#this song at first i was listening to it only a few times

[ssahotchnerr]

Hotch x reader where he comes home from a long exhausting case across the country to find the smell of fresh gingerbread and reader in his hoodie and pjs decorating little gingerbread men and listening to christmas music (specifically nat king col's the christmas song is what I'm imagining) waiting for him to get home? Pls and thank<3

warmth of home

omg <3333 cw; fem!reader, established relationship, aaron self deprecating :(, mentions of haley, a lot a lot a lot of fluff <3 wc; 1.2k

After a long and gruesome case, Aaron couldn't begin to describe the instant comfort that filled his chest as he unlocked the door, knowing you were on the other side.

But upon his entry, the snowflakes lingering in his hair thawing instantly, the level of comfort was beyond what he expected. In addition to the inviting glow of the living room - you always left a light on - he was immediately met with the sweet smell of gingerbread. And so the first place he looked for you, the kitchen.

You had heard him enter, so when his footsteps entered the room, you turned from the oven. A spatula was in hand, and your cheeks were flushed due to the warmth of baking. With a breath of relief, "You're home."

Aaron's eyes softened at the sight of you, and while he was genuinely thrilled to see you, he had intended to force a bit more enthusiasm for your sake, but it was unnecessary. Just the sight of you caused all stressors to evaporate, he moved his feet forward.

With an arm around your waist, he immediately pressed his face into your neck. He was met with the traces of your shampoo, perfume, the warmth of your body, things he found himself yearning for when away. However, there was the obstacle of your hoodie, the hood bunching up and limiting both access and contact.

He released his hold, only to swiftly turn you around so you were facing him instead.

"This looks awfully familiar." His fingers moved to your sides, grasping the sweatshirt's fabric and pulling you flush against him by it.

Seeing you in his clothes warmed his heart in a way he couldn't describe; you, finding a way to feel close to him as he was gone.

You widened your eyes in dramatized innocence. You looked down, as if it were the first time you've ever seen it. "Does it?"

"I believe it's from my side of the closet?"

Your head tilted to the side, "Really? I don't recall."

"Looks better on you anyway." He laughed, leaning in and kissing you softly. Now, he was finally home. Some weight of the world alleviating off his shoulders.

You sensed it, knowing him better than he knew himself. After letting your lips linger for a couple seconds longer, you pulled away to peer up at him. "Rough case?"

Aaron grimaced slightly, brushing a strand of hair away from your face. "The past few days were long. Brutal. Just feeling more drained is all."

You pouted, the head-on view allowing you to study his face. His five o'clock shadow was more prominent, surprisingly he hadn't shaved in a day or two. A delay in upkeep, a sure sign of his stress also.

Your hand raised to his jaw, feeling the coarse hair. "I can tell. You look tired babe."

He felt it, too. The downward pull of his eyelids, exhaustion coursing through his body, longing to lay down (besides you) and adequately sleep.

Before his prolonged silence began worrying you further - he could already tell from the look on your face - he grabbed your hand, clasping it in his and holding to his chest. "I'm fine, seriously. Just couldn't wait to be home. Couldn't wait to see you."

"Then, I'm all yours until further notice. And more." You pecked his lips, your eyes filled with understanding and glowing with affection. You were here for him, to be the pair of listening ears if he so decided to share.

While he was tempted, he also wanted to push it aside, to revel in being home first and foremost. Aaron's gaze fell into the countertop behind you.

"You were quite busy." He commented, his eyes scanning the counter, an army of gingerbread men on the cooling trays.

"We were. But sadly my sous chef had a bedtime so it became more of a one woman job," Your arm fell behind him, rubbing his back softly. "It was nice though. Although not the intended purpose, it was a good distraction. I don't know what to do with myself when you're en route home." You laughed, pursing your lips into a soft smile. "I can't wait."

Aaron laughed softly, leaning his head against yours.

"I was just about to frost them." You quickly transferred the last few, "Wanna help? Or you can go unwind. Shower, put on something comfy, go to sleep. The choice is yours."

Despite his want for sleep, spending time with you was much more appealing. "I think I'll go with being your alternative sous chef."

