Chapter Text
Every year the learning center has this huge party and fundraiser for the students and their families. Local businesses and people in the community join in and donate their time and money to help support the center. Ian and Mickey have been participating ever since their daughter joined the center as a kid. Some of Ian's crew would come and give the kids a tour of an ambulance and offer free checkups.
Students, both kids and adults, would sometimes wander away from the center. Because of this, Mickey often helped set up security and made sure that everyone stayed in or near the center while the festivities were happening. Being a parent to an autistic child himself, Mickey knows the terrifying feeling that overwhelms you when you can’t find your child in a busy setting.
It was about 9 am when CJ was asked to go out to pick up a bunch of party supplies and decorations. Lina stayed behind at the center to help set up some of the activity tables for the younger kids. Ian and Mickey went with CJ, knowing he’d need the extra hands.
“Thanks for coming out to help get all this stuff for the party today.” CJ thanked the couple as he held a large storage bin of supplies. He was propping the door open with his body so Mickey could push the dolly that carried even more bins. Ian followed behind with a bin of his own.
“Better than you carrying all this shit by yourself on the L. Why the fuck didn’t they send someone else with you to get all this?” Mickey replied, genuinely confused with how the people at the center thought that a 16-year-old kid was gonna be able to handle all this alone.
Ian shook his head and walked side by side with CJ while Mickey led the way back to one of his transport rigs.
“That’s Mickey for ‘you’re welcome, CJ. Happy to help.’” Ian shot him a smile. CJ gave him a nod in gratitude.
“He’s not wrong though. I wouldn’t have been able to haul all this shit alone.” CJ admitted to Ian that he was siding with his dark-haired husband.
Ian could tell from the slight change in Mickeys body language that his husband was probably sporting the cockiest of grins. And he was correct.
“Hear that? That’s CJ for ‘Mickey’s right, bitch!’ Mickey yelled over his shoulder to his lover, putting a little more strut in his walk just to boast.
Ian gave his husband a sarcastic “haha” as they reached the truck and started to load up the first round of boxes. Ian jumped into the van and started being handed boxes. It took about 2 and a half trips before the truck almost filled up.
“That everything?” Mickey asked, wiping the sweat off his brow. Ian jumped down from the truck and took a drink of water being handed to him by CJ.
“Just about. We have these four and at least one more dolly of boxes to grab and we should be good.” CJ answered, also handing a water to Mickey.
“Ah shit.” Ian said suddenly, his voice full of annoyance. CJ looked at him confused while Mickey looked concerned.
“What?” Mickey asked. Setting his hand on Ian’s shoulder. Mickey thought that Ian maybe forgot to take his meds or something.
Ian sensing his husband's worry gave his hand a pat and motioned his hand across the street.
“It’s those assholes.” Ian said, rolling his eyes at the small crowd holding signs.
CJ and Mickey looked to see what the red head was talking about. It was a group of about 15-20 people, some of them holding signs and the others handing out flyers. All the signs were clearly homophobic. Homophobic slurs with large red x’s over them, signs that said “protect our children” with a picture of a burning pride flag. The blonde woman in the front of the pact with a megaphone was shouting as people passed by. Ian watched in disgust, Mickey scratched his eyebrow with his thumb and observed the group in annoyance. CJ looked at the crowd for just a moment before he quickly looked away.
“Let’s just get this in and leave.” CJ said hurriedly as he tried to gain back their attention to the task at hand. Mickey turned to see the teen now trying to get the boxes on the truck as fast as possible. Giving a pat on Ian’s back, Mickey turned to grab the heavy box from CJ before he hurt himself.
Ian, eyes still glued to the group across the way, set his water down and leaned his back against the open back door of the truck.
“I’m so sick of these fuckers. You know, I saw them just yesterday outside of a pop-up car wash these kids were doing. They were trying to raise money for the local youth center that houses a lot of queer kids.” Ian explained, arms crossed, and brows furrowed as he recalled what he saw.
Mickey knew what was coming. He had seen Ian like this multiple times before. The red head's jaw was clenched, his posture straight and solid as if Ian was back in the army. His green eyes had a slight fire in his eyes and Mickey watched as Ian’s hands went from resting on his crossed arms into tight fists.
“Don’t these people have anything better to do then hate on the gays?” Handing CJ another box, Mickey quickly realized that he asked this question out loud, and Ian was more than happy to answer.
Ian looked at Mickey dead in the eyes and uncrossed his arms.
“Well, let’s go ask them.” Ian started to walk away from the truck and toward the group. Mickey quickly got in front of him to stop him in his tracks.
