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Reader and Spencer often enjoyed spending their time together at bookstores. Something about the smell of the pages, the sound of a freshly cracked spine, and a strong cup of coffee from the cafe could sustain them for hours on end.
Unfortunately, their respective work schedules made it difficult for them to indulge in this habit as much as they'd like. Spencer being away on cases, reader being called in for doubles or overnight shifts at the hospital. But they made it work.
Usually.
Today's day off shopping trip did not include the cute little bookstore that opened a few blocks from their apartment. It didn't even include Barnes & Noble. They had to venture somewhere far more sinister.
Costco. On a Saturday.
Between the two of them, they typically managed to keep the fridge and pantry well stocked. Reader would pick up things on their way home, Spencer would order groceries to be delivered. However, when they woke up together that Saturday morning, happily tangled up in their sheets, they discovered that both of them had dropped the ball.
That's how they found themselves frantically navigating the bustling crowds at the wholesale market on one of the busiest days of the week.
"Where's the dairy section? I see rows and rows of prepackaged frozen meals and no milk, how is that possible?" Reader asked, eyes darting around the warehouse.
"It's actually in its own room in the back - just over there." Spencer steered them around the people stopped for free samples. He held one sad basket in his hands, the only one they could find. With the number of customers currently shopping, there were no more shopping carts available. The basket was already overflowing with bulk purchases when they reached the gallon jugs of milk. Thankfully, they all hand ahndles.
Before reader could lift their hand, Spencer's shot out in front of them to grab the variety of milk they preferred in their cereal.
"No, no, I can carry that. Gimme," they said pouting. Spencer firmly shook his head.
"No need, I've got it." They smiled at him sweetly. He'd carry a thousand cartons of milk for them just to see that smile.
They carried on as quickly as possible. Reader pointing out things they needed, Spencer refusing to let them carry any of it. They couldn't help but feel slightly awkward walking alongside him as he juggled all of their items, but he reassured them that it was no problem. Spencer may have been an FBI agent, but he wasn't recruited for his physical strength. And his advanced understanding of physics could only get him so far in how he arranged everything in his arms.
Out of the corner of their eye, reader noticed an abandoned shopping cart. They were about to point it out to him when they stopped themselves. Costco may not be fun, but they had an idea that could make it a little funnier.
They turned to Spencer as they walked down another aisle. He was deep in concentration trying to locate one of the last things on their list. He looked so cute with his eyebrows pushed together like that.
"Spencie?" Reader said quietly. He vaguely nodded in their direction but kept his focus on the shelves.
"Yes, my dear? What is it?"
"Why aren't you holding my hand?" He finally looked at them, his brows furrowing further in confusion. Reader looked back at him with the most exaggerated pout and batted their eyelashes like they were a cartoon character.
"Holding your- but I have to hold- wait just a second." He stammered as he tried to shuffle the things in his arms so that he had a free hand to offer them. He even tried setting everything down and picking it all back up again. Reader struggled so hard to not burst out laughing at how endearing it was. Eventually, he managed to just barely balance everything on one side of his gangly body and reached out his now free hand to them. Slightly impressed, reader accepted it.
The second they started walking again, his hip shifted in a weird way and everything came tumbling down. It felt like it was happening in slow motion as he desperately tried to maneuver himself to prevent everything from hitting the floor, but it was no use. Luckily, nothing broke, no milk was spilled.
After he regrouped their things, he turned to see reader doubled over with laughter. He brushed his hair out of his face and grabbed their hand with his again. They looked down at him with amusement and he just smiled at them in amazement.
"There's a- uh- free cart back around the corner," they said squeezing his hand. "I'll go get it. You keep watch in case anyone tries to nab our bruised granola bars."
He couldn't help but chuckle as they jogged away giggling about their successful practical joke. As stupid as he felt leaning up their stuff from the store floor, he'd risk it again if it meant making them happy. Even in such a simple way as momentarily holding their hand.