Update!
Notes: none. This is what we call a 'filler'.
20: A Huge Compliment
DMSR
"Hello, again," AJ greeted as they walked up to the doctor and the older agent just outside of D terminal. "It's good to see you guys."
Desiree smiled as she loped into her brother's arms. "Hey guys!"
Spencer and AJ waved at each other before Des gave him a large bear hug too. "I'll have you know that I'm glad you're letting us stay with you, even though it's both of you."
Derek raised an eyebrow. "Spencer's a very private kid, you're lucky he even agreed."
"Hey! You're lucky we're trying to save money, otherwise we'd have reserved a hotel and had hot, sweaty-"
"AJ, I was thinking we could head to my place first, and then I'd drive you over to Derek's so you can settle in. Maybe then we can converse, eat, and catch up." Spencer's voice was hinting at a laugh as he watched Derek's face frozen in shock from the words his sister had almost spouted.
AJ had turned red but was already walking towards the doctor with his eyes on the ground. "That sounds good, let's go."
DMSR
"It smells amazing in here," AJ claimed as he set his books down in the study. Spencer's desk usually was the only thing in here but he had borrowed a futon from Derek and that was currently residing in the room as well.
"It does?" He tilted his head subconsciously and tried to gauge what AJ was smelling.
"Yes, your place smells awesome, Reid," AJ sighed, setting his bag next to the foot of the futon and plopped onto it. "Like an old, well-kept library with a hint of apple pie."
Spencer nodded and smiled. "I really love books. They're the only things in this world I'm one hundred percent sure will never lie to or betray me."
It was silent as AJ stood and wandered around the room, brushing his fingers against the spines of the books. "And Derek?"
"Approximately ninety-six point seven percent."
Another bout of silence and Spencer almost walked out of the door when another question was given to him. "That was awfully truthful."
"I don't like lying."
"Wouldn't he be upset if he found out?" AJ was casually flipping through one of the volumes but Spencer could see how tense he was. He leaned against the door frame.
"No. Derek is a logical man, he'd understand. It's actually a huge compliment considering I only trust myself about ninety-seven point five percent."
AJ turned towards the doctor, sensing there was definitely something more but knowing he could never say anything until they really got to know each other. "I'm sorry."
"For asking these questions or because I don't trust myself?"
"The former," he replied, playing with a pink strand of hair and a blush on his face.
"It's okay," Spencer smiled lightly, truly meaning so. "I can see you're trying to sort something out and if I can help, then that's just one more benefit I'd get from my being here, on this plane."
With that, the brunet walked away from the study and towards his bedroom, his phone in hand. "Hey, Derek. Oh? No, I'm fine. Yes, actually, AJ is tired so he's going to take a nap before we head over. Maybe you and Desiree could make that apple pie while we're away? Kay. Thank you, Derek. I'll see you soon."
DMSR
Spencer was right in his analysis of AJ. It had already been thirty minutes since they had come 'home' but the blonde was still locked (only the door was open) in Spencer's study. He wasn't sleeping, though he had for about twenty minutes, he was contemplating something or the other.
When an hour and a half had passed, Spencer closed the book he was reading (as slow as possible so he could use his bookmarks) and knocked on AJ's door. "Are you ready?"
AJ nodded, rolling over and unlocking his phone. He shot up when he saw the time and looked up at Spencer. "It- wh-"
"I told Derek you were tired and that you're napping. But I'm sure you're hungry now and would like to eat. Did you want to head over?"
AJ closed his eyes and rubbed a hand over his face. "Yeah."
He and Spencer made it to the car and out of the parking lot before the brunet spoke again. And even then it was only to show him where the nearest coffee shop was. "There's also one southwest of my apartment but it's about point five seven miles farther than this one." He indicated the grocery store a few blocks down. "I don't usually keep food in my fridge for more than a day because I'm always leaving home for long periods and it would just go to waste. I stocked the fridge with vegetables and fruit as well as boneless chicken and steak in the freezer. I know it's not much but between you and Desiree I'm sure you can finish it in a week."
"Yeah, no, that's good. Thank you, Reid."
"You may call me Spencer, Desiree does."
"Then Spencer. Thank you, Spencer."
DMSR
Derek opened the door to a slightly sweaty Spencer Reid and a drenched AJ. He smiled sheepishly and looked down at Spencer's hands, noting his old dog panting his breath away. "He got out again?"
Spencer stepped into the home and narrowed his eyes. "What 'old'? This dog has more stamina than Henry."
Derek chuckled and shut the door behind AJ, watching as Clooney plopped his big ole self onto the cold tile of the kitchen floor. "I could have sworn I just saw him outside."
"You really need to get the hole fixed, Derek." Spencer had finished taking his shoes off and was already on his way to Derek's room. When he emerged, he had on a new pair of slacks and a plain, light blue shirt. Who said a person can have too many go-bags?
"I'm sorry!" Derek felt the need to say again. Spencer had brought out an undershirt for AJ but because the boy was smaller, the pants wouldn't have fit him.
AJ thankfully took the shirt and shamelessly slapped it on after quickly removing his old v-neck. "Thanks!"
Desiree was still in the kitchen fixing their plates when she called to them that dinner was ready. It was going especially well and easy after Spencer had asked what the 'A' in AJ was short for.
"Asher," he'd exclaimed proudly, where he then went on to expound on his centuries old family and their influence on the modern art market of today.
Well, it was going great, until the boys got called in on a case.