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geekystudmuffin2008-12-07 09:39 pm
severity-softly.livejournal.com) wrote in geekystudmuffin2008-12-07 09:39 pm
Conscious of Our Treasures, part two; Reid/Rossi; NC-17
Title: Conscious of Our Treasures, part 2/2
Authors:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
innerslytherin and severity_softly
Pairing: Rossi/Reid
Word count: ~13,000
Rating: NC-17
Warnings/Kinks: Highlight between stars to read: * Spanking. Rough sex. Face fucking. * :D
Summary: Dave takes Spencer home to meet the family for Thanksgiving.
Notes: RP-style, and betaed by us, so feel free to note any mistakes.
PART ONE
Every light in the house was on when they pulled up to the curb halfway down the block. "Geez, it's like she's feeding an army," Dave muttered. There were no parking spaces any closer, so he pulled the rented Mercedes to the curb and crossed his fingers that no one was feeling mean. He hurried around the car before Spencer had finished getting his seat belt unfastened, so he could open the door and take Spencer's hand again.
Spencer felt a little like he couldn't breathe, but when Dave opened the door for him, he sucked in a sharp breath. Good. He could breathe after all. He looked up at Dave, surprised. "You don't have to do this," he said, but he took Dave's hand anyway when he got out.
"You know damn well I never do anything I don't want to do," Dave said. He tugged Spencer close for a kiss, then grabbed the flowers out of the back seat. He knew better than to show up without a bouquet for his mama, no matter how old he was. "Come on. And be glad it's Thanksgiving. There's a reason I always put in to work Christmas. Dad's side of the family comes for Christmas."
Spencer wondered if he should pull his fingers out of Dave's hand. Dave hadn't let go, and it felt awkward, but he had a feeling Dave would get mad if he did. And part of Spencer needed it too. It felt as awkward as it did safe. "Bigger or louder?" he asked, once they were making their way towards the house.
Dave laughed. "Both." He held the flowers out. "Okay, when we go inside, I introduce you to Mama. You call her Mama. Or Mama Rosa, she's fine with that. Don't call her ma'am. Anyway, I introduce you, you give her the flowers. She'll kiss you. Sorry about that, we've never been able to break her of the habit. She's the only one who'll kiss you, though, which is a minor miracle in an Italian gathering."
Spencer suddenly felt like he might pass out; his fear skyrocketing as Dave spoke. He squeezed Dave's hand, hard enough to hurt--on purpose--and stopped walking, forcing Dave to stop too. "Wait, what?!" was all he managed, his voice a harsh whisper.
"What what?" Dave asked. "It's not hard. Just let her kiss your cheek, give the flowers, she'll automatically love you because you're with me." He wiggled his hand a little. "You're breaking my fingers." He gave Spencer a lopsided grin. "Trust me, Spence."
"I have to call her 'Mama'?!" Oddly, Spencer wasn't sure why, but that was the part of what Dave said that worried him the most. Well, he didn't really want to be kissed by a strange woman, either. He let his hold on Dave go just a little, then felt guilty and eased off entirely. "I'm not calling a woman I don't know 'Mama'."
"Look, you don't know her, but you know me. I call her Mama, you're supposed to call her that." Dave shrugged. "Who understands women, huh? I sure as hell don't. But I do what she tells me, because she's my mother, and she's scary." He tried another smile. "Please, Spence, do this for me?"
They were halfway up the front walk, and apparently someone had noticed, because the front door opened. "David, you coming to dinner or you just gonna stand there like a lump?" shouted a male voice.
Dave grinned. "And that would be my older brother Tony." He turned halfway towards the door. "Shut up, fatso, not everyone has to be first in line for the dressing!" Tony roared with laughter.
Oh, God. Oh, God. Oh, God! Spencer's fingers tightened again. "I can't just call her Mrs. Rossi?" he whispered as they started walking again, then said, "I'm calling her Mrs. Rossi."
"You know, I brought you here because I love you, not because I want to watch you throw yourself to the wolves," Dave teased. He tugged Spencer's hand lightly, then gave Tony a wide grin as his brother came out the door and grabbed Dave in a huge hug. "Hey, fatso," Dave said. "This is Spencer."
"Oh, the boyfriend. I see he's got Mama's flowers." Tony grinned and gave Spencer a wave. "Good to meet you. You call me fatso, I'll kick Dave's ass. It's Tony."
Spencer returned the wave with a smaller one of his own, immensely grateful Tony hadn't tried to hug him too. "Hi, ah, I wouldn't-- Hi," he said lamely.
Dave shook his head. "Come on," he said, grinning. "Tony's all bark and no bite. It's Matt you gotta watch out for. Sneaky bastard."
Tony held the door as Dave and Spencer went inside, then came in behind them, bellowing, "Hey, look who's here! It's our prodigal son!"
The front room had probably fifteen people in it, including two kids who were wrestling on the floor. Everyone stopped and turned to stare. A short plump woman with her silver hair in a bun turned, beaming.
"David? David! Come here and give your mama a kiss."
Dave held up a hand, his free one still clasped with Spencer's. "Mama, wait, hang on. This is Spencer Reid. Spence, this is my Mama, Rosa."
Spencer pressed his lips together and gave her a small wave with the hand the flowers were in, and then smiled. "Hi. It's, ah, nice to meet you, Mrs.--" A thrill of panic went through him all of a sudden. He didn't want her to hate him right off the bat. He didn't want her to hate him at all. It was weird, and too familiar, and felt like it fell out of his lips in the clunkiest way it could have, but he changed tack mid sentence and finished with, "Mama."
Dave looked down so Spencer wouldn't see the tiny smile that flitted across his face. Mama, however, was thrilled.
"Are those for me? Oh, David, I like your young man." She came over and took the flowers, inhaling deeply, then engulfed Spencer in a hug, kissing his cheek noisily. "He's very handsome. And so tall." She patted Spencer's other cheek, smiling up at him, then turned and hugged Dave.
"Hi, Mama, it's good to see you." He kissed her cheek. "Happy Thanksgiving."
Spencer felt hot. He really hadn't returned the hug like he should have. He tried, but failed when she kissed him and called him handsome, and then his entire body felt hot, and he knew he was blushing, and that made it worse. He knew he'd seen someone with wine, and he suddenly needed a drink badly. He cleared his throat. "Yeah. Happy Thanksgiving," he murmured.
Mama beamed at him and patted his cheek again, then took Dave by the elbow. "Come in here, your cousin Felicia was just about to open a bottle of your favorite red. And Georgie's here, downstairs playing pool with your father and some of the boys. Spencer, do you like wine?"
Tony laughed, following them to the kitchen and nodding for Spencer to keep up. "Of course he likes wine, Mama, he's dating Davie. He has to like wine and scotch and pasta and shitty art."
"Hey, shut up," David called over his shoulder. He vowed to get Tony back for that 'Davie'. "Just because some people never had any appreciation for the Renaissance--"
"At least it isn't that stuff like Phyllis Gardner's daughter paints," Mama said. "All big splotches of black and white and hardly any color."
Oh, God, Dave thought, Spencer is going to run screaming any second now.
Spencer was just glad the focus wasn't on him. He was more than happy to just blend into the background tonight. Except that there was something he couldn't quiet ignore. "Davie?" he said quietly, giving Dave a sideways look.
"I will shoot you," Dave muttered, and then smiled and kissed his cousin Felicia, who handed him a glass of wine and then offered one to Spencer.
"It's a good Italian red," she said. "Sweet, but not too sweet. Just like David. You've figured that out, right?" She grinned. "You've probably got him wrapped around your little finger."
Yes, Spencer thought, but opted not to say that, as Dave had just threatened bodily injury. He rolled up onto his toes, then back down, unsure how to respond, and then went with, "Not sure that's possible."
"Aw, he's sweet too," she told Dave. "Trying not to embarrass you."
"Actually, I meant it's physically impossible," Spencer said. And she either didn't get that it was a joke, or she didn't think it was funny, because she just gave him an odd look. Spencer cleared his throat and took the offered wine with a murmured "thanks," then looked at the floor, wondering how quickly he could drink the wine without looking bad.
Dave laughed and shook his head. "Hey, come on, you need to meet Dad and Georgie. I told you about Georgie, he's got the '74 Cuda. You guys can talk cars all night and the rest of us will be bored to tears." He slid an arm around Spencer's shoulders and guided him the rest of the way through the kitchen and to the stairway to the basement.
