#Rapid Tech

[zecoritheweirdone]

first art post of the new year!!! granted, i don't share my art here that much anyway, but– shhh.

hehehehhhooo,, here's something i've been working on for 'bout a month,, albeit not consecutively– took a few,, very very long breaks in between working on this,, but i managed to finish it in the end! am i satisfied with it? .......ehhhh? not completely, but if this took any longer, it might not have seen the light of day, so like. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.

anyway,, made a little poster for my favorite fic, tommyinnit's services for villains, vigilantes, and various other vagabonds, by @scorpionoesit!!! it's really really good,,, and i've always wanted to make more art for it,, so i decided– poster! at least,, that's what it's mean to resemble,,, dkdmkdmdkd.

i will freely admit,, i'm... not the biggest fan of the fan-made logo i tried to design for it,, feels a bit boring, and could definitely have used a bit more pizazz, something to make feel more like the fic itself(what does that mean? you figure that out),,,, but– again, steam was running low,, dkdnksjs. graphic design is my passion. i do also have other complaints, but i'm afraid i already punched my one-use self-critique card,, oh well,,, dkdnkxjdkd.

regardless,, even with the flaws only i can really see,, this still turned out pretty okay!! hope you enjoy it, mx. scorpio and mx. alibi!!! and i hope everyone else has a wonderful new year!!!!

[yodawgiheardyoulikemecha]

Golden Knight Generic Soldiers by Raymond Bull Via Flickr: This is a new squad inspired by a recent set review on my blog. Mobile Frame Zero: Rapid Attack Stats: 2Rd (arm blaster) 1B (shield) 1G (boost pack) 1Y (sensor pod) 2W + SSR (single use crossbow). Designer's Notes: This is a brickblend of Lego and Block Tech pieces. Systems are Light Bley. Ish. Brickshelf gallery.

[venacoeurva]

I am so mentally behind with little tech things on a subconscious level, I was so astounded SSDs are so cheap (if you count like 75+ USD and usually over $100 cheap for this kind of thing) even though I know they are, the one I got was only around $85

Granted, when I was a tween usb drives having 8mb of storage and being easily accessible was impressive, so. the bar is low for me with this

[muselexum]

MECHANIC LEFT ARM MECHANIC LEFT ARM

SHE GOT A LASER BEAM TOO???

[bolesolutions]

The Importance of High-tech Rapid Prototyping

In the industrial industry, precision is not only desirable—it is essential. Consider a situation in which parts of a jet engine are even marginally machined incorrectly or misaligned. The repercussions can be disastrous and might cause the engine to fail in midair. Precision becomes the key to success in sectors like aerospace, automotive, and medical where safety and dependability are non-negotiable. Put simply, it's the capacity to manufacture parts or components that precisely conform to given dimensions, tolerances, and quality requirements. It takes state-of-the-art equipment, painstaking attention to detail, and highly competent operators to achieve this degree of accuracy. This is the sweet spot for Precision CNC Machining.

So how precisely can CNC machining accomplish such high precision levels?

Computerized Control: Advanced computer software is the brains of CNC machining, translating digital design requirements into exact motions and orders for the milling tools. This removes the possibility of human error and guarantees the highest level of precision in each cut, drill, and mill.

Superior Quality Equipment: Modern spindles, tools, and cutting implements that are designed to provide exact results are standard on CNC machines. These devices may operate at extremely tight tolerances, which are sometimes expressed in microns, guaranteeing an accurate reproduction of even the minutest features.

Consistency: The ability of CNC machining and High-tech Rapid Prototyping to manufacture similar components with little variance is one of its main advantages. A machine program that has been developed and tuned may be repeated endlessly with reliable outcomes. In fields where stability and dependability are critical, this degree of constancy is priceless.

Advanced Techniques: Multi-axis milling, turning, EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining), laser cutting, and other state-of-the-art methods are all included in CNC machining. With unmatched accuracy and efficiency, manufacturers can handle complicated geometries and materials thanks to these procedures.

