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geekystudmuffin2009-08-19 11:52 am
severity-softly.livejournal.com) wrote in geekystudmuffin2009-08-19 11:52 am
The Narcissist Vs. The Schizophrenic (1/2), Reid/Rossi (Conscious of Our Treasures 'verse), NC-17
Title: The Narcissist Vs. The Schizophrenic (1/2)
Authors:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
innerslytherin and severity_softly
Pairing: Reid/Rossi
Rating: NC-17/FRAO
WC: ~12,300
Summary: Spencer takes Dave to Vegas to visit his mother.
Notes: Betaed by the fabulousresolucidity.
This is part of the "Conscious of Our Treasures" universe, all of which can be found at this tag. This is part SIX. :)
"You know, it doesn't matter how big a bouquet you get her, she still isn't going to like you." Spencer was fidgeting with the strap of his satchel while Dave peered at the contents of a large display in the flower shop.
"The flowers aren't to make her like me," Dave said, wondering if Spencer remembered taking flowers to Dave's mother their first Thanksgiving together. "The flowers are because when a man visits his mother, he should take her flowers."
Spencer's mouth twisted slightly, probably wondering if that was a criticism. Then Dave saw his shoulders relax as he remembered. "Right. Mama Rosa's rule number one," Spencer joked.
Dave smiled. "Number two," he corrected. "The first is that you kiss her when you say hello." He winked at Spencer and then gestured at the case. "What do you think about that arrangement with the little sunflower thing?" No matter what he said, he couldn't help wanting Diana Reid to like him, even though he was well aware she probably wouldn't. Or at least she wouldn't like that he was more her age than her son's.
Spencer's wrinkled nose was answer enough and Dave sighed. "Spencer..." he started.
"Purple, okay? She likes purple."
"Was that so hard?" Dave asked, reaching for the larger of the two mostly purple bouquets on the display.
"Yes," Spencer said, giving Dave a mock glare.
"Uh huh." Dave didn't really know why he wanted to do this, mostly because he really didn't want to do this. But it was something he felt was important. He'd introduced Spencer to his own family ages ago. Not to mention Spencer's last trip to Las Vegas hadn't exactly been a good one. It had seemed important, somehow, for Spencer to come back and really visit his mom. And it had been equally important for Dave to go with him.
Still, Dave had to admit that there was a part of him that was terrified about meeting Diana Reid officially as her son's lover.
It didn't help that Spencer seemed fidgety. Dave wondered if he was usually like this before going to see his mom, or if that was because he was bringing Dave.
"Can you just pay for them so we can go?" Spencer asked.
Dave quirked an eyebrow at him, then pulled out a smaller bouquet of three red roses and carried both bouquets over to the store clerk. He still made a habit of buying Spencer roses, mostly because it always earned him one of those smiles he treasured. Hopefully the roses wouldn't wilt in the car while they were at the Sanitarium.
When they got back out to the rental, he turned and presented Spencer with the roses, giving him a wry smile.
Spencer, who'd been frowning most of the afternoon, tilted his head at Dave, his lips quirking into an appreciative smile. "Buying me roses isn't going to make her like you either," he said, but his smile only widened, and he leaned in to kiss Dave briefly.
Dave laughed. "That's really not the point of the roses," he said, smiling against Spencer's lips. He brushed his fingers against Spencer's cheek. "Okay, now just remember, whatever happens, it doesn't impact our relationship. Your mom liking me wouldn't make me love you more, and your mom hating me wouldn't make me love you less." He'd been saying that at least once a week since they'd planned this trip, but he still wasn't sure Spencer believed it.
Spencer nodded, still looking unsure, but then he kissed Dave again before stepping back. He squinted up into the sun, then pulled those utterly horrible cheap plastic sunglasses he loved so much out of his breast pocket and put them on. "It's like two hundred degrees out here. They're going to go all droopy in the car."
"Eh, they made you smile. Served their purpose." Dave glanced at him. He ought to buy Spencer a pair of Versace or Maui Jim sunglasses for his birthday. Or maybe sooner. It was June. Flag Day might be a good enough holiday for new sunglasses.
"You just spent money on roses just to make me smile and let them die?" Spencer asked, grinning.
Dave shrugged. "That's what they're for. To make you smile." He gave Spencer a crooked grin and got into the passenger seat.
Spencer snorted and got in too. He gave Dave's hand a brief squeeze, then started the car. "M'lucky."
"I'm glad you've finally realized that," Dave said, relaxing in his seat.
