#alexstalkers

[alexstalkers]

Home With You

spencer reid x fem reader post-case recovery • quiet intimacy • comfort in the chaos • soft angst • domestic tenderness • bath scene

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You paced the living room, glancing at the clock every few minutes. Spencer was due home any moment now.

It had been a grueling week for him—you could only imagine the toll this last case had taken on his mind. The case of the kidnapped boy had been especially harrowing. But Spencer, true to form, had been instrumental in bringing the child home safely.

Still, you knew how these cases clung to him. The images, the fear, the helplessness. They stayed with him long after the case closed.

So you’d done what you could.

The dining table was set for two, soft candlelight flickering gently. The smell of dinner—the meal you knew he loved most—wafted through the apartment, warm and inviting. Mozart played softly in the background, each delicate note chosen intentionally to ease his restless mind.

Even the bathroom was ready. You’d drawn a bath and added lavender oil to the water, hoping the scent would soothe what the job had left behind.

You wanted tonight to be more than just relaxing. You wanted it to be grounding. A reminder that he could let go here. That with you, he didn’t have to be Dr. Spencer Reid, the genius profiler, always carrying the weight of everyone else’s trauma.

He could just be Spencer—the man you loved.

You were smoothing out a wrinkle in the tablecloth when you heard it: the soft jingle of keys, the familiar click of the lock.

Your heart lifted as the door swung open.

There he was—shoulders slightly slumped, brown curls messy, eyes ringed with exhaustion. But still him. Still the man who always took your breath away.

His gaze met yours, and something in his expression shifted. Softened.

He dropped his go-bag by the door just as you rushed into him, your arms wrapping tightly around his torso.

“Welcome home, Spence,” you whispered into the crook of his neck. You felt the subtle tremble as he held you a little tighter.

“God, I missed you,” he murmured, voice low and rough with fatigue. He pressed a kiss to the side of your head before pulling back just enough to look at you. “It’s so good to be home.”

You reached up to cup his face, brushing your thumb over the stubble lining his jaw.

“I missed you too,” you said. “You hungry?”

His eyes flicked past you to the table, and the corners of his mouth lifted in a tired but genuine smile. “Did you do all this… for me?”

“Of course I did,” you said, lacing your fingers through his. “I know how hard this week’s been. I just wanted to take care of you tonight.”

Dinner was quiet, but intimate. Conversation came gently, slow and soft between bites. Every now and then, your eyes would meet, and you’d share a look that said everything without words.

You noticed how his posture eased with each passing minute. How the tension seemed to melt away with every forkful of food, every sip of wine, every safe, still second.

Eventually, he opened up about the case—not in detail, but enough. Enough to let you in. He told you how afraid he’d been. How the weight of the boy’s life had sat on his shoulders like stone. How the fear of failing him had gnawed at his gut for days.

You didn’t try to fix it. You didn’t interrupt. You simply reached across the table and took his hand, threading your fingers with his.

Letting him know he didn’t have to carry any of it alone.

After dinner, you rose and gently tugged at his hand. “Come with me,” you whispered.

He followed without question, though his steps slowed when he saw the bathroom—the soft light, the steam curling in the air, the tub already filled.

His voice was quiet, almost reverent. “You really thought of everything.”

“Always,” you smiled, stepping toward him. You started unbuttoning your shirt. “Come on, Spence. You need this.”

He let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding and nodded, slowly undressing beside you. One by one, each layer of the day peeled off his skin, until it was just the two of you—raw, quiet, present.

You slipped into the water first, the heat curling around you like a blanket. He followed, sliding in behind you. You nestled between his legs, your back to his chest, and his arms wrapped around you instinctively.

For a while, neither of you said a word.

Mozart still drifted softly from the living room. You traced slow circles on his forearm, feeling his breath rise and fall against your back. The warmth of the water, the scent of lavender, the steady beat of his heart—it was enough.

Eventually, his voice broke through the quiet.

“I don’t know what I’d do without you,” he whispered, lips brushing your shoulder.

