Commitments and Consequences

Chapter One: Praise

It all started with Spencer Reid sat in coffee shop, book bag by his feet and despite his prolific nature in reading and ability to reread pages with enthusiasm he found himself bored and unable to focus, retracing over a page he couldn't absorb despite knowing every work already, it wasn't an unpleasant feeling, just a little stuck and not his usual sharp minded self. It had been a while now since Maeve's death, he'd gone through the stages of moping in his home, thinking non-stop to finally being able to breathe, returned to work and ventured outside casually, every time a little easier than the last. The realisation alone quite significant that he had, after a very difficult time...he had let Maeve go. He had loved her, still held love for her, but accepted her as a love lost.

But the next step? She would have wanted him to live a happy life, that part was far from easy. Not because he couldn't imagine being with another eventually, or that they'd be compared to Maeve, but because time after time in Reid's life, new ways were found to pull the rug out from under him. Maeve being the most recent, he was either incredibly unlucky or something was wrong with him, being a man of logic he felt inclined to the latter. Yet again he realised his eyes had stilled on the page, no progress made and so he stopped to take a sip of coffee, the scent helping his mind settle a little better.

Hearing a slight hum from his bag he checked his phone for texts, Derek Morgan, the man's efforts only comparable to JJ's in regularly checking up on him causing a bittersweet smile. Case and point for how messed up he was, the most handsome, popular man he'd harboured feelings for for years and one of his best friends, he felt lucky to just be that, and of course these extra feelings were wasted on the most heterosexual hunk in the country. No logic there, just butterflies in his stomach at the warm gazes, an excited electricity in his nerves with every touch and a swell in his heart at his affectionate words. Just Derek being a man of kindness of course, perhaps playful considering the nicknames, but he knew it had to be no different between them as it was with Derek and Penelope, and even then Reid was male and he had never once seen Derek interested in anyone but gorgeous ladies.

"Hi there..." came a friendly voice and Reid was startled, visibly flinching but luckily not tumbling his coffee. Having been brought to abruptly from his thoughts and under a stranger's gaze his face heat up in a little embarrassment but the man smoothly calmed him down. "Sorry, didn't mean to spook you, I just wanted to say hi, you looked a little lost there" and finally Spencer turned his gaze fully to the friendly man in front of him who patiently waited for a response. Whoever he was he possessed very handsome features, older, dark hair with the tiniest whip of silver in his stubble, but very fit. If he had to guess form his studies on faces and genetics he would guess a grandparent was Korean, and form the accent he likely lived in the Mid-Atlantic states, if he had to guess perhaps Delaware.

"Uh, no problem, I was in my own head" Reid admitted shyly.

The man was instantly friendly and charming, he never took a seat he wasn't invited to, but introduced himself as Michael and said how much he liked the name Spencer when he was told it, he asked what book the younger man was reading and from there he was invited to sit and the conversation flowed. Eventually Reid found himself in that social cornering of not knowing how much to say, he'd insinuated he hadn't been out much for a while and when that was pressed he explained about Maeve, not in great detail but didn't shy away from the fact that she was shot.

"I'm so sorry for your loss, that's awful, how long were you together?" Michaels caring voice was genuine and Reid found that he liked having someone listen that wasn't heavy hearted or overly dutiful, he might never see Michael again and he kind of enjoyed the light exchange. The tone never got sad or low, he had a habit of making things awkward, but instead they volleyed and talked positively.

"Just over six months, it know it doesn't seem long bu-"

"A fantastic hour can make someone important to you, six months is plenty to miss," came the reassuring words form Michael and from there Reid completely put away his book into his bag and they engaged in conversation, mostly about books and some about life though no great specifics were given. After a few jokes and the pair became significantly more comfortable, pretty sure the other was genuinely as they seemed, came the first moment of Michael turning a little unsure "I can't help this, nah, never mind."