chapter four - Unavoidable
This is a chapter i'm proud of. Yay! I had finished a day ago, but today i went over it a bit, and added the ending. Sorry for people who want to see Hotch/Reid already! I'm planning something sort of evil. Do not fear! Next chapter, they will talk!
I really wish people would review more, because my story gets added on alert, and gets Favorited, but the people don't review T-T So please, if you favorite, or like it, please review, it makes me really happy.
The day had been going fairly quickly and nicely, until they were grouped in a room at the police department. Reid had stayed around Hotch, and mostly didn't need to talk to others. In reality, he felt like spurting out thousands of facts and opinions, but he couldn't. It wouldn't be so normal, it'd be nerdy and different. He felt safe in Hotch's sweater, and every once in a while, he would discreetly smell it, loving the scent.
The case was pretty gruesome. The unsub was in his late 30's, and he'd apparently picked out his victims carefully. He would restrain them, rape them, and then make large cuts across their abdomen. Reid was assigned to the map, trying to find a connection between the locations of the killings. Hotch had taken a call outside, and had told Reid that he would be right back immediately. After five minutes, the man started getting anxious.
It was seven at night, and the sun was already down. Rossi, Morgan, JJ and Prentiss were in the room with him, looking over the case files. He was staring at the map, not even daring to look away, until JJ coughed, making a significant distraction.
"Reid, we haven't heard you speak all day" she said, accusingly. Reid panicked, but started getting defensive when Emily put in,
"We're not the only ones who are trying to solve this case, and you aren't helping a bit. Shouldn't you give us some of your knowledge?" making him snap.
"Oh, NOW, you want me to talk? Now! You accuse me of talking too much, and sure, i should at least talk normally, but when i shut up you expect me to gush out random information? Is there a strict amount of words that i can or cannot speak daily? Because as far as i've ever known, we all have a choice in whenever and whatever we speak about." he took a breath, and they all stared at him, wide eyed. A vicious cycle it was becoming.
"Reid..." Rossi started.
"Don't. Just don't. You can't make this better in any way" at that moment, Hotch walked through the door. Seven minutes, and they've managed to interrogate him? Reid walked pass Hotch, and left the office. Prentiss looked shocked, and Morgan sighed.
"Team.. Please avoid being a threat to Reid. No one feels nice when they are being interrogated and told what they should do. You all should really understand that, and i shouldn't have to lecture you on something so simple" said Hotch as Morgan stomped on the floor.
"Have you seen him, Hotch? Something is completely off with him." he said.
"You think by accusing him, it will make things better?" Hotch replied, and Morgan stood defeated. It was true.
"You guys are being irrational. You can't go on attacking Reid, especially after making fun of him all the times he's spoken paragraphs." spoke Rossi, dropping a file on the table.
"..Right" Hotch sighed, and left the room, leaving the rest alone. He headed out of the police department, wondering where Reid was, as it was already nighttime.
Reid was reckless. For a moment, he'd forgotten about Hotch. He had taken a cab to the nearest bar and he was sitting by the counter, drinking down his anxiety. With every drink, he drowned out more and more thoughts. Thoughts of never being accepted, of always being Spencer Reid. Of never being able to clear his mind of random thinking, and random questions and answers. Of never being able to wear just a t-shirt and jeans in front of others, so casually. He thought of leaving the B.A.U., and then asked for something stronger. How childish was he.
He thought of Hotch, and his knowing eyes. He thought of Hotch's sweater, and brought it up to his face, inhaling it deeply. He thought of Hotch kissing him, and holding him, and then he laughed foolishly. It must be the alcohol talking.
What if Hotch would find him? His stomach churned at the thought, as he looked at the bartender, then looked away. Hotch wouldn't follow him. He wasn't that important. He sighed at the relieving thought, and looked at the half full drink. He got up, and paid the bartender, walking wobbly towards the door. He opened the door, and stepped out into the cool air. After walking randomly for a few minutes, he laid on a bench under a street lamp, wishing for some miracle or an amazing time machine.
Hotch drove down a lighted road in the town, and spotted Reid laying on a bench. He parked the car quickly, and ran to his subordinate. Reid's face was wet with tears, and he was holding on to the sweater for dear life. He slowly brought his hand to Reid's shoulder and shook him, but he was passed out. He was still breathing, and more of in a deep sleep. Hotch managed to carry the light man into the passengers seat, and buckled the seat belt.
As he heard Reid mumble incoherent words, he drove towards the hotel the team was staying at.
"Hotcher" he answered, after opening his ringing cell phone. It was Rossi calling to ask about Reid.
"He's with me, i'm going to the hotel, call it a day guys." he said into the phone, and hung up, putting the phone down. He looked at Spencer, who had a pained expression.
After a few minutes, they were at the hotel, but the rest of the team was not there yet. Good, they won't see him like this.
Hotch shook Reid a bit, and the younger man woke up, looking around anxiously.
"It's okay Reid, it's just me" Hotch said, carefully. Reid nodded and got out of the car, his legs wobbling, and his mind dizzy from the drunkenness. Hotch held Reids arm as they made their way into the room they'd apparently be rooming in.
"Do you need anything?" asked Hotch. Reid shook his head slowly, avoiding eye contact.
"Don't worry, i'm not angry" Hotch said gently, and sat on the bed, next to the other agent.
Reid gasped, and looked down. Hotch instinctively moved closer to Reid and wrapped his arms around the younger man. Reid shivered, and let out a short breath.
"It's okay, Spencer" the older said, as he held Reid protectively. Reid shivered once more, speechless when he truly realized Hotch had said his first name.
"I'll never judge you, i promise." he said, reassuring. Spencer nodded and closed his eyes, taking deeper breaths.
"Do you feel sick?" he asked, and Reid nodded. Hotch pressed his hand to Reid's forehead.
"May i?" he asked, as he held his hands at the hem of Spencer's sweater. Spencer panicked. This isn't meant to be inappropriate. He assured himself, before wondering what was the correct answer. He nodded, warily. Hotch began to lift his sweater from Reid, and removed it a few seconds later. He stopped with his hands at the first button of Reid's shirt, and looked at Reid's eyes, searching for an answer. He unbuttoned the younger mans shirt, and then shrugged it off him.
"Lay down Reid, i'll get something for your head" he calmly instructed, and left to the bathroom, while Reid laid back on the bed, sighing. He had an edge-of-your-seat feeling, and his stomach was twisting and turning with anxiety. Hotch returned from the bathroom with a small damp towel, and placed it over Reid's forehead. The younger man sighed, and crossed his arms around himself protectively, feeling too over exposed. Reid was silent. His mind was also twisting, like his stomach. He was still completely drunk, but laying down made him feel better.
"Maybe that will help your headache?" asked Hotch, as he gently held Reid's arm.
"Hooow did you kknow i haad a h..headache?" Spencer slurred, speaking his first words since Hotch had found him.
"I had a feeling. You drank too much, Spencer.. It wont make you forget." his boss said, the end, with a tinge of sadness.
"I knooooow" he slurred back, and moved to the side away from Hotch, with his knees towards his chest.
"Can we talk about this tomorrow?" Hotch inquired, and Reid nodded his head. Hotch moved a bit closer, with his arm still on Reid, and waited until his breaths got calmer and he'd fallen asleep. Then, he fell asleep himself.