Chapter Text
Mickey and Mandy had shared a two bedroom apartment in Chicago for almost 5 years now. They had put a sizable distance between them and their fathers house, trying to forget their past and become decent members of society. They had grown very close over the years, into best friends even. His sister managed to pull out the softer more caring side of him and he wasn’t afraid to admit that. Mickey still had a hot temper though, he’d been working as a bartender in boystown for the last 3 years and his mouth rarely ever caused him any trouble there thankfully. If anything, guys were usually drooling over it, so it worked out just fine for him.
Six months ago Ian caught Mickeys eye one night when he waltzed up to the bar with another man. It was obviously a strained date, neither man seemed overly into it. Conversation lulled often and once Ian and the dude started talking weather Mickey injected himself into their conversation. He told them they were all wrong for each other and it was just painful to watch. He said that blondie should fuck off and leave Red in his more capable hands. The blonde man almost tripped over himself in his hasty retreat. Ian just laughed, completely taken by the bartenders brashness and confidence. They talked the remainder of Mickeys shift and eventually left to fuck until dawn.
Mickey had never had a relationship that lasted this long, hell he had never had a real relationship period. He had had regular fuck buddies through the years and boat loads of one night stands, but it all changed with Ian. It started out as weekend hookups, fuck buddy material, ya know? Soon enough though it turned into casual hang outs with pizza and movies, shopping with Mickeys sister, cooking meals together and park outings with Ian’s youngest sibling when he had babysitting duty. They became domestic somewhere along the way. They still didn’t live together or anything, but Mickey was fine with that, he liked his space. He was perfectly content with their dynamic and didn’t want anything to change. It was the happiest Mickey had ever been.
He found it was easy to bond with Ian being that they both grew up in fucked up households on the south side. Sure they had their little arguments here and there, but they were all superficial. Ian was more outgoing, but Mickey liked that. Even if he’d complain the whole time about going to a club after he just spent the whole night working at one. He loved watching his boyfriend dance away his stress and he loves drinking beer, so it wasn’t all that bad.
“Hey mick!” Ian said busting through the front door of the apartment, looking around for his boyfriend. “You home? Mandy?”
“Yeah, I’m home. Mandy got called into work.” Mickey said coming out of his bedroom, shutting his door. “What are you doing here? I thought you were working tonight too?”
“Rita sent me home, keeping me on call though.” Ian said plugging his phone in and peeling his EMT jacket off. “What are you up too?” He smiles at his boyfriend, walking closer to him, and tossing his jacket on the couch. Ian thought his boyfriend looked so cute in his sweats and tank.
“Just takin a nap.” He ran a hand through his hair and accepted Ian’s hug.
Ian captured Mickeys lips in a quick passionate kiss. “I missed you baby. It’s been a long, lonely couple of days without you.” He said suggestively.
“I missed you too. Our work schedules suck man.” Mickey commented. This was Mickeys first actual night off in two weeks, he had plans and his boyfriend showing up was definitely not in those plans.
“Why don’t we both go take a nap, huh?”
Ian ran his hands along his boyfriends arms, lifting the hem of his tank top and skimming his fingers along Mickeys flat belly.
Mickey pushed Ian back a little and looked up at him, squinting his eyes. “I don’t think you and I have the same definition of nap.”
Ian began waking towards Mickeys room, unbuttoning his shirt on the way.
“I gotta eat something man, I’m fuckin’ starving.” Mickey walked into the kitchen, looking back at Ian expectantly.
Ian stopped momentarily, licking his lips and giving Mickey a predatory look.
“Why don’t you eat out here and when you’re done, I’ll eat in here.” Nodding his towards the bedroom.
Mickey cracked a small smile at his boyfriends terrible joke, then shook his head.
“Or, we both eat here in the kitchen and save the bedroom shenanigans for later.” Mickey was not gonna budge.
“Mick, I don’t think you and I have the same definition of eating.” Ian chuckled, throwing Mickeys words back at him. “Also, You sound about 80 using the word shenanigans.” Ian joked.
“Ha. Ha. You’re a funny man, Gallagher.” Mickey said with little amusement. “I told my brother I’d help him out with some shit tonight. I gotta head outta here soon.”
“Listen, I’m gonna go get started, why don’t you join me whe you’re done eating. Your brother can wait a few extra minutes while you shoot your load in my mouth, right baby?” Ian’s grin and offer was enticing but Mickey had to keep a clear head. Then Ian’s hand went for the bedroom door handle.
“Ian don’t!” Mickey said in a raised and panicked tone. His breathing sped up and eyes went wide momentarily before schooled his features.
“Mick, what’s wrong?” Ian stepped away from the door. Concern on his face. “What’s going on?”
“Just...don’t.” Mickey faultered, not knowing how to keep his boyfriend from entering his room.
“Don’t what?” Ian asked. He was getting nervous at his boyfriends behavior.
“Just, come and eat with me...please.” Mickey turned his back on Ian and opened the fridge. He needed to feel the cold air on his face. That was close, too close for Mickeys comfort.