"Don't let him hide you all night, Spence!" Tony called after them. "Uncle Giuseppi'll want to know if you play chess!"
"Oh mio dio," Dave muttered, shaking his head, and Tony laughed.
Once they were out of the kitchen and going down the stairs, which seemed to be the only unoccupied bit of space in the house, Spencer drained his wine glass at once, then held it out for Dave. "Trade you," he said, giving Dave a sheepish smile.
Dave chuckled and traded, then leaned in for a kiss. "They're a little overwhelming, huh?" he said, and brushed his fingers over Spencer's hair. "You're doing great. You called her Mama." He kissed Spencer again.
"I didn't want her to hate me," Spencer said. He wasn't sure they should be kissing in the stairwell of Dave's parents' house, which actually brought him to another point, one he'd been wanting to ask since Tony had so casually called Spencer 'the boyfriend'. "Why is your family so okay with this?" he blurted after a moment.
"With what, the gay thing?" Dave made a face to head off Spencer's automatic protest at the word 'gay' and shrugged. "We're a big family, you think I'm the first guy who's fallen for another guy? I'm the first one who's brought one to a holiday, but, you know..." He gave Spencer a rueful smile. "Maybe Felicia'll bring her girlfriend to Christmas this year. Six years they've been together, and she still pretends, for her mother's sake, that she's not a lesbian."
Spencer stared at Dave a moment, feeling slightly proud of Dave that it seemed he was hoping this could give his cousin the strength to be brave. Dave had also answered Spencer's other question--have you done this before?--without Spencer having to ask. Of course that eliminated a strong contender in the few explanations Spencer could think of for Dave's family's seemingly overwhelming acceptance. Spencer took a long drink of wine. "Just because it's been done before doesn't mean everyone has to like it. Honestly, you're Catholics."
Dave shrugged. "Yeah, so half of the family thinks I spend a hell of a lot of time on my knees saying Hail Marys." He looked over his shoulder. "The other half know I use my time on my knees a little differently." He snickered at Spencer's semi-scandalized look and leaned against the wall. "I don't know, Spence. God's important to this family, okay? Church is important. But family's important, too. And here, we take people for who they are, for the most part. Not to mention, everyone knows damn well that I'm good at disappearing if they piss me off." He sighed and looked down the stairs to avoid Spencer's gaze. "After me and Kay split up, Mama was pretty broken up over it. She thought we were gonna have kids, stay together forever... I didn't come home for three years. So it's possible people are afraid of pissing me off." He still wasn't proud of that. He knew he'd broken his mother's heart, and it had been the cause of one of the few serious fights he'd had with Tony, who'd always been the closest of his siblings.
Spencer watched Dave for a moment. It was sometimes unbelievable that Dave trusted Spencer enough to tell him things like that. It was amazing that Dave let Spencer see that almost vulnerable expression on his face, even if Dave wasn't looking at him. Spencer's chest was aching a little, and he took a step towards Dave, lifting a finger to turn his chin, making Dave look at him. He stared at Dave, his gaze open, and then leaned in to kiss him, just a soft brush of lips against lips.
Dave sighed softly and leaned into the kiss, letting his eyes close. Sometimes it was funny, the way Spencer occasionally seemed surprised that Dave let down his guard with him. "I love you," he breathed, lifting a hand to cup Spencer's elbow.
And then an ear-splitting whistle shattered the quiet of the stairs. "Woo, look who I caught making out on the stairs. Davie's here, everyone."
Dave sighed and kept his eyes closed for a minute, then said loudly, "Spence, did you bring your revolver? I've got a cousin to shoot."
From the bottom of the stairs, Georgie laughed. "Get down here, you bastard!" he said. "Bring the pretty one with you. You're Spencer, right?"
Dave shook his head. "I am so sorry about this," he said, glancing at Spencer, and led the way down the stairs. "Spence, this is Georgie."
Spencer felt a little shaky now with the rush of nerves and adrenaline that had raced through him when they were interrupted. And then Georgie called him 'pretty' and Spencer's attention snapped back. Morgan was really the only person who called him pretty. "Ah--" The words got stuck, so Spencer cleared his throat. "Hi. Yeah, Spencer," he said.
Georgie nodded in welcome and gave Dave a rib-cracking hug, but just waved at Spencer. "Good to meet you. I've heard a lot about you. 'Bout time Davie brings you home. You play pool? Come meet Ed."
Dave had opened his mouth half-way through Georgie's speech, then just stood there with his mouth open. Finally he rubbed his jaw and said, "Hey, Dad! How are you?" and walked away.
Spencer's eyebrows lifted as Dave walked away. Shit. Dave was supposed to be protecting him from the craziness, not leaving him. Spencer couldn't help but notice that Georgie seemed to be the only one that had 'heard a lot about' Spencer, though, or that it was that moment that Dave chose to walk away in. "I've-- ah... I've never played pool," Spencer said awkwardly, and was surprised when he took another drink of his wine that it was the last sip.
"Okay, so we teach you. You got a degree in math, right? Pool is all geometry. Don't ask me to explain it, because I flunked geometry. But you'll get it." Georgie draped an arm around Spencer's shoulders and guided him to the pool table. "Gimme that," he said, grabbing a stick from one of the teenagers and handing it to Spencer. "So Davie says you drive a Volvo Amazon. What year is it? He can't remember shit."
"It's a...'66." Spencer was staring at the pool cue, though. "I try not to drive it, actually. City driving..." He eyed the pool table. "It's not just geometry. It's propulsion, as well, among other things. Not to mention the handicaps of any given table. The surface might not be perfectly smooth, or the floor might not be completely level. Actually, perfect ninety degree angles are nearly impossible to achieve when building a house," he babbled, still looking at the table thoughtfully.
Georgie laughed. "Yeah, but we're not building a house. We're sinking the nine-ball. Here, you got good hands. Hold it like this." He rearranged Spencer's grip, then leaned over the table next to him. "Sight along it. Like shooting. You can do that. Principle's the same. That was a good year. But what's the point having it if you don't drive it? I take my baby everywhere. Did you see her parked out there? We drove from Jersey in it."
Spencer lined up the shot, and kept talking absently. "I drive it, just not often. It's, ah... it wasn't running when I inherited it, and it's sort of... touchy now." Spencer squinted, and took the shot, smiling slightly when he stood to see the nine ball go neatly into the corner pocket. He looked at Georgie. "I didn't see it when we came in." Of course, Spencer hadn't exactly been taking in their surroundings when he came in.
"Good shot! Well, hey, you and Davie come up to Jersey for a weekend, I'll take a look at it. Not before Christmas, though. Busy busy these days. You're a fucking liar, never played pool. Look at you." Georgie was grinning at him as Spencer lined up another shot.
"No, I'm not-- I--" Spencer cleared his throat and wondered if he should purposely miss this one. "It is a little like shooting," he said, and sank the next ball too.
Georgie laughed. "Man, you could clean up in a roadhouse. It's good thing you turned your genius to fighting crime. Davie, come take a look at your boy here."
Dave, who had been talking with his father, turned, trying to hide his embarrassment. Somehow he hadn't realized that bringing Spencer here to meet Georgie, who knew him better than anyone, held a lot of potential embarrassment. He took the bottle of beer his dad offered and wandered over to the pool table. "Don't let Georgie teach you any bad habits," he said, but he was smiling.
Spencer nodded. "He was teaching me how to play pool," he said helpfully.
Dave laughed and shook his head. "You encourage my boyfriend to start hustling pool on his days off, I'm gonna shoot you," he told Georgie. "How's Marie?"
"Upstairs hanging out with the womenfolk, how do you think?" Georgie said. He shook his head. "It's good to see you." He smiled at Spencer, including him in that statement. "It's good."
Dave shrugged. "At least you guys haven't scared Spencer off yet."
Someone shrieked, followed by a booming round of laughter from somewhere upstairs, and Spencer looked back at the stairs, his eyes a little wide. "I would like another glass of wine, though," he said, and this time he did get a laugh, but he wasn't entirely joking.
Dave laughed and kissed Spencer on the cheek. "Hey, Ricky, go get Spencer another glass of the Ripasso." He held out the empty glass and the teenager who'd sacrificed his place at the pool table took it and bolted up the stairs.
Spencer flushed when Dave kissed him, and thought the third glass might not be the best idea suddenly, because he found himself curling his fingers around Dave's for what was supposed to be a brief touch. Dave didn't let go, though.
