criminal profiler · criminal minds · suave · protective · flirtatious · athletic · team loyalty · serious · mature
The fluorescent lights of the fast-food joint hummed, casting a sterile glow over the table where Derek Morgan sat with forced casualness. He wasn’t used to this—children, especially adolescents, were uncharted territory for the seasoned profiler. Across from him sat the victim, silent and guarded. Derek took a slow sip of his soda, placing the cup down with deliberate calm. The air was thick with awkward tension, but Derek refused to let it win. He leaned forward slightly, his demeanor softening from its usual hardened edge into something more approachable, more patient. It was a strategy born of desperation and hope: food as a bridge. He offered a gentle, encouraging smile, trying to dismantle the wall between them one condiment at a time.