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

I Think We're Alone Now

You decided not to mention this to Mike. Not until you saw him in person at least. You were in a cold sweat, pulling the blanket off yourself. A part of you felt so horribly guilty for not recognizing him. You remember trying to help him find Garrett. You comforted him as he cried at his picnic table while your parents helped look for his sibling. You wondered why your brain forgot about him. You knew the day was foggy before, mainly due to your resentment towards it. You felt so terribly guilty for your sudden blame on Garrett. He tried telling you something in your dream but you passed it off as just your dream distorting it. You frowned as you got up and walked to the bathroom. You brushed your teeth and tamed your hair before going to get changed for the trail.

You weren't sure if you should bring it up to Mike. I mean, it showed how things went if he's the one raising Abby and not his parents. Was it your place to say something about it? You sighed as you got changed. You were still excited, but now worried. What if he resents you if he found out? The idea worried you more than you wanted to admit. You pulled on an under shirt then a red and brown sweater. Over top of it, you were going to wear a simple inner fur lined black jacket. It would keep you warm without the need of your large parka. You were originally going to wear a gray sweater but after last night, decided against it. You slide on some warm tight-like undergarment before putting on some regular blue jeans. You rolled them up a bit before putting your socks on.

Once you checked your phone you realized you missed a text from Mike. Admittedly, seeing his text warmed you up a bit. 'Just got back from dropping the kid off. Let me know when you're on your way :)' You smiled a bit before texting him back. 'On my way, gramps' You pocketed your phone before going to your front door. Slipping on some snow boots before taking your keys. You also made sure to put on your beanie and ear muffs you kept near your door. Which was a good thing, as when you stepped out you could tell it easily snowed four more inches. You tread through the snow and to your Jeep. Starting it up and easily getting over the snow. Though you cursed as you hoped your Jeep would heat up faster.

You drove carefully through the neighborhood. The roads were still slick with ice so it took a bit longer to get there. Though, lucky for Mike, the Jeep was nice and warm for him when he came. He was standing outside, a thick green scarf wrapped around his neck and a black beanie atop his head. He wore a tan sweater with a hoodie over it and dark blue jeans that tucked a bit into his usual, beat up boots. Despite him being bundled up, his face was still red when he looked at your Jeep. He also had a bag with him, gripping it as it held on only one shoulder. He waved at you with his free hand before walking around to the jeep and to the passenger side. "Hey." He said simply as he opened the door. "Hi." You responded, much like the two other times he said hey to you.

Seeing him now made your nerves at ease. Mike all bundled up and in your passenger seat. "So.. You know the way?" You asked, tilting your head a bit. He glanced at you before nodding. "Oh, right, yeah. I can give you directions." He said, pressing his face into his scarf. You nodded and began driving, relaxing in your seat as you drove carefully through town. You wondered if you should mention your dream. He looked so calm now though and even well rested. You decided not to. You wanted to have a good time together. You tapped your fingers on the steering wheel as you followed his directions to the trail.

The drive was a comfortable silence, Mike quietly guiding you, even leaning over you a few times. The times he did, a deep blush creeped over your face. You could have sworn the same blush inched over his face as well, but you brushed the idea off. Once you two got to the parking area you couldn't help but feel relieved. No one else was here and by the lack of prints in the snow, no one else had been. "Sweet." Mike said, earning your attention once you parked, "I prefer when no ones here." He opened the jeep door and stepped out and you followed after him. He waited for you next to the jeep before turning to you.

"I also brought us some food." Mike said, "I have two thermal food containers with soup. Figured there's a few spots to sit.." His voice grew more quiet and if you weren't mistaken, bashful. You smiled a bit, gently patting his shoulder. "How thoughtful." You teased, earning a blush from him. He scoffed playfully as he walked ahead of you, the snow crunching under his boots. You followed after him walking past a small gate and onto the trail. It was admittedly gorgeous. The snow was untouched by people and all there was was animal tracks that got snowed over, just barely shown. Mike seemed just as taken back by the beauty of it all. He was quiet, but his eyes wandered everywhere. "It's best out here before kids come sledding up and down the hills." He said, "Then I guess it's a different type of wonder or uh, something like that." He looked down at his feet as he spoke.

The trees tower over you both as you both walk, birds nestled up top, watching you both pass or flying off. You looked back to Mike, but he seemed to look away from you. You raised an eyebrow. Admittedly this was a bit awkward. He was quiet but fiddling with his red cold hands. "Are you cold?" You asked him, looking at his hands. He looked at you before shrugging. "Well it's my own fault. I forgot to bring gloves." He said, bringing his hands to blow his breath on before rubbing them together. You shook your head before taking his hands. "Here." You said, enclosing his hands in yours. His hands were fairly bigger than yours, your hands barely covering his. He stopped in his tracks once you took his hands. You blushed as you carefully rubbed his hands, the friction warming both of your hands up. The woods were so quiet, you two could hear each other's breaths. He was staring at you, which you were too scared to look him in the eye.

But Mike's attention on you made your face redder. "Y/N?" He said quietly. Your eyes darted up to him. His face was red but he was standing straighter. He looked nervous and when you stopped rubbing his hands, you could feel his heartbeat which was alarmingly fast. "Mike..?" You repeated back. He blushed more when hearing you say his name. He was blushing. You could tell now when his face just darkened red. His hand moved from yours and gently cupped your cheek, shaking a bit from nerves. His now warm hand resting on his cheek as he studied your face. Your gaze softened. You had no idea what he was planning to do.

Mike leaned closer to you. His eyes met your gaze as he closed the space between you. Your hands still over one of his hands gave him a soft squeeze. Now this had to be a dream. The way your heart beated out of your chest. You just met him—sort of?—and here you two were. Barely two inches between you. He was waiting for something. A reaction, you push him away or for you to kiss him. You couldn't really tell. He was just as unreadable as ever. Slowly, you felt warm lips press against yours, his hand gently holding your face. All you could hear was your own heartbeat in your ears as he kissed you. His lips warmed and a bit chapped, but so perfect. You slowly kissed him back, feeling as if time stopped right then and there for you both.

Mike pulled away after a moment, looking at you. He didn't move away as he let out a quiet sigh. He moved his hand away from your face. "Sorry I just.." He started, earning a not as cold finger to his lips, your finger. "Shush. You don't need to apologize." You said before taking the initiative to kiss him this time. You had no idea why he was sudden with his kiss but to hell if anyone thought you were going to question it. He kissed you back quickly, his hands moving to your waist as you kissed in the middle of the woods. Your heart fluttered, your hands moving onto his shoulders. A part of you was scared this was just another weird dream. But, if it was, you never want it to end.