“You’ll never have to find out,” you murmured, turning slightly to meet his gaze. “I’m always here, Spence. No matter how heavy it gets.”

His hold on you tightened, grounding himself in your presence like a man finding shore after a storm.

“I love you,” he breathed. No performance. Just truth.

You turned fully, your hand on his cheek, and kissed him—soft, slow, honest.

“I love you too,” you said against his lips. “And when the world feels like too much… you’ve always got a place to come back to.”

And as the water curled around you both, the weight of the week began to lift.

The fear, the guilt, the long hours and silent doubts—they wouldn’t vanish completely. But they didn’t have to.

Because he was home.

And home wasn’t a place. It was you.

(i don’t own any of these characters except the ones that i create i.e. y/n or reader. please don’t take my work. disclaimer: this is just for now until I start getting into the groove of how to work things on here and also get more comfortable writing about other characters and fandoms and when people start to send in requests and asks😊😊💜💜)

[alexstalkers]

Drunk In Love

spencer reid x fem reader drunk spencer • soft pda • bar banter • science rambling and whipped husband energy w/fluff • domestic comfort • love-drunk genius

——————

The bar buzzed with life—a mix of laughter, clinking glasses, and the low hum of music filling the air. It had been a while since you and Spencer had a proper night out, and tonight, Derek and Savannah had insisted you join them for a little fun. The four of you had claimed a high table near the back, slightly removed from the crowd but still close enough to feel the pulse of the room.

Spencer was on his second drink—well past his usual limit—and the alcohol was starting to show. His face was flushed, his usually neat curls slightly tousled, and his fingers were trailing lazy circles along your waist where his arm had been draped for most of the evening.

You weren’t used to this version of your husband. Spencer was affectionate in private, sure—but in public, especially around your friends, he was more reserved. But tonight? Tonight he couldn’t seem to keep his hands off you.

“Whoa, Reid,” Derek teased, raising an eyebrow as Spencer pulled you closer against his side. “Didn’t know you had it in you. What’s with all the PDA?”

Spencer, with the kind of sincerity only he could manage, met Derek’s gaze without an ounce of embarrassment.

“Actually, public displays of affection can be very beneficial for a relationship. Studies show that couples who engage in PDA tend to have higher levels of oxytocin, which strengthens the bond between partners. It’s a way of reaffirming our connection in a social context.”

Derek laughed, shaking his head. “Only you, Pretty Boy. Only you would turn PDA into a science lesson.”

Unbothered by the teasing, Spencer kept going, his voice lifting with that familiar excitement that made your heart swell.

“Did you know that alcohol can lower inhibitions by affecting the prefrontal cortex? It’s responsible for decision-making and social behavior, which is why people tend to be more outgoing when they drink. It’s fascinating how—”

You couldn’t help but smile, your eyes fixed on him as he rambled. God, you loved him like this. Passionate, brilliant, and completely unfiltered. His touch was warm against your back, grounding and soft. You leaned into it, letting yourself savor every moment.

Meanwhile, Derek and Savannah had slipped into their own conversation, leaving you and Spencer in your own little world. He just kept going—jumping from the effects of alcohol on the brain to the evolutionary basis of human touch, and you? You didn’t even care what he was saying. You just loved the sound of his voice. The way his eyes lit up. The way his words always came back to love, somehow—even when they were disguised as data points.

“I love you,” you said softly, cutting off whatever tangent he had started about dopamine receptors.

Spencer froze for just a second before turning those warm, honey-brown eyes on you, his expression melting into something so tender it made your heart ache.

“I love you too, baby,” he said, brushing a kiss to your forehead without missing a beat.

And then—because of course he did—he dove right back into the next thought.

“You know, the release of dopamine when you’re in love is similar to the brain’s response to addictive substances. That might explain why I can’t seem to stop touching you tonight…”

You laughed softly, tilting your face up to his.

“I’m not complaining.”

His smile widened, and he leaned in to kiss you again—slow, warm, and sweet. The kind of kiss that says I know you. I adore you. I’m yours.

