#if not then the next unicorn will be enby!!

[sometimesthereishorse]

12/05-2022 🦄 Horse: Deities in Harmony (Aromantic and Asexual unicorn) Requested by @lorebird & @get-outside-nekomatsu

Unicorn requests are closed atm! 💕

[jennifriend]

Dear OFMD,

I wasn’t sure who to address this to, at first. There are so many options, so many people instrumental in the creation of this show that means so much to me and so many others. David Jenkins, Taika Waititi, Vico Ortiz, Alex Sherman, and the rest of the producers, directors, writers, cast and crew. I did try to list out everyone, but it took up the whole first page. My social media follows exploded when I began watching.

The thing is, I’ve never quite been comfortable in my skin. I knew something was off about my gender as early as 8, possibly earlier, but eight is when I remember actually thinking that I wasn’t a girl for the first time.

I wasn’t a boy, either, but it was the eighties, and I didn’t know the term non-binary, or that gender was as much a brain thing as a body thing. So I shoved it down, along with the thought that the kids at my school should hurry up and learn the lessons already so we could go onto the next thing and that I hated wearing dresses, except when I loved it.

And then, I just . . . didn’t think about gender for a long time. Not when trans people were the butt of all the jokes in the movies in the nineties, not when trans stories, real trans stories started getting told in the aughts.

Someone gave me the word agender, once, when I was curious and asked what might describe someone who felt neither man nor woman, and never had, and I went with that. I still go with that, or enby, whichever I’m comfortable with in the moment. I was forty. Thirty-two years of not even knowing I was looking for that word, and I was.

And then a year or so later, someone talked me into watching Our Flag Means Death. 

I write. I’ve published. When you send a story out, you never know what other people are going to think of it, what symbolism they’re going to find, how they’re going to interpret this thing or that thing. So I don’t know if you realized when you finished filming the first season and sent it for edits, or finished the second season and watched us foam at the mouth for it, how the fans were going to react. 

There are a lot more of us out in the world that don’t feel quite right in whatever gender box we’ve been put in than anyone realizes, I think. And I think a lot of us gender-weirdos are fans of this show.

It’s not just Stede, and his love for fine things. It’s Ed, with his hidden silk, and his softly admitting to “maybe” liking “a fine fabric.” It’s not just Jim being outed, and everyone going right back to normal after they figure out that that’s what Jim wants. It’s not even just Wee John’s wonderful performance as Calypso.

It’s also Wee John sitting down to sew and saying he used to sew dresses with his mom. It’s calling Izzy the ship’s “new unicorn” and it’s also Izzy wearing make up. It’s everyone wearing flowers. 

It’s Spanish Jackie having nineteen husbands, and maybe some wives.

It’s a meme of any of the characters that’s just a screenshot and the word “gender” written across it.

It’s the concept of “assigned knives at birth” 

And it’s the community that this show created to let us feel free to explore all of this. We can bounce ideas off of each other, we can explore new identities, and you - the cast, the crew, the writers of this show - you have given us a safe space to do so.

I’ve been on the outskirts of a lot of fan spaces. I’ve never wanted to step into them because at their core, they seemed so toxic and gatekept. I’ve never felt that from the fans here (we’re not perfect, and there are a lot of very angry arguments over things that I hope you never see).

So yeah, this is my love letter to Our Flag Means Death, the show that helped me figure out, at forty-three, that my gender is, well, me. And it doesn’t have to fit anyone else’s label.

Thank you for creating it.

Thank you for writing it.

Thank you for acting in it.

Jenn

[talisidekick]

So like, I kind of love watching people who do mean shit have the light leave their eyes.

This happened a while ago but I had an off day and I gave a corpo exec I was supposed to apparently treat like a god a plain answer devoid of my usual please-don't-be-mad-at-me-I-hate-that vibe of blame diffusion and sugar coating lightly peppered with profuse apologies. I got in big shit about this. I wrote the most begrudging apology I've ever written and tried to patch things up.