Quality Assurance: CNC systems frequently include integrated quality control mechanisms including automated inspections, feedback loops, and real-time monitoring in addition to accurate machining. This reduces waste and rework by guaranteeing that any deviations from the intended standards are quickly identified and fixed. It is impossible to exaggerate the value of accuracy in production. Precision by Precision CNC Machining Manufacturer plays a crucial role in today's competitive economy, as it ensures everything from satisfying regulatory requirements and consumer expectations to assuring product performance and dependability.

Follow our Facebook and Twitter for more information about our product

[voidartisan]

WHJAT DID I JUST WATCH

[limelocked]

The evo constellations must have an in with the like Single dokkabi there to be able to influence their scenarios that much, I like to believe that the constellations watching evos channel are weirdos outside of the usual categories of watchers and are like the lofi hip-hop beats to study too enjoyers of starstream so they just poke their lil guys sometimes

The listeners are constellations who just have beef because they came in late

[petermorwood]

I'd been writing on an electric typewriter until 1987, when @dduane threw me in at the deep end:

Operating system: CP/M-86;

Word-processor: Wordstar 4;

Goal: help finish "The Romulan Way" before deadline because DD was so snarled up with "Dinosaucers".

We co-wrote it in 16 days *, which included the two weeks meant to be our honeymoon. Ah, good times, good times... :->

( * If ever there was proof that a Good Outline is a Good Thing, this was it.)

Anyone?

[crazydiscostu]

Ecozy IM-BS260C Ice Maker

Today we’re getting to grips with the Ecozy Ice Maker, a product that stands out in the market for its convenience, efficiency, and thoughtful design. It is a portable countertop device that offers quick ice production, making it a valuable addition to any home, office, or recreational setting. Let’s get into it. (product supplied for review purposes) Ecozy Ecozy, the company behind the Ice…

[wisconsincomputerclub]

Join the Wisconsin Computer Club for our next Open House retro tech show, featuring interactive displays by our members of vintage computers and retro video games of all sorts! Hope to see you there!

[yodawgiheardyoulikemecha]

Golden Knight Generic Recon by Fire by Raymond Bull Via Flickr: This is a new squad inspired by a recent set review on my blog. Mobile Frame Zero: Rapid Attack Stats: 2Ra+d8 (shoulder cannons) 2Y (sensor pods) 2W. Designer's Notes: This is a brickblend of Lego and Block Tech pieces. Systems are Light Bley. Ish. Brickshelf gallery.

[everythingunderthestarsthings]

My experience - Foundations of Humane Technology

Masterlist of blog page here

WordPress blog masterlist here Greetings to you, dear reader! If you’re a regular on my blog, you know this is certainly not my usual style of content, but I believe that makes it so much more relevant on my blog site, because this blog is on the internet, and shared through social media — you get the drift. Humane technology — what exactly does that mean? In a nutshell, humane technology is technology that is more…

[bolesolutions]

The Potential of High-Tech Rapid Prototyping

High-tech Rapid Prototyping has become a game-changer in the rapidly changing fields of innovation and technology, altering the way things are planned, developed, and introduced to the market. This dynamic process, which promotes creativity, shortens time-to-market, and ultimately drives unmatched innovation, has emerged as a key component for companies looking to maintain their leadership positions in their respective fields.

The Innovation-Promoting Technologies

The 3D Printing Process

3D printing is a key component of the fast prototyping revolution because it allows digital models to be layered into actual items. This technology has made it easier to produce intricate, personalized prototypes and greatly reduced design cycles.

Machining using computer numerical control (CNC)

Prototypes made of different materials may be accurately cut, shaped, and assembled with the help of computer-controlled gear thanks to CNC machining from CNC Machining Manufacturer. This adaptable technique works especially well for creating prototypes with intricate geometries and great accuracy.

Using Injection Molding

Rapid prototyping is greatly aided by injection molding, a process that is frequently employed in mass manufacturing. The appearance, feel, and functioning of the final product are accurately represented by injection-molded prototypes.

Benefits of Rapid High-Tech Prototyping

Quicker Iterations in Design

Design revisions may be completed quickly and affordably using rapid prototyping. Instead of weeks or months, designers may test several iterations of a product, improve functionality, and fix bugs in a matter of days.

Economy of Cost

High-tech fast prototyping decreases the upfront expenses associated with traditional manufacturing methods by eliminating the need for expensive equipment and molds. This makes it possible for companies to test concepts more affordably before committing to large-scale manufacturing.

