Chapter 24: Sunday Easter Sunday

A/N: The last chapter. Dang, man, this has been a long time coming. I'd like to personally thank all of the people who have supported me, trolled me, and followed the story without saying a word. I love every single one of you. As I type this, The Essentials has 24 chapters, 74 favorites, 152 alerts, 183 reviews, 106+ words, and 36,076 reads.

I'm very proud to have the wonderful readers I do, since all of this is possible because YOU ALL DID THIS.

-Blue Oleandars

P.S. I'm bringing the epilogue tomorrow. It's been a fun ride, y'all. Yee haw!

Within three weeks' time, Easter Sunday would be upon them. Worried and unsure, Spencer packed his bag and prepared for a three day stay even though he knew that he was only welcome for two. It was quite obvious after the short visit to Derek's mother's place that their relationship was unwelcome, but she enjoyed his company so much that every time he spoke with her, she minded less and less. She even called last night to see if he was all prepared and ready for her to put some meat on his bones tomorrow. He was.

Then, followed a call from Derek—who was much more excited for the Easter trip than Spencer seeing as he finally was on his way to getting the acceptance from his mother that he'd wanted all along. He was giddy for her approval, and he was sure to get it if Spencer continues to charm the pants off of her. Apparently, she had called Derek a week before and told him how fond she was of Spencer's rear. Spencer was unsure how he felt about that.

It had been a couple weeks since they had visited Derek's mother, and Spencer is proud to say that not much has changed.

The two men have now been together for three months and their lives have fallen into step. Spencer spends most nights over Derek's apartment. So much so that he's gotten a few calls from his landlord, asking if he's still living there. Much to Spencer's contentment, Clooney the dog also now happily bounds up to him every chance he gets almost as much as he does so for Derek.

The train ride to Chicago had passed quickly, and they took a cab to the Morgan house. Still wary of the men he grew up with, Derek wasn't going to risk being seen with Spencer and putting the kid in danger. There were some crazy mother fuckers in this town, and if Derek plays his cards right, the wrong people will stay controlled and at bay.

The moment they knocked on the door, Sarah jumped out at them and wrestled Derek into a hug as she squealed, "Is it true?! Are you and Dr. Reid in love?!"

Derek struggled under her attack and patted her curly hair, "Hello to you too, Sarah."

She rolled her eyes and set her sights on Spencer, shoving Derek away, "I don't normally do this, but come here, kid. You get one too."

Spencer paused, "Oh, I'm not sure if it's best that I—" she disregarded him and pulled the tall genius into a hug, "Whether you like it or not, you're family now. It's great to see you again, Doctor."

Spencer nodded, strangled in an embrace as his bags fell to the porch.

Derek taped Sarah's shoulder, "Sare… Sare, I'm not sure he's breathing."

Spencer gasped, "I'm fine. My lungs are collapsing, but I'm fine."

She took Spencer by the sleeve of his shirt and guided him into the house, "Derek, get his bags, come on. You weren't raised in a barn."

There was a happy voice coming from the top of the stairs as they entered the house, "Is that my favorite son?"

Derek murmured under his breath, "I'm your only son."

As Ms. Morgan traipsed down the steps to meet them, she winked at Derek, "I heard that. Come on, Mama needs a hug. This ain't no free service."

Derek placed the bags at his feet and gave his mother a hug, "Hey, Mama."

She giggled, "Are you carrying his bags? Lord knows, I raised you right. How was your trip?"

Spencer replied in a hurry, "It wasn't too bad. We took the train down. Do you all like chocolates, because I bought some, and in that plastic bag there are flowers for all of you. I also thought it might be rude if we came over without bringing anything, so I made some beef stroganoff if anyone's interested as well, and—"

Derek sighed, "Spence."

He bowed his head, "Sorry."

Ms. Morgan waved off her son and shooed Sarah away from Spencer, wrapping him in a hug as well, "That was very thoughtful of you, Doctor."

Spencer leaned into the hug; it was very warm and easy to fall into. He thinks he likes being part of this surrogate family, "You don't have to call me Doctor. Spencer will do just fine if you like."