Well, fast-forward a few weeks from that event, I'm assisting the most beloved individual at the company. This is the person who sets up all the office parties, brings people coffee, and even drives to execs houses to give them soup and tea when they're sick. People love this girl. She takes her job to the next fucking level. Also happens to be one of my best friends. This is a friend I would die for. So when she's tasked with setting up an office party in the building I work at, of damn course I'm going to help! And so the in walks this exec. We get introduced but I'm on decoing so it's short and I'm off back to my task. I get called a few minutes later (to which tinsel sucks ass fyi) and I look over and get the "thumb point and eyebrow raise" that's code for "this one safe to tell her you're trans?" and I don't hide shit so I nod. I come back needing more fucking tinsel and the exec is just like: "I'm so sorry" which makes no sense to me and is followed up by "I didn't know you were the one they were talking about" which is now fucking concerning and my friend just goes "she doesn't know about that". Now I'm beyond concerned to fuck.

To which a long conversation later ... there's office rumours about me I was unaware of. Lets just say, it's derogatory, and upon hearing this, this exec apparently decided it was her mission to stop that in it's tracks. But it's been an uphill battle because there's reasons our small ass site gets all the parties set up here. Big neon sign on me as one of the reasons. See apparently ... I'm eye-candy ... and I forgot that trans people only make up like 3% of our population so ... my ass is apparently the fucking unicorn right now. See, I'm used to the hate part, I have no experience with the "lust" part of people being transphobic or ... trans-fetishistic? Which is super weird and gross but weirdly euphoric in a "I guess it's nice to be seen as hot" kind of way? And hilarious because this exec was like: "this girl isn't going to be treated like that" and then proceeded to knee-cap me with a shotgun because no one making comments wanted to name me. So all she knew was "trans girl at this site needs help" and I'm (as far as I'm aware) the only trans girl at this site. The realization was an "oh fuck" moment.

The absolute horror on her face in that moment was just ... priceless. She asked if I was mad at her and/or the situation, and I don't know why this made that look worse but I just said "I've dealt with worse", cause I have. Like ... "oooooh, boys be droolin', sucks I'm into girls and enby's only!". Granted, now I'll be cautious, but like ... I come from a catholic/mormon/christian family who's only real unanimous agreement was: "queers tolerable, trans 6-feet under out back." and well, I'm the demon they likely think they're responsible for so ... pretty sure paranoia is high enough to handle this already. Anyway, I think we're friends now. Which is awesome because I don't think I have a better "how did you two become friends" story.

[sieghartchase]

LFRP - Sieghart Chase

Basics –– ❤

NICKNAMES: Sieg

AGE: 21

RACE: Hyur

GENDER: Cis Male (He/him)

SEXUALITY: "Very very gay"

MARITAL STATUS: Single.

SERVER: Brynhildr - Crystal Data Center

Physical Appearance -- ❤

Hair: Pink

Eyes: Yellow

Height: 1m 60 (5' 3'' or something, what even is a foot)

Build: smol twink, lil creatcher

Distinguishing Marks: Little pink heart tattoo on left cheek

Common Accessories: Earrings, especially big shiny ones.

Personal ---❤

Profession: Former white mage retainer, turned bard by trade, occasionally selling clothes he sews.

Jobs: Bard and White Mage

Hobbies: Singing, song writing, playing the lute. Enjoys sewing, designing clothes in general.

Languages: Common Eorzean

Voice and Speech: Way too loud, especially when excited.

Residence: Usually he sleeps at inns or taverns where he performs, occasionally crashing at friends homes, or finding his way into some lucky gentleman's bed for the night.

Birthplace: A small settlement in East Shroud

Religion: Used to sing in church choir, still occasionally prays to The Twelve.

Patron Deity: Byregot, the Builder

Fears: Ghosts and commitment

Relationships ---❤

Spouse: none

Children: none

Parents: TBD

Siblings: TBD

Other Relatives: TBD

Pets: Rescued and befriended a wounded unicorn in Fallgourd, named him Mashmallow and travels with him.

