(no subject)
Title: Two Princes
Part 9
Summary: High school AU, Reid centric.
Pairing: Hotch/Reid, Morgan/Reid
Rating. PG-13
x
Spencer was sure his heart missed a beat when he turned around to find Derek Morgan standing right in front of him in the dark hallway.
With a startled gasp he stumbled back, only to be stopped by a large hand grabbing his wrist. Spencer flinched, pulling away sharply.
He didn't expect to actually succeed so when he did, the backward motion coupled with the surprise sent him sprawling to the ground. He hissed when pain shot through his ankle, white hot and blinding.
He clutched at his ankle, grimacing as the pain made him forget everything else for a second. The moment didn't last long though because Morgan had stepped up to him quickly and was suddenly crouching, hovering over him.
"Shit, you okay?"
Out of the corner of his eye Spencer saw a hand coming towards him and recoiled instinctively, pressing his back to the wall.
"Don't!"
Morgan frowned, stopping in mid motion, hand frozen in the air where he had reached out for him. At a closer look there was no malice to be seen in his eyes, no ill intent -still, Spencer refused to be reassured that easily, especially considering his situation.
"Just- leave me alone," he hissed, or tried to at least. He sounded much more scared than he had hoped he would. But then, why wouldn't he be, considering this guy had obviously set him up to fall, metaphorically and literally speaking. Considering he was still alone with him and would no longer be able to run away if he had to. His heart started racing, palms sweating.
He couldn't make out much of Morgan's face in the darkness of the hallway but his voice carried a hint of annoyance, "Ok, what is your problem? You'reacting like I'm about to rip your head off-"
Spencer bit his lip, fighting the urge to snap at the older guy for sounding so full of righteous indignation. Morgan almost sounded offended by his reaction -but how could he, why would he be surprised with the way he'd acted towards him, his history?
He sat frozen, gulping down a whimper as old memories resurfaced. The older kids waiting for him on his way home from school, only to corner him, making sure he couldn't run before they took turns beating him up. God, it would be Las Vegas all over again…how would he explain this to Jason…?
"Please, don't," he hated how his voice shook, couldn't believe he actually had resolved to begging. Shame burned his cheeks but he couldn't help the words from spilling out.
Morgan was huge and he could probably beat him to a pulp within minutes if he wanted to. He could and he probably would once he got tired of whatever game he was playing.
"Please. I don't have anything. I'm not going to tell on you, just please let me go."
He squeezed his eyes shut, hoping to at least ignite pity and not further disgust with his behavior. What was the point of trying to appear brave, really, he had tried that all his life and it had never been of any use. Especially not with the ones who liked to play games.
For a few tormenting long seconds nothing happened at all.
Then, out of nowhere, warm fingers suddenly grasped his chin, turning his head around and he flinched, mentally readying himself for the pain that was sure to follow. He counted down the seconds, three, two, one…But nothing happened. The slight pressure of those fingers didn't increase, it was just there, almost reassuring in its gentleness. Spencer shivered.
"You really think I'm going to hurt you."
It wasn't a question so much as a stunned exclamation. For some reason Morgan suddenly sounded shocked, almost offended, instead of annoyed or taunting. Shocked. Like the idea of that happening was disturbing.
Despite what his head was screaming at him, Spencer forced himself to open his eyes and risk a glance into the other's face. Morgan's expression was almost hurt and it looked surprisingly believable.
"Why would you think that?" he asked quietly, dark, soulful eyes holding his intently.
For a moment Spencer believed it, believed him. Then reason returned to him and he jerked his face away harshly, glaring as helpless fury bubbled up inside him for the way this guy was taunting him, making it so believable that he almost forgot his position.
"Oh, I don't know", he hissed, fear pushed aside for the moment, "maybe because your friends already beat me up once, or because everybody keeps warning me to stay away from you or because my dad told me about your police records, or because of the way you acted back out there with Sammy or MAYBE because you snuck up on me and cornered me in a dark deserted hallway?"
Spencer took a deep breath as soon as he was done, immediately realizing how stupid what he'd just done was. Antagonize the antagonist. Really?
He felt his stomach knot when a look of irritation flickered across Morgan's face and his jaw tensed. His eyes flashed darkly at the accusations and Spencer could immediately see that he'd hit some sore spots. Only then did it occur to him that he hadn't looked at him like that before, he'd always been amiably and calm. He been scared then -and now he'd gone and made him mad. 'Damnit, how stupid are you?'