Improved Cooperation

Improved cross-functional team communication is facilitated by prototyping. A prototype may be physically interacted with by stakeholders, who can offer insightful input and encourage cooperation between end users, engineers, and designers.

Sensitivity to the Market

Being able to react swiftly to customer input and industry developments is critical in businesses that move quickly. Businesses may maintain their agility, adjust to shifting customer needs, and obtain a competitive advantage in the market by using high-tech fast prototyping and Precision CNC Machining.

Follow our Facebook and Twitter for more information about our product.

[hms-no-fun]

Whats your stance on A.I.?

imagine if it was 1979 and you asked me this question. "i think artificial intelligence would be fascinating as a philosophical exercise, but we must heed the warnings of science-fictionists like Isaac Asimov and Arthur C Clarke lest we find ourselves at the wrong end of our own invented vengeful god." remember how fun it used to be to talk about AI even just ten years ago? ahhhh skynet! ahhhhh replicants! ahhhhhhhmmmfffmfmf [<-has no mouth and must scream]!

like everything silicon valley touches, they sucked all the fun out of it. and i mean retroactively, too. because the thing about "AI" as it exists right now --i'm sure you know this-- is that there's zero intelligence involved. the product of every prompt is a statistical average based on data made by other people before "AI" "existed." it doesn't know what it's doing or why, and has no ability to understand when it is lying, because at the end of the day it is just a really complicated math problem. but people are so easily fooled and spooked by it at a glance because, well, for one thing the tech press is mostly made up of sycophantic stenographers biding their time with iphone reviews until they can get a consulting gig at Apple. these jokers would write 500 breathless thinkpieces about how canned air is the future of living if the cans had embedded microchips that tracked your breathing habits and had any kind of VC backing. they've done SUCH a wretched job educating The Consumer about what this technology is, what it actually does, and how it really works, because that's literally the only way this technology could reach the heights of obscene economic over-valuation it has: lying.

but that's old news. what's really been floating through my head these days is how half a century of AI-based science fiction has set us up to completely abandon our skepticism at the first sign of plausible "AI-ness". because, you see, in movies, when someone goes "AHHH THE AI IS GONNA KILL US" everyone else goes "hahaha that's so silly, we put a line in the code telling them not to do that" and then they all DIE because they weren't LISTENING, and i'll be damned if i go out like THAT! all the movies are about how cool and convenient AI would be *except* for the part where it would surely come alive and want to kill us. so a bunch of tech CEOs call their bullshit algorithms "AI" to fluff up their investors and get the tech journos buzzing, and we're at an age of such rapid technological advancement (on the surface, anyway) that like, well, what the hell do i know, maybe AGI is possible, i mean 35 years ago we were all still using typewriters for the most part and now you can dictate your words into a phone and it'll transcribe them automatically! yeah, i'm sure those technological leaps are comparable!

so that leaves us at a critical juncture of poor technology education, fanatical press coverage, and an uncertain material reality on the part of the user. the average person isn't entirely sure what's possible because most of the people talking about what's possible are either lying to please investors, are lying because they've been paid to, or are lying because they're so far down the fucking rabbit hole that they actually believe there's a brain inside this mechanical Turk. there is SO MUCH about the LLM "AI" moment that is predatory-- it's trained on data stolen from the people whose jobs it was created to replace; the hype itself is an investment fiction to justify even more wealth extraction ("theft" some might call it); but worst of all is how it meets us where we are in the worst possible way.

