Chapter Text
There was an unsettling sort of peace in the KashNGrab today. It was one of those slow days when Ian had a little extra time with his boyfriend. It was either the slow day or the fact that Ian was so out of it that he almost screamed when Kash grabbed his waist.
“Woah! What’s making you so jumpy today?” Kash joked with a smile.
Don’t think Ian didn’t notice his hand snaking over to his ass.
“Nothing. It’s okay.” Ian replied gruffly. Kash thought that was a believable enough answer, or just didn’t care to question the sincerity, and walked away.
It was at times like this that Ian was reminded that Kash didn’t really care about his feelings. He didn’t want to hear about Ian’s family, or about his fears or dreams. All he cared about was getting bent over in the freezer and that it was a young kid that did it. When Ian first started working here a year ago he didn’t believe it. He really thought Kash loved him, but with time he noticed the way his eyes wandered when he cried, how he zoned out when Ian was telling him enthusiastically about his progress with ROTC, and how he managed to turn every facet of Ian’s life into some sort of sexual joke.
To say it plainly, Ian was over him. But self preservation was never his game. He pretended not to notice how the older man bribed him with essentials for his body. He figured it just had to be this way, for anyone to love him. Who would willingly put up with all of his issues? It just didn’t seem realistic.
His thoughts were interrupted by his phone vibrating.
Mandy <3 (7:26pm) : u busy tonight? was thinking u could come over n we can watch those crappy horror movies i rented :3
Ian smiled softly. Mandy always seemed to know when he was feeling down, even if she didn’t say it.
Ian (7:28pm) : urs?
Mandy <3 (7:29pm) : sounds good, 9?
Ian (7:30pm) : see u then :)
He got back to work, shelving up everything and hoping to finish early. Usually, for movie nights he grabs some snacks to bring with. Grabbing a few chips and drinks, he puts them off to the side of the register.
“Gonna pay for that?” Kash smirked.
Oh. Right.
Ian followed him to the back room and tried not to think about the fact that he was blowing his boss for a can of bbq pringles.
As he was getting ready to leave he threw on the coat Kash had got him and pushed the nausea he felt away.
It’s fine. Just walk.
–
Ian shot Mandy a text letting her know he was out back, not eager to repeat what had happened last time when he knocked on the front door. Seeing Terry’s bare ass once was enough for Ian’s lifetime.
She swung the back door open and called out to him, “Terry isn’t here today doofus! Business trip.”
Ian shoved his hands into his pockets and walked inside, wondering what type of business Terry was on this time. Gun running, dope slinging, or whore housing. Regardless, he was glad the old racist wasn’t there.
“You brought snacks! You’re the best boyfriend a girl could ask for!” Mandy said singsong, wrapping her arms around his neck in a big hug.
Ian tried to enjoy the hug, feeling dirty knowing how he got all the snacks.
“Oh sweet! You got pringles?” Mickey leaned forward and took the entire tube before plopping down on the couch.
Mandy glanced at her best friend and mouthed “Sorry”.
Truthfully, Ian didn’t care if Mickey tagged along. Besides his constant bitching and moaning he could be funny sometimes. He didn’t look half bad either. He tucked himself in the middle of the couch between the twins and half-paid attention to whatever slasher film Mandy had snatched from the movie rental place on the corner. Mostly he just let his thoughts get the better of him. Mickey chewing loud as shit next to him wasn’t helping.
Mandy walked to the kitchen, announcing she was starting another round of pizza rolls and Ian’s stomach groaned. He had last eaten the night before.
“Jesus dude, do they starve you at home?” Mickey half laughed.
“Did anyone ever teach you to chew with your mouth closed?” Ian retorted. It came off a little more aggressive than he meant it to, but he was tired, hungry, and wanted to jump off the nearest building so he didn’t have much energy to hold himself back.
“Someone's on their period”
Now he was pissed. He turned to Mickey and took a breath before telling him simply and eloquently to Go Fuck Himself.
Mickey felt a bit ashamed that he found it so attractive. Mandy did say the kid was going through a lot right now. He grabbed two beers and tossed one to the redhead next to him.
Milkoviches don’t apologize, but this was about as close as it could get.
“Thanks.” It was quiet, said while staring forward at the paused screen. Ian accepted the can and cracked it open, readjusting himself on the couch. His fingertips just barely grazed the brunette’s thigh.
