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Mandy can’t believe Lip. She fucking- She fucking… He let her stay with him! And now he was telling her to ‘go home’? To her ‘own fucking house, for once’? He knows what happened. Not even Mickey knows what happened. But Lip does and it wasn’t like she wanted him to know, but he does and he said he would protect her. Now, he’s telling her to leave as if that’s a fucking option for her. As if it’s all good now because time has gone by.
She fucking trusted him.
She really wants to call him an asshole and cut his balls off, but whenever she considers going to find him to do exactly that, her heart clenches. Why the fuck does she have to care about someone who’s so fucking mean?
Angrily, she shoves clothes from her room into a bag she kept under the bed. Mandy had considered going back to the Gallaghers and picking up the stuff she kept there, but she didn’t want to see Fiona’s smug face when she realised Lip had tossed her aside. As she raids her own wardrobe and drawers, she gets even more pissed off. Doors slam as she tears apart her bedroom, looking for things that can keep her comfortable for a while. She’s definitely not staying here, she’ll go to her Aunt’s for as long as she’ll have her. Rande likes Mandy, much more than her brothers, so she won’t mind her crashing there for a bit.
As she zips up the bag, she sends a text off to Ian.
2:54 | Your brothers a twat
He responds quickly, her phone pinging with the alert.
{ Boyfriend ;) } 2:54 | Wats he done now
{ You } 2:55 | Told me to go home
| ‘for once’
{ Boyfriend ;) } 2:56 | Jesus
| ill tlk to him x
{ You } 2:56 | dw ab it
| over him
| fucking prick
{ Boyfriend ;) } 2:57 | u deserve better
She leaves him on opened, because she’s not really sure she believes him. Ian probably will talk to him, which makes her feel worse. Lip should be able to do this stuff on his own.
As Mandy swings the bag over her shoulder, she hears the door bang open. Poking her head out of her room, she sees Mickey enter which is much better than Terry or any of their uncles. He nods at her in greeting as he takes a beer bottle from the fridge, pressing it against his forehead for a second. It’s hot today and Mickey must have been doing some kind of exercise outside, because he’s covered in tan and a sheen of sweat. She wonders if he’s found a girl who can actually tolerate him for more than a quick fuck.
Mandy walks past him, heading out the door to Aunt Rande’s house with the bag.
“Where are you goin’?” Mickey asks casually, clearly not giving a shit about the answer. He probably just assumes she’s grabbing more stuff to bring to Lip’s house.
“Aunt Rande’s.” She tells him, grabbing one of his knives off the table - just in case. Rande isn’t known for having good taste in men.
“Wait, what? Why?” His tone is much less indifferent now. “That’s mine.” Mickey says as she slips the knife into the bag. She ignores him, knowing he doesn’t really have a problem. “Thought you were stayin’ with Lip.”
“I was. Until the asshole yelled at me and told me to fucking leave.” Mandy says bitterly.
“He said that?” Her brother asks, eyebrows raised menacingly.
“Yep. But I’m over it. He’s a prick anyway.” She tries to sound flippant, but is fully aware that Mickey probably sees right through it.
“Yeah, sure.” He rolls his eyes and makes his way to his room. Mandy takes that as the end of their brother-sister bonding and leaves.
As she walks down the porch steps, the front door opens behind her.
“What are you doing?” Mandy asks, exasperation coating her voice.
Mickey closes the door and looks at her smugly. There’s a bat clasped in his fist which she knows belongs to their dad and a cigarette dangling from his lips.
“None of your business, bitch.” He tells her, walking past and making his way up the street.
“Don’t kill him!” She calls after him and gets waved off.
It makes her oddly happy whenever her brothers ‘defend her honour’ like they’re some kind of white knights, but she also likes Lip, cares about him. Mandy would much rather he be alive - or at least have his dick still attached - the next time she sees him. She knows she’s weak for him, that she’ll come back if he asks nicely enough. The power he has over her makes her mad all over again, making her realise that she’s perfectly content with Mickey scaring the shit out of him.
Mandy smirks to herself and then heads in the opposite direction to Mickey, away from her father’s house.
