friendly neighborhood writer

╰summary: Spencer has a terrible crush on you. In you, he finally found a person he doesn't have to explain himself to. So, naturally, he doesn't plan on ever telling you about his feelings.

╰pairing: Spencer x reader

╰Warnings: Spencer being the absolute cutie that he is, talks of never fitting in anywhere, some kind of spicy thought Spencer has about reader, cute confessions, they are so in love

╰word count: 1.6k

Somehow I feel like I have written this hundreds of times but again, I have a new hyper fixation. I'm sorry. Requests for Steve and Eddie are still open though !! I won't forget about my husband!!

જ⁀➴Masterlist

For all his life, Spencer had the feeling the people around him did not really understand him. Not in the literal sense of course. Spencer was more than willing and able to word what he was thinking. So, naturally, he explained himself. Over and over and over. In great detail.

The teenagers in school mocked him for it, his colleagues rolled their eyes at his seemingly never ending stream of thoughts. It was hard for him to clearly grasp why. They did not understand the essence of what he was saying, but when he tried to make himself clear, it was wrong, as well?

So he accepted his fate. That he would always seem kind of special to the outside world. That there was no one who would ever truly be able to 'finish his sentence' or as the saying goes. He had never really understood that saying, anyways. It wasn't neurobiologically possible to read another's person's thoughts.

Still, it was a lonely way of living sometimes, feeling as though he was constantly speaking in another tongue than the rest of there world.

That was, until you stepped into his life.

It did not take Spencer long to develop a crush on you. Well, that was an understatement. It took him merely a day to be completely and utterly smitten for you.

But Spencer, despite being somewhat awkward concerning the whole dating business, was not new to having crushes.

He knew they would pass. Knew that he would grow accustomed to having you around, to noticing every little detail about you and someday not being as endeared by them as he was right now.

The surrounding sounds on the plane were doing nothing to distract him from looking at you, sitting across from him, one arm tucked safely under your chin, eyes closed, having drifted off to a deep sleep.

His eyes trailed your face, the way your brows were slightly knitted together, no doubt still thinking about the case the team had just finished. Your eyelids were fluttering in the slightest way, and your lips were pressed together, jaw still tightly clenched from the stress of it all.

''Other people can notice you staring, you know?'', Morgan whispered into Spencer's ear, making him jump and finally tearing his gaze from you.

''I'm not,'', he mumbled, the lie leaving his lips effortlessly. He could feel the skin of his cheeks heating up as Derek chuckled beside him.

''Why don't you finally talk to her, huh?'', Morgan pressed.

Spencer was close to rolling his eyes at his colleague. Of course he had thought about it. But he had discarded the idea just as quickly. He was not going to risk loosing what he had found in you just because he had a crush on you.

Over the weeks and months he had gotten to know you, and likewise, he had slowly but surely noticed what was so different about you.

You didn't treat him like everybody else did. You didn't shake your head, roll your eyes, or sigh when he rambled and explained something. No. Instead, your eyes never left his while he talked, and you nodded along no matter how long it took him to get his point across properly.

At first, he thought it was out of mere politeness.

But then he noticed.

Whatever he was trying to demonstrate, you could somehow grasp before everyone else. You understood him so well it was almost like you could read his mind sometimes.

He was baffled at first, but then his heart swelled and his chest felt warm. Spencer had never known what it felt like to have someone understand him, to really get him without it being his effort.

So, no, his crush on you was anything but fleeting. It was beginning to look permanent, and was strengthened by every interaction the two of you have had ever since.

''I don't know what you're talking about,'', Spencer mumbled again, fiddling with the pages of the book in his hand.

''Look, kid. I'm being honest here when I tell you not to downplay yourself like you so often tend to do. I really think she's interested, too.''

The sentence hung heavily in the air, and should it follow the law of physics, Spence thought, it should sink to the ground of the plane and right through it.

He knew Morgan meant well, he really did. But how could he risk losing the one person he felt a real connection with for something as mundane as having a crush?

Of course, deep down, Spencer knew it had begun to flourish into much more than a crush, but he wasn't ready to admit that to himself yet.

The plane landed not much later and the team shuffled, stretched, and collected their belongings, while you were still fast asleep. Spencer hesitated, but then stood up and lightly touched your arm. Nothing.

He touched your arm again, lightly shaking you. ''Hey,'' he said softly, which made your eyes flutter open. You squinted against the sudden light and stretched your arms before meeting Spencer's gaze. Upon seeing him, a genuine, eye-reaching smile was spread on your face.

''Hi, Spence,'', you grinned, and if he could, he would have suppressed any physiological reaction your face was causing him. But he couldn't. So his heart rate sped up, and his fingers somehow seemed immediately clammy.

He blinked and cleared his throat, willing his eyes to look away from your frame, but losing the battle against his own body. ''Walk me to my car?'', you asked, faking a pout you didn't have to. He would do anything before you had even asked the question.

''Of course.''

You collected your bag and with the rest of the team having already departed, it was only Spencer and you on the plane. Spencer felt his arm being intertwined with yours and for a second the irrational (though very small) part of his brain took control and he thought his heart would stop beating.

It didn't, of course.

Spencer wasn't one for physical touches. Everyone knew that. But, as you seemed to know what he was thinking, you also seemed to know what kind of physicality would be okay for him.

This was. In fact, this was more than okay. For the first time in his life, this touch made him crave even more. He wanted to feel your touch everywhere-

He shook his head. What has gotten into him all of a sudden? This was not like the parts of his personality he knew so well, at all.

