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1. Life Doesn't Frighten Me by RexistentialCrisis

   Fandoms: Criminal Minds (US TV)  

   • Not Rated
   • No Archive Warnings Apply
   • Gen
   • Work in Progress

   14 Oct 2026

   Tags

   • No Archive Warnings Apply
   • Diana Reid & Spencer Reid
   • The BAU Team & Spencer Reid
   • Spencer Reid & Original Character(s)
   • Spencer Reid
   • Aaron Hotchner
   • Derek Morgan (Criminal Minds)
   • Jennifer "JJ" Jareau
   • Elle Greenaway
   • Jason Gideon
   • Penelope Garcia
   • Diana Reid
   • Original Characters
   • Original Child Character(s)
   • Spencer Reid-centric
   • Case Fic
   • Flashbacks
   • Hurt Spencer Reid
   • Child Spencer Reid
   • Past Child Abuse
   • Child Neglect
   • Canon-Typical Violence
   • Spencer Reid Needs a Hug
   • Mental Health Issues
   • Autistic Spencer Reid
   • This is actually somewhat plot relevant if you squint
   • very heavily Spencer reid centric
   • Angst
   • Hurt/Comfort
   • Minor Violence
   • Minor Injuries
   • Blood and Injury
   • Spencer Reid and Derek Morgan are Brothers Your Honor
   • Banter
   • Unsub | Unknown Subject
   • I'm Bad at Tagging

   Summary

   There are things Spencer Reid knows about his mother that he wishes he didn't, and things he wishes he knew that he suspects he never will.

   When a new investigation begins to dredge up memories of his childhood in Las Vegas, Spencer finds himself caught between the man he has become and the little boy who loved his mother with all the uncomplicated devotion a child could muster, even when loving her was anything but uncomplicated.

   Because knowing why someone hurts you has never made it hurt any less.

   ---
   Inspired by Life Doesn't Frighten Me by Maya Angelou.

   Language:

   English

   Words:

   5,265

   Chapters:

   1/?

   Kudos:

   18

   Bookmarks:

   4

   Hits:

   125