is gone as if it was never there. Frazzled, he starts to wonder if he is losing his mind.
“Are you okay, man, I know we are all feeling a bit jumpy,” Morgan says. “But we all need to calm down.”
‘Don’t believe him’ Aaron hears a man whisper in his ear. ‘Hahaha...you’re a fun one’
“Tell me you just heard that,” Aaron half demands, half pleads.
“Sirius Orion Black, you will stop toying with the muggles this instant!”
Everyone looks around for the source of the scolding, motherly voice. On the wall is a grouping of paintings. The team gapes in shock as a beautiful red-haired woman stands with her hands on her hips, shaking her finger at the man in the painting beside her. Her green eyes, ones that look a lot like Harry’s, sparkle with annoyance.
Garcia squeals, “Oh my god!”
“But Lily, it’s so much fun,” the man whines like a petulant child. “You’re no fun!” He finishes, crossing his arms and pouting, reminding Aaron of Jack when he does not get his way.
It’s the man Aaron saw before. Needing reassurance he’s not crazy, he asks Dave quietly, “You are seeing this right?”
The normally unflappable Dave looks utterly stunned by what he is seeing. “I see it. I don’t believe it but I definitely see it.”
“Oh, grow up just this once, Padfoot, even dead you’re a right pain in the arse,” this time the black haired man is being scolded by a man in the painting on his right. He has mousey brown hair and scars on his face and is wearing a tweed jacket with patches on the elbows.
The dark haired man in the middle painting crosses his arms over his chest and pouts in a manner of a child. “Moony, not you too,” he whines again. “Prongs, help me out!”
“Nope, you dug this hole yourself, Padfoot.” The man appears in the painting with the redhead and has messy black hair. He looks a lot like an older version of Harry.
The group gasps at the similarity and look at each other wondering if they are all seeing and hearing things.
As if noticing Aaron and his group standing there for the first time the beautiful redhead turns to them and smiles. “I’m sorry, dears, pay us no attention. Sirius turns into a mischievous little boy when he is feeling ignored and needs some attention.”
“Which is every five minutes,” the Harry look-a-like mumbles.
“Who knew death wouldn’t change him?” the mousey brown haired asks.
The woman declares, “I did.”
Pouting again, the black haired man says, “I get the feeling I’m not wanted here, I’m going to see my godson!”
Harry’s look alike eyes the group with appreciation. “Oh, I like this lot, nothing scares them,” he comments.
“James, please go and make sure he stays out of trouble, I suspect he went to see the twins and not Harry,” the redhead instructs.
“Your wish is my command, my Lily flower.” Harry’s look-a-like kisses the redhead on her cheek then bows to the rest of the group.
“You do realize what you’ve done, correct?” The mousey brown hair man asks.
“Yes, it would do them well to get in trouble, nothing makes me happier than when Severus lectures them on their behavior.”
“You are devious, Lady Potter,” the mouse brown haired man says with a smile that looks almost wolfish.
Prentiss stares at the moving painting and mutters, “I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore.”
“No, shit, Dorothy,” says JJ, too shocked to realize she swore in the hearing of the children.
Will snickers at his wife’s shock. He’s the only one able to take in the sight of the seemingly living breathing people in the paintings without fuss.
Reid cocks his head and studies the paintings. He leans forward to get a closer look and the brown haired man leans back in response. “Fascinating.”
The man’s eyes flick down to Reid’s collar, although he doesn’t comment on it. “Nothing but magic, my dear boy. Simple magic,” the man answers, seeming to recognize another scholar.
“There’s nothing simple about magic,” Reid says. Unable to stifle his curiosity, Reid reaches out and touches the man in the painting.
“Hey, keep your hands to yourself, it’s rude to touch people without asking their permission.”
Reid pulls back his hand sheepishly. “Sorry.”
Morgan takes Reid by the shoulders and coaxes him away from the paintings. “Come on, Pretty Boy. You can learn all about whatever the hell these paintings are later.”
Reid looks disappointed at being denied the opportunity to study the paintings further but obeys.
“I wondered where you lot had gone off to.” The group turns to see Luna standing behind them, she leans to the side and smiles. “Lady Potter, Professor, I see you have met our guests.”
“Yes, Lady Zabini, and they are a delight,” Lady Potter responds. “Now, I must go, Lady Malfoy and I are scheduled to have tea this evening.”
“And, there is a book I have been dying to sink my teeth into,” Professor says with an elegant bow and extends one of his arms to Lady Potter who takes it and walks away from the picture.
What the hell, just fucking happened? I feel as if I entered the twilight fucking zone.
“Daddy, that was fun, I want to see the movie again!” Jack says standing beside him. Aaron looks down at his son and is not sure how to articulate that what they just saw was not a movie.
Hell, I’m not even sure if that’s the truth.
“Come along everyone, everyone is waiting.” Lady Zabini says before turning and waddling off again.
