Work Text:
“Beyond the walls of intelligence, life is defined”
Nas
2004
“So, what type of music does a bona fide genius listen to on the road?”
Reid looks at Morgan from the passenger seat, trying to gauge if this is gentle ribbing or genuine annoyance at Gideon sending them off together to check out a report from the ME. The last time they were alone in the car, Morgan told him if he didn’t stop talking so much, he was going to make him get out and walk.
“I don’t really drive much.”
“But say you did, just you and the open road, what’s young Spencer Reid blasting from the stereo?”
“I don’t know, Dylan maybe?”
“A solid choice.”
Reid smiles to himself in the reflection of the window, basking in Morgan’s validation.
Morgan keeps one hand on the wheel and rummages in the glovebox with the other; he presents Reid with a wallet case of CDs.
“I don’t know if there’s any Bob Dylan in there, but go ahead, choose something.”
Reid starts flicking through the discs carefully in his lap.
“Who’s Nas? You have seven of his CDs”
“Who’s Nas?” Morgan echoes, “Kid, you did not just ask me that.”
“I don’t know a lot of current music.”
“Reid, Illmatic came out in 1994!”
“I’ve never heard it okay?”
“Well, that changes today. Anybody who can’t quote Illmatic is ignorant.”
Morgan twists the volume dial up as the beat comes through the stereo.
“Get out of your head, kid, stop thinking about it and just feel it. Live a little.”
“’ Beyond the walls of intelligence’, right?”
Morgan grins at him, impressed with how sharp his memory is for lyrics he just heard.
“Exactly. Exactly like that.”
As he drives, Morgan sneaks a look at Reid for his reaction. He smiles as the kid taps his fingers against his thighs to the beat.
Maybe pretty boy isn’t such bad company after all.