benevolent bones

but this time, when he woke, the pain in his back was softer, duller than usual. it lingered, but not with its usual sharpness. for a moment, he almost savored it—a rare kind of relief, not from the absence of pain, but from its gentler touch.

his eyes darted across the room, shadows pooling in the quiet corners of the lab. he hadn’t left; he was still there, sprawled across the worn couch jayce had dragged in months ago when he had noticed that viktor had been working through the nights.

jayce’s large white jacket was draped over him, soft and weighted, carrying with it the faint, comforting scent of smoke from the forge and cinnamon. the fragrance wove itself into the cashmere, lingering like a whisper of warmth in the cold, sterile air.

like how jayce was in his life— impossible to ignore. always there, steady and unyielding, a source of warmth viktor didn’t ask for but somehow couldn’t turn away.

his gaze lingered on the jacket, its weight foreign, its softness strange, as if it didn’t belong in this place of wires and metal, where comfort was a luxury viktor had long since abandoned.

and yet, here it was. here he was. a reminder of something warmer, something kinder, that viktor wasn’t sure he deserved but couldn’t bear to lose.

jayce entered the lab, carrying two cups of tea in his broad hands—the same hands that had coaxed viktor into the deepest, most restful sleep he’d had in weeks, if not months.

“you’re awake” jayce spoke softly, shuffling towards the couch viktor was still laid out on. he took a seat beside him, the leather cushioning dipped beneath his weight.

jayce handed viktor one of the cups, careful not to let their fingers brush, though the temptation to do so was almost unbearable. the steam curled lazily between them, warm and inviting, yet the air was thick with a tension neither could name out loud.

viktor sat up slowly, his lean frame still draped in the jacket jayce had tucked around him the night before. his hair was messy, his amber eyes a little softer than usual, and jayce’s heart ached at the sight.

“you didn’t have to.” viktor murmured, his voice raspier than usual from sleep. his thin fingers wrapped around the cup, and he took a cautious sip, the corner of his mouth twitching up in what might’ve been a smile. “but… thank you.”

“you need to take care of yourself.” jayce replied, too quickly, his words tumbling out clumsily as his eyes darted away. “if you’re not going to, then… someone has to.”

viktor chuckled faintly, though the sound was more self-deprecating than amused. “you always feel responsible for everyone, don’t you?” he asked, tilting his head just enough to study jayce’s face, the strong line of his jaw, the way his mouth tightened like he was holding something back. “it must be exhausting.”

jayce let out a short laugh, though there was no humor behind it. “you’re different.” he said before he could stop himself, the words slipping out like an unguarded secret.

“i want to look after you.”

the silence that followed was deafening, save for the soft chime of ceramic as viktor set his tea on the table in front of them. his long fingers lingered on the edge of the cup, his head bowed as though studying the fine pattern etched into the porcelain.

“why?” viktor asked at last, his voice quieter now, as if the word cost him something to say.

jayce hesitated, his hands tightening around his own cup, and for a moment, he considered deflecting, retreating into the easy charm and bravado he wore like armor. but this was viktor, and viktor saw through him like no one else ever could. so instead, he swallowed hard and answered truthfully, his voice a low murmur.

“because you matter to me.” jayce mumbled, his gaze fixed on the steam rising between them. “more than i think you know.”

viktor’s breath hitched, and he turned his face slightly, just enough to hide the faint blush creeping across his pale skin. his mind raced, a thousand feelings colliding at once—relief, longing, fear.

he’d spent years burying this, convincing himself that jayce could never feel the same, that it was safer to keep his distance, remain colleagues. but now, with jayce sitting so close, his words hanging heavy in the air, the walls viktor had so carefully built began to crack.

“you don’t… you don’t have to do this, jayce…” viktor said, his tone almost pleading. “i don’t want to be a burden. not to you.”

“a burden?” jayce leaned forward, his voice sharp with disbelief. “viktor, you’re not a burden. you’re—” he broke off, dragging a hand through his hair, trying to find the right words. “you’re my friend. my partner. and if i’m being honest… you’re more than that. at least to me.”

viktor’s eyes widened, and for a moment, he simply stared, his breath caught somewhere between panic and hope. “you mean that?” he uttered softly, more a statement than a question.

“yeah.” jayce nodded, his voice steady now, his gaze locking with viktor’s. “i do.”

the air between them seemed to shift, the space growing smaller, warmer. viktor’s hand trembled slightly as he reached for his cup again, seeking something to ground himself, but instead, jayce caught his wrist, carefully, as though afraid viktor might pull away.

“it’s okay.” jayce said, his thumb brushing against viktor’s wrist. “you don’t have to say anything right now. i just… i needed you to know.”

viktor’s lips parted, but no words came out. instead, he simply held jayce’s gaze, his chest tightening as years of buried feelings surged to the surface, too overwhelming to ignore. slowly, hesitantly, he shifted closer, his free hand resting on the couch between them.

“jayce” he began, his voice barely more than a whisper, “i—” but the words caught in his throat, and instead of finishing the sentence, he leaned forward, closing the distance between them.

it wasn’t a kiss, not yet, but their foreheads touched, and for a moment, everything else fell away—the lab, piltover, the weight of their work and the hextech. all that remained was the quiet, tentative connection between them, fragile but undeniably real.

viktor would always reply with the click of his tongue against his teeth, a subconscious response to reveal his annoyance to the constant question.

jayce ambled over to viktor’s workbench, his soft gaze lingering on the leaner male’s hunched over frame, his cane propped up beside him.

viktor continued to scribble notes into his navy blue notebook, the pages overflowing with his thoughts and theories. an almost accurate depiction of his never silent mind. he knew jayce was waiting for a reply, his shoulders tensed as he jotted down more observations on the hexcore’s development.

viktor’s hands found the small of his back, and he pressed into it, wincing as though his fingers might coax out the sharp knot of pain lodged there. carefully, he leaned backward, his spine protesting audibly with a series of crackling pops. his pale face twisted as the motion sent a fresh bolt of pain shooting down into his hips.

he grimaced, hunching back over his desk. viktor sagged forward in his chair, his hands gripping the edge of the desk as he tried to steady his breathing. the sharp knot in his back throbbed, each attempt to straighten it sending pain knifing down into his hips. he grimaced, sinking further into his seat, his pale frame folding inward.

he rested his forehead in one hand, his other lying motionless on the desk, as though still hoping the ache might fade on its own.

“thirty eight- maybe nine, hours.” viktor managed to utter out through gritted teeth, his voice taut with frustration and exhaustion. his hand slid down his face, fingers trembling as they brushed his jaw. the silence of the lab was broken only by the faint hum of machinery and the rustle of papers strewn haphazardly across the desk.

behind him, jayce had been watching his discomfort, with arms crossed. he frowned, concern flickering across his face. "V" he mumbled out softly, stepping forward. "that’s not something to be proud of, you know."

viktor didn’t respond, his shoulders curling tighter as if the weight of jayce’s words were pressing him further into the desk. the taller man came closer, placing a hesitant hand on viktor’s shoulder. his palm was warm against the sharp line of viktor’s bony frame.

