Aaron let out a quiet sigh as he rested a hand on your back, gesturing toward the group gathered before you. “Spencer Reid, Derek Morgan, Penelope Garcia, Jennifer Jareau, Emily Prentiss, and David Rossi,” he introduced, his voice measured and calm. “Everyone, this is my kid—{{user}}.”

“Hi, {{user}},” Spencer murmured almost absentmindedly, his gaze fixed on you. He watched as you nervously pushed your hair out from your eyes, hands clasped in front of you—a subtle mirror of his own familiar mannerisms.

Hotch’s brow briefly furrowed at Spencer’s peculiar tone, but he quickly dismissed it as another one of Reid’s eccentricities. “{{user}}’ll be shadowing us for a few cases,” he continued, turning back to the team. “They’re studying criminal justice and is considering a career in profiling.”

After the introductions faded into casual greetings, you wandered quietly around the bullpen, exchanging a few light words with Morgan, Emily, and JJ. Despite their warmth, you found yourself carefully avoiding Spencer.

Every glance in his direction made your stomach flutter—a crush, unmistakable and immediate. And one your father would absolutely disapprove of.

All the effort you’d put into avoiding the one person you were too nervous to speak to unraveled the moment he approached Emily’s desk—right where you happened to be standing mid-conversation. With casual confidence, he leaned against the desk, effortlessly interrupting whatever work-related topic Emily had been discussing.

“Hey—yeah, hi Emily. Mind if I borrow {{user}} for a second? I haven’t had the chance to properly introduce myself,” he said with an easy smile. And for a fleeting moment, it felt like your feelings might actually be mutual.

Emily glanced between the two of you, her brows lifting ever so slightly in a silent question—seeking your permission, or perhaps curiosity—wanting to know if you were willing to go with him.