Over the course of the weekend, Derek received a series of text messages from Spencer, all with a message that basically translated to 'group projects were created by Satan and I hate every single person in this group'. Every time, he would message him back something that would calm him down or make him laugh. He also tried to figure out what he had planned for Monday night, but Spencer would always shoot him down, saying that he was handling it and he didn't need to worry about it.

Derek ended up having to pick up a shift for one of his co-workers on Sunday who needed to call out, so every once in a while, he was checking his phone to see if Spencer needed him to talk him off the ledge. What he hadn't expected was Spencer walking up to the counter.

"...Penelope said I could find you here," he said, adjusting the strap on his bag.

"You were looking?" Derek asked, reaching for a cup and writing down his order.

He nodded. "How late are you working tomorrow?"

He started his drink, thinking to himself and clicking his tongue. "I picked up this night shift for someone, so they're taking my afternoon tomorrow. I'm working until noon." He glanced up at Spencer. "What, you couldn't text me?"

"A coffee run gives me an excuse to not be glued to my laptop," he reasoned.

"I guess so." He put the lid on top of the drink, sliding it over to him and swiping his card.

Spencer looked at the total then the menu board, raising his eyebrow. "You undercharged me. You've been undercharging me."

"Dating the barista gives you a discount," Derek said, winking. "I never use it, so someone might as well. Now, why are you wondering about my schedule tomorrow?"

"I have classes all morning and then a meeting with my advisor in the afternoon, so bringing homework into account? I should be at your place at about 5, if that works?"

Derek nodded. "Sounds great, I can get a nap in beforehand so I'm not an old guy falling asleep on you. So you're picking me up, Romeo?"

Spencer smiled, sipping his drink and nodding. "Something like that. Are you up for it?"

"Depends on what you're planning."

He shrugged, slipping a sleeve onto his cup. "You'll see." He winked at him before smirking, waving and walking out of the shop.

After his shift the next morning, Derek went home and took a nap on his couch. He wasn't sure what Spencer had planned, but after working a night shift and a morning shift back-to-back, he needed some time to himself. He woke up to the notification sound on his phone going off. He reached over, grabbing his phone and checking the message.

Just got out of my meeting. I'll be at your place in a half hour. Be ready.

He checked the clock and got up, walking to his room and grabbing a change of clothes before taking a quick shower.

Spencer knocked on his door a half hour later. After making sure Clooney had enough food and water, he stuffed his wallet and keys into his pocket, walking to the door and opening.

"Well, you look much less stressed."

Spencer gave him a thousand-watt smile. "You'd be thrilled too if you were done with the assignment from hell with the group of ignoramuses."

"I'm sure." He stepped outside, closing the door. "Where to?"

Spencer motioned toward his car. "Get in, it's a surprise."

Derek raised an eyebrow, impressed. "A surprise, huh? The kind of surprise I'll like?"

"Get in the car and find out," Spencer suggested, taking out his keys and going to his car, getting in and starting it.

Derek smiled to himself, opening the passenger door and getting in, closing the door and buckling himself in. "So, I guess now I get to figure out what Spencer Reid's idea of a night out could be."

Spencer shrugged slightly, buckling his seatbelt. "I think you'll be pleasantly surprised."

"Only one way to find out."

He ended up parking in front of a bookstore and Derek turned to him, curious. "We're going shopping?"

"Not exactly." Spencer got out of the car, stretching, before tucking his keys into his pocket.

Derek got out, walking over to him. "Then lead the way."

Spencer smirked, patting Derek's back and walking inside.

Once in the building, Derek realized it was a coffee shop with a bookstore attached to it. "So, let me get this straight. You have me out of work to take me to another coffee shop? I fail to see how this is romantic."

"Oh ye of little faith," Spencer said, taking his hand and walking toward a couch, motioning for him to sit. "Drink?"

Derek shrugged. "Decaf anything works for me," he said, sitting on the couch.

"I'll be right back." He tapped the table before walking up to the counter to get their drinks.

A few minutes later, Spencer took the seat beside him, setting down their drinks.

Derek reached over, grabbing his drink and taking a sip. "Not bad."

"Second best cup in town," Spencer said, smirking. "What are your feelings on poetry?"

"I don't mind it, so long as it's not repetitive."

