Chapter Text
Ian wishes he'd gotten to know Mandy.
He had known her, of course, but only a little bit. They were in the same grade throughout school and Lip had dated her for some time after things between him and Karen didn't work out. She would spend time at the Gallagher house, sleeping in Lip's room, talking with Debbie, and tagging along with Ian and Lip when they would run around the south side causing havoc. He had never actually gotten to know her though. After he had disliked Karen so much he never really considered that he would actually like one of Lip's girlfriends.
It also didn't help that Mandy hadn't liked him since she tried to sleep with him one time and Ian had turned her down. She had sworn that she would send her brother's after him but nothing seemed to come out of it. Looking back, Ian figures that with Mickey gone it was probably a very lonely household for her. But now, cooking with Mandy in the kitchen - and leaving Mickey to awkwardly talk in the living room with Mandy's boyfriend, Daniel - he finds himself genuinely enjoying her company.
"I have to say, I'm pretty fuckin' shocked you guys managed to find me." Mandy comments, glancing up at Ian as she sprinkles some spices into the soup she's been putting together for dinner and absently stirring it.
Ian laughs and nods, "Lip told me where you live, he's pretty good at keeping tabs on people."
"What about you two meeting?" Mandy asks, turning her gaze back to the soup, "that might actually be more shocking."
"Well, we share an apartment building as it turns out."
Mandy furrows her brow, "really? In Brooklyn?"
"Yeah, I guess he's been living there all along." Ian says, trying to hide his surprise that Mandy knows where he lives by sipping at the beer in his hand.
Mandy lifts her head and looks into the living room then back to the soup, brow furrowed with large, sad eyes. "He was so much closer than I thought he would be."
Ian looks into the living room as well, watching Mickey silently nodding to whatever Daniel is saying and picking at the label on his beer bottle. He looks tense and nervous, but when he glances up from the bottle and his eyes meet Ian's the nervousness seems to dissipate; he stops picking at the label and his body visibly relaxes. Ian smiles affectionately at him and laughs when Mickey flips him off discreetly before turning back to his conversation with Daniel.
"He cares a lot about you," Mandy's voice startles Ian. She's leaned back, watching the exchange between him and Mickey. "He seems happy and fuckin' content around you, like a whole new version of himself." Mandy snorts and crosses her arms,"never thought I'd see Mickey in love, but I guess there's a first for everything."
"In love?" Ian says, trying not to stutter as his heart beats faster.
Mandy grins and nudges Ian, "well you guys are together, aren't you?"
He doesn't know how Mandy knows that he is gay, never mind how she knows Mickey is gay, but the thought doesn't really concern him. The only thing Ian can focus on is Mickey being in love; in love with him. Ian bites his lip, tries to hold back from grinning too widely, and answers, "Yeah."
Mandy pokes his side and starts humming a mocking and mangled version of 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight' that makes Ian seriously question if she has actually heard the song in the past ten years. Ian starts poking Mandy back as they finish up dinner, sending her into a fit of giggles and causing her to mangle the tune further.
They all sit around the table eating and things seemed normal enough. Mickey and Mandy bicker back and forth, calling each other names and exchanging crude gestures. Ian can't help but laugh at how different their relationship is in comparison to his with his own siblings, and yet at the same time it's so similar. They have that way about them that all siblings do, a certain level of comfort that comes with knowing no matter what the other person will put up with your shit. It feels his stomach knot a bit with jealousy as he watches them interact; a longing for his own siblings and that odd contentedness that comes with them. Time seems to fly by and dinner is over before Ian knows what's happening. Daniel goes to bed early, saying goodnight and once again letting Mickey and Ian know how wonderful it is to meet them. Mandy spends the next hour telling Ian stories all about Mickey in his youth. Ian remembers a couple of them, just from living in the same neighborhood, but some are new, secret stories that only the youngest Milkovich siblings shared. Ian sits and listens for as long as he can stay awake, smiling and laughing at all the right times, and admiring how both Mickey and Mandy get this soft look when they talk to each other - like no matter how cruel they get, none of it means anything, and they love each other.
