Summary: Alphabetical challenge; the many ways Jeremy and Mike meet through out the times. [JerMike]
Commission for HelValkyrie, part one of three. Enjoy!
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A. Absent
Mike sighed as he laid on the couch, channel surfing and snuggling into a blanket. His first day of work, and he had to stay home sick. The manager had said it wasn't a big deal, but he still felt bad. He hated missing work, especially since he needed the money, but he'd somehow managed to catch the flu.
He jumped when someone knocked on the door. He muted the TV, making sure that it was indeed his door. Someone rapped at it again, harder this time. Annoyed, Mike sighed and got up, keeping the blanket around him as he opened it.
"Yeah?"
"Hey, you Mike? I was supposed to help you at work but the assholes just informed me you weren't coming in. So they wasted my night. Here, feel better."
Mike stared at the blond man, wrapped up in a huge jacket and wearing a warm beanie hat. He then offered him some tupperwear. Confused, Mike took it slowly.
"Wha...?"
"Chicken noodle. Don't give me that look, newbie, just get your ass back to bed and rest up. I'll see you when you feel better." Mike's mouth opened and closed. Who was this guy? "Huh? Oh I'm Jeremy. You'll be seeing a lot of me. Night, Schmidt."
He watched him go, stalking down the hall. Mike closed his door and went back on to the couch, eyeing the soup in his hands. Dare he eat it? What if that wasn't really a coworker, but a weird, soup-handing out-psycho killer? Shaking his head, the brunette got himself a spoon and began sipping on it.
He made a face. Not bad, but...Jeremy had added way too much salt. He didn't want to waste it though, so he quickly downed the rest and decided he'd teach Jeremy how to actually make soup when he saw him next.
B. Black Out
"This is so boring...I thought this place was haunted or something." Mike whined, leaning back in his seat. He had his feet up on the desk in front of him as he flicked through camera feeds. "I should've charged my phone."
He was eyeing a poster on the wall down the East Hall when the tablet shut off. Actually, everything shut off. He jumped, looking around. Shit, a power outage? Now? Why did it have to happen when he was stuck working the night shift? Sighing, Mike got up from his seat and began fumbling for a flashlight in the desk drawer.
"Finally, geez!" He snapped as he flicked it on and-
"You okay?"
"HOLY SHIT DON'T DO THAT!" Mike yelled, holding his chest. Jeremy was leaning into the room, raising an eyebrow. "You scared the shit out of me."
"Sorry, didn't know you were such a piss baby. Anyway, fuse likely burst so we need to go fix it. Come on scardy cat." The blond teased, grinning.
"I'm not-It's my first night okay?" Mike grumbled, rolling his eyes.
He followed Jeremy as they went to where the generator was kept, going over how to fix it and how to restart the power. Apparently losing power was a very common thing here. But. Mike mused, it wasn't so bad since afterwards Jeremy dragged him to the dining room and they sat there as he fixed up one of the robots.
C. Clocked Out
He'd never needed a restaurant at six in the morning before, but Mike decided to stop at one on his way home. He was tired and hungry, and he was still getting over being sick. Yawning, he shambled into the restaurant and sat in a booth, looking over the menu. He didn't want breakfast since that would wake him up, and he just really wanted a burger or maybe some chili fries...
"Oh hey. Mike?"
He looked up, surprised to see Jeremy. "Hey, you following me?"
"Hardly. I usually come in here after work. Place has amazing shakes, and lets me smoke without giving me dirty looks." Jeremy helped himself to a seat across from Mike, grinning. "Tell ya what, since I scared you so bad, food's on me today."
"Don't do me any favors..." Mike drawled, rolling his eyes.
Jeremy snorted. They placed their orders and Mike listened as Jeremy began talking about the years he'd been working at Freddy Fazbear's. Their food and shakes had arrived when the blond was showing the large set of circular scars around his head, explaining about the animatronic that glitched out and ended up taking a large piece of the engineer with it.
"But you still work there?" Mike asked, eyes wide.
"...wasn't her fault." Jeremy mumbled vaguely, waving it off as he sipped his drink. "Came with risks of the job, when you put your head into a machine."
"You regret coming to work there then? If you knew what was going to happen?" Mike asked.
The blond hesitated, seemingly thinking about it. "Nah. I rather enjoy my approachable personality."
Mike snorted, smiling as Jeremy laughed. He eased back into the booth, relaxing as he listened to the way the engineer talked about the pizzaria and the robots that he looked after. He was also warned about any other coworkers and who he should try to stay away from, but Mike wasn't really paying any attention to that bit. He was mostly just amazed at how many times Jeremy could fit 'fuck' into a single sentence.
D. Detach
Mike made sure to learn the layout to the pizzaria quickly. He used his flashlight and wandered around, even when Jeremy wasn't there with him. The place wasn't big, with a tiny arcade smashed together in the area of the dining room and the kitchens were small. The animatronics behind the curtain were kinda creepy though, so he tried to stay away from them.