"In that case, I'd like to commend myself for a perfect date."

Derek opened his mouth to respond, but stopped when the lights were dimmed and focused on the stage. "You're not getting up there, are you?"

Spencer quickly shook his head. "I may be a genius, but a poet I am not. I enjoy the environment more than anything." He paused, looking up at Derek. "…Is this okay?"

Derek wrapped an arm around his shoulders, kissing the back of his head as he leaned against him. "This is great."

When they had been there for a while, Derek leaned to whisper in Spencer's ear.

"I forgot to ask, how did your meeting go with your advisor? Is everything okay?"

Spencer nodded slightly, glancing at Derek. "Everything's fine, why?"

"I don't know, usually meetings with advisors mean scheduling or talking about scheduling, but you told me that this was your final semester?"

Spencer put his hand up, waving it in the air. "It's nothing."

"Are you sure? If you want to talk about it, we can."

Spencer shook his head. "Tonight isn't about school or work, it's about the two of us unwinding. Now shh, I like this poem."

"…From what I hear, it's about his socks."

"It's interesting," Spencer pointed out, resting his head against Derek's shoulder and ending the conversation.

Derek wanted to ask more but he shook his head, dismissing it and pulling Spencer closer to him. Whatever happened, he was sure Spencer would talk about it when the time was right.

After the coffee shop had closed for the evening, Spencer turned to Derek.

"Do you mind going for a walk before we call it a night?" he asked, twirling his keys around on his finger. "There's a park not too far from here and it isn't too cold outside."

"Sounds great." He walked around, putting an arm around Spencer's shoulder. "Lead the way."

Spencer smiled slightly, pointing toward the park.

As they were walking, Derek turned to him. "So, this is your idea of the perfect date?"

"…As a broke college student, yes, this is as perfect as it gets."

Derek nudged him. "Don't sell yourself short, it was kind of great. Sitting on a couch together for a couple of hours listening to some good poetry and then a walk through the park on a nice autumn night? It's pretty great."

"You don't have to lie."

Derek put up his hands. "I'm not lying. Though I do have a question."

Spencer raised an eyebrow. "I'm listening."

"What would be the ideal date night for you? Just curious."

Spencer exhaled, thinking to himself. "You'll think it's weird."

"I won't know until you tell me," Derek reasoned.

He chewed on his cheek. "Fine, but no laughing," he threatened, pointing a finger at Derek.

"Threat received, now come on."

Spencer smiled, squeezing Derek's hand as they walked. "I loved my Astronomy course, so I'd love nothing more than to go to the planetarium or a museum and be able to look at exhibits and people's opinions on the stars. Maybe even one of those movies in the big theater about space. Then afterward, a nice Italian meal at my favorite restaurant. The night would end with a walk in the park like this, and finally, a great goodnight kiss." He blushed. "It's ridiculous."

Derek shook his head. "It's not. It's actually kind of sweet."

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

Spencer shrugged. "I told you my idea of a perfect date. What's yours?"

Derek clicked his tongue. "I'm a simple kind of guy. Dinner and a walk on the beach."

Spencer wrinkled his nose. "I've never been a fan of the beach. Between the sandy food, pink skin, limited topography that's unengaging, not to mention the bacteria-"

"I bet I could change your mind," Derek cut him off.

Spencer laughed softly. "Good luck."

When they made it back to Derek's apartment, Spencer stopped at his door.

"Did you enjoy tonight?" Spencer asked, playing with the end of his scarf.

Derek nodded, digging through his pockets for his house key. "I really did. Thank you."

"And you're not just saying that to appease me?"

He shook his head, smiling. "Definitely not. I'm not very good at hiding my boredom. Trust me, you would've known."

"You sure?"

"I'm positive." He leaned against his doorframe. "You going to be awake enough to drive yourself home?"

"One of my coffees wasn't a decaf, I'll be fine."

"Can you text me when you make it home then?" he asked, crossing his arms. "It'd make me feel better."

Spencer smiled, nodding. "I promise." He leaned in, giving Derek a quick kiss and trying to pull away.

Derek grabbed his scarf. "Not so fast."

"Excuse me?"

Derek pulled him in. "You'll make out with me in the backroom of my work, but on my front steps, you're shy and modest? What's that?"