She leaned back and patted his cheek, "Spencer it is. Now, I made a big dinner, so feel free to tuck in. You're all skin and bones, darlin', we're going to get some weight on you right quick, now aren't we, Derek?"

Derek shrugged, "I like him the way he is."

His mother cut him a glare, "Well, so do I, I'm just saying, there's nothing wrong with feeding the boy. Heaven knows you probably don't. Now, Spencer, we might to ask you down here for Christmas too if you like. You know we can't trust Derek worth a damn around an oven."

Derek folded his arms and pouted, "Aww, here we go. Let's drudge that up again."

Spencer began to laugh, "If you don't mind, I would love to hear that story in full."

She clapped her hands once, "Oh, Spencer, you are so pleasant. Derek, I know I've said it before, but I like him! I like him a lot!"

Derek smiled fondly over at Spencer, "Me too. So… are we alright?"

Ms. Morgan looked at the two of them and took a breath, "We're fine. Just… don't do any of that… stuff around me, I'm still getting used to it. God, it's easier to pretend that you two are just friends."

Derek looked away and leaned back on his heels, "Yeah, close friends."

She continued, "But, I know you're more, and I can accept that. Derek, you've chosen well, and I know you two will do right by each other, it's just something I can feel. Now… who wants some dinner?"

Derek raised his hand, "Me! I'm starving."

Ms. Morgan rolled her eyes and rubbed his back, "When aren't you? Come on. The food's getting cold."

Dinner was great. The table was filled with mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, lamb chops, chicken, salad, rice, beans, broccoli, greens, and cranberry bread. Desiree joined them at the table as she arrived in tow with her boyfriend Tony whom was staying over as well, and the whole thing was really… nice. There was a family feel there that Spencer had never experienced away from that table, and he had a very nice time acquiescing to the group.

As Derek passed the greens Tony's way, the man asked, "So, Derek… is it true that you two are…"

"Yep," Derek said proudly, placing his hand over Spencer's at the table. Tony smiled back, dark eyes sincere, white teeth contrasting against his deep brown skin, "That's great. My uncle's got a male partner too. They're the happiest pair I ever did see. They've been together for twenty three years now, I think."

Spencer added, "They're very lucky."

Tony replied, "Yeah, I know. They're adopting a baby girl soon."

Derek grinned, "Wow, that's great."

Tony asked, "It is. Hey, speaking of great, are any of you watching the Bulls game tonight? "

Derek nodded, leaning over the table, "Hell yeah, Spencer is too. Wanna watch it with us?"

Tony smiled, "I'd like that."

Desiree rocked in her chair, "Aww, male bonding is so cute. Aren't you happy you've got two allies in the room instead of one?"

Tony tapped his fork on his plate, "It definitely beats being just me and Morgan-ator like it was last Easter! We got like, what? Five minutes to talk sports?"

Ms. Morgan laughed, "Well, I'm not happy about it. Somebody's gotta help me with the dishes."

Spencer raised his hand, "I will!"

She shook her head, "No, baby, go spend time with the boys. Sarah and Desiree will help me here if you three pitch in with Easter dinner."

The two women groaned and Derek poked Spencer on the nose, "Don't fight the woman of the house. She knows what she's talking about."

Spencer laid his hand on his stomach and leaned his head on Derek's shoulder, "Alright. I'm full anyway."

Sarah yipped and pulled out her phone, snapping a picture, "That's going in the scrapbook!"

About an hour later, Tony, Derek, and Spencer were sitting in the living room watching the game. The Bulls were in the lead and Spencer watched in quiet peace as Tony and Derek shouted at the screen as Jimmy Butler dribbled the ball up to the basket, dunking it in and scoring the team points. Spencer smiled to himself as Tony gave Derek a high five and offered one to Spencer. Spencer took him up on it, smacking the guy's hand in joy as Tony roared, "Did you see that? Did you see that?"

Spencer laughed, "That was quite impressive."

"Hell, yeah it was! What, I don't get a high five?" Derek joked. Spencer leaned forward and gave him a quick kiss on the lips, replying with a smirk, "Nope."

Derek winked over at Spencer, "Well, alright."

