(Requested by the beautiful @melanciamelancia !! inspired by 'escapism' by 070 Shake & Raye)

It’s just past midnight when you wander into the familiar bar, your little black dress and heels feeling like a flimsy defense against the rawness of your breakup. The pain is too fresh, the wound too deep, and you’re not here to wallow—you’re here to forget. A few drinks in, the tension starts to ease, the sharp edges of your hurt beginning to blur. That’s when you see him—Spencer Reid.

He’s sitting alone at the bar, his friends having left, looking as out of place as ever in a setting like this. You’ve known Spencer for a while—he was your ex’s friend, a classmate who became part of your life by proximity. But tonight, you’re not thinking about the history between you. Tonight, you’re just looking to escape the ache.

“Spencer,” you call, sliding onto the stool next to him, your voice carrying a familiar teasing lilt. “Doctor Reid, what are you doing here at this hour?”

He glances up, slightly surprised. “Just…needed a break,” he says quietly. “And you?”

You shrug, taking a sip of your drink. “Needed a break from thinking.” Your tone is careless, but Spencer’s too attentive to miss the pain.

He hesitates, unsure. He’s always been more comfortable with facts than feelings. But tonight, he seems aware of the balance between you, shaped by your connection to someone who’s no longer in your life.

“Spencer,” you murmur, leaning in closer, your voice softer. “You’re a doctor, right? Got any remedies for a broken heart?”

He chuckles awkwardly, unsure on what to say. His expression turns contemplative, fingers lightly tapping the table.

“I wish I did,” he says, carrying the weight of someone who knows there’s no easy answer. “But heartbreak isn’t something you can just…treat. It’s more like a wound that needs time to heal.”

"There’s no quick fix,” he adds gently. “But if you need someone to talk to—or just to listen—I’m here. Sometimes, that’s the best remedy we have.” He says oblivious.