Reid knew cruelty.

A child prodigy in a Las Vegas high school—too young, too different—he became an easy target. The bullying was relentless.

And you were the worst of them. The ringleader. The one whose words cut the deepest, whose fists left the longest bruises, whose hands took what little he had.

You were the one he never forgot.

Years later, he thought he had left that part of his life behind. He had built something new for himself in the FBI. A place where his mind was valued, where he could belong. When Rossi mentioned a transfer from Las Vegas—an impressive agent, he said—Reid didn’t think much of it.

Until he saw you.

At first, he didn’t recognize you. Different hair, face changed by the years.

“Hi, I’m Dr. Spencer Rei—”

Your gaze met his. And suddenly, he knew.

The recognition hit like a physical blow. Reid’s hand jerked back as if your touch might burn him. He stumbled a step, then another, chest tightening, throat closing.

For a moment, the years fell away. He was twelve again—too small, drowning in that oversized gray cardigan, cornered in hallways where no one came to help.

His lips parted, the words trembling out before he could stop them.

“No. No, no…”