"Not surprising he's good," Dave said to Georgie, using their joined hands to gesture at the pool table. "It's all math."
Georgie snorted. "And architecture, Davie. Architecture."
"Architecture?" Dave looked from Georgie to Spencer in confusion.
Spencer was certain Georgie was making fun of him, but when he looked back, Georgie's gaze was genuinely friendly. Spencer's lips quirked slightly into an almost smile. "I was just explaining--" The teenager--Ricky--brought his glass back, far fuller than his glass had been before. Spencer wondered if Ricky filled it himself. "Thank you," he told the kid. "I was explaining that it wasn't only math, but one had to account for the fact that houses are never truly built level."
"Well, but the pool tables are adjusted to be level when you set them up," Dave said, grinning. He took the wine glass from Spencer's hand. "You can share some of that." Considering he'd only had a few sips of his drink before Spencer'd traded him in the first place.
Spencer's eyebrows lifted. "Why didn't you just ask for your own?" he asked with mock affront, but he was smiling at Dave affectionately now. Yes, he was definitely more relaxed. It was probably a good thing Dave was 'sharing' his drink, and he wondered if Dave knew he was starting to feel his two glasses of wine. Considering Dave knew one glass of Dave's scotch would do him in, it was very likely.
"Wanted to get you back for stealing mine," Dave said, and Georgie laughed.
"God, you two are something. I can't believe you've put up with him this long, Spencer. Davie's a pain in the ass, everyone knows that." He was grinning as he said it, though.
"He's worse at work," Spencer said, shrugging. "Maybe he only seems like a softy to me by comparison."
"Aw, Davie, he's cute. You better keep him." Georgie winked at Spencer. Dave's fingers just tightened on Spencer's.
"Yeah, I think I will," he said. "Come on, Spence, you ought to meet my dad."
Ed Rossi was sitting in a recliner, smiling faintly, and stood as they approached. It was obvious he'd once been a robust man, and Dave hoped Spencer wouldn't be scared off by the picture of what Dave would look like in twenty-five years.
"Dad, this is Spencer. Spencer, my dad, Ed."
Ed stuck out a hand. "Good to meet you. David says fine things about you." He had a booming voice that still retained the power of his youth.
Spencer cleared his throat and shook Ed's hand, even though it felt a little strange, and was surprised that Ed still had a pretty firm handshake for a man his age. "I'm glad," he said. He'd told his mother about Dave. She wasn't exactly thrilled he was dating a man older than her, but she apparently hadn't been surprised in the least that he liked men. Regardless, it was nice to see the proof of Dave's affection in the way his family was responding to him. "It's nice to meet you too."
"You have a PhD or two, I think?" Ed said. He sat down again, waving at the other chair for Spencer. "David says you work with him. Is that the books or the FBI?"
It took Spencer a minute to understand what Ed meant. "Oh, no, I don't have anything to do with his books, outside of having read them. Ah, I work with him at Quantico."
Ed nodded. "So you're chasing serial killers, too, huh?" He shook his head. "Must be tough work."
"It's a lot easier with a genius on the team," Dave said, smiling.
Spencer huffed a little laugh. "It's a lot easier now that you're back," he said. It wasn't that he hadn't loved and completely respected Gideon--he missed Gideon every day--but Dave just brought a completely different perspective than anyone else around.
Ed grinned. "Well, I can see you two are a mutual fanclub." He shook his head. "Let me share something with you that I've learned about David." Dave groaned and put a hand over his face. "He does a piss-poor job of admitting when he's wrong. So only make him do it when it's really important, and he'll be easier to deal with in general."
Spencer laughed. "I'll keep that in mind," he said. Of course, Spencer already knew that. And he had methods to get an apology without Dave actually having to say the word. They weren't exactly appropriate to share with Dave's dad, however.
"Thanks, Dad, he really needed to hear that," Dave muttered.
Ed just smiled. "You've been happier lately than I've seen you in years. I just want to make sure you don't screw this one up."
Georgie and Ricky, who were playing pool but blatantly eavesdropping, burst into laughter. Dave just sighed and shook his head.
From upstairs came a shout, then footsteps clattered partway down the stairs and the shout came again.
"Dinner's ready!!"
Spencer waited for Ed to stand, and then let him go ahead of them, slipping his hand into Dave's again. No one seemed to care before, and Spencer was feeling a little tipsy anyway. He half wanted to sift his fingers through Dave's hair and kiss him gently, but he knew everyone would know what they were doing if they waited for everyone to go upstairs, and after Georgie had nearly caused Spencer to have a heart attack last time, Spencer didn't want a repeat.
Instead, he and Dave followed everyone upstairs, where Dave negotiated them into seats next to each other. Spencer was impressed by that, thinking it would be nearly impossible, seeing as how there seemed to be about five hundred additional people Spencer hadn't seen before trying to sit at the two tables. The wine suddenly wasn't working so well anymore, considering all the noise and commotion, and people everywhere. He squeezed Dave's hand a little tighter under the table, and stole the wine glass back, which prompted Mama Rosa to fill a second glass, clucking at Dave in disapproval, as she seemed to think Dave hadn't poured Spencer one.
Dave just smiled and pressed his leg against Spencer's, stroking his thumb over Spencer's. He knew crowds were difficult for Spencer, especially rowdy groups like this one. He'd warned some of his family that Spencer didn't like to be touched, but it was inevitable when you were gathered around the table like this. The "youngsters' table" was worse about it, of course, but Felicia's elbow kept bumping Dave's by accident, even at the "grownups' table".
Georgie was on the other side of Spencer, and Dave had heard enough of their conversation to know they were starting in about cars, before the uncle across from Dave started asking about the latest high-profile case they'd worked. Felicia jumped into the conversation, too, and then that conversation splintered off into two separate ones... Dave kept glancing at Spencer to make sure he was all right, even after Spencer claimed his hand back to eat and talk at the same time. A tiny smile crept across Dave's face, watching his lover gesture expressively. He was doing great.
When the dessert started being passed around, Dave pushed his chair back from the table and stretched. "I'm taking my pumpkin pie somewhere more comfortable," he said. "Anyone gonna join me?"
Spencer looked up from Georgie to Dave. "Mmn, yeah," he said. He'd found focusing on one person made the rest of them a little easier to handle, and Georgie hadn't seemed particularly overwhelmed. Of course, they were talking about something Georgie knew a lot about, and somehow seemed to keep sidetracking Spencer whenever he got on to talking about the actual chemistry and physics that took place inside any given engine.
He excused himself, and stood, following Dave out to the living room, gripping Dave's hand again. "I might be just a little drunk," he said under his breath.
Dave laughed and tightened his fingers on Spencer's. "That's the best way to deal with these gatherings," he said. He settled down on a couch, tugging Spencer down next to him, so close he was almost in Dave's lap. They heard quiet laughter behind them and discovered Felicia had followed them out. She curled up in the chair next to them and sighed deeply.
"This family is exhausting, Spencer," she said. "But you'll never find yourself in need now that you're part of it." She smiled softly and brushed her hand against Dave's arm, then retreated back into her chair and took a sip of her wine.
Spencer smiled, but wasn't sure what to say. It was a foreign concept, if he was honest. Growing up he had felt like he was taking care of his mother as much as she was taking care of him. He'd not really ever felt particularly safe growing up, either, even if he and his mother had done well enough on their own. "Thanks," he said quietly, thankful for Dave's closeness.
Dave hummed and lifted their joined hands to kiss Spencer's knuckles. He was tired, and glad for the relative quiet of the living room, and starting to wonder how much longer they would have to stay before they could make their escape.
"How long?" Felicia asked after a while. "The two of you, I mean? Georgie didn't say."
"A little over a year," Spencer answered when Dave didn't. He wasn't sure it was safe to ask anything about her and her partner, so he didn't say any more.
Felicia nodded. "Does Kay know?"
Dave raised his eyebrows. "Why should Kay know?" he asked. "I don't really keep in touch with her. Spencer and I didn't send out Christmas cards together or anything."
She made a non-committal hum and sipped her wine again.
Kay?! Spencer thought. Wife Number One Kay?! His eyes went a little wide, and he turned to stare at Dave. "Um..." he started, and then couldn't find any words that didn't sound panicked.
Felicia opened her mouth, then lifted her wine glass for a sip. "Dave, you didn't tell him?"
