A/N: So this was in my Oneshot collection and I have decided to try this out for fun as a story, but it won't be very long in chapter wise sense. This will deal with domestic abuse and will have Slash. This will also be a Hotch/Reid story for the fun of it. Chapter warnings will come with each chapter.
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Chapter 1
It was a Wednesday when Reid walked into the BAU with his head down and hair covering the side of his face. He was hoping no one would notice the black eye, but he knew that was just a false hope. The second he sat down at his desk and everyone came to say hello they would see it and they would ask questions. Questions that he knew he would have to lie to. Reid let out a sigh as he made it to his desk and sure enough Emily and Morgan were already sitting at their desks. Not even two minutes after he sat down Morgan of course noticed something was wrong.
"Reid what's that on your eye?"
Reid knew by Morgan using his last name and with his tone that he knew very well what it was on his eye and he wasn't happy about it. Morgan got up and moved across the little gap between their desks to reach Reid. He didn't even wait for Reid to comment he just put his hand out and moved the hair from the side of Reid's face and tucked it behind his ear. The bruising was now clear to see completely and Reid knew that Morgan was going to go off the deep end.
"Reid what the hell happened?"
"It's nothing. It was just an incident on the subway."
"An incident Reid someone punched you in the face and punched you hard. It wouldn't surprise me if you have a fractured bone."
Morgan put his hand under Reid's chin to turn his head over towards him so he could get a better look. The bruising wasn't just on his left eye it was going down the side of his face.
"It's fine it's not a big deal Morgan."
"Reid the bruising down your face is a big deal. What the hell happened?"
By this point Emily was standing beside Reid and couldn't believe how deep and dark the bruising was on his face. She didn't say anything she just let Morgan handle this. By now though you could tell something was going on which caught Rossi's attention who was coming out of the break room with fresh coffee in his hand. He made his way over to where the three agents were gathering to see what was going on. He couldn't believe what he saw he thought that would be the last thing that was going on. Reid's left half of his face was covered in one deep dark bruise.
"Reid what happened to you? Are you alright?"
"I'm fine Rossi."
"Apparently he had a small incident on the subway." Emily said
"Which, he has yet to tell me what it is." Morgan said clearly getting more agitated the longer it took Reid to answer.
"I got on the subway to head home and some guy I've never seen before thought I was staring at him. He was more than a little drunk and irate about something. I got off the subway at my stop he came out after me and hit me. It's not a big deal he was just some drunk who happened to be bigger than me."
"What does he look like?" Morgan asked
"Why does that matter?"
"So we can find him and charge him for assaulting a federal agent."
"I'm not charging him Morgan. He was just some drunk it's not a big deal so I don't plan on making it one."
"Half of your face is black and blue Reid." Rossi said
"And it will heal stop fussing over it."
Hotch was coming out of his office to speak with JJ about any cases that needed their immediate attention. When he exited his office he noticed that three of his agents were gathered around Reid's desk and if the pissed off look on Morgan's face was anything to go by something was wrong. It wasn't until Rossi waved him down there that Hotch went down the stairs to see what the commotion about. When he was in sight of Reid that's when he found out what Morgan was so angry about. As Hotch approached them he could hear them arguing about Reid not wanting to file charges and Morgan saying how it was a big deal what happened to him. Hotch knew he would have to handle the situation before anymore tempers got heated.
"Reid"
Reid looked up as he heard Hotch call his voice. Now he knew he was in trouble. It was easy to lie to Morgan and Emily and even Rossi at times, but Hotch, the man was a living breathing lie detector Reid knew there was no way he would believe his story.
"Do we have a case?" Reid asked hoping like hell that Hotch wouldn't make a deal out of this.
"Not yet. My office and the rest of you I believe you have plenty of paperwork to keep yourselves busy."
Hotch didn't even give Reid the chance to say anything he just turned and walked back to his office. Reid got up and tried to make sure that no one noticed that he was in pain anywhere else and followed Hotch to his office. Once inside Hotch's office he saw that Hotch wasn't sitting down at his desk he was actually leaning against it.
"Close the door Reid"
Reid did as he was told and closed the door behind him. He couldn't resist crossing his arms over his waist. This whole situation made him feel nervous and uncomfortable.
"I am your boss, but I am also your friend. So as a friend I am going to ask you one very important question. Did Jake do that to you?"
