Work Text:
The invitation appeared on his desk one day, rather innocuously.
He comes into work, sets down his messenger bag, and almost spills coffee on the plain white piece of paper that’s addressed to him. He picks it up curiously and opens it.
“Wow,” he says to Iris, who has moved to sit on the desk in front of him. “I’m being invited to Thanksgiving at the Winchester's bar.” He glances over at her, fiddling with the slip of paper nervously. “Do you think I should go?”
She meows affirmatively, nuzzling up against his right hand.
“I suppose it would be nice." He debates with himself. “It’d be interesting to meet everyone properly without—you know—thinking they were going to murder me.” He keeps his voice low to prevent anyone from overhearing him. "But Thanksgiving seems like a family thing. I wouldn’t want to intrude. And Kansas is a long drive from Virginia. What if we get a case and I’m stuck 18 hours away in another state?"
He turns the card over in his hands anxiously, obviously torn.
Without warning, Iris darts forward, snatching the invitation out of his hand and scampering away with it clutched in her mouth.
“Iris!” Spencer calls in shock, springing from his seat and chasing after her. He follows her around the corner and is filled with something like dread as she disappears into Hotch’s office. He quickly follows after her but comes to a skidding halt when he finds her sitting innocently on Hotch’s desk, Hotch holding the invitation in his hands. “I’m so sorry about her.” Spencer begins anxiously. “She just ran off and—“
“Going to a Thanksgiving party?” Hotch asks, completely disregarding any apology for Iris’s less-than-stellar behavior.
“Uh, maybe,” Spencer admits. “It’s from a friend, but they live in Kansas, and we’re probably going to be busy, and it's far. I’d have to be gone for 3 days minimum just because it takes so long to drive, so I can just stay here.”
"Reid." Hotch interupts, though not unkindly. “Take a week."
“What?” He asks, stunned
Hotch looks up at him and smiles, holding the invitation out for him to grab. ”I can literally never get you to take time off. I know the holidays are hard for you, but go see your friends. Take a week. Take two weeks, even. Enjoy yourself and give yourself a bit of a break. We’ll all still be here when you get back."
Spencer nods, clutching the note in his hand. “Thank you, sir."
Iris meows and Spencer rolls his eyes. “Yeah, okay. Thank you too.” He says, scooping her into his arms.
“Reid,” Hotch says as he turns to leave. Spencer turns to look at him. "She's a good cat; make sure she gets a bit of a break too."
“I will.” He promises.
_____ _____ _____
When Thanksgiving actually rolls around, Spencer finds himself standing in front of the rustic-looking bar Thursday morning, feeling nervous again. He drove here the day before, collapsed into his bed at the hotel he rented, and woke up just in time to buy a pumpkin pie from one of the local stores that hadn’t closed yet. He can’t decide if it makes him look more stupid for bringing something store-bought than if he showed up with nothing at all. Iris meows at him from her perch on his shoulders, purring reassuredly. He clutches the pie nervously and steps through the front door.
He had hoped that he could’ve lingered in the doorway for a bit to get a feel for what was happening and get comfortable existing in the space before finding someone familiar to approach with his meager offering, but this is not the case. It feels like only mere seconds after the door swings shut behind him he is bombarded.
“Oh, my father!” A voice he doesn’t recognize squeals, rushing up to him and spinning him around. “You shouldn’t have.” The voice in question belongs to a man he’s never seen before with long golden hair and honey-colored eyes. He is shorter than Spencer, quite significantly so, but strong enough to manhandle him. The man grins at Spencer charmingly and smells oddly like candy. “I love him.” The man declares boldly. “He’s just like Sam! He’s young, he’s nerdy, and he’s cute. He’s got hair to die for. Ugh!” The man fawns incessantly, and Spencer feels his face heating up.
Iris hisses at him, and the man just rolls his eyes. "Oh, please, I wouldn’t hurt a hair on his darling little head.” He says to her before turning to call to someone deeper into the bar. “Hey, Cassie! Your cat is being mean to me!"
Castiel appears from somewhere, walking up to them. “Gabriel, please do not harass our guest.”
“Aw, but he’s adorable. Sam’s taken, and you mean to say I can’t have his double?"
Cas levels him with a stern look, and Gabriel whines like a child.
“Fine, but I’m taking the pie as compensation,” Gabriel warns, snatching the pie from Spencer and heading toward the back.
