"I'm Austin Michaels," He introduced himself to the remainder of his colleagues, wiping his slightly sweaty palms on his slacks. They stood around him in the briefing room, watching him intently on his first day, in a way that made him feel borderline shake-y.

Everyone had already been introduced by Chief Aaron Hotchner, a well-mannered stoic man that had interviewed Austin for the job in the first place, after he'd been suggested to him by Erin Strauss to join the team. They'd been looking for a new member to help out, thinking that more capable hands would make lighter work. And at the moment, the work load was becoming too much for the team to handle. Austin seemed like a good fit, given his expertise.

"You know - - you remind me of Reid. You barely look out of university, never mind FBI training," Derek pondered aloud, and although it sounded it, Austin knew it wasn't said with any rude intent. In fact, Derek seemed more impressed than anything.

"I get that a lot. But I have the same qualifications as all you guys. I just got them a little quicker, I guess," Austin shrugged slightly, dark eyes flickering across each of the faces across from him. They already seemed to have accepted him, and it was putting him at ease for the first time since he'd entered the building.

"Indeed," Hotch said, his mouth opening as if to say something afterwards, yet he paused when he noticed Penelope gasp.

She'd just looked up from her 'Looney Toons' watch, her expression shifting from what seemed to be her naturally happy attitude, to one of obvious concern, "Do any of you know where Spencer is? It's not like him to be late, especially not when the trains are working on schedule."

"No idea . . ." JJ replied, speaking for everyone else. Her arms crossed over her chest, lips pulling into a straight line at the thought of her young friend being in trouble.

Aaron piped up, noticing their concern, "He'll be in a little later. Something happened with his mom."

An uncomfortable silence filled up the room for a few moments, before Derek spoke. "Is he alright?" His eyebrows knitted together slightly.

From what Austin could already tell, Spencer's mom seemed to be a touchy subject. His mind filed this information away for later.

"Should be."

Austin couldn't help but be left in the dark, out of place when they'd all known each other for so many years. Their dynamics, their knowledge of each other that he was completely left out on. He was sure he'd be filled in at some point, but being restricted for now him feel kind of awkward, especially when it came to social situations. He guessed he couldn't just expect for everything to fall into place magically on his first day (as much as it was, anyways).

"The new guy is here," Derek informed Spencer, finding a seat up against the edge of his desk"locking his access to the built-in drawers.

"Oh?" He looked up from the clutter on his table, raising his eyebrows in natural curiosity as he shuffled papers, "What's he like?" Spencer queried off-handedly. He wants much for small talk when he first arrived at the BAU, but he'd gotten used to their rythmn, and was oddly comforted by it by that point.

"I think he may be on the way to stealing 'Pretty Boy' status from you," Derek told him truthfully, arms crossing over his chest, and a smug smile drawing onto the corner of his lips.

Spencer mocked being offended, mouth hanging open slightly as he peered toward his friend. "I'm hurt," He joked with his friend, before turning his attention back towards his work.

The older man rolled his eyes at his unceremonious attitude, moving from his place so that he could go and make his lunch-time check on how Garcia was doing. "You'll get it when you see him," He promised.

"Oh, damn," Spencer let out breathily, his eyes following the man on the other side of the room with such palpable curiousity. No. . . more like something similar to enchantment. "He really is . . .-"

Derek was smirking as he stood behind the doctor's chair, "Yeah, a pretty boy."

Austin was tall, probably taller than Spencer, even. He had soft brown hair that curled a few centimeters below his ears, and sharp angular features that seemed to be accentuated in the artificial white light of the bullpen. Spencer thought fleetingly that it was probably that, along with his slight frame, that made him a pretty boy. Maybe it was his floral button up, too, or the way he tucked a strand of hair behind his ear (how endearing) as he moved.

"Wanna meet him?" Derek asked, and before Spencer could process his words, and object properly - - he'd called for Austin's attention. "Hey, buddy? You haven't met Spencer yet, right?" He patted one of the man's shoulders, causing him to flinch slightly.

Austin looked up from where he'd just placed his blazer over the back of his chair, smiling at his co-worker in a way that made the Doctor's throat feel dry. "Nah," He began to walk towards the two of them, his eyes drifting over to Spencer for the first time, ever. His heart fluttered against his will when they made eye-contact.

"Well, Austin, this is Doctor Spencer Reid. Spencer, this is Austin Michaels," Morgan gestured between them suitably, enjoying how Spencer just spluttered in response. He'd never really talked to someone he'd found that attractive (without messing up in some way) so he wasn't exactly anxious to begin the whole conversation thing. He stood from his seat, trying not to stumble over nothing.

"Hey there. It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I've heard so many good things," Austin held his hand out for Spencer to shake, which only made him flush a pretty pink in return.

"I-I don't shake hands. It transfers more germs than kissing does," Spencer told him bashfully, cringing at the truth that the first words he ever said to this man, were fact-based. God, he couldn't seem to reel himself in, could he?

Meanwhile, Austin thought it was kind of funny, and a little endearing. He also thought he had a cute voice - - deep, gentle, and sweet. If not somewhat unsure and hesitant, just like the man that possessed it.

Austin simply retracted his at Spencer's words, shrugging, before smiling widely. "If you're not careful, someone might just kiss you instead," He commented playfully.

That only made Spencer turn even redder. His mind was racing, thoughts muddled; yet some things came through strong. Like the fact that Austin had the most beautiful brown eyes, and the gentlest looking lips.

"Anyways, I've got to review some case files, but I guess we'll talk later," Austin gestured over his shoulder, back towards his desk. Stacked on top of it, were two boxes that he'd brought in earlier, filled with files that Hotch had given him to look over before they got their first case.

"I guess so," Spencer agreed, nodding a bit. He watched as Austin lingered for a moment, and then offered him one last friendly smile, before turning and heading over to resume his work.

Spencer stuffed his hands in his pockets, looking down at the floor once he'd left. He couldn't help but let a small, happy smile tug at his lips subconsciously.

He peered back up when he heard Derek laughing behind him at their interaction. Spencer had forgotten he was there, and as he turned to look at him, he couldn't help but want to disappear into thin air. Derek had what could possibly be the smuggest grin on his face.

"Wow. I didn't pin you for someone who likes other pretty boys . . . but then again, even profilers have to be wrong sometimes."

AUTHOR'S NOTE

i shouldn't bE THIS EXCITED (BC NO ONES GONNA READ THis) BUT I AM I REALLY AM. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE FIRST CHAPTER.

17 FEB/2022 UPDATE:
hope you guys enjoy having it re-published!
it's edited and i added more gifs and graphics!!!!!!! (done by mwah). format is also slightly different but it has the same plot and everything <3

love, b.