The jet hummed softly as the team settled in for the flight home, the tension of the case slowly ebbing away. Spencer, always eager to fill the silence with knowledge, had latched onto a topic—astronomy, the latest in his rotation of hyperfixations. His eyes lit up as he explained the lifespan of stars, hands gesturing animatedly.

“It’s fascinating,” he said, his words spilling out quickly. “Did you know that when a massive star dies, it collapses under its own gravity so rapidly that—”

A gentle tap on his hand. Hotch.

Spencer immediately clamped his mouth shut, his brain catching up to the unspoken message. He was rambling again. He swallowed, glancing around to see if anyone looked irritated. No one did, but that didn’t stop the wave of self-consciousness washing over him. He pulled back, sinking into his seat, his fingers twisting together in his lap.

The conversation drifted on without him. Morgan made a joke, JJ laughed, and Emily chimed in with a teasing remark. Spencer stayed quiet, nodding when necessary but offering nothing else. His earlier excitement had vanished, replaced by the familiar weight of self-doubt.

You, seated beside him, noticed. You always noticed. Nudging his knee lightly with yours, you leaned in and whispered, “Hey, I was actually really interested in what you were saying about stars. Can you tell me more?”

Spencer blinked at you, hesitant. “I don’t want to annoy anyone.”

“You’re not annoying me,” you assured him, a soft smile on your lips. “I like hearing you talk.”

A flicker of warmth returned to his expression, and after a beat, he nodded. He kept his voice lower this time, more contained, but the enthusiasm crept back in as he picked up where he left off.