"Hotch, really, I can go back to my apartment..." Reid said as they walked into Aaron's apartment. He had just gotten out the hospital after five days and really wanted some normalcy in his life.

Hotch insisted on carrying his bag so Reid used his idle hands to fiddle with the hem of his t shirt. (It was too much of a hassle for anything else really.)

"I'm not saying you need someone to watch after you, but I feel like a familiar face wouldn't hurt to have around." Hotch replied. Reid rolled his eyes. He didn't respond as Hotch led him to the guest room.

"I'll have some food ready in about half an hour. Get comfortable. Make yourself at home. Uh, the television is in the living room." Hotch said and put Reid's bag on the bed, "Just tell if you need something."

Reid waited until Hotch left, closing the door behind him. He finally let his mask fall. His façade of being okay crumbled and tears cascaded down his cheeks. He was silent with his crying, a skill he had aqcuired and perfected since he was a child.

Spencer went to the small bathroom connected to the guest room and stared in the mirror, bile rising at the sight of his bandages and bruises. He choked, trying not to retch and forced himself to calm down. His head was spinning, his chest aching, and all he wanted was an escape from the filthiness, the dirt and grime he felt festering under his skin.

A shower. That would feel good. He turned it on, all the way up. Soon enough steam was swirling around the room and fogging up the mirror. He stepped in, hissing at the temperature. He felt the heat seat through his skin, but the dirtiness was still there.

Tears mingled with the hot water as Reid began scrubbing his body. Every inch. Every inch had to be cleansed. It hurt, but only slightly as Reid's skin turned red, raw. Still he felt disgusting.

His breathing picked up and he let a sob fall from his lips. He slid down the tiled wall until he was sitting at the base of the shower, his knees pulled up tightly to his chest.

Reid lost time as he cried, heart wrenching sobs. Eventually, he felt the water go from burning to freezing and he heard knocking.

"Reid? Reid, answer me! Spencer!" Hotch was shouting, but Reid didn't register it. He only heard mindless chatter, mixing with his own crying.

The slammed open as Hotch rammed his shoulder into it. He pulled back the curtains and felt his heart drop when he saw the youngest agent, curled up and sobbing, his hair wet and his skin bright red.

"Spencer, it's okay." Hotch cooed gently, reaching for a towel after he shut off the water. Reid flinched when Hotch helped him stand, but shakily got to his feet. A fluffy towel was draped across his shoulders.

"H-Hotch?" Spencer asked, his cheeks turning as red as the rest of his skin.

"Sh, it's okay. You're safe here, Reid. I promise." Aaron forced half a smile, "Can you get dry and dressed yourself? Dinner is ready."

Reid nodded, a shiver running down his spine. His teeth were chattering, but he bit his lip to keep them calm.

Hotch gave him a curt nod before closing the door behind him.

XxX

Dinner was quick and quiet. They talked about Jack, who was at Haley's house, for a brief while, but other than that, it was silent. After Hotch had cleaned the kitchen, he insisted Reid watch the newest Batman movie with him. Spencer wanted to argue that he didn't need a babysitter, but after the ordeal with the shower, he sort of needed some company. And, he really wanted to watch the movie.

Hotch expected Reid to ramble during the movie, quote statistics and Batman trivia, but the man was silent. He could tell that Reid was enjoying the film though, and he seemed distracted.

For a couple hours, Reid was having a bit of fun. But only for a couple hours. Because after it was over, Hotch decided it was time to sleep, it being ten o'clock after all.

Reid hesitantly climbed into the guest bed after taking his medication. However, when Hotch retreated to his own room, Reid flicked on the lamp and cracked open a large tome.

He spent hours reading, absorbing information, distracting himself from his problems. But twenty books (about a a fifteenth of his books from home) later, it was only three o'clock.

His hands started shaking and fear trickled through his mind as he had nothing to think about. He pulled out his laptop and found random, stupid things to occupy himself with.

It felt like minutes, but five hours later, Hotch knocked on his door.

"Uh, come in." He answered, clearing his throat as he shut his laptop.

"I was going to make some breakfast, but I'm running low on groceries. How do you feel about IHOP?" Hotch asked, already dressed in a polo and some khakis.

"I-I don't have much money on me." Reid replied. He could stop at an ATM, but he didn't want to trouble Hotch.

"My treat." Aaron said.

"I couldn't. You're already letting me stay with you..." Reid stammered.

"I want to. Go on and get dressed." Hotch smiled, walking to the living room.

Reid blinked and started pulling on slacks and a dress shirt. It was painful to get all of the buttons up, but he was tired of t shirts.

After he shoved his feet into his converse, he walked to the living room.

"Ready?" Hotch asked, closing his phone.

"Yeah." Reid replied, shifting awkwardly on his feet. He stifled a yawn and followed Hotch out of the door.

He bit his lip nervously. This was going to be a difficult few days with Hotch.

XxX

I know it's short, and probably poorly written and for that I apologize. I also apologize for such a late update. I promised summer and you got the end of summer. I'm so sorry, and i love you, don't hate me. This summer has been pretty crazy. Since this chapter was awful, I'll try to update before the week is up, but i could use some help. I'm getting a bit stuck on this story. I plan on having a few underlying plots with Spencer's mental health, but i need a but more. Any ideas you have, I'll be glad to listen to. Just pm me or put it in a review. Thanks so much for putting up with me.