Chapter Text
"Be careful when building walls to protect yourself. Those same walls may cage you in." ~ Unknown
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Two drinks, coffee and chocolate; two different substances with such clashing tastes; one made bitter, other made sweet; both very enjoyable, depending on one's taste. Dr Spencer Reid soon discovers he shares similar tastes with the BAU's newest consultant.
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Zaiden Takeo Lowell, a.k.a. ZT, is a strange man for many reasons, though some are personal criticisms as to why:
1. He's closed off from the public yet very civil with everyone he encounters. Only because he conceals most of his comebacks (especially since less than 1% of the population knows ASL).
2. He cannot speak – legitimately, he has aphasia – but his actions speak volumes. Actions meaning music, which he keeps secret... to an extent.
3. He works a "low-level" job despite his title as a doctor, though he is proud of both sides of him. Both required a lot of hard work.
4. Most days, he'd trade his dark bomber jackets for his oversized, pastel hoodies. But he'd never regret his tattoos or piercings.
5. He carries three concealed knives on his person at all times but often uses his own handcrafted pen-weapon as a threat.
6. He was not born a man... That doesn't make him a strange man, per say, but he adds it to the list because insecurities overrule confidence at the worst of times.
7. He is hard to read but given time, he can read a person like a book.
And the list goes on and on. Insecurity's a bitch.
From youth, he had a hard time imagining what life would be like after escaping his small town of Wexville, Kansas, the place he once called home. ZT never fathomed being taken in by his favorite crime-fighter and author, the one and only David Rossi. Things seemed to turn out alright for him after that – starting testosterone, somewhat-secretly pursuing music, learning as much as possible within the span of 6 years – and he grew used to his daily routine of life's ups and downs.
For a brief moment, he called himself lucky, but not wanting to jinx himself – despite not believing in such – he created a new asylum, falling into a steady routine that he can bend but did not intend to break. But when confronted with the chance to join his adopted father on a mission to stop a serial kidnapper who only speaks in music, can ZT find the inner strength to step outside his comfort zone and take a risk a second time?
Spencer Reid built walls to protect himself from any more harm the outside world could inflict upon him. However, his (BAU) family helped him realize that he couldn't prevent the inevitable, only brace himself for the aftermath and open himself up to his loved ones for help. When he meets ZT, he finds that he too built walls around himself, with the intent to protect himself and the outside world from one another. The ends he will go to guide ZT out of his bubble soon become limitless as he unlocks more sweet secrets of the bitter mystery man, and more secrets about himself.
When these two boys cross paths, what once perceived itself as coffee slowly reverted back to being seen as chocolate... figuratively, of course.
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Kento Nakajima as ZT Lowell (OMC)
Katie McGrath as Ambrosia Lucasin (OFC)
Matthew Gray Gubler as Spencer Reid
Paget Brewster as Emily Prentiss
The rest of the Criminal Minds cast as themselves
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Disclaimer:
I do NOT own the Criminal Minds show, plot or characters, nor any other shows that may appear in this book. I also do NOT own any Citizen Soldier songs or the artist/franchise, nor any other songs referenced or used. My concepts and characters are my originals and added to twist/spice things up for the purpose of entertainment/fanfiction.
Warnings:
Contains semi- to very descriptive texts about murder – i.e. violence, blood/gore, torture/abuse, death – suicidal intentions/ideations, homophobia/transphobia, and Asian-specific racism. Mentions rape/sexual assault, drugs – amongst other addictions – and sexual content. Also contains many derogatory and cuss words. This is not to romanticize death, suicide, addiction, etc. in any way. Read with caution.
A/N:
Takes place around Season 3. Will not completely follow along the canon storylines. Expect slow, spontaneous updates and a slow(-ish) burn with the main ship.
I'm probably missing some things but this is my first "legit" fanfic on AO3. Otherwise, proceed and enjoy!
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"Sometimes you build walls around your heart not to save yourself from hurt, but to see who loves you enough to break them and reach the real you." ~ Namrata