❛ THANK YOU, SWEETHEART. ❜
₊˚៹ . ❪ parental issues ! ❫˖ ₊˚.⋆
࿐┊ CH. 2┊🩸🔦👾

▅▅▅ ▅▅▅ ▅▅▅ ▅▅▅ ▅▅▅

The two left the tall work building that had many levels inside, to walk towards his car in silence hearing the busy traffic located on the road beside them where the car was parked.

Mike's hand was resting on (Y/N)'s thigh as he drove them back to their homes, while the other was on the wheel focused on the road with many thoughts traveling back and forth in his mind about what's happened recently.

She was looking over his information in the folder Steve gave back to them, to make sure everything was actually correct in it, and also slipped the work card inside the sleeve also even if she didn't feel comfortable about the job for Mike.

A low casual tune was playing softly in the background from the car's radio, not really turned up the fullest since Mike knew she would problay want to read in silence, and that she couldn't stay quiet for long without talking to him. Not that he mined though, he'd could listen to her for days on end talking.

She furrowed her brows humming to herself glancing over her name on the emergence contact, fingers flicking the edges of the folder mindlessly, and felt his hand squeeze her tight a little bit now mostly likey for attention.

This made her look up sideways away from the paper to his side profile, gawking a bit over how handsome he looked before sighing softly, "Look, Mike." She started off placing the stuff away into his bag on the floor, "It's gonna be hard to find a decent job anyway, even with your history. But that shouldn't matter either."

He pursed his lips staring at her briefly, before going back to the endless road in front, "That's the problem, (N/N)." He murmured in a defeated tone, fingers digging into her pants material on her thigh, "No one will want me as an employee, expect for the job that Steve just offered apparently."

She frowned sadly feeling her heart clench for him wishing there was something she could do for him, "I'm sorry. I know it's been really hard." She whispered gazing at his face again that didn't look at her, and it made her hand slip over his on her thigh.

His fingers tensed on the steering wheel feeling her sudden touch, inhaling to calm himself down as he sent her a reassuring smile that didn't reach his eyes normally, "S'not your fault. You're here with me, and helping so that's all that matters to me."

Returning his smile with a bigger grin that had her dimples appearing, something that made him crazy by the way his eyes widen. She pulled up his hand on her thigh to her mouth, and left a hard kiss against his knuckles.

"You and me, yeah?" (Y/N) voiced the promise from all the years ago between them, keeping his hand still up near her mouth looking into his dark eyes that shot over to hers, as soon as he heard those words.

His gaze momentarily diverts from the quiet road of their street, expression softening into a fond one that he saved only for her. And with a single nod, followed by a knuckle brush he recited, "Always, sweetheart."

Turning his attention away from the flustered girl, he pulled their hands down onto his thigh this time giving a firm squeeze, just as he pulled up into his driveaway where their houses were a few inches apart from each other.

She saw her house's lights on from outside which meant the automatic option was still working, and it both annoyed her and made her laugh. Her parent's were really once for over the top, and placing things that weren't even needed.

Mike had to slip his larger hand from hers for a second to turn off the car, and tug out the keys in the machine, as he parked the transport for the night. Slipping his keys into his jackets pocket unbuckling the seat belt, he opened the door on his side and jogged a bit around to her side, pulling the door open for as well.

She picked up his bag in between her fingers stepping out of the car seat, placing her boots onto the cement to stand up smiling gratefully at him in thanks. She pushed the car door close behind her, and handed Mike his bag when he found his house keys.

They walked up to the front door quietly, and was met with a red sign taped on the nails hammered inside of it. (Y/N)'s blood boiled seeing what it was, clenching her jaw angrily as she ripped the paper off that was a warning of DELINQUENCY.

Mike took the sheet out of her hands gently, sending her a reassuring look with his tired eyes that had he calming down a bit. He scrunched it up into his back pocket, and unlocked the door with the keys before pushing it open to be greeted with the tv playing in the living room.

She foots her boots near where Issac's was at the front door, and left them out of the way to walk around with socks on. She scanned the room not seeing her brother, not Abby which probably meant they were in her room playing together again.