Finally, it gets too late for Ian to handle and he politely excuses himself to go to bed, only stopping to have a smoke outside. When he walks in he has to pause and watch as Mandy cuddles next to Mickey, he wraps an arm over her shoulders in response, casually holding her next to him. They're talking about their lives, what's happened to the rest of the family and how Mandy met Daniel - she laughs when Mickey threatens to beat the shit out of him if he ever hurts her. Their laughter dies down as their conversation turns more serious, Ian feels like he's intruding but can't bring himself to move.
"I'm glad you left," Mandy's voice is quiet but firm, "you needed to get out, and I'm glad you did."
"Should've taken you with me," Mickey mutters.
Mandy shakes her head and clings to her brother a little tighter, "I wouldn't have gone, besides I wouldn't have met Daniel then and-" Her voice trails off a bit and she looks up at Mickey, "you might not have met Ian."
Mickey looks away from Mandy, avoiding her gaze and looking at the floor. Ian feels his throat tighten as he watches the scene, torn between running from whatever Mickey will say and wanting nothing more than to hear it.
"Mick?" Mandy says softly causing Mickey to look back at her, "he's a really good guy."
Mickey nods and licks his lips. "Yeah," he croaks out and breathes in, "he's - yeah."
"You love him and you can't even say it, can you?" Mandy teases with a small smile.
"Fuck off; I can say whatever I want." Mickey responds, shoving her head away playful before letting her cuddle back against him a second later.
It's quiet between them and Ian swallows, his heart feels heavier than before and he thinks that he should probably slip off to the guest room before he gets caught eavesdropping. He starts walking and stops when he hears Mickey speaking quietly once again.
"He's incredible."
When Mickey crawls into bed a few hours later, Ian's still half awake. He rolls over to pull Mickey tightly against him, wrapping his arm over Mickey's chest and clutching his hand. He presses his nose against Mickey's hair and breathes in, whispering, "so happy I'm here with you."
Mickey squeezes Ian's hand in return, lifting his hand to rest on the back of Ian's neck pulling him into a soft, sweet kiss that doesn't last nearly long enough for Ian. Mickey rests his head against Ian's chest and tangles their legs together. When Mickey speaks it's almost to quiet for Ian to hear it.
"Happy I'm with you."
-
Mickey wakes up to Ian already out of bed and dressed.
He's pacing the room and nervously rubbing his hands together. Mickey bites his lower lip and discreetly watches Ian, enjoying seeing how flustered and excited he is - something about it is just so damn endearing and adorable (well, everything Ian does seems pretty endearing and adorable, so maybe he shouldn't be surprised) Mickey rolls over a bit, hoping to grab Ian's attention but Ian is so busy looping back and forth near the foot of the bed to pay any attention to any other ongoings in the room. Mickey finally sits up, yawning and rubbing the sleep from his eyes, "You doing okay?"
Ian's head snaps up, he blinks about six times in rapid succession and he nods, "Didn't tell them I was coming."
Mickey snorts and shakes his head, "They don't know? I thought you called Lip."
"Didn't mention it, didn't want them to be worried." Ian drops heavily onto the bed, sprawling back across the length of the mattress beside Mickey and lets out a long, deep sigh, "And everyone likes surprises, right? Especially good ones, so I figure they'll be more happy than mad." He looks up at Mickey with a nervous hopefulness, "I'm right, right?"
Mickey gently brushes aside some loose hair from Ian's eyes, fingers lightly grazing his forehead and combing through his hair. Mickey lays back again, resting on the mattress and shuffling until he and Ian are eye level. He watches Ian fondly and gives him a reassuring nod, "Stop stressing, you're gonna go bald."
Ian laughs and picks up a pillow, swinging it around to smack Mickey's face quickly, "Fuck you, I am not."
Mickey shoves the pillow off and glares at Ian's playful and childish grin. He weighs his options quickly, considering the best method of retaliation before his expression turns into a sly grin. Mickey slowly raises his eyebrows and licks his lower lip suggestively, eyes running over the expanse of Ian's body. In a flash Mickey pushes the blankets still covering his lower half aside and swings a leg over Ian, straddling him and holding his arms down, effectively pinning him to the mattress.
