puzzles of a heart | spencer reid ✓

seven

The coasts of Portland were shrouded in a hazy layer of mist in the early mornings, and the troubled sea gently rocked the boat, its effects no less felt than the creeping chill of the Pacific Northwest. Seagulls cawed overhead in formations against the canvas of fleeting clouds. The fume of fresh coffee filtered from the room and seeped towards the balcony through the wide doors and fluttering curtains in the breeze. She hugged the cardigan closer around her body, and the loose pieces from her hair flying around her face. She sipped at the warm cup nestled in her hands and surveyed her eyes across the limitless horizon, a smile playing at the edges of her lips.

He joined her moments later on the grey outdoor sofa, careful to remain a distance until she decided to lean her head against his shoulder. His body embraced their closeness, and they didn't speak as the coffee turned cold and cups became empty. Just the two of them, the sea, and the promise of a new day.

They made their way off their floor and into the elevator later, folders cradled in his arms, a quietness between them. They've exchanged a few short words of necessities, but continued the reticence. She thought he looked charming in his navy sweater over his collared shirt, his hair undone and a soft expression upon his face. The walk to their supervisor's room was brief, and he let her knock on the doors.

"Reid, Quinton." Aaron had a half-eaten apple in his hand and allowed them into his untouched room to where Emily Prentiss and David Rossi sat around the tiny coffee table, the spew of files upon any available surface. Prentiss appeared half-asleep but Rossi was wide awake, his hands rubbing his jaw and looking desperately like he needed a cigarette.

"Potential suspects that fit the profile." Spencer handed the folders he and Valeria had been working on for days now and finished only the night before. Aaron nodded sullenly and gave them a thumbs-up before retreating to his desk where he was already flicking them open and scanning through their notes.

"No results from the prints yet?" Prentiss cleared her throat to catch Aaron's attention.

"I'm expecting them anytime now, and this could be the endgame of the case," he doesn't raise his head up from where he sat. "It was nice to be on a cruise though, it's different and unexpected."

Rossi gave a chuckle. "Definitely unexpected."

"How's Garcia doing?"

"I spoke to her on the phone last night, she misses everyone."

"I'd have to give her a call soon-"

"Where's Derek and JJ?" Aaron twisted his neck around the room at the two absentees. "I specifically-"

"They're only a little late, don't worry Hotch-"

"It's unlike them..."

"We're on a cruise, it's different-"

"Yeah-"

Valeria could never know when to integrate herself into the conversations, for she was so young and inexperienced and unfamiliar to them. She glanced at Spencer who wasn't doing anything but examining the safe in the closet, his hands brushing over the keypad and his head tilted as if to ask a question.

"What are you doing?" She decided to approach him while the other members of the BAU spoke. "Is that Aaron's safe?"

"Well, it's the cruise's -" his hazel eyes flitted at her then away. "I've always been so fascinated with these."

Valeria was happy at an excuse to talk and not standing around awkwardly. "What about them?"

"If it's possible to open it without knowing the combination."