Traits ---❤

Extroverted / In-between / Introverted

Disorganized / In-between / Organized

Close-minded / In-between / Open-minded

Calm / In-between / Anxious

Disagreeable / In-between / Agreeable

Cautious / In-between / Reckless

Patient / In-between / Impatient

Outspoken / In-between / Reserved

Leader / In-between / Follower

Empathetic / In-between / Apathetic

Optimistic / In-between / Pessimistic

Traditional / In-between / Modern

Hard-working / In-between / Lazy

Cultured / In-between / Uncultured

Loyal / In-between / Disloyal

Faithful / In-between / Unfaithful

Additional Information ---❤

Smoking Habit: Never

Drugs: Never

Alcohol: "Yes, please"

Themes: I’m up for anything, though battles are not my strong suit, nor really fits Sieg’s narrative, I can make it work. A/M/E/RP whatever letter of the alphabet really.

What I’m Looking For: I adore Sieghart and want to share him around. It’s my first time roleplaying in FFXIV though. I want him to live a little, listen to stories, tell his own, create bonds, have fun, but also be real a little bit. Sieghart is very troubled too, he’s a tough cookie, so we can go deep and dark with him as well.

RP Hooks ---❤

Your Friendly Neighborhood Bard - Sieghart is always somewhere playing his lute, he's a performer and adores attention. He could be performing in your local tavern, maybe grab a drink together after his songs? He could be practicing next to big cities aetherites and you were the only one in the audience?

Damn it Jim I’m a doctor not a retainer - Sieg used to be a white mage retainer, constantly leaving for different exploration ventures, so he is very experienced with healing magic. Maybe you’re an adventurer in need of support? Maybe your wolf pup got injured? Sieg has a soft heart and will go out of his way to cast some healing spells and strike up a conversation.

Contact Information/About the player ––– –❤

Just hit me up on tumblr or Discord (ask me for it).  I’m Metz, not a native english speaker, sorry. 21 years old, enby, I use she/her pronouns.   I’m not an expert on Final Fantasy lore, XIV is my first. My RP experience is very Homestuck based lmao, even then I didn’t use paragraphs, not sure what y’all go for around here.  Oh, I’m also writing him a collection in ao3 if anyone’s interested (tho it’s very explicit because sieg is a slut sorry) @ffxiv-crystal-rp​ @mooglemeet​ @crystalxivrp​

[beyondthetemples-ooc]

The camping trip was WONDERFUL!

We went to this place called Wisteria. Lots of hippie vibes, paganism, generally arms wide open to alternate paths. Found a furry, befriended another enby, let my pagan flag fly high for once!

Friday night was mostly spent building a campfire and then sitting around it talking. It got down into the 30′s that night, but Mom and I brought a ton of warm clothes and blankets, and we slept in her car (with the seats down) instead of the tent. I think the ground would’ve been more comfortable, honestly, but the car was probably warmer than a tent would’ve been.

Is it really any wonder that Samhain was my favorite day? I actually.... met somebody? That I liked interacting with?? We went on a hike, visited a shrine, talked a surprising amount. 

I played a game called Unstable Unicorns with them, which is basically Yugioh with more whimsy. (And different win conditions, since there are no life points, and you all play from the same deck instead of customizing your own. But they even call moving cards from your field to the graveyard discard pile “destroying” them! And even though it was my first time playing, I definitely called on the same strategies I use in Yugioh and wound up winning that one. it helped that I had a Super Neigh that stopped the chick riiight before me from winning, so that may have been luck. but still! I won a game I’ve never played before!)

Wound up visiting the Faery Shrine (twice actually), the first time I left an offering and thanked them for letting us into their home, you know.

And then there was teeeeeny tiny gathering around a fire that night, like the entire camp site was practically deserted, but I think all ~seven~ of us showed up for that. Someone brought a telescope and we looked up at the moon. Called out to lost loved ones, because, you know, Samhain.

The second time at the fairy shrine was way more sightseeing-y, guided on a hike by the BnB hostess (who runs her own business and does a form of individual conservation called “agro-forestry”, I believe? It really intrigued me). noticing all the little trinkets people had left. The host called it an “interactive art exhibit”, and I think I’d like to do a little interaction myself next time I go. (Because I do definitely plan on coming back, maybe for one of their festival events once it’s safe to do that again.)

Most of the daylight was in the 50′s there, which is perfect for me! Of course, when I came home, it was to find hail, snow, and powerful winds everywhere. Gotta love Cleveland weather. /s So I spent the night cold-proofing my room, trying to get a heater to work that refuses to turn on, so I had to dig out a spare heat lamp for the doves, and slept with several sweaters and blankets, so I only just had time to update now. Oops.

