Chapter Text
Fiona sits and stares across the table at the lanky, sandy haired man who she is so in love with. Fiona grew up around the MIlkovich boys . She knew the stories and saw them in the rare stints they came to school. But Fiona grew up quickly and taking care of her siblings took most of her time. She put them all out of her mind and focused on trying to let her siblings thrive and not just survive.
Two years ago their father Frank died of liver failure. Most of the kids had a quick mourning and moved on. Her brother Ian did not. Frank was always unkind to Ian and their mom, unstable and in and out. After Frank died, the hidden abuse from both Frank and Monica to Ian came to light. With that Fiona learned about Ian when 15 being groomed by a peodphile, Kash Karib who was his boss. Ian fell apart and his PTSD and coping skills had Fiona being his caretaker of his little.
Ian started age regressing two years ago and often after a trigger, the little would come out. Ian, when fully regressed in little space , was a hurricane of a three year old. He was loving and cuddly but the quiet often overlooked middle child disappeared when willful, brash little appeared. Fiona had to learn quickly. Sometimes Ian was big but brought the littles anxiety out. He worked remote doing copy write ads and often with deadlines he would sit cross legged working on documents with Mr. Froggy on his lap or a juice box where his coffee normally was. Other days it was a busy toddler who needed naps, goldfish crackers and reminders to go potty.
To cope, Ian’s therapist mentioned a small group of other people who helped caretake when a person was in little space. Fiona got support and learned about the little spectrum, the ranges people used for healing or play. She tackled this like she did with anything going on in her family. She simply embraced it. When Ian was big it was an affectionate eye roll and a “ yes Fi” . When he was going between spaces she was Sissy. And, when Ian was firmly with his little, she was mama.
Six months ago Iggy Milkovich walked into a group. She no longer saw the dirty , always stoned burnout. His hair was still long and he sported a goatee but he had filled out to be long and lean with taut arm muscles and a great ass. His youngest brother , Mickey was out of prison from charges Terry made him take instead of him. Between the prison experience and abuse from Terry, Mickey touch starved and diagnosed with anxiety and ptsd , started regressing in times of extreme stress. Iggy admits he thinks he saw Mickey regress starting at 14 after being hurt by Terry. When Mickey was released from prison, Iggy came home to see Mickey already bruised, Terry passed out and Mickey talking like he was five. He had Mickey move in with him and they found Mickey a therapist. He is not working yet, the sleep cycles and regressions have not been regulated. Iggy or Daddy panicked, not sure how to help Mickey. The group was supportive and Fiona and he being Southside had a lot in common. Coffee after the group turned to dinners and movies. Their first night sleeping together was addictive mind blowing sex. But more to it, each of them had fallen deeply in love.
Iggy and Mickey were struggling. Iggy worked as a welder but work could be spotty. Each check had to stretch. They knew Mickey was looking for part time work, his PO was only giving him 30 more days to find something at least 10 hours a week if he stayed in therapy.
Iggy had met little Ian and to Fiona’s delight, Iggy could move the stubborn little to do things without a dramatic tantrum. They talked about what made sense. Iggy and Mickey should move into the Gallgher house. LIp did not live at home anymore and Carl had created a man cave in the basement. Ian had the boys' old room and Liam had taken Frank's room. Ian and Mickey could be roommates and given they both regressed it made sense to have him in the same bedroom.
Fiona reaches over and squeezes his tattooed hand. “ Iggs, Ian and Mickey both agree and being roommates is no big deal. Ian grew up four in a room and well if one regresses the other is not going to bat an eye at the other's needs. We can build Mickey up, lie and say he is working at Patsys with me. When he is ready, he can just actually work. The therapy ain't cheap and you guys need a stable place. Sweetface is excited to meet Mickey, his little will do well with Mickey although for the first few days we may have to remind my guy that Mickey might need space.”
Iggy watches Fiona, thinking how lucky he was to have found a fierce and beautiful woman. He traces a finger up her arm.
“ I know Fi. I also know big or little the more support MIckey gets, the healthier he will get. He is so sweet but almost helpless when he is fully regressed, extra attention then will also go a long way. Mickey might come out of his shell around Ian and maybe Mickey can mellow your wild child.” He reaches over to pull Fiona in for a kiss.
“It’s settled, tomorrow bring Mickey over. I will clear the house and we can all hang and have pizza. If one or both are regressed we just roll with our plan to get them used to being around each other and mickey the rest of the family too.” Fiona kissed Iggy again and headed home. Sitting happily with Carl watching a nature program, Ian chewed the ear of his stuffed frog.
“ Sissy!”
OK , so Mickey was meeting Little Ian first.
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The Gallagher house isn’t really all that big, which is a relief to Mickey as he and Iggy approach it. He’s been gripping his Daddy’s hand as tightly as he can the entire drive here. Daddy says it’s safe of course, and that Miss Fifi was very nice. But Mickey’s always been nervous around new people, especially when it comes to his age regression.
As his Daddy pulls into the driveway, Mickey can’t help but try to hide behind him. Daddy had said it was a big family, but only two people are outside now, waiting for them.
“Come on Squirt. It’ll be okay. I promise.” Iggy’s voice is uncharacteristically soft, the way it always is when Mickey is small and scared like this. When his younger brother still hesitates, he adds on, gently, “Have I ever been wrong before?”
Mickey shakes his head, and slowly gets out of the car, still hugging the giant of a stuffed animal cat as close to him as he can.
“Hey Fi,” Iggy gives the older woman a small wave.
“Hey, Ig,” she replies, and before the two can say anything else, an absolute giant of a redhead bounds over to them with a plush frog in his arms.
“Hihi! I’m Ian!” Ian’s hugging Mickey’s Daddy without a second thought, and Mickey’s okay with that until the redhead turns his attention on him next.
As soon as the redhead’s eyes land on him, Mickey ducks behind Daddy’s legs, trembling as his own nerves overcome him.
“Ian,” Miss Fifi’s voice is patient, but firm. “Gotta be gentle with him now, remember? Mickey’s a little sensitive.”
Rather surprisingly, the redhead stops his energetic bouncing, peeking over Daddy’s side to look at him.
Of course being watched by someone, even if it’s another little, is still a discomforting feeling for Mickey. And to his horror he finds his lip beginning to tremble.
No no. He can be a big boy, and make a friend. He can be good. Or maybe he could be if the tears would stop stinging his eyes.
“‘M sorry,” he whimpers out softly, looking anywhere but up at the other little, who’s probably going to start laughing and making fun of him at any moment.
Instead, to his surprise, the taller man reaches around Daddy, and hands him his pretty stuffed animal frog.
“You need a hug,” the redhead states rather matter of factly. “Can you come out from hiding so I can give you hugs? Froggy will help but he’s got really short arms so he’s not good at hugging back.”
Without intending to, Mickey clutches the small frog to his chest. It’s not as big as Mister Muffins, his kitty that’s still practically swallowing up his body, but it’s still a stuffed animal. And all stuffed animals are friends in Mickey’s book, no matter what they look like.
Very slowly and carefully, he creeps out from behind his Daddy, and nods. He half expects the redhead-Ian-to just tackle glomp him in a hug onto the floor right there. But he’s surprisingly gentle, carefully lifting Mickey up into his arms and giving him a tight squeeze.
“It’s okay,” Ian mumbles, sounding very serious as he hugs Mickey. “I won’t let nobody hurt you. I got brothers and I got Sissy and I’ll throw all my toys at everyone who ever says mean things to you.”
A friend. Mickey’s never had a friend before. While still gripping the two stuffies, he does his best to hug Ian back. For once, he feels safe with someone other than his Daddy.