Spencer pursed his lips and glanced around the car. "I'm amazed you can fit your head in a compact car sometimes."
Dave burst out laughing and stretched. "Ah, I love you," he said, grinning. He gestured out the windshield. "So do I get the penny tour? We didn't really get a chance last time we were here together."
"Do you want the strip clubs and casinos tour, or the Spencer Reid experience tour?" Spencer asked, pulling out of the spot.
"Now, which do you think?" Dave laced his fingers with Spencer's. "The Spencer Reid experience, of course."
Spencer nodded and pulled off.
As it turned out, The Spencer Reid experience wasn't all that exciting, but Dave enjoyed it anyway. Dave had already seen one of the neighborhoods Spencer grew up in, but he'd moved around a lot apparently, and Spencer showed him one of his favorite homes. The grand tour also included the library where Spencer had spent a lot of time, as well as a couple of places where Spencer had been in competitions. Dave noticed Spencer avoided his schools.
Their last stop on the tour was a park Spencer said he'd spent a lot of time at. It was quiet, and it frankly looked a little dumpy, but Dave could see that fifteen or twenty years ago it was probably nice. He imagined Spencer had liked it because there was no playground, which meant other kids probably didn't like it.
When they pulled out of the park, though, they really couldn't put off heading to Bennington any longer.
Spencer sort of went quiet after they started driving that way. He talked a little at first, but the closer they got, Dave felt a little like he was working to keep the conversation going, so he stopped trying to push. Spencer was biting his lips together by the time they pulled in at the sanitarium, and was almost visibly nervous.
Dave waited until they got out of the car, then he walked around and pulled Spencer into his arms, brushing his fingers over Spencer's hair. "Listen," he murmured, "you love your mom, and I love you. And you are obviously the most important thing in your mother's life. As well as the most important thing in mine." He kissed Spencer softly, then pulled back, though he didn't release him entirely. "It'll be fine."
Spencer sighed, then held Dave a little tighter. "Okay," he murmured, then pulled away. He took Dave's hand and started in to the hospital.
When they got inside, a short brunette with curly hair greeted Spencer by name, and started to lead them down the hallway toward the common room, where Diana Reid was sitting in a chair by a window. Spencer squeezed Dave's hand, then let go and approached her.
"Mom," he said, and she looked up, seemingly startled, then got out of her chair.
"Spencer," she said, and hugged him. "You're too thin."
"Yeah, I know. You always say that," he said, and she pulled back and cupped his face in her hands.
"You look tired."
"It was a long flight," Spencer said. "And we came right here after the hotel."
"We?" she said, and her gaze went immediately to Dave. She dropped her hands off Spencer's face, but let one fall to his arm.
"Ah, Mom, you met David before."
"Hello, Mrs. Reid." Dave smiled and held out a hand in case she liked shaking hands more than her son. Apparently she didn't, because she stared at his face, then down at his hand.
"David," she repeated, her voice flat.
"David Rossi," he said, letting his hand drop to his side. "Spencer and I brought you flowers. He said you like purple." He lifted the bouquet, hoping she would at least take it. And not start hitting him with it as soon as she did.
She stared at the flowers too. "If you're trying to buy my approval, Mr. Rossi--"
Spencer laughed nervously and took the bouquet. "He's not, mom." He handed them to her, and she took them from him. "He's just trying to be nice."
She finally turned her sharp gaze from Dave back to Spencer, but she didn't reply. After a moment, she picked up Spencer's hand and eyed the ring on his finger. "It's black."
"Yeah," he said, and Dave noted he was looking more nervous now than before.
"You didn't pick this."
Spencer swallowed hard. "No, I didn't. Dave did."
Dave licked his lips, feeling ten times more nervous than he had a few moments before. "I, ah, wanted something tasteful but unusual. It's titanium and platinum."
She looked sharply at him, then turned her gaze back to her son without speaking.
"So it's what he wanted?" she asked after a moment.
"I like it," Spencer told her, and she inclined her head and gave Spencer a look that said she didn't believe that.
Dave shrugged. "I picked something I thought he would like, and I did offer to take it back." He slid his own left hand a little more securely into his pants pocket so she wouldn't see that his was gold. He ridiculously wondered if the woman had super powers when she seemed to catch the small move and turned to stare at his hand in his pocket for a moment.
Spencer cleared his throat. "I like it," he repeated, and turned the hand that she was holding to hold hers back.
"You're liking a lot of things you shouldn't lately," she said, still watching Dave.