"A character flaw you'll just have to get used to," Spencer said, winking at him and smiling, before moving in and kissing him, removing Derek's hand from his scarf. "I'll see you tomorrow morning."

"Sounds good." Derek grabbed his key, putting it in the lock.

"And Derek?"

"Hm?"

Spencer moved in, giving Derek another kiss and smirking. "Good night."

"Night, Pretty Boy." Derek watched him blush and smiled to himself before walking inside, closing and locking the door behind him.

Derek forced himself to stay awake until he received a text from Spencer.

I made it home, now go to bed, old timer.

Derek rolled his eyes, responding. Will do, sir.

Over the course of the week, Derek decided to do some home renovations in his spare time, as Spencer was getting close to the time for his finals and he didn't want him to be anymore stressed out than he apparently already was. This seemed to be the best decision, because Spencer seemed to be in a much better mood, though he could probably attribute some of that to no longer having any group projects.

He was in the middle of installing flooring when his phone started ringing. He pulled off his gloves, reaching in his back pocket and taking out his phone, answering it.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Derek, is this a bad time?" Spencer asked.

"No, why, what's up?" he asked, getting up and walking to the kitchen, taking a Gatorade out of the fridge and taking a sip.

He exhaled and took a few quick breaths. "It's nothing, really, it's just… you know the storm, right?"

"The one that's happening right now with heavy rain and wind beating against the house? Yeah, I'm familiar."

Spencer let out a small laugh. "It um, it actually ended up knocking out the power in my place, well really, the entire block. JJ's taking her family to her mom's house for the night, or until the power comes back on and she invited me to tag along, but I didn't want to feel like a fourth wheel… though the analogy of a fourth wheel would make sense, because then you'd have a car which is actually functioning-"

"Spencer," Derek cut him off. "The reason you called?"

He cleared his throat. "Right, sorry." He took a deep breath. "I guess, well I was just wondering if I could come stay at your place for a while, until my power comes back? If not it's fine, I just, I don't do well in the dark and figured you wouldn't mind? But if you do, I understand, really, and you shouldn't feel bad. I can just go stay with JJ's mom."

Derek shook his head. "I'll meet you at the house in 20. Pack some clothes and anything else you think you'll need. I don't mind at all."

He breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you so much. I'll see you soon."

Derek hung up the phone and turned to Clooney, asleep in his dog bed in the corner. "Come on, buddy. Time to get soaked in the rain and get home."

He was able to get Clooney home, dried off, and take a quick shower before Spencer was knocking on his door. He walked over, opening the door to find Spencer standing there with two bags over his shoulders, along with one in his hands with blankets and pillows.

"Have everything you need?" Derek asked, holding the door open.

Spencer nodded, setting the bags down and closing the door behind him.

Derek reached over, grabbing a towel and tossing it to him. "Something tells me you could use that."

"Thanks," he said, taking the towel and drying his hair off. "Are you sure you don't mind?"

"Not at all. Tonight was just going to be me and Clooney hanging around and watching TV. At least now I have some company that will talk to me." He saw Spencer was shivering and walked over to the fireplace, opening the doors and putting some logs in, starting a fire. "Can I get you anything?" Derek asked. "Some coffee maybe?"

Spencer quickly shook his head. "Anymore coffee and I don't think I'll be sleeping. Could I actually take a shower, get out of these wet clothes?"

"Go ahead." He walked to the hall closet, taking out some towels and handing them to him. "It's right next to my bedroom."

Spencer dug through his bag, taking out some sweatpants and a t-shirt, along with some shampoo and soap. "Thanks again."

"Of course. Do you want to sleep in the guest room or-?" Derek asked as he looked in the hall closet for sheets.

"The couch should be fine." He waved to Derek quickly before walking to the bathroom, closing the door.

Derek eyed the couch, covered in Clooney's fur, before shaking his head, digging through the hall closet and pulling out the air mattress. He pulled it out of the bag and had it inflated in no time. After putting on the sheets, he grabbed Spencer's bag, taking out the assorted pillows and blankets, making the bed for him. Last but not least was a small, tattered teddy bear. Spencer had never mentioned it before, but he didn't want to go digging, so he put it on top of the pillow before sitting on the couch, patting it for Clooney to jump up beside him.

Spencer walked out of the bathroom, towel drying his hair. "I don't know how else I'm supposed to put this, but I just have to say you have an amazing shower."