"Hey, Max." Mike greets the second babysitter in the household, the girl sitting on the couch watching the tv playing as he walked over to the kitchen counter, "Thanks for babysitting."

(Y/N) perks up sending the other girl a small friendly wave from her spot clinging onto Mike, and got a sheepish smile back in response, that had her chuckling under her breath.

"There's Stouffer's." Max informs the two picking at her nails mindlessly, a lot of rings being shown on her fingers also, "Should still be warm if you're hungry." She adds watching the add showing jewellery, and mumbles more so to herself, "I wish someone would buy me a ring."

At this Mike's dark eyes flickered to the (H/C) haired girl skipping off down the hallway, as he placed his coat on the rack beside hers, "Did Abby eat?" He questioned trying to get his mind away from marriage, walking back into the kichten again carrying bills.

Max laughs a bit amused turning her head to where he was currently, "Well Izzy only got Abby to eat a little bit, since she was so hyper to show him something." She stated waving a hand in the air, "But, what do you think?"

Back down in the hallway leading to where the little girl's room was, (Y/N) gently knocked on the door with her fists waiting for a response. She heard the faint voice of Abby for her to come in, and also felt a warm hand press against her lower back suddenly.

Flinching in surprise she quickly glanced backwards to see Mike's figure in the barely lit hallway, the one who touched her out of nowhere, "Jeez, next time warn me maybe?" She hissed through her teeth, moving out of his hold to push open the bedroom door.

He just smirked a bit amused staring at her back from behind, losing his tie to hang it around his shoulder and followed her inside Abby's room. The two weren't expecting the sight before them however.

Inside on the bed had a grumpy looking Issac with his hair in two piggy tails, being hold up by pink hairties and a pink headband that Abby made him wear. His hands were covered in paint, glitter and crayons also, really pulling together his look for tonight.

(Y/N) and Mike shared a look between each other at the scene, before glancing at Abby who was happily humming away drawing at her desk. The Diaz girl soon broke into laugher pointing at Issac, who irked in embarrassment hearing the noise.

"Stop it!" He spluttered out going red in the face, eye twitching at his twin sister making fun of him as he groans running a hand down his forehead, "I'm never doing this job again."

Mike sent his male best friend an apologetic look, also feeling his lips crack up into a grin at how Issac looked, and the laugher coming from his beloved. Ignoring the twins for a moment, he turned to his sister, 'What do we got?"

He looked down to Abby's drawing which held inside a few reconbilsing people, in an environment outside that had a campsite behind it, "Well, that good-looking guy I recognize." He comments pleased pointing at a male that looked like him, being stood next to a (H/C) haired girl in the drawing, "Who are all these other punks?"

"My friends." She answered bluntly placing away the caroon in her hand onto the desk, looking back to the twins on her bed fighting, "It's not done yet." She added happily, exictde to show the two the finished drawing.

Issac paused shoving his sisters head away from his forcefully, slipping his hands off of her to stand up going to where Abby was, "Well, I think you should finish it up after you and Mike eat, right?" He suggested grinning, though he wasn't taking seriously by all the stuff on him.

She giggled a bit leaning up the best she could to push back his piggy tail that fell to the side, "I'm not hungry anymore, sorry." She tells them all cheekily, and went back down to finish up colouring.

(Y/N) trails up to beside Mike seeing how exhausted he looked just standing there, and lopped her arm around his forearm, "I have a deal for you, Abbs." She spoke to the little girl smiling, squeezing Mike's side against hers that had him glancing at her softly, and Issac to roll his eyes playfully.

Abby paused her colouring in of a cat figure in the picture, turning her head to the side curious to what the older one was talking about, as she fiddled with her caroons, "What is it?"

"If you come out and eat, Izzy here will make those cookies you like." The Diaz girl promised jabbing her spare thumb at her grumbling twin, and winked teasingly to Abby, "Unless you don't wanna have them, which is totally fine with us-"

Abby was straightaway up out of her chair grinning excitedly which shocked Mike, and watched his sister take Issacs' hand, to pull him rapidly towards the door and out of the hallway to the kitchen hearing his protest about running into the walls.

