You groaned softly at the sunlight hitting your face, scolding yourself for forgetting to close your curtains last night. Until you registered that you weren't in bed, but on a couch. In the Schmidts' living room. When your sleepy brain caught up more, you realized there was the soft sizzling of food from the kitchen. You sat up, rubbing your eyes and stretching your sore neck. You glanced at the blanket that fell off you, trying to remember if you'd had it on when you fell asleep or not.
Mike stepped around the corner from the kitchen, hair still sleep-mussed and in his sweats. "Sleep well?"
"I- y- yeah..." You swung your legs down, . "Why'd you let me stay...?"
His jaw clenched for a second before he shrugged. "I was tired and you seemed comfortable." He disappeared back into the kitchen, sizzling increasing for a second. "I'm making pancakes if you want any."
You felt your brain buffer for a second, trying to process what was happening. Once your thoughts were working properly, your stomach grumbled softly. "Two is good, thank you." He hummed from the kitchen, which you took as confirmation before glancing around the living room. You remembered watching TV before falling asleep, but the remote wasn't anywhere near the couch. You actually spotted it by the armchair, slowly putting the pieces together.
"Mike...?" You got up from the couch, making your way to the dining room to lean through the window connected to the kitchen. He grunted softly, glancing at you over his shoulder to signal he was listening. "Did you put the blanket over me last night?"
"Mhm." He set some pancakes on a plate, turning around and handing it to you. "Is that an issue...?"
"No, not at all! Just... curious, I guess." You smiled shyly, taking the plate with a soft 'thank you' and sitting at a spot at the table where you could still see him. His head bobbed slightly as he worked, like he was hearing music you couldn't, and you couldn't help but wonder what it was before being snapped out of it by Mike clearing his throat. The ghost of a smirk passed over his face as he leaned against the counter in the window.
"Your pancakes are getting cold." And with that, he turned back around just as you heard a door open down the hall, leaning over and waving sheepishly at Abby as she emerged, rubbing her eyes.
". . . Why are you here...?" You knew she wasn't being rude, she was a kid and also just waking up. Most kids don't have much of a filter to begin with.
"I uh... fell asleep on the couch."
"Huh." She climbed into the seat next to you, leaning her head on her hands. "M'kay..."
You poured syrup over your pancakes, taking your first bite as her eyes drifted closed. Her head nearly hit the table before she woke up, Mike coming around from the kitchen to put a plate in front of her and press a quick kiss to the top of her head with a mumbled 'good morning' that she returned shortly after. You glanced at the clock as you ate, inhaling sharply at the time. 12:16. Mike gave you a look as he sat down, one of his eyebrows raised slightly. "I- I just- I've never really slept in this late since I started working more..."
He looked at the clock, humming softly with a shrug. "'S the weekend. I don't have a shift today..." His eyes flicked to yours, suddenly worried. "Did you have-"
"No, no, I don't have anything. I only pick up weekends when I really need to..." You hummed, smiling softly. "And even if I did, it's not your job to know that or take care of it."
He seemed to search your face for a second before nodding, focus moving back to his pancakes. Abby, who'd scarfed her pancakes down as you spoke, looked up at you, gently nudging your knee under the table as best she could. "So are you staying with us all day?"
"I dunno. I don't mind, but 's kind of up to Mike." You took a bite, hoping he didn't feel like he had to let you stay.
"Oh, so you're probably gonna stay then. He said he likes spending time with you." She smiled at you brightly before shimmying out of her chair and down the hall to her room. Mike, meanwhile, looked like he wanted to find a hole to crawl in, hiding his face behind his hand as his ears slowly turned red.
You laughed softly, ignoring the slightly nervous edge to it. "Is that so-"
"L- look-" his hand dropped to the table, revealing his red face as he kept his eyes noticeably pointed away from you. "She's- She's just-"
"Mike..." You hesitantly set your hand on his, watching him take a deep breath. His hand shifted under yours, moving to hold it gently.
