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It was just a tie.
That was what Hotch was telling himself, because really that’s all it was. Just a tie. Though to them it didn’t feel like that, it just wasn’t that simple.
Ever since Hotch came out he had been feeling a lot more comfortable with trying out new clothes. They had always wondered when they were younger why women got all the pretty clothes, and then as he grew up they felt awkward about wanting to wear more feminine attire.
It was a small thing really. The tie was purple, instead of his usual red, blue, and black.
It was just a tie.
Hotch took a deep breath. If he didn’t get dressed soon he would be late for work. So they tied the tie. A simple windsor knot, as usual, he wasn’t feeling that adventurous.
They decided it was easier to not look in the mirror afterwards, in case they decided it looked bad or whatever else their brain was determined to conjure up to try and convince them to not wear it.
After getting Jack ready and dropping him off at school Hotch headed to work. He desperately hoped nobody would say anything about the new tie, though he didn’t get his hopes up since Garcia squealed the last time he got a new suit, it wasn’t even a new colour, just a different grey.
The drive was spent in tense silence as they tried to think of anything but the purple tie currently around their neck.
It didn’t work.
Hotch arrived at Quantico, parked his car, and rode the elevator up.
The entire time his heart was beating so hard he felt like it was threatening to come out of his chest. He did his best to school his face into his normal expression, and smoothed down his suit and the elevator doors opened.
He walked out and to his office. As usual he was the first one there, so he was glad that they didn’t have to deal with his team quite yet.
They sat down at their desk and began some paperwork that they hadn’t finished the week before.
It was exactly 23 minutes later when Dave walked into the office.
Hotch heard the glass doors open and refused to make eye contact with Dave as he walked into the office.
They heard Dave drop his stuff into his office and walk out to the coffee maker to begin making his first cup of the day. Hotch, still determined to not make eye contact, focuses on his paperwork.
Dave walked into their office and deposited a cup of coffee on their desk.
“Thanks” Replied Hotch, still looking at his paperwork.
“Something wrong?” Questioned Rossi.
“Nope.” replied Hotch.
Rossi said nothing, staying for a moment then leaving to begin his own paperwork.
Hotch was relieved when he left, though they were sure Rossi noticed the unusual tie colour they were wearing, glad he said nothing.
It was a while later when the rest of the team finally started to file in.
Hotch continued to stay in his office, which wasn’t unusual for them. He just hoped that they wouldn’t have a case today. It was just their luck as JJ knocked on the door calling him to the briefing room.
Hotch told themself to take a deep breath and collect themself before exiting his office to actually see the team.
As they arrive in the briefing room Garcia begins to go over the case. Except Hotch has no idea what she is saying because he is too focused on not freaking out as he makes eye contact with Reid.
‘This is it.’ Hotch thinks to himself. ‘Reid is going to say something about the new colour of my tie and everyone is going to comment on it.’
Thankfully for Hotch, that doesn't happen, instead Reid makes brief eye contact with Hotch and then goes back to looking at the case file. Everyone else was too distracted with the case to observe Hotch’s new tie.
They get on the plane with no incident and just as Hotch thinks he’s in the clear, Emily asks the question he’s been dreading all morning.
“Hey Hotch, did you get a new tie?”
“Uh yeah, I did.” They reply.
“The purple looks good, you should wear more colour.” Emily says.
This gets everyone’s attention.
Hotch is surprised by the responses they get.
“Yeah man, it looks great!”
“You should definitely wear it more often.”
“That purple looks really pleasant on you Aaron.”
That, was not what he was expecting, though deep down Hotch thought they knew they would get nothing but positive feedback from the team. They knew that the team supported them no matter what colour tie they were wearing, or what pronouns they used, but it was still relieving to have verbal confirmation that they did indeed like his tie.
“Thanks.” Hotch says, still a little anxious about it.
The rest of the plane ride went by with little fanfare. As the team were walking to the cars, Hotch fell back behind the others. Reid slowed his walk as well, now beside Hotch.
“Ya know, if you ever want to test out other ties, I have a bunch I’d be happy to let you borrow.”
Reid said, a look of understanding in his eyes.
“I think I’ll take you up on that offer when we get back.” Hotch replied.
Maybe the colour of their tie didn’t matter as much as their brain said it would.