Mike sighed heavily once they had disappeared out of view, and turned his head to place it against (Y/N)'s shoulder beside his, "I swear, she listens to you and Izzy more than her own brother." His complaining voice was muffled by her jumper.

She snorted amused lifting up her hand to thread her fingers through his fluffy locks, and brushed through them reassuringly, "That just shows I'm the better parent around here." She joked pressing her lips onto his temple, and pulled back to see his red cheeks now.

"Parent huh?" He repeated in a surprisingly low voice peeking up at her from where his head sat on her shoulder, a feline smirk crossing his lips, "So you admit we're parents together, (N/N)?"

Her nose scrunched up embarrassed once she realised what she said, playfully shoving him away by the chest as she trails out from Abby's room, "All I said was that I'm the better parent." She recalled pointing to herself, being careful not to trip over as she was walking backwards.

He poke the inside of his cheek with his tongue having an annoyed expression on, as he rubbed the bottom of his nose, "Well, alright than." He stoically agreed, before suddenly he was grabbing the back of her legs to throw her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

"Hey-!" She yelped startled not expecting that from him, hanging upside down over his figure as her hair was falling, "What are you doing, Mike!?" She screeched trying to kick her legs free, but couldn't since his hands were trapping her and she was stuck in his mercy.

He just hummed nonchalantly walking through the hallway with her wiggling on his shoulder, hand being just near her butt with his arm around her waist, "You should you're the better parent," He shrugged enjoying how she was reacting, "so I'm gonna treat you like it."

This bitch is doing it on purpose, she thought to herself scowling up at the back of his head, trying not to get a face full of his behind, as she was level with it sometimes, "Put me down!" She exclaimed tugging at his jeans with her fingers, "I'm too heavy, and I'll break your back most likely-"

He paused his steps for a second nearing the kitchen's opening, his thumb brushing along her waist line slowly, "You're not." He assured softly knowing how she got, "But this is not how I plan for you to break my back." He added in a suggestive tone, hand slipping near her butt now for a second.

That had her squealing embarrassed even more kicking her legs around, and hitting her palms against his back wanting to jump in a hole and die, as the blood was rushing to her head. In response he just laughed teasingly, and continued walking with her over his shoulder towards his bedroom.

Over in the kitchen where the TV was now off and Max had gone home for the night, Issac was placing freshly baked cookies onto Abby's plate, as the two watched their siblings mess around amused.

"When will they actually marry one another?" Abby questioned innocently in a sweet voice, tilting her head up to Issac munching on a cookie sitting on the chair under the counter, "Mike already loves (N/N) so much, but why hasn't he doing anything about it?"

Issac leant his elbows in the counter next to her sighing heavily, and sent the girl a smile, "I've been asking the same question for ages, Abbs." He informs chuckling, and knew it just wasn't Mike who needed to make a move, "It's the only thing that isn't right yet."

His words gained a giggle back in agreement from Abby who was now growing tired, and finished off the last remaining cookies, making sure to leave some for the other two tomorrow. Darkness had quickly developed over the environment, which made it now nighttime and Issac knew they were staying over at the Scmdits tonight.

Back in the larger bedroom that belonged to Mike, the two childhood sweethearts were getting ready for bed after he finally placed (Y/N) down onto the bathroom floor. She was wearing some of her clothes she placed into his cupboard, but had one of his long shirts on also since she liked how it felt on her, and also how he always loved seeing her wearing it.

And she knew that was the case since right now, his lidded eyes were staring her down from being sat on the side of the bed, as she was stood up drinking the last of the water she had gotten from him. It made her squirm feeling the gaze, and turned back a bit to see his exhausted self.

She had always known about Mike's struggles with sleep. Ever since they were kids, he'd wrestle with restless nights, the constant torment of insomnia, and his memory of the day he lost his younger brother. That was why he controlled his sleep, by taking pills and listening to sounds that brought him back to that moment.

