Invisible String (Reid/Alvez)

False God

The next morning, Spencer awoke to a nurse taking Luke downstairs for physical therapy. Because of where the bullet entered, Luke had shoulder damage.

Spencer tried to fall back to sleep, until Garcia entered.

"Where's Alvez?" she asked, clearly confused.

"He started physical therapy today. He should be back in half an hour." Spencer slurred, exhausted.

"How's he doing?"

"He's alright. He felt somewhat better this morning."

"That's good. Emily had me stop by. I would've anyway, but we have a case. They're on their way to Texas right now."

"You don't have to stay. I'll tell Luke you came by."

"I'll stop by later. Do you need anything? How are you?"

"I'm... hanging in there. Yesterday was really hard, but he's okay."

"And he'll be fine, Reid."

"I almost outed myself. I mean, I would've been outing both of us, but Luke isn't necessarily in the closet."

"Wha- How?"

"I just couldn't handle having to pretend we were just friends. I almost said something to the team when he was in surgery. Thank God I didn't, but... I don't know. I was emotional."

"Either way, it would've been okay. I get that you're not ready to tell the team, but they would've been okay if you told them."

"I want to believe that, I really do. But not everyone is like you, Penelope."

"They're our family. They love you."

"I don't doubt that, but think about how surprised you were when you found out about us."

"So? Surprised isn't bad."

"I don't know how they'll react or feel. I know nobody's gonna run around calling me slurs, but will they actually accept me?"

"They won't care Reid."

"Did you feel lied to when you found out about us?"

"I... was confused how I didn't know. We've been best friends for so long."

"Exactly. They're gonna feel lied to. They're gonna feel like they don't know me. They're not going to treat me the same. I'm not saying it's on purpose, but it's what will happen."

"But it doesn't change anything, Reid. You're still you. You're still our boy genius."

"People are accepting when you're straightforward. I've been dancing around this for fifteen years. It's different when it's someone you know."

"Don't think about it like that. It won't be like that. You think JJ would be mad at you?"

"Yes, that's exactly what I think!"

"She's your best friend. She loves you!"

"And as my best friend, she's going to feel lied to when I tell her that I've had a boyfriend for almost nine months and haven't told her. Let alone the fact that she knows and works with him!"

"Spencer, if anyone gets mad about it, even though they won't, they'll get over it. They're not going to hate you because you have a boyfriend."

"What if they're mean to Luke?"

"Everyone already likes him, why would they be mean to him?"

"Because they know him as an agent. Not as my boyfriend."

"Well, they'll just have to get over it. Reid, they can't be upset forever. When you decide to tell them, it'll be okay. It might just take a little time."

"I don't know when that'll be. We've only been together for nine months. I don't see us breaking up soon, but I don't want to put too much pressure on things."

"That's fair. You decide when you want to share your relationship."

"Thanks, Garcia."

"Of course. I should get going, I need to help our heroes fight crime. Let me know how he is."

"I will."

"Bye."

Soon after Garcia left, Luke was brought back into the room. Spencer could see his distress. The nurse helped Luke into bed, put in another IV, and left.

"What's wrong?" Spencer asked.

"That hurt." Luke huffed.

"Hurt as in pain or hurt as in you're not ready for physical therapy yet?"

"Just a lot of pain."

"Oh. Garcia stopped by."

"Why?"

"She was just coming to check on you. They have a case in Texas, so everyone was on the plane when she came."

"How bad is it?"

"I didn't ask. We just talked about other stuff."

"What kind of other stuff?"

"I said I almost told the team about us yesterday. And that I think they'll feel lied to when we tell them."

"How did you almost tell the team?"

"I was emotional and couldn't handle pretending to just be your friend. I held myself back, though."

"I wouldn't have cared if you told them."

"I know. It was more for my sake."

"I don't know how things will go when they find out. But, I know they love you and will come around eventually."

"I'm scared."

"It'll be okay. You don't have to tell them."

"What am I supposed to do? Hide you forever?"

"If that's what you need, then yes."

"That's not fair to you, Luke."

"It doesn't matter. I don't care. If you want to tell them, we'll tell them. If you don't, we won't. Simple."

"I... not yet. I just quit. We'll give it time."

"Okay. We'll give it time."

"You should rest."

"I am resting."

"I meant sleep."

"Will you stay here?"

"Where else would I go?"

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

"No, but I love you a lot. So much."

"I know, Luke. I love you a lot so much, too."

"I'm very lucky."

"God, we're those people, aren't we?"

"We are, baby."