Is This Love?
A/N: I was listening to James Arthur as I was doing homework and I had his discography and when this song came on I instantly thought of a Spencer x Reader concept. I’m so excited to write this. I’ve been busy with writing requests but I went through them already. I’ll put all the songs I mentioned with their artists in the end!
Description: When the reader lets it slip that she’s apart of a band and she has a gig after work. When the team begs her to let them come she caves in and gives them VIP passes. At the end of the night, she and her band sing a song that she wrote that she never dreamed the team would hear.
Character Appearances: Derek Morgan, Penelope Garcia, Spencer Reid, Aaron Hotchner (mentioned), David Rossi, Jennifer “JJ” Jareau, Emily Prentiss
Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds or any of the songs mentioned here! All rights go to their respected writers!
(Y/N) - Your Name
(Y/L/N) - Your Last Name
Word Count: 1,746
Posted: October 9th, 2019
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"Hey, Princess, the rest of the gang is going out for drinks. Are you in?" Derek asked as he sat on your desk.
You groaned, "I wish I could, but I have a gig."
You hadn't even realized what you said before the rest of the team sat around your desk, "Hold on. Gig? Is our Princess in a band?" Derek said with a smirk.
Your eyes widened, "Uhhh... no?"
"Oh my god! (Y/N)! Why didn't you tell us?" You heard Penelope scream.
You shrugged, "I didn't think it was that important."
"Are you kidding? (Y/N), we have to see you in action." JJ said smiling.
You thought about it for a minute, you couldn't say no to your family, "Fine," you pulled out seven passes from your purse, "Show these at the door, and they'll let you in right away."
"Yes!" Emily said as she fist-pumped Derek.
"Hey, guys? Are we going to O'keefe's now?" Spencer said as he emerged from the bathroom.
"Change of plans, kid. We're going to see (Y/N)'s band," Rossi said.
"Oh, oka- Wait. You're in a band?" Spencer asked you.
You nodded, "Yup!"
"Since when?"
"C'mon Pretty Boy, we'll catch you up on the way," Derek said, dragging you and Spencer out of the bullpen.
---
"Oh my god. Who knew that her band was THIS popular," Emily exclaimed.
"That's our girl," Rossi said. The team smiled, ever since you had joined the BAU, Rossi had been like your surrogate father.
The venue you were playing was filled to the brim, Spencer and the team were in the VIP section which was right in front of the stage.
"I'm excited," Spencer said. He had never seen you in your element. He had seen you on the field and off but never in your true setting.
"You and me both, 187," Penelope said. The team nodded in agreement.
---
You were backstage and you were nervous. You had never been this nervous for a gig.
"Hey, (Y/N). Are you alright?" Your bandmate Michael asked.
"Yeah Mike, I'm fine. My team is out there and they're like my family. I just don't want to screw this up."
"Screw what up?" Your other bandmate Nina asked
You rolled your eyes, "We're playing 'Is This Love?' tonight. The person I wrote the song about is right up front and center."
"Oh my god. The mysterious Dr. Reid is here? Finally!" Your bassist, Matty said.
"Shut up." You said as you grabbed your mic, preparing to go on stage.
You heard the screams of excitement coming from the audience as the lights went down, "That's our cue."
You walked onto the stage, "D.C, are we ready?"
---
The team was in awe of you, your band, and your voice. It was one of the very few times that the entire team was speechless. You had just finished singing Sermon and your voice was tired. As Matty was talking to the audience you were internally preparing yourself for the next song. You knew that you would be vulnerable but you had to sing it, it definitely the most popular amongst your fans and you couldn't let them down.
"I want to turn your attention to the beautiful and very talented, (Y/N)."
You gave the audience a bright smile as they shouted your name. You spotted your team in the crowd immediately and you laughed at Spencer as he gave you a thumbs up.
"Every show we play is special, but playing a show in my city is incredible. This show is especially near and dear to my heart because my family is here," you laughed as you hear a loud scream from Penelope, "Anyways, this next song has to be one of my favorites. I wrote it for a special someone," you gave a dramatic pause to keep the audience on edge, but when you locked eyes with Spencer, you were speechless. You cleared your throat and continued, "this song is about all of your emotions coming to the front line, it's about being vulnerable and being able to feel. I hope you enjoy."
The crowd cheered as you signaled to the band to start playing.
I must've walked these streets about a million times
I thought I knew them well but maybe I was blind
'Cause everything's brand new
You remembered the first time you realized you were in love with Spencer. You were both walking home from work and you almost tripped but he caught you. You had walked this way together countless times and you had never stumbled, "I got you," he whispered, and right there, everything changed.