—————
Mickey walks into the Gallagher house fucking fuming with rage. He’s still pent up from earlier, with Ian’s stupid ‘he’s not afraid to kiss me’ dare. He knows Ian’s probably wound up as well if the ache in his ass is anything to go by. Lip Gallagher seems like an easy target for his aggression, because one fuck with Ian was definitely not enough to tire out all this angry energy he has stored up. He’s not jealous. He’s really not. He just hates pedos. That’s literally all it is.
He can’t fucking believe Lip. From what Ian’s told him, they’d offered the Gallagher house to her as a sort of safe-house from their dad. Mickey was happy about that, because at least one of them should be able to get away from him. Now, Lip’s taken that safety away from her - which is very not fucking okay. Say what you want about Mickey’s loyalty, but he’s always been protective of his little sister.
The front door to the house slams open as he shoves it. Mickey can hear Ian in the kitchen.
“No, I’m her best friend, alright? And you’re acting like a douchebag. You want out, end it. You don’t, stop treating her like garbage. But just because Karen wiped her ass with you doesn’t give you the right to shit on Mandy.” He says, voice clearly frustrated.
When he looks in, he’s greeted by a fucking sight. Ian stands there in full army fatigues, squaring up to Lip, defending his sister. Jesus, he has to fight to keep his mind on track.
Debbie stirs something around in a bowl behind them while Carl butters bread laid out in front of him. His half-sister or cousin or quite possibly his niece - Molly? - sits beside them, staring at him as he enters. They’ve met before, so she knows him.
“Mickey!” She calls, waving at him. They never saw each other a lot, but when they did, she always tended to prefer Mandy. He’s eternally grateful that she doesn’t run to him or some shit - that really wouldn’t fit in with the scary vibe he’s going for. He waves at her, then turns to Lip.
“Hey.” Mickey snarls, false smile in place. “Heard something about Mandy… uhh… somethin’ about you bein’ a prick.” His voice is sadistically cheerful, threat of violence hanging heavily.
The two brothers swing their heads to look at him, but he adamantly refuses Ian’s gaze. He doesn’t need that distraction.
Carl and Debbie have conflicting expressions on their faces. Carl looks eager, excited almost to see what Mickey will do, and Debbie looks shocked. Perhaps a little worried.
“Shit.” Lip mutters.
“You think you might wanna explain? Huh, Phillip?” Mickey saunters towards them, bat swinging from his fingers.
“Don’t let Mandy leave, Mickey! I don’t want Molly to go!” Debbie shouts, which surprises him because he didn’t know Molly and her had gotten so close.
Mickey looks at Lip smugly, as if rubbing in his face that not all of the Gallaghers think they’re above the Milkoviches.
Fiona walks in the back door, about to speak. She pauses when she takes sight of Mickey in her kitchen and looks between him and Lip cautiously.
“What’s going on?” She asks, but gets ignored.
He watches as Lip looks to Ian for some kind of support, but when none is offered, he turns to Mickey with defiance in his eyes.
“What’s there to explain, Mickey? She was up my fucking ass day and night. I needed a break. Come on, even you must know how goddamn needy she can be.”
Any reservations Mickey had about hurting Ian’s brother fly right out of the fucking window. His blood boils and he scoffs at Lip, trying to put him at ease before he pounces. Ian takes a few steps away from his brother, shaking his head knowingly. Lip just completely fucked himself, and he’s having no part in the consequences.
“You fucking shit!” Mickey explodes, unable to take it anymore and springs toward Lip. He takes off running, bashing his hip on the counter. Mickey makes chase, following him up the stairs and then down again as he tries to make a grab at the door. Before he can open it, Mickey swings the bat toward him and Lip immediately turns and runs back into the kitchen, shoving past Ian as he goes.
“You’re a fucking psycho!” Lip yells as he rushes out the back door, stumbling down the steps.
“And you’re a fucking dead man!” Mickey cries in response, chasing him up the street.
He can hear Fiona screech as they go, but he doesn’t take much notice.
Lip takes them up the street and Mickey has to give it to him - the fucker can run. It’s lucky they’re roughly the same height, because if this was Ian he would never be able to catch up. He tries to turn a corner, but Mickey pins him against the wall of an alleyway by his shoulder before he can get away. Before he has a chance to bash the guy’s head in, Lip lands a sneaky punch to his stomach and slips past him. Fuck, that hurts. Lip gets a five second head start when he gets going again. He sprints back the way he came with Mickey close on his heals. Breath is burning in his lungs and it’s harder to keep up now sing the gut-punch.