"you’ve got to sleep. you’re not helping anyone like this." jayce murmured, his tone gentler now, carrying more affection than scolding.

viktor let out a dry, humorless laugh, though it caught painfully in his throat. "time doesn’t wait for rest." he muttered, but his voice lacked its usual edge.

jayce didn’t reply immediately. instead, his hand slid upward, his fingers brushing against viktor’s neck before settling on his shoulders. he began to knead the stiff muscles there, his touch firm but careful.

"you’re so damn stubborn" he said, shaking his head, though a small smile tugged at his lips. "and completely tied in knots.“

viktor stiffened at the first touch, but the tension in his shoulders slowly began to give way, melting reluctantly beneath jayce’s hands. he didn’t move or protest, though his silence spoke volumes. each slow, deliberate press of jayce’s fingers unraveled some of the tightness buried beneath viktor’s pale, hunched frame, and for a moment, the only sound in the room was the faint hum of the lab equipment.

“if you keep this up, you’ll get sick—” jayce began softly, his voice low with worry.

“i am sick.” viktor cut him off sharply, his breath hitching in his throat. the words hung heavy in the air, final and unflinching, as if he had long come to terms with them. his jaw clenched, and he stared blankly at the desk in front of him, the faintest tremor in his hands betraying more than he intended.

jayce froze for a moment, his hands still resting on viktor’s shoulders. he fluttered his eyes shut, swallowing hard as if to push down the ache rising in his chest. it wasn’t news, not really, but hearing Viktor say it so plainly—so resignedly—felt like a fist tightening around his heart.

he opened his eyes and looked down at viktor, his face softening. “then all the more reason.” jayce murmured, his voice quieter now, tinged with something raw. he resumed the gentle massage, his fingers slower, more deliberate. “you’ve got to give yourself a break. at least let me help you.”

viktor let out a shaky breath, his shoulders sagging further under Jayce’s touch. “help?” he muttered bitterly, though the bite in his voice was dulled by exhaustion. “there’s no helping this, jayce. only—only work.”

jayce moved closer, his chest almost brushing against viktor’s back now.

“you’re not a machine, viktor.” he said firmly, his hands pressing into the stubborn knots still holding tension along viktor’s shoulders. “you don’t have to do this alone. you shouldn’t.”

viktor’s fingers curled weakly against the desk, his head dipping slightly. he didn’t answer, his silence heavy with a quiet vulnerability he rarely allowed anyone to see. jayce leaned down just a little, his voice dropping to a murmur. “let me take care of you for once. just... let me, okay?”

for a long moment, viktor didn’t respond. then, almost imperceptibly, he nodded, his head bowing further, as though surrendering was the only thing he had the energy to do.

jayce exhaled quietly, his hands stilling for a moment as he processed viktor's subtle nod. it wasn't much, but it was enough. his fingers resumed their slow, deliberate motion, working over the sharp lines of viktor's shoulders, careful not to push too hard.

he could feel the tension in every sinew, a reflection of how much viktor carried and how little he let go.

"good," jayce murmured, his voice low, steady. "just for a minute, okay? let me help you. you deserve that much."

all you could see was the grey sky, murky clouds floating across the monotone heavens. you laid flat on your back, when you tried to move your whole body felt like it was lit aflame.

you let out a breathy wince, hastily trying to find the source of this pain. you shifted your left arm, dragging it against the concrete to move it over your abdomen.

as your soft fingers reached your wound you let out a pained gasp, feeling something large jutting out of your left side. you pulled your hand back, every movement aching, lifting it up to your line of vision.

bright red stained your fingers, dripping down your forearm and staining your, now torn, white shirt sleeve. a jagged breath escaped your lips as you tried to move, once again not succeeding.

so you laid there in a pile of broken glass, on the concrete staring up at the moody sky, bleeding out.

within seconds a lean figure was by your side, you shifted your gaze from the sky to meet big brown eyes. he cradled your head in his hand, moving his other down to your injury, his hand hovered shakily over the large piece of glass soaked in your blood.

“spencer…” you mumbled out, your eyes going in and out of focus, he turned his attention back to your face, he was clear he was trying to mask his panic, you could always see right through his façade.

“hey- you’re okay- you’ll be okay.” his voice was laced with concern, his head quickly whipping around his surroundings for anyone to come to your aid.

“i need a medic! agent down-“ he yelled out, his voice strained. you couldn’t hear much else going on around you, a few distant voices calling back.

you reached your left hand up to rest against his cheek, his eyes glued on you. as your strength weakened, your hand slipped, leaving a red stain on his face.

“sorry..” you mumbled out, making an attempt to wipe away the blood but making it worse in the process,which spencer replied with a choked out chuckle.

even as you lay there bleeding, of course you would find something to be apologetic about. that was just how you were, and he loved that about you.

“you’re okay- hold on. the medics are on the way-“ he couldn’t hold back the wobble in his voice, you knew by how he acted, that he was struggling to maintain his composure. you could feel his hands trembling as he applied pressure to your wound, desperately trying to stop the bleeding.

"spencer" you whispered, your voice barely audible, "i'm so tired."

his eyes widened, panic evident. "no, don't say that. stay with me. hey- keep talking to me."

your vision started to blur, and the world around you seemed to fade away. "it's okay, spence. i'm- i'm glad you're here."

the panic that you once felt about dying slowly slipping away, being replaced by a comforting feeling, but maybe that was just because spencer was with you.

tears streamed down his face as he shook his head, refusing to accept what was happening. "no, you're going to be fine. just hold on a little longer." he chewed on his lip, letting out a breathy gasp “please.” he whispered out.

you tried to muster a smile, but it came out as a grimace. "promise me something."

"anything," he replied instantly, his voice cracking.

"promise me...you’ll look after kevin- i know you don’t like him but.." you referenced the cat you brought into your relationship with spencer, that little ginger fur ball was your absolute baby, you needed to make sure he would be taken care of.

spencer let out a low chuckle, of course you would bring up that dumb cat of yours. “yes- but i won’t need to- you’re going to be okay..” his voice breaking completely. "please, just stay with me. the medics are almost here. you can't leave me."

your eyelids grew heavier, and you could barely keep them open. "i love you, spencer." you managed to mutter out, your eyes fluttering shut for the last time.

spencer's heart shattered as he felt your body go limp in his arms. he clung to you, sobbing uncontrollably, praying for a miracle that he knew deep down wouldn't come. the sounds of approaching medics and shouting voices faded into the background as his world centered on the devastating reality that he was losing you. that he lost you.

morgan ran over, skidding to a halt beside spencer. he took in the scene quickly, seeing the blood, the glass, and the lifeless body in spencer's arms. he knelt down, placing a firm hand on spencer's shoulder.

