never grow up, criminal minds

024. another haircut

"When are you getting home?" Clara asks.

"I'll be home some time tonight. I promise." Spencer tells her.

"Does the guard need to stay?" Clara asks with a small whine.

"Yes. He's guarding you and Ellie. So, yes, he needs to stay." Spencer says.

"It's weird. He just sits there the whole time." Clara grumbles.

"It might be weird, but it's safe." Spencer states.

"Are we in trouble?" Clara asks.

"No. No, we're fine. It's just... pre-caution." Spencer says.

"Daddy, I'm 9. I can handle it." Clara states.

"I'll take your word for it and still tell you that we are okay." Spencer says making Clara roll her eyes. "Do not roll your eyes at me."

"I didn't." Clara lies.

"Don't lie to me either." Spencer orders.

"How would you know?" Clara pouts.

"I'm a profiler, baby, it's my job." Spencer says.

"Profiler doesn't mean you have eyes through the phone." Clara remarks.

"No, but I know you -- both as your dad and as a profiler." Spencer says. "You're safe, I'll be home tonight, you don't need to worry about anything."

"I will." Clara states. "You saying not to worry doesn't make me not worry. Sometimes it just makes me worry more."

"Look, just-- just get some sleep, okay? If you want, you can sleep in my room. I will see you in the morning."

"Fine." Clara groans.

"I love you." Spencer says.

"I love you, too." Clara says.

+++

Spencer gets home, bidding Ellie goodbye and he goes to his room. He looks at the bed, seeing Clara cuddled up under the covers and fast asleep, a stuffed animal clutched to her chest.

He softly smiles, quietly getting ready for bed. He gets in the bed, lying down. Clara wakes up at the movement.

"It's just me." Spencer quietly assures. Clara tiredly groans, scooting over to him and she cuddles into his side. Spencer wraps his arms around her, kissing her on the head. He lightly scratches her back, trying to lull her back to sleep.

"We're safe?" Clara mumbles, her voice full of sleep.

"We're safe." Spencer tells her, praying to whatever's out there that nothing proves him wrong.

+++

"Where are you going, though?" Clara asks as her dad fixes his tie.

"Uh... do you-- do you remember Chief Strauss? That blonde, slightly older lady. She's my boss." Spencer says.

"Yeah." Clara nods. "Aunt Em called her a bitch."

"Wh-- sh-- you don't repeat that word." Spencer states.

"I'm just saying." Clara shrugs.

"Well, she... she passed away." Spencer informs.

"Oh." Clara's shoulders slump. "I'm sorry."

"Yeah, me, too." Spencer mumbles. "So I'm going to her funeral and I'll probably spend some time with the team tonight. You're gonna stay here with Ellie." Clara nods.

"Are you gonna get all sad and angry again?" She asks, a worried look in her eyes.

Spencer's chest tightens at the slight fear.

"No. No, baby, I'm not. This-- I can manage this loss. I'm not going through that stage again." Spencer assures, rubbing her back. "We'll be okay." He promises, kissing her forehead.

+++

Clara sits up, looking over the couch as the door opens. She watches her dad walk in, her jaw dropping. Spencer locks the door and turns to her, stopping at her expression.

"What?" He asks, looking around for anything to cause her reaction.

"You cut your hair again." She frowns.

"Oh. Ye-yeah." Spencer says, running his hand over his head for a moment. "It-- I just wanted to change it."

"But it's so short." She pouts.

"I know. You-- there's a little braiding room." Spencer says.

"You hate me." Clara whines.

"Wh-- I don't hate you." Spencer frowns.

"You just want to deprive me of joy." Clara huffs.

"I'm not trying to--" Spencer shakes his head. "Clary, it is just hair. It'll grow back. Plus, you can always braid your own hair."

"That's not as fun." Clara whines.

"Okay, I-I'm sorry for cutting my hair." Spencer says.

"Do you promise to never do it again?" Clara asks.

"...No." Spencer answers making her glare at him.