“You better be taking it to put with the rest of the food,” Cas says, and Gabriel laughs, winking at Spencer before heading off somewhere else. Cas looks at Spencer with a sigh. “I’m sorry about him.” He apologizes sincerely. “My brother can be a bit of a nuisance."
“Your brother?” Spencer asks, pieces slotting together in his head. “He’s an angel too?”
"I'm afraid so,” Cas says, like he can’t believe it either. “Gabriel may be an archangel, but he rather has the emotional intelligence of a small human child." Cas sighs in annoyance, like Spencer hasn’t just met a major historical figure.
“Hello, Iris.” Cas greets her. “Are you doing well?”
She doesn’t meow, but they lock eyes and must communicate silently for a bit. Whatever happens, when Cas looks away, he seems satisfied. “I’m happy to hear it. You are free to roam here, though watch out for our dog. Do not worry about Dr. Reid. We will take care of him in your absence.” He reassures her, and Iris hops down from his shoulders, running off to explore the bar.
“You can call me Spencer."
“Of course, Spencer. You may mingle with some of the others if you would like, or just take a seat at the bar. The food will be done soon."
Spencer ventures deeper into the building, and it doesn’t take long for someone to come find him.
“Oh, shit,” Sam says, coming up next to him. “Hey, man. I wasn’t sure if you were going to make it."
“It was a long drive.” Spencer confirms, “But I got in last night."
“It’s good to see you. Let me introduce you to everyone.”
Spencer follows him over to where a long, dark-haired woman stands, and she smiles at them as they approach. “Spencer,” he says, starting to sign as he talks. “This is Elieen, my girlfriend.”
Eileen, he signs. This is Dr. Spencer Reid.
“Nice to meet you.” She says.
“Nice to meet you too,” Spencer replies, signing as he speaks.
“You can sign?” Sam asks, impressed.
“I picked it up for a case once,” Spencer explains. “I’m a little rusty, though."
Eileen laughs. “Dean is going to be pissed."
Sam grins. “Dean is the only one who’s still learning sign language," he explains. “He was hoping to have someone to commiserate with.”
“Sorry to disappoint."
“Sammykins!” Gabriel calls, interrupting their conversation. Gabriel barrels from across the room, settling himself at Sam’s side. “I see you’ve met the hot, new stuff.” He says, referring to Spencer. “You’re being usurped by a younger model.”
“Glad to see you’ve moved on,” Sam says dryly, and Gabriel suddenly looks dismayed.
“Wait, no! I’m sorry. You’re my favorite! I love you!” Gabriel cries, throwing himself at Sam. Sam rolls his eyes, but it's fond, and he can’t help but smile.
Is he okay? Spencer asks Eileen.
Gabriel’s fine. He wouldn’t ever do anything that made Sam uncomfortable. Angels are really big on consent. He’ll probably stop flirting with you now that he’s gotten a chance to tease Sam about it.
You don’t mind? Aren’t you Sam’s girlfriend?
No, I don’t mind. It’s funny. She grins at him. Besides, Gabe’s hot.
Spencer blinks at her bluntness.
Gabe knows it doesn’t bother me, or he’d stop. Sam’s the only one who puts up protests, but I think he likes it too. She shrugs. I just like seeing him happy.
Spencer looks over to where Gabriel hangs off Sam like a dedicated leech.
“Gabe,” Dean’s voice calls, having exited the kitchen and spotted the archangel. “Stop harassing my brother.”
Gabriel can also never pass up an opportunity to annoy Dean. She smiles. Spencer smiles back.
“Hey, kid,” Dean says, coming over to them. “Good to see you’re not dead. Food’s done, so I hope you’re hungry.”
“He’s skinny,” Eileen says. “Make sure you fill his plate up.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Dean mock salutes, and they grin. “Is Jack around?"
Eileen shrugs. "I haven't seen him.”
“C’mon Spencer. Let’s go see if we can find him and leave Eileen to deal with this mess.” Dean motions over to Gabe and Sam.
Spencer follows after him and is led back into the kitchen, where Cas directs them out back. There, they find a young boy, appearing to be in his early twenties, sitting on a patch of grass. Dean’s whole demeanor softens, and he grins involuntarily, calling out to him.
“Hey, kid. Whatcha doing?” Dean asks, and the boy turns to face them.
“I’m working on growing things.” He says, hovering his hand above the ground, and Spencer watches in awe as a flower grows up from the ground. “I can control it, but if I get startled or excited, then everything just...” he makes a wide, sweeping motion, “explodes.”
