Work Text:
The plane was quiet on the way home. Spencer, who was reading a book, was sitting across JJ, who in turn was blankly staring out the window. The blonde was relaxed, composed, but Spencer can sense the underlying agitation his friend was feeling. Spencer closed his book and tapped the table softly, catching JJ's attention.
"What is it, Spence? Need anything?" The blonde said with a smile, although Spencer saw it was strained. Out of instinct Spencer reached over the table, taking JJ's hand, small and slender against his.
"You know you can tell me anything, right? Anything at all."
JJ pursed her lips. "I-it's nothing. No need to worry, OK? But thanks for the concern."
Spencer knew JJ was lying, but he decided not to push her further.
JJ stood before Spencer's apartment door, fingers twitching as she debated on knocking. She didn't know what prompted her to come to him. She could have gone to Emily's, but somehow she found herself driving to Spencer's apartment. Steeling herself, JJ raised a fist to knock, but it was opened before she could move. On the other side stood an apparently freshly showered Spencer, hair wet and wearing a shirt with matching shorts. As if knowing why she was there, Spencer immediately let her in, leading both of them to the doctor's living room couch.
"Ready when you are." Spencer said quietly. Silence, then
"Why?" JJ asked, voice barely above a whisper. "Why did that happen? Why do things like that always has to happen? Why do people who can commit those crimes exist?" She looked at Spencer. "Kids, Spence. Those were kids he killed. If not women, children. Why do people like him thrive, while other people, good people, suffer? Suffer from cancer, from epilepsy, from dementia, among other things. It's just- it's so unfair. Why-"
"Dance with me." Spencer interrupted his friend softly. JJ looked at Spencer, genuine confusion etched on her face.
"Huh?" The blonde asked, her brain failing to process what her friend just said.
"Dance with me." Spencer repeated, and JJ let her friend guide her to the middle of the living room. The doctor took out his phone and scrolled through his Spotify playlists. He connected his phone to the stereo, and soon John Denver's "Annie's Song" filled Spencer's apartment. They assumed the proper position, with JJ's right hand resting on Spencer's left shoulder while the doctor rested his right hand on JJ"s waist, their free hands clasped together as they swayed together. Spencer twirled her around before they returned to their original position.
"I didn't know you can dance." JJ observed as Spencer guided her.
"There are a lot of things you don't know about me, Jennifer Jareau." Spencer replied with mock seriousness. JJ grinned.
"So it would seem, Spencer Reid. So it would seem."
They lost track of time, lost in each other's arms as they danced. JJ let her head rest on Spencer's chest. As they continued to sway through the soft, tantalizing music, JJ realizes something: They were more than friends, nor were they lovers. they were more than those. She was his, and he was hers. Two sides of the same scarred coin, forged in the flames of trials overcome and horrors endured.