Criminal Minds x Reader

Drawer [D.M]

The soft hum of the night seeps into the room through the barely-open window, the occasional chirp of crickets punctuating the quiet. The air carries the faint scent of lavender from the candle you'd blown out earlier, mixing with the warmth of Derek's skin. His arm is looped lazily around your waist, his fingers tracing slow, invisible circles on the small of your back. Your head rests on his chest, rising and falling gently with each of his breaths.

You can hear his heartbeat beneath your ear, steady and sure, a rhythm that anchors you in this moment. You close your eyes, letting the silence speak for both of you, and yet you can't help but notice how the night feels particularly alive.

"Hey, you okay down there?" Derek's voice is low and teasing, but it carries an undertone of affection that makes your lips twitch into a soft smile.

"Mm-hmm" you hum, shifting slightly to get more comfortable. The white sheets cocoon you both, but his warmth is the real comfort.

For a long time, you don't say anything. Words seem unnecessary when his fingertips feel like they're painting galaxies on your skin, when his chest is as much a pillow as it is a fortress.

"Did I tire you out, pretty girl?" he teases, breaking the quiet again.

You laugh softly against him, your voice muffled by his chest. "If I say yes, will it boost your ego even more?"

He chuckles, the sound vibrating through you like a soothing drumbeat. "Probably. But I wouldn't hold it against you. It's my charm, baby"

You roll your eyes even though he can't see it, biting back a grin. "Your charm. Right. That's what it is"

His hand moves from your back to cup your face, tilting it up so you can meet his gaze. His brown eyes are soft but filled with that signature Derek Morgan mischief. "Oh, I know you fell for it, Y/N. No use denying it now"

"And here I thought it was because you were good at your job" you quip, earning another laugh from him.

"I can be both" he retorts, and you know he's grinning even before you see it.

You let out a small sigh, nestling your head back on his chest. The silence returns, but this time it feels like a blanket, wrapping around you both.

"You've been spending a lot of time here lately" he says after a while, his voice quieter now, like he's testing the waters.

The statement catches you off guard, though you try not to show it. It's true — his place has slowly become your second home. The coffee maker you gifted him sits on his counter, your favorite cereal occupies a spot in his pantry, and your shampoo has a permanent place in his shower.

"I guess I have" you reply carefully, tracing small patterns on his chest with your fingertips.

"You guess?". There's a smile in his voice, but there's also something else, something uncertain.

You lift your head slightly to look at him, but he's staring at the ceiling now, his fingers still brushing absently against your back.

"Y/N" he says your name softly, drawing your full attention.

"Hmm?" you hum, not wanting to interrupt the moment but also curious where he's going with this.

His hand moves to rest against the small of your back again, his touch grounding. "Do you know how much I love you?"

Your breath catches for a moment, not because you don't know it — he shows you in every little thing he does, but because there's a vulnerability in his voice that you're not used to hearing.

You laugh softly, a kind, warm sound that you hope will ease his nerves. "Of course I do, Derek. I love you, too"

His gaze shifts to you, his eyes searching your face as if he's trying to memorize every detail. "Good," he says, his tone lightening just a bit, "I'd hate for you to miss something that obvious"

You nudge him playfully, your cheeks warming at the intensity of his affection. But then he's quiet again, and you can tell there's something more he wants to say.

"So," he begins, and you notice the way his voice dips just slightly, "I was thinking... Maybe it's time you had a drawer here"

You freeze, your fingers pausing mid-pattern on his chest. A drawer. The words echo in your mind, simple yet heavy with meaning.

He must notice the way you tense, because his hand stills, his gaze shifting to yours again, this time filled with concern.

"Hey" he says softly, his voice a balm to your suddenly racing thoughts. "It's just a thought, Y/N. You don't have to-"

"No, it's not that" you interrupt, your words rushing out as you sit up slightly to look at him more directly. "It's just... I didn't think this was-" you hesitate, unsure how to put your feelings into words.

He props himself up on one elbow, his other hand reaching out to cup your cheek. "Didn't think this was what?"

You bite your lip, your heart pounding in your chest. "I didn't think you'd want... Something serious. I mean, you're always so flirty and charming and-"

"And what?" he presses gently, his thumb brushing against your cheek.

"And I didn't think you'd want me to have a drawer," you admit, your voice barely above a whisper, "Even if maybe it's something just... Small?"

His brow furrows, and for a moment, you see a flash of hurt in his eyes. "Is that what you think of me?" he asks, his voice soft but tinged with disbelief.

"No" you say quickly, shaking your head. "It's not that. It's just... I didn't know if you saw this the same way I do"

He stares at you for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then he lets out a soft laugh, the sound filled with a mixture of relief and something else, something tender.

"Y/N," he says, his voice steady and warm, "I've wanted this with you since the moment I realized I couldn't stop thinking about you. And every day since, I've been falling more in love with you. This isn't just a fling for me. It never was"

You feel your chest tighten, the weight of his words sinking in. "Derek..."

He smiles at you then, that charming, flirty smile that made you fall for him in the first place, but this time it's softer, more genuine. "So what do you say, pretty girl? Will you give me the honor of filling a drawer with your stuff?"

You stare at him for a moment, your emotions swirling in your chest. Then, without another word, you lean in and kiss him, pouring everything you're feeling into that one gesture.

When you pull back, you rest your forehead against his, your lips curved into a small smile. "I'd gladly have a drawer," you say softly and then, after a beat, you add with a teasing glint in your eye, "But don't think this means you get to touch my chocolate stash"

He throws his head back and laughs, the sound rich and full, and you can't help but join him.

"Deal" he says, pulling you back down into his arms.

As you settle against his chest again, the white sheets tangling around your legs, you realize that this moment — this man,is everything you didn't know you needed. And maybe, just maybe, a drawer is only the beginning.