Echos of a Genius | Spencer Reid

Lies. Lies. and Love.

Stephie

Things between Spencer and I have been good lately, it's only been three weeks since I left Austin at the alter. It's been a complicated, rough, annoying, three weeks. But at least Spencer and I are good.

"Is that the last box?" Spencer peaks to his side where I stand, hands on my hips, staring at the very last box of Austin's belongings.

I glance at the last box, a strange mix of relief and sadness settling in. "Yeah, that's the last one," I murmur, my eyes lingering on it for a moment longer than necessary.

It's crazy how fast Austin's things took over my space. And now, just as quickly, they're all gone. A part of me is glad to see them go, to have some kind of closure. But another part of me... well, it's complicated. I did love him. Just not enough to stay.

Spencer picks up the box with ease, turning to me with a playful grin. "Want me to toss this out, or should I send it back with extra tape and a 'handle with care' sticker?"

I laugh softly, shaking my head. "I'll drop it off at his place on my way to work tomorrow." It's a small gesture, but I owe him that much.

Spencer nods, his expression softening. "You sure?"

"Yeah," I say, crossing my arms and leaning against the wall. "I think it's something I need to do."

He doesn't push further, just gives me that understanding look he's so good at. It makes my chest ache in a way that's both comforting and unsettling. Three weeks ago, he was the one I found myself running to, and now we're here.

He heads toward the door with the box to put it in my car, and as I watch him leave, I think back to that night. After leaving Austin at the altar, everything felt like a blur of guilt, confusion, and relief. Spencer was there, no questions asked. We spent the night together, though not in the way everyone probably assumed. Mostly, we just talked. The weight of everything I'd been ignoring suddenly seemed lighter with him around. We agreed to take baby steps, because we did end up sleeping together. In my defense, I said we mostly talked, mostly, mostly after we slept together.

When he walks back in, hands empty, he gives me a long look. "How are you holding up?"

I sigh, pushing a hand through my hair. "I don't know. It's weird. I'm glad his stuff is out, but at the same time... I loved him, you know?"

Spencer steps closer, nodding. "Yeah, I know. But you don't have to feel bad about that. Loving someone doesn't always mean they're the right person for you."

I bite my lip, my gaze dropping to the floor. "I loved him, but I think I've loved you longer. I just didn't realize it until that day at the church."

Spencer's eyes flicker with something—hope, maybe?—but he's cautious. "So... what now?"

I shrug, feeling the tension between us, the uncertainty hanging in the air. "I don't know. I'm still figuring things out. I don't even know what we are."

His smile returns, that easy, teasing one that always makes me feel like everything's going to be okay. "Well, we can figure it out over dinner. Baby steps, right?"

I let out a small laugh, rolling my eyes at him. "Dinner sounds good. Baby steps."

Spencer grins, his hand brushing mine as he moves past me. "Good. 'Cause I'm starving."

Just like that, we fall back into the usual rhythm—flirting, joking, not overthinking anything too much. It feels good, simple. Even if we don't have all the answers yet, it's enough that we're here, together.