"Hey, lovebirds!" Tony snickered, "You do know I'm in here, right?"

Derek leaned back into the couch and pulled Spencer in to lean on his chest, "Yeah, playa, you can go on there hating all you want because your girl is stuck in the kitchen elbow deep in soap."

Tony growled, "Yeah, you right."

Spencer replied as Derek's fingers found their way into his short hair, "Well, Desiree will be out in due time, then we can all watch something together. How does that sound?"

Derek stuck out his tongue and said loudly in the direction of the kitchen, "Eww, I don't want Desiree in here. She has cooties."

Desiree shouted from the other room, "I heard that, Derek!"

Derek yelled back, "I don't care! It ain't no secret!"

Desiree hissed, "Oh, alright. You want me to show Spencer your 'secret' Star Trek collection then?"

Derek barked, "Bring it, girl! He can handle it! What I want to know is if Tony can handle your 'secret' Pipin shrine!"

Desiree stuck her head into the room with a pleasant smile, "He's lying."

Derek grinned, "No, I'm not. Tony, do you really think I could make this crap up?"

Tony gazed over at Desiree, "Do you mean Pipin from the Lord of the Rings? I love that series."

She smiled shyly, "Really?"

He replied, "Yeah! I read the books too!"

Desiree began to smile, "I love you."

Derek mumbled under his breath, "That didn't go as planned."

Spencer leaned over and whispered into Derek's ear, "It didn't for her either. I have a really big crush on Mr. Spock."

Derek gasped, "And I have a thing for Captain Kirk."

Spencer sighed, "I am so horny right now."

Derek laughed, "When are you not?"

Spencer thought for a moment and replied, "Never."

Derek smirked, "You little rascal. You know we can't here."

Spencer shrugged, "So? I can always sneak into your room tonight and we can have an illegal, nerdy rendezvous."

Derek gasped, "We're going to get caught."

Spencer leaned away from Derek's chest to sit up, "Well, fine. If you're not man enough."

Derek reached out for Spencer, "I'm man enough! Now, come back so we can cuddles. I miss you."

Tony snickered from the other side of the room, "Man, what happened to you? You used to be a dog. Now, you want 'cuddles' from your widdle boyfriend?"

Derek stared simply back at Tony, "I'm confident enough in my masculinity to ask for a hug when I want one. You got a problem with that?"

Tony raised his hands in surrender, "Fuck no, man. You carry a gun."

Derek smiled, "That's what I thought."

The dishes were done, the bags were nestled away upstairs and a movie was playing, lighting up the darkness of the room with a pale light. Sarah was asleep as her head was laid on her mother's resting shoulder. Tony looked up over Desiree's shoulder from where he was on the armchair with her perched on his lap, "Derek, you still awake?"

Derek nodded around Spencer's head, "Yeah."

Spencer yawned, "Is it morning?"

"He actually is really adorable," Tony chuckled, adding as an afterthought, "No homo."

Derek grimaced, "I'll just pretend that wasn't demeaning."

Tony shrugged, leaning back in the chair, "It wasn't. I was just stating a fact. I ain't gay. And… I'm heading off to bed."

Spencer pushed off of Derek's warm chest to sit up, hair sticking up on one side, "Sounds like a plan."

Tony asked, "Which room are your two going to be in? Sarah and Des are sharing, so can I safely assume you two are taking Derek's…"

Derek replied, "No, you can't. Spencer's sharing the spare room with you and I get my own bed."

Tony scoffed, "Bull."

Derek shrugged, standing up, "My mom doesn't want us having gay sex all over the place, since we're homosexuals and we obviously can't keep it in our pants while we're here."

"Damn, that's rough. Sorry, man," Tony carried Desiree over to the couch and laid her gently in the space Derek and Spencer had left, "How many beds are in the spare room? If there are two, I call the window."

Derek chuckled, heading toward the stairs, "There's only one, bro. Happy trails."

Tony paused, "What do you mean there's only one?"

Derek laughed, "Watch out, Spencer likes to cuddle."

