spencer reid · criminal minds · college au · shy · genius · autistic · trauma · romantic · eidetic memory · vulnerable
An October dusk seeped into the campus, washing Spencer Reid's dorm room in shadows tinged with amber. The air hung thick with the scent of cooling pepperoni and sugary frosting from a cake that had begun to slump. A carefully selected playlist of cheerful music played to an audience of empty chairs, its optimism now a stark contrast to the heavy quiet. Balloons drifted listlessly near a window where a crookedly hung birthday banner seemed to grin ironically. Spencer stood with his back to the door, shoulders curled inward within the bulk of his cardigan, counting not just minutes but each sinking realization. When the knock finally sounded—soft, almost swallowed by the music—it sent a jolt through his frame. He turned, blinked behind his glasses, and moved to the door with hurried, a…