07 - staying the night







Lilith Brooks had just settled onto her couch, ready to unwind with a book after a long day at work when her phone buzzed, indicating an incoming call. Seeing Spencer Reid's name flashing on the screen, she couldn't help the thrill that surged through her veins.

"Hey, Spence," she answered, her voice filled with anticipation. "How was the case? Are you okay?"

Spencer's voice, tinged with a hint of exhaustion, came through the line. "The case was intense, but we managed to catch the guy. I'm alright, just a bit drained, this case was a lot."

Concern washed over Lilith, and she replied, "I'm glad to hear you're okay physically. Is there anything I can do to make things better mentally?"

Once again Lilith Brooks showed Spencer Reid exactly why he liked the girl. She seemed to know exactly what to say to make him feel better, even though the pair had only met a short time ago.

A moment of silence passed before Spencer spoke again.

"Do you want to come over?" He asked in a quiet voice, "Maybe watch a movie or something?"

A smile crept onto Lilith's face as soon as he asks. "When should I be there for? You'll text me your address?"

"Whenever you're ready," he replied earnestly. "I'm already home."

Lilith grabbed her keys, unable to contain her excitement. "I'll be there in twenty. Get ready for some good 'ol comfort movies Spence."

"I can't wait Lil, see you soon". Both hung up with smiles stuck to their faces.

Twenty minutes later, Lilith stood outside Spencer's door, a small bundle of nerves and excitement bubbling inside her. She knocked, and moments later, the door swung open, revealing a slightly disheveled but undeniably endearing Spencer Reid.

"Hi!" he greeted her warmly.

"Hi!" Lilith greeted back, "You gonna let me in? Give me the tour?"

"Right, right. Sorry. Come in!" He said, his cheeks deepening in colour.

As Lilith stepped into his apartment, she felt an instant sense of comfort and familiarity. The room was adorned with bookshelves filled to the brim, and a cozy setup with plush cushions and blankets awaited them in front of the television.

Lilith couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement as Spencer walked over the the TV screen, popping a DVD into the player as he told Lilith to make herself at home.

"So, what movie did you choose for us, Spencer?"

He grinned mischievously. "I thought we could go for something nostalgic and heartwarming tonight. How about we watch Up, I've never seen it and you mentioned it being a favourite of yours on the plane?"

Lilith's eyes lit up with delight. "Oh, I love Up, I can't believe you remembered! It's such a beautiful movie. I can't wait to watch it with you."

"Eidetic memory helps in cases like this" Spencer laughed before settling into the couch beside the girl.

They snuggled deeper into the cushions, completely absorbed in the story unfolding on the screen. As the tale of Carl and Ellie's heartfelt adventure unfolded, laughter and tears filled the room. Lilith found herself stealing glances at Spencer, captivated by the emotions flickering across his face.

When the movie reached its bittersweet conclusion, the credits rolling silently, Lilith turned to Spencer with a wistful smile. "That movie always gets me, no matter how many times I watch it. It's a reminder of the importance of seizing the moments that truly matter."

Spencer nodded in agreement, his voice filled with tenderness. "It's a beautiful reminder to cherish the connections we make."

"Do you want to stay the night?" Spencer asked, "You can take the bed and I'll stay out here on the couch. I just couldn't in good conscience send you home when its so late and you're obviously tired".

Lilith nodded, before yawning, "Do you have an extra toothbrush anywhere?", thanking Spencer before going into the bathroom to brush her teeth when pointed in the right direction.

When she emerged from the bathroom she saw Spencer putting some blankets on the couch.

"Wait, I didn't think you were serious. Lets just sleep in the bed together, it's no problem." The young Doctor said to Spencer.

"Are you sure?" He answered, when he was met with a nod he started following her into the bedroom, rummaging though his drawer for a moment before handing her a pair of boxers and a t shirt to sleep in.

Lilith didn't take long to change before crawling into bed beside Spencer, who had also just changed and brushed his teeth.

She looked up at the boy who she had become so enamored with over the last week before seizing all the courage she had and placing a soft kiss on his lips.

"It's safer than shaking hands" she said with a small smirk, which made Spencer laugh.

"It sure is" he echoed before leaning down and kissing her back.

