To Seek Answers (Mike Schmidt X Reader: Book 2)

Lonely Freddy

"Somebody's late."

"Oops. My bad."

You shoved Mike's order into the staff freezer before turning to see William leaning against the doorframe. He raised a brow at you before kicking off the doorframe and approaching with his arms folded. "Heard you finally met the parents last night," he commented with a sour smile. He'd been acting weird lately. Finding every opportunity possible to pick on Mike, and getting angry over little things.

"I did indeed," you smiled back. Rising to your feet to face him. He stared at you for a moment, his eyes narrowed and you felt slightly uncomfortable under his gaze.

"Alright spit it out. How'd ya do it?"

"Do, what?" you questioned slowly, looking up at your friend in confusion. He only rolled his eyes before whipping your hat off your head to reveal the crimson bandage.

"Hey!"

"Did you really think I wouldn't notice?"

You let out a huff as you tried to snatch your hat back. "Uh uh," William argued, lifting your hat out of reach, "How'd you do it?"

"I was walking home after dinner last night and got a little spooked. I started running and wasn't quite watching where I was going. I tripped is all," you admitted awkwardly.

"You were walking home? By yourself? At night?" William cried, "(Y/n) do you know how dangerous that is?!"

"I'm fine," you snapped, "I can take care of myself."

"Well apparently not," William snorted before his eyes softened, "Come on. Let me bandage your head properly." He grabbed ahold of your hand and led you over to the staff couches before gently sitting you down.

"You do realise I'm supposed to be working right?"

"You can wait a little," William hummed as he unwrapped your bandage. He chucked it into the bin before gently running his fingers over your wound. He frowned. "Why haven't you seen a doctor for this? I'm 99% sure you need stitches."

"Don't have the money," you mumbled quietly. Studying your friends face. Although you hated making him worry, you were kind of glad he was. Worrying about you seemed to be the only thing that brought him back to his old self.

"Then let me pay."

"No," you shook your head. "I can't ask you to do that."

"You're not asking. I'm telling. I'll bring you there after your shift."

"I have night."

"Then I'll pick you up after that then." William sighed as he brushed a gentle hand across your cheek, "Either way I'm bringing you to a doctor."

You swallowed slightly. Closing your eyes as you felt your friend's warmth. You'd missed this. Him caring. "Why?" you mumbled, opening your eyes.

"Why what?" he questioned, tearing his gaze away from you and grabbing a new bandage from a draw.

"Why do you hate me."

William froze before slowly turning to face you. He looked distressed and his eyes glistened slightly. "I don't hate you? Why would you ever think that?" He sat in front of you and began to rebandage your head.

"You're different," you began to explain. Almost afraid of what he would think. "You just don't seem to care about anyone or anything anymore. You spend so much time locked away in your workshop, you never join Henry and me for lunch anymore. You snap at Charlie and hate on Mike every chance you get, and when you are here it's only ever for a short time. Have I done something wrong?"