What haunts us back (Reader!Afton x Mike Schmidt)
Requested by: Anon Forever tag: @vviolynn, @floatlosers, @harleyquinnswifeyfrfr, @evilcr0ne, @sweetheartlizzie07, @ilocuras24
Summary: After you realized what your father was doing, you escaped home. Meeting Mike on your path. The closer you get, the more you push him away. Scared you'll turn out just like him. A nasty reunion with your older sister, rattles you up. Bringing up terrible memories that come haunting back.
Breath shuddered within the silence. Eyes adjusting to the darkness. A smidge of light coming through. Light falling in a thin line down your face. Thundering steps down the hallway, made you pull your knees further against your chest.
Very familiar with them as they could only belong to one man. Looking, searching, scouting. Chest rising and falling. Heart thumping loudly against your ribs. Cheeks stained with dried up tears. Focusing on your own breathing for a moment, you lost control of all surroundings.
Quiet. Silenced. Nothing but the house’s whispers to torment. Wooden flooring creaking. In an instant, you clasped your hand over your mouth. Leaning a bit closer to the thin opening between the closet doors. Looking left and right for a glimpse. Light reflecting in your eyes. Breath hot against your palm. Eyes wide with fright.
The creaking of flooring made your muscles tense. Squint together and stiff. Anxiously holding your breath. Scarcely taking a peek for as well as you could. Leaning more forwards. Nose almost touching wood.
Whispers of the house seeping through your flesh. Muscles slowly released with a soft exhale with nothing in view. Heart jumped. Shining eyes flashed into view. A girly giggle gurgling deep from within the mechanics. Silence overpowered by screams.
Eyes flashing open, body still reacting to the fear. Wide shot gaze, you anxiously needed to settle on your reality. Listing quietly the furniture you saw. A trick you had learned your brain to settle for calm. Slowly your breathing settled.
Running a hand down your face, it was noticeable how wet it was. Sweat always came when you had one of these. It had been a while since you’ve had this particular nightmare. Something must’ve fired it back up. Sitting up, you sat there in silence. Hands in the folds of your blankets.
Glancing to the side, you knew your phone was on the nightstand. Impulsively you grabbed it. Barely processing the time, only that it was past 2. Fingers moving before your mind could pull at the reins.
Phone going over. Moving it up to your ear, hearing it go over. Staring numbly down at your hands. Eyes widening, lowering your phone. Ending the call in a panic, before it could’ve gone fully over. Tossing it further away on the bed with a panicky yelp.
Heart thumping loudly in your chest at the audacity you had. Staring with fright at the device. Screen lit up before the buzzing came. Making you yelp loud at your own stupidity.
You knew exactly who was calling you. With shaky hands, you reached for it. Taking a deep breath before answering it. “Everything okay Y/n?” Came immediately after the call was accepted. Biting your thumb, you nodded shakily. Humming a bit. “Yeah, …yeah…”
“You sure?” Mike responded. Humming again. “Nightmare again?” Mike asked. Biting your lip, you knew it was hard for you to lie to him. “Yeah…” You let out softly. Hearing Mike breath softly on the other side. “I’m sorry…I shouldn’t have called you at work.” Apologizing for taking away his time.
“Hey, hey Y/n. It’s fine.” He blurted out to keep you on the phone. “It really is.” His words making you smile on your end. “I can talk.” You heard him say. “Your call might have prevented me from falling asleep.”
“On the job, Mike, such a bad boy.” You teased with a laugh. Hearing him chuckle back, warmed your heart. “Be careful or I might bring some trophies home.” He responded cheeky. “Stealing as well, you truly are a bad boy.” Laughing softly.
“They’ve got some nice plushies here. I could bring a few for Abby and you, if you like?” He said, sounding a bit distracted. There was a bit of silence at the other end. “Mike?” You whispered out. Hearing the clicking of a flashlight, followed by his husky voice. “I…I’ve gotta go. Go to Abby.” With that he hung up.
Staring at your screen till it became neutral once more. Taking another good look at your room, you knew he was right. Putting on your shoes, taking a coat. You got in your car, still in your nightclothing. Driving to Mike’s house. Opening the door with the spare key he had given you after a night of babysitting on Abby.
You moved to Abby’s room. “Abby, It’s me Y/n. I’m joining you.” You said loudly. Abby hummed in her sleep. Pulling her blanket up, you snuck in the bed behind her. Abby taking your arm, laying it before her. Holding onto it for comfort. Exhaling deep, you snuggled closer to her.
The first light peaked through the curtain, falling on your face. Abby groaned softly, tossing and turning a bit. A knock on the doorframe, made you wake up. Smiling sheepishly back at Mike in the door opening. Looking like hell, but still managing to smile. “Mike!” Abby called out, getting out of bed.
He hugged her tight. Abby rushed past him to the bathroom. “Morning Y/n.” He said. “Morning Mike.” Responding with a shy smile. “I…I…uhm…” Mike began, scratching the back of his head. Hearing his sister call out for him, distracted him. You waved him away to go see what she wanted.
Forming his lips in a thin line, he pressed his fist gently against the frame. Slowly taking his leave. You exhaled loud with his departure. Swallowing hard as this had been perhaps a bad idea. Coming over to his house. Just when you needed to distance yourself from him.
Quietly you shuffled into the living area. Finding Mike and Abby in the kitchen. “I…I should be going…” Saying, already shuffling towards the front door. “C’mon Y/n stay.” Mike called out. “Yeah, stay Y/n.” Abby joined, patting the seat beside her.
“I…I think I should go…” Heading for the door. Abby shot her brother a pleading pout. “Wait!” Mike called out, rushing up to you. Coming to block your way to the door. “Abby doesn’t want you to leave.” He said. Slowly turning your head to his sister. “I…don’t want you to leave.” He added. “Please…” Reaching his hand up, brushing his knuckles down your cheek.
