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apolloloki97 · 2 years
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Thank You.
Okay, I am posting this on all my blogs. 
I have loved being on tumblr (yes, I know I have lacked for a while) but I just don’t have the drive to do this anymore. At least not right now. I am in my last 3 and a half months of university and I am trying to finish my own novel as well. 
I am not going to be deleting these blogs, but I will no longer be active on them. 
Every story from The Walking Dead, Criminal Minds, Supernatural, and more are all on my AO3 account here: https://archiveofourown.org/users/ApolloLoki97
You can find all my works plus a whole lot more here. This is also where I will be posting new works when I feel like doing so. Who knows, maybe after these final walking dead episodes, I’ll feel inspired to do so. 
Thank you for being a great community. I’ll see you over on Archive. 
Apollo 
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apolloloki97 · 2 years
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Finally tried my hand at Star Wars...
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apolloloki97 · 2 years
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"I'll Keep You Safe" Tim Bradford x Lucy Chen
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Summary: When Tamara is hurt and calls Tim in the middle of the night, he rushes to the hospital. When he finds out that Tamara had only called him instead of Lucy, he realizes that the woman Lucy sees as daughter trusts him a lot more than he first thought. What happens when he and Lucy finally talk?
Word Count: 2901
Warning: Vague Mention of Mugging
Song I Wrote To: "I'll Keep You Safe" by Sleeping at Last
Note: I am a sucker for these types of protective Tim fics! DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN SEASON 4 PREMIERE!
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Sergeant Tim Bradford was finally asleep. Kojo was snoring on the floor beside his bed while the wind whipped through the trees outside. Since starting in his new position, Tim had been working later hours than he had on patrol. He was proud of his promotion but that meant more paperwork and he was exhausted by the time he got back home.
He had expected the workload to change but he hadn’t thought he would have missed the routine of patrol as much. Then, there was the fact that he was now riding solo other than the times Grey was with him. He missed the busy streets, but he had worked too hard to be a Sergeant and he was going to make his watch commander proud.
He was going to make Lucy proud.
Lucy had joked about him needing to pass the test due to her work on the audiobooks she had created for him. However, Tim had other reasons for wanting to make her proud. Lucy Chen was one of the only people to truly believe in him no matter what. She trusted him to have her back, she believed that he would do the right thing with Isabel, and never once had she doubted him.
Lucy was his better half in every way but one.
His thoughts began to wander towards her, even more, when his phone lit up with a call. That was something else that had changed with his promotion. He was needed at all hours if officers needed a supervisor. Groaning, he grabbed for his phone and froze at the name of the screen. Accepting the call, he sat up in bed, waking Kojo.
“Tamara?” he asked, wide awake now.
“Tim?” a timid voice came over the line.
“Tamara, what’s wrong?” he asked, already getting out of bed.
“I’m at the hospital. LAMC,” she said. Los Angeles Medical Center, Tim realized as he reached for his badge and tripped his way towards his safe.
“Why are you in Westlake? What happened?” he asked as he typed in his code and withdrew his service weapon. Searching for his boots in the dark, he waited.
“I was out with some friends from school,” Tamara said. Tim could hear the bustling emergency room behind her. “They wanted to go to some party near Silver Lake, but I told Lucy I would go with her to the farmer’s market in the morning so I had to be home. I was waiting for an Uber when…”
“When what?” Tim asked, his fingers stilling on his laces.
“He came out of nowhere and hit me with...with something. I don’t know. I was bleeding and someone called 911. He stole my wallet and my apartment keys.” Tamara was crying more now and Tim was near shaking with anger as he finished getting dressed and made his way to the front door.
“I’m on my way. It’s going to be okay, Tamara. Did you already talk to the cops?” he asked as he ran for his truck.
“Yeah,” she sniffed, “I got their badge numbers for you.”
“Good, that’s good,” he said, relieved. “I’ll be there soon.”
“Please hurry,” she whispered before disconnecting the call. As he pulled out of the driveway, Tim wanted to call Lucy but a thought stopped him. Tamara would have called her first. If he knew Chen as much as he knew he did, Lucy would be waiting for him at the hospital just as frantic as Tim was feeling. Pressing harder on the gas, he sped off towards Westlake.
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Arriving at the hospital, his badge glittered in the fluorescent lights and nobody stopped him as he pushed his way through the chaos of the hospital.
It didn’t take him long to find Tamara. She was in a room just off the side of the ER and a nurse was finishing up taping up her wrist when Tim opened the door. She was also alone, Lucy hadn’t arrived yet.
“Hey,” Tamara whispered and Tim nearly stumbled from the scared look on her face. Ever since he had first met Lucy’s “puppy”, Tamara had been a strong kid, never showed fear, but over time, both Lucy and Jackson had worked to get the girl to show a bit more of her emotions. The first time he had ever seen the girl cry was when Lucy had told her about Jackson’s death. Now, looking at her, all he wanted was to take away her pain.
Blood was stained on her t-shirt from the head wound that was freshly stitched. Her lip was busted and a black eye was starting to bloom on the left side of her face. Her cheeks were tear-stained and she seemed very shaken. Tim moved towards her, glancing at the nurse who instantly clocked his gun and badge.
“Hey kiddo,” Tim said, reaching out to place his hand gently on her head. Tamara leaned into his touch and let out a sigh. “How bad is it?” Tim then asked the nurse as she finished her task with Tamara’s wrist.
“Sprained wrist and some bruising. Her head CT came back clear but she does have a slight concussion,” the nurse explained. “Are you family?”
“Yes,” he said without hesitation as Tamara’s eyes flashed to his.
“Then, she is good to go home,” the nurse said. “The police will want a follow-up, but I assure you can handle that?” she asked and Tim nodded.
“I will, thank you, Nurse,” he said and she nodded. Looking back to Tamara, she patted her leg lightly.
“Get some rest, honey,” she said before walking from the room, leaving Tim and Tamara alone.
“Thank you for coming,” Tamara said as she reached for her jacket.
“Of course,” Tim said and then glanced out the window.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Just looking for Lucy,” he said and turned back to Tamara who was frowning. Tim caught on quickly. “You didn’t call her,” he concluded. Tamara shook her head. “Why not?”
“She’s been having a rough time,” Tamara explained. “With Jackson… I didn’t want to bother her, you know?”
“Lucy loves you, Tamara,” Tim said. “She would have come here in a second.”
“She and John are on a late shift,” Tamara said.
“I would have handled that,” Tim assured her. “Tamara, what happened?”
“I already told you,” she said, playing with a thread on her coat.
“I mean, what happened with your friends? Did they leave you alone? In the dark?” Tim asked.
“I’m an adult, Tim, I don’t need to be babysat,” she said, that fire returning. Tim sighed, running a hand over his face.
“No, but they should have made sure you were safe before leaving you alone like that. I’m going to find out who did this to you, Tamara. I promise,” he said, reaching out to take her hand. Tamara nodded and wiped at her face.
“Can you take me home?” she asked quietly.
“Yeah, come on,” he said taking her hand and wrapping an arm around her shoulders, leading her away. “I’m going to have to call Lucy.”
“Can you just text her when we get home? I don’t want her racing back,” Tamara said.
“Fine, but if her wrath comes out, I may have to defend myself,” Tim said and Tamara smiled slightly.
“I’ll protect you,” she said, leaning into him more. Tim kept his arm around her as he took her to the truck, making sure she felt safe and knew that nobody was going to hurt her again. Not if he could help it.
---------
As soon as they pulled up to Lucy and Tamara’s building, Tim called Lucy and left her a voicemail explaining what had happened and that Tamara was home. He also mentioned that he would be staying at the apartment until she got home, not wanting to leave Tamara alone.
Helping her upstairs, Tim slipped a key from his pocket and inserted it into the lock. “Why do you have a key?” Tamara asked as Tim pushed open the door.
“Lucy and I exchanged spares after Caleb,” Tim explained. “Just in case anything happened.” He would never tell anyone, but that key was one of his most treasured possessions. It meant that she trusted him with a piece of her and that meant more than anything else in the world.
Flicking on the lights, Tim took Tamara’s jacket and laid it across one of the barstools before helping her to her room. The multicolored walls stared back at him as Tamara kicked off her shoes and ran a hand through her hair.
“Do you want anything?” he asked, unsure of what to do next.
“I’m just going to get changed and go to bed,” she said, staring at herself in the reflection of the dark window.
“I’ll get you some water, okay?” he asked and she nodded. Closing the door behind him, he made his way to the kitchen and found a glass. Checking his phone, he frowned at the lack of texts. If Lucy had gotten the message, he should have had a barrage of text messages by now. Putting his phone on vibrate, he went back to getting Tamara’s drink. He placed it on the counter and waited for her to emerge.
When she did, her hair was up in a bun and she was wearing a big t-shirt that Tim recognized as Lucy’s. Her sweat pants dragged on the ground and Tim had never seen her look so small before. “Tamara?” he asked.
“You’re staying?” she asked, looking up at him.
“Yeah, I’m not going anywhere,” he promised. Tamara started nodding and then the tears came again. Tim didn’t hesitate to pull her into his arms and give the young woman a hug. She clutched at his shirt as she cried, the fear and anxiety finally showing themselves. “It’s okay, you’re okay,” he soothed.
“I was so scared,” she admitted. “I should have fought back. I should have done something.”
“Don’t start that,” he said. “This was not your fault, do you understand me?”
“I’m surrounded by cops and you guys have always told me to ‘watch my six’ and be careful.”
“You’re not superhuman, Tamara,” he whispered. “Nobody is going to blame you.” Sniffling, Tamara looked up at him and she nodded. Tim dragged her to the couch and she sat cross-legged next to him.
“We’ll have to change the locks,” Tamara said.
“Don’t worry about that right now,” he said. “Tamara, why you really didn’t call Lucy?”
“I already told you,” she said, turning her gaze back to her hands.
“You and I both know that no matter what is going on with Lucy, even in her grief, she would drop everything to be there for you. We all understand that family comes first if you thought the job would have prevented her from coming,” he finished. Tamara looked back up at him and after a moment, her shoulders sagged as the truth came out.
“I don’t want to be a disappointment to her,” Tamara whispered. “She took care of me, she took a chance on me when she didn’t have to. I stole from her and I never made her life easy after that. I know that she thought of me as some kind of project.”
“That’s not true,” Tim said, shaking his head. “Tamara, Lucy helped you because she’s that kind of person who is annoyingly kind. After we found you with her car that first time, she never stopped trying to get you into programs or find you better housing. I swear she talked more about you in our Shop than anything. Trust me, I know what she sounds like when she cares and you mean more to her than just some project or a charity case. You’re neither. You are her family.”
With tears back in her eyes, she looked at him. “Jackson was family, too,” she breathed.
“He was and hell, I miss him so damn much,” Tim admitted. “He wouldn’t want you to feel like this, okay?” Tamara was quiet for a moment before nodding and reaching out to grab his hand.
“Thank you for coming to get me tonight,” she said. He gave her hand a pat.
“Any time, kid,” he said. “I’m going to follow up with Westlake tomorrow and we’ll get this guy, okay? I promise.”
Tamara smiled slightly and then leaned over to give him a hug. He squeezed her back before she climbed off the couch. “I’m tired, will you stay for a bit?” she asked, not wanting to be alone.
“I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be here till Lucy gets home,” he said. Tamara nodded.
“Goodnight, Tim,” she said.
“Goodnight.”
Tamara went back to her room, feeling a bit better as Tim sat on the couch, his phone in his hand. He was getting a bit worried that Lucy hadn’t returned any of his messages. Swiping open his phone, he opened a text to Nolan.
Tim: Is Lucy with you?
The response came a second later.
Nolan: Finishing up our shift paperwork. Is everything okay?
Tim: She’s not answering her phone
Nolan: Broke it while tackling a suspect. What’s going on?
Tim: Tamara was assaulted. I took her home. She’s a bit banged up. I’ve been trying to reach Chen. Tell her I’m waiting for her at her place.
Tim’s phone was quiet for about two minutes before it lit up with one final text.
Nolan: She’s on her way.
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Tim was flicking through one of Lucy’s psychology books that sat on her coffee table when the sound of keys in a lock interrupted his thoughts. He stood just as Lucy came into the apartment, her eyes scanning, frantic. When Lucy noticed Tim, a relieved breath flew from her throat.
“She’s sleeping,” Tim explained, grabbing Lucy’s duffle as he approached her. Carefully setting it down on the floor, he led her back into the living room. “She was exhausted when I got her home.”
“What happened?” Lucy asked, her hair still up in the bun she wore on duty. “Did she try to call me? She could have called Nolan or Nyla. I should have given her Grey’s number or Wesley’s, or一”
“Lucy, stop,” Tim said, grabbing her by the shoulders. She looked up at him with wide eyes. As his thumbs began to rub circles into the tense muscles, she swallowed and took a second to collect her thoughts.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
“You have nothing to be sorry for,” he said. “I tried calling you, I should have thought to text John sooner, I’m sorry.”
“She called you first?” Lucy asked, her hands covering his on her arms. He nodded. “Smart girl. I told her she could always count on you to keep her safe.”
“We both can,” he said. Tim then pulled Lucy down onto the couch in the same way he had with Tamara and explained to her what happened. When he got to the part about the head injury, he nearly had to pin her down before she went for her weapon and her badge. When he explained why she didn’t call Lucy first, Lucy’s head fell into her hands.
“She didn’t think I would be there for her?” she asked.
“I think her grief is making her think a lot of things right now, Lucy,” Tim said.
“She still went to you, though,” Lucy said. “That means something.”
“It means that I was the first one in her phone,” Tim said but Lucy was shaking her head.
“She loves you,” Lucy said. “Like it or not, Tim, you’re her family, too.” Tim sighed. “Thank you for looking after her.”
“I always will,” he promised. “I will always look after the people I care about.” Lucy’s eyes were boring into his and as her hands reached out to take his in between both of hers, she felt a calm wash over her.
“Tim Bradford,” she said, “my hero.” He chuckled.
“I remember very clearly that you were the one to save my ass our first shift,” he said, moving closer. “It was then that I knew you were stuck with me.”
“And now?” she asked.
“Now?”
“Do you still want to be stuck with me?” Tim smiled and reached up to cup her face in his palm. Lucy leaned into his touch, turning her head slightly.
“I would never want anything else, Lucy Chen.” Feeling bold, he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. Lucy kissed him back with a firm press of her lips. It wasn’t anything too frantic or passionate. It was nice and it told them that this was only the first of many kisses they would share.
Pulling back, Lucy smiled against his lips. “You’re it for me, Sergeant,” she whispered.
“I was hoping you’d say that,” he said, “Officer.” Lucy grinned again and then kissed him again. The sound of a door opening drew them away from each other as Tamara stepped into the room. Lucy looked at her and the injuries and Tim tightened his hold on her.
“Come here,” Lucy said, gesturing Tamara forward. Tim made room as Tamara snuggled into his other side while Lucy remained in his arms.
In the silence of the apartment that had lost one soul, three held each other on a sofa knowing that they were now stuck with each other no matter what.
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apolloloki97 · 2 years
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"Forever" Tim Bradford x Lucy Chen
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Summary: On her first day as a P2, Officer Lucy Chen is shot. Hearing Jackson's distress call over the radio, Officer Tim Bradford and his new boot rush to their aid. However, while everyone else is concerned for their fellow officer, the feelings Tim has are quite different. ---- Or when Lucy is hurt on the job and Tim makes a confession.
Word Count: 3559
Warning: Mentions of Shooting
Song I Wrote To: “Still Falling For You" by Ellie Goulding
Note: First time writing for the Rookie but damn do I love Chenford! I have a few planned out for this couple and I am thrilled to share them!
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Officer Lucy Chen’s first day as a P2 was finally here and she was as thrilled to be riding with her best friend as any.
However, there would be one person she would be missing. Tim Bradford had been by her side for a year, backing her up, and teaching her the ropes. While the endless Tim Tests and the brash tone of his voice when he yelled “Boot!” irritated her to no end, Lucy would miss him as she hit the streets without her T.O. for the first time.
Jackson was just as thrilled to be without a T.O. considering Angela was now a proper detective and Staton was finally gone. This was going to be a new step in his career and Lucy was proud to be able to sit by his side in the Shop and finally prove to herself that being a cop was what she was meant to do.
Roll call had been awkward, but Nolan had given her an encouraging smile as he sat between the two new boots. That is until “the badger” fired his weapon and nearly shot a passing officer in the station. Looking behind her, Nyla and Tim looked as if they wanted to throttle the boot that Grey was now calling into his office. Once Nolan secured the weapon, Barnes received her T.O. assignment, Grey dispatched his officers, and Lucy and Jackson headed out.
“How do you think it’s going?” Jackson asked as Lucy rolled to a stop at West 3rd Street.
“Nolan?” Lucy asked. “I’m sure he’s fine. I know the extension was a lot for him, but Harper has got his back. Those two act more like partners than Boot and T.O. anyway,” Lucy said.
“I meant Bradford and his new oot,” Jackson clarified. Lucy pursed her lips as she thought.
“Oh,” she said.
“You’re allowed to feel...replaced, you know,” Jackson said.
“I don’t feel replaced!” Lucy said as she moved through the intersection. “Tim was a great teacher. I learned a lot from him. Barnes is lucky to be his student. Plus, I could definitely tell she was ex-military which means he is going to fall in love immediately. I was just a lowly civilian.”
“Right, it doesn’t bother you at all,” Jackson teased.
“Shut up,” Lucy said with a smile. “What do you want me to say, Jackson? That I am going to miss riding with him? I will but I think this is going to be good for us. Maybe we can actually be friends instead of just student and mentor.”
“Because you want to be more,” Jackson said in a singsong voice.
“Did Tim tell you about our conversation in the Shop?” Lucy asked, thinking back to the joke she played on Bradford. However, unbeknownst to him, it hadn’t been all that fictional. Lucy did have feelings for Tim but she was sure that he had only ever seen her as a boot. Plus, after everything she went through with Caleb and what he went through with Isabel, she didn’t think there was a future there no matter what he felt.
It was a second later that she realized Jackson had been speaking. “Sorry, what was that?” she asked.
“I said, that Bradford ain’t your T.O. anymore. If you want to ask him out, you technically can. And no to your other question. He hasn’t said anything but you aren’t exactly subtle when you are looking at, what does Tamara call him? Office Zaddy?” he said with a laugh.
“Don’t bring that up in front of him,” Chen warned. “And it’s complicated, Jackson. I care too much about our friendship to ruin it.”
“But you want to,” he pushed. Lucy glanced over at him quickly.
“Yeah, I do.”
Jackson was going to respond when their radio crackled to life. “7 Adam 07, please respond to a possible 242 in process at Park La Brea Apartments.”
“An assault already?” Jackson said as Lucy grabbed the radio.
“Control, show us responding.” Lucy looked at Jackson quickly before flicking on the lights. “Never a dull morning, my fellow P2.”
That much was definitely true.
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Tim Bradford was impressed by his new boot, but she was no Lucy Chen.
When he first met Chen, he had seen an overachiever, a fresh boot, and someone he had no intention of becoming friends with. That is until, she dragged him away from fire, helped him with Isabel, and had been taken by a serial killer. There were many nights where he imagined not finding her ring, not being able to revive her from that barrel.
Every time he woke from one of those dreams, he was tempted to show up at her doorstep just to make sure she was okay. He needed to see her, to feel her pulse under her skin, but he knew he couldn’t. At least, he couldn’t before. Lucy was no longer his rookie and he knew what he wanted. The problem was, she had done that little stunt in the Shop on their last shift. When he had heard the words, her words, saying that she had feelings for him, it had sent him into orbit.
It was everything he had wanted to hear since he heard that she had gone missing and even more so since Emmett had asked her out. It took him a while to realize why he was feeling the jealously around Emmett. It wasn’t until Nyla and Angela had pointed out that he was glaring at the firefighter when he suddenly understood.
He was in love with Lucy Chen.
It wasn’t unheard of, falling for a boot, but he had never even thought about it until Lucy. She was brilliant, beautiful, sexy, a damn good cop, and probably the best person Tim knew. He knew that if it came down to it, Lucy would be the one to always have his back. Not, Barnes, not Harper, just Chen.
