Set a Match to it (gallavich)

2

Ian had no idea how to react. He continued to stare at the small phone, afraid to find what was within the small bit of metal and plastic. He snapped out of his stupor as the ash build up on his cigarette fell on the small screen. 

"Bro, why the fuck do you have a flip phone still? I thought you had an iPhone now," Lip stood in the door way, watching Ian with question. 

"Uh, it's my old phone. Trying to find an old number, don't worry about it." 

"You sure?" Lip was obviously not convinced, he just watched Ian stated at the piece of shit for three minutes. 

"Ya, hey I have to get to work. I'll see you later, though." Ian brushed by Lip who still stood in the doorway.

"I thought your shift was this morning." 

"Nah, ever heard of a schedule change?" Ian called as he started down the stairs in quick steps. 

"Yeah, 'kay bro. Just stay safe alright?" 

Ian's response was blocked out by the back door slamming shut down stairs, he was already gone. 

Chicago's weather sucked ass tonight, Ian zipped up his jacket and then pulled the phone from his pocket, deciding not to waste time and stare just at it this time. 

He received one call and a voice mail to follow it. He stopped walking as the voice message began, all he heard was a intake of breath. It was rugged and slow. Ian heard the breath hitch, release and suddenly it sounded as if the person decided against speaking and went to end the call before a female's voice spoke from the background. 

"Hey, you sure you-" Click. 

Ian called the number back against better judgment, and expected the number to be disconnected. Instead the line rang twice before going to voicemail. Ian tried twice more, each time the voicemail only answered. Ian grew frustrated, staring up at the few stars that shone through patches of clouds.

He decided to listen to his received voicemail again, and he then realized he recognized the voice in the background.  He checked the date of the call. It was made three months ago, Mickey has been gone for seven.

He watched his breath disappear in the air as he listened to the voice mail for the last time that night. And he was sure of one thing. That was his ex's voice heard in the background.

The only ex-girlfriend he had to his name. 

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Ian had been to Mandy's once before. It was a little time after the Mexico road trip and he was drunk. Again. He called Mandy's number and told her it was his time for help. She gave him directions and they spent the night like old times, holding each other as they watched movies. She even drew a heart on his ankle. He just wanted a friend. Not a jack ass brother or a motherly sister. His best friend. 

Ian wasted no time getting to down town. He remembered his old day's with old men; the only time he spent nights in these type of buildings. He knew it wasn't smart to chase after Mickey like this, but nothing could stop him. 

Ian had tried to put Mickey on the back burner. Tried to start new relationships and new beginnings. Didn't really work. He always went back to Mick. It hurt that Mickey was the one person outside of his family he loved, and would always love. But thinking about their relationship hurt Ian. He saw the pain in Mickey's eyes every morning, he felt Mickey baby him. More interested in Ian's state of mind then Ian himself. His disease changed everything about him, and he couldn't stand to watch Mickey change as well. His coping method really had no game plan. It was easier to forget and talk Mickey down instead of miss him and hold onto the image forever. 

He showed up at the apartment door and hesitated before knocking, resting his forehead onto the shiny wood instead.

The door opened to his surprise, and he almost fell onto a brunette girl in a nice dress. Lots of makeup. 

"What the fuck?" The girl screamed, impulsively driving her knee in between Ian's legs. 

Ian had no time to react. He was bent over with his eyes shut tight, trying to take deep breathes and recover from a knee to his dick. The girl was yelling, yet Ian couldn't focus on what she was saying quite yet. 

"Yo, Iz. Calm down. I know this kid, Ethan or somethin'." A much quieter voice interrupted the girl's hysterical. 

"Jeez, I didn't know. He was just there, on the door. I was tryin' to leave and he sorta just fell on me, just standing right at our door. Who does he think he is?" Her voice was high and squeaky, kind of reminding Ian of Sammie. 

"I'm a friend of Mandy's, Ian. Is she around?" He managed through gritted teeth. 

"Nah, she moved out about three months ago. I can direct your call though. Here's her new address, one sec." The quite girl told Ian, disappearing into the apartment.

"Sorry for kickin' ya in your jewels. You never know, huh?" Iz said shrugging, and disappearing down the hall. 

"Here, she met this dude a while ago and kinda bolted. She's still around though, we meet up every once in a while." The other girl came back from inside the apartment and handed Ian a small card with written instructions. "Good luck and great to see you again, Ginger." She smiled at him almost flirtatiously, Ian didn't have the heart to tell her he didn't remember her at all, or that he was gay.  He awkwardly smiled his thanks and limped down the way he came.

Ian truly had no idea why he decided to chase Mickey today of all day's. He seemed like he was watching himself from a distance and totally missed the part where he decided it was a good idea. He missed Mickey, a lot. Everything reminded him of him. His kid, Ian's work. Sometimes he'd catch a scent that brought Ian back to when he was 15, sneaking into Mickey's room with a crow bar...

Letting Mickey go to Mexico was the hardest decision he had ever made. Ian completely built him self up, he had a steady job that helped him feel like he mattered and had a purpose again. He had a bank account, a schedule to keep to. Ian didn't want to blame Mickey if things went south again. He didn't want to watch Mickey take care of him, always worried. He'd rather picture Mickey on the beach with tequila. Care free. 

Ian remembered when Fiona told him how he had done so well without Mickey, and how Mick would set a match to it. Unfortunately, there had been some truth to it. It wasn't the fact that Ian had done well because  Mickey had been out of his life for the past while, but it didn't change the fact Ian had grown. Truth be told Mickey was a criminal. A criminal on the run from the feds. Ian would get sucked into that life style all over again. Of course Ian went anyways. 

Being with Mickey was liberating. He felt that thrill that seemed to be dormant for the year or so. He felt right with Mickey. Although, as they shared more time together Ian started picking up their new found differences. Mickey walked into a bank with a gun and a mask, when that thought hadn't even crossed Ian's mind. Ian knew Mickey felt the difference too, watching Ian being handed the stacks of money saved in his account. Of course they were in denial. The both of them. Ian couldn't leave his family like that, he had too many loose ends that he wasn't going to be able to tie up if he ran to Mexico with Mickey Milkovich.