Still Here

by Anonymous

Summary:

A continuation of the conversation between JJ and Emily in Evolution 18x05, because we all saw those yearning eyes Emily gave JJ and it needed to be addressed.

Chapter 1

Girl’s night had been long overdue by the time JJ, Tara, and Rebecca had found themselves scattered around Garcia’s apartment.

Just as they finished off the first bottle of wine, Emily showed up, waltzing in through the front door apologizing profusely.

“About time you got here,” Garcia said, ushering her to the couch and pushing her down.

Emily laughed, barely holding onto the contents in her hands. “I said I was sorry,” She said, sending an apologetic smile to JJ who she’d nearly landed on when Garcia shoved her. “I was stuck in a meeting, but I brought peace offerings.”

“Thank you very much,” Tara said, swiping a brownie from Emily’s hands before settling back in the love seat, ripping the brownie in half and offering it to Rebecca.

“And for you,” Emily said with a grin, holding up another bag of the infamous cheetos to JJ.

“Oh my god,” JJ laughed, shaking her head as she took the bag. “Do you want me to humiliate myself in front of everyone?”

Emily rolled her eyes and patted JJ’s leg. “Only a little.” Emily grinned, then settled back into the couch beside JJ, who was eyeing the bag warily.

“You remember what happened last time.”

Emily cracked up. “How could I forget? You told me the room was shrinking and laid on the couch so wrong I thought you’d end up on the floor.”

“It was comfortable,” JJ muttered, tearing the bag open anyway.

Tara raised her glass. “To THC and poor decisions.”

“Cheers,” Rebecca echoed, clinking her wine glass lazily against Tara’s before slumping deeper into the loveseat.

---

They spent the next couple of hours gossiping, laughing, and enjoying a brief moment of normal in the midst of their jobs, but before long Rebecca was smothering a yawn against Tara’s shoulder.

“On that note, I think I need to tap out.”

Tara glanced down at her, smiling fondly as she ran her hand up and down Rebecca’s arm. “You good to drive?”

Rebecca lifted her phone. “Already ordered us a car. It’s two minutes away. If I don’t sleep this off, I’m going to feel ninety tomorrow.”

Tara laughed, helping Rebecca up. “Don’t need that. Let’s get you to bed.”

They gathered their things, giving everyone hugs and mumbled goodbyes. JJ leaned her head back on the couch once the front door clicked shut behind them, the substances in her body making the couch feel even more impossible to leave.

Garcia yawned loudly and stretched her arms above her head. “Okay, I’m officially turning into a pumpkin. This girl needs her beauty rest.”

“You? Never,” JJ grinned, patting Garcia’s cheek when she leaned down to kiss JJ’s, then Emily’s.

“Goodnight, my loves. You’re welcome to stay the night. Emily, you know where all the pillows and quilts are?”

“Yes ma’am,” Emily said, but she didn’t move an inch.

At some point in their last movie, JJ’s legs had ended up across Emily’s lap. They were still there now, and JJ quite frankly had never felt more content in her entire life.

“I’m never moving from this spot ever again,” JJ mumbled as the apartment became silent. She didn’t even open her eyes when Emily hummed her agreement.

JJ wasn’t entirely sure when the edibles hit, but God were the effects clear now that she had no more distractions. One minute she was enjoying the cheesy rom-com playing on the TV, laughing along with the rest of the women, and the next she was pleasantly sinking into the couch cushions, content to let them swallow her whole.

With Emily. Just her and Emily. Emily…

“Hey, Em?” JJ asked suddenly. Her words a little slurred as she searched for them.

Emily hummed again. “Mhm?”

“Can I ask you a question?”

“You just did,” Emily said.

JJ scoffed. “Can I ask two?”

JJ heard Emily’s snicker and cracked her eyes open. “What?”

“You just asked two,” Emily grinned, and JJ did her best in her position to playfully kick her in the stomach.

“Can I ask you all of the questions?”

“Now that sounds like the cheetos talking,” Emily smirked, but nodded. “What's up?”

JJ sighed, dropping her head back against the armrest but looking at Emily now. “What you said back at the station, a few weeks ago, about… Andrew?”

Emily’s brows pinched together, frowning before she laughed. “The threesome?”

“Yeah, that,” JJ nodded, sitting up. “You said that was the reason you two ended things.”

“It was,” Emily said, slowly, like she was trying to figure out why JJ was bringing this up now.

“You said you never got far enough to pick someone,” JJ said, shrugging. “But when I asked if it was me, the way you looked at me, Em… I don’t think I believe you.”

Emily’s eyes widened and she choked on nothing. “What?”

“You just… you looked at me for a long time. I wouldn’t have been mad if you talked about it. I guess I’m just curious.”

“We really didn’t pick anyone,” Emily said, chewing on her bottom lip. “But truthfully, after the third or fourth time he brought it up, I started toying with the idea. It wasn’t intentional, but you were the first person that popped into my mind.”

JJ’s eyes widened. Even if she’d assumed when Emily first mentioned it weeks ago, hearing that Emily had actually considered having sex with her had JJ’s cheeks burning.

“I’d have never actually gone through with it. I don’t know why I even told you about it at all. I think… you just needed a laugh. And I thought… God I just wanted to help you however I could, JJ. I don’t know why that was what I came up with.”

JJ interrupted quietly before Emily could ramble further. “But, did you want to?”

Emily frowned. “Did I want to what?”

JJ held her gaze. “Ask me. Back then. If I’d been single, or things had been different… would you have asked?”

Emily’s mouth pressed into a tight line. She looked down, bit her bottom lip, and let out a measured breath.

“I don’t think there’s a good answer for that,” she muttered.

“Emily,” JJ said.

Emily sighed again before finally answering. “No.”

JJ sat up straight, surprised and a little hurt at how quickly Emily had come to that conclusion. “Oh.”

Emily groaned, covering her face with her hands. “It’s not… It wasn’t you, JJ.”

JJ’s heart dropped a little further, and she blamed the edibles and alcohol in her system for her inability to hide the disappointment in her tone. “Who was it then? If you were going to go through with it, who -“

“No,” Emily cut in, voice sharper. She dropped her hands and looked straight at JJ. “You weren’t ever the issue in the equation.”

JJ blinked slowly. “What do you mean?”

“Andrew,” Emily said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “I didn’t… I didn’t like the idea of him being part of it. I didn’t want to watch him with you.”

JJ balked at that. “You were jealous?”

Emily let out a breathy laugh in response. “In a way. But not how you’re thinking.”

JJ was quiet for a second, trying to search through the fog of weed and wine in her head. “Okay, so…”

Emily leaned forward, elbows on her knees, voice low and almost reluctant when she spoke again. “I’d have been jealous of him, JJ.”

JJ’s stomach did a little flip and she swallowed, mouth feeling suddenly dry.

Emily didn’t look at her, just stared a hole in the floor. “The idea of being with you was the only appealing part of it. But if being with you meant watching him touch you, I knew I wouldn’t survive it. I knew I’d hate him for it, and our relationship would have ended regardless. Better to rip the bandaid off before I put myself through that.”

JJ’s voice came out soft when she finally found it. “Emily…”

Emily looked at her again, eyes glassy for just a moment before she blinked the budding tears away. “I didn’t mean to just drop that on you, and maybe this is the wine talking, but I’m not sorry you know.”

JJ swallowed, her heart beating too fast for her to form a proper sentence. “Okay.”

“Okay?” Emily echoed after a long, anxious pause.

JJ nodded, dazed. “Yeah. I… I don’t really know what to say to that,” she said, before bursting into a fit of giggles.

Emily looked mortified at first, but when JJ’s hand landed on her shoulder and squeezed hard, Emily couldn’t help but laugh with her.