"Well, you're wrong." His breath caught in fear when Morgan leaned in closer, teeth gritted.
"First of all, I was standing here the whole time," he said sourly, "I just opened the door to let my dog inside. Secondly, a little teasing doesn't automatically mean I'm going to bash your head in, I was just trying to give you a little lesson about judging people before you know them."
More anger flashed across his face and Spencer gulped nervously.
"And most important of all", he added, with a little less ardor but just as much conviction, "Hotch and Prentiss are completely full of it and should mind their own damn business."
Spencer just stared at him wordlessly. Morgan hesitated, seemingly unsure about the reason for his silence. Maybe he'd expected another heated comeback. He obviously didn't know him very well because Spencer was already back to being intimidated again, especially with the way Morgan was in his face right now.
Yes, he was pretty sure his accusations had actually scratched at the guy's pride, meaning they might not all be totally justified after all - but that didn't mean he felt much safer yet.
When instead of replying, big doe eyes just continued to stare at him in tense apprehension, Morgan sighed, finally sitting back on his heels as he rubbed a hand over his face. He seemed to have realized that despite his reasoning Spencer quite literally was backed into a corner here. Spencer couldn't be sure but he thought he saw something akin to regret in his eyes for a brief moment.
"I'm sorry," he eventually murmured, voice suddenly much softer, "It's not your fault. I just -you're alright, Spencer. I wouldn't do anything to you."
His anger seemed gone as he looked straight into Spencer's eyes, giving him a chance to judge if he was lying. The younger boy assessed him warily for a long moment, partially confused about this sudden change in tone, but also unsure about what to believe. Morgan seemed truly genuine and by now the amount of talking he'd done seemed a bit too elaborate to be some stupid ploy to prank him.
Eventually, he relaxed slightly, moving so he wasn't pressed quite as tightly to the wall anymore. Though still wary, he couldn't help but at least want to believe that those dark eyes were telling him the truth.
Morgan nodded, smiling slightly as he took in the minimal change.
The air around them slowly grew less tension laden and Spencer was beginning to think Morgan might just let him walk out of here unscathed after all. Which brought up the question of how he was going to walk on his ankle.
Seemingly reading his mind, Morgan nodded towards his leg, "Your ankle still hurting?"
He seemed to have gone back to friendly and easygoing in only a few moments, their argument pushed aside. It seemed a little odd, but Spencer wasn't about to complain in his relief. So he just nodded minimally, eyes cast down at his injury. He didn't think he would be able to just walk this kind of pain off.
"Do you mind if I take a look, see if it's maybe sprained?"
To his credit, Morgan waited for Spencer to nod this time before moving closer and touching him. Spencer wasn't aware he'd held his breath until the other began to carefully examine his leg, mindful to avoid causing him further pain. It took a while but ever so slowly he began to relax under the gentle fingers brushing over his skin.
He let Morgan examine him, watching him work as he took the few minutes to contemplate the fact that he was sitting in some strange hallway in the worst part of the city with someone he'd been nothing but frightened of for the past weeks.
Now, in light of recent developments, Morgan didn't seem so bad and scary after all. In fact, he seemed rather nice and caring. He still wasn't sure how this new picture fit with what everybody else was saying, who was right and who was twisting things, but as of right now he was willing to give Derek Morgan the benefit of the doubt.
It seemed he really had been too quick to judge.
"Did that hurt?" Morgan asked just then without looking up, fingers resting above his manacle. Spencer shook his head, shivering slightly at the touch.
No, it didn't hurt.
In fact, it felt sort of nice.
By the time Morgan finally sat back on his haunches, rearranging the hem of his pants, Spencer was almost completely calm. The older teen seemed to sense the change and smiled warmly at him.
"It looks fine to me. You'll probably want to put some ice on it and wait a while before running your next marathon though."
Spencer returned the smile timidly, "Thanks."
For a moment they remained still in their positions, just looking at each other.
Finally, Morgan was the first to move. He pushed to his feet and then bent down to offer Spencer his hand, "Here let me help you up."
This time around, Spencer almost didn't hesitate at all before putting his hand in the one offered to him.
x
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This was supposed to be longer but I got tired, sorry again. If you want to read the next part please review.
