Chapter Text
Prompt: “Do I look like I’m messing around? Do I look like I won’t punish you?”
(Note: Established Hossi and the team knows).
Everyone but Hotch was in the meeting room discussing the latest case they would be solving. Hotch was in his office having an impromptu meeting with Strauss. Already having reviewed the case before Strauss appeared in his office, he instructed the team to begin without him.
After a few minutes, Strauss and Hotch exited the office, Hotch having received an earful about the last case and also being threatened with removal from the team if this case did not go by the book. Feeling agitated, Hotch made his way into the meeting room just as the group was finishing.
The team greeted him, he nodded and then spoke “After our last case, it’s impertinent that everyone follows the rules fully and with no deviations. Strauss is not happy with our last performance and has made it abundantly clear that she will not tolerate any more incidents. I need everyone to have their head on strait and to follow orders as given. Am I clear?” Morgan comments, “Okay but the unsub would likely still be murdering people if we wouldn’t have ‘broken the rules’ Hotch”. “As given means without question or comment”. Morgan looked slightly taken aback but before he could respond Rossi chimed in “He was just making an honest statement”. Hotch looks to his right at Rossi and says “that means you too”.
The rest of team looks between the two with wide eyes. Hotch has never been known to respond so harshly to his partner of several months (officially).
Rossi stands, “Potresti voler ripensare a quel tuo tono". (You may want to rethink that tone of yours.)
“O cosa?” (Or what?) Hotch says boldly, turning to face him.
“Sembra che stia scherzando? Sembro che non ho intenzione di punirti?" (Do I look like I’m messing around? Do I look like I won’t punish you?).
After a few tense seconds of Rossi staring Hotch down, Hotch swallows and turns back to the team with a slight blush on his cheeks. “As I said, let’s do our best. Wheels up in 30,” he says and walks out of the room towards his office, Rossi following behind.
The team begins to leave the meeting room but Emily doesn’t move. She has her fingers pressed against her skull and a look of “what the fuck did I just hear” on her face. “What did they say?” Reid asks her. She looks to him then out the door, “You don’t wanna know”.