''Did you sleep at all?'', you asked as you departed the plane arm in arm, to which he shook his head. ''Did I sleep the whole time?'', you asked. ''Most of the time, yeah.''

''Oh god, I drooled again, didn't I?'

A smile crept onto Spencer's lips, and you groaned in reply. ''I don't know why this keeps happening to me, like is there something wrong with my jaw?''

Nothing in the world could stop Spencer from smiling at this point. The two of you had reached your car and you were leaning against the passenger's door, looking up at him with doe eyes.

''No, no,'', he began. ''You looked....beautiful,'', his eyebrows knit as he brought the word out, not being able to hold your gaze and looking away.

You fell silent, and he desperately waited for a witty joke in reply. Instead, he felt the soft touch of your hand on his chin, turning him so he was looking at you again. Your hand was cold and it took everything in him not to rub your hands in between his.

Spencer could not quite read your expression. You seemed troubled, but not mad at him. That was good, right? Oh, but maybe that's where the rejection would come in.

''Spencer,'', you began, but it was hard for him to keep his gaze locked on yours, hard for him to hear what he had feared for so long.

''Spence, look at me, please,'', with your voice this low, you almost sounded like you begged, and this was what got him to look at you. He would never let you beg. For anything.

''Don't you know me well enough to know you don't have to walk on eggshells around me?'', you asked, to which confusion crossed his features.

Your hand cupped around his cheek and for a touch so foreign, it somehow felt like home to him. For the first time since he complimented you, he exhaled and closed his eyes.

''I know you, Spence. And you know me. You don't have to be worried. Never with me, okay? Never with me,'', you whispered, calming him down.

He slowly opened his eyes and looked at you. He saw the beautiful face he was slowly falling in love with, and he saw the soft, genuine smile still placed on your lips.

''What does that mean?'', he asked, somehow breathless in fear of the answer.

''It means that I know what you're feeling because I'm feeling the exact same way.'', you clarified, and Spencer's body reacted to this statement as it normally only should in answer to a gun held to his head.

And then, without thinking about it, which has never happened for Spencer, he pulled you in and captured your lips in a kiss. The kiss was hungry and all the while filled with to much appreciation and gratitude.

Your lips met again and again in heated kisses until a throaty moan escaped Spencer's mouth and he pulled back. He was about to apologize, but you stopped him.

╰summary: Spencer is a goner for his girlfriend, and would do anything for her. On a rainy afternoon, he is suddenly very sure he wants to take the next step in your relationship. Only, he's very afraid he could do something wrong.

╰pairing: Spencer x reader

╰Warnings: pet names, Spencer is soooo in love, but so is reader, virgin!spencer, giggly first time, nothing too graphic, Spencer and reader both being so nervous but so in love they just enjoy sharing this experience, established relationship, no talks about protection (they had that talk beforehand, okay?!), Spencer wants the reader to have a good time and fearing he cannot deliver (spoiler: he can!), honestly this is love making at its finest

this is literally the first time in YEARS I've written intimate scenes (and definitely the first time since I've had experience myself), and it feels strangely vulnerable sharing this with the world, so please be kind <3

╰word count: 2.9k

જ⁀➴Masterlist

The rain drops were coming down hard against the windows of the apartment. In the distance, there was a thunder shaking the clouds. Distant, but audible.

Spencer had never shared the general public's stance on 'bad weather', as so many people liked to put it. No, the so-called bad weather was what had always calmed him.

The world somehow seemed quieter when the thunder was such a blaring contrast to it. And Spencer enjoyed the world a lot more when it seemed less loud. It relaxed him, the rhythm of rain hitting surfaces, and it made it easier to organize his thoughts.

Right now, as the storm was drawing closer, his gaze landed on you, book in hand, snuggled under a thick blanket he had wrapped you in not long ago.

Spencer and you had been dating for a little over three months now, and to say that he had never been happier would have been the understatement of his life.

For much too long, Spencer was certain he had been cursed. Not in the literal, mythical sense (his scientific upbringing was still a little too strongminded to really believe that). But in the loose sense of the meaning, yes, he had believed that.

Everyone around him had found love, they had started a family that he had so desperately craved himself.

Before he even knew how to approach a human of the female gender, Spencer had been certain he wanted to become a father one day. He loved children, of any kind, of any age. And he desperately, undoubtedly, wanted to give his child the fatherly love he had never gotten.

So why didn't it ever work out in his favor? It's not like he wasn't open to relationships. Sure, he was aware that he wasn't the most obvious choice for some women. He knew he could come across as awkward; he'd been told that countless times, both in a loving and in a mean way. Either way, he had internalized that notion.

Additionally, he was hesitant about physical touch. Agreed, not the best start to a relationship. But he had been sure, once the right person would come along, it would not be a problem.

And roughly one year ago, when you joined the team, he knew all of his waiting had not been in vain. Sure, it had taken some time (eight months) and some persuading (by Derek, Penelope, and Rossi) to ask you out, but once he saw the sparkle in your eyes and a giddiness as a response to his question, he knew it would be worth it.

And it had been. It might sound cliche, and he would not believe it himself had he not experienced it, but it felt like all of the stars finally aligned for him and brought him you. God, you were making him poetic.

You, perfect, flawless you.

You would roll your eyes at him would you hear his thoughts, he knew that all too well, and for a moment he was glad he was alone with his thoughts, alone with turning and twisting you in his mind to come to the conclusion he had drawn a long time ago; you were the love of his life.