Dave raised his eyebrows, trying not to be hurt. "Meaning me, I take it," he said mildly. "I'll have you know I tried to discourage him in the beginning, before I realized how much I'd grown attached to him."
Her gaze narrowed. "I'm not unaware of how much my son has to offer, but you should have tried harder," she said, pulling Spencer's hand back as if she intended to get between them.
"I wouldn't let him," Spencer said, not budging, and she frowned and looked at him.
"Spencer, I know what this is about. I wish that I could go back and provide you with a positive male role model growing up, to be there for you and take care of you." His mouth dropped open, and she reached up to touch his cheek again. Dave started to feel a little queasy. "But you're a grown man now, and a wonderful man, and you don't need a... replacement like that. You can take care of yourself."
Spencer seemed suddenly unable to speak.
Dave stared at her, torn between wanting to laugh and wanting to go off in a huff. Since neither seemed like acceptable responses, he blinked several times. "You think I'm...a replacement for his father?"
Diana shrugged. "It has been suggested that boys who grow up without a male role model, or with a negative role model, spend much of their adult life seeking to fill the void via their romantic relationships."
"It has been," Dave agreed. "But if I thought for a minute that that's all this is, I wouldn't have had anything to do with it."
"You also said you tried to dissuade him, but you'd grown too attached, so forgive me if I think you're not trying very hard to look at this critically."
"Mom, this is not about Dad, I--"
She cut Spencer off. "So what is it for you, David? Mid-life crisis?"
Dave blinked. "That was my third wife," he said after a moment, then wondered if she would smack him for being flippant. "Spencer is the person I want to see every day, the man who makes my life feel complete. What it is for me is love."
Her eyebrows lifted. "Apparently the last in a long line," she retorted waspishly, then looked back at Spencer. "I know you're happy," she told him, her voice softening, and when he looked up at her, she gave him an affectionate smile. "I know, baby."
"I am," he said, his return smile tentative.
"But I've told you, mothers feel things." She held his gaze even when he tried to break it, then lowered her voice to a deadly serious tone. "And if he hurts you, so help me, I will find a way out of this hospital and hunt him down."
Dave blinked at her some more, completely believing she meant it. "I try every day to keep from hurting him," he said, wishing she believed him. "Spencer is the best thing that's ever happened to me. I don't ever want to let him down."
Spencer looked over at him and smiled, and Diana watched. After a moment, she sighed and took her seat again, putting the flowers on the little table by her chair. "He's going to die a good twenty years before you, Spencer," she pointed out. This time Spencer sighed, and Dave suddenly saw the resemblance.
"I don't see how that makes a difference now," he said, and pulled a chair over to her, gesturing for Dave to do the same.
"We've discussed that," Dave added, doing as Spencer had indicated. "It isn't something he's unaware of. We've even covered the terms of my will." It hadn't been a particularly pleasant experience for either of them, but he was suddenly glad they'd discussed it.
"Hmm," she hummed, sounding unimpressed, but at least not dismissive.
Dave wondered how angry Spencer would be if he went on the offensive. "I suppose one thing we haven't discussed is the possibility that he'll be diagnosed with schizophrenia," he said conversationally. "Though at least he's older than men usually are when they first start displaying symptoms."
Spencer lifted his hand and pinched the bridge of his nose. This was obviously not how he'd imagined this would go at all. Diana just stared at Dave. "And?"
Dave shrugged. "And nothing. I promised him forever."
"Right, and we've already established that he's not the first person you've made that promise to, and in addition, that forever for you is not forever for him."
Spencer shifted, looking torn between stopping them and letting them talk it out. He didn't say anything, though, so Dave thought he'd probably decided on the latter.
"True. I could give you a resume of my failed marriages and try to say it's not my fault, but if I'm being completely honest, I know I bear a good deal of the blame for all three, even if I was only the first to walk away in the last one." Dave sighed. "But I've certainly made provisions for Spencer to be well cared-for after I die, despite the fact that I know he can take care of himself."
He leaned forward in his chair. "I doubt there's anything I can do to prove myself to you, except stay. That's pretty much all I can do to prove myself to Spencer, too. So I stay. Every day."
Spencer dropped his hand and looked at Dave, and somehow both the Reid's gazes on him were strangely similar, skeptical but grateful. Though Spencer's was less skeptical whereas Diana's was less grateful. Then Spencer's lips curved slightly, and the similarity ended.
After a moment of silence, Spencer cleared his throat. "Does anyone want coffee?"
