Work Text:
Blossom
/ˈbläsəm/ noun
mature or develop in a promising or healthy way
1.
Mickey needed to get food. There was nothing at home for him to eat. He reminded himself, turning onto the block. He could see the Kash and Grab a few yards away. He needed food that was the one and only reason he needed to make the stop. He bawled his fists, hitting his own arm hard once his mind shifted to thinking about the boy he knew was working there.
Mickey did not memorise Ian’s work schedule. He didn’t tentatively listen, pretending to make pizza rolls or roll a joint in the kitchen when Ian and Mandy sat in the living room chatting and playing video games just cause he liked the way the kid talked. If there was anything that Mickey was dead set sure on, it was the fact that he under no circumstances was starting to catch feelings for him. He wasn’t entranced by some scrawny freckled lengthy freak alien kid. He just wasn’t.
He couldn’t be. Because well, first off he wasn’t gay. He was just a horny kid who was willing to scratch and itch however he could. He still liked to fuck the neighbourhood chicks. He remembered to tell himself. Well, he hadn’t since he started to hook up with Ian but that was just coincidental. Had nothing to do with the ginger freak.
It wasn’t a crush. He decided. He didn’t have crushes that were for pussies and fags. And Mickey was neither of those things and because of that, he did not have a crush on Ian Gallagher.
He didn’t think about his brighter than the sun smile. Or freckled cheeks. He definitely didn’t find himself thinking about that red hair. When he did have any thoughts about the boy he would punch holes in his walls. He didn't like to think about Ian. Didn’t like the feeling that came with him.
Ian Gallagher was nothing more than a warm mouth and a good lay. That thought was cemented in the back of his head like a mantra. Ian was nothing more than someone to fuck when he got bored.
Still, no matter how many times he seemed to remind himself of that he still found himself showing up at the Kash and Grab whenever Ian was there. At least it wasn’t suspicion because he would do that even before he and Ian started to hook up.
Being a Milkovich kinda worked out in his favour that way. He could show up to the Kash and grab every day if he wanted to, and he knew no one would think anything of it because he kept his appearances up. Made sure of that. Made sure Kash knew he was stopping by so often just to keep instilling the fear in him. Had nothing to do with his worker.
He walked into the Kash and Grab, the bell of the front door sounded and both Ian and Kash who were behind the counter looked up at him. Kash looked straight scared as he fumbled with the receipts in his hand, trying to not spend any of his attention on the Milkovich thug. Ian on the other hand looked a little more pleased to see him, even giving him a little wave which Mickey immediately shook off. The gesture was kinda sweet though he thought before pinching himself through his jeans. He couldn’t think like that, that was gay.
Mickey belched, gave the two a dirty look and then made his way through the store, picking up random snacks in his wake like he always did.
Eventually, Ian excused himself from the counter. He followed Mickey to the back of the shop where the camera blind spot was and completely out of earshot from anyone else. “Kash is gonna leave in about half an hour. Meet me in the back fridge later?”
Mickey tried to play it off cool. Because he didn’t care. Sex was supposed to be casual, with no feeling, we weren’t gonna screw with that and mess up whatever arrangement he and Ian got going.
“Sure,” he muttered. His hand reached up to grab a tube of pringles. He looked it over, pretending it was of some interest to him. In him trying to remain nonchalant he almost knocked a few other tubes over, Ian’s hand rushed up trying to stop the avalanche. For just a moment their hands touched, fingertips brushing against one another.
Mickey’s stomach did a little flip as he noticed that Ian was making no effort to move his hand away. Then reality set it and Mickey forcefully pulled his hand away. “Don’t touch me, Gallagher, see ya later” He felt his cheeks begin to burn up a little. He ignored it, pushing down whatever emotional can of worms the interaction had just opened. As he turned away to book it out of the store he noticed Ian was sporting the tiniest of smiles.
‘Fuck’ . He thought. He definitely had a fucking crush on Ian Gallagher.
2.
Mickey woke up with his arms securely around Ian. He had held him for the first time that night. It was a tough night. Tough few nights. Tough everything . Mickey had been at the Gallagher’s for the last two days. From when he apologised for being late to when he went to the doctor's with him, Mickey hadn’t left Ian’s side.
He loved Ian, that was a fact that he definitely knew would be true for as long as Ian would let it be. He cared about him, wanted to make sure he was safe above all else. Mickey gave a little yawn, watching as the breath forced from his lips made Ian’s hair sway.
He couldn't help it as he kissed the side of Ian’s neck again. This was completely uncharted territory. The bipolar, meds, physical intimacy, the fucking cuddling. Ian was already half asleep the previous night when Mickey made a quiet request. “Can you lay on your side” Ian slowly obeyed, feeling Mickey’s arms wrap around his mid, face hiding in the pit of his neck, breathing in deeply. He liked the way Ian smelled.
They managed to stay that way the whole night, Mick spooning Ian, keeping him safe in his arms, scared that if his grip loosened any Ian would vanish again.