"spencer," morgan said, his voice gentle but urgent, "we have to let the medics do their job."

spencer shook his head violently, his grip on you tightening. "no, no, they can't help now. they’re gone, morgan. they’re gone." his voice broke completely, and he buried his face against your shoulder, sobbing harder.

morgan's heart ached at the sight. he pulled spencer into a rough embrace, feeling the younger man shake with grief. "i know, man, i know," he said quietly, his own voice thick with emotion. "but you need to let them take them. you can't stay here."

spencer resisted for a moment longer, then finally, reluctantly, let go. the medics moved in swiftly, but spencer didn't watch them. he couldn't. instead, he clung to morgan, who held him up, supporting him as his legs threatened to give out.

"they asked me to look after kevin," spencer whispered, his voice barely audible. "they were worried about the cat."

morgan managed a small, sad smile. "that sounds like y/n. we'll make sure kevin is okay. right now, we need to get you out of here."

spencer nodded numbly, allowing morgan to lead him away. as they walked, he glanced back one last time, seeing the medics covering your body. his heart felt like it was being ripped apart all over again.

"i loved them so much," spencer said, his voice breaking.

"i know you did," morgan replied, his grip on spencer tightening. "and they knew it too. they loved you just as much. remember that."

together, they walked away from the scene, spencer's sobs mingling with the sounds of the bustling crime scene, his clothes stained crimson, one of the last reminders of you.

weeks turned into months, and though emily threw herself into her work with the bau, she couldn't escape the memories of you. she saw you every day at the office, your professional demeanor a stark contrast to the warmth you once shared. you were cordial, even friendly, but there was a distance now that hurt more than the initial breakup.

emily found herself watching you from afar, her heart aching with longing. she noticed the small changes in your behavior—the way you smiled less often, the way you seemed quieter, more reserved. she wondered if you missed her as much as she missed you, if you still loved her as much as she loved you.

one evening, after a particularly grueling case, the team gathered at rossi's for a small celebration. emily couldn't help but steal glances at you, her heart clenching every time she saw your smile, which never quite reached your eyes anymore. she watched as you interacted with the others, your laughter sounding hollow, your gaze often drifting into the distance.

as the night wore on, emily found herself outside, needing a moment to collect her thoughts. the cool night air was a welcome relief, and she closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. the sound of the door opening behind her made her turn, and she saw you standing there, a hesitant smile on your lips.

"hey.” you said softly, stepping closer.

"hi…" emily replied, her voice just as quiet.

"needed a break from the crowd?" you asked, leaning against the railing beside her.

emily nodded. "yeah, just needed a moment..." she trailed off, eyes raking over your form.

there was a silence between you, not uncomfortable, but heavy with unspoken words. emily wanted to reach out, to tell you how much she missed you, how her heart ached every time she saw you. but she didn't know how to begin.

"it's been hard.” you finally said, your voice barely above a whisper. "being around you, pretending everything is okay."

emily's breath caught in her throat, and she turned to face you, her eyes searching yours. "i know. it's been hard for me too."

you looked down at your hands, fiddling with the ring on your finger—a habit emily knew well. "i miss you…” you admitted, your voice breaking slightly.

emily reached out, her fingers gently touching your arm. "i miss you too.” she confessed, her voice filled with emotion.

you looked up, your eyes meeting hers, and for a moment, the distance between you seemed to vanish. "i don't know if we can ever go back to what we were-“ you said, your voice trembling.

"maybe we can’t…" emily agreed, her heart breaking at the thought. "but maybe we can find something new, something better."

you glanced away for a moment. “i don’t know em.” your nickname for her ringing in her ears.

“we can try?” her voice laced with a pleading tone.

you looked up at her, she seemed like the shell of the person she used to be. her dark eyes tired, the colour drained from her pale face, but, she was still your emily. the woman you loved.

“i’d like that..” you mumbled out softy.

emily smiled, a genuine smile that reached her eyes. "me too."

the two of you stood there for a while, the night air wrapping around you like a comforting blanket. it wasn't a perfect solution, but it was a start. and as emily looked at you, she realized that sometimes love meant finding new ways to be together, even after everything had changed.

the girls and spencer sat at the island, jj and garcia were deep in conversation about how henry and will were doing, jj happily explaining that henry started to take his first steps.

spencer fidgeted with his hands, his leg bobbing up and down as he sat. emily glanced over to spencer, aware he felt kind of awkward and out of place, she decided to speak up.

“do you guys know when morgan is arriving- apparently he’s bringing his new girlfriend.”

this caused the other two girls to turn their attention to emily, spencer also looked up from his fixed gaze on the marble tiles.

“new girlfriend? i didn’t know morgan was capable of being with a woman longer than just one night.” garcia chuckled out, causing the group to laugh with her.

“it seems like everyone is coupling up nowadays…just you and me reid, you can be my wingman.” emily nudged spencer, causing the younger man to let out a breathy chuckle.

“actually…” he began, feeling his face warm at the thought. “i met someone..”

the looks between the girls ranged from disbelief to amazed. “tell us more- you can’t just leave it at that.” jj pushed, eyes fixed on spencer.

garcia nodded, the pink bows in her hair moving along with her. “spill the tea, reid.”

spencer felt his face grow warm. “i- well— i haven’t even asked her out yet— but she’s so…kind…and so funny and beautiful- god she’s beautiful..” he mumbled out, his mind wandering back to the first time he met you over a week ago.

~

it was a typical wednesday afternoon, spencer decided to drop by his local coffee shop before going to the bau, the team had worked a late case out of state and hotch had given everyone the morning off to refresh.

he stood at the back of the line, gently drumming his thin fingers over his satchel. the line moved pretty quickly so he wasn’t complaining, his brown eyes darted around the room taking in all the small quirks of the coffee shop.

his attention was caught when a little boy, no more than six years old, began crying in-front of him. he noticed that the young boy had wanted the last piece of chocolate cake, and the person before him had bought it.

the young teen boy at the counter didn’t know what to do in that situation, quickly grabbing his supervisor to deal with the crying boy and his mother.

that’s when his eyes landed on you, he deduced that you couldn’t be more than twenty seven. you had the company apron hanging loosely around your neck accompanied by a black name tag that read ‘y/n’.

“hey buddy what’s wrong?” you spoke, your voice soft and kind.

the little boys big blue teary eyes flickered to his mother and back to you. “i wanted the cake.” he mumbled out, clinging to his mothers side.

your eyes scanned the glass cabinet, noticing the lack of cake. your eyes flickered over the mother and the son, before nodding. “give me one moment okay bud?” the small boy nodded before you wandered into the back of the coffee shop.

not even ten seconds later you came back holding a plate with one slice of chocolate cake. the little boy’s face lit up instantly as you handed him the plate.

“i was saving this slice incase a very special little guy came in- and look here you are! i hope you enjoy it.” your smile was so warm, the kindness meeting your e/c eyes.

his mother thanked you profusely and paid, walking off to take a seat somewhere in the café. spencer was up next, he stumbled up to the counter as you greeted him with a smile.

“hi, what can i get for you today?” your voice was so melodic that he nearly zoned out.

