criminal minds | one-shots ✓

12. twizzlers

spencer feels the tug on his shirt before he sees garcia reache her hand up and yank, and he turns, raising an eyebrow.

she doesn't say anything; hasn't all day, and he's been here, at her home, with forrest gump and candy and chocolates - not the cherry ones, though, because he doesn't think she'd be able to handle them right now and bringing them over would just be mean.

"what do you need?" he asks, voice quiet, and she frowns, tugging again.

he leans forward and lets her turn him around so his back his to her, and feels his eyebrows raise higher as she lifts his shirt. he doesn't ask, just holds it up for her so her hands are free and she can do what she needs - he's learning that sometimes trust is better than asking questions.

her hands fumble for a second before oh, yeah, see, that makes sense, and she unclasps the binder he's wearing. it falls to the floor unceremoniously and penelope goes back to her twizzlers.

"you could've just said something. or asked." he mutters, pushing his shirt back down and rotating to face her.

she gives him a look, signing would you have said yes?, and he feels an odd swell of pride. he's been teaching her how do sign language for days when talking wasn't an option for either of them.

"yes." he says, but they both know he's probably lying - not that he has any reason to, or any reason not to take the binder off - it was just a comfort thing, mostly. and also it felt nice.

"thank you." he says, but she gives him her don't be stupid and i don't accept thank you's from friends look, so he shuts up.