When they had thought the world was ending, he had been with Rachel, but if he was being honest with himself, all he wanted that moment in the convenience store as they drank deeply from their respective bottles was Lucy. If they were willing to spend their last moments together, then what else would they be willing to share?
His mind was running through a whole bunch of scenarios as Barnes drove, her eyes on the road, scanning for their next call. He should be quizzing her, making sure she knew what was going to be happening in the next year, but all he could think about was her.
He thought back to the night of their last shift. He had expected her to be out with Jackson and Nolan or even with her parents, but when she texted him with a final thank you, he had called her.
“Shouldn’t you be half a bottle deep in a bottle of Anejo, Chen?” he had asked as he lounged on his couch.
“Please,” she scoffed, “we both know I am a reposado girl, Tim.” He couldn’t help but smile at that. He let her talk his ear off for about an hour. He could hear a gentle ache in her voice as if she had been crying. Considering she didn’t sound psychically hurt, he didn’t push the issue but as Lucy spoke all he wanted to do was throttle who had ever hurt her.
When she had been in the hospital, bruised and dehydrated, he had made a promise that he would never allow anyone to harm her again if he could and Tim Bradford always kept his promises. However, the city of Los Angeles seemed to have other plans. Katie was just about to pull into a coffee shop when their radio lit up on the emergency channel.
“7 Adam 07, officer down at Park La Brea Apartments. Three shooters, requesting backup, airship, RA units, and a supervisor! I repeat, officer is down!”
It was Jackson’s voice.
Jackson was Lucy’s partner.
Tim went cold before slamming his hand on the lights and sirens and grabbing the radio, responding as Barnes raced towards the officers in need.
To her.
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The call had been simple. An assault with a man with priors.
It was nothing that both Jackson or Lucy hadn’t been on before with Lopez or Bradford. They had been trained for this. Arriving on the scene, they could already hear the yelling. Climbing out of the Shop, both officers kept their hands on their weapons as they moved towards the sound. Their body cams catching everything going on in the complex.
Coming upon the couple, Lucy instantly read the call as volatile. The woman, who was around Nyla’s height, was cowering from the man that Lucy assumed was her husband or boyfriend. He was screaming at her but neither officer could make out the exact content of the argument.
“Lucy,” Jackson suddenly said.
“I see it,” Lucy responded, noticing the gun at the same time Jackson did. Stuck in the back of his jeans, Lucy was waiting for him to reach for it. When Jackson announced their presence, that is exactly what he did.
Pulling the gun, Jackson and Lucy drew their weapons as well.
“LAPD! Drop the gun and get on your knees!” Lucy announced.
“Drop it now!” Jackson echoed. The man turned on them, his hand still by his side when suddenly the doors of the red car that was parked across the alley opened and two more men exited, both armed. Lucy pulled her radio as she backed away.
“7 Adam 07, requesting back up to our location. Three armed assailants, need immediate assitan一” She was cut off as they began firing. Lucy and Jackson dove behind their Shop, pulling open their doors immediately to take cover.
Firing back, a cry of pain echoed around them as the woman was shot, sending her to the ground.
Lucy fired more rounds, keeping her peripheral on her partner. Jackson was yelling over the radio to the nearest Shop. Lucy vaguely heard Nolan’s voice over the radio responding. Lucy reloaded and then fired, hitting one of the shooters, taking him down. She went to aim for the other when her window exploded from a shotgun blast and she was thrown to the ground, pain shooting through her shoulder and neck. Choking on air, she scrambled for her weapon, but Jackson was there first, grabbing her under her arms and dragging her behind the Shop.
“7 Adam 07, officer down at Park La Brea Apartments. Three shooters, requesting backup, airship, RA units, and a supervisor! I repeat, officer is down!” Jackson shouted into his radio as he continued to fire back.
Lucy could feel the blood on her face but the adrenaline was racing through her veins. Her mind was muddled from the impact of the buckshot. All she could hear was gunfire and the sound of her own breathing. In a haze, she didn’t realize that backup arrived until she heard Harper’s unmistakable AR firing at the shooters.
Nolan appeared above her, placing his hand on the wound above her vest. “Stay with me, Lucy,” he was saying but he was fading.
“Two suspects down, need additional RA for an injured suspect!” Nyla announced as she slid back to their side. Everything was moving too fast as the RA unit arrived and paramedics moved Nolan out of the way to work on the officer. Lucy tried to speak but it hurt too much and as the medic pressed gauze to her shoulder she cried out in pain.
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Tim and Katie arrived on scene mere seconds after the paramedics got Lucy on a backboard.
Not even thinking about his boot, Tim ran for the scene on the ground, nearly frantic. He was stopped by a large figure in front of him, holding him back. “No,” Tim said, struggling against the familiar form. “I have to get to her. I need to be there.”
“They have her, Sir,” Nolan said, tightening his grip on his superior. His friend. “Tim, she’s in good hands.” Hearing his first name, Tim looked at John and relaxed only slightly. Nyla appeared at his other side with Jackson who was looking anywhere but Bradford.
Tim watched as they got Lucy off the ground and onto the gurney. He was staring at her when her eyes met his and her mouth opened slightly. “Tim?” she called, her voice a bit shaky. “Tim!” she called again.
“I have your boot,” Jackson suddenly said. Tim looked at him.
“Ride with her,” Nyla said. “We’ll meet you at the hospital. Tim go!”
Without answering, Tim ran for the bus and hopped in just as the gurney was loaded and secured.
Tim saw a flash of Grey as the doors shut and with a quick nod from his watch commander, Tim reached for Lucy’s hand and squeezed. “I got you, Chen. Keep those eyes open,” he demanded, trying to get her to focus on him.
“Yes...sir,” she said, attempting to do her best, but it was futile. The adrenaline was fading and the pain was becoming too much. With one last look at him, her head tilted back and she embraced the fatigue.
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Tim always hated hospital waiting rooms.
He had been in them too many times and too many times for Lucy. Flecks of her blood were still on his hand from when he was holding it in the ambulance. They had rolled her right into the trauma room to stop the bleeding and Tim was left to pace as he waited for news. When the others arrived, it was Jackson who approached him first.
“Sir,” Jackson said, his voice thick with worry. “Sir, I’m so sorry, I should have insisted that we retreat sooner.” Tim looked up at the man and while shaking his head, he grabbed West with one arm and brought him in for a tight hug.
“It’s okay, Jackson,” Tim said, holding Lucy’s best friend. “You did everything right.” Jackson hugged him back tightly before letting go. Tim was looking at him. “Did you get them, West?” Jackson nodded.
“Two dead, one in custody,” Jackson confirmed.
“Good,” Tim said, squeezing Jackson’s shoulder.
Angela showed up soon after, her hand pressed to her belly as she beelined for Bradford. She didn’t hesitate to grab him into a hug. Tim held his best friend back as she soothed him.
Pulling her to a seat, he kept hold of her hand as Jackson joined Barnes, Harper, and Nolan. “I dumped my boot on West,” Tim said.
“I think that’s okay for right now,” Angela said, looking at him softly. “Nyla is going to look after her and if you need a day or so, I’ll step in for a couple of rides.”
“You don’t need to do that,” Tim said, playing with the red string that was tied around her wrist.
“You need to be with Lucy, Tim,” she said.
“She could have…” Tim trailed off, shaking his head.
“She didn’t,” Angela said. “Okay, Nolan and Harper got to her in time. Jackson got her clear. It probably hurt like a bitch but Lucy has been through worse and she survived.”
“Don’t remind me,” he said, shuddering at the memory of her breathless body in his arms.
“You don’t get to have any more excuses, Tim,” she said. “I tried with Wes, but then he got stabbed, and I… I couldn’t bear not being with him.”
“That’s when I knew I think,” he admitted.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“The day of the missile alert,” he said. “That’s when I knew she was...it.”
“You are such a sap, Tim Bradford,” Angela said as she leaned against his shoulder and he rested his head on hers. “But I love you.”
“I love you, too,” he said, finally taking a deep breath as he sat with Lopez, waiting for an update.
It wasn’t too long when the doctor asked for those who were there for Officer Chen. Angela and Nyla all but shoved him forward, saying that the two of them needed a moment. Tim told Jackson that he would come to get him as soon as possible. Jackson nodded and leaned into the arm Nolan had around his friend’s shoulder. With that, Tim followed the doctor.
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Lucy was sick of hospitals.
Coming back into her head, she looked around, desperate to see his face and when he opened the door to the room, she felt the anxiety slowly leave her body. “Deja vu, huh?” she said as he approached the bed.
“Not funny, boot,” Tim said.
“Hey.”
“Sorry,” Tim whispered, taking a seat next to her bed. “Force of habit.” Lucy took no time in reaching for his hand and he interlocked their fingers immediately. “You scared me,” he said.
“Now you know how I felt when you got shot in front of me,” she said. “That was terrifying.” Tim nodded, bringing her hand that was intertwined with his to rest under his chin.
“Jackson and the others are waiting for you.”
“Don’t be mad at him,” Lucy pleaded.
“Never,” Tim promised. Lucy nodded and then sadness filled her eyes.
“He killed her,” Lucy said and Tim nodded, remembering hearing that the victim had been killed on scene.
“I know, Luce, I’m sorry,” he said. “You’re going to be okay.” She tightened her grip on his hand, her eyes never leaving his.
“I know,” she whispered, but then, “are you?” she asked. Tim furrowed his brow.
“You’re asking me if I am going to be okay? Chen, you’re the one who had a bunch of buckshot picked out of your body.”
“You looked scared in the ambulance,” she explained. Tim smiled slightly.
“I can’t lose you on day one of you being a P2, what would that say about me?” he teased. Lucy rolled her eyes.
“Shut up,” she said. “You have another boot to worry about now.”
“She’s not you,” Tim said easily as he reached up ran his hand through her hair. The bun she usually wore was taken out and now her brown tresses fell across her shoulders beautifully. “Nobody is you,” he whispered. Lucy’s gaze became more intent on him as he continued to caress her hair.
“Tim…” she said but he interjected before she could finish.
“Were you really joking?” he asked and she didn’t need more than a second to know what he was referring to.
“No,” she whispered and then stronger, “I meant it. I have feelings for you, I think I always have.” Tim’s face broke out into a grin as he lifted their hands to his lips and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. Lucy smiled back.
“We have to stop being all mushy when one of us gets shot,” she said,
“Then stop ending up in a hospital,” Tim said
“I’ll try,” Lucy said. Tim moved his hand from her hair to the side of her face and she leaned into his touch.
“Don’t leave me,” he said, his voice near to breaking.
“Never,” she promised. “Besides, who else is gonna be your date for the wedding,” Lucy teases.
“Clever tactic,” he said with another smile.
“I learned from the best.”
“I learned more from you, Luce,” he whispered, moving closer and pressing his forehead against hers, drinking her in. He had been wanting to do this for so long, just being close to her like that was as peaceful as he could get after the day they had.
“Tim,” she said and he pulled back. Lucy’s hand ran up behind his head and then she was pulling him in for a kiss. When Tim imagined the first time he would kiss Lucy Chen, it hadn’t been in a hospital but it was still perfect.
Their lips fit together seamlessly and it wasn’t rushed or frantic because they both knew this wasn’t going to be the last time it happened. They were too intertwined now for it to be anything else but forever. Pulling back, he sighed.
“God,” she whispered, “I love being a P2.” Tim chuckled and kissed her nose.
“You are such a menace, Officer Chen,” he said. “But, I love you.” Surprise entered her eyes followed by a soft smile. She kissed him again, putting more passion into it.
“I love you, too, Tim Bradford,” she said with a bright grin. He chuckled again and went to kiss her again when he heard a voice from behind her.
“Aww,” Nyla said as she stood in the doorway with Jackson, Angela, and Nolan. Nolan was holding up his phone.
“Go away,” Tim said to them as Lucy buried her face in her hand.
“No can do,” Nolan said, “I’m sending this to Henry, he now owes me fifty bucks.”
“I still have my gun, Nolan,” Tim said, casually.
“Go, go, go,” Nyla said as she ushered her boot away while Jackson and Angela gave both of them shit-eating grins before stepping away. Lucy laughed.
“My hero,” she said to him. Tim leaned forward and kissed her again.
“Always.” Lucy smiled again and then as the rest of her family came in and she hugged Jackson tight, Tim remained by her side, always looking at her with love and it was in that moment that she knew they were forever.
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apolloloki97 · 3 years
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Eddie just SCREAMS dom brow in this scene
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apolloloki97 · 3 years
Text
WRONG LAYERRRRRR
i love listening to my fiancée drawing
“no stop” “oh no i didn’t mean to do that” “wRONG LAYER” “wait go back” “what line is that?!” “cAN YOU– [irritated noises]” “oh you…bastard” “what..layer is that on??”
she’s so cute djksfh
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apolloloki97 · 3 years
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"Big Brother Buck" Evan Buckley & May Grant
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Summary: When May gets into a car accident, the only person she wants is Buck, her brother.
Word Count: 2183
Warning: Mentions of Vehicle Accident
Song I Wrote To: “Safe & Sound" by Taylor Swift
Note: I love the idea of May and Buck being a great sibling duo and thus this was born.
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May Grant was a cautious driver.
After the many attempts by both her parents to teach her the ways of the road, the best and most unexpected teacher had stepped up.
Buck.
Since Evan Buckley had joined the 118 and Athena, May’s mother, had developed a soft spot for the firefighter, May grew closer to him as well. Only having a younger brother in Harry, May was glad to have a big brother to torment whenever he was around. It also seemed that Buck, who only had an older sister, enjoyed being the older sibling for once.
Besides just teaching May to drive, Buck had tasked himself with a bunch of other things, such as vetting potential dates, making sure her job at dispatch was going well, and of course being there for her when she didn’t feel as if she could go to her mother, father, or even Bobby.
Buck and May were two peas in a pod and more often than not, May Grant’s thoughts went to her big brother in times of crisis rather than her mother who worked for LAPD.
This was one of those times.
May had the right away and she knew that. The car that ran the light was going too fast to slow down and May froze for a fraction of a second, but it was enough.
When the impact happened, her entire body went tense for a second before she willed it to relax as the airbags deployed. All the training from her parents, Bobby, the 118, and her job came back as soon as the car stopped moving.
Dust and broken glass were all around her and there was already an ache forming in her ribs. May figured there would be many bruises in the morning, but they were the least of her worries. She had been in an accident and she needed help.
“Phone,” she said to herself as her hand fumbled for her bag in the passenger seat. Snatching it quickly, May dug her phone from the front pocket of the bag and hit 911 as fast as possible.
A voice picked up on the other end immediately and she recognized it as soon as the practiced phrase hit her ears. “911, what’s your emergency?” Josh’s voice flowed into her ear.
“Josh?” May rasped out, choking against her restricted seatbelt.
“May?” Josh said, surprised. “May, what’s wrong? Where are you?” May squinted through the cracked windshield to find her location.
“Intersection on North Highland and Fountain Avenue,” she said. “Car ran the light, hit mine.”
“I’m sending RA and rescue now,” he said. “Are you hurt? Bleeding?”
“I think on my head,” May said and then swiped at her brow only for her fingers to come away red. “I think my ribs are bruised or broken, too. Not sure about anything...anything else.”
“May? May, I need you to keep talking to me, okay?” Josh said and she could hear his frantic typing over the phone.
“Okay,” May said as the pain began to set in more as the adrenaline began to slowly dissipate.
“May, I’m going to call Athena, okay?” Josh said, but May shook her head.
“Buck,” May rasped.
“What?” Josh asked.
“I want…” May said as her vision began to fade. “I want Buck.”
When Buck had found his parents in the loft of the firehouse, the last thing he wanted to do was stay.
After everything they had lied to him about Daniel and forcing Maddie to keep it a secret, he couldn’t even look at them, let alone talk to them. Wanting to fix everything only after they got caught didn’t make up for the twenty-plus years of lies.
However, after assuring Bobby that he was okay and would speak to them, he sat down with his mom and dad and listened to what they had to say. If he was being honest with himself and he always was, he wasn’t really listening to them. He understood that they wanted to fix things, but Buck needed more time.
It wasn’t as if he would never want a proper relationship with his parents, but it wasn’t going to start now after a blow-up like the one they had at Maddie and Chimney’s place. Maddie deserved better and so did Buck.
Buck’s mother was starting on her third apology speech when one of the new probationary firefighters came running up the stairs with a worried look on his face.
“Buck,” he said approaching, ignoring that Buck was with people, “you have a call from dispatch,” probie said as he clutched a radio in his hand.
“What? Why?” Buck asked, confused.
“There was an accident,” he said. “It’s your sister.”
“Maddie?” Buck said, getting to his feet. “Is she okay?” Probie backtracked immediately, realizing his mistake.
“Not Maddie,” the probie clarified. “Sorry, it’s your younger sister. Her car was hit by a runner in an intersection.” Buck’s eyes went wide at the mention of May. His parents looked at him in utter confusion, but Buck couldn’t worry about them right now. He had to get to May.
“Bobby! Bobby!” he yelled, frantically grabbing his phone from his pocket and sending a text to Michael.
“Buck?” Bobby said as he ran into the kitchen from his office. “What is it? What’s wrong, kid?” he asked, placing his hands on his shoulders.
“May,” Buck choked out. “It’s May,” he said and Bobby seemed to understand immediately. His girl was hurt and Bobby and Buck needed to be there, now.
“Come on,” Bobby said just as his phone rang. It was Athena. “Buck, come on, I’ll drive,” he said, ushering Buck towards the staircase.
“Evan,” his mother began, but Buck couldn’t deal with them right then.
“Not now,” he said before running after Bobby. The two firefighters sprinted from the firehouse and ran to Bobby’s truck before heading to the hospital Athena was telling them May was going to over the phone.
Buck’s parents were staring after their son, concerned and confused when Eddie jogged into the loft, typing away at his phone. Most likely telling Carla he was going to be late picking up Chris that evening.
“Who is May?” Buck’s father asked Eddie.
“Buck’s sister,” Eddie said without missing a beat. “Bobby’s stepdaughter.”
“I don’t understand,” Mrs. Buckley said.
“And I don’t have time to explain,” Eddie said shortly. “I have to get to the hospital.” Once again, a firefighter turned their back on the Buckleys before running down the stairs calling for Chimney and Hen.
When Buck and Bobby arrived at the hospital, Michael and Athena were already in the waiting room.
Buck didn’t slow down as he barreled right for Athena. She took him in her arms as soon as she could, smoothing her hands down his back as he clutched at her. Bobby was giving Michael a hug as well. “I’m sorry we’re here again,” Buck said to her and Athena squeezed him tighter, knowing what he was referring to. The last time May had been in the hospital, it was anything but as mundane as a car accident.
“Thank you, honey,” Athena said before stepping out of his arms and placing a warm hand on his face. Buck gave her a soft smile before he moved back so Bobby could hug his wife. He went over to Michael and grabbed his shoulder comfortingly.
“Is she okay?” Buck asked once the hugs were over.
“She has some bruising and a concussion,” Michael explained. “They’ve been cleaning up her cuts and removing all the glass in her wounds right now. Once they finish with X-rays, we should be able to see her.”
Buck relaxed a bit more at that, but he wouldn’t fully relax until he saw that May was okay. He needed to see her soon. “She wanted you,” Athena said, looking at Buck. “According to Josh who took the call, she kept saying that she needed Buck.”
Buck felt as if his heart dropped into his stomach much like when you go down a big hill on a rollercoaster. May had wanted him and he hadn’t been there. Athena caught on immediately.
“Oh no you don’t, Buckaroo,” Athena said sternly. “Don’t you start feeling guilty. It was a car accident, it could have happened to any of us.”
“I know,” Buck said with a breath. “I know.”
“Then you also know that if you don’t get that guilty look off your face, I will not hesitate to ground you.” Buck couldn’t help but smile at that as he nodded.
“Yes Ma’am,” he said and Athena seemed proud of herself then. Bobby pulled her in for a kiss to her temple then and everyone relaxed a bit more.
“Where’s Harry?” Bobby asked and that was when Buck finally noticed his brother wasn’t there.
