Harmless Theft Original Chapter
Notes:
I do not claim the series or it's content as my own.
STORY INSPIRED BY
Francesca Battistelli's This Is The Stuff (that drives me crazy).
Originally a one-shot turned multi-shot.
He was guilty and he knew it. Didn't make it sound any better, but he refused to lie or deceive his own mind. The dark skinned man wasn't sure what prompted him to start stealing, it was already too late, he had and in many cases did it over again. He had taken so much pleasure in his foul manners to boot there wasn't any shame in admitting it anymore.
Derek Morgan had stolen various things. He enjoyed it. He had cravings. The worst part was he just couldn't get enough and planned on doing it over and over until stopped.
It started with small glances towards the object of his desire. He'd take one or two, maybe three mesmerizing scans. He did it when everyone was looking through profiles, when he checked the rear view mirrors, or sometimes he wouldn't even hide it. It took him a week before he even realized that he was doing it. It never occurred to him that he'd have a problem. Something inside himself itching with anticipation.
His problem escalated quickly, his small glances turned to full longing gazes, a rather non-innocent sparkle burning in his eyes. He wasn't sure what lured him in so much, but it became a habit and now he was stealing more. He wanted more and couldn't help it, didn't want it to be helped, not unless it was to helping himself. Not in a therapeutic way by any means either.
Attention.
Yeah, he was craving it.
Sometimes he thought Hotch would out him, sometimes he was afraid of revealing the truth might reprimand.
It didn't take long to throw away his fear of what others would think and let his new addiction run free. He devised plans, one that would get him what he wanted. He knew if he was caught by his lover he'd be in trouble, trying to keep a medium sized radar level. He had to be especially cautious at his desk. It was the place he horded all his treasures from everyone.
The perfect spot. A spot where his daily objective went unnoticed.
Mostly.
Mischievous eyes glistened at his recent accomplishment. It was utterly the most precious and brilliant thing he could have stolen. He hadn't realized the immense joy it would bring him at the time of theft, but he had one hell of a debt to pay for the luck he received.
Reid's keys had gone missing.
When the man finished his paperwork from the desk across his, he got up and packed his satchel. Things for Reid were going as they always did and he was happily on his way to the elevator when he stopped. Morgan had to try, try with all his might, to suppress the bemused and smug grin that wanted to consume his face. One that boasted and whooped with his satisfaction.
The elevator doors opened and Reid had to step aside to let someone off.
He seemed preoccupied with his coat halfway buttoned and hands in his pockets. He had finally noticed since mid-day when the crime was committed. His four key (and photo) clip ring had just vanished without a trace. It was the one that had a small print of the team's faces on one side and his mother on the other. Morgan watched intently at the debating genius.
What now Pretty-boy?
Reid frowned, looking nervously around him for anyone who was eyeing him. He patted and checked both coat pockets thrice before giving up on the hope he had missed them by mistake. His hands moved to unbutton his coat, his fingers slipping under the rim of the extra fabric layered over his dress shirt. He was fumbling around his chest pocket in search for a sign of his lost possession.
To Morgan, this was gold. Of all the glances he took of the man, of all the expressions he memorized; this was what probably increased his bad habit the most. It was pure fact now, Reid was his obsession, and the only logic he had for it was something screwy in his head.
He'd steal the man's attention, his wisdom and words when he spoke, or his temper and pouts when he was teased. No matter what he had set out for the day to steal, Reid never disappointed him.
The perplexed look upon the younger's face was interrupted by a slowly growing red. A fuzzy and hot sensation spreading from the center of his cheeks to almost his nose. He had deducted that it wasn't in his breast pocket as he went on to molest his pant pockets.
Morgan almost forgot to blink at how hard he was spying.
From the front of the man's pants, fingers clumsily slid over his belt until they found the pocket's opening underneath it. They tucked under the fabric and fiddled around the empty space and lint. With no luck he withdrew and pressed palms against his outer thighs, double checking for lumps. It was becoming clear to Reid he had a terrible predicament as he pawed his rear end, the pockets equally vacant.
Morgan ducked his head. To bare the sight of the lean man's hands roaming his ass, it was too much. Derek moved a hand up to his chin as he rested his elbows upon the work table, lowered to peer over the monitor of his work station.
Were things starting to backfire on him? He had to hold himself back and stay strong. He was contemplating if he shouldn't give up and barge over to help Reid. No. There was no point to this if he caved now.
Reid on the other hand was in mock shambles, disbelief and dumbfounded stamped clearly all over the man. Dr. Spencer Reid; the genius of the team, the eidetic memory and always knowing, and the 'I never lose anything' smug kid had finally met his match. He had one more place to look before he'd be crawling back to his desk, to Morgan's pleasure, looking like a lost puppy.
As Derek predicted, Reid discreetly made a beeline for the men's washroom.
There was no way Reid could admit to something so simple as misplacing his keys and Morgan knew it. The apple of his eye would frantically dump his bag on the bathroom counter in search, door locked, and safely away from prying onlookers.
As Reid turned the corner out of sight, Morgan returned his disinterested mind back to the documents he was still reviewing. Patience. He couldn't help the hidden smirk on his face slip, Reid stumbling to his desk several moments later. He silently bet the genius wouldn't find them there either.
"Reid? I thought you left?" Derek feigned innocence.
"I just remembered something…" Spencer rebutted preoccupied. He sat down at his desk to open his drawer, trying to slow his hasty hunt. Morgan contained his pleasure from his spot. It was perfect for Spencer watching. He could have his head facing his paper work, or the corner of his eye to inadvertently spectate. Better than a front row theatre seat.