Dave smiled at him. "Why don't you tell me where to get it, so you can keep visiting with your mom?"
Spencer nodded. "Okay," he murmured. "Oh, I was going to have them put these in water too," he added, picking up the flowers, then standing and handing them back to Dave. "Do you mind? They can leave them in her room." He squeezed Dave's hand when Dave took them.
"I don't want any coffee," Diana announced. "It's why you're so skinny," she added, looking at her son. Then she glanced at Dave. "Though I suppose it won't hurt him any."
Dave smiled and ignored the jab about his less-than-svelt physique. He decided not to point out that Spencer hadn't told him where to get the coffee. He was half afraid to criticize his lover in front of Diana. He headed for the front desk, where the woman took the flowers, smiling, and promised to get them taken care of. Then she pointed him in the direction of the cafeteria, where he collected coffee for him and Spencer.
When he got back to the common room, he was pleased to find that Spencer and Diana weren't discussing him anymore. They seemed to be debating the length of Spencer's hair, and Dave kept to himself that he thought Spencer's hair was incredibly sexy.
He sat, and handed Spencer his coffee, and was pleased that he had apparently added the right amount of sugar, as Spencer tested it, then thanked him.
Dave smiled and nodded at him, then caught Diana watching him. He wondered if she knew how sweet Spencer liked his coffee, or if she was just wondering if he'd poisoned it. He gave her a polite smile too. "The woman at the front desk said she would take care of your flowers," he told her.
"She has a name," Diana said, and again Dave was left just blinking at her. "The woman at the front desk," she clarified. "She has a name."
"I'm sorry, I didn't catch it," he said. "She's very nice."
"It's Wanda, but I doubt she introduced herself, Mom," Spencer said, darting Dave an apologetic look when Diana wasn't looking.
Dave nodded. "Wanda," he repeated, "said she would take care of your flowers." He smiled at Spencer reassuringly. This had actually been going better than Dave had feared it would.
Diana hummed and nodded. "Thank you," she said, not looking at either of them.
Dave glanced over at Spencer, wondering if he should excuse himself again, or if this was normal. She was, understandably, a strange woman, but he couldn't help liking her, even if she didn't like him much. And at least she clearly thought the world of her son.
After a moment of silence, she reached her hand out and Spencer took it. She crossed her other arm over herself and shook her head. "I don't know why you bothered to come."
"The last time I was here, it wasn't exactly the best experience," he said.
She made a face. "I should clarify. I always want to see you, but you knew how I felt about him already." She was talking about Dave like he wasn't there.
"I'm hoping you'll come around eventually. You didn't want me to work with the FBI either."
"And I'm proud of you, but I still don't," she announced, with a subtle kind of bravado. Dave imagined she had probably been a fabulous lecturer when she had taught.
Dave didn't often find himself at a loss for words, but he really had no idea how to talk to Diana Reid. He was used to people not liking him, but he wasn't usually in love with those people's sons. Finally he cleared his throat. "I can go...somewhere," he offered, though he trailed off as he realized he didn't really have much reason to be in Vegas if he wasn't with Spencer. It wasn't like he was going to gamble or pick up girls. Not that he minded gambling, but it wasn't his favorite pastime.
Spencer shook his head. "You don't have to leave," he said, and Diana shook her head and looked down at her lap.
Dave shrugged, holding in a sigh. "I could take a walk. The grounds look pretty."
"Have you two eaten since you've been here?" Diana asked quietly.
Spencer shook his head again, which wasn't exactly true, since they'd grabbed fast food when they'd gotten off the plane.
"Why don't you go eat, enjoy your vacation," she said, finally looking at Spencer and giving him a weak smile. "I'll be here tomorrow." Her smile went lopsided. "And the day after that, and the day after that..."
Spencer gave her a weak smile in return. "Okay," he murmured, and stood. He kissed her forehead. "I love you."
"I love you too, baby," she said.
"Have a nice afternoon, Mrs. Reid," Dave said, because he thought she'd see through him if he said it was nice to see her, but it didn't feel right to leave without saying anything.
She gave him a flat look that made him wonder if she could read minds, then turned away. Dave held in another sigh and let Spencer lead the way out to the parking lot. They didn't speak until they got to the car, and when Dave slumped down into his seat, he finally let out the sigh.
"If you're going to say 'I told you so', don't wait too long," he grumbled. "The anticipation will give me indigestion."
"She took pity on you and gave us an excuse to leave. That's encouraging, at least," Spencer said. He was frowning, but he looked over at Dave. "What do you want to do?"