Dave cleared his throat and tightened his fingers on Spencer's. "I thought maybe we could get out of here before--"
"You should know better," Felicia said, scowling at him. "Spencer, I'm sorry, but Mama Rosa invites Kay every holiday for dessert with the family. Some of us sort of grew up with her as our 'Auntie Kay', you know?"
Dave glared at her, then glanced nervously at Spencer.
God. Spencer gave Felicia a brief nod. He did understand, now that he thought about it. That didn't mean he had to like it, or that he wasn't upset with Dave for not having mentioned it. "You should have told me," he grumbled quietly, but he forced his voice not to be angry; he wasn't about to actually argue with Dave here, even if he was tipsy.
Dave sighed. "I wasn't sure you'd come," he admitted. "And...I really wanted you to come."
Felicia snickered, but was good enough to hide her amusement in her wine glass.
Spencer frowned. "You owe me."
"And here I thought you didn't keep score," Dave murmured. But at least Spencer wasn't getting upset. "I'm sorry; I should have told you."
"Okay, that right there is a miracle," Felicia said. "Wait til I tell everyone Dave just apologized."
"Shut up," Dave grumbled.
"Do it," Spencer said vindictively, ignoring Dave. He took a sip of his wine, and then settled, starting to relax again because staying angry would only make it worse when he did actually meet Kay... and Dave had apologized. Spencer really did know how hard it was to get an apology.
Dave didn't say anything else, but he stroked his fingers lightly along the inside of Spencer's forearm. He slid his free arm around Spencer's shoulders, hoping his lover would lean against him and give some small indication of his forgiveness.
"I'm told expensive presents and blowjobs are good apologies," Felicia murmured. Dave gave her a scandalized look, though he was more than a little amused.
"What would you know about that?" he muttered back, and she snorted.
"More than I wish I did."
He closed his eyes. "Ugh. That was oversharing."
Reid flushed and sank lower where he sat, leaning more into Dave's touch.
"You're embarrassing my lover," Dave grumbled, and kissed Spencer's temple. "We can go before she gets here, if you want," he murmured. "I usually stay, but I want you to be comfortable."
The embarrassment didn't fade when Dave called Spencer his lover and then kissed Spencer in front of everyone, but Spencer drew a long breath and tried to ignore it. "No, it's fine," he murmured back, and it wasn't really fine, but he didn't want to look like he was running away.
"She's pretty nice," Dave assured him quietly.
"Don't worry," Felicia said, "we'll protect you from her."
"You aren't helping," Dave growled, and Felicia laughed.
They talked quietly for a while as more of the adults in the family trickled out from the kitchen. Ed and Tony sat by the fire, and eventually Great-Uncle Giuseppi came out and gave Dave and Reid a few disapproving glances before shuffling over and asking if Reid played chess.
He was saved from having to answer by the ringing of the doorbell. Mama Rosa bustled through on her way to the door, and a minute later came back with a petite blonde woman in her late forties.
"Look, everyone, Kay's here!" she said, beaming. "Let me get you a glass of wine and a slice of pie, Kay. Here, sit down, sit down. You know people here." Rosa kissed Kay's cheek and bustled back out to the kitchen.
Kay looked around, smiling and greeting everyone by name, pausing when she got to Dave and Spencer.
Dave sighed almost imperceptibly and stood. "Kay, Doctor Spencer Reid. Spence, this is Kay."
Kay's eyebrows went up, but she stuck out a hand. "Wife Number Four?" she murmured, just loud enough for the two of them to hear her.
Spencer just barely contained a scowl. Barely. But his lips did thin as he shook her hand, stopping half way when he started to just give her a little wave. "Not a wife at all, actually," he said quietly, forcing his tone light.
Her lips turned up and she glanced at Dave. "At least you still have good taste," she said, and looked back at Spencer appraisingly. "Not a medical doctor, surely?"
Well, at least Spencer knew she and Dave weren't talking to each other much. He didn't expect they were, and he wondered why he felt suddenly jealous, but at least she wasn't teasing him anymore. He shook his head. "No. PhDs. Three of them."
"Three of them? Good heavens. Dave's finally found someone smarter than him." She leaned up and kissed Dave's cheek, which he bore tolerantly but didn't return. Then she turned away. "Felicia, it's good to see you."
Felicia just lifted her wine glass in a little salute. "Hi, Kay." She gave Spencer a sympathetic smile as Dave pulled him back down on the couch.
Dave didn't put his arm around Spencer again. He thought it would look too defensive. But he did lace his fingers through Spencer's, hoping he would understand.
Spencer squeezed Dave's hand, and leaned over just barely to press against Dave's side. "You're lucky I love you," he said, barely loud enough for Dave to hear him. He hadn't walked when she called him 'Wife Number Four', and he thought that did warrant a couple of blow jobs, if not more.
Dave couldn't fight the smile those words brought to his face. "Believe me when I say I know that," he murmured back. He rubbed his thumb along Spencer's skin and sipped at his wine.
Kay had settled into the chair Tony had vacated for her, and after a moment Dave realized she was watching them. He met her gaze directly and she glanced down, then back up. Her smile seemed a little sad.
"I'm glad you two managed to get the holiday off together," Felicia said into a lull in the conversation. "Davie told us he wasn't sure if you'd be able to come," she added, looking at Spencer.
Spencer nodded. "I'm pretty certain it's because our relationship is less of a secret that I'd hoped it would be at work," he said, and then hoped that didn't sound bad. He squeezed Dave's hand, then added, "Fraternization."
Felicia laughed. "Still breaking the rules, Davie." She shook her head.
"You met someone like Spencer, you'd break the rules, too," Dave retorted, grinning at her.
Mama Rosa came back in from the kitchen and handed Kay a slice of pie and a glass of wine. Then she turned and handed a camera to Felicia. "You're the artistic one," she said, "take some pictures of our family here."
Felicia aimed it at Rosa first, making her laugh and flap her hands at Felicia. The next target, of course, was Spencer and Dave. "Look cute," Felicia ordered, smiling.
"Cute?" Reid repeated, but slipped his arm around Dave before Dave could do it to him (which was actually a little more comfortable, given their height difference), and glanced at Dave with a small smile.
"That's a lot easier for him than for me," Dave said, his gaze warm on Spencer's. God, he was gorgeous. And patient, and incredibly tolerant, to have put up with Dave so long and put himself through Thanksgiving with the Rossi family. I love you, Dave thought, and then the flash went off and Felicia was turning her attention elsewhere.
Felicia caught them just looking at each other in the picture, and Spencer was certain they'd both looked... well, in love. He reached up and stroked a hand over Dave's hair before he realized he was doing it, and then cleared his throat and moved away again, smiling.
Dave's smile warmed and he only barely managed to resist pulling Spencer back for a kiss. Instead he dragged his gaze away and said, "I want a copy of that."
Felicia grinned. "Of course you do." She snapped some more pictures, then handed the camera back to Rosa.
They stayed for a little longer, Dave chatting with various people who came over, and Spencer mostly just listening unless someone talked to him directly. After a while, he got tired of catching Kay glancing at them, and he squeezed Dave's hand a little harder than he had been. Thankfully, Dave seemed to understand, and he stood to say their goodbyes.
The fresh air and relative emptiness of the front yard was a relief, and Spencer felt tension drain out of his body a little bit. "More like Husband Number One," he said softly, and the word husband didn't quite feel accurate, but Dave would know he was just twisting the words Kay had used.
Dave tugged Spencer close for a soft kiss. "More like the person I want to spend the rest of my life with," he replied, and kissed him again. "Which I think we should get started on right now. I think I have some apologizing to do."
"I've been tallying the number of, ah, 'apologies' you owe me most of the night, and I think we're at about three," Spencer said, grinning. "Oh, no, four."
"Four?" Dave demanded, pretending to look outraged as he opened the car door for Spencer. "Exactly how do you get four?"
"I let a woman I don't know kiss me and and called her Mama. You're lucky I'm only counting that as one." Spencer stopped at the car so he could finish before he got in, counting off on his fingers. "I got caught kissing you in a stairwell, which was thoroughly embarrassing. I had to listen to Felicia talk about blow jobs, all while wishing I could sink into the couch. And I shook your ex-wife's hand and didn't bolt or snap at her when she called me Wife Number Four."
"Hmm." Dave tilted his head, considering, then kissed Spencer again and went around the car. "We'd better hurry so I can get started, then."
Spencer grinned. "I'm not sure I can come four times in one night," he said.