“I’m not laughing at you,” JJ said, finally catching her breath. “I think my body is malfunctioning a little. This is relief though, and, other things, but thank you for telling me.”

Emily laughed a few more moments, but her face was still concerned, like there was more on her mind.

“I haven’t really dated since Andrew,” she said after a moment, her hands moving around in front of her before she clasped them together and held them in her lap. “I think after we broke up… I let myself admit something I’d been ignoring for years.”

JJ forced herself to stay serious, and to ignore the deeply complicated feelings swirling around in her stomach to listen to what Emily had to say.

“I’m gay,” Emily said, voice steady but quieter than before. “A lesbian. I always had a feeling, but after him, after everything… it just clicked. I realized I wasn’t interested in men at all. Not really. I think I’d been trying to convince myself otherwise for most of my life.”

JJ didn’t speak, but there was no judgment in her eyes as she smiled at Emily. Just quiet, open acceptance.

“I haven’t told many people,” Emily added. “Not because I’m ashamed. It just felt like… mine. And I didn’t want to explain it. Not yet.”

JJ gave a tiny nod. “Thank you. For telling me.”

Emily looked at her. “You’re not weirded out?”

JJ raised an eyebrow. “Do I look weirded out?”

Emily laughed, the tension in her shoulders easing just a little as she shook her head.

JJ let out a slow breath, gathering her thoughts. “I’ve known I’m bi for a while. Since college, maybe sooner.”

Emily’s eyebrows jumped up, but she quickly leveled her expression, scooting in a little close as JJ spoke.

“I didn’t talk about it. Not to anyone but the handful of people at school that I trusted. My family… after my sister… it just felt like there wasn’t space for me to be anything but exactly what they expected. I didn’t want to hide it, really. But I wasn’t going to be the reason things cracked any further.”

Emily nodded with a small, sad smile, like she understood that instinct too well.

JJ gave a tiny shrug. “And then I met Will. And it was easy to just… stay in that lane.”

JJ turned her head slightly toward Emily, a sheepish smile on her lips. “You know, I had a little crush on you when you first joined the BAU.”

Emily sucked in a breath, doing a double take, caught off guard. “Wait, seriously?”

JJ smirked. “You were hot and mysterious and had that whole, I’m new here but I’m not going to take any shit thing going on. Of course I did.”

Emily laughed, but it came out breathier than she expected. “You’re not just saying that because you’re high, feeling nostalgic, and thinking about threesomes?”

JJ’s smile faltered, turning a little more serious. “Not at all.”

Emily’s expression went serious in an instant. Her lips parted as she watched JJ’s face.

JJ leaned back on the couch, tilting her head up toward the ceiling. “I never would’ve done anything about it, not if I wasn’t sure you felt something too. And then you found out about me and will, and told me to go for him, and I just… I don’t know, Em. It was a long time ago.”

“Of course,” Emily said, watching her carefully. “I truthfully had no idea.”

She clenched her jaw, her mind clearly working overtime when JJ glanced back at her.

“If I’d have known… I wouldn’t have…”

“I know,” JJ said with a sad smile. “I don’t know if it would have changed anything, but I don’t really want to think about that.”

Emily swallowed heavily and nodded.

JJ watched her for a few more seconds before blowing out a slow breath. “I’m not really in a place to… think about anything new,” she said, cautiously. “But I’m not closing myself off to that possibility. When the time’s right.”

Emily held her breath, not willing to move a single inch. JJ’s words sucked all the air from her lungs, the implications of them. That maybe, one day, they could get their chance.

JJ didn’t say anything further. She just reached for the half empty bag of cheetos, the normal variety, tossed one into her mouth, and turned to lay back on the couch, her legs sprawled over Emily’s just like they’d started this whole thing.

JJ adjusted the blanket across her legs, the warmth of the wine and weed finally morphing to a kind of quiet stillness that hummed under her skin. She was still reeling, a little, from what she’d said. From what Emily had said. But none of it felt wrong.

Emily shifted slightly to accommodate her, her hand automatically brushing the blanket down over JJ’s shins like it was the most natural thing in the world. Like it hadn’t been years of dancing around each other to get to something this simple.

JJ settled in, head tilted toward the armrest, cheek brushing a plush throw pillow. “God,” she muttered with a tired laugh, “Garcia’s couch is always either the comfiest thing in the world or a medieval torture device depending on the angle.”

Emily smiled, eyes lingering on her face before trailing down to where her hand now rested lightly on JJ’s knee, fingers splayed over the blanket. It wasn’t an intentional touch. Not meant to provoke anything. But she didn’t move it either.

JJ didn’t mind. In fact, she relaxed further into the contact, her shoulders easing like Emily’s simple touch alone was grounding her. Like that touch, however small and subtle, was helping tether her to something steady.

She closed her eyes for a moment, letting herself breathe.

So much had changed in so little time. She was still learning how to exist in the aftermath of Will’s passing, of the grief that snuck up when she least expected it, of the identity she was slowly reclaiming from the ashes of her old life. She wasn’t ready. For anything, really. Not a relationship certainly. Not yet.

But this?

Emily’s presence. Her steadiness. The way she looked at JJ like she wasn’t broken or fragile or in need of fixing, but simply her, just as she’d always been, was something else entirely.

JJ opened her eyes again, gaze trailing to Emily’s profile, soft in the lamp light. “You know,” she said after a beat. “You always have been kind of a mystery.”

Emily laughed quietly. “Yeah? That a good thing or a bad thing?”

JJ shrugged one shoulder, hardly moving. “Depends on the day.”

Emily smirked, tilting her head to meet her gaze. “And today?”

JJ just looked at her for a long moment. “Today, it’s nice. Being next to someone who doesn’t expect anything from me. Who just… gets it.”

Emily didn’t say anything, but she smiled. Her hand on JJ’s knee gave the smallest, almost imperceptible squeeze.

“I’m not in a rush to figure everything out,” JJ continued, eyes flicking toward the ceiling. “And I’m not really sure what’s ahead.”

“None of us are,” Emily said softly, a promise.

“But knowing you’re here,” JJ hesitated, then gave a tiny smile. “It makes the future feel less like a black hole.”

Emily’s lips parted, something unreadable lighting up behind her eyes. She didn’t try to say the perfect thing. She didn’t reach for a perfect, profound line. She just nodded, slow and certain.

“I’m here,” she said plainly, and that was it.

JJ felt something unclench in her chest at the certainty of it. At how real it sounded, even if they were a little buzzed and trying to fit together on Garcia’s couch.

JJ didn’t open her eyes again the next time they shut. She just let herself drift towards sleep, letting the warmth of the blanket and the weight of Emily’s hand remind her she wasn’t alone. Not anymore.

And maybe she didn’t need to know exactly what was going to happen between them - if it would ever become something more, something defined.

But for right now, it was enough that the things they’d left unsaid for years were finally, softly, beginning to come into the light.

It was enough that Emily was here, right beside her, holding her steady without asking her to move.

Chapter 2

Nearly six months had passed since that night at Garcia’s, and with every passing day JJ and Emily’s bond grew stronger than it had ever been. Voit was finally put away for good and they were finally getting back to some semblance of normal.

Tonight JJ stood over the stove, stirring the pot of basil, garlic, and onions until they were nice and browned. The kitchen smelled delicious, a perfect way to wrap up what had been an excruciating work week. The boys were staying with Connie, which gave JJ and Emily a rare night alone.

It had started as casual dinner plans, but for some reason it now felt different. It wasn’t just the way the setting sun coated everything in a rich golden light, or the way Emily looked as she slid her hands into the warm water to wash the dishes as JJ finished with them. It was the way things between them had shifted so naturally, like two people tied together by the same invisible string, quietly pulling closer with each passing day.

“Do you remember the first time you made this?” Emily’s voice broke through JJ’s thoughts, a soft smile playing on her lips as she dried a dish and put it in the cabinet.

