Title: Cupcake

Disclaimer: Not mine, no profit made.

Rating: K

Pairing: Hotch/Garcia friendship/pre-ship.

Summary: Garcia makes Hotch's bad days brighter.

Prompt: Cupcake.

The first time they'd had a bad case and Aaron had retreated to his office to find a frosted cupcake on his desk, he'd rolled his eyes at Garcia's underhanded tactics at cheering him up. Still, he'd smiled and devoured the tasty treat, intending to thank the woman later.

Unfortunately, a pile of paperwork and yet more cases had pushed that thought from his mind and he promptly forgot.

The second time, he felt too sick from the images playing in his mind to even eat the pastry but he once again promised himself that he'd thank Garcia the first chance he got.

Once again, he allowed himself to get too caught up in work to remember.

The third time, a frown pushed away his affectionate smile. 'Jason, people need to know that they're important and sometimes you forget that.' He'd spoken those very words to Gideon years ago and here he was, brushing off a gesture of kindness from a wonderful friend just because he needed to get done with paperwork.

Taking hold of the cupcake, Aaron walked briskly down the stairs and straight to Garcia's fortress. He knocked on the door and his ever growing good mood increased more when the reply came.

"Enter here Mortal and prepare to be dazzled."

Stepping through the door, Aaron was indeed dazzled. The tech was wearing a bright yellow dress and white shoes. The cartoon, smiley faced sunflower button that was in her hair made Aaron think of the brightest and happiest days of summer. Of playing catch in the park with Jack and … well it made him happy.

"Ah, my Liege, how may I help you today?" Garcia asked, her tone as bright as her wardrobe.

Taking a step forward, Aaron held out the cupcake and allowed a small smile to brighten his face, "I've been meaning to thank you for these for weeks now."

Looking at the cupcake and biting her lips together to hide a smile, Garcia said in a too-innocent voice, "Those aren't from me."

A small chuckle escaped his chest and as soon as he saw Garcia's eyes light up, he knew she'd been trying to make him laugh.

"Well, whoever they're from has my gratitude." Feeling slightly foolish for what he was about to say, Aaron none the less let himself say it, "I know I can be maudlin sometimes, and I ... I just really appreciate the gesture."

As he turned to leave, a rather humiliating blush forming in his cheeks, the squeak of Garcia's wheeled chair drew his attention.

"You know sir?" Garcia said, smiling at him as he turned, "If all it takes is a cupcake to brighten your day, you may not be as maudlin as you think."

As he watched this woman, this beautiful and selfless woman who surrounded herself with brightness to avoid being consumed by the dark, smile up at him, Aaron smiled a real and genuine grin for the first time in what felt like years.

Looking back at the cupcake, Aaron felt he couldn't put into words how thankful he was to have so wonderful a friend.

"Thank you, Penelope. For ... everything."