Dave snorted, and leaned in for another kiss, then breathed, "Only one way to find out."
When our relatives are at home, we have to think of all their good points or it would be impossible to endure them.
~George Bernard Shaw
Authors:
innerslytherin and severity_softlyPairing: Rossi/Reid
Word count: ~13,000
Rating: NC-17
Warnings/Kinks: Highlight between stars to read: * Spanking. Rough sex. Face fucking. * :D
Summary: Dave takes Spencer home to meet the family for Thanksgiving.
Notes: RP-style, and betaed by us, so feel free to note any mistakes.
PART ONE
Every light in the house was on when they pulled up to the curb halfway down the block. "Geez, it's like she's feeding an army," Dave muttered. There were no parking spaces any closer, so he pulled the rented Mercedes to the curb and crossed his fingers that no one was feeling mean. He hurried around the car before Spencer had finished getting his seat belt unfastened, so he could open the door and take Spencer's hand again.
Spencer felt a little like he couldn't breathe, but when Dave opened the door for him, he sucked in a sharp breath. Good. He could breathe after all. He looked up at Dave, surprised. "You don't have to do this," he said, but he took Dave's hand anyway when he got out.
"You know damn well I never do anything I don't want to do," Dave said. He tugged Spencer close for a kiss, then grabbed the flowers out of the back seat. He knew better than to show up without a bouquet for his mama, no matter how old he was. "Come on. And be glad it's Thanksgiving. There's a reason I always put in to work Christmas. Dad's side of the family comes for Christmas."
Spencer wondered if he should pull his fingers out of Dave's hand. Dave hadn't let go, and it felt awkward, but he had a feeling Dave would get mad if he did. And part of Spencer needed it too. It felt as awkward as it did safe. "Bigger or louder?" he asked, once they were making their way towards the house.
Dave laughed. "Both." He held the flowers out. "Okay, when we go inside, I introduce you to Mama. You call her Mama. Or Mama Rosa, she's fine with that. Don't call her ma'am. Anyway, I introduce you, you give her the flowers. She'll kiss you. Sorry about that, we've never been able to break her of the habit. She's the only one who'll kiss you, though, which is a minor miracle in an Italian gathering."
Spencer suddenly felt like he might pass out; his fear skyrocketing as Dave spoke. He squeezed Dave's hand, hard enough to hurt--on purpose--and stopped walking, forcing Dave to stop too. "Wait, what?!" was all he managed, his voice a harsh whisper.
"What what?" Dave asked. "It's not hard. Just let her kiss your cheek, give the flowers, she'll automatically love you because you're with me." He wiggled his hand a little. "You're breaking my fingers." He gave Spencer a lopsided grin. "Trust me, Spence."
"I have to call her 'Mama'?!" Oddly, Spencer wasn't sure why, but that was the part of what Dave said that worried him the most. Well, he didn't really want to be kissed by a strange woman, either. He let his hold on Dave go just a little, then felt guilty and eased off entirely. "I'm not calling a woman I don't know 'Mama'."
"Look, you don't know her, but you know me. I call her Mama, you're supposed to call her that." Dave shrugged. "Who understands women, huh? I sure as hell don't. But I do what she tells me, because she's my mother, and she's scary." He tried another smile. "Please, Spence, do this for me?"
They were halfway up the front walk, and apparently someone had noticed, because the front door opened. "David, you coming to dinner or you just gonna stand there like a lump?" shouted a male voice.
Dave grinned. "And that would be my older brother Tony." He turned halfway towards the door. "Shut up, fatso, not everyone has to be first in line for the dressing!" Tony roared with laughter.
Oh, God. Oh, God. Oh, God! Spencer's fingers tightened again. "I can't just call her Mrs. Rossi?" he whispered as they started walking again, then said, "I'm calling her Mrs. Rossi."
"You know, I brought you here because I love you, not because I want to watch you throw yourself to the wolves," Dave teased. He tugged Spencer's hand lightly, then gave Tony a wide grin as his brother came out the door and grabbed Dave in a huge hug. "Hey, fatso," Dave said. "This is Spencer."
"Oh, the boyfriend. I see he's got Mama's flowers." Tony grinned and gave Spencer a wave. "Good to meet you. You call me fatso, I'll kick Dave's ass. It's Tony."
Spencer returned the wave with a smaller one of his own, immensely grateful Tony hadn't tried to hug him too. "Hi, ah, I wouldn't-- Hi," he said lamely.
Dave shook his head. "Come on," he said, grinning. "Tony's all bark and no bite. It's Matt you gotta watch out for. Sneaky bastard."
Tony held the door as Dave and Spencer went inside, then came in behind them, bellowing, "Hey, look who's here! It's our prodigal son!"
The front room had probably fifteen people in it, including two kids who were wrestling on the floor. Everyone stopped and turned to stare. A short plump woman with her silver hair in a bun turned, beaming.
"David? David! Come here and give your mama a kiss."
Dave held up a hand, his free one still clasped with Spencer's. "Mama, wait, hang on. This is Spencer Reid. Spence, this is my Mama, Rosa."
Spencer pressed his lips together and gave her a small wave with the hand the flowers were in, and then smiled. "Hi. It's, ah, nice to meet you, Mrs.--" A thrill of panic went through him all of a sudden. He didn't want her to hate him right off the bat. He didn't want her to hate him at all. It was weird, and too familiar, and felt like it fell out of his lips in the clunkiest way it could have, but he changed tack mid sentence and finished with, "Mama."
Dave looked down so Spencer wouldn't see the tiny smile that flitted across his face. Mama, however, was thrilled.
"Are those for me? Oh, David, I like your young man." She came over and took the flowers, inhaling deeply, then engulfed Spencer in a hug, kissing his cheek noisily. "He's very handsome. And so tall." She patted Spencer's other cheek, smiling up at him, then turned and hugged Dave.
"Hi, Mama, it's good to see you." He kissed her cheek. "Happy Thanksgiving."
Spencer felt hot. He really hadn't returned the hug like he should have. He tried, but failed when she kissed him and called him handsome, and then his entire body felt hot, and he knew he was blushing, and that made it worse. He knew he'd seen someone with wine, and he suddenly needed a drink badly. He cleared his throat. "Yeah. Happy Thanksgiving," he murmured.
Mama beamed at him and patted his cheek again, then took Dave by the elbow. "Come in here, your cousin Felicia was just about to open a bottle of your favorite red. And Georgie's here, downstairs playing pool with your father and some of the boys. Spencer, do you like wine?"
Tony laughed, following them to the kitchen and nodding for Spencer to keep up. "Of course he likes wine, Mama, he's dating Davie. He has to like wine and scotch and pasta and shitty art."
"Hey, shut up," David called over his shoulder. He vowed to get Tony back for that 'Davie'. "Just because some people never had any appreciation for the Renaissance--"
"At least it isn't that stuff like Phyllis Gardner's daughter paints," Mama said. "All big splotches of black and white and hardly any color."
Oh, God, Dave thought, Spencer is going to run screaming any second now.
Spencer was just glad the focus wasn't on him. He was more than happy to just blend into the background tonight. Except that there was something he couldn't quiet ignore. "Davie?" he said quietly, giving Dave a sideways look.
"I will shoot you," Dave muttered, and then smiled and kissed his cousin Felicia, who handed him a glass of wine and then offered one to Spencer.
"It's a good Italian red," she said. "Sweet, but not too sweet. Just like David. You've figured that out, right?" She grinned. "You've probably got him wrapped around your little finger."
Yes, Spencer thought, but opted not to say that, as Dave had just threatened bodily injury. He rolled up onto his toes, then back down, unsure how to respond, and then went with, "Not sure that's possible."
"Aw, he's sweet too," she told Dave. "Trying not to embarrass you."
"Actually, I meant it's physically impossible," Spencer said. And she either didn't get that it was a joke, or she didn't think it was funny, because she just gave him an odd look. Spencer cleared his throat and took the offered wine with a murmured "thanks," then looked at the floor, wondering how quickly he could drink the wine without looking bad.
Dave laughed and shook his head. "Hey, come on, you need to meet Dad and Georgie. I told you about Georgie, he's got the '74 Cuda. You guys can talk cars all night and the rest of us will be bored to tears." He slid an arm around Spencer's shoulders and guided him the rest of the way through the kitchen and to the stairway to the basement.
"Don't let him hide you all night, Spence!" Tony called after them. "Uncle Giuseppi'll want to know if you play chess!"