He observed as Reid became more and more disorganized in his growing worry, a little ruffled and disheveled.
He just knew what he wanted to steal next. He pictured a defenseless Reid all worked up over a set of lost keys, tucked in a surprised embrace. His goal as simple as feeling the other's lips right in the middle of the office. People would stare, Spencer frantically trying to evade the cunning events from his boyfriend out of sheer embarrassment. A week on the couch was nothing to the thrill it would bring.
"Reid, are you sure you're alright?" Morgan pushed his swivel chair from his desk to face the man. He adjusted so his legs were free from the desk and was leaning backwards smugly.
"Why do you ask…?" Reid's suspicious warning flag went up.
"Just saying. You seem bent out of sorts. Is there something you need help with?"
"No," was the strict reply he got.
He snorted in amusement and then froze. Reid slowly stopped riffling through the last drawer of his desk, and with blunt irritation in him, closed it. He drew himself up from the chair to loom over his co worker with a scowl.
Oh shit.
"Deeeereeeek?" Reid drawled out in a 'tell me what the hell you did' tone.
"Yes, Speeeeenceeer…?" Morgan offered back trying to play dumb.
It was too late, he was cracked, the devilish grin spread like wildfire as he was caught.
"Derek, give it back!" he growled and put out his hand for what they both knew he wanted.
"Give what back?" he shrugged trying to backpedal.
"The keys you took. The ones you stole just like you swiped my glasses yesterday, or my coffee the day before that."
"Oh. Those?"
Derek dug into his own right pocket and effortlessly pulled out the missing object. He childishly grinned and Reid had a hard time not letting it spread to his own face. Just looking at the devious expression on the older agent's face ruined his 'seriousness'. It was the doctor's secret from everyone in the office; Derek Morgan had stolen Spencer Reid's heart, among other things.
Reid crossed his arms trying to regain his composure and upset attitude. They were at work, he had a strict 'no conduct in the office' rule that his boyfriend was so bent on breaking. They were supposed to go home separately, Spencer would finish early and go home to cook dinner. Eventually Morgan would finish his share of the work and wander home to steal only more of his time.
He had to put his foot down before Derek won.
"Derek…" Reid warned as he moved closer to snatch the keys away. Derek reflexively jerked them out of reach with a confident gaze, it taunted him, challenged him.
At first Reid was unsure how to approach the dilemma. Now that his mind was at ease of where his keys were, he just wanted to go home and start dinner, was that too much to ask? He gave his puppy eyes a batting to his lover and it almost worked, but Derek wanted them out of the closet more than he was willing to cave for anything.
There was only one way this was going to end.
Reid braved forward ready to jump over Derek's slouched form, that was until he stood up, giving more of a disadvantage. Reid bit his lip, thinking fast, and inched slowly until he was leaning- nearly resting flush against the man stretching to distance the keys from his reaching paws.
His wits proved a vicious rival as Spencer gingerly brushed his left hand over Derek's chest as if supporting them from getting too close. He brought his face in, brown eyes pleading directly into dark orbs, right hand off to the side in the air after the stolen property.
Derek nearly melted at the closeness. Reid hardly started things on his own in their relationship, Derek usually beating him to the punchline with even the faintest hint. Now, having him so close and staring him down made his mind reel backwards with more excitement. Without noticing, his out stretched hand relaxed; elbow lowering until he realized Reid had snatched the keys back and was storming down the office path to the elevator.
He'd been tricked! Foul play!
He sank to this swivel chair disappointed that no one seemed to have noticed. He glowered after the escaping form of Reid as he stepped inside the box. He pouted at his loss, but his jaw dropped at what could only be revenge; Reid was suddenly dangling a second pair of keys from his fingers.
Morgan's eyes were fixated on the swinging keychain that looked a lot like his own. Reid smirked back at him and then the mouthed words of 'don't mess with an illusionist' from his love. The elevator doors closed and Morgan blanched at the turn of events.
Jumping to his feet he checked his back pockets for what he knew would be missing. Sure enough his keys were gone.
He grabbed his coat, ignored the unfinished paper work on his desk, and chased after the brilliant man. He jabbed at the elevator keys expecting it to hurry the arrival of the second cart next to the one Reid took. He groaned as it made it's decent to him from four floors away. He stood in a tense silence until someone finally spoke up from over his shoulder.
"You know, if you tease him too much he'll leave you…" Prentiss was leaning in her own chair after watching the show.
"… give me some credit here," Morgan grumbled under his breath, displeased as he jabbed the button a few more times.
Hotch walked from his office, eyes on paperwork until he reached Prentiss with a file they were reviewing. His attention shifted from the woman to Derek. He frowned knowing his subordinate hadn't turned in his finished reports. Before he could say anything the doors chimed to let the impatient agent resume his chase.
"Where's Morgan going?" Aaron asked a little too late, pointing to the work covered desk. Prentiss gave him a small stare before Hotch clued in that Reid had been prepared to leave for the last thirty minutes only to have seen him leave as of seconds ago. The two of them were grown kids playing tag, really.
"Ah…" he replied to her silence and sighed at the trouble this caused him with the reports. He some how pitied the kid with a lover like Morgan. It was all a secret from Reid, but the team didn't want to hurt the kid's feelings by letting on they knew anything.
"Don't worry, I'll help you finish up," Emily elbowed their leader playfully, slight envy of the lovers before her.
"Remind me to ground him tomorrow…" he muttered to Prentiss in regards to the extra work he now had to do. He knew Derek's mind was likely one tracked when it came to Reid and he was indeed right. The only thing in the agent's mind was catching the genius before his petty theft would have to turn into a break and enter crime.