Mike Schmidt x Reader
Pt. 1: And They Were Roommates…
Summary: Prologue. How it all started.
Or, Mike and you develop the foundation for a relationship.
Tropes: Fluff, angst if you squint,
And they were roommates…
Part 2. Part 3. Part 4. Part 5.
A/N: I’m actually super proud of this one haha, feedback is never required but appreciated anyway!!! Thank you!! Enjoy your read
-———-———
Mike knows you, but not well.
You live in a nicer house than his. Abby likes how your TV has more than just the news channels.
Max stopped answering Mike’s calls, and his aunt wasn’t around anymore.
You’ve babysat Abby before, but only briefly. Times that Mike needed to go to a job interview or pick up an extra shift and he couldn't find anyone else. Planned situations.
You were a last resort. He didn’t mean to overbook himself, but he did, and now he’s desperately hoping you won’t turn down a few extra dollars.
You answer Mike’s frantic knocks with wide eyes. You still have your work uniform on, and Mike has to actively suppress his wince.
“I’m so sorry,” he feels Abby squeeze his hand, “I didn’t know who else would be available.”
Mike doesn’t even try to suppress his relieved sigh when you wave him off and usher Abby inside. You - albeit awkwardly - invite him in, but he’s already running late.
You ask when he’ll be back for Abby, but he doesn’t know, so he says, tonight, I’ll call you and speed-walks to his car; tail tucked so far between his legs that he almost feels like crying.
When he returns to your home, he thanks you with a check and assurances that it’s just a one-time thing, and he couldn’t think of anyone else who’d be willing, but you just smile and offer him some dinner leftovers.
Then, a man walks in with a paper plate wrapped in saran wrap, and Mike feels the hairs at the back of his neck stand. You introduce the man as your boyfriend, Mike shakes his hand, but he’s practically choking on the air of judgment surrounding Oliver.
So that’s how you can afford a place like this.
Abby sleeps on the drive home, and Mike thinks about you.
Mike met you at work; maiding for a cleaning company for rich snobs. He…didn’t mind the days he worked with you. The manager often paired the two of you together for large estate-wide projects.
You never complained when he needed to bring Abby to work. If anything, you seemed like you had more fun on days he brought his little sister.
You asked Abby questions about her interests and even shared some of your own. Mike even once caught you packing extra frosted Animal Crackers from the lobby.
Sometimes, Abby would drag Mike into games of three-person hide-and-seek. Most often, he got stuck seeking. You laughed a lot on those days.
You even defended Mike when the manager wrote him up for not controlling his child.
He remembers apologizing with coffee for getting you written up. He also remembers you assuring him that, “the client needs to calm the fuck down. It’s not like we knocked over an Urn.”
He remembers how you made him chuckle.
The manager doesn’t pair the two of you up anymore. Mike would have to ask his co-workers to change shifts with him if he wanted to see you more often, but asking sounds awkward.
You corner him in the office during shift change the night after you babysit Abby. You ask if he wants to go meet for coffee during the break hour, your treat.
He wants to say he’s busy. The words rest on the tip of his tongue. He doesn’t know why you want to do him another favor. You're making him feel jumbled and awkward.
But then you mention the food, and I’ll meet you in the lobby if you want to carpool, just slips out of his mouth.
A big part of Mike thinks he offered to drive because he feels guilty for interrupting your evening. He doesn’t want to spend time with you, he only wants to pacify you enough to leave him alone.
The smaller part feels curious -for lack of a better term- why are you being nice? What’s wrong with you?
Mike drags his feet to meet you at the office. He hates that he’s about to give up his break for the Hi! How-are-you’s and the I’m-doing-well’s of small talk. He hates that he’s spending his energy on something so unnecessary. Plus, it’s not like he’s ever been friends with you.
He hopes that he hasn’t given you the idea that he cares more than he does.
The café is nice. It has hanging vines over the counters and windowsills. It smells like espresso and fresh soil. There’s an old-looking bookshelf right by a sunny window. It feels homey.
You buy Mike's food, and he tries to downplay how happy he gets when he has enough leftovers for another meal. The two of you talk. You ask if he has a consistent babysitter, and he dodges the question. You tell him your ‘free nights’ in case he hasn’t found a babysitter by the time he needs one, because, apparently, you have a lot of fun with Abby.
Mike feels the defensiveness creep up into his neck. The urge to bare his teeth and roll his eyes crawls into the forefront of his mind. He can take care of Abby just fine. He’s beginning to think that you think they’re a charity case. They don’t need you.
You must notice Mike tense because you change the subject. You tell him about how vinegar helps when cleaning smoke-stained walls, and the work-drama surrounding your shared boss.
His shoulders unwind, and he even adds a few jokes about bad clients. His input seems to sweeten the interaction like the honey in the tea he’s drinking.
He has fun.
He calls you the next time he needs a babysitter.
A few months go by. You, Abby, and Mike settle into a schedule. He learns that your boyfriend shares a car with you. Mike and Oliver don’t talk much, but when they do, they’re cordial.
Abby’s never complained about Oliver, but Mike can feel the simmering judgment, and wonders if Oliver has ever said anything to you about them.
Mike can’t pay you all the time. In fact, he can’t pay you most of the time, but you don’t seem to care. He wants to ask why.
You have a day job separate from the nights at the cleaning company - just like him - and the generosity you have with your time makes him feel itchy; like he owes you something, but you never bring anything up.
Anyway, he’s stuck with you. Who else would he leave Abby with on weekends and three nights a week?
