Chapter Text
Being one of JJ's assistants is tiring, but at least you don't have time to get bored. “Queen of forms” is one of your nicknames since you work in the FBI. Thanks to Penelope's help, you have a software that finds any forms they could need. When I say “they”, I mean everyone on the same floor as you. All it takes is for JJ not to need you for someone else to ask for your help.
But you're fine with that. Days or weeks pass quickly. Sometimes you don't have time to think for yourself. And it's perfect for days like today. You don't want to think of anything, especially not the very recent loss of your pet. So work, work, work, and everyone is happy!
Nevertheless, you are surrounded by profilers so it's very easy for them to notice something happened when they were gone for a case. Morgan tried to know with a joke. JJ smiled at you everytime you gave her the files she asked for. Rossi tried to offer a coffee outside but you refused, saying you have too much work. Emily offered to get lunch together. Reid stayed longer than he should at the coffee corner and even used some magic tricks which just made you laugh but nothing that he expected.
Speaking of your laughter, Reid doesn't dislike it. No. The very opposite. He loves hearing every time you're laughing even if your desk is far away from his, even if he is not the one who makes you laugh. And he misses hearing it since they came back from their last case.
.
Friday is the best day for a drink after work. After a hard case or a too quiet week, the profilers’ team often meet together in their usual pub. They invite you every time with some other coworkers, but you basically refuse every time. First, pubs are not your thing, then you always have to go home to take care of your pet. Well, “had” now.
“Who is ready to drink?” Morgan asks with a charming smile, looking at the team hopefully. “Baby girl?”
“Of course, Chocolate thunder!” Penelope hurries to answer as she just gets out of her office. “Emily?”
“Yeah, sure!” she replies while she is turning off her computer.
At the same time, JJ leaves Hotch's office and she just says “Go without me. I'll join you later!” as she walks fast to her own office. As they know Rossi and Hotch join them later if they want to, they don't ask.
Then, Morgan just smiles at Reid to make him sigh.
“I don't know. Remember those books I told you on the plane. I have to–” Reid tries to explain before Morgan cuts him off.
“No no no. Not this time, Reid!” he says, his head shaking from right to left multiple times before stopping towards you. “Queen of forms?”
Used to your refusals, Morgan is already turning his head towards Reid when you answer.
“Yes, I'm in tonight,” you say as you're turning off your computer.
It's only when you have taken your handbag and your umbrella, that you notice the team is looking at you silently. Well, everyone knows they are one person who can't stay quiet more than two seconds.
“Oh my god! I was sure today was special when I– Anyway!” Penelope exclaims as she runs to you. “I'm so happy you’re joining us! I don't remember the last time you came!”
Last year, 12th May. It was a Friday. Spencer remembers the last time you joined them. It was a pre-birthday party for Penelope that you didn't dare to refuse since you had just started your job. It was the first time you talked together. You told him that you always got lost in the corridors because they all looked the same, and he couldn't help telling you about his memory and all his abilities.
“[Your former pet name] won't miss you tonight?” Emily jokes, knowing you always explain you have to take care of your pet after work, often showing them photos they don't even ask for.
“Not anymore. I'm just the only one who missed them for now,” you answer a little too fast. “Anyway, where are you drinking?”
No need to be a profiler to notice your fake smile. Neither to understand why you were in a bad mood for the last few days.
Your question doesn't long without an answer as Morgan tells you to follow him.
.
Pubs are definitely not your thing, but the drinks are good. They have your favourite alcoholic drink so you're not going to complain. Plus, it's a while since you spend with the profilers’ team outside of work.
Avoiding talking about the last case, you speak with everyone until there is just Penelope, Reid and you around the table. When you notice you’re speaking in the void, Penelope’s attention only on Morgan’s dance, you laugh and turn to Reid, who is sitting just next to you.
“I think I’m boring her,” you joke. “Can I bore you instead?”
“I don’t think you bore her. She just can’t focus on anything when Morgan is dancing,” he says seriously, with a little smile. “And you never bore me. It's usually the other way around.”
“Rest assured that you never bore me!” you reply with a large smile, gently tapping his forearm. “The Queen of forms needs a lot to be bored. Speaking of needs, I need another drink!”
You don’t hear Reid asking if you’re sure about that or see him frowning. Raising from your chair was easy, but walking to the counter was another thing. So when you’re in front of the barman, you only ask for a glass of water. Once it’s empty, you go to the toilet before joining Penelope and Reid again. Penelope's focus is still on Morgan while Reid is looking for your glass as you're walking to them.