Oh.
Mickey had to hold himself back from yelling at him.
He also had to hold himself back from pinning him down and shoving his hand down his pants.
They sat there in silence for a few moments, sipping their beers and watching as the killer was finally unmasked. It was the janitor, ex camper who was harassed by his peers. What an original and unsuspected outcome. The two main characters kissed as the rain poured down on them, the police sirens wailing.
“This romance shit! It’s so fuckin dumb, show me the bodies!” Mickey yelled at the screen. He was over watching some dumb chick make out with the guy of her dreams. Obviously, genuine attraction was pure fantasy, in real life people hardly reciprocate.
Ian laughed softly and stood up, slipping the pack of cigarettes out of his front pocket. He wagged the pack in front of Mick’s face and nodded towards the front door. The smaller boy followed him outside and plopped down on the steps.
“Fuck, it’s cold,” Ian muttered, pulling his hoodie around his shoulders roughly. He lit the cigarette and passed it to Mickey.
He gave Gallagher a once over, twice over. He had his hands pushed into his armpits, his legs pushed together, and his shoes met at their tips. The kid was shaking hard. He was pretty sure he could see him turning blue, for god’s sake he was translucent enough as it was.
He passed the cigarette back over and moved a little closer in the process, they were flush against their sides now. This was obviously just because they were both cold and there was no other reason whatsoever.
They passed the cigarette back and forth until it was a burnt out stub, and flicked it somewhere in the yard with the other thousands that the Milkoviches had built up over the years. They had probably become part of the natural ecosystem by now.
They were both startled by a thunk and Mandy screaming inside.
“Get the fuck off me!”
“Shut up little bitch, you have no right to talk to me like that!”
Mickey nearly jumped out of his skin hearing that voice. Before he could get inside the door swung open and a very drunk Terry Milkovich came stumbling out.
Ian glanced behind him to see Mandy standing in the doorway with a very broken looking nose. His face immediately dropped. Mandy didn’t look helpless, like she wanted help, or even like she cared. She just looked tired. She looked mildly annoyed at best, and that’s what worried him the most. He saw his brothers, who had the same look growing up, in her face and he saw himself. But it was so much worse because he deserved it of course and Mandy hadn’t. Mandy was the best friend he had ever had, she was caring and understanding and didn’t push Ian when he wasn’t ready. She made sure he knew he mattered to someone. And here was Terry, beating her like she was a disobedient child who deserves nothing more than a punch to the face.
“What the fuck are you looking at her for you dumbass?” Terry spat. “The fucks this queer doing here anyway?” He glanced back at Mandy. “I thought I told you not to let his faggoty ass come here again. You never fucking listen!” And then he pushed her.
Mickey was going to stop his father, but everything in his soul was screaming at him that he couldn’t. He couldn’t stop his dad, it wasn’t allowed.
That didn’t stop Ian though. He was launching towards Terry before he could think enough to process how dangerous it might be. Ian got one hit into his geriatric skull before Terry grabbed him by the neck and threw him onto the concrete.
Everything was really fuzzy, but somewhere Ian registered that the twins were pulling their dad off of him. He also felt something really warm pooling under his head.
At that moment Mandy prayed that someone was stupid enough to call the cops. The snooty couple that had just moved in across the street were. Her brother was beating their father senseless, and if Mickey wanted to die by any way other than filicide, the police were going to need to show up before Terry regained consciousness.
The sirens were too loud. Ian already had a headache and the noise was fucking irritating. He was also really, really cold. He could feel the snow stinging his face and everything was so sharp. Mickey pulled him up off the concrete and held him up by his waist. He was really warm, and Ian let himself lean into him.
“What’s going on?”
“Terry fucked up again. He’ll be away for a while this time.” Mandy mumbled at his side.
Ian looked at the hand on his side. Mickey’s hands were completely destroyed, raw, and bloody.
They watched Terry get hauled away by the cops, spewing every insult and of course declaring his innocence at the same time. Ian smiled fondly, at least now Mandy didn’t need to worry for awhile. At least the twins didn’t have to be so vigilant constantly now. He looked down at Mickey, and saw his red-rimmed eyes, the little snowflakes caught in his eyelashes, and his flushed cheeks. Everything felt really warm and nice, nothing was complicated.
So he didn’t think twice when he kissed him.