“Karen is picking him up from school,” Athena said. Bobby nodded and held onto her as the family began to wait. While Buck knew that May didn’t need surgery or that anything was life-threatening, he knew that the nerves were always going to be there. Eddie had sent him a text saying that he was going to get Maddie before heading over and Buck was grateful immediately. Eddie did always know what Buck needed.
It was only about twenty minutes later when a doctor entered the waiting room. “Family of Miss May Grant?” she asked and all four of them got up to meet her.
“How is my daughter?” Athena asked.
“She is just fine. Though, I do want to keep her overnight to monitor the concussion. After that, she is free to go home as long as someone will be able to look after her for a couple of days.”
“Not a problem,” Buck and Michael said at the same time, causing them to smile at each other.
“Glad to see that she had a good support system,” the doctor said.
“Can we see her?” Bobby asked.
“Of course,” the doctor said before gesturing to them to follow her. The four of them followed her down the halls until they reached a room at the end. “Let me know if you have any questions.”
“Thanks, Doc,” Buck said before following Michael, Athena, and Bobby into the room. As soon as May’s eyes fell on him, tears began to fall.
“Buck,” she choked out as he reached her and took her hand in his. “I didn’t see it coming. I was paying attention like you taught me but there was a glare and they ran the light and I...I…”
“Hey, hey, hey,” Buck shushed her. “It’s okay, May. You’re okay, I got you,” he said as he wrapped an arm around her and leaned his head on top of her. “I got you.”
Buck ended up half on May’s hospital bed after the two of them had talked non-stop. Athena was on the other side of the bed, watching over her kids as they snoozed away, exhausted from the stress of the afternoon.
While Athena stayed, Michael and Bobby finally went to update the 118 in the waiting room. Bobby greeted Hen as he stepped into the room, glad to see that Josh and Maddie were there as well.
“Is she okay?” Josh asked as he rose to her feet.
“She’s going to be fine,” Bobby said. “They’re keeping her overnight and she can go home in the morning.”
“Oh, thank god,” Josh said, placing a hand on his chest. “I tried to keep her awake until the ambulance got there but the girl was fading fast,” Josh went on. “All I knew is that she wanted Buck.”
“Baby brother being big brother,” Maddie said with a smile as she held Chimney’s hand. “That’s our Buck.” Everyone grinned at that, happy for Maddie to break some of the tension in the room.
“Your parents were at the station when Buck left to come here,” Eddie then said once everyone was quiet again. Maddie sighed and nodded.
“Figures,” she said. “They told me they were going to try and speak to him but I told them he may not want to listen to them.”
“They seemed very confused when I left,” Eddie said.
“I’ll deal with them later,” she said as she rested her hand on her belly. Chimney reached over and laid his hand over hers before kissing her on the cheek. Eddie had always liked them together and he was glad when they had found each other after everything with Doug. He had also become very protective over her. There was just something about those Buckley siblings.
It was a little while later that Athena joined her family out in the waiting room.
“She’s asleep,” Athena said before Michael or Bobby could speak up. Athena looked behind her for a moment before smiling at her husband. “And yes, my love, I have left her in very capable hands.”
Back in the hospital room, Buck lay next to May, his arms around his sister as May drifted off into dreamland with her big brother and at that moment she had never felt safer.
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apolloloki97 · 3 years
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"The Universal Truth" Eddie Diaz x Evan Buckley
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Summary: After the shift from hell in 4x06, Eddie has an epiphany and he needs to get some things off his chest. What happens when Buck finds him after the shift when the others leave for breakfast?
Word Count: 2085
Warning: None
Song I Wrote To: “Till Forever Falls Apart" by Ashe and FINNEAS
Note: My first time writing for 911! I am going to be writing more for this one and Lonestar! I hope you like this little Buddie story! This is cross posted on my AO3!
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Eddie Diaz had learned a lot from working with the 118 over the few years he had been a part of the team, but he had never expected them to be this superstitious.
After the B-shift probie had said the “Q-Word”, all hell broke loose on station 118. Hen, Chimney, and Buck were sure that they were cursed or rather, jinxed.
Eddie, however, wasn’t believing it for a second. Still, while he didn’t think their day of calls and the never-ending bell was due to the EMS gods being angry with them, his team did, so he humored them and enjoyed their candor.
However, then the day turned for the worse and they were stuck in their rig while Chimney and Buck went down a Google hole. Eddie sat in his seat, looking at Buck as he scrolled through his phone helping Chimney figure out if they each needed to ring the bells or just one of them. Bobby had even joined in on the conversation and it was only making the day that more ridiculous.
As Eddie watched Buck and the way his marked brow furrowed as he scrolled through some Wikipedia page, he couldn’t help but smile a bit. He always loved when Buck went into these modes, his ADHD sending him on a spiral that made him happy. Eddie often found himself looking at Buck when the latter didn’t know. It was hard not to when the man looked the way he did. Evan Buckley was as infectious as one could get and it made Eddie’s head hurt whenever he found his thoughts overwhelmed by everything Buck.
His thoughts flickered back to the morning when he had run into Ana Flores and her bright and flirtatious smile. She was pretty, smart, kind, but Eddie knew one thing: she wasn’t Buck.
It wasn’t until Eddie made another comment about the jinx that Chimney and Buck turned their attention on him.
“What more proof do you need, Eddie?” Chimney asked. “We are trapped in a death box! Thousands of volts of electricity coursing through every nook and cranny. Any one of us could literally get fried like that,” Chimney said with a quick click of his fingers. Bobby sighed from the Captain’s seat.
“Or we just don't touch any doors or windows until help arrives and nobody gets fried,” Bobby said easily, trying to calm his team down. Buck wasn’t really listening as he kept scrolling. He then looked up at Hen with worried eyes.
“All I can find is some kind of human or animal sacrifice,” Buck said. “I'm not really down with that.” Eddie shook his head at his best friend.
“Do you guys not hear yourselves right now?” Eddie asked, raising his brows at Buck.
“Do you?” Buck countered. “It's like the universe is screaming at you and you refuse to listen.”
“The universe does not scream,” Eddie countered, but he wasn’t too sure about that. If he thought about it, ever since his first shift at the 118, the universe had been quite loud as it hollered in his ear about Evan Buckley.
Eddie wasn’t oblivious. He knew what he felt about the man and he knew what he wanted, but there were always things holding him back. Not to mention, he could never imagine Buck ever feeling the same way. It wasn’t because Eddie was a man, he figured Buck wasn’t straight after around the third conversation with him. No, it was because Maddie, Chimney, Hen, and the rest of the fire family had told Eddie about Buck’s past relationships and Eddie didn’t think he was a good fit for Buck.
Buck seemed to gravitate towards uncertainty and adventurous people. While Eddie was a veteran and a firefighter, he was also a single dad and a homebody when he wanted to be. Eddie knew Buck loved Chris and was always willing to spend time with the Diaz family on days off, but Eddie still worried that one day it wasn’t going to be enough. Maybe he wasn’t enough and those thoughts were enough to keep his secrets to himself.
That is until their engine got stolen and Eddie had to face more of his own demons to help Brian with his.
It wasn’t long after Eddie got off the radio and convinced Brian to show up at the five-alarm to help the 118 get their gear back and Eddie couldn’t get his thoughts to calm down. He shoved them down as much as he could to his job, but even then it was difficult.
Bobby had spoken to him earlier that evening about him needing to move on from Shannon and while he knew Bobby was referring to moving on with Ana after Buck had spilled the knowledge that he had run into the vice principal that morning, Eddie didn’t want that. Still, whether Bobby knew that Eddie was thinking about Buck instead of Ana, the advice was still solid and it followed him into the flames and back out.
By the time the shift from hell was finally over, the 118 was in desperate need of downtime. Eddie knew he had to go pick up Christopher from Carla’s but he also really needed to speak to Buck before he lost his nerve.
He was finishing up in the locker room when he heard Bobby inviting the team out for breakfast. Hen and Chimney were on board immediately and while Eddie waited for Buck’s acceptance, he was surprised to hear that Buck was going to take a raincheck.
Eddie tried to keep his focus on the laces of his boots as he pulled them on. It was then that he heard Buck’s unmistakable footsteps enter the locker room and then the door latching behind him. “It was a good thing you did for Brian,” Buck said, dropping his bag and leaning against the lockers in front of Eddie who was on the bench. “He needed to hear that.”
“Poor guy was just lost,” Eddie said with a shrug, not looking up at him.
“And yet you got him where he needed to go,” Buck said and Eddie could hear the smile in his voice. “You’re a good man, Eddie.” This time, Eddie did look up and met Buck’s eyes.
“Thanks, Buck,” he said, offering a smile of his own. He went back to finishing up his laces, trying to keep his breathing under control as Buck stared down at him. It was after a moment of silence, that Buck spoke again.
“Are you okay?” Buck asked and Eddie had to bite his tongue before he gave one of his usual vague answers. Instead, he went for the truth.
“Not really,” Eddie admitted, looking up at Buck who then looked sheepish.
“If this is what I said about Ana,” he began, “I was just messing around, man. I didn’t mean to say anything…”
“It’s okay, Buck,” Eddie said as he got to his feet and stood across from Buck, his shoulder leaning into the metal lockers as well. “Oddly enough, it actually helped.”
“Helped how?” Buck asked, his brow furrowing into his famous confused puppy look. Eddie took a breath then before continuing.
“You got me to think about what I really wanted or rather what I thought I wanted and didn’t,” Eddie said.
“Which is what?” Buck asked, his voice a bit softer now as he read the slowly growing tension in the room.
“Well,” Eddie went on, “I know that I don’t want Ana Flores and today helped with that.”
“A cursed shift made you realize Ana wasn’t for you?” Buck asked, surprised.
“And who was,” Eddie answered immediately, locking his eyes onto Buck’s. Buck wasn’t always the quickest when it came to these things, but he eventually got there. As soon as he realized what Eddie was saying, his eyes widened a fraction but Eddie didn’t look away and he didn’t back down.
“Uh,” Buck said, awkwardly, trying to organize his thoughts. “I don’t know what to say to that,” Buck admitted and Eddie’s mouth turned up at the corners in a slight smile.
“What was it that you said in the death box?” Eddie asked. “The universe is screaming at me?”
“I thought the universe didn’t scream,” Buck said as he swallowed thickly. Eddie’s eyes flashed to his throat quickly before looking back at Buck’s face.
“I guess I just wasn’t listening,” Eddie spoke softly and then feeling bold, reached up and wrapped his hand around the back of Buck’s neck. When Buck didn’t move away from him, Eddie’s hand relaxed, letting his fingers trail through the curls at the nape of Buck’s neck.
“What do you hear now?” Buck whispered.
“It’s not so much what I hear,” Eddie said, “but what I see, what I feel.”
“And what’s that?” Buck asked.
“That I’ve been denying the feelings I have for you for way too long and I am so done avoiding them or masking them with humor or...or anger,” Eddie said and he saw Buck’s eyes flick away for just a second.
“Anger…” Buck repeated. “Like the lawsuit.”
“Not just the lawsuit. It’s about everything. Evan,” Eddie said and Buck jolted at the use of his first name. Eddie applied more pressure to the back of his neck and Buck relaxed further under his touch. “All those times I got angry at you, it was because I was hurt or worried that you were going to leave me.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” Buck said, his eyes nearly pleading as he tried to get Eddie to see that he was being sincere.
“I know,” Eddie said, moving his hand so it slid across Buck’s neck and up to his face. Buck’s eyes fluttered shut at the contact before they opened again.
“You’re my family,” Buck said. “You and Chris and I could never leave you because...because I feel the same way, Eddie.” Eddie could have collapsed right there at those words and as if Buck knew that, he placed his hand on Eddie’s waist, keeping him steady. “I have felt this way for a long time. More so since I saw that well collapse on you last year. I thought I had lost you and I couldn’t breathe.”
Eddie reached up with his other hand and took Buck’s face in his hands, making the other man look at him. “I’m right here, Evan,” Eddie said. “I’m right here and I’m not going anywhere either.”
Buck looked at him for a moment before he smiled and then his own hand was covering one of Eddie’s that was on his face. Buck let out another breath, feeling the tension leave his body and Eddie thought he had never looked so beautiful than in that moment. Completely at ease in Eddie’s arms.
“Who knew,” Buck said, “that all it would take for you to admit your feelings was a probie saying—”
“Ah, ah,” Eddie cut him off, “don’t you dare.” Buck grinned wider.
“I thought you didn’t believe in it?” Buck teased. Eddie rolled his eyes.
“Better safe than sorry,” Eddie said, but Buck wasn’t buying it.
“Admit it,” he said, “we were jinxed.”
“Dios mio,” Eddie swore as he pulled Buck into him and pressed his lips against Buck’s. Buck responded immediately as his hands gripped onto Eddie’s shoulders. Eddie had always imagined their first kiss would be somewhere more romantic than the station locker room, but it didn’t seem like Buck was complaining as he kissed him back harder.
Pressing him up against the lockers, Eddie took the time to kiss Buck slowly. He tasted even better than he could have imagined as soon as Buck ran his nails across Eddie’s scalp, Diaz was done. A moan flew from his throat as Buck’s tongue ran along Eddie’s palate and the former seemed amused that he was able to elicit such a sound from the other firefighter.
Eventually, when both men needed to breathe, they separated but didn’t go far. Eddie leaned his forehead against Buck’s and listened to his breathing, content and carefree. “You are something else, Eddie Diaz,” Buck whispered. Eddie smiled, nudging Buck’s nose with his own.
“Come with me to get Chris?” Eddie whispered back, not willing to spend any time apart from him. Buck grinned.
“Spending the day with my Diaz boys?” Buck asked. “Absolutely,” he said before kissing Eddie again and surrendering to everything they both now knew: whenever you think the universe is screaming at you...it definitely is.
51 notes · View notes
apolloloki97 · 3 years
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WHAT SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED
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ok last treat from me for today
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apolloloki97 · 3 years
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"Solid as Stone" Ian Gallagher x Mickey Milkovich
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Summary: What if when Monica came back, Ian went to find Mandy that day, but found Mickey. Instead of going right to the store for a hookup, Ian runs away distraught after not finding his best friend. Mickey can't help but follow and comfort the redhead he has clearly fallen for.
Or when Ian is freaking out, Mickey is there to comfort him.
Word Count: 2679
Warning: Swearing
Song I Wrote To: “Stone" by Jaymes Young
Note: This is just a bit of an AU what if kind of thing. I just liked it and I love comforting and soft Mickey and I know that day he could tell that Ian was torn.
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Monica was back and Ian didn’t know how to deal with any of it.
As soon as she rolled back into town, Ian felt as if he was suffocating and he had to get out. He didn’t even care if Terry was home at that moment, he needed to see Mandy.
His thoughts kept flicking to Mickey but he knew that regardless of the kind of situation they were in, Mickey would throttle him before he even considered offering Ian a comforting hand. Mickey had been very clear about the nature of their relationship if you could even call it that. Ian knew that there was more to them just random hookups, but he didn’t have time to unpack any of it at the moment.
Mandy had to be the one and he needed her now.
Ian arrived at the front of the Milkovich house and barrelled up the steps, his breathing still labored. His fist made contact with the wooden door, frantically begging someone to open up. It took a moment before the front door was wrenched open and it wasn’t the Milkovich sibling Ian had wanted to see right then, but one he was always wishing to see no matter what. Mickey, who had a cigarette in his mouth, seemed surprised at Ian’s frantic look. “Gallagher?” he asked.
“Mandy, is she here?” Ian breathed out, trying to see behind Mickey and into the house.
“What?”
“Is Mandy here?” Ian asked again, his breathing still sporadic. “I need to see her.” Mickey frowned as he took in the state of Ian as the younger boy seemed to be running off pure anxiety. Something was definitely wrong with him and it surprised Mickey as he realized he was incredibly concerned about Ian Gallagher. However, after all the time he had spent around the kid, he had come to pick up on all of Ian’s idiosyncrasies.
“She’s not here,” Mickey told him, glancing over his shoulder where Terry was passed out on the couch. “She went away with Iggy for a couple of days.” Ian let out a breath, still very jumpy, as he looked back and forth, trying to figure out what he was going to do. “Gallagher, the hell is wrong with you?”
“Nothing, nothing,” he rushed out as he glanced behind him, almost as if he expected Monica to be running after him, but the street remained silent. “I… I gotta go,” he stammered before nodding to himself, turning around, and half-stumbling down the steps. Mickey watched after him for a few seconds, still very confused at Ian’s behaviors. Ian shuffled out into the street and then Mickey nearly jumped out of his skin as a car screeched to a halt right in front of the redhead. Honking blared through the neighborhood as the man behind the wheel cursed at Ian who was raising his hands in apologies.
As soon as Ian was out of the street, the car sped off, leaving Ian to stare at it for only a second before he moved to run down an alley in between the houses, still somewhat out of it. Mickey glanced back inside his house for a second before swearing, “Fucking Gallagher.” Grabbing his coat, he shut the door behind him and took off after the redhead.
It didn’t take long for Mickey to pick up on Ian’s trail as the kid had the loudest footsteps on the Southside. Mickey kept telling himself that the only reason he was doing this was that he wanted to know if Ian was on something and if he could get a hit. However, behind the denial, he knew the truth. He did care about Gallagher and he could tell Ian was going through something.
It was only another block that Mickey finally found him. Ian was on the ground, his back against the wall of the empty alleyway and he was breathing harder than he was when he had shown up on Mickey’s porch. Slowly, Mickey approached him, keeping an eye on the redhead’s hands. He knew Ian well enough to know that the kid could punch just as well as anyone on the Southside and he wasn’t looking forward to being on the other side of one of those freckled fists if he startled him.
“Gallagher?” Mickey tried, but Ian remained frozen, his eyes only on the cold asphalt. “Gallagher,” he tried again, but still, Ian remained oblivious to his presence. With a sigh, Mickey ran a hand through his hair before finally stepping right into the other boy’s view. “Ian?” he asked, softer this time. Ian’s breath stuttered for a second before his eyes flicked to the worried blue ones above him.
“What do you want?” Ian asked and while the words sent a dagger to Mickey’s heart, it was a valid question. Why had he followed him? Ian had no reason to trust that Mickey Milkovich cared for him. Mickey hated that he had led him to believe that he was only using him for sex, but he understood. Mickey was never one for affection, but it wasn’t as if he had any role models to learn from. Colin had tried to somewhat raise his younger siblings, but there was only so much he could do. Mickey was on his own in this department, but he was hoping Ian could be the beginning of his effort to show the compassion he clearly felt.
“What happened?” Mickey asked, finally crouching down to get on Ian’s level. The boy in front of him looked frailer than Mickey had ever seen him. The Gallaghers were known to be tough sons of bitches, but everyone had their breaking point, Mickey supposed.
“My mom,” Ian said. “My mom came home and just fucked it all up.” Mickey nodded, understanding immediately. If you knew about the Gallaghers and especially if you knew about Frank, you knew about Monica. Terry hated the woman and Mickey finally could see why. If the way Ian was acting was evidence of how her kids felt when she came back, she definitely should have stayed gone.
“Hurricane Monica,” Mickey simply said. Ian looked at him in surprise. Mickey sank to the ground next to Ian, their shoulders almost touching. “Fiona’s mentioned her a few times at the Alibi, Frank, too. I think we all get the picture enough to know she ain’t exactly mother of the fucking year.”
“That’s an understatement,” Ian said and Mickey was glad to hear that his breathing was sounding a little better. Ian let his head fall back to rest on the bricks behind him. “She always does this, Mickey,” Ian began and Mickey remained quiet, just letting Ian talk. “She comes into town and makes it seem like she’s going to stay. Debbie and Carl don’t deserve that shit.”
“Neither do you,” Mickey said automatically. Ian’s eyes flickered to Mickey’s who was just staring in front of him, his hands playing with the cigarette he still held.
“She’s my mom,” Ian tried to rationalize.
“So?” Mickey said, finally looking at him again. “Frank is your dad and he’s a piece of shit. Terry is my dad and he’s...he’s… fuck he’s the fucking worse.” Ian could hear the hesitancy in Mickey’s voice. Everyone knew how horrible Terry was, but Ian was starting to think there was more to the racist asshole than nobody else knew. “My father hates me,” Mickey finally continued. “He hates me and he doesn’t even know that…”
“That you hook up with guys?” Ian offered, not wanting to push Mickey by slapping the “gay” label on him. He had learned his lesson with that before.