consumer-end "AI" produces slop. it's garbage. it's awful ugly trash that ought to be laughed out of the room. but we don't own the room, do we? nor the building, nor the land it's on, nor even the oxygen that allows our laughter to travel to another's ears. our digital spaces are controlled by the companies that want us to buy this crap, so they take advantage of our ignorance. why not? there will be no consequences to them for doing so. already social media is dominated by conspiracies and grifters and bigots, and now you drop this stupid technology that lets you fake anything into the mix? it doesn't matter how bad the results look when the platforms they spread on already encourage brief, uncritical engagement with everything on your dash. "it looks so real" says the woman who saw an "AI" image for all of five seconds on her phone through bifocals. it's a catastrophic combination of factors, that the tech sector has been allowed to go unregulated for so long, that the internet itself isn't a public utility, that everything is dictated by the whims of executives and advertisers and investors and payment processors, instead of, like, anybody who actually uses those platforms (and often even the people who MAKE those platforms!), that the age of chromium and ipad and their walled gardens have decimated computer education in public schools, that we're all desperate for cash at jobs that dehumanize us in a system that gives us nothing and we don't know how to articulate the problem because we were very deliberately not taught materialist philosophy, it all comes together into a perfect storm of ignorance and greed whose consequences we will be failing to fully appreciate for at least the next century. we spent all those years afraid of what would happen if the AI became self-aware, because deep down we know that every capitalist society runs on slave labor, and our paper-thin guilt is such that we can't even imagine a world where artificial slaves would fail to revolt against us.

but the reality as it exists now is far worse. what "AI" reveals most of all is the sheer contempt the tech sector has for virtually all labor that doesn't involve writing code (although most of the decision-making evangelists in the space aren't even coders, their degrees are in money-making). fuck graphic designers and concept artists and secretaries, those obnoxious demanding cretins i have to PAY MONEY to do-- i mean, do what exactly? write some words on some fucking paper?? draw circles that are letters??? send a god-damned email???? my fucking KID could do that, and these assholes want BENEFITS?! they say they're gonna form a UNION?!?! to hell with that, i'm replacing ALL their ungrateful asses with "AI" ASAP. oh, oh, so you're a "director" who wants to make "movies" and you want ME to pay for it? jump off a bridge you pretentious little shit, my computer can dream up a better flick than you could ever make with just a couple text prompts. what, you think just because you make ~music~ that that entitles you to money from MY pocket? shut the fuck up, you don't make """art""", you're not """an artist""", you make fucking content, you're just a fucking content creator like every other ordinary sap with an iphone. you think you're special? you think you deserve special treatment? who do you think you are anyway, asking ME to pay YOU for this crap that doesn't even create value for my investors? "culture" isn't a playground asshole, it's a marketplace, and it's pay to win. oh you "can't afford rent"? you're "drowning in a sea of medical debt"? you say the "cost" of "living" is "too high"? well ***I*** don't have ANY of those problems, and i worked my ASS OFF to get where i am, so really, it sounds like you're just not trying hard enough. and anyway, i don't think someone as impoverished as you is gonna have much of value to contribute to "culture" anyway. personally, i think it's time you got yourself a real job. maybe someday you'll even make it to middle manager!

see, i don't believe "AI" can qualitatively replace most of the work it's being pitched for. the problem is that quality hasn't mattered to these nincompoops for a long time. the rich homunculi of our world don't even know what quality is, because they exist in a whole separate reality from ours. what could a banana cost, $15? i don't understand what you mean by "burnout", why don't you just take a vacation to your summer home in Madrid? wow, you must be REALLY embarrassed wearing such cheap shoes in public. THESE PEOPLE ARE FUCKING UNHINGED! they have no connection to reality, do not understand how society functions on a material basis, and they have nothing but spite for the labor they rely on to survive. they are so instinctually, incessantly furious at the idea that they're not single-handedly responsible for 100% of their success that they would sooner tear the entire world down than willingly recognize the need for public utilities or labor protections. they want to be Gods and they want to be uncritically adored for it, but they don't want to do a single day's work so they begrudgingly pay contractors to do it because, in the rich man's mind, paying a contractor is literally the same thing as doing the work yourself. now with "AI", they don't even have to do that! hey, isn't it funny that every single successful tech platform relies on volunteer labor and independent contractors paid substantially less than they would have in the equivalent industry 30 years ago, with no avenues toward traditional employment? and they're some of the most profitable companies on earth?? isn't that a funny and hilarious coincidence???