"I- I do though... like you." He looked up at you, eyes full of apprehension as he tapped your hand lightly.
You squeezed back, "I like you too... maybe we should consider today our first date." You grinned slightly, watching him process. A small smile pulled at his lips, hand holding yours a bit more firmly.
"I like that idea."
The three of you ended up going to a nearby zoo for the day, and you insisted on paying for the tickets since you were the one who had stayed over accidentally. Mike had tried to protest, but you weren't hearing any of it. He hung back slightly once you were inside, fondly watching Abby pull you along by the hand to look at the bear exhibit. You glanced back at him, scowling playfully before offering your free hand. You watched him hesitate slightly before moving to take it, face flushing slightly. After a gentle squeeze, you smiled and turned your attention back to Abby.
You spent all day at the zoo, wandering between exhibits and listening to Abby read off the plaques of information. She passed between you and Mike, sometimes holding both of your hands and walking between you, asking for you to swing her (which you obliged once or twice). You decided it was time to leave when she seemed to fall asleep on her feet, promptly getting picked up by Mike to lean against his shoulder so she wouldn't trip and hurt herself.
"You sure you're good?" Abby dozed against Mike's shoulder as he carried her, not far from your car at this point.
He grunted softly, readjusting Abby a little, which earned a small noise of disagreement from her. "I'll be fine, it's just a little further."
You hummed, jogging ahead when you got closer to your car so you could open it for him to put Abby in. She settled back into the seat as soon as she was in and buckled, seemingly drifting off more.
Mike turned and smiled, huffing softly. "See? Fine."
You rolled your eyes playfully, pecking him on the cheek quickly before moving to the driver's side, ignoring the way your heart pounded at the simple action. You could hear Mike clear his throat through the closed car door before entering, face clearly a little red.
Mike picked up Abby again, who was now fully asleep, once you all arrived home. Neither of you had the heart to wake her up, so you just worked around carrying her inside and putting her to bed. You both flopped onto the couch afterward, Mike rolling his shoulders and wincing slightly at the cracking that followed. You shifted from your part of the couch, nudging his leg with your foot to get his attention, which worked since he turned to look at you. "I'd say that was a good first date."
A shy smile spread across his face, "Kinda forgot about that part."
"Aw, c'mon, how? We held hands almost all day-" You teased.
"We also had to keep track of Abby. Which is kind of unavoidable when you're the babysitter but-"
"Buuut, it was still fun." You gently kicked him, now sitting sideways on the couch with your back to the arm. "And we spent a lot of time together, which is what mostly matters to me. Though, we could try to find some time for a date with just the two of us."
He hummed, smiling softly, eyes full of love. "So you'll go on another?"
Your face heated up at the look, not quite prepared to realize just how deep the mutual affection went. "'Course. Can't get rid of me that easily."
His eyes flickered towards your lips for a second before he looked away, hands fidgeting slightly. You scooted closer, which caused his eyes to focus on you again, face redder than before. He took a deep breath, words rushing out. "CanIkissyou?"
You had to take a moment to process, but nodded as soon as it set in what he'd asked. He swallowed nervously, hesitating for a second before lightly setting his hand on your cheek and pulling you in, relaxing as soon as your lips touched. You shifted on the couch, swinging a leg over his lap to give both of you a better vantage point as you wrapped your arms around his neck. Mike hummed softly, free hand hesitantly resting on your hip as he gently stroked your cheek with his thumb. After a few seconds, he pulled back, breathing a little heavier as he searched your face.
When he seemed satisfied with what he saw, he set his forehead against your shoulder, chuckling quietly and wrapping his arms around your waist. "I've uh... wanted to do that for a while."
You kissed the side of his head, which earned a small hum, running your fingers through his hair. "Same here..."
Mike pulled back to look at you, eyes once again full of nothing but affection and adoration. He whispered, almost like he was afraid to break the current atmosphere, "Can I kiss you again...?"
You laughed breathily, leaning your forehead against his, "Please do."