“He’d kill me if he knew,” Mickey said. “And if I had the chance to get the hell out of dodge to be away from him, I would. I don’t care if they’re our parents, they don’t owe us shit if they’ve never been parents, you know?” Ian was quiet for a minute before he nodded, letting out a shaky breath.
“I don’t know what to do, Mick,” Ian said, casually dropping the nickname he had been trying out for a while. If it was any other time, Mickey would have made a comment about it, but he just enjoyed the rush that went through him at Ian saying his name.
“What do you want to do?” Mickey asked. “Cause that’s all up to you, man.”
“I want her to get the fuck out,” Ian said. “If she’s leaving again, it’s gonna be on our terms this time, not hers.” Ian struggled to keep his hands still and his emotions in check. The last thing he wanted to do was cry in front of Mickey. This was why he needed Mandy.
However, Mickey Milkovich surprised him as he always did.
Tattooed fingers suddenly covered freckled ones and Ian’s hand was enveloped in a warm and firm grip. Ian looked up at Mickey who was looking at him with actual concern.
“Don’t let her ruin you,” Mickey said firmly.
“She’s already done that,” Ian said, trying not to focus too much on the hand in his.
“Says who, huh?” Mickey countered. “Who says you’re fucking ruined? You’re not. You’re…” Mickey trailed off for a second. His eyes flickered from Ian’s lips and then back to his face. “You’re damn solid, Gallagher. A fucking tower of stone, so don’t think that some woman can just come back and fuck with you just because she’s your blood. Blood don’t mean shit when it comes to family anyways.”
Ian was looking at him with wonder in his eyes. He had never seen this side of Mickey and he was already mourning the fact that he may never again for a while once they left that alley. In case he was right, Ian clutched onto Mickey’s hand tighter, letting him feel the other boy’s pulse beneath his fingers.
“Thanks,” he breathed, almost afraid to speak any louder in case it shattered whatever peace they had built.
“Still wish Mandy was here instead?” Mickey asked and there was no malice behind it.
“Absolutely not,” Ian admitted as he glanced down at Mickey’s mouth. They were silent for a moment before Ian asked about something Mickey had just said. “Would you really leave to get away from Terry?”
“I wouldn’t go far,” Mickey admitted, looking at him through hooded eyes. “I could never go too far from you, could I? Who’d run after you when you’re going out of your fucking mind?” Ian smiled, trying not to laugh.
“I don’t know, I’m sure I could find someone,” he said and then boldly continued, “maybe Kash has a friend around his age.”
That did it.
“Don’t you fucking dare,” Mickey growled as he grabbed onto Ian’s neck and slammed his lips against the other boy's mouth. Ian reacted immediately, tugging Mickey closer to him. Mickey’s heart was slamming in his chest and he knew it was risky to kiss Ian out in the open, but he couldn’t bring himself to stop. He had been wanting to kiss him since the first time he had seen Ian smile. It wasn’t until they had sex for the first time that that need to kiss him had intensified tenfold. Mickey grabbed at Ian’s coat, trying to make the distance between them nonexistent.
When Ian slipped his tongue into Mickey’s mouth, Mickey was done for. He could never go back to just having sex after this. This was...indescribable and he needed it all. Mickey was as inexperienced as it got when it came to kissing men, but Ian seemed to be a master according to Milkovich. Ian ran his hands up Mickey’s arms and then up to his neck where his large hands took hold of Mickey’s face as he continued to devour the other boy’s mouth.
Eventually, they both needed to breathe and Mickey was the first to pull back, though he didn’t go far. “That was…” Ian began, his breathing heavy but this time for a completely different reason.
“Long overdue,” Mickey finished, his breath matching pace with Ian’s. “I didn’t mean to do that like this. You know in a shithole,” he said, gesturing to the disgusting alley.
“Our whole neighborhood is a shithole,” Ian pointed out causing Mickey to smile slightly. Ian couldn’t help himself as he pressed another kiss to Mickey’s lips before leaning back again. “Don’t think I’m not going to take advantage of being allowed to do that now.”
“Who says this ain’t a one-time thing, firecrotch?” Mickey asked, raising one of his very expressive eyebrows.
“Me,” Ian said simply and Mickey rolled his eyes, but didn’t move away from Ian. His expression then turned concerned once again.
“Feeling better?” Mickey asked and Ian nodded.
“Getting there,” Ian admitted, referring back to his Monica meltdown. “You helped quite a bit,” he said cheekily and Mickey just snorted. “Thanks, Mick,” Ian said and Mickey could hear all the sincerity behind his words. Mickey nodded and then sat back beside Ian, their shoulders pressed together as if they were afraid to not be touching each other.
“Don’t think you can’t come to me when you’re in trouble, Gallagher,” Mickey said. “I ain’t gonna fucking turn you away. Not you.” Ian nodded again and then leaned his head on Mickey’s shoulder.
“I don’t want to go home,” Ian admitted. Mickey leaned into Ian and nodded.
“Me either,” said Mickey as he thought about his father back on their worn-out couch.
“Monica has to go,” Ian whispered.
“I could make that happen, you know?” Mickey said casually. “I still have that uncle down at the foundry.” Ian jabbed him in the ribs, but Mickey knew he was smiling.
“No thanks,” Ian said with a sigh. “Murder wouldn’t look good on you.”
“Please,” Mickey scoffed, “everything looks good on me.”
“And off, too,” Ian added and that got Mickey’s attention. Ian was looking up at him and when Mickey met his eyes, he could see just a hint of mischief in his green eyes.
“Are you coming onto me, Gallagher,” Mickey said.
“Always,” Ian said as his hands pushed into Mickey’s dark hair.
“I ain’t havin’ you get on me in some back alley,” Mickey said. “I have standards, asshole.”
“Then it’s a good thing I have keys to the store,” Ian said with a lower voice. Mickey chewed on that thought for a second before jumping to his feet and dragging Ian with him.
“You are a fucking menace,” Mickey whispered to Ian who just beamed at him, and then Ian’s smile turned softer.
“So, I’m solid huh?” Ian asked, looking at Mickey who wasn’t running away for once.
“As stone,” Mickey agreed. “You’re gonna be just fine, Red. Monica issues or not, you,” he said, poking Ian in the chest, “are gonna be fine.” Ian could have cried then, but he settled on grabbing Mickey by his coat and kissing him hard. Mickey kissed him back, still trying to get used to the feel, but he figured he’d get the hang of it soon.
Ian pulled back first this time and smiled at Mickey, grateful that he had been the Milkovich sibling to answer the damn door. “Thanks,” he whispered.
“You already said that,” Mickey reminded him.
“And I’ll keep saying it, dumbass,” Ian teased and then began walking backward, gesturing to Mickey to follow him.
Mickey just smiled and jogged to catch up with Ian. As the two of them headed to the store, Mickey forced himself to watch where he was going because all he could focus on was that Ian was back to being Ian and he, Mickey, had helped bring that smile back. Cautiously, he took Ian’s hand for just a fraction of a second before letting go. It was brief, but Ian knew what it meant. Sure, he was solid, unmoving, but to Mickey, Ian was his rock, the one that kept him grounded when everything else was trying to pull him away and if he’d let him, Mickey also wanted to be that for Ian.
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apolloloki97 · 3 years
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“Back On Solid Ground” Ian Gallagher x Mickey Milkovich
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Summary: After Mickey is released early from prison, he is in no rush to go back into the arms of Ian Gallagher. After unsuccessfully trying to win Mickey back, the rest of the Gallagher siblings and a couple of friends try to help out their favourite Southside couple.
Or when Ian's friends and siblings try to get Mickey to talk to Ian after Mickey gets out.
Word Count: 7302
Warning: Swearing, Mentions of Mental Illness
Song I Wrote To: “I Found" by Amber Run
Note: Now, I am not a lawyer and I usually do research for fics, but just go with me on the legal proceedings for this. I love this story a lot and I always wanted more of Mickey's emotions after he was released. I needed this after the show finale as well.
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The last thing Mickey wanted to do was drink alone and so he called his favourite cousin.
Sandy was finally back in town after leaving once she got out of juvie for the last time. Iggy had told Mickey that Sandy was trying to go straight, but the younger Milkovich brother knew that the only straight thing about his cousin was her hair.
Regardless, once he was out of prison, she was his first call. Turns out that when the woman who presses charges on you for attempted murder goes insane and is deemed a pathological liar, the justice system becomes much more lenient. Mickey still remembered the moment the warden told him that he was getting out. He thought it had been some kind of sick joke from Terry or one of the other delinquent Milkoviches. Yet, everything was soon in order and Mickey was released with a few strokes of a pen.
That was a week ago and after crashing on Sandy’s couch and wallowing in his own sorrow over losing the man he loved, he finally ventured out into the world to interact with people. Well, only if you consider the lowlifes at the Alibi Room, people.
Mickey sat across from Sandy as she drank her second beer, very happy to be out with him rather than cooped up watching reruns of some horrible sitcom. Sandy was his favourite Milkovich next to Mandy, but Mickey hadn’t seen his sister in some time and he wasn’t even sure where she was. He got a text or a voicemail every couple of months just to let him know she was still alive, but that was it. He missed Mandy, but he knew she needed to get out of the Southside and he was happy for her.
Mickey glanced around the room, the afternoon sun filtering through the windows as it illuminated the day-drinkers. Mickey was itching to do something other than sitting at a dive bar and trying to dodge questions that he knew Kev and V both had. However, he was happy to be with Sandy who grinned at him from across the table.
“What?” Mickey asked, taking a sip from his beer. “You keep staring.”
“I’m just happy you called,” Sandy said with a shrug. Mickey watched her for a second before snorting.
“Who else would I call?”
“I don’t know. Colin?” Sandy paused for a second before looking at him over the rim of her glass. “Ian?”
“Don’t,” Mickey warned, not willing to talk about Ian, especially not to someone who didn’t even know him. Mickey had been hurt when Ian broke up with him on the stoop of the Gallagher house. Mickey had done everything for Ian. He had come out for him, tried to take care of him when he was at his lowest with his bipolar, and even protected him when the handsy old men would try things when Ian was drugged out of his mind on whatever anyone was willing to give him.
“Have you seen him yet?” Sandy asked.
“Nope,” Mickey said with a dismissive look as he sipped on his beer again.
“Mickey…” Sandy tried again.
“Why should I, huh? Bitch never visited me, did he?” Mickey said. It still hurt that as soon as Svetlana stopped asking him to do jobs for the Russian mob, Ian had essentially blocked him out of his life. Ian hadn't even taken calls from Mickey while he was locked up. He knew that Ian had left him, but he never expected the redhead to completely lock him out of his life, not when Mickey needed him the most.
“I thought you loved him,” Sandy said, folding her arms in front of her on the table.
“Didn’t mean much to him, did it?” Mickey said bitterly.
“He was sick, Mickey,” Sandy said, trying to rationalize.
“You don’t think I don’t know that?” he asked. “I was the one that was there for him. I took care of him and he just threw me away while his bitch of a sister…” Mickey trailed off, not wanting to lose his temper. He had been trying to work on that for a while and now was not the time to come undone. Mickey needed to keep calm for his own sake and Sandy's.
“Have you told anyone you’re back?” Sandy asked. “You know, besides Kev and V?”
“No,” Mickey said as he finished off the glass of beer before him.
“So, we’re here because…” Sandy said, gesturing around the bar that was a Southside staple.
“It’s early,” Mickey said. “Gallaghers don’t get day drunk. Well, Frank does, but fuck Frank.”
“Maybe you should tell someone,” Sandy said, trying to be comforting and supportive. This was one of the many reasons why Sandy and Mandy got along so well. They were always getting into other people’s business and especially Mickey’s. If he was being honest with himself, and he always was, he figured that they were the same person at times.
It was terrifying.
Still, she had a point. Some of the time.
“Who would I tell, hmm?” Mickey asked, leaning forward on the table in front of him. Sandy’s eyes flickered from him to the door over Mickey’s shoulder, trying to predict the reaction that she knew was about to happen. However, she didn’t back down. Mickey had been avoiding it all for too long.
“Start with him,” Sandy said, gesturing over Mickey’s shoulder. Confused, Mickey turned around in the booth to see Ian. The third eldest Gallagher sibling had entered the bar with his older brother Lip and Lip’s boss, Brad. Lip and Brad were more focused on the game on the TV above the bar than Ian was. Ian was staring right at Mickey with a surprised expression.
Their eyes were locked together and Mickey felt as if he couldn’t breathe. As soon as Ian took a step forward, Mickey turned back around and shut his eyes tightly. “No, no, no,” Mickey said under his breath, trying to calm his heart rate.
“Mickey, stay calm,” Sandy tried, reaching for her cousin’s hand. Mickey pulled away as if he had been burned. Shaking out his hand, he got to his feet.
“Please don’t,” Mickey breathed out as Sandy watched him clamor out of the booth. From his pocket, Mickey slammed some bills onto the table.
“Mickey…” Sandy said, her tone almost desperate. Mickey ignored her pleas, pressed a kiss to the top of her head, and then headed through the back of the bar, ignoring the ginger-haired Gallagher that waited behind him. Just as he shrugged into the back room, he ran into Veronica. V stared after him in confusion, watching as her friend disappeared up the stairs that led to the old apartment above the bar.
V then turned to Sandy with a question on her lips. Sandy simply nodded towards Ian who was in the same spot as he had been when Mickey had noticed him. V sighed, understanding immediately. She didn’t know every detail about how the relationship had ended, but she knew enough. Most importantly, she knew how much Mickey loved Ian and how much Ian had hurt the man who had done everything to make sure he was okay.
Veronica turned her attention back to the bar, going to restock the Jameson and whatnot. Sandy added her own bills to the pile that Mickey had left before grabbing her bag and hoisting it over her shoulder. Sliding out of the booth, she approached the front door, trying to avoid the Gallagher brothers when Kevin appeared, stepping into the bar with a large black duffle in his arms. Sandy stopped as he went up to her, stopping just shy of Ian.
“This is all I could get before I heard Terry’s asshole cronies coming back up the street,” Kev said, gesturing to the bag. “Iggy had to hurry me out before anything got too ugly.”
“Thanks, man,” Sandy said, relaxing a bit more knowing that Mickey would have some things of his own for a while before he found something more stable.
“I’ll bring this upstairs for him,” Kev said as he moved past Sandy and headed for the back staircase that led to the apartment. Sandy watched after him for a moment before heading back to the front door. However, Ian moved first. He stepped in front of Sandy, set on intercepting her escape.
“Sandy, right?” Ian asked, recognizing her from the many photos Mandy had shown him years before.
“Yeah,” Sandy said simply.
“I’m–”
“I know,” she said, cutting him off. It wasn’t hostile or anything, but Sandy didn’t think she should be talking to him right now. Mickey should have been the one to build back the bridge between the Milkovich and Gallagher family, not her.
“I didn’t know he was out,” Ian said, his eyes on the door that Mickey had escaped through.
“Yeah, well, that’s what happens when the charges are dropped,” Sandy said. However, she elaborated after a flash of confusion overtook Ian’s face. “Your half-sister had some sort of meltdown in lock up,” Sandy said. “I’m not exactly sure what happened, but it was enough for her to be deemed mentally unstable. The judge figured if she was lying about most things, then she was lying about Mickey trying to kill her,” Sandy said with a shrug. “I picked him up about a week ago.”
“Shit,” Ian said, not surprised that Sammi was unstable, but that the judge had actually approved Mickey’s release.
“Yeah,” she said, just as amused and surprised.
“So, he’s staying here?” Ian asked.
“He can’t go home,” Sandy said with a sigh. “Terry has been on a warpath since Mickey came out. He never got over it and I guess he figured Mickey being in prison was punishment enough. He didn’t like when I came out either so I’m not surprised. Kev and V are letting him stay upstairs until he finds a better place.” Sandy hiked her bag higher up on her shoulder as she shifted on her feet. “Look, I gotta go, but try to talk to him, will ya?”
“It didn’t look like he wanted to talk to me,” Ian said with a frown.
“He’s hurt, Ian,” she said, “but he’s still in love with you. Mickey thought he’d be in there for almost a decade and regardless of who his family is, that isn’t easy. He doesn’t know what to do right now. Please, just give him something to hold onto.”
Ian frowned at that, trying to wrap his head around the fact that Mickey was feeling lost. It wasn’t something he was used to witnessing. Mickey was a rock, his rock and he never thought that something like a quick stint in prison would get to him. Then again, as Sandy said, he had thought he would be locked up for a good chunk of his life and Ian knew how Mickey felt about being isolated.
Mickey needed to be free in every sense of the word and Ian would always try to make that happen for the man who had always loved him unconditionally. However, that meant working through their differences and of course, Ian making up for everything he had said when he was off his medication.
“I’ll try,” he promised Sandy. Satisfied with the answer, Sandy moved past him and shoved out into the warm Southside air, leaving the Alibi behind her.
Lip, who was sipping on a Coke at Ian’s side, moved closer to his younger brother. “Are you going to talk to him?” Lip asked.
Ian sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I’m going to try,” Ian decided, letting his eyes drift up towards where Mickey was staying, needing to see him.
--------
IAN
Ian waited until the next day before going to speak to Mickey.
He had been up all night trying to figure out what he was going to say. There was a part of him that was angry that Mickey hadn’t called him the second he got out, but he also knew that he had broken up with him and that he didn’t have the right to ask about him anymore. Yet, Ian still loved Mickey with everything he had. He just hoped that Mickey’s feelings hadn’t changed in the short time that he had been locked up.
Even after the few relationships he had been in since Mickey got arrested, none of them would ever compare to Mickey. It didn’t matter who Ian was with or where he was, Mickey was always going to be it. Which is why Ian found himself outside the small apartment above the Alibi just as morning turned to noon. The sound of the old pipes in the cracked walls was only making the rising anxiety in Ian’s chest worse. His hands clenched and flexed at his sides as he forced himself to raise his fist and knock twice on the wooden door.
It was quiet on the other side and Ian was worried that he may have missed him after all. Ian knocked again and then finally heard the sound of footsteps inside the apartment. “Dammit, Kev!” Mickey yelled as he approached the door. “I told you I wasn’t going to bartend for your shitty customers. For fuck’s sa–” Mickey’s sentence cut off as he tore open the door and realized it wasn’t Kev standing in the hallway at all. “Ian,” he said as he stared at the taller man in front of him.
Ian was looking back and he had to take a minute to take Mickey in. He was just as beautiful as the last time Ian had seen him, but he looked stronger. Clearly, Mickey had been taking advantage of the gym in the prison yard. His arms were more defined underneath the long sleeve t-shirt he wore and Ian could even tell that his back and shoulders had more muscle on them than before. Ian couldn’t help but look at Mickey’s chest, knowing the mangled tattoo of his name was just below the thin fabric.
“Hey, Mick,” Ian said, finally finding his voice. He offered Mickey a small smile, but the latter just stared back, breaking out his shock and slipping into a mood that told Ian that something was very wrong.
“The fuck do you want?” Mickey asked. Ian stammered for a second. He knew that Mickey was upset, but they usually always started off as pissed at each other before the reunion turned into a flurry of removing clothes and hands gripping at hair. However, he was realizing that wasn’t how this one was going to go at all.
“You’re out,” Ian observed and Mickey just raised one of his eyebrows at him.
“No shit,” Mickey bit back.
“I just, uh, I wanted to say…” Ian tried, still not sure where he was going with any of it. He had been prepared to speak to Mickey, but he had figured Milkovich was going to be a bit more willing to hear him out. The Mickey before him looked as if he’d rather be throwing his head against a wall than standing in that doorway.
“What?” Mickey asked.
“I don’t know how to put this…” Ian said, the anxious feeling returning to his hands.
“Spit it out, Gallagher,” Mickey said, “I got shit to do. Prison took up a lot of my time.”
“Right,” Ian said. “Well, uh, maybe…”
“Yes?” Mickey urged, shifting on his feet. Ian was looking at him and then he couldn’t do it. He couldn’t say any of the things he had wanted to because Mickey had never looked at him like this. Ian was used to the glares, the smiles, the annoyed little glances whenever Ian would make some dumb joke that Mickey pretended to not find funny. However, now, it was as if Mickey was looking at him, but he had no idea who he was. Ian switched gears quickly.
