Mickey's Free

No matter how

Southside

After the first day Ian was released from hospital he felt a change within his family and how they treated him. Gone where the kid gloves they usually treated him with. When he came down stairs in the morning the whole family was already sitting at the table having breakfast. Everyone paused when he came down but then they resumed their normal chatter and bantering. Fiona got up and put her plate in the sink giving it a rinse, she turned to Ian who was negotiating between coffee or toast and ended up grabbing both.
"Ian, can I get you to drop Liam off at school? I forgot I have to open the diner this morning" she said.
Ian looked at her and nodded clearing his throat "Sure" he answered.
He wasn't actually sure, but Liam was his brother, why couldn't he take him to school. Because since his diagnosis Fiona had rarely tasked him with any family duties he thought. Lip came and stood behind him putting a hand on his back and took a sip of the coffee Ian had made for himself.
"Hey, I'm thinking of earning some extra cash like we use to do at the local gym, you know me getting fucked. You wanna help me train so I can at least pretend to put up a fight?" Lip asked taking another sip from Ian's coffee. Ian nodded, he had use to train with Lip years ago and had always enjoyed the physical activity.
Debbie placed a glass of juice in front of him and took his coffee cup, taking four large gulps then proceeded to ask if he could help with moving her furniture out of her room and into Neils' place. Carl got Liams' school lunch ready and took away Ians' empty plate and the now empty cup of coffee he had in front of him. Carl asked if Ian wasn't busy this morning before work if he could help him practice holding guns the right way like he was taught in the army. Before he knew it he was drinking a glass of orange juice he hadn't poured for himself to take with his meds and a list of activities with his siblings which would take up most of the week.
Trevor came over in the evening and had dinner with him and the Gallaghers, it was the first time they had seen each other since Ian returned from hospital. Ian felt a bit of strain and wondered if he should have told Trevor about his bipolar disease earlier.
"Hey, when's your next day off. I'll take you out and we can go dancing, my friend works at a really kicking club and we should be able to get free drinks" Trevor said while they were eating.
"I've got Friday off" Ian replied. He noticed Lip and Fiona giving Trevor a 'look' and turned to them.
"What?" Ian asked Fiona.
Fiona shrugged, "You shouldn't be drinking with your meds".
Ian nodded, "I'll only have one and then stick to water". Fiona didn't look happy but she didn't protest further. Ian turned back to Trevor "So what have you been up to?"
Trevor shrugged, "Not much, been just hanging out with friends and been worried about you". Ian smiled, Trevor was a nice guy and he was glad Trevor wasn't making a big deal out of his disease.
When dinner was over Ian asked Trevor back to his room while he got ready for his first night back at work. As soon as Ian closed the door Trevor turned and kissed him, grinding his body against Ian. Ian kissed him back but after a while pulled Trevor back and said softly "I'm sorry I didn't tell you about my diagnosis, I just didn't know how to tell you".
He was scared Trevor would freak out but instead Trevor shrugged "It's cool man" and moved forward to kiss him again. This time Ian kissed him back but he was now focused on the fact that Trevor was taking his disease so well compared to his family who made a big deal out of everything he said and did, always trying to determine if his behaviour might be normal, hypomanic or depression.

Two months went by without any issue until Ian was pouring himself some juice and realised there was not enough left to fill his glass. Trevor who was in the lounge room at the time watching TV heard glass break and went to see what had happened. He found Ian crying and broken glass in the sink.
"There wasn't enough OJ" Ian cried leaning against the bench. Trevor called Lip who was at work at the diner telling him to hurry home.
"Hey Ian, it's ok. It's just some juice" Trevor said trying to soothe Ian. Ian continued to cry, his body now heaving with sobs. Gradually Trevor managed to coax him to the couch where he lay down and continued to murmur that there was no juice left.