“Ian!” Mickey put his hands on Ian's chest and pushed him back toward the truck.
“Please don’t!” CJ yelled frantically as he jumped down from the truck. Both Ian and Mickey looked toward the teen in surprise.
The yell was louder than CJ had intended. Loud enough to catch the eye of the blonde woman rallying the group. She squinted in their direction and put her hand above her brow, like she was trying to block the sun to get a better view. She started to take a few steps forward, before she just decided to cross the street toward them, signaling her group that she would be right back.
CJ’s eyes grew as he quickly grabbed both Ian and Mickey and pulled them back to the truck. Ian and Mickey, clearly confused, went along with the boy who was clearly growing more and more panicky.
“Fuck…. Look I’ll explain later, but please just follow my lead and don’t say anything about you two being a couple or about me dating Lina. Please! I’m begging you.” CJ spit out quickly to the couple who looked absolutely dumbfounded. He turned his back to the couple and quickly started to remove some of the jewelry he was wearing; his bottlecap necklace, a ring that he always wore on his right hand and a black and red woven bracelet that Lina made for him. He quickly shoved them all in his pocket before fixing his messy hair as best as he could.
“Christopher?” The woman called out as she got closer. CJ turned back quickly and gave a small wave and smile.
“She knows you?” Ian asked baffled.
“Please shut the fuck up and let’s just keep loading the truck.” CJ said through his clearly fake smile. He allowed his eyes to lock with Mickey for a moment. Mickey could see the alarm in the boys' eyes. CJ’s brown hair was usually styled so it was covering his eyes. Mickey really never looked at him directly before this moment. He nodded and took a few steps away from Ian.
The blonde woman skipped over the curb and went right up to CJ.
“Christopher, I thought it was you!” The woman smiled and pulled CJ into a hug.
Ian and Mickey watched the interaction from a distance while attempting to finish moving the party supplies in the truck. They could see CJs entire body go stiff in the woman's embrace. CJ slowly lifted one of his arms to return the hug while the other remained tight to his side, hand in pocket.
“Hi.” He said meekly, but with a happy tone.
The blonde pulled away and looked at the teen before looking over his shoulder towards the truck.
“What are you doing here?” She asked, taking a step past him to take a closer look.
CJ stumbled to get in front of her, wanting to keep as much distance between her and the men he was with as much as possible.
“The center is having a party for the students, and we were asked to come out and get some decorations and supplies.” CJ explained truthfully to her, motioning to the boxes and the party store that was just a few shops down from where they were standing.
Letting out a sigh, she placed her hands over her heart and looked at CJ.
“Oh. Bless them. Let them enjoy their lives as much as they can, especially with what awaits them after they’re gone.” She finished placing one of her hands on CJs shoulders.
The comment caught Ian’s attention.
“What does that mean?” Ian asked curiously, holding back the Gallagher attitude as best as he could.
The woman, now acknowledging his and Mickey's presence, looked past CJ to address him. CJ remained unmoved as the woman kept her hand on his shoulder. A side glance in Ian's direction is all the boy could manage.
“They can’t accept the lord. Most of those kids can’t begin to comprehend what heaven is and the sacrifice that took place for us to live freely. It’s no fault of theirs, but because of it they can’t be granted access into the kingdom of Heaven.” The woman's voice filled with conviction and bluntness.
“You can’t be–” Mickey started, but CJ was quick to jump in before the man's famous foul mouth could be unleashed upon the lady before them.
“The kids are gonna have a great time and that’s what matters.” CJ said, now standing next to Mickey giving him a pat on the shoulder and a smile.
Mickey gave an awkward smile back toward the woman. Ian just watched from the side, feeling a tension starting to build.
“So, you two are also volunteers?” She asked, looking between the two men. Mickey looked at her like she was crazy. The three of them were clearly wearing shirts from the center that said they were volunteers.
“Parents actually.” Ian jumped in before Mickey could, motioning to his purple shirt that said ‘Family volunteer’ on it. She nodded and went over to Ian and laid a sympathetic hand on his arm.
Her touch basically burned Ian’s skin. Based on the comment she made about the students at the center, Ian knew why she did it and it just made his blood boil. She moved to do the same gesture to Mickey. He looked at her with confused, wide eyes. He didn’t like that she was touching him at all. He pulled his arm back away from her and CJ took this moment to intervene.
“Yeah, a lot of the dads are helping to do the heavy lifting while the moms and other family members are getting everything at the center ready. Right?” He looked back at Mickey with pleading eyes.