JJ laughed under her breath. “The first time? That was a disaster.” She glanced over at Emily, catching the glint of amusement in her eyes. “You said I put too much garlic in it.”

“Which I stand by,” Emily teased, leaning against the counter, her arms crossed. “But it was cute, watching you try so hard to make it perfect.”

JJ rolled her eyes. “You’re lucky I wanted to impress you. And you can never have too much garlic.”

Emily’s eyes softened for a moment, stepping a little closer as JJ dumped some tomato sauce into the pan. The weight of the years between them, the years of closeness and then distance, all leading them to where they stood right now. That one, what Emily thought to be a silly, throwaway comment about a fantasy with her ex, opened them up to the possibility of what if?

“You know,” JJ began, lowering the temperature of the stove as the sauce started bubbling. “I’ve been thinking about that night a lot lately.”

Emily looked up at her, her posture shifting slightly, a mixture of curiosity and caution in her eyes as she leaned back against the counter. “Which night?”

“The night at Garcia’s. When we talked about… everything,” JJ said, voice soft. “When you told me you had thought about me.”

Emily exhaled a slow breath, her eyes lowering for just a moment. “Yeah. I’ve thought about it too. More than I should, probably.”

JJ took a slow step forward, her fingers brushing over the edge of the counter. “I can’t stop thinking about how you said you felt, and why you never told me before.” She met Emily’s eyes, her heart pounding a little louder in her chest now. “I think about how everything’s changed since back then. How we’ve changed.”

The air felt like it grew thick around them, the energy between them charged in a way it hadn’t felt before. Emily’s voice was barely above a whisper when she finally spoke.

“I didn’t know how to say how I felt before, and by the time I really accepted it, you were married, JJ. You had this beautiful family and I wasn’t going to risk ruining it because I finally figured my own feelings out.” She sucked in a ragged breath, blowing it out when JJ stepped closer. “When Andrew mentioned a threesome, it stirred everything back up. My crush that could never be more than that was back full force, and -“

“Wait,” JJ said after a beat, her eyes wide. “Is that why you pulled away?”

Emily frowned, refusing to meet JJ’s eyes.

“Emily,” JJ said, closing the distance between them. “I spent so long wondering what changed, what I’d done to make you stop showing up to girls' nights and stop meeting me for coffee in the mornings. It was -“

“Because every time I was alone with you I thought about what it would be like to be with you? Yeah, JJ. I couldn’t exactly show up to Henry’s elementary school graduation and sit next to his mom while I was thinking about -“

JJ’s lips crashed against Emily’s before another word could leave them.

The first brush of JJ’s lips was tentative, almost questioning, like she wasn’t entirely sure if she was allowed to take this step, to cross this unspoken line. Her mouth hovered a breath away after the first kiss, uncertain, searching Emily’s face for hesitation.

She blew out a sigh of relief when she realized there wasn’t any.

Emily leaned in, catching her lips with her own. This time deeper, hands digging into hips and lips parting to slot together. It was the kind of kiss that lingered and pooled heat low in JJ’s stomach. Something cracked open between them, spilling out all at once.

JJ made a soft sound against Emily’s mouth, something between a gasp and a sigh, and Emily responded by backing her into the counter, hands sliding up under JJ’s top like she’d been waiting years to do just that.

The sauce hissed on the stove behind them, undoubtedly burning, but JJ didn’t care. She held onto Emily like she was starving, gripping her shoulders as her hips pressed forward into Emily’s. The kiss turned urgent fast, lips parting, tongues brushing, breath catching between them in stuttered exhales and quiet, desperate sounds.

Emily tasted like wine and something sweeter. JJ clung to her, pressed into every inch of her she could find, completely and utterly addicted. Her fingers threaded through Emily’s hair, pulling her mouth impossibly closer as she rolled her hips forward again, more purposefully.

Emily pulled back for half a second, eyes glazed over, her voice low and raspy. “JJ, are you sure?”

JJ pulled back just enough to breathe, her forehead resting hard against Emily’s. “I’m sure.”

Emily breathed her in for a few more seconds, like she couldn’t quite believe it, and then she was moving. She turned on her heel and darted to the stove, shoving the pan off the hot burner, sauce sloshing dangerously to the side. The smell of garlic and singed tomato clung to the air, but she didn’t mind. She twisted the knob, turned off the burner, then turned to face JJ with a sharp exhale.

JJ watched her with a wide smile on her face, chest rising and falling, lips kiss swollen, shirt still bunched where Emily had tugged it up.

When Emily turned back around, that look on JJ’s face nearly brought her to her knees.

They met halfway. JJ surged forward and Emily caught her, hands at JJ’s hips, lips crashing again like they couldn’t possibly get close enough. They kissed hard and messy, clashing teeth and tongues because they couldn’t waste the time being cautious. JJ’s fingers found the collar of Emily’s button down and yanked her in closer, twisting the fabric in her fists as their mouths moved hungrily together.

Emily pressed JJ back against the counter again, one hand sliding to her waist, then lower, tracing the curve of her hip until her fingertips dipped just barely into the waistband of JJ’s jeans. JJ made a low sound that vibrated right through Emily’s chest and set every damn nerve on fire.

“Bedroom,” JJ murmured against her mouth, between kisses that barely ceased. “Please.”

Emily nodded, breathless. “Yeah. God, yes.”

JJ grabbed her hand and tugged her toward the hall, not even bothering to flick off the kitchen light. The dinner they’d planned, the quiet night in, had all been forgotten as they stumbled down the hallway, hands clutched tight.

They barely made it through the doorway before JJ turned and kissed Emily again, slow and deep. She reached behind her and pulled Emily in by the hips until they were flush, their bodies pressing together in the quiet, dark bedroom.

JJ’s back hit the edge of the bed as Emily guided her forward, Emily’s hands on her waist, steadying her as they kissed. There was a tremble in Emily’s fingers, barely there, but JJ felt it, and she broke away just enough to look up at her.

“Hey,” she whispered, her voice softer than it had been all night. “We don’t have to rush anything.”

Emily let out a shaky laugh, her eyes flicking down to where her hand still rested against JJ’s waist, thumb circling over her hip bone. “I know. I just… can’t believe I’m actually here with you.”

JJ smiled, small and private, and leaned forward to press a kiss to Emily’s cheek. “You are. And you’re allowed to want this. I want this.”

Emily’s hand came up to cup JJ’s face then, thumb brushing under her cheek. “You’re beautiful,” she said, like she’d been holding the words in for years. “You always have been.”

JJ’s breath caught in her throat. She ducked her head, shy, before slipping her arms around Emily’s waist and tugging her down gently onto the bed with her.

They landed in a tangle of limbs and laughs, the mattress dipping beneath them. JJ rolled onto her side, fingers tracing the curve of Emily’s jaw as their laughter faded into something heavier. She leaned in to kiss her again, firm and slow, and Emily’s hand eventually slipped under the hem of JJ’s shirt.

JJ sucked in a sharp breath, her body tensing up just slightly.

Emily’s hand stilled, moving back to more neutral territory. “Too fast?”

“No,” JJ said quickly, taking a shaky breath. “Just… new.” She looked at Emily, eyes softening as she leaned in and kissed her briefly. “It’s been a long time since anyone’s seen me like this.”

Emily brushed their noses together, her voice barely a whisper. “Same here.”

That confession cracked something open between them. JJ guided Emily’s hand back to her skin, and slowly, they found their rhythm again.

For as frantic as they’d felt just a few moments ago, they took their time now. Fingers skimming each other's ribs, and hips, and backs, like they were both trying to memorize every dip and curve of the other’s body. JJ’s breath hitched when Emily’s hand slipped beneath the hem of her shirt again, but she nodded, quiet encouragement in her eyes.