“Yeah, well, you’re young, kid. You’ll figure it out.” He pauses, and Jack doesn’t make an effort to move. “C’mon, Jack. There’s someone I think you’ll like to meet.”
Jack stands to his feet and walks over to them. “This is Dr. Spencer Reid. I know you’ve been way into science recently, and he can probably help you out with that."
Jack turns to face him, eyes wide. “Really?”
“Yeah,” Dean reassures. “He works for the FBI, but he’s super smart and went to college a bunch, even more than Sammy.”
“Wow.”
“Are you looking to study science in college?” Spencer asks.
Dean laughs. “We have a bit before that.”
“I’m only five years old,” Jack says sincerely, and Spencer is thrown off kilter.
“Oh. And you can do magic."
“I’m a nephlim,” Jack explains.
“It’s a lot to process, I know, but he’s got lots of us looking out for him, isn’t that right, kid?” Dean reaches out, ruffling Jack’s hair, and Jack practically collapses against his side, hugging him.
Spencer pointedly does not think about how Nephilim are half-angel and half-human. He does not think about Dean’s fatherly behavior, Jack’s striking blue eyes, and Castiel’s matching wedding band. “Well,” he says instead. “Maybe you can show me some magic, and I’ll tell you about science, and we’ll call it even."
“After lunch, though.” Dean cuts in. “I did not spend 5 hours making shit this morning for it to get cold.”
“Thank you for cooking, Dean,” Jack says.
“Of course, kid. Now, let's get inside. I’m told old to be yapping in cold weather like this.”
Spencer finds, as he follows them back inside, that he doesn’t mind Dean calling him ‘kid’, not when it so obviously comes from a place of love like this.
When they all settle at the table, Spencer finds himself between Jack and Sam. The food is delicious, as promised, and Spencer’s store-bought pie sits out with everything else, having survived its detour in Gabriel’s hands. He surprises himself with how comfortable he feels, even without Iris at his side. He doesn’t feel like an outsider or unwanted, despite his earlier anxieties. Everyone is friendly, and Dean makes sure that he’s had enough to eat, following through with Eileen’s earlier warning. He grins at the warmth that curls in his chest and stays long into the night.
Eventually, when he does have to go back to his hotel, Dean presses take-out containers full of food into his hand. “Don’t go hungry, you hear?” He demands, filling his arms full. “I know you’re busy out there solving crime and saving the world, but let people take care of you. It’s hard, but it’s worth it.” Dean says, and Spencer knows that he’s speaking from experience. “And next time you’re around, I’ll teach you how to make your own pie.” He grins teasingly.
Jack bounds up to him, excited as ever. “It was nice meeting you today.” He says genuinely. “I can’t wait to see you again so you can teach me science-magic.”
Spencer smiles at him, unable to help the fondness flooding into his chest. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Castiel pulls him into a tight hug, and Spencer feels like he’s getting a hug from a father he didn’t have, trying not to let tears well up in his eyes. “Iris tells me you drink too much coffee,” Cas says when they pull back, and Spencer lets out a laugh that’s borderline hysterical.
“I’ll cut back.”
“You better,” Cas says sternly, though the smile in his eyes betrays him. “Iris reports back to me.”
“I know she does,” Spencer says, and Iris meows in agreement from where she stands at his feet.
Sam provides him with bags to put his many boxes of leftover food in, muttering something about his ‘ridiculous brother’ before patting Spencer on the shoulder and wishing him well. He goes over and stands by Eileen, wrapping an arm around her waist.
“Eat more,” Eileen demands, and Spencer holds up the bags of food.
“I’m all set for a while."
“Good. I don’t want to see you so skinny next time."
He nods.
Gabriel comes up to him, but it’s less frenzied this time. He’s deliberate about his movements and is playful while remaining respectful. He reaches out, cupping his face gently and pressing a kiss on his forehead. Spencer feels that warm glow settle throughout his body, similar to what Cas and Iris do for him.
“There,” Gabriel says, pulling away and letting his hands fall. “Consider it a blessing from an angel.” He grins. “I want to see your pretty face around, kiddo. Take care of yourself.”
“Thank you,” Spencer says, feeling a little overwhelmed. “Thank all of you. I wish you all nothing but the best.”
“See you around, kid!” Dean calls as he heads out the door, Iris by his side.
He stops and waves, and they all wave, and then he plunges out into the night.
_____ _____ _____
“How was your break, Reid?” Hotch asks when he shows up at the precinct a few days later. “Did you have a good time?"
“Yeah,” Spencer says, that warm feeling stirring in his chest. “It was good.”