“Mickey?” Ian didn’t move.
“I can make a sandwich.” Mickey said moving things around in the fridge. “Or heat up some leftovers.”
“Mickey?” Ian said with a little more force while he buttoned his shirt back up.
Mickey turned, steeling himself for his boyfriends upset face.
“What’s going on?” Ian asked seriously. “You’re acting a little squirrely here.”
“Nothing going’s on. Just hungry.” He shrugged hoping Ian would buy it.
“I don’t buy that.” Ian looked down, took a breathe and looked his boyfriend in the eyes. The air in the room suddenly turned suffocating. “Why don’t you want me to go into your room?”
“I didn’t say that, man.” He was shaking his head. Mickey could feel everything crumbling. How did this happen? Why did he have to be so careless?
“So if I go in there right now I won’t find anything? Anyone?” Ian added quietly.
Mickeys face scrunched, disgusted with himself. He placed his palms on the island, leaning into it, head down. Ashamed.
“There’s nobody in my room Ian.”
“Then you won’t mind if I go in there?” It hurt Ian that he had to ask this.
Without looking up from the counter, Mickey spoke quietly. This was it, he wished he had more time.
“Ian...I think you should leave.” His heart broke with those words. But he stayed steady.
“What!?” Ian came towards Mickey, standing on the other side of the island. Willing Mickey to look at him. “Why?”
Mickey could look at him, keeping his head down.
“I don’t think we should see each other anymore.”
Ian wasn’t going to stand for this. He barreled around counter and grabbed Mickey by the arms and spun him around to face him.
“Mickey, look at me god dammit!”
Mickeys eyes slowly met Ians intense stare.
“Why are you doing this? I thought we were happy, I thought we were going somewhere. What happened? What changed?” Ian pleaded for answers.
“Please, let me go.” Mickey whispered and cast his eyes aside. “It’s over.”
“No! No Mick, I’m not letting you end this out of fucking nowhere!” Ians fingers tightened in anger and frustration. “We can work this out, please, baby.” He said loosening his grip, eyes softening. “Whatever is going on we can work it out.”
Ian’s hand cupped Mickeys face and for a moment Mickey allowed the warmth to flow through him. Then reality hit him when he opened his eyes back up to see his closed bedroom door behind his gorgeous boyfriend. He took a step back, but kept the eye contact. He had to do this, he didn’t have a choice.
“Ian.” His voice stronger than he felt. “I’m breaking up with you. I feel our relationship has run its course and I have nothing more to offer you.” He felt like a robot, reading off the script he wrote in his head for this very occasion. He knew this day would come afterall.
Silence. Ian’s jaw slacked, unsure of what to do, what to say.
They heard the lock turn.
“Hey guys!” Mandy said rushing in. “I got all the way to work and realized I forgot my fucking phone. So annoying!” She said running to her room.
Mickey and Ian broke away from the staring contest. Shuffling away from one another.
“Hey Ian, I’m off at 11, you gonna be here when I get home?” Mandy asked as she walked back into the room looking at her phone.
“I don’t think so.” He muttered.
“What’s going on?” She asked looking to both boys. Finally noticing the tension.
“Your brother just broke up with me.” He said not meeting her eyes.
Mickey wiped his hand down his face. He hated hearing those words from his mouth. He hated how sad Ian’s voice sounded.
“What?” Mandy breathed out, eyes darting between the two boys.
“That’s what I’ve been saying.” Ian gave a sad small smile before wiping away an escaping tear.
“Mickey?” Mandy looked towards her brother.
“It’s none of your business.” He hissed.
“Mickey!” She said sternly. “You don’t have to do this.”
“I said it’s none of your business!” He yelled. “Now get your ass outta here, don’t you have someplace to be?” He pointed to the door, eyebrows raised, his anger growing at the intrusion.
“Mickey just...fine.” Mandy said rolling her eyes in defeat. “Bye Ian.” She walked out with one final look at Ians broken face.
“Can we please talk about this?” Ian begged. “It doesn’t have to be like this. Just talk to me.”
“No! I’m done! We’re done!” Mickey realized he would have to go the extra mile to end this. He’d have to cut him down. “You were a good lay for awhile, but you’re old fuckin news now. There’s nothing to talk about, I’m through with you! That clear enough princess? We’re done. Leave.” Mickey sneered, his south side attitude was now firmly in place.
And that was the final straw for Ian. Tears slipped down his cheeks. He grabbed his stuff and walked out the door. He felt fooled, heartbroken and lost. Six months down the drain. Six months of intertwining their lives, growing and learning together. Ian had fallen in love with the other man, though he hadn’t said it, and now he never would, he had fallen hard. He didn’t understand how Mickey could so suddenly shut him out and dump him with such callousness. Apparently he didn’t know his boyfriend, well, now ex-boyfriend as well as he thought.
The moment that the had door closed, Mickey broke down crying and didn’t stop until he fell asleep. He hated himself for doing that, but he was too afraid not too.