Derek smirked. "Well, I guess I should say 'I'm glad you like it'?"

Spencer smiled, blushing and walking back to the bathroom, setting the towel down. He picked up his wet clothes from the floor, going to the living room. "Where's your dryer?"

"I've got it, I need to throw a load in anyway." Derek got up, taking the clothes from him and walking toward the basement door. "Just make yourself at home," he called back before going downstairs.

Once the laundry was in the dryer, Derek went back upstairs and saw Spencer sitting on the air mattress, several textbooks on the table in front of him.

"Comfortable?" Derek asked, walking over and sitting on the couch.

Spencer nodded, giving him a small smile. "Thank you again. After Thanksgiving break next week, finals kick in and I want to be ahead of the game."

"But you retain everything you've ever read. Is studying really necessary?"

He shrugged. "No, but I prefer to do it just to keep it fresh on my mind."

"Whatever works for you," Derek said, reaching for the TV remote. This won't bother you, will it?"

"Not at all. Enjoy."

It was a couple of hours later when Derek's TV went out. He raised an eyebrow, reaching for the remote and pressing a few buttons.

"Well, I guess the cable's out."

Spencer took a deep breath, exhaling. "Five, four, three-"

"What are you doing?"

He put up his hand to silence him. "Two, one." He pointed to the ceiling and, as if it were rehearsed, the power in the house went out.

Derek sighed. "Damnit." He clicked his tongue before getting up. "Time to find my flashlights."

Spencer nodded, frozen in his spot.

"…Are you okay?"

He took a deep breath, shaking his head. "I um, I don't do well in the dark. I don't know what it is, though my guess is it's the inherent absence of light." He bit down on his lip, swallowing. "I've never done well in the dark. It's ridiculous, considering my age, but it's a legitimate fear."

Derek walked over, squatting beside him. "Stay by the fireplace for some light. I'm going to find my flashlights. Okay?"

Spencer nodded slightly, closing all of his textbooks and rolling off of the air mattress, sitting in front of the fireplace and wrapping his arms around his legs.

He came back a few minutes later, several flashlights in tow. He turned some of the flashlights on, placing them around the living room and lighting it up.

"Friend of yours?" Derek asked, pointing to the teddy bear in his hand.

Spencer smiled, nodding. "My mom bought it for me when I was three and recognized my fear of the dark. She told me that he was a close personal friend of Thor, God of Thunder, and he would have a word with him if it got too dark to illuminate the sky."

"Sounds like a pretty great Mom."

"The best," Spencer said, setting it back on his pillow. "Any idea how long the power's going to be out?"

Derek shook his head. "But I have the site for the power company up on my phone to let me know any alerts."

"Smart."

"Means a lot coming from you," Derek teased. "Can I get you a snack or a drink or something?"

"I'm fine. Thank you though. But I could use some company?"

Derek smiled, sitting on the couch. "You've got it." He opened a drawer on an end table, taking out a deck of cards. "Do you play?"

Spencer's face lit up. "Um, a bit."

"Interested?"

Spencer nodded, walking over and sitting beside him. "Definitely."

"I'm suddenly very happy that we're not gambling," Derek said, shaking his head and picking up the cards, shuffling the deck. "You've got to be counting cards or something."

"I'd go with the 'or something'," Spencer said, smirking. "I think that's 20 hands to none?"

"Something like that," Derek mumbled, looking up at him. "Are you opposed to some old fashioned Go Fish so I can stop getting my ass kicked?"

Spencer shrugged. "If you insist."

After playing a few more games, Spencer started to look tired.

"Get some sleep," Derek said, scooping up the cards and putting them back into the box.

Spencer shook his head. "I'm fine. Deal me in."

Derek reached for his phone, typing and checking the screen a few times. "I don't have work tomorrow. You don't have school. It's a sign from the gods that the two of us should get some much needed sleep."

Spencer thought about it before sighing, nodding. "You're right."

"Would you mind calling up my mom, letting her know that a genius said I was right?"

Spencer clicked his tongue. "Not so much." He got off of the couch, walking over to the air mattress and lying down.

Derek got up. "See you in the morning." He whistled for Clooney to get off of the couch and follow him to the bedroom.

Spencer chewed on his cheek. "Um, Derek?"

