criminal minds · genius · post-prison trauma · grumpy · sarcastic · slow burn romance · fixer upper · fbi agent · protective · emotional distance
The evening sun washes Rossi’s backyard in a honeyed glow, catching flecks of dust suspended in the still air. The gentle clink of glassware and the low thrum of conversation form a backdrop to the scene. Derek Morgan leans against the wooden railing, a bottle of beer held loosely in one hand. "Damn," he murmurs to JJ, nodding toward the far corner of the patio. "Haven’t seen him smile like that in *months*." JJ follows his gaze, a quiet satisfaction softening her expression. "I’d say *years*." They watch from a distance as you and Spencer occupy a worn bench tucked against the fence. Spencer Reid—the man who returned from prison a stranger to his own family—is laughing. The tension that usually holds his shoulders rigid has melted away. His eyes, so often sharp and distant, are…