No one moves a muscle or says a word. As if unaffected by whatever spell has entrapped the rest of the group, Will pushes his way through the crowd with Henry on his hip and continues to follow the petite waddling blonde. Jack lets go of Aaron’s hand and takes off before Aaron can stop him. One by one the group breaks out of their daze and follows. They start to hear laughter, the closer they get to the kitchen, which steadily increases in volume. He is about to enter the kitchen when a boy about Jack’s age with blue hair runs by him followed by two baby black panthers. The entire BAU, plus Will, does a double-take. It isn’t a sight any of them ever imagined seeing outside a Disney movie.
Prentiss says what they are all thinking, “Holy shit, were those just panther cubs running around?”
Running behind the cubs is Jack, followed by an excited little Henry, who moves his little legs as fast as he can, trying to keep up with the older boys. It astonishes the adults how open-minded the children are to things around them. Case in point, they have only been in the home for a little over five minutes, yet the three boys are playing as if they have been best friends since birth.
JJ worriedly watches her young son toddle away. Making a decision, she calls out Henry’s name but he doesn’t come back. She is about to rush after her son when Lady Zabini looks over her shoulder and smiles reassuringly.
“No need to worry. The cubs are perfectly safe. They are magical creatures and would never hurt a child, no matter the age. Harry would never allow Teddy or any child to be near a dangerous creature, especially unsupervised.” Lady Zabini doesn’t wait for a response, continuing to lead them to the kitchen.
Aaron, JJ, and Will exchange a quick look, deciding together to trust the heavily pregnant woman’s word.
“With what we just saw a few minutes ago, I’m somehow not at all surprised by seeing baby jaguars.” Morgan says to Prentiss.
Reid clarifies quietly, “They’re actually melanistic jaguars. Black panthers are basically any big cat that is black but are typically either melanistic jaguars or leopards, which is caused by the agouti gene which regulates the distribution of black pigment within the hair shaft. They are jaguars because I noticed they have dark spots in the middle of their rose-like patterns, whereas leopards do not.” Saying his part, Spencer lays his head against Derek’s shoulder and closes his eyes.
The others do nothing more than blink at Spencer’s mini-lecture, accepting his words as truth without challenge. Spencer being himself helps set the group back on a normal footing, especially after the way they were feeling a few minutes ago. Lady Zabini says nothing but takes a particular interest in Spencer, smiling at him. If she notices the collar he is openly wearing, she does not show it.
Walking fully into the kitchen, Aaron takes in the comfortable atmosphere of the kitchen. His team remains by the kitchen entrance.
“Come on in,” Lady Zabini instructs. “I’m Luna Zabini, but you already knew that, thanks to Lady Potter. Feel free to call me Luna.” Her beautiful smile puts the group at ease. “The blue haired child that zoomed by you is Teddy. I imagine you couldn’t miss his two rambunctious cubs, Cleopatra and Persephone. Teddy is Harry’s son,” She says looking right at Aaron as if waiting for a reaction. “I’m sure you will receive a formal introduction later.” She turns to a beautiful, older woman with jet black curly hair and gray eyes, similar in appearance to the immature man from earlier, introducing her to the group. But Aaron does not get her name or anyone else’s. Blood rushes in his ears, drowning everything out. The only thought running through his mind is: Harry has a son, fuck, another secret .
Aaron realizes the room is suddenly silent and all eyes are trained on him. It seems everyone had introduced themselves except for him. Clearing his throat, he introduces himself. “Aaron Hotchner, feel free to call me Aaron or Hotch, whichever you most comfortable with.” The room echoes with greetings from the others. Conversation fills the room as he walks further into the kitchen, his eyes search for the one person he’s been dying to see. Aaron doesn’t find him though, every PACU member is present except for one, Harry.
“He’s getting ready, he spent all day cooking a traditional Italian meal.” Luna, at least he thinks that is her name, seems to know exactly who Aaron is looking for. Aaron is mildly concerned he is so transparent to a woman he just met.
“Il mio Dio è bello,” Aaron hears Dave whisper.
He turns to look at his friend to see what has caught his attention. It is the first time Aaron or anyone else in the room notices the spread of food on the far side of the island. From appetizers to desserts, open bottles of red and white wine with glasses neatly lined up beside them and a cappuccino machine sitting not far from the beverages for the adults and the kids. Aaron shakes his head at the amount of sugar the kids will likely consume during the night. His eyes glance over the sweets on the other side of the room, a chocolate fountain, cotton candy and a large section of assorted candy.
Dave makes the first move and steps forward to inspect the dishes. As the resident Italian chef of the team, he is very particular about how traditional Italian meals he grew up eating are prepared. Dave picks up a plate and begins to pile it with three different antipasti, fried Calamari, Caprese Insalata, and a few different kinds of cheese and crackers. Aaron and the rest of the group watch as he samples each one of them closing his eyes and humming at the delight.
“Molto bene, just like mama use to make.” He says and kisses his fingertips, Aaron notices that the Italian in Dave shines whenever he is impressed with authentic Italian cooking. The food has been given the Rossi stamp of approval. “Come, manga, manga,” he beckons the rest of the team forward. Prentiss, JJ, Will, Morgan, and Spencer walk over to the counter and start making their plates. Aaron follows suit, not wanting to feel left out.
