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For all the work Spencer does, there’s one thing he’s always been certain about, he hates crowds. It’s clear, even while he works, that he gets overwhelmed and needs to be moved, but sometimes even he knows it can’t be helped. Like at a press conference or when giving a profile. (Giving a profile is easier; mainly because it’s the thing he’s passionate about and he actually knows what to say.) He definitely hates speaking in front of one, even if it’s just a class. The fear of judgment is horrid. Always has been, probably always will be.
So of course, when Derek offered to take the group to a loud, crowded, overwhelming venue to celebrate his birthday, Spencer was in deep shit. Everyone went, why wouldn’t they? Derek got the tickets, it would be rude not to. But it was almost worse than a bar.
With the drinking, the loud bass music, being surrounded by people he doesn’t know, and somehow he lost the girls, of which he’d been following since he didn’t want to be there . It was pouring against his head like a hammer, and he knew he was probably being stared at but he really just needed somewhere quiet.
He eventually found a wall to lean against, at least he felt semi-safe having his back to something. He closed his eyes, trying to shut out some of the noise as if his eyelids were noise canceling headphones. He got somewhere, he successfully distracted himself, and he was thankful there was an invisible bubble around him that kept people from bumping into him.
However, someone made contact with his shoulder, and he jumped a mile high when it did.
“Relax! Reid, it’s just me,” Aaron chuckled as Spencer snapped his eyes open.
“Hotch,” he breathed, trying to be heard over the music. “You scared the shit outta me!”
“I noticed! You looked like you were sleeping!” Aaron called.
“Not sleeping! Just trying to block out the noise!” Spencer said, knowing that he was really only contributing with the yelling. “Where’s Rossi?”
“Trying to get wife number 4!” Aaron laughed.
“Is anyone his age even here?” Spencer asked, and Aaron shrugged.
“I’m surprised I’m here,” Aaron chuckled, leaning against the wall next to him. “You think they’d notice if we escaped?”
“I don’t care, I need some medication and a strong cup of coffee,” Spencer groaned, and Aaron laughed, taking Spencer’s hand and weaving through the people. They ran into JJ on their way out.
“Is Morgan still here?” Aaron asked.
“He just left with a girl after closing the tab, me and Emily are about to head out. Garcia’s looking for Rossi, I was looking for Spence!,” JJ explained with a small shout.
“I’ve got him covered,” Aaron promised. “Rossi’s probably gonna end up going with a girl himself, don’t bet on him coming with you guys. Have a good night.”
“Bye guys!” JJ laughed, watching Aaron pull Spencer out of the venue.
Once they were outside, it was like Spencer could breathe again. He looked at Aaron, before laughing lightly. His head was dizzy, and he clutched into Aaron’s arm with his free hand as the cool spring air filled his lungs.
“I think those drinks affected you more than you though,” Aaron laughed, remembering the shots Derek made them take upon arriving, and they buying everyone a drink of their choice. Spencer chose a margarita.
“Yeah, it happens with fresh air reacting with the… brain, I really need that coffee,” Spencer whispered, clearly not completely in it.
“Yeah, c’mon,” Aaron laughed.
Aaron got them to a McDonald’s, luckily the lobby was open 24/7, and Aaron had Spencer sit down so he could get them some food and coffee.
While they were waiting for their food, they sat near a corner to talk quietly, giggling softly to one another as the alcohol flowed warmly through them.
“Here you are, you guys, enjoy!” One of the workers said as she placed their food and coffee in front of them. Aaron thanked them before handing Spencer’s sugar with a little bit of coffee, and taking a sip of his own reasonably sugared and creamed coffee.
“Why don’t you like crowds?” Aaron asked as he took a bite of his muffin sandwich.
“They freak me out, they always have,” Spencer mumbled as he took another sip of his warm coffee. “Being surrounded by people, they’re breathing on you, the loud noises and their voices, some voices are very upsetting to me. Like- just the way the sound is annoying. And I’ve noticed I find the annoying voices in crowds, which then makes ALL voices annoying.”
