Pretty Boy

chapter 2

It continued to happen, and at this point, Reid knew that it was going to stick. He knew that it meant something to Morgan and that it wasn't just some silly joke. It was an encouragement, he theorized.

And this sticking nickname was not going to help him in any way, considering his immense liking toward Morgan. Morgan was his best friend, his person. Someone he could go to if he was struggling with something. Unfortunately, the thing he is struggling with has to do with Morgan, so he couldn't confide in him this time.

Reid tried to think about who he could talk to. Not happy with his options, he decides the best person he could talk to is his mom. His mom was someone he could always come to if he needed, especially if it had to do with conflicting feelings towards his friend.

But it would have to wait, duty calls of course.

Reid walked into work once more, greeted by the lovely Penelope. She was wearing a cute, matching pink set. With an even pinker cat-ear headband. "Hey, my Junior G-Man! Hotch wants us all in the round table room."

Reid nodded and started walking that way, before being stopped. Penelope put her hand on his chest and formed a skeptical look on her face, "Wait, something's up. What's going on?"

Debating on whether or not he should tell her that he was truly going through something, he quickly decided this wasn't the best time to do so. Thus he replied, "Nothing, I'm fine."

"People only say 'I'm fine' when they're not fine, so what are you hiding from me?"

"I'm fine, don't worry."

"No, you're not, I can tell, and you will not be able to hide it forever because you can bet your sweet ass I will find out what's wrong," there was a pause, then Garcia's face began brimming with realization, "ah, I know what's up! You're in love! My young genius is in love! What's her name? Actually, y'know what, tell me later. Because we do have a case, but don't you dare think I'm going to forget."

She ran off before Reid could get a word in. So he stood there, face red with his mouth agape. He closed it before he quickly followed Garcia.

He tried catching up with her to explain himself, "Wait! Why do you think that?"

"I have my ways," Garcia smirked as she walked into the room.

Morgan, Rossi, JJ, and Emily all sat around the table. Reid noticed the only spot left was the only one next to Morgan. He frowned as he noticed the fluttering feeling in his stomach.

Morgan noticed the smug look coming from Garcia, "What's got you so smiley this morning, Ms. Busy-Body?"

"Our resident genius is in love," she said in a sing-song tone.

Morgan raised his eyebrow as he turned to look at Reid, "Well, would you look at that? What's her name Pretty Boy?"

Reid quickly became flustered once again as he tried to defend himself, "I-I'm not in love! For goodness' sake!"

Morgan smirked, "That blush on your face is telling us another story." JJ and Emily laughed at that. Rossi just smirked.

Before Spencer could stutter out another response, Hotch walked in with their case, "Good morning everyone. I hope you're looking forward to the heat because we are heading to Las Vegas."

After Garcia and Hotch introduced the case, they headed towards the airstrip. But not before Morgan could tease him even more.

"Oh come on Reid! What's her name?"

"For the last time, I am not in love! Please stop pestering me!"

Before Morgan could reply, Reid quickly fled the room.

_

On the jet, Reid kept his distance from Morgan. He did not want to be questioned any longer. He was also frankly trying to keep down this enormous crush, considering the amount of flustering he has been doing recently.

He tried to focus on the fact that now he could visit his mom and potentially ask for her (hopefully) good advice.

The team continued to review the case, and Reid dosed off.

"The victims are all black, male, and were last seen at a gay bar. Reid, do you have any statistics on people in the L.A. area who frequently go to gay bars and are also black?" Emily asked.

There was a pause.

"...Reid?"

"Hm?"

"...Do you have any statistics on the victimology?"

"Uh...no." He mentally slapped himself for saying that. His defense; he honestly could not focus right now.

That was a first. Morgan furrowed his brow as he studied Reid. He looked like he was occupied with something else. Maybe his mom? Morgan thought. No, he would've told me if something was up. Right? He decided he would check up on him after they landed.

Everyone turned their attention back over to Hotch, quickly dismissing their youngest's odd behavior.

"JJ and Emily, I want you to go to the bar where they were last seen. See if there was any camera footage of suspicious people they spoke to." They nodded. "Morgan and Reid, head to the dump site, and Rossi you're with me."

Reid silently cursed to himself. Now he would have to act normal in front of the one person he knew he couldn't act normal around. Especially now that Morgan is sensing that something is off.

For the rest of the plane ride, everyone did their own thing. Reid is now entirely preoccupied with coming up with excuses to explain his weird behavior to Morgan.

Unfortunately, nothing good came up. He was hoping Morgan would just drop it. Though he highly doubted it.

A/N: Let me know what you think!