With the Christmas music softly playing, and the tree illuminating in the background, an outsider would think this was a date night and not a last minute plan.

Despite how tired he looked, and surely felt, Aaron looked perfectly content icing the cookies. His suit jacket and tie were discarded, sleeves rolled up and shirt unbuttoned, exposing his t-shirt underneath. His concentration was unwavering, his eyebrows cast downward as he piped faces and other traits onto the cookies. Aaron found it grounding as well, a sense of normalcy after a treacherous caseload.

You soon found yourself focusing on him rather than the cookies, unwilling to tear your gaze away.

After a while his eyes lifted, to check on your work, but found your loving stare. His face pulled into amusement, familiar with your ogling tendencies. "What? Am I doing something wrong?"

"On the contrary," You briefly shook your head, with a smile, "You're just cute."

"You know..." Aaron began, giving his gingerbread man a tie. "I was thinking."

"You were?" Your eyes widened, feigning perplexity, "I'm so proud of you, honey."

"Ha ha." He playfully rolled his eyes, a smile forming on his lips. A laugh escaped you as his eyes dropped again, "Thank you."

Your nose crinkled in confusion, "For...?"

"For doing things like this, for Jack." Aaron candidly shared, setting a cookie aside. "Haley was always good at things like this too. Making the holidays more special, eventful. I'm not so savvy in the department. I probably would've never thought of baking gingerbread cookies."

"Aaron, you've would've. You have to give yourself credit where it's due. You're doing fine. You've been doing fine. Outstanding, even."

Aaron shrugged, the memory of the Halloween cookies he and Jack did flashing to mind. Maybe you weren't wrong. Truthfully, he didn't want to somehow taint Jack's future memories - that he wasn't doing enough and Jack wouldn't have fond, memorable things to look back on.

"I know he loves it," He gestured to the array of treats, "And I hope you know that I speak for the both of us when I say you're everything to us." His eyes met yours, meaning it with everything in him and more. "Thank you."

"Of course." You breathed out, blush tinting your cheeks.

While he was thinking crazy (and sadly understandably so), you felt tremendously touched. The small things never went unnoticed. "I'd do anything for Jack. For you. Always."

Aaron offered you a smile, his eyes shining in silent adoration before the two of you got back to work, love profusely radiating between the both of you throughout.

"We should save some for Jack to frost." Aaron broke the silence after a while, his sentence ending in a yawn as he got up from his seat.

"And you're worried you're not making things special for him. You sweet man and father." You scoffed lightly, embracing him and holding him tight. "C'mon, let's head to bed."

[misshoneyimhome]

willy the swiftie is my favorite! what fic would you write for him since cardigan is his favorite song?

Oh babe, this sparks so many ideas ❤️ I suppose it really depends on whether William is more of a lyrics kind of guy or a melody kind of guy—does he actually pay attention to the lyrics and feel a connection to the story, or does he just enjoy the vibe, letting the soothing sounds help him relax 🧘🏼‍♀️?

I can absolutely picture him being the latter, which gives such cosy, lazy sofa vibes. The two of you lounging on the couch with a film or TV show you’ve both seen so many times that there’s no need to pay much attention. His thumb softly tracing circles on your arm as you lean against his chest, both of you simply enjoying the stillness and each other’s company.

But if he’s the type who really listens to the lyrics, trying to understand the meaning and connect with it, then that could inspire such a different moment -

➼｡ﾟ

Cardigan I William Nylander ✐

William Nylander wasn’t the type to dwell on the past. Sure, he’d occasionally get nostalgic about his childhood in Sweden or reminisce about a big hockey win from years ago, but he was more of a live in the moment kind of bloke. Unless it involved hockey stats, line combinations, or plays, he didn’t overthink much.

But over the past few weeks, something peculiar had started to happen. A specific song kept cropping up—first on the radio in his car, then in the middle of a shuffle on his Spotify playlist. Cardigan by Taylor Swift.

