Ok so I had sort of unintentionally abandoned this series because I don't even like posting a picture on Instagram, never mind putting something I wrote up for anyone to read. But recently quite a few people have been following and reviewing the story, so, here we go, I came up with a new chapter. Requests are very much open. Enjoy.
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When Gideon first told Hotch about Reid, he also told him he was autistic. It hadn't bothered him much, he was more concerned by his age, but over time he proved himself.
While Spencer's young age was apparent simply by looking at him, his autism is 'invisible' as the professionals put it. But even so, there were some things Hotch would notice. Some things were more obvious, like the way he won't shake hands, flinches when there's a loud or sudden noise, and when he rambles about something he enjoys.
But there are some things, that whilst he acknowledges the behaviour is maybe a little odd, he doesn't immediately link it to his autism.
Like one time, the case had been a stressful one, more so than normal. No one had gotten enough sleep, but Reid especially had been awake far too long. But they'd solved it. They'd gotten on the jet, head back to Quantico and Hotch had ordered them all to go home, rest up and come back the next day.
That was the plan, Reid walked the the subway station through the pouring rain. Hotch hadn't thought much about it until he realised Spencer was the only one who hadn't messaged to say he'd gotten home. They always text the group chat, having seen far too many times when someone had been dead before anyone noticed they were missing.
He sends him a text, figuring he probably just went to dry off first and forgot (eidetic memory doesn't mean you remember to do everything, unless you read it) but he still doesn't reply. Hotch rationalises he could just have fallen asleep, his phone could be out of charge, or maybe he left it on the train. But he has a bad feeling, so he calls him.
"Reid? You ok?" He asks when he hears cars and people in the background rather than the quiet of his flat.
"Um, yeah" he answers, a shake in his voice "trains cancelled, rain" he explains, Hotch knows from Spencer's broken speech that he's not as ok as he says he is.
"Ok, the trains cancelled, so how are you getting home?" He remembers when Gideon told him, you don't have to give the solution to help him, you just need to help him with the steps to the solution sometimes.
"Home. Cab. Home" Spencer finally says, and Hotch smiles
"Good idea, I tell you what, I can send one over to you, are you at the train station still?" He asks, imagining the last time Spencer had struggled to switch from one plan to another. He had spent 30 minutes pacing and muttering the change to get it into his head. When Spencer confirms where he is Hotch sends over a cab, he stays on the phone, but doesn't say much, until Spencer is safely back in his apartment.
"Ok Spencer, get changed and get into bed" Hotch directs, making sure Spencer won't stand around any longer trying to figure out what he's supposed to do. "I'll see you tomorrow" he says, and Reid manages to say goodnight before they hang up. Hotch, now satisfied his team are home safe, get into bed himself, reminds himself that Spencer needing a little help tonight doesn't mean he should baby him the next day.