Thought I knew my heartbeat but it was out of time
It's like my lungs are opening for the first time
Ever since I met you
And I'm on my way now
Whenever you saw Spencer, it was a breath of fresh air. You had known him for 5 years and loved him for 3.
Is this love, really love?
Is this love, really love?
Ohhh ohhh
As soon as you sang those words, the message clicked. The team looked at you and then back at Spencer in shock. They couldn't believe it. Their Princess was in love with Pretty Boy. Spencer, on the other hand, was speechless. He never imagined that you would be singing a song about him on a stage with a venue full of people.
I swear that I was heading down a darker road
You got through my guard when I was in safety mode
Darling, you're such a view
Spencer was the only one you opened up to after cases, you let him in. Every time you looked at each other it was like you shared something new.
You're burning down my walls like the Miami sun
You're the one to blame, you hold a smoking gun
So take your aim and shoot
And I'm on my way now
Spencer broke the barrier between you and the team. He helped you become part of the family. You just wished that he felt the same way about you.
Is this love? Really love?
Is this love? Really love?
I need to know, need to know
'Cause I've never been this close
Is this love, is this love?
Really love, really love?
You remember telling your band about Spencer. You were drunk and you said those exact words. You had written the song in 10 minutes and when you showed it to the band, they loved it.
So all these demons I'm letting go
'Cause I can see what is beautiful
It finally feels like I'm coming home
Whenever you saw Spencer and the team you knew it was home. You let go of the horror you saw every day when you were with them.
You sang the chorus and the bridge again and then the song was over. You looked over to the team and you saw beaming smiles all around. When you made eye contact with Spencer you could tell he was in shock. You giggled into the mic and continued with your setlist.
---
You ended the night with 'Train Wreck' which always took a lot out of you. The team was mingling with your band which made you really happy. You heard a knock at the dressing room door, "Come in!" you shouted.
You saw Spencer through the mirror and you stiffened.
"Hey, Spence," You said quietly.
"Hey," He replied.
"Look, Spence, I'm really sorry. I know you came to have a good time and I just dropped a major bomb on you. I'm so sorry," you said in a hurried voice.
"(Y/N), I had a great time. Seeing you in your element was amazing. You're incredible."
You blushed, "Thanks, Spence."
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Of course," you said. Your palms began to sweat, you knew what was coming.
"Was that song, the one you gave a speech about, was that for me?"
You nodded sheepishly, "Yes."
"How long have you known?"
"3 years ago. When I tripped walking home and you caught me." You were looking down at your feet, you were scared to reach his eyes.
"(Y/N), look at me," you looked at him and he grabbed your hand, " I've loved you for 4 years."
Your eyes widened in shock, "You have?"
"Yes. (Y/N), I am completely and utterly in love with you," he grabbed the side of your face gently, "tell me if you want me to stop."
He leaned in slowly and captured your lips with his. You leaned into the kiss and your lips fell in sync with his. The only thing that mattered to you was Spencer. You wrapped your hands around his neck as he wrapped his arms around your waist, pulling you closer.
You heard a loud whistle and you broke apart. You looked back at your team and the band.
"Finally! The sexual tension was unbearable," Rossi said.
"Nice job, Pretty Boy," Derek said clapping Spencer on the back.
“Garcia! Did you take a video?” Spencer said pointedly at Penelope.
“It’s for Hotch, he asked me too!”
---
Your band had left already so you were alone with Spencer and the team. Before you all went your separate ways, JJ, Emily, and Penelope pulled you away.
"At the next girls night, you HAVE to tell us what happens after we leave," JJ said, sending you a suggestive look.
"Oh my god, yes! I've always wondered what Reid was like in bed," Emily said.
Garcia let out a shriek, "Have fun, (Y/N)"
You rolled your eyes, "I'll never hear the end of this, will I?"
"Nope! You wrote a song about him and performed it with a secret band we didn't know about until today. I don't expect this to die down anytime soon," JJ said.
You shrugged, "It got me to where we are now so I can't be too mad. I'll see you ladies tomorrow!"
You said your goodbye's and then you were alone with Spencer, he grabbed your hand.
"What do we do now?" You asked looking up at him.
"Well..." he had a mischevious look in his eye, "I have an idea."
You gasped, "Spencer Reid! Are you asking me to sleep with you?"
He laughed, "In my professional opinion, I believe it's long overdue."
"In that case, I completely agree."
Other people on the street smiled as they watched the young couple chase each other home.
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Songs
Sermon by James Arthur
Train Wreck by James Arthur
Is This Love? by James Arthur
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