Chapter Text
Vicki is rounding the end of the cereal aisle when she hears a familiar voice.
"But you love it." Ian is insisting, and she hears a tumble of something falling into a basket.
Masochism and curiosity get the better of her and she peers around the end of the next aisle to see them standing looking at the desserts.
Mickey, who she has only really seen once, is fishing something back out of the basket and replacing it on the shelf.
"Jesus fucking Christ," he's saying, "That was once and how do you even remember shit like that?"
She looks at him for a moment. Takes in his short dark hair and pale skin. Notices that he's much shorter than Ian, about her height she realises, but pushes that thought away.
She catches a flash of ink as he brings his hand back from the shelf. She decides he's good looking, but also has a definite... edge to him. She wonders if that's what Ian sees in him. Then she internally scolds herself for judging a book by its cover.
Ian is now very purposefully putting the pots back into the basket, "But you made such a big deal of it."
"Have you seen the crap they give you t'eat in juvie? That's the only good thing. Of course I made a big deal." Mickey is replying and Vicki registers her surprise at him openly airing his dirty laundry so loudly in such a public place.
"For fuck's sake, Gallagher, " he continues, "that was ten years ago. Have you ever seen me eat jello since I got out of there?"
"That's not exactly fair, Mickey." and Vicki sees that Ian looks a little sad when he speaks this time. Somehow she feels guilty though she doesn't know why. It's not her fault they were apart for so long.
Mickey, seemingly oblivious, except for a brief moment when he drops his head, carries on, "Well let me tell you. No. I haven't fucking touched the stuff."
She watches him take the little pots back out of the basket and all but slam them haphazardly back on the shelf, knocking other items over.
To any onlooker this looks like an argument. There's swearing involved and a definite air of tension. But within seconds the men are laughing. She missed how the laughter happened, but she sees Ian flick Mickey's ear. Mickey retaliates by squeezing Ian's hip and leaning into him and suddenly Vicki can't look any more.
She's not bitter about it now. After she got over the shock and then the hurt, and then over it all a second time once the divorce papers were filed, she knew it was all for the best, because neither she nor Ian were going to get what they wanted out of the marriage. She thought she would, but it turned out she was wrong. Still it doesn't make it any less weird seeing them together. But she wonders why they had to be in this neighbourhood and hopes to God they haven't moved here.
When an arm slips around her waist, it makes her jump.
"You get everything we need, sweetie?" Danny asks.
She smiles up at her boyfriend, "I think so." They make their way to the register.
She hears the voices again behind her in the line, but she doesn't turn around, even when she hears Mickey saying, a little too loud, "Whipped cream is MUCH better for dessert."
And the innuendo is all too clear and she knows Ian is most likely blushing, but no, she doesn't turn around. She hands the cash to Danny so that he can do all the talking and prays that they won't see her, because she doesn't want to make it as awkward for them as it feels for her right now.
As long as they're happy, she thinks to herself.
Then Danny turns to her, all smiles and says, "Ready Vic?" and for some reason she can't help herself turning back to look, to see if they heard, and they're both standing looking at her as well, too rigid, eyes wide with surprise.
She turns back, scoops up the last bag that Danny left because he couldn't manage it. She hears Ian clearing his throat like he's about to speak, and hopes he doesn't, before she follows Danny out of the store.
She risks one last glance back through the big glass windows as she walks by, and finds Ian is watching her. The last thing she makes out is him giving her a small wave and she really hopes it's the last time she sees him.