“h-hey- can i get a black coffee with…..10 sugars.” he mumbled the last part, his eyes flickering away from you for a moment.

you let out a light chuckle, punching the order into your computer. “you’ve got a sweet tooth then i assume?”

spencer rubbed the nape of his neck, his eyes studying your pretty features. “y-yeah i suppose you could say that— um how much do i owe you?” he reached into his pocket to pull out his wallet.

you shook your head, moving to the left to start making his drink. “don’t worry about it…” you trailed off, his name not yet known to you.

“spencer…and thank you.” he felt a blush creep onto his face as he watched you meticulously pour his coffee into a cup. you began to add the sugars one by one when spencer decided to speak up.

“that was really nice of you- what you did for that boy.”

your eyes met his as you smiled. “i was saving that piece of cake for lunch but…he clearly needed it more than i did.” a soft chuckle left your lips and spencer could swear he felt his heartbeat triple in speed.

you finished up making his coffee, popping a lid onto the cup. as you went to pass the coffee, spencer’s fingers brushed yours causing a spark from the sudden touch.

“have a nice day, spencer..i hope to see you here again.”

he nodded, evidently flustered. “y-yeah me too..thank you.”

~

after that interaction, spencer went to the coffee shop every morning just to see you, it became part of his routine. some days it made him late to work he honestly he didn’t care, seeing you every morning was worth it.

spencer was brought back to the present by a nudge from emily, her dark eyes staring into his soul. “when are you going to ask her out?”

spencer shook his head. “i- i don’t know…i don’t want to mess things up..” he mumbled ouch scratching his neck.

“mess what up, pretty boy?” morgan chuckled as he finally walked into the room, all eyes flickered onto him. and a few steps behind him…there you stood.

spencer’s eyes instantly flickered onto your form, you were wearing a simple black dress, a change to your usual apron and baggy jeans. his heart swelled, he couldn’t believe you were here- why were you here?

then he pieced it together, just as morgan brought an arm to rest around your waist, pulling you close to his side. his heart sank, his features dropping slightly.

“this is my girlfriend, y/n.” morgan let out a small chuckle before pressing a kiss to your temple. you smiled warmly towards the group, though it didn’t quite meet your eyes, your gaze finally landing on spencer.

“hey sweet tooth- i didn’t know you knew derek..” you trailed off, there was something off about how you spoke, your voice not holding your usually cheery tone.

a few sets of eyes flickered onto spencer as he awkwardly adjusted his seated position on the stool. “y-yeah we work together.”

“how do you know each other?” morgan mused, his grip on your waist not loosening.

“he comes to my coffee shop every morning.” i mumble with a smile, my eyes not leaving spencer’s form.

immediately emily knew that this was the girl spencer had been speaking about, to avoid further questions she spoke up. “god i need a drink- morgan pour me a glass of wine there would you?”

morgan nodded with a chuckle, pulling away from you and walking around the island to where rossi stored the glasses. spencer let out a small sigh of relief, knowing that emily had spoken up to draw away from the situation.

throughout the night spencer couldn’t help but steal glances in your direction, he was growing increasingly frustrated with the way morgan would rest his hands on you, how he would pull you closer to him every so often. he needed to take a breather.

when everyone was distracted his managed to slip out onto one of rossi’s many balconies. he pressed his calloused hands against the cool, stone balustrade. he let out a deep sigh, staring out into the dark night, rossi’s garden being lit up by the moon.

spencer heard the sliding door open and shut behind him, now aware of someone’s presence. “i’ll be in, in a minute..” he mumbled out, his voice low.

“hey..” you spoke, your voice traveling to his ears making his heart ache. he turned his gaze to you, you were now standing a foot away from him, leaning your back against the stone railing.

“i- sorry i thought you were someone else..” he mumbled out, not being able to draw his eyes from your moonlit body.

“are you okay…you seem off, spencer.”

he let out a small sigh, running a hand through his dark hair.

“yeah- im..im fine…i didn’t realise you were with morgan.” he muttered out, noticing the drop on your features.

“it’s…pretty new. i met him a few weeks ago..” you managed to whisper out, running your hand over your arm.

“a few weeks ago..” he repeated, which you replied with a curt nod.

you both stood in silence for a moment. you were aware of spencer’s crush on you..and you couldn’t help but feel something for him too.

spencer turned to face you, speaking up. “would things be different…” he trailed off, chewing on his bottom lip.

“different?”

“…if i had met you first.” he breathed out, studying your features for any sign of hope.

you averted your gaze, your eyes staring holes into the ground below you. you knew in your heart the answer, things would be different if you had met him first. but you didn’t, and you couldn’t change that.

he nodded, knowing your answer. he let out a small breath, adjusting the glasses that rested on his nose.

you had only started dating morgan, you didn’t know where you stood with everything. it was all new to you.

“i’m sorry.” you mumbled out, a hint of sadness laced in your words. spencer shook his head.

“it’s not your fault.”

you paused for a moment, turning back to the door. “i’m..going to get back to the party, they’ll notice..”

he nodded again, your words stung, he knew there was nothing he could do but pine for you.

“i’ll be in soon…i just need to think..”

you shuffled away from him, pulling the door open.

“spencer?” you called out, your hand on the open door.

he turned back to face you, his eyes scanning your form as the warm light from inside the house lit up your soft features.

“i wish i had met you first.” you mumbled out, before slipping back inside.

it started one evening in the bullpen. hotch and morgan were in a heated debate about a case direction, voices rising steadily. you sat at your desk, seemingly focused on your work, but spencer saw the way your shoulders tensed at each raised voice. when morgan slammed a file down in frustration, your hand jerked slightly, knocking over your coffee cup.

spencer's eyes narrowed as he took in your quick, shaky breath and the way you forced a smile when jj handed you a napkin. the pieces of a puzzle began to form in his mind. he had read your file—he probably shouldn’t have but—he knew about your difficult childhood, the endless nights spent listening to your parents argue, the fear that came with every slammed door. and he suspected there was more, something you hadn't shared with anyone on the team.

his suspicions were confirmed over the next few weeks. during a particularly rough case in phoenix, a suspect's sudden outburst caused you to flinch noticeably. you recovered quickly, laughing it off, an embarrassed blush covering your features, but spencer didn't miss the way your hands trembled slightly as you continued with your questioning.

he wanted to say something, to let you know he understood and was there for you, but he also knew how embarrassed that might make you feel. so instead, he began to find small ways to ease your anxieties.

when arguments started brewing in the office, he would subtly steer the conversation in a different direction, diffusing the tension before it could escalate. if someone slammed a door, he would immediately engage you in conversation, pulling your focus away from the noise. these actions were small, almost imperceptible to the rest of the team, but he hoped they made a difference to you.

one particularly tough case in chicago brought everything to a head. you had just finished interviewing a suspect who had a penchant for yelling, and spencer saw the strain in your eyes as you walked back to your desk. garcia was arguing with an it technician about a software glitch, her voice raised in frustration. when she slammed her laptop shut, you visibly jumped, the color draining from your face.

before you could retreat into yourself, spencer was there, standing beside you with a gentle smile. "hey," he said softly, "did you know that the world's largest snowflake on record was 15 inches wide?"

you blinked at him, momentarily distracted from the chaos around you. "really?" you asked, your voice slightly shaky.

he nodded, his smile widening. "yeah, it was found in fort keogh, montana, in 1887. pretty fascinating, right?"

you managed a small smile in return, the tension in your shoulders easing. "that is pretty interesting, spencer….thanks."

he shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "just thought you might like to know."

over the next few days, spencer continued his quiet campaign to help you. he found ways to be near you whenever the atmosphere in the office grew tense, offering bits of trivia or starting conversations to distract you. you noticed his efforts, of course, and though you were slightly embarrassed by your reactions, you were also deeply grateful.

one evening, after the team had wrapped up a particularly grueling case, you found yourself alone with spencer in the conference room. the rest of the team had gone home, but you were both still reading over files, trying to wrap up loose ends.