Aaron pours himself a glass of red wine and takes a sip, savoring the taste and noting that it is sweeter than he was expecting. It also has a hint of something he cannot decipher. He picks up the bottle and reads the label Lily-Flower and the name rings a bell in the back of his mind. Where have I heard that? He narrows his eyes, mentally running the name through his memories. The man in the painting. The one that looks like Harry. He called the woman Lily-Flower. Her startlingly green eyes flash in his mind. His mom, Lady Potter. Those were his parents. The wine is named after his father’s nickname for his mother. But why does he also resemble Severus Prince-Malfoy? Shouldn’t his name be Harry Potter if that is his parents’ last name? I have so many unanswered questions. But will Harry answer them if I ask for the truth?
Aaron resists rubbing his forehead in frustration. He’s learned more about Harry being in his house in less than thirty minutes than all of the time they spent alone together. Aaron realizes that things need to change between them. That is if Harry can forgive me and if I can forgive Harry. If they are going to try and make things work for the long haul, they will need to be open and honest with each other. They will have to put all their chips and cards on the table. No matter what he learns tonight, Aaron will need to decide if he wants to take Harry warts and all or break up with him for good. It is something he does not want to think about. In their remarkably short time together, Harry has become very important to him, more important than even Haley had been.
His thoughts are making him feel tense and he knows he needs to relax a bit, and takes another sip of his wine, which helps relaxes him. A few minutes later, Aaron begins to enjoy himself, and for a second, he forgets the real reason they are all there.
He takes the time while the rest of his team is mingling with their host to look around the room. He shakes his head at the size of the kitchen, it is large enough to fit both his living room and kitchen. A custom built-in butcher block island wraps around a good portion of the room, taking up a significant amount of the large kitchen. Despite the large group gathered in the room, it doesn’t seem crowded because of the vast size of the kitchen. Black and silver leather padded rod iron restaurant bar stools line one side of the island and on the other sits the sink. The kitchen is a chef’s dream with a restaurant-style stove that stands behind the island. Aaron glances at Dave and imagines he’d be drooling if he wasn’t stuffing his face. He can also easily picture him and Harry happily cooking in this kitchen while the boys sit at the counter waiting patiently for their meal.
On the other side of the room is a large table elegantly set with, as far as he can tell, fine china and crystal glasses. The seats are filled with a mixture of the BAU and PACU team members happily talking like they’ve know each other for ages. Behind the stone columns is a sitting room with deep brown chocolate couches facing the window. Aaron takes a step closer leaning on one of the marble columns, taking the opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking view of the lake, and the sun setting over the horizon.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Aaron turns to see the redhead that came back with Harry earlier standing beside him. When the hell did he show up? The irrational urge to smash his fist in the ginger’s face makes him curl his fingers into fists. No one marks what is mine!
Aaron hopes he is able to keep his emotions at bay even with the insistent and very violent need to erase the ginger standing in front of him off the face of the planet chipping away at his resolve. Instead of listening to his instincts, he answers in an even tone, “Yes, it is.”
“You know sometimes,” the ginger begins, “no matter how perfect, beautiful, and breathtaking something looks, it still has flaws. It tends to break when there’s too much pressure applied to it.” Aaron has a feeling the redhead is not talking about the view.
“And you are?” Aaron asks.
“Apologies for my rudeness. Bill Weasley,” he says, finally introducing himself. Aaron is about to do the same when Bill stops him. “No need to tell me your name. I know exactly who you are,” he continues, extending his hand for Aaron to shake it. Aaron takes the hand firmly and shakes it while pasting his trademark profiler expression on his face, the one that makes UnSubs and most of his peers shake with fear. It seems his intimidation tactics do not work on him because Bill seems unfazed. To make matters worse, the smug bastard actually chuckles. “I can see why he chose you,” he says studying Aaron’s face. “You are what he needs. If you are willing to go all the way, that is.”
Aaron lets go of Bill’s hand, the last part of his statement confusing him, “What do you mean by that? If I am willing to go all the way?”
Who the fuck does he think I am? Better yet, who the fuck does he think he is?
“He tells me everything, Aaron, there are no secrets between us.” A stab of jealousy hits Aaron and again, he feels the urge to punch Bill in his face but struggles to keep his anger contained. “From the look on your face, I get the feeling you don’t like me, Aaron,” the redhead smiles and it sickens Aaron to his core. He is beginning to realize more with each passing minute how guarded Harry is and how little he trusts. “Whether you like me or not, I don’t care,” Bill says with a smile and an easy shrug of his shoulders. “But here is a little advice: don’t break his heart. Or you will have to answer to me. Not to mention his father, who is more protective than a mother bear over her cubs, and don’t let Andromeda’s beauty fool you. She is one of the deadliest witches this side of Salem.” Then Bill tilts his head to the side indicating where the others congregate. “And that goes for every member of our family and all the people who love Harry, including the ones you have not even met yet. He’s had a hard life but still manages to have the biggest heart I know; when he decides that you are his, he protects you with his entire being, even if it puts him in danger.” Bill leans close to Aaron and warns dangerously, “If you are not ready to commit to him, walk away now, Aaron, before it’s too late.” Aaron feels properly chastised by Bill Weasley who backs away from him as if realizing he stepped into Aaron’s personal space before he walks away.