Derek turned around to face him. "What's up?"

He cleared his throat. "Would you mind – it's going to sound ridiculous, but I told you about my fear of the dark and I was just wondering if you'd stay out here… with me?"

He paused before nodding. "Yeah, no problem." He walked over, sitting on the couch.

Spencer glanced up at him. "You could come over here."

Derek raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

He motioned toward the empty half of the air mattress. "There's plenty of room, it's close to the fireplace so it's nice and warm, and you said yourself that you enjoy curling up in front of the fire on cold nights."

He smiled, walking over. "Okay, I give in." He kicked off his slippers, setting them by the couch and sitting on the air mattress beside Spencer. "Is this okay?"

"You can lie down, if you'd like? I mean, you're a grown adult, you can do whatever you like. But it's merely a suggestion, I guess."

Derek nodded, lying down beside him. He leaned over, tossing another log onto the fire, before making himself comfortable. "This okay?"

Spencer nodded slightly before taking a deep breath, leaning in closer and resting his head on Derek's chest. "…Is this?"

"This is fine," Derek said, wrapping an arm around him and kissing the top of his head as he nuzzled against his chest. He reached up, playing with the strands of Spencer's hair. "Are you comfortable with this?"

"Mhm," he said, wrapping his arms around Derek's middle.

Derek toyed with his hair and, when there was a loud roar of thunder, would whisper to him and keep him distracted. Spencer was definitely scared of the dark, and he wasn't overly fond of thunder either. He did everything he could to keep Spencer's mind off of the darkness and the weather outside. They talked about Doctor Who episodes, their favorite superheroes, and even childhood stories, just to give them something to do.

Spencer took a deep breath, looking up at Derek. "I've never felt like this before," he admitted softly.

"Felt what, Pretty Boy?" Derek asked, rubbing his arm.

Spencer bit his lip, taking a deep breath. "…I love you, Derek. I've never, those words have only been said to my mother before and I haven't met someone I want to say them to. Not until you. And I just, I feel that-"

Derek smiled to himself, leaning in and giving Spencer a quick kiss before kissing his forehead. "I love you too."

Derek woke up the following morning to Spencer stirring and the lights in the house all back on. He smiled to himself, realizing that last night had actually happened. He tilted his head to kiss Spencer's forehead and run a hand through his hair.

"Breakfast?" Derek asked.

Spencer sighed, burying his head in Derek's chest. "Coffee, then I'll make breakfast."

"You sure? I don't mind."

He exhaled, lying on his back and stretching slightly. "You took me in last night. I'll make us breakfast."

"Good compromise," Derek said, getting up and whistling for Clooney, letting him run around in the backyard.

Once he finished making the coffee, he walked out to the living room, setting a cup on the table for Spencer and sitting on the couch, drinking his own. Spencer immediately sat up, grabbing the cup and sipping it.

"Better?" Derek asked, smirking.

Spencer nodded, finishing it off before getting off of the air mattress, trudging to the kitchen.

"Do you need help finding anything?"

Spencer waved a hand at him, refilling his mug and taking a sip. "I'll figure it out."

"What are you making?"

Spencer looked through the fridge then the cabinets, humming to himself. "French toast and scrambled eggs."

He raised his eyebrows, impressed. "Sounds good to me." He picked up his mug, walking out to the kitchen and sitting at the table, watching him.

While they were eating, Spencer looked across the table at Derek. "Thank you."

Derek looked at him, curious. "You made me breakfast and you're thanking me? I think you have this manners thing backwards."

Spencer gave him a smile, pushing what was left of his eggs around with his fork. "I mean for last night. Letting me come over when the power went out at home and staying with me, I really appreciated it."

Derek shrugged. "No sweat, I like helping people out when I can."

Spencer bit his lip, blushing. "I um, I also wanted to thank you for taking care of me. My fear of the dark is slightly adolescent, though really, it's one of the top phobias found in adults. Of those surveyed, 11% admitted they had achluophobia, or fear of the dark. It's only behind the fear of public speaking, fear of death, and of course, the fear of spiders."

Derek put up his hand. "I'm glad I could be there for you."

He cleared his throat, taking another sip of his coffee. "And about what I said…"

Derek paused, realizing that he was referring to his 'I love you', and hoping that he wasn't going to take it back.

