Criminal Minds x Reader

Lavender [D.M]

"Hi, pretty girl"

You looked up and a kiss was firmly planted on your forehead. You closed your eyelids almost out of habit, the strong scent of your boyfriend invading you, and you almost smiled at his action. Almost. The muscles in your face ached and you could no longer even stand, your fingers constantly working circularly on your temples trying to soothe the pain. "Hi" you repeated, straining to look at Derek. If your lips wouldn't smile at least your eyes would.

His brows frowned almost as if the one in pain was him. Well, he was, because for him there was no worse thing than seeing you in distress. Standing across from where you were sitting at the desk, he extended a hand toward you. "I'll take you home," he informed you, "It's late"

His words, like the arm helping you up, made you realize that his was not a request. You tried to nod, grateful, and clung to his biceps as he grabbed your go-bag and purse from the ground, filling it with your files and the last of your things. "Please" you breathed out. If he had asked you, you would not have been able to tell him whether your plea was to him or to your body.

He helped you to the elevator and then to his car, where he opened the door for you, cautiously helped you up, and then buckled you in. He then sat in front of the steering wheel where he began to drive, but not before squeezing your hand in reassurance. I wish I could take your tiredness he wanted to say. I wish I could read that beautiful brain of yours and figure out what's wrong.

The end of a case always was tiring, but this time the worry and haste it had caused was not your main trigger. You hadn't been able to sleep for days, your head was spinning so much that Hotch had temporarily denied you fieldwork. You didn't know what the problem was, why the dizziness was making you sick. Maybe it was the change of seasons or maybe your period that was to come.

You relaxed in the seat, as far as you could tell, and focused on your breathing. Not too much later the car stopped and together with Derek, you reached the door to your apartment. He took the keys from your pockets, opened the door, and helped you lie down on the couch. "I will run you a bath" he whispered to you, stroking your hair.

You hummed in response, not trusting your body enough to open your mouth just yet. When the water was the right temperature and when the tub had filled to level, he brought you in front of it. He gently placed the palm of his hand on your right cheek, his voice soft when he spoke. "Now I'm going to help you take off your clothes, okay?"

His was a sincere question because nothing was more important to him than permission and for you to feel comfortable. He didn't expect a real answer, he knew you couldn't, but you leaning into his hand was all he needed before he began to unbutton your blouse. His touch was delicate, it always was. He might have appeared to be a hard, strong man but really the only thing he was made of was love.

"Relax, meanwhile I'll go get you some clean clothes" he told you after you were fully dipped.

When he returned he positioned himself at your side and began to wash your hair, massaging your scalp thoroughly without applying too much pressure. Eventually, when you came out and he helped you into your pajamas, consisting of shorts and an old shirt of his, you felt a little better. You both brushed your teeth and then turned off the bathroom light.

Entering your room, you didn't even have to ask him to spend the night with you, by your side. You didn't even have to tell him that you wanted him there, that everything was better, that you felt better with him. Because he knew it.

The room smelled good. You didn't catch what it was right away, but you didn't really care. The only thing you thought about was the feeling of the sheets on top of you and the long sleep you hoped you would get. Soon after that, it was no longer just a thought.

Derek put on some sweatpants and quickly moved to your side. He took you in his arms, your nose brushing against his neck, and your right hand was in his left over his bare chest. You could hear his heart beating and just that sound gave you inner peace. You tucked yourself more into him, his body warm against yours, and there you felt again that scent that had hit you as soon as you entered and was invading your nostrils at that moment. "Do you smell it too?" you whispered, tilting your head slightly.

"What?"

"The smell"

You heard him chuckle softly. "Smell or perfume?"

You didn't answer, not because you didn't know what to say but because that feeling of instability as if the room was spinning all around you, had returned. You closed your eyes.

"It's lavender" he said to you.

"Lavender?" you repeated.

"Yeah, lavender. I've sprayed it around and put lotion on me. Reid told me it can help to relax the body"

You were confused. "You asked him?"

"Mhm-mhm" he confermed.

"Why?"

"I couldn't watch you be sick a second longer. I was desperate" he admitted.

If you had had the strength to laugh, you would have. You knew the two of them were best friends, but you also knew that your boyfriend didn't like to ask Spencer things because he was sure to get a statistical and mathematical argument on much more than his intended topic. "Thank you" you finally replied.

He hugged you even tighter, hoping inside that his attempt would work. He smiled, though you could not see it, and kissed your forehead again. "Anytime"