“You fucker!” He shouts after him. Lip looks scared for his fucking life when he takes a second to look back at Mickey, who’s hunting him like a dog.
“Fuck off, Mickey!” Lip gasps out as he runs back up the Gallaghers’ street.
They quickly reach his house and Lip almost tumbles down the stairs with how he rushes up them. The door is shut in Mickey’s face, but he barges his shoulder into it with enough force that Lip springs back. He ends up on the other side of the couch, allowing him the ability to run either way. They’re both breathing hard, sweat accumulating on Mickey’s brow.
“What the fuck is going on?” Fiona yells, flapping her arms by her sides.
“Lip said Mandy’s needy.” Carl fills in, watching the altercation with rapt fascination.
“I’m gonna fucking kill you.” Mickey says, gasping for air.
“It’s not your business, Mickey.” Lip replies, swiping at his forehead.
“You screwed over my fucking sister. That makes it my business.”
Ian comes down the stairs then, entering the sitting room where they’re locked in a stalemate. Mickey doesn’t take his eyes off of Lip for a moment, knowing one distraction could allow Lip to get free.
“You’re acting like children.” He chides, like he’s some wise old grandad. Lip darts his eyes to Ian and makes a break for it. Mickey starts after him out of reflex, but then he’s gripping Ian’s shoulders and using him as a human shield.
Some fucking brother.
Ian rolls his eyes.
“Don’t involve me in your shit.” He says, but Lip holds strong and refuses to let him leave.
“Stop hiding, you fucking coward.” Mickey sneers, coming to a stop in front of the two.
“I’m not.” He pants out.
“Yeah, using your brother as a scapegoat. Nice fuckin’ move, Einstein.”
“Ugh, get off me, Lip. I’m not on your side.” Ian tries to shake him away, but it doesn’t do much good.
“Call your boyfriend off and I’ll let go.” Lip whispers in the hope that only Ian will hear. If Mickey heard, he probably wouldn’t stop at a beating.
“Move.” Mickey points the bat at Ian, but it’s only a threat to Lip.
Ian glances up at the ceiling, seeming to seek some deity’s grand advice.
“Mickey, get out.” Fiona sighs, clearly more frustrated by her brother than him.
Mickey ignores her, glaring at Lip’s smug face where it peaks over Ian’s shoulder.
“Fight!” Carl calls from the breakfast bar in the kitchen.
“No, Carl!” His sister chides, but doesn’t offer much more to prevent Lip getting hurt.
“Mickey, can you beat him up another day? We’re really busy right now.” Ian asks. He’s heard all about the body in the backyard which they’re trying to dig up, but he couldn’t really care less if Frank ends up incarcerated because of it.
“Yeah, no. I’m bashing his skull in right the fuck now.” His voice is mean and hard, Lip at least has the decency to look a little afraid. Ian, however, just rolls his eyes for the second time.
“Do you have to?” He sighs.
“He’s been a prick to Mandy!” Mickey argues, pretty sure Ian was on his side with this.
“He’s always a prick! Just beat him up another day!” Ian pleads, eyes widening in an attempt to get some sort of message across. Mickey ignores it, knowing he’s probably trying to indicate that he’ll suck him off or fuck him extra good if he does what he says. Fuck that, he’s not Gallagher’s bitch.
Mickey scoffs and turns away, giving Ian ample opportunity to make a grab for the bat. He steps back and raises his eyebrows at Ian angrily, pulling the bat out of reach.
“Come on, Mick.”
“Fuck you, Gallagher. He insulted my fucking sister! Let me at him!” Mickey tries to get past Ian, but he just tries to steal the bat again. They wrestle with it for a second until Mickey is finally able to pull it back again. While they were grappling, Lip managed to creep away towards the door and slip out. Mickey catches sight of the back of his head as he sneaks away.
Fucking pussy.
“You’re a dick, Gallagher.” He scowls at Ian, genuinely pissed off. He has every reason to at least land a few punches at Lip, especially since he gave a hard jab to his stomach.
Mickey turns and leaves, intending to pursue Lip later. He never really goes a week without seeing the dick once, so the next time they run into each other, Mickey will get him back.
