Chapter Text
When you’re friends with someone long enough, you often wonder how it was the two of you started talking in the first place. Looking back, you try to remember first impressions, secrets shared, and the moment you knew they would always carry a place in your heart. The first time you met Spencer Reid, you were both five. He had just moved in next door and though you both tend to argue about how the friendship began, it was a fact that by October 31st, the two of you had already become inseparable.
It was hard to dispute when you had photos of the two of you, all dressed up and ready to go. That first Halloween you shared together, you were dressed as a ladybug and him a pirate, a picture holding that smiling moment like amber had been hidden in your wallet ever since you found it in a photo album in your attic. But as the pictures began to grow few and far between, your memory took its time to hold onto youthful moments, especially the ones that happened around Halloween.
~
“A bet is a bet, it’s not my fault you agreed to it.” Spencer grinned as you began walking down to the 7-11 at the end of the neighborhood. You had agreed to the same bet that the two of you had been making since Spencer realized he could scam you, knowing you never backed out of a challenge. But as the sun beatdown, bouncing off the simmering concrete, you couldn’t help but complain.
“This is highway robbery, plus it’s unfair that I have to play against you. You’re a ten-year-old taking advantage of a nine-year-old.” You pouted, crossing your arms
“Nice try, I just turned ten. And do you even know what highway robbery means?” Spencer interjected, which you ignored.
“Not to mention, you’re in high school now. It’s unfair that I have to play chess against you.”
“I’ve been trying to teach you,” He said in defense, which was true.
“My mom says you’re like a child prodigy.” The two of you never used to talk about things like this, but ever since he began moving faster in school, the topic came up more often, and if you were honest it seemed like Spencer didn’t care too much for the title.
“Your mom says a lot of things,” Spencer joked, causing you to nudge him with your shoulder as the two of you laughed. “Besides,” He shrugged. “I read that child prodigies rarely become adult geniuses who change the world.”
“I don’t know about that. Prodigy or not, I’ve got a feeling about you, Spencer Reid.” You gave him a big grin as the two of you stepped into the 7-11, heading straight for the slushy machine, filling up your cups. “You’re definitely going to change the world.” As the two of you walked up to the cash register, you handed the lady a few coins and some wadded up dollars, settling your bet. By the time you headed back outside to sit on the curb, you had almost completely forgotten the conversation, too immersed in the contrast of your cool drink and the hot concrete.
“Do you want to bet on it?” Spencer asked, causing you to narrow your eyes as you contemplated his offer.
“Yeah, I’ll bet on it.” You said, offering your hand to shake only to remember he wasn’t keen on that kind of thing. But before you could fully withdraw your hand, he shook it.
“You’re on, y/n.”
~
Usually, the days leading up to Halloween were filled with joy and anticipation, but this year, however, was different. The reality of life had begun to seep into the fantasy world the two of you had created, created to escape life in the first place. But when Spencer’s dad walked out on him and his mom, the damage was too big to ignore.
Taking your mom's advice, you left him alone for a few days to process his emotions, that’s what she told you he needed to do. And while you did stay away, you couldn’t help but want to see him, to know that he was ok. He was your best friend, and maybe he needed some time by himself, but you didn’t understand why he wouldn’t want your company.
So when the big day itself came up, you grabbed your costume and went over to his house after school. After all, the two of you had been planning on coordinating your costumes and you would feel silly going without him. You almost never went over to his house, Spencer always insisted he’d come over to yours for reasons he never quite talked about. Which would explain the confused look he had on his face when he opened the door. His eyes were red and bloodshot, the sight of which caused you to drop what you were holding to give him a hug, something the two of you had never done before. He stiffened for a moment as if contemplating what to do before he began to relax, allowing his arms to wrap around you.
“I’m sorry I didn’t come over sooner,” Your breathing was shaky as you tried not to cry at the state of him. “My mom said you needed time alone,”
“I did,” He confirmed, nodding his head as the two of you pulled away from each other. “Do you want to come in?” Spencer asked, stepping aside.
“Yeah,” Picking up your things, you followed him to his room, ignoring the state of his house. “Are we trick-or-treating tonight?” You asked as you set your stuff down on his desk.
“I don’t know,” Spencer sighed, laying down on his bed. “I hadn’t really thought about it.” Kicking off your shoes, you moved to lay next to him, staring up at the stars on his ceiling.
“You, not thinking about Halloween?” You tapped his foot with yours. “That’s shocking.” Waiting for laughter that never came, you shifted to lean on your elbow. “It’s that bad, huh?”
“He left me a letter…” He shut his eyes as he rubbed his face. “A letter.”
“What did it say?”
“Nothing important,” Spencer sighed again before opening his eyes to look at you. “Do you think he left because of me? Because I’m not a normal kid?” His questions were heavy and they settled over the both of you, too young to fully understand. “Do you think it’s because I don’t play sports? Or I’m not masculine enough?”
As the two of you began to grow, it was becoming more and more clear to you that Spencer was mentally maturing at a faster rate than you. Most days you could pretend it wasn’t true or at least shrug it off, burying the fear that he would one day realize you were too juvenile to hang out with. But in moments like these, you really felt your age. It was then, however, that it dawned on you that he was still just a kid too.
“Spencer,” You rested your hand on top of his, he had been rambling this whole time about the statistics of children in divorced households, only stopping when you touched him. “I’m no genius, but I am pretty sure you did nothing wrong. You were just being yourself.”
“But I was never who he wanted me to be,” Not knowing how to shake him out of it, you tried your initial intent.
“But Spence, it’s Halloween…tonight we can be anything we want to be.” He seemed to contemplate your words for a moment, chewing his lip. “I can’t give you any answers, but I can force you to go out, get some candy, and then watch a scary movie with me like we always do.” A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he sat up.
“You just want to use me for extra candy.”
“How did you know?!” You pretended to be surprised as he chucked a pillow at you.
“Fine, you win, but I get to pick the movie,” Spencer said, standing to grab his costume.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” You laughed, relieved to see him smile again.