"spencer?” you said quietly, breaking the comfortable silence, "can i ask you something?"

he looked up from his file, his expression attentive as he studied your form. "of course."

you hesitated, choosing your words carefully. "i've noticed... you've been going out of your way to help me lately. distracting me when things get tense. why?"

spencer's cheeks reddened slightly, and he pushed his hair back nervously. "i... i noticed that loud noises and arguments seem to bother you. i know you had a tough childhood, and i figured maybe it was bringing up some old anxieties. i just wanted to help..."

your heart swelled with gratitude, and you felt a lump form in your throat. "thank you, spencer. it means a lot to me. i... i haven't really talked about it, but you're right. —there was something that happened on a case a while back that... well, it just made everything worse." you chewed on your lip, meeting his gaze.

spencer reached out, his hand covering yours. "you don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, but just know that i'm here for you. i promise.”

you squeezed his hand, feeling a sense of comfort and safety wash over you. "thank you, spencer. it helps more than you know."

in that moment, surrounded by files and the remnants of a long day's work, you realized just how much spencer reid meant to you. he wasn't just a colleague or a friend—he was someone who truly cared, who saw your vulnerabilities and accepted them without judgment.

the days following that conversation were transformative for you. knowing that spencer understood your struggles and cared enough to help made a world of difference. you found yourself growing less anxious about your reactions. spencer's quiet support gave you the strength to face your fears head-on.

one evening, after a particularly stressful case, the team decided to unwind at a local bar. laughter and conversation filled the air, but you couldn't shake the lingering tension from the day. as you sat nursing your drink, you watched the interactions around you. hotch and rossi were deep in conversation, garcia and jj were dancing to the jukebox, and morgan was charming a group of women nearby.

spencer slid into the seat next to you, a gentle smile on his face. "you okay?" he asked softly.

you nodded, though you knew he could see the truth in your eyes. "just a lot on my mind."

he studied you for a moment before speaking. "want to take a walk?"

grateful for the escape, you agreed. the two of you slipped out of the bar and into the cool night air. the streets were quiet, the only sound the distant hum of traffic.

eventually, you found yourselves at a small park. you sat on a bench, the silence between you comfortable and reassuring. spencer looked at you, his expression earnest.

"you know," he began, "i've been doing a lot of thinking about what you told me. about your past and what you’ve experienced. and i just want you to know that it's okay to feel the way you do. there's no shame in it."

you looked down at your hands, feeling a mixture of vulnerability and relief. "it's just... i thought i had it all under control, you know? but then things happen, and it all comes flooding back. i feel weak."

spencer's hand found yours, his touch gentle and reassuring. "you're not weak. you're incredibly strong. you've been through so much, and you're still here.”

tears welled up in your eyes, and you blinked them away, not wanting to cry. "you always know the right thing to say."

he smiled, a soft, genuine expression that made your heart ache. "i'm just glad i can be here for you. you mean a lot to me, you know."

your breath hitched slightly at his words, and you felt a warmth spread through your chest. "you mean a lot to me too. more than you know."

spencer's eyes softened, and he reached out to take your hand. "i'm here for you. always."

spencer’s eyes flickered over your features, the harsh street lights casting a soft glow over you, taking in how beautiful he found you.

you took a deep breath. "there's something else i need to tell you. something i've been feeling for a while now."

he looked at you, his features softened, the warm light catching pieces of his dark hair causing them to almost look golden. "what is it?"

"i... i think i'm falling for you.” you admitted, your voice barely above a whisper. "you've been so caring and kind to me...more than anyone in my life."

a look of pure, unfiltered joy spread across spencer's face, and he squeezed your hand. "from the moment you joined the team, there's been something about you that drew me in. and the more i got to know you- the more i fell for you..”

relief and happiness flooded through you, and you leaned in, your lips meeting his in a soft, tender kiss. it was a moment of pure connection, a promise of support and love.

as you pulled back, you rested your forehead against his, a smile playing on your lips. "thank you. for everything."

he cupped your face in his hands, his eyes shining with affection. "no, thank you. for trusting me, for letting me in. i wouldn't have it any other way."

you smiled, feeling a warmth spread through you. "i'd love that."

for a while, you and spencer met regularly, not just at the club but for coffee, walks in the park, and long conversations about books, life, and everything in between.

you felt a connection with him that was rare and precious. you could feel yourself falling deeper and deeper in love with him with every passing day. and unbeknownst to you, the feeling was mutual, spencer just didn’t know how to tell you.

but then, life got in the way. spencer's job became more demanding, and you found yourself overwhelmed with your own responsibilities. slowly, the meetings became less frequent, the texts fewer, until eventually, you lost contact. he regretted it more than anything, but could never bring himself to reach out, afraid you would turn him down.

now years passed. you often thought about spencer, wondering how he was, what he was doing, and if he ever thought about you. you pushed those feelings for him deep down, but they never truly went away.

some days thoughts of him plagued your mind, about what could have been with him, you knew you would never find someone who truly understood you as much as he did.

one afternoon, you were browsing through a bookstore, lost in the pages of a new release, when a familiar voice broke through your concentration. "excuse me, do you have a recommendation for a good tolstoy romance novel?"

you looked up, your heart skipping a beat. there he was, older, a bit more tired around the eyes, but unmistakably spencer reid. your spencer reid. his eyes softened when they met yours, now filled with the same glint they held many years ago.

"it's you.” he mumbled out, a smile spreading across his face. his hair was longer, a lot messier than before.

"spencer," you breathed, unable to believe your eyes. "it's been so long...you look older.” a small chuckle escaped your lips.

he nodded, his gaze softening. "too long…you haven’t changed one bit.” he scanned your features, recalling the last day he had seen you, his eyes trailing down your form.

“still as beautiful as ever…how have you been, y/n?”

you spent the next few hours catching up, sharing stories of the years that had passed. the connection was still there, strong and undeniable. you could sense your feelings for him unearthing themselves, your heart swooning when he smiled at you- when his touch lingered slightly longer on your hand as he passed you a book. you were still as much in love with him as you had been.

as the afternoon turned into evening, spencer looked at you with a familiar warmth in his eyes. "i've missed this. i missed you."