Part 9
Summary: High school AU, Reid centric.
Pairing: Hotch/Reid, Morgan/Reid
Rating. PG-13
x
Spencer was sure his heart missed a beat when he turned around to find Derek Morgan standing right in front of him in the dark hallway.
With a startled gasp he stumbled back, only to be stopped by a large hand grabbing his wrist. Spencer flinched, pulling away sharply.
He didn't expect to actually succeed so when he did, the backward motion coupled with the surprise sent him sprawling to the ground. He hissed when pain shot through his ankle, white hot and blinding.
He clutched at his ankle, grimacing as the pain made him forget everything else for a second. The moment didn't last long though because Morgan had stepped up to him quickly and was suddenly crouching, hovering over him.
"Shit, you okay?"
Out of the corner of his eye Spencer saw a hand coming towards him and recoiled instinctively, pressing his back to the wall.
"Don't!"
Morgan frowned, stopping in mid motion, hand frozen in the air where he had reached out for him. At a closer look there was no malice to be seen in his eyes, no ill intent -still, Spencer refused to be reassured that easily, especially considering his situation.
"Just- leave me alone," he hissed, or tried to at least. He sounded much more scared than he had hoped he would. But then, why wouldn't he be, considering this guy had obviously set him up to fall, metaphorically and literally speaking. Considering he was still alone with him and would no longer be able to run away if he had to. His heart started racing, palms sweating.
He couldn't make out much of Morgan's face in the darkness of the hallway but his voice carried a hint of annoyance, "Ok, what is your problem? You'reacting like I'm about to rip your head off-"
Spencer bit his lip, fighting the urge to snap at the older guy for sounding so full of righteous indignation. Morgan almost sounded offended by his reaction -but how could he, why would he be surprised with the way he'd acted towards him, his history?
He sat frozen, gulping down a whimper as old memories resurfaced. The older kids waiting for him on his way home from school, only to corner him, making sure he couldn't run before they took turns beating him up. God, it would be Las Vegas all over again…how would he explain this to Jason…?
"Please, don't," he hated how his voice shook, couldn't believe he actually had resolved to begging. Shame burned his cheeks but he couldn't help the words from spilling out.
Morgan was huge and he could probably beat him to a pulp within minutes if he wanted to. He could and he probably would once he got tired of whatever game he was playing.
"Please. I don't have anything. I'm not going to tell on you, just please let me go."
He squeezed his eyes shut, hoping to at least ignite pity and not further disgust with his behavior. What was the point of trying to appear brave, really, he had tried that all his life and it had never been of any use. Especially not with the ones who liked to play games.
For a few tormenting long seconds nothing happened at all.
Then, out of nowhere, warm fingers suddenly grasped his chin, turning his head around and he flinched, mentally readying himself for the pain that was sure to follow. He counted down the seconds, three, two, one…But nothing happened. The slight pressure of those fingers didn't increase, it was just there, almost reassuring in its gentleness. Spencer shivered.
"You really think I'm going to hurt you."
It wasn't a question so much as a stunned exclamation. For some reason Morgan suddenly sounded shocked, almost offended, instead of annoyed or taunting. Shocked. Like the idea of that happening was disturbing.
Despite what his head was screaming at him, Spencer forced himself to open his eyes and risk a glance into the other's face. Morgan's expression was almost hurt and it looked surprisingly believable.
"Why would you think that?" he asked quietly, dark, soulful eyes holding his intently.
For a moment Spencer believed it, believed him. Then reason returned to him and he jerked his face away harshly, glaring as helpless fury bubbled up inside him for the way this guy was taunting him, making it so believable that he almost forgot his position.
"Oh, I don't know", he hissed, fear pushed aside for the moment, "maybe because your friends already beat me up once, or because everybody keeps warning me to stay away from you or because my dad told me about your police records, or because of the way you acted back out there with Sammy or MAYBE because you snuck up on me and cornered me in a dark deserted hallway?"
Spencer took a deep breath as soon as he was done, immediately realizing how stupid what he'd just done was. Antagonize the antagonist. Really?
He felt his stomach knot when a look of irritation flickered across Morgan's face and his jaw tensed. His eyes flashed darkly at the accusations and Spencer could immediately see that he'd hit some sore spots. Only then did it occur to him that he hadn't looked at him like that before, he'd always been amiably and calm. He been scared then -and now he'd gone and made him mad. 'Damnit, how stupid are you?'