"You know, I think that counts as abuse, Ian."
"If that's what counts as abuse I think we're both screwed," Ian voice is coy and teasing, like he could do this all day, but his pupils are blown wide with lust, giving him away. Mickey loves that look on Ian, the desire and neediness for nothing but Mickey, even if they did have longer than a week to live he doesn't think he would ever get enough of that look - or any look that Ian gives him. Everything about Ian is so goddamn addictive.
"Or did you forget that I punched you in the face the first time we really met?" Ian continues his previous statement, a smug smirk growing on his lips as he uses whatever room he has under Mickey to roll his hips, rubbing his crotch against Mickey's. Mickey gasps and bites his lip, his body responding almost instantly by grinding down hard against Ian. Ian moans lowly at the increased friction, eyelids fluttering as he rests his head back. Mickey grins and and continues the rougher pace, tangling his fingers with Ian's and pressing his hands down into the mattress. He keeps his eyes locked on Ian; how his lips part and the flush on his neck. Jesus Christ, Mickey is fucking mesmerized by him.
"Yeah, and I gave you a bloody nose right after," Mickey says, leaning down to kiss wetly along Ian's jaw.
"Asshole," Ian breathes out, too distracted and caught up in Mickey for any malicious intent the word might have had to come across.
"You deserved it," Mickey answers, punctuating it by sucking on Ian's earlobe and rolling his hips once again. Ian moans louder this time, he's losing himself and Mickey's smug look fades with the noise. He loves how vocal Ian can get, all the hot little noises he makes drive Mickey fucking insane. "Fuck, I can think of so many things you deserve," Mickey's voice is audibly lower as he finds he's losing himself just as much as Ian.
Ian's eyes snap open and he glares up at Mickey, "Then shut the fuck up and show me."
Mickey doesn't need to be told twice.
-
Ian is sure his heart is going to beat out of his chest.
He is so fucking nervous he doesn't really know what to do with himself. His house looks the same as it always has; the yard is messier and he's pretty sure there's an extra lock on the door but otherwise it's like no time has passed at all. Fuck, it's like they aren't in the middle of the end of the world right now. Mickey's truck is parked across the street, the gas is turned off and Mickey is sitting watching Ian.
Ian breathes in and turns his head, grinning at Mickey. "Ready?"
Mickey scowls, "don't think I'm ever going to be ready to face a pack of fucking Gallagher's."
Ian laughs loudly and swiftly exits the vehicle, marching across the street and through the gate with Mickey close behind.
"Ian! Oh my god!"
The door swings open and Fiona is rushing towards him, her arms outstretched and disbelief on her face. She jumps up, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him close as he looks up to see Carl and Debbie running out the door and piling into the hug as well. He grins and wraps his arms around his siblings, burying his face into Fiona's shoulder and reveling in the warm family feeling.
"Hi guys," Ian mumbles and pulls them closer for a moment before pulling away and looking up to see Lip on the steps, with Jimmy in the doorway holding Liam on his hip.
Lip laughs and pulls Ian into a short hug, "should've known you would find a way here even though we told you not to."
Ian laughs with a nod, dropping a kiss on Liam’s head as Jimmy slaps a hand on his back saying, "welcome back man, good to see you."
Lip freezes and glances at Ian, "Mickey?"
Ian looks back, sees Mickey shuffling awkwardly on his feet and looking anywhere but at the family reunion happening in front of him.
"Yeah," Ian answers and smiles fondly at him. He loves seeing Mickey standing outside in the sun, loves seeing him being awkward and adorable more. He actually just loves seeing Mickey in general. Mickey's gaze eventually meets Ian's and Ian motions from him to come over. Mickey grumbles and walks over to Ian's side.
"Mickey, he helped me get here. He had a truck and drove almost the whole way." Ian's eyes are glued to Mickey, even as he speaks to his family, "I wouldn't be here without him."
