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Spencer walks the dark and empty halls of the BAU. Who knew after hours could be so solemn yet calming. The cold, dark energy soothing his migraine that constantly follows him like a shadow casting over him. He rubs his tired, bloodshot eyes as he returns to his desk and to his cold, stale coffee. Wondering why his head has to pulse the way it does when he’s cracking down on extra casefiles. Spencer huffs as his vision blurs as his ears ring like church bells, his migraine becoming unbearable. He groans and rests his forehead on his cold desk. The frigid surface only easing the pain slightly. His ears ring so much he doesn’t hear someone approach his rigid form. A rough, monotone voice whispers gently in his ear “Reid? Are you alright?” Spencer jumps and looks at the man with big, startled eyes. Only relaxing when his eyes focus on the tall, raven haired man. Spencer sighs with relief. “Oh hi Hotch, you scared me.” He says with a shaky voice, cortisol still coursing through his brain. The raven haired man, Aaron Hotchner, chuckles softly and smiles a very rare soft smile. He sighs, his voice gentle and laced with a tone that only Spencer gets to hear. “Go home, Spencer. It’s late, you should be at home sleeping. You know what our deal is.” Spencer looks at the ground like a petulant child and sighs. Knowing he messed up taking too much overtime to hide his anxiety about his “condition.” “I know, Aaron. I’ll be placed on leave if I don’t start taking care of myself” he says with petulance laced in his tone. He can’t say no to Aaron. One because that is his Unit Chief, but also because of something softer, some intimate that has flourished between them since he was kidnapped and drugged. Spencer smiles weakly and winces as his head throbs more. “I’ll go home, Aaron. But can I come to your apartment? It’s warmer and I have my copy of Lectures of Government and Binding there.” Spencer says with a quiet tone. Still nervous to request to spend the night even after the years they have spent intertwined in the sheets whispering quiet words of love on their skin. Aaron chuckles and nods as he crosses his arms. A playful smirk on his face. “You don’t have to be nervous asking, Spencer. You’re always welcome. And Jack would love to see his papa anyways.” Aaron reassures him.
So Spencer and Aaron travel to Aaron’s homely and cozy apartment littered with Jack’s toys and drawings, and Aaron and Spencer’s mixed things. It looks like a home of two loving men and their young son. The second the enter and relieve Jess from babysitting, Jack comes running over even before they take off their boots and jackets. “Dad! Papa! Guess what I did today!” The young boy exclaims with all the excitement a young boy would have. Spencer and Aaron chuckle and put their things away. Aaron picks up Jack and smiles happily at his son as Spencer watches his love and his son jabber and babble about his day. “I got to be line leader and and Ms. Michaels got us a pet goldfish named Mr. Bubbles!” The young boy yells happily. So excited to share this day with his dads. Spencer smiles and ruffles the kindergartner's hair and smiles happily. “That's cool, bud! Sounds like an exciting day!”
Spencer chuckles as he heads to the bedroom, leaving Aaron and Jack who are now getting the 5 year old ready for bed. Quietly speaking to each other as they go through the motions. Spencer smiles gently and with love and adoration as he changes and takes his migraine medication before crawling into bed and picking up his novel. He reads a few chapters and only stops when Aaron’s strong hand takes the book and puts it on their spruce nightstand. The older man crawls under the covers and wraps his strong arms around Spence’s middle. Smiling into his neck as he murmurs sleepily. “Go to sleep, Spence. Goodnight I love you” he says before sleep takes him from the conscious world. Spencer smiles at Aaron and kisses his forehead and whispers quietly before closing his eyes. “Goodnight Aaron, I love you too.
He drifts off to sleep wondering why he deserves this life. He’s so lucky to have such an amazing partner and co-parent like Aaron, and a kind and bubbly son like Jack. He’s never been happier.