Emily lifted JJ’s shirt carefully, eyes scanning every inch of newly revealed skin as it became visible. JJ’s hands trembled as she unbuttoned Emily’s blouse, slow and unsure, pausing briefly when her fingers brushed the faint scar near Emily’s ribs.

When their torsos were bare, JJ leaned forward and pressed a kiss there, soft and lingering, before resting their foreheads together. Her hands slid up Emily’s back, skin warm beneath her palms, keeping her in the moment.

They each worked the other out of their jeans next, a clumsy sort of dance that made them both laugh quietly as they shuffled and shifted on the bed. Emily paused after pulling JJ’s down, kneeling between her legs, her fingers playing with the edge of JJ’s underwear, but her gaze had gone a little distant.

JJ caught it, of course. Caught the way Emily stilled, like she was thinking too much. And suddenly, a memory bubbled up in JJ’s mind. That teasing comment Emily had made in hopes of pulling a laugh from JJ. If I wanted to disappoint two people at once…

JJ reached up and touched her jaw, gently turning Emily’s face toward her. Then she pulled her forward and kissed the corner of her mouth. “Hey,” she whispered. “You don’t have to prove anything. Just do what feels right.”

Emily let out a breath she’d been holding. She leaned into JJ’s touch for a beat, and when she pulled back, there was something steadier behind her eyes. Her fingers found JJ’s wrist, her grip gentle but sure.

“Lie back for me,” Emily said, voice low but clear. “I want to see you.”

JJ gasped but nodded, heat pooling low in her belly at the shift in Emily’s tone. She did as she was told, falling back against the pillows, eyes fixed on Emily as she crawled up and hovered above her. There was excitement in the way Emily looked at her now, confidence that wasn’t there before.

JJ’s hands drifted to the waistband of her underwear as Emily watched her. Emily met her eyes, then reached down and gently moved JJ’s hands away. She hooked her fingers into the fabric and slid it down slowly, keeping her eyes on JJ’s the whole time, drinking her in.

Once JJ was fully bare beneath her, Emily paused. This moment wasn’t about urgency or acting on some impulse. This was JJ, her best friend, her constant, the only person who made her feel like love wasn’t something she had to settle for.

JJ reached up then, fingertips brushing Emily’s shoulders as she eased the bra straps down, reaching behind her back to undo the clasp. The fabric caught briefly at Emily’s elbow, then slipped away, leaving nothing between them. Emily leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to JJ’s mouth, then another, her body lowering until she could feel every inch of warmth between them.

“Tell me what you like,” Emily whispered, her voice low and rough, one hand curving gently around JJ’s side.

JJ looked up at her, her bottom lip pulled between her teeth. “I just want you, Em. Anything. Everything.”

That trust nearly undid her. Emily kissed her again, this time hungrier. JJ moaned softly into her mouth, arching up, her hands threading into Emily’s hair, pulling her close like she couldn’t bear to let her go.

Their legs tangled together, and when Emily shifted, her knee pressed lightly between JJ’s thighs. The sound that escaped JJ, that sharp, surprised, needy gasp, made Emily freeze, just for a second.

“Okay?” she murmured, lips at JJ’s jaw.

JJ nodded quickly, breath catching. “Yes. Please, Em…”

Emily kissed her again, slow and steady, as her hand moved, tracing the curve of JJ’s waist, gliding upward until her palm found the soft weight of JJ’s breast. She slowed, letting JJ adjust to the touch, her thumb brushing slowly across the peak of her nipple.

JJ gasped, her back arching off of the bed as she pressed against Emily’s hand. Emily rolled her thumb over it again, watching JJ carefully, learning her responses. Each shift of her hips, each breath that hitched, and each moan acted as a roadmap she’d spend the rest of her life following. She let her fingers explore, slow circles, gentle pressure, a sharp, sudden pinch that made JJ whimper and her hips rock up again, her center moving against Emily’s thigh.

“You like that?” Emily asked, voice deep and sultry.

JJ nodded, eyes fluttering shut. “Yeah.”

Emily pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth, then trailed down, her lips finding JJ’s collarbone, her neck, her chest, taking her time, letting her mouth and hands work together.

When Emily’s hand finally drifted lower again, tracing back down JJ’s stomach, JJ’s legs shifted, opening for her. Emily slowed down again, her fingers resting just at the edge of where JJ was warm and wet and already aching for her touch.

“Here?” she asked gently, fingers dipping slightly between JJ’s thighs.

JJ nodded desperately. “Yeah. I want… I want to feel you.”

Emily’s hand moved, testing at first with light pressure, slow strokes, watching the way JJ’s breath caught, how her hips followed her fingers with every pass. She paid attention to everything - the way JJ moaned when she circled her clit just right, the soft cry when she slipped lower and teased at her entrance, the way her thighs tensed and then relaxed as she adjusted to the rhythm.

Emily was learning her, every inch, every sound, every way her body reacted under her touch. When JJ grabbed her wrist suddenly, not to stop her but to guide her lower, Emily understood.

She dipped he’s middle and ring fingers into JJ’s entrance, only an inch or two before pulling back out, repeating the motion over and over until she could feel JJ soaked under her touch.

“Emily,” JJ moaned, reaching for her wrist and forcing Emily’s fingers deeper.

“Jesus fucking Christ,” Emily moaned, transfixed by it all. “Do you have any idea how incredible you are? You’re stunning, JJ.”

JJ moaned loudly, but didn’t respond, pressing her hips to meet Emily’s thrusts until she was finally bottoming out.

Emily curled her fingers forward, using her free hand to press down on JJ’s lower stomach, and JJ’s moans almost turned to screams.

“That,” JJ said repeatedly. “Oh my god, that.”

Emily grinned and didn’t change a thing. She dropped her lips to JJ’s stomach, kissing at the sweat dampened skin as she worked JJ to her release, moving up to kiss her fully as JJ came undone under her touch.

Her hand stayed between JJ’s thighs, fingers slick. She let them rest there for a breath, just applying enough pressure to keep JJ teetering, watching her face the entire time. JJ looked wrecked, flushed cheeks, swollen lips, eyes hooded and dark. She tried to rock her hips to get more, but Emily pulled back, just enough to make her whine.

“Don’t rush me,” Emily murmured, her voice low and steady, the kind of tone that didn’t ask for obedience, rather expected it. She leaned down, her mouth brushing the shell of JJ’s ear. “I gave you one because I just couldn’t help myself after waiting so long, but I want to take my time with you now.”

JJ moaned and nodded, but her hips couldn’t quite stay still.

Emily moved her hand again, sliding her fingers through slick heat, just barely parting JJ before circling her clit with slow, measured strokes. JJ arched her back, her head tipping back into the pillow, breath catching as she grasped Emily's back. Her nails dug into her shoulders, and Emily happily let them.

Emily kept the rhythm steady and controlled. One hand teasing her open, the other holding JJ’s hips down, keeping her from taking too much. She was testing what exactly JJ liked, adjusting to fit their needs, listening to every sound and shift and breath. JJ was already falling apart for her again, her body responsive and aching and so damn sweet.

“You’re so wet for me,” Emily said softly, almost in awe.

JJ’s hips rolled up into her touch, fighting against Emily’s grip. “I didn’t know it could feel like this,” she said, voice wrecked. “Didn’t know I could need someone this much.”

Emily slid one finger inside her, slow and deliberate, and felt JJ clench around her immediately, a soft, guttural moan spilling from her lips.

Emily leaned in to kiss her as she slipped another finger in, her thumb never stopping its gentle, torturous rhythm against JJ’s clit. She fucked her slowly, intentionally, using her whole body to hold her down, her hand on JJ’s hip, her chest brushing JJ’s, her lips and hands and voice guiding every last part of this.

