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Growing up with six siblings in a low income household, you never really had anything to call your own.
Liam was used to wanting something and accepting that if he got it, it was the whole family’s to use as well. That or he got hand-me-downs, which weren’t always bad, they got the job done.
But having something to call your own was a different experience, never having to share because it was yours and yours alone.
Finally, Liam was gonna get that experience.
___________
“Fuck! Can’t wait to go bed shopping!” Mickey shouts, all too happy to replace the old worn-out shit they’re used to.
“We’ve been saving up a little for this day.” Ian explains to Liam, trying to make his husband’s outburst a little less embarrassing.
Liam couldn’t blame him, a new mattress probably feels like heaven. When Ian told him he could pick out his own bed, his excitement was immeasurable. A new bed that’ll only belong to him, no wondering who slept on it last or weird stains and smells.
Walking into ‘King’s Furniture Palace’, the trio can’t help but feel like kids in a candy store. The store varies from single items to full sets, it was a little overwhelming.
“Hello, welcome to King’s Furniture Palace. How can I help you today?” A young man’s voice cuts through their thoughts. They put their focus on the man, aside from Mickey, and took notice of the name on his shirt.
Richard
“Uh, yeah actually, we’re looking for two beds. One queen and another full size.” Ian takes the lead and talks with the man.
“Okay, follow me please.” The man quickly turns on his feet and leads them through the store, Liam turns around and grabs Mickey’s attention to what’s happening and they quickly catch up to the two.
Once they make it to the bed section, Ian and Mickey talk to the man about the specifics in what they're looking for while Liam wanders off to see what he wants.
Liam at first just runs his hands across a few, pressing down on them to test them out, but soon he’s sitting down on them and bouncing to see if he’ll really like them. He doesn’t like the spring mattresses, that’s what they had at the Gallagher house and those never felt comfortable to him, they dent in so easily.
The latex beds feel okay, but a bit too firm for his taste. Now the memory foam ones feel like heaven, they way they dip in and take shape is awesome to him and they’re soft to the touch. He could’ve fallen asleep right in the store.
After finding a particular bed set with a small black bed frame and the mattress of his dreams, he immediately gets the idea to go tell Ian and Mickey. As he hops off said bed, something tells him to check the price.
Oh boy does that crush any hopes he had for the bed.
__________
Ian watches Mickey with a smile as he bounces and lays back on one of the beds, he’s pretty sure this is the one they’re taking home.
“This memory foam shit feels soft as fuck!” Mickey declares as he continues to bounce.
“This one has small springs as well which is why it’s able to bounce the way it does.” Richard explains, pretty sure he knows he has a sale in the bad.
“Imagine when we fuck on this, that position you like with my legs in—-“
“Mick! We get it, it’s a nice bed.” Ian cuts him off, face now a little flushed as Richard looks toward the ground awkwardly.
Mickey chuckles but tries to calm himself once he sees Liam walk over with a sullen look on his face.
“Hey kid, what’s wrong?”
“Uh…I think I found the bed I wanted.” Liam sounds so small.
“Yeah? Then why the sad face?
“This stuff is really…expensive.” Liam reveals and it leaves the couple frowning.
They didn’t want him thinking like that, but after a whole life of only thinking that way, they knew it’d take a while to get him out of that mindset.
“Well we knew these wouldn’t be cheap, they’re some things that you can’t cheap out on for your comfort.” Ian explains with a small smile on his face.
“Yeah kid, you don't have to worry about prices, that’s stuff we should worry about as adults.” Mickey grins. “We’re responsible with money, so get whatever you like.”
Liam couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Don’t worry about money? How could he not? He doesn’t want to be a burden. Looking at the couple’s faces, he looks for any signs of hesitation, but they’re radiating confidence and reassurance.
“Really, are you sure?” Liam still couldn’t allow himself to get his hopes up too much.
“Yeah kid, we want you to be comfortable in your new room.” Mickey assures.
A smile begins to form on Liam’s face when he’s reminded of his own room.
“Okay, the bed I’m talking about is over that way.” Liam states and points towards where he’s talking about.
“Alright, I’m we’ll take this bed and the one he’s talking about.” Ian tells Richard and watches as he marks the bed Mickey’s sitting on and follows Liam to his bed.
___________
The couple watches on as Liam shows Richard his chosen bed with a smile. Ian then turns to Mickey with a big grin.
“You’re good at this.” He teases.
“Good at what?”
“Y’know…being a responsible adult he can rely on.”
“…whatever, let’s hurry up and get outta here. I’m hungry.” Mickey states as he hops up onto his feet and walks towards checkout.
Ian shakes his head and waits for Liam before following his husband.