“Ian” he gently shook the ginger awake. When he finally came to, he blinked up at Mickey slowly, drowsy. Mickey shimmed a pair of jeans atop his- Ian’s - boxers. “You ok if I go for a bit? Need to check on the house. Grab some of my shit” his hand didn’t leave Ian’s shoulder. There was no way he was going to leave him again, he’d camp out in this shitty room for the rest of the week if he had to.
“Hey, love you,” Mickey said gently. The words were burning in the back of his throat like he needed to make sure Ian knew. He felt a lump in his throat as Ian looked up at him defeated. Eyes glossy, mouth puckered out. Like he wanted to repeat the affirmation but couldn’t quite force his body to cooperate with his mind.
“Don’t hurt yourself there stud” Mickey filled in the blank, hand reaching up to caress his temple. “S’okay, I know you do too”. He reached down, placing a softer than usual kiss on Ian’s forehead. “I’ll be back when you wake back up” one last reassuring smile as he swept Ian’s hair from his face one last time. Ian’s eyes were closed again before Mickey even had the chance to leave the room.
The walk to the Milkovich house was a chilly and brisk one. Mickey wanted to get in and out as fast as possible so he could get back to Ian. Logically, he knew that Ian would be fine for a half hour. Fiona was down in the kitchen, he saw her on his way out. Plus, it wasn’t likely that he would get out of bed anytime soon Despite any sound logic, Mickey still found himself worrying.
He tried to press those feelings down, swallowing hard as he ended up on the front steps of the Milkovich home. All he needed was to get a few pairs of clothes, maybe some soap since the Gallagher’s had foreign pubes on it. He may have loved Ian but he definitely didn’t love the rest of the Gallaghers enough to share the deprived bar of soap.
Besides the fear brought by his new caregiver role, he also tried to subside the uneasiness his house brought him. He always hated that house. He supposed he would be crazier than Ian if he didn’t. The ghosts and monsters the home had brought him were more than enough to drive him away.
He was glad that he had found some solace at the Gallagher’s. With Ian. Mickey swallowed hard as he pushed through the never locked door. Reminded himself that this was just a quick stop then he could be back in bed, holding Ian soundly in his arms. Last night they had talked about having sex- or more accurately their newfound inability to. Ian bleakley told Mickey that all the meds he had gotten were making him a limp dick. That he wouldn’t be able to get it up until his body adjusted. No matter how turned on he got. Ian then sadly, more quietly, added that he understood if Mickey wanted to go until fucking was an option again.
Mickey had half the nerve to punch him for the audacity filled statement that Mickey was only in it for the sex. As if that was the case anymore. Ian was convinced that he wasn’t going to be able to get it up but Mickey refused to give in to his sad whines. He just needed to make it through the house first. Then back to the Gallagher’s.
Mandy was in the kitchen, making herself a cup of coffee. He didn’t know where Svetlana was and didn't give a rat's ass either. “Hey,” Mandy gave Mickey a slight wave as he made his way deeper into the home. She looked eager to talk, Mickey not as much. He still managed to give her a half-hearted nod.
“Where’ve you been?”
Mickey would normally bite back. “The fuck do you care?” but he was too tired for the unnecessary tension so instead he just scratched the back of his neck, a huff. “Gallagher’s”
She gave a little nod, eyes not leaving her brother. “How’s Ian ?” She was careful, voice going almost completely quiet at the tail-end of her sentence. her tone suggested that she wanted to tip-toe around the topic entirely. That she didn’t want any bad news but had to stand it because she, like Mickey, cared deeply for the ginger boy.
Mickey’s nails dug deeper into the delicate skin of the nape of his neck. “We’re figuring it out I guess. He accidentally almost killed Debbie yesterday” another deep breath. “But that got him to finally take his meds so, at least there’s some fucking silver lining”
Another little nod from Mandy, her eyes were impossible soft, softer than Mickey had ever seen from her. “Does he need anything or-” her hands gestured around wildly as if the shitshow Milkovich hell house could bring some relief to him.
“Nah, Nah, we’re good” His hands dropped to his side. Mandy gave one final nod, hands sticking in her pocket as she gave him an awkward smile. She rocked back and forth on her heels.
“I’m uh, taking care of him so don’t wait up for me”
“Yeah like I ever had” she pushed her lips out blowing raspberries. “Can I come ‘round to see him sometime?”
“Free country”
“Mick,” she exhaled, biting her bottom lip. She felt some dried blood flake atop her tongue. “You’re sure that you're okay with him and all? There can be another episode, worse than last time”
Mickey sucked his own lips in, blood running hot as it pumped harder in his veins. “And? If there’s another episode, I’ll - We’ll ” he corrected himself “fucking figure it out. Tie him to the bed, lock up the knives and car keys, fuck whatever it takes” he ran a hand through his hair, lip running across his top row of teeth in sure annoyance. He knew that logically, that Mandy was right. That Ian having another bad episode was in their inevitable future. Despite that, he found himself growing angry at the suggestion.
