Work Text:
February has only just started, but Ian still smiles when he sees the gaudy display of pink and red cards in the store.
As hetero-normative as they are, he appreciates the ones labeled “Spouse” and sees nothing wrong with looking at the ones for husbands. He does have one, after all.
Some of them are total fluff, but others are surprisingly sweet. He’s tempted to buy one that says a lot of the things he likes to say to Mickey. It’s so spot on that when Mickey meets up with him with a loaded cart, he smiles and drops the card on top of their groceries.
“The fuck?” Mickey snorts. “Put that back. Cards are stupid.”
“You think so?” Ian’s a little disappointed at his reaction. “I mean, some of them are–”
“It’s a waste of money,” Mickey says, dropping the card back in the display. “You want a card, make it yourself. Don’t have to spend eight bucks on mass-produced sappy shit.”
“So romantic,” Ian snarks. “Does that mean you don’t want mass-produced chocolate this year, either?”
“Forget the chocolate and you’re sleeping on the floor.”
***
Ian still wishes he’d bought that sappy card, even if Mickey thought it was stupid. But Mickey’s not a words person, and his love language definitely doesn’t include sappy Valentine’s Day cards.
So Ian buys him a big box of Russell Stovers and hides it in the freezer (where Mickey will probably find it before Valentine’s Day, but that’s a risk he’s willing to take.) He sends cards to Fiona, Debbie and Franny, and Lip. Carl thinks Valentine’s Day is stupid and Liam’s not really into it either. It’s kind of reassuring that Mickey’s not the only one in the family who’s romance-adverse.
He and Mickey have a romantic dinner out the night before, and get tipsy on a bottle of cheap but pretty good champagne back home. Mickey says he’s going to get the shower started, and shoves a crumpled envelope at Ian.
“What’s this, the bill?” Ian giggles. Mickey waves a hand over his shoulder.
“Just read it, Gallagher.”
Ian opens the envelope and squints at the folded square of paper. It has an outline of a heart drawn in red ink, and “Ian” in Mickey’s shaky scrawl. Ian’s eyes blur with tears when he realizes what this is.
It’s a Valentine.
He opens the card and reads the note inside.
Ian,
I dont write love letters. But I love you every fucking minute of the day. I love being married to you because your one hot ass husband.
Ian laughs out loud at that.
You make me want to be better. Im never going to be perfect, but that’s okay because we dont have to be. Your the best thing in my life and you always have been.
Ian’s tears blot the paper.
I love the fuck out of you and I promise not to stop. Thanks for marrying me.
Happy Valentine’s Day,
Mick
“Oh, my God,” Ian mumbles, wiping at his face.
“Hey!” Mickey calls impatiently from the bathroom. “You ever getting your ass in here?”
Ian puts Mickey’s Valentine on the fridge under a magnet, determined to keep it there in pride of place for as long as possible. Then he heads to the bathroom to enjoy a steamy shower.
As soon as he sees Mickey, he kisses him so hard they end up stumbling into the shower stall.
“Whoa,” Mickey chuckles when they part for breath. “You liked my Valentine?”
“I love it,” Ian holds him close. “It’s the best one I ever got. You’re the sweetest, most amazing–”
“Yeah, yeah,” Mickey’s blushing. “I’m just glad I spelled Valentine right.”
“You did,” Ian affirms. “I’m so proud of you. For every single thing you do.”
“Ian,” Mickey squirms a little. “C’mon, you don’t have to get all mushy.”
“I’m allowed to get mushy,” Ian protests, slipping his hands down to hold Mickey by the hips. “I’m the luckiest husband in the world. You actually make marriage better than I ever thought it could be.”
“You thought we’d end up like your parents,” Mickey joshes. “Not like your standards were that high.”
“I know. But thanks for helping me beat those odds.”
End