Critics Desire

Chapter 7 | What's Wrong With Him?

The thing about lithium is that it only reduces mania. Doesn't take it away. Ian hasn't answered his phone since he told Mickey goodnight the night before. It's 1:30 in the afternoon.

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Mickey woke up around 7:00 that morning expecting to have some sort of a good morning text from Ian but as he checks his phone he sees nothing.

So he decides to send one first.

mick(7:00): good morning. it's weird that I'm up before you.

He doesn't start to worry until it's 11:30 and he still hasn't gotten a response. He texts him again.

mick(11:30): hey you good?

Still, after another thirty minutes he still had no response. He decided to send a text to Julie.

mickey(12:00): have you heard from Ian today?
julie(12:10): I texted him this morning and he didn't answer. I assumed you two were together so I thought it was normal. but you're not. are you?
mickey(12:11): nope
julie(12:12): okay, well. I'm gonna go over and check on him.
mickey(12:13): I'm gonna meet you there.

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When Mickey got there Julie was already there. He could hear her talking softly.

"Hey, Ian. Mickey's here."

When Mickey saw them. Ian is sitting on the couch with Julie sitting next to him. On his right side.

Ian turned his head slowly to look towards Mickey. Mickey saw that he visibly looked tired. Once Mickey set his keys on the counter he went and sat on Ian's left side.

"Hey." Mickey said softly. Ian swallowed before letting out a little mumble. Mickey looked at Julie confused and asked quietly. "What's going on?"

Julie motioned for him to follow her. He did so after telling Ian that he'd be back. He followed her to Ian's bathroom. As she grabbed two pill bottles she explained more about his bipolar disorder. How the lithium doesn't cure or get rid of the disorder. She explained he's experiencing the "low" side of it.

As their walking out Julie asks. "Can you get him a glass of water?" Mickey just nodded going to the kitchen.

When he gets back to the living room he watches Ian put the pills into his mouth and hands him the water when he needed it. He sat back down.

When Ian was finished Julie took the glass back to the kitchen. Ian leaned over laying his head on Mickey's shoulder.

Mickey looked over and pressed a kiss to the top of his head. Mickey slid his arm out to rub his back.

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Around 3:30 is when Julie had to leave to pick Callie up from school. They now had moved to Ian's room. Mickey came out of the bathroom to see Ian slowly crawling into the bed.

Ian's bed was already unmade so once he got into bed Mickey pulled the blanket up over him.

Mickey took off his boots and crawled into the bed next to him. Ian turned to face him where they just stared at each other.

Mickey ran his hand over the side of his face softly. Ian swallowed before moving closer and wrapping his right arm around Mickey's waist. The redhead then snuggled into him where Mickey just rubbed his back.

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Ian's currently in the deepest sleep Mickey's ever seen Ian in. It's now 6:00 in the evening when Julie comes in to see how everything is going.

When she appears in the doorway she asked. "How's it goin?" Mickey shrugged and said. "The same as earlier."

Julie sighed and said. "Hey, if you want to go home you can. I can take care of him. I've done it before." Mickey who was now sitting up in the bed said. "No. I'm staying."

Julie just nodded and said. "Okay." She paused before saying. "Call me if you need anything." Mickey nodded as she tapped on the door frame before walking out.

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Around 3:00 in the morning Mickey feels the bed shift. He rubs his eyes to see Ian sitting on the edge of the bed. Mickey sat up. "Ian?" Ian turned his head to face him. Mickey got up and walked around to Ian. When standing in front of Ian, Mickey pressed his forehead to the top of Ian's head.

He felt Ian wrap his arms around his waist. Mickey pulled back a little when he heard Ian say.

"Thank you."

It was weak and quiet like he had just slept for ten years. Mickey looks down at him asking. "For what?" Ian pressed his forehead against Mickey's lower stomach saying. "For being here. It's not your job to be here. Your not obligated to."

Mickey said in a reassuring voice. "Don't worry about it Ian. I just want you to know that your not alone through something like this."

They stayed hugging for a minute before. Ian looked up saying. "I'm hungry." Mickey let go, scratching at his upper lip with his thumb before saying. "What would you like?" Ian gave a small smile and said. "I'm in the mood for a pb&j sandwich." Mickey held out his hand and said. "You're in luck. I make a mean pb&j." Ian grabbed his hand.

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After handing Ian his sandwich he made himself one and put the silverware in the sink. They walked to the couch and sat down. They sat in silence as they ate their sandwiches. Occasionally Mickey looks over and watches Ian.

Once they finish their sandwiches Mickey feels Ian shift which makes him look over. Ian grabbed Mickey's hand from where it rested on the back of the couch and said. "This feels a little less shitty with you here."

Mickey smiled a little before saying. "Good. I'll stay until you're better." Ian was turned sideways on the couch facing Mickey.

Ian smiled smally before leaning over into Mickey's side.

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Around 9:00 Mickey hears the door open. He was watching tv on low as Ian sat pressed up against his side. He wasn't asleep.

Julie walked to the couch and sat on the other side if Ian asking. "How's everything going?" Ian sat up and said. "Okay." Julie smiled and said. "How'd he do?"

Mickey turned to face them with an eyebrow raised. Ian said not full of enthusiasm but enough to let Mickey know he was being funny. "You know. I think I'll keep him."

Ian reached down and grabbed his hand. Julie chuckled and said. "You two are making me jealous."

Ian smirked a little. The rest of the day goes by pretty slowly but Mickey thinks that the only place he belongs is with Ian.