Fic: Masked Avengers Unite! // FRT // ~2700 WC
Title: Masked Avengers Unite!!
Author: bluemoondreamer
Rating: FRT
Fandom/Pairing: Criminal Minds, Morgan/Reid
Warning/Spoilers: probably a bit of OOC-ness (this is my first time writing CM fic, and I’m still getting used to writing these characters) and a bit of fluff. General spoilers for all episodes through the end of last season; nothing I can think of for the new episodes.
Summary: A masquerade party brings tothether two men with similar tastes.
Disclaimer: Criminal Minds belongs to other people. Not me.
AN: I know there may be similar fic out there but I promise that this story is the sole product of my brain.
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The first thing Morgan noticed when he stepped into Roberto’s was how incredibly the atmosphere had changed from last weekend. Halloween could do that to a place.
Roberto had been advertising for weeks about his plans for The Mystery Masquerade Bash. The basic premise for the bash was that all the patrons of Roberto’s bar on the night of Halloween were required to show up in disguise.
Derek decided to dress as a sexy Zorro. With a partially naked chest, Derek came to the party fully equipped with a plastic sword, half-mask, bandanna and cape. As he walked further into the spacious front room Derek noticed many degrees of disguise ranging from face paint on only one side of a young girl’s face to a man wearing a full werewolf body suit and head mask.
This night sure brings out all types. He thought to himself. His face spread into a big grin. He knew he was going to have a great time that night.
When Morgan managed to squeeze his way around a woman - no, a man - with Marge Simpson style hair, he spotted a familiar character leaning on a corner bar stool.
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The bar was crowded. Spencer tried to tell himself that he wanted to be there. That he came to have a good time. But getting to that level of confidence was difficult.
At first, idea of a masked night at Roberto’s Bar was the inspiration Spencer needed to tell himself he could go out and not worry about anything. No one would recognize him as the genius who worked for the FBI or the geeky self-conscious man who was too nervous to leave his spot by the wall.
There in that bar, on that night, Spencer Reid had the freedom to be himself without the trappings of who he was. Hopefully, the dashing Zorro costume would help bring out his inner social beast.
Too bad he had so far only worked his way up to moving off the wall to the corner of the bar.
“Hi there Zorro. Can I buy you a drink?” A half-naked man sidled up to the bar at Spencer’s elbow.
“Who me?” Reid tried to contain the nervous tremor in his voice.
Hmm, maybe the costume does work. I’ve only been here a quarter of an hour and I've already met 3 different men and someone I assumed was a woman, but I couldn’t be sure with all that make up. And now here's this guy.
“Do you see any other Zorro around here?” The man interrupted Spencer’s musing. Reid gave the man a quirky look out of the corner of his eye. “Ok, well besides myself.”
‘Come on Spenc, let him buy you a drink.’ He tucked his head down and whispered to himself.
The stranger leaned closer, “What was that?”
Reid made a quick sighing sound and turned to fully face the other masked avenger. “I said, sure. If you want to buy me a drink. Sure.” The two men shared a quick smile.
“What are you drinking?” Zorro glanced down at Spencer’s near empty glass.
“Well, the bartenders have changed the names of all the drinks tonight. A margarita is a “Fang-arita”, a Long Island Iced Tea is a “Zombie Tea” and so on. Actually, I’ve got a Bloody Mary, the only one they didn’t ch- I’m sorry I’m going on too much.”
Zorro waved the bartender over, “It’s alright. I know someone else who can’t seem to hold in his exposition when he gets going. It’s kind of endearing sometimes.” To the bartender he said, “one more Bloody Mary for him and I’ll have a glass of Transylvanian Ale.”
“You got it. Same as before for you?” He nodded at Reid.
“Yes please.” He answered, and the bartender left to get the drinks. “Transylvanian Ale?”
“It’s what Roberto calls his house brew on Halloween.” Spencer looked slightly confused. “I was here last year too. What was that about?” Zorro indicated toward the bartender.
“Oh, I had asked him to make the first one without alcohol. I want to have fun tonight, but I don’t want to take any chances.”
The other Zorro inclined his head in understanding.
“So, yeah. And how was the party last year? Just as packed and… interesting?” Spencer waved his hand around at the crowd of various ghouls, goblins, and other not so scary creatures. The bartender came back with their drinks and the other Zorro laid a twenty on the counter.