Reid knew this question was coming. Only Hotch knew about his boyfriend Jake Andrews. They had been together for almost a year now and he had kept him a secret. Hotch only knew, because he overheard a conversation he was having on the phone with him during a case. Reid had kept him a secret simply, because he didn't want the team to tease him about being gay. He knew that they were profilers and they were open minded, but that didn't mean they didn't tease him about things. Also once he mentioned having a boyfriend they would want to meet him and Jake hated the fact that he worked for the FBI much less the other men he worked beside especially Hotch. Reid couldn't believe how many times they had gotten into a fight, because Jake thought he was sleeping with Hotch. Don't get Reid wrong it wasn't like he didn't think about Hotch, he did. Reid had feelings for Hotch since the moment he saw him how could he not? He was tall, dark and handsome what wasn't to like. Even when Reid knew that Hotch was straight with a wife and a son it didn't stop the fantasies that crept to him at night. When Hotch got a divorce he even thought he saw Hotch looking at him more than usual, but that was just Reid's imagination he was sure of it.
"Why would you even ask me that?"
"Because this isn't the first time I've noticed that you've had bruising. I've seen you being more careful of your left or right side on different occasions. I've seen you trying to hide a limp. I've seen you with headaches that came out of nowhere. I've seen you with a split lip that you claimed came from your own doing. Now half of your face is bruised. That's a lot of incidents and accidents in the past year for someone who didn't have many in the years before. Not to mention when I asked you, you replied with a question."
Reid hated profilers they really did make the worst friends. Never could you lie to them and never could you act like nothing was wrong. Everything you say they analyse and tear apart to make sure it's the truth or not.
"I asked the question, because I was surprised that you would suggest something like that."
"You've changed in the past year Spencer. You think I'm the only one that has noticed? We all have, how could we not? You don't go out with us anymore not even for dinner. You don't talk as much. You don't ramble on about things you just keep it short and to the point. You hardly smile and your injured most of the time, but you hide it. If there's nothing wrong why hide the injuries?"
"Nothing is going on. I don't ramble, because when I do people just tell me to shut up so what's the point? I don't go out at night, because I'm tired I haven't been sleeping very well with the headaches. It's not a big deal." Reid said defensively.
"That's what amazes me. You don't consider your health and safety a big deal. Spencer I don't have your IQ, but I am far from an idiot. How long am I supposed to play dumb and act like I don't know that he's abusing you? I'm standing here as a friend and as a friend I will help you if you want and give you advice, but I am only going to wait so long as a friend. If I have to get involved as your boss things will be different. I won't be understanding and ignore what is going on. Even if that means I have to arrest him myself. So decide which one you want the friend or the boss Spencer." Hotch said in a tone that Reid knew he wasn't going to be able to argue with and Hotch wasn't going to let this one go.
"He loves me." Reid whispered so softly that Hotch almost didn't hear him.
"Love doesn't hurt Spencer."
"Doesn't it?"
"No it doesn't and I have to admit it scares me to know that you think love hurts."
"You telling me that you and Haley never hurt each other."
"I never laid a hand on her."
"That's not the only way you can hurt someone."
"You're right it's not the only way you can hurt someone. Have Haley and I argued in the past of course we have. Have we said hurtful things that we regretted, of course. We still do and we're divorced. That's natural for relationships. You can't be happy with each other twenty-four-seven. However, words are words and they hurt yes, but not as much as someone hitting you."
"I never said he was hitting me."
"You never denied it either. You won't say it out loud, because the second you tell someone or even say it than it becomes real. The second it becomes real you'll actually have to admit that you're being abused. That he doesn't love you like you deserve to be loved."
"He does love me like I deserve to be loved. You don't know what goes on between us. It's easy to judge from the outside looking in. You don't know what he's like."
"You're right I don't know what he's like I've never met him. So let's change that then. Tonight the three of us are going to dinner."
"I don't think that's a good idea."
"Why not do the two of you have something to hide?" Hotch said in a challenging voice.
"No of course not."
"Good call him then and tell him that you are going out with a friend tonight for dinner. Just the three of us."
Reid knew that Hotch was waiting for him to not call Jake. Reid knew that Hotch was waiting to call his bluff. Reid didn't have a choice though; if he didn't go out with Jake and Hotch tonight he knew that Hotch would never let it go. He also knew that it was going to cost him later from Jake. Having to go out to dinner with Hotch, the one person that Jake hates with everything in him. The one person Jake is obsessed that Reid is having an affair with. Reid pulled his cell phone out and dialed Jake's number after three rings Jake picked up.