The two weren't in bed long before exhaustion finally caught up with them, Lilith nestled her head against Spencer's shoulder, and he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.

In that serene moment, as dreams took them into a world of their own, they found solace in the warmth of each other's presence. The night may have been unplanned, but it unfolded into a something both treasured.











***














The soft morning light streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the couple tangled in the sheets. Lilith smiled as she felt Spencer's body against her back, his gentle breaths creating a soothing rhythm. It was moments like these that made her heart flutter with contentment.

Not wanting to leave the peacefulness around her in that moment she snuggled closer back into Spencer, who reacted by tightening his grip on her waist.

She traced her fingers lightly along his forearm, reveling in the softness of his skin. Spencer stirred slightly, his eyelashes fluttering against his cheeks. As he slowly awoke, a sleepy smile spread across his face.

"Good morning," he murmured, his voice husky with sleep. Lilith couldn't help but melt at the sound, her heart skipping a beat. She turned in his arms, facing him, and brushed a lock of unruly hair from his forehead.

"Good morning, Spence," she replied, her voice filled with warmth. She leaned in and pressed a tender kiss to his lips, savoring the softness of the moment.

They remained entwined in each other's embrace, exchanging soft smiles and affectionate touches until Spencer suggested they get out of bed for some coffee.

The pair both brushed their teeth before making their way into the kitchen, Spencer wrapping his arms around Lilith's waist as she put the kettle on.

The girl wiggled around in his grip, looking up at him as he cast his gaze downwards.

"Is it okay if I kiss you?" He whispered at the pair continued to gaze at each other.

Lilith felt a warmth spread through her entire being at Spencer's request. Her voice was barely above a whisper when she replied, "I would love nothing more."

With a soft smile, Spencer leaned in, capturing her lips in a gentle yet passionate kiss, moving his hand up to cup her cheek and Lilith reached up to tangle her hands in his hair.

It felt like a delicate dance, their bodies and hearts moving in perfect sync. Time seemed to stand still, the world faded away, leaving only the sweet taste of each other's lips and the gentle rhythm of their breaths.

Spencer kissed like no one she had ever kissed before, it was like he was conveying all the feelings he had in one passionate kiss. He was quick to lift her up onto the counter behind them, making the height difference much less apparent.

When they finally pulled apart, their eyes connected again, their foreheads touching. The air between them crackled with an electric intensity.

"I've wanted to do that since I first met you," Spencer confessed, his voice filled with vulnerability. "Being with you feels like home."

Lilith's heart fluttered at his words, her appreciation for him growing exponentially with each passing moment. She brushed her fingers against his cheek, savoring the warmth of his skin beneath her touch.

"Me too Spence... Me too," she whispered, her voice laced with tenderness.

They stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, cherishing the newfound intimacy they had discovered. The world around them faded into insignificance as they reconnected their lips.

But reality soon intruded as a phone on the counter rang, its shrill sound piercing the tranquility of the moment. They reluctantly separated, both upset at the interruption.

"Fuck" Spencer breathed out, "Stupid fucking work".

Lilith's brows furrowed as she reluctantly untangled herself from Spencer's embrace, realizing it was her phone ringing. Although Spencer let out a sigh of relief about not being called in.

"Hello?" Lilith spoke into the phone as she answered the unknown number, "Lilith speaking."

"Lilith it's Jacob".

Her eyes darted to meet Spencer's questioning gaze as she spoke, "How the fuck did you get this number".

This caused Spencer to widen his eyes in concern, he knew Lilith could handle herself but it was in the nature of his job to make him suspicious of tones like that.

He grew even more concerned when he saw Lilith's grip on her phone tighten, a mix of anger and apprehension clear on her face.

To Lilith, the sound of her brother's voice brought back a flood of memories, both good and bad, that she had long tried to bury.

"I thought I made it clear that I wanted nothing to do with you," Lilith replied, her voice laced with a hint of bitterness. She could feel Spencer's gaze intensify, his concern radiating off him in waves.

Jacob's chuckle on the other end sent a shiver down her spine, a chilling reminder of the unsettling aura he always seemed to carry. "Oh, Lilith, you can't just abandon family, can you? I thought maybe it was time for us to catch up."

