Chapter Text
The house was clad in chipped white clapboard. One of the green shutters was hanging loosely, the wood warped and swollen with water damage. As the cab had driven slowly along, giving Ian enough time to read the numbers on the mail boxes, he could see that the house was in the worst shape on the street but there was something about it, he thought, as he paid the driver and leaned into the trunk, hefting his backpack onto his shoulder. Maybe it was the magnolia tree, heavy with thick, bowl like flowers, or the wrap around porch that had seen better days but still had a swing seat in front of one of the picture windows. He pushed the trunk closed and stared at the house from the sidewalk, dappled in early morning sunlight. Yeah, there was definitely something about it.
The front door opened as the the cab pulled away and Lip stood in the doorway, grinning in a way that made something in Ian warm. He looked tired but he threw his arm up in a quick, crisp salute as Ian pushed open the gate, which stuck enough that he had to push it with his hip.
‘All hail the returning hero. At ease, soldier,’ Lip said, stepping out onto the porch as Ian skipped up the steps and dropped his bag. Lip’s arms went round his shoulders, pulling him forward and squeezing. Ian gripped him back, one hand clenched in the thin material of Lip’s sweater, breathing in the familiar smell of cheap wash powder, cigarette smoke and the faintest hint of weed. Lip smelt like home.
‘Missed you, man,’ Lip said into his shoulder and Ian nodded, not trusting himself to speak. He grinned as they pulled away, ignoring the thickness in his throat, the push of emotions. ‘Look at you, fresh buzzcut,’ Lip ran a hand over Ian’s closely cropped hair before doing the same to his own short cut. ‘We match, soldier boy. Though mine is purely for fashion.’
‘Yeah, yeah, fuck you,’ Ian said, huffing out a laugh and reaching to grab his bag. Lip waved him off and grabbed the backpack. ‘So, this is the house?’ He followed Lip into the central hallway. The walls were stripped, the staircase missing half the banister and the two rooms to either side were covered in dust sheets and work benches. It didn’t stop Ian pausing just inside the doorway and raising his eyebrows at the space. Lip watched him, smiling. There was a window at the turn of the stairs and spring sunlight was pouring in, illuminating dust motes, making the house feel warm and welcoming. ‘Jesus,’ Ian breathed out, turning to Lip with a grin. ‘It’s a fucking mess. I can see why you insisted I stay here.’
Lip laughed and gestured down the hallway to the back of the house.
‘It’s a lot of work but I think it’s going to be great when it’s done. We’re mostly living back here and in the RV,’ he said, leading them into a kitchen that ran across the back of the house. There was a space for wide doors leading onto the porch but no doors, just thick plastic sheeting pinned back to let the light in. A pitted wood dining table, five mismatched chairs and a workbench with a hot plate were the only furniture, and Lip dropped Ian’s bag down on one of the chairs. He gestured slightly to the room. ‘Welcome to our humble home,’ he said. ‘Coffee?’
‘God, yes’ Ian said, dropping into one of the chairs and resting his head on his folded arms.
‘You exhausted?’ Lip said. ‘We got you a bed set up so if you want to crash, you can.’
Ian made a non committal noise and let his eyes close, listening to the sounds of Lip moving around him. It was quiet. No street noises, no endless radio chatter, no flyovers. No gun fire. Just quiet. He opened his eyes and sat up slightly, holding his head up to watch Lip.
‘No coffee machine,’ Lip said, holding up a kettle and gesturing to the porch. ‘No plumbing either so we’re filling it with the hose. It’s fine but you should hear some of the guys bitch about the coffee. I thought hipsters were bad.’
‘Guys?’ Ian said, stifling a yawn as Lip filled the kettle on the porch. Ian could see him through the plastic sheeting over the windows, distorted and hazy.
‘Yeah, the guys working on this place.’ He grinned as he came back into the kitchen, setting the kettle on the hotplate. ‘You think I’m doing this shit on my own? I know my fucking limits, man.’
‘So you got contractors?’
‘Yeah, three or four guys. Family business. They’re good. They’re South Side originally. I know,’ he said at Ian’s surprise. ‘Small world, right? Don’t know what brought them out here but they’re cheap and quick so I don’t really care. You want creamer and sugar? We’ve only got powdered creamer in here but I can go grab from the RV if you want.’
