One popular theme is teamwork. Fanfics often focus on how Spencer and Morgan work together seamlessly to solve cases. Their different skillsets - Spencer's academic knowledge and Morgan's practical experience - combine to crack the toughest of cases.
One popular storyline could be them working together on a particularly difficult case that hits close to home for one of them. For example, a case involving a serial killer who targets victims similar to someone in Spencer's past. They would rely on each other's skills, Spencer's intelligence and Morgan's street - smart approach to solve the case.
The relationship in the fanfic could also show a mentorship aspect. Morgan, being more experienced in the field, might guide Spencer not only in the work - related matters but also in dealing with the emotional toll of the job. For example, in some fanfics, Morgan helps Spencer understand how to handle the stress of seeing the dark side of humanity on a daily basis.
Writers may also develop their relationship through emotional moments. Like when one of them is injured or going through a personal crisis. The other will be there to support, which shows the depth of their friendship. In a fanfic, it could be that Spencer has a breakdown after a particularly harrowing case, and Morgan is the one to pull him out of it, talking to him and making him see that he's not alone. This kind of emotional support is a key factor in building and developing their relationship in fanfics.
Well, many fanfics focus on Reid's fight against the stigma associated with schizophrenia. He is a brilliant agent, and the idea that his mind could be 'broken' in this way is something he has to deal with. Also, his attempts to manage his symptoms while still being able to contribute to the BAU's cases are often explored in great detail. For instance, how he copes with the stress of a case when his schizophrenia might be flaring up.
Spencer would likely stay calm and start analyzing the situation immediately. He'd be looking for any clues about the kidnapper's identity, motives, and location. His vast knowledge would come in handy as he tries to piece together what's going on.
One common theme is the team's reaction to Spencer being hurt. It often shows how they come together to support him, like Morgan being overly protective or JJ showing her motherly side. Another theme is Spencer's own internal struggle. He's such a complex character, so when he's hurt, it can be about how he deals with pain, both physically and mentally.
One common theme is the emotional impact on the team. When Morgan gets hurt, it often shakes up the whole BAU crew. They might show their concern, worry, and support in different ways. Another theme could be Morgan's own struggle to recover, both physically and mentally. He's a strong character, but getting hurt challenges that strength.
Another plot could involve a deranged fan who becomes obsessed with Spencer and decides to kidnap him but ends up taking another fan by mistake. This could lead to a situation where Spencer has to use his profiling skills to figure out who the kidnapper is and where they are holding the fan, all while dealing with his own guilt for the fan being in danger.
One common theme is the 'opposites attract' scenario. For example, Reid, with his intellectual and often reserved nature, might be paired with a more outgoing and spontaneous character. Another theme is 'overcoming trauma together'. Given the dark nature of the Criminal Minds world, both Reid and his love interest might have to deal with the emotional scars from cases, and their relationship helps them heal.
Fanfiction.net could also be a great source. It has a large collection of fanfictions. You might need to sift through a bit more compared to AO3 as the tagging system isn't as refined. But if you search for 'Criminal Minds' and then look for stories specifically about Morgan getting hurt within the search results, you can find some interesting ones.