Felicity

VII

Derek's POV

   I didn't know what to say or do. Reid was crying on my shoulder. To be honest, I think I was a bit embarrassed about that. He had just told me how he felt about me and I was really surprised. I would have never known that he felt that way, or have known that I wanted to know how he felt. Reid had always felt that he had to be independent or else he seemed too dependant on people. Which, in my eyes, wasn't true. I never liked the fact that he tried to keep everything to himself. I wanted to know if he was upset or not. But, until tonight, he never straight-up told me how he felt without me pressing the matter first. 

   And now he was crying right in front of me. I couldn't remember the last time I saw him cry, except for the other night. I always thought he was a sensitive person, no matter how cognitive he acted. I put my hand on his head. I wonder what made him tell me that? I wondered. I never told him that was exactly what I wanted to hear. 

   "Reid, do you want me to stay over with you?" I asked, already knowing the answer. 

   "Yes..." He replied, refusing to pull away from me. 

   I smiled just a little bit. I had never seen him like this. I guess that when you live alone and force yourself to be independent, you crack sometimes. Reid was like family to me, I was always happy when he came to me. 

   "Derek, I dreamed about you on the plane," Reid said, backing away from my grasp. 

   He rubbed his eyes and then looked at me.

   "You told me that you wanted me to show that I listened to you. And Maeve was there as well. She told me that there are more people out there and that I should look around at what I have," He continued. 

   "Well, she's right," I said. "You have the team, you have me and your mom. You will always have someone to look after you. And did I not just say that I wasn't going to leave you?"

   He smiled a bit. I loved his smile and him in general. He never saw it because he was too stubborn to think. I wondered what else I said in his dream. 

   "I am dead tired. This is all your fault for waking me up." He stared at me, smiling. 

   "It's a good thing you are like 80 pounds, or I would've dropped you," I replied. 

   He rolled his eyes and said, 

   "Uh, you can sleep wherever you want as long as you don't ruin my house. Also, it's a house rule to not kick down doors." He laughed. 

   "I'm sleeping wherever you are. I don't want you dying in your sleep without me there," I replied, half-joking, mocking what he had said to me in the car.  

   He shook his head and went to get ready for bed. I leaned against the wall, thinking. He's been going through this for a whole month and he has just now said something. Why didn't I step in sooner? I could've done something, I thought. Mid-thought, Reid stepped out and said, 

   "You can come to my room now."

   I got off the wall and followed him into his room. I didn't want him to be alone. I knew how much it helped him think, but if he was going through something it was hell for him. Even so, he kept all of it to himself. I hated the fact that he did that. He was right. I wanted to hear him say that he listened to me. It sometimes seems like I am talking to a wall when I am talking to him. I was glad that he opened up like that. 

   "Reid," I called. "Thanks again for telling me what you said earlier. And, I'm sorry for not coming to you earlier."

   "What do you mean?" He asked, tilting his head a bit.

   "I mean, I know how rough this has been for you. So, I'm sorry that I haven't talked to you about it earlier. Maybe it would have made you feel better," I replied. 

   "Maybe," He said. "But, I feel okay now, and if you tried to talk to me earlier I most likely wouldn't have said anything back."

   I still felt at fault for all of this. I waited too long to intervene. Who knows how Reid felt during that time? 

   "Derek, sit next to me. You don't have to worry about it. If I was mad or upset about that then I wouldn't be talking to you. Or let you sleep in my room," He said, sitting down on the bed. 

   I sat next to him. There was no way that I was going to leave him. I knew how much he needed the team. Not to mention how bad I needed him. He was someone I could lean on and talk to. That was most likely why I didn't tell him to take time off as much as I should have. I didn't want him to be off the team. 

   "Derek? Are you okay? I didn't mean to cause you any trouble being here," Reid said. 

   "No, I'm okay. But, you have got to be tired, it's about midnight," I replied looking at the time. 

   "Yeah, I am. Can you stay until I am asleep?" 

   "Don't worry, I won't move," I answered, smiling at his tired face. 

   He laid his head down next to me and closed his eyes. Almost as soon as he laid his head down, he was out. I smiled softly. Reid didn't know, but he made my heart flutter. I had no idea why but ever since the day that we met, it had always been that way. That was the one thing that I kept to myself. How Reid made me feel. But, how could I tell him that? Altogether, that sounds weird and I don't want to make him feel uncomfortable. 

   I never thought of him in an awkward way, but I didn't want him to be more confused and anxious than he already was. That would make me feel terrible. So, I never said anything. He was the best friend I could ever wish for and I would never want to change that. I stayed next to him, watching him as he breathed softly. I smiled a bit and laid next to him. Even though we had a day off tomorrow, it wouldn't be good if I stayed up all night, so I closed my eyes. I felt Reid right next to me and I felt comfortable. I smiled and then fell asleep.

Hey guys, thanks for reading! I really hope you guys are enjoying this! I know, I know, the romance is coming soon. I just wanted this to be as realistic as possible. Anyway, have a good day! I love ya'll!