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May. 19th, 2022 05:39 pmAll mail correspondence for Spencer Reid can be left here.
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May. 19th, 2022 05:38 pmYou've reached Spencer Reid, I can't come to the phone right now but leave a message if you want me to get back to you.
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May. 7th, 2017 07:00 pmReid is exhausted.
Barely any time at all has passed since he'd even woken up, but he's exhausted. At least, he thinks, he's now allowed to sleep in his own bed again but that won't come without its hazards. They've kept him at the hospital after the crash for two weeks, at first to make sure the compression fracture in his back wouldn't be something requiring surgery and then to start him on what's been a humiliatingly difficult PT regimen. He knows it's for the best, doing the program to make sure he can start to heal faster, to keep himself from just staying in bed when the pain is so bad he'd rather not move, but all of it has made him a much grumpier Spencer Reid.
When they'd released him this morning, they'd given him a cane, and Reid had almost laughed. It isn't funny, really, just a reminder of how much worse he's had it before. He supposes he should be lucky he hadn't hurt his knee again. Silver linings are important. He has to look for them, has to, because the ride back from the hospital to the apartment had been more stressful than Reid would like to admit, but it's impossible to hide a quickening pulse and sense of anxiety from a husband who's a werewolf.
Reid hates that Luke has to help him out of the truck, that he really does have to use the cane to walk the short distance to the store entrance, that he has a thick stack of papers detailing the exercises he's to do at home to keep himself healing. He hates that he craves something, anything, to make the pain go away because ibuprofen doesn't cut it and that he can't even lie about being fine when it comes to Luke because lying to his husband is something he just doesn't want to do. They go in through the store because it's easier that way, because there aren't stairs, and Reid hates that, too.
What he wants, what he desperately wants, is to be able to breeze into the living room and give his family a hug. Reid wants to bend down to scratch behind their cats' ears or reach for a coffee mug in the kitchen without having to think twice about it, and yes, he's been hurt badly before, but the frustrations are always still there. The fear is starting to factor in now, too, the fear that comes with worrying that next time, he might not be so lucky. That's worse this time around, now that he isn't alone, now that he has a husband and son he'd be leaving behind. The thought that they might have to mourn him because of something that happens to him on the job is nothing short of terrifying, even if that's always been a risk. There's nothing quite like another near-death experience to put things all the more in perspective.
When Reid finally lets his thoughts settle, it's as he cautiously lowers himself down on the couch, a pillow tucked behind him to give his back some support. He has a fresh mug of coffee in hand, and he's sent a few texts out to those close to him, just to let them know he's finally been freed from the confines of his hospital bed. In spite of everything that's happened, all the pain and stress of it, Reid has to admit that it's just nice to be back home.
Barely any time at all has passed since he'd even woken up, but he's exhausted. At least, he thinks, he's now allowed to sleep in his own bed again but that won't come without its hazards. They've kept him at the hospital after the crash for two weeks, at first to make sure the compression fracture in his back wouldn't be something requiring surgery and then to start him on what's been a humiliatingly difficult PT regimen. He knows it's for the best, doing the program to make sure he can start to heal faster, to keep himself from just staying in bed when the pain is so bad he'd rather not move, but all of it has made him a much grumpier Spencer Reid.
When they'd released him this morning, they'd given him a cane, and Reid had almost laughed. It isn't funny, really, just a reminder of how much worse he's had it before. He supposes he should be lucky he hadn't hurt his knee again. Silver linings are important. He has to look for them, has to, because the ride back from the hospital to the apartment had been more stressful than Reid would like to admit, but it's impossible to hide a quickening pulse and sense of anxiety from a husband who's a werewolf.
Reid hates that Luke has to help him out of the truck, that he really does have to use the cane to walk the short distance to the store entrance, that he has a thick stack of papers detailing the exercises he's to do at home to keep himself healing. He hates that he craves something, anything, to make the pain go away because ibuprofen doesn't cut it and that he can't even lie about being fine when it comes to Luke because lying to his husband is something he just doesn't want to do. They go in through the store because it's easier that way, because there aren't stairs, and Reid hates that, too.
What he wants, what he desperately wants, is to be able to breeze into the living room and give his family a hug. Reid wants to bend down to scratch behind their cats' ears or reach for a coffee mug in the kitchen without having to think twice about it, and yes, he's been hurt badly before, but the frustrations are always still there. The fear is starting to factor in now, too, the fear that comes with worrying that next time, he might not be so lucky. That's worse this time around, now that he isn't alone, now that he has a husband and son he'd be leaving behind. The thought that they might have to mourn him because of something that happens to him on the job is nothing short of terrifying, even if that's always been a risk. There's nothing quite like another near-death experience to put things all the more in perspective.
When Reid finally lets his thoughts settle, it's as he cautiously lowers himself down on the couch, a pillow tucked behind him to give his back some support. He has a fresh mug of coffee in hand, and he's sent a few texts out to those close to him, just to let them know he's finally been freed from the confines of his hospital bed. In spite of everything that's happened, all the pain and stress of it, Reid has to admit that it's just nice to be back home.
It's Sunday evening, just three day until the next full moon, and there's a familiar tension spreading through the precinct. The Full Moon Killer, as the papers have dubbed him, is due to strike again soon and the Darrow PD is starting to feel the pressure from the media and the public to catch the man. Reid can't say he blames anyone, he wants to put this unsub away as badly as anyone else in the station, but it's been months. The man is patient, he will wait an entire moon cycle to target another family, which gives him the advantage because it means he's patient and beyond that, it allows him to prepare. Reid has determined that the hits on families aren't random, they're carefully designed, crafted from the structure of the families to the layout of the homes he invades.