“Fiona’s gone,” Ian blurted out causing Mickey to narrow his eyes.
“What?”
“Yeah, guess she finally got out of the Southside,” Ian went on. “Looks like she’s one of the lucky few,” Ian said with an attempt at a laugh, but Mickey was not amused. In fact, he seemed even angrier.
“Seriously?” Mickey said with a roll of his eyes. “Damn Gallagher, well I am so glad your life is so fucking interesting,” he said before he slammed the door in Ian’s face. Ian stood there for a second, stunned before he took a few steps back and pushed his hands into his hair.
“Fuck.”
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LIP
The next time a Gallagher brother knocked on Mickey’s door, it was not the one that Mickey had been expecting.
“Oh, what the fuck do you want?” Mickey said as he beheld Lip Gallagher at his threshold. Lip was standing there, an unlit cigarette behind his ear which only made Mickey want to punch him even more. He never liked Lip and he had liked him even less after Lip had constantly expressed his dislike of Ian and Mickey’s relationship.
“Ian’s been trying to call you,” Lip said with a pointed look. Mickey knew that and he had been purposely ignoring every call and text for a reason.
“And?” Mickey asked.
“You’re really going to be a dick about this?” Lip challenged.
“About what, Philip?” Mickey asked, using his full name just to annoy him further. “About how I got locked up after trying to stop your crazy bitch of sister with the help of your other crazy bitch of a sister? Who, by the way, never got picked up for helping me shove Sammi in that box. You’re welcome for that considering I could have rolled on her at any moment but I fucking didn’t.”
“You want me to thank you for not ratting out Debbie?” Lip asked, shoving his hands in his jacket pockets.
“Nah, I don’t want shit from you,” Mickey said. “Your brother dumped me before I got my ass shackled so he and I are nothing and you and I don’t owe each other shit.”
“I never liked you,” Lip said, already hating that he had agreed to go and speak to Mickey after Ian had begged him for two days. The only reason he was even standing in that hallway was because of Ian, but even Lip had his limits when it came to Mickey Milkovich.
“Wow, thanks,” Mickey deadpanned.
“But my brother loves you,” Lip went on. “And you make him happy so I need you to call him because whether or not you see it, you’re probably the only person for him and I think I've known that for a while."
“Right,” Mickey scoffed, “so you never said that Ian could always find someone better?” Mickey challenged.
“He told you about that?” Lip asked, surprised, remembering back to that conversation he had with his brother.
“He did,” said Mickey.
“I didn’t get it back then,” Lip said.
“You clearly don’t get it now.”
“He cares about you for some fucking reason, Mickey,” Lip said, trying again for the man in front of him to see some reason.
“Then maybe he should fucking figure it out,” Mickey shot back. “Now, don’t you have some think tank to go smoke some fancy weed in or some shit? Get the fuck out of here.” Mickey slammed the door in Lip’s face just as he had with Ian.
“Dammit,” Lip muttered as he pulled the cigarette from behind his ear and lit it. Placing it between his teeth, he pulled out his phone and sent a quick text to Ian letting him know he had hit and missed with Mickey. He didn’t wait for a reply as he headed back downstairs and out into the cool air of Chicago in search of a meeting for the afternoon.
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DEBBIE
Debbie found Mickey a day later playing pool in the Alibi.
He was just finishing up hustling some drunk hipster when Debbie approached him with Franny at her side. Mickey looked up as the two walked up to him. “Jesus,” he said with a look at Franny, “what are you feedin’ that kid?” he asked.
“Kids grow, Mickey. That’s how it works,” Debbie said with a roll of her eyes.
“Whatever,” Mickey said, turning back to the game. Debbie remained where she was, giving him a pointed look as she kept hold of her daughter. “Can I help you?” Mickey asked, turning back towards her, already tired of the Gallagher bullshit. He already had to stop Frank from breaking into the apartment in the early hours of the morning. He didn’t need Fiona Jr. bothering him right now.
“Why won’t you take Ian’s calls?” she asked.
“Jesus Christ,” Mickey swore, running a hand over his face.
“He needs to talk to you,” Debbie said.
“I’m sure he’ll live,” Mickey said, grabbing his beer from the bar behind him and taking a deep drink.
“I don’t know about that,” she said. “He’s pretty upset.” That made Mickey pause. He set his beer down.
“He taking his meds?” he asked her.
“Do you care?” Debbie challenged which was the wrong thing to do. Mickey glared at her.
“Don’t pull that shit with me,” he warned her. “Answer the fucking question.”
“Yes, he’s on his meds, but he’s still upset you’re ignoring him,” she said.
“Well, he ignored me so now he knows what it feels like to go AWOL,” Mickey said.
“Call him,” Debbie urged.
“No.”
“Mickey.”
“Debbie.” Mickey crossed his arms, staring her down. Franny was silent as she stood next to her mother, confused as to why they were talking to the man in front of her. Debbie glared at him for another moment before scoffing.
“I don’t know what he sees in you,” she shot at him before tugging her daughter away. Mickey watched them leave and Debbie’s words remained in the air around him.
“I don’t know either…” Mickey said quietly to himself before returning his attention to the game and his own thoughts.
---------
CARL
Mickey was out in the alley behind the Alibi when Carl Gallagher showed up dressed in a police cadet uniform.
“You’re a fucking cop now?” Mickey asked as he looked up, taking the cigarette he was smoking from his mouth.
“Almost,” Carl said, stopping in front of Mickey. The last time Mickey had even thought about Carl, the kid was going to some fancy military school or something. If he really thought about it, Mickey never really knew what Carl was up to half the time. There was a time that Mickey thought the kid was going to end up in the joint with him rather than trying to get a badge and service glock.
“Weren’t you supposed to grow up to be a serial killer or some shit?” Mickey asked.
“Things change,” Carl said with a shrug. Mickey nodded at that, returning his attention to his smoke. “You talk to Ian?”
“Nope,” Mickey said.
“Are you going to?” Carl asked.
“Nope,” Mickey repeated. Carl nodded, weighing his options before settling on a new tactic.
“If I handcuffed you and dragged you to the house, would you do it then?” Carl asked nonchalantly.
“You try to put those fucking bracelets on me and I’ll break every bone in your hand,” Mickey said without missing a beat. Carl didn’t retort, he just smiled. Mickey never liked when the Gallaghers smiled, it always meant they were up to something or drunk or both. “What?”
“Nothing,” Carl said with a shrug. “I just missed that Milkovich snark.”
“Whatever,” Mickey said dismissively. Suddenly, Carl’s phone chimed, drawing his attention. Seeing who it was, Carl pocketed it again before turning back to Mickey.
“I gotta go,” he said and Mickey just nodded. “Hey, stop being an asshole and call my brother before he runs out of love ballads to annoy us with.” Carl then left Mickey standing there, more confused than ever.
“Love ballads,” Mickey repeated. “What the fuck?”
-------
KEV AND V
The next ambush came when Mickey was sitting at the bar in the Alibi looking over the books for the Southside establishment.
V set a drink in front of him as she wiped off the bar. “Thanks again, Mickey,” V said. “Since Lana left, we’ve needed someone who’s good with numbers.”
“Not a problem,” Mickey said. “Least I can do considering I’m staying here rent-free, right?” Mickey continued to tap away at the calculator, but soon realized he was being stared at. Glancing up, he saw that Kev and V were both looking at him with innocent expressions on their faces. “What?” Mickey asked, already regretting doing so.
“Ian called us,” V said with a grimace as she set down the rag in her hands.
“Of course he did,” Mickey sighed. “Alright, lay it on me. At this point, I’m waiting for fucking Frank or Kermit to show up at my door at the ginger’s request.”
“What about me?” Kermit said, turning away from Tommy.
“Fuck you, Kermit,” Mickey said as he flipped him off. Kermit just frowned and turned back to his friend. Mickey looked back at the Balls and waited.
“I’m not gonna tell you what to do,” Veronica began.
“Good,” said Mickey, picking up his pen again.
“But,” she went on, “he has been going through a lot.”
“Right, like the two boyfriends and the fancy EMT job?” Mickey scoffed. “Yeah real tough.” V frowned.
“You know that he puts on a façade. Always has,” V reminded him.
“Yeah man,” Kev interjected. “Ian may be smiling with those pearly whites of his, but his heart is actually blue beneath that ugly uniform he wears.”
“That was beautiful,” Tommy added as he eavesdropped. Kev nodded to him in thanks.
“Thank you,” he said with gratitude.
“Kevin,” V said, her tone full of warning. Kev then ducked away, leaving his wife alone with his former business partner. V leaned in then, resting her forearms on the bar. “Maybe just hear him out,” she tried.
“I tried that,” Mickey admitted, grateful to have someone to talk to that wasn’t a Gallagher. “He doesn’t seem to know what the fuck he wants.”
“Do you?” she asked.
“I don’t know,” Mickey said softly. Veronica gave him a soft smile as she laid her hand on his arm, giving it a firm squeeze.
“Maybe you should figure that out first.”
---------
LIAM
Mickey was tired and all he wanted was a hot shower and then maybe some free beer from downstairs.
However, like always, he never got what he wanted. Opening the door to the apartment, he nearly jumped out of his skin at the sight of the youngest Gallagher sibling sitting on the couch in the small living room.
“Jesus,” Mickey swore, trying to catch his breath. “How the fuck you get in here?” Mickey asked as he shut the door behind him and took off his coat.
“Veronica let me in,” Liam said patiently.
“Why?” Mickey asked though he could guess why Liam was there. After the rest of his siblings had shown up, it wasn’t a long shot to figure out he would be next.
“I think we should talk,” Liam said, gesturing for Mickey to sit in the chair across from the couch. Mickey, amused, decided to humor the kid and took the seat Liam was offering even though it was Mickey’s house the kid was invading.
“I can’t remember us ever doing that but go on,” Mickey said as he settled in the frayed cushions. Liam was quiet for a moment before he finally nodded and folded his hands in front of him like a grown man in a kid’s body. Mickey still had no idea how he was related to Frank.
“I remember when Ian was going through the worst of his bipolar,” Liam began. “You looked out for me.” Mickey was surprised to know that Liam actually remembered all the things Mickey had done for him when Fiona was too stressed over Ian to look after her baby brother. Mickey would take Liam to the clinic for checkups, always carried him into the house when the boy was too tired to walk, and even made sure he always had something to eat whenever Lip or Fiona forgot to go grocery shopping. He had a soft spot for the smallest Gallagher sibling and he was never too proud to admit it.
“So?” Mickey asked.
“So,” Liam continued, “I’m going to do the same for you.” Liam seemed proud of himself for being the one to actually want to talk to Mickey rather than at him and the latter appreciated that. Mickey paused, eyeing Liam for a second before furrowing his brow.
“Are you sure you’re Frank’s son?” he asked
“Seem to be,” Liam said with a shrug.
“That’s unfortunate,” Mickey said, leaning his forearms on his knees as he leaned forward a bit.
“It’s not so bad,” Liam said. “I got great brothers and sisters out of it.”
“Right,” said Mickey.
“Ian told me about the time you were shot by his old boss,” Liam said suddenly.
“Kash and Grab?” Mickey asked and Liam nodded. Mickey hadn’t thought about that man in years because if he did, all he felt was rage. Lip and Mickey both knew what Kash had been doing to Ian, essentially grooming him, and they both hated it. If anything, it was the one thing that they agreed on.
“Yeah,” Liam nodded. “He was really worried about you.”
“I think he was just worried about getting fired by his viagroid boyfriend’s pissed-off wife,” Mickey rationalized, but Liam disagreed.
“I don’t think so. Other people he’s dated have been hurt or upset and Ian’s never reacted like that with them,” said Liam.
“How are you so observant?” Mickey asked, trying to gauge where Liam’s head was at.
“It’s a big house,” Liam said with another shrug. “People tend to forget that I’m around most of the time.”
“That’s rough,” Mickey said.
“Rough like being ignored by the person you love?” Liam asked and Mickey’s brows ascended towards his hair.
“I needed time,” he said, unsure of why he was having this conversation with a ten-year-old.
“Did you tell him that?” Liam asked.
“I was pretty clear, kid,” Mickey said, leaning back into the chair and propping his leg up on top of the other.
“That might work for other people, but Ian needs a bit more,” Liam explained. “He’s smart, but he doesn’t always pick up on things like the rest of us.”
“Can’t argue with that,” Mickey said, knowing very well how unobservant Ian could be at times.
“I always knew Ian was gay, you know?” Liam continued on.
“Yeah?” Mickey asked.
“Yeah, I mean by the time I was old enough to realize what was going on, he was already out and telling people. Then when you were together, I just figured it was normal for you to be around, and then… then you weren’t,” Liam said with a small frown.
“I was in prison,” Mickey reminded him.
“No, before that,” Liam said. “You would come and go and then just show back up and Ian would be happy again and I liked that for however long it lasted. I know he feels bad for what happened with Sammi. I know he blames himself.”
“It wasn’t his fault,” Mickey said and he meant it. Ian hadn’t asked Mickey to drug Sammi or lock her up in the crate, he had purely done it to protect Ian.
“To him, it was,” Liam divulged. “You brought back his happiness and then you got taken away because Sammi called the police on Ian for something he did. He got better when he got the new job but there was still something missing.”
“Which was what?” Mickey asked as he tugged on his fingers, trying to ignore the hammering in his chest.
“You, Mickey,” Liam said. “You were missing.” Mickey was silent then, letting Liam’s words crash over him like rolling waves. He had always figured that whenever he was in Ian’s life, it was doing more harm than good. Ian made Mickey’s life better, brighter, but Mickey had never realized what his presence had done for Ian’s. Liam, however, had a pretty good idea of what it looked like.
“How are you so damn wise?” Mickey asked him after another moment of silence.
“Must be a Gallagher thing,” Liam said with yet another shrug. Mickey was starting to think that was his go-to thing when he spoke his mind.
“Gallaghers are wise?” Mickey asked, not buying it.
“When we want to be,” Liam said as he got to his feet. He looked down at Mickey and gave him a tight-lipped smile. “I missed you when you went away,” he admitted. “You were one of the only people who took the time to talk to me and I know that Ian missed you too.” Mickey couldn’t help but feel a bit of pride at that.
“So, you’re saying that I should call him?” Mickey asked.
“No,” Liam said with a shake of his head. “You should go see him. After living with my siblings my whole life and seeing all their failed relationships, I’ve realized that these things are better-said face to face.” Liam then approached Mickey and patted him on the shoulder. “Ian has a late shift tonight so he’ll be home all day tomorrow. I’ll try to make sure nobody else needs to be home so you guys can talk.”
Mickey just stared after Liam as he made his way to the door. Just before he turned the handle, Mickey stopped him. “Liam,” he said, gaining the kid’s attention.
“Yeah?” Liam asked with another patient look on his face.
“I never forget you’re there,” Mickey admitted, letting out a breath. Liam simply smiled at him before leaving the apartment and leaving Mickey to his thoughts.
Sitting back in the chair, Mickey ran his hands over his face. “Ian Gallagher, you sneaky son of a bitch.”
---------
The next day, Ian was finally up after sleeping for most of the morning.
The quiet of the house was a nice change of pace, but that meant he was alone with his thoughts and that was not a comforting thought. Just as he was about to find coffee, there was a knock at the door. Hoping it wasn’t Frank, Ian sauntered over and pulled it open.
“That was low, calling in the little brother,” Mickey said in greeting as he beheld a surprised Ian. “That kid is convincing as fuck.” Ian took a step to the side as Mickey pushed past him and into the Gallagher house. He looked around and was thankful that Liam had come through and nobody else was home.
“I had to try something,” Ian said as he shut the door and followed Mickey into the living room. Mickey turned to look at him, trying to figure out how to start. Ian beat him to it though. “I’m so sorry, Mick,” Ian began. “I just left you alone and I never thought about what that would mean besides just breaking up with you.”
“You can’t…” Mickey paused, trying to keep his emotions in check. “You can’t just play with my feelings like that. You can’t just choose when you want to be in love with me or whether I’m worth it or not,” he said, finally getting the words out that he had been mulling over since he saw Ian walk into the Alibi with Lip and Brad.
“I know,” Ian said.
“Do you?” Mickey asked. “Cause I get it. I was an asshole to you when we were just starting out and fuck, I know I fucked up and did some horrible shit.”
“Which I forgave you for,” Ian reminded him. Mickey knew what he was referring to. All the comments about him not caring about Ian, the “warm mouth” moment in the store, and especially when Mickey had beaten Ian up after Terry’s attempt at forced conversion therapy.
“And we worked through it,” Mickey went on. “I came out, I told you that I loved you, and then…”
“And then I got sick,” Ian finished, but Mickey was shaking his head.
“It wasn’t just that," Mickey said. “I felt like because I was trying, you didn’t want me anymore. It was like you preferred it when I was an asshole to you and only using you for sex.”
“I didn’t,” Ian said, taking a step forward. Mickey took one back.
“I don’t believe you,” Mickey said, his voice cracking slightly as his emotions began to win.
“I remember the exact moment I found out about you marrying Svetlana,” Ian began, shifting gears. “Mandy had casually mentioned it at school one day. She didn’t know about us and I had tried not to react, but it broke me to hear that you were marrying the woman who did...that to you. It made me sick. All I wanted to do was run away and take you with me.”
“That’s not how life works,” Mickey said.
“I know, but I still wanted to try,” said Ian. “I tried everything I could to keep you out of my head the second you had me pinned in your room that day but I couldn’t do it. I tried to be with other men, brush you off when it was too hard to keep my hands off you, but you always roped me back in. The day at Ned’s when you kissed me for the first time… Man, I felt like I was on fire. Then after what happened with your dad, I knew that I wouldn’t be able to stay away, but I also knew you were going to shut me out.”
“I had my reasons,” Mickey said, trying to get Ian to understand why he had shut him out.
“I know,” said Ian. “You were doing it to protect me from Terry.” Mickey nodded. “Still, it didn’t stop me from falling in love with you. You never gave up on me even when you wanted nothing to do with me. The night you found me passed outside the Fairytale, on the way home you told me that you’d always be there to pick my ass off the street and you always kept that promise.”
“You remember that?” Mickey asked, surprised Ian could remember anything about his club days. Mickey had said a lot of things in the Uber on the way home, but he didn’t think Ian was even conscious half the time.
“I remember everything you’ve said to me,” Ian said, taking another step and was glad to see that Mickey didn’t retreat this time. “I should have been there when you were locked up.” Mickey nodded, running a hand through his hair.
“I didn’t expect you to fucking live behind that glass wall, but I needed… I needed you and I needed to know if you were okay, Ian,” Mickey admitted, looking at the man in front of him with a near pleading expression. “I had nightmares that you were in a ditch somewhere, out of your mind, while full bottles of pills were still in your room.” Ian grimaced, hating how Mickey had worried about him.
“I didn’t want you to worry, Mick,” he said.
“Tough shit,” Mickey shot back. “That’s what you do when you’re in love.” Ian was startled by that.
“You still love me?” he asked.
“What the fuck do you think?” Mickey asked, incredulously.
“You seemed so angry,” Ian said, reminding him of their last conversation.
“I was,” Mickey said, “and I needed a minute to breathe. Contrary to popular belief, I do care about being in prison and I don’t want to get familiar with those fucking concrete walls. I’d rather not be another frequent flyer Milkovich,” Mickey admitted. “You always say that you need to get your shit together, well it was my turn, Ian.”
“I get that,” Ian said.
“My life ain’t gonna be a carbon copy of Terry’s. I’m gonna be better, I have to be the better man,” Mickey said, unable to stop himself now that he was letting it all out.
“You already are,” Ian said, walking right up to him.
“I can’t go back,” Mickey said, looking up into Ian’s bright and attentive green eyes. “I have to think straight and when I’m with you or not with you… I ain’t gonna survive if you suddenly decide I’m not worth it again.” Ian reached up and took Mickey's face in his hands. Mickey had never outwardly expressed his desire to break the Milkovich mold like this. Ian could hear the fear behind every word and it hurt him to see Mickey like that. He was the strongest man Ian had ever known, but he always admired the strength it took to tell Ian all of this.