"Hey, Mike right?"
He stopped from examining the arcades. A tall man with long black hair was standing there in the dining room; he had an oddly pointed nose and a too-wide smile. Something about him put Mike on edge as he grinned and sauntered over.
"Sorry we haven't met yet. I'm Vincent. Been working here since the old days. Even taught Jeremy when he came on board with us. How you like working here?"
"Uh, good? I mean, it pays the bills and it's not a retail job." Mike said, shrugging.
"Oh I feel that. Nothing worse than putting up with a bunch of spoiled brats...anyway, I wanted to finally meet you and I happened to leave something in the office. Mind walking me, hm?" Vincent asked.
"Don't, back off Vincent." Jeremy appeared from the back room. Mike jumped; he had no idea the engineer was working tonight. "Mike ignore this sleeze."
Sleeze? That seemed a little harsh, but Jeremy likely knew his coworkers better than Mike did. He hesitated, not sure what to do. But Vincent chuckled, throwing an arm around Jeremy's shoulders.
"Always such a way with words on you, blondie. Fine fine, I'll go all on my own. Forgot my jacket."
The man left down the hall. Jeremy sighed, dusting himself off as Mike looked on in confusion. "He's such a jackass...As a faithful employee of Freddy Fazbear's, I can't tell you that that dickhead is a creepy, touchy weirdo but...you know, you should assume."
"Uhhh...?"
"Sorry I scared you again. But you really don't want Vincent around, especially when you're alone here. Well, you weren't since I'm here but from your expression, you didn't know that." Jeremy went on.
"Okay?" Mike said. Wait, was Vincent really...?
"I mean it. Scott's okay, but you stay away from Vincent. Weird, creepy shit always happens around him and you don't want to get caught up in that. Okay?" Jeremy seemed to calm down. "Anyway, come in the back with me. At least until he leaves."
The brunette followed after him. Suddenly he wanted to keep close to the other man; whoever Vincent was, he didn't feel so safe around the other anymore. So he had no problem hiding in the back room with Jeremy and listening to the engineer complain about whatever he was working on.
E. Evening
After having so many night working, Mike wasn't surprised that he was now a night owl. And luckily for him, living in the city, places were usually still open by the time he woke up. Clinging to his jacket, he walked to the grocery store, knowing he was running low on food and he definitely needed more coffee. He rubbed his eyes and headed inside the store, grabbing a cart and beginning a search for cheap food and caffine.
He relaxed when he saw there was one thing left of his coffee. He'd have to check in and see if there was more tomorrow but at least for tonight he could have his coffee and get to work-
"Losers, weepers."
Mike froze. Someone else quick grabbed the coffee right out of his hands. Bristling, he whipped around. He wasn't even surprised to see Jeremy, not given how they'd been bumping into each other, but he just hissed and went to grab the container.
"Hardly, hand it over!"
"Whoaa, calm down newbie! You weren't fast enough. You snooze, you lose." Jeremy said.
"Jeremy, you take my coffee from me and I'll give you a nice, round black eye to match those scars."
The blond grinned. "Wow, found a nerve huh?"
"You're a jackass. Hand it over, Fitzgerald."
"What, you gonna take it from me? Better be careful, Schmidt, you're going to get kicked outta here and then you'll never get your precious coffee."
Jeremy began leaving. Mike growled and stalked after him, deciding he'd wait until the blond was away from his cart and he'd quick grab what was rightfully his. Except as they walked, Mike asked about what kind of peppers Jeremy preferred and that somehow ended up in a long rant about how much better green was from yellow but how red was the best except this reason.
Jeremy was a very odd guy, Mike decided. But he was also a very entertaining one too. Especially when the guard managed to steal back his coffee when the blond was grumbling about milk.
"Wha-Schmidt!"
"Snooze you lose~" Mike grinned, cackling as he ran off towards the check out. "See you at work!"
F. Friends
Jeremy had no idea how Mike got his number. Or why he called him, begging him to come into work. Still, if Mike asked then it had to be for a reason, so he put on his coat and drove to Freddy's at one in the morning, grumbling to himself about being a sucker for blue eyes.
"Why can they talk? What's going on, am I crazy?" Mike demanded the second he was in the door, grabbing his shoulders and shaking him wildly.
Jeremy blinked, confused. "What are you talking about?"
"THEM!"
The blond looked up, scowling when he saw Foxy quick trying to duck back around the corner. He sighed. Right. Mike should've probably learned about them earlier but he kept forgetting.
"Have they been bothering you?" The blond asked.
Mike stared at him in amazement. "Jeremy. They can talk. They're talking to me, am I crazy or is there something going on?"
"They're sentient. Come on, I'll introduce you." He said, shrugging and dragging Mike into the dining room. "Come on assholes, you bugging Mike?"
"We didn't mean to, we thought he already knew." Bonnie said, peeking around the curtain.
"Hardly our fault if you forgot to mention us, Mr. Fitzgerald." Freddy added.
Jeremy scowled but paused. "Chica in the kitchen already?"