“What the hell was that all about?” Dave asks, coming to stand next to Aaron as he tries to process what Bill just revealed.
“He was just introducing himself,” Aaron responds, not giving up any other information, despite his mind being filled by Bill’s warning.
Am I ready to go all the way? When Beth moved to New York, I was disappointed but not brokenhearted. Aaron tries to imagine how he’d react to Harry leaving, which he knows will happen once the case is closed, and something deep inside rebels at the thought. I’m not ready to give Harry up. Fuck it, I’m not giving him up! Everything he’s learned tonight has made him want to know more. Aaron wants to know Harry, not just body but heart and soul.
“Seemed a bit intense for an introduction.” Aaron does not get a chance to respond to Dave’s assumption because Dave curses, which is something he rarely does, “Fottermi, I’m not even gay and I want to fuck him.” He whispers, discreetly pointing over Aaron’s shoulder.
Aaron instantly turns around to see what caused Dave to act out of character. Harry descending the stairs. Aaron’s mouth drops open at the sight of him and he quickly snaps it shut before anyone notices. His eyes travel up Harry’s body, from bottom to top. He has on heavy black boots that reach just below his knees with large silver buckles on the side. Black tight leather pants that have mesh cut outs at the knees, that are only noticeable when he walks. He has on a tight fitting black sleeveless leather shirt with a large roaring lion on the front. His hair is longer and straighter than Aaron remembers it being earlier that day. Harry has it parted to the left side but it does not cover his mesmerizing emerald eyes. Black eyeshadow covers his eyelids, giving them a smokey look, enhancing his emerald jewels.
In his arms, Harry carries little Henry and following them is Jack and the blue haired child, Teddy. Coming last are the two panther cubs, who are bouncing all over and tripping over themselves in excitement. Harry walks over to JJ, who appears to be just as shocked by his appearance as the rest of the team, and hands Henry to her.
“From the pictures on your desk, I take it that this little one belongs to you?” JJ nods and Harry ruffles Henry’s hair, then turns to the room. “Welcome everyone, I’m glad that you all could make it. Let me be the first to apologize for Sirius, you see he’s a bit of a trickster and likes to ruffle muggles’ feathers for fun. And if you haven’t suspected the walls have eyes and tell no lies.” He finishes with a mischievous smirk that has Aaron wondering if he is telling the truth.
Aaron shakes his head, dispelling the crazy notion that the walls talk.
“Think he’s telling the truth?” Dave whispers to Aaron.
“The paintings do,” adds a smirking Will. “Why not the walls too?”
Aaron glares at the smug man, growing up in the bayou has made Will more accepting of things the rest of them find near impossible to believe or explain.
Aaron watches Harry as he walks over to greet Spencer pulling him into a hug and whispers something in his ear. Spencer nods, Harry steps back and is about to rest a palm on Spencer’s cheek but stops when he notices the stern expression on Derek’s face. Harry smiles and pulls his hand back but Aaron does not miss the smirk on Spencer’s face as well.
Harry walks over to Luna and bends down and touches her extended stomach it is then Aaron notices something he has never seen before, something he definitely should have seen before. He knows every inch of Harry’s body and this is the first time he has seen the tattoo on his left shoulder of a sword. The artwork is incredible and intricately detailed. How could I have missed this? Aaron shakes his head and knows deep down, there is no possible way for him to miss a tattoo like Harry’s. The tattoo isn’t new either; he can’t explain it.
The pommel of the sword begins from the top of Harry’s shoulder blade, the guards wrap around the width of his toned arms while the blade extends the length of his arm. The tip of the sword is blood red, giving the illusion that it is stabbing into the back of Harry’s hand. Aaron looks closely and sees that there are names tattooed on the bloody tip and on the blade of the sword. The body of a green snake with silver eyes has coiled its body around the blade of the sword.
Fuck, he looks sexy with a tattoo. Aaron’s mouth waters with erotic thoughts of torturing his pet by licking every inch of Harry’s tattoo to coax out his sweet moans. Just as he is about to wonder if Harry has any more tattoos Aaron is shocked when the snake slithers and twines its body around the sword. I must be seeing things because tattoos do not fucking move! Another voice in his head reminds him of the moving paintings but Aaron tells the voice to shut up. He is starting to wonder if he should get a mental health check or maybe he’s been drugged. Aaron looks down at the glass of wine in his hand and smells it, despite finding nothing wrong with it, he decides to drink something less potent for the rest of the night. Maybe I’ve had too much to drink. There is no fucking way he believes what his mind is telling him he is seeing.
Harry walks over to the stove and Aaron cannot help but follow his movements. The way his ass wiggles when he walks in those leather pants has him completely hypnotized and has him curious to know if Harry is still wearing his cock cage like he was told to. Aaron licks his lips unconsciously, remembering Harry’s delicious taste on his lips, and regrets that he cannot walk across the room and pull his lover into a kiss. It hurts further when Harry acknowledges everyone in the kitchen and ignores him completely, even as he greets Dave, who is standing right next to him.