"Oh mio dio," Dave muttered, shaking his head, and Tony laughed.
Once they were out of the kitchen and going down the stairs, which seemed to be the only unoccupied bit of space in the house, Spencer drained his wine glass at once, then held it out for Dave. "Trade you," he said, giving Dave a sheepish smile.
Dave chuckled and traded, then leaned in for a kiss. "They're a little overwhelming, huh?" he said, and brushed his fingers over Spencer's hair. "You're doing great. You called her Mama." He kissed Spencer again.
"I didn't want her to hate me," Spencer said. He wasn't sure they should be kissing in the stairwell of Dave's parents' house, which actually brought him to another point, one he'd been wanting to ask since Tony had so casually called Spencer 'the boyfriend'. "Why is your family so okay with this?" he blurted after a moment.
"With what, the gay thing?" Dave made a face to head off Spencer's automatic protest at the word 'gay' and shrugged. "We're a big family, you think I'm the first guy who's fallen for another guy? I'm the first one who's brought one to a holiday, but, you know..." He gave Spencer a rueful smile. "Maybe Felicia'll bring her girlfriend to Christmas this year. Six years they've been together, and she still pretends, for her mother's sake, that she's not a lesbian."
Spencer stared at Dave a moment, feeling slightly proud of Dave that it seemed he was hoping this could give his cousin the strength to be brave. Dave had also answered Spencer's other question--have you done this before?--without Spencer having to ask. Of course that eliminated a strong contender in the few explanations Spencer could think of for Dave's family's seemingly overwhelming acceptance. Spencer took a long drink of wine. "Just because it's been done before doesn't mean everyone has to like it. Honestly, you're Catholics."
Dave shrugged. "Yeah, so half of the family thinks I spend a hell of a lot of time on my knees saying Hail Marys." He looked over his shoulder. "The other half know I use my time on my knees a little differently." He snickered at Spencer's semi-scandalized look and leaned against the wall. "I don't know, Spence. God's important to this family, okay? Church is important. But family's important, too. And here, we take people for who they are, for the most part. Not to mention, everyone knows damn well that I'm good at disappearing if they piss me off." He sighed and looked down the stairs to avoid Spencer's gaze. "After me and Kay split up, Mama was pretty broken up over it. She thought we were gonna have kids, stay together forever... I didn't come home for three years. So it's possible people are afraid of pissing me off." He still wasn't proud of that. He knew he'd broken his mother's heart, and it had been the cause of one of the few serious fights he'd had with Tony, who'd always been the closest of his siblings.
Spencer watched Dave for a moment. It was sometimes unbelievable that Dave trusted Spencer enough to tell him things like that. It was amazing that Dave let Spencer see that almost vulnerable expression on his face, even if Dave wasn't looking at him. Spencer's chest was aching a little, and he took a step towards Dave, lifting a finger to turn his chin, making Dave look at him. He stared at Dave, his gaze open, and then leaned in to kiss him, just a soft brush of lips against lips.
Dave sighed softly and leaned into the kiss, letting his eyes close. Sometimes it was funny, the way Spencer occasionally seemed surprised that Dave let down his guard with him. "I love you," he breathed, lifting a hand to cup Spencer's elbow.
And then an ear-splitting whistle shattered the quiet of the stairs. "Woo, look who I caught making out on the stairs. Davie's here, everyone."
Dave sighed and kept his eyes closed for a minute, then said loudly, "Spence, did you bring your revolver? I've got a cousin to shoot."
From the bottom of the stairs, Georgie laughed. "Get down here, you bastard!" he said. "Bring the pretty one with you. You're Spencer, right?"
Dave shook his head. "I am so sorry about this," he said, glancing at Spencer, and led the way down the stairs. "Spence, this is Georgie."
Spencer felt a little shaky now with the rush of nerves and adrenaline that had raced through him when they were interrupted. And then Georgie called him 'pretty' and Spencer's attention snapped back. Morgan was really the only person who called him pretty. "Ah--" The words got stuck, so Spencer cleared his throat. "Hi. Yeah, Spencer," he said.
Georgie nodded in welcome and gave Dave a rib-cracking hug, but just waved at Spencer. "Good to meet you. I've heard a lot about you. 'Bout time Davie brings you home. You play pool? Come meet Ed."
Dave had opened his mouth half-way through Georgie's speech, then just stood there with his mouth open. Finally he rubbed his jaw and said, "Hey, Dad! How are you?" and walked away.
Spencer's eyebrows lifted as Dave walked away. Shit. Dave was supposed to be protecting him from the craziness, not leaving him. Spencer couldn't help but notice that Georgie seemed to be the only one that had 'heard a lot about' Spencer, though, or that it was that moment that Dave chose to walk away in. "I've-- ah... I've never played pool," Spencer said awkwardly, and was surprised when he took another drink of his wine that it was the last sip.
"Okay, so we teach you. You got a degree in math, right? Pool is all geometry. Don't ask me to explain it, because I flunked geometry. But you'll get it." Georgie draped an arm around Spencer's shoulders and guided him to the pool table. "Gimme that," he said, grabbing a stick from one of the teenagers and handing it to Spencer. "So Davie says you drive a Volvo Amazon. What year is it? He can't remember shit."
"It's a...'66." Spencer was staring at the pool cue, though. "I try not to drive it, actually. City driving..." He eyed the pool table. "It's not just geometry. It's propulsion, as well, among other things. Not to mention the handicaps of any given table. The surface might not be perfectly smooth, or the floor might not be completely level. Actually, perfect ninety degree angles are nearly impossible to achieve when building a house," he babbled, still looking at the table thoughtfully.
Georgie laughed. "Yeah, but we're not building a house. We're sinking the nine-ball. Here, you got good hands. Hold it like this." He rearranged Spencer's grip, then leaned over the table next to him. "Sight along it. Like shooting. You can do that. Principle's the same. That was a good year. But what's the point having it if you don't drive it? I take my baby everywhere. Did you see her parked out there? We drove from Jersey in it."
Spencer lined up the shot, and kept talking absently. "I drive it, just not often. It's, ah... it wasn't running when I inherited it, and it's sort of... touchy now." Spencer squinted, and took the shot, smiling slightly when he stood to see the nine ball go neatly into the corner pocket. He looked at Georgie. "I didn't see it when we came in." Of course, Spencer hadn't exactly been taking in their surroundings when he came in.
"Good shot! Well, hey, you and Davie come up to Jersey for a weekend, I'll take a look at it. Not before Christmas, though. Busy busy these days. You're a fucking liar, never played pool. Look at you." Georgie was grinning at him as Spencer lined up another shot.
"No, I'm not-- I--" Spencer cleared his throat and wondered if he should purposely miss this one. "It is a little like shooting," he said, and sank the next ball too.
Georgie laughed. "Man, you could clean up in a roadhouse. It's good thing you turned your genius to fighting crime. Davie, come take a look at your boy here."
Dave, who had been talking with his father, turned, trying to hide his embarrassment. Somehow he hadn't realized that bringing Spencer here to meet Georgie, who knew him better than anyone, held a lot of potential embarrassment. He took the bottle of beer his dad offered and wandered over to the pool table. "Don't let Georgie teach you any bad habits," he said, but he was smiling.
Spencer nodded. "He was teaching me how to play pool," he said helpfully.
Dave laughed and shook his head. "You encourage my boyfriend to start hustling pool on his days off, I'm gonna shoot you," he told Georgie. "How's Marie?"
"Upstairs hanging out with the womenfolk, how do you think?" Georgie said. He shook his head. "It's good to see you." He smiled at Spencer, including him in that statement. "It's good."
Dave shrugged. "At least you guys haven't scared Spencer off yet."
Someone shrieked, followed by a booming round of laughter from somewhere upstairs, and Spencer looked back at the stairs, his eyes a little wide. "I would like another glass of wine, though," he said, and this time he did get a laugh, but he wasn't entirely joking.
Dave laughed and kissed Spencer on the cheek. "Hey, Ricky, go get Spencer another glass of the Ripasso." He held out the empty glass and the teenager who'd sacrificed his place at the pool table took it and bolted up the stairs.
Spencer flushed when Dave kissed him, and thought the third glass might not be the best idea suddenly, because he found himself curling his fingers around Dave's for what was supposed to be a brief touch. Dave didn't let go, though.
"Not surprising he's good," Dave said to Georgie, using their joined hands to gesture at the pool table. "It's all math."