Dave shrugged. "We might as well eat. You can take me to your favorite restaurant."
Spencer nodded and pulled out of the parking lot.
PART TWO
Authors:
innerslytherin and severity_softlyPairing: Reid/Rossi
Rating: NC-17/FRAO
WC: ~12,300
Summary: Spencer takes Dave to Vegas to visit his mother.
Notes: Betaed by the fabulous
resolucidity.This is part of the "Conscious of Our Treasures" universe, all of which can be found at this tag. This is part SIX. :)
"You know, it doesn't matter how big a bouquet you get her, she still isn't going to like you." Spencer was fidgeting with the strap of his satchel while Dave peered at the contents of a large display in the flower shop.
"The flowers aren't to make her like me," Dave said, wondering if Spencer remembered taking flowers to Dave's mother their first Thanksgiving together. "The flowers are because when a man visits his mother, he should take her flowers."
Spencer's mouth twisted slightly, probably wondering if that was a criticism. Then Dave saw his shoulders relax as he remembered. "Right. Mama Rosa's rule number one," Spencer joked.
Dave smiled. "Number two," he corrected. "The first is that you kiss her when you say hello." He winked at Spencer and then gestured at the case. "What do you think about that arrangement with the little sunflower thing?" No matter what he said, he couldn't help wanting Diana Reid to like him, even though he was well aware she probably wouldn't. Or at least she wouldn't like that he was more her age than her son's.
Spencer's wrinkled nose was answer enough and Dave sighed. "Spencer..." he started.
"Purple, okay? She likes purple."
"Was that so hard?" Dave asked, reaching for the larger of the two mostly purple bouquets on the display.
"Yes," Spencer said, giving Dave a mock glare.
"Uh huh." Dave didn't really know why he wanted to do this, mostly because he really didn't want to do this. But it was something he felt was important. He'd introduced Spencer to his own family ages ago. Not to mention Spencer's last trip to Las Vegas hadn't exactly been a good one. It had seemed important, somehow, for Spencer to come back and really visit his mom. And it had been equally important for Dave to go with him.
Still, Dave had to admit that there was a part of him that was terrified about meeting Diana Reid officially as her son's lover.
It didn't help that Spencer seemed fidgety. Dave wondered if he was usually like this before going to see his mom, or if that was because he was bringing Dave.
"Can you just pay for them so we can go?" Spencer asked.
Dave quirked an eyebrow at him, then pulled out a smaller bouquet of three red roses and carried both bouquets over to the store clerk. He still made a habit of buying Spencer roses, mostly because it always earned him one of those smiles he treasured. Hopefully the roses wouldn't wilt in the car while they were at the Sanitarium.
When they got back out to the rental, he turned and presented Spencer with the roses, giving him a wry smile.
Spencer, who'd been frowning most of the afternoon, tilted his head at Dave, his lips quirking into an appreciative smile. "Buying me roses isn't going to make her like you either," he said, but his smile only widened, and he leaned in to kiss Dave briefly.
Dave laughed. "That's really not the point of the roses," he said, smiling against Spencer's lips. He brushed his fingers against Spencer's cheek. "Okay, now just remember, whatever happens, it doesn't impact our relationship. Your mom liking me wouldn't make me love you more, and your mom hating me wouldn't make me love you less." He'd been saying that at least once a week since they'd planned this trip, but he still wasn't sure Spencer believed it.
Spencer nodded, still looking unsure, but then he kissed Dave again before stepping back. He squinted up into the sun, then pulled those utterly horrible cheap plastic sunglasses he loved so much out of his breast pocket and put them on. "It's like two hundred degrees out here. They're going to go all droopy in the car."
"Eh, they made you smile. Served their purpose." Dave glanced at him. He ought to buy Spencer a pair of Versace or Maui Jim sunglasses for his birthday. Or maybe sooner. It was June. Flag Day might be a good enough holiday for new sunglasses.
"You just spent money on roses just to make me smile and let them die?" Spencer asked, grinning.
Dave shrugged. "That's what they're for. To make you smile." He gave Spencer a crooked grin and got into the passenger seat.
Spencer snorted and got in too. He gave Dave's hand a brief squeeze, then started the car. "M'lucky."
"I'm glad you've finally realized that," Dave said, relaxing in his seat.
Spencer pursed his lips and glanced around the car. "I'm amazed you can fit your head in a compact car sometimes."