“Actually this is the first time Roberto has insisted on everyone being disguised. He is so serious about it that if someone comes to the door without a significant costume, they’ll have to pay for a generic mask when they pay to get in, if they still want in.“
“Wow, you seem to have quite the knowledge of this place.”
“I know Roberto personally. He actually lives in my neighborhood and looks after my dog when I’m out of town for work.” The man shrugged and took a swig of his ale.
“And what do you do for work?” Spencer asked.
The man looked uncomfortable for a moment before replying, “Let’s not talk about work tonight.”
Spencer agreed with that statement whole heartedly. “Great idea.” He took a long sip of his Bloody Mary.
“So come on, finish your drink and lets dance.” The dark man threw back the last of his ale and flashed a smile at the Spencer, giving him a brief jolt of recognition.
“Do I know you?” He blurted out. Oh great, why did I ask him that? I just can’t contain my curiosity.
“Does it matter if you do? Can‘t we just have a good time without worrying if we might know each other?” The man grabbed his elbow and started to tug Reid in the direction of the dance floor.
“Hold on a minute, I want to finish this.” Spencer really just needed time to collect his courage. “I’ll meet you out there.”
“OK.“ The other Zorro smiled once more and pointed to a spot in front of the DJ. “I’ll be over there. And if you’re not there with me in five, I’ll come back for you and this time I will drag you onto the dance floor.” It was a mild threat, but somehow Spencer knew this guy was serious.
So Reid sat on his bar stool and slowly swallowed the last few sips of his drink. All the while he couldn’t stop thinking about why the other Zorro seemed so familiar. Oh well, if I’m supposed to know who he is I’ll figure it out sooner or later.
With his glass empty he figured he couldn’t wait any longer and stood to make his way over to his new dance partner.
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“I should warn you.” He had to yell to make his voice heard over the thumping of the music. “I don’t really know how to dance.” Morgan figured he was telling the truth as the smaller Zorro stood awkwardly in the middle of the dance crowd.
“It’s ok. Dancing is only as hard as you want to make it.” He reached out to grasp the other man’s waist. “Can I?” After a hesitant nod, Derek placed his hands on the narrow hips and gently started to push them from side to side. “All you have to do is start moving. We’re not going to do the tango here or anything.”
As Zorro began to loosen up, Derek let go and turned him so they were back to front. “Now move your arms and shoulders to the beat.” He reached around the smaller man and grabbed his hips again. “Just keep moving, I’ll guide you.”
As the two men got more comfortable in each other’s space, their bodies began to move in sync and were slowly drawn closer together.
When Morgan’s chest hit the back in front of him, it was nice for a moment until the other man gave a startled jolt. “You alright?” He leaned over the man’s shoulder.
Zorro nodded, “Yeah, I’m ok.” His voice was quiet. Morgan figured it was enough to get the shy man out on the dance floor, he wasn’t going to push him anywhere he felt uncomfortable.
“You want to get another drink and sit for a while?”
“Ok, sounds good.” The younger man led the way back to the bar and immediately signaled for the bartender. The two men got refills on the drinks they had before, and found a small booth at which to sit down.
For a while, the only thing the pair did was sit and sip their drinks while they watched each other and crowd.
Minutes later the tension broke as Morgan finally voiced what he had been feeling all evening. “You do know that I’m terribly attracted to you.”
The other Zorro was startled and turned from where he was watching the throng of music movers. “Really? I mean are you sure?”
“Totally sure. Want me to prove it?” Derek’s partner nodded, “Come closer.”
When he was within reach, Derek moved to close the distance and kissed the other man squarely on the lips.
A shocked yelp of a sound came from the smaller man before he tentatively started kissing Derek back.
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I can’t believe I’m doing this! This should be impossible. He doesn’t even know who I am. Spencer’s thoughts were racing. What if he likes this mysterious stranger more than me? Derek Morgan doesn’t even like men!
Spencer had realized who the other man was as soon as they started dancing closer together and Spencer felt Derek’s chest against his back.
When Derek tilted his head over Spencer’s shoulder and spoke directly into his ear, the thumping of the music could no longer disguise his voice. And even the puff of his breath against Reid’s neck had a resonance of familiarity.
After having been tacked out of the way of gunfire multiple times by Morgan, Reid had become intimately familiar with the way the darker man’s body felt against his own even through many layers of clothing and their kevlar vests.
The memories had become fuel for the fire during the late nights when the young profiler woke up in the middle of the night and couldn’t calm his nerves. He had become dependent on the fantasy of Derek’s strength holding him tight and secure as he drifted back asleep. Occasionally the fantasies took a more sexual turn, and Spencer sometimes found it hard to hold his cool when he had to work the case right next to the man from his dreams.