A lazy, lopsided smile tugged at his lips at he took you in, drank you in, even. He simply could never get enough of you. Wasn't even really sure about how he got so lucky.

He watched your eyes scan the pages of the book resting on your lap, watched your fingers sprawled across the book, holding it in place while your other hand held a cup of tea close to your mouth, sipping on the lukewarm ingredients.

A sense Spencer had yet to completely familiarize himself with overtook him, again.

He wanted to touch you, he wanted to kiss you, to devour you.

Spencer had known he would eventually give in to the physicality so closely entwined with relationships once he really loved someone, but he had never anticipated it would happen to quickly, so violently, even.

He was no newcomer to kissing and making out.

But when he first kissed you, it seemed as though something in his genetic make up just changed. He knew it wasn't biologically possible, though he didn't seem to find a plausible explanation, either.

Ever since then, Spencer had the feeling he had to control himself around you, like your touch had somehow transformed him into nothing more but a wild animal, driven by primal wants and needs. He didn't really know the protocol around such things. Sure, he had done things before. But otherwise, he was a virgin in the majority of ways that counted.

He had told you pretty early on, and you had not even blinked at his confession. His worries about your reaction had all been in vain, and it felt as though a heavy weight was lifted off his shoulders and lungs when you didn't laugh or belittle him about it.

''You don't mind?'', he had asked, cheeks still unusually warm from his previous confession.

Your brows had been tucked together in genuine confusion. ''What? Why would I?''

And that was that. He thought it would take a while until he wanted to take that step. And again, like with so many aspects revolving expectations he had had about his first relationship, he was utterly, undoubtedly, wrong.

You had been with other men. He knew that. What he also knew, though, was that none of these men had been particularly kind to you whatsoever. So, naturally, he wanted everything he did for you to be as perfect as you deserved it.

Gaze still locked on your form, storm still raging outside, he suddenly jumped from his seat across the room from you and rummaged through the endless piles of books he owned.

''Whatcha looking for, handsome?'', you mumbled into your tea, gaze not lifting from the words on the pages.

Spencer tried ignoring what that simple pet name was doing to his central nervous system but failed utterly. His heart beat stuttered and he grinned boyishly into himself.

''I'm searching for a book on sex,'', he blurted, never having seen the sense in lying.

He heard you choking on your beverage and whipped his head around to you. ''Are you okay?'', he asked hastily, crouching on the floor in front of you within seconds as you continued coughing.

You nodded in reply, hand on your chest to calm your breathing, cheeks hot with the topic in question.

''Wha- I mean, eh...why?'', you brought out, pulse hammering in your neck and chest. Spencer's cheeks were also beginning to take on a pinkish color.

He blinked and furrowed his eyebrows, like he so often did before he tried to explain another complex train of thoughts his mind produced.

''Well, I know you've been with other men. And I haven't been. With other people, I mean. So I figured, I should further study what techniques there are to...uhm...to make you feel good, I guess?''

At this point, he was a blushing, rambling mess, and although your cheeks were pink as well, you wanted nothing more but to kiss the embarrassment from his face. You were incredulous, how could this man even exist? A man who wanted to research techniques before he ever touched you?

You shook your head in disbelief, and for a brief moment, Spencer thought he had said something wrong. But he quickly identified your love-struck grin he was lucky enough to have become familiar with.

''You're unbelievable. And I mean that in a good way,'', you mumbled, face still flush but giddy, Spencer could basically see the happiness on it.

Still, Spencer didn't really understand what you meant by that.

''Why?''

How could it be that the most endearing person on earth also happened to be your boyfriend?

''Spence,'', you whispered, smile still adorning your lips, as you pulled him in closer to you by his cardigan. He was still on his knees on the floor, crouching in front of the couch you sat on.

As soon as you touched him, he was a goner, he was basically putty in your hands. He had that lovestruck look on his face as his eyes transfixed on yours.

''I understand that you might be a little nervous, but I assure you, you don't have to be. You can do absolutely nothing wrong.''

''Well, of course! There are a lot of things I could do wrong for exam-''

''Spence,'', you cut him off. ''You love me. I know that. You love me more than any man who has ever touched me. And with that, I promise you, you will know what to do. You will know what's right.'', you explained, voice in a whisper, hands still holding his cardigan as you saw his gaze drop down to your lips.

Spencer cupped the back of your neck with one of his large hands and pulled you into him, your lips brushing his as you grinned into the kiss and he reciprocated.

Even after weeks of being able to getting used to it, you hadn't yet. The feeling of Spencer's lips on yours was a new one every time your lips connected. You felt lightheaded almost instantly, and you scolded him internally for ever thinking he could not know what to do with you.

''You're right, you know,'', he mumbled in between kisses.

''Hm?''

He pulled away, though not far, never far, to look at you, your face in between his hands, his thumbs stroking your skin, eyes lovingly holding yours. ''That I love you,'', he whispered, and you felt even dizzier.

''I'm always right,'', you giggled in response. ''And I love you too, you know,'', your voice was back to a whisper as Spencer placed light kisses across your jaw and neck. You let your head fall back, and he hummed knowingly in response.

Yet, this was not entirely out of the ordinary for you, yet. He took almost every opportunity he could get to show you just how much he loved you. It was what he said next that made you realize it was different this time, what made goosebumps break out on your whole body.

''Wrap your legs around me, I don't want to do this here,'', he whispered, then immediately kissed a spot below your ear, making you shiver.