“I won’t,” Ian told him. “You are always worth it. Always. I love you, Mickey, and I don’t want to lose you.” Mickey was shaking his head as he placed his hands over Ian’s.
“You never lost me,” Mickey said softly, relaxing under Ian’s touch. “You may have wanted to end things, but I never got rid of us.” He then took Ian’s hand and lowered it to his chest, right on top of the tattoo that remained on Mickey’s heart.
“I’m so sorry,” Ian said again and he was willing to say it as many times as it took for Mickey to hear him. Ian looked into Mickey’s eyes then and saw something that reminded him of something Mandy had once said to him. That look in Mickey’s eyes finally made him relax.
“I’m sorry, too,” Mickey said, reaching up to run his thumb along Ian’s cheekbone.
“For what?” Ian asked, his brow furrowed. Mickey smoothed out the crease between his brows, not letting Ian stress about anything else.
“For not letting you in sooner,” Mickey said. “We could have more, so much more. Fuck, I missed you,” Mickey breathed out as he tugged Ian into him. Their lips met with a warm and firm kiss. Ian threw his arms around Mickey’s pulling him even closer. Mickey savored the feel of Ian Gallagher’s lips on his own as he sighed into the kiss.
Shoving his hands into Ian’s hair, he tugged on it, eliciting a moan from the taller man much to Mickey’s satisfaction. Ian kissed him a few more times before he pulled back, letting his forehead rest against Mickey’s so they could catch their breath. “Tell your family to back off now,” Mickey said with a smile.
“Tell them yourself,” Ian said. “You're moving in with me.”
“Is that so?” Mickey asked as he pushed back a bit so he could see Ian’s face.
“Don’t argue with me, Mr. Milkovich,” Ian said, his fingers playing with the hair at the nape of Mickey’s neck.
“You know I don’t like taking orders. I had enough of that shit in the joint,” Mickey said.
“You never complained before,” Ian said seductively as he ran his hand down Mickey’s stomach and towards his hips. Mickey raised his brows then, leaning into Ian’s hands.
“You are something else, Gallagher,” Mickey said, grateful to be with him once again, “but fuck I love you.”
“Then come here,” Ian urged as he reached for Mickey’s belt. Looking at Ian’s face, his expression filled with not just lust but love as well, Mickey melted beneath Ian’s gaze and finally felt as if he was free for the first time since getting out.
“Fuck it,” he swore as he tugged Ian in close. “Yes, Sir.” Ian grinned as he wrapped himself around Mickey again, letting everything between them solidify as they had found their way back to each other once again.
72 notes · View notes
apolloloki97 · 3 years
Text
Shameless Hogwarts Houses
Do you agree?
Monica: Slytherin
Frank: Ravenclaw
Sammi: Slytherin
Fiona: Ravenclaw
Lip: Ravenclaw
Ian: Slytherin
Debbie: Slytherin
Carl: Gryffindor
Liam: Hufflepuff
Mickey: Gryffindor
Kev: Hufflepuff
V: Ravenclaw
Mandy: Slytherin
Sandy: Hufflepuff
Tammi: Slytherin
JimmySteve: Slytherin
TrevorL Hufflepuff
Sheila: Hufflepuff
Brad: Gryffindor
Karen: Slytherin
34 notes · View notes
apolloloki97 · 3 years
Text
“Gay Judas” Mickey Milkovich x Ian Gallagher
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Summary: When Mickey hears about Ian’s Gay Jesus bullshit, he decides it’s time to intervene.
Word Count: 2235
Warning: Swearing, Bipolar Disorder
Song I Wrote To: “Heat Waves Stripped-Version” by Glass Animals
Note: I really needed Mick to show up and shut this shit down and so I wrote this.
--------
Mickey Milkovich had uprooted his life for Ian Gallagher and he was happy to do it.
That is until it involved Ian being a complete moron. 
Mickey had been at a random bar somewhere outside the main city he was staying in while in Mexico when he had caught a shot of his ex-boyfriend’s face on someone’s phone nearby. All it said was Chicago’s Gay Jesus and Mickey knew something was very wrong. It didn’t take him long to find the articles about Ian’s new crusade and that was when he had risked a call to Svetlana.
Hearing that Ian had become some kind of gay symbol was one thing, but the way he was doing it told Mickey another: Ian was in a manic stage and nobody was helping him. That was how he found himself back on the streets of the Southside with an angry Russian hooker by his side. “This one,” Svetlana said as she pointed to a church on the corner. 
Both Svetlana and Mickey paused as they stared up at the banners that hung on the outside of the church. “Fucking hell, Ian,” Mickey swore as he saw the ridiculous illustrations of the ginger on banners and even t-shirts. 
“What’s the plan? Punch moron till he stop?” Svetlana asked. 
“Depends on if his little cultists swing first,” Mickey said as he scratched at his nose with his thumb before taking a deep breath. “Alright, Svet, take me to church.” 
Ian was in the middle of a sermon, sort of, when Mickey burst into the room, Svetlana following right behind him. “Alright rainbow warriors, take a fucking seat!” Mickey yelled, announcing himself. Ian stared at the man in front of him, unable to think clearly. Trevor, who had begrudgingly gone to this specific meeting was looking between the two in confusion. 
“What the shit!” Ian exclaimed, unsure of what else to say. 
“Svet, grab him,” Mickey ordered and then all five-foot-seven of pure Russian confidence was charging down the aisle towards a surprised Ian. Mickey watched as Svetlana grabbed Ian and nearly tackled him to overpower him. Ian was strong, always had been, but Svet was just as pissed at him as Mickey was.
“You idiot,” Svetlana said as she grabbed Ian by the back of his neck and took his arm, dragging him off the dais. Ian stumbled after her, still trying to get the right words out. 
“Hey! Let him go!” one of Ian’s disciples said as they moved to follow them. Svetlana pulled her knife and leveled it at the girl. Trevor stood then, ready to intervene. 
“Fucking hell, Svet! Put the damn knife away, we’re in a fucking church,” Mickey said as she lowered the blade and continued to push Ian towards the door, but Gallagher was starting to resist.
“Come, Orange Boy, we need to talk,” Svetlana said, hooking her arms around Ian’s biceps. 
“No! Ian! You can’t just take him!” Another girl said as she cried out for her "savior". 
“Ah, don’t worry your little gay heads about it, I’ll bring your pariah back in one peace,” Mickey said, flipping her off before going to follow Ian and Svetlana. 
“Who the hell are you?” a younger man said, trying to step into Mickey’s path. Mickey just grinned at him before punching him in the face. The guy fell amongst the pews and Mickey turned to the rest of the room, splaying his arms wide. 
“Just call me Gay Judas,” Mickey said with a wink.
“Mickey!” Ian screamed, causing Mickey to roll his eyes. Trevor began to move toward as Mickey’s name fell from Ian’s lips. He knew immediately that this was the Mickey and Trevor was not about to let the convict take Ian away from him. 
“Svet, get the bag!” Mickey said as he ran off after them. Trevor followed, bursting through the front doors just to see Svetlana throwing Ian into the back of an SUV with a black bag over his head. Mickey slid into the front seat and started up the engine. He gave a salute to Trevor as he hit the gas and sped off.
Ian swore from the backseat as Svetlana kept him contained, holding down his arms. “You fuckers!” Ian yelled. “Let me go! What the fuck ever happened to Mexico!” Mickey ignored him, not wanting to answer any questions just yet. Not until they were alone. Mickey didn’t have a lot of time and he needed to make the best of it before his deadline. 
They arrived at the Alibi soon after and Svetlana helped Mickey drag Ian into the basement that Kev usually used to store weed for his and Lip’s “ice cream truck”. Now it was mainly used for interrogations or in Ian and Mickey’s case, interventions. 
Svetlana and Mickey threw Ian down onto a chair and then tore the bag from his face. “Again with the fucking bag!” Ian shouted, nearly growling at Mickey. 
“Shut up, Red,” Mickey said with a warning look. Ian looked around and began to settle down as he realized where he was. Still, it didn’t comfort him to know that his ex had essentially kidnapped him.
Again.
“Thanks, Svet, I owe you,” Mickey said. Svetlana leaned over and kissed him on the cheek before sending another glare at Ian as she turned to leave. As soon as the door closed and locked behind them, Mickey walked forward and landed a punch to Ian’s jaw. 
“Fuck!” Ian yelled. 
“You’re lucky that’s all I did, you fucking idiot,” Mickey said. 
“What the hell are you doing here?” Ian asked. 
“I’m here, you moron, to shut this shit down,” Mickey said, grabbing at Ian’s Gay Jesus t-shirt. “Do you know how many fucking busses and trains I had to take to get back here? Fuck, Gallagher… what the fuck are you doing, man?” Mickey said, lowering his voice a bit more as Ian also began to settle. 
“I’m helping,” Ian said, still trying to grasp the fact that Mickey was in front of him, that Mickey was home. 
“Helping who, Ian? The fucking loons who want to lick your boots? What about being an EMT?” Mickey asked. 
“It wasn’t enough,” Ian argued. 
“Says who?” Mickey countered, but Ian just remained quiet. Mickey swore again, rubbing at his temples as he began to pace in front of Ian. He had planned out this whole speech he was going to say, but now he could barely get the words out. He couldn’t look at Ian without thinking about how the man had left him at the border, alone and heartbroken. However, he knew that Ian was always going to be dealing with bullshit like this. “You’re off your meds, aren’t you?” Mickey asked though he didn’t really need an answer. He knew what it looked like when Ian was manic. 
“Fuck you,” Ian said. 
“Uh, no,” Mickey said, crossing his arms. “I didn’t get back across the border for this shit or for you to be all dismissive when I ask about your fucking well-being. Nobody has fucking noticed have they?” Mickey asked, knowing damn well the Gallaghers forgot Ian existed half the time. Ian didn’t respond, but that was an answer in itself. “Fucking Gallaghers,” Mickey swore causing Ian to look at him with recognition, seeing his Mickey again was making his heart ache. “Get it together, Ian,” Mickey said. 
“Right,” Ian scoffed and Mickey began to lose it. 
“What the fuck is wrong with you? And don’t give me all this 'woe is me bullshit', you’re smarter than this.” 
“These kids need my help!” 
“There are other ways to help them, Ian! Social workers, cops, hell a fucking walk-a-thon, but not this! This is unrecognizable.” 
“Maybe you don’t know me as well as you think you do,” Ian challenged.
“That’s a bunch of bullshit and we both know it,” Mickey said. “I know you inside and out. I know your soul like the back of my fucking hand. Don’t you tell me that I don’t know you, Ian Gallagher. Don’t you say that shit to me.” Ian was quiet then, trying to keep it together. “You want to mean something? Start by setting a decent example for these kids that are following you like a bunch of gay ugly ducklings.”
“You wouldn’t understand,” Ian said. 
“Stop,” Mickey said, approaching Ian. He leaned over and braced his hands on either side of the man below him, his hands digging into the armrests. “You mean something to this world, Ian, but you don’t need to go off the rails to prove it,” Mickey said with a desperate tone to his voice. 
“Why do you care?” Ian asked, staring up into Mickey’s eyes. 
“Why do I care?” Mickey echoed. “Did you forget everything that fucking happened at the border?” he asked as he pushed back from Ian. “I fucking love you, you idiot and I’m worried about you.” Ian was quiet for a moment before he finally sighed and ran a hand through his hair. 
“It got out of hand,” Ian admitted. 
“Yeah, no shit,” said Mickey. “Fuck, where the hell is your family?” 
“Busy,” Ian said with a shrug. That also didn’t surprise Mickey. The time Ian left to join the military, Fiona had barely looked for him. In fact, Mickey couldn’t remember anyone actively looking for Ian until the Army came looking for Lip. That had pissed off Mickey to no end, even if he never told the Gallaghers that. 
“And what about that boyfriend of yours?” Mickey asked, remembering Ian talking about his relationship when Mickey had escaped. 
“He saw me losing it,” Ian divulged with another shrug. 
“And he didn't do anything like drag your ass to the clinic?” 
“No,” Ian said. 
“Fucking hell, Gallagher, you need better friends,” Mickey said, running his hands over his face. His stubble was growing out again and he desperately needed a shave. “This shit stops now, okay?” Mickey urged and Ian nodded, trying to keep it together. Mickey kneeled in front of him and from his jacket, produced the familiar orange bottles that held Ian’s meds. “I picked these up on my way.” 
Ian stared at the pills with disdain but didn’t shove them out of Mickey’s hands to the latter’s relief. “You broke into my house…” Ian said. 
“I still have a key, moron,” Mickey said and then softer, “Come on, baby.” Ian stopped at the use of the pet name. Mickey never tended to use anything but the more insulting nicknames, but there were times when they just slipped out and the gentler side of Mickey was revealed. A side that Ian loved the most.
Ian opened his hand and Mickey doled out his dosage before grabbing a bottle of water from the storage crate and handing it to Ian. With a deep sigh, Ian took all his stabilizers and antidepressants in one go, following up with a few swigs of water. Mickey relaxed as soon as the meds were in Ian’s system, feeling exhaustion weighing on him from all the days he had spent worrying about the love of his life. “Stop trying to fuck up this life you have, Ian,” Mickey said, reaching out to hold Ian’s face in his hand. “You’re so much better than this.” Ian leaned into his palm, savoring the small moment. 
“I missed you,” Ian said, closing his eyes. 
“Missed you, too,” Mickey whispered. Leaning in, Mickey rested his forehead against Ian’s and tried not to let the tears that threatened to spill cascade down his cheek. He didn’t need to get emotional now, he didn’t have much time left. 
“You better get back to Mexico,” Ian whispered. 
“I ain’t going back,” Mickey admitted. Ian pulled back just enough to see Mickey’s face. 
“Why?” he asked. 
“I made a deal,” Mickey said with a sad smile. “I rolled on a cartel back in Mexico. Told the Feds I’d finish my sentence here as long as they gave me the afternoon to finish something up. I took down some pretty fucked up dudes so they agreed. I gotta turn myself in in about twenty minutes.” Ian seemed to deflate then as realization set in.
Mickey was going back to jail because he came to save him. Again. 
“I’m sorry, Mick,” Ian said. Mickey was shaking his head already as he ran his hands over Ian’s shoulders and up to his neck, relishing in the feel. 
“Don’t apologize,” Mickey said, “but fucking visit me this time, will you?” 
“Every week,” Ian promised without hesitation. 
“Soft,” Mickey teased, and that caused Ian to laugh finally. He then turned serious. 
“Thanks, Mick,” Ian said. "Thanks for coming to get me.”
“I always will,” Mickey promised. “Especially when you’re going all psycho-ginger on me.” Ian laughed again and then surged forward to kiss Mickey, crushing their lips together. Mickey savored every taste and feel of Ian’s lips on him, knowing it was going to be a while before they had another moment like this. He didn’t think Beckman would offer conjugal visits anytime soon. When they separated, Ian smiled again. 
“Stop kidnapping me, Milkovich,” Ian said as he kissed Mickey quickly again. 
“What can I say?” Mickey said. “I’m a whore for the dramatics, Gay Jesus.”
“Oh, shut up, you fucking convict,” Ian said as he grabbed him again.
Regardless of what the future held, they still have twenty minutes. 
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apolloloki97 · 3 years
Text
“Stuck With Me” Mickey Milkovich x Ian Gallagher
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GIF CREDIT: Showtime/TVGuide
Summary: A conversation after Ian and Mickey are reunited in prison in season 9.
Word Count: 1456
Warning: Swearing
Song I Wrote To: “Video Games” by The Young Professionals
Note: I want their relationship so much except maybe without the broken bones.... SPOILERS FOR SEASON 9 OF COURSE. 
---------
It was starting to get to Ian.
“Stop staring,” he said, looking over at his cellmate. Mickey had been looking at Ian for the past hour, trying hard not to be completely disgusted.
“I can’t,” Mickey said. “It’s fucking insulting.” Mickey made another face of distaste before shoving further away from Ian, tucking himself into the corner of the bottom bunk where the two men recently celebrated their reunion. Ian was still trying to comprehend how Mickey had even orchestrated becoming his cellmate and he didn’t have the energy to deal with any of this right now.
“I was going to run, Mick,” Ian said with an exasperated sigh. He then turned to Mickey, trying to get closer to him, but Mickey wasn’t having it.
“Yeah, well maybe you should’ve just kept goin’ if you were gonna show up like that,'' Mickey said with a scoff. Ian sighed again, trying to stop himself from throttling the man he loved.
“It’s just hair, Mick,” Ian tried again.
“No, it’s just wrong,” Mickey said as he glared at the dark curls that were on top of his boyfriend’s head rather than the bright orange locks he had fallen in love with. “It’s a heinous crime. You should get another couple of years added to your fucking sentence for this atrocity."
“Mick…” Ian said again, trying to get his boyfriend to see reason.
“Nope, not liking it. It won’t stop fucking staring at me,” Mickey said. “I miss my carrot top and you killed him.”
“You are so fucking dramatic,” Ian said, leaning back against the stone wall and tucking his leg underneath him. Mickey scoffed again.
“Says ‘Gay Jesus’,” Mickey said with a knowing look.
“Shut up,” Ian said, smacking him with a pillow. “I didn’t pick the damn name.”
“You didn’t correct them either, did you?” Mickey said with his brows raised. “Fuck, Ian, there are better ways to run away from the cops.”
“What? Like going to Mexico?”
“Worked for me,” Mickey said, splaying his hands. “All I am saying is that when people run from the law, dying their hair is the number one thing pigs expect. I thought you were smarter than this, man.”
“Are you more pissed that I was going to run or that I dyed my hair?” Ian asked.
“Take a fucking guess, fire-crotch,” Mickey said as he sulked. Ian laughed and then moved into his space. Mickey glared at him but remained where he was. He still had the image of Ian’s face burned in his mind when the younger man had turned around and saw Mickey enter the cell with a smug look on his face. They had had a lot of reunions over the years, but this one took the damn cake. Mickey had never been happier to be in prison than right now.
“I’m sorry I dyed it,” Ian said, giving Mickey an innocent look that held so much love. Mickey, unable to resist him, gave in and reached his hand up to pull his tattooed fingers through Ian’s hair.
“I guess I’ve done worse shit to avoid the cops,” Mickey rationalized.
“You literally put on a dress, heels, and a wig,” Ian reminded him and Mickey shrugged, remembering that look well.
“You were the one who said I have great legs,” Mickey said, reminding Ian of the conversation they had after Mickey had come out. After Terry had beat the shit out of both of them.
“Oh my god,” Ian growled, “shut up.” Ian grabbed Mickey by the back of the neck and pulled him in for a kiss, savoring the way their lips always fit perfectly together.
Ian remembered the first time Mickey had kissed him in the van in Ned’s driveway. He had nearly danced with joy as Mickey pressed his lips to his before following his brothers into the house. Of course, the celebration was short-lived as Mickey was then shot by JimmySteve’s mother with a shotgun. Still, it was one of Ian’s favourite memories. “I missed you so much,” Ian said as he pulled back, letting his forehead lean against Mickey’s.
“I missed you, too,” Mickey said, pressing a kiss to Ian’s nose which made the latter grin. “And I’ve missed being able to do this,” he whispered.
“What?” Ian asked, needing Mickey to keep talking.
“Just being able to touch you, kiss you, feel you near me,” Mickey whispered as he ran his hand over the side of Ian’s neck, feeling his pulse beneath his fingers. “You’re still under my skin, Gallagher.”
“Good,” Ian said as he kissed him again, letting his tongue linger longer, basking in the taste of Mickey Milkovich. Mickey was the one to pull back this time, settling next to Ian and picking up his hand. Lacing their fingers together, Mickey played with Ian’s hand.
“Was it all because you were off your meds?” Mickey asked. “The whole van burning thing, or was it something else?” Mickey had been curious since he caught wind of Ian’s Gay Jesus crusade. He recognized the signs of Ian being in a manic episode from the few news clips he managed to see in Mexico. All he wanted to do was call Fiona or Lip and tell them to get Ian some help, but he knew he couldn’t. Still, it had torn him apart to see the love of his life going off the rails.