He's also come to the conclusion that their unsub is probably sociable, even friendly, maybe works in a customer service-type position that allows him to see families day to day, allowing him his pick of the crop. The unsub doesn't make mistakes, doesn't leave any DNA behind, and it's really a remarkable thing that none of the wives they've arrested for killing their husbands in front of their children seem to remember anything. For the most part, the only thing they seem to be able to manage to coherently agree on is that the unsub is a slim, white male, early to mid thirties with brown hair and a sinister smile. The kids, too, when interviewed, all mentioned the way the man had smiled once he'd had the families gathered in their living rooms. The women had all claimed that no, of course they didn't want to kill their husbands, nothing was premeditated, everything was fine at home, and they'd been compelled. The unsub hasn't yet pulled a trigger himself.
Reid isn't sure what to make of it all. It's his job to put the pieces together, of course, and he's done what he can with what limited information he has. There's a sense of hunger for power and control, he suspects the families are surrogates for experiences he'd had throughout his own childhood. The only problem is, records at the Darrow PD don't go past five years, and nobody seems to be willing to explain why.
It hits a little too close to home. His own family doesn't fit within the father-mother-son dynamic, Reid knows that, but it doesn't make this any less frightening or disturbing. He watches these kids, suddenly fatherless and facing orphanhood if their mothers are convicted, get carted away to the Home and logically, Reid knows they're safer that way; and yet, he thinks of how lonely Jack had been there, how glad he'd been to get out, and it both fuels his rage and breaks his heart to think of what this unsub is doing. His biggest hope right now is that the unsub will slip this time. This time, because it can't be next time, Reid can't let another family die because he hasn't been able to figure this out yet.
He stays later than usual this evening, already having texted Luke not to wait up, and stifles a yawn as he heads toward the break room to fix himself a cup of coffee.
He's also come to the conclusion that their unsub is probably sociable, even friendly, maybe works in a customer service-type position that allows him to see families day to day, allowing him his pick of the crop. The unsub doesn't make mistakes, doesn't leave any DNA behind, and it's really a remarkable thing that none of the wives they've arrested for killing their husbands in front of their children seem to remember anything. For the most part, the only thing they seem to be able to manage to coherently agree on is that the unsub is a slim, white male, early to mid thirties with brown hair and a sinister smile. The kids, too, when interviewed, all mentioned the way the man had smiled once he'd had the families gathered in their living rooms. The women had all claimed that no, of course they didn't want to kill their husbands, nothing was premeditated, everything was fine at home, and they'd been compelled. The unsub hasn't yet pulled a trigger himself.
Reid isn't sure what to make of it all. It's his job to put the pieces together, of course, and he's done what he can with what limited information he has. There's a sense of hunger for power and control, he suspects the families are surrogates for experiences he'd had throughout his own childhood. The only problem is, records at the Darrow PD don't go past five years, and nobody seems to be willing to explain why.
It hits a little too close to home. His own family doesn't fit within the father-mother-son dynamic, Reid knows that, but it doesn't make this any less frightening or disturbing. He watches these kids, suddenly fatherless and facing orphanhood if their mothers are convicted, get carted away to the Home and logically, Reid knows they're safer that way; and yet, he thinks of how lonely Jack had been there, how glad he'd been to get out, and it both fuels his rage and breaks his heart to think of what this unsub is doing. His biggest hope right now is that the unsub will slip this time. This time, because it can't be next time, Reid can't let another family die because he hasn't been able to figure this out yet.
He stays later than usual this evening, already having texted Luke not to wait up, and stifles a yawn as he heads toward the break room to fix himself a cup of coffee.
Wedding planning is more stressful than he or Luke had imagined. It's not that they're having second thoughts, no, there's no chance of that. It's not even that they're worried they'd picked too soon a date, it's really more that there are so many more options in terms of things like cakes and suits and venues and catering and color schemes that they hadn't really been prepared for it. That's not something he's used to, being unprepared, but Reid hasn't had much exposure to weddings in the past so he supposes he should be fair to himself and admit he wouldn't have had a reason to do much reading up on the subject.
Still, he's on a mission today to come to a more conclusive decision about where he and Luke are going to get married. They've been trying to decide between two options since the day they'd gone cake tasting, and they haven't found anything to trump either of them so far. Granted, neither of them have really been looking for anything else because the two places they already have in mind seem so perfect but that's the trouble right there. In their respective ways, Kagura and the library suit them in terms of what they mean to each other, of what's special about their relationship, and Reid is having trouble deciding. Luke has promised whatever he chooses is going to be just fine with him, so it seems Reid is the one in charge of making the final choice. Luke, on the other hand, has been tasked with finding the rings, so they're just about even.
Today, he's enlisted help from the only close friend of his who's actually been married. T.J.'s supposed to meet him soon, at a cafe they both like, and Reid taps his foot against the ground as he waits. His coffee has remained untouched but for one sip so far and for the first time in maybe ever, Reid wonders if maybe it's a better idea not to drink it.
