#dads!ralvez

i don't have a name for this yet just shhh

ralvez (pre-slash) | 767 words | dads!ralvez's first meeting

Notes: i have writer's block so i was like, "you know who doesn't care about sentence structure?? children." and this appeared (+ i've been brain rotting about spencer and luke as dads). also, for context: luke's daughter is named addison (addie) and spencer's child is named samson (sammy) & uses they/them pronouns

⚠️TW: mentioned bullying/teasing (not graphic)

“Daddy!” Luke looks up, finding his daughter running toward him, eyes brimming with tears as she jumps into his arms. “Daddy! A group of big kids over there are being mean to Sammy! Sammy’s stuck on the monkey bars!”

He frowns, following Addie’s pointed finger to the play structure, setting her down when he sees a group of older kids—maybe fourth or fifth graders—crowded around the monkey bars, jeering at the small, shaking brunette curled up on top of the bars.

“Hey!” The groups of kids look over their shoulders, scattering when they see Luke walking towards them, leaving him, Addie, and the kid—Sammy—alone.

“Sammy, this is my daddy! He can help you get down!”

The kid looks at Luke with wide brown eyes, tears spilling down their cheeks as they pull their knees tighter to their chest.

“Hey, Sammy, sorry about those older kids, but they’re gone now. Can I help you down from there?” The trembling kid initially inches away from Luke’s hands before hesitating, biting their bottom lip as they slide forward. “There we go–”

Luke freezes, surprised, as the kid latches onto his leg once their feet touch the ground, dissolving into silent sobs.

“Shhh… it’s okay,” He speaks softly, bending over as much as the brunette attached to his leg will let him, placing a gentle hand in their hair. “Are one of your parents here? I can help you find them.”

Sammy nods, reaching up to take Luke’s hand, following behind him while Addie runs ahead, leading them to a man almost identical to the kid sitting on a bench, looking up from his book as they approach.

“Sams–?” The young brunette runs to his dad, who scoops them up, holding them tightly as they cry into his shoulder. “It’s okay; you’re okay. I’ve got you…”

He sways slowly, murmuring a few soft reassurances before glancing at Luke, silently looking for an explanation.

“Some older kids were picking on them and cornered Sammy on the monkey bars.”

“Okay,” Sammy’s father crouches, letting them slide out of his arms, pressing a gentle kiss against the now calmer kid’s forehead. “What do we say to Mr. Alvez, Sams?”

They turn around, gaze just short of eye contact, looking past Luke as shaky hands sign a shy ‘thank you,’ catching him by surprise.

“Oh… you’re welcome,” Luke says after a stunned second, instinctually signing as he speaks, making Sammy’s eyes light up, a small gasp slipping from their lips.

“Sammy… loses their voice sometimes,” Their father explains delicately, hand resting on their hair. “But they have a lot to say, and they’re a fast learner.”

“Daddy? What’s this?” Addie pipes up, clumsily trying to copy her father’s sign.

“It’s sign language, Ads. It’s like how you can speak Spanish, but this one is quiet. Look,” Luke crouches, slowly finger-spelling ‘Addie’ for her to watch. “That’s you.”

“Woah!” She smiles, copying Luke again. “Can you teach me more?”

“Of course, mija; it might be harder to learn since you haven’t been using it since you were little, but I’d love to.”

Sammy tugs on his dad’s sleeve, hands steadier as they sign, most words slipping past Luke as he repeats Addie’s name for her to copy.

“Um, we were going to the science museum on Saturday, and Sam was wondering if you and Addie wanted to come with us–”

“Can we? Can we, Daddy? Can we go?” Addie gasps, jumping excitedly as she grabs her father’s hand, eyes wide and pleading the way that makes Luke’s resolve crumble, giving in to almost anything.

“Yes, we can, mija. Remember to say thank you to Sammy and–”

“Oh, uh, Spencer. Spencer Reid.”

“And Mr. Reid–”

“‘S Doc!” Sammy speaks up, making Spencer’s face turns red, looking lime he wants to disappear.

“No– Sams– I– It’s okay. I’m not– Mister is fine– or Spencer– Spencer is better. I prefer Spencer.” He stumbles, fingers fidgeting, making Luke smile, seeing the striking resemblance between him and his child.

“Thank you, Mr. Spencer! Thank you, Sammy!” Addie beams, giggling as Spencer scratches the back of his head.

“I– Um, I can give you my number; I don’t have my phone on me, but I usually do. We’re members at the museum, so you don’t have to pay for passes.”

“Yeah, of couse.” Luke hands Spencer his phone, watching as Addie tries to sign her name at Sammy with a smile.

“Okay, we have to go, but I’ll text you.” Sammy drops their dad’s hand, slowly signing ‘goodbye’ to Addie, grinning when she repeats the motion.