Ian leaned into him, watching Mickey’s movements. “Partly,” Ian confessed. “I think I was just lost, you know? Wanted to feel important again.”
“I get that,” Mickey said. “I was like that for a while down South, never really knowing what I was doing or where I was going.”
“Yet you came back,” Ian said, sighing deeply.
“I always do,” Mickey said, looking over at Ian who’s eyes were already trained on the raven-haired man.
“I’m glad you did,” Ian said. “I don’t feel grounded when you’re not here. I feel like I’m gonna disappear and nobody is gonna notice.”
“It’s impossible to forget you,” Mickey said. “Every day I thought about you from the moment I crossed the border.” Ian frowned then and Mickey could feel the guilt pouring off of him. “Don’t,” Mickey warned, but Ian had to say it.
“I’m sorry I didn’t go with you,” Ian said. “I should have gotten in that fucking car.”
“Don’t apologize,” Mickey said. “I get it. You had your shit together and I was only going to ruin you.” Ian was reminded then about something Fiona had told him after they had found out Mickey had escaped, that Mickey would set a match to his life. What Fiona didn’t know was that Ian was more than willing to get burned.
“You could never ruin me,” Ian said, grabbing Mickey’s face and forcing him to look him in the eyes.
“I’m sure your sister would disagree,” Mickey said, knowing well that Fiona had had a change of heart about him after the whole Sammi debacle.
“Fuck Fiona,” Ian whispered. “She’s not even here anymore and my family loves you.”
“Really?” Mickey asked with a raised brow. “Even Lip?” Ian grimaced.
“Okay maybe not everyone, but Lip will come around.”
“Right,” Mickey scoffed. Suddenly, there was a loud crash and the sound of fighting as an inmate got into with a guard. Ian tightened his hold on Mickey as a habit. Mickey then remembered that even after living in the chaos that was the Southside, Ian never liked loud noises. “You'll get used to it,” he said, rubbing his thumb along the back of Ian’s hand. “And I’ll protect you,” he said with a wink, causing Ian to laugh.
“Is that so?” Ian challenged.
“Hell yeah, I always gotta look out for my carrot top.” Mickey then frowned, “Well, you know, when he's actually here,” he said once again glaring at the dark hair on Ian’s head.
“God, fine,” Ian said. “I'll shave it. Would that make you happy?” Mickey grinned, tugging Ian back into him.
“Ecstatic,” Mickey said, dragging his hand along Ian’s chest and down his stomach. Ian captured his lips, nearly pulling the older man on top of him. Mickey tangled their legs together as they resumed an earlier position. Bracing himself on either side of Ian, Mickey looked down at him with love in every inch of his body. “Don’t leave me again,” Mickey said, nearly desperate.
“Never,” Ian said, reaching up to run his thumb over Mickey’s soft lips. “You’re stuck with me.” Mickey grinned as he lay back down on his man. Ian then rolled them over so he was back on top and there was no argument from Mickey as Ian once again showed him just how much he missed him.
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apolloloki97 · 3 years
Text
"Worthy of Him" Mickey Milkovich x Ian Gallagher
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Summary: When Mickey comes across a handsome stranger, he doesn't realize it's the man who cheated on Ian when Mickey was locked up. Caleb is going to have quite a surprise when he meets the love of Ian's life. ---- Or when Mickey meets Caleb.
Word Count: 3076
Warning: Swearing
Song I Wrote To: “Fuckin' Perfect" by P!nk
Note: I just love when Mickey meets Ian's exes. Also, I get really happy when Mickey defends the Gallaghers!
--------
Mickey was on his way home when he heard a string of curses that even made him stop mid-strut on the sidewalk.
At the end of the block, a handsome black man was glaring at his car, his hands on his hips as he swore. Mickey knew that look, he himself had had a similar expression on his face more than once. Weighing his options, he considered just turning the other way and going the long way home, but there was something about the man that screamed “help me” and so Mickey decided to do just that.
Besides, the poor handsome bastard clearly didn’t belong on the Southside considering how well put together he was and the decent set of wheels he was glaring at. Approaching the man, Mickey tried to gauge what was wrong with the vehicle, but it seemed as if even the owner didn’t know. “Hey man,” Mickey greeted. “Wheels busted?”
“Yeah, I don’t know what the hell is wrong with it,” the man said with a sigh as he finally turned to look at Mickey. The latter didn’t miss how the stranger did a double-take, letting his eyes scan Mickey from head to toe. Since he had come out, Mickey had been noticing male attention pointed in his direction more frequently and he couldn’t deny that it made him feel damn good about himself. Not that he would ever admit that out loud, especially to Ian.
Jealous bastard, Mickey thought to himself with a smirk that the stranger before him seemed to notice immediately. Brushing off the bedroom eyes emanating from the other man, Mickey stepped towards the car.  “Want me to take a look?” Mickey offered.
“Yeah, sure, thanks man,” the man said, gesturing for Mickey to move closer. Mickey leaned over the open hood of the car, his eyes scanning for anything outwardly wrong. As he bent over the car, the owner watched on with curiosity. “So, you a mechanic?”
“Nah,” Mickey said as he examined the battery. “My brother-in-law is. Taught me some shit,” Mickey explained. Lip had only begun to teach Mickey a bit about bikes after Mickey had helped him steal from Born Free. Mickey would never admit it to the older Gallagher brother, but he liked Lip a fair amount when he wasn’t being a total asshole. Lip was also important to Ian so Mickey made the sacrifice to “bond” with his brother-in-law whenever the occasion arose and graft theft auto just happened to be one of those occasions.
“So, you’re just in the habit of helping strangers when their car breaks down?” the man said. Mickey scoffed as he shrugged.
“Only when it breaks down on the Southside and the owner ain’t belong,” Mickey said.
“Who says I’m not Southside?” the man said playfully. Straightening up slightly, Mickey looked over at him with a knowing look.
“Trust me, I can tell,” Mickey said. Stepping back, Mickey crouched down to get a look at the grill in case anything was stuck when the bottom of his pant leg rode up slightly, exposing the holster he had strapped to his ankle along with the .22 he kept on him at all times. Iggy called it a “pussy gun”, but with being on parole, Mickey couldn’t risk always carrying his larger piece and he was still paranoid that the cartel would catch up with him eventually. The owner of the car noticed it immediately, his brows rising.
“You a cop or something?” he asked, gesturing to the exposed holster. Mickey glanced down at the hardware Carl had given him before covering it back up again. He looked up at the stranger with a raised brow.
“Not exactly,” Mickey said, disgusted to be even considered to be compared to a pig.
“Right,” the man said.
“What?” Mickey asked as he stood up, leaning against the car. “Are you a cop? Gonna fuckin’ bust me for this?” he asked.
“I fight fires, not Southside thugs,” he said with a wink and Mickey laughed quickly before turning back to his task. It didn’t take him long to notice the coolant leak in the hose.
“You’re gonna need to take this to a shop, man,” Mickey said. “You got a leak here,” he said, pointing to the hose. The man approached him, getting closer to Mickey to get a better look. Mickey rolled his eyes, knowing exactly what he was doing. He was ready to shove his wedding ring up the man’s nose when his phone rang. Knowing who it was, Mickey ignored it.
Ian had been trying to get a hold of him for an hour now. Mickey knew it was because Debbie had pissed his husband off again, but he had no interest in dealing with Ginger-Gallagher drama at the moment. Ian called again shortly after the first call, the shrill of the phone in his pocket permeating the tension that was radiating off the handsome stranger next to him.
“Wife?” the man asked, gesturing to Mickey’s pocket and the obvious ignoring of the calls. Mickey then realized that the stranger had seen the ring on his left hand and just ignored it. Bastard, Mickey thought.
“Husband,” Mickey corrected, always thrilled to do so these days. It wasn’t necessarily because he was proud to be a gay man, he was just incredibly proud to be Ian Gallagher’s husband. He’d tattoo it on his forehead if he hadn’t already gotten a dumbass tattoo for his husband back when he was first locked up in the joint.
“Ignoring him?” the man pressed and Mickey was starting to become more annoyed than flattered at the forwardness of the stranger.
“Just his family drama,” Mickey said, not sure why he was telling this man anything. Then again, bitching about the Gallaghers was something that just happened no matter who you were talking to. Mickey could remember the time before he was with Ian and he would hear everyone in the community talking about how messed up the Gallaghers were. Being a Milkovich, he never thought any other family could be more dysfunctional. When he finally fell for Ian and became more familiar with the inner workings of the Gallagher family, he finally understood the chaos that everyone else saw. However, that chaos was something that he had gone on to love greatly.
They were his family.
“Yeah, that shit’s never easy, man,” the man said.
“What shit?” Mickey asked, trying to see where the stranger was getting at.
“Just that I’ve dated the crazy ones before and the baggage of their family is never worth it. No matter how good of a fuck they are,” the man said and Mickey raised his brows.
“Classy,” Mickey said with a roll of his eyes. Clearly, the man realized he had hit a nerve and was trying to backtrack when a loud shout echoed from up the street. Mickey turned just in time to see Frank stumbling out of a bar that clearly wasn’t the Alibi as the owner yelled at him. Frank, who was already drunk enough to forget where he lived, shouted obscenities back at the bar, shoving his middle fingers to the sky before falling over. “Fucking Frank…” Mickey said, exasperated.
Even before they were married, Mickey had joined in on the “find Frank” game and had had his fill of finding the drunk passed out under bridges and in sewers to last a lifetime. While he didn’t care what happened to the deadbeat, he knew that Liam and Franny would, which is why he tended to try to keep Frank from ending up in the morgue when he could.
“Seems like everyone around here knows Frank Gallagher, huh?” the stranger said, leaning against his dormant car. His arms were crossed, accentuating the forearm muscles that were hidden under the long sleeve shirt he wore. The man laughed as he saw Frank try to get to his feet but failed. Mickey cringed as Frank stumbled again, crashing into a stack of trash cans.
“Fuck,” Mickey said, knowing he was going to have to do damage control with his niece when her grandfather came home looking like he slept in a dumpster. “That’s my fuckin’ cue,” Mickey said, pushing off the side of the car.
“You all take turns looking after the city drunk, huh?” the man asked, amused by Mickey’s distaste for the derelict.
“No,” Mickey said with a sigh, “just those of us who are unfortunately his fucking family.” This seemed to shock the stranger.
“Family?” the man echoed.
“He’s my father-in-law,” Mickey said and then paused, “sort of…” Mickey was never sure what exactly Ian saw Frank as. He knew that Frank was not his biological father, but he was also the only father Ian had ever known. Regardless, Mickey was now tied to the man forever. Just as Mickey was about to pull his phone out to call Sandy to come and help him with Frank Pick-Up, the stranger said something to make him pause.
“ You married a Gallagher ?” the man said, his voice holding a hint of disbelief.
“The fuck you gotta say it like that for?” Mickey said, ready to defend his family to the man. “Yeah, I married a goddamn Gallagher, so what?”
“Which one?” the man asked and Mickey looked at him as if he was a moron.
“What do you mean, ‘which one’? There’s only one fucking gay one,” Mickey said with a scoff.
“Ian?” the man asked. “You’re Ian’s husband?” Mickey was starting to get pissed off at this man’s tone and he was really starting to regret even offering to help him.
“I’m sorry, I think I missed a few episodes, here,” Mickey said, “Who the fuck are you and how do you know Ian?” The man hesitated for a second before answering. Mickey waited.
“I’m Caleb,” the man said. “Ian and I used to date.” Mickey didn’t need more than a second to recognize the name. Ian had told Mickey all about his rebound firefighter. Mickey knew that Ian wasn’t going to stay single while he was locked away. Mickey was just glad that Ian wasn’t screwing old men. Hell, he had even thought that the Trevor guy seemed great, but Caleb was someone that Mickey had hated the second Ian began talking about him. Then, when Lip had told him that he and Ian had witnessed Caleb cheating on Ian with some woman, Mickey hated him even more.
Lowering his head slightly, Mickey finally took a moment to size up the firefighter. Caleb was big and Mickey knew that those arms would pack a wallop if Caleb decided to start a fight, but Mickey also knew that he was craftier and if it came down to it, Ian’s ex would be on his way to the hospital very soon.
“Oh, you’re Caleb,” Mickey finally said, staring him down. “The fucker who cheated on him with some bitch and claimed it didn’t matter because she didn’t have a cock.” Caleb seemed perturbed by that but quickly composed his face despite the crassness coming from the other man.
“And you are…”
“Mickey Milkovich,” Mickey said, just daring Caleb to say something else stupid.
Which he did.
“Ah, Mickey,” Caleb said. “The abusive boy toy.” Mickey stopped for a second, wanting to punch Caleb in his perfect face.
“Abusive…” Mickey echoed, not liking the accusatory tone in Caleb’s voice.
“Ian told me all about how you used to beat on him before screwing him like he was your bitch,” Caleb said and Mickey could hear the anger in his voice. Mickey knew that Ian had been hurt after a lot of their arguments. The worse one being when Mickey had beat him up after the Terry incident. Mickey had never felt more horrible in his entire life than when he had done that. Even now, he tried to make up for it even if Ian said that he had already forgiven him. The thing was, Mickey had never forgiven himself for the beating he had given Ian in that gravel lot.
However, hearing that Ian had called him abusive, especially to someone like Caleb, just made Mickey more pissed off. Not necessarily at Ian, but more at the situation as a whole. This was who Ian felt the need to run to after their break up and regardless of how attractive the firefighter was, Caleb had no idea who he was speaking to.
“He did, did he?” Mickey said and Caleb nodded, acting as if he had Milkovich all figured out. “Right, well did he also tell you that the first time we banged, he threatened my ass and tried to beat me with a tire iron?” Mickey asked, spotting the exact tool on the ground next to the rest of the tools Caleb had hauled out. Ignoring the little voice in his head that sounded a lot like his parole officer, Mickey reached down and picked up the iron. “Sort of like this,” he said before taking a swing at Caleb’s windshield, shattering it.
“Fuck!” Caleb exclaimed. Mickey followed up by taking off one of the side mirrors before swinging the iron into Caleb’s face, causing the other man to stumble back.
“Get the fuck off the Southside or next time I’ll hit something other than your fucking car,” Mickey threatened. Caleb was wary of him but didn’t back down.
“You don’t deserve him,” Caleb said and Mickey’s eye twitched for a second before composing himself. It wasn’t news to him that people didn’t think Mickey was good enough for Ian, but he didn’t need to hear it from someone like Caleb.
“You don’t know shit about him or me,” Mickey said. “If you did then you wouldn’t fucking test me.” Caleb stared down at Mickey, but the latter wasn’t backing down. He would go back to jail before he let some asshole ex of Ian’s make him feel unworthy of the man he loved.
When Caleb went to retort, his attention was pulled by a police SUV rolling up to them and Caleb’s smashed car. Mickey didn’t move and he didn’t drop the tire iron as Caleb turned to the cop. “Officer, maybe you could arrest this man for threatening me and damaging my property,” Caleb said, glaring over at Mickey again.
“Mickey?” the cop said and Mickey finally looked over at the man in the front seat of the SUV. He recognized him immediately.
“Arthur!” Mickey greeted with a grin.
“Hey man!” Officer Arthur Tipping said, offering his fist to Mickey who happily tapped it with his own.
“You know him?” Caleb said as Mickey grinned at him.
“He’s my partner’s brother-in-law,” Tipping said with a goofy grin on his face. Mickey liked Carl’s partner because the man was the definition of a loveable idiot. Plus, he always turned the other way when a Gallagher was involved.
“Yeah, Carl’s a cop now, asshole,” Mickey said to Caleb. “Good luck filing a complaint or pressing charges, dick.” Caleb was fuming as he started towards Mickey.
“Woah there, bud,” Tipping said. “You might want to take a few steps back.” Caleb stopped and did as the officer said, but not without sending a death glare towards Mickey. “Need a ride home, Mr. Milkovich-Gallagher?” Tipping asked.
“That would be great, Arthur,” Mickey said with a grin as he tossed the tire iron aside. He looked at Caleb once more and then casually walked up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “You come near my husband and I will make sure that nobody ever finds your body,” Mickey said sweetly before leaving Caleb on the curb and hopping into the front seat of the squad vehicle. Mickey flipped Caleb off as Tipping drove away. Caleb just swore and lashed out at his car.
Mickey relaxed in the car before sighing. “Shit, pull over here for a second man,” he said and Tipping pulled over. Mickey then got out of the car and pulled open the back door before crouching over a half-conscious Frank. “Fucking Gallaghers,” he said as he hauled his father-in-law into the back of the squad car and Tipping took him home while Frank snored in the backseat.
When Mickey finally got home and deposited Frank on the floor in the living room, he went in search of his husband. He found Ian in the kitchen, finishing up some dishes. “Hey, you,” Ian said as he spotted his husband walking into the room. Mickey smiled at him. Ian grabbed the back of his head and pressed a kiss to Mickey’s lips, savoring the taste and feel of his husband.
Mickey kissed him back, but Ian could tell it was less enthusiastic than usual. Pulling back, he furrowed his brow at the man in his arms. “What?” Mickey asked.
“You good?” Ian asked.
“Long day,” Mickey said with a dismissive wave. Ian didn’t look convinced so Mickey pulled him back to him, kissing him deeply. Ian wrapped his arms around Mickey, holding him tightly. Mickey sighed into Ian’s mouth, content to be with him after the shit he had dealt with that afternoon.
When Ian pulled back again, he leaned his forehead against Mickey’s, running his hands down his arms. Mickey looked up at him, Ian’s green eyes looking stunning in the low light of the Gallagher kitchen. Everything Caleb had said to him was coming back and he hated that he was letting it get to him. He loved Ian and he knew that Ian loved him, but there would always be that part of him that felt unworthy of Ian’s love.
Ian, being Ian, noticed the look in Mickey’s eyes. Self-doubt was not something Mickey hid very well. Reaching up to cup Mickey’s face in his palm, Ian gently rubbed his thumb along his husband’s face. “What did I ever do to deserve you?” Ian whispered.
Mickey slid his hands up to Ian’s shoulder, always loving how much taller his husband was. With a breath, Mickey inhaled the scent of his love and then smiled softly. “You just...were you,” Mickey answered simply. Ian mirrored the soft expression as he leaned into Mickey once again.
“I love you,” Ian said against Mickey’s lips.
“I love you too, Gallagher,” Mickey said before pressing his lips against Ian’s, falling into complete bliss and knowing one thing for sure: Ian and he deserved each other and nobody was going to tell him differently.
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apolloloki97 · 3 years
Text
“The Angry Guy” Mickey Milkovich x Ian Gallagher
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IMAGE CREDIT: SHOWTIME
Summary: The one where Trevor witnesses an angry Mickey after someone tries to hurt one of his family members. However, Trevor doesn't know right away that he's seeing his ex's new husband.
Word Count: 1460
Warning: Swearing
Song I Wrote To: “Chosen One” by Valley of Wolves
Note: Summary kind of sucks, but we'll go with it. This is my first time writing Shameless! I'll need a few to get my groove with it, but God I love GALLAVICH.
------
Trevor was sad to be out of Washington D.C., but being back to walking around the streets of the South Side felt as if he had never left.
After spending time on Capitol Hill trying to convince lawmakers to propose new bills to protect LGBTQ youth, he was exhausted. However, there was something about being back in Chicago that put his mind at ease. The bustling sounds of people, the harsh clanking of the L, and even the blaring sirens that never seemed to stop made it...home.
Then there were the people. He had missed his kids the most and even with daily phone calls and texts, it wasn’t enough. He had to get back to them and continue his work. As Trevor headed towards the Youth Center, he passed by a commotion on the corner. A cop car was half on the sidewalk as a suspect was being pinned down while a shorter man was yelling obscenities at him.
“You fuckin’ go near him again, I ain’t gonna be callin’ the fuckin’ cops, asshole!” the short, dark-haired man was yelling as a tall cop with glasses hauled a handcuffed man into the back of the squad vehicle.
“Fuck you!” the bleeding man yelled as the cop slammed the door shut behind him. The other man simply flipped him off with a smirk.
“Did you need to beat him over the head with a beer bottle?” a familiar voice said, drawing Trevor’s attention.
