Criminal Minds x Reader

Used to It [S.R]

The precinct buzzed with the usual chaos — phones ringing, officers moving briskly, and the murmur of voices discussing the latest case. You stood beside Spencer Reid, the two of you going over the evidence that had been laid out across a table.

Spencer was explaining a theory, his voice quick but laced with excitement. You loved watching him in these moments, when his passion for solving puzzles took over and he became so animated. He gestured toward the files, threading together connections no one else had noticed.

"And if we consider the unsub's choice of victims," he said, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips, "It's possible he's working off some kind of symbolic-"

"What's your point, genius?" an officer interrupted abruptly, his voice cutting through the room like a blade.

The moment felt like it shattered in front of you. Spencer froze mid-sentence, the enthusiasm draining from his face as quickly as it had appeared. His shoulders hunched slightly, and his gaze dropped to the floor.

You saw red.

"Excuse me" you said sharply, stepping forward. Your voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable edge to it. "He was making a point, one that might help us catch the person you're supposed to be stopping. So, unless you have something more helpful to add, maybe let him finish"

The officer blinked, clearly taken aback by your tone. He muttered something under his breath and walked away, but not before shooting Spencer an annoyed look.

You turned back to Spencer, your anger still simmering. "Are you okay?"

He nodded, but his expression didn't match the gesture. His lips pressed into a thin line, and he refused to meet your eyes.

"Spencer-"

"You didn't have to do that" he said softly, cutting you off.

"Of course, I did" you replied, frowning. "He had no right to talk to you like that"

Spencer finally looked up, and the sadness in his eyes made your heart ache. "It happens all the time," he said with a small shrug. "I'm... Used to it"

You stared at him, stunned. "That doesn't make it okay"

He smiled faintly, but it didn't reach his eyes. "I appreciate what you did. I do. But you don't have to fight my battles for me. It's not worth it"

"Not worth it?" you repeated, incredulous. "Spencer, you deserve respect just as much as anyone else here. More, even, because you're brilliant and you're kind, and you're the one figuring out half of what we know about this case. If someone can't see that, it's their problem—not yours"

For a moment, he said nothing. Then, to your relief, his lips curved into a more genuine smile. It was small, almost hesitant, but it was there.

"Thank you" he said quietly.

"You don't have to thank me," you replied, your voice softening, "I just... I hate seeing you treated like that"

Spencer nodded, his gaze warm despite the lingering shadows. "I know"

The two of you stood in silence for a moment, the noise of the precinct fading into the background. Then Spencer straightened, his usual determination returning to his expression.

"Anyway," he said, his tone lightening, "As I was saying, the unsub's choice of victims suggests a pattern based on..."

You smiled as he launched back into his explanation, the earlier incident already slipping from his mind. But you knew you wouldn't forget it — not because of the officer's rudeness, but because of the way Spencer had tried to brush it off as normal.

You made a silent promise to yourself. You'd always have his back, no matter how used to it he thought he was.