Once Hotch walked out of the BAU doors, a heavy cloud of sadness settled over Spencer Reid. The bond he shared with Hotch was irreplaceable, like that of a father and son. Hotch's departure left him feeling vulnerable and lost, unsure of how to navigate the office without his mentor's steady guidance. As Spencer tried to gather his thoughts, Section Chief Erin Strauss loomed over him, her critical eyes piercing through his vulnerable façade. Sensing his discomfort, Strauss couldn't resist taunting him, knowing that he had autism. Spencer tried to ignore her, focusing on the case files in front of him, but her words hit him hard like a relentless storm.
"Reid, you can't expect special treatment just because you have autism. Shape up or ship out," Strauss sneered with a cruel smirk.
His heart sank, and the weight of his differences felt heavier with each word she uttered. The thought of being ridiculed made every inch of him squirm with unspeakable discomfort. But even a genius like him had his breaking point.
His heart sank, and the weight of his differences felt heavier with each word she uttered. The thought of being ridiculed made every inch of him squirm with unspeakable discomfort. But even a genius like him had his breaking point.
"Enough!" Spencer's voice echoed, surprising everyone in the room. "You know nothing about autism, Section Chief! Your ignorance blinds you!"
A stunned silence followed his outburst. The BAU team watched, their eyes filled with concern and compassion. But Strauss, never one to back down, raised her voice and berated him for his impulsive reaction.
"You think you're so special, don't you, Reid? Just because you're different. Well, let me tell you something, you're nothing more than a freaky kid!
The words penetrated deep into Spencer's soul, triggering a cascade of overwhelming emotions. Tears welled up in his eyes, blurring his vision. That was the ultimate breaking point. But before he could spiral further, Derek Morgan sprang into action. He knew that Spencer needed a safe space, away from the toxicity of the office.
"Derek, I can't do this anymore," Spencer choked out, his voice trembling.
Morgan gently guided Spencer out of the office, leading him into the calm sanctuary of the break room. The sound of the coffee machine whirred in the background as Morgan hugged Spencer tightly, providing an anchor in the midst of the storm.
"It's alright, Pretty Boy. You don't have to take this. You don't have to face it alone," Derek whispered soothingly.
As Spencer's breathing gradually steadied, he leaned into Morgan's embrace, feeling the warmth and reassurance his friend offered. But the distress still lingered, making his fingers twitch with restlessness. To self-soothe, Spencer began to stim, humming a familiar tune and tapping his fingers repeatedly on the coffee table.
"Hey, Reid, let's get outta here, okay?" Derek suggested, trying to distract him. "How about we go back to my place? I'll make your favorite cookies and cupcakes."
Spencer's eyes sparkled with a glimmer of hope, a genuine smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Okay," he agreed, feeling a sense of comfort in Derek's presence.
They left the office behind, leaving the painful memories to fade away momentarily. In Derek's warm and accepting home, they baked, laughed, and indulged in sugary delights. In the face of adversity, their bond grew stronger, reminding Spencer Reid that true friendship and acceptance were his pillars of strength.
Spencer was determined to make the office an inclusive environment. So the next day, he got some posters about autism. Erin Strauss's face was shocked by the posters she took them down.
She came storming in to Spencer's desk filled with anger. "So, you think you're so smart for putting up those posters. Well guess what autistic freak do that again I'll fire you" She said awfully.
Spencer sat there overwhelmed with fear and anxiety his hands were shaking like a leaf in the wind. Derek walked in to Spencer almost in tears he went straight to Spencer. He picked him up and took him out of there.
Derek took him to the break room "I-I shouldn't have done that" Spencer stuttered out. Derek played with Spencer's hair "Pretty boy you did what you thought was necessary and that's okay" Derek said rocking Spencer.
After a while Spencer fell in Derek's arms that has happened a lot. Specially when Spencer would have a multiple overwhelming days in a row Derek got Spencer comfortable on the couch with a blanket and a pillow Derek stayed there with him.