"Course! The lass went straight fer there, but the lad here ran inta her." Foxy explained, waving around his hook as he talked. Mike's eyes stayed on it. "All be a misunderstandin'."
"Right. Look, this is Mike. Mike, these are the robotic assholes that live here. Like I said, their sentient or something. Scared the shit outta me my first night here too." Jeremy shrugged.
"So, uh...they're just like this?" Mike asked nervously.
"Aye we be, boy! Don't be scared of us." Foxy laughed.
"They make the shift go by faster if nothing else."
Mike still seemed confused and unnerved. Not that Jeremy could blame him. Robots that were 'alive' was a little far fetched and to be spending the night with them at work was weird. But Jeremy was used to it after six years so he brushed it off and sighed, grabbing Mike and dragging him off towards the kitchen.
"Don't worry, Mike. They're a bunch of assholes but if you want to avoid them, just tell them to leave you alone. They might not listen of course, they're a bunch of children, but you really have nothing to worry about."
Mike nodded slowly. "So they're friendly?"
"I wouldn't blow it off if they weren't. Ah, this is Chica. She usually in here making pizzas." Jeremy said.
The chicken perked up at seeing them. "Hi Jeremy! And Mike, right? Sorry if I scared you earlier."
Mike stiffened up at being addressed but he forced a smile. "Hi..."
"You better leave him alone, got it? I'll tell the other assholes too but really. Leave em alone." Jeremy said.
"Fine, fine." The animatronic huffed.
Rolling his eyes, Jeremy dragged Mike towards the security room. "There, taken care of. They're okay, I guess. Mostly they can get irritating. But just come in here and shut the doors if you wanna get away from them."
Mike nodded stiffly. "Okay...Uh, sorry. For calling you in."
"Don't worry about it. They freaked me out my first time too. Anyway I got an early morning so I'm leaving. They bother you, leave me a note. I'll take care of it." The engineer said.
He made sure Mike wasn't going to begin panicking or something. Then he headed back home, give a half-assed wave when Foxy said goodbye. He didn't know how someone hadn't told Mike about the animatronics. It certainly wasn't his job. Maybe Scott was slacking? He just yawned and decided he'd ream the Head Guard tomorrow.
G. Gambling
"You can call your lifeline, if ya need it blondie."
Jeremy scowled, glaring up at Vincent. The other man grinned. He glared harder and looked over to Scott. The Head Guard was too busy sorting out his cards, humming something to himself. Likely some stupid pirate song since his son was just as in love with Foxy as the employee was himself.
"If anyone needs a lifeline it's me. I suck at cards." Fritz grumbled.
"Who's turn is it?" Scott asked, apparently having his cards in order now. He looked at them all, lost.
"Mine. Vincent fucked me over." Jeremy grumbled.
"Don't be a sore loser." Vincent cooed.
"Don't be a sore loser when I dislocate your jaw." The blond hissed at him.
Scott yawned. "If you're not going to go I'm going to get me some pizza. Who's in the kitchen?"
"I thought it was Bonnie tonight. Freddy and Chica were cleaning up the bathrooms." Fritz said, putting his hand down and stretching. "How come you didn't invite the new guy, Vincent?"
"Hm? Oh, Jeremy has forbidden me from ever speaking to precious Mike. Not allowed."
The Head Guard snorted. "Like that would stop you!"
"Whaa-Jeremy you never kept Vincent away from me!" Fritz whined.
"He got to you before I could save you. You were already tainted." Jeremy mumbled and finally made his move.
Fritz gave him a look as he shoved his cards into the pile. Fuck he hated playing these stupid games with his coworkers. He knew Vincent cheated, the smug bastard never tried hiding it, but he had a feeling Scott did too but hid it well. Fritz was the only honest player and that was because he was too much of a wuss to cheat against the rest of them...
"Sorry I'm late. Landlord stopped me and wanted a two hours long conversation."
Jeremy jumped, watching as Mike came into the room. He then shot Vincent a glare as the other man avoided his eye.
"Oh hey Mike! Glad you could join us." Scott greeted. "Pull up a chair. Jeremy already lost so we can start over."
"Assholes. All of you." The engineer grumbled.
Mike pulled up one of the chairs, sitting between him and Fritz. The brunette smiled and Jeremy couldn't keep himself from smiling back. It wasn't Mike's fault that Vincent was a creepy, sneaky asshole.
"They're a bunch of cheaters. Don't agree to poker." He mumbled.
"I don't even know how to play..." Mike laughed.
Vincent smirked, opening his mouth but Jeremy kicked him under the table. The man glared at him but the engineer glared back harder. He couldn't help Fritz way back when the poor guy was hired but he wouldn't let them get to Mike.
"So what are we playing? Cuz I know Go Fish."
Scott laughed, shuffling the cards. "Go Fish it is. But we'll have to teach you how to play something else later..."
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To be Continued~
Hope you all like it. I struggle with romance sometimes and I hope these two are believable.
MRIMO