JJ’s hands were in her hair again, then slipping down to grip her shoulders, her arms, her back, anything she could hold onto. Emily didn’t let up. She moved deeper, curling her fingers harder now, building a rhythm that pulled more and more sound from JJ’s mouth with every thrust.

JJ was almost crying now, hips rocking hard against her hand, her voice raw and desperate. “Don’t stop, please, Emily, I’m so close, I-”

Emily didn’t. She sped up just slightly, her breath coming faster too now, lips pressed to JJ’s throat, nipping and sucking as her fingers moved in and out with purpose. Every motion of her hand was precise. Focused. She wanted JJ to fall apart. Wanted her to remember this, every moment, every second.

“Come for me again,” she whispered. “Let go. I’ve got you.”

JJ came with a cry that ripped through her, body shaking, her thighs clamping around Emily’s wrist. Emily didn’t stop until JJ was completely through it, her hands slack against the mattress.

But before JJ could even catch her breath, Emily shifted, rolling them gently, keeping herself in control. JJ blinked, still dazed, looking down at Emily beneath her now.

Emily helped her reposition herself, JJ’s thighs bracketing her hips now. As she dropped her weight, her center brushed against Emily’s stomach. She gasped, instinctively chasing that feeling again, rocking her hips down.

“There you go,” Emily encouraged, hands digging into JJ’s hips. She nudged her up slightly, positioning her hand beneath JJ, letting her sink down onto her fingers. “Ride me, baby. I want to watch you.”

JJ moaned, her body already spent but the heat in her stomach building again, hips rocking forward. Emily guided her with her free hand, watching raptly as her fingers disappeared between JJ’s legs time and time again.

Emily added a third finger, her lips dropping open at the same time as JJ’s. JJ held herself up with her hands on Emily’s chest, her hips moving hard and fast now.

“Fuck, that’s it. Take what you need,” She said, watching JJ’s brows furrow as she worked herself towards another release.

“You look so good like this,” Emily said, voice low and wrecked.

JJ leaned down at that, kissing her hard, hips stuttering as Emily curled her fingers again just right. Her whole body was humming, flushed and hot and full.

“Emily, I’m close again, I -”

“I know,” Emily said. “Let it happen. I want to feel you come for me.”

JJ broke apart on top of her, body tightening, her moan muffled against Emily’s mouth as she came again, harder this time. She collapsed onto Emily’s chest, boneless and gasping, and Emily held her there, one hand stroking her back, the other tangled in her hair, scratching soothingly at her scalp.

After catching her breath for a few minutes, JJ’s lips dipped to kiss Emily’s chest. Emily smiled at the feeling, continuing to stroke at JJ’s scalp until her kisses trailed lower.

Emily took a shaky breath as she looked down, watching JJ’s lips work their way up and down the center of her stomach, nipping lightly at her hips.

“What are you doing?” Emily asked, voice a little hoarse, a little wary.

JJ laughed a little as she trailed kisses across her chest. “Returning the favor, of course.”

“You don’t have to -” Emily started, but her protest died in her throat when JJ took one of her nipples into her mouth.

JJ sucked slowly, tongue circling the peak with deliberate care, and Emily groaned, head falling back into the pillows. Her fingers gripped the sheets as JJ switched sides, lavishing just as much attention on the other breast, biting down gently before soothing the sting with her tongue.

“You’re so gorgeous,” JJ murmured between kisses, lips brushing over flushed skin. “I want to learn everything about you.”

Emily’s only answer was a shaky exhale and a tighter grip on the sheets.

JJ kissed her way lower again, lips dragging over Emily’s stomach, her hipbones, and her thighs. She settled on her stomach between Emily’s legs, her face just above her center, the scent of her thick in the air.

But while Emily seemed hesitant to let the attention be focused on her earlier, now she seemed genuinely concerned. JJ stopped, looking up at her with curious eyes.

Emily’s hand rested over her stomach, biting down hard on her bottom lip as she looked at JJ.

“Hey, talk to me,” JJ said softly, reaching for Emily’s hand over her stomach and threading their fingers together. “I don’t have to do anything if you don’t want me to.”

“It’s not that,” Emily said, her grip tight on JJ’s hand. “I just,” She groaned, hiding her face behind her free hand. “No one’s ever gone down on me before.”

JJ huffed out a laugh, but stopped when she realized Emily was being serious. “You mean Andrew never -“

“Nope,” Emily cut her off quickly. “Said it quote, wasn’t really his thing.”

JJ scoffed. “I can’t believe I called that man a keeper.”

Emily gave a breath of a laugh, dropping her hand, but she still seemed nervous.

JJ kissed her thigh again, slower this time, moaning softly at the faint taste of her skin. Then she looked up, locking eyes with Emily.

“I never want you to feel like you weren’t enough,” she said, voice low and steady. “Not for him. Not for anyone. Fuck, Em. You’re perfect. I just want you to see that too.”

She kissed the inside of Emily’s thigh again, moving Emily’s hand and guiding it into her hair.

“If it helps you feel more comfortable, you can still be in control,” JJ murmured. “Even while I fuck you.”

Emily let out a soft, broken moan, her hand tightening in JJ’s hair like a reflex.

JJ smiled, eyes fluttering closed for a moment as she kissed her skin again, a little higher this time. “I just want to taste you. Is that okay?”

Emily moaned, loud and unrestrained, her hips lifting toward JJ’s mouth. “Yes. Please.”

She gave a slight tug to JJ’s hair, pulling her up towards her center, and JJ didn’t even consider teasing.

She licked a slow, deliberate strip up Emily’s center, moaning lowly at the taste. Her tongue circled her clit, gentle at first, letting Emily adjust before flattening her tongue and letting Emily dictate the pace herself.

Emily’s hips lifted and rolled against JJ’s mouth, her slickness dripping down JJ’s chin.

“God, JJ,” Emily gasped, her voice already unraveling.

When Emily’s grip seemed less focused, JJ took over. She firmed her tongue to a point, sucking at Emily’s clit while ale flicked her tongue over it.

Emily’s fingers tightened almost painfully in JJ’s hair, holding her tight against herself.

JJ wasn't deterred. She kept her pace steady and firm, just the right amount of pressure as she slid her hands under Emily’s thighs, holding her open, anchoring her to the bed. She sucked gently, then flicked her tongue faster, her own moan vibrating through Emily’s body.

Emily’s hips began to move wildly, grinding into her mouth, breath coming in short, wrecked inhales. “Don’t stop,” she panted. “Jesus, don’t stop.”

JJ didn’t. She let Emily lead. Every shift, every gasp, every tug of her hair made JJ hungrier. She could feel Emily losing control, and still somehow owning it, completely.

JJ moaned again, louder this time, and slipped her tongue lower before coming back up, sucking hard, then soft again, dragging it out. Emily arched off the bed, thighs shaking, her voice raw and close to a cry.

“JJ, I’m -” She didn’t finish, but JJ didn’t need her to.

Emily came with a loud, gasping moan, fingers gripping JJ’s hair like a lifeline. JJ kept going, working her through it, licking her gently until the aftershocks softened and Emily collapsed back against the bed, flushed and wrecked and beaming.

JJ finally lifted her head, wiping her mouth on the back of her hand before crawling back up Emily’s body.

JJ smiled down at her and kissed her, slow and messy, letting Emily taste herself on her tongue.

Emily was still breathless. “That was…”

JJ pressed a kiss to her jaw. “Good?”

Emily laughed, unable to help herself when she kissed JJ again. “Perfect.”

“Good,” JJ whispered, curling up against her. “But I’m not done with you yet.”

Emily smiled, her hand still tangled in JJ’s hair as she guided JJ’s hand between her thighs. “Good.”

Notes:

Planned on this just being a one shot, but I decided I wanted to add a couple more chapters!