The tone of Mandy’s voice, while innocent in intent, she was just worried about her best friend- was somehow patronising. Equivocating Ian down to just the time between episodes. He swallowed down hard, lips biting against the inside of his cheek till the familiar taste of blood rushed in, overcoming his senses.
He breathed again, trying to fill his lungs up as air felt in short supply. “Ian’s going to be ok” he finally was able to get out, staring Mandy down. “He has me ,” voice cracked a little as Mickey itched the tip of his nose “and his fucking eight million siblings. He’s gonna be fine”
Mandy nodded, accepting it as a fact. She however didn’t relent on the pressing. “You’re not in this alone” she frowned, eyebrows creasing down. “Stop acting like you are” She tried to be gentle, her words not mean-spirited, more like a reminder for Mickey to get a grasp on what reality was, not what he perceived it to be.
“I’m his fucking boyfriend” Mickey corrected her. He had spoken the world's equivalent to “I’m Ian’s boyfriend” into existence maybe once or twice before. It felt good to say that out loud. He was comfortable with his title, grateful he got to carry it.
“So what since you two are ghetto married now you think you have to deal with all this?”
Mickey sucked his lips in again, choosing to ignore the word ‘married’. “Ian is my boyfriend, it's my job to take care of him. Not his sister or you or fuckin Lip” she shuttered at the mention of her ex-boyfriend as Mickey intended the words to land. “So fucking forgive me for caring about him”. Another deep breath, a reminder that while the air was tense, it was still there.
Mandy gave one last nod, reaching out to grab the freshly brewed pot. “Yeah, I know” she poured the coffee into the two mugs in front of her. “Thank you for helping him, you’re a good boyfriend”
Those softer moments were nearing impossible as they grew into adults. Not that they were much closer as kids. Terry discouraged any close bonds. Showing any positive emotions, especially towards a girl that you weren’t actively trying to fuck, was considered faggy to their father.
“Hey, and I know this whole situation is massively shitty but for the record, I’m happy for you” Mandy spoke up one last time. Mickey had already started to make his way to his room. He stopped dead in his tracks shooting one last look at Mandy. “I am a little mad that you got a good genuine boyfriend before me though, Mick”
Mickey’s eyes looked over her face once more. Her lips curled up a little at the edges. He gave a little huff, shoulders relaxing. He hadn’t realised how tense he was until that moment. A slight smirk as they shared one last glance. “Yeah well, got one ‘cus I’m not a skank like you”
3.
Mickey hated his job. He had hated most of the jobs he had in his life. Old Army took the cake though. Of course, goody-two-shoes Larry Seaver had to put him in the most miserable job ever. Ian complained about his PO day and night but at least his slimy job seemed a little fun. Mickey felt life draining from his soul every time he clocked in. He hated the stupid itchy purple shirt, the ugly mid-knee shorts. He hated the mall and all the stupid fucking hipsters. He hated his snotty seventeen-year-old boss and the creaky plastic chairs in the breakroom. He was pretty neutral on getting to stop assholes from stealing but everything else was pretty damn bad.
The only thing he really didn’t hate was that the mall was pretty close to the station Paula had Ian set up in. Mickey would get a text every few days ‘close by, lunch?’
It had become a regular fixture in their schedule that Ian and Mickey would have a little lunch date at the shitty food court. It was always short, Mickey would order for Ian because he knew what he liked and it gave them a few more minutes together.
“‘I don’t know how much longer I can do this job for, Mick” Ian leaned back against the spine of the shitty food court chair, his back audibly cracking from the force.
Mickey waved his fork at him dismissively. “You’re still bitching about that? Hey man, it could be a lot of worse, could be doing my fuckin job”
Ian slumped forward, body falling onto the table as his arms held his face up. He gave an eye roll. “You get to be in a mall, man. I’m committing insurance fraud in the back of a hot ambulance all day. Much rather be at Old Army” He sat up straight again, grabbing the untouched fork beside him to finally start eating.
“Hey for the record, I much rather be doing illegal shit” Mickey gave a little smile, his foot reaching forward, lightly tapping Ian’s. “You know I would switch PO’s with you if that was an option”
Ian smiled fondly at the sentiment, he knew Mickey didn’t really mean for it to be sweet, he was just telling the truth but Ian found the comment endearing. His hand reached forward, pushing the fork out of Mickey’s hand to grab hold of it. Mickey wanted to scold him as he was trying to swirl some spaghetti onto his fork but he was coming up short at the sweet expression slade across Ian’s face. He gave him a smaller, shyer smile, squeezing his hand.
They had never really hung out in public before like the mall gave them an opportunity to. They were too busy hiding from homophobic fathers, Russian wives and bipolar episodes to be able to freely go out. Throw in a few prison sentences and their social skills were significantly dulled, especially when it came to just being out one and one.