“I had a very fun evening, but I'm leaving. I need fresh air more than another drink finally,” you admit as you take your handbag and your umbrella. “Good night and see you Monday!”
You wave to the others after Penelope hugs you a last time.
Outside, it's raining less than you expected but you still have to open your umbrella if you want to stay dry. The night is full dark, and you're glad to live in a big city with floor lamps everywhere during that kind of night.
When the door's pub opens behind you, you automatically move aside to let the person pass without looking to see who it is. You eventually pay attention to that person when you realise it’s Reid.
“–rainy actually. Do you need a taxi? Do you want me to call one?” Reid asks as he is standing before you, his umbrella a lot taller than yours, saving him from the rain.
“Oh no, it's fine. I planned to walk,” you answer, smiling at his half-surprised, half-confused face. “I don't live very far away and I need to get some fresh air.”
It seems your explanation is not enough as you see Reid frowning and shaking his head.
“You live an hour's walk from here. It’s raining. You’ve drank a lot. One of those reasons is statistically enough to be dangerous… And you still want to walk?” he says seriously, trying to understand you at the same time as he adjusts his bag to keep it out of the rain. “Oh, did you mean it or do you just want me to leave you alone? I’d understand but–”
“I meant it,” you sigh, tired of his monologue, your evening, and your week, despite knowing he is just nice and polite. “Listen, I just want to walk. I like to walk. The rain is not a problem for me. It’s never bad weather if you’re dressed for it, and I have what I need. I have time. Is that enough to convince you? Do you want me to send you a message when I get home?”
You finish your long monologue with an honest smile. Reid looks at you seriously all long, blinking several times, until he smiles too. His eyes leave you for the road in the direction of your home.
“Can I join you? For your walk, I mean. If you want to,” he specifies, moving on his own feet, impatient of your answer.
“I don’t mind, if you can put up with me for an hour chatting under the rain,” you answer, unable to hide your smile and your heart beating fast, glad to enjoy his company a little more. “Do we live in the same direction?"
With your question, a long discussion starts between you and Reid. The longest you ever had. Both of you spend lunch break together sometimes when you meet in the break room, but you have never spent so much time with him before, and here nobody tells you it’s time to work!
Finally, you’re not the one who talks the most. As you expected, Reid is full of surprise and knowledge. You could hear him forever. Hm, do you walk slower than you used to? Maybe…
What you don’t know is that Spencer also likes spending time with you. Hearing about common things, but nonetheless interesting. He is never bored when you talk. He also likes the sound of your voice, but it’s another detail he doesn’t prefer to think otherwise his cheeks turn pink in an instant…
“Statisticly–” he starts until a gust of wind blows the both of you strongly enough to break his umbrella. “No! It was my favourite!”
Despite the situation, you can’t help but giggle. His reaction is so cute. As the rain is heavier than when you left the pub, you get closer to him and cover him as best you can with yours, thanking the night for hiding your red cheeks.
“Mine is not as pretty as yours but it should cover us. Can you take it?” you ask, handling him the umbrella.
“Of course! Thank you. Are you sure?” he says as he takes it and gets closer, both touching your arms. “I mean, we should call for a taxi.”
You frown at his words, the bubble of cozyness bursting instantly. Reid notices you wanted to take your umbrella before you did, so he makes it inaccessible.
“You can take a taxi while I’m walking home,” you say, crossing your arms on your chest.
“You are the most stubborn person I know,” he chuckles until he sees you’re still frowning. “Just tell me what’s the problem. Maybe I can help you.”
Avoiding his eyes, you try to find a good excuse, but at the end, you decide to tell him the truth. He is a genius, right? Maybe he can understand you.
“I just don’t want to go home,” you confess, looking before you but still feeling his warmth from your proximity. “I-I”m not used to being alone at home. I think of them everytime. I look for them each time I see a spot they used to be... So I’m good outside. A long walk is perfect for me. You can go home with a taxi, I’ll wait until you find one if you want.”
When you look back to Reid, you notice how serious he is. Not everyone takes you seriously when you talk about a pet. You’re glad he doesn’t laugh at you.
After your explanation, Reid understands you better. He doesn’t know to react or comfort you for the moment so he tries another solution.
“Do you want to come to my place?” he blurts out, facing you now, his curvy hair falling in your direction. “I-I mean, instead of walking alone under the rain, you can go to my place and we can watch a movie if you want to, and you can go home whenever you want. Hm, I didn't think anyone would come to my place, so it's a mess, but–”
“Ok,” you simply answer, cutting off his monologue before he can’t stop it either.