“Even mine?” Aaron asked.
“No,” Spencer said, almost too quickly as he took a bite of his hash brown. “Your voice- your voice I don’t think I could get tired of. You have a very nice one.”
“Thank you,” Aaron said, though he seemed unsure on how to take the compliment. “You have a nice voice as well.”
“Thanks,” Spencer smiled, taking another drink of his coffee. “I also just… don’t like the constant physical contact I get if I’m in a crowd. Like, it’s too full, there’s too many people, it’s a safety and health hazard. And then if I’m talking to a crowd, or even a class, I get overwhelmed because then there’s eyes on me. I don’t like having eyes on me.”
“When we give profiles-“ Aaron started.
“That’s different, see, that’s different because I like giving profiles, and I have all of you guys there to help me mentally, without even meaning to, and I also know how to give a profile. I don’t- I don’t know how to stand on a podium in front of a group of people and give a lecture or speech,” Spencer rambled.
“I see,” Aaron hummed as he nodded along, listening to Spencer completely ramble.
“I noticed you don’t seem to be a big fan of crowds either, do you have a reason?” Spencer asked.
“I’ve never liked being around a lot of people at once. I grew out of the fear, and really the unsettlement I feel from it. I just really dislike it,” Aaron shrugged.
“Yeah… you’re more of a lone wolf,” Spencer chuckled, taking another bite of his hash brown and finishing it. “With a select few, of course.”
“Yeah… a select few,” Aaron agreed, smiling at Spencer before finishing his sandwich and giving Spencer his hash brown. Spencer nodded, drinking down the rest of his coffee, and Aaron watched him with a small chuckle. “Feel better?”
“Much,” Spencer nodded, “Now that I’ve got something warm in me. Thanks for your hash brown, you didn’t have to give me that.”
“Eh, I don’t prefer them and I know they’re your favorite. Usually I don’t get one,” Aaron shrugged, finishing the rest of his own coffee.
“The fries and hash browns are definitely two of my favorites,” Spencer mumbled with a nod. “That and the chicken griddles— which you got me, thank you— and McChickens. I really just like chicken sandwiches…”
“I also knew that,” Aaron chuckled, nodding at the griddle, and Spencer smiled warmly. “We don’t work tomorrow, my place is just down the road, you should come over for the night. I know you live a pretty good distance from here. It’s too late to get a bus anyway.”
“I can walk home, I’m not really that tipsy,” Spencer promised. “I don’t wanna barge in on you and Jack.”
“Please,” Aaron said softly, and Spencer couldn’t help the little smile at such a tone.
“Alright,” Spencer agreed, and he quietly finished the last of his sandwich as Aaron started gathering trash.
Aaron tossed everything, taking Spencer by the hand again and leading him out of the restaurant. He didn’t drive to the venue, since he lived just barely a mile or so from it, so Spencer and Aaron were walking, sometimes lightly jogging as they giggled (maybe a bit more tipsy or loopsey than they thought), hand-in-hand. Eventually Spencer moved from Aaron’s hand to hold onto his arm as they walked.
Once they reached Aaron’s apartment, they walked up the stairs, continuously shushing each other with soft giggles. As they entered Aaron's apartment, they saw Jessica awake, reading under a dim light.
“Aaron, you’re home earlier than you originally planned- Hello Dr. Reid!” Jessica said, smiling kindly.
“Evening, Hotch wouldn’t let me walk home,” Spencer said as a way to explain why he was here.
“Well, welcome,” Jessica chuckled. “He’s still asleep.”
“Good, good,” Aaron smiled, clearing his throat.
Jessica nodded, “Well, I better get going. My children are all probably still up.”
“Go, go- I’m sorry,” Aaron said, eyebrows furrowed.