The issue is, Mandy’s mind is easily changed. He wouldn’t be shocked if she was back with him by tomorrow, threatening to off him in his sleep if he dared lay one finger on her precious boyfriend.
This is such a piss take.
He storms back home, even more mad than before, and turns on his heel before he gets there. Instead, he walks to the abandoned buildings, because coming home in a bad mood can easily set Terry off. Him and Ian had agreed to meet back here tonight because it’s hot, so they’re able to sleep in the old mattress Mickey moved into one of the buildings. It’s on the roof now, but when the weather decides to give some stupid ‘summer showers’ they have to put it on the floor below.
Mickey’s tempted to text Ian and tell him not to come, but he knows the other boy will just ignore it. He’d still come, spewing some shit about how Mickey’d go blind without his dick. Mickey can manage perfectly fine, thank you.
——————
Once Mickey leaves, Ian calls Mandy.
She picks up on the second ring.
“Hey, Ian.” Her voice is staticky but clear enough to understand.
“Hey, Mands. Mickey just came over with a bat.” He informs as he makes a sandwich for Carl.
“Oh, yeah. I thought he might.” Ian laughs slightly at how casual she is.
“Yeah. Lip’s still alive, though.”
“Unfortunately.” Mandy mutters through the phone and Ian chuckles. “Don’t be mad at Mickey, alright? He’s just protective. You’re like his only friend, so don’t get pissy with him.” She says seriously. “And if you tell him I told you that, I’ll come for you myself.” Her voice turns light again.
Ian smiles widely at the implication of him and Mickey being friends - even if he’d rather be more - because that shows how they at least have some kind of relationship.
“I’m not mad, Lip deserved it.”
“Yeah.” She replies, and Ian can hear the smile in her voice.
He hangs up shortly after that, passing Carl the sandwich he put together. Then he heads out, intending to put all of this out of his mind at ROTC before he sees Mickey later. He does wonder if Mickey will just hunt Lip down anyway, despite what he asked.
————
Mickey gets a text half way through his graffiti project, where he was drawing the word ‘COCK’ in black and red bubble letters. Ian doesn’t know half the shit on these walls was his doing - and not just the black scribbles. Some of it is actually decent.
He abandoned the red spray can for a second to check what it says.
{ Bitchster } 4:23 | ty mick
{ You } 4:23 | wot 4
{ Bitchster } 4:24 | yk what assface
{ You } 4:24 | wtvr
| jst dnt fck lip
| hes anoying
{ Bitchster } 4:25 | u cant spell for shit
| and ur allowed to use vowels
{ You } 4:26 | i cn spell bitch
{ Bitchster } 4:26 | ur the bitch
{ You } 2:26 | fck u
Mandy sends back a middle finger emoji which he ignores.
He knows this is their way of being there for each other, is accustomed to this unusual way of communicating. It’s these types of conversations which he’d never have with his brothers that make him actually love his sister. Iggy too, maybe, because he’s sometimes around like this. He’s not as consistent, though.
When Ian arrives, he’s still pissed but not as mad as he was before. Mandy appreciated what he did, which made him feel a little better. Still, though. Lip needs at least one black eye. At least.
He does make the redhead work for it a little bit, putting up a show about how ‘if I can’t fuck up Lip’s stupid face, you can’t fuck me’. It’s all bullshit, really, and Ian laughs as he tries to make grabs for his belt buckle to pull him closer. Ian notices the bruise from Lip’s fist and jokingly prods at it, making Mickey slap him in the shoulder.
Honestly, he’s sort of kidding himself, because it really didn’t take Ian long to get in his pants. Why is he so goddamn easy for this dorky fucking Gallagher?
It doesn’t scare him how quickly Ian got his jeans around his ankles and his face pressed into a mattress, but what does scare him is how much he liked the teasing banter before they fucked.
Sometimes he wishes he could talk to Mandy about stuff like that - not the sex stuff, that’s disgusting - but the weird friend stuff that him and Ian do. He considers it on occasion, doesn’t think she’d mind. But then maybe she’d be mad for an entirely different reason, like stealing her best friend.
Even so, her love life is worse off than his at the moment, which wouldn’t make her very helpful. Still, it might be a possibility.