Reid looks at you motionless, as if he was still waiting for your answer. Is he more surprised by the speed of your answer or by your answer itself? What he is sure of is that you agree to follow him and he won’t leave you the time to take back your words.
With a large smile, he gives your umbrella back and walks out to call a taxi. He acts so fast that he is already wet when you cover him back as a taxi joins you.
.
Reid’s place is less messy than you expected. Everything is tidy except books or empty coffee mugs on every free spot. It’s very him in some way. In his entrance, he still looks embarrassed for the mess despite you kept telling him it was nothing.
He is more wet than you, his hair and his shoulders dripping wet. Once he has invited you to enter his place, he leaves you to go and dry and change his clothes. As for you, you have just your shoes wet, so once you’ve removed them and put your umbrella next to the door, you walk inside, curious to discover a part of him you don’t know.
You won’t lie, you are delighted to be here! You would never have imagined that it would be possible. Well, you have imagined it in your dreams, but it’s not the same to be here now.
His living-room is the messier room, not that you’ve seen all his rooms yet, but you can’t help but chuckle at the view of it. The smell of books and coffee makes you comfortable. Only the couch is not contaminated by other things than cushions or plaids.
If you were friends for a long time, you would take the opportunity to pick up some mugs, but you don’t dare. You only look at the book titles. Some of them are unable to read since they’re in a foreign language, but you recognize books you’ve also read.
When you decide to sit on the couch, you notice a DVD on the coffee table between some books or piles of printed papers. You take it without waiting for his return, a smile widens on your lips. A Doctor who’s DVD! Oh, and it’s with the 10th Doctor!
“Great taste!” you chuckle, not noticing that Reid is walking in the living room, wearing simply a t-shirt without a cardigan or tie.
“Did you find something interesting in this whole mess?” he asks as he is drying his hair with a towel.
“Yes, a DVD. Doctor Who!” you say as you show it to him. “I didn’t know you watched Doctor Who!”
Your smile is the brightest he saw since he came back from the last case. He is not often surprised but between your smile and that fact you know Doctor Who, he doesn’t know what to say.
It’s not the first time you see him lost in his mind, so you know how to react. You wait a little until you talk again.
“Did you watch it already? I have the same at home. I only saw half of the DVD and the episodes were great!” you exclaim with enthusiasm until you realise your voice is a little too loud. “Oh, I shouldn’t have started speaking of Doctor Who. I can’t stop myself when I start…”
“No! Yes! I mean, I haven’t watched it already,” he hurries to say, stopping before the couch with an embarrassed smile. “I didn’t know you knew it either. Do you want to watch it now?”
“Absolutely! If you’re not too tired, of course!” you smile. “I can’t wait to see how you will react to “Blink”!”
“Coffee?” he asks, laughing at your unexpected enthusiasm as he walks to the kitchen.
Despite a good coffee, you eventually fall asleep during the second episode. When your head fell on Spencer’s shoulder, he didn't say a word, enjoying your presence until the episode ended. Then, as slowly as he could, he lets you sleep on the couch, afraid to wake you up if he moves you, and puts a thick blanket on you.
.
Comfortably settled in, you only realise it’s the next morning when you smell the aroma of coffee and breakfast.
After some seconds of trying to remember where you were, you suddenly sit up. From the couch, you can see Spencer from behind, guessing he is making breakfast.
Embarrassed to have fallen asleep on his couch, you don't know what to do. Sure Spencer is nice, but you're just starting to be friends. Not close enough to sleep at his home…
“Good morning,” you hear from the kitchen. “I haven't finished yet. You can take a shower if you want to.”
The tone of his voice is so kind that you forget your embarrassment. He is as friendly as you could be after years of friendship.
“Good morning,” you eventually say as you stand up with a big yawn, looking at yourself. “A shower would be a good idea.”
As you already used the bathroom the night before, you know where to go. Barely inside, you notice Spencer already took a shower earlier, the glasses still wet and the air humid.
After a warm, quick shower, at the moment when you want to dress, you notice your shirt is more dirty than you thought. Stained and creased, you can't wear that. And you thought you couldn't be any more embarrassed…
Peering out of the bathroom door, you try to see Spencer. You're glad he has a good hearing when you see him turning towards you.
“Do you need something?” he asks as he puts away everything he had in his hands to join you.
“Would it be too much to ask if you could lend me a T-shirt? Any one will be fine. Just something clean,” you say quickly.
“Oh. O-Of course. Just. Wait here,” he says, his voice and his gesture showing he is more embarrassed than you.
You don't understand why until you notice you're not as hidden by the door than you thought, also remembering you’re just wearing a towel.