Dave burst out laughing and stretched. "Ah, I love you," he said, grinning. He gestured out the windshield. "So do I get the penny tour? We didn't really get a chance last time we were here together."
"Do you want the strip clubs and casinos tour, or the Spencer Reid experience tour?" Spencer asked, pulling out of the spot.
"Now, which do you think?" Dave laced his fingers with Spencer's. "The Spencer Reid experience, of course."
Spencer nodded and pulled off.
As it turned out, The Spencer Reid experience wasn't all that exciting, but Dave enjoyed it anyway. Dave had already seen one of the neighborhoods Spencer grew up in, but he'd moved around a lot apparently, and Spencer showed him one of his favorite homes. The grand tour also included the library where Spencer had spent a lot of time, as well as a couple of places where Spencer had been in competitions. Dave noticed Spencer avoided his schools.
Their last stop on the tour was a park Spencer said he'd spent a lot of time at. It was quiet, and it frankly looked a little dumpy, but Dave could see that fifteen or twenty years ago it was probably nice. He imagined Spencer had liked it because there was no playground, which meant other kids probably didn't like it.
When they pulled out of the park, though, they really couldn't put off heading to Bennington any longer.
Spencer sort of went quiet after they started driving that way. He talked a little at first, but the closer they got, Dave felt a little like he was working to keep the conversation going, so he stopped trying to push. Spencer was biting his lips together by the time they pulled in at the sanitarium, and was almost visibly nervous.
Dave waited until they got out of the car, then he walked around and pulled Spencer into his arms, brushing his fingers over Spencer's hair. "Listen," he murmured, "you love your mom, and I love you. And you are obviously the most important thing in your mother's life. As well as the most important thing in mine." He kissed Spencer softly, then pulled back, though he didn't release him entirely. "It'll be fine."
Spencer sighed, then held Dave a little tighter. "Okay," he murmured, then pulled away. He took Dave's hand and started in to the hospital.
When they got inside, a short brunette with curly hair greeted Spencer by name, and started to lead them down the hallway toward the common room, where Diana Reid was sitting in a chair by a window. Spencer squeezed Dave's hand, then let go and approached her.
"Mom," he said, and she looked up, seemingly startled, then got out of her chair.
"Spencer," she said, and hugged him. "You're too thin."
"Yeah, I know. You always say that," he said, and she pulled back and cupped his face in her hands.
"You look tired."
"It was a long flight," Spencer said. "And we came right here after the hotel."
"We?" she said, and her gaze went immediately to Dave. She dropped her hands off Spencer's face, but let one fall to his arm.
"Ah, Mom, you met David before."
"Hello, Mrs. Reid." Dave smiled and held out a hand in case she liked shaking hands more than her son. Apparently she didn't, because she stared at his face, then down at his hand.
"David," she repeated, her voice flat.
"David Rossi," he said, letting his hand drop to his side. "Spencer and I brought you flowers. He said you like purple." He lifted the bouquet, hoping she would at least take it. And not start hitting him with it as soon as she did.
She stared at the flowers too. "If you're trying to buy my approval, Mr. Rossi--"
Spencer laughed nervously and took the bouquet. "He's not, mom." He handed them to her, and she took them from him. "He's just trying to be nice."
She finally turned her sharp gaze from Dave back to Spencer, but she didn't reply. After a moment, she picked up Spencer's hand and eyed the ring on his finger. "It's black."
"Yeah," he said, and Dave noted he was looking more nervous now than before.
"You didn't pick this."
Spencer swallowed hard. "No, I didn't. Dave did."
Dave licked his lips, feeling ten times more nervous than he had a few moments before. "I, ah, wanted something tasteful but unusual. It's titanium and platinum."
She looked sharply at him, then turned her gaze back to her son without speaking.
"So it's what he wanted?" she asked after a moment.
"I like it," Spencer told her, and she inclined her head and gave Spencer a look that said she didn't believe that.
Dave shrugged. "I picked something I thought he would like, and I did offer to take it back." He slid his own left hand a little more securely into his pants pocket so she wouldn't see that his was gold. He ridiculously wondered if the woman had super powers when she seemed to catch the small move and turned to stare at his hand in his pocket for a moment.
Spencer cleared his throat. "I like it," he repeated, and turned the hand that she was holding to hold hers back.
"You're liking a lot of things you shouldn't lately," she said, still watching Dave.
Dave raised his eyebrows, trying not to be hurt. "Meaning me, I take it," he said mildly. "I'll have you know I tried to discourage him in the beginning, before I realized how much I'd grown attached to him."