The night drifted on, Spencer’s arm never leaving your waist. His kisses didn’t slow, his facts didn’t stop, and you never once stopped smiling. He was drunk—on whiskey, sure—but mostly, he was drunk on you. And you were perfectly happy to let him be.

(i don’t own any of these characters except the ones that i create i.e. y/n or reader. please don’t take my work. disclaimer: this is just for now until I start getting into the groove of how to work things on here and also get more comfortable writing about other characters and fandoms and when people start to send in requests and asks😊😊💜💜)

[alexstalkers]

Locked In

protective!reid x fem reader mall lockdown and abduction • you’re trapped • he’s working the case and something goes wrong • angst, hurt/comfort • emotional reunion

——————

The mall buzzed with life, the familiar hum of chatter and the soft notes of background music blending together as you strolled through the maze of stores. It was supposed to be a relaxing day—a rare break from the exhausting hours you poured into the hospital. Shopping bags hung from your wrists, your mind drifting between dinner plans and whether Spencer would be home early for once.

You had just stopped to admire a dress in one of the window displays when you noticed something unusual. At the main entrance, security guards were sealing off the doors. The cheerful hum of the mall shifted into a tense murmur as people began to realize they couldn’t leave. Your stomach twisted in apprehension.

Your phone buzzed in your pocket, and relief washed over you when you saw Spencer’s name flash across the screen.

“Spence?” you answered quickly, trying to keep your voice steady.

“Y/N, where are you right now?” His tone was tight, urgent—too urgent.

“I’m at the mall. What’s going on?”

“There’s been an abduction—a young girl. We’re locking down the mall to find her and the suspect. No one can leave until everyone’s been cleared,” he explained, the edge in his voice sharpening with every word.

Your heart clenched. “Can I come to you? I just want to get home.”

“I’m sorry, love.” Spencer’s voice softened, but the apology didn’t dull the ache in your chest. “It’s protocol. Everyone has to be checked out before they can leave. Stay where you are and keep your phone close—I’ll find you when I can.”

You exhaled shakily, torn between understanding the rules and wanting to be near him. “Okay. Be careful, Spence.”

“You too,” he said before the line went dead.

You tucked your phone back into your pocket and scanned the mall, which no longer felt like a place to unwind. Every passerby could be the unsub. Every shadow could hide the missing girl.

Hours passed. Agents in navy blue FBI jackets swept through the stores, questioning shoppers and employees. You moved from store to store, restless and tense, your mind flashing through every horrific scenario from Spencer’s cases that he always tried to shield you from.

A sudden, sharp crack shattered the uneasy calm.

Gunfire.

Screams followed, high-pitched and panicked. You ducked instinctively behind a rack of books in the bookstore, your pulse roaring in your ears.

Your phone buzzed again. Derek Morgan’s name flashed on the screen. Your stomach dropped.

“Y/N, where are you?” His voice was rough, urgent.

“The bookstore near the west wing,” you managed, fingers trembling around the phone. “What happened?”

“It’s Spencer. He’s been shot.”

The world tilted beneath your feet. “No,” you whispered, panic slicing through you. “Is—Is he okay?”

“We’re getting him to the hospital now. Meet us there.”

You didn’t remember how you made it to your car or how you navigated the frantic streets to the hospital. All you could hear was the echo of Derek’s voice. Spencer. Shot.

When you pushed through the ER doors, the antiseptic smell burned your nose. Chaos swirled around you—doctors calling for scans, nurses rushing stretchers—but you only had eyes for Derek, who stood near the entrance with his hands on his hips, his face grim.

“Where is he?” you demanded, your voice shaking.

“They just took him into surgery,” Derek said. “It was bad, Y/N. He lost a lot of blood, but he’s tough. He’s fighting.”

The world blurred as tears pricked your eyes. You shook your head, as if denying the truth could change it. “I need to see him.”

“I know,” Derek said quietly, resting a hand on your shoulder. “But right now, the best thing you can do is let them work. He’s in good hands.”