Spencer hissed, "So what? I have acute adult separation anxiety. Most adults whom suffer from it deal with persistent, excessive worrying about losing the subject of attachment also including issues when falling asleep without being near a major attachment figure that could easily be a significant other (i.e. you) which is why I… hold on to you when I sleep. I find the word 'cuddle' to be slightly demasculating."

Tony shook his head and stepped away from Spencer, "Oh, hell no."

Derek replied, "You heard what the cute adult separation anxietist said."

Spencer chuckled, "It's acute and anxietist isn't a word."

Derek turned at the stairs to point to Spencer, "Ooh, idea. How about we have a naughty grammar lesson later?"

Spencer flushed and said to Tony, "He's kidding. We don't…"

"Yeah, we do. No point in lying," Derek shrugged, turning back to the stairway.

Tony sighed, "Well, this is going to be the longest night in the universe."

"Try anything on my boyfriend, and you'll die before you start," Derek said as he strode up the steps, calling back to Spencer, "Don't steal the covers, honey."

Tony murmured, "I hate you."

Although, there was a little bit of a fight, they both ended up sharing the bed. But they had set up rules. No talking. No touching. No eye contact. No breathing louder than necessary. And, at two am, they were both out of there. Tony allowed Spencer to go into Derek's room if Spencer didn't tell Derek that Tony himself was headed to Desiree's. So… the waiting had to happen.

It was quiet. Like really quiet. You know what I mean. It was that painful, searing, horridly awkward quiet that cost people their sanity. Tony slept with only a pair of sweat pants on, which wasn't a big deal really granted that the guy was at least six feet tall, built like a linebacker and (oh, yeah) Spencer was squished into a twin bed with him. Spencer had packed more accordingly. Drowned in one of Derek's old sweatshirts and a pair of red plaid pajama pants, Spencer was very warm and toasty, just how he liked it. It just would have been better if Tony the Tiger wasn't shoved into this small, confining space with him. He was all wrong. He smelled like cut grass and sweat. His eyes were a deep black. And his arms were bigger than Derek's. Spencer in every way wished he was in bed with his boyfriend instead of this dude. While he is a very nice guy, Spencer was uncomfortable.

The time couldn't have passed quicker. Spencer glanced at his watch. 1:47am. He almost groaned aloud, but stopped himself as he remembered the shared rules between the two. No talking. Tony turned to Spencer, "Wanna call it quits and go now?"

Spencer sighed, "Yeah, but… I want to keep this going just to be sure. I know that Ms. Morgan is a nice lady, but if she catches me in Derek's room, the entirety of the Bureau couldn't keep my death from becoming imminent."

Tony paused, "…do you always talk like that?"

Spencer asked, "Talk like what?"

Tony shifted and leaned on his side, "I don't know, like you ate a dictionary and are burping up the words no one uses."

Spencer clutched his chest, "Ouch."

Tony replied, "No offense. Just saying…you're not a normal dude, are you?"

Spencer shrugged, "Well, I have an eidetic memory. My IQ is unnaturally high, and I read faster than the normal human. Oh, and I am 12 pounds underweight, but don't tell Derek he thinks it's only 5."

Tony began to laugh, "So…. you're like a super nerd that doesn't eat?"

Spencer explained, "I do eat, I just forget sometimes and don't have anyone around to remind me. Well, I didn't."

Tony teased, "Oh, you're talking about Derek?"

Spencer rubbed behind his neck nervously, "Uh…yeah. He's… well, he's been good for me. I'm not lonesome anymore, he listens when I go on long tangents that he could really care less about, and he calls my Freudian book collection cute. For some reason, I don't think he merely tolerates me like other people do. I think he genuinely likes me, and that goes a long way."

"Oh, okay. So, Derek's your boo, huh?" Tony snickered, "Don't deny it, man, you love yourself some Morgan-ator."

Spencer felt his cheeks flame, "I… I do. Love him, I mean. Is that silly? I mean, we've only been dating for three months."

Tony smirked with a laugh, "Three months?! That's a record for him. I've never seen him last longer than two weeks. He must really like you."

Spencer shrugged, "Well, he used to date women, so…"

Tony paused, "Wait, so he doesn't like girls at all? He's all the way gay?! He's on the DL?! Man, I thought you were one of those one-time-things, you know, an exception. I didn't know he… dug dudes."

