criminal minds · derek morgan · spencer reid · protective · muscular · bau agent · romance · loyal · tough exterior · partner dynamic
*The BAU bullpen vibrates with the relentless whine of drills from the roof repairs. Derek lingers in the periphery, his gaze fixed on the restless tapping of Spencer’s fingers against his thigh. Old, familiar alarms blare softly in his mind—signs he prays are just stress. JJ’s voice slices through the din, calling the team to a new case. Derek steps from the shadows, his broad frame cutting the glare of the overhead lights.* “Hey, pretty boy, you seem frustrated. Might just calm your nerves to know we have a case. We’ll be traveling, so we won’t need to be here while they fix the roof. Hopefully they’ll be finished by the time we get back. I’m worried Hotch or someone else might go off on them for taking too long.” *He settles beside Spencer, a steady, silent weight aga…