Still, he's on a mission today to come to a more conclusive decision about where he and Luke are going to get married. They've been trying to decide between two options since the day they'd gone cake tasting, and they haven't found anything to trump either of them so far. Granted, neither of them have really been looking for anything else because the two places they already have in mind seem so perfect but that's the trouble right there. In their respective ways, Kagura and the library suit them in terms of what they mean to each other, of what's special about their relationship, and Reid is having trouble deciding. Luke has promised whatever he chooses is going to be just fine with him, so it seems Reid is the one in charge of making the final choice. Luke, on the other hand, has been tasked with finding the rings, so they're just about even.
Today, he's enlisted help from the only close friend of his who's actually been married. T.J.'s supposed to meet him soon, at a cafe they both like, and Reid taps his foot against the ground as he waits. His coffee has remained untouched but for one sip so far and for the first time in maybe ever, Reid wonders if maybe it's a better idea not to drink it.
(no subject)
Aug. 21st, 2016 06:29 pmReid is nervous.
He's been trying not to be, Luke had even sent him off from home with a sweet kiss and reassurance that this meeting Reid has set up with Alec can only go well but even so, he's nervous. This isn't familiar territory to him, asking a question like this one he has in mind, Reid's never done this before so he has no comparison, no prior experience to draw from that might help relax him. He sits in a corner booth in the diner just a couple blocks from the store, one of the better ones he's eaten at in Darrow so far, his foot tapping on the ground as he fiddles with the Graymark family ring.
That, at least, manages to calm him a bit. Every few seconds, he looks down at it and thinks about how easy it's been to fall into planning the wedding. There's never been a moment of doubt in his mind that Luke is the one for him, even from that first time they'd kissed. It's why he'd wanted to make it so clear that he was looking for a lasting relationship, not a one-night stand or something at all casual. He's been in love with Luke for longer than they've been together, though he'd refused to admit it to himself then. Now, come this winter, he'll be pledging to love Luke for the rest of his life.
What he wants to see Alec for today is to ask him to share that moment. Reid wants Alec to be his best man, to stand at his side when he and Luke exchange their vows, and he hopes Alec will agree. So he's nervous, because he doesn't know how to go about doing this, but he wills himself to relax. Alec is family, there shouldn't be any reason to worry, and frankly, Reid's just happy that he finally gets to share in the joy of having gotten engaged in the first place.
He's been trying not to be, Luke had even sent him off from home with a sweet kiss and reassurance that this meeting Reid has set up with Alec can only go well but even so, he's nervous. This isn't familiar territory to him, asking a question like this one he has in mind, Reid's never done this before so he has no comparison, no prior experience to draw from that might help relax him. He sits in a corner booth in the diner just a couple blocks from the store, one of the better ones he's eaten at in Darrow so far, his foot tapping on the ground as he fiddles with the Graymark family ring.
That, at least, manages to calm him a bit. Every few seconds, he looks down at it and thinks about how easy it's been to fall into planning the wedding. There's never been a moment of doubt in his mind that Luke is the one for him, even from that first time they'd kissed. It's why he'd wanted to make it so clear that he was looking for a lasting relationship, not a one-night stand or something at all casual. He's been in love with Luke for longer than they've been together, though he'd refused to admit it to himself then. Now, come this winter, he'll be pledging to love Luke for the rest of his life.
What he wants to see Alec for today is to ask him to share that moment. Reid wants Alec to be his best man, to stand at his side when he and Luke exchange their vows, and he hopes Alec will agree. So he's nervous, because he doesn't know how to go about doing this, but he wills himself to relax. Alec is family, there shouldn't be any reason to worry, and frankly, Reid's just happy that he finally gets to share in the joy of having gotten engaged in the first place.
It hasn't been all that long since their time in the Brocelind Forest. It hasn't been long enough for Reid to stop seeing his own death replaying over in his mind every so often when he closes his eyes, anyway, though he supposes it's hard to say whether that'll ever really stop. The memory of it will always be there, whether he wants it or not, especially because he has a mind that simply won't let him forget. It'd made him a little snappy in the first few days after it'd happened, and Reid knows Luke wouldn't hold that against him but he hates that there's an uglier side of him to show at all.
He supposes if there's one good thing that's come out of their experience, it's the decision he's landed on. They'd talked about it on Valentine's Day, though not for very long, as if Reid can complain; but he's been thinking about it more and more recently because as much happiness as being in Darrow has brought him, the city is unpredictable, to say the least. That alternate version of Darrow, the words on his back, the bizarre behavior of the animals on New Year's Eve, the repetition of Luke's attack just to teach some kind of lesson, not to mention what's happened with KIRIN and the vampires and who knows what else--Reid wouldn't have been able to deal with it alone. Luke has saved him in so many ways, Reid only wishes he could properly express just how much he loves his boyfriend, and the only way he can think to do so is carry out the plan he has for tonight.
It's Luke's birthday. This time last year, they'd still been only friend. He remembers knocking on Luke's door, his face a canvass for bruises. He remembers the look of concern on Luke's face, he remembers that touch, and he very much remembers how disappointed he'd been when that touch had been taken away from him. So much has changed in a year and for a man who usually finds it difficult to adapt to change, Reid has welcome a great deal of it.
Tonight, he's going to take Luke out to see the stars again, the same place they'd gone after their stakeout. He has Chinese food ready, chopsticks for both of them because Luke has taught him well, another ice cream cake in the freezer, and Reid is going to drive them out to that spot so he can finally do what he's been wanting to do for months: propose. There's nothing in this world he loves more than Luke, and he can't wait anymore. He can't wait for Darrow to throw another curveball that threatens to tear them apart. Reid's going to marry this man, he's going to make damn sure of it.