Now, sitting in the small booth seat, he was being kissed by the object of his desire.
Spencer pulled away. “Why do you want me? You don’t even know who I am. This is absurd.”
Derek sighed and leaned back in the seat. “To tell the truth, I feel like I can trust you with this. I feel like I can tell you everything about me.” He shifted forward and put his elbows on the table top. “I didn’t want to admit to it earlier, but I also feel like we know each other. And that this-” he swished his hand between the two of them, “could be a good thing. We can make it work.” His voice sounded so earnest.
With Morgan’s sincere declarations now out there between them, Spencer was more sure than ever that Derek had no idea he was talking to Spencer Reid.
“I - I’m sorry. I can’t. You shouldn‘t. I gotta go.” Spencer’s stumbling words preceded his abrupt jump up from the table and dash for the exit.
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Derek followed immediately, but somehow Spencer’s lithe frame was able to squeeze passed the multitude of costumed people packed onto the dance floor and he escaped Derek’s field of vision.
By the time Morgan made it out the door he did not see Spencer in the immediate vicinity but with a quick glance to the left and then the right he caught sight of the swish of Spencer’s cape as he fled down the side street.
Running fast to catch up with his quickly disappearing date, Derek was shocked to find Spencer right around the corner. He had his arms wrapped around his body and his chin tucked into his chest. Reid was walking much slower now than when he left and Morgan nearly crashed into his back.
Deciding to take control of the situation, he grabbed Spencer’s arm and turned him around. He backed Spencer up against the wall and demanded to know why he ran.
“What’s going on? Why did you leave?”
Spencer glared up at Derek. “Are you sure you want to know, absolutely sure.”
Morgan gave Spencer a strange look. “Yes. Tell me. I thought we were getting along.”
“That’s the problem. We have been getting along, but I can’t let you become attracted to me with out knowing who I am. I can’t lie any longer.” Spencer reached up to his head and pulled back his mask and bandana.
His chin dropped back to his chest, “I’m sorry.”
“Hey, kid. What are you sorry for?” Derek touched two fingers beneath Reid’s jaw and lifted his face to look him in the eye. “Do you really think neither of us would recognize the other?” He smiled and leaned in to give Spencer a quick peck on the lips. “I knew who you were all along, pretty boy.”
Spencer’s face flushed. “Really? Why didn’t you say anything?”
Derek cupped Spencer’s cheeks “I think it was like a spell.” His voiced dropped and his body moved a fraction closer. “I didn’t want the magic to end because next week we have to go back to work where things are difficult and we’re surrounded by attentive profilers and this night was so nice and simple and eas-.” Spencer lunged forward and attached his mouth to Derek’s.
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Their teeth collided in their haste to get closer. Tongues began searching for the other’s and after a few quick swipes, started exploring the range of their affection.
Derek’s body was just as solid and firm as Spencer had always remembered and the kiss was even more delightful than he had ever imagined.
The older man pushed Reid further into the wall and the two started pressing and rubbing against the other man's thigh. When they parted to catch a breath their lips remained inches apart as they shared the warm air that lingered between them.
“What did you mean, difficult?” Spencer asked once he recovered enough.
Morgan was still in an euphoric daze and it took him a moment to respond. “Trying to hide my attraction to you from the team was difficult, and after tonight I know it will be even more so.”
“How long?” Spencer’s words were dipped in anticipation.
“How long have I been attracted to you?” A nod. “Probably since the beginning,” Spencer’s eyes widened and jumped to Derek’s. “But I didn’t recognize it for sexual attraction at first. I have always felt strongly protective of you, but when you got sick I realized how much I couldn’t bear to loose you from my life.”
“I think it was almost the same for me." Spencer responded, "You’ve always been there for me, pulling me out of danger, and somewhere along the line I found myself not wanting to let go of you after you tackled me to the ground. I wanted you to hold me when things got tough. You became my rock.”
Spencer’s statement sent a surge of affection through Derek. Their bodies molded together once again as he swooped in for more kisses.
“You know what I told you before?” Derek asked between kisses. “That we can make it work?” Reid made an impatient noise. “I really think it’s true.”
Spencer broke off the kissing and smiled. “I think so too.”
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Thanks for reading!! Comment if you like, I'm just so glad I got this finished before Halloween!! I almost didn't think it would happen.