Chapter Text
"It's not the pain, it's who is came from." -Dristi Bablani
Spencer walks into the small white room where his new foster father is standing. He is nervous as usual, but his social worker promised that Aaron Hotchner is a good man. So hopefully that means that Spencer will not be returning to this horrible place for a while. Most men that he has gone to stay with, have either returned him right away or beat him until he couldn't see straight.
"Hello. My name is Aaron Hotchner. I'm going to be taking care of you. Your name is Spencer right?" A tall man asks
"Yes my name is Spencer Walter R-reid. I'm 16 turning 17 in one month. I am in 10th grade, although I understand everything that is being taught to me before the rest of my class learns it. I understand if you would like to return me Sir." Spencer answers
"Hey who said anything about returning you? If you are smarter than the rest of your class, how about I talk to the principle at your new school and see if we can get you moved up a grade how does that sound?"
"That is fine Sir."
After Aaron signs the last bit of paperwork, he and Spencer both walk outside.
"Is there anywhere that you would like to stop before we head to my house?" Aaron asks kindly
"If you don't mind, Sir, I would like to stop at the library to check out a few books..."
"Sounds good to me! And you can call me Aaron, you don't have to call me Sir. Do you normally go by Spencer or would you prefer Spence?"
"Most people just call me Spencer, but you can call me whichever."
"Alright Spencer we can stop at the library on the way to my house, then we can get you settled into your new room. I've got it all set up, but I figured that you would want to pick sheets, a comforter, and whatever else. Your social worker told me that you have weekly meeting with a counselor. I can get you there, you will just have to tell me what days you have to go. And if there is anything you want or need, just let me know." Aaron says with a smile
After putting his bag in the back of Aaron's car, Spencer opens the backdoor.
"You can sit up front with me. You're old enough to sit in the front seat." Aaron says a little surprised that Spencer didn't sit up front in the first place
It is a short drive to the library where Spencer goes in long enough to grab 5 of his favorite books. He knows that these won't last long, but they will have to do until he figures out if he is actually staying with Aaron. He walks back to the car and climbs into the front seat. Aaron starts the car.
"You're awfully quiet kid. Are you okay?" He asks concerned
Spencer nods as Aaron pulls up to a beautiful little house. It is much different than the other foster houses he has been in before. Aaron walks up to the door and unlocks it letting Spencer walk in first.
"Okay... Your room is upstairs. I will show you the way. There is a dresser that you can put your stuff in, if you have clothes that you want to hang up there is also a closet. I guess I don't know how much you have for clothes. If you want different stuff, I can take you to the store. Do you have any questions, or things that you are going to need?" Aaron says awkwardly
"How often can I go to the library? What time do I need to be in bed? What time do I need to be up? What is the punishment for breaking rules? What do you expect of me? How can I please you?" Spencer asks the same way he has done every other time
"You can go to the library as often as you want. As long as you are in bed by midnight, I don't really care. You will have to be up by 7:00 if you want me to drive you to school. I'm not really sure what a punishment would be... I just want you to be honest and not make to big of a mess around the house. I'm not sure about your last question... You don't have to please me Spence..."
"Oh... So you won't hit me?"
"Of course not Spencer! I would never lay a hand on you! Nobody should."
"Y-you don't want me to um... do anything um... in bed with you?"
"Nobody has any right to make you do that with them including me. You will not be punished in that way or touched in that way... Ever in this house."
"Oh... ok..."
"C'mere kiddo." Aaron says pulling Spencer into a hug.
After a long comforting hug, Aaron steps back and takes Spencer upstairs. Spencer's new room is painted a light gray, the sheets are a dark blue with a dark blue comforter. Aaron shows Spencer where everything is, then leaves him to get settled.
"We will have dinner around 6:00. I was going to order pizza, but if you want something else we can get it." Aaron says
"Pizza is fine. Thank you Aaron. For everything."
"Go ahead and get what you have put away, we can go to the store tomorrow to get you new things if you need them. You will start school next week, I know some of the kids that will be in your classes, most of them are pretty good kids. You gonna be okay for a bit while I run to get the pizza?"
"Yah... I'll put my stuff away."
Aaron drives down the street to his favorite pizza place. Spencer puts his few belongings away and sits on his bed to read. He is glad that his new foster father is so kind, but it will take some getting used to . He has never felt loved, except for when his mom was alive. Aaron seems like a great person, but Spencer has always had trouble trusting people. He will try to trust him though. He will try to believe that there is good in the world, even if he isn't sure. He will try...