His touch made you close your eyes. Taking it all in, before gently pulling his hand down. “Mike…” You said with a pain in your heart. “If this is about your nightmares, I don’t care. I have them too Y/n. If you think you’re messed up, well so am I.” Mike responded with a desperate tone.
If only he knew. Sighing soft, you didn’t want to push him away. But for his own good, you had to. Coming here was a mistake. Calling him last night was a mistake. It only caused more heartache at the end. If you would become as twisted as your father, you didn’t want him in the crossfire.
You had his genes, so there must be something twisted with you. Sooner or later, it would show itself. Pushing him away was what was best. Even when your heart didn’t wish to.
“I’m sorry.” You said, reaching for the doorknob past him. Opening the door, jumping back, coming face to face with a presence. Eyes widening at the familiar face wearing a police uniform. “Y/n?” The girl exclaimed. Mike opened the door more. “Vanessa?” He said with furrowed brows.
Vanessa’s gaze went down on you. Then to Mike, silently taking in the vibe. “I didn’t know you were staying here.” Vanessa said. Mike looked back at Vanessa from you. Clenching your hand, you nudged hard against her shoulder to pass. Vanessa stumbling on her feet.
Breath shocked when you felt a firm grip on your wrist. Keeping you in place. Soft hands as you knew enough. “Sister…” Vanessa said, making Mike gawk at the two of you. Clenching your jaw, you pulled your hand free from her grip. “We’re not doing this!” You responded loud. “Wait, hold up, sister?” Mike waving confused his hands.
“Y/n…” Vanessa begged. “No!” You screamed out, not wanting anything further from her. Hands beginning to shake from ancient memories flooding back. “You stay away from me!” Making it clear to her. Without a goodbye to Mike, you stormed off. “Y/n!” Mike called out after you.
Running up the driveway. Yet unable to catch up with you, your car racing off. Mike moved his hand to his face, wiping it down with a sigh. Turning around to Vanessa as he needed answers. Hands trembled at the steering wheel.
Vision blurring with upcoming tears, you had to pull over. Screaming and crying at the encounter you had been avoiding for years. Ever since you escaped your father’s house, you swore not to align yourself with them anymore. It was better to be a nobody than an Afton. An Afton whose father formed a deadly legacy.
Sobbing loudly how a simple encounter with your older sister could shake you up this good. Slightly turning your head at your phone ringing. Pulling it out, you saw it was Mike calling. Shaking your head with a trembling lip, you denied yourself him once again.
Tossing the phone on the seat beside. Arms resting on the steering wheel, face leaning into it, your shoulders shrugged with your sobs. Phone ringing again. A desperate second attempt. “Mike please just stop…” You whispered. “You are better off without me…”
Mike ran his fingers desperately through his hair. Pacing back and forth, phone by his ear. Groaning loud when it went to voicemail again. Hands clenched, he had to withhold himself to not throw his phone at the wall. “Is she not picking up?” Abby questioned. “No.” Mike sighed out.
“Should I try calling her?” She suggested. Mike exhaled, ruffling his hand through her hair. “That’s sweet, but I don’t think she’s going to answer.” Trying to hold up a smile for his sister. “But she needs us.” Abby exclaimed. “You sure do.” Poking her brother in the stomach. He chuckled softly, giving her a poke back. “Maybe…” Sighing out.
Mike texted a few more times, hoping you would answer. He had received some answers from Vanessa. Giving him a bit more intel in why you were seemingly pushing him more away lately. Groaning loud, he had enough. Taking the car keys. “Are you going to look for her?” Abby asked, jumping off her chair. “Stay here Abby.” Mike insisted.
Abby saluted, waving him happily goodbye afterwards. Mike got behind the wheel. Driving off. Driving to your apartment. Knocking loudly on the door. Till it annoyed one of the residents. They gently told him off. Also letting him know, you hadn’t returned yet. Mike apologized sheepishly, hurrying back to his car.
Exhaling deep, letting his head rest against the steering wheel. Wondering where you could be. A scary thought crossed his mind. A scary thought, he hoped would be so wrong, but went for it anyway. Driving off again. Riding down a familiar road to his work place. Panting loudly, parking his car poorly.
Slamming the door. Rushing inside. Barely needing to go far, finding you sitting at one of the dusty tables. “Y/n!” Mike shouted loudly. Hurrying over, dropping to his knees by your side. “I was so worried. What are you doing here?” He asked, taking your hands from your lap. Quietly you sobbed, head lowered.
“You should stay away from me Mike.” You cried out. “Why?” Mike answered with a breath. Pulling himself a bit up, he cupped your cheeks. Turning your head to face him. “Cause of your dad? You are not your dad Y/n!” He let out. “What…what if I become like him…I’ve got his twisted blood in me…” Nearly choking on your words from the sobs. Mike came wiping your tears away.
“Listen to me Y/n. You are not him. You escaped his clutches right?” He asked to be sure. Shakily you nodded. “You won’t become like him. You escaping from him all those years ago says enough.” Steadying himself, he pulled you close to his chest. Arms wrapping tightly around you. “Please Y/n. I love you. Don’t push yourself away from me.”
Blinking surprised, you moved a bit back in his embrace. “You…you do?” Fluttering confusingly with your eyelashes. Mike humming deep, brushing his thumb down your cheek. “I do, I love the Y/n I see before me. All of her. Quirks and all.” His comment made you smile flustered. Mike kissed you quick, catching you by surprise.
“Can we leave now, this place gives me the creeps.” He said. “Me too.” You chuckled out. Following him back outside. Outside, he tugged at your hand. Pulling you back at him, crashing against his chest. Smiling teasingly your way before claiming another kiss.
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