But I am home safe, and the weekend was absolutely phenomenal. I’m really looking forward to going back to that place someday, when things are in full swing, maybe learning more about the community there, because the place had a really laid-back and accepting vibe that you really don’t find much, especially in Rural Freaking Ohio.

[delusion-of-negation]

unadulteratedpsychicsludgepatrol said: "I am extremely confused. I don't mean offense, but please, for my own learning experience; So, a bunch of "workers" bullshitting at your place instead of doing their job, talking about their company, which seems to be right about them. Then you just took it like a sport and felt good to be part of the group of BS'ers. Or ...☝️😮... Unicorns, rainbows and addiction, meaning you lower your guard because of being gay, etc? Again, just for my learning experience."

yeah, you're definitely very confused, and I got to face the unfathomable task of clearing up it all, when I can't even comprehend how you did this many misunderstandings in so few words.

"Unicorns, rainbows and addiction, meaning you lower your guard because of being gay"

no. addiction refers to smoking, as I said at the start, I was outside smoking when he asked for directions, ie not inside "hosting" them. as said above "I was not doing a great job of hosting, by virtue of being completely absent with my silly little addiction". addiction here = smoking. absent = outside smoking. my guard wasn't at all lowered, I'm just Like This - a colossal dumb bitch, "polite first and ask questions later" type of person - it's going to get me killed one day.

as for the unicorns and rainbows, the point I'm making is that I'm not a macho straight guy in many respects - I work out, I like motorsports, I'd fuck a hot chick - but I like dudes, I'm enby, I'm flamboyant, I'm effeminate at times. while I can look like the bastard child of a stoner and a trucker at times, like today, my decorations are likely (or so I thought) to give away that it's not exactly the whole picture. I was just kidding, at the end of the day, I don't think they'd have an issue with me being gay, it's just that there are times the Vibes™ are different with dudes who see you as straight vs gay, and it felt straight. (same with being viewed as a guy vs a girl too.)

but I'm utterly flummoxed as to how you got to that conclusion. like, you read that I was having a cigarette at the time, and went "no, there's no way they're referring to nicotine, what they are saying here is that they gave directions to their flat because they're addicted to being a homo" and that made sense somehow in your brain??

"So, a bunch of "workers" bullshitting at your place instead of doing their job"

no, they did their job, as well as hanging out. in fact, they went above and beyond for me, they were courteous to my rabbits while working in their room, they put in a more recent model of light instead of just replacing the bulb, double checked everything, even things that were an awkward thing to do. I don't think you are able to understand the concept of a break - when it is lunch, between calls, if you finish earlier on a call, if you are on-call but there's nobody to go to, and so forth - these are human people, not robots, they aren't supposed to be spending all available seconds with their heads in a fuse, at some point there will be the need for a pause. (just to clarify, there were several things that it needed, the bulb was a specific kind you don't get normally in shops, and can't really replace yourself, the fuse box needed stuff, and so on.)

the main reason they all ended up at mine was because some were dropping off extra parts, a job that wasn't required and would've been far more convenient to just leave, and they did so because they were free or on break, and then it was just easier to stay at mine for half an hour, rather than go sit in a carpark and wait for the next job to roll around. like, why are you angry that some guys who didn't have to work at the time decided to drop off some stuff to help my electrician, then stuck around until they had a job to go to, and even helped my guy out a bit?

"talking about their company, which seems to be right about them"

their company, who I explicitly said were doing things "like screwing over their overtime pay or trying to union bust", was not right about them just because they were on a break. jfc I feel like Ross from friends right now. who hurt you? did an electrician fuck your wife and forget to fix a transformer? I'm serious, what's your damage? like, I straight up said "occasionally I'd chip in, that it's illegal for their company to do that", so you damn well knew at least some of what the company was doing to them was legit illegal.

