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Reid didn’t know what it was about you, but he just despised you. For whatever reason, he just couldn’t stand you. Maybe it’s because you somehow took his title for the youngest member of the BAU. Maybe it’s because you’re so smart, yet so pretty and nice at the same time. Or maybe it was just that he hated how cheerful you were. It’s as if you were living in a fantasy world where nothing bad happened to you and everything was perfect. It infuriated him beyond rational thought. And he hated that.
He was always rational. That was who he was. That was his role here. He was the rational genius who hid his emotions behind his intelligence. Yet here you were, making him feel so confused as if it was the easiest thing in the world for you. He hated it. He hated you. Yet the universe seems intent on testing him, as you are somehow a little enamored with him. You admire him a lot, especially since he’s closest to your age and has achieved so much more than one could imagine. It’s relieving for you to not be the only one in the BAU who is constantly talked down to and treated like a child just because of your age and innocent face.
So, you’re quick to try everything you can to befriend him, along with everyone else on the team. Of course, everyone else enjoys your company and sunny attitude. But you especially focus on him. You always choose to partner up with him during casework, eagerly listen to him when he rambles on and on about something long after everyone else has already stopped paying attention, and even somehow memorize his coffee order. Needless to say, he can barely stand it.
One day, he’s getting a refill of coffee in the breakroom when you suddenly come up to him with a smile. “Hey, Reid.” He immediately tenses up at the sound of your voice and resists the urge to turn around to face you. “Hey.” He flatly replies instead. “What’s your favorite color?” You inquire, and his brows furrow. He reluctantly turns around and takes a sip of his coffee. “Why’re you asking?” You shrug. “I was gonna make you something for your birthday coming up.” “I’d rather you didn’t. I prefer practical gifts.” He says, hoping that you’ll just take the hint. Of course, you didn’t.
“Oh, okay! That’s fine! I was looking at these really cool-” “I seriously would rather you didn’t bother giving me anything.” “It’s not a bother if it makes you happy.” You implore with that disgustingly sweet smile, and his control finally snaps. “If you want to make me happy, then leave me alone.” He venomously hisses, and you falter for a moment, processing his words with a tiny frown. “O-Oh. Did I do something wrong? I didn’t mean to. Whatever it was that I did, I wouldn’t want to make you feel uncomfortable with me. I was just trying to-” “Stop.” He firmly demands, and you freeze up slightly.
“I don’t want to hear your apologies. I don’t want you to give me things. And above all, I absolutely don’t want to be friends. Just leave me the hell alone.” He takes small steps toward you, and you immediately back up like a scared animal. He catches the look of fear in your eyes. But before he can comment on it, you avert your gaze and nod once in acknowledgement. “Okay, I understand…” You murmur before speed-walking out of the breakroom with your head down, metaphorical tail between your legs.
Finally snapping out his anger for a moment, he realizes what he just did and feels a flicker of guilt. But he ignores it, simply deciding to just focus on the fact that he finally got a bit of peace.