“Don’t worry, they’re teens now, remember,” Jessica chuckled, kissing Aaron’s cheek warmly. “Have a good night, you two.”
“Goodnight!” Spencer said with a small wave. “She’s amazing.”
“Isn’t she?” Aaron agreed as he shut the door, tugging Spencer to the couch. “We should watch something. You like Star Wars, right?”
“Yeah,” Spencer nodded.
“Maybe you can help me, then. Jack’s getting into it and I can’t keep up,” Aaron chuckled, turning to the streaming site, Disney+, so Spencer could take over.
“We’ll start at the beginning; get you into it, and then explain all the weird details and shit as we go along,” Spencer said, and Aaron nodded.
-7-
Aaron doesn’t remember passing out, however, when he wakes up he knows he’s warm. On both sides. He blinks his eyes open, and looks down to see two mops of unruly hair. One taller than the other, the shorter one darker.
He, then, realizes it’s Spencer and Jack. Both of them sleepin on him. Jack on his chest and Spencer higher on his shoulder, he feel’s really, really warm. Both physically and emotionally, and he rests his head back, slowly falling back asleep.
When he awakes again, he’s alone, but giggling can be heard from the kitchen. Jack’s giggling. Aaron groaned, groggily and deep, as he stood up. He groaned again, this time out of pain due to his stiff body from accidentally sleeping on the couch, and borderline limps to the kitchen to see the fuss.
Jack and Spencer are at the stove, huddled, and cooking something that Aaron just now realizes smells really good.
“You can cook?” Aaron asked, causing them both to jump.
“He woke up!” Jack pouted, and Spencer smiled, rubbing his head. Jack smiled up at him.
“The food’s done, you can still do it,” Spencer whispered, and Jack giggled as he slowly walked over.
“Come sit, your breakfast is being served!” Jack said in a faked fancy voice, taking his dad’s hands and walking him to the table, where a placement has been set for Aaron. “Would you like our finest orange or apple juice with your eggs and sausage, today?” Jack asked, continuing the voice.
Aaron laughed softly, and Spencer watched on with a fond smile. “Orange please,” Aaron said, and Jack ran over so Spencer could hand him the orange juice. The boy poured it very carefully into the preset glass cup on the table.
“Order for SSA Aaron Hotchner,” Spencer said, setting the food, which consisted of sausage, egg, and toast, the butter and jam sat down after his plate. “And for your information, cooking is chemistry, and I have a PHD in that,” Spencer whispered, patting Aaron’s shoulder.
“Please enjoy your meal!” Jack said, practically bowing at the waist before going and putting the juice back on the counter, giggling to himself the whole way.
“What’d you do to him?” Aaron asked, looking up at Spencer as he took a bite of his scrambled eggs, amazed at the flavor and fluffy texture.
“Nothing, I woke up, sat there in silence for a while debating whether or not I should leave. Jack came out, he noticed I was here. He got really excited and climbed over both of us, surprisingly didn’t wake you up, and he whispered his breakfast plan to me since you had the day off. I decided to help him with the cooking bit,” Spencer said and Aaron smiled.
“Jack, did you grab your plate?” Spencer asked, glancing at the boy in the kitchen.
“You didn’t make enough!” Jack called, and Spencer furrowed his brows.
“I left some in there for you,” Spencer said as Jack came back with his plate full.
“Yeah but there’s not enough left for you,” Jack pouted.
“I- I don’t really eat breakfast, bud. I kinda just drink coffee,” Spencer chuckled. “Plus, I’ve got to be leaving soon.”
“Mm-Mm,” Aaron said, “grab a plate and sit down. I’ll give you some of mine.”
“Hotch-“ Spencer sighed.
“Don’t argue with me, grab a plate and sit,” Aaron insisted, and Spencer sighed before reluctantly grabbing a plate and sitting next to Aaron so the man could put about half into his plate.
It was the best breakfast Spencer’s had in a while.