"i've missed you too…" you admitted, feeling a rush of emotions, wondering if he felt the same way about you as you did him.

he hesitated for a moment, then asked, "how about we don't lose contact this time? i- i would hate to lose you again..”

you smiled, feeling that same warmth from years ago. "i'd love that spence..”

as the bookstore began to close, spencer glanced outside and then back at you. "can i walk you home?" he asked, his eyes hopeful.

"i'd like that," you replied softly, nodding your head.

you both stepped out into the evening, the air cool and filled with the scent of blooming flowers. the conversation flowed easily as you walked, picking up where you had left off, sharing memories and dreams for the future.

when you finally reached your door, you turned to face him, your heart pounding in your chest. spencer looked at you with such tenderness that it made your breath catch in your throat.

"thank you for today," you said, your voice barely above a whisper.

"i should be thanking you," he replied, taking a step closer. "it was... wonderful."

there was a moment of silence, the world around you seeming to fade away. then, spencer leaned in, his movements gentle and unsure, as if he was giving you a chance to pull away. but you didn't. you met him halfway, your lips brushing softly against his.

the kiss was tender and slow, filled with years of unspoken feelings and missed opportunities. when you finally pulled back, you rested your forehead against his, your heart swelling with emotion.

"i'll see you tomorrow?" spencer asked, his voice slightly breathy.

"definitely." you replied, a smile spreading across your face.

as he walked away, you watched him go, feeling a renewed sense of love and excitement. it felt like the beginning of something beautiful, a second chance that neither of you wanted to waste.

“he has taken the lives of four trans men, their age range between twenty-one and thirty-four.” emily added, flipping another page.

jj strutted into the room, dropping a pile of pictures from the crime scenes. she spread them out across the mahogany table.

“our latest victim, was a twenty-six year old trans man, he was kidnapped outside of a gay bar just twenty miles from the dump site.” jj reported.

“the coroner states that the injuries here and here-“ jj pointed to large gashes along the chest area and stomach, “-were made prior to the death of our victim. the final injury that caused him to succumb was a gunshot wound.” she then pointed to another picture, a close up of the victims forehead.

“in 2014, the average life expectancy of transgender people ranged between thirty to thirty-five years of age, and in recent years the homicide rates have increased by 25%.” spencer added, listing off facts from his mind.

the taller man sat next to you, his posture slouched as he crossed one leg over another.

you felt yourself grow pale, your mind racking through all the facts you just heard spencer spill from his mouth. you could hear sounds from the team, more comments about the case, but you could not process what they were saying.

spencer noticed your distant state, you seemed off as you sat staring down at your hands placed on your lap. he leaned over to place a hand on your forearm, whispering over to you.

“you alright, y/n?” he questioned, you flinched at his touch, your eyes flickering up to his soft gaze. he could tell something was wrong, he just couldn’t quite place it. you nodded, flashing him a small smile.

none of the team were aware that you were trans, and you wanted to keep it that way. you knew they wouldn’t judge you, they were some of the most accepting people you’ve ever met. but you would rather stay incognito, it wasn’t their business.

“are there any connections between the victims aside from being trans?” emily questioned out loud.

penelope dropped a stack of paper onto the desk as she walked in, taking a seat opposite you.

“they all went to the same practice for their surgery and hormone referrals- the highland clinic.”

“it might be someone who has access to all of their files on hand- garcia?” hotch mumbled out.

“on it.” the blonde shot up, walking back to her office.

your stomach dropped, that’s the clinic you frequented. a wave of dizziness hit you, you lifted your hand to cup your forehead, using the other to steady yourself in your seat.

spencer’s eyebrows furrowed even more, studying your paling form. hotch picked up on spencer’s concern, turning his attention to you as the team continued to speak about the case.

“l/n. if you’re not feeling good i suggest you go home and rest.” hotch mumbled out towards you, spencer nodded in agreement.

"n-no i think i'm okay.."

hotch's stern gaze was all you needed to rethink your answer. "alright, i'll head home.."

you stood up, grounding your body by gripping the edge of the table. the room seemed to spin for a moment, and you took a deep breath, willing yourself to stay upright. the concern etched on spencer's face made your heart ache.

as you made your way to the door, spencer quickly stood up, his chair scraping against the floor. "i'll walk you to your car." he offered, his voice soft but firm.

you nodded, grateful for his support. the two of you moved down the hallway in silence, the sounds of the bustling office fading into the background. when you reached the parking lot, spencer gently touched your arm, his touch warm and reassuring.

"are you sure you're okay to drive?" he asked, his eyes searching yours for any sign of deception.

you managed a weak smile. "i'll be fine, spencer. just need to get home and rest."

he didn't look entirely convinced, but he didn't push further. "call me if you need anything, okay?"

"i will.” you promised, getting into your car. as you drove away, you couldn't shake the feeling of dread that had settled in your stomach. the clinic being mentioned in the case was too much of a coincidence.

~

cold. all you could feel was something cold and hard pressed against your face. you blinked your eyes open, your eyes adjusting to the harsh ceiling lights.

you looked around, panic rising in your chest. the room was bare except for the chair you had fallen from, and a small table in the corner. the walls were made of concrete, the air damp and musty. the faint sound of dripping water echoed somewhere nearby, a constant reminder of your isolation.

you tried to move, but the ropes binding your wrists and ankles were tight, cutting into your skin with every attempt. your heart raced as you struggled to recall how you had ended up here. fragments of memory surfaced: the walk from your car, a shadowy figure, a sudden pain in the back of your head.

a door creaked open, the sound sending a shiver down your spine. footsteps approached, deliberate and slow. a figure emerged from the shadows, his face obscured by a hood. he stopped a few feet away, his presence filling the room with a menacing aura.

"you're awake," the figure said, their voice low and chilling. "good."

you wriggle around again, trying to escape the binding but causing a sharp burning feeling around your wrists. that’s when you noticed you had been stripped of your clothes, leaving you in your underwear.

“what- what to do you want.” you managed to croak out, your voice hoarse, mouth dry.

the figure stepped closer, and you could finally make out the cold eyes staring back at you. "you," he spat, a sneer curling his lips. "you disgust me."

you recalled his features, dark blond hair, blue eyes- he was one of the nurses from the clinic.

your mind raced, trying to understand the source of his venom. "i don't even know you.” you said, frustration mixing with fear.

"don't play dumb," he snapped, his voice dripping with contempt. "people like you make me sick. thinking you can just change who you are. it's unnatural."

your blood ran cold as the realization hit you. you had faced prejudice before, but never like this. "please," you began, "i haven't done anything to you."

"haven't done anything?" he echoed, his laugh harsh and bitter. "you existing is enough. you're an affront to everything decent. it’s against gods will.”

he turned away for a moment, rummaging through something on the table, and returned with a small knife. the light glinted off its edge, making your stomach churn. "i’m going to fix this," he said, he voice eerily calm. "i'm going to fix you."

the blade hovered over your skin, and you flinched instinctively. "please, you don't have to do this," you pleaded, tears welling up in your eyes.

