A/N: This story was written for part of my event Birthday Bonanza, an event celebrating birthdays after the miserable year that 2020 turned out to be. The eighth recipient of a story for Birthday Bonanza was pandora_rose_xo!
Beta work was done by Grammarly.
Be sure to let me know what you think!
Love always,
~starr
To Spencer Reid, today was a regular day. The plan for the day was to go to work and get started on the case that Garcia had called them all in on this morning - a potential serial killer in downtown Chicago. The team had traveled there a few months ago to investigate a spree killer at the time, but there wasn't enough evidence to justify the BAU staying at the time. That fact that something had changed in the case intrigued him. However, there was a small part of him that thought something seemed off about this morning.
Spencer was well aware that the importance of today's date was listed in his personal file, but he hoped that JJ, Garcia, and Emily knew better than to make a big deal about it. The only thing Spencer hated more than surprises was being made the center of attention and a celebration of his birth, a big bright shining spotlight on his life.
Shaking his head, Spencer adjusted his shoulder bag and made his way inside the FBI. He kept his head down, making his way quickly to the elevator. All he could hope was that everything would be business as usual when he walked into the bullpen. However, that sneaking suspicion just wouldn't leave him alone. He took a deep breath as he waited for elevator doors to open; as they did, he saw his worst nightmare come true.
He noticed the decorations and balloons covering the room. Spencer rolled his eyes and let out a sigh as he walked off the elevator. He should have known better. Garcia wouldn't have called them in on that case from Chicago. "Damn it," Spencer huffed, standing in front of the door to the bullpen. He had two options at this point. He could go inside and be celebrated for being born, or he could leave.
Just as he turned on his heels to return to the elevator, he heard someone calling after him. With a sigh, Spencer stopped and turned around slowly to see JJ chasing after him. He smiled briefly before crossing his arms over his chest and drawing his lips into a firm line.
"Spencer, wait," JJ said, chasing after him. She offered a half-hearted smile when she noticed him waiting for her. "I know you aren't thrilled with what you saw inside. But I want you to know that we only planned the celebration because we love you."
"Who's we?" Spencer asked, raising a brow. He already knew the answer to his question. He just wanted to hear JJ say it.
JJ laughed, carding her fingers through her hair as she nodded her head. She glanced up at him and smiled. "Emily, Garcia, and I planned it because we wanted to celebrate your birthday. Your thirtieth birthday is a big deal whether you want to celebrate it or not."
"It's just another year," Spencer shrugged. "Isn't what I do with my time more important than celebrating the number of years I've celebrated waking up and breathing every day."
"Spence," JJ said, shaking her head. "Don't be so morbid. We do celebrate the important things you do with your time, and you definitely do more than just waking up and breathing. Your birthday is a chance for us to celebrate you. So please, just let us celebrate you."
"I don't like birthdays," Spencer replied, shaking his head. "I'm not going in there to be sung to and made the center of attention."
"Why not?" JJ asked, furrowing her brow.
"Seriously?" Spencer asked, raising his brow. "What are you supposed to do when people are singing the Happy Birthday song at you?"
"Okay, first of all," JJ began, "they are singing it to you, and second - well…."
"Exactly," Spencer replied, crossing his arms over his chest. "I'm not going in there because I don't know how to respond to people singing at me and making me uncomfortable."
JJ stared at him for a moment and thought carefully about her response. "Garcia bought you a kick-ass cake, and I'm pretty sure I saw a small stack of presents sitting on your desk when I came out here, but if you don't want to celebrate, I can go inside and tell everyone to take everything back."
Spencer bit his lip as he inhaled sharply, thinking about what he wanted to do. After a few moments, he hung his head, took a few steps towards JJ, and wrapped his arm around his shoulders. "Garcia got a kick-ass cake?"
JJ laughed and nodded his head. "She did."
"Then I guess I can go inside and check it out," Spencer replied. "After all, it's just another year."
"Exactly," JJ replied, wrapping an arm around Spencer's waist as she led him back into the bullpen. "Happy birthday, Spencer."