"Food's going to get cold," he calls, slipping his cardigan on before reaching down to scratch Russell behind the ears. "Come on, birthday boy, I know I gave you your thirty-nine kisses this morning, but I'd like to give you at least thirty-nine more before the night's done."
He supposes if there's one good thing that's come out of their experience, it's the decision he's landed on. They'd talked about it on Valentine's Day, though not for very long, as if Reid can complain; but he's been thinking about it more and more recently because as much happiness as being in Darrow has brought him, the city is unpredictable, to say the least. That alternate version of Darrow, the words on his back, the bizarre behavior of the animals on New Year's Eve, the repetition of Luke's attack just to teach some kind of lesson, not to mention what's happened with KIRIN and the vampires and who knows what else--Reid wouldn't have been able to deal with it alone. Luke has saved him in so many ways, Reid only wishes he could properly express just how much he loves his boyfriend, and the only way he can think to do so is carry out the plan he has for tonight.
It's Luke's birthday. This time last year, they'd still been only friend. He remembers knocking on Luke's door, his face a canvass for bruises. He remembers the look of concern on Luke's face, he remembers that touch, and he very much remembers how disappointed he'd been when that touch had been taken away from him. So much has changed in a year and for a man who usually finds it difficult to adapt to change, Reid has welcome a great deal of it.
Tonight, he's going to take Luke out to see the stars again, the same place they'd gone after their stakeout. He has Chinese food ready, chopsticks for both of them because Luke has taught him well, another ice cream cake in the freezer, and Reid is going to drive them out to that spot so he can finally do what he's been wanting to do for months: propose. There's nothing in this world he loves more than Luke, and he can't wait anymore. He can't wait for Darrow to throw another curveball that threatens to tear them apart. Reid's going to marry this man, he's going to make damn sure of it.
"Food's going to get cold," he calls, slipping his cardigan on before reaching down to scratch Russell behind the ears. "Come on, birthday boy, I know I gave you your thirty-nine kisses this morning, but I'd like to give you at least thirty-nine more before the night's done."
(no subject)
Mar. 5th, 2016 03:51 pmIt's been all of two hours since Reid had stopped by the store to surprise his boyfriend with a late lunch. Luke can never have too much to eat, after all, and they'd both agreed just the other day that they ought to stop by the Thai place near their apartment for a meal again sometime soon. Today had seemed like a good choice. Today had seemed like it could only go well.
Now, the food sits in its paper bag on the ground, just inside the doorway of the store, discarded and forgotten as Reid rushes to lock behind him before moving to his next intended destination.
Luke is gone. Not gone from the city, Reid knows that much, he's already called his boyfriend's cell phone and it's still in service and anyway, it'd been clear the second he'd approached the outside of Graymark Books that something wasn't right. The closed sign had been put up, the door locked and the lights shut off, but it's not a full moon tonight and Luke had mentioned nothing about closing early. If there'd been an emergency, Reid would already know about it, and it'd been past the time Luke typically takes a lunch break so that'd been another possibility dismissed, too, all before he'd even found what was inside.
It's clear there was a struggle, unsurprising considering Luke is a werewolf, but what's puzzling is the fact that while the inventory that'd been knocked over hadn't been cleared up, someone had still taken the time to make it look like the store was closed. His first thought is that this is a message directed toward him. Reid remembers Luke mentioning an attempted attack last week, he certainly remembers Marcus admitting the leaders of the vampire clan responsible for the string of murders they've been investigating had see to it that he be followed; but foolishly, he realizes, he'd never thought Luke could possibly be any real danger. That he might be responsible for the love of his life being in any kind of trouble, any kind of pain, just as a pointed message to get Reid to stop digging makes him physically ill--to the point that he'd actually had to rush to the bathroom to throw up before attempting to text every contact in his phone who might have seen Luke today.
The only person he texts again, after the slew of questions he receives back, is Alec. Of all the people he knows, Alec is the one closest to what he considers family, one of the people he trusts the most after Luke. Now, Reid stands at Alec's door, pounding as hard as he can, entirely ignorant of the noise he's making in his desperation to seek help.
Now, the food sits in its paper bag on the ground, just inside the doorway of the store, discarded and forgotten as Reid rushes to lock behind him before moving to his next intended destination.
Luke is gone. Not gone from the city, Reid knows that much, he's already called his boyfriend's cell phone and it's still in service and anyway, it'd been clear the second he'd approached the outside of Graymark Books that something wasn't right. The closed sign had been put up, the door locked and the lights shut off, but it's not a full moon tonight and Luke had mentioned nothing about closing early. If there'd been an emergency, Reid would already know about it, and it'd been past the time Luke typically takes a lunch break so that'd been another possibility dismissed, too, all before he'd even found what was inside.
It's clear there was a struggle, unsurprising considering Luke is a werewolf, but what's puzzling is the fact that while the inventory that'd been knocked over hadn't been cleared up, someone had still taken the time to make it look like the store was closed. His first thought is that this is a message directed toward him. Reid remembers Luke mentioning an attempted attack last week, he certainly remembers Marcus admitting the leaders of the vampire clan responsible for the string of murders they've been investigating had see to it that he be followed; but foolishly, he realizes, he'd never thought Luke could possibly be any real danger. That he might be responsible for the love of his life being in any kind of trouble, any kind of pain, just as a pointed message to get Reid to stop digging makes him physically ill--to the point that he'd actually had to rush to the bathroom to throw up before attempting to text every contact in his phone who might have seen Luke today.