You’re different today. Your eyes look glossy, and when Mike asks how it went with Abby, you just say it went well.
He doesn’t ask, but he wants to.
Friday night, you call and cancel babysitting Abby.
Your voice sounds small, and he hears you sniff a few times.
He doesn’t think your emotions are his business, but it feels like it’s the right time to ask anyway.
So, Mike asks, “Everything alright?”
You answer without a beat, “Yeah, just caught a bug from work, I’ll just need a day.”
Mike doesn’t know how he feels about the words I’ll just need a day. It feels like you’re justifying yourself. It feels like words a coworker would say to another coworker.
“I’m sorry,” you finish. It’s so soft and genuine that it makes Mike’s breath hitch.
“No,” he blurts, “No need to be sorry. I hope you feel better soon,” and he genuinely does.
Mike can’t afford to skip today's shift. He’s already received too many late notices from his landlord. One more and he’ll be evicted.
He’ll probably have to work through lunch this week if he wants to make ends meet.
He doesn’t know what to do.
So, Mike does the only thing he can think of. Mike carefully instructs Abby to never touch the stove, never to go near the thermostat, don’t answer the door unless she hears their secret knock, don’t answer the phone, and to keep the blinds and curtains closed.
Abby Pinky promises to do all of those things. Mike believes her, but writes a list and tapes it to the fridge just in case she forgets.
Abby asks why she’s not going to your house while Mike prepares a quick breakfast. He tells her you’re sick as he inhales his portion.
“Does she need medicine?” Abby asks.
“I don’t know,” he puts his dishes in the sink, “she said she’d be better by tomorrow.”
“Does she have medicine?”
“Probably, she’s a grown-up.”
“Does she have chicken soup?”
Mike doesn’t know how he’s supposed to know that, but Abby sounds genuinely worried about whether or not you have chicken soup. So, he stops what he’s doing and puts all of his attention on his sister.
“She’s gonna be okay Abby, she’s just not feeling her best. You’ll see her tomorrow.”
His sister looks at the table. Her little eyebrows furrow as she plays with her food. Mike feels… a twist of ugly things in his gut. He doesn’t like that he can’t protect Abby. He doesn’t like that he’s leaving her home alone.
That night, Mike brings her ice cream and lets her stay up past her bedtime.
Tomorrow comes too soon.
Mike tries to keep his nose out of your business, but the packing boxes littering your home stare into his soul. Your car is gone, too.
You welcome Abby, and you smile at Mike, but your eyes seem vacant. You don’t look like you’ve been sick, but your eyes are puffy.
At this point, Mike knows something’s going on.
He wants to give you something, but what could he offer? He’s not sure how close the two of you are. He’s not sure what you want from him.
In reality, paying you would be the best thing he could do for you, but he can't do that. So, he keeps his head down and asks if you need anything.
You get solemn after Mike’s offer; like you have bad news that you've been waiting to spring on him.
Mike clenches his teeth. He's expecting you to tell him you're done; he hasn't paid you, and you're starting to get annoyed.
"Actually, I have a huge favor to ask"
That's not what Mike's expecting, but he can't say no without sounding like an asshole. So he says, "Sure, what's up?"
You lick your lips again, “You can totally say no. It’s kind of a lot, and I know you’re already busy, but Abby goes to school around the same time I go to work, and I’d pay you for gas money” You're fidgeting with the hem of your sweater, "Would you be willing to give me a ride to work this week?"
Mike doesn’t even hesitate, "What time do you need to be picked up?"
You bring Mike a muffin. You nurse a coffee.
You seem quieter in the mornings, but Mike is just quiet. So, interactions only occur when you need to give him directions.
It’s not necessarily awkward, but Mike still feels tense and icky at the beginning.
Picking you up in the afternoons feels better on Mike’s psyche. You talk more, and he knows where the cleaning company is, so he doesn’t have to ask where to go.
Sometimes Mike brings you left-over meals from his day job. Sometimes you bring him and Abby a packed lunch.
Abby’s enrolled in an after school program until 6pm the two nights you don’t have her. Mike has those nights off, but he still picks you up and drops you off before getting his sister.
A few weeks go by.
You settle into a new schedule. You still don’t have a car. Mike never reminds you that you offered gas money.
“Thank you” you unbuckle your seatbelt.
Mike parks the car in your driveway, “It’s no problem”
It’s the least he can do, really. But he doesn’t want to tell you that he feels like he owes you.
You haven’t left yet, and Mike’s starting to feel confused.
You sigh before looking at him, “I might be getting a roommate soon”
The words sound casual, but you’re pursing your lips and fidgeting with your sleeves. Mike doesn’t understand why.
“Sorry, it’s just, I figured you should know.” You lick your lips, “I can’t afford this place without a roommate, and I don’t feel comfortable letting Abby around someone I don’t know”
He’s grateful for that, honestly. But something in his gut still drops. He has no idea what he’s going to do without your help.
“When?” he croaks. He clears his throat, “uh when do you think you’ll have one by?”
He doesn’t have to go get Abby for another half-hour.
You shrug, rubbing a hand on your hairline, “hopefully within the next few weeks.”
He nods, he’s not sure what to say. He’s not sure if there’s anything to say.
Then you gasp so loud that Mike literally feels his heart bang against his lungs. Your eyes go bright and you look into Mike’s eyes with an excitement that makes him feel slightly overwhelmed.
“You wanna move in with me?!”
Mike spends the rest of the half-hour in your kitchen, brainstorming how the three of you can move Abby’s bed with Mike’s tiny car. Without paying for a moving truck.
He has fun.