You slumped into a chair, your body tense with helplessness as you waited—seconds stretching into agonizing minutes. The only thing keeping you grounded was the sound of Spencer’s voice in your memory, promising he’d be careful.

Hours later, a surgeon stepped into the waiting room. You jumped to your feet, searching his face for any clue—any hope.

“He’s stable,” the doctor said. “The bullet missed his vital organs, but it was close. We stopped the bleeding. He’s going to need time to recover.”

Relief crashed over you, leaving you weak. “Can I see him?”

The doctor nodded, and a nurse guided you down the sterile corridor. When you stepped into Spencer’s room, your heart ached at the sight of him—too pale, too still, machines beeping softly around him.

You took his hand in yours, brushing your thumb over his knuckles. “I’m here,” you whispered, tears slipping down your face. “I’m not going anywhere.”

The minutes ticked by, each one heavier than the last. Finally, his fingers twitched in yours, and his eyelids fluttered. You leaned closer as his hazel eyes blinked open, soft and hazy with pain.

“Y/N?” His voice was weak, but the sound of it filled you with relief.

“I’m right here, Spence,” you said, brushing his hair back. “You scared me.”

A faint smile tugged at his lips. “I’m sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for,” you murmured, pressing a kiss to his hand. “Just focus on getting better.”

His eyes softened as he looked at you. “You’re safe?”

“I’m safe,” you promised. “And so are you.”

The mall, the lockdown, the fear—it all faded in the quiet of that hospital room. All that mattered was that he was alive. And as long as you had each other, you’d face anything the world threw your way.

(i don’t own any of these characters except the ones that i create i.e. y/n or reader. please don’t take my work. disclaimer: this is just for now until I start getting into the groove of how to work things on here and also get more comfortable writing about other characters and fandoms and when people start to send in requests and asks😊😊💜💜)

[alexstalkers]

Masterlist.

hey everyone, welcome! my name is kierra, i'm 23. i love music and writing. i write fics for black girl readers and tv show ships or mainly about whatever I’m feeling passionate about right then. {about this blog.}

Greys Anatomy Shameless Criminal Minds The O.C One Tree Hill Pretty Little Liars

send in requests and suggestions here😊😊💜💜

[alexstalkers]

Yours, Always

spencer reid x fem reader secret beginnings • slow-burn intimacy • quiet domesticity and unexpected pregnancy • soft angst • deep emotional intimacy • fluff with a pulse

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When Spencer Reid first met you, he hadn’t expected it to change his life. But there you were—sitting in the audience of one of his lectures, bright-eyed and curious.

After his talk, you approached him with a few thoughtful questions. What started as an intellectual connection quickly turned into coffee dates, long phone calls, and quiet evenings that felt like they were building toward something neither of you had ever had before. Something real.

For months, you kept things private.

Not out of shame—never that—but because what you shared felt sacred. Too precious to expose right away. Your friends knew, of course. They’d heard all about the brilliant, slightly awkward profiler who somehow managed to be both impossibly smart and unbelievably sweet.

But Spencer hadn’t told his team.

Not yet.

He wanted to. He really did. But some part of him was afraid—afraid that saying it out loud might somehow break the delicate magic you’d built together. So when he was away on cases, he kept you close through texts and late-night calls, clinging to the sound of your voice during those long, exhausting days.

It was during one of those cases that the cracks in his silence started to show.

The team noticed it first—how distracted he seemed, how his usual quick wit softened every time his phone buzzed. Prentiss was the first to corner him.

“You’ve been acting weird,” she said one day, the two of them sifting through a victim’s house. “I mean… you’re not exactly the poster child for ‘normal,’ but… something’s up. You wanna tell me who’s on your mind?”

Spencer fumbled, too flustered to lie. It wasn’t long before Morgan joined in, teasing him with that knowing grin, sensing there was more to the story. By the time they were back at Quantico, the pressure had built past the point of resistance.

So… he told them. About you.

Naturally, they demanded to meet you.

Still a little shy about mixing the two worlds, Spencer planned something simple. A casual night out at a bar, halfway between your apartment and HQ. You were nervous, of course. Meeting the people who knew Spencer better than anyone? That was no small thing.