At first, he hadn’t thought much of it. It was catchy, sure, but not the sort of song he’d usually pay attention to. Yet, for some reason, he found himself letting it play instead of skipping it. And then, one evening, as he sat alone in his Toronto flat after practice, the lyrics stopped him in his tracks.

“And when I felt like I was an old cardigan under someone’s bed, you put me on and said I was your favourite.”

The line tugged at something deep inside him, stirring a memory he hadn’t allowed himself to revisit in years. He leaned back on the sofa, staring out at the city lights, the words echoing in his head.

“You drew stars around my scars, but now I’m bleeding.”

A sharp pang spread through his chest—unexpected, almost like his heart had skipped a beat. And just like that, your face appeared in his mind, vivid and unshakable.

He thought of you.

The way you used to look at him with those eyes that seemed to see straight through him, past all the bravado and the hockey jerseys. The sound of your laugh when he’d tease you about your so-called “armchair coaching,” only for you to throw some obscure stat back at him to prove him wrong. The way you’d made him feel like he was more than just a player, more than just a number on a jersey.

He hadn’t let himself think about you in years. Not since that last argument—the one where you’d accused him of caring more about hockey than you, and he’d said you deserved someone who wouldn’t have to split his life between love and a career.

But now, as the song played softly in the background, it was as though the lyrics were unlocking something he’d carefully tucked away. He thought about the way you used to call him “Willy” with that teasing lilt, the way you’d sit beside him at the rink, bundled in scarves and gloves, cheering him on.

He thought about how much he missed you.

William ran a hand through his hair, frustrated with himself for letting his mind wander like this. It wasn’t like him. He was the sort of guy who kept moving forward, who focused on the next game, the next goal, the next win.

But as Cardigan faded into the next song, the weight in his chest lingered. It wasn’t just the music. It was you. You had always been there, somewhere in the back of his mind, like a favourite cardigan tucked away but never truly forgotten.

And for the first time in years, William allowed himself to wonder: Did you ever think about him, too?

[starry-bi-sky]

realizing i have. a lot of untapped trauma potential for clone^2 danny because i just Fully Processed Four Months Late the fact that his parents were capturing and torturing ghosts in the basement before he became Phantom. and the fact that he was on house rest for 2 weeks. during that time period. and he wasn't really leaving the house. he could hear their screaming through the floorboards

*points at clone danny* i can give you suuuuuuch a bad time babe ahaha. i've got two untouched years before you meet damian what fucks you up before then

[shy-sapphic-ace]

Guys should I write a Dracula musical. Should I???

[numbuh424]

going to reread noelverse just to feel something again, wish me luck

[cauldron-burn-and-fire-bubble]

control (2019) + king of pain by the police

[oddmeu]

if there’s one thing I will never doubt myself in it’s my my taste in music

[politemagic]

I was waiting in the car listening to music earlier and I just know Mr. Politemagic was not prepared to come back to the car and see me in tears bc I can never get enough of this song

[bestparsley]

Song - Strange Sight by KT Tunstall

[roadimusprime]

we need to talk about how Eve Was Weak from the musical Carrie is one of the most intense and uncomfortable musical numbers to be put on stage.

[wavernot4love]

oh my brain is truly mush this time what do you mean i have clancy AND (suddenly) nex gen to process in less than an hour what a fine evening this is to be alive

[gibbearish]

am finally back home and can say without a doubt that i am just fundamentally not built for long distance travel however the train was much nicer than planes

[quasieli]

Folks we're feeling some gender in the house tonight, introduced to us by whatever the fuck Stromae's got going on.

[puppys-rhythm-heaven]

i'm surprised i still haven't listened to big shot more than either of these-

[thelastspeecher]

my biggest takeaway from the Disney Channel Original Movie trilogy that is ZOMBIES, ZOMBIES 2, and ZOMBIES 3 isn't anything to do with their poorly handled metaphors for racism, land sovereignty, and being biracial

no, it's that this town, which has become home to humans, zombies, werewolves, aliens, vampires, and merfolk by the end of the third movie, clearly has the same weirdness magnetism thing that Gravity Falls has

[schwhoopsie]

idc what anyone says. shake it off and ME! are actually great songs