Ok, what could be more embarrassing than that?! Well, there are some options, but you absolutely don't want to think of them!
Spencer joins you back quickly, handing you a shirt as his eyes look in the kitchen's direction.
“Here. And no need to be as polite. Breakfast is ready, so you can join me when you want,” he says as you grab the t-shirt.
“Thanks. I'll be quick,” you reply quickly as you close the door.
.
Once you're clean and clothed, you join Spencer in the kitchen. His back is to you, serving coffee in mugs. His clothes are more comfortable than you're used to at work. A simple white t-shirt and dark blue sweatpants. Oh, and it's only when he turns back that you notice his glasses!
As for you, you’re wearing his too-big-for-you shirt and have no makeup to hide your red cheeks, so you look at the plates on the table, discovering several plates of pancakes and a lot of jars of jam.
“Wow, so many pancakes! Do you have other drunk persons who fell asleep on your couch last night?” you joke as you eventually look at him.
“I don't think so. I just don't know how much you eat in the morning, and after what you drank yesterday, I thought you would need to eat,” he chuckles as he looks at the t-shirt he lent you. “You look fantastic.”
Looking at his Doctor Who t-shirt which is written “I'm fantastic!”, you can’t help but chuckle too. As you sit on a chair in front of him, the smell of his soap reaches him. By offering you to take a shower at his place, he didn't realise that you would smell like him, like his home. With his t-shirt...
Between how he saw you in the bathroom and that thought, he can barely look at you without losing his words immediately.
“With no make-up and a nice but very big t-shirt, I doubt it,” you smile. “Thanks for the t-shirt, the shower, and the couch by the way. Oh and breakfast too.”
“It's nothing,” he eventually says, his words coming back as he sits down and puts a mug in front of you.
Both of you stay silent for a moment, enjoying the pancakes and the coffee. It has been a while since you eat breakfast like this in a peaceful ambience.
While you're smiling at your plate, Spencer looks at you, observing everything he could to memorise a part of you he doesn't see at work. The weather is better than the day before and some rays of Sun enter his place, improving the cozy moment. He wants to talk about breakfast’s customs or pancakes’ different recipes which exist in the world, but his words get stuck in his throat before he even begins.
“It's delicious. I would marry a man who makes breakfast like this every weekend,” you murmur, enjoying every piece you eat, smiling at your own remark.
“Would you?” he asks, trying to have a casual tone.
“Oh, definitely!” you laugh as you eventually raise your eyes to him, noticing he is closer than you thought. “I mean! Wait, I don’t mean!”
Seeing Spencer burst out laughing relaxes you, and him even more. You follow him in his laughter. All the tension since the shower disappears as if nothing had happened. He then launches into an explanation of wedding breakfast customs that you have never heard of, and that you listen to without interrupting.
Afraid you did something inappropriate after the shower, you’re glad to find him back. He is now smiling at you, sipping his coffee, rays of Sun shining on his messy, wavy hair.
After asking him where he got that T-shirt, you both start a cozy conversation until all the pancakes have been eaten and the coffee drunk. It was the best breakfast you had for a long time, and you've already told him countless times.
Yet, everything has an end, and once you’re ready to leave, Spencer walks with you to his door, waiting for the taxi he ordered for you earlier to arrive.
“Once again, thank you for everything. I feel stupid knowing what happened to me is nothing compared to the cases you have worked on,” you say in an apologetic tone.
“Oh, no. You can’t compare them. It has nothing to do with it, and your behaviour is totally understandable given how close you were to your pet. Actually, do you know– No, forget it,” he hurries to say, shaking his head. “Just, if you need me again, feel free to ask. You could have stayed longer if you wanted to.”
“Thanks, but I’m sure you have planned a lot of things for the weekend,” you smile, peeking outside to see if your taxi has arrived.
“No, I don’t have anything special to do,” he says, staring at you, his mind racing to find a better idea for you to stay.
“For a profiler, you’re a terrible lie, Dr Reid,” you say, unable to hide a smirk as you turn to him.
Were you two that close just before? Oh, you’re closer than under the umbrella. His hair is falling toward you, but it’s not the thing you noticed. Why is he looking at you like that? Puppy eyes with his mouth a little open. When he licks his lips before closing his mouth, it’s impossible for you not to look at it. Did he do it on purpose? No, Spencer doesn't do that sort of thing.
So when you look up, his cheeks are redder than you’ve ever seen. As embarrassed as him, you take a step back and hit your head with something hanging on the wall behind you.
“Are you ok?” he quickly asks after you groan and rub your head, his hands moving around in all directions, not knowing what to do.