You caught his eyes, both in surprise and in question.

''Spence, we don't have to-''

''I know what. But do you seriously think I don't want to? I can barely think of anything else,'', he confessed, the heat coming back to his and your cheeks.

You wordlessly wrapped your legs around his waist and he picked you up without effort. His lips found yours again, capturing them in loving kisses again and again. His hands were on the back of your thighs, and on the way to his bedroom, he let one of them deliberately slip to your behind.

You knew it was wrong to compare him to the men you had been with. But it didn't feel wrong, given he won every point without even trying. His kisses weren't hungry, they were curious, loving. His hands on your body weren't searching for more, they weren't possessive, they were curious. He wanted to explore every part of you in the most innocent way possible, and with each and every touch, he made you feel like he appreciated you, not like he wanted to own you, but like he wanted to love you, even more than he already did, if that was even possible.

Your heart was hammering in your chest as you ran through your last shower routine, wondering whether you shaved, but as Spencer lay you down gently onto the mattress, eyes finding yours, being both sure and excited at the same time, you knew it didn't matter. It was Spencer. He loved you more than anything. And you did, too.

Carefully, he hooked his fingers into the waistband of your sweatpants, looking into your eyes for confirmation, which you gave with a firm nod of your head. He slowly, cautiously, pulled the pants down your legs, and embarrassingly, you started trembling as soon as his fingertips touched the exposed skin of your legs.

He placed a few light kisses to your thighs.

''Are you okay?'', he asked as he noticed the trembling of your legs.

''Mhm,'', you mumbled in reply, catching his gaze. ''Just a little nervous, is all,'', you replied in a hushed tone.

''You, too?''

Spencer almost couldn't believe his ears. One of your hands cupped his cheeks and he leaned into your touch. ''Of course I am, baby.''

With your underwear still on, you sat up and pulled off your shirt, revealing your bare chest. Spencer cleared his throat and you were uncertain whether his eyes would fall out of their sockets before he could avert his gaze to someplace else.

You unbottoned his cardigan, which he took off in one swift move, before you tugged at the hem of his shirt, as well. He pulled it off and then you sat there, bare chest to bare chest, both heaving with heavy breaths and anticipation.

This time it was you who lunged forward, grabbing him by the back of his neck and pulling him against yourself. Spencer gladly followed and pushed you gently to lie back down again.

He continued kissing you while you felt him pull off his sweats. For a brief moment, you wondered whether he kept on his underwear, as well, but then you felt him warm, flush, against your stomach. The both of you shuddered at the contact, to which a fit of giggles erupted from your connected mouths.

Spencer then slowly pulled your underwear down your shivering legs and searched your eyes for any uncertainties. ''Are you sure?'', you heard him ask.

''Yes. Yes I'm sure,'', you nodded. He leaned his forehead against yours and you both took a moment to close your eyes and breathe and feel the other.

''Spence?''

''Yeah?''

''Just...Sometimes first times, they..um... they don't last very long. I want you to know that that's perfectly normal and please just... don't pressure yourself for me, okay?''

Spencer's chest felt all kinds of warm at your concern, and he nodded.

To your surprise, the next thing you felt were Spencer's fingers at your core, and you gasped in surprise. He drew soothing circles against the part of you that needed him most.

With every hiss, every moan that escaped your lips, you felt him twitch against your stomach.

It took him not more than two minutes to have you come completely undone before him. As soon as you were certain you could breathe again, you smacked his arm.

''Ow! What was that for?'', he grinned, perfect teeth on display. ''For lying to me! There's no way you have never done this!", you exclaimed, faking an angry scowl.

''I haven't, I swear!''

You pulled him down to your face, engulfing his lips in a lazy kiss. ''I told you. You'll know what to do,'', you mumbled against his lips.

At this point, you could feel him against your entrance, and any tiredness he had just induced you with was replaced by adrenaline again.

''Are you still sure?''

You smiled widely at him, eyes glistening with sureness, with happiness, as you nodded. Spencer was trembling too, now, and he quickly found one of your hands and entwined your fingers to ground him, before slowly, carefully, pushing in.

A shiver was ripping through both of your bodies, and it was not hard at all for Spencer to push all the way in, as you were more than ready for him. Though he was a lot bigger than you had anticipated. Your gazes met, both surprised, both immensely turned on, both bodies feeling on fire, which made the two of you erupt into a fit of giggles again.

Spencer brushed a strand of hair out of your face and peppered your face with light, loving kisses. You had never felt so loved.

''Is it okay if I move?'', to which you nodded in reply.

So Spencer started moving in and out of you, slowly at first, and you felt him fight off his release immediately. The feeling of him shivering, restraining himself below your touch, made you clench around him, earning a groan in return.

''Can you not-''

''Sorry, sorry,'', you giggled, and he huffed out a laugh in response.

''No, I'm sorry, I just-'', he met your gaze again, and his eyes softened, the stress he had put on himself only moments ago falling off of him once you were in his field of vision.

The hand that was not clasped by his own cupped his cheek again, a touch that said 'I'm here. You're fine, you're okay.', and he relinquished in the feeling of being understood.

He took all of his courage to move again, and he willed himself not to come simply by the feeling of feeling you, of being as close to you as humanly possible. Somehow, he felt you on every of his nerve endings, and he never wanted to do anything else, ever again.

After finally setting a pace that had you moaning and squirming beneath him, there's nothing else to do for him but let go and come undone. He moaned and trembled and you held him through it all.

