I'll Find A New Place To Be Found (Mike Schmidt/Reader)

Twenty Questions

The feeling of the warm blanket draping over you caused you to jolt a bit. You were met with big brown eyes staring at you. He jumped a bit himself before sputtering anxiously. "Sorry, I didn't want to wake you." He said, moving away from you. The simple gesture made your cheeks bright red. He shifted a bit awkwardly, standing a bit straighter. "Thank you." You said, sitting up. You still pulled the blanket over you as you got a better look at him. He looked just as tired, if not more than before he left. He offered that weirdly charming but awkward half smile, which only made you smile tiredly. "I suppose I should get going if you're home." You said, though you were stopped by Mike's sudden and vigorous head shake. "It's alright." He said quickly, "I... I don't mind you staying here for the night. It's late and... Well it's snowing." It felt a bit like he was trying to find an excuse to keep you here, but you weren't going to complain.

"Well, in that case." You hummed before leaning into the couch in a blanket cocoon. The action tugged a bit of a bigger smile on Mike as he went to sit in his la-z-boy recliner. You saw him sink into the chair with a soft sigh. You figured you'd strike up a conversation now before he snuck away. "How was work?" You asked, earning an even deeper sigh from him. "Long." He muttered, "And honestly boring. Not much happened minus the usual asshole asking for me to get someone in trouble." He said, itching his stubble as he glanced at you. "Well, what about you? Was Abby good?" He asked, reaching down to the lever, getting his feet kicked up by the recliner.

"She was." You said, leaning on the arm of the couch, "She was very well behaved. She also had me make some 'spaghetti tacos'." The mention of the food caused Mike the chuckle through his nose. You couldn't help but admire him. He seemed content now, an endearing smile spread on his worn, older looking face. He seemed relaxed in your presence. This just made you admire him more. How could a single man be so complex? "Yeah, she has some weird food request." Mike said after a moment, "I'm glad she was good for you..." You nodded and yawned softly. However, something picked up in your mind. The blonde person in the drawing on the fridge.

"Hey, I have a question." You said, shifting to lay on your back as you looked at him, "Who's with you and Abby in the drawing on the fridge? You don't have to answer if it's uh, too invasive." You really hoped he would answer this. Your hopes did count on this woman to not be his girlfriend or something. He looked a bit taken back before just shrugging. "Uh.. She's sort of a friend. It's hard to explain. Story for another day." He said, averting his eyes and looking at his hands in his lap. Well it answered one, but brought in a million more. A long story? Who is this girl? He cleared his throat, looking at him showed he was looking back at you. "I promise I'll tell you one day. Just... Just not tonight." Mike gave you a sympathetic look. Was he reassuring you? The idea made your face heat up again. "Okay." That was all you could muster up. You decided to drop it. He promised to tell you someday and you'd be damned if you didn't hold him up to it.

"Okay, less of a depression question." You said, deciding a change of subject would lessen the awkward tension, "Got any hobbies?" He seemed a bit thrown off by such a simple question. He shrugged shyly as he thought for a moment. "Well, I enjoy nature walks and reading." He said. You couldn't stop the snort-laugh that escaped you. "Wow, okay old man." You teased, earning a snort chuckle from him. "Okay and you got better ones?" He retorted playfully. You rolled your eyes. "Well yeah. I enjoy camping but like... Campfires and going into the lake part of it." You answered, "Not boring nature walks." It was Mike's turn to scoff and roll his eyes. "You just haven't gone with the right people." He countered, "You can have fun on a nature walk."

"Okay grandpa." You teased, "I'll have to join you someday. See how real fun you are looking at big trees and birds that all look the same." He actually laughed. He had to cover his mouth to not wake Abby. It was like beautiful music to your ears as he chuckled into his sleeve, looking away from you. You couldn't help giggling into your blanket, hiding your face a bit as you laughed. This was probably the first time in a long time that you were laughing with someone else. Once it calmed down, he cleared his throat. "Okay, my turn." He said, sighing as he stifled the last bit of his laugh, "Hm.. What's your favorite color?" He asked, "Simple enough question." You thought about it, before smiling. "Blue, simple answer." You chimed. He seemed pleased by your answer. "Nice, blue's a safe choice. Green is mine. But, mossy green. Not vibrant." He replied, leaning into his chair further...