But the moment you arrived, their warmth melted your nerves.

Morgan and Prentiss were exactly as Spencer had described—sharp-tongued but kind-hearted. JJ made you feel like you’d known her forever. And Rossi? He gave Spencer a knowing look that made your boyfriend blush like a schoolboy.

“He’s different with you,” Garcia whispered as she looped her arm through yours. “It’s adorable.”

Over time, you became a constant in Spencer’s life.

Your apartment slowly filled with traces of him—books stacked on the coffee table, a worn cardigan draped over your favorite chair. When he wasn’t working, he was with you—learning every inch of your heart and body with the same focus and care he gave his case files.

Living together felt... easy. Natural.

You fell into a rhythm—late-night conversations about everything and nothing, lazy mornings tangled in each other, the smell of coffee filling the kitchen while he recited obscure facts just to make you smile. Even when work pulled him away, you found ways to stay connected.

Sometimes, those connections turned intimate.

When cases stretched too long, Spencer would text you things that made your heart skip a beat. And on the loneliest nights, when the distance felt unbearable, you’d FaceTime—your body lit softly on screen, his voice low and hungry, telling you how much he missed you. How much he needed you.

No one else saw that side of him. The way he craved you—not just physically, but as an anchor to keep him steady after days spent chasing monsters.

Life wasn’t always easy with his job. But you made it work.

And over time, what started as quiet companionship grew into something unshakeable.

It was after one of those late-night calls that everything changed.

His phone buzzed at some ungodly hour. He kissed you softly, whispered an apology, and slipped out of bed to answer it. You rolled over, trying to drift back to sleep—but your body had other plans. A wave of nausea hit the second you sat up, sending you rushing to the bathroom.

At first, you brushed it off.

Until it kept happening.

You debated calling Spencer, but decided against it. He was deep in a case—you didn’t want to distract him. So instead, you called Savannah.

A few quiet tests later… there it was. Two pink lines.

You were pregnant.

When Spencer finally came home, you told him. And for the first time in his life, the man who always had the right words—who could quote entire textbooks from memory—was speechless.

Completely, beautifully speechless.

But once the shock faded, all that remained was love. Fierce. Steady. Unwavering.

The next few months blurred by in a rush of doctor’s appointments and baby books. Spencer fussed over you constantly—memorizing medical journals, making sure you ate enough, hovering like a nervous but devoted scientist in love.

And even as your belly grew… his desire never faded.

One night, after a long, steamy shower, you stepped into the bedroom to find him already lying in bed—glasses perched low on his nose, a paper in hand. But when he looked up and saw you—skin still damp, your growing belly peeking through his oversized shirt—everything else vanished.

“You’re… breathtaking,” he said, voice low, a little rough with emotion.

He reached for you.

Pulled you close.

His fingers trailed down your spine, slow and reverent, as though committing you to memory all over again. When he kissed the small swell of your stomach, tears burned behind your eyes.

“I can’t believe how lucky I am,” he whispered against your skin.

And in that moment, you believed him.

As the months passed, his love only deepened. You saw it in the way he held you in his sleep—arms wrapped around you like a promise. You felt it in the little things: the way he rubbed circles into your back, how he kissed you like it still stunned him he got to have you.

Through it all, you knew one thing for sure:

No matter how dark the world could get, Spencer was your light. Your home.

And with every kiss, every touch, every whispered I love you, he reminded you he was yours—always.

(i don’t own any of these characters except the ones that i create i.e. y/n or reader. please don’t take my work. disclaimer: this is just for now until I start getting into the groove of how to work things on here and also get more comfortable writing about other characters and fandoms and when people start to send in requests and asks😊😊💜💜)

[alexstalkers]

Unbreakable

ryan x marissa slow night at the bait shop • the weight lifts for a little while • he lets himself love her—finally, fully • soft romance • emotional breathers • post-angst calm

_______

Ryan was used to holding everything together—always watching out for her, always on guard. That was just who he was. But tonight… tonight felt different.

