Neighbors (Spencer Reid x Reader)

Nine

Spencer didn't know how long the two of them were standing there like that. Frozen. Eyes locked. He didn't know she would be coming home today. Didn't expect to feel the surge in his chest when he saw her standing there. Eventually he spoke. "Hey. Welcome- welcome back." She nodded, her face a mixture of unreadable emotions. Her mouth twitched. She was definitely nervous. She looked scared, and- "Doc, stop profiling me," she whispered. "Sorry. I just- I didn't expect- I thought- Why didn't you tell me you were coming back?" Y/N didn't actually have to tell him that, but he was hoping for a better reunion.

"I was scared to see you again." Her eyes were searching his face for something, but he couldn't tell what, exactly. "Logically, I'm the only one who needs to be scared here." Wrong answer. He quickly realized what he said. "No- I mean- not like that- because I'm the one who- I should be nervous because last time I saw you-" Oh, hell. This was getting him nowhere. He took a few steps forward and pulled her into a loose hug, trying to ignore the thoughts about all the germs he was currently exchanging. "I'm not upset about you punching me. I forgave you the second you did it," he whispered truthfully. "I'm so sorry," she responded, now crying into his arms. She tightened the hug, trembling in his arms. "Y/N, it's okay, you're okay." He held her just as tight, whispering words of comfort.

When she finally stopped shaking, she took a step back. His arms felt cold without her. Empty. Awkward at his sides. He didn't know if he should keep the conversation going or let it drop. Neither did Y/N, from what he could tell. Spencer tried to distract himself from profiling her again. Instead, he looked at the bag in her hands. "What's that?" He asked. She blinked a couple times then lifted it a little. "Alex sent me a gift bag. Just chocolates." She sounded off, like something was distracting her. Of course, he couldn't blame her. He didn't know what was going on behind those brilliant eyes, but he was thinking about how happy he was to see you.

The day he took her to the ward was one of the worst days of his life. He had no idea how long she'd stay there, if she'd be okay. He had gotten back to the apartment and been unable to help himself. He'd seen the state of it before he left, he had to clean it. Spencer spent the whole day cleaning everything, setting it up how he thought it was meant to look. He had the keys, so he found himself visiting the place after work. The longer its inhabitant was gone, the more often he found himself visiting. By month three, he'd read every book Y/N had. By month four, watched every movie. His favorite thing to do was sit on the couch as one of Y/N's CD's played softly in the background. She had quite a collection.

Everyone at the BAU had noticed something was wrong immediately after they returned from the case. He'd been quiet- No random facts to share, no quips. Hotch had asked him what was going on, and he refused to share. That was Y/N's story, not his. He shared all he could and refused to let the other's know anything else. Out of respect, they didn't dig deeper. Morgan told him they could talk anytime, but Reid just thanked him and said he would be okay.

"Spencer? Are you alright?" He laughed. "You were just in a hospital for six months and the first time you see me, you ask if I'm okay?" Y/N laughed with him. "I'm alright. Here's your keys back, L/N. Go get some rest." She took the apartment keys back and smiled. "Thanks. You too." A quick hug, then she turned around and was gone.