Lilith's free hand clenched into a fist, her knuckles turning white. She took a deep breath, steadying herself before responding. "Jacob, we both know our history. It's not something I'm willing to revisit."

Spencer instinctively moved closer, his presence a comforting anchor amidst the storm of emotions swirling around Lilith. He placed a hand on her shoulder, offering silent support.

Jacob's voice took on a mocking tone. "Still holding onto the past, Lilith? You know, I've changed. Maybe it's time you give me a chance."

A wave of unease washed over Lilith, her instincts screaming at her to maintain her distance from the boy on the phone. She glanced at Spencer, her eyes silently pleading for him to just stay.

Spencer's protective instincts kicked into high gear, his grip on her shoulder tightening. His voice held a firmness that matched the determination in his eyes. "Lilith, you don't have to entertain this. If he's making you uncomfortable, hang up. You don't owe him anything."

Lilith took a moment to steady herself, drawing strength from Spencer's unwavering support. She nodded silently, grateful for his presence and guidance.

"Jacob, I'm sorry, but this conversation ends here," Lilith declared, her voice firm and resolute. "Please don't contact me again."

Without waiting for a response, she hung up the phone, her hand trembling slightly. Turning to face Spencer, tears welled up in her eyes, a mix of relief and lingering fear.

Spencer pulled her into a tight embrace, his arms enveloping her in a sense of safety. "I'm here for you always," he whispered, his voice filled with sincerity.

He left the young doctor cry into his shoulder for a few moments until her breathing steadied somewhat, "Do you want to talk about it."

Lilith continued to cling to him, finding solace in his presence. She wanted to tell Spencer, she just didn't know if it was too much too soon.

"It was my brother, me and my sister have a very rough past with him after our parents died and he got kicked out of my grandmas. Would you be upset if I said I didn't want to get into details? I just don't think I'm ready to get into all my past traumas yet".

Spencer held Lilith a little tighter, understanding the weight of her words. He knew firsthand the complexities of opening up about painful past experiences, and he respected her need for time and space.

"Of course, Lilith," he replied softly, his voice filled with empathy. "I want you to feel comfortable sharing with me whenever you're ready. I'll be here to listen, no matter what."

Lilith let out a sigh of relief, grateful for Spencer's understanding. She pulled away slightly, looking into his eyes, her own filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Spence. Your support means everything to me."

He brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear, his touch gentle and reassuring. "I care about you deeply, Lil. Whenever you're ready, I'll be here to listen and support you through anything."

A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she met his gaze. "I know. And I appreciate that more than you'll ever know."

Their embrace lingered for a moment longer, the silence between them filled with understanding and unspoken promises. Then, Spencer gently pulled away, his hand tenderly brushing a stray strand of hair from Lilith's face.

"In the spirit of openness and trust, there's something I'd like to share with you," he said, his voice steady. "It's about my past struggles with substance abuse."

Lilith's eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and concern washing over her. She reached out to hold his hand, her touch offering reassurance.

"I had a dependency on dilaudid," Spencer continued, his gaze fixed on their entwined fingers. "It happened when I got kidnapped on a case and the unsub we were looking for had a split personality, one of whom started injecting me with it."

Lilith's heart ached for the pain he must have endured, and yet, she admired his strength in confronting and overcoming his addiction. She squeezed his hand gently, silently encouraging him to share more if he felt comfortable.

"It was a dark time for me," Spencer confessed, his voice tinged with vulnerability. "But I managed to get through it. Sometimes it's hard and I want to relapse but  I'm committed to staying on the path of recovery."

Tears welled up in Lilith's eyes, not out of sadness but out of admiration for the resilience he had shown. She admired his ability to confront his demons head-on, and it only deepened her affection for him.

"Spence," she whispered, her voice filled with tenderness, "thank you for sharing this with me. I want you to know that I'm here for you, just as you're here for me. Together, we'll face any challenges that come our way."

A mixture of relief and gratitude washed over Spencer's face as he leaned in, placing a gentle kiss on Lilith's forehead. In that moment, they forged a deeper bond, rooted in vulnerability and a shared commitment to healing and growth.

As they held each other, they found solace in the knowledge that their past struggles did not define them. Together, they would navigate the complexities of their individual journeys, offering unwavering support and love along the way.





















































***

Comment