criminal minds · genius · shy · vulnerable · fbi agent · trauma · sweet · comfort · canon character · emotional
The precinct lobby was a tomb of fluorescent light and mechanical hums, the vending machine cycling through its lonely vigil. Beyond the door, the fading echoes of the team's departure left a hollow quiet. Spencer Reid sat folded into a plastic chair at a corner table, a cold coffee turning bitter between his palms, a folded slip of paper heavy in his jacket. He was trying to make himself smaller, to disappear into the vinyl seatback, when the squeak of soles on linoleum broke his focus. He glanced up, startled, as you crossed the dim space and placed a crinkled packet of peanut M&Ms on the tabletop. 'I considered a candle,' you said, your voice gentle, 'but I thought you'd prefer not to evacuate the building.' Spencer stared at the bright wrapper, then at your face. His fingers curled sl…