“Feeling stupid, but ok,” you laugh. “Oh, my taxi is here. Well, thanks again for everything and see you Monday!”
In a few seconds, you grab your bag, open the door, kiss him on his cheek, make an awkward wave goodbye and leave.
How could you move so fast? Spencer is still searching for a way to tell you are not stupid as you enter the taxi.
Once the taxi starts moving, you hide your face in your scarf, as if Spencer still can see you. How could you kiss him like that? How are you going to be able to talk to him normally on Monday? The taxi arrives at your place when you are still searching for a way to be normal Monday.
As for Spencer, it’s only when the taxi is leaving that he realises what you did. Closing the door behind him, he hides his face with both his hands like a teenager in an idiot romcom movie. He should have kissed you, and not just on the cheek. Where is his courage when he needs it? Not seeing where he puts his foot, he stumbled over something at the entrance. Your umbrella. You have forgotten it. At least, he has something to talk about Monday.
.
Monday. While Spencer is the first to arrive in the office, there are a lot of people when you arrive. You won’t lie, you did it on purpose. Perhaps you will be able to blend in with the crowd, sit quietly at your desk, and start working without anyone noticing.
Except that you can’t avoid someone like Spencer Reid. He watches you enter, realising that despite you’re correctly dressed, he prefers you with his t-shirt on. He can’t hide his smile at the though he is the only one who has seen you like that. He is certainly the only one who knows you’re a Doctor Who fan at work.
As soon as you sit, he is standing next to you waving his hand, big smile, well dressed as usual, but without glasses. Afraid to say something wrong, you let him talk first.
“Hi! You are usually one of the first people to arrive on this floor in the morning, I was starting to worry. Anyway, I just wanted to give your umbrella back,” he explains, handing your umbrella.
“Hi! Oh, thanks! I thought I had left it in the taxi,” you smile, reassured he talks to you as usual.
Spencer and you exchanged a few text messages over the weekend, but he didn’t tell you he had kept your umbrella. As you grab the umbrella, you thank Spencer again, asking if he had spent a good weekend and then starting a casual conversation.
You thought you were discreet, but when Penelope walks next to your desk, hearing what you said and seeing you taking the umbrella, she stops, watching you both attentively.
“Oh. My. God,” she starts, dropping her bag on your desk. “What happened Friday? No lies! I need to know. Every. Detail!"
The exchange of glances between Spencer and you does not go unnoticed. Even if Penelope isn’t a profiler, she has a very good sense of his kind of things. You know you can’t hide her anything, Spencer knows it too.
When you’re starting to see no escape, your desk phone rings. Knowing it’s JJ, you answer immediately. You have never been so glad that she gives you work!
After a quick apology, especially to Spencer, you run to JJ’s office. Spencer, who thought he would escape at first, ends up being grabbed by the arm by Penelope and dragged into her batcave.
.
Later, at your desk when you can take a small break, you decide to send a text message to Spencer, “Sorry for abandoning you. Are you alright?”. As he answers sooner than you expected, you continue to talk with him.
Spencer: “I’m alright, but she didn't want to let me go until I told her that you had stayed at my place. I’m sorry.”
You: “It’s fine. It’s not a secret :)”
You: “I forgot. I still haven’t cleaned your shirt. You’ll give it back soon. Promise!”
Spencer: “You can keep it, if you want to.”
Even from his desk, he heard you gasping. As you don’t dare to look at him, and he doesn’t do it either, nobody makes the connection.
You: “Really?!”
You: “I mean. Are you sure?”
Spencer: “Yes, I’m sure. Do you want it?”
Spencer won’t tell you but you wear it better than he does, much better. He can’t wait to see you wearing it again.
You: “Yes! It’s so cool! Are you definitely sure?”
Spencer: “Yes. Just promise me to wear it, then.”
You: “I will! Not at the office, but I will! Thank you so much! Maybe next time when I watch DVDs.”
Since his answers were quick, you thought the conversation was over. It’s only some minutes after you work again that you notice a new message, “Do you want to watch them with me?”.
No need to explain your cheeks are on fire, especially when you raise your eyes to him and notice he is looking at you, definitely waiting for your answer. You smile even before sending a new message, “Of course! Whenever you want! (No case for the next weekend for now!)”. You didn’t add, “and I have nobody who waits for me now anyway”, but Spencer felt it even so.
A glance to Spencer again confirms you he is thrilled as you of the idea of another evening together. Yet, when you think he is just happy to watch a series together, you don’t realise how happy he is to spend more time with you, and just you.