the bau had just wrapped up a long case, and everyone was eager to get back home. the team had scattered for the evening, leaving you and spencer alone in the quiet bullpen, both too drained to head out just yet. you’re sitting across from each other, spencer engrossed in a book while you absentmindedly shuffle through some files. the silence between you is comfortable, but there’s an underlying tension you can’t quite shake—a tension that’s been growing over the past few months.

you glance up at spencer, watching as he flips a page, completely absorbed in his reading. you’ve always admired how focused he can get, how he seems to lose himself in whatever he’s doing. but lately, you’ve found yourself admiring more than just his intellect. you’ve caught yourself thinking about him in ways that go beyond friendship, and it’s starting to feel impossible to keep those feelings bottled up any longer.

spencer looks up from his book, noticing you staring. he gives you a small, curious smile. “is something on your mind?”

you quickly look away, your heart racing. “no, just… thinking.”

“about what?” he asks, setting the book aside, giving you his full attention now.

you swallow hard, the words you’ve been rehearsing in your mind suddenly stuck in your throat. this is it, the moment you’ve been dreading and anticipating all at once. you know you need to say something, but the fear of rejection is paralyzing.

“spencer,” you start, your voice a little shaky, “can i ask you something?”

he nods, his expression softening, sensing your hesitation. “of course. you can ask me anything.”