Chapter XVII: Chopsticks

"For which of my bad parts didst thou first fall in love with me?" - William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing

~"would you...like to come over?" I asked. ~Narrator's POV:

Regret.

That's one of the many words that describe how Eden felt after asking that question. Right next to excitement and yearning.

The yearning to feel his lips on hers again. The excitement of the possibility of him saying yes. But the regret caused by the fear of him saying no.

"It's fine if you-"

"I'd love to," Spencer interrupted.

A big grin spread across Eden's face, a small smile on Spencer's. She grabbed his hand and led him out of the hospital, the adrenaline flowing through her.

The doctors got out to the parking lot, Eden held her hand out for the car keys. He hesitantly put the keys in her palm, but then realized he didn't know her address. 

The car ride was silent, too silent. When Spencer knew Eden was distracted he'd take a moment to look in the side-view mirror, fixing his hair, checking his teeth, and whatnot.

The pair arrived at her apartment complex, where Eden quickly interlaced her fingers with Spencer's, making him blush.

She let go of his hand, his face staying still trying to hide the disappointment of the loss of her touch. She grabbed her keys and entered the apartment--

Of course, after fighting with the lock. She does not have a good track record with doors.

Entering the apartment, Spencer couldn't help but look around out of curiosity. As well as not being able to not profile her and Andy's place. He looks around seeing various plants, that are fake, of course. Few pictures of Eden and Andy's families. Her grandparents had a special spot on her bookshelf, right next to the frame, sat a book, evidently having been untouched. Andy's family has a spot as well, across from Eden's on the other side. It seems as though they've separated their books by having a shelf for each of them. Eden's side is filled with Shakespeare and Emily Dickinson, along with other famous authors, while Andy's seemed more like a collector. Having playbills and snow globes placed all over it, along with pictures of Eden and Andy with broadway actors.

What Spencer didn't notice however was her couch, as his attention went immediately to the books, he didn't notice the elderly woman napping on the couch.

"Flora, " Eden said softly to the woman, turning Spencer's attention towards the two, slightly startled by the figure laying.

"Flora, " Eden repeated, pushing some hair out of the lady's face.

The woman stirs awake.

"Eden, dear, you're back, " she said, her voice seeming to be rough because of the sudden wake-up, although it's quite hoarse even awake.

"Yes, I am. Thank you for taking care of Kiwi and Dolly, " Eden responds, motioning her head towards the bookshelf. Spencer turns to see an aquarium he didn't notice before, seeing a green neon tetra and a harlequin rasbora swimming around.

"And who's this young man?" Flora pipes up.

Spencer stands up straight and turns to the two women, "I'm Dr. Spencer Reid, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Pleasure's all mine, Andy and Eden talk about you and the other members of...what is it called again?" Flora walked up to Spencer before turning back to Eden.

"BAU, " Eden answered.

"Apologies, my mind isn't the same as it used to be. Hold on... you're the young, handsome genius!" Flora exclaimed, quoting Eden's description, she turned to the other young doctor, "you were right."

Eden averted her gaze to the floor to hide her red face, Spencer simply smiled at the older woman.

"Well, I'll be leaving now," she said starting to retreat to her apartment.

"Call if you need help with anything!" Eden exclaimed as the neighbor raised a thumbs up before walking out the door.

A moment of silence passed.

"So..." Spencer started.

"...would you like to watch a movie?" Eden let out.

Spencer nodded and started to make way to her couch.

"Get comfortable, I could order some takeout if you'd like?" Eden said.

"t- that would be nice, " Spencer stammered.

"I can get some Chinese, there's a really good place I know."

"I'm good with that, " Spencer smiled.

"Alright, " Eden grinned before turning on her heel towards the kitchen.

~

A few minutes into Much Ado About Nothing, a knock was heard at the door. So far, Eden and Spencer have been keeping their distance each on opposite sides of the couch. Eden paid the delivery guy with the bills she and Spencer pulled to split the bill.

She put the takeout onto the coffee table in front of them and took out the boxes from the bag. She handed Spencer's order to him with some chopsticks. He opened the box and immediately fought with the utensils.

Eden chuckled, "I know I can barely open doors but at least I can hold chopsticks."

"It's like trying to forage for dinner with a pair of number two pencils."

Eden giggled at the grown man struggling and scooted closer to Spencer. She positioned his fingers and helped him use the chopsticks properly. He tried once more by himself before failing again, Eden chuckled and pulled a plastic fork out of the bag.

His eyes widened, "We've had this the whole time?"

Eden gave a nod, "I didn't know you couldn't use chopsticks, " she laughed lightly.

He gave a tiny smile and pressed play on the movie once more. They both sat in comfortable silence, every now and then stealing glances at one another.

"I will live in thy heart, die in thy lap, and be buried in thy eyes—and moreover, I will go with thee to thy uncle's."

Eden lightly chuckled at the line, which made Spencer turn to view a mesmerized Eden gazing at the screen.

He admired her button nose, along with her plump lips, missing the warmth. He then noticed the space between the two of them was essentially nonexistent, their thighs nearly touching. He noticed her slouched posture and leaned back on the couch, putting his arm across the top of the cushion behind her, giving her room to sit back.

Eden noticed the missing figure from her peripheral and looked at Spencer. She lightly tapped his knee and motioned to his shoulder, to which he nodded in response. Eden leaned back and hesitantly rested her head on his shoulder. With the pretty woman now on his shoulder he couldn't help but take a few extended moments to glance at her.

The credits now roll and Spencer turns his attention back to Eden. He hears her light snores and smiles, however unable to figure a way out of the situation. He gently removes his arm and grabs a pillow to put against the arm of the couch. He lays her down gently and takes his jacket off, spreading it across her body.

He grabs a sticky note from the fridge and quickly writes a note to her. He places it on the coffee table and grabs the takeout, throwing it in the trash before grabbing his shoes and fishing out his keys and phone from his jacket. He gently kisses her forehead, repeating the action she did not too long ago.

"Good night, beautiful."

( ु•̶̤ ‧̫ ⁃ ૂ ).☽˚⁺A/N: took me a second but i figured out how to keep the story going! there might also be a time jump in the next chapter, i'll put how long it's been there. i know this chapter was a bit short but my brain is half dead sooo... you get what you get ;)

Thank you for reading!

(also these are the fish if you're curious)