Tonight, he let himself breathe.

After everything they’d been through, they deserved this. A night to just be.

He took a slow sip of his drink, leaning back against one of the high-top tables. Across the room, Marissa laughed at something Summer said, her hair tumbling around her shoulders as she moved to the beat.

Ryan felt something stir in his chest—soft, steady.

She looked radiant. Happy. And he was so damn grateful to be here with her, to see her like this.

Seth nudged him from the side, smirking as he clocked the look on Ryan’s face.

“Okay, whoa. You actually look relaxed. Did the universe shift or something?”

Ryan let out a quiet chuckle, eyes still on Marissa. “Yeah… maybe I just needed a second.” He took another sip. “She’s having a good time.”

“So are you,” Seth pointed out, bumping his shoulder. “It’s about time, too. You guys are like, cosmically linked or whatever. You’ve earned a good night.”

Ryan nodded, some of the tension easing from his shoulders.

“Yeah. Nights like this…” He paused, eyes softening. “I want to hold on to them. I want to hold on to her.”

Seth’s usual sarcasm faded. “Dude… you’re gone. But I gotta say—it suits you.”

Ryan didn’t answer right away. He just watched Marissa move through the crowd—free, glowing, alive in a way that made his heart ache a little.

She was everything. And for once, he let himself feel it fully, without fear of what might come next.

Eventually, she made her way over, cheeks flushed, eyes bright. She reached for his hand, her fingers slipping easily between his.

“Come on,” she said with a grin. “You know you want to dance with me.”

He shook his head, amused. “You’ve been reading my mind again.”

“Always.”

She tugged him toward the floor, and he let her. The music thudded in his chest, but all he could feel was her—her body close, her head tucked against his shoulder, the easy rhythm they moved to without even trying.

The rest of the world blurred.

“I’m so glad we’re here together, Ryan,” she whispered, lips brushing his ear.

He pulled her closer, pressing a kiss to her temple.

“Me too,” he said quietly. “This... this is perfect.”

And for the rest of the night, it was.

They danced. They laughed. They held onto each other like they had all the time in the world.

Later, as the Bait Shop emptied and the cool ocean breeze swept in off the water, they stepped out hand in hand.

The streetlights cast a soft glow on Marissa’s face, turning her into something almost otherworldly. Ryan looked at her like he was seeing her for the first time, and somehow, for the hundredth time, too.

And in that quiet moment, he knew— This was just the beginning of their forever.

(i don’t own any of these characters except the ones that i create i.e. y/n or reader. please don’t take my work. disclaimer: this is just for now until I start getting into the groove of how to work things on here and also get more comfortable writing about other characters and fandoms and when people start to send in requests and asks😊😊💜💜)

[alexstalkers]

New Beginnings

jo wilson x alex karev newly engaged • sick child • the past comes walking in • canon divergence • emotional tension • soft resolution

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The day at Grey Sloan Memorial started like any other—labs ringing, residents rushing, patients waiting. Controlled chaos. But for Jo Wilson and Alex Karev, it was a little different today.

They were engaged.

And even though they didn’t walk around flashing rings or making grand announcements, the glow was there. Subtle. Quietly contagious. Nurses smiled when they passed. Colleagues offered congratulations in passing. Meredith gave Alex a long, knowing look over morning coffee and muttered, “Took you long enough.”

Alex, now a full attending in peds, had Jo on his service for the day. She’d insisted she was fine with it—professional, focused—but there was something sweet in the way her eyes lingered on him a second too long, or how he handed her a chart with the faintest brush of fingers.

They kept it professional. Mostly. But the love between them was unmistakable.

Things got busier when a new patient hit the ER. A little boy with a stubborn fever. His mom brought him in, clearly worried.

Jo was the first to step in—and froze just slightly when she read the intake name.

Olivia. And her son, Jake.

She recognized the name, but she didn’t say anything at first. Just greeted the mother with her usual calm demeanor.

“I’m Dr. Wilson. I’ll be taking care of your son today.”