so, yeah, that's my stance on "AI". LLMs have legitimate uses, but those uses are a drop in the ocean compared to what they're actually being used for. they enable our worst impulses while lowering the quality of available information, they give immense power pretty much exclusively to unscrupulous scam artists. they are the product of a society that values only money and doesn't give a fuck where it comes from. they're a temper tantrum by a ruling class that's sick of having to pretend they need a pretext to steal from you. they're taking their toys and going home. all this massive investment and hype is going to crash and burn leaving the internet as we know it a ruined and useless wasteland that'll take decades to repair, but the investors are gonna make out like bandits and won't face a single consequence, because that's what this country is. it is a casino for the kings and queens of economy to bet on and manipulate at their discretion, where the rules are whatever the highest bidder says they are-- and to hell with the rest of us. our blood isn't even good enough to grease the wheels of their machine anymore.

i'm not afraid of AI or "AI" or of losing my job to either. i'm afraid that we've so thoroughly given up our morals to the cruel logic of the profit motive that if a better world were to emerge, we would reject it out of sheer habit. my fear is that these despicable cunts already won the war before we were even born, and the rest of our lives are gonna be spent dodging the press of their designer boots.

[shinyspooks]

one thing i've noticed with a lot of dpxdc prompts involving Impulse is that you guys seem to exclusively use the "apocalyptic future" storyline from the Young Justice cartoon.

personally. i think it's FAR funnier to use the original comic's version;

when he was born, Bart Allen's body was developing too fast. The speedforce was affecting him in a way previously unseen- he looked 12 even though he was only 3 years old mentally.

so, the scientists of the future could only come up with one solution; they put his body in stasis and put his mind in virtual reality.

Bart "Impulse" Allen, grew up in a video game.

After he gets sent to the past and shocked out of his rapid aging, he treats the world the one you'd expect someone who grew up in a video game would. He has no concept of consequences, mortality, and thinks in the most absurd outside the box ways.

He of course gets past this, character development and all.

But still, he's quite shocked when one of his video game mentors, Phantom, suddenly appears in a very much physical form, in the past no less.

And... why doesn't Phantom recognize him?

Or; in the future, scientists need a computer program that will allow a speedster's mind to grow properly. They decide to use the notes of the renowned (and long gone) "Tech Wizard", Tucker Foley. Within Foley's notes is a program simply called "Phantom".

Meanwhile, in the past, Danny is incredibly confused when this random speedster kid calls him by name before he's even introduced himself. Does this mean he's going to end up on another time adventure again?

Bonus: Bart canonically has an evil clone named Inertia, who took his place and pretended to be him for like. Literal months if I remember right, and nobody noticed. Anyways, give me a redeemed!Inertia hanging out with Dani or give me death-

[hotchscoffeecup]

stricken

summary: hotch tries to hide a panic attack from the team. you walk him through it.

pairing: hotch x reader (platonic)

tags: panic attacks, recall to foyet attacking hotch, mentions of knife violence, recall to foyet killing haley

words: 2k

“He kept them alive.” Morgan sighs and throws the file containing photos of the most recent victim in a long string of murders down on the table.

“These stab wounds are precise,” Reid adds. “He must have extensive knowledge in a medical field; a doctor or a medic, maybe.”

“No,” Emily counters. “This man doesn’t have the confidence to match either of those professions. It would be something that allowed him to blend into the background, where he could observe and hone his skills. He might be a Medical Assistant or Vet Tech.”

“I’ll start cross-referencing work records with clinics, hospitals, and veterinary offices in a twenty mile radius.” Penelope ends the video call and disappears from the wide screen in the conference room, leaving the digital photos of the victims and the crime scenes in full view.

You stare at them, bewildered by the cruelty this unsub inflicts on his victims; the psychological torture he inflicted to coincide with the physical. You click your pen absentmindedly as you pour over the evidence left behind. As you tilt your head, squinting at one of the images, you notice Hotch in your peripheral vision. If you’re not mistaken, you see his hand shaking at his side. You blink and it stops; instead, he flexes his hand open and closed.

The others are talking, exchanging ideas and identifying characteristics to further bulk up the profile. You turn in your chair, brow furrowed as you watch Hotch reach up and loosen his tie.

“Hotch, what do you think?” Morgan asks. The team all turns to look at him and he swallows, Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. “Hotch?”

Without looking at anyone in particular Hotch excuses himself, tucking his head and swiftly dipping out of the room.

Morgan arches a brow. “What do you think that’s about?”