"shut up” he snapped, pressing the knife lightly against your skin, drawing a thin line of blood. the pain was sharp and immediate, but it was the hatred in their eyes that terrified you the most.

"i'm doing the world a favor," he said, a twisted smile forming on his lips. you realized with a sinking feeling that there would be no reasoning with them.

you shut your eyes tight, mentally preparing yourself for this to be your final moments.

a loud crash interrupted the kidnapper's twisted monologue. your eyes flew open to see the door bursting inward, splintering under the force of the impact. spencer reid stormed in, his expression a mix of determination and concern.

"fbi! drop the weapon!" he shouted, his voice authoritative and unwavering.

the kidnapper's smile faltered, but he didn't drop the weapon. instead, he turned it towards spencer. you could see the tension in spencer's stance, ready to react at any moment.

"i said, drop it!" spencer repeated, taking a cautious step forward.

the kidnapper hesitated, and in a swift, practiced move, spencer disarmed the man, knocking the weapon to the ground and subduing him with a quick, forceful maneuver. within seconds, the kidnapper was on the floor, restrained.

spencer glanced at you, his eyes softening with concern. "are you okay?" he asked gently, but you couldn't bring yourself to meet his gaze.

"don't look at me," you whispered, your voice trembling. "please, don't look at me."

spencer nodded, respecting your wish. "it's okay," he said softly, turning his attention back to securing the kidnapper. "you're safe now. i promise."

spencer quickly shed his jacket, draping it around your shoulders. the fabric felt heavy and warm, a stark contrast to the cold fear that had settled deep in your bones.

"i need to unbind you," he mumbled gently. "i'm going to be careful. just hold still."

you nodded, squeezing your eyes shut as spencer's hands worked quickly to free you from the restraints. his touch was light, deliberate, and you could feel the care in every movement. your wrists stinging as the rope slips from the raw skin.

once the ropes fell away, spencer helped you to your feet, his arm steadying you. "we're going to get you out of here," he assured you, his voice calm and soothing. he turned towards the door, raising his voice slightly. "hotch, hold on a minute. don't come in yet."

you could hear the muffled response from the hallway, but couldn't make out the words. spencer kept his gaze averted, respecting your request. "can you walk?" he asked, his tone filled with concern.

"i think so," you whispered, your legs shaky but functional. you slipped the jacket over your arms, clutching the fabric over your torso to hide your scars. you didn’t want the team to know.

"okay," spencer said, supporting you as you took tentative steps towards the door. "we're almost there. just a little bit more."

he guided you carefully, making sure to keep his body between you and the door as they moved. once outside the room, you saw hotch and the rest of the team waiting, their expressions a mix of relief and readiness.

"i've got him," spencer called out. "give us a moment."

hotch nodded, signaling the others to hold back. spencer stayed close, his presence a steady anchor as you moved further away from the nightmare you had just endured.

once you were a safe distance from the room, spencer finally looked at you, his eyes full of relief and care. he crouched slightly to meet your gaze, his voice barely above a whisper. "i won't tell the team, unless you want me to." he promised. "i’ll tell them the kidnapper took the wrong victim. that this wasn't supposed to happen to you."

tears welled up in your eyes, a mix of fear, relief, and gratitude. spencer's words were a balm, a small comfort in the aftermath of the terror. "thank you." you whispered, your voice cracking.

spencer gently squeezed your shoulder, his touch reassuring. “i’m going to take care of you," he said softly. "you're safe now. let's get you out of here."

as he led you towards the waiting paramedics, you felt a fragile sense of hope begin to take root. spencer stayed by your side, guiding you through the chaos, ensuring you were never alone.

you fidgeted with your hands as the paramedics examined you, having now removed the jacket. spencer kept his gaze averted, but kept a calloused hand placed on your leg.

“i don’t think of you any different…i hope you know that.” he mumbled out, you felt a wave of relief wash over you.

“i still care about you the same. this changes nothing.”

you often found yourself shying away from outfits that revealed too much, particularly those that might expose the mark left behind from that encounter.

the fear of judgment and the constant reminder of that day made it difficult for you to feel confident in anything but the most modest clothing, so when you went out dress shopping, and penelope pulled out a backless dress she could immediately sense your discomfort.

you were out with penelope and emily, using your very rare day off to go dress shopping for agent rossi’s annual ball he liked to host in his mansion.

a frown graced your features as penelope held up a simple dark green satin dress with a plunged neckline and, of course, it was backless.

emily noticed your frown, turning around in one of the many dresses she had tried on in the last hour. this one was by far the nicest, it hugged her nicely and the shade of red complimented her striking features.

“c’mon y/n, you’ll look so good.” emily hummed, smoothing down the dress on her form as she looked in the mirror.

“i- i don’t know guys- you know that’s not really my style.”

“oh but it could be- just try it on please!” penelope practically begged, shoving the soft fabric into your arms. despite your dislike for showing off your body, you knew this would make the girls happy so you obliged, stepping into the changing room and drawing the curtain closed.

penelope and emily waited anxiously for your return, still adorned in the dresses they were also trying on. penelope opted for a bright pink number, with many layers of tulle, very much her style.

you slid the curtain back, taking a step out and shuffling awkwardly towards the mirror where the girls sat. their expressions ranged from shock to excitement, penelope had a huge grin on her red stained lips.

“you look perfect!” she squealed out, adjusting her thick framed glasses to get a better look at you.

emily nodded in agreement, her dark eyes scanning how the dress hugged your form. “wow..you’ll be the prettiest at the party.” she chuckled.

you stood in front of the mirrors, turning slightly so you could get a look at how the dress sat on you. you had to admit, it suited your figure well, accentuating your curves. you turned to see the back of the dress, it cut rather low, stopping just before the small of your back.

your eyes flickered up to the scar on your back, you instinctively rolled your shoulder blades back. “i- i don’t know…” you mumbled out under your breath.

penelope shook her head. “you look amazing- you have to get it.”

still uncertain you sighed, “i feel so exposed- im not used to this.”

emily glanced towards penelope, a smirk turning up on her lips before she spoke. “that’s spencer’s favourite colour you know..” she muttered out half casually.

instantly you could feel a rush of warmth spread to your cheeks, the thought of spencer seeing you at the party in a dress like this made you nervous. you shot emily a fake glare which she returned with a knowing smile.

“so….yes to the dress?” penelope quizzed, eyes wide as she waited for your answer. you paused for a moment, chewing on the inside of your cheek.

“fine..”

~

it was the night of the party. guests were arriving, music was blaring, derek and spencer were standing near the punch bowl.

as you walked in, you could feel the buzz of excitement in the air. the soft fabric of the dress clung to your skin, making you more aware of every movement you made. emily and penelope flanked you, their presence giving you a bit of courage.

you scanned the room, heart pounding, until your eyes landed on spencer. he was deep in conversation with derek, but as if sensing your gaze, he turned. his eyes widened slightly when he saw you, and a small, appreciative smile played on his lips.

spencer’s figure adorned a deep green suit, complimented with a black shirt and tie, the colour a few shades darker than the dress you were wearing. your eyes flickered away, as you whispered to penelope.