‘Powdered is fine. At this point however it comes.’
Lip leaned against the work top, waiting for the water to boil, just watching Ian for a quiet moment.
‘I can’t fucking believe you’re here,’ he said, finally. ‘So weird seeing you sitting in here with your uniform and your fucking buzzcut.’
Ian laughed and ran his hand over his freshly shorn hair.
‘What the fuck is wrong with my buzzcut?’
‘You look so grown up.’ Lip grinned. ‘Kind of makes me miss the bangs and the freckles.’
Ian groaned and rubbed his head again.
‘That fucking hair cut,’ he said smiling. ‘I got this done just before I shipped back.’
The kettle started to boil and Lip turned to take it off the heat.
‘You going to grow it out?’ Lip asked, back to Ian but shoulders a little tight as he poured the water. Ian frowned slightly and shrugged, even though Lip couldn’t see.
‘Don’t know. I’d just have to cut it when I went back,’ he said, watching Lip’s jerky nod as he reached for a spoon from a mug on the side, stirring the creamer in. ‘I mean…’ Ian paused, ‘You know, if I go back.’ Lip tapped the spoon on the edge of the mug and turned. They eyed each other for a minute before Ian gave a quick shrug. ‘Who the fuck knows, right? I literally got off the plane an hour ago.’ He reached for the mug Lip handed him and took a mouthful. It was too hot and the creamer power hadn’t all dissolved. He raised an eyebrow as Lip sat down opposite him. ‘Hate to tell you, man, but your contractors might be right about the state of the coffee?’
Lip flipped him off and took a mouthful of his own black coffee.
‘Delicious,’ he said and Ian laughed. Lip took his phone out and typed out a message. ‘There’s a coffee place in town that the guys usually stop at before coming in. I’ll see if they can add a coffee on for you. You like dark roast?’
Ian shrugged, stifling another yawn.
‘No idea. Coffee’s coffee, right?’
‘Not according to those in the know,’ Lip said, glancing at his phone as it buzzed on the table top. ‘Which apparently includes my fucking contractors. They’ll bring you a coffee, they should be here before eight.’ Lip stretched and yawned, before pushing his chair back. ‘Come on, I’ll show you where you’re sleeping. See if Tami and Freddie are awake.’
Ian got up, taking a mouthful of his coffee before grabbing his backpack.
‘Can’t wait to meet him,’ Ian said, following Lip out onto the porch.
Lip grinned back at him.
‘He’s fucking amazing,’ he said, leading Ian round the edge of the house to an RV parked under the shade of two big trees. A power cable ran from the house and the blinds were drawn. Lip hesitated just outside the door, head tilted as he listened. There was no sound from inside. He gestured with his head to Ian and walked down the garden, beyond the RV.
‘Still sleeping,’ he said, as they stepped out the shade of the trees. ‘He’s been teething so any sleep is good sleep. This is you We borrowed it from one of Tami’s sisters.’
A smaller RV was parked at the very edge of the yard. Lip opened the door and stood back, letting Ian duck past him up the steps. The air smelt musty but the inside was surprisingly clean. Lip stuck his head into the door.
‘There’s a full bed at the back, which we’ve made up, and we’ve rigged it up to the mains so you’ve got electricity. There’s a water tank so the bathroom works. Shower’s going to be a squeeze but it does okay. We’ve been heading down to the Y and using their showers a couple of times a week.’ Lip grinned. ‘Even took Freddie swimming, which I bet he’d love to do with his Uncle Ian.’
‘Shit,’ Ian said, dropping his backpack on the small upholstered two seater. ‘I’m Uncle Ian.’
‘You’ve been Uncle Ian to Franny for a while,’ Lip said.
‘Yeah, I guess so.’ Ian opened the small fridge in the galley kitchen. ‘Guess it’s been a while.’
Lip watched him opened the cupboards, a careful expression on his face. Ian ignored him and opened the small bathroom door.
‘We could get Debbie up here. Invite Carl as well. We’re only a couple of hours drive from Chicago,’ Lip said, still leaning into the RV.
