(no subject)

[worst_greatest_one]

I don't really know what the fuck I'm doing.

That doesn't much differentiate today from most other days, but I'm still nervous when I head into the coffee shop near Parliament. For once in my life I'm early, so I order four chocolate croissants and eat them all before finishing my first tea. Now I'm a bit sticky and still nervous, but at least I'm full.

I head back to the barista and order fresh hot water for myself and a large coffee, taking both to the table when I hear the door jingle. I look up, managing to seat myself at the same time without spilling either beverage, and offer the man a wave. We've never met, but I saw a picture of Luke's husband on Magnus' phone and this is surely him.

"Um, hey," I say, wondering if I should stand, but I have to compliment his eyes soon, and that will make it feel oddly formal. I push the coffee towards him instead. "Didn't know how you take it."

Comments

[youfeelluckypunk]

Reid hopes this won't turn out to be a useless meeting, in terms of how much advice he's really able to offer Simon. The text from Magnus had come as a bit of a surprise, but Reid is always happy to help, even if he thinks there are probably other people at the station who'd be of more help, depending on what Simon thinks he might want to do. Still, he'd already known of Simon because of Baz so it's the least he can do to come here and have a conversation. Even if it turns out he has to point Simon in a better direction, at least that's something.

He lets out a soft laugh as he takes his seat, smiling gratefully at Simon as he pulls the coffee toward him. "I take it with lots and lots of sugar," Reid says, "but this is the perfect start, thank you." He pauses, reaching out to grab a few sugar packets from the caddy on the table, then looks back at Simon with a quick twitch of his nose. Better to just get right into it, he thinks. Small talk has always been one of his least favorite things.

"So you're thinking about joining the force," he says, "that's great. Anything in particular that's interested you?"

[worst_greatest_one]

"All of it, I think," I say and pause. I've had days to consider it, but I never really sat down and made a plan. I didn't know what to look for, and I've been hoping that this Reid can simply tell me, but now that I'm here I realize how foolish it is.

"I just want to help people," I continue. "Saving people from danger is all I've ever really been good at. Police do that, don't they?"

[youfeelluckypunk]

It's earnest enough, but it doesn't sound like Simon has given it too much thought. That's fine, Reid doesn't have a problem talking him through the options, and he has to admit it's a little endearing that the primary goal is simply to help people.

"They do, mostly," Reid agrees, flashing a smile before taking a sip of his sufficiently sweet coffee. "I guess it depends on what role you want to take on most. I'm a profiler, I analyze the behavior of unsubs to help catch who the detectives and officers are looking for." His smile turns a bit more wry then. "I also do a lot of the paperwork, but I'm quicker than most so I don't mind too much. If you don't have any experience, though, it's probably best to start on the force. Patrolling, responding to emergency calls, things like that."

[worst_greatest_one]

I've no fucking idea what an unsub is, but I don't want to sound any more foolish so I don't ask. "The force is the hands on stuff, yeah?" I ask, leaning forward across the table. "I've never been terribly good with homework, and I'm not sure that I'm all that smart."

I shrug. "Emergency calls, though - that sounds brilliant. What do they look for in people joining up?"

[youfeelluckypunk]

"Well, do you have a high school diploma? Or GED? They start there, most times, though I suppose it's always possible that exceptions might be made."

Reid had been an exception himself, upon being allowed entrance into the BAU. He'd been the youngest agent to date, had failed numerous field-related tests, and he probably would have been laughed out of the agency if Gideon hadn't pulled as many strings as he had. He'd been lucky, Reid knows, because he'd had someone to fight for him.

"It's not a particularly easy thing to do," Reid admits. "You'd have to pass the entrance exam before entering into the Police Academy. That's where you'd be trained on statutes, firearms, physical conditioning, that kind of thing. After you graduate, you'd be placed with a Field Training Officer, and you'd work your way up as best you can. So they're looking for someone who can handle the physical demands of the job, but they're also looking for someone who can handle the impact it can have on your personal life and mental state. It's not for everyone, it really isn't. But if you're not afraid to work hard and can handle the demands of the job, if you're genuinely interested in helping people? It'll probably turn out to be one of the most rewarding things you'll ever do with your life."