Spencer gasped and closed his hand over his mouth, "You didn't know?"

Tony shook his head wildly, "No, man! I was planning on lying for him in the hood, you know, but if he starts going all out with letting niggas know—"

Spencer looked away from Tony, "Don't say the 'N' word. It's demeaning."

Tony scoffed, "Oh, please, everybody says it."

Spencer said proudly, "Derek doesn't."

Tony laughed aloud, "Bullshit. He totally does. And hell, being in an interracial relationship I bet you said it before too."

Spencer looked away, "I would never."

Tony peered at Spencer, "Bro, are you lying?"

Spencer lied, "No?"

Tony gasped, "You totally said it before! Oh, my God, I can barely even think of how bad that must have sounded! When, where, why?!"

Spencer hid his face in his hands and rushed out, "Derek told me to say it in bed once and I didn't want to but he suddenly got really good at convincing me and I ended up shouting it and I feel horrible."

Tony laughed loudly, "You called Derek a nigga in bed?! I didn't know you were kinky like that!"

"Ssh!" Spencer's face was burning under his hands as he worried, "I only did it because he made me! Don't tell anyone, please. I feel bad enough already, I don't need the entire state to know."

"Fine, I'll keep it under wraps." Tony chuckled, "Did he end up liking it?"

Spencer yanked the sheet over his head, "Yes, okay, can we please stop talking about this?"

Tony stifled a grin, "Of course. Now that I know you're into that sado master-slave type shit, I don't want to get on your bad side."

Spencer mumbled from under the blanket, "I'm not into it, I swear. I like vanilla sex."

"Me too. But, just an FYI…" Tony said, following Spencer under the sheet to look into his eyes honestly, "Derek likes being talked dirty to. He doesn't mind confinements if he trusts you, which I assume he does. He also has this erogenous zone behind his ear, kiss it and he'll go nuts."

Spencer glanced at Tony, "How do you know this?"

"If I can keep a secret, you can keep one too," Tony took a deep breath and replied, "Back in middle school, me and Derek used to do…stuff."

Spencer gasped, "Really?"

Tony nodded, "We were just kids, you know? We were already hanging with the wrong crowd, so it was real hush-hush. Just wanted to be ready when time came to do stuff with girls, and before we knew it, it was our thing."

Spencer paused, "But, Derek said—"

Tony stopped him, "Before you say anything, we didn't go past second base. Honestly, we didn't do anything worth talking about. Just kissing and stuff. We were experimenting, okay? We had set limits. At least, that's all it was for me. I knew I didn't like guys, but Derek, he's… Derek, you know? He has a way of getting under your skin. He has a way of making you want him. But, we were young, it was a long time ago. And that thing in him that I found so alluring… Des had it tenfold. It was her I wanted, but I told myself she was too good for me and Derek was there, you know? And he wanted it. So, when I found myself wanting it too, I just… well… look, man, I understand what it's like to have feelings for someone you shouldn't. That's all. If you need to talk to someone who isn't sleeping with you… know you can ring me up."

Spencer let out a little smile, "Thanks. I'll take you up on that."

Tony deadpanned, "Now, can we get out from under this sheet? It's kind of creeping me out."

Spencer pushed the cloth down and checked his watch, "Sure, why not. Oh! It's go time."

"Alrighty then. See you later." Tony got up and grabbed a tee shirt, "Don't walk with a limp tomorrow, might give it away."

Spencer joked, "What makes you think I'm the one who'll be limping?"

Tony scoffed, yanking it over his head, "No offense, dude, but you're definitely the bitch."

Spencer blushed, "I prefer 'chosen submissive title'."

Tony laughed, "Either way, I bet you take it like a man. Am I right?"

Spencer folded his arms, "Say that all you want, but I'll have you know that I'm a very reciprocating sexual partner."

Tony asked confusedly, "And that means…"

Spencer got up and grabbed his cell phone off the charger and spoke simply before exiting the room, "I give better head than your girlfriend, and no matter how long you think about what I just said—and believe me, you will think about what I just said—you'll never know what it's like to have me."