“Yup. The wives are waiting for us to come back so they can decorate.” Mickey played along, showing the woman the wedding ring on his hand. Ian covered his hand slightly so she wouldn't take notice of their matching wedding bands.
“That’s wonderful!” She exclaimed sweetly with a smile.
CJ too smiled, happy that this conversation seemed to be coming to an end. He just wanted to get the rest of the supplies and get away from this situation. He felt his hands being grabbed.
“Christopher. What is that on your fingers?” The womans voice went from bubbly and sweet. to cold and direct
He looked at his hands and held a breath. He had completely forgotten that his nails were partially painted. The woman continued to hold his hands in hers as she looked up at his face. CJ felt his blood go cold and his heart beat fast.
“Oh- uh, one of the kids got a hold of some paint- started to color them in… I must have forgotten to get it all off.” He stammered through the lie as best he could. CJ knew he had Mickey and Ian's eyes on them, which made him all the more nervous, unsure of what the men would do or say.
The blonde looked over CJ’s shoulder and motioned to Ian and Mickey that they needed a moment.
She took a few steps back, CJ in tow and started to speak to him.
“Christopher. Do you know what people will think if they see your nails like that? What they will say!?” She scolded him, pulling his hands up and turning them so CJ could look at his partially painted fingers. CJ winced quietly as she roughly pulled at his wrist while she was trying to speak to him.
The husbands watched carefully as the two stepped away from them. They couldn’t hear what was being said, but they could see. Mickey watched as the small woman yanked the kids' wrists toward her and positioned his hands upward. CJ was a tall kid, almost the same height as Ian. But at this moment, Mickey had never seen the kid look so small.
“I’ll be sure to take it off as soon as I get back to the center.” CJ said obediently, gritting his teeth as the woman had a strong hold on his wrists, her nails slightly digging into his skin. She looked at him in the eyes, studying his face before releasing her grip.
“You better. We’ll talk about this later. You need to get back to work. I hope you gentlemen have a blessed day!” She called out to Mickey and Ian. She glanced at CJ one last time before turning to head back to her group.
CJ remained frozen in his spot. Once the woman's group was gone and out of sight, CJ closed his eyes and let out breath. He turned back toward the truck and walked past Ian and Mickey to the driver's passenger side. Ian and Mickey shared a glance before heading to the boy. Ian was the first to reach CJ. He laid a gentle hand on the teens shoulder.
“CJ, you’re shaking.” Ian said simply, as he watched CJs body shudder the moment Ian touched him. His back still turned, CJ reached up to rub his neck and adjust his hair, so it was once again partially covering his face. He reached for his backpack that had been on the seat and pulled out a bottle of water. He took a few large gulps before throwing it back into the bag.
“I’ll be fine.” He responded sullenly, now facing the two men.
“What the fuck was that?” Mickey asked seriously.
CJ took another deep breath and closed the passenger door behind him.
“That was my mother.” He said coldly, again walking away from Ian and Mickey and back to the back of the truck. He was literally trying to get away from the conversation.
“You can’t be serious.” Ian commented.
CJ averted his eyes, looking everywhere but at Ian directly.
“It’s not exactly something I like to advertise.” CJ said in a whisper.
The three remained silent for a moment. CJ took a seat in the back of the truck and pulled the sleeves of his white long sleeve undershirt down until it covered his palms. Mickey watched him attentively. CJ allowed his eyes to meet with Mickeys. Mickeys normally rough eyes softened as the hazel ones looked back at him. Those same hazel eyes then turned to lock with Ian's.
“Why do you think I never let you guys drive me home? Why I’m always over at your place or the Gallagher house? I’m sure you got a decent idea of the kind of person my mother is. If she knows that I’m dating a girl with autism and gay parents… she would kill me and make your lives a living hell.”
It felt like space in CJ’s chest had opened up and he could breathe. He hated always making up excuses to avoid the Gallaghers and his friends from meeting his mother. He felt a little bit of weight fall off his shoulders. The weight was quickly replaced with the weight of Mickeys arm around his shoulder instead. Ian sat on the other side, hand on CJ’s knee.
CJ expected Ian to start saying something. He was surprised to hear Mickey start to speak.
“I get it. My old man was the same, except for the Bible thumping bullshit. Tried to kill me when I came out, tried to kill both of us when we got married. He beat the shit out of me and worse. So, I know what it’s like to have a parent like that. We both know what it’s like to have asshole parents.” Mickey concluded letting CJ in on some of his experiences by rustling his hair and giving his neck a comforting squeeze.