It was a learning curve for sure. All the time they spent cooped together in a cell was full of mostly sex but when they would just sit and talk it usually wasn’t anything important. Usually dirty or incriminating subject matter. That was the biggest adjustment when they started to go out on dates, making sure there weren’t people in earshot for their candid discussions of attempted murder or enrapture requests to try and find a good whip the next time they trolled through their favourite sex toy site. The disturbed horrified looks of suburban moms and small children, while funny, were also awkward, to say the least.
They were getting better at being a couple in the traditional sense. They were able to develop a few hobbies. Cooking together, video games and doodling were the main ones. They went out on breakfast and lunch dates. They were definitely on their way to becoming a non-dysfunctional, normal- ish couple.
Ian squeezed his boyfriend’s hand again before he dropped it, going back to grab his fork from his own tray, stealing a meatball from Mickey. “I’m gonna stop at the store before I get home. Debbie’s going to be at her pimp, sugar mommy, whatever the fuck’s house and we’re on dinner duty”
Mickey gave a little nod, Ian took the gesture as a sign to keep going. “We gotta watch Franny till her bedtime but after..” he gave a flirty smile, continuing to chew.“That new plug that should be arriving”
Mickey returned the sultry look. “Sounds good but heads up, Imma be out for a few hours after dinner my cousins got a job for me”
“Joey?”
“Nah man, Sandy. Don’t think you’ve met her yet, skank hasn’t been in Chicago for a while. She’s coming to meet me in a few minutes actually”
At the mention of time, Ian looked down at his watch. “Fuck, I gotta be heading out soon” a huff as he quickly shuffled the rest of his meal into his mouth. Through a full mouth, he managed to make out a wary, “What’s the job?”
“Yeah, yeah” Mickey immediately picked up on Ian’s scepticism “just needs me to watch some cars for her for a few hours”
Ian rolled his eyes at that. “Fuckin hell Mickey, we’re on probation!”
“Good thing I’m not doin’ nothing illegal then”
Ian’s hand reached up to rub against his temple. “Are the cars stolen?”
An unimpressed blink back at him. “Yeah, probably“
“Then that’s illegal Mick”
Mickey pursed his lips giving him a ‘yeah whatever’ expression before he shoved the rest of his noodles into his mouth. Through chewing he added. “Not illegal if I’m not the one stealing them dumbass”
Ian just sighed knowing there was no point arguing. “Whatever, Mick. Just text me when you’re comin home. Guess I’ll entertain Franny by myself” He gathered up his trash onto his tray.
“Aye play liquor store robbery with her, she loves that shit” a slightly proud smile fell upon his lips, Ian couldn’t help but roll his eyes with affection. “Yeah yeah, you’re corrupting my niece, you know”
Mickey gave a little shrug. “Gotta start em young if you want effective robberies fast, lover”
Another playful eye roll as Ian grabbed Mickey’s fingers by their last knuckle. “Ight gotta get going” he pushed his chair back, long legs fully extending and hitting Mickey’s feet in the process. Ian opened his mouth to say his final goodbyes but a voice from behind him cut him off before his goal could be carried out.
“Mikahlo!” The woman called out. Arms wide above her head to pull the attention onto her. The small leather bag she carried slipped down her arms as she waltzed towards their table.
Ian’s head snapped back to see what he assumed to be Sandy. She looked like a Milkovich alright. Those same blue eyes with a mischievous glint, ripped clothing, greasy brown hair and permanent scowl. “Yo Mickey, how’ve you been?”
She stopped at the side of their table, with a playful smile.
“See you at home” Ian leaned over the table to squeeze Mickey’s shoulder. He stood up collecting both of their trays. He gave Mickey a quick peck on the lips before nodding his ‘hello/ goodbye’ at the Milkovich girl , walking away, leaving the cousins alone.
Sandy managed to grab the discarded fortune cookie from Ian’s tray before he walked away, opening the plastic and dropping it on the ground next to her black boots. She ripped the paper out, going the same way as the wrapper. Finally, she threw the whole cookie in her mouth crunching down. “Who was that?” Another playful glance, her pierced eyebrow raising up.
“M’boyfriend” He said casually, pushing his red plastic tray away from him. “Now tell me what you need from me, bitch. Haven’t seen me for like five fuckin years and the second I get out of prison you already want me to do shit for you.”
Sandy gave a shocked little laugh, swallowing down the rest of the cookie. “Yeah, yeah, we’ll get to that but holy shit! Mickey are you gay?”
He gave a nod, hands reaching up in a ‘no shit’ gesture.