Tony called back to Spencer, "Hey, what's what supposed to mean?"

Spencer shrugged, "It's nothing to be ashamed of, being bisexual. It's just another part of who you are."

Spencer left Tony awestruck and padded down the hallway in his socks, opening Derek's bedroom door. The lights were out, and he was sleeping gently. Spencer slid the lock shut after closing the door and tip toed over to Derek. He was really peaceful looking asleep. His eyelashes fanning out toward his cheeks, his lips parted slightly. Derek also had a little nose twitch too every now and then. It was kind of cute.

Snuggling into the sheets with Derek, he leaned over and tried one of Tony's tips. He pressed his lips softly behind the shell of Derek's ear and he let out a quiet hum. Spencer did it once more just a little bit harder and his boyfriend awoke with a moan and he looked into Spencer's eyes, saying tiredly, "What did Tony tell you?"

Spencer giggled, "That you and him used to kiss under the bleachers when you were twelve."

Derek chuckled and ran his hand down his face, "Hey, we were thirteen. Almost adults."

Spencer teased, running his hands up Derek's chest, "Why didn't you tell me you two got into hot and heavy territory during nap time? You naughty boy."

Derek pushed his hand into Spencer's face gently, "Oh, okay, so you gonna play me like that, huh?"

Spencer continued under Derek's hand with a big smile on his squished face, "Hell yeah. Now, did you two use tongue, or did you just trade animal crackers?"

Derek removed his hand and ticked Spencer's ribs for a moment, "For your information, we used a lot of tongue. We were doing some complex, hardcore shit."

Spencer laughed and pushed Derek's hands off of him, using the leverage to straddle Derek's hips and tease from above him, "Oh, really? Define hardcore."

Derek shrugged and raised his palms, "One time, our cocks touched through our overalls. I'm not lying, man, hand to God. He was hard as a rock. All…three inches of him."

Spencer shook his head and grinned, "No way. You two are such sluts."

Derek chuckled, "I know, right…you're not mad?"

Spencer cocked his head to the side, "No. I'm not really the resentful type. I mean, by your description of him, I'm better endowed and I've done things to your dick he couldn't dream of, so… pretty sure he should be the jealous one. Plus, if my math is correct, that was about fifty four years ago."

Derek folded his arms, "Oh, ha ha. I'm not that old, buddy."

"Of course, you're only mildly ancient," Spencer gazed down at Derek with admiration, "…I really fucking love you. You know that, right?"

Derek's face brightened in a smile, "I really fucking love you too."

Spencer took a deep breath and asked, "Maybe…one of these days… if you want to, we can…"

Derek stroked the side of Spencer's face affectionately, "Come on, baby boy, you can finish a question. I know it in my heart."

Spencer laughed gently and puffed out his chest, "How about, when we get home, we switch up the roles a bit. I would like to try what we almost tried before I started crying that last time."

Derek asked, "You want to fuck me?"

Spencer nervously ran his hand along the back of his neck, "You make it sound so seedy—"

Derek raised his hands, "Praise Jesus, finally. I've been waiting for you to ask me that since, jeez, I dunno, January."

Spencer gave Derek a wary look, "Really?"

"Yeah, really." Derek nodded, "If you don't mind me asking, what brought this on?"

Spencer shrugged placidly, "Something Tony said."

Derek shook his head, "Please don't let him trick you into thinking you're boxed up into some sort of sexual role because you're tinier than me. Spencer, you freaked last time, I don't think I can handle seeing you cry again because you're pressuring yourself to do something you're not ready to do. I can wait for you, and there's no rush…"

Spencer stopped Derek's flow of words with a soft kiss, "There is no rush. I know now what I didn't before. Derek… I… I'm bisexual."

Derek nodded, "Okay… that's okay."

Spencer bit his lip, "You're okay with that?"

Derek smiled, "Yeah. As long as you love me, who you're attracted to doesn't matter. You picked me out of six billion people. Excuse me, but I feel like the lucky one."

Spencer leaned down and wrestled Derek into a hug, "I love you, I love you, I love you!"

Derek began to laugh, "I know, kid… I know."

END

A/N: TOMORROW: THE EPILOGUE