The theme of identity is also common. In Criminal Minds, the unsubs often have issues with their identity which lead to their criminal behavior. In supernatural fanfiction, characters might struggle with their identity as a human in a world of supernatural beings or as a supernatural being trying to fit into the human world. And there's always the overarching theme of survival, whether it's surviving a serial killer's rampage or a supernatural attack.
A prevalent theme is redemption. In Criminal Minds, some criminals may seek redemption or the team tries to understand if there's any chance of it. In supernatural fanfic, a character who has made mistakes in the past might try to make up for it. Also, the theme of sacrifice. The characters in both might have to sacrifice something for the greater good, whether it's their safety in Criminal Minds or their powers in a supernatural setting.
Another theme is the transformation of the characters. Sometimes, a character from Criminal Minds might be turned into a vampire or be influenced by vampire powers. This leads to internal conflicts within the character and also changes their relationships with the rest of the team.
Often, there's the theme of fear and anticipation. Pregnancy brings a lot of unknowns, especially in a dangerous world like the one in Criminal Minds. The pregnant character might be afraid for the safety of their unborn child, considering the kind of criminals they deal with. There's also the theme of change. A pregnancy can change the character's relationships not only with their colleagues but also with themselves as they take on a new role as a mother - to - be.
A frequent theme is the male reader having a special skill or talent that aids the BAU in their work. It could be something like an extraordinary memory or a unique understanding of criminal behavior. Also, there are themes related to the male reader's personal growth. They might start off as inexperienced and through their experiences with the team, they become more confident and capable. This growth is often shown through their interactions with the criminals they pursue and the challenges they face within the BAU.
One common theme is Reid's vulnerability. Fans often explore how his intelligence and unique personality can make him a target in different ways. For instance, in some fics, his prodigious memory might be used against him, leading to his emotional or physical hurt.
One common theme is the reader becoming part of the BAU family. They often start as an outsider and gradually earn the trust and friendship of the team members.
One common theme is the aftermath of a traumatic case. The characters often struggle with the emotional toll it takes, like nightmares or self - doubt. Another theme is physical injury and the process of recovery, both physically and mentally. For example, a character might get shot and then have to deal with the fear of going back into the field.
Another theme is Reid's own personal growth during the ordeal. He may face his fears, or learn something new about himself. For example, in some fanfictions, he discovers a new level of strength or resilience that he didn't know he had while being kidnapped.
One common theme is family. Since the OC is a sister, there's often exploration of family dynamics within the context of the BAU. Another theme is acceptance. The OC sister usually has to prove herself to the team and gain their acceptance. For example, in many stories, she might have an unorthodox method of profiling that the team is initially skeptical about.
A frequent theme in Criminal Minds time travel fanfiction is exploring the past of the characters themselves. For example, we might see Reid going back to his childhood and changing some things that affected his development. Also, the theme of alternate realities often pops up. The time travel can create different timelines where the team has to figure out how to get back to their original reality while also solving crimes in the new one. This makes for some really complex and interesting plots.
One common theme is friendship. The group chat allows the characters from the BAU team to show their friendship outside of casework, like sharing daily life updates or just joking around.