You noticed it the moment Spencer walked through the apartment door: the look.

It wasn't often that he got that look in his eyes, but it was unmistakable when it was there. Usually it was after a particularly rough case, or when he was having a really tough day battling the demons of his past. Considering he was just arriving home from a case in Colorado, you assumed it was the former option.

You knew he wasn't going to talk about it until he was ready, and you respected that wholeheartedly. You watched wordlessly from the couch as he methodically placed his keys in the bowl by the door, then removed his jacket, hanging it on the coatrack, and pushed off his shoes. He dropped his messenger bag on the dining table and ran a hand through his hair before finally noticing you. You just gave him a soft smile and opened your arms.

His shoulders slumped as he made his way over to you. You shuffled back and spread your legs so there was room for him to sit comfortably on the couch between them. He reclined into your embrace, your arms wrapping around his middle while his head rested back against your shoulder. You grabbed the remote next to you and turned on Doctor Who, hoping to take his mind off things for at least a little bit.

You watched an entire episode before he got squirmy, turning to his side with his legs slung over the arm rest, his face nuzzling into your neck. You rubbed up and down his arms affectionately and leaned your head against his. It was a rare soft moment. Between work schedules and every day life, simply getting to hold each other without being asleep wasn't common.

You switched off the tv before it got too late and pressed a kiss to his hair, murmuring, "Shower and bed, bub?"

He nodded soundlessly, allowing you to gently maneuver him onto his feet again. You took him by the hand and led him down the hall, through your bedroom to your en suite.

"Go ahead and undress and I'll get fresh pj's, okay?" You instructed, leaving him for a moment.

You went to your shared dresser and pulled out one of his CalTech tee shirts for yourself along with clean panties, then grabbed a pair of boxers and some plaid pajama pants for him, along with a white tee shirt if he was in the mood for sleeping in one.

When you returned, you couldn't help but watch him pitifully for a moment, so exhausted and drained that he was struggling to get his belt undone. His shirt had been successfully unbuttoned halfway, revealing most of his chest.

You giggled lightly, "Here, let me."

A rush of color tinted his cheeks as he smiled appreciatively, murmuring a meek "thank you", the first time you'd heard him speak since he'd arrived. You undid the rest of the buttons on his shirt, pushing it off his shoulders and sliding his arms out so it fell to the floor. You then unbuckled his belt with ease, along with his pants button and zipper. You hooked two fingers in his boxers, slowly pulling them down in one move over his sturdy thighs  along with his pants. He stepped out of them, one hand on your shoulder for balance which you found endearing.

You stood from your crouched position began to undress as he peeled his mismatched socks off, tossing them into the growing pile of discarded apparel. You made quick work of removing your clothes and turned the water on in the glass shower, adjusting the temperature just the way Spencer liked it: hot, but not scalding.

You stuck your hand under the stream to test it and, once it was perfect, you entered, drawing him in with you. You moved him under the water first, watching with rapture at how his tense body relaxed and his eyes fluttered shut. The warmth of the water enveloped him like a warm cocoon, and he hummed in pleasure.

You smiled softly, reaching up to smooth back his now sopping wet curls from his face. You reached behind him to grab his light blue loofa and lathered it in some mint and lavender body wash. You started at his shoulders and neck and worked your way over his body, leaving trials of fluffy white suds in your wake. His eyes watched you adoringly, moving around every now and then so you could get every inch of him. Once you were satisfied you turned him around to rinse, facing the shower head. You rinsed the loofa and hung it back on its little hook.

You took Spencer's bottle of 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner, smelling strongly of sandalwood and mint, and squeezed a fair amount onto your hand. You then used the unsoapy hand to press lightly on his tummy, drawing him a couple steps back towards you, away from the water. You tilted his head back so you could reach his hair, then lathered the soap in your hands. As you massaged his hair and scalp, he let out a pleased whimper.

You rinsed out his hair and, having already showered earlier that day for yourself, turned the water off and stepped out first. You grabbed a white, fluffy towel and unfolded it, wrapping it around his torso as goosebumps appeared on his milky white skin.

The two of you dried off and you faced him once more, tilting his chin down so you could capture his lips with yours in a soft kiss. Pulling back you both smiled contentedly. You helped him as he stepped into his boxers and pajama pants, and pulled the white tee shirt over his head. You dressed yourself and washed your face while he brushed his teeth. You brushed yours shortly after, watching him make his way to the bed tiredly. You styled your hair quickly and then grabbed Spencer's brush, comb, and a bottle of leave in conditioner.

Flicking the bathroom lights off, you found him sitting criss-cross on the edge of the bed, facing you. He looked like he was almost asleep, his eyelids drooping and his lips pouted. You smoothed a hand over his cheek affectionately and then moved to sit behind him.

The two of you sat in contented silence as you sprayed the leave in conditioner in his golden brown, loopy curls. You brushed them back soothingly with the brush, repeating the motion until every tangle was gone. You then used the wide tooth comb to break the slicked back hair apart into its chunky curls again winding some pieces around your fingers to help them form their shape. Once you were done, you lightly rubbed his shoulders and back, placing tiny kisses on him through his tee shirt.

You took the hair tools back to the bathroom and returned quickly. His arms extended towards you as you walked, making grabby hands at you. You giggled, unable to resist his adorable silent plead for closeness. He pulled you into his arms as you laid down together.

You faced him, moving little wet curls out of his eyes,  before whispering, "You can talk about it when you're ready."

He nodded, his eyebrows knitting together in thought before speaking, "It was a kidnapping. Some had been held for up to nine years. They were so..."

He squeezed his eyes shut, and you knew he was holding back tears.

You rubbed his back, "Let it out, bub. You'll feel better, I promise."

Almost as if he had needed the verbal permission, he let his tears go. They streamed down his face leaving hot, wet streaks in their wake. You cupped his face with your hands, wiping the tears with your thumb. You then moved them up, combing through his drying hair, then trailed one down his spine soothingly. You hated seeing him upset, but you knew it was better than him bottling it in.

His sobs became more erratic as his breathing evened out. He slowly opened his eyes, the soft, caramel color rimmed red from crying. Yet he looked like a weight had been lifted.

"Better?" You murmured, leaning in to press a kiss to his forehead as he nodded, "You did good on the case. I know you did."

"I just wish we could've done more," he whimpered as he scooted closer, nuzzling his face into your chest.

"I know," you moved him so he was basically on top of you, "But you did enough. And that's what matters. You are enough, angel."

He sighed at your words of praise, his lips making contact with your skin as he spoke, "Thank you."

"Of course," you cooed, continued to rub his back, "Now rest, okay? You have tomorrow off so we can sleep in extra long and cuddle and watch movies. That sound good?"

He nodded against you, "Perfect. I love you."

"I love you too, so much," you smiled down at him.

He leaned up slightly and puckered his lips, signaling for a kiss. You giggled and slotted your lips against his gently, sighing at the contact. You broke apart and you reached over, turning off the bedside lamp. He snuggled deeper into you in the dark, his feet wiggling around slightly as they did before he went to sleep.

It wasn't long until both of you were out, dreaming sweetly of each other.