Georgie snorted. "And architecture, Davie. Architecture."
"Architecture?" Dave looked from Georgie to Spencer in confusion.
Spencer was certain Georgie was making fun of him, but when he looked back, Georgie's gaze was genuinely friendly. Spencer's lips quirked slightly into an almost smile. "I was just explaining--" The teenager--Ricky--brought his glass back, far fuller than his glass had been before. Spencer wondered if Ricky filled it himself. "Thank you," he told the kid. "I was explaining that it wasn't only math, but one had to account for the fact that houses are never truly built level."
"Well, but the pool tables are adjusted to be level when you set them up," Dave said, grinning. He took the wine glass from Spencer's hand. "You can share some of that." Considering he'd only had a few sips of his drink before Spencer'd traded him in the first place.
Spencer's eyebrows lifted. "Why didn't you just ask for your own?" he asked with mock affront, but he was smiling at Dave affectionately now. Yes, he was definitely more relaxed. It was probably a good thing Dave was 'sharing' his drink, and he wondered if Dave knew he was starting to feel his two glasses of wine. Considering Dave knew one glass of Dave's scotch would do him in, it was very likely.
"Wanted to get you back for stealing mine," Dave said, and Georgie laughed.
"God, you two are something. I can't believe you've put up with him this long, Spencer. Davie's a pain in the ass, everyone knows that." He was grinning as he said it, though.
"He's worse at work," Spencer said, shrugging. "Maybe he only seems like a softy to me by comparison."
"Aw, Davie, he's cute. You better keep him." Georgie winked at Spencer. Dave's fingers just tightened on Spencer's.
"Yeah, I think I will," he said. "Come on, Spence, you ought to meet my dad."
Ed Rossi was sitting in a recliner, smiling faintly, and stood as they approached. It was obvious he'd once been a robust man, and Dave hoped Spencer wouldn't be scared off by the picture of what Dave would look like in twenty-five years.
"Dad, this is Spencer. Spencer, my dad, Ed."
Ed stuck out a hand. "Good to meet you. David says fine things about you." He had a booming voice that still retained the power of his youth.
Spencer cleared his throat and shook Ed's hand, even though it felt a little strange, and was surprised that Ed still had a pretty firm handshake for a man his age. "I'm glad," he said. He'd told his mother about Dave. She wasn't exactly thrilled he was dating a man older than her, but she apparently hadn't been surprised in the least that he liked men. Regardless, it was nice to see the proof of Dave's affection in the way his family was responding to him. "It's nice to meet you too."
"You have a PhD or two, I think?" Ed said. He sat down again, waving at the other chair for Spencer. "David says you work with him. Is that the books or the FBI?"
It took Spencer a minute to understand what Ed meant. "Oh, no, I don't have anything to do with his books, outside of having read them. Ah, I work with him at Quantico."
Ed nodded. "So you're chasing serial killers, too, huh?" He shook his head. "Must be tough work."
"It's a lot easier with a genius on the team," Dave said, smiling.
Spencer huffed a little laugh. "It's a lot easier now that you're back," he said. It wasn't that he hadn't loved and completely respected Gideon--he missed Gideon every day--but Dave just brought a completely different perspective than anyone else around.
Ed grinned. "Well, I can see you two are a mutual fanclub." He shook his head. "Let me share something with you that I've learned about David." Dave groaned and put a hand over his face. "He does a piss-poor job of admitting when he's wrong. So only make him do it when it's really important, and he'll be easier to deal with in general."
Spencer laughed. "I'll keep that in mind," he said. Of course, Spencer already knew that. And he had methods to get an apology without Dave actually having to say the word. They weren't exactly appropriate to share with Dave's dad, however.
"Thanks, Dad, he really needed to hear that," Dave muttered.
Ed just smiled. "You've been happier lately than I've seen you in years. I just want to make sure you don't screw this one up."
Georgie and Ricky, who were playing pool but blatantly eavesdropping, burst into laughter. Dave just sighed and shook his head.
From upstairs came a shout, then footsteps clattered partway down the stairs and the shout came again.
"Dinner's ready!!"
Spencer waited for Ed to stand, and then let him go ahead of them, slipping his hand into Dave's again. No one seemed to care before, and Spencer was feeling a little tipsy anyway. He half wanted to sift his fingers through Dave's hair and kiss him gently, but he knew everyone would know what they were doing if they waited for everyone to go upstairs, and after Georgie had nearly caused Spencer to have a heart attack last time, Spencer didn't want a repeat.
Instead, he and Dave followed everyone upstairs, where Dave negotiated them into seats next to each other. Spencer was impressed by that, thinking it would be nearly impossible, seeing as how there seemed to be about five hundred additional people Spencer hadn't seen before trying to sit at the two tables. The wine suddenly wasn't working so well anymore, considering all the noise and commotion, and people everywhere. He squeezed Dave's hand a little tighter under the table, and stole the wine glass back, which prompted Mama Rosa to fill a second glass, clucking at Dave in disapproval, as she seemed to think Dave hadn't poured Spencer one.
Dave just smiled and pressed his leg against Spencer's, stroking his thumb over Spencer's. He knew crowds were difficult for Spencer, especially rowdy groups like this one. He'd warned some of his family that Spencer didn't like to be touched, but it was inevitable when you were gathered around the table like this. The "youngsters' table" was worse about it, of course, but Felicia's elbow kept bumping Dave's by accident, even at the "grownups' table".
Georgie was on the other side of Spencer, and Dave had heard enough of their conversation to know they were starting in about cars, before the uncle across from Dave started asking about the latest high-profile case they'd worked. Felicia jumped into the conversation, too, and then that conversation splintered off into two separate ones... Dave kept glancing at Spencer to make sure he was all right, even after Spencer claimed his hand back to eat and talk at the same time. A tiny smile crept across Dave's face, watching his lover gesture expressively. He was doing great.
When the dessert started being passed around, Dave pushed his chair back from the table and stretched. "I'm taking my pumpkin pie somewhere more comfortable," he said. "Anyone gonna join me?"
Spencer looked up from Georgie to Dave. "Mmn, yeah," he said. He'd found focusing on one person made the rest of them a little easier to handle, and Georgie hadn't seemed particularly overwhelmed. Of course, they were talking about something Georgie knew a lot about, and somehow seemed to keep sidetracking Spencer whenever he got on to talking about the actual chemistry and physics that took place inside any given engine.
He excused himself, and stood, following Dave out to the living room, gripping Dave's hand again. "I might be just a little drunk," he said under his breath.
Dave laughed and tightened his fingers on Spencer's. "That's the best way to deal with these gatherings," he said. He settled down on a couch, tugging Spencer down next to him, so close he was almost in Dave's lap. They heard quiet laughter behind them and discovered Felicia had followed them out. She curled up in the chair next to them and sighed deeply.
"This family is exhausting, Spencer," she said. "But you'll never find yourself in need now that you're part of it." She smiled softly and brushed her hand against Dave's arm, then retreated back into her chair and took a sip of her wine.
Spencer smiled, but wasn't sure what to say. It was a foreign concept, if he was honest. Growing up he had felt like he was taking care of his mother as much as she was taking care of him. He'd not really ever felt particularly safe growing up, either, even if he and his mother had done well enough on their own. "Thanks," he said quietly, thankful for Dave's closeness.
Dave hummed and lifted their joined hands to kiss Spencer's knuckles. He was tired, and glad for the relative quiet of the living room, and starting to wonder how much longer they would have to stay before they could make their escape.
"How long?" Felicia asked after a while. "The two of you, I mean? Georgie didn't say."
"A little over a year," Spencer answered when Dave didn't. He wasn't sure it was safe to ask anything about her and her partner, so he didn't say any more.
Felicia nodded. "Does Kay know?"
Dave raised his eyebrows. "Why should Kay know?" he asked. "I don't really keep in touch with her. Spencer and I didn't send out Christmas cards together or anything."
She made a non-committal hum and sipped her wine again.
Kay?! Spencer thought. Wife Number One Kay?! His eyes went a little wide, and he turned to stare at Dave. "Um..." he started, and then couldn't find any words that didn't sound panicked.
Felicia opened her mouth, then lifted her wine glass for a sip. "Dave, you didn't tell him?"
Dave cleared his throat and tightened his fingers on Spencer's. "I thought maybe we could get out of here before--"
"You should know better," Felicia said, scowling at him. "Spencer, I'm sorry, but Mama Rosa invites Kay every holiday for dessert with the family. Some of us sort of grew up with her as our 'Auntie Kay', you know?"