CJ wasn’t sure how to respond to Mickey's words and actions. It was both comforting and sad for him. Ian interrupted before CJ had a chance to process his feelings.
“It makes a lot of sense why you never mentioned your family.” Ian gave his knee a squeeze.
“Yeah…” CJ truly didn’t know what to say. They only got a 5% glance at the person his mother was.
Still, even learning about Mickeys childhood, he didn’t even want to think about them learning about his current homelife. Especially Lina.
Ian cleared his throat and stood up.
“We should finish getting this in and head back.” He bent down to grab the last box and set it into the truck. CJ nodded and stood. Ian quickly put his hand up and stopped the boy.
“Me and Mickey can grab the rest of it.” Ian assured him. CJ said nothing and allowed Ian and Mickey to grab the last few boxes from the store.
It was a silent ride back to the center. Ian and Mickey would cast the occasional glance over to CJ as he just looked out the window. They pulled up to the center and were met by more volunteers who immediately started to help unload the supplies.
Jumping out of the truck CJ slung his bag over his shoulder, grabbed a bin and was almost inside the center before he was stopped.
“Hey, kid.” Mickey jogged up to catch up to him. He rubbed his neck and looked at CJ.
“You know our door is always open, right? Our place and the Gallagher house. Anytime. Day or night. Ya know…. If you need somewhere to go.” Mickey motioned to the visible nail marks on his wrists from his mother. Just below those marks Mickey saw a familiar looking scar. He looked at CJ with the most understanding eyes that the boy has ever seen on Mickeys face.
It clicked with CJ in that moment, that Mickey already knew. He adjusted the bin his hands so he could hide his wrists better.
“Thanks, Mickey.” CJ said graciously with a nod. Mickey returned the gesture and turned to help Ian and the volunteers.
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“There you guys are!” Lina yelled excitedly running over to the trio as they walked into the center after unloading the entire truck.
“Hey, baby.” Mickey welcomed her hug and held her close.
“Sorry we took long, we-“Lina left Mickey’s arms and went to give Ian a hug.
“We had a lot more stuff to carry than we thought. Had to make a few trips.” CJ jumped in before Ian could finish his sentence.
Ian gave CJ an understanding look as he hugged his daughter. Lina pulled away and went to give CJ the same treatment. He had since put his necklace, ring and bracelet back on. CJ also put on his black leather cuffs that he almost always wore. He hugged her close and bent down to bury his head in the crook of her neck. She pulled back and grabbed his face.
“You okay?” She asked, concerned.
He grabbed her face back and, with a smile, gave her a quick kiss on the lips.
“I’m good. I’m gonna take some of these into the rec room.” He walked past the trio without another word and strides toward the room that was a few feet away to the left of them.
Lina waited until she could see CJ in the room to turn to her fathers.
“Did something happen?” Lina asked nervously, tapping her fingers together.
Mickey reached for Linas's face and brushed some of her hair behind her ear.
“We sort of met skinny jeans mom.” He told her straight up, referring to CJ by nickname.
Linas eyes widened and looked at Mickey, grabbing his hand from her face and pulling it down so she could hold it.
“Oh no. CJ doesn’t like to talk about her. I know she’s strict and really religious. Nothing bad happened right? Did she say anything about you two? She doesn’t know about me, right?” Lina asked rapid fire, not giving Mickey a chance to answer. Ian came over and put his hands on his daughters' shoulders.
“Hey, hey. Slow down, lady. It’s fine. CJ handled it.” Ian gave her shoulders a rub and planted a kiss to the top of her head.
A loud thud came from the room the CJ was in. The family turned to see CJ pacing through the window of the room clearly upset. It was only Mickey who noticed the cabinet door on the wall was hanging off the hinges.
“I don’t know about that.” Mickey commented bluntly.
Lina rested her hands on top of Ian's and gave them a squeeze. She pushed them off of her and started toward the room.
“I’m gonna go check on him.” Lina said. Her parents watched as she slowly opened the door and walked in. They watched as CJ stopped pacing and allowed Lina to pull him into a hug. The young couple stayed like that for a moment before Lina went to close the blinds, giving them some privacy, but not before giving her dads a reassuring smile.
With a sigh, Ian turned away from Mickey and started to help set up the table next to them with informational pamphlets for parents with newly diagnosed children.
“I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that that lady is CJs mom.” Ian spoke, pulling out acrylic organizers to put the pamphlets in.
Mickey nodded, agreeing with the red head as he started handing Ian stuff to lay out.
“Kid definitely fell as far away as he could from that tree.” Mickey commented.
