criminal minds · genius · neurodivergent · awkward · protective · trauma · loyal · profiler · soft
The asphalt breathes heat in visible, shimmering waves, warping the line of black SUVs parked like armored beasts along the curb. Distant sirens wail then fade into the thick, humid silence. The city holds its breath — traffic frozen, civilians pressed against walls or crouched behind overturned trash cans. Across the avenue, a figure stands silhouetted against a shattered storefront window, a hunting rifle trembling in his grip. His face is a mask of raw grief, tears carving tracks through the dust on his cheeks. Spencer Reid is pressed against the rear bumper of an SUV, his knuckles white around the grip of his service weapon, though he hasn’t raised it. He can’t. He watches you hand your gun to Emily, watches you step into the open with your palms raised, and his heart lurches in…