The only person he texts again, after the slew of questions he receives back, is Alec. Of all the people he knows, Alec is the one closest to what he considers family, one of the people he trusts the most after Luke. Now, Reid stands at Alec's door, pounding as hard as he can, entirely ignorant of the noise he's making in his desperation to seek help.
That he would come to somewhat resent the full moon is not something Reid would ever have expected of himself but today, he has to admit that he's a bit put out by it. It's a Monday, and he's completed enough of his paperwork that he's allowed home early, which would typically mean curling up on the couch with Luke and the cats to watch whatever happens to be on television while they eat some form of take-out; but tonight, it means having to kiss Luke goodbye for the night before his boyfriend heads downstairs to lock himself away for the moon.
He's grown quite used to it, of course, and Reid loves every last part of Luke, including the wolf. It's just that sometimes, he does wish the full moon would hit on a less inconvenient day, which is a horrible thought that he'd never voice, but it's there all the same.
When he gets the text from Peter, asking whether Reid is willing to meet up for a coffee or a bite to eat, he's watching a re-run of Space Hospital and explaining the plot of the episode to Mister Purrkins and Russell, which is disconcerting in itself, but he dismisses it fairly quickly in his rush to answer with a definitive yes. Getting out of the apartment will be good, it'll help him take his mind off the fact that the man he loves is stuck between four walls downstairs as a wolf, and tomorrow, he'll be here to provide Luke with coffee and breakfast, just like always.
Until then, some time spent with a friend sounds like just what he needs.
He's grown quite used to it, of course, and Reid loves every last part of Luke, including the wolf. It's just that sometimes, he does wish the full moon would hit on a less inconvenient day, which is a horrible thought that he'd never voice, but it's there all the same.
When he gets the text from Peter, asking whether Reid is willing to meet up for a coffee or a bite to eat, he's watching a re-run of Space Hospital and explaining the plot of the episode to Mister Purrkins and Russell, which is disconcerting in itself, but he dismisses it fairly quickly in his rush to answer with a definitive yes. Getting out of the apartment will be good, it'll help him take his mind off the fact that the man he loves is stuck between four walls downstairs as a wolf, and tomorrow, he'll be here to provide Luke with coffee and breakfast, just like always.
Until then, some time spent with a friend sounds like just what he needs.
a very mess-y valentine's day
Feb. 6th, 2016 12:00 amWhen Reid wakes up on Valentine's Day morning, it's without a single regret. Nestled against the warmth of his boyfriend's body, he stifles a yawn as he blinks against the rays of the sunrise that peek through the curtains before smiling to himself and settling his cheek back down against Luke's chest.
They'd arrived at Kagura after Luke had closed the bookstore for the weekend and aside from going out to dinner at the lodge's main restaurant, they haven't spent much time outside of their room. Reid has no complaints, of course, considering a great deal of the past twenty-four hours have consisted of lazing in bed, alternating between making love, napping, and ordering room service. They can't be blamed, it's a busy weekend at Kagura because it's the only so-called destination setting in the city so there seem to be a lot of other couples who'd had the same idea they had to go on a romantic weekend getaway. Luke had suggested it months ago but they've both been so busy with work that it hadn't made sense to book a room until now.
He's glad for it, though. As much as he could go on about the true history of Valentine's Day, he's never had anyone to celebrate the Hallmark holiday with before. That they can spend this time together without worrying about anyone or anything else is a gift, one he's going to make sure they continue to cherish until they check-out tomorrow afternoon. Besides, there's something he's been meaning to bring up for what feels like ages now, even though it hasn't been that long since he'd mentioned it to Graham. He'd spoken to T.J. about it on New Year's Eve, too, his desire to propose to Luke one day; but Reid knows he and Luke are both pragmatic men. It's in both of their best interests to talk about it, to discuss what they really want for their future, just as they'd talked about who would take Leo if Mindy were to ever disappear from the city.
There are nerves, most certainly, at the prospect of bringing it up. He isn't sure whether it's too early to be talking about this, Reid has no idea what the protocol is on that. All he really knows is that he's deeply in love with the man lying next to him, that he's never loved anyone else as much as this, and he wants to spend the rest of his life with Luke. From the very start of their relationship, they'd made sure to be clear with each other about the fact that neither of them were looking to start something casual. Now that they're nearly six months into their romantic relationship, Reid thinks maybe it would be okay to at least discuss the subject of marriage.
It can at least wait until they've ordered in breakfast, though, and his smile grows wider as Luke stirs beside him. Tracing over the curve of Luke's bare hip, Reid lets out a content hum before tilting his head up to look at his boyfriend. "Morning," he murmurs, pressing a kiss to the edge of Luke's jaw. "Happy Valentine's Day."
They'd arrived at Kagura after Luke had closed the bookstore for the weekend and aside from going out to dinner at the lodge's main restaurant, they haven't spent much time outside of their room. Reid has no complaints, of course, considering a great deal of the past twenty-four hours have consisted of lazing in bed, alternating between making love, napping, and ordering room service. They can't be blamed, it's a busy weekend at Kagura because it's the only so-called destination setting in the city so there seem to be a lot of other couples who'd had the same idea they had to go on a romantic weekend getaway. Luke had suggested it months ago but they've both been so busy with work that it hadn't made sense to book a room until now.