Her gaze narrowed. "I'm not unaware of how much my son has to offer, but you should have tried harder," she said, pulling Spencer's hand back as if she intended to get between them.
"I wouldn't let him," Spencer said, not budging, and she frowned and looked at him.
"Spencer, I know what this is about. I wish that I could go back and provide you with a positive male role model growing up, to be there for you and take care of you." His mouth dropped open, and she reached up to touch his cheek again. Dave started to feel a little queasy. "But you're a grown man now, and a wonderful man, and you don't need a... replacement like that. You can take care of yourself."
Spencer seemed suddenly unable to speak.
Dave stared at her, torn between wanting to laugh and wanting to go off in a huff. Since neither seemed like acceptable responses, he blinked several times. "You think I'm...a replacement for his father?"
Diana shrugged. "It has been suggested that boys who grow up without a male role model, or with a negative role model, spend much of their adult life seeking to fill the void via their romantic relationships."
"It has been," Dave agreed. "But if I thought for a minute that that's all this is, I wouldn't have had anything to do with it."
"You also said you tried to dissuade him, but you'd grown too attached, so forgive me if I think you're not trying very hard to look at this critically."
"Mom, this is not about Dad, I--"
She cut Spencer off. "So what is it for you, David? Mid-life crisis?"
Dave blinked. "That was my third wife," he said after a moment, then wondered if she would smack him for being flippant. "Spencer is the person I want to see every day, the man who makes my life feel complete. What it is for me is love."
Her eyebrows lifted. "Apparently the last in a long line," she retorted waspishly, then looked back at Spencer. "I know you're happy," she told him, her voice softening, and when he looked up at her, she gave him an affectionate smile. "I know, baby."
"I am," he said, his return smile tentative.
"But I've told you, mothers feel things." She held his gaze even when he tried to break it, then lowered her voice to a deadly serious tone. "And if he hurts you, so help me, I will find a way out of this hospital and hunt him down."
Dave blinked at her some more, completely believing she meant it. "I try every day to keep from hurting him," he said, wishing she believed him. "Spencer is the best thing that's ever happened to me. I don't ever want to let him down."
Spencer looked over at him and smiled, and Diana watched. After a moment, she sighed and took her seat again, putting the flowers on the little table by her chair. "He's going to die a good twenty years before you, Spencer," she pointed out. This time Spencer sighed, and Dave suddenly saw the resemblance.
"I don't see how that makes a difference now," he said, and pulled a chair over to her, gesturing for Dave to do the same.
"We've discussed that," Dave added, doing as Spencer had indicated. "It isn't something he's unaware of. We've even covered the terms of my will." It hadn't been a particularly pleasant experience for either of them, but he was suddenly glad they'd discussed it.
"Hmm," she hummed, sounding unimpressed, but at least not dismissive.
Dave wondered how angry Spencer would be if he went on the offensive. "I suppose one thing we haven't discussed is the possibility that he'll be diagnosed with schizophrenia," he said conversationally. "Though at least he's older than men usually are when they first start displaying symptoms."
Spencer lifted his hand and pinched the bridge of his nose. This was obviously not how he'd imagined this would go at all. Diana just stared at Dave. "And?"
Dave shrugged. "And nothing. I promised him forever."
"Right, and we've already established that he's not the first person you've made that promise to, and in addition, that forever for you is not forever for him."
Spencer shifted, looking torn between stopping them and letting them talk it out. He didn't say anything, though, so Dave thought he'd probably decided on the latter.
"True. I could give you a resume of my failed marriages and try to say it's not my fault, but if I'm being completely honest, I know I bear a good deal of the blame for all three, even if I was only the first to walk away in the last one." Dave sighed. "But I've certainly made provisions for Spencer to be well cared-for after I die, despite the fact that I know he can take care of himself."
He leaned forward in his chair. "I doubt there's anything I can do to prove myself to you, except stay. That's pretty much all I can do to prove myself to Spencer, too. So I stay. Every day."
Spencer dropped his hand and looked at Dave, and somehow both the Reid's gazes on him were strangely similar, skeptical but grateful. Though Spencer's was less skeptical whereas Diana's was less grateful. Then Spencer's lips curved slightly, and the similarity ended.
After a moment of silence, Spencer cleared his throat. "Does anyone want coffee?"
Dave smiled at him. "Why don't you tell me where to get it, so you can keep visiting with your mom?"
