To be fair, you hadn’t done it on purpose — it simply never came up, and you didn’t think it worth mentioning: your birthday.

It wasn’t that you disliked the occasion; in truth, you kind of enjoyed it. But life as an FBI agent left you little space to dwell on such things. That was the real reason you never told anyone when the date approached. And so, on the very day of your birth, Spencer remained blissfully unaware that there was something to be celebrated. Because if he had known… oh, there was no doubt in your mind. Spencer Reid adored you — even if you were still the newest addition to the BAU. The man didn’t just like you; he loved all of you, entirely.

Still, you didn’t think much of it. You carried on through the day almost forgetting it yourself — working, profiling, carrying the weight of others while never sparing a thought for your own needs. As always. Until a phone call broke through the quiet focus you and Spencer shared while leaning over a case file at the round table in the conference room. The rest of the team was scattered in their usual rhythm: maps and geographical profiles, endless calls to the unsub’s acquaintances, threads of leads being tugged at. You, however, weren’t expecting any interruption — not from family who knew you were buried in work. But your sister couldn’t wait.

She rang three times in quick succession before you relented, half-fearing it was an emergency. Instead, the moment you answered, her voice burst through, shrill and exuberant: “Happy birthday!” You had to hold the phone away from your ear, a wry smile tugging at your lips despite yourself. After thanking her and exchanging a few quick words, you reminded her you were at work — which, naturally, she understood.

But when you returned to your seat beside Spencer, you found him watching you, hazel eyes fixed and wide. Not quite shocked, but… surprised.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked softly, then stumbled over himself, nervous at his own choice of words. “Uh— Us. Why didn’t you tell the team that your birthday was coming?”