He's glad for it, though. As much as he could go on about the true history of Valentine's Day, he's never had anyone to celebrate the Hallmark holiday with before. That they can spend this time together without worrying about anyone or anything else is a gift, one he's going to make sure they continue to cherish until they check-out tomorrow afternoon. Besides, there's something he's been meaning to bring up for what feels like ages now, even though it hasn't been that long since he'd mentioned it to Graham. He'd spoken to T.J. about it on New Year's Eve, too, his desire to propose to Luke one day; but Reid knows he and Luke are both pragmatic men. It's in both of their best interests to talk about it, to discuss what they really want for their future, just as they'd talked about who would take Leo if Mindy were to ever disappear from the city.
There are nerves, most certainly, at the prospect of bringing it up. He isn't sure whether it's too early to be talking about this, Reid has no idea what the protocol is on that. All he really knows is that he's deeply in love with the man lying next to him, that he's never loved anyone else as much as this, and he wants to spend the rest of his life with Luke. From the very start of their relationship, they'd made sure to be clear with each other about the fact that neither of them were looking to start something casual. Now that they're nearly six months into their romantic relationship, Reid thinks maybe it would be okay to at least discuss the subject of marriage.
It can at least wait until they've ordered in breakfast, though, and his smile grows wider as Luke stirs beside him. Tracing over the curve of Luke's bare hip, Reid lets out a content hum before tilting his head up to look at his boyfriend. "Morning," he murmurs, pressing a kiss to the edge of Luke's jaw. "Happy Valentine's Day."
With all the information that's been uncovered for the vampire case, Reid has been busier than usual. Most nights, he comes home exhausted, though he's always grateful that Luke has take-out saved for him or has even attempted to cook him a meal. Today is a rare day off, though it's not one for his boyfriend, and Luke has the store closed for a bit while he goes out to get them lunch.
He should be up in the apartment relaxing, Luke has told him as much, but he doesn't think it'll come as much of a surprise that he's wandered down into the store instead to move inventory from boxes to shelves. Organizing is a form of relaxation, at least for him, though he pauses to get lost in a copy of War and Peace. He's about a quarter of the way through when he happens to glance up to find a familiar face peering through the storefront.
Grinning, Reid returns the book to the shelf and goes to unlock the door, holding it open to allow his visitor inside. "Alec, hi," he greets, "Luke told me you stopped by a while ago." It's been far too long since Reid has seen Alec, and he feels a bit of guilt for that, but he tells himself he'll make more time after the case is over. If ever it does truly end. "He's out grabbing lunch, I'll text him to buy for three."
He should be up in the apartment relaxing, Luke has told him as much, but he doesn't think it'll come as much of a surprise that he's wandered down into the store instead to move inventory from boxes to shelves. Organizing is a form of relaxation, at least for him, though he pauses to get lost in a copy of War and Peace. He's about a quarter of the way through when he happens to glance up to find a familiar face peering through the storefront.
Grinning, Reid returns the book to the shelf and goes to unlock the door, holding it open to allow his visitor inside. "Alec, hi," he greets, "Luke told me you stopped by a while ago." It's been far too long since Reid has seen Alec, and he feels a bit of guilt for that, but he tells himself he'll make more time after the case is over. If ever it does truly end. "He's out grabbing lunch, I'll text him to buy for three."
HAPPY BIRDDAY FRAND
Nov. 29th, 2015 05:55 pm
( messes in lahv )
[turkey day, nov 21]
Nov. 14th, 2015 10:24 pmThey've graciously been invited to Derek's Thanksgiving celebration on the actual day itself, but Reid had gotten to thinking after Luke had told him of the invitation that it would be nice to throw a small get-together of their own. Halloween at the bookstore had been a success, after all, and in spite of the fact that they'd been sent to a hellish version of Darrow for the next ten days, Reid had really enjoyed planning and decorating for the holiday with his boyfriend. In a way, it also serves as a bit of a housewarming, even if nobody else needs to know that. They've been officially living together for a week now, though the only real difference is that he's handed over his keys to the Dimera apartment back to the landlord.
Still, being able to call this apartment home, knowing that he gets to spend every night with the man he loves, it means something special to him, and he wants to share that sense of home with the rest of the people he cares about.
So he sends out texts to Alec and Magnus, Peter and Jason and Hild, telling them all to save the date for the twenty-first so they can have an early Thanksgiving celebration. Others are welcome, of course, and Reid suspects they'll have more than enough food because he'd made arrangements for one restaurant in particular (one that he visits often and had already been promoting take-out for Thanksgiving Day) to set him up with a turkey dinner early. There are all the expected fixings, though he'd ordered four turkeys because Luke still needs to eat more to make up for all the weight he'd lost in the alternate version of Darrow, plus a couple pumpkin pies and various other desserts strewn out across the table. The wine Peter had given to him on Halloween is out, available for consumption to those who want it, but Reid will be sticking to water tonight.
If anyone asks, he's been slaving away in the kitchen all day long, brewing coffee after coffee as he and Luke make sure everything looks nice and neat for their first Thanksgiving dinner together. The food is set out over the counter in the kitchen, china and utensils and glassware placed at the very end so people can take what they want and find a place to eat in the living room, where they've placed extra chairs, and it isn't until they hear the first knock at the door that Reid finally decides he's satisfied with the way everything looks.