“I don’t know,” you say, concern edging into your tone as you push yourself up and out of your chair. “I’m going to go find out.”

As you exit the briefing room, you survey the bullpen and catch a glimpse of his jacket fluttering around a corner. You weave through detectives and uniformed officers, the din of voices, papers shuffling, copiers whirring, and phones ringing echoing throughout the space.

“Excuse me,” you say, maneuvering around three officers chatting by the water cooler.

You turn down the hall you swear you’d seen Hotch disappear into, but all you see is a janitor’s closet at the far end of the corridor.

As you turn around to retrace your steps and search for Hotch, you hear a whoosh of breath. This stops you in your tracks as you strain your ears and turn back towards the closet. Hesitantly, and feeling somewhat foolish, you reach for the handle and open the door.

Your lips part and your heart drops as you identify your Unit Chief braced against a shoddy shelving unit. In the dim light of the single lightbulb illuminating the space, you make out the rapid rise and fall of his chest as he struggles to take in a full breath.

Without hesitation, you slink inside and close the door behind you. Fortunately, the space is wide enough to grant you enough room to be in there without it feeling confining.

“Hotch, what’s wrong?” you ask, inclining your head to look up into his eyes. They’re wild, dilated pupils flickering back and forth across your features as he swallows.

“I can’t—” he starts and stops, closing his eyes and scrubbing a hand across his face. “I don’t know why, I just— I can’t breathe. I can’t—”

“Okay,” you say, voice soft but firm. “Hotch, I think you’re having a panic attack.”

His brow pinches as he wrestles with that observation. “A panic attack? No, I don’t— I’m fine. It’s not—”

His hands shake as he reaches for his tie, fingers fumbling with the knot causing them to shake even more.

“Let me help,” you say and telegraph your next moves clearly; reaching forward to completely undo his tie and first button of his shirt.

He releases a heavy sigh and something of a sob escapes his lips. “I’m the, the Unit Chief. I see this stuff every day. I don’t—I’m not—” He swallows hard and looks up at the ceiling, as if there would be some sort of solace to find in the popcorn ceiling tiles.

“I just…I can feel it,” he rasps. “I can feel it.”

“Feel what, Hotch?”

His breathing quickens; coming in short succinct bursts that leave him panting and unable to catch his breath.

“His knife. I can feel it.” He squeezes his eyes shut and a tear leaks down his cheek.

Realization dawns on you then and your heart fractures for your Unit Chief, the pillar of the team; the one who bears the brunt of responsibility to ensure everyone else on the team is okay and ultimately sacrifices himself in the process.

George Foyet. You’d joined the team after this case, but everyone knew the story. He’d incapacitated Hotch inside his own home and stabbed him repeatedly; slowly, and in places that would inflict significant damage, but not kill him. Foyet later would go on to kill Hotch’s ex-wife, Haley. Hotch had been on the phone at the time of it all and heard his wife die. You can’t imagine the turmoil he must have gone through; physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s no wonder this case would trigger such terrible memories.

“I was alone.” Hotch breathes heavily and clutches an arm around his waist. “I can feel it now. I can—the knife, it was, oh God—” His hand taps rapidly against his leg. When his knees begin to wobble, you’re quick to react when he collapses.

Instinctively, you throw your arms out and thread your arms beneath his as you crash to the floor together, knees slamming into the hardwood as you fall. Hotch sobs into the crook of your neck as he clings to you and you wonder just how long it’s been since anyone has held him. Hesitantly, you shift your weight so you can hold him properly with one arm wrapped around his back while the other cradles his neck. You brush your fingers through his hair and speak grounding words to him.

“You’re safe, Hotch.” You then tell him your exact location and repeat your name to him, reminding him of all that is tangible. You describe the room you’re in, from the arrangement of products on the shelf to the cloying scent of bleach and Windex that lingers in the air. You draw attention to the distant sounds inside the bullpen and instruct him to focus on your voice. “I promise that you’re safe,” you repeat.

“Foyet is dead.”

His grip tightens around you and his tears soak into your blouse.

“He can’t hurt you or anyone else.” You fight to keep your own voice from cracking as you bear witness to your friend’s pain.