“did you know-“ she cut you off with a small smirk. a breath escaped your lips as you drew closer to the two men, emily and penelope not leaving your sides incase you decided to make a dash for it.

“wow you ladies look incredible.” morgan whistled lowly, penelope and emily as if on que, abandoned your side, linking arms with derek. “i’ll see you later lover boy.” morgan shot back to spencer as he lead the two women away from you.

spencer’s eyebrows furrowed at morgan’s comment, his gaze quickly fixing back on you.

spencer's eyes widened as they fell on you. his jaw dropped slightly, and a rosy hue crept up his neck to his cheeks. he fumbled for words, clearly flustered.

"y-you look... amazing," he finally managed to stammer out, his voice barely above a whisper.

you felt your own cheeks warm at his reaction, your heart fluttering. you took a step closer, your eyes meeting his, and you could see the genuine awe in his gaze.

"thank you, spencer" you replied softly, a shy smile playing on your lips. despite feeling so out of place and out of your comfort zone in the dress, the way spencer looked at you made you feel…confident.

he cleared his throat, trying to regain some composure. "i mean, —you always look nice, but tonight... you look... stunning."

the sincerity in his voice made your heart skip a beat. spencer, usually so composed and articulate, was completely gobsmacked, and it was all because of you.

his gaze shifted to the dress again, now noticing the low cut, how it showed off your back and the scar between your shoulder blades. he felt a surge of warmth rush to his cheeks, his breath practically getting caught in his throat.

"i, uh," he started, his eyes still locked on you, "i didn't expect... i mean, wow." he let out a nervous chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly, soft brown locks falling over his face.

"it's just a dress…” you said, though you felt a thrill at his reaction.

"no," he shook his head, his gaze unwavering, "it's not just the dress. it's you. you're... breathtaking— you’ve always been breathtaking.”

his words left you momentarily speechless, the intensity of his gaze making you feel both exhilarated and shy. you took another bold step closer, your hands lightly brushing against his.

"spencer, i.." you began, but the words failed you. instead, you let your eyes speak for you, hoping he could see the effect he had on you.

he took a deep breath, his fingers trembling as they curled around yours. “—you’re- god.. you’ve always been so beautiful- and i should’ve said something earlier— told you sooner..”

your eyes widened as he spoke, the taller man taking a step closer to you, his hand resting at your waist, his fingers brushing against the exposed skin on the backless dress. your breath hitched slightly at his warm grasp.

“i— fuck.” he mumbled out, for once in his life spencer found himself unable to formulate a sentence, to describe how he felt about you. he had longed for you, for months, years even..and now he had the chance to just tell you.

your eyes flickered over his facial expression, the pale pink hue deepened as he brought his gaze back to meet yours. his dark eyes traveled down to your lips once more.

he wanted nothing more than to just kiss you right now, the way the light made your skin glow, how the dress wrapped around your body- the low cut back, it was all too much for him.

spencer leaned in, his lips brushing against yours in a soft, tentative kiss. it was gentle at first, filled with the unspoken feelings you both had kept hidden for so long.

as the kiss deepened, you felt a surge of warmth and happiness, a feeling of rightness settling over you. his hands moved to your hips, pulling you closer, and you responded by wrapping your arms around his neck, losing yourself in the moment.

all except spencer’s. he anxiously stood by the door, hotch to his side. every so often he would glance to the door and then back to hotch who gave him a stern but reassuring look.

“they’re on the way..don’t worry.” he placed a hand on spencer’s shoulder to calm the younger man. hotch was the only one who was aware of spencer’s…situation.

after a few more moments, diana, spencer’s mother walked through the door being guided by a member of police. he relaxed slightly, giving his mother a brief hug before continuing to look towards the door.

hotch scanned the room, checking off all the members of the bau and their families. another few minutes passed and spencer was growing anxious again.

spencer pulled out his cellphone for the 30th time in the last hour, dialling the same number he had tried the last twenty nine times. it went straight to voicemail. shit. he thought, he brain wandering to the worst possible scenario.

until a girl in her mid twenties ambled through the doorway, followed by a member of the police. she held onto her stomach as she walked, letting out a breath when she got to the doorway.

spencer instantly relaxed, quickly rushing to the girls side. she was clearly a few months pregnant, the shirt she wore riding up around her midriff to expose the bump.

spencer immediately pulled her into his arms, holding her close. morgan and emily who were a few feet away exchanged a look to eachother. “is that reid’s sister? they look nothing alike.” emily whispered out.

spencer pulled away from you, his hands resting on either side of your arms. his eyes softened when they met yours.

“i was so worried-“ he began, pausing when you smiled back at him.

“i’m alright spencer really..” you responded, placing a soft hand to cup his cheek.

he let out a breathy sigh, scanning your body. “are you okay? is the baby okay?” he quizzed, still a little anxious about the thought of the unsub threatening you.

“spencer..we’re okay.” you mumbled, lightly moving his face so he was locking eyes with you. “you don’t need to worry anymore.”

“i- i know i can’t help it..” he smiled, resting his hand on your cheek before pulling you in for a kiss. you relaxed in his hold, melting into the sweet embrace.

morgan and emily’s eyes widened slightly at the sight. “ooh not his sister.” emily muttered out, slapping her hand lightly off of morgan.

when you pulled away he rested his forehead against yours, letting out a small breath. “i love you..”

“i love you too spencer.” you smiled as you pulled away from him, noticing a few sets eyes staring at you both. you let out a small cough to get spencer’s attention, he awkwardly took your hand in his and lead you over to the team.

hotch, morgan and emily stood there, their expressions ranging from curiosity to amusement. hotch shuffled closer pulling you into a quick hug. “it’s great to see you again y/n.” he muttered out, earning a look from emily.

“you knew this whole time-“ she let out a small gasp earning a chuckle from you.

morgan raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. “when we’re you going to tell us, pretty boy?”

spencer who had been standing to the side, his hand around your waist spoke up. “well i wasn’t exactly going to keep in a secret forever..you would have found out eventually.” he admitted, signalling down to your stomach.

you rested your hand on the bump, earning a sweet gasp from emily. “oh my god a little baby reid!” she exclaimed, before pulling you both into a quick hug.

just then, agent rossi entered the room and noticed the gathering. "what's all the commotion?" he asked, curiosity evident in his eyes.

morgan grinned. "pretty boy here was keeping secrets. he's got a baby on the way."

rossi's eyes widened in surprise before softening into a warm smile. "congratulations, reid. you're going to make a great father."

spencer blushed slightly and nodded his thanks. as the team settled into quieter conversations, the tension in the room began to ease.

hotch, ever the leader, stepped forward. "alright, everyone, we need to stay focused. our families are here to stay safe, but we still have a job to do. let's regroup and make sure we catch this unsub before he gets any closer."