Both Ian and Mickey are startled as Fiona is wrapping her arms around Mickey's neck and pulling him into a tight hug as well. Mickey looks at Ian, eyes wide and his arms remaining firmly against his sides.
"Thank you," Fiona says, tears in her eyes and her voice a little rough, "thank you so much."
Lip nods at Mickey; something Ian is sure Mickey appreciates a lot more. "Yeah, uh, thanks."
Mickey shrugs as Fiona pulls away. Quietly he mumbles, "not a big deal."
"Did you have to kill anyone?" Carl is asking, breaking the awkward moment and staring wide eyed at Ian and Mickey, "how many riots were there? Did you run over anybody? Come across a burning pile of bodies? I heard that some people are having ritual sacrifices to the Gods."
Ian laughs, maybe he shouldn't because questions like that - at a time like this - probably aren't in the best taste, but Ian's filled with insurmountable joy knowing that when it comes to his home and family, some things will never change. He ruffles Carl's hair and Fiona herds everyone back inside.
Mickey walks beside Ian and whispers, "your brothers a fucking sociopath."
It doesn't take long for everyone to settle back into house. Fiona and Jimmy go to the kitchen, Fiona is sure they have something to make a nice celebration dinner out of while Jimmy sits at the table coloring and playing with Liam. Carl and Debbie are both in the living room, playing battleship 'for old times’ sake' and quizzing Mickey, who makes the poor decision to sit in the armchair and gets himself trapped in the conversation.
Ian has been watching him for awhile - smiling and laughing as Mickey unsuccessfully guides his way through the various topics being thrown at him - when Lip taps him on the shoulder and waves his hand, gesturing for Ian to follow him upstairs. Ian nods and rushes up the stairs, quickly calling out to Mickey; "back in a minute."
Ian laughs as he walks into his old bedroom and sees Lip sitting on his old bed and smoking a cigarette. "For old times’ sake?" Ian questions, mimicking his younger siblings earlier excuse.
Lip just nods and pats the spot beside him which Ian is more than happy to occupy.
"So, Mickey Milkovich?" Lip questions as Ian lights his own cigarette.
Ian nods, "Mickey Milkovich."
"You've got doe eyes every time you look at him," Lip speaks with a cocky smile and a mocking tone that Ian has come to know too well over the years. "Crushing on him?"
"Fucking him, actually." Ian answers smugly, reveling in the shocked expression on Lip's face.
"Holy shit," Lip quips, nodding and taking a drag. "I would not have guessed that."
Ian laughs, "me either, but he's pretty..." Ian smiles and looks down, thinking back to the night before. "He's incredible."
"In bed?" Lip's smug expression is back in full force.
Ian rolls his eyes, "in general."
"So not in bed?"
"Do you really want to hear about how incredible he is in bed?"
Lip chuckles and shakes his head. He takes another drag and turns to Ian, his expression becoming more serious. "Well, he brought you back home, that means a lot. Not just to you, but to all of us. He obviously cares a lot about you."
"I hope so," Ian answers and breathes in, "I think so."
Lip just laughs and shakes his head, "you, my brother, are an idiot."
-
Mickey wants to watch Ian smiling forever.
He swears that he hasn't seen even a hint of a frown since Ian first saw his sister rushing out the door. It's too wide, and too bright, always there and drives Mickey insane because he loves seeing it too much. Of course, he has seen Ian's smile many times before, but never in such a permanent way. There has always been something that will drag Ian's mood down again, but in his childhood home it is like Ian has found his own piece of heaven.
Mickey is sitting on the bottom step of the stairs alone, sipping at a beer, watching Ian dancing and playing with his siblings and their neighbors, Kevin and Veronica, who have slipped into the house for the mini-celebration. He feels a little awkward there, like he doesn't quite fit into the mix, so he just keeps to the side and watches. It doesn't bother Mickey, he's content just drinking a beer and watching Ian running around looking as perfect as ever.
Maybe Mandy is right, maybe he is in love.