"Hey babe."
"Hi Jake. Um I was wondering if you wanted to go out to dinner with myself and a teammate tonight."
"Tonight eh? Who's the teammate?"
"Ya tonight just us and Hotch my boss." Reid said with a smile even though he was dreading every second of this.
"Why would I ever go to a dinner with him there?" Jake said with anger.
"Well he's my boss and would like to meet you."
"If I entertain this you will owe me big time for this." Jake said in a threatening voice.
"I know"
"I'll pick you up after work then."
"Alright I'll see you when I'm off." Reid said with a smile.
Jake didn't say goodbye he just hung up his cell phone. He couldn't believe that Reid wanted him to meet Hotch, the one man that Jake knew Reid was sleeping with. He could have easily said no, but that wouldn't be any fun. Tonight he was going to make sure he kept a good eye on Reid and then when they got back from dinner punish him for his cheating ways. Reid hung his cell phone up and turned his attention back to Hotch. He couldn't let him know that he was worried about this dinner or what would happen afterwards. He knew what Jake meant by paying for this later and that wasn't something he was looking forward to.
"He's going to pick me up after work and we can go to dinner the three of us." Reid said with a smile.
"Good it'll be nice to meet him."
"Meet or profile?"
"Profile to be honest. I'm not going to pretend like I don't know something is going on. I'm not going to keep turning a blind eye and watch as you get hurt. You're lucky Morgan doesn't know about this or he would be over at his place killing him. Then calling Rossi to help him burry the body." Hotch said with complete seriousness in his voice.
"He doesn't hit me."
"Then you shouldn't have anything to worry about."
"I have cases I need to get through before the end of the day so if we're good I should get to work."
"I'll see you after work and we can wait for Jake to show up then we can go to dinner."
"Alright"
Reid left Hotch's office to go back to doing his work. When he went back to his desk everyone was already back to focusing on their case files that they had left on their desk. Reid was thankful that no one else talked about his face or that no one else noticed that something was bothering him. He was really scared about Jake meeting Hotch. Hotch would profile Jake within minutes of meeting him and if he profiled him correctly, which he always does, than there would be more conversations to come. Reid just focused on his work for the remainder of the day even opting out of going for lunch. By the time five o'clock rolled around his stomach was tied up in knots. Hotch came out of his office and headed towards Reid's desk as the others started to pack up their things to head on home. Hotch made sure he said goodbye to everyone while he waited for Reid to get his things together. Reid slowly got his things together not feeling ready to get going to this dinner. He knew that Jake would most likely make them wait. He liked to play those games. Sometimes he would tell Reid he was going to pick him up after work and not show up for another hour or more if it was a day with bad weather. Reid was hoping that he wouldn't make him wait that long.
"Ready?" Hotch asked finally.
"Yes."
Reid said as he got up and put his messenger bag around himself like he always does. They made their way to the elevator and went down into the parking garage where Jake always meets Reid. Just like Reid thought Jake wasn't there yet and all Reid could do was hope like hell that he would be there soon.
"He's not here yet. Why don't you go ahead and we can meet you there?" Reid suggested.
"Why I got all night Jack is with Haley. I have no problem waiting. Besides this way I get to make sure you both show up at the restaurant."
"I wouldn't leave you sitting at some restaurant Hotch."
"Aaron, we are not working right now Spencer. I know you wouldn't leave me sitting in a restaurant, but there is no point in me going there and just waiting when I can wait here and keep you company."
Reid just gave a nod to that. This whole situation was awkward as hell and he really didn't know what to do besides hoping that Jake would be there soon. Thankfully his prayers were answered ten minutes later Jake pulled into the parking garage. Now Reid could feel his stomach in his throat there was no telling what personality Jake would have tonight. He was either going to be fake or he was going to show Hotch that he didn't like him. Jake didn't even get out of the car he just rolled the driver side window down half way.
"You all set?"
He asked directing his question to Reid.
"Ya."
Reid said as he made his way towards Jake's car.
"How does Italiano Bistro sound?" Hotch asked to either one of them though he knew Jake would be the one to answer.
"Ya I know the place."
Once Reid was in the car Jake took off without even saying hello or goodbye to Hotch. Hotch expected this, but he was hoping he would have been wrong about the relationship. He made his way over to his car and got in then headed for the restaurant. Reid's hands were shaking slightly. He knew that tonight was going to be horrific to say the least. It didn't even take two minutes from leaving the parking garage before Jake started.