A center coordinator came over and stole Ian's attention for a few minutes. Mickey occasionally glanced over to the room where his daughter and her boyfriend were. He wondered what was happening. Lina was one of the sweetest kids there was. She was probably letting CJ do whatever he needed to do to get out whatever he was holding in. Lina was like Ian that way.
Mickey was never great at his emotions. He held a lot of things in. It wasn’t until Ian came along that he felt like he could allow himself to let some of those feelings out, without fear of being called a bitch or getting the shit kicked out of him. Even after coming out and committing himself to Ian, he still didn’t know how to handle the stirring emotions that would build inside of him. Ian was always patient with him. He never forced Mickey, not really. He would joke around about Mickey when it was small things. With the serious issues, Ian let Mickey deal with things in his own time, the only real condition was that Ian was there with him. He imagined that Lina was doing the same for CJ.
CJ really was a good kid. Deep down, Mickey always knew that. But today made him realize that the kid was no different than Mickey when he was a kid. Those few moments watching CJ and his mother interact told Mickey all he needed to know about this kids' homelife.
The coordinator left once she got the help she needed from Ian. Mickey watched his husband continue the task at hand. Mickey leaned against the table, so he was slightly sitting on it. Ian crouched down to put extra stuff in the bin under the table.
“I was thinking we could talk to Debbie. She if she’s cool with us giving CJ a key to the house.” Mickey blurted out, looking down at his boots. Ian looked up at Mickey intrigued by his suggestion.
“You want to give him a key?” Ian asked carefully, making sure he heard Mickey correctly.
“Keys, actually. I’m gonna get him one for the apartment.” Mickey said as a matter of fact.
Ian tilted his head to the side and looked at Mickey unsure. He let out a small laugh and a smile.
“Who are you and where is my husband? YOU, want to give your little girl’s boyfriend a key to our home?” Ian couldn’t figure out if Mickey was being serious or sarcastic. This was the same man, who when Lina officially told him that she had feelings for this kid, told her that she wasn’t allowed to have a boyfriend until Mickey was back in jail or dead.
Mickey waved his husband off and went over to the next table to set up the center shirts for the new families and volunteers.
“It’s not a big deal, okay? You’re the one always saying what a great kid he is. That we can trust him and shit.” Mickey said in a voice that Ian was familiar with. It was the same voice Mickey used when there was more he wanted to say but wasn’t sure how to say it. He was deflecting his own thoughts by agreeing with Ian's words instead.
Ian stood and walked over to Mickey. He rested a hand on Mickey's waist, the other on the side of his arm.
“Mick?” Ian called softly.
Mickey put his arms around his lovers' neck and sighed. He looked into his husband's loving green eyes.
“It was the way she looked at him… when she saw his nails.” Mickey started. He wanted to tell Ian what he saw on CJ’s wrists. The nail marks from her grip on him. The familiar scar of a healed cigarette burns. Mickey fought the urge and just went with his gut.
“I just have a feeling. And if I’m right… I just want the kid to have somewhere he can go and feel safe.” Mickey said honestly. Ian studied Mickey’s face, reaching both hands up to caress his face. Ian gently rubbed his thumb across Mickey's cheek. He didn’t have to tell Ian anymore; Ian knew where Mickey was going with this.
The ginger pulled his husband into a passionate kiss, earning a few claps and hollers from people at the center who knew them well.
“You are an amazing person.” Ian pulled his lips off Mickey just enough so he could whisper these words to him before pulling him back in for another.
Their kiss ended when the couple realized that Lina and CJ quietly returned. Ian gave Mickey another quick peck before asking Lina to help him set up a few things in the ambulance. Lina looked to CJ and CJ gave her hand a quick kiss, his way of telling her he’d be good.
Once the father and daughter left. Mickey reached into his pocket and pulled out his keys. He removed one of the keys from his ring and slid it over the table to CJ. CJ placed his hand over the key and looked at Mickey unsure. Mickey just nudged his head again toward the key. It only took the boy a second to understand what was happening. He took the key and placed it on his own keyring which was clipped to the front of his jeans.
The two shared another silent glance before nodding to each other in understanding. CJ excused himself to fix the cabinet that he damaged in the rec room and Mickey continued to set up the front tables.
This event was a fundraiser for the center, a welcome to new students, and a chance for families and parents to learn more about how to help and support their kids.
Both CJ and Mickey were definitely benefiting from this event already.
CJ learned that he had a safe place to go if he needed to. Mickey learned that he was able to help give the kid something he never had growing up.