Ian catches his eye and grins even wider at him, his green eyes sparkling and cheeks tinged pink from the alcohol. Mickey's heart swells and he smiles in return.
Yeah, he is definitely in love.
He looks to his left as Fiona drops down beside him and giggles. She is sipping at her beer and sporting the same pink tinge on her cheeks as Ian. "How’s it going?" She asks brightly, slurring her words slightly.
Mickey smirks, "Alright, you all are a fucking cheery bunch all things considered."
Fiona shrugs, "no point in moping around." She leans over and nudges Mickey when he remains silent, "thanks for bringing my brother back."
"You said that already," Mickey mutters, trying and failing at hiding his discomfort with the topic.
Fiona laughs loudly and nods, "but I mean it, and just look at how happy he is. He really needed to be with family."
Mickey turns his gaze back to Ian and breathes in, "yeah, he did." He looks down clearing his throat, "he does."
Fiona smiles and leans over, kissing him on the cheek - earning a small disgruntled growl from Mickey - and stands. "You should join in, have some fun." She looks like she has something more to say but is distracted when Veronica dances over to her, and the two women begin shaking their hips and throwing their arms around each other. Mickey raises his eyebrows and stands, taking it as his queue to leave that area.
The party dies down eventually, everyone separating to go to their rooms. Lip offers Ian and Mickey his own room with the double bed, saying that it will be more comfortable than the little bed in the boys room and citing that he does owe Mickey for bringing his brother back after all.
Mickey is already lying in the bed, shifting around and trying to get comfortable, when Ian slides in beside him. He pulls Mickey close until Mickey's back is flush against Ian's chest. Ian presses a line of kisses from Mickey's shoulder to just behind his ear, humming and running his fingers along Mickey's arm.
"Thank you," he whispers and grips Mickey's hand tightly.
"Would you stop fucking saying that?" Mickey can't resist the smile spreading on his lips. His words are lacking any of their bite when he speaks.
"No," Ian answers, continuing to softly kiss his skin. "Shit, you're so amazing, Mick. Just perfect and wonderful and fucking hot," he begins stumbling around his words, the alcohol still in his system and the drowsy effects settling in. "So fucking amazing, Mickey. I just - you're the best."
Mickey laughs lowly as he hears Ian begin to snore softly; Ian certainly is chatty when he is drunk. Mickey breathes in and closes his eyes gripping Ian's hand and trying to clear his mind.
He can't though, not this night. He keeps thinking about Ian dancing and laughing, spending time with his family and looking happier than Mickey has ever seen him. Ian looked so beautiful and free, and all he had needed was his family - a family that Mickey would never fit in to. He is awkward and uncomfortable, constantly looking to and depending on Ian around them. He just doesn't mix.
Mickey kind of hates them for making Ian so happy, wishing that he had been the one to make Ian's grin permanent. Ian is all Mickey needs, but he isn't all Ian needs.
Mickey breathes in and grips Ian's hand a little tighter, pulling him a little closer and enjoying the warm feeling spreading through him.
Fiona had been right. Ian needs his family, and he doesn't need Mickey. It's okay though, he understands - he didn't bring Ian all the way to Chicago to spend time with him.
Ian's happy and that's all that matters.
Love is supposed to be selfless after all.
-
Ian wakes up alone.
He blinks wearily and feels the slight pounding in his head from drinking last night. It takes him a couple a seconds before his blurry vision returns to normal and he groans sitting up. He looks around the room and picks up the glass of water on the night stand, drinking nearly the whole thing in one go. He rubs his eyes and slips out of the bed, wandering into the hall and looking around for Mickey.
He hates waking up without Mickey cuddled up with him, even if it has only been a few weeks the habit has already been formed. His entire day is feeling off without being able to hold and kiss Mickey before doing anything else.
Ian wanders down the stairs, furrowing his brow when the only people in the kitchen are Lip and Jimmy.
"Hey man," Lip greets as he flips some pancakes on the griddle. "Sleep well? Lots of wild sex?"