Every single person who will be here tonight has been through so much, seen more than one person ever should, but tonight, Reid is just grateful that they're all still here.
Still, being able to call this apartment home, knowing that he gets to spend every night with the man he loves, it means something special to him, and he wants to share that sense of home with the rest of the people he cares about.
So he sends out texts to Alec and Magnus, Peter and Jason and Hild, telling them all to save the date for the twenty-first so they can have an early Thanksgiving celebration. Others are welcome, of course, and Reid suspects they'll have more than enough food because he'd made arrangements for one restaurant in particular (one that he visits often and had already been promoting take-out for Thanksgiving Day) to set him up with a turkey dinner early. There are all the expected fixings, though he'd ordered four turkeys because Luke still needs to eat more to make up for all the weight he'd lost in the alternate version of Darrow, plus a couple pumpkin pies and various other desserts strewn out across the table. The wine Peter had given to him on Halloween is out, available for consumption to those who want it, but Reid will be sticking to water tonight.
If anyone asks, he's been slaving away in the kitchen all day long, brewing coffee after coffee as he and Luke make sure everything looks nice and neat for their first Thanksgiving dinner together. The food is set out over the counter in the kitchen, china and utensils and glassware placed at the very end so people can take what they want and find a place to eat in the living room, where they've placed extra chairs, and it isn't until they hear the first knock at the door that Reid finally decides he's satisfied with the way everything looks.
Every single person who will be here tonight has been through so much, seen more than one person ever should, but tonight, Reid is just grateful that they're all still here.
Reid still isn't entirely certain why he's here. Very much like his assignment as part of the security team at Mindy's sexual health seminar, he isn't sure how his role as a consultant to the Darrow PD could possibly have led him to being on his way to the city's Humane Society with Russell.
He'd tried putting up a fight, insisting that there were many others cases that needed his more immediate attention (which isn't untrue) than this, a cat-napping, and the only reason he'd ended up leaving the station is because the Chief had implied he considered himself above the case. That's not what Reid wants to get across, not even in the slightest, and the Chief is well aware of that. It'd been an excellent way to achieve checkmate, Reid has to give him that.
When Russell stops the car, though, Reid can't help but let out a heavy sigh. "I can't believe they're sending us to take care of this," he grumbles, pinching the bridge of his nose before unbuckling his seatbelt. "We're not that understaffed, I'm pretty sure anyone else could have taken care of this without any trouble at all." What actually needs his attention is the vampire case. To Reid's dismay, he hasn't gotten any closer in the past months to solving it, and the time they'd spent being terrorized in Silent Darrow, along with the time off he'd taken, had seen him greeted with three new victims when he'd returned.
The problem isn't going to solve itself, that much is obvious; but at this particular moment, Reid supposes he won't be solving it either. No, right now, he's being forced to deal with something that's apparently far more important: cats.
He'd tried putting up a fight, insisting that there were many others cases that needed his more immediate attention (which isn't untrue) than this, a cat-napping, and the only reason he'd ended up leaving the station is because the Chief had implied he considered himself above the case. That's not what Reid wants to get across, not even in the slightest, and the Chief is well aware of that. It'd been an excellent way to achieve checkmate, Reid has to give him that.
When Russell stops the car, though, Reid can't help but let out a heavy sigh. "I can't believe they're sending us to take care of this," he grumbles, pinching the bridge of his nose before unbuckling his seatbelt. "We're not that understaffed, I'm pretty sure anyone else could have taken care of this without any trouble at all." What actually needs his attention is the vampire case. To Reid's dismay, he hasn't gotten any closer in the past months to solving it, and the time they'd spent being terrorized in Silent Darrow, along with the time off he'd taken, had seen him greeted with three new victims when he'd returned.
The problem isn't going to solve itself, that much is obvious; but at this particular moment, Reid supposes he won't be solving it either. No, right now, he's being forced to deal with something that's apparently far more important: cats.
(no subject)
Aug. 9th, 2015 07:46 pmReid supposed he could have chosen a place just slightly farther away from Graymark Books than Petros Park but in all fairness, it's a very nice day outside and it'd seemed like a neutral enough meeting site when he'd suggested it to Hild via text this morning.
If it means it'd given him the chance to stop by to see Luke and take his friend a cup of coffee, so be it. Whether he'd needed to bring along the sandwich from a particular deli Reid had gone out of his way to visit isn't a necessary topic of discussion and anyway, only the customers in the shop who'd seen him and said hello upon recognizing him know that so he doesn't know what he's getting so internally worked up about as he wanders toward Hild at the particular bench near the fountain he'd mentioned with rapidly flushing cheeks.
"Hi," he greets, holding out another coffee cup to her that he plucks from the tray in his other hand--because he's not so completely blinded by the feelings he's not talking about that he hadn't thought to get a beverage for Hild, too, just in case. "It's black coffee, I don't know if you like that. I like tons of sugar in mine, so I brought extra just in case. Have you had coffee yet? I definitely came straight from the cafe and stopped nowhere else."
He frowns at himself, narrowing his eyes before nodding toward the bench and falling into Latin. "I am going to... just sit. And while I do, you should tell me how you are."
If it means it'd given him the chance to stop by to see Luke and take his friend a cup of coffee, so be it. Whether he'd needed to bring along the sandwich from a particular deli Reid had gone out of his way to visit isn't a necessary topic of discussion and anyway, only the customers in the shop who'd seen him and said hello upon recognizing him know that so he doesn't know what he's getting so internally worked up about as he wanders toward Hild at the particular bench near the fountain he'd mentioned with rapidly flushing cheeks.