“Huh,” she huffed. “You always did kinda give me those vibes”. Mickey’s eyebrows scrunched together at the comment
“Never thought you would have owned it though, so good on you. I always thought I was gonna be the gay cousin of the family but would you look at that we both are! Guess that means we’re not sleeping with each other again”
Mickey remembered when Sandy came out a few years ago. They were adjacent at that point, Sandy had taken off from her husband and was somewhere in the States, maybe Canada. Regardless of her disappearance, the family seemed to find out that she was a lesbian through the grapevine. He remembered Terry and a few of their uncles shit-talking her, saying that if she ever returned they would lynch her, make her see that she liked men and convert her back to how she was supposed to be . Mickey didn’t want to know what that was supposed to mean but luckily those threats were never carried out when she found herself being useful in whatever shady operations the Milkovich were cooking up.
“Yeah and thank fuck for that, you were a terrible lay”
“Says the one who couldn’t even get it up” she gave a little chuckle. “Makes sense now though”
Mickey rolled his eyes, flipping her off. “Yeah, yeah, fuck off, what do you need from me?”
“Wait no, your boyfriend” Sandy completely ignored Mickey’s question, fixating on Ian.
Mickey raised an untrusting eyebrow. “What about him? Doesn’t want in on this shit”
Sandy rolled her eyes. “Relax, I wasn't trying to recruit him. Just wanted to say that he was hot”
“You just said you were gay”
“And? Me liking pussy doesn’t change that fact”
Mickey gave a little shrug, she was right, his boyfriend was hot.
4.
The Westside, while expensive and full of annoying gentrified hipsters definitely had its perks. Decent restaurants, dispensaries on every street corner which was great for business, stores to make fun of people in and greatest of all a local doughnut shop Mickey had found.
Ian made the sad realisation that his favourite breakfast place, Sweet Susan’s was now a twenty-minute drive away. He made peace with that fact, figuring maybe it was a sign that he was meant to eat healthier but was still upset over the fact that his favourite chocolate cream doughnuts were now a delicacy across town.
There was a drug store a few blocks down from their apartment, one afternoon Mickey had offered to go pick up Ian’s meds. On the way home, he stumbled down a new route. An undiscovered strip of shops they had managed to not explore yet. For good reason, Mickey thought. The stores were nothing special or of interest. A hot yoga studio, kombucha shop, paint by numbers shop, some boutique and a crystal shop. At the very end of the street was a small bakery, as he passed it he noticed doughnuts in the window. He stopped peering in, passed the colourfully decorated with paint markers display of the window and awning that said ‘Abigail's Treat’. He saw some chocolate cream pastries in the display case. He gave a little smile, figuring that Ian might like them.
He briefly considered texting Ian to tell him about his new discovery but voted against it, why not have this be a nice little surprise.
He pushed the bottle of pills into the pocket of his hoodie, making his way through the front door. “Hey, how much for a dozen?” Both of his hands were in his pockets, fingers toying with the ridges of the pill bottle’s lid.
The young employee from behind the counter looked up from her phone, shoving it in her back pocket as the once dead store had a customer. “Well, the shops about to close in half an hour and I’m gonna have to throw most of these out so I’ll give you a dozen for five bucks”
“Deal” Mickey reached into his pocket, grabbing his wallet. He handed the five-dollar bill to her. “Wait the shits, not like all vegan and healthy are they?”
He could tell the young girl, Ivy, as her name tag read, stifled back a laugh.“I mean we have vegan and gluten-free doughnuts if you’re in the market for ‘em” the employee shrugged pointing to some sickly grey doughnuts in the corner.
“Fuck no”
She gave a full-throttle laugh at his reaction. “I don’t blame you, they’re not half as good as the real thing. What flavours do you want?”
Mickey leaned down, looking at all his options. There were a few cookies and other small pastries off to the side of the doughnut's centre of the case. A few of them had weird flavours, lavender blueberry -which he bet tasted like soap- and rosemary sage caught his eyes but he wasn’t enough of a masochist to put himself through trying them. “Any of ‘em good?” He stood straight watching as Ivy pushed her hands through the blue plastic gloves, the doughnut box balanced against her hip.
“I liked the strawberry and jelly”
Mickey gave a little nod “sure, why not” He watched her slide the two doughnuts off in the corner of the box. He eyed the display some more unsure what else to get.
“Do you have any in mind that you’ve had from somewhere else, I can see if we have any more in the back.
Mickey scratched the tip of his nose. “Chocolate cream?”
“Boston cream? Yeah, we have a bunch, would you like to try one?”
Mickey wasn’t as big of a fan of the treats as Ian was. The doughnuts were a little too sweet for his taste and the cream inside always left him with a stomach ache. “Nah, I’m good thanks” he gave a little shrug. “They're for my husband”
She gave a little nod. “Wish my girlfriend would buy me doughnuts” she gave a little laugh. Mickey tried not to smile at the comment but couldn’t help himself. He loved his husband, loved doing little things for him. Mickey had discovered how much of an acts of service type guy he was now that he and Ian were on their own.
He was always willing to do things for Ian. he guessed that was just the way he knew how to love. He was getting better at telling Ian that he loved him. It wasn’t really a necessary phrase for them to say. They both knew that they loved one another, there was no need to really reinforce it verbally but he did have to admit, it felt good to hear. Still, he much preferred to show his love instead of saying it.