Tonight was no exception. The soft glow of the bedside lamp illuminated his troubled expression as he lay in bed now, his mind racing, his eyes heavy with exhaustion wanting to play the Walkman, but also didn't since she was here with him.

Sighing softly (Y/N) approached Mike, her heart aching at the sight of his distress. She couldn't bear to see him rely on pills just to go back to that one moment, nor find a moment's rest. Determined to help him, she gently scolded him, her voice a soothing melody in the quiet room.

"Mike," She chided gently standing beside his laying down figure, "tonight you won't be taking those pills." She took the bottle of them worriedly, opening the bedside table and placed it inside without hesitation, "I'll be here to help you sleep."

Mike hesitated leaning up on his elbows, his eyes searching hers for reassurance. The vulnerability in his gaze tugged at her heartstrings. "Are you sure, (Y/N)?" he asked, voice laced with uncertainty as his hand reached up to perch itself on her hip, squeezing softly.

With a warm smile and a giggle, she nodded her head firmly, fingers reaching across to brush the back of them against his cheek comfortingly, "I'm sure. Trust me, Mike."

Taking a deep breath, Mike nodded, his trust in her unwavering. His hand slipped up to cradle her cheek, staring at her fondly as she nuzzles into the hold smiling some more. He was so grateful to have someone like her in his life, and knew he'd spiral downhill without her.

Together, they slipped under the soft, warm blankets, nestled in each other's arms, and switched off the bright lamp. She turned on her side to welcome his figure against her chest, one of his arms being thrown over her waist loosely, and pressed a thankful kiss against her jaw, lingering for a few seconds.

"Thank you, sweetheart." His sleep laced voice whispered onto her skin, his facial hair ticking her also which added to the shivers down her spin, and felt his thumb rubbing lazily circles over her exposed hip.

(Y/N) could feel the tension in Mike's body slowly ebbing away as she combed her fingers through his hair, her touch gentle and reassuring. His head found a comfortable spot against her shoulder on the pillows, and he closed his eyes, finally allowing himself to relax.

As she watched him, a fond smile played on her lips. The creases of worry that had marred his forehead slowly smoothed out, and his breathing steadied into the rhythmic pattern of sleep, gently blowing onto her collarbones. The room was filled with the calming sounds of their shared breaths, and for the first time in what felt like forever, Mike was at peace.

(Y/N) continued to watch over him, her own eyes growing heavy with drowsiness. The weight of the world seemed to lift off her shoulders as she realized that she had succeeded. Mike was asleep, peacefully so, without the aid of pills or haunting nightmares.

With a contented sigh, she closed her eyes, allowing herself to succumb to the tranquility of the moment. Wrapped in each other's arms, they both drifted off into a blissful slumber, finding solace in the comfort they provided one another. In that moment, all was right in their world, and they knew that as long as they had each other, they could face whatever challenges life threw their way.

🎈💭

"Just look at my nephew." Aunt Jane voices angrily pointing at the tired male that sat across from her, inside a office room that Abby's daycare school, "It's not even 10am, and he-he can barely keep his eyes open."

(Y/N) was sat beside Mike holding onto his hand again wearing the same outfit from yesterday, expect she had one of Mike's hoodies on over her. She glanced at Jan with a bored look, and rubbed her thumb over the male's knuckles comforting.

He did get the best night sleep last night thanks to her, but it didn't stop him waking up suddenly sometimes from that memory nightmare he kept having. He always felt bad when it happened, because he woke her up also though she reassured him it was fine, and pulled him back into bed tightly.

"And this is the degenerate is who they entrust with the well-being of a mentally ill child." Jane finished off huffing, turning her scowling gaze to (Y/N) now who was supporting Mike, "And don't even get me started on this brat and Issac. The Diaz family is full of nothing but-"

She was cut off by (Y/N) dropping her bag onto the floor extra loudly, and her clearing her throat, "Oh, sorry." She bluntly spoke with a lopsided smile staring at Jane, "Didn't mean to interrupt your so called 'knowledge' on my family. But, do go on."