"Why the fuck would you think I would even want to go to dinner with him." Jake's voice was low and dangerous. Reid knew he couldn't afford to lie to him right now.
"He saw the bruising, my whole team did. I said I got it from some drunk man on the subway. Hotch didn't believe me. He pulled me into his office and asked if you did it. I told him no and he wanted to meet you to see for himself. It would have looked bad if you said no."
"You're such a fucking idiot you can't even lie properly. It's amazing how you even have a fucking job with how stupid and worthless you are. Now because of that, I have to sit there and make nice with the man that you would love to be getting fucked by."
"I don't think of him that way he's my boss." Reid said timidly, but did his best to sound strong.
"You think I don't know how you love to spread your legs for him and probably the rest of your team. Every time you go away on a case I know what you're doing. I know you're letting them fuck you each night and beg for more just like the whore you are." Jake said with disgust and hatred to his voice.
"I don't sleep with any of them I have never cheated on you. They are just my teammates I'm not a whore." Reid didn't raise his voice he kept it to a whisper. Jake was furious enough he didn't need to add any more fuel to the fire. He was sure Hotch would be doing that enough himself.
"Oh you are a whore and tonight after all of this is over you will be punished like the no good, nasty, worthless whore you are. You better pray that he doesn't say something to piss me off even more, because it will be you that gets taught the lesson. Now just because we are out with your boss doesn't mean you can break the rules. I don't want to hear your voice unless someone asks you a question do you understand me."
"Yes"
The rest of the drive was done in silence. Reid knew better then to try and start a conversation. It was always like that when they were together he was to remain quiet until Jake spoke to him and only when a question was asked. Otherwise he was to sit there and listen to him. Jake never asked him about his day or any cases that he was on. The only time he mentioned his work was when he was going on a tangent about how he worked insane hours and having to travel all the time. He never brought up his job in a positive way at all. Especially when it concerned his teammates especially Hotch, Morgan or Rossi. Jake was convinced that he was sleeping with all three of them sometimes he convinced himself that they would have orgies when off on a case.
No matter how many times he told Jake that he wasn't it always resulted in a beating or punishment, as Jake liked to call it. Never had he ever apologized for anything he did to him. He always just told him how he deserved it and say all these horrible things to him. After a while Reid started to believe it, hence why he was so different now at work. Jake constantly told him how stupid he was and worthless. He constantly told him how they only keep him around so the FBI can use him as a recruitment technique. Jake would even make him call himself stupid and worthless. On the occasion where Jake was drunk he would make Reid punish himself. There had been a few times where Reid didn't eat for a week straight, because he forgot to get groceries so Jake made not eating his punishment for doing so. Finally after a week he was allowed to eat, but only because he agreed to having a threesome with Jake and his one friend. Reid had never felt so dirty before in his life than he did when that happened. Jake and his friend made sure they made him feel like some street hooker that was selling his body for food.
Reid knew that he should listen to Hotch and just admit what was really going on, but he couldn't. Jake loved him and even though his mind was screaming at him that he didn't; his heart was singing a different tune. This was love, this is how love feels, he had seen it plenty of time with his parents, this was normal. Besides even if he wanted to leave it wouldn't be possible. Jake didn't work he relied on Reid to make the money to support the household and his drinking. Not to mention the hospital bills for himself and his mother. Jake was living in his apartment he couldn't just leave and kicking him out would be impossible Jake was twice his size. It would be like trying to kick Morgan out of his house by force. It doesn't matter how much physics Reid knew, there was no way you could move someone twice your size if they didn't want to move. Reid was out of options he had to stay and just hope things would get better. All he had to do was figure out how to be a good boyfriend then he wouldn't be punished all the time for making mistakes. They pulled up to the restaurant and before Reid could get out Jake spoke.
"Make sure he doesn't suspect anything or tonight will be even worse." Jake said in a deadly tone.
"Yes sir"
Jake opened his door followed by Reid. Reid could see that Hotch was pulling in and parking so they made their way over to him. That was when Jake put on the charm he stuck his hand out once Hotch was out of his car.
"Hey we haven't met I'm Jake, Spencer's boyfriend."
Hotch was polite and took Jake's hand giving it a good hard grip as he spoke.
"Aaron Hotchner it's finally nice to meet you."
"Likewise let's go in shall we."