"Well, you're wrong." His breath caught in fear when Morgan leaned in closer, teeth gritted.
"First of all, I was standing here the whole time," he said sourly, "I just opened the door to let my dog inside. Secondly, a little teasing doesn't automatically mean I'm going to bash your head in, I was just trying to give you a little lesson about judging people before you know them."
More anger flashed across his face and Spencer gulped nervously.
"And most important of all", he added, with a little less ardor but just as much conviction, "Hotch and Prentiss are completely full of it and should mind their own damn business."
Spencer just stared at him wordlessly. Morgan hesitated, seemingly unsure about the reason for his silence. Maybe he'd expected another heated comeback. He obviously didn't know him very well because Spencer was already back to being intimidated again, especially with the way Morgan was in his face right now.
Yes, he was pretty sure his accusations had actually scratched at the guy's pride, meaning they might not all be totally justified after all - but that didn't mean he felt much safer yet.
When instead of replying, big doe eyes just continued to stare at him in tense apprehension, Morgan sighed, finally sitting back on his heels as he rubbed a hand over his face. He seemed to have realized that despite his reasoning Spencer quite literally was backed into a corner here. Spencer couldn't be sure but he thought he saw something akin to regret in his eyes for a brief moment.
"I'm sorry," he eventually murmured, voice suddenly much softer, "It's not your fault. I just -you're alright, Spencer. I wouldn't do anything to you."
His anger seemed gone as he looked straight into Spencer's eyes, giving him a chance to judge if he was lying. The younger boy assessed him warily for a long moment, partially confused about this sudden change in tone, but also unsure about what to believe. Morgan seemed truly genuine and by now the amount of talking he'd done seemed a bit too elaborate to be some stupid ploy to prank him.
Eventually, he relaxed slightly, moving so he wasn't pressed quite as tightly to the wall anymore. Though still wary, he couldn't help but at least want to believe that those dark eyes were telling him the truth.
Morgan nodded, smiling slightly as he took in the minimal change.
The air around them slowly grew less tension laden and Spencer was beginning to think Morgan might just let him walk out of here unscathed after all. Which brought up the question of how he was going to walk on his ankle.
Seemingly reading his mind, Morgan nodded towards his leg, "Your ankle still hurting?"
He seemed to have gone back to friendly and easygoing in only a few moments, their argument pushed aside. It seemed a little odd, but Spencer wasn't about to complain in his relief. So he just nodded minimally, eyes cast down at his injury. He didn't think he would be able to just walk this kind of pain off.
"Do you mind if I take a look, see if it's maybe sprained?"
To his credit, Morgan waited for Spencer to nod this time before moving closer and touching him. Spencer wasn't aware he'd held his breath until the other began to carefully examine his leg, mindful to avoid causing him further pain. It took a while but ever so slowly he began to relax under the gentle fingers brushing over his skin.
He let Morgan examine him, watching him work as he took the few minutes to contemplate the fact that he was sitting in some strange hallway in the worst part of the city with someone he'd been nothing but frightened of for the past weeks.
Now, in light of recent developments, Morgan didn't seem so bad and scary after all. In fact, he seemed rather nice and caring. He still wasn't sure how this new picture fit with what everybody else was saying, who was right and who was twisting things, but as of right now he was willing to give Derek Morgan the benefit of the doubt.
It seemed he really had been too quick to judge.
"Did that hurt?" Morgan asked just then without looking up, fingers resting above his manacle. Spencer shook his head, shivering slightly at the touch.
No, it didn't hurt.
In fact, it felt sort of nice.
By the time Morgan finally sat back on his haunches, rearranging the hem of his pants, Spencer was almost completely calm. The older teen seemed to sense the change and smiled warmly at him.
"It looks fine to me. You'll probably want to put some ice on it and wait a while before running your next marathon though."
Spencer returned the smile timidly, "Thanks."
For a moment they remained still in their positions, just looking at each other.
Finally, Morgan was the first to move. He pushed to his feet and then bent down to offer Spencer his hand, "Here let me help you up."
This time around, Spencer almost didn't hesitate at all before putting his hand in the one offered to him.
x
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This was supposed to be longer but I got tired, sorry again. If you want to read the next part please review.