"Hi," he greets, holding out another coffee cup to her that he plucks from the tray in his other hand--because he's not so completely blinded by the feelings he's not talking about that he hadn't thought to get a beverage for Hild, too, just in case. "It's black coffee, I don't know if you like that. I like tons of sugar in mine, so I brought extra just in case. Have you had coffee yet? I definitely came straight from the cafe and stopped nowhere else."
He frowns at himself, narrowing his eyes before nodding toward the bench and falling into Latin. "I am going to... just sit. And while I do, you should tell me how you are."
It'd happened all too quickly, having barely begun before it was already over, but the incident has left Reid with butterfly stitches at his temple, a bruised cheek, and a headache that hasn't gone away even after taking a hot shower and changing into a shirt that isn't bloodstained. Reid can't blame the man who'd done it; after all, an emotional outburst from Frank Hansen was to be expected when he'd suddenly appeared at the scene of his own wife's death, the sound of his anguished cry echoing between the walls of alley and overpowering the chatter of the crowd behind the crime scene tape.
Clank had tried to stop him, but the strength of a person suffering from a fresh loss is not to be underestimated, and Mr. Hansen had pushed past the tape and Clank and the other officer on duty before reaching Reid. He'd held his hands up in front of him, a calming gesture that never seems to do its job, and had received one punch, then another, then a rough shove into the brick wall to his left for his trouble.
In all honesty, the worst part about this ordeal hadn't even been the forced visit to the hospital. The worst part is that he'd been due at Luke's over an hour ago because it's his friend's birthday, one he'd promised to help celebrate nearly a month ago, and he hadn't wanted to explain via text the reason for why he's late so Reid is sure Luke must be thinking awfully poorly of him right about now.
As soon as he's straightened his tie in the mirror, poked at the tiny bandage strips on his face with a grimace, and patted down his hair for the eight time in the mirror, he rushes out of his apartment while shooting a quick text out to let Luke know he's finally on his way.
He has a wrapped gift in one hand and a cake, an ice cream cake with a wolf in icing on it, a custom request that hadn't gotten him so much as a raised eyebrow, sitting in a bag hanging from the other, and it's well past closing time for the store so Reid goes straight up the stairs and knocks on the door to Luke's apartment. There's a part of him that's worried that Luke has already left his place, already fed up with how late Reid is, but he reminds himself that there's little to no chance of that. They'd made plans and maybe Reid has been called away to a crime scene once or twice already, but Luke keeps agreeing to see him, and they keep having a great time together, all of which contributes to just how much harder Reid has to try to tell himself that he doesn't want to do anything to jeopardize this friendship. Namely, anything that would indicate that what he's been growing to feel for Luke isn't just friendly.
When the door opens, he breathes a silent sigh of relief and smiles, momentarily forgetting what had made him so tardy in the first place. He'd already texted Luke a happy birthday this morning, accompanied by a smiley face that had seemed innocuous enough, but he says it again now as he holds the bag containing the cake up for his friend to see. "Hi. Happy birthday, I'm sorry again that I'm late, I just-- There was this thing that happened at the crime scene, and-- well, obviously, I guess, but anyway... Yeah. Happy birthday."
Clank had tried to stop him, but the strength of a person suffering from a fresh loss is not to be underestimated, and Mr. Hansen had pushed past the tape and Clank and the other officer on duty before reaching Reid. He'd held his hands up in front of him, a calming gesture that never seems to do its job, and had received one punch, then another, then a rough shove into the brick wall to his left for his trouble.
In all honesty, the worst part about this ordeal hadn't even been the forced visit to the hospital. The worst part is that he'd been due at Luke's over an hour ago because it's his friend's birthday, one he'd promised to help celebrate nearly a month ago, and he hadn't wanted to explain via text the reason for why he's late so Reid is sure Luke must be thinking awfully poorly of him right about now.
As soon as he's straightened his tie in the mirror, poked at the tiny bandage strips on his face with a grimace, and patted down his hair for the eight time in the mirror, he rushes out of his apartment while shooting a quick text out to let Luke know he's finally on his way.
He has a wrapped gift in one hand and a cake, an ice cream cake with a wolf in icing on it, a custom request that hadn't gotten him so much as a raised eyebrow, sitting in a bag hanging from the other, and it's well past closing time for the store so Reid goes straight up the stairs and knocks on the door to Luke's apartment. There's a part of him that's worried that Luke has already left his place, already fed up with how late Reid is, but he reminds himself that there's little to no chance of that. They'd made plans and maybe Reid has been called away to a crime scene once or twice already, but Luke keeps agreeing to see him, and they keep having a great time together, all of which contributes to just how much harder Reid has to try to tell himself that he doesn't want to do anything to jeopardize this friendship. Namely, anything that would indicate that what he's been growing to feel for Luke isn't just friendly.
When the door opens, he breathes a silent sigh of relief and smiles, momentarily forgetting what had made him so tardy in the first place. He'd already texted Luke a happy birthday this morning, accompanied by a smiley face that had seemed innocuous enough, but he says it again now as he holds the bag containing the cake up for his friend to see. "Hi. Happy birthday, I'm sorry again that I'm late, I just-- There was this thing that happened at the crime scene, and-- well, obviously, I guess, but anyway... Yeah. Happy birthday."