Reid just smiled and followed Jake and Hotch into the restaurant and waited to be seated. Once seated they ordered their drinks, Jake had a whiskey and coke like he always does. Once the drinks were on the table and the food ordered that's when the true conversation started.
"So Spencer hasn't told me much about yourself. What do you do for a living?" Hotch asked trying his best to be nice.
"I'm a freelance photographer."
What Jake said was true he was a photographer the problem was he hasn't worked in almost nine months. He just stays at home all day getting drunk while Reid has to pay for everything.
"Do you enjoy it?"
"I do. I know it's nothing fancy like being in the FBI, but I get to be home every night with the man I love and during the day I can do what I love. I can't tell you how many times I wish Spencer would get a different job so he could do the same."
"I love my job." Reid very carefully said.
"I'm sure you do, but you'll never know it's the best one out there until you have tried a couple others."
"I believe once you find something you love doing anything else just doesn't compare." Hotch answered.
"Yes well there are much safer jobs out there better suited for someone like Spencer. He's not exactly the fighting kind of person."
"He doesn't have to fight with his fists. Spencer fights with his mind and he is the only person on this team that can actually talk down an UnSub without having to fire his weapon. His mind is what makes him extraordinary."
"Can we not talk about me while I am sitting here please?" Reid said clearly feeling uncomfortable and awkward.
"Sorry" Hotch said immediately.
"Do you have a family Aaron?" Jake asked changing the topic.
"I have a son."
"Where is his mother?"
"We're divorced."
"That must have been hard on him." Jake said trying his best to sound sympathetic.
"It was at first but he understands now. Do you have children?"
"No I don't like children."
"Children are not for everyone." Reid added in quickly.
"No they are not. There are a lot of people out there that want children and can't have them and a lot of people out there that have them and shouldn't." Hotch said calmly.
"Well said." Reid said.
They kept the small talk going until their meals came then it was only small conversation as they ate. Reid was thankful that Jake wasn't being a complete ass in front of Hotch. Reid knew he had to make this look like a loving relationship and it was easier to do with Jake behaving. Though, Reid knew that Hotch was profiling Jake the moment he pulled up in the parking garage at the BAU. Hotch was one of the best profilers there was no way he wouldn't be able to tell that Jake was just faking it. Hotch would see right through him in a second. Once dinner was done they sat there just talking about nothing that was when Reid excused himself so he could go to the washroom. Once Reid was out of hearing range Jake didn't miss a beat.
"He's a great guy eh?" Jake asked in a tone that Hotch knew he was going somewhere with this that Hotch wasn't going to like.
"Spencer, he is one of a kind."
"Ya, is that why you are sleeping with him?"
Hotch was blown away at what Jake was accusing him of. He knew Jake was going somewhere with his conversation, but he didn't expect that at all.
"Excuse me?" Hotch asked not being able to keep the shock completely from his voice.
"You think I don't know how you are sleeping with my boyfriend? I know that when you all go away for a case he's sleeping with all of you on the team, all you men at least. But you are different you care about him I can tell and I know he cares about you. Every single time I have to ask about his work when he comes back exhausted he mentions you. I'm sick of hearing about you. So I am going to make this very clear stop fucking him or I will fuck with your career." Jake said in a threatening tone.
"Spencer isn't cheating on you with anyone, especially with someone on this team. I am not sleeping with him. Now if I were you I would think twice before threatening a Federal Agent. Just like it would be wise for you to stop abusing him."
"I've never laid a hand on him."
"I'm not an idiot, I am far from it. I've seen the bruises, the way he acts now around the team, he's different. That's because of you and your abuse. I will make sure that he is far away from you if it is the last thing I do." Hotch said with complete authority in his voice.
"You have no proof and I know for a fact that he would never say I hurt him. I love him. I treat him like he deserves to be treated."
Jake looked back up to see Reid approaching them. So he put on a fake smile and spoke to Reid.
"Hey babe you ready to head on home?"
"Ya it's been a long day."
"Spencer…" Hotch was cut off before he could continue
"That's, because you are always working you need to take some time off. Now let's pay the bill and get on home. It was a pleasure to meet you Aaron I hope we can do this again sometime. "
"I'll see you tomorrow Hotch."
Before anymore could be said Jake made sure Reid got up and went to pay the bill before Hotch could stop him. As Hotch was getting his jacket on and getting ready to pay his own bill Jake had gotten Reid outside and into his car. By the time Hotch was all paid up they were gone.