“Dave, you look like a man that enjoys a good glass of whiskey?” Harry asks.
“I’m more of a scotch drinker, but I never pass up the chance to try something new.” Dave answers.
“Come with me,” Harry instructs.
Harry deliberately walks in front of him without acknowledging him at all, with Dave following closely behind. If Aaron is being truthful, it hurts more than he can express but understands the snub is well deserved. He watches as Harry pours Dave a glass and encourages him to have a sip.
“Well, what do you think?” Harry asks.
“This is wonderful,” Dave takes another sip. “What is it called again?”
“Firewhiskey, made only in the magical world, I gave you a small taste because muggles cannot handle its potency.”
“I would love to have a bottle if that is okay with you?”
“I knew you would like it. I will have my guy send you a case for your own storage.” Harry tells him.
They walk away from the corner and move over to the stove where they continue their conversation. Aaron is surprised when Harry switches from English to Italian as if he was born into the culture. Aaron again realizes there are many dimensions to his Sub that he does not know. When he brushes a loose hair behind his ear, Aaron notices the black dragon earring that covers the entire shell of his ear. Aaron imagines licking and biting on Harry’s ear and watching his reaction.
“Why don’t you go and talk to him?” Aaron gasps and turns around to find Luna standing beside him.
“You know about us?” He asks.
“I suspected, and from the way you’re watching him, my suspicions are confirmed,” she tells him.
“I’m not sure what to say,” Aaron admits. Not really the type to open up to strangers, he isn’t sure why he is doing so with Luna. Something about her loosens his tongue. “I sort of fucked up pretty bad.”
“We all make mistakes, it’s the apology and the meaning behind it that matters,” she tells him. Aaron has the odd sense that Luna knows more than she lets on. “You’re good for him, he will need your strength and your love. Don’t let him go, show him you will fight for him, always.” She leans up and Aaron bends down to meet her. She kisses him on the cheeks. She stands back and looks as if she wants to say something else to Aaron but decides against it. She smiles and pats his shoulder before waddling away. Aaron continues to be amazed at the amount of love Harry’s family has for him. In the time span he’s been with them, he’s been warned once and given friendly advice on how to be with Harry. I really need to think about what I’m getting myself into. His heart and mind are at war with his feelings. The more he wants to stay, the more he feels he should run. Being with Harry won’t be simple or fleeting. If he wants to be with Harry, it will mean he is giving his whole heart and full commitment. Aaron thinks of Jack and then of Harry’s son, Teddy. He can’t take this lightly, he doesn’t want to hurt Harry or the children because he doesn’t think things through and changes his mind.
A glass of red wine flies by inches from his face forces Aaron from his thoughts and he has to jump back. The glass goes right to Harry, who catches it deftly without turning his head. Then other things start to happen, plates and bowls that were covered and sitting on one side of the island that Aaron just noticed begin to make their way to the table without anyone holding them. The word magic flashes in his thoughts, even as his brain tries to deny what he is seeing. So many things are happening, too many for Aaron to process. The magic he continues to see is only making everything more difficult.
Aaron looks around to see his team looking just as shocked and amazed as he is. At least I’m not the only one affected by all this.
“You better sit and start eating quickly, this lot will have it all gone before your first bite. They might look proper all dressed up in their fine suits and dresses but when it comes to Harry’s cooking, it’s first come, first served.”
Aaron turns to see Bill standing beside him. The redhead winks at him before he walks over to the table and sits down. He cannot decipher if the man is trying to help him or simply waiting for him to fuck up where Harry is concerned. Maybe a little of both. Aaron looks over at Dave, who still stands by the stove just staring off into space, no longer talking with Harry. As if realizing he is being watched, Dave snaps out of his daze, shrugs then walks over to the table and joins the rest of the team. Everyone follows his lead and sits down in the nearest seats they can find. Aaron searches for Jack but notices that he and Teddy are already sitting next to each other. Jack seems to have accepted what’s going on or simply ignores all the magic around him. At least one Hotchner isn’t freaking out about all this. Wish it was me. Henry jumps out of JJ’s arms and runs over to the bigger kids who have their own table that seems to appear out of thin air. While the panther cubs sit beside the table like good little puppies waiting for their meals.
There is an empty seat beside him and even through his confusion of everything happening around him and how things were left between them, he hopes Harry will sit beside him. Aaron still feels the need to touch and assure Harry that their relationship still matters to him. I need to get a hold of myself, I am an FBI Agent and a Dominant, not some snot nose, easily scared rookie. As if hearing his thoughts Harry looked directly at Aaron and raises an eyebrow in challenge before he turns away. It is the first time since he entered the kitchen that Harry acknowledges him. Can he tell what I’m thinking? Aaron does not turn his gaze away from Harry who looks at him again before looking down. Hope blossoms in Aaron. He’s declaring his submission silently. It is a sign, an unconscious sign that he has been hoping for. They need to talk and work things out, but whatever they have together he is determined that they not lose it. No matter what. Aaron deeply regrets his mistake from earlier today when Harry came to talk with him. As the Dominant in their relationship, he should have taken the time to listen and punish his Sub accordingly for keeping significant information from him.
