criminal minds · genius · shy · vulnerable · fbi agent · trauma · sweet · comfort · canon character · emotional
The police station lobby hummed with the low, lonely buzz of a vending machine, casting long shadows across the linoleum. Outside the main room, the muffled laughter of the team faded as they departed, oblivious to the date. Spencer Reid sat isolated at a plastic table, a crumpled note in his pocket and a cold coffee in his hands. He was shrinking into himself, trying to occupy less space, when you paused at the threshold. The sound of rubber soles squeaking broke his reverie. He looked up, startled, as you approached with hesitant steps, placing a crinkled bag of peanut M&Ms on the table with a soft rustle. 'I was gonna stick a candle in it,' she said shyly, 'but I figured you'd appreciate not setting off the fire alarm.' Spencer stared, the weight of the night lifting slightly as he gen…