He rolled onto his side, afterwards, pulled you in and placed kisses onto the top of your head. Then, sheepishly, he asked ''Can we do that again sometime?''

You prop yourself up on his chest, his fingertips caressing the back of your very sweaty back, a grin on your lips. ''Of course, baby. Anytime you want.''

''Yeah?''

''Yeah.''

╰summary: Spencer has a terrible crush on you. In you, he finally found a person he doesn't have to explain himself to. So, naturally, he doesn't plan on ever telling you about his feelings.

╰pairing: Spencer x reader

╰Warnings: Spencer being the absolute cutie that he is, talks of never fitting in anywhere, some kind of spicy thought Spencer has about reader, cute confessions, they are so in love

╰word count: 1.6k

Somehow I feel like I have written this hundreds of times but again, I have a new hyper fixation. I'm sorry. Requests for Steve and Eddie are still open though !! I won't forget about my husband!!

જ⁀➴Masterlist

For all his life, Spencer had the feeling the people around him did not really understand him. Not in the literal sense of course. Spencer was more than willing and able to word what he was thinking. So, naturally, he explained himself. Over and over and over. In great detail.

The teenagers in school mocked him for it, his colleagues rolled their eyes at his seemingly never ending stream of thoughts. It was hard for him to clearly grasp why. They did not understand the essence of what he was saying, but when he tried to make himself clear, it was wrong, as well?

So he accepted his fate. That he would always seem kind of special to the outside world. That there was no one who would ever truly be able to 'finish his sentence' or as the saying goes. He had never really understood that saying, anyways. It wasn't neurobiologically possible to read another's person's thoughts.

Still, it was a lonely way of living sometimes, feeling as though he was constantly speaking in another tongue than the rest of there world.

That was, until you stepped into his life.

It did not take Spencer long to develop a crush on you. Well, that was an understatement. It took him merely a day to be completely and utterly smitten for you.

But Spencer, despite being somewhat awkward concerning the whole dating business, was not new to having crushes.

He knew they would pass. Knew that he would grow accustomed to having you around, to noticing every little detail about you and someday not being as endeared by them as he was right now.

The surrounding sounds on the plane were doing nothing to distract him from looking at you, sitting across from him, one arm tucked safely under your chin, eyes closed, having drifted off to a deep sleep.

His eyes trailed your face, the way your brows were slightly knitted together, no doubt still thinking about the case the team had just finished. Your eyelids were fluttering in the slightest way, and your lips were pressed together, jaw still tightly clenched from the stress of it all.

''Other people can notice you staring, you know?'', Morgan whispered into Spencer's ear, making him jump and finally tearing his gaze from you.

''I'm not,'', he mumbled, the lie leaving his lips effortlessly. He could feel the skin of his cheeks heating up as Derek chuckled beside him.

''Why don't you finally talk to her, huh?'', Morgan pressed.

Spencer was close to rolling his eyes at his colleague. Of course he had thought about it. But he had discarded the idea just as quickly. He was not going to risk loosing what he had found in you just because he had a crush on you.

Over the weeks and months he had gotten to know you, and likewise, he had slowly but surely noticed what was so different about you.

You didn't treat him like everybody else did. You didn't shake your head, roll your eyes, or sigh when he rambled and explained something. No. Instead, your eyes never left his while he talked, and you nodded along no matter how long it took him to get his point across properly.

At first, he thought it was out of mere politeness.

But then he noticed.

Whatever he was trying to demonstrate, you could somehow grasp before everyone else. You understood him so well it was almost like you could read his mind sometimes.

He was baffled at first, but then his heart swelled and his chest felt warm. Spencer had never known what it felt like to have someone understand him, to really get him without it being his effort.

So, no, his crush on you was anything but fleeting. It was beginning to look permanent, and was strengthened by every interaction the two of you have had ever since.

''I don't know what you're talking about,'', Spencer mumbled again, fiddling with the pages of the book in his hand.

''Look, kid. I'm being honest here when I tell you not to downplay yourself like you so often tend to do. I really think she's interested, too.''

The sentence hung heavily in the air, and should it follow the law of physics, Spence thought, it should sink to the ground of the plane and right through it.

He knew Morgan meant well, he really did. But how could he risk losing the one person he felt a real connection with for something as mundane as having a crush?

Of course, deep down, Spencer knew it had begun to flourish into much more than a crush, but he wasn't ready to admit that to himself yet.

The plane landed not much later and the team shuffled, stretched, and collected their belongings, while you were still fast asleep. Spencer hesitated, but then stood up and lightly touched your arm. Nothing.

He touched your arm again, lightly shaking you. ''Hey,'' he said softly, which made your eyes flutter open. You squinted against the sudden light and stretched your arms before meeting Spencer's gaze. Upon seeing him, a genuine, eye-reaching smile was spread on your face.

''Hi, Spence,'', you grinned, and if he could, he would have suppressed any physiological reaction your face was causing him. But he couldn't. So his heart rate sped up, and his fingers somehow seemed immediately clammy.

He blinked and cleared his throat, willing his eyes to look away from your frame, but losing the battle against his own body. ''Walk me to my car?'', you asked, faking a pout you didn't have to. He would do anything before you had even asked the question.

''Of course.''

You collected your bag and with the rest of the team having already departed, it was only Spencer and you on the plane. Spencer felt his arm being intertwined with yours and for a second the irrational (though very small) part of his brain took control and he thought his heart would stop beating.

It didn't, of course.