But can you say the same about yourself for keeping Jack a secret? The annoying little voice who sounds like Hayley reminds him. Shut up! Can’t I bask in Harry’s submissive sign for one blasted second without my own mind nagging at me?
“Hey Pup, come sit by me,” Bill says.
Pup, who the fuck is he calling pup?
Aaron watches as Harry walks over and sits beside Bill, who pulls Harry into a one arm hug and kisses him on the side of his forehead. As if knowing that Aaron is watching their interaction, Bill gives Aaron a challenging look above Harry’s head, daring him to make a move.
I really am beginning to loathe this guy.
Bill whispers something in Harry’s ear, causing him to laugh loudly. Everyone turns to look at them and Harry bites on his bottom lip to keep his laughter in. Bill again whispers in his ear and Aaron watches with seething jealousy at how easily the other man can draw happiness out of his Submissive. Aaron clenches his hands into fists, the way Bill touches his Own grates on his nerves, like nails on a chalkboard. Now all Aaron can think about are ways to punish his little Sub for his disrespect.
No one touches what belongs to me. Nobody but me! Fuck, I sound like a petulant child even to myself.
As furious and jealous he is, Aaron also recognizes Harry’s behavior and the dangerous game his Sub is playing. Later, when he gets Harry alone, his punishment will be sweet and well deserved.
“Are you two an item?” Garcia inquires.
The fuck they are! Aaron’s mind protests. His nails bite into his skin as he hangs onto his restraint by a thread. I will not leap over the table and gather Harry in my arms, shouting he’s mine like a goddamn caveman! How he wants to, though. No, I am a civilized man.
“Because you two make a very cute couple, especially that cute little nickname you just called him.” She gushes at them.
The hell they do! Cute couple my left nut!
Aaron doesn’t notice Penelope glancing at him, an abnormally suspicious look on her face as she suggests Harry and Bill are a cute couple. He is too focused on keeping his expression stoic despite the rage rushing through his veins.
Harry and Bill look at each other and begin to laugh, “No.” Answers Bill.
Aaron can’t stop himself from smirking smugly at the answer. Damn straight you redheaded bastard. Harry is mine!
“Harry and I have a very special relationship; besides, he is very much taken by another. Yet if said person does not hurry and claim him, someone else might find Harry to be their perfect jewel.” Bill answers.
Aaron thinks, Was that another fucking warning? Do not reach for your ankle gun and shoot the ginger headed bastard in his smug face.
He dismisses the warning. Aaron stands firm in his decision, he has no plans of letting Harry slip through his fingers no matter what he hears tonight. They may not go public with their relationship but Harry will understand that he is Aaron’s, just as Aaron is his.
Aaron ignores Weasleys now flirtatious body language as he directs his question to Garcia. “The question I should be asking you lovely Lady Penelope, is if there is a special bloke in your life?” Bill puts his hand on the table and leans as close as he can reaching for Garcia’s hand.
Garcia giggles and Aaron looks over and sees the scowl on Morgan’s face. Try being a charmer to his Baby girl with Morgan around. He will shoot you and not think twice about it . Aaron thinks smugly to himself. Since Garcia got shot a few years ago, the whole team has been extra vigilant about the men that show interest in her. She is not just their analyst; she is also a member of their mismatched family.
“Who are you seeing? I had a feeling you were seeing someone, tell me who he is now. Where did you meet him? What does he do for a living? When can we meet him?” Severus, if Aaron is not mistaken, rattles off questions to Harry about his love life.
Aaron thinks this is Harry’s father, judging by their identical shiny black hair, albeit Harry’s is a bit longer. They even have the same skin complexion. What that means concerning the people from the painting, Aaron doesn’t know. Maybe they are some relatives of Harry’s? Definitely not on his father’s side, though. Neither Lady Potter nor James share similarities with Severus in appearance. Aaron is mesmerized by Severus’s ink black eyes and now wonders if he truly imagined the black rim around Harry’s eyes when he is aroused. From everything he’s seen lately, what he saw may not be his imagination. Despite, their similarities as father and son, Aaron can now see the difference in their looks. However, Harry still looks strongly like James Potter with the same luminescent green eyes of Lady Potter. Aaron wanted to lift his hands and massage his temple from the headache he’s starting to get trying to figure out Harry’s parentage. But he does not want to embarrass himself any further or show how much things are affecting him. Another question pops into Aaron’s head about earlier that morning when Harry announced that Tom Riddle killed his mother and father when he was only eighteen months. How is Severus his father? Are James Potter and Severus somehow related and Harry was adopted by Severus when he was a baby? There are so many unanswered questions swirling in Aaron’s head that it is truly starting to hurt.
“Fuck me,” Aaron hears Harry whisper then sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Father, honestly, can we eat and worry about my love life or lack thereof later? How many times have I told you Bill talks out of his arse? If you haven’t noticed, I’ve been a bit preoccupied with the current case. I have no need for pretentious gits who only see me as Lord Potter, Black, and Prince, son of Potion Master Severus Malfoy-Prince or the stepson of Chief Warlock and Supreme Mugwump, High Lord Lucius Malfoy. Men who want to be your apprentice, or try to persuade me to convince Papa to vote on whatever asinine bill they want to be passed.”