Chapter 3

“I think I’m gonna be sick,” JJ mumbled under her breath as she paced back and forth across her bedroom.

Emily sighed as she stood from the bed, stopping JJ in the center of the room and cupping her cheeks, forcing JJ’s eyes to her own.

“It's going to be fine, okay?”

“No, of course it is,” JJ said, nodding as she leaned in and pecked Emily’s lips.

“If you want to wait -“

“No. I’m ready. They deserve to know.”

Emily stroked her thumbs across JJ’s cheeks before dropping her hands to her shoulders. “I know it’s been a year since,” She said, referencing Will’s passing, letting out a breath as JJ’s shoulders tensed. “We can wait longer if you want. I’d understand.”

“I really want to tell them. They love you. I want them to know how much I love you,” JJ said, her words sounding more confident now.

“Okay. I’ll follow your lead,” Emily said, but pulled JJ against her chest before they left the room. Her lips brushed JJ’s temple before she let her go, smiling as JJ looked back at her.

---

In the living room, Henry laid stretched across a chair, Michael sitting on the floor with his back against the front of the couch as a show played out on the TV in front of them. They looked up as JJ and Emily entered the room, but didn’t pay them much mind before looking back to the show.

“Boys?” JJ prompted, making them look up again. “Can we pause the show for a minute?”

Henry frowned as he reached for the remote, clicking the TV off. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothings wrong,” JJ promised quickly, squeezing her hands together behind her back. Emily smiled at her, giving a quick, subtle nod.

“You two know how important Emily is to me, right?”

They both nodded, looking more than a little confused.

“She's family to us. Always been here.”

Henry nodded slowly, his eyes slightly narrowed. “Right…”

JJ swallowed, drawing in a slow breath and blowing it back out. “Lately though, things between us have… changed a little. We -“

“Are you guys finally telling us you’re dating?” Henry asked, a ghost of a smirk coming to his face.

JJ’s jaw dropped, her eyes wide as Emily stifled a laugh beside her. JJ’s hand instinctively reached out and swatted her stomach, all without looking away from Henry.

“You knew?”

“I didn’t know until now,” Henry said, shrugging. “But I assumed when she was over here all the time. And you’ve been… happier, lately.”

JJ swallowed, moving to sit on the edge of the couch so she’d be between her boys. “Are you two okay with that? I know since your Dad, it might seem soon, but for us…”

“He would have wanted you to be happy, mom,” Henry said, sounding much older than his age. “We’re cool with it, right man?” He asked Michael, who nodded quickly.

JJ let out a sharp breath, a laugh escaping her now as relief washed over her. Emily smiled as she walked across the room, sitting by JJ. JJ placed a hesitant hand on Emily’s knee, laughing harder at the boys’ dramatic gags.

“Better get used to it, boys,” Emily grinned, placing her hand over JJ’s and using her other to squeeze Michael’s shoulder.

Henry reached for the TV remote again, holding it up. “So, can I go back to my show now?”

JJ rolled her eyes, smiling. “Yes, Henry. Go right ahead.”

As the boys attention went back to the TV, JJ turned to Emily, her hand still resting on her knee.

“That went better than I expected.”

Emily brushed her knuckles over JJ’s wrist. “Told you. Nothing to worry about.”

JJ lifted an eyebrow. “You say that as if we don’t have to face Garcia’s reaction tomorrow.”

---

Mornings at the BAU weren’t known for their quiet, but today had a strange, easy pace to it. The team filtered in slowly, Tara’s hand clutching a coffee, Luke already halfway through a protein bar, and Garcia rushing into the bullpen in a wave of color and light.

Emily and JJ entered together, which wasn’t unusual, but something about the air between them was different. They both felt it, and it was only a matter of time before the team picked up on it.

Tara was first, looking up at them with a questioning expression. “Morning, ladies.”

“Good morning,” Emily nodded at her, hesitating at JJ’s side.

“Emily? What’s wrong?” Garcia asked as she walked over to them.

“What? Nothing,” Emily said, eyebrows pinched together.

“You always go straight to your office. First thing every morning, except for when something is wrong. Is there a new case?”

JJ laughed, shaking her head. “We actually have some news. Nothing major or anything that requires a reaction at all really. Just -“

“We?” Luke asked, perching on the corner of Tara’s desk. “As in, you and Emily have joint news?”

Emily rolled her eyes, glancing at JJ for approval before threading their fingers. “JJ and I are together.”

Tara tilted her head, the start of a smile forming. “Together as in…”

“Dating,” JJ confirmed quickly. “And we just thought you should hear it from us.”

Luke’s brow furrowed for a second, before his face softened. “Hey. That’s great. Thank you for telling us.”

JJ felt her shoulders loosen slightly, the pressure she hadn’t even known she was carrying easing just a little.

Garcia squealed, wrapping the both of them in a tight bear hug, but when she let them go, her eyes landed on JJ. Her expression was soft, tender.

“I’m so proud of you, jayje. I know this is a big step, given -“

“I know,” JJ replied, squeezing Garcia's hand. “I’m really happy.”

Garcia’s beaming smile was back full force, hugging them again.

The mood lightened gently as the shift settled around them. Tara smiled fully, folding her arms. “I mean, we’ve all seen how close you two have been for years.”

JJ nodded slowly, her voice thick but steady. “We didn’t plan for it to happen. It just… did.”

Garcia stepped back, clapping her hands once with a sudden burst of excitement. “Okay, I’ve let the sentimental energy last long enough, now we plan. Celebration. The boys are staying with me this weekend.”

JJ blinked rapidly in her direction. “What?”

Garcia was already pulling out her phone. “Henry and Michael. Sleepover. It’s happening. Luke’s going to come help.”

“Luke’s what?” He laughed.

“I’ll bribe you with pizza and you can exhaust them with football or kickball or whatever sport children like. Blanket forts. Themed snacks. It’s handled.”

Emily studied her, but her smile broke through. “You’re very confident about this plan.”

“I’m your best friend. It’s literally my job to make sure you two have some alone time,” Garcia said proudly. “You are going to have a proper date night. Dress up. Be gross. I want one of you to text me a picture of wine glasses clinking or I will be offended.”

Tara laughed softly. “I don’t think she’s kidding.”

JJ blushed, but she couldn’t stop the smile spreading across her face. “Thank you,” she said quietly, and she meant it more than she could say.

Garcia waved her off. “Go be disgustingly in love. I’ll keep your children alive for a night.”

As the conversation shifted back toward the usual Monday morning chaos, JJ and Emily found themselves standing a little closer than before. The team didn’t crowd them with questions or push too hard. They just let them be, which after everything, felt like the greatest reaction they could have gotten.

---

Garcia wasn’t kidding about handling everything.

By the time Friday night rolled around, she had Henry and Michael set up at her place with enough snacks and activities to last a week. Luke had already been roped into supervising kickball in the backyard, and Tara had texted JJ a playlist full of soft, sultry songs which she promised would “set the mood.”

JJ stood in front of her bedroom mirror that evening, smoothing her hands down her navy silk dress. It wasn’t extravagant, but it clung in all the right places, and the neckline dipped just enough to make her feel like she had stepped out of her old life and into something new. Something hers.

Emily knocked once and let herself in, already dressed.

JJ turned, her breath catching when she took Emily in.

Emily wore a dark charcoal suit that looked so effortlessly fitted that JJ didn’t even want to consider what it must have cost. Her blouse beneath was black satin, collar slightly unbuttoned. Her hair fell around her shoulders in loose waves, her lips painted a deep red.

“You look stunning,” JJ said, her mouth going dry as she drug her gaze over Emily.

Emily looked her up and down, then exhaled a slow, deliberate breath. “You’re one to talk.”

JJ blushed, trying to keep her composure as Emily crossed the room and offered her hand. “Shall we?”