“Throw in two glazed? Then the rest can be the cream ones for him”
Ivy gave him a little smile, following through with what he requested. “So I’m guessing your husband likes Boston cream then?”
Mickey snorted. “The fucker lives for them” another little huff as he followed her over to where the register was “We’re from the Southside, he dragged my ass over here then got all pissy ‘cus all our places are where we used to live” He watched her close the box, pulling a small plastic bag from under the counter. “He’ll be happy ‘bout this place. Maybe he’ll even stop bitchin’ at me”
Ivy gave him another little smile, pushing the box forward. “Yeah, hope to see you again soon! Bring him with you next time…” she trailed off at the end, searching for his name.
“Uh, Mickey. My husband’s Ian” He collected the bag, throwing the pills from his pocket on top of the box.
“Well, I hope Ian likes them” she pushed his five dollars back towards him. “On the house ‘cus I think the gestures really sweet”
Mickey fumbled with the bill in his hand. From the corner of his eye, he saw a cup labelled “tips”. He threw it in, giving Ivy one last wave before he was back on the street again.
Ian found the gesture to be as sweet as Ivy did, giving him a slobbery kiss of appreciation. Mickey’s unsolicited box of doughnuts was an ‘I love you’ to his husband.
5.
“Hey,” Mickey’s hand reached forward to tap the front desk in front of him. The woman on the other side briefly looked away from her computer, over to Mickey. “Here to pick up my kid. Ruby Gallagher-Milkovich”
“Oh, you’re Ruby’s dad? She helps out in the office sometimes when the students have their workdays!” It was a small school. Everyone knew everyone since it was the only elementary school in the Southside. Which was a pain in the ass because it was a twenty-minute drive back to their old neighbourhood. There was a newer middle and high school closer to where they lived but that was still quite a few years away. Autumn wasn’t in school yet, she went to some yippee daycare but Ruby went to the same old school her parents did. All the Gallagher siblings had gone t0 that school, most of the Milkovich’s too, well before they all dropped out.
Mickey tried to not roll his eyes at ‘work days’. That sounded like free child labour but he didn’t voice that thought out, he just gave a nod.
“She’s a real sweet girl, I was her teacher's aid for a while before I got placed in the office so we got to know one another” The woman gave Mickey a kind smile, hands reaching out to type something on her keyboard. “So you must be Ian correct? I believe I spoke to you on the phone before if I’m not mistaken”
Mickey just gave a little huff. “Nope, that’s my husband. I’m her other dad”
The woman’s eyebrows raised. “Oh my god, that’s so embarrassing of me, I am so sorry!” She gave an awkward little chuckle. Mickey just bit the inside of his cheek. He wasn’t sure what to do in this situation nor did he really want to keep the conversation going. He was already running late for Ruby’s doctor's appointment and Ian would kill him if they didn't end up making it.
Este, as the sign on the desk said, continued to awkwardly giggle. She picked up the phone, calling Ruby’s teacher to escort her down to the office. “She should be right on her way, sorry about the confusion again”
“Don’t worry about it,” Mickey shoved his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. “Happens more often than you think”
He was going to turn around and sit in the chairs until Ruby appeared but Este's voice beckoned him to say. “I didn’t piece together the fact she had two dads! Makes sense why she sometimes says dadda and daddy though,” another awkward giggle. “She talks about you guys all the time”
Mickey smiled at that. Sounded like Ruby alright. She would talk till her jaw fell off about anything she found interest in. His heart twinged that he and Ian were a source of that happiness for her. His own happiness was cut short though as he heard a gasp come from the now open door behind Este’s deks.
“Oh Christ, it's you!” Another woman’s eyes squared in on Mickey, putting her hand over her chest like she was about to have a heart attack. “I don’t think I could ever forget you or your hellion brothers. Believe me, I’ve tried”
Mickey just raised an eyebrow at the woman having no clue who she was or why she seemed to be rubbing a headache away from her aching temples at just the sight of Mickey.
She sighed, obviously catching onto the fact that she was drawing a blank in Mickey’s mind.
“You were in my class for several years, Mickey. Spent my entire class making shivs”
“Not narrowing it down any, lady”
She gave another sign, fingertips rubbing deeper into her skin “You pissed in my class on the bookshelves. Twice. No three times”
Mickey’s mouth suddenly widened, then fell into a little smirk. He snapped at her. “Oh shit, yeah” the more he thought about it, he realised that was the class he shared with Ian. He had been held back two years and stayed in the third grade for what seemed like an indefinite amount of time.
The woman -who Mickey thinks was named Mrs Greer? Mrs Sheer? Mrs Leery? Something or the other he didn’t give a shit- peaked over to see the secretary screen. “Oh Christ, you married a Gallagher? They were almost as bad as you, annoying except for Liam he wasn’t bad” Her hand went back to rubbing the same sore spot on her temple, she was unfortunately not wrong.