Dave glared at her, then glanced nervously at Spencer.
God. Spencer gave Felicia a brief nod. He did understand, now that he thought about it. That didn't mean he had to like it, or that he wasn't upset with Dave for not having mentioned it. "You should have told me," he grumbled quietly, but he forced his voice not to be angry; he wasn't about to actually argue with Dave here, even if he was tipsy.
Dave sighed. "I wasn't sure you'd come," he admitted. "And...I really wanted you to come."
Felicia snickered, but was good enough to hide her amusement in her wine glass.
Spencer frowned. "You owe me."
"And here I thought you didn't keep score," Dave murmured. But at least Spencer wasn't getting upset. "I'm sorry; I should have told you."
"Okay, that right there is a miracle," Felicia said. "Wait til I tell everyone Dave just apologized."
"Shut up," Dave grumbled.
"Do it," Spencer said vindictively, ignoring Dave. He took a sip of his wine, and then settled, starting to relax again because staying angry would only make it worse when he did actually meet Kay... and Dave had apologized. Spencer really did know how hard it was to get an apology.
Dave didn't say anything else, but he stroked his fingers lightly along the inside of Spencer's forearm. He slid his free arm around Spencer's shoulders, hoping his lover would lean against him and give some small indication of his forgiveness.
"I'm told expensive presents and blowjobs are good apologies," Felicia murmured. Dave gave her a scandalized look, though he was more than a little amused.
"What would you know about that?" he muttered back, and she snorted.
"More than I wish I did."
He closed his eyes. "Ugh. That was oversharing."
Reid flushed and sank lower where he sat, leaning more into Dave's touch.
"You're embarrassing my lover," Dave grumbled, and kissed Spencer's temple. "We can go before she gets here, if you want," he murmured. "I usually stay, but I want you to be comfortable."
The embarrassment didn't fade when Dave called Spencer his lover and then kissed Spencer in front of everyone, but Spencer drew a long breath and tried to ignore it. "No, it's fine," he murmured back, and it wasn't really fine, but he didn't want to look like he was running away.
"She's pretty nice," Dave assured him quietly.
"Don't worry," Felicia said, "we'll protect you from her."
"You aren't helping," Dave growled, and Felicia laughed.
They talked quietly for a while as more of the adults in the family trickled out from the kitchen. Ed and Tony sat by the fire, and eventually Great-Uncle Giuseppi came out and gave Dave and Reid a few disapproving glances before shuffling over and asking if Reid played chess.
He was saved from having to answer by the ringing of the doorbell. Mama Rosa bustled through on her way to the door, and a minute later came back with a petite blonde woman in her late forties.
"Look, everyone, Kay's here!" she said, beaming. "Let me get you a glass of wine and a slice of pie, Kay. Here, sit down, sit down. You know people here." Rosa kissed Kay's cheek and bustled back out to the kitchen.
Kay looked around, smiling and greeting everyone by name, pausing when she got to Dave and Spencer.
Dave sighed almost imperceptibly and stood. "Kay, Doctor Spencer Reid. Spence, this is Kay."
Kay's eyebrows went up, but she stuck out a hand. "Wife Number Four?" she murmured, just loud enough for the two of them to hear her.
Spencer just barely contained a scowl. Barely. But his lips did thin as he shook her hand, stopping half way when he started to just give her a little wave. "Not a wife at all, actually," he said quietly, forcing his tone light.
Her lips turned up and she glanced at Dave. "At least you still have good taste," she said, and looked back at Spencer appraisingly. "Not a medical doctor, surely?"
Well, at least Spencer knew she and Dave weren't talking to each other much. He didn't expect they were, and he wondered why he felt suddenly jealous, but at least she wasn't teasing him anymore. He shook his head. "No. PhDs. Three of them."
"Three of them? Good heavens. Dave's finally found someone smarter than him." She leaned up and kissed Dave's cheek, which he bore tolerantly but didn't return. Then she turned away. "Felicia, it's good to see you."
Felicia just lifted her wine glass in a little salute. "Hi, Kay." She gave Spencer a sympathetic smile as Dave pulled him back down on the couch.
Dave didn't put his arm around Spencer again. He thought it would look too defensive. But he did lace his fingers through Spencer's, hoping he would understand.
Spencer squeezed Dave's hand, and leaned over just barely to press against Dave's side. "You're lucky I love you," he said, barely loud enough for Dave to hear him. He hadn't walked when she called him 'Wife Number Four', and he thought that did warrant a couple of blow jobs, if not more.
Dave couldn't fight the smile those words brought to his face. "Believe me when I say I know that," he murmured back. He rubbed his thumb along Spencer's skin and sipped at his wine.
Kay had settled into the chair Tony had vacated for her, and after a moment Dave realized she was watching them. He met her gaze directly and she glanced down, then back up. Her smile seemed a little sad.
"I'm glad you two managed to get the holiday off together," Felicia said into a lull in the conversation. "Davie told us he wasn't sure if you'd be able to come," she added, looking at Spencer.
Spencer nodded. "I'm pretty certain it's because our relationship is less of a secret that I'd hoped it would be at work," he said, and then hoped that didn't sound bad. He squeezed Dave's hand, then added, "Fraternization."
Felicia laughed. "Still breaking the rules, Davie." She shook her head.
"You met someone like Spencer, you'd break the rules, too," Dave retorted, grinning at her.
Mama Rosa came back in from the kitchen and handed Kay a slice of pie and a glass of wine. Then she turned and handed a camera to Felicia. "You're the artistic one," she said, "take some pictures of our family here."
Felicia aimed it at Rosa first, making her laugh and flap her hands at Felicia. The next target, of course, was Spencer and Dave. "Look cute," Felicia ordered, smiling.
"Cute?" Reid repeated, but slipped his arm around Dave before Dave could do it to him (which was actually a little more comfortable, given their height difference), and glanced at Dave with a small smile.
"That's a lot easier for him than for me," Dave said, his gaze warm on Spencer's. God, he was gorgeous. And patient, and incredibly tolerant, to have put up with Dave so long and put himself through Thanksgiving with the Rossi family. I love you, Dave thought, and then the flash went off and Felicia was turning her attention elsewhere.
Felicia caught them just looking at each other in the picture, and Spencer was certain they'd both looked... well, in love. He reached up and stroked a hand over Dave's hair before he realized he was doing it, and then cleared his throat and moved away again, smiling.
Dave's smile warmed and he only barely managed to resist pulling Spencer back for a kiss. Instead he dragged his gaze away and said, "I want a copy of that."
Felicia grinned. "Of course you do." She snapped some more pictures, then handed the camera back to Rosa.
They stayed for a little longer, Dave chatting with various people who came over, and Spencer mostly just listening unless someone talked to him directly. After a while, he got tired of catching Kay glancing at them, and he squeezed Dave's hand a little harder than he had been. Thankfully, Dave seemed to understand, and he stood to say their goodbyes.
The fresh air and relative emptiness of the front yard was a relief, and Spencer felt tension drain out of his body a little bit. "More like Husband Number One," he said softly, and the word husband didn't quite feel accurate, but Dave would know he was just twisting the words Kay had used.
Dave tugged Spencer close for a soft kiss. "More like the person I want to spend the rest of my life with," he replied, and kissed him again. "Which I think we should get started on right now. I think I have some apologizing to do."
"I've been tallying the number of, ah, 'apologies' you owe me most of the night, and I think we're at about three," Spencer said, grinning. "Oh, no, four."
"Four?" Dave demanded, pretending to look outraged as he opened the car door for Spencer. "Exactly how do you get four?"
"I let a woman I don't know kiss me and and called her Mama. You're lucky I'm only counting that as one." Spencer stopped at the car so he could finish before he got in, counting off on his fingers. "I got caught kissing you in a stairwell, which was thoroughly embarrassing. I had to listen to Felicia talk about blow jobs, all while wishing I could sink into the couch. And I shook your ex-wife's hand and didn't bolt or snap at her when she called me Wife Number Four."
"Hmm." Dave tilted his head, considering, then kissed Spencer again and went around the car. "We'd better hurry so I can get started, then."
Spencer grinned. "I'm not sure I can come four times in one night," he said.
Dave snorted, and leaned in for another kiss, then breathed, "Only one way to find out."
~George Bernard Shaw
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