Olivia gave a tight smile. “He’s been burning up all night. I just... I know it’s more than a fever. Something’s not right.”

Jo nodded. “Let’s run some tests to be safe, okay?”

A short while later, Jo stood in front of the labs, her stomach sinking. It wasn’t just a virus—Jake needed surgery. She paged Alex, fast. Booked an OR. Her heart beat a little harder than usual.

Alex arrived at the room, flipping through the chart, focused—until he looked up.

Their eyes met.

“Olivia.”

Her expression changed instantly. Worry flickered into recognition. And then, something colder.

“Alex.” Her tone was flat. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

He nodded, staying professional. “I’m the attending on this case.”

She didn’t say anything else. Just folded her arms as Alex turned to Jake, explaining the procedure gently, clearly. Jo stood beside him, silent, but watching the whole thing unfold with a careful sort of calm.

There was history here. It didn’t take much to feel it.

The surgery went smoothly. Jake did well. Stable, recovering.

Later, when they found a quiet moment—alone in a back hallway, the kind only hospital staff ever really noticed—Alex finally spoke.

“Jo... about Olivia…”

His voice trailed off, like he wasn’t sure what to say next.

Jo touched his arm. “You don’t have to explain, Alex. I know you weren’t always the guy you are now.”

He let out a breath. “Still. She didn’t deserve the way I treated her back then. No one did. I was a mess... And seeing her again just—reminded me.”

Jo’s eyes softened. “You were a mess,” she said, teasing gently, “but you’re not anymore. You’ve done the work. And I love who you are now.”

He leaned into her touch, forehead against hers. “You’re the reason I changed, Jo. You’re it.”

They stayed like that for a beat—quiet, close—until a nurse interrupted.

“Jake’s awake. He’s asking for his mom.”

When they walked into recovery, Olivia was already at Jake’s bedside, brushing his hair off his forehead. She looked up when she saw them.

Her expression was more guarded now, but... softer.

“I heard you two are engaged,” she said, voice measured.

Jo gave a small smile and nodded. “We are.”

Olivia looked between them, then down at Jake. “Well... congratulations.”

Alex nodded. “Thanks.”

There was a pause—tense, but not bitter. Just... real. Olivia met Jo’s gaze, and though there was no warmth in it, there was no venom either.

“I’m glad Jake had you both today,” she said, quietly. “He was in good hands.”

Jo gave a gentle nod. “He’s a strong kid. You should be proud.”

As they left the room, Alex slid his hand into Jo’s. She squeezed back.

No words were needed. They’d stepped into the past and walked out of it together.

And maybe that was what made the future feel even more real.

(i don’t own any of these characters except the ones that i create i.e. y/n or reader. please don’t take my work. disclaimer: this is just for now until I start getting into the groove of how to work things on here and also get more comfortable writing about other characters and fandoms and when people start to send in requests and asks😊😊💜💜)

[alexstalkers]

Silent Recovery

spencer reid x fem reader late-night aa meetings • strangers in the quiet • connection in the cold • soft angst • recovery comfort • strangers to something

------

Spencer Reid sat in the third row of the circle, the late-night AA meeting winding down around him. His hands curled over the edges of the folding chair, the metal cold beneath his fingertips. His heart still thudded in his chest—not from fear, exactly, but from that low hum of anxiety that always crept in after he spoke.

He hadn’t said much tonight. Just a few words. But he had spoken.

And for now, that was enough.

Around him, people rose from their seats, offering quiet words of encouragement or soft, practiced smiles. The room buzzed with that fragile kind of hope—one he couldn’t always find for himself, but liked knowing was there.

He gave a polite nod and murmured a thank-you to the meeting leader before slinging his worn messenger bag over his shoulder. Then he slipped out the door, quiet as always. The team didn’t know about these meetings, and he preferred to keep it that way.

The cold night air hit his face as he stepped outside—sharp, grounding. He exhaled slowly, the tension draining from his shoulders as the door clicked shut behind him.