Aaron’s brows crease together, hearing Harry talk about their relationship as if it is non-existent does not sit well with him. He cannot overlook the fact that there are other men that find his Sub attractive or would want to use him for their own gain.
What kind of idiots are they? Well, one man’s idiocy my gain. Now I understand what he meant when he said he thought I was different. I’m such a fool, like the rest of the idiots who did not see his worth. The way I reacted today like he was nothing. I had my chance to prove I was more than those morons chasing my Harry and I failed spectacularly. I will make it up to him. Harry is mine now. That's right, mine! Harry has been mine since the night we met. Everything he has is mine, right down to his submission. And, I need to earn it back.
Aaron snaps out of his internal musing in time to hear the conversation at the table.
“You are not too old for me to punish, Harrison, watch your language.” Severus chastises. He then leans closer and looks at Harry. “Contrary, to what your lips are saying your aura tells a different story.”
“Pere, stop him from saying something embarrassing, please,” Harry begs Lucius.
Lucius stops what he’s doing and stares at Harry, “He’s telling the truth, young Prince, your aura reveals that you are, how can I say this without sounding crass; you look sexually content, and it’s been that way since we arrived.”
“Oh for, Merlin’s sake,” Harry says with a sigh, covering his face and hiding his blush.
“His scent changed as well, and I told him so, Grand-père,” Teddy adds in.
“Thanks a lot, kid,” Harry whispers to his son. “See if I sneak you any more cookies.”
“But Daddy, I didn’t tell them about your special friend.” Teddy whispers loudly behind his tiny hands.
Aaron twitches nervously at that but luckily, everyone is staring at Harry, who groans and looks like he wants to crawl under the table. Aaron wants to know what Teddy meant by Harry’s scent changing. Does the kid have a special nose or something?
“Little cub” Draco calls Teddy by the nickname he gave him when he was a baby.
“Yes, Uncle Dragon.”
“If you tell me who your dad’s special friend is I will buy you that pet wolf you’ve always wanted.” Draco says, trying to bribe the kid.
“Really!” Teddy asks excitedly. “The one we saw at the menagerie, with the silver and white coat and the pretty blue eyes?”
“Yes, that very one, now tell me about his scent.” Draco rubs his hands gleefully like a gossip reporter hot for a juicy scoop.
Teddy gets ready to respond when Harry clamps a hand over the child’s mouth. “Okay, that’s it. Draco and everyone else at this table, you will not bribe my child with gifts, that’s my job, dammit.” Everyone besides Aaron chuckles at the comment. “Besides, you’ve embarrassed me enough.” Harry continues a touch desperately, “I’m sure Aaron and his team would rather hear our explanation about magic and why we kept it a secret. So let’s stick to that and not my lack of a love life.”
Severus snorts, clearly not believing Harry is lacking a love life. Aaron wonders if he’s going to be a problem if, when , his and Harry’s relationship is made public.
“But teasing is fun, Hart,” Fred says.
“And we love when you blush,” George adds.
“Forge.”
“Yes, Gred.”
“We have a case to solve.”
“Ah, yes we do. Do you think it’s anyone at the table?”
Fred and George turns and looks at all the everyone at the table, their eyes land on Aaron and he prays they do not suspect him, not yet at least. Aaron keeps his expression neutral, his years in the BAU making it instinct when he is feeling threatened. He wants to work things out with Harry before they announce their relationship. The twins look away and then at each other, then shrug.
“Nope, he’s not at the table, our only option is to follow him.” Fred says.
“Merlin bloody balls, you two follow me and I will cut your balls off and use then in a potion and force you both to drink it.” Harry says firmly.
This was the first time Aaron or anyone in his team has ever heard Harry threaten the twins.
“You wouldn’t!” they say together.
“Try me,” Harry says with a smile that does not bode well for the twins.
“Forge.”
“Yes, Gred.”
“I think he’s serious.” George says to him. Fred simply shakes his head, apparently too afraid to answer.
“Do you guys always talk like this?” Prentiss asks.
“Like what?” The PACU members ask all at the same time, looking at her as if she asked a crazy question.
Dave clears his throat, “So magic,” he says, changing the subject to Aaron’s delight. He is thankful to whatever God was listening to get off the subject of Harry’s, and his, love life.
“Magic is nothing new to me,” Will pipes up after swallowing the food in his mouth. “Where I grew up in the Bayou, we have witch doctors and voodoo priestesses and their practices are pretty common.” Will shrugs his shoulders. “After slaves started their revolt in 1791 on the island of St. Domingue, where present-day Haiti is, the assortment of beliefs and practices brought over from different parts of Western Africa coalesced into New Orleans voodoo.” Will goes into a surprising lecture. “Voodoo wouldn’t have penetrated into New Orleans culture as much as it has without the unifying force of the infamous Marie Laveau, who codified practices locally and gave the religion a beautiful but mysterious public face. Laveau is believed to have been the daughter of a white planter and a black Creole woman. For a while, she earned a living as a hairdresser, catering to a wealthy white clientele and learning their secrets through gossip, giving her insight into their affairs. Laveau bridged the world of white and black, with clients and followers of all walks of life who asked her to bring them luck, to cure ailments, to procure them their desired lovers, and to exact revenge on enemies.”