"Why do you keep asking if you don't want to know?" Ian grumbles and walks to the archway, looking into the living room. "Either of you seen Mickey today?"
Lip shakes his head a little too quickly while Jimmy sits up straighter looking over at Ian, "I did, briefly this morning."
"And?" Ian prods.
"He said he was going out for a bit," Jimmy answers, his eyes downcast and his voice a little too casual for comfort.
Ian steps forward, "how long ago?"
Jimmy glances at Lip quickly before looking back at Ian, "few hours ago."
Ian looks between Lip and Jimmy, a feeling of dread filling him as silence falls over the room. "What's going on? What's wrong?" Ian questions, growing more paranoid with each passing second.
Jimmy opens his mouth to speak but Lip cuts him off at the last second. "He had a bag, Ian, he's not coming back."
"What happened?! What did you say?!" Ian growls rounding on Lip, and glaring down at his brother.
Lip put up his hands and steps back, "nothing! He said you were happy here and he just needed to go."
"No."
Lip rolls his eyes and puts a hand on Ian's shoulder, "shit, Ian, he's trying to look out for you. He said he doesn't fit in here, and yeah, that's true. He's Mickey fucking Milkovich."
"I know who he is," Ian growls and turns to look at Jimmy. "I think I know where he went, I just need a car. Can you help me?"
Jimmy sighs, "I guess, I don't know if it's a great idea though."
"Seriously Ian?!" Lip shakes his head and purses his lips, "I know he's your fuck buddy but you can't leave your family!"
Ian keeps his gaze fixed on Jimmy, trying to keep his voice strong but it cracks as he speaks, "if Fiona took off you know would follow her anywhere, so please?"
Jimmy nods and stands, "don't tell your sister I'm doing this."
"Fuck," Lip cries out as he kicks the lower cupboards in the kitchen, "we just got you back and you're taking off again?"
Ian breathes in deeply and holds Lip's gaze, "I need him. Please, just, I need you to understand that."
Lip's fierce expression softens, "yeah, I get it."
Ian nods and pulls his brother into a quick hug, "I'll be back to say goodbye."
-
Mickey makes the drive in one day.
His apartment feels cold and empty. He snorts loudly, all of Brooklyn is probably empty at this point. He drops his bag on the ground and walks into his bedroom, collapsing on his bed. He figures the best and only thing to do at this point is to sleep through the next day and a half.
He shifts around uncomfortably, pulling off layers of clothing hoping it will help until he is left naked and shivering under thin blankets trying his best to ignore the fact that he doesn't have a tall, redheaded heater wrapped around him.
"Fuck," he groans out and buries his face in the pillow Ian has been using. He breathes in, letting Ian overtake his senses and closes his eyes. He begins to drift off to sleep, thinking only of Ian - touching him, kissing him, hugging him, listening to him, and even just fucking looking at him.
Maybe he will be lucky and just never wake up again.
-
Ian is pissed off, so he throws his bag at Mickey's head.
Stealing a car with Jimmy takes surprisingly less time than he had expects, saying goodbye to his family for the last time takes much longer. They all cry, Ian is sure he is sobbing by the end of it. He's surprised at how everyone takes the news. Beyond Lip's initial anger everyone simply hugs, tells him that they will always love him and all they want is for him to be happy.
Ian speeds through the streets to Mandy's house, running out of his car and banging on her door until she answers. She's rightfully shocked to see Ian. She explains that Mickey had come by earlier, saying goodbye to her again and that he had left soon after.
It doesn't take a genius to know he drove back to Brooklyn.
Ian had been worried before that, concerned that he had done something to push Mickey away, but at Mandy's revelation his worry quickly fades to anger.
So when he finally arrives at Mickey's apartment, he is pissed off.
"What the fuck," Mickey grumbles, rubbing his head, rolling onto his back and blinking rapidly, "Ian?"
"Fuck you!" Ian shouts and grabs a shirt from the floor, whipping it at Mickey. "You left me?!"
Mickey furrows his brow, "you followed me?"
"Of course I fucking followed you, what else was I going to do?!" Ian's voice is low and dangerous, his rage bubbling over and he shakes his head. "You left me!"