"Then you just took it like a sport and felt good to be part of the group of BS'ers"

they were nice guys omfg. I said break room. it should've been clear from context. look, I have absolutely been screwed over by this company for the past couple months - misleading me on what they needed cleared, rude emails, things that bordered on threats, and beyond. but that doesn't mean every worker at said company is tarred with guilt by association. I don't expect I have to clarify "oh, and I asked them why these people all showed up, and they explained how this old light and stuff were fine, but it's not an up to date model and it'd probably break soon, so some guys who hadn't got any jobs thought it'd be easier if they popped over and dropped off the parts, and then stuck around for a bit", I assume my followers 1) know there's always an explanation (not always necessarily one I know but it exists), but it's probably too boring if that got left out, and 2) I have a backbone, and had they been assholes taking advantage of my big old well of hospitality, I'd have bitched about it. at the very least, it would've been in the post. I felt good because it feels nice to chill with any group of cheery strangers, especially after two whole years of being stuck at home. chill out.

and I'll be honest, I didn't go around and ask all participants in the temporary break room "hey, why exactly are you specifically here?" but that wasn't really necessary for me. I'm happy to be accommodating as long as people are nice. I'd gathered pretty quick what had happened, and assumed it was a similar story for all of them. I don't think I should have to justify every single one of them to a stranger online, just so you're not gonna assume they're all slovenly assholes. (and obviously, while having my cigarette, I did have no idea why a dude was going to my flat. nor any idea why at first when I got in, so that's how it was phrased in this, as I experienced it.)

"Again, just for my learning experience"

well, your lesson is "don't twist random tumblr posts retelling someone's actions second hand so much you can demonise a group of people you've never met to the extent that you'll say it is right to not pay them their full agreed wages over christmas during a global pandemic", and hopefully you've learnt it because this just may be the stupidest comment I've ever received...

so, for some reason, while one guy was doing the electrics in my flat, and I'd gone out for a smoke, I came back to find my flat wasn't my flat any more... it was their break room now. I found a gaggle of electricians just chilling and talking about shit their company was doing to them, like screwing over their overtime pay or trying to union bust. naturally, I was like "okay this is happening, I guess", and just lurked on my bed, like a curious animal in an unfamiliar habitat. occasionally I'd chip in, that it's illegal for their company to do that or some relevant anecdote. I was soon one of the boys, buddy, mate, you name it. I cracked open a cold one (monster energy), and realised in total horror that I was... straight passing. a casual hoodie, atop a clockwork orange tee, and my scraggy beard had turned me into the figure of a bro.

[winterscaptain]

a chance of snow.

Aaron Hotchner x Gender Neutral Reader a joyful future fic

a/n: here’s a little sweet something for your weekend! as always, tell me what you think :)

words: 560 warnings: language, missing haley hotchner hours

summary: “don’t grieve. anything you lose comes round in another form.” - rumi. january 2011.

masterlist | a joyful future masterlist | ajf faq | taglist | what do you want to see next?

“I don’t know what to do, Haley. I don’t want to make the same mistakes again. I want to do better, be better. I -” He cuts himself off with a sigh and a hand through his hair. “You deserved better. And I know that.”

The cold air is good for his thoughts. It clears his head, keeps him on track.

“This is… this is too important. I need to do it right for Jack, for me, for -” He takes another breath. “Ah, fuck. You were always so good at this. You asked me out even though I was halfway in love with you the first time I saw you. If it had been the fashion in the early nineties, I’m sure you would have asked me to marry you and you would have done it a year earlier.”

Aaron drops his head into his hands. “I’ve always been alone or with you and I… I hate that I have to figure this out without you.”

“And the damn Pakistan assignment…” There’s a sigh. “I keep meaning to tell - to inform the team, but there never seems to be any time.”

There’s no way he can bring himself to tell you about it until it was too late to back out. It was good for him - to get away for a little while, have some face time with the international counterparts and make nice in the international law enforcement arena. Jess is, surprisingly, thrilled to take Jack full-time for the summer.

What he did to deserve that woman as a sister-in-law he has no idea.

The chill of the wind sneaks up his sleeve. He shivers. Looking up, he finds dark storm clouds overhead.

“I think it might snow today, love.” He smiles a little. “I have this picture of you - you couldn’t have been more than seventeen or so - in the snow when you came to visit me at GW. Your hair was long then and you had it braided in a crown around your head so it wouldn’t get knotted under your hat.”

He’s gotta find that picture.