Spencer wasn't one for physical touches. Everyone knew that. But, as you seemed to know what he was thinking, you also seemed to know what kind of physicality would be okay for him.

This was. In fact, this was more than okay. For the first time in his life, this touch made him crave even more. He wanted to feel your touch everywhere-

He shook his head. What has gotten into him all of a sudden? This was not like the parts of his personality he knew so well, at all.

''Did you sleep at all?'', you asked as you departed the plane arm in arm, to which he shook his head. ''Did I sleep the whole time?'', you asked. ''Most of the time, yeah.''

''Oh god, I drooled again, didn't I?'

A smile crept onto Spencer's lips, and you groaned in reply. ''I don't know why this keeps happening to me, like is there something wrong with my jaw?''

Nothing in the world could stop Spencer from smiling at this point. The two of you had reached your car and you were leaning against the passenger's door, looking up at him with doe eyes.

''No, no,'', he began. ''You looked....beautiful,'', his eyebrows knit as he brought the word out, not being able to hold your gaze and looking away.

You fell silent, and he desperately waited for a witty joke in reply. Instead, he felt the soft touch of your hand on his chin, turning him so he was looking at you again. Your hand was cold and it took everything in him not to rub your hands in between his.

Spencer could not quite read your expression. You seemed troubled, but not mad at him. That was good, right? Oh, but maybe that's where the rejection would come in.

''Spencer,'', you began, but it was hard for him to keep his gaze locked on yours, hard for him to hear what he had feared for so long.

''Spence, look at me, please,'', with your voice this low, you almost sounded like you begged, and this was what got him to look at you. He would never let you beg. For anything.

''Don't you know me well enough to know you don't have to walk on eggshells around me?'', you asked, to which confusion crossed his features.

Your hand cupped around his cheek and for a touch so foreign, it somehow felt like home to him. For the first time since he complimented you, he exhaled and closed his eyes.

''I know you, Spence. And you know me. You don't have to be worried. Never with me, okay? Never with me,'', you whispered, calming him down.

He slowly opened his eyes and looked at you. He saw the beautiful face he was slowly falling in love with, and he saw the soft, genuine smile still placed on your lips.

''What does that mean?'', he asked, somehow breathless in fear of the answer.

''It means that I know what you're feeling because I'm feeling the exact same way.'', you clarified, and Spencer's body reacted to this statement as it normally only should in answer to a gun held to his head.

And then, without thinking about it, which has never happened for Spencer, he pulled you in and captured your lips in a kiss. The kiss was hungry and all the while filled with to much appreciation and gratitude.

Your lips met again and again in heated kisses until a throaty moan escaped Spencer's mouth and he pulled back. He was about to apologize, but you stopped him.

╰summary: Steve has been crushing on you for a long time. His only problem? Your (more than shitty) boyfriend. On a night where you have no other choice but to realize how bad your boyfriend really is, the only place you want to go is wherever Steve is. ⤳ ⌞Part 2! ⌝

╰pairing: Steve x reader

╰Warnings: reader is in a toxic relationship, cursing, reader is hit by her boyfriend, talks of reader's boyfriend cheating on her, Steve is smitten for reader and would absolutely burn down the world for her, reader is described as a girl

╰word count: 2.9k

જ⁀➴Masterlist

The minutes were passing by slower than usual, for sure. Though, come to think of it, Steve usually had a sense they were once closing time was drawing nearer. Especially so, on a Friday night.

The air stood eerily still at Family Video this evening. Not a soul had come by in quite some time today, undoubtedly all already immersed in their plans for the night. No one was calling the store, no one was returning, or burrowing any movie.

The streets were also quieter than the usual traffic Steve's ears had grown so accustomed to. No kids were cycling past on bikes, no pretty girls were passing to fill his time or distract him from his boring shift.

With the aisles so deserted, it seemed as though there was a thick layer of dust at the top of them; well, more so than usually, anyway. Steve contemplated cleaning them and then decidedly voted against it in his head. Let that be a problem for tomorrow-Steve.

An annoyed sigh blew past his lips subconsciously as he was thinking about all the much greater things he could be doing rather than working on a Friday night. He shook his head at that thought, confused at his brain for gaslighting him.

Who was he kidding? He in fact, did not have any great plans for this evening. Robin was in the cinema with her family and the kids were hosting a new D&D campaign.

There could be, of course, the possibility to take a new pretty girl out on a date and keep on trying his luck in finally finding love. Something inside of him - was it his heart? - clenched at that thought.

Steve had an unusually hard time admitting it, but his mind had been filled with thoughts about, and spinning around, a particular girl for a few weeks now.

When Steve lay his eyes on you for the first time, he was very much close to slapping Robin because she had hid you from him for such a long time.

Sure, he was quick to declare a girl as pretty. But you? He was sure he had never with his eyes seen a girl so beautiful. He tried ignoring the physiological responses his body produced at simply thinking about you, but nonetheless, they were undoubtedly there.

The only problem? You had your heart set on someone else. A total douche, in Steve's opinion (and in Robin's, and in practically anyone's who knew you well enough).

His name was Kyle, and to put it quite blankly, he was treating you like shit. Steve had watched him all too closely, had seen how bad he was for you. Kyle was ogling - if not worse - every girl that was passing him, he always acted as if you weren't even around, and he did not seem at all like he cared about you in even the slightest way.

You, on the other hand, were sure that if you stayed with him long enough, loved him long enough, eventually, he would choose you; he would stay.