“Look, I didn’t fuckin’ kill the guy, Gallagher,” the dark-haired man said with a shrug. Another cop, one Trevor instantly recognized as Carl Gallagher came into view from the shop behind the altercation. He was looking at the man in front of him with an exasperated look on his face.
Trevor was surprised to see Carl with a badge. From everything Ian had told him about his younger brother, Trevor figured Carl would be the one in handcuffs rather than doing the arresting. “Gallagher!” the other cop yelled, “you coming or what?”
“Nah, man, I already called Rollins for a ride, gotta take this one’s statement,” Carl said with a point at the fuming man beside him. The other cop nodded and then got behind the wheel to take their prisoner away. Carl then turned back to the dark-haired man.
“You’re on parole, idiot,” Carl said.
“Hence the beer bottle, moron,” angry guy said, as Trevor had come to call him in the short moment of observation.
“Who the fuck says ‘hence’?” Carl asked.
“Me, bitch.”
“Whatever, just don’t do anything else stupid,” Carl continued. “I don’t want to have to arrest you.”
“The fuck did I do?!” angry guy exclaimed. “He was the one who swung first! Motherfucker nearly took Liam’s head off!” Trevor jolted at the sound of the youngest Gallagher sibling’s name. Someone had tried to hurt him and angry guy was clearly upset about it. Carl, however, didn’t seem to be that concerned.
“He ducked,” Carl reminded angry guy.
“You’re a real fuckin’ asshole sometimes,” angry guy said.
“Ah, I love you, too,” Carl said with a roll of his eyes.
“Whatever, I’m goin’ home. Try not to corrupt the fuckin’ city, will ya?”
“You gotta go meet Ian at the hospital!” Carl called as angry guy began walking down the sidewalk towards Trevor. “Debbie texted me, they’re gonna be there a bit longer.”
“I thought you said he was fuckin’ fine!” angry guy said.
“Liam hit his head when he fell,” Carl said.
“Fuck! Alright, I’m goin’. See you at home?”
“Yeah man,” Carl said. “Oh, and Mick!” Angry guy, or rather, Mick, turned one more time and stared at Carl expectantly. It was then that Trevor finally realized who ‘Mick’ was and why he seemed familiar.
Mick. Mickey. Mickey Milkovich.
Ian’s ex.
When Ian and Trevor had heard the news that Mickey had escaped prison, Trevor had watched as Ian’s world was pulled out from under his feet. Trevor had asked around after that, learning as much about the infamous Mickey as he possibly could. Lip was the one who gave him the best answer. Apparently, the two had known each other since Ian was fifteen and had been together on and off. From the way the eldest Gallagher brother explained, Trevor didn’t think they had the healthiest relationship.
However, whenever he heard things from Debbie or even on the off chance, Frank, Trevor realized that Mickey Milkovich was Ian’s, first epic love. That was part of the reason that Trevor hadn’t been surprised when Ian had run off to get him to Mexico to avoid prison. However, considering Mickey was standing in front of him and Carl was yelling about parole, Trevor figured that Milkovich had somehow worked the system and was a free man. Also, he was clearly back in Ian’s life.
“What!” Mickey yelled, answering Carl.
“Ian needs you to pick up Franny on the way,” said Carl.
“Why is nobody just texting me instead of you?” Mickey asked.
“Because you used your phone to smash that asshole’s face the first time, remember?” Carl said and Mickey paused before nodding.
“Right, got it,” Mickey said. “Well, why can’t Ian have you pick up Little Red?”
“I gotta work!” Carl said as another squad car pulled up, Rollins, Trevor figured.
“You’re his brother!” Mickey argued.
“And you’re his husband, start acting like it!” Carl shot back as he got in the car and flipped Mickey off as he sped off toward the station. Trevor was staring at Mickey in shock then.
Husband.
Mickey Milkovich married Ian Gallagher.
“The fuck you gawkin’ at,” Mickey suddenly said, breaking Trevor out of his trance. Trevor hadn’t realized he had been staring.
“Nothin’, man,” Trevor said. Mickey looked at him for a second before rolling his eyes and walking the other way. Trevor watched after Milkovich for a second before hastily pulling out his phone. He had unfriended all of the Gallaghers after Ian and he broke up, but he knew Debbie’s social media were still public.
It didn’t take him long to find what he was looking for. Halfway down the feed on her Instagram was a photo of Ian and Mickey in black and white tuxes, holding hands, as rice was thrown into the air. Ian had the biggest smile Trevor had ever seen on his face. Mickey, who was not only sporting a black eye, but a grin of his own, was looking into the camera Debbie held, but Ian’s gaze was somewhere else. Ian Gallagher was staring at his new husband as if Mickey hung the stars and Trevor felt a pang in his heart because he knew that Ian had never looked at him like that. Two matching wedding bands were on their fingers as they walked towards the car at the end of the walkway filled with friends and family.
Trevor continued to scroll after the wedding photos to see even more photos of Mickey Milkovich around the Gallagher family. There was a photo of Mickey spraying Franny with the hose as she tried to hide behind her Uncle Carl. Another was Mickey holding a small baby as Lip looked on with adoration for the infant. The caption read: Uncle Mickey holding Baby Fred for the first time. Already giving Lip fatherly advice.
More and more, there were photos of the ex-con surrounded by his in-laws. However, there also seemed to be an overwhelming amount of photos taken of him and Ian before and after the wedding. It seemed that Ian and Mickey were Debbie’s favourite subjects to take photos of. There were ones of them laying together on the couch during family movie night, a few taken at the traditional South Side bonfires, and even one of the newlyweds each holding one of Kev and V’s twin girls. Gemma and Amy both beaming up at their newly-married uncles.
There was one photo, however, that Trevor couldn’t stop looking at. It wasn’t anything out of the normal for social media, but for Mickey Milkovich it was historic. The photo was of Ian, Mickey, Debbie, and a girl that Trevor didn’t know. Debbie was kissing the girl in her arms while Ian had his arms around Mickey as the latter kissed him firmly. In the background, a large pride flag flew from the parade that was going on behind them.
“Mickey Milkovich at a Pride parade,” Trevor muttered as he stared at the photo in awe. With a smile, Trevor looked back at a retreating Milkovich, now Milkovich-Gallagher, and shook his head in amusement at the thought of Mickey being protective of Liam, joking with Carl, and kissing his husband at Pride.  “Damn Gallagher,” Trevor said with a sigh, “guess he wasn't that nuts after all.”
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apolloloki97 · 3 years
Text
“Still Family” Mickey Milkovich x Ian Gallagher
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IMAGE CREDIT: Cliff Lipson/SHOWTIME
Summary:  After Mickey is released from prison, Ian is still with Trevor. However, when Ian has a full meltdown and refuses to take his meds, Lip makes a call and gets Mickey to help sort out his younger brother. How will Trevor react to meeting the man that Ian once devoted his life to? ---- Or when Ian won't take his meds and Mickey shows up to get his ass in line.
Word Count: 2558
Warning: Bipolar, Swearing, Violence
Song I Wrote To: “I Don’t Like You” by Grace Vanderwaal
Note: I had this idea and couldn't get it out of my mind. I am a massive sucker for outside POV Gallavich so I hope you enjoy it! I have a lot of Gallavich ideas and I'm just going to keep posting them whenever I have time! 
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Ian had been going through a lot since his diagnosis.
Well, a lot was an understanding when it came to the Gallagher house. His older and younger siblings tried to do everything they could to help Ian with his bipolar episodes, but it wasn’t always so simple.
Fiona wanted to get Ian back into the hospital, but Lip was against it, afraid it would only make things worse. Debbie was blaming herself for not keeping a better eye on her big brother while Carl and Liam were a bit clueless when it came to their brother’s illness.
Then, there was Ian’s boyfriend, Trevor. Trevor was used to dealing with a lot of chaotic things with his job as a social worker, but Ian Gallagher was as chaotic as it came and not just because of his illness. Ian’s life was an entire circus in itself. However, he had come to really care about the ringmaster and the many acts that floated in and out of 2119 South Wallace. Still, there were still things that Trevor was finding out about his boyfriend and especially his boyfriend’s past.
Mickey Milkovich was the largest part of Ian that Trevor had yet to understand.
He knew a few things about the Southsider, but nobody seemed to want to talk about the man, especially around Ian. Trevor knew that Mickey had been someone incredibly important to Ian, especially during the beginning phase of his illness. Trevor had been surprised to hear that it was Mickey who had convinced Ian to seek treatment after the latter had run off with the former’s baby.
Around the Gallagher house, Milkovich seemed to be some sort of Saint in ways. When Ian wasn’t around, Trevor heard Fiona and Debbie talking about the ex-boyfriend as if he was still a constant fixture in their lives. Carl would make comments about how much he missed the gun-toting asshole and even Liam would mention Mickey and Mickey’s sister, Mandy, and how much he missed them when the bullies were getting more relentless at school.
Lip was one of the only ones that tried to not speak about Ian’s former flame around Trevor, but even the eldest Gallagher brother slipped up at times. It was actually from Lip that Trevor learned the most about the tatted thug. One evening, Lip had let it slip how Milkovich had come out after his son’s christening. Trevor was shocked to hear how public he had made it but was not surprised to hear how his homophobic father had reacted. Even if you weren’t from the Southside, everyone knew Terry Milkovich and how much of an asshole he was.
Still, it remained a surprise every time Trevor learned something new about Mickey. The latest was that he was recently released from prison and was out on parole. Trevor and Ian had found out a few days before when Mickey’s parole officer had shown up at the house to speak to Ian about Mickey’s former work ethic at the Kash and Grab. Trevor had never seen Ian’s eyes light up the way they did when he spoke about Milkovich. Even when he was just describing how Mickey would help stop the neighborhood kids from stealing Snickers bars, it looked as if Ian was talking about a work of art rather than a street thug.
Trevor was worried that Ian would break down again after the return of Mickey, but he seemed to be taking it rather well. Well, that is until a panic attack had taken over earlier in the evening and Ian had collapsed onto the floor, shaking and gasping for breath.
As soon as it happened, Trevor had yelled for Fiona. Ian was laying in the middle of the hallway, his eyes wide and his hands clawing at the scuffed-up floor. When Trevor had tried to help him up, Ian had shoved away from him, not wanting to be touched.
"Did he take his meds?” Fiona asked. Trevor just shook his head because he didn’t know. Ian had been doing well with his EMT job and he thought that he had been taking the necessary stabilizers for his illness, but Trevor couldn’t be sure.
“He hasn’t taken them for three days,” Debbie announced as she came out of the bathroom holding the orange bottles. “I counted them.”
“Dammit, Ian,” Fiona sighed as she tried to reach for her brother. Ian, however, wanted nothing to do with his siblings.
“No! No!” Ian said, backing up from them, pressing himself into the wall behind him.
“Ian, come on,” Fiona said softly.
“Don’t touch me!” Ian yelled back, raising his hands in front of his face in a warning.
“Fi,” Lip said from the other end of the hall. The eldest Gallagher sister looked at him and Lip gestured for everyone to go downstairs. Exiting into the living room, Carl remained at the top of the stairs just so he could see Ian and make sure the ginger didn’t throw himself off the second-story railing. “This is just like that time at the lake,” Lip said.
“What time?” Trevor asked as he glanced up at the second floor.
“It was last year,” Lip said. “Something set him off and Ian went into full shutdown mode. He wasn’t taking his meds and then he just...snapped. He wouldn’t let any of us touch him.”
“What did you do?” Trevor asked and then everyone in the room went silent as the sibling looked at each other. “Guys?”
“We didn’t do anything,” Liam said. “Mickey did.”
“Mickey Milkovich?” Trevor asked and Liam nodded.
“He was the only one who would calm him down,” Debbie explained. “Dammit, I should have noticed that he was starting to spiral.”
“It’s not your fault, Debs,” Lip said, offering his sister a comforting pat on the shoulder.
“Well, what did Mickey do that was different?” Trevor asked. “Can’t we just do that?”
“It wasn’t what he did,” Fiona said. “It was because…” she trailed off.
“It was because he’s fucking Mickey,” Carl piped up from above them.
“Maybe we should call him,” Liam offered. “Maybe he could talk to Ian?”
“I already texted him,” Lip said with a sigh.
“You what?” Trevor asked, struck.
“I texted him SOS as soon as I heard Ian yell the first time. He’s on his way,” Lip said. Trevor sighed, collapsing into the armchair in the corner.
“Just like that?” Trevor asked as his hand played with the charm around his neck. Liam just shrugged.
“It’s Ian,” Liam said as if it was obvious.
The yelling upstairs continued and Carl cringed every time he saw his brother throw himself to the ground or grapple for some invisible thread to hold onto. Fiona was pacing as she waited for Mickey to show up. Debbie was holding the pill bottles, staring at them as if they had personally offended her. Trevor hadn’t seen the Gallaghers this rattled before. He also had never seen them so determined to let one of Ian’s ex-boyfriends become the savior of the day.
It was only another ten minutes or so before the front door opened and Fiona stopped pacing. Trevor looked up just as a dark-haired, tattooed, and clearly annoyed man walked in. “Alright, I’m here. What he do now? Steal another fucking baby? Rob a bank?” Mickey asked as he faced the Gallaghers. His eyes landed on Trevor for a second before looking at Fiona.
“He didn’t take his meds,” Debbie said, approaching Mickey with the bottles. Mickey frowned at her as he scratched at his temple with his thumbnail.
“He’s in full-blown shutdown, Mick,” Fiona said. “We can’t touch him and he’s not responding.”
“Ah, so like that fucking time at the lake,” Mickey remembered. Lip nodded and Mickey sighed before glancing up at the second floor as he heard Ian cry out for the first time. Trevor didn’t miss the way Mickey flinched as he heard Ian struggling. There was almost a desperate look at him as he stared upstairs. However, it was gone after a second as Mickey turned back to the Gallaghers. “Did you hold him down and shove the pulls down his throat like you do with a fuckin’ dog?” Mickey asked, slipping back into his usual demeanor.
“No,” Debbie said. “He won’t let us touch him, remember?” Mickey groaned as he snatched the bottles out of Debbie’s hands.
“Fucking Gallaghers,” Mickey said as he trudged up the stairs, passing Carl with a quick ruffle of his hair. Carl didn’t seem to mind as Milkovich moved past him and into the hallway. “Ian Gallagher!” Mickey sang as he disappeared up the stairs.
Trevor and the Gallaghers didn’t move as they listened to what was going on upstairs. Carl had snuck back down the steps to give the men upstairs some privacy, but it didn’t do much considering how loud they were being. Suddenly, there was a loud crash as if someone had been slammed into the wall. The sound of pill bottles crashing to the ground littered the air. “Fuck! Ian, come here!” Mickey yelled.
“What the fuck, Mick!” Ian answered and Trevor was glad to hear him speak rather than just yelling or crying. There were more sounds of fighting before Mickey grunted in pain.
“You son of a bitch!” Mickey shouted. “You’re just fucking lucky I didn’t bring Svet as back up, you fucking carrot top. Stay still!”
“Who’s Svet?” Trevor asked as another banged reverberated from upstairs.
“Mickey’s Russian hooker, ex-wife. Baby momma to his kid,” Lip explained. Trevor didn’t have the opportunity to respond to that when suddenly Mickey shouted again.
“You bite me and I will not hesitate to do it back!” Mickey yelled. “Don’t fucking test me, Gallagher. I know where Carl keeps his handcuffs, fucker!” Another loud crash and Ian grunted in pain.
“Where did you learn to do that!” Ian shouted.
“Cell Block D, bitch! Stay still!” Mickey yelled and then Trevor could hear the sound of pills being scattered on the floor. Debbie was sitting across from him on the floor, rubbing at her temples. “Ian!”
“This is not going well,” Liam said.
“Just give him a second,” Lip said, wringing his hands. Fiona was in the same position as she stared up the stairs, trying to see what was happening. Trevor jumped then as Ian shouted something that clearly wasn't English.
“Where the fuck did you learn Ukrainian?” Mickey said which only made Fiona look at Lip in complete confusion.
“Don’t look at me,” Lip said. “That motherfucker reads too much.”
After a few more minutes of banging and crashing, it was silent. Ian was still grunting, but it sounded more muffled as if someone was covering his mouth. “Ow! Shit!” Mickey suddenly exclaimed. “I fucking warned you, dick!” Ian then cried out in pain after that and then the house shook as if someone had been thrown to the ground again. “Open up now before I break your fucking jaw,” Mickey was said. “Then your EMT ass is gonna have to go all 911 on your own fucking face.”
“Fuck you!” Ian shouted and Fiona slid to the floor, trying not to let the yelling get to her, but it was too late.
“Fuck, Ian, I don’t care if you fucking snort them, just take the goddamn pills so I can go meet my fucking dick of a PO,” Mickey said. “Do you want Debbie to feel like shit for the rest of the day, huh? What about Liam? He’s fucking worried about you, you psycho. Lip had to call me, me, because you wouldn’t let anyone put their goddamn hands on you!”
“Don’t touch me!” Ian said, but it sounded a little less hostile than before and Trevor could tell Ian was getting tired.
“I think we are well past that, asshole,” Mickey said. “You may be mister Army, but I can still fucking take you especially when you’re acting like this. Now, do I gotta go get Iggy and Colin to hold you down so I can shove these down your throat, or are you going to cooperate?”
Trevor looked at Debbie for answers. “Mickey’s brothers,” she explained and Trevor nodded. It was quiet for a moment then, no scuffling, no swearing, just silence. Nobody moved and nobody spoke as they waited for the fighting to start up again.
Eventually, Mickey spoke again. “See, was that so fucking hard?” Mickey said and then it was quiet and everyone strained their ears to listen, but all they could hear was a faint whisper coming from Ian. Mickey then laughed and groaned as he got to his feet, his work boots knocking into the baseboards. “Nah, fuck you, bitch,” Mickey said with a lighthearted chuckle. It was another moment before Mickey jogged back down the stairs, fresh blood blooming from his hand and his face. “Mission accomplished, motherfuckers,” he announced, shaking off some pain in his arm.
“What happened?” Carl asked, gesturing to the blood on Mickey’s hand.
“Oh, bastard bit me,” Mickey said, showing Carl the half-moon wound on his hand. Mickey shrugged, not surprised by the act as Trevor clearly was.
“Did you bite him back?” Debbie asked.
“I fuckin’ warned him,” Mickey said with a nod. Mickey then looked at Trevor. “Who’s this? Another new half-sibling I’ll have to lock in a fuckin’ shipping crate?”
“This is Trevor,” Liam said. “Ian’s boyfriend.” Trevor gave him a quick wave. Mickey just chewed on the inside of his cheek for a second before nodding.
“Right, well good luck,” he said with a dismissive wave of his hand. “He took his meds, but I hit him pretty hard. Gonna need something for the headache,” he said to Fiona as he passed her. Fiona reached out and stopped him before he could leave.
“Thank you, Mickey,” she said.
“Yeah, whatever,” he said, but his tone was soft.
“I mean it,” she said as she looked at him and he could see the worry in her eyes. Fiona always put too much pressure on herself and Mickey had always seen it because he understood. He, too, had spent his childhood looking after his siblings. Always having to make sure Colin and Iggy didn’t get arrested and of course, protecting Mandy from Terry. With a sigh, he pulled her in for a hug. Fiona didn’t hesitate to wrap her arms around him and tuck her chin against his shoulder.
Mickey wasn’t a hugger except when it came to the damn Gallaghers, and he sometimes needed it more than they did. Mickey then pressed a kiss to her cheek before stepping out of her embrace. “Hey,” he said, getting her attention, “you’re still family to me. No matter what.”
Fiona smiled then. “Family,” she agreed.
“Alright, enough of this soft shit,” Mickey said. “Later Gallaghers!” Mickey moved past Fiona and rubbed Liam’s head before grabbing Lip’s hand as the latter thanked Milkovich. Mickey played it off, but he knew Lip was being sincere.
As soon as the door slammed behind him, Fiona ran upstairs to go help Ian. Trevor, who had been watching the entire thing with a whole lot of questions could only think of one thing to say. “So, that was Mickey,” he said. All the Gallaghers nodded.
“That was Mickey,” they chorused as the circus finally closed its curtains.
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