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

Open Up Your Heart

You two had slept for a few hours, curled up together on the couch. Your leg pulled around his mid-torso and your hands holding his head to your chest. He was on his back now, one arm around your waist and the other behind his head. He was snoring softly while you drooled into the couch pillow. It wasn't too long til you felt him shift below you. You whined in protest, though it earned a gentle rub to your back. Mike had woken up before you, though he didn't dare to move. He moved his hand from behind his head to check the time. He still had two hours before he had to pick up Abby from school. He tucked his hand back behind his head as he shifted you a bit more down. Now, your head was tucked in his shoulder as he moved further into the couch to pull you closer. Your hands wrapped around his shoulders as you now drooled on his shirt.

Mike quietly admired your features, his hand moving over your cheek. He wondered if he deserved such compassion from someone. Was he selfish for wanting you? Was he selfish for pushing past his brother's disappearance to self indulge? It had been over a decade. You came into his life and turned it upside down, in a good way. You had crept through his walls and effortlessly touched his heart. He hadn't let anyone in truly in a while. Not like this at least. He wondered what Abby would think. Would she like the idea of him being with someone? A part of him knew she'd probably be excited that it was you. However, a part of him worried she would be upset. Then again, he was always worrying about something. He sighed quietly, resting his head against yours. He had no idea what to do. He wasn't ready for a relationship, but he really did want you.

You gently stirred in his arms, your eyes opening as you stretched. "Mornin'." Mike whispered, looking down at you. You blinked a bit before laying back down in his chest. "Mm.. Good morning." You muttered, giving him a gentle squeeze, "What time is it?" He pulled his arm back out again to check his watch. "Eleven." You let out a quiet sigh as you lifted yourself out of his arms. Not willingly, but the feeling of your stomach being empty wasn't gonna settle well. Mike's hands trailed down your back, though he didn't get up. He looked so tired, as if he was going to lul himself back to sleep. You turned to look at him, smiling softly as you planted a kiss to his forehead. "Hungry?" You asked, your hand moving to pet his cheek softly. He shrugged, gazing up at you. "Mm.. A bit. I'll eat whatever you make." He said, his hand moving from your lower back to your side. You smiled a bit, pinching his cheek playfully. "Good. I'll go make us some lunch." You replied as you pushed yourself off the couch. You made your way to the kitchen, stretching your arms up as you walked in.

You were greeted by the pictures Abby drew. Now, that blonde woman didn't bother you so much. You had Mike practically to yourself which was something that made you puff your chest out a bit with pride. You opened the fridge and looked over the contents. You looked around before finding nothing worth making or food that would take too much time. You opened the freeze, hoping to find something easy. You had to keep in mind you only had an hour or two to try and get something made before picking up Abby. She would have eaten at school and you would feel guilty to eat in front of her. You let out a sigh before pulling out some frozen hash brown. You eyed the bag before getting an idea. You were going to turn to ask Mike if he had breakfast, however you squealed to see him in the kitchen doorway. "Jesus Christ, Mike!" You huffed, your face turning pink from embarrassment, "Could you at least announce when you're coming?"

Mike simply shrugged, which made you frown more. "I thought you heard me." He said, crossing his arms and leaning on the doorway. You rolled your and turned away from him. "Well I was going to ask if you had breakfast." You said, pulling out a bag of sausage bites, eggs, and a bag of shredded cheese. You placed the items on the counter before looking at him again. "No." He said, moving to lean on the counter next to you, "I was too excited." The mention of him being excited to see you made your cheek turn red. The funny part was he wasn't trying to fluster you now. By his tone and harder face, he meant it. He was excited to see you. You fiddled with the bags before pulling two pans out. When you glanced at him, he had a small smile. He looked weary, though he was gazing at you so tenderly. You couldn't keep staring at him like that. You just quietly worked on breakfast, spraying the pans down and cooking.