---

The restaurant they’d chosen was tucked down a quiet street, filled with polished wood and soft, warm lighting. They were seated in a booth toward the back, only adding to the intimacy of the night. The noise around them faded quickly, everything narrowing down to them.

“I think the waiter’s scared of us,” JJ said, leaning in.

Emily smirked. “That’s because you ordered wine like you were interrogating him.”

“I just wanted the good stuff.”

“You could’ve just said that,” Emily said, sipping her glass. “Instead you cross examined the poor guy like you were trying to crack a case.”

JJ laughed, her cheeks pink. “Force of habit.”

Emily’s smile softened. “I love when you get like this.”

“Like what?”

Emily shrugged. “Lighter. Carefree.”

JJ glanced down, her fingers brushing the base of her glass and the beads of water collecting there. “Sometimes it still feels… hard to let go. Of all of it. The grief, the guilt. But with you…”

Emily reached across the table and took her hand. “You don’t owe me lightness, JJ, even if I do love when I get to see it. All I expect is honesty.”

JJ turned her hand in Emily’s, lacing their fingers together on top of the table. “Then honestly? This is the happiest I’ve felt in a long time.”

Emily didn’t say anything. She just brought JJ’s hand to her lips and kissed the back of it, soft and lingering.

---

They ended up at Emily’s apartment immediately following dinner.

The moment the door shut behind them, the room felt hotter. Tension sucking the air from the space.

JJ slipped off her heels at the door, groaning with relief. “Remind me next time I suggest a restaurant with a dress code to bring flats.”

Emily smirked, steadying JJ by her hand while JJ worked her second heel off. “Remind me next time not to let you drink an entire bottle of wine.”

JJ raised an eyebrow. “I drank half.”

“Lightweight.” Emily grinned.

JJ shoved her playfully, laughing, and Emily caught her by the waist, pulling her closer. Their laughter faded into something hotter. JJ’s hands slid up Emily’s chest, fingers brushing the edge of her open collar.

Their kiss started slow, soft lips, and shared breath, but it deepened with each moment. Emily pressed her back firmly against the wall, her hands framing JJ’s face.

JJ’s smirk faltered for a second, taking a few heavy breaths, and then she all but shoved Emily’s jacket off her shoulders, letting it fall to the floor. Her fingers worked quickly on the buttons of Emily’s shirt, revealing more skin with each motion. She had just reached the third when Emily caught her wrists and pinned them to the wall above her head.

“Slow down,” Emily said, voice low and teasing.

JJ exhaled a shaky breath, her body already melting under the weight of Emily’s gaze. “Me slow down or you? Because this -“

Emily cut her off when she leaned in and kissed the underside of her jaw, then lower, to the sensitive spot just beneath her ear that always had JJ crumbling. JJ’s eyes fluttered shut as Emily’s lips and teeth ghosted over her pulse, sucking the skin just enough to sting.

“You’ve been driving me crazy all night,” Emily murmured, voice rough with want. “In that dress. With that mouth.”

Before JJ could respond, Emily spun her with sudden, practiced ease, her back now pressed to Emily’s chest, hands braced against the wall. She felt Emily’s fingers drag the zipper of her dress down, slow and deliberate, as her mouth worked at the base of JJ’s neck. The fabric slipped off her shoulders, hanging on by a thread.

JJ moaned low in her throat when Emily’s hands slid under the loose fabric, palms flattening over her stomach, then roaming up to her chest, possessive and reverent as she cupped her.

Emily’s voice dropped even lower, hot against JJ’s ear. “I’ve been waiting to get you like this,” She spoke deeply into JJ’s ear as her fingers tweaked a nipple. “Knowing you got all dressed up just for me.” Her fingers pinched harder, relishing in the moan it pulled from JJ, feeling her hips rock back against Emily’s. “Knowing you’re going to take it all right back off, for me.”

“Em,” JJ moaned, loud. She reached behind her, pulling Emily’s mouth to her own, but Emily caught her hand and forced it back to the wall.

“I’ll take care of you, love,” Emily promised, her tone sweet even though she had JJ pinned against the wall. “I’m just taking my time.”

Emily’s hand dipped down JJ’s abdomen, cupping her through her underwear. JJ’s hips rocked forward as soon as she did, chasing the friction as Emily’s palm flattened against her clit. Her fingers teased at the wetness pooling at JJ’s entrance, but then her hand was gone.

“Emily,” JJ moaned, frustrated. “First you rushed us out of the restaurant before dessert, and now -“

“Like I told you at the restaurant,” Emily said, nipping sharply at JJ’s shoulder before soothing the spot with her tongue. “We have dessert at home.”

With that, Emily stepped back just enough to let JJ’s dress fall to the floor, leaving her braless and in nothing but her lacy underwear. She spun JJ as quickly as she had the first time, expression softening for an instant as she kissed JJ.

JJ’s breath caught when Emily sank to her knees, hands skimming along her thighs with purpose.

JJ’s fingers slipped instinctively into her hair, steadying herself. Emily pressed soft, deliberate kisses up the inside of her thigh, each one slower than the last, each one building the anticipation until JJ was practically shaking from the restraint it took not to beg.

Emily hooked her fingers into the waistband of JJ’s underwear and pulled them down with care, her mouth trailing just behind them. When they dropped to the floor, she nudged JJ’s legs apart, gently lifting one over her shoulder.

When she looked up, JJ nearly melted under the intensity of her gaze.

Emily didn’t rush it. She leaned in slowly, alternating kisses to the insides of JJ’s thighs, inching higher and higher until her nose brushed JJ’s center.

JJ’s head thudded against the wall, prompting Emily to glance up at her with a satisfied smirk.

“Careful, baby,” She whispered.

JJ rolled her eyes, but they quickly snapped shut as Emily flattened her tongue and licked through her. Emily wasn’t sure if she or JJ moaned louder, the sounds blending together in her ears.

JJ’s legs shook, forcing Emily to tighten her grip to hold her upright. Her tongue moved slow and deliberate, circling just outside of JJ’s clit like she was in no rush at all.

When JJ gasped and bucked forward, Emily only gripped her hips tighter, grounding her.

One hand slid up JJ’s thigh, then between her legs, fingers slow and certain as they pressed inside, curling just right, pushing her forward and claiming her all at once. Her tongue worked in a perfect rhythm with her fingers, occasionally dipping to meet them, gathering more of JJ’s slick against her tongue before focusing back on her clit.

“You taste so damn good,” Emily groaned, JJ’s fingers tightening in her hair only encouraging her.

“You’re close, yeah?” Emily asked smugly, already knowing the answer.

JJ didn’t answer, just pulled Emily in deeper.

Emily let it happen, but added a third finger, stretching JJ as she sucked at her clit.

JJ’s body tightened, moans growing louder and more unrestrained by the second.

Emily moaned again in her throat as JJ’s hand tightened somehow more in her hair. JJ gasped Emily’s name, her voice broken and breathless.

It only made Emily double down. Fingers curling, tongue relentless, her free hand gripping JJ’s thigh to hold her exactly where she wanted her. It was overwhelming. Intimate and raw.

JJ’s legs trembled, her whole body unraveling under Emily’s mouth and hands as she came.

Emily held her through every wave, kissing her skin as JJ’s body started relaxing again.

Emily eased her leg back to the ground, keeping her fingers deep inside of JJ as she stood, kissing every inch of skin she passed on her path back up.

When Emily was standing, JJ didn’t wage a second before she caught Emily’s face between her hands and pulled her in for a messy kiss.

She moaned at the taste of herself on Emily’s tongue, kissing her deeper.

“I told you,” Emily said coyly as she pulled back for air. “Better than any bullshit premade creme brulee that place offered.”

“They did say it had real vanilla, and fresh strawberries.”