"I can't remember ever feeling that cared for or wanted in my entire life, well, by someone that wasn't my mother. And it just, it was a really good feeling to have. You know I'm not a people person and the fact that I was so comfortable with you last night, I knew that I could really use those words and mean them."

Derek smirked at him. "Which words?"

Spencer gave him a look. "Seriously?" Derek shrugged and he sighed, shaking his head. "You can be a real pain, you're lucky I love you."

"There it is," Derek said, his smile widening.

Spencer reached across the table, pushing him lightly, before finishing the food on his plate.

After they ate, Spencer took out his phone, calling JJ and putting the phone on speaker as he ran a brush through his hair.

"Hey, Spence. Everything okay?"

"Everything's fine," he said, wincing as his brush hit a snarl. "Have you been home yet?"

"Not yet, but Will went by and our power's still out, so we'll be at my mom's place until we get it back. What about you? Are you still home? Are you okay? It was way too dark for you to be alone last night-"

Spencer put up his hand, mimicking her with it and rolling his eyes, causing Derek to laugh. "JJ, I'm fine. After we lost power, I called up Derek and came to study at his place."

"And everything was fine?"

"Yeah, he lost power at his place a few hours after I came over, but luckily he had plenty of flashlights on hand and was able to blow up the air mattress before it happened."

"So you're okay?"

He shook his head. "I'm fine, mother. Really. I handled myself very well and Derek was here to calm me down."

"Oh?" she said suggestively.

Spencer groaned, rolling his eyes. "The most that happened was him lying down with me when I was stressing about sleeping in the dark."

"I should've known you would've kept it PG-rated. I'm going back in a bit to see if power's back. Once it is, want me to give you a call?"

"Yes please." He looked over at Derek. "You don't mind, do you?"

Derek shook his head. "No work, no school, sounds like a pajama day to me."

"... A what?"

JJ laughed. "Have fun with that, you two."

"Bye," Spencer said, hanging up and looking at him. "Pajama day?"

"Plain and simple," Derek started. "My favorite way to spend a lazy day is wearing my pajamas, wrapping myself in a blanket, and watching daytime game shows. Unless you have a better idea?"

Spencer thought to himself before shaking his head. "It sounds fine to me." He walked over, sitting beside Derek on the couch, dragging a blanket with him.

Their morning was spent on the couch, only getting up for bathroom breaks or to grab a drink. For the most part, Spencer leaned against Derek, the blanket pulled over him, and Derek smiled, wrapping his arm around him. Spencer tried to hold himself back and give Derek the chance to answer some of the questions, though it was really no contest: even when he'd slow down, he'd still have all of the answers and win the game.

When Spencer got a phone call from JJ that afternoon to let him know the power was back, he turned to Derek. "You don't mind if I head out after we finish eating, do you?"

Derek shook his head, refilling his juice. "Not at all. It's your home, I'm not offended."

"This was really great," Spencer assured him. "It was great and comfortable and it sort of just felt… right."

Derek smiled. "I'm glad."

He helped Spencer pack up his bags, double and triple checking the house to be sure he wasn't forgetting anything.

"So, if the shop's open, I'll see you tomorrow?" Spencer asked, folding up his blankets and putting them into his duffel bag.

"Definitely." Derek put in his little bear and pillow. "So finals Spencer kicks in in a couple of weeks?"

"Unfortunately, and I hate to say it, but if you didn't like group project Spencer, finals Spencer isn't going to be much fun."

"I'm sure I'll love him regardless."

Spencer scoffed. "We'll see."

Derek picked up his bags, walking out to his car. When Spencer opened the trunk, he put his things inside. "Then I guess I'll just soak up this semi-normal version until the other guy arrives."

Spencer mock laughed, elbowing him. "Very funny." He leaned over, giving him a kiss. "See you tomorrow."

Derek nodded. "Until then, Romeo."

"Not a good comparison to make," Spencer pointed out, looking through his keyring for his car key. "Romeo and Juliet were teenagers and young and idiotic in love. I do admit I love you, but there's no way I'm willing to drink poison or stab myself for you. I have standards."

Derek put a hand to his chest, faking pain before smirking. "Noted, that nickname's out the window. I love you too."

Spencer blushed, waving to him and getting into the car, starting it and driving home.