The street was mostly still. Just the faint hum of distant traffic and the crunch of gravel beneath his shoes. He liked this part—the in-between moment when he wasn’t anything to anyone. Just a man trying to hold himself together.

His gaze drifted toward the edge of the building.

A woman stood against the brick wall, arms crossed, her breath fogging gently in front of her. She wasn’t at the meeting—he would’ve remembered her—but something about the way she leaned there, unhurried, felt like she belonged.

He recognized the woman who hugged her—a regular from the group—before disappearing into a waiting car.

Now alone, the stranger shifted, catching his eyes as he paused on the steps.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

“First time here?” she asked, her voice low and warm, easy in a way that didn’t press for more. Like she knew he wasn’t the kind who liked small talk.

Spencer blinked, pulled from his thoughts. “No,” he said softly, stuffing his hands deeper into his coat pockets. “I’ve been coming for a while. You?”

She shrugged. “Just here for support. My friend needed a ride.” A small smile tugged at her mouth. “Sometimes… you stay, you know?”

He nodded. He didn’t know why he wasn’t already walking away. Usually, he was long gone by now.

But there was something about her.

Maybe it was her voice. Or the way she looked at him—not with pity, but something quieter. Something that didn’t make him feel like a puzzle missing too many pieces.

“It’s a lot to take in,” she added after a beat, her voice dipping gently.

“It is,” he murmured. And he surprised himself, because he meant it.

The wind stirred, lifting a strand of her hair across her cheek. She tucked it back with practiced ease, fingers moving like someone used to working with her hands.

“Your friend’s lucky,” he found himself saying. “To have someone who shows up.”

Her expression softened. “Thanks. But you’re the brave one. Coming here on your own isn’t easy.”

That word—brave—caught in his throat.

He didn’t feel brave. Most days, he barely felt like himself.

“I’m not sure it counts as brave,” he said quietly. “It’s just… necessary.”

“Necessary’s harder than people realize,” she replied, like she understood that truth too.

The silence that followed wasn’t uncomfortable. It stretched, lingered—like neither of them wanted to break it just yet.

Finally, she stepped forward. “I’m Y/N, by the way,” she said, holding out her hand.

He hesitated for just a second before taking it. “Spencer.”

Her smile softened. “Nice meeting you, Spencer.”

He should’ve let her walk away. That’s what he always did—kept things clean, simple, controlled.

But before he could stop himself, he asked, “Will you be back?”

Her brows lifted, just slightly. But she didn’t retreat from the question.

“Maybe. My friend’s doing better, but…” She tilted her head. “Would you want me to?”

The honesty in her question unraveled something in him. For once, all his defenses—his intellect, his walls—felt paper-thin.

“I wouldn’t mind,” he said softly.

That smile again. “Then maybe I will.”

She turned and walked off, toward the street. Just before she disappeared around the corner, she looked back.

“You’re not alone, you know.”

The words stayed long after she was gone, echoing in the quiet spaces he kept hidden even from himself.

And for the first time in months… maybe—just maybe—they were true.

He kept showing up. Sat in the same third-row chair, same folded hands in his lap. He listened. Some nights, he even spoke.

But Y/N didn’t come back. Not right away.

Still, the memory of her lingered—like warmth held in cold hands too long. Like something worth remembering.

Then one night, after another meeting that left him too raw and restless, he stepped outside into the cold.

And there she was.

Leaning against the wall. Same place. Same soft smile.

“You came back,” he said, surprised at how much the sight of her eased something in him.

“I guess I did,” she said, eyes warm. “Figured someone had to make sure you were still showing up.”

He let out a quiet laugh, more breath than sound. “I’m still here.”

“Good,” she said gently. “Because you’re not the only one who needs a reason to keep showing up.”

And this time, Spencer believed her.

Maybe he wasn’t alone after all.

(i don’t own any of these characters except the ones that i create i.e. y/n or reader. please don’t take my work. disclaimer: this is just for now until I start getting into the groove of how to work things on here and also get more comfortable writing about other characters and fandoms and when people start to send in requests and asks😊😊💜💜)