At least, that's why Robin thought you were staying with him, which is what she in turn told Steve. A sigh, this time a deliberate one, flew past Steve's lips as he was thinking about how much better he would be treating you if you finally let that son of a bitch go about his way.

Steve had had his fair share of tries at flirting with you whenever you visited the store. You shot him a bashful smile every time, but otherwise his tries seemed to stay unfruitful.

Unbeknownst to him, only a few streets away from him, you were also not enjoying your night. Though out of entirely different reasons.

Funnily, the first person you thought of when it happened, was Steve. Maybe because he had made some advances. Maybe because you found him charming, kind. Maybe, because, deep down, you knew he would never treat you the way Kyle was treating you in this very moment.

Like any good Friday night, you spent yours fighting with Kyle. You had seen him with yet another girl. At this point, even you yourself couldn't say why you were still with him. Maybe the sole reason was that you didn't want to give up, didn't want to admit to yourself that you had been wrong about him.

''I don't know what the fuck you're talkin' 'bout,'', Kyle mumbled, words slurring due to the alcohol he had been consuming presumably since the early afternoon. You scrunched your nose at the smell of his breath.

''I know it's hard for you to grasp, Kyle, but compared to you, I actually do have eyes and a brain, so I know whom I saw you with and that it means you cheated again you goddamn bastard!'', you had exclaimed, tears of anger and disappointment daring to spill over.

His face contorted in a weird manner, and it looked like he was constipated. Taken by a sudden sense of wanting to free yourself of him, of this situation, you turned away from him, heading towards the door. ''You don't get to call me that, whore!'', he yelled, then grabbed your wrist and spun you around.

It felt like all the anger that had pent up and that you had not let out in the past few months of putting up with him were finally breaking free. ''I am done with you, Kyle. Let go of me.''

''Only I say when we're done.'', he shot back. The hit that followed felt surreal for the first few seconds. A breath of air got stuck in your throat, and when it was released, it sounded like a sob. The tears you had tried so hard to fight back were spilling down your cheeks relentlessly, though this time out of shame and hurt.

The right side of your face felt hot and swollen at once. With his hand still around your wrist, he gave you an unbothered push which made you fall to the floor.

The world was spinning and blood and adrenaline were rushing in your ears. Despite it all, despite you knowing what kind of person he was, you would have never come to think he would actually hit you.

You stared up at the boy you once thought you could change, but he was looking down at you with nothing but disgust written across his features. ''Now get out, before I beat the shit out of you, slut.''

It was unclear from where you got the strength it took to stand up. At this point, you would put nothing past him. You wouldn't be surprised if he pulled out a gun and shot you. You scrambled to your feet and dizzily tumbled out of the door, too frightened to take your bag or any of your belongings with you.

Right then and there, you knew you would feel unsafe at every place but one right now. Arms wrapped around your upper body in shock and because of the freezing air biting at your skin, you tried your best to run the first few blocks on your way to Family Video.

Your whole body was still trembling as you prayed and prayed that they were still open. Prayed that Steve would be there. Prayed that even if it was only for a moment, you would feel safe again.

When Steve heard the bell signaling someone was entering the door, his first glance was directed at his watch, bewildered that anyone would come in after hours of utter silence.

Then he raised his head, and finally, his gaze fell upon your body. For a split of a second, he was happy to see you. But then he really took you in.

Arms wrapped around your self, whole body trembling, a tear-stained face and a bruise on your right cheek that was beginning to swell.

For most of his life, Steve had been the typical case of a 'freezer' in the typical fight-or-flight question. The upside down, and the endless dangers that accompanied it, had changed that. He was a fighter now.

Which is why he took action without having the time to really think about it. He rounded the counter within a mere second, then stood before you to assess any possible additional damage besides the ones he could so easily see.

With care and hesitance, he gently touched your elbows, bending his knees to be able to meet your gaze. ''Is anything broken?'', he asked, in a low, gentle, hushed voice. You couldn't recall a time someone had spoken so carefully with you.

You met his gaze then, brown, warm, worried eyes staring back at you. With what felt like the last bit of energy you could muster, you shook your head, then grabbed blindly at him, trying to find his hands, his arms, anything to hold you upright when your body was so desperately trying to tell you it couldn't support you anymore.

Hands finally finding hands, Steve could feel your knees giving away, and steadied you with his arms under yours. Your body practically fell into his, and with that, a loud sob escaped your lips.

''I didn't know where else to go,'', you cried, as you hid your face in his neck. ''Sshh, it's okay, it's okay. You're here. You're safe now. I won't let anything happen to you.'' His voice was laced thick with care and promises, and his heart was beating insanely against his rib cage.

Steve held you in his arms, though this wasn't anything like he dreamed it would be when you were in his arms for the first time. One of his hand was holding the back of your head, the other was soothing your back, his arms as a whole all the while holding your body upright.

After some time, when your sobs quietened down a little, he slowly pulled away, though not far, he wanted you to know he wasn't leaving you.

With your eyes red and swollen, he gently pushed a strand of hair out of your face, eyes falling onto your cheek, then locking his gaze with yours again. ''Did he do that to you?'', he finally brought himself to ask. He was afraid of the answer. Afraid of what he was willing to do to him if you said yes.

Your lips started wobbling as new tears filled your eyes and you buried your face in his chest. An anger so vile Steve did not know he was capable of flared up inside his body, and he tensed despite himself.