“I took it right when you looked up at the bell tower. It’s a perfect shot of your profile and I made copies of it and had it up, well… everywhere. Everyone always asked me about it when they saw it pinned to the corkboard in my dorm room.”

With a sigh, he looks down at his hands. “There were times you absolutely took my breath away just existing in space. You enchanted everyone around you. I think that’s what I miss the most - looking for you and remembering you’re not there.”

His phone buzzes, and he pulls it from his coat pocket. It’s from you: a photo of Jack holding up a half-finished model airplane.

2:26pm This isn’t the first time he’s threatened to finish this without you, but it might be the last.

Aaron shakes his head and replies.

2:27pm I’ll be home soon.

2:27pm Drive safe. It’s due to start snowing soon.

“Yes, it is,” he whispers to himself. He pockets his phone, presses his fingers to his lips before resting them on the top of Haley’s headstone. “I love you.”

The trees rattle with the wind. It makes him smile.

+++

tagging:  @missdowntonabbey @criminalsmarts @qvid-pro-qvo @hurricanejjareau @prentisswrites @forgottenword @deagibs @ssahotchnerr @unicorn-bitch @capricorngf @duchesschameleon @mrs-dr-reid @teamhappyme @averyhotchner @reidingmelodies @ambicaos @kelstark @genevievedarcygranger @mandylove1000 @starsandasteroids @pan-pride-12 @popped-weasels @iconicc @mooneylupinblack @ssworldofsw @abschaffer2 @ellyhotchner @rousethemouse @reidtomestyles @dreamsonthewall @willlemonheadsupremacy @ivyhyacinth  @hqtchner @hotch-meeeeeuppppp  @mac99martin @ssahotchner99 @jhiddles03 @nuvoleincielo @rqgnarok @reidyoulikeabook @schlooper @ssagube @lexieshuntingsstuff @ohhersheybars @marvelousmsmaggie @whosscruffylooking @ms-panda @panhoeofmanyfandoms @anxious-enby @yougottalovefandoms @saspencereid @insideafictionaluniverse @lumosemily @chvngbin @mxrcury-styles @enchantingwastelandexpert @sunflowerspecter @hotchslatte @joanofarkansass @luciilferss @quillvine @ssaic-jareau @ssareidbby @writefasttalkevenfaster @yougottalovefandoms @this-broken-band-girl @pinkdiamond1016 @suranne-doesstuff  @soupyamanda @bwbatta  @rules0flove @gspenc @agentaaronhotass @littledrlings @little-blue-fishie @beyzasblr @h0tchner @olivegreenfear @infinite-tides @ptrs-prkrs @captainxholmes @maddievevo @thereideffects @arctichotch  @mari-ruby @dontcallmekittens @retrxbarnes @studentville-struggles @plutoneu @timelesstay @sweetcrea-ture @emilyenna @spidermankenobi @fakehxppyy @josephine-fontana05 @baumarvel @ssavanessa22 @nlovesreid @annadorothxa @dynam-0 @csloreen @spideyspence @wroetospidey @1234-angelika @joseph-mozzarella @mayasreadingnook

[winterscaptain]

march.

Aaron Hotchner x Fem!Reader a joyful future fic

a/n: as always, a very special thanks to aimz for making this whole series happen. you’re my right hand babes! couldn’t do it without you. this installment comes to you live from the Fucked Season 11 Timeline (that aimz, of course, helped me build). enjoy!

words: 900 warnings: language, pregnancy, canon-typical gambling (lmao)

summary: “bond didn't defend the practice. he simply maintained that the more effort and ingenuity you put into gambling, the more you took out.” ― ian fleming, casino royale. au!november 2015

masterlist | a joyful future masterlist | ajf faq | taglist | what do you want to see next?

edited for continuity august 31st, 2021

“And, just like that, what will hopefully be my last book is in print!” Dave shows off the final manuscript with a flourish, dropping it in the middle of the conference room table. 

You laugh with the rest of the team, offering all manner of congratulations and well-wishes, but your heart isn’t really in it. Aaron disappeared to the upstairs office after one phone call upon your arrival to the federal building this morning and you haven’t seen him since. 

You’d be lying if you said you weren’t worried. Montolo has been causing trouble lately, and it has everyone wound pretty tight. 