Mickey sits up, pulling his knees up and breathing in, "you were with your family. That's what you wanted right? To be with your family?"
"Fuck you."
Mickey glares up at him and clenches his jaw, "you were dancing around with your fucking family, with you're stupid grin and looking so goddamn happy. You wanted to be with them - you were with them." He runs his tongue over his teeth and scowls, "you bitched so much about them, and how much you missed them. Fuck Ian, if you love them so much, why'd you fucking leave?"
"Because I love you too, you fucking asshole." Ian responds coldly, whipping another piece of discarded clothing at Mickey.
Mickey's sour expression drops and he doesn't even bother to dodging as the dirty shirt hits his face. "You what?"
Ian's eyes widen as he realizes what he said, his mouth drops open. "I..." His throat is dry; he didn't mean to say that. Honestly, he didn't intend to ever say that to Mickey considering how short their time together is.
"What did you just say?" Mickey presses, sitting up straighter and leaning forward.
Ian breathes in deeply, he figures the words are already out there anyways. "I love you."
Silence falls between them; Ian watches Mickey nervously as Mickey stares at him with a neutral expression Ian doesn't know what to think of. Ian really wishes he knew what Mickey is thinking, wishes that Mickey would just say something to make Ian feel a little less on display.
"Did you hear me?" Ian questions, breaking the silence with his shaky voice.
Mickey nods and bites his lower lip. He stands and walks over to Ian swiftly, wrapping a hand behind his neck and pulling him into a long, soft kiss. Ian is quick to wrap his arms around Mickey, walking him backwards until they collapse on the bed still tangled together. Ian's hands travel down Mickey's side, feeling his hot flesh under his hands and sighing happily into Mickey's mouth.
Mickey pulls back suddenly, watching Ian and breathing deeply.
"What's wrong?" Ian asks, gripping at Mickey's hip and trying to regain normal thought.
"Just give me a second," Mickey answers sharply, his eyes wide and expression soft in a way Ian loves so much.
"Are you okay?"
Mickey reaches up, putting a hand over Ian's mouth. "Shut up. I love you."
-
Mickey's eyes are glued to Ian.
They're lying in Mickey's bed, both on their side, facing each other with their fingers twined and legs tangled together in the cheap sheets. They spent the entire day laying in bed together, whispering their love for each other with each kiss and touch. Neither of them willing to leave the other for a second- constantly wrapped up together, and touching somehow.
"I think I could've spent fifty years with you," Ian murmurs into the silence.
Mickey smirks, "only fifty? The world's ending and you're gonna give me fifty years."
"The way you smoke you'd be dying in fifty years anyways." Ian laughs as he speaks, grinning widely and poking Mickey with his free hand.
Mickey rolls his eyes, but Ian's grin is too contagious not to return. "The world is ending fucker, you're supposed to say you could have loved me forever or some other eternal bullshit."
Ian shakes head, "you'd just tell me its bullshit."
Mickey laughs and licks his lips. "What did I do to get stuck dying next to your annoying ass?"
"Maybe you're my soul mate," Ian answers, his lips twitching as he tries to resist the urge to laugh.
"Fucking eternal bullshit."
They can hear it before anything else, the silent abandoned city getting louder as it approaches. Mickey swallows, his smiling fading and he grips Ian's hand a little tighter. He glances to the window, he can't see anything yet but he knows its coming.
Ian reaches his free hand forward, placing it on Mickey's cheek and drawing Mickey's eyes back to him. "Look at me," Ian says soothingly and smiles, "it's just me and you."
Mickey nods and tries to ignore the noises, tries to ignore the crashing, let's all the noise fade away until all he can hear is Ian's breathing calming him like a favorite song. He stares into Ian's eyes, sparkling and green, and hears himself speaking.
"I could have, you know," his voice is barely above a whisper, "eternity and all that bullshit."
Ian leans forward and presses their foreheads together, "me too, eternity and all that bullshit."
Ian breathes in, and then it all turns white.