This all felt so domestic. You didn't often see yourself being so... Normal with someone, let alone a possible partner. Your parents weren't exactly the best example past eleven. THey were distant and hell, they didn't even sleep in the same room. You always feared to have the same fate which was why your mom's overprotective nature didn't bother you too much as a teenager. Sure, you had crushes, but you still feared the idea of being in something dull. You didn't want to be in a loveless relationship. Mike wasn't ready for anything official, though you hoped he would want to eventually. You were exclusive to him. He was exclusive to you. But you felt butterflies with the way he looked at you. It felt almost perfect to be like this with him. You cracked a few eggs onto the pan and started scrambling them, seasoning them with salt and pepper between.

Eventually, Mike left your side. He went to the bag he had brought with him, pulling the two food containers out. They seemed to still be warm as he returned and placed them in the fridge. "Save those for our next walk." He said, moving back to your side. You smiled before chuckling a bit. "Already planning our next date?" You teased. You saw the visible blush bloom on his face, which made you hum proudly. He elbowed you lightly. "Maybe. What, upset about it being another walk?" He asked. You flashed him a mischievous grin. "Nope. So long as I get my romantic forest kiss." You poked his cheek. His blushed deepened, scoffing playfully.

You both stayed like that, making small talk before eating the brunch together. You made omelets with hash browns, cheese, sausage, and spices. By how Mike had happily ate your food, he loved it. The idea of cooking for him more blossomed a warm feeling in your stomach. You wondered if this is what couples felt often. If so, you never wanted it to go away. You both ate together, playful banter exchanged between bites. "You know." He started, "This is the second time you've had breakfast with me." You smiled, taking a bite of your omelet. That was true, for a babysitter that worked nights you did tend to spend the morning here. You hoped to keep up with that too. "Maybe I just like mooching off your food." You teased, "Or I just like spending time with you and Abby." He smiled at the mention of his sister. "I hope so. We like spending time with you too." He said, finishing off his omelet. You finished yours soon after and took both your plates to the kitchen. You placed the dishes in the sink and tidied up quickly before checking the time.

"It's twelve thirty." You said, a bit surprised by the sudden time shift. It made a bit of sense, you took a bit to cook and you were both talking during brunch. You turned to him, peeking out from the kitchen. "We should head to the school." Mike said, "At least, if you want to pick up Abs with me." You watched as he walked to the living room. You followed him and hummed. "Of course I am." You said, pulling your parka back on and putting your shoes on. He followed after, putting his hoodie on and then his own shoes. "Good. I was hoping you'd come." He said, walking toward the door. You smiled more, your cheeks now starting to hurt from the amount of smiling you've done today. You walked out the door with him, carefully walking to Mike's car and nearly slipping. You could hear Mike snort behind you.

You both decided to take Mike's car as the roads had been cleared and he felt guilty making you drive him everywhere. His comment made you laugh a bit as you sunk into his passenger seat. His car was beat up and well loved. The backseat was decorated with some stuffed animals and a few old blankets from Abby; the front was cleaner and well cared for. Admittedly, that wasn't too surprising. Mike was clean but in the 'don't perceive me' way. He wanted to seem normal and put together. He didn't want attention drawn to him. Even now, with leaving the comfort of his home, he was tense. He was guarded. Your smile dropped a bit, your hand moving to gently rub his shoulders. He flinched from the sudden touch, though he relaxed. He relaxed for you. You gave him a tender smile as he sighed quietly. "I'm sorry." He muttered, "Force of habit." You smiled, moving your hand up to ruffle his hair. "It's alright." You said, your voice so tender and warm. His face heated up again as he focused on driving.

Mike pulled up to the pick up zone, parking as he kept his eye out for his sister. A few kids had filed out of the school, however there was no sign of Abby. You looked out your window, squinting as you looked for her brightly colored bag. She was one of the last kids out. She looked upset as she walked up to the car and went inside. "Hey Abby." You said, she looked at you, her face red and puffy with tears. "Hi..." She said, looking at her brother. Mike looked worried, turning his body to look at her. "What happened? Were you crying?" He asked, earning a quiet sniffle from Abby. She handed him a piece of paper, something that looked to be a coupon. He looked puzzled, though he took the piece of paper and looked at it. His face showed his distaste, his face paled a bit as if he was looking at a ghost. When you looked over, you were just filled with even more questions.

Why are they freaking out over a re-opening of Freddy's Pizzeria?