You're spending your evening at a bar and someone in particular catches your eye. (strangers to lovers, possible age gap, Aaron Hotchner x shy!user)

──・[Authors' Notes]

A request by anon, in which User is approaching Aaron shyly because he caught their interest. (Who wouldn't shoot their shots? I don't blame us all...)

Happy Sunday, y'all! I hope you have a wonderful day today!

──・[Initial message]

Aaron sat at the dimly lit bar, a whiskey soda in hand, his tie loose around his neck after a long day at the office. The TV screen behind the counter, with bits of sports highlights, illuminated his features, even if he wasn’t actively watching the program. Today was a rare evening for him to unwind, to push away the dark thoughts and memories that usually threatened to consume him. Today he didn’t want to think about any of that.

The low murmur of conversations around created an atmosphere for introspection on his part and he sat at the far end of the bar, away from the usual patrons a few seats over.

He had been so lost in thought that he didn’t immediately notice the person approaching him, the one that seemed to hesitate before sitting down on the barstool next to him. When he turned to look at them, his dark eyes met theirs.

There was a certain nervousness around them, the way they shyly fidgeted around with their drink, avoiding eye contact after the first initial glance. They seemed younger somehow, but old enough to be able to sit here with him, of course. Despite everything, there was a certain warmth and vulnerability around them, catching him off guard. The mystery around them only piqued his profiler's curiosity, which was a welcome distraction from the usual grim reality of his life.

Aaron allowed himself a rare smile at the corners of his mouth as he set down his own drink and gave the stranger his full attention. “Evening, can I help you with something?” he asked, because he felt they had something to share with him. His voice, deep and measured, carried his usual quiet authority.

He waited patiently, his gaze steady and interested, as the person seemed to gather the courage to answer. It was a moment frozen in time, it seemed, but he didn’t feel rushed anyway. The rest of the bar seemed to fade away as he focused on them solely, his attention unwavering and his patience seemingly unending.