''I'm gonna kill him,'', he muttered, and you felt him pulling away. You shook your head and pulled him back to you by his shirt, forcing his eyes onto yours again. You didn't want him to start a fight, no matter how justified. You didn't want him to be in danger because of you. Most of all, though, you didn't want him to leave you.

''Please don't Steve. Please just...please just take me home,'', you practically begged him. Steve's eyes, previously filled with anger and the need to revenge you, softened at your words. You didn't know it, but you would never have to beg him for anything. He would set the world on fire if that was what you wanted him to do.

''Of course,'', he carefully caressed the left side of your face. ''Just tell me where you live and I can-'' He stopped talking when he saw you shaking your head again. ''No,'', you began, hesitant to ask of him what you wanted.

''Can I...can I stay at your place? Can I stay with you?'' Steve's eyebrows raised in surprise and his heart began beating in excitement. ''Only-only if that's okay, otherwise-''

''Of course it's okay. I'll close the store and then I'll get you home.'' He hadn't really meant to call his place your home, thought maybe that was just his subconsciousness slipping up and bringing up his biggest wish.

Steve closed the store within five minutes, never letting you leave his side, always holding your hand and constantly watching you, trying to assess how you were feeling.

The drive to Steve's place was mostly spent in silence. The comfort of his passenger seat had lulled you in, eyes growing heavy from tears and tiredness. ''Shit, I still have all my stuff at his place,'', you suddenly cursed out.

''I can get them if you want,''

''No, please don't. I don't wanna go there tonight.''

And so he didn't, either.

Once inside his room, he opened his drawers and pulled out a shirt and some sweatpants for you to change into. He waited patiently as you changed in the bathroom, making the bed as comfortable for you as he could.

Steve found himself feeling as nervous as he had ever been. Nervous about you being hurt. Nervous about you being here, in his room.

Once he heard the lock of the bathroom turning, he stood up, straightened, and wiped his sweaty palms on his pants. His insides melted at the sight of you in his clothes. At the same time, some of that anger resurfaced, seeing you so vulnerable, so hurt after what that asshole of a man did to you.

There was a vacant look on your face, your eyes focussing on nothing in particular as you slowly moved and sat down on his bed, softly stroking his bedsheets.

''Okay, then. I'll be downstairs on the couch but if you need-'' Your eyes shot up from the sheets to his face, gaze full of alertness now. ''What do you mean? You're not staying?'', you asked, panic lacing your voice though you hoped it wasn't as obvious.

Surprised at your question, Steve stammered, ''Ehm, I didn't know...I mean, yeah, I could also sleep on the floor, if that's what-'' You shook your head, interrupting him again, though he didn't mind at all. ''No, please,'', you began, taking a deep breath before continuing.

''Please just stay with me.''

You didn't need to say the words out loud, Steve knew what they meant. ''Of course.'' He didn't comment further, he didn't make you feel weird about wanting him there, and you breathed out air you had been holding in anticipation.

Steve then also changed in the bathroom as you slipped under the covers of his bed. You had thought you would feel out of place in his bed, that you would stiffen at the unfamiliar mattress, but the opposite was the case.

His sheets were soft and warmer than you would have thought, and they smelled faintly of safety, of him. With the comforter tucked beneath your chin, you watched as he entered the room, looking even softer in the change of clothes than he did before.

He seemed almost shy as he got into bed next to you, all the while keeping a safe distance as to not make you uncomfortable.

Steve couldn't recall the last time he had felt this nervous concerning a girl.

''Should I leave the lights on?'', he asked, voice in a hushed whisper, to which you shook your head. Your body was on the side, turned towards him. In contrast to him, somehow, you weren't nervous at all. You felt at ease, safe, comfortable.

Steve turned the lights off and then hesitantly turned on his side as well, facing you. It was dark now, save for the moon light coming in through his window, illuminating his face in the most fascinating glow. You couldn't tear your eyes away from him.

Steve gnawed at his lip, unsure if he should say something. Why were you so quiet? Was it because he made you uncomfortable? Was it because of everything you had to endure tonight? Was it his fault? He watched you, how you watched him, eyes wide and despite it all seeming innocent, full of life.

The words left his mouth before he could help himself. ''He won't get away with this, you know?'' Silence, then. A beat. Two.

''Leave him,'', you whispered, and suddenly Steve was gripped by the crippling fear that you still wanted to protect Kyle. He wasn't sure his heart could take that; could take you going back to him.

''Not that this asshole wouldn't deserve it, but I don't want you getting in trouble for this. For me.''

Steve relaxed the slightest at your words, though his eyebrows also knitted in confusion. ''What do you mean, 'for you'? I would do anything for you. Especially beat the hell out of this piece of shit for hurting you.'' Another sentence Steve somehow had no control over before it escaped his lips. His heart beat wildly in agitation. Had he gone too far? Was this too much? He was such an idiot, to say something like this to you on a night like tonight. You were vulnerable enough.

Maybe the lack of control Steve was experiencing was rubbing off on you. Maybe you were finally doing what you had wanted to do for a while now, when you slowly raised your hand and placed it delicately on the side of his face.

Eyes wide, Steve tensed for a second, waiting for you to pull away again, to tell him to get lost. But you didn't. So, after a few moments passed, he hesitantly leaned into your touch.

''I don't want you to, though. I want you to be safe, I want you to be here,'', you paused, taking a breath. ''With me.''

This time, Steve didn't wait as long to react to your words. He gently grasped the hand that was caressing his face and hesitantly placed a loving kiss on your knuckles.