Work Text:
Aaron looked through the bag he packed for Jack, making sure he had a first aid kit, some favorite action figures, and a water bottle. When his phone rings, he looks at the caller ID. “Hey Morgan. Are you there yet?”
”Yeah Hotch. I am setting up to jog the track around the playground. Reid is in the car, he will head to a nearby bench where he can observe once Black arrives.”
”Ok good. Jack and I are leaving now, we will be there in 15.”
Aaron hangs up the phone, and grabs the b at, “Jack! Come get your shoes on bud, its time to go to the park.”
His son comes running from his room and Aaron can’t help but smile. He is wearing two different tennis shoes, one green and one blue.
”Hey bud, what’s going on here?” He gestures at the footwear.
“I couldnt decide daddy so I am wearing both.”
Aaron debates for a moment, but they are the same kind of shoe, so it seems like a battle not worth having.
”Come on, let’s get in the car. You ready to meet Teddy?”
”Yes! I have my dinosaurs in my pocket, do you think he will like them?”
”I am sure you both will have fun playing with them.”
When Aaron arrived at the park and unloaded Jack, he could see Hadrian already near the swings with a little boy. Hadrian wore jeans and an oversized sweater today that made him seem smaller somehow. The little boy is wearing a soft sweater and a knit hat. Aaron frowned, it is a touch chilly, the autumn weather starting to make itself known, but he didn’t think it was quite cold enough for a hat.
Hadrian catches sight of Aaron and leans over to speak to the little boy, who hops off the swing and takes his hand. They both make their way to Aaron and Jack.
“Hello Aaron, it’s a pleasure to meet again. This is my son Teddy.”
Teddy holds his hand out to Aaron, and very seriously shakes it. Aaron bites back a smile of amusement.
Teddy looks at Jack and holds his hand out, “Hello! My name is Edward but daddy calls me Teddy. Are you Jack?”
Jack shakes Teddy’s hand and nods, “Yes, I’m Jack. Do you like dinosaurs?” He pulls out dinosaur figures from his pocket.
Teddy lights up, nodding excitedly. “Can we go play dad?”
Hadrian smiles at the boys, “Yes, but remember the rules?”
Teddy scrunches his face, “Don’t leave the mulch areas, if a grownup tries to talk to me yell pervert and run to you, and be kind to other kids.”
Hadrian strokes his cheek, “You've got it kiddo, go on now.”
The boys run to the playground, heading for the castle tower, and Hadrian and Aaron walk to the bench nearby that gives a clear view of the equipment. Aaron sees that Hadrian has a large bag, and a cooler as well. Subtly looking around, he sees Morgan jogging near by, and Reid has just made his way to a bench not too far away, book in hand.
Hadrian looks at Aaron, “Well, it seems they are starting off well,” his lips twitch in amusement.
“Yes, dinosaurs do seem to be a unifying topic. Teddy is very polite.”
”Thank you. He likes rules and structure, it makes it easier for him to understand expectations.”
”So, tell me about you both. What led you to leaving England? I can’t imagine leaving family and friends would make being a single parent easier.”
Hadrian is quiet for a moment.
“The attacks that occurred left some very deep wounds in my community. I can’t speak to much of it, due to security agreements, but what I can say is a lot of people died, and entire families were destroyed. I am the last of my entire family, a family that could be traced back centuries. Teddy has a ….something cousin however many times removed, but his entire family was also wiped out. His cousin moved to America when we did, so Teddy has that bit of familial connection, but Draco has decided to pursue education in New York, so we don’t see much of him at the moment. Not many of my friends survived either. I maintain contact with a couple, who will always be my chosen family, but being in England was a constant reminder of our losses, and so I decided we needed to start somewhere without that kind of baggage.”
Aaron nodded, that was reasonable and understandable. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, Hadrian was moving off the bench jogging towards the jogging track. Before Aaron could say anything, Hadrian had stepped in front of Morgan making him stop his run.
”Why are you watching our kids.” It would almost be comical to see this tiny 5’2” man coming up against someone like Morgan, but his posture was loose, predatory, prepared to fight.
“I don’t know what you are talking about man, step off, I am just getting a run in.” Morgan’s stance was defensive, his gaze calculating.
“No. You and that man on the bench have been watching our boys since we got here, and you have been signaling each other. I think you need to leave, now.” At his words Reid stiffened, all pretense of reading abandoned. Aaron glanced at the boys and noticed Teddy had pulled Jack over to the bench where their bags were. Jack looked confused, but Teddy looked protective, his body blocking Jack from view of the others.
Aaron decided to step in.
“Hadrian, these are two of my agents at the BAU. Derek Morgan” he indicated the jogger, “and Dr. Spencer Reid. I apologize for alarming you.”
Hadrians posture immediately relaxed and he stepped back. He looked at the men and smiled, “It’s lovely to meet you both. You must all be very close to take measures to ensure that Aaron and Jack are protected. Would you like to join us for lunch? I made enough for an army.”
He was moving towards the boys before he even finished speaking, leaning over and hugging Teddy and speaking softly to him. Teddy relaxed as well and smiled. They gathered their items and headed to a picnic table the boys getting settled while Hadrian unpacked the food he made.
Derek looked at Aaron, “Well, I don’t think you have to worry about Black not picking up on threats. Although you might have to worry about him biting off more than he can chew, kid is doll sized.” He laughed at the thought of Hadrian trying to fight him.
“He does seem to be vigilant, did you notice that Teddy was immediately aware of Hadrian addressing the threat and relocating himself and Jack out of the enclosed area they were in? They have likely practiced how to handle emergency scenarios. Teddy was also guarding Jack, it appears he is mirroring the protective behavior he has observed in Hadrian.” Spencer spoke while watching the three finish setting up the lunch that Hadrian brought.
”Yes, Hadrian does seem quite protective, although from what I understand about his history, it is warranted.”
”I don’t think you could find anyone safer for Jack, Hotch, if I am being honest.” Morgan advised.
Aaron nodded, and the three men moved to the join the other three. He was surprised to see the amount of food laid out, from fresh sliced fruits, to a variety of sandwiches, small homemade cakes, and raw veggies. Everything easy to eat with hands, but well made. Jack had a plate already and was happily eating the fruit from it.
“Hadrian, I think this will work out well. Would you be able to start on the first of next month?”
Hadrian beamed at him, and Aaron’s stomach heated slightly at the emerald green eyes crinkling, and the dimple in his cheek.
“Yes, that would be perfect.”
”Good. I will schedule time with you next week so you can see the house, and we can work out details and paperwork at that time.”
”I look forward to taking care of you both.” Hadrian turned and continued helping the boys with their food, while Aaron froze momentarily at the phrasing of that statement. Morgan observed the both of them, then grinned to himself before stacking sandwiches on his plate.
This was going to be interesting.