You don't even remember when you both fell asleep during your conversation. You two talked for what seemed hours. You found out he liked soap opera shows and liked romance and sci-fi books. He liked rock music but didn't listen too often to music. He loved dogs but had a distaste for rabbits; all he said was that he hated how they smell and behaved. He was so guarded before and there were definitely still walls up. But you knew more about him. You knew some of his likes and dislikes. It was a step forward that you appreciated and admittedly, you thought he did too. He was like an old man trapped in a twenty-five year old man's body. Which you found endearing and very attractive. He was mature but had a sense of humor. You prayed to every higher being imaginable that he didn't have a partner.

You awoke to the sound sizzling in the kitchen and hushed voices. You slowly sat up, letting the blanket fall from your shoulders as you saw Abby leaning over the small window into the kitchen. You rubbed your eyes as you yawned. Your yawn alerted Abby, who happily padded towards you. She was still in her pajamas and her hair was not yet brushed. "Y/N!" She chimed, "Mike's making breakfast!" You smiled tiredly at her before ruffling her hair. "Ain't that sweet of him?" You said, slowly getting out of your cocoon of blanket. She brought you to the kitchen with her, grabbing your wrist as she walked back. You just awkwardly stumbled after her, still not fully awake.

"Good morning." Mike said, glancing at you from the stove. He was in something different than what he came home in. He wore an old band shirt that was just slightly tight on him and some pajama pants. He looked comfortable and very attractive. The small blush on your face wasn't hiding what you were thinking. "Will you stay for breakfast?" Abby asked, looking at you with big pleading eyes. How could you say no? You looked down at her and smiled. "If you go, brush your hair and your teeth." You said, to which she nodded vigorously and hurried to the bathroom. You now stepped into the kitchen where Mike was making eggs, bacon, and an already made stack of pancakes.

"You know, i've been trying to get her to brush her teeth and hair all morning. What's your secret?" Mike asked, looking at you again before setting a few pieces cooked of bacon on a plate that held more. "Having a loveable face and award winning personality... Or doing it for something in exchange." You said, seeing that much more genuine smile tug on his lips as he listened to you speak. "I believe them both." He said, "I'm glad you're staying for breakfast. I wouldn't be able to eat all this by myself with Abby." You now were smiling too. He was glad you were staying? By the looks of it, he was even hoping for you to. "When she's back, breakfast is gonna be ready." He said, setting all the food on large plates before placing the pots and pans he used in the sink. He brought out the eggs and bacon and set them in the middle of the table. You took it upon you to bring the stack of pancakes and set them next to the eggs. Your hand runs over his, causing a blush to creep up on both of your faces.

Abby snapped you both out of it as she came back humming and sitting in her spot. Mike cleared his throat and quickly sat down. You fumbled a bit before sitting down in your seat. Abby was already taking pancakes and eggs and placing them on her plate. You were happy to see her so comfortable, compared to the worry Mike had. Mike smiled a bit before placing food on his plate as well and you followed after. "When are you coming back?" Abby asked, "To babysit. Or to hangout, you're fun to hangout with!" She chimed before stuffing a bite of pancake into her mouth. You looked at Mike, who was mid egg bite. He swallowed quickly before speaking. "Tomorrow night?" He asked as he got up, "I work the same tomorrow so if that's okay with you.." He walked to the fridge and brought out some orange juice. He poured his cup and then Abby's. He looked at you next.

"Want some?" Mike asked. You nodded, pushing your cup close to him. "Yes to both. I'm free to watch her any night you need me." You said. He nodded a bit sheepishly. "I'll make sure to uh, keep that in mind." He said before pouring the orange juice into your cup. You took another bite of your pancake. You really didn't do anything and besides it would be an excuse to come here and play twenty questions with Mike all over again. Abby cheered, raising her cup before drinking out of it. "I'm excited for tomorrow." She said, taking a bite of her eggs. "They're still here." Mike said, raising an eyebrow. "Well i'm excited for me and Y/N time." She corrected him. He rolled his eyes.

Once you had finished having breakfast with the two Schmidt's, you said your goodbyes. Abby hugged you tightly and raved about how exciting tomorrow was going to be. Once she had let go, Mike too said goodbye. He didn't hug you, but mainly shook your hand. His hand squeezed yours and you could feel the calluses of his hands against yours. When you stepped out with your parka and bag on, you groaned at the sight of the fluffy snow. Luckily, it wasn't anything too crazy. Your jeep could handle it fine. It was more how freezing cold it was as you hurried to your jeep. But, you reminded yourself of tomorrow. You'll get to see Mike and Abby tomorrow. That alone got you amped up for what was to come..