Ian let the bathroom door close.
‘Yeah,’ he said, careful not to look at Lip as he opened another cupboard. ‘That’d be good.’ He let the cupboard close with a snap before turning to Lip, who was still watching him. The silence held for a few beats.
‘Maybe in a few weeks,’ Lip said, after a minute. ‘Let you get settled in before they descend.’
Ian gave a quick nod.
‘Yeah, whatever works.’
Lip opened his mouth, eyebrows pinched, and Ian braced himself for whatever questions Lip might have but before he could speak there was the sound of voices carrying across the garden. Lip glanced behind him and then looked at this watch.
‘Coffee’s here,’ he said. ‘You want me to grab it and bring it down? Take a nap?’
Ian smiled and shook his head.
‘I’ll come get it. I want to see my nephew.’
Lip grinned and stepped back. Ian hesitated.
‘You think I should change?’ he said, gesturing to his uniform.
Lip stuck his head back in and looked him up and down.
‘And deny me the chance to show off my war hero little brother? Not a chance.’
Ian rolled his eyes.
‘Not a war hero,’ he said, pulling the RV door closed behind him
‘War hero, soldier, kid brother with a gun; what’s the difference?’ Lip said, checking Ian with his shoulder as they walked towards the house. Ian could see people moving around inside. He checked Lip back, bumping him with his shoulder. There was movement from the bigger RV as well, a slightly rocking of someone walking around inside.
Lip opened the door and stuck his head in.
‘You awake?’ he said and Ian could hear a muffled reply. ‘Want me to take him?’
Tami appeared in the doorway, looking as tired as Lip but smiling at Ian. Fred was balanced on her hip, looking newly awake in a soft blue onesie.
‘Hi,’ Ian said.
‘Welcome home,’ she said, handing the baby to Lip who blew raspberries on his cheeks as he laughed. Tami watched them and then shook her head with a small smile. ‘You good for an hour or so? I’m going to sleep and then I thought I’d take him to the pool and grab a shower.’
‘Yeah, not a problem,’ Lip said, rotating at the hips to rock the baby against him. He glanced up at Tami. ‘You sleep and I’ll introduce him his Uncle Ian. No rush.’
Lip turned to Ian as Tami closed the door. He raised his eyebrows, grinning, and suddenly Ian had a flash of how much older Lip was. Ian might be standing here in a uniform, fresh from overseas, but Lip had a baby and a house and he looked happy.
‘Hey Fred,’ Ian said, moving forward and holding out his hand. Fred watched him with careful, clear eyes. ‘Nice to meet you. I’m your Uncle Ian.’
Lip’s smile was as wide as Ian had ever seen it as Ian reached out and Fred gently grasped his fingers. He was warm and his skin was soft.
‘You want to hold him?’ Lip said.
‘You think he’d be okay with that?’
Lip shrugged.
‘He’s a pretty chill baby. Reminds me a lot of Liam. He might spit up on your dress uniform, though.’
Ian reached for the baby.
‘Eh, what’s a little spit up between nephew and uncle,’ he said, as Lip handed him Fred. He was solid and warm and he watched Ian quietly as Ian let his muscles remember how he’d once held Liam. His legs felt sturdy and sure against Ian’s hip. Lip was watching them, still smiling, and Ian huffed out a pleased sound when Freddie reached out and touched the unit crest on his jacket. ‘See, we’re already bonding.’
‘Didn’t doubt it,’ Lip said. ‘Come on. I’ll introduce you to the team.’
‘Plus,’ Ian said, gently touching Fred’s ear with his nose as he followed Lip onto the porch, ‘Uncle Ian needs some actual coffee.’
‘I made you coffee when you got here, not my fault you’re too ungrateful to accept good old fashioned American coffee.’ Lip ducked into the kitchen. ‘You bring shame on the name of Uncle Sam, not wanting an authentic cup of joe made with love by someone who just wants to support our troops.’
Ian was laughing as he stepped into the kitchen, smiling at Lip and at Fred, whose baby fist was exploring Ian’s face with careful, deliberate pokes. He was so focused on the baby that he didn’t realise there was someone leaning up against the worktop where Lip had stood earlier until they spoke.