Mickey briefly considered if this woman needed to take to therapy from whatever war flashbacks Mickey’s presence was forcing her to have. “What was her name? Deborah was it? The one who had a baby in middle school? That your wife?”
Mickey gave a chuckle, hand coming up from his front pocket “Uh no. Ian. He was in your class too, the freckly motherfucker”
Her mouth fell into a little ‘o’ before she could catch her composure. “My apologies” she cleared her throat, hands reaching down to smooth the wrinkles out of her shirt. “I didn’t mean to assume anything. Didn’t pin you as gay”
Mickey always hated when he got that comment. That just because he happened to like men instead of women that meant he had to act a certain way. He rolled his eyes, “Yeah that seems to be the common theme today”
“So sorry about that again!” Este managed to peak up, the door behind her swinging open once more.
“Daddy!” Ruby ran from the administrator that brought her back, straight to hugging his legs.
“Hey sweet cheeks” He leaned down, giving her a hug back, placing a kiss on her forehead as they pulled away.
“Daddy! We had to make a picture of our families today and I drew you and Dadda and Auttie and Missy. Franny too but I had to write she was my cousin so people weren’t confused” her little eyes danced in excitement, she pulled on the hem of his sleeve. “I’ll show you when I get it back! Oh, guess what else we did today!”
Mickey smiled as she stomped her little feet out of sheer excitement. “Hey, you can tell me all about it in the car, brat. We gotta head out c’mon” he pulled her backpack off of her shoulder, placing it on his own before scooping her up, resting her on his hip. Mickey quickly nodded a goodbye to Este who waved to Ruby, turning to leave.
“Mr Milkovich?” his old teacher called out. He stopped, half annoyed, ready to go. He raised an eyebrow at her to keep talking.
“I’m sorry for judging you before, you’ve seen to grow into a respectable young man” she pressed her lips together. “Looks like you and your husband raised a great kid, I hope to see her in my class in a few years”
Mickey looked down at Ruby with a smile because she was fortunately right in that respect. “You would be so lucky” He scoffed.
+1
Mickey sat on the L. Ruby was to the left of him, leaning against his arm as she tapped away at his phone. Baby Autumn rested securely in the wrap against his chest fast asleep. Mickey hated wearing the thing and Autumn usually hated to be touched but somehow the two came to a mutual agreement when it came to the wrap. In the comfort of his home, he didn’t mind carrying her around in the chest carrier, in all honestly having both arms and still being able to hold the kid was hella convenient. But he hated having to take her out in it. Getting the stupid looks from stupid people always kinda pissed him off. Alas, he didn’t really care what those fuckheads thought about him, plus he was in charge of the toddler and baby solo that day, the two hands were definitely needed.
He felt Ruby’s body press harder against his right arm, looked down to see her passed out, his phone still in a death grip. He snorted to himself, in slight admiration of how easily kids tended to fall asleep at random places. He pulled her hoodie over her eyes slightly to make sure the sun wasn’t disturbing her before he wrestled his phone from her tiny finger death grip.
He looked up in the process, tongue sticking out slightly as he concentrated on not trying to wake either of the girls. In his attempt to sit back forward he noticed a woman sitting directly across from him. Her eyes were dead set on Mickey’s form. His blue eyes met the woman’s and she smiled. Mickey of course didn’t return the gesture and went back to securing his phone. He shrugged it off, her eyes were probably just fixated forward as she thought of something. He occupied his attention by going through his emails. He gave a huff reading one from the lady from the bank. One of their vendors had fucked up their payments months ago and Gallagher-Milkovich security was still reaping the consequences.
He groaned once more, typing out a response to when he would meet with Jill from the bank before he decided that he was bored enough to clean his email out. He finished that faster than intended. Thought about texting Ian. He was in a therapy session that he insisted on doing alone. Mickey wanted to check on him but voted against it, trying not to be smothering. He then got a notification that his 20% notice and sighed, clicking his device off and shoving it in his pocket.
Boredom once again crept up on him. A heavy sigh as he looked down. He decided that petting the soft tufts of hair on Autumn's head was about the most entertainment he could get. He spread his fingers through the strands then went still as she stirred slightly, held his breath hoping she wasn’t about to start crying. He was lucky, she just adjusted herself before smacking her lips and falling back asleep. Mickey decided he should probably stop messing with the kid before he had to face actual consequences. So he moved on to bother the other one.
He looked up slightly, saw the lady staring again, gave her a dirty look, then focused his attention on Ruby. She was full-on snoring. He shook her slightly to get her to stop before he pushed her hair away from her face, adjusting her so that she was leaning more onto his lap. He knew that if he left her as is she would be grouchy over a crank in her neck. He decided Ruby was in a good position, bringing his clasped hands back into his lap. He looked up again with not much choice of anything else to do. The lady was still staring.
He eyed her up and down, mostly out of judgement because he couldn't shake why this woman was intently looking at him. Unfortunately for Mickey, the subway lady took it as a beckoning signal. She grabbed her purse, stood up and plopped right down next to Mickey's right side.