Emily rolled her eyes, pressing JJ harder against the wall and curling her fingers again, grinning at the surprised moan it pulled from her.

“I’ll get you all the fucking berries and vanilla you could ever want, but tonight, I needed to get you home before I had you in my lap in the middle of that restaurant.”

JJ kissed Emily hard at that, her fingers tangling in her now messed up hair, but didn’t seem to mind in the least.

One hand dropped to skim over Emily’s ribs, reaching beneath the open fabric of her blouse. She drug her nails over Emily’s skin, repositioning to press her thigh between Emily’s legs and lifting it slightly.

Emily let out a sharp exhale, rolling against her with muscle memory more than actual thought.

Before things could escalate further, Emily pulled back, tugging JJ’s hand toward the hallway. “Come with me,” she said, her voice low and hoarse. “Bedroom.”

JJ followed, but just two steps in, she gave a sharp tug on Emily’s hand and redirected them, guiding her gently. “No,” she said, eyes mischievous and dark all at once. “The couch. It’s closer.”

Emily blinked, surprised, but JJ was already pulling her, hands sure on her hips now, walking her backwards until the backs of her knees hit the couch. JJ sat, her legs spread, knees parted. When Emily moved to climb into her lap, rather than the image she’d planted in JJ’s mind a moment ago, JJ stopped her with a solid grip on her waist.

“Not yet,” JJ said, breathing unevenly as she looked up at her.

She leaned in, unbuttoning the final buttons of Emily’s top before allowing her lips to brush across the skin of Emily’s stomach. JJ kissed there softly, then again, slower, lower, all while keeping her eyes locked on Emily’s. Emily shivered, her fingers curling around JJ’s shoulders and holding her there.

When it got too much to bear, Emily dropped her shoulders, shrugging the shirt off finally. She then reached behind herself, unfastening her bra and letting it drop to the floor unceremoniously. JJ pulled back slightly, just enough to look up and take her in.

She ran her hands along Emily’s hips, down to the waistband of her slacks, and began unbuttoning them slowly, dragging every second out as long as she could. Emily’s breath caught as JJ’s fingers slid the pants down, taking her underwear with them.

Once she was fully bare, JJ’s eyes darkened noticeably, pulling Emily forward again.

“Come here,” She murmured, her arm circling Emily’s waist as she brought her towards herself.

Emily let herself be pulled down, straddling JJ’s lap, her thighs bracketing JJ’s. Their skin met with a flash of heat. JJ’s hands stayed firm on her hips, holding her there, not letting her move quite yet.

Emily’s eyes fluttered shut for a second, a little overwhelmed.

JJ kissed her again, slower this time, but no less hungry. Her hands slid up Emily’s back, fingers splaying wide, pulling her even closer. She kissed her and kissed her until Emily’s body relaxed, knowing and trusting JJ to give her exactly what she needed.

Emily rolled her hips down, once, slow and purposeful. They both moaned, JJ letting Emily take the lead and dictate whatever pace she wanted.

Emily’s hips moved on instinct, slow at first, grinding down in measured, steady rolls against JJ’s hip. Her hands gripped JJ’s shoulders, seeking something to hold onto as the pressure built, like she needed the security just as much as the friction.

JJ kissed her again, open mouthed and unhurried, her tongue sweeping against Emily’s with learned ease. She could taste the wine and herself and something uniquely Emily on her tongue, mind numbing and dizzying.

Emily moaned into the kiss, the sound raw and unfiltered, and JJ’s hands moved between them, cupping Emily’s full breasts, her thumbs brushing over hardened nipples. She didn’t rush, just let her touch linger - exploring, circling, teasing until Emily broke the kiss with a gasp.

“JJ,” Emily breathed, her head dropping to JJ’s shoulder, hips pressing harder, chasing something with growing urgency.

JJ kissed the side of her neck, murmuring against her skin. “Let me touch you?”

She phrased it as a question, but Emily didn’t answer with words, just lifted her hips slightly, giving JJ space.

JJ smiled against the side of Emily’s head, kissing her there. “I’ve got you, babe,” She murmured as she slid her hand between them, fingers slipping through wetness, and she moaned at how ready Emily already was.

“Jesus,” she whispered, more to herself than anything.

Emily’s forehead dropped to JJ’s as JJ pressed two fingers inside, slow and deep. Emily’s mouth fell open, a breath catching in her throat as her hips rocked down to meet the motion.

“Take what you need,” JJ said, voice tender. Her free hand came up to cradle the back of Emily’s neck, holding her steady. “I’ve got you.”

Emily groaned, tilting her chin to press her lips to JJ’s as best she could manage. She moved faster, more frantically, rolling her hips with each thrust of JJ’s fingers, chasing every bit of pleasure.

JJ curled her fingers just right, hitting the spot that made Emily cry out and clench tighter, and JJ whispered praises into her skin with every movement.

Emily’s fingers dug into JJ’s arms as she started to come apart, her rhythm faltering, her breaths coming short and fast.

“JJ. Fuck, I -”

“I’ve got you,” JJ assured again and again. “Let go for me,” she whispered against Emily’s lips, holding her through it as Emily stopped fighting the release, unraveling in JJ’s lap, loud and unguarded and beautiful.

Emily buried her face in the crook of JJ’s neck, her lips brushing JJ’s skin absentmindedly as her hips slowed to a stop.

JJ kissed her temple, letting her fingers slowly still before sliding them out. “You okay?”

Emily nodded, still catching her breath, but JJ could feel the gentle smile against her skin.

JJ stretched just enough to pull the throw blanket from the back of the couch, draping it over Emily’s back. She kept her arms around her, still holding her close, skin to skin.

Emily hummed as she nestled in, the aftershocks still rippling through her in quiet waves. JJ felt every one of them, felt the way Emily’s body trembled in the wake of release, not just from pleasure, but from being seen, being wanted, being safe.

“You’re amazing,” JJ murmured into her hair, voice loaded with love.

Emily gave a small laugh, exhausted and warm. “You’re biased.”

“Sure,” JJ agreed without argument, squeezing her hips playfully. “But that doesn’t make it less true.”

They sat in silence for a moment, just breathing. JJ ran one hand in soft, soothing lines up and down Emily’s spine while the other held her firm, thumb brushing against the back of her neck. She didn’t want to let her go.

“I’ve never felt like this,” Emily said after a while, voice quiet against JJ’s throat. “Like I could just… let go and someone would be there to catch me.”

JJ kissed her temple again. “I’m always gonna be there.”

Emily pulled back slightly, just enough to look at her. Her hair was messy, lips swollen, eyes a little glassy. But she was smiling, real and soft.

JJ smiled back, brushing Emily’s hair from her face. “What?”

Emily shrugged, cheeks reddening. “Just thinking how much I love you.”

It wasn’t the first time they’d said it. But it felt more powerful every time. Somehow more meaningful every time the words were muttered.

JJ leaned up and kissed her, soft and slow and full of everything she didn’t need to say out loud.

Then, with a gentle nudge, she said, “Come on. Let’s go to bed. I wanna wake up with you tomorrow.”

Emily raised an eyebrow. “You’re not carrying me?”

JJ grinned. “I would, but I think we both know your legs still work just fine.”

Emily groaned playfully as she stood, stretching and wincing dramatically. JJ slapped her teasingly on the ass in response, and they both laughed, walking hand in hand down the hall.

Their first date night wasn’t just a night off.

It was the start of something they weren’t hiding from anymore.

And that, Emily thought as she watched JJ crawl into her bed like she belonged there, was the best damn feeling in the world.

Notes:

This chapter is the last I had planned for this fic, but if there’s any future snippets people would like to read I wouldn’t be opposed to adding some more!

Hopefully these few little moments did their relationship justice! Would love to hear what you thought about them!