‘You trying to force that fuckin’ awful coffee on someone else, Gallagher?’
Ian looked over and blinked. Fred poked his cheek.
‘Hi,’ Ian said and the guy’s eyebrows rose. Ian blinked again. Great face, he thought.
‘Hi,’ the guy said, voice going up slightly in confusion, eyes flicking between Ian and Lip, who was watching Ian with an irritatingly knowing look. There was a silence that was just a bit too long. Ian swallowed.
‘Ian,’ Lip said and Ian looked at him, breaking the strange silence, and resumed bouncing Fred on his hip. ‘This is Mickey, one of the contractors. Mickey, this is my brother Ian. He just got home and he’s going to be helping out.’
Mickey’s eyes flicked up and down Ian.
‘You do any contracting before?’ Mickey said.
Ian shook his head and Mickey sucked his bottom lip.
‘I’m pretty handy, though,’ Ian said and then felt a slight flush on his cheeks as Mickey grinned.
‘Are you now?’ Mickey said. He turned to Lip and Ian swallowed again. ‘Same Gallagher rules apply to him, okay? If it’s something that has to pass code it’s one of my guys. Happy for him to swing a sledge hammer or knock in nails but no fuckin’ cowboy work on my job, you got it?’
Lip held up his hands and smirked.
‘No fucking cowboys,’ he said. ‘Soldiers and unpaid labour only.’
Mickey rolled his eyes and took his phone out.
‘You read that list I sent you last night?’ he said and Lip nodded, reaching for his own phone.
‘Ripping out and then electrics,’ Lip said and Mickey nodded.
‘We need to get this placed properly wired,’ he said. ‘Joey’ll be working on plumbing but who the fuck knows what he’s going to find.’
‘Might be sound,’ Lip said and Mickey’s eyebrows went up again.
‘Might be fuckin’ rotten pipes and stagnant ground water,’ Mickey said.
It was Lip’s turn to roll his eyes.
‘Well, let’s see what Joey finds,’ Lip said and Mickey grinned. He had really white teeth, Ian thought. And really blue eyes.
‘Money on it?’ Mickey said and Lip groaned.
‘I am paying you to do the work, not to make bets on how fucked I am or how much of a money pit this place is.’
‘Fifty says it’s all got to be ripped out,’ Mickey said and Lip shook his head.
‘No,’ Lip said. ‘I got screwed on the roof. No more bets.’
Mickey opened him mouth but stopped when Ian shifted the baby on his hip.
‘I’ll take the bet,’ Ian said and Lip rolled his eyes at him.
Mickey’s head tilted slightly and his eyes did the same up and down of Ian. Ian felt himself straightened slightly.
‘You wanna bet, army?’ Mickey said and Ian nodded, ignoring Lip rubbing his eyes wearily as he watched.
‘Sure. Fifty says the plumbing is sound,’ Ian said and moved Fred to his other hip to hold out his right hand. Mickey glanced at it and Ian raised his eyebrows. ‘We on?’
Mickey’s tongue poked out at the side of his mouth and he seemed to consider before he held out his own hand and shook Ian’s. His hands were surprisingly soft, Ian thought before Mickey had dropped his arm and turned back to Lip.
‘We’re gunna rip out the back bedroom,’ he said. ‘Coffee’s there.’ He glanced at Freddie. ‘Might want to get the kid out of here, gunna get dusty.’ He moved to walk past Ian. ‘You might want to make yourself scarce as well, army. Unless you’re okay with getting messy,’ he said with a grin, before walking off to the front of the house, yelling something to one of his crew. Ian watched him go, mindlessly bouncing the baby on his hip, before turning back to Lip, who was watching him, eyebrows raised.
‘What?’ Ian said, not quite able to bite back his smile. Lip stared at him before shaking his head.
‘Jesus, Ian,’ he said, reaching for the two coffees on the table.
‘What?’ Ian said again, now grinning.
‘Shut the fuck up and take my baby out into the garden,’ Lip said and Ian laughed as the sound of a sledgehammer slamming into sheeting rang out above them.