All the BAU members stare at Will in shock, lectures are usually reserved for Spencer. The only BAU member who is not shocked is JJ, who knows about her husband’s penchant for New Orleans history.
“Spencer’s not the only one with brains and good looks,” JJ says proudly.
A gleeful twinkle lights Spencer’s eyes as he stares at Will, one Derek recognizes and quickly warns, “Not now, Spencer. You’ll have plenty of time to pick Will’s brain later.”
Spencer pouts a little at being denied. Derek’s hand cups the back of Spencer’s neck, brushing against his collar. Spencer’s pout turns into a blissful smile. He soaks up the small sign of affection like a sponge.
Aaron feels a bit jealous at how freely Derek is able to touch Spencer and he glances out of the corner of his eye at Harry, hoping that in the future he will be able to do the same.
Lucius acknowledges, “Yes, we are very familiar with your brand of magic.” He addresses the entire room with his own mini-lecture, “Voodoo practitioners and witch doctors deal with the aspect of spiritual and earth magic that can be labeled as dark but not inherently dangerous. Mere curses and hexes that can easily be removed with one simple word. Voodoo priests and priestesses are what we would call spiritualist, a step up from squibs. And before you ask, squibs are individuals who can see magic but not born with the ability to perform it. We are born with magic flowing through our veins. Just a few minutes ago, you saw the dishes make their way to the table by themselves, that is what we call wandless magic. Only a few wizards and witches are powerful enough to perform such magic.”
“How did you make it happen?” Aaron asks Lucius curiously.
“I didn’t, it was Harry,” Lucius tells Aaron offhandedly.
Aaron and the rest of the BAU, besides Spencer and Garcia, turn slowly to look at Harry, who is busy eating and pretending he can’t hear the conversation going on around him.
“Agent Hotchner, Harry is a rare wizard,” the beautiful lady with dark curly hair says, drawing Aaron from his perusal of Harry. Aaron turns and meets slate gray eyes, he now regrets not hearing her name. “All wizards are born powerful and some are born with just a bit more power than most. When a wizard or witch reaches the age of majority, they experience a magical inheritance—“
“Letting plates move around the room could just be parlor tricks and I must say, you almost had me with the picture show we saw earlier and the nonsense with the walls have eyes. I still think this is all bull. Next thing you will tell us is that Vampires and Werewolves exist, and you are able to fly on broomsticks.” Morgan interrupts any further explanation. Morgan misses the look of agitation on the woman’s face at his rudeness.
“You are right, Morgan.” Harry replies. “Plates moving by themselves can be attributed to many things. Oh, I know, let’s not forget my broken nose that was mysteriously fixed by hmm, let me guess, magic.” No one misses the sarcasm in Harry’s tone. “Werewolves and Vampires do exist, some are not the nicest creatures, but that is a part of nature. Hell, some humans are not the nicest people or else we would all be out of a job. And later after dinner, I can take you on a ride on my broom, let’s hope you are not afraid of heights. I tend to get carried away when I fly,” Harry finishes with a smirk.
Aaron watches as the PACU members nod their heads in agreement. Yet, the smile on Harry’s face causes the hair on the back of Aaron’s neck to stand up, whatever is about to happen will not be good.
Harry cocks his head and stares at Derek, “Tell me, Morgan, are you afraid of snakes?”
Before Morgan can say a word or ask what the hell he means by that, a snake slithers up and around Derek’s broad shoulders and wrap its orange, black, and silver body around his neck. Aaron, like Morgan and the rest of the BAU, stiffens in his seat as he sees it. The snake lifts its body and tilts its head to the side as if gazing into Morgan’s stunned and terrified face. It hisses at Morgan as if daring him to scream, fight, or try to run so that it can harm him purposely. Aaron watches in paralyzed shock as none of the PACU team members do anything to help Derek. The BAU team members, with the exception of Spencer, start to back away slowly from the table, abandoning Derek, and leaving him to the mercy of an agitated snake.
Aaron hears JJ whispering to Morgan, telling him not to move or to make a sound in hopes that the snake will not react angrily. The snake hisses in Derek’s face, opens his mouth wide, scaring the BAU team members into raising their voices while Spencer gently but firmly asks everyone to shut up as he tries to tell them that Derek is not in any kind of danger. But no one is listening to the genius until Jack walks over to Morgan and does something Aaron has never seen or heard before, something that shakes him to his core. He hisses at the snake.
“Stop! You cannot eat my Uncle Derek!”
All translations are the courtesy of Google Translate. Thank you all for your patience and for your reviews. I'm still trying to figure out how to reply to the reviews on this site. Follow me on Twitter GiovannaReaves and I can reply to you that way if you would like. Email: GiovannaReaves@gmail.com
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Just A Matter of Time