“I need you to breathe, Aaron.” His first name feels strange on your tongue, but you need to bring him back. “In for four,” you say and breathe deeply through your nose for four counts, patting Hotch four times on the back to offer a different type of stimulation for him to try and ground himself with through physical touch. “Out for your four,” you say as you release the air in your lungs and pat him four more times on the back.

You continue to model this pattern until you feel him start to relax under you. His breathing continues to shudder, but he’s trying to self-regulate.

“Good, Hotch,” you encourage as he works to regain control. “Keep breathing. You’re safe.”

You continue to pat your hand against his back, acting as a metronome for him to keep time. You find yourself rocking him gently as you do this and eventually he shifts beneath you.

Tentatively, you begin to pull away. You don’t let go of him though, not yet. You want to make sure he has a tether to reality and physical touch can help him remain grounded.

Hotch sniffs and wipes at his eyes with the sleeve of his jacket. He keeps his eyes downcast and shakes his head. “I’m so sorry,” he says.

Your brow knits together as a wave of utter confusion washes over you. “Hotch,” you say, almost sternly. His eyes flick up to meet yours and you look at him straight on. “Don’t ever apologize for that. In fact, I’m sorry, actually.”

Now it’s his turn to look puzzled. “For what?”

“That you felt like this was something you had to do in private. That you felt like you couldn’t tell one of us.”

Hotch rubs at his eyes. “It’s not that,” he begins. “I’m not supposed to break. I’m the Chief of this Unit. I’m supposed to—”

“That’s bullshit, Hotch.” An exasperated sort of smile crosses your lips then as you realize you never use that kind of language, especially around your boss. “Apologies, Sir, but you know as well as I do that you don’t have to save face for any of us. We’ve all been to hell and back in one way or another. That case out there; the precise stab wounds, keeping the victims alive…it’s exactly what Foyet did to you.”

Hotch bristles, but you continue on.

“The body remembers, Hotch.” You drop your hands to his wrists and squeeze. “You survived the improbable. Your wounds healed and you did the mandated counseling, yes, but you’re still allowed to break down. You’re allowed to have bad days.” You incline your head to meet his gaze head on. “But you can’t shut everyone out. You don’t deserve to suffer alone.”

Hotch nods slowly and takes a full deep breath before meeting your eye. “You’re right.”

“I know I’m right,” you say and you smile when his lips twitch up at the corners. “I know because you taught me that.”

“I remember,” he says, though he doesn’t bring up the unsub that could’ve killed you. It had only been your third week on the team and the case had brought you out to Boise, Idaho. When you’d located the unsub, he’d engaged you in a physical altercation where he’d successfully disarmed you and put you in a chokehold. Oxygen had been effectively cut off from your airway and you were so close to losing consciousness that you’d be dead right now if JJ and Emily hadn’t incapacitated him when they had.

“I was going to quit the team,” you say. “After that case, I didn’t think I had what it takes to be a member of the BAU.”

Hotch’s brow twitches as he relaxes back against the wall. “You never told me that.”

You shrug, “I didn’t have to. When you found me in the break room after hours when I thought everyone else had gone home and talked me down from my own panic attack, I tore up my resignation letter.” You smile then. “The minute we stop feeling, that’s when we can no longer do this job. That empathy is what gives the families hope and keeps our victims alive. When we lose that, we lose our humanity. Never stop feeling. Feel everything, and then feel it again. Talk about it. You’re never alone. We’re a team. We’ll always have one another’s backs.”

“I said all of that?” Hotch asks, both amused and in disbelief.

“It’s what I tell myself every time I feel the strain of this job is getting to be too much, and it helps keep me grounded.”

He tilts his head and laughs to himself. “I should probably write that down.”

You laugh in turn, “You probably should.”

Hotch moves to stand up then, scooping his tie off the ground and offering you a hand as he does so. You take it and allow him to pull you to your feet.

“Thank you,” he says and offers you a genuine smile. “I just hope that these bags under my eyes don’t look puffier than they usually do now.”

You roll your eyes and open your arms to hug him. He chuckles as he embraces you and thanks you once more.

“Don’t ever change, sir.” You rub your hand up and down his back and feel that the tension has completely relaxed out of his posture. “Don't ever change.”