Spencer nodded. "Okay," he murmured. "Oh, I was going to have them put these in water too," he added, picking up the flowers, then standing and handing them back to Dave. "Do you mind? They can leave them in her room." He squeezed Dave's hand when Dave took them.
"I don't want any coffee," Diana announced. "It's why you're so skinny," she added, looking at her son. Then she glanced at Dave. "Though I suppose it won't hurt him any."
Dave smiled and ignored the jab about his less-than-svelt physique. He decided not to point out that Spencer hadn't told him where to get the coffee. He was half afraid to criticize his lover in front of Diana. He headed for the front desk, where the woman took the flowers, smiling, and promised to get them taken care of. Then she pointed him in the direction of the cafeteria, where he collected coffee for him and Spencer.
When he got back to the common room, he was pleased to find that Spencer and Diana weren't discussing him anymore. They seemed to be debating the length of Spencer's hair, and Dave kept to himself that he thought Spencer's hair was incredibly sexy.
He sat, and handed Spencer his coffee, and was pleased that he had apparently added the right amount of sugar, as Spencer tested it, then thanked him.
Dave smiled and nodded at him, then caught Diana watching him. He wondered if she knew how sweet Spencer liked his coffee, or if she was just wondering if he'd poisoned it. He gave her a polite smile too. "The woman at the front desk said she would take care of your flowers," he told her.
"She has a name," Diana said, and again Dave was left just blinking at her. "The woman at the front desk," she clarified. "She has a name."
"I'm sorry, I didn't catch it," he said. "She's very nice."
"It's Wanda, but I doubt she introduced herself, Mom," Spencer said, darting Dave an apologetic look when Diana wasn't looking.
Dave nodded. "Wanda," he repeated, "said she would take care of your flowers." He smiled at Spencer reassuringly. This had actually been going better than Dave had feared it would.
Diana hummed and nodded. "Thank you," she said, not looking at either of them.
Dave glanced over at Spencer, wondering if he should excuse himself again, or if this was normal. She was, understandably, a strange woman, but he couldn't help liking her, even if she didn't like him much. And at least she clearly thought the world of her son.
After a moment of silence, she reached her hand out and Spencer took it. She crossed her other arm over herself and shook her head. "I don't know why you bothered to come."
"The last time I was here, it wasn't exactly the best experience," he said.
She made a face. "I should clarify. I always want to see you, but you knew how I felt about him already." She was talking about Dave like he wasn't there.
"I'm hoping you'll come around eventually. You didn't want me to work with the FBI either."
"And I'm proud of you, but I still don't," she announced, with a subtle kind of bravado. Dave imagined she had probably been a fabulous lecturer when she had taught.
Dave didn't often find himself at a loss for words, but he really had no idea how to talk to Diana Reid. He was used to people not liking him, but he wasn't usually in love with those people's sons. Finally he cleared his throat. "I can go...somewhere," he offered, though he trailed off as he realized he didn't really have much reason to be in Vegas if he wasn't with Spencer. It wasn't like he was going to gamble or pick up girls. Not that he minded gambling, but it wasn't his favorite pastime.
Spencer shook his head. "You don't have to leave," he said, and Diana shook her head and looked down at her lap.
Dave shrugged, holding in a sigh. "I could take a walk. The grounds look pretty."
"Have you two eaten since you've been here?" Diana asked quietly.
Spencer shook his head again, which wasn't exactly true, since they'd grabbed fast food when they'd gotten off the plane.
"Why don't you go eat, enjoy your vacation," she said, finally looking at Spencer and giving him a weak smile. "I'll be here tomorrow." Her smile went lopsided. "And the day after that, and the day after that..."
Spencer gave her a weak smile in return. "Okay," he murmured, and stood. He kissed her forehead. "I love you."
"I love you too, baby," she said.
"Have a nice afternoon, Mrs. Reid," Dave said, because he thought she'd see through him if he said it was nice to see her, but it didn't feel right to leave without saying anything.
She gave him a flat look that made him wonder if she could read minds, then turned away. Dave held in another sigh and let Spencer lead the way out to the parking lot. They didn't speak until they got to the car, and when Dave slumped down into his seat, he finally let out the sigh.
"If you're going to say 'I told you so', don't wait too long," he grumbled. "The anticipation will give me indigestion."
"She took pity on you and gave us an excuse to leave. That's encouraging, at least," Spencer said. He was frowning, but he looked over at Dave. "What do you want to do?"
Dave shrugged. "We might as well eat. You can take me to your favorite restaurant."
Spencer nodded and pulled out of the parking lot.
PART TWO
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