He would have gotten up and scootched a few seats over but the kids kinda trapped him into staying exactly where he was. He couldn’t move at all.
“Hey” she gave him a wide eye grin.
Mickey nodded upwards as a hesitant greeting, lips pursing inward signifying he was uncomfortable.
“Those your kids?” she continued, her body now angled towards Mickey. Her back was arched forward as if she was trying to showcase her low cut shirt better.
“Uh-huh,” he tried not to engage, looking away in the opposite direction, any direction that wasn’t feeding into whatever delusions this woman was having.
“I love me a good daddy”
Mickey had to repress his snort. “The fuck you just say to me, lady?”
“Inez” She smiled, pushing her hand onto Mickey’s thigh. The man immediately shuttered from the contact, clearly uncomfortable. He raised his eyebrows at her, trying his hardest not to raise his volume. He really didn’t want to deal with two crying whiny children on top of this pervy lady.
“I don’t give a single fuckin’ shit what your name is, get your fuckin hands off of me” he tried to shake his leg but her grip was wasn’t relenting any. He could feel her red manicured nails digging into his flesh. When his leg movement didn’t derail her plan any he slapped her hand fast and hard.
She finally got the clue. Well kinda, she pulled her hand away at the initial shock that he wasn’t playing into this but Mickey swore her moan a little once the pain registered.
“Fuck off bitch, I don’t want anything to do with you” he gave her one last dirty look before he tried to redirect his attention to Ruby. His half-baked plan was to get her to wake up so he could distract himself with her company. He prayed this woman’s horniess stop once the kid was involved. “Aye, Bee” he tried to get her to wake up. “Bee” he shook her. She let out a little groan but other than that stayed completely asleep. Curse that child and how heavy of a sleeper she was. “Ruby Olivia” He gave one last vain attempt. Knowing that Ian always resorted to full naming her when she was in trouble. He hoped that was going to try to trigger some sort of reaction out of her. But of course, the one time he needed her to be bothering, she was out like a light.
“Ruby, that’s a beautiful name” Inez gave a flirty smile. She had somehow gotten closer, their legs pressed together. He couldn’t stand up, he was completely cornered by the woman even if he tried. He briefly thought about waking Autumn hoping that maybe her cries could scare the woman off but he found it less than likely. So we figured he would just ignore her for the rest of the subway ride. It should have been at least five minutes till they got to their stop. He could hold out for five minutes, easy. It was also a diplomatic approach as he really didn’t want to get southside ghetto on this woman and get himself thrown in jail but that was seeming like his best bet as she continued to creep. His attention went back to Autumn as she let out a tiny cough. He bounced her a little, hands falling under her for some better support.
“I don’t think I was being obvious enough before” Inez let out a fake cough, scooting impossibly closer to Mickey. “So let me say this in a way all men seem to get; do you wanna get out of here?” Mickey could feel his eyes get large, he then couldn’t contain the full belly laugh that followed. So much for ignoring her.
“Thought I was being pretty fuckin clear when I said no. Fuck off lady”
“C’mon” her voice was sultry, like she was trying to seduce him. “Gimme one good reason”
“Because I fuckin said no already? No means no lady”. She obviously wasn’t going to let go that easily. “And, uh married” he took his free hand that supported Autumn's rear, flashing it in front of Inez's face.
Instead of backing off like he intended her to do she just grinned again, holding up her own left hand. “Me too, don’t have any issues with a married man” her hand snaked down to touch his knee. “Don’t care if you don’t”
“Ah yeah and if we fuck then what? Have our husbands meet up? Exchange stories about their whore partners?” the woman leaned back, looking stunned. Mickey wasn’t sure if it was because of the mention of his husband or because he just called her a whore. Didn’t really care which one she chose to get offended by so long as she was leaving him alone.
“Husband?” she repeated meekly as if she was trying to confirm she didn’t just hear that wrong.
“Yup! My big ol’ cock swinging husband”
“Oh well… I still don’t care if you swing both ways so do I”
Mickey once again couldn't contain the full laugh that came from deep inside him. Partly because this was humorous, partly for this woman's audacity. For once he was thankful for Ruby’s comatose-like sleep state as he cleared his throat. “I don’t! I’m fucking gay! A big ol homo lady” he gave her a shit-eating grin as she was finally starting to get the message. Her face fell but Mickey wasn’t letting this whole thing go that easily. “Yup, I love cock. Can’t get enough of it. Especially not when I’m getting it up the ass from my husband!” His smile didn’t falter any.
She scoffed, standing up and grabbing the edge of her miniskirt to bring it down further on her knees. “You could have just said you were gay in the first place” she rolled her eyes getting two raised fingers at her as she shuffled away.
For the record, any time he got unsolicited or borderline creepy attention from women in public that point forward, the first thing he would say when he met their eyeline is “I’m gay”.