On top of all that, you’ve been meaning to find a time to tell the team about the baby, maybe take everyone out to dinner or something, but everything seems to be moving so fast you can hardly sit down, let alone share anything about your personal lives. 

You are pushing it though. You’re starting to show and you’ve had to let out your work pants as they get tighter, cover the tightness of your shirts with coats and cleverly-tied blazers, etc. Today, it’s a sweatshirt. 

Fuck it. It’s Saturday. 

Aaron and Emily walk in, looking more than a little concerned. You meet his eyes and offer him the smallest of smiles. He barely returns it - it’s more in his eyes than his mouth. 

“It seems the time for good news is over,” Emily says. “Unless anyone else has anything life-changing to share.” There’s a note of sarcasm in her voice, but your eyes inadvertently flicker to Aaron. 

After a moment, you check to make sure you haven’t given yourselves away.

You miss Dave, studying you both. “Something tells me we’re not finished with the good news.” He laces his fingers. “Am I right?”

The room quiets and everyone looks at you, the subject of Dave’s scrutiny. You clear your throat and Aaron rounds the table, standing behind you with his hands braced on the back of your chair. “Is anyone doing anything in March?” You ask. “Say… around the twenty-fourth?”

They all look a little puzzled, some shaking their heads just the barest amount.

You can’t hold back the smile on your face as you tell him, “Just checking. I would hate to interrupt any prior engagements with a trip to Walter Reed.” 

Aaron snorts. Smooth. 

You tap his hand. Shut up. 

Aaron snorts and Derek frowns. “What do you -” 

All at once, the confusion clears from his face, leaving him with a blinding smile. “You’re kidding.” 

You shake your head. “March 24th. A boy.” 

Derek leaps out of his chair and meets you in the middle, picking you up and swinging you in a circle. When he lets you go, he clasps Aaron’s hand in his, grabbing onto his shoulder. They exchange a few words, but your ears are buzzing so much you can’t hear them. 

Dave appears out of nowhere, taking your face in his hands and kissing you on both cheeks before planting a kiss right on your mouth.

 You laugh, smacking his chest. “Don’t get fresh with me, Dave. I’m married now.” 

“Never stopped me before.” He winks at you. 

“Wait!” Emily stops all of you. “March? March 24th?” 

You look at her, turning over your shoulder. “…Yeah.” 

“I knew it!” Her voice is a triumphant shout. “It’s November. You got married in September and you’re due in March. You said spring when you told me. That math does not add up.” She looks unfairly smug. “It doesn’t add up, does it JJ?” 

JJ shakes her head. “Nope.” 

“Pay up, Tara. That’s fifty.” Emily holds out her hand. 

Tara, looking rather hassled, pulls out her wallet and unearths some folded bills. “You knew, didn’t you?” 

“Mhmm.” Emily snatches them from her hand, counting fifty. “You’ve been holding on to this for a while. I’m surprised you even had it on you.” 

Tara shrugs. “Can’t be caught unprepared, Prentiss.” 

Aaron looks at Emily like she’s grown a second head. 

You imagine you look much the same. “You put money on this? That’s not fair.” 

JJ explains, looking at you as she pulls out her wallet. “We had a bet on whether you were pregnant at the wedding or not. The second bet -” 

“Whoa.” Aaron stops her, holding a hand out. “Second bet?” 

“Well, yeah, Hotch, if you’d let me finish,” JJ continues with a sardonic look to your section chief. “I was going to say the second bet was how far along. So.” She turns to you again. “How many weeks?” 

With a sigh, you try to remember. “Twelve?” Looking up at Aaron for confirmation, you still don’t sound sure when you repeat yourself. “Twelve.” 

As usual, he delivers a prompt confirmation. “Twelve.”

You turn back to JJ. “Twelve.”

With a smirk, she puts her wallet away and holds out her hand. “Gimme my cut, Em. I’ve earned it.” 

You scoff and look to Emily again. “What was the bet?” 

“I bet eight, JJ bet twelve.” 

Aaron wraps his arms around you from behind, pressing a kiss to your temple. “So much for a case briefing - it seems our predictability has bit us in the ass once more, my darling.” 

Everyone’s laughing, and maybe, just maybe, you let yourself feel a little joy.

+++

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