Mike's glaring through his heavy eyelids at Jane stopped hearing his best friends words, his lips perking up into a proud smirk seeing no need to protect her, as she had the covered already. His hand gave hers a firm squeeze in his resting on the seats armrest, and turned his attention back to the worker up front.

"Jane, like I've said before, Abby is not mentally ill." The dark skinned lady reminded the woman, hoping to ease the tension around the room which wasn't going away anytime soon.

"Oh, right." Jane rolled her eyes scoffing, "Perfectly normal to sit around drawing pictures all day," She laughed amused, which no one else found it to be funny, "and talking to magical creatures who do not exist."

At least she has friends you twat, (Y/N) thought to herself scowling at Jane's figure across from them sitting on a chair also, and flicked her hair out of her eyes as it was down unlike normally.

"Listen, I think we all just need-"

Jane raised her hand up with a tight lipped look, "Don't tell me to calm down." She interrupted knowing what the care worker was going to say, "You're the doctor, and you're making me feel like I'm the crazy one?" She splutters jabbing a finger in Mikes direction, "And after what he did to that poor man...I just."

She starts to cry crocodiles tears over the subject causing (Y/N) to stifle a snort in Mike's shoulder, feeling his lips smiling against her head a bit, and shared a brief unbothered look with the care worker behind the desk.

"I have really tried to play nice. I have." Jane used some tissues to dab away her fake tears, and shakes her head swallowing to control her stuffy voice, "But I have to think about Abby now. Enough is enough. Doug?" She taps the frozen lawyer beside her, who snapped out of his state and pulled out some papers to hand to the other two.

"You don't care about Abby, nor Mike. So stop pretending like you do." (Y/N) sneered through her teeth once she saw what was on the yellow paper Mike took from Doug, and knew that Jane just wanted the monthly check for taking care of Abby, nothing else. That was pretty obvious enough.

"In your heart, you know that this is the right thing to do." Jane remarked to the duo ignoring the comment, and they were reading the title page of FAMILY COURT MATTER, and it caused the Diaz girl to scoff some more, "I hope that you will sign."

Mike pursed his lips pulling down the paper into his lap, sharing a glance with his best friend beside him who looked even more annoyed than he was, "And if we don't?" He challenged, specially adding the 'we' part to include (Y/N) as it had her eyes widening hearing it.

"Well, then, my lawyer and I will have to take you to court," Jane dramatically motioned to Doug who looked like he didn't want to be involved, and gave the best friends a snarky smile, "where any judge with an ounce of sanity will see it that you two, and Issac won't ever see Abby again."

Mike scoffed in disbelief rolling his eyes as his hand holding the Diaz girls one gets stronger, and glance to her seeing the glare being thrown at Jane, making him shuffle in his chair more worried about what she was going to say. Not for Jane, but for (Y/N) in case she got into trouble.

"I hope you know that my shitty parents left behind too much inherits for me, and Izzy." She started off in a warning, low voice, and narrowed her eyes down onto Jane, "It's normally something I don't brag about nor talk about, but I'll glad use that against you, Jane. If you don't leave us the hell alone."

Jane was left fuming in anger after her words, watching with a scowl as the smirking girl stands up from her spot pulling up Mike, who instantly followed her looking proud also. The two sent a glance to the care worker who nodded to go wait outside, and took that chance to leave the room ignoring Jane yelling for the duo to come back inside to finish talking.

─►☆ AUTHOR'S NOTE :
i want to formally apologises on behalf of my chapter before this and how i kept saying 'peter' instead of steve. i was thinking of someone else at the time. im so sorry. im so embarrassed i could cry. im actually crying rn tbh bye. im gonna jump
into a hole and DIE😭😭

ugh apart from that i adored writing this chap and the scenes between y/n and mike. i fr think that this might be my fav reader x character ive been so far and their bond with each other, like i
can't i feel so giddy just reading it

i hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, and continue to do so with the upcoming ones 🫶 please don't be silent readers,  lmk what you think MWAHHH