You know Reid likes using public transportation, but today is the sort of day when everybody wants to be home as soon as possible. You offer him a ride as soon as you see him and he gives you a small smile and agrees.

One of the more bizarre coincidences of your life was that you and Reid lived in the same building. You'd lived there for four years after finding it during your previous job and he'd just so happened to live on the floor above you. You'd never run into each other, but the first time you had an emotionally draining case like this, you'd made the same offer and the two of you had a nice laugh over it.

Not that you ever planned on telling him, but he did have a nice laugh. Of all the team members, you always gravitated towards him. Something about him just made you feel instantly better-smarter, safer, happier. If you didn't work with him, you would probably just think of him as a cute guy that lived in your building. Watching him put himself in harm's way to protect people added another layer to the way you thought of him. Knowing how deep his caring nature for other people went drove you wild. You two were both approaching 30, and fast. In the year you'd known him, it seemed like he was aging like the finest wine.

You liked having him around. His presence was always the perfect pick-me-up. Even though you were both dead tired, as you got off at your floor, you stuck a hand over the elevator door.

"Listen, I'm going to put my stuff down and go shower before I made breakfast-why don't you come down in a half hour and eat with me?" You had no desire to make anything other than coffee right now, but the only thing better than sleeping right now would be time with him.

"Sure." He smiled brightly and you let the doors close over him.

You kicked your go-bag under your bed, dreading the trip to the laundry in the basement you'd have to make later. Thirty minutes was a stupid time frame to give him-you wouldn't have time to dry your hair or do anything special for breakfast. You didn't waste anytime stripping and getting into the shower. You thought about at least putting on a decent outfit, but knowing that you were going to bed the moment he left, you gave in and threw on an old shirt and pajama pants.

You had just started on making pancakes when he knocked on the door. You yelled that the door was open and he made his way in. He took a seat at your countertop and gave you that bright smile again.

"You really shouldn't leave your door unlocked like that, statistically-"

You cut him off gently "We work the same cases, Reid, I know the odds. Besides, I knew you were coming down. If somebody wanted to murder me, I'm sure you'd be down here to stop them." you remarked with a snort.

His face lost some of its levity. "y/n, I wouldn't give anybody the chance to hurt you."

How were you supposed to respond when your coworker says something like that? When your coworker that you may have had a crush on for the past year says something like that?

"Do you like chocolate chips in your pancakes?" you tried.

The two of you eat on your couch facing each other. He lets you tuck your cold feet under his thigh where he has his legs tucked to the side of him while he leans back on your arm rest.

This was just what you needed. You trade funny stories about work and your lives before the BAU and he makes you laugh so hard that your stomach hurts.

He takes your plate and moves to load them into your dishwasher. You take advantage of the silence to bring up what's been at the back of your mind all morning.

"Did you know about Hailey and Hotch?" you try to bring it up casually.

It's clear in his face how sad the situation makes him.

"I didn't. Poor Jack."

You nod in agreement. "I know. The whole situation is just so sad. They were high school sweethearts."

He sits down on the couch again with you. "Rossi's gotten divorced three times." he remarks.

"Is that what this job does? It just destroys any relationship you have?" There's no heat in your voice as you say it, just a hint of fear.

He gives you a sympathetic smile. "Alright, now you're getting sad. That's how I know you're tired." he stands and offers you his hand.

"I don't get sad when I'm tired!" you protest and take his hand. You expect him to let go after helping you up, but he holds on and walks you to your bedroom.

"Sure you don't. Get some sleep, alright?" He pauses in the doorway to look at you as you pull back the duvet and climb into bed.

"Lock up on your way out. Spare-"

He cuts you off. "Spare key is in the